tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78002683003887903012024-03-05T07:56:33.183-05:00JL's JunctionThe stories on this blog include loving discipline. Couples can be M/F and M/M. You must be at least 21 years old to read the stories here.
All stories are owned and copyrighted 2016 by JLJLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-52125039081842763742019-12-19T20:02:00.002-05:002019-12-25T13:11:42.206-05:0025 Days of Christmas Year 2 - Days 19-25<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For some reason blogger wouldn't let me add anymore to the original post, so I'm continuing the 25 days here :)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">JL-</span><br />
<br />
*****<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 19<sup>th</sup> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">The day went by in a flurry for both Max and
Tony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max worked diligently on his
articles; the work feeling more enjoyable than usual because his manager had
passed along the positive comments readers had posted on the <i>Eyes of
Christmas</i> articles that had run so far.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">At lunchtime he went into the newspaper
office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The staff was having a Christmas
luncheon and he was highly encouraged to be there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The meal <i>was</i> good, but Max only stayed
as long as was appropriate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony’s day was taken up with a ten-hour shift at
the store.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He clocked out at six, and by
seven he, Max, and several friends bundled up in heavy sweaters and coats—Tony,
as always, insisting on hats as well—and went out Christmas Caroling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">It was an activity Tony had introduced Max to, and
while it felt a bit awkward initially, the joy of it would soon take over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had a schedule of places they went to,
and delivered cookies to each home that they stopped and sung at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also had a large collection of candy
canes that were handed out at a nursing home and to any children they passed on
the street.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">By the time the singing was done, their whole
group was a bit hoarse, and everyone was cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By mutual agreement, they hastened toward a well-lit coffee house, the
call of hot drinks and a heated establishment being too strong to ignore.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">The place was a bit fuller than they expected, so
half the group went to claim a couple tables, and the others got in line with
drink orders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max went with the half to claim a table, and as he
was putting his coat over the back of a chair, he saw a newly familiar face, Professor
Gil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again thinking of his resolution to
offer friendship, he approached the man who was sitting by himself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Professor?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Remember me?” he asked as he drew near.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">The older man looked up and a grin lit his still-handsome
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Max!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s only been a couple days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How are you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re looking a bit chilled.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I admit, I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My partner and I have been out caroling with some friends and we’re
finished the night here trying to get some feeling back into our fingers.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">The man chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You’re a brave group to be out in this cold.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Some would say more foolish than brave,” Max
replied with humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t know if you’re
with or waiting for someone, but would you like to join us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like my partner, Tony, to meet you, and
no one will mind a new face with us.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">The professor hesitated for just a moment, but
then agreed with a sweet smile that lit his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d like that.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Professor Gil was quickly welcomed by everyone,
and since their group of carolers had a wide range of ages, he didn’t have the
discomfort of being the oldest one there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One couple had a couple years on him, and
another gentleman was only three years younger, and he and the professor
discovered they shared the same birthday.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Over the course of a couple hours, their group
talked, laughed, and slowly dissipated to head to their homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the end of the night, Max, Tony and
Professor Gil were the only ones left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They chatted for another half hour before a jaw-cracking yawn
interrupted Max mid-sentence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Oh my, I think I’ve bored you, Max,” Gil teased.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s just been a busy day.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“It’s a busy time of year,” Tony added.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“That it is,” Gil agreed, although it’s not so bad
for me once school lets out for the holiday.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Do you miss it, or do you enjoy the break?” Tony
asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoy
my classes and students, although they seem to get younger every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It must be that, because I know I haven’t
gotten any older,” he joked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all
laughed and Gil then reached for his scarf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I think it’s time we all call it a night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for including me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I enjoyed myself with your friends.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I hope you’ll count them and us as <i>your</i>
friends now too,” Max expressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ll
have to meet up for coffee or dinner again.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I’d like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You have my business card.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call
me when you might be available.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Both men promised to do just that, and all said
good-night with happy hearts.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
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UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 20<sup>th</sup> </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max had finally decided on a gift for Tony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it was the perfect gift or not would
completely depend on Tony’s reaction to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At the very least, the gift would be unexpected, but after all his
shopping and online searching, Max felt a happy peace on his final
decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gift also wouldn’t be
ready until Christmas Eve, which was cutting things very close, but he was sure
he could pull it off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the meantime,
he had some phone calls to make and more articles to write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first five had been run, the six and seventh
were written, and the eighth, <i>Christmas Through the Eyes of a Foreigner</i>,
just needed one more rewriting before he submitted it to his supervisor.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">This one had been a bit difficult to write.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of countries celebrated Christmas in
some way, and the people he’d interviewed admitted the struggle it sometimes
was to be in America over Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
of the people he’d interviewed had been high school and college exchange
students, as well as a few individuals who had worked to obtain US citizenship.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Many had similar reflections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They missed their home traditions and far
away family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many felt that American
greed was depressing, and that both children and adults appeared very spoiled
and ungrateful in their eyes.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">However, several also told them how they’d been ‘adopted’
into friends’ families, and that they loved the joy of seeing people find and
give gifts to loved ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">The interviews made Max wonder how he would handle
Christmas in another country, and he rather hoped he never had to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thought of being away from his family,
even with their chaotic get-togethers and nosiness, was not a pleasant one. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">His mind drifted again to Professor Gil and Tara.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wondered what the two of them were doing
on Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and Tony were spending most
of the day just the two of them, but they were joining Max’s parents for dinner
on Christmas night. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">On a whim, Max grabbed his cell and called his
parents house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His father’s familiar
voice answered his call.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Hi, Dad?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How would you and Mom feel about having two more people for dinner on Christmas?”</span></div>
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Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
<b>Dec 21<sup>st</sup> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Rockin’ around the Christmas tree, have a happy
holiday!”</span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max sand and danced around the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He really was ridiculously happy and full of
the Christmas spirit right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today
had been a full-on productive day, with the only downside being Tony at
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since this was the last Saturday
before Christmas, he was working a fourteen-hour shift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max kept a good attitude about it though. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony had Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off,
and they’d be heading to California just after the new year to spend time with
Tony’s family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having a positive attitude
about Tony’s work schedule made things much easier to deal with.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Today, with the house to himself, he wrote the
first draft of his ninth article. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Christmas
Eve and Christmas Day articles would go hand-in-hand with each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were <i>Christmas Through the Eyes of a
Parent</i> and <i>Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was excited about these final two, and
thrilled with how well all the previous ones had been received.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This series had felt like a highlight in his
career so far.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">After writing the rough draft, he went into
full-on Christmas mode. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Braving the crowds
at the grocery store, he went out and got groceries for the week, including
some special goodies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once back at home,
he’d wrapped all their presents while watching a cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie,
and then moved his activities into the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">With Christmas music playing in the background, he’d
made two more batches of cookies to be shared with others, six mini-loaves of
banana bread that were going to their neighbors as gifts, and another batch of
the doughnuts Tony had loved so much the week before.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">The house smelled wonderful and it looked
incredibly festive with their lit-up tree and pretty packages now sitting
underneath it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Another highpoint of the day was his phone calls
to Professor Gil and Tara.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d invited
both individuals to Christmas dinner at his parents’ home, and was happy when
both invitations were accepted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
professor seemed uncertain at first, but it didn’t take much to convince him
once Max asked him to bring a Christmas dish that was special to him to the
meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tara had plans with friends earlier in the day,
but happily said she’d join them that evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When asked if she could bring anything, he’d told her the same thing he’d
told Gil…bring a dish that was special to her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Pleased with the way his Christmas season was
going, Max arranged a plate of treats to greet Tony with when he came home, and
continued to sing as he worked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Everyone dancin’ merrily in the new old-fashioned
way!”</span></i><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 22<sup>nd</sup> </span></b></div>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I <i>still</i> can’t believe the store let this
happen!” Max huffed angrily as he applied arnica ointment to Tony’s cheek.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“They couldn’t do anymore than they did,
babe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one could have guessed the
customer would fly off the handle like he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Plus,” he added, “the incident is giving me a couple extra days at home
with full pay and with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it’s a
Christmas blessing.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">The incident he referred to was a confrontation
with a customer the day before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While
Max had been happily indulging in the Christmas spirit, Tony was getting
assaulted by a drunken customer.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“You said you didn’t have the energy to get into
it when you got home last night,” Max reminded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Can you tell me the full story now?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony very lightly touched his bruised cheekbone as
he nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah, but can we at least
enjoy your doughnuts and coffee while I tell you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max’s eyes softened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Of course.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He set two doughnuts out for each of them, and doctored up a cup of coffee
just the way Tony liked it before making his own cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Now, what exactly happened?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony sighed, but began his story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The store was crazy, like it always is the
weekend before Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone in my
department was busy with customers at the register, in the dressing room, or at
the racks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had just finished helping a
woman get the right size sport jacket for her husband when a man came into the
department.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was walking a bit erratically
and when I approached him I could tell he’d been drinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He started going to several racks, pulling
shirts and ties off them and throwing them on the floor.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Jerk,” Max stated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony didn’t disagree, but he kept going with his
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I told Camden to call security
if it looked necessary while I approached the man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I asked him if I could help him find
something, he said I could go find him a drink and a hooker if I had any in the
back room.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Sheesh, he had no boundaries.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Drunk people usually don’t, Max.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I told him that I thought he would be
best if he’d leave since we didn’t serve either of those things and he got
angry.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“And he <i>hit</i> you!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“He took a swing at me,” Tony confirmed, “but he
was wobbly and practically cross-eyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
only managed a glancing blow instead of a straight-on punch.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max huffed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“He still connected and left you bruised.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I know, but Camden and I got him restrained until
security got there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The police came then
and took our statements, and store upper management gave me the full week of Christmas
off on top of the time I’m taking for our trip in a couple weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not seriously hurt, so it’s all good.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max stuffed his last bite of doughnut in his mouth,
and then stood, rounding the table and pulled Tony into a tight hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I love you, you know that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’m half-tempted to ask you to quit.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony hugged him back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My job is rarely dangerous, babe, and I love
you too.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He angled his head to kiss Max
within their embrace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wouldn’t mind
showing you how much I love you too if you’re willing to go back to bed with
me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">That brought a grin to Max’s lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you sure you’re up for it?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Oh, I’m definitely <i>up</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was my cheek that got punched, not my….”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Tony!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony guffawed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Come on, handsome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me show
you how good I feel right now.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 23<sup>rd</sup> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“People are going to think I hit you!” Max
insisted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony’s injured cheek had blossomed into a mix of
blue and purple over the last 24 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It wasn’t as bad as it could be, but it was still very noticeable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I promise I’ll set things straight if anyone
looks suspiciously at you, but I’m really looking forward to Chinese
tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, the restaurant is
always relatively dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bruise
shouldn’t be as noticeable.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max was still doubtful, but he was hungry and
looking forward to the food too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave
in and the two of them headed to their favorite Chinese restaurant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony had first taken Max here last year, and
now the two of them tended to get dinner here at least once a month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hosts and serving staff all recognized
them now, and it was always a pleasant experience.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">The meal itself was a pleasant experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They each got one of their favorite
meals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The atmosphere was dark enough
that Tony’s bruise was less noticeable, and the restaurant had a Christmas game
going on where you could spin a wheel and potentially win a prize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max ended up winning a free appetizer and
Tony got a half-price dessert, both of which they split.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">It was later that night that the unpleasantness
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max was driving since Tony’s
cheek was mildly swollen and they thought it safer for Max to be behind the
wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were talking and laughing on
the way home, Tony regaling Max with a family anecdote from a childhood Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made Max laugh and completely miss the
stop sign at a four-way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, the
one other car at the intersection was paying attention and squealed to a stop.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Both men gasped at the near miss, and the car was
quiet for several moments before Tony moved a hand to grip Max’s knee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you okay?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max nodded, “Yeah.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I’m sorry I distracted you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll finish the story when we get home.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max nodded again and they were quiet for several minutes,
just letting the radio play softly around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">However, they started conversing again as the
drive continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were about five
minutes from home, with Max telling of some of the positive reviews his
articles had been getting, when he decided to let Tony see some of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His phone was in his pants pocket, but his
coat was getting in the way of retrieving it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the struggle of trying to get it out and driving with one hand, he
missed the traffic light turning red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Max!” Tony yelled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">The fierce tone jerked both Max’s hands back to
the steering wheel, and he flushed hotly when he realized that he’d now run a red
light as well as a stop sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully
no cars had been at that intersection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Are you safe to drive the rest of the way?” Tony
asked seriously.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max felt his face grow even hotter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were less than five minutes from home,
and he nodded shame-facedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony didn’t say anything else until they were
parked and getting out of the vehicle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
want you to go to the corner when we get inside,” he said shortly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max’s head dropped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony rarely sent him to the corner, but he
didn’t argue, knowing it would get him nowhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He silently hung up his coat when they got inside, slipped off his
shoes, and then went to the corner between the wall and living room bookcase.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I want you to think about what it means to be a safe
driver, Max,” Tony said as he followed him in, his voice just as serious as it
had been in the car.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Yes sir,” Max replied.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">He didn’t know how long he stood there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t a good judge of time in the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It always felt much longer than it was. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">It had gotten to the point where he was really struggling
not to fidget when Tony finally told him to turn around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he rather wished to go right back to
the corner when he saw Tony sitting on their couch with a heavy wooden spoon in
his hands.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Tony…please,” he couldn’t help pleading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d only felt that spoon two other times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony usually just used his hand to spank him,
so for Max the spoon represented severity and distinct disappointment on Tony’s
part.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Please nothing, Max.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll admit that I was partly at fault for distracting
you from the stop sign, but that should have made you even more aware the rest
of the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, you know how I feel
about going for your phone in the car, even if it was to give it to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just trying to get it out distracted you to
the point of running a red light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
not going to happen again.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No sir.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Come here.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">He couldn’t help the slight whimper that came out,
but he obeyed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony did the job of
undoing and taking down his pants before putting him across his knees.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“You pay attention when you’re driving at <i>all</i>
times,” Tony scolded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You will not run
the risk of hurting yourself or someone else.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max didn’t have a chance to respond before the first
lick of the spoon fell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead his
breath left him in a whoosh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It came
back quickly enough though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony was
flicking the rounded head down much faster than he usually did, making Max
squirm, whimper, and then cry much sooner and harder than he usually did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His ankles crossed and uncrossed, and Tony
had to catch his hand when he inadvertently threw it back, instinctively trying
to protect his uncovered bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">His tears were flowing freely and he was sobbing
into the cushion when the swats finally stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony’s warm hand began rubbing up and down his
back, his voice making soft soothing sounds as Max slowly went from bawling to lighter
tears to hiccupped breaths.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I’m…sorry,” he finally managed to gasp out.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I know, babe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m sorry we had to do that too.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">That statement wasn’t unusual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max knew Tony took no enjoyment in spanking
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shifted enough to turn himself
upright on Tony’s lap and put his arms around his lover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony hugged him back in strong arms.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I love you, babe,” Max heard whispered against
his hair.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I love you too,” he offered back.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 24<sup>th</sup> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Of all the family get-togethers, the one on
Christmas Eve at his parents’ house was Max’s favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If that was the only holiday party they had,
he would be perfectly happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Like the previous year when he’d first introduced
Tony to his family, the two of them chose to arrive early and have an hour just
with Max’s parents, Judy and Don.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Judy,
always excitable but especially so during the holidays, welcomed them with her
typically enthusiastic hug.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Come in!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Come in!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s frigid out there.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Both young men entered with chuckles over her
enthusiasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Here, Mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I brought the sugar cookies you requested,
and this container is just for you and Dad.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Oh, what is it?” Judy asked even as she tried to
open the lid.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony answered for Max.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They’re doughnuts. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max has been making them and they’re
wonderful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admit, I’m kind of upset
Max is giving you those.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t really
want to share them.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">That made Judy’s eyes brighten even more and she
laughed as she lightly smacked Tony’s arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Greedy boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know my son keeps
you well-fed, and we’ve got plenty of food here tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can take any leftovers you want.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">The three of them moved further into the house and
joined Max’s dad in the living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tony had been carrying the gifts they’d brought for the family and he
placed them under the tree as Max settled on the couch near his father’s chair.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">It was a peaceful hour for all of them, with both
couples talking of their post-holiday plans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It didn’t last long though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually the rest of Max’s family arrived: brothers, sisters, nieces,
nephews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony got pulled into a game of
Hungry Hungry Hippos with the little boys while Max’s niece, Trini, climbed
onto his lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Santa is coming tonight,” she told him seriously.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Is he?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What if he forgets to come?” Max asked her with exaggerated tones.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Ms’s Claus reminds him,” she stated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Oh, what if he gets lost?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">She shook her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“ ‘udolph nose glows.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“And that keeps him from getting lost?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">She nodded seriously.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“But what if he forgets the presents?!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">She shook her head adamantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Elves has them for him.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Oh, well that’s very good then.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">She grinned adorably at him, and then ate a cookie
from his plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He laughed, so shocked
at her quick little hands that he couldn’t help it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey, that was mine!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I get more,” she said, and slid off his knees and
headed to the kitchen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Next to him, Max’s father smiled knowingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know your mother is going to start
hinting at you and Tony having kids someday.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Dad...” Max whine slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re not there yet.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I know, but the future is a blank book just
waiting to be filled with stories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
and Tony have started writing yours.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max like that analogy and nodded
thoughtfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made him content to
think of filling a make-believe book with stories he and Tony would create
together.<br />
<br />
****</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Hey, handsome.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tony’s arms wrapped around Max from behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d just gotten home and turned on their
tree lights, which gave the room a warm, cozy glow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Happy anniversary.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max knew exactly what anniversary Tony referred to
this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d spent their first
intimate night together a year ago on Christmas Eve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Happy anniversary,” he replied softly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How should we celebrate?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony’s deep chuckle tickled his ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, I have plans....”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span><br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
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Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
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mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
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mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 25<sup>th</sup> </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">It was <i>much</i> earlier than Max liked to be
out of bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sleeping in was a great joy
in life, but last-minute necessities had to be done to give Tony his Christmas
gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slipped quietly out of bed,
used the bathroom, and then wrote a note to leave on his pillow for Tony to
see.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">His Christmas morning plans involved a short trip
to pick up Tony’s gift from where it had been hidden, and then sneaking it as
quietly as possible into the house.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">When that was done successfully, he breathed a
sigh of relief and looked toward the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No noise could be heard, so either Tony was still asleep or he was
obediently remaining in bed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Just then he heard a creak and the flush of the toilet,
alerting him that Tony had woken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, Max
crossed his fingers and prayed Tony would stay upstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, working quickly, he warmed some of his
homemade doughnuts while scrambling eggs with cheese and filling two mugs with creamy
hot chocolate. Plating everything carefully and on a tray, he carefully tread
up the stairs and nudged the bedroom door open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony was awake, sitting up in bed, shirtless, and with
a book in his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A book he
immediately put aside as Max entered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey,
what’s this?” he asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Breakfast in bed,” Max announced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thought it would be a pleasant start to
Christmas.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“It definitely is!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank you!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max settled the tray over Tony’s legs and then
settled in next to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Merry Christmas.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony leaned over and placed a lingering kiss to
Max’s lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Merry Christmas to you too,
love.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">They ate slowly, enjoying the relaxing start to
the day, but when the food was gone, Tony’s eyes gleamed expectantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Time for presents?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Sure!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plugged the tree in when
I was downstairs, so it’s ready for us.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony took his hand and they walked together to
their living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when Tony
took a seat on the floor near the tree and wrapped gifts, Max slipped his hand out
of his grip.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Um, my gift for you isn’t under the tree, and I’d
really like to give it to you right away, so I need to go get it, okay?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Confused, Tony looked at the gifts that were there
and then back to his boyfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">With a quick nod, Max hurried from the room and
into their small laundry closet where he’d quickly placed the gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Picking it up carefully, he walked more
slowly back to the tree, truly hoping Tony would love this gift as much as Max
already did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he stepped into the
room, he saw Tony’s eyes go wide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Merry Christmas,” Max offered
as he handed the small, white dog in his arms to Tony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sleepy pup’s tail wagged and he gave Tony’s
cheek a nuzzle and a lick before immediately going to sleep in his arms.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“It’s a puppy!” Tony whispered in awe.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“He’s actually about a year old,” Max
corrected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s a Havanese and his name
is Bailey.”<span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Bailey,” Tony repeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s adorable, Max!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"> <img alt="" 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" /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Quietly, Max told Tony of seeing the dog at Tara’s,
his heart immediately going out to him, and of the pup’s special needs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I know he’s a commitment and some extra work than
some other dogs, but he just seemed so special, and you’re the most special
person to me, Tony, so it just seemed right to gift him to you on Christmas.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony’s eyes actually grew damp and he hugged Max
as best he could with the pup sleeping on his lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I love him, Max!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s perfect!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But what are all these other gifts?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max’s face flushed a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Um, it’s actually all dog stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Food and water bowls, toys, a leash and collar,
a doggy bed….”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“That’s great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which one is the
doggy bed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as I hate to put him
down, I need Bailey out of my arms to give you your gift.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max quickly found the right package, tore off the paper,
and set the bed next to Tony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Reluctantly, the other man settled the bundle of white fur onto the soft
bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bailey snuffled a little at the
move, but went quickly back to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony then plucked a small, silver-wrapped box from
under the tree and faced Max.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes
full of love, he reached for Max’s hands and held them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Max, you are also the most special person in
my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took me a while to find
exactly what I wanted to give you this year, but I did, and I hope you love it
as much as I love Bailey.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">He handed Max the box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carefully, Max undid the paper and saw a
rather nondescript black box under it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
had a latch keeping it closed, and when Max released the latch and opened it, a
gorgeous ring, both delicate and masculine, sat on a bed of velvet inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes widened and he looked with surprise
and tears in his eyes to Tony.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony had somehow shifted
to one knee and he took the ring in one hand and one of Max’s hands in his
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I love you so much, Max.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you marry me?”<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">I THINK WE ALL KNOW WHAT MAX’S ANSWER WAS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center; text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">MERRY CHRISTMAS
EVERYONE!</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"></span></b></div>
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JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-74239706861625074992019-12-01T14:08:00.000-05:002019-12-18T18:46:39.495-05:00Max and Tony - 25 Days of Christmas Year 2<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">25
Days of Christmas: Year 2</span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dec
1</span></span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Max, eyes still closed and half asleep,
felt the bed shift as Tony showed signs of waking up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A couple minutes later an arm and leg draped
over him and a whisker-rough cheek nuzzled happily against his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Happy anniversary, handsome,” Tony
murmured in a sleepy growl.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Max grinned with eyes still closed and
almost fell back to sleep before his boyfriend’s words registered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Happy…anniversary?” he mumbled in confusion.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Mm hm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>December first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Met you…one
year…today.”</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The drowsy words processed through Max’s
brain a bit slower than normal—he wasn’t his best in the mornings—but
eventually connected fully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It <i>was</i>
a year ago that they had met.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d
walked into a department store, lonely and with a total grinch attitude going
on, and had met the man he now hoped to spend the rest of his life with.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Warmth filled him as memories of that day
flooded him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Happy anniversary,” he
whispered back.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">An hour later the two of them were
enjoying hot pancakes at their kitchen table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was Sunday and they were appreciating a slow start to the day, and
happy in the knowledge that neither one had to work.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Max was swiping his last bite of pancake through
his syrup as Tony put his own empty plate into the dishwasher and then came
over and kissed Max’s cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Finish up, babe, so I can give you your
anniversary gift.”</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Max coughed around his last bite of food
and had to take a large gulp of coffee to get it down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A gift?,” he finally managed to ask.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You shouldn’t have gotten me anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t…I mean…”</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tony merely pecked his cheek again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t expect a gift from you for this, and
what I got you isn’t much, I promise.”</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Max wasn’t convinced, and still felt bad
that he had nothing for his boyfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He tried not to let his pride or need for equality get in the way of
Tony’s enjoyment of giving him a present.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When Tony did place a wrapped package next
to Max’s now empty plate, Max was glad to see it was no bigger than his
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He unwrapped it carefully, and
then laughed when he ended up with travel size bottle of Excedrin.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Excedrin?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Really?” he asked with a laugh.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Really,” Tony assured, his eyes dancing
with amusement at Max’s reaction.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do I give you a headache?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or,
maybe you think you give me one?”</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Neither.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tony sat and draped his arm across Max’s shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The day we met you were not happy and told
me, ‘</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">All I need is a drink and an Excedrin’.”</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Max
laughed, now remembering that detail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“And you gave me Excedrin from your own stash and told me to get a hot
chocolate at the store’s coffee shop.”</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yep.”</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Max
couldn’t stop smiling, but from the memory and the silly gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stood and kissed Tony deeply, and then leaned
happily into a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re pretty
special, you know that?”</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Nah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s because you were so special that I
remember these little details.”</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Were?” Max
teased.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tony’s arms
gripped him a little tighter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Still
are.”</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /><b>Dec 2</b></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tony finished
buttoning his shirt and took one more glance in the mirror to make sure it was
wrinkle and stain-free. “Will you stop
by the store later?” he asked Max.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Max, still
in sleep shorts and looking droopy-eyed, yawned. “Yeah.
Janice wants to shop, and I said I’d go along as long as she didn’t make
me try on any clothes for her husband.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Aw, come
on. That’s tradition,” Tony teased.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“One I’m
more than willing to break.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tony
grinned, knowing how much Max truly didn’t enjoy clothes shopping. He leaned down and pressed a brief kiss to
his partner’s lips. “Well, if the two of
you are around at my meal break, I’ll join you for awhile.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Deal,” Max
agreed, and yawned again. “’I think I
might go back to sleep for a bit first.”
His sleepy eyes managed a mischievous spark. “You wore me out last night.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And I
don’t regret it at all,” Tony stated. “I’ll
see you later.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">***</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Janice! You promised.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Just one
shirt, Max,” his sister wheedled.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Jan, you
have <i>six</i> shirts in your arms. I
know you. I swear I will never go
shopping with you again if you keep doing this.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But Max….”</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Is there a
problem here?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Brother and
sister both turned to see who had addressed them. Tony stood a few feet away, his arms crossed but
his expression amused.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Max moved
quickly to his boyfriend, positioning himself not so subtly behind him. “She’s trying to make me try on clothes for
Ethan <i>again</i>!” he complained.</span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“Janice,
you promised,” Tony chided.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“I know,
but they’re the same size,” she argued.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“And that justifies
breaking a promise?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
For the
first time Janice looked a little guilty.
“Well no, but I don’t see why it’s such a big deal.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Tony could
have done a full lecture on the big deal of breaking promises—even little ones,
but Janice wasn’t his to scold, so he took a different route.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“Do you
remember what clothes you bought him last year?”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“Of course,”
she insisted. “I got him a red sweater,
a blue and white button-up, a pack of t-shirts he likes to wear on the job, and
some socks.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“That
sounds about right,” Tony agreed. “I
recall him coming to my department after New Year’s last year and exchanging
the sweater and button-up for another pack of t-shirts, a Giants jersey, and
some black shoelaces.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“He
didn’t!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Tony
couldn’t help but laugh at her outrage.
“I’m afraid he did, Jan. Ethan works
construction. He appreciates and uses
the t-shirts, but has very few occasions to wear dressier attire. He told me last year that he’s kept a
half-dozen dressy shirts for the occasional wedding or date night, but has
returned all the rest for years. I’m
surprised you haven’t noticed.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“Well, we don’t go out that much and…” Her
voice dwindled but her eyes narrowed at Tony and Max’s knowing looks. “Don’t look at me like that! He still shouldn’t return my gifts!”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
She set herself up so perfectly that Max
couldn’t resist. “Jan, what did you do
with the Miracle Mop Ethan gave you three years ago?</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Janice’s eyes got big. “I….”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“Or the DVD of broadway musicals for your
birthday? Or the green bracelet for
Mother’s Day? Or….”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“Okay!
I get it,” Janice grumped.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Tony chuckled. “It sounds like both you and Ethan could
improve your gift-giving skills.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“Maybe,” Janice conceded.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“Why don’t we talk over some ideas while
we get some lunch? I’ll go clock out and
we can eat at the coffee shop if you’re ready.”</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Max and Janice both thought that was a
good idea, so the shopping was temporarily delayed.<br />
<br />
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Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Smart Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hashtag"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Unresolved Mention"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 3</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Oh crap!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony looked up, startled at Max vehement
exclamation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s wrong?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I forgot that I have to drop my car off at the
garage today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s due for inspection
and an oil change, but I need to go to the office for my assignments and go
grocery shopping.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Thankful it wasn’t an emergency, Tony had an easy
solution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We can handle all that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll follow you to the garage to drop your
car off, and then you can ride with me to work, drop me off, and then take the
car for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why don’t you pick up
your assignments and spend the day working?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pick me up when my shift ends at five and we’ll go get groceries
together.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You wouldn’t mind?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Of course not.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max looked relieved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That will work.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">****</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Later that day, the two of them each grabbed a
cart as they entered the store. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony
pushed his cart while glancing at the list Max had handed him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Do we really need a full gallon of milk?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just the two of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And two dozen eggs?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“We really do,” Max assured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m going to be doing Christmas baking this
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cookies, pie crusts, pastries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just get what’s on your list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll get what’s on mine, as well as what I
need for the family’s dinner.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Not looking entirely convinced, but happy with the
idea of cookies and sweets, Tony nodded and headed in one direction while Max
pushed his cart the opposite way.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He was purposeful in what he picked out: a
long-neck pumpkin for pies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He always
thought they made the best flavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baking
apples for pie and tarts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oatmeal,
cocoa, chocolate chips, and a large jar of peanut butter for cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Extra cinnamon, vanilla, and olive oil almost
completed his list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last items he
wanted to get was an assortment of cheeses, both for him and Tony, and to make
a tray to take to the first of several family get-togethers that would happen
in a few days.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">There was a new worker at the deli counter, and
Max found him unusually helpful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
young man rather exuberantly assisted him with the four cheeses he wanted, and
helpfully recommended both meats and wines that would go well with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max wasn’t a drinker, but he was debating the
decision to add some of the recommended meats to his order when Tony showed up,
his cart looking to hold everything that had been on his list.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Hey, handsome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Almost done?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He moved to Max’s
side and placed a hand gently on the small of Max’s back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Just about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Have you ever had dry cured salami or sopressata?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Um, the salami…yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never heard of soapersata.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“<i>Sopressata</i>,” Max corrected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Michael here recommends them for the cheeses
I’m getting, and I’m tempted.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I’m not sure you can go wrong when it comes to
men and meat,” Tony teased in a lowered voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m up to trying anything.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max felt his face go red and glanced toward the
deli worker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Michael looked surprised
and then resigned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max thought he heard
a comment that ended with “taken or straight”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He quickly thanked him, said he’d take an order of each meat, and then
tried to look unaffected while he waited.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Later, as they packed their bags in the car, Tony
started chuckling and shaking his head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“What’s so funny?” Max asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Nothing really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I shouldn’t be laughing, but you do realize that deli working was eyeing
you, don’t you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Um…well, he was very helpful,” Max hedged.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony laughed out loud at that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, I’m sure he was, and I’m sure he wanted
to be even <i>more</i> helpful to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t
you hear what he said?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Unsure, Max shook his head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony put an arm around his waist and grinned at
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said, “Figures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the good ones are taken or straight.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Oh.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
a moment, with those words in his head, Max had to chuckle too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know, I thought the very same thing
about you when we first met.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was very definitely neither.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“True, but when I came to the store wanting to see
you again, I remember thinking I was being stupid because you were probably
straight or taken.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Well, I’m most definitely not straight,” Tony
stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I am now very definitely <i>taken</i>.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max grinned, glad that being taken meant that Tony
was his and he was Tony’s.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">DEC 4</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony came home and breathed deeply of the smells
that hit him as he entered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cinnamon,
sugar and chocolate filled the air and made his mouth water and his stomach growl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grinned as he entered the kitchen, loving
seeing the domestic side of Max come out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His boyfriend was casually attired in jeans and sweater, patches of flour
dotted his clothes and hands, and he wore the apron Tony had given him when
they’d hosted a fourth of July bar-b-que a few months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appropriately said, “I cook as good as I
look”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max had blushed and laughed when Tony had given it
to him, insisting people would think he’d have a big head if he wore it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony had said everyone would simply agree
with the statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d also promised
to make sure people knew Max hadn’t bought it for himself, because Tony was
well aware that Max never wanted to come across as arrogant.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">However, the apron had become a go-to accessory
whenever Max was cooking or baking, and it always made Tony smile to see it on
him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Hey good-looking,” he greeted, and wrapped his
arms around Max from behind.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max, his hands busy mixing what looked to be peanut
butter cookie batter, tilted his head up with a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony couldn’t resist kissing the smiling
lips.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Mm, you smell like vanilla and you taste like
chocolate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s a potent combination,
babe.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Well, I had to taste-test as I baked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you like a cookie?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last batch of chocolate chip came out of
the oven five minutes ago.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“They’re still warm?!” Tony’s eyes lit up
happily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re the best!”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He moved to the cooling cookies and took one in
each hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max slipped over to the
fridge and got out the milk, pouring a tall glass and handing it to Tony.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“You can’t have cookies without milk,” he said
with a grin.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony felt a deep warmth of happiness start in his
heart and spread through his body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes he wondered how he was so lucky to have this man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max went back to his batter, now scooping out rounded
spoonfuls onto the waiting cookie sheets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once they were in the oven, Tony drained the last of his milk and once
again wrapped his arms around his man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Is that the last batch?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“For today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll make a few more batches next week, and I still have a few other
Christmas treats to do.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Sounds good, but why don’t you go clean up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll get this batch out when the timer goes
off, and then I’m taking you out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How
does Italian sound?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max flashed him a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It sounds perfect, but only if you help me with
the dishes when we come back.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Deal.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">DAY 5</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The phone rang for the third time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Solicitation calls were annoying, and they
seemed to increase over the holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
truly felt bad for the people who had to make a living that way, and he tried
to kindly put them off when they called.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had charities he supported and didn’t want to be guilted into
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">A few minutes later, when the phone rang a fourth
time, he was simply grateful that Tony was home and could deal with the
onslaught.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He was in the middle of his latest assignment and
he was enjoying this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally
during the holidays he was assigned articles about holiday safety or writing
blips on all the local activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today
though, he’d been given a unique assignment that would last through to Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The paper was trying something new, so they’d
asked him to write a series of articles that would be published in the final
ten days before Christmas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The working
title was <i>The Eyes of Christmas</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The idea was to present a new perspective on the Christmas season each
day through the eyes of different people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max was excited about the topic and he’d already
started contacting different people and vocations he was considering
including.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This first one was near to
his heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Christmas through the
eyes of a retail worker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d discussed
some of it with Tony, and had spoken with some of the other workers in the
store and throughout the mall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
presented him with a lot of ideas for this first article.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The entire morning was spent outlining the
article, organizing notes, and eventually writing out the first draft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So into the work was he that he was oblivious
to Tony calling his name and then entering his work space until two hands covered
his eyes and a firm kiss placed on the top of his head could be felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Either you’re really concentrating, or I’ve ticked
you off and I’m getting the silent treatment,” Tony’s voice over his head
stated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max shook his head while Tony’s hands still
covered his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not ticked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just getting a lot done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll probably spend the afternoon doing some
more writing, but I want to interview a few more people too.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Sounds like a plan, but lunch first.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It wasn’t until Tony said the word lunch that Max
realized how hungry he’d gotten, and if on cue, his stomach rumbled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Mm, lunch sounds good,” he agreed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I thought it would. Soup and sandwiches okay?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“That’s fine.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call
me when they’re ready.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony’s hands finally slid away from his eyes and
Max turned to gape at him as Tony nonchalantly left the room.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Tony!”</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 6<sup>th</sup></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It was a busy day for Max.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spent several hours in the morning going
from store to store in his local area, and even made some out of state calls to
get multiple interviews and a well-rounded view for his article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The afternoon was spent writing, and the completed
draft was sent to his supervisor for approval before being submitted to the
editing team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony was working all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being the Christmas season, his hours on the
job increased significantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max
maintained a good attitude about it, although he was looking forward to the
trip to California they had scheduled for January to spent time with Tony’s
family.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He was also glad that Tony’s schedule today had
him off work at 5pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a
significant accomplishment for a Friday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It allowed him to accompany Max to a Christmas production that some of
Max’s nieces and nephews were in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Both men were somewhat unsure about their
enjoyment of watching a bunch of elementary age kids put on a version of The
Christmas Carol, but Max’s siblings promised there’d be plenty of cookies and
goodies available, and that the kids really wanted their uncles Max and Tony to
be there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Later that evening, both men we <i>so</i> glad
they had attended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their evening had
been one of the funniest times they’d had in ages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The ten-year-old boy who played Mr. Scrooge
couldn’t stop smiling whenever he said “Bah humbug!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">One of Max’s nieces was the ghost of Christmas
Present, and she spent most of her time playing with her sparkly dress and
forgetting when she had a speaking part.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The child playing the Ghost of Christmas Future
cried when he showed Scrooge his grave...all while Scrooge smiled.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">And Tiny Tim was about the sweetest child and the
most talented one of the whole production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The five-year-old even sang a solo before his classic line, “God bless
us, everyone!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">After the show, the adults congratulated the
children and attended a cookie social with everyone before leaving to their own
homes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max and Tony spent the drive to their place
recalling every hilarious part of the evening.</span></div>
</div>
</span></span></span><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span></span></span></span></b></span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 7<sup>th</sup></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I wish you could come tonight,” Max said as Tony
buttoned his peacoat and wrapped a scarf around his neck.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I know, I wish I could too, but it’s Saturday and
that means the store is going to be crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It will probably be after eleven till I get home.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was the rough part of being with someone who worked retail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt he understood Tony’s side of things
better than he use to though after writing his first <i>The Eyes of Christmas</i>
article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony personally said he enjoyed
his work and the customers who exhibited the Christmas spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, when others came along who only
exhibited greed and entitlement, he found it harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Several other retail workers whom he had interviewed
shared the same sentiments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
struggled with the long hours, chaos and greed of the season, but also admitted
they enjoyed the busyness and the people who were kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One woman Max had interviewed told him how
she had experienced the two extremes during the same Christmas season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day an awful customer dropped a huge
armful of clothing on her register counter, then yelled at her first when she
was told they were out of the size she wanted for one of the pants, and then
threw another article of clothing at her when it was revealed that it wasn’t on
sale.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">A few days later, two very sweet ladies bought her
a box of fudge as a tip when she had called around to multiple branch stores to
see if anyone had a particular coat they were looking for.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max had worked both stories into his article.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">This night Tony was heading to work and Max was going
to one of his many family gatherings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully,
this would be the only one this season that he’d have to attend alone.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He showed up a few hours later with the meat and cheese
tray he’d arranged, but didn’t recognize the person who answered the door at
his sister’s house.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Um, hi?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Hi!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are
you here for Audrey’s party?” the stranger asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Uh, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
Max, her brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who are you?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Oh, Max!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
didn’t recognize you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come in!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Still with no clue who this person was, Max came
in and headed toward the kitchen so he could put his tray down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The unknown woman followed him but as the
house was clearly already filled with people, she didn’t have a chance to say
anything.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max’s sister Audrey was bustling in the kitchen,
setting out drinks and dips while four other guests snacked and chatted.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Max!” Audrey exclaimed, quickly taking the tray
from him, setting it in what looked to be the only clear spot on the counter,
and then turning to give him a hug. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Hi, Audrey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is quite the turnout.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“It is, isn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It started off as the typical family get-together, but then somehow
neighbors and work friends ended up invited and…well…now it’s a party!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Shaking his head but smiling, Max couldn’t say he
was surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Audrey’s husband was a
social person and he could easily see all these extra people being invited.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“The kids are in the playroom in the basement with
videos, their own snack trays and games,” she continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The adults are sticking to the main house
areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, do you remember Gwen?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Audrey nodded toward the stranger who opened
the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She works with Nick now and
said she went to high school with you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Gwen?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max
turned toward the woman as a name flickered in his memory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Gwen Miller?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“That’s me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At first I didn’t think you remembered me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">At first he didn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, Max was still having trouble placing
Gwen in high school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d known her
name, but he didn’t recall being anything more than acquaintances with her.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I don’t think I’ve seen you since high school,”
he hedged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How are you?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Pretty good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m loving my new job, and I thought it was neat when I found out you
were my boss’s brother-in-law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What have
you done since high school?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max felt like he was in a weird class reunion, and
hadn’t yet decided if he really liked it or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, he couldn’t be rude.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I write for the Penn County Gazette and do some
freelance work for some magazines.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Hey, that’s neat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>English was never my strongest topic, so I know I couldn’t do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about family?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m divorced myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No kids, although it’s not too late for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m definitely glad I didn’t have any with my
ex.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It was truly moving into the awkward now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max hadn’t been out in high school and he
hadn’t kept in touch with many from that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even now, there was a lingering nervousness at saying the words out loud,
despite knowing he had the support of his family and friends.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I’ve never been married,” he finally stated, “but
I am seeing someone.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">There was definitely a flash of disappointment on
her face, but she clearly tried to brush it aside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s her name?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I know her.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Not seeing a way around it, Max was honest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Actually, <i>his</i> name is Tony.”</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></span>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 8<sup>th</sup></span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Ugh, it was <i>so</i> awkward,” Max told Tony the
following morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were both
nursing cups of coffee as Max explained his evening.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Did she react poorly?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It was one of those ‘middle ground’ reactions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She didn’t get antagonistic, but she pretty
much avoided me the rest of the night.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I’m sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I wish I could have been there,” Tony expressed.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Me too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But we’re still on for tonight, right?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“What are you talking about?”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">For a split second, Max thought Tony had
forgotten, but then he saw the glint of humor in his boyfriend’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t tease!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You promised we could go back to the park tonight like we did last
year!”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Don’t worry, handsome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have it
all planned out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just be ready when
I get home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It shouldn’t be too long
after eight.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I’ll be ready,” Max promised.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony came around to kiss him, and then added.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t forget a hat.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">***</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony showed up for their date exactly fifteen
minutes after eight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He done all his
preparation beforehand and the backseat of his car held a couple blankets and a
well-packed picnic basket.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He planned to go in and let Max know he was there,
but his boyfriend must have been waiting for him because Max was out of the
house and locking the door behind him within a few seconds of Tony
arriving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He jogged out to the car and
got in with a smile on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Ready when you are,” Max announced.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">That he was looking forward to this was obvious,
but Tony kept the car in park and lifted a brow at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max’s smile faded slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What?” he finally asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I don’t actually think you’re ready.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Now confused, Max looked down at himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What are you talking about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What else do I need?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony looked pointedly at Max’s uncovered head and
it took only seconds for Max to catch on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Oh, come on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s not that cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s warmer
than it was last year.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“By maybe five degrees,” Tony debated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I reminded you to wear a hat this morning,
Max.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go get one.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max grumbled something under his breath that Tony
didn’t catch, but decided not to push to know since Max was getting out of the
car and jogging back into the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
took almost five minutes for him to return and Tony did ask what took so long.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I couldn’t find a hat,” Max said.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Couldn’t find one?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have ten or more inside.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I didn’t want to take one of yours, and mine were
all packed away.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Packed away?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Max, it’s December.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you
seriously not been wearing a hat when you’ve been out for these last few
weeks?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It hasn’t been higher than the
mid-40s for at least a month.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I don’t <i>need</i> one!” Max stated, and even to
his ears his voice had risen in what sounded very close to a whine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Yes, you do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’ve gone over the health reasons why, but if those don’t convince you,
then you can know that I <i>will</i> provide incentive in other ways if
necessary.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The two of them were silent for a solid,
tense-filled minute after that statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally, Tony gave in and reached across to grip Max’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Love, I just don’t want you to suffer from
an ear infection or anything else that keeping your head warm can help fight
against.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you, and I’m asking you
to do this because if that.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It took a moment but Max finally squeezed Tony’s
hand and looked to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know,” he
admitted, “but it doesn’t mean I like it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I know that too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Can we still enjoy ourselves tonight without this getting in the way?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony’s voice was mildly imploring and Max more
than willingly agreed to put things aside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’d both been looking forward to their date.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">An hour later, both men were enjoying recreating
one of their favorite nights together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The park they’d just walked through was decorated magnificently with
lights around every tree and walkway, Victorian style decorations, and multiple
nativity sets on display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Now they sat in the same spot they had last year,
surrounded by white lights and picnicking on warm cinnamon rolls and hot
chocolate in snowman mugs.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“This is perfect,” Max said happily as he leaned
his head on Tony’s shoulder.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 9<sup>th</sup> </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max was ecstatic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His article featuring retail workers had been approved and his boss had
told him to start working on the next one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The articles would start running daily on the fifteenth, which gave him
time to get several done ahead of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
knew what he wanted to do with the last article, but there were several more to
prepare before it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His idea for the
second article was <i>Christmas Through the Eyes of the Devout</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He planned to interview leaders of the
churches around the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew of a
Baptist congregation, a Catholic church just two blocks from where he and Tony
lived, and a Jewish Temple that one of the newspaper’s photographers
attended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His plan for the morning was
to research the other religions represented in the area and start making phone
calls to speak with those willing to be interviewed.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He ended up working straight through lunch, not
even noticing the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If Tony had been
home, he would have made Max stop for a break, but he was pulling a twelve hour
shift that day and wouldn’t be home until after ten that night.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It was after seven that evening when he gave into
a luxurious stretch at his desk chair and realized his stomach was growling
loudly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thinking of the leftovers he
could heat up in the fridge had him getting up from the chair, but just as he
stood, his phone rang and he returned immediately to his desk.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It wasn’t until he heard the front door open hours
later that he realized he’d delved right back into his writing after the phone
call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes felt gritty and heavy
with the hours of focused attention on the computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His back ached, and he just realized that a
headache that had been in the back recesses of his awareness was now a pounding
throb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He groaned quietly and rubbed at
his eyes and temples.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Hey, handsome, how was your day?” Tony greeted
him as he strolled up to the desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
smile in his voice and on his face quickly faded as he took in Max’s posture
and expression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Babe?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s wrong?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I have a headache,” Max told him, not going any
further with the explanation because talking, he discovered, made his head
pound more.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony lowered himself and placed a cool hand on
Max’s cheek and forehead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re not
feverish, but your face is practically gray, love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How long were you staring at the computer?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">In a voice as loud as he dared, Max admitted, “All
day.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“All day?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please tell me you haven’t been here since I left this morning.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was the best he could answer without really admitting one way or the
other.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony’s voice got a bit more serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Have you eaten or even gone to the bathroom
today?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“No,” Max whispered after a moment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Max!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The word wasn’t yelled at all, but it was just a
bit too loud for Max to manage and he flinched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tony sighed and lowered his voice to just over a whisper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Alright, love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I won’t go into it right now just how foolish this was, but we <i>will</i>
talk about it later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now we’re
going to get you into bed, and then I’ll get you something to eat and some pain
pills.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“‘Kay,” Max agreed pathetically.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony half held him up as they made their way to
their bedroom, but when Max paused and grimaced at the stairs, Tony made a
quick decision and carefully lifted Max into his arms.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Tony, you’ll hurt yourself.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Just be still and I’ll be careful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t manage them right now, babe.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">In short order Max was in bed feeling grateful for
the coolness of the sheets and the cold washcloth Tony put on his head.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Close your eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll be back shortly.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">When Tony did return, he had a plate of toast,
some apple slices and ice tea on a plate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were also two Excedrin by his glass and Max immediately reached
for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“No, not yet,” Tony said, stopping Tony’s
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’ve no buffer in your
stomach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eat first, then take the
pills.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Knowing he was right, max reached for the
toast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His stomach felt in a weird state
of very hungry yet very sensitive to the idea of food right then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was grateful for just the toast and fruit
to handle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He managed to eat it
all...slowly...and then gratefully swallowed the two pills.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Now lie down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you need anything else right now?” Tony asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max blushed but nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need to use the bathroom.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony didn’t so much as sigh or roll his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just helped Max stand, kept an arm around
him when he whimpered, and assisted him to and from the bathroom.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">When he was lying down again, Max squinted his
eyes open and looked to his boyfriend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Thanks, Tony, and I’m sorry.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony simply leaned down, gently kissed him, and
told him to close his eyes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 10<sup>th</sup> </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It was a rough night for both men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took several hours and another dose of
pain pills before Max’s head stopped pounding enough for him to get some
sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His misery kept Tony up out of
concern, so it was after 3am when they both finally got some deeper rest.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony was the first out of bed in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was after nine and he was grateful that he
didn’t have to be at work until two that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He left Max still sleeping and went to the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How he handled Max’s actions the previous day
would depend partly on how the man was feeling when he woke up, but Tony did
know he wanted to get some food in his boyfriend quickly since Max had eaten
almost nothing the day before.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He was still no whiz in the kitchen, but a year
with Max had gotten him at least mildly adept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He started a pot of coffee and managed to scramble some eggs without
burning them or turning them to rubber.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The plan was to take the food up to Max, but as he
was plating the eggs, his boyfriend came into the kitchen looking like he
needed a few more hours of sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
gray complexion was thankfully gone, but there were circles under his eyes and
the slightly pinched look told Tony that there was still residual pain from his
headache. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Hey, handsome,” he greeted, stepping close to put
an arm around Max’s shoulders and kiss his temple.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max snorted, clearly knowing he didn’t look his
best.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony ignored the reaction and focused on more
important things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How’s the headache?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Mostly better,” Max answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s just a mild ache now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat down at his typical seat and gave a
grateful look when Tony set a cup of coffee in front of him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“You’re welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ve got eggs ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Want some
toast with them?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Maybe just a slice, thanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remind me what time you work today?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I start at two and will get back about the same
time as last night.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put the eggs and
toast in front of Max and sat across from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We need to talk about yesterday.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max’s forehead creased as he frowned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry you came home to me like
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was really making progress on my
article and time just seemed to disappear.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I get that, but do you understand how sick you
could have made yourself?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How sick you
briefly were last night?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Frowning, Max shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I had a bad headache, that’s all.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“No,” Tony corrected firmly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You had a migraine caused by multiple
factors…significantly prolonged screen time, low blood sugar from not eating, probably
a small internal build-up of waste because by your own admission you hadn’t
been to the bathroom for at least twelve hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You were lightheaded, in substantial pain, and were lucky you didn’t
pass out before I got home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max, that’s
completely unacceptable.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max had slumped slightly in his seat and his eyes
stared into his coffee cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry,
Tony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t do any of it on
purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry I scared you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The serious look on Tony’s face softened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you, love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never thought you did any of it on purpose,
but I need you to take care of yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I hated seeing you in such pain last night.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reached across to hold Max’s hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are going to take care of yourself
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When is your next article due?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Wednesday night, and then at least one more by
the weekend.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Okay, then here’s the deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re going back to bed after breakfast and
staying there for at least two more hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You need the sleep after the night you had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you get up, you can spend the day working
however you need to so long as it’s not in front of a screen.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max looked shocked at that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tony, that’s not doable!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to write my article and do research.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“You can write a rough draft on paper, and you can
do any interviews you need over the phone or in person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow you can use the computer, but today you
need to give your eyes and head a rest and not strain them staring at a screen.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“And if I don’t agree?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Then I’ll pull rank, as you’ve given me the
authority to do in our relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
something happens that you feel you <i>have </i>to be in front of a screen,
call me and we’ll discuss it, but otherwise no screens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, if you disobey me on this, I will put
you across my knee.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It wasn’t a threat Tony used often, but Max knew
to take it seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything Tony
promised, he followed-through on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
scrambled through his to-do list in his head, thinking he might just be able to
get things done away from the computer for a day...but <i>just</i> a day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Okay,” he agreed reluctantly.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh, and I want to clarify that no screens means no television
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you’ll have to use you phone,
but please limit that as much as possible too.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max, a little shocked at the length Tony meant the
no-screens, was temporarily taken aback.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had planned on using his phone a good bit and Tony’s ultimatum took
away some of his plans. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Um, okay but I need to email the office Tony and
let them know that I won’t be online and to please call instead of email.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Do that when you’re done eating, and then you’re going back to bed.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br />
***</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">For Max, it was an odd day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t remember the last time he’d gone
all day without some sort of screen time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Working on the computer, checking emails, even having the television on
in the background had become some commonplace that he felt a little restless
without their presence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Still, he tried hard to obey Tony’s wishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did do some phone interviews, and ended up
driving to a mosque he hadn’t known was in town, and even going to a
religious-themed book store to talk with the owners there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">His evening was more boring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally he’d spend this time writing on his
computer, but he’d hand-written a rough draft of his article and didn’t want to
go further with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, without Tony
there and the tv being off-limits, his choice of activities felt limited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He read for a while, and ate leftovers, and
then felt a dawning of inspiration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
rarely had a chance to experiment with recipes, and for awhile he’d been
wanting to try his hand at making homemade doughnuts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Now feeling excited, he turned on some Christmas
music and went to work.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br />
***</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Hours later the sky was dark and looking heavy
with the threat of snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Inside the
house the Christmas lights glowed and the house smelled richly of yeast and
sugar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony entered after work tired, but felt an
immediate pick-me-up at the cozy scents and sight in his house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clearly, Max heard the door open, and before
Tony had his coat off, his partner was approaching, a plate of something
delicious looking in one hand and a steaming mug in the other.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Hi,” Max greeted, cheekily pecking Tony’s lips
and then holding out the items he carried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Hungry?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony took in the sight of warm doughnuts and hot
chocolate and thought, <i>Now </i>this<i> is the sight a man wants to come home
to.</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
</span>
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 11<sup>th</sup> </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I think we need to make these doughnuts of yours
a new tradition.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max’s grin was wide as he watched Tony devour two
for breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So I should make them
every Christmas?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“You should make them every <i>day</i>!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“They did turn out pretty well,” he said happily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll try to make another batch before
Christmas, but I really do need to work on the computer today, Tony.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">His boyfriend nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What exactly do you need to do?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max started counting them off on his fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need to type up my second article and send
it to my supervisor, make the recommended changes on the first article from the
editing team, and go over my notes to see which focus I’ll use for the third
one.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Will that take all day?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“The whole morning at least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll probably start on things for my third
article this afternoon.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Can that last one be delayed a few hours?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max’s head tilted curiously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I guess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony grinned and took a sip of his coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’ll see.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Smiling back, Max just shook his head in
amusement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony always did like his
surprises.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br />
****</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It was a half hour drive to wherever Tony was
taking them, which Max discovered upon their arrival that it had taken that
long purely because Tony took several unnecessary turns and streets to get them
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they arrived, Max
immediately recognized the Edison House.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was a local mansion that had been turned into a tribute to Thomas
Edison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It included a museum, a café, a
gift shop, and the rest of the rooms had been redone to resemble the days when
Edison had lived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One room had been
converted to look like a work room where Mr. Edison would have worked on his
inventions.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Apparently, things got a little festive at this
time of year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mansion was decorated
in a mix of modern and Victorian-style décor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was gorgeous and Max looked in awe around
the large foyer that they entered into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wow.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I know,” Tony agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It should take about an hour to walk through
and see everything, longer if we want to take our time, but I know you still want
to work some this afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus,” he
gave Max a mischievous wink, “there’s something for us to do at the end.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Oh, really?” Max teased back.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Really.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Feeling the spirit of the season, Max was willing
to keep their tour to a casual walk, stopping at the places that were so pretty
they begged you to linger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they did
get through seeing it all, Tony directed him to exit the mansion out a different
door than where they’d come in.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">This exit brought them to the back of the house where
a courtyard was filled with lit and decorated Christmas trees.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Oh, wow!” Max blurted.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Beside him, Tony gave a happy murmur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Together they wandered through the trees,
loving the sight of them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then,
in the corner of the courtyard, were several workers in warm clothes helping
people pick out fresh-cut, undecorated trees for themselves.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I thought we could get our Christmas tree here,”
Tony suggested.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">His smiling growing bigger, Max nodded
excitedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Absolutely!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks, Tony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This was great!”<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /></span>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 12<sup>th</sup> </span></b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The doughnuts Max had made were gone—much to
Tony’s disappointment, but there were cookies to enjoy with mint flavored hot chocolate
to add to the experience as the two of them decorated their second Christmas
tree together.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">They were using a red and gold color theme this
year and Max loved the warmth of the colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Josh Groban’s Christmas CD was playing as they wrapped lights and hung
ornaments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The star they’d picked out
last year would go on last and Max took a moment to admire it as he took it out
of the decorations box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He set it aside
in a safe place until they were ready for it, and then paused as he saw the
next ornament in the box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the one
Tony had bought for him last year and he choked up a little as he reread the
engraving on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>To Max, My Christmas
Wish Come True. Love, Tony.</i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It had been a good year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d had ups and downs like any
couple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was the stress of family
expectations, moving in together, a situation with an ex, and trips they’d
taken...but nothing had made either of them want to call anything off.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“What’s that goofy smile about, Handsome?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony interrupted Max’s memories with his question,
and then garnered a goofy smile himself when he saw the ornament.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ah, I see.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span></span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max handed the ornament over and Tony stopped to
admire as he had, and then turned and considered the tree, clearly deciding
where to place it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max was sure it would
probably be put in a place of honor near the top, but instead Tony carefully
attached it to a branch about two-thirds up the tree.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I thought you’d put it up near the star,” Max
commented.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, right here is perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s right at eye level so we can see it
easily every time we walk by.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He was right and Max felt that happy warmth flow
through him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It spilled out in a kiss on
Tony’s lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One became two, and it
wasn’t until much later that evening that they finished decorating the tree and
were able to put the star on top.<br />
</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 13<sup>th</sup>
</span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max was in
a bad mood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no real reason for
it, or a cause that he could recall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was just a bad mood that had appeared out of nowhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">The day had
been busy, but productive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony was
working till six that evening, and Max had taken the time to finish his third
article for the eyes of Christmas theme.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Article three had been themed around charity-focused jobs of the
season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d interviewed Salvation Army
bell-ringers, food-pantry workers, a lady who crocheted hats and mittens for
the kids at a local elementary school, and military men manning the Toys for
Tots donation boxes in several locations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He felt the article had turned out well and was just waiting to hear
back from his supervisor on it.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">After
completing the article, he’d done some cleaning, and put together a no-bake
cheesecake to take to his brother’s house tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was <i>another</i> family
get-together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that he didn’t enjoy
his family or doing things with them, but every year all the Christmas parties
started to get tiring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And yet, to avoid
hurting anyone’s feelings, he made sure to go to each one.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Thankfully,
Tony would be home in time to attend with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He hoped his boyfriend’s presence would prevent any more awkward
encounters with former high school classmates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Plus, thankfully, he didn’t expect any not-so-subtle set-ups from his
sisters this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shuddered as he
remembered his sister Kami’s attempt last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Clark” or “Carl” had been the guy’s name and he was gross and very
touchy-feely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Maybe that
was where his bad mood came from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Past
unpleasant memories at these gatherings seemed to start assaulting his
thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time Tony arrived home,
Max’s mood had soured even more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Please
don’t drip anywhere!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just scrubbed the
entryway and vacuumed the carpets!” he called out from the kitchen where he was
getting the cheesecake set up for transportation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even he heard the annoyance in his voice, but
he shrugged the brief attack of conscience away. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">A minute
later he heard Tony join him but he kept his eyes on the dessert he was
packing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We need to leave in half an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go shower and change if you need to.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Excuse me?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">There was a
frostiness to the tone, a tenor to it that was rarely in Tony’s voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The few times Max had heard it before, Max
had known he was close to the edge of what Tony tolerated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His boyfriend didn’t nit-pick about things,
but he did insist on respect between them, and sass and snark were never
appreciated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I said you
should go shower and change,” Max repeated, and made a valiant attempt to
moderate the attitude he let loose.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony stood
where he was, silent as he gazed intently, considering Max’s words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally he turned and headed toward the
stairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max watched his back as he left,
recognizing the movement of Tony undoing his tie as he exited the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needed to get a hold of himself before things
got worse.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Unfortunately,
that didn’t happen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">There was already
a large crowd at Max’s brother’s house when they arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every family member appeared to have arrived ahead
of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The kids were running around
looking like they’d already been sugared up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i>It’s A Wonderful Life</i> was loudly playing on a large-screen
television.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And one of the kids started
crying as soon as they walked in the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Max recognized his niece Trini’s tears and immediately went looking for
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He found the four-year-old in the
living room, sobs wracking her little body as she sat amidst a mess of spilled
punch and broken cookies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At first Max
thought her tears were over the dropped treats, but as he approached he saw she
was in her bare feet, and one of them was bleeding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several of his other nieces and nephews were
trying to console the little girl, but no other adults were nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max, with Tony behind him, sat down and gently
brough Trini to his lap.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Trini,
sweetie, calm down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re alright.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He glanced to the other kids in the
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What happened?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“She dropped
her plate,” one child replied.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“And the glass
broke,” said another.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“I think
she stepped on it,” the first one added.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">That was enough
information for now and Max focused on calming his niece while Tony seemed to
magically appear with a warm cloth and a small first aid kit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another nephew, Ben, was hovering nearby and
Max told him to go get Trini’s mom and dad.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">It took
several minutes, by which time Trini had mostly calmed and was letting Tony
clean and bandage her foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During that
interim, Max’s bad mood from earlier was turning into rage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i>How dare Trini’s parents leave her unsupervised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What kind of parents were they?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why didn’t they come when Trini was
crying?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t like she was quiet about
it!</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max just barely
kept from speaking his thoughts allowed when Trini’s parents, his brother Billy
and sister-in-law Jenna, showed up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jenna
immediately went to her daughter, who willingly moved to her mother’s lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Billy initially looked concerned but once he
saw Trini appeared okay, said he was going to the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max immediately got up and followed him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“What’s the
matter with you?” he hissed, surprising Billy to a stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Billy’s response
was justifiably defensive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What are you
talking about?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Trini is
four-years-old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why wasn’t she with an
adult instead of wandering around by herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s no wonder she got hurt!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Hey!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back off, Max!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No parent can watch their kids 24/7.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, of course, you wouldn’t know that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not like you’ll ever have any!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Those words
cut deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and Billy loved and cared
about each other, but they also had always struggled to find common ground between
them, which somehow made it easier for them to know just how to hurt the other.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“If I was a
parent, at least I would know enough to comfort my child than to go run away to
the kitchen,” Max retaliated.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“Max!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">That voice
was Tony’s, sounding shocked and unhappy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Billy
ignored Tony’s approach as he replied to Max’s accusation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m going to the kitchen to get my daughter
a new plate of cookies and treats so she’ll be happier and not be upset at the
ones she dropped!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">With that
he turned and stalked off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max very
nearly followed, but Tony caught his arm and prevented the movement.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“We are
going home now,” Tony said in a serious whisper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m going to go make our apologies for
leaving to your family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want you to
go, right now, to the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Understand?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max glared
at him for a moment, and then stalked toward the door, not even bothering to grab
his coat as he exited.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony watched
until Max was out of the house, and then with resignation went <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">to let his hosts know they were leaving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t looking forward to the rest of the
night.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span>
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</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><b><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Dec 14<sup>th</sup> </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The sound of the alarm going off wasn’t pleasant
or welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony wished he didn’t have
to work that day, but since it was only eleven days until Christmas and a
Saturday, his schedule required that he be at work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was going to be a long day too—nine am to
nine pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The timing of his schedule was lousy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and Max needed to discuss the events of
the previous night, and Tony wished he didn’t have to delay it, but last night
Tony had been too upset to manage talking about what happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A year of being together had shown Tony that
as reasonable as Max usually was, when his upset or anger levels hit the point
they did last night, that it was much better for everyone involved to wait
until he was on a much calmer mindset. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing this, they ended up having a very
quiet…almost silent…night at home, with Tony hoping that the two of them could
discuss the incident in the morning.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Now, with the alarm having woken them both, Tony
sat up and squeezed Max’s shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s
a couple hours before I have to go, babe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Go get in the shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll get us
some breakfast.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">His unspoken words were that they would be talking
once they were both more awake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max, his
eyes looking tired, but thankfully calmer, than the previous evening, nodded
and moved sluggishly toward the bathroom.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Twenty minutes later, with oatmeal and toasted
waffles in front of them, Tony initiated the talk they needed to have.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Max, what happened yesterday?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were clearly irritated when I came home,
and then to throw such an accusation at your brother…you basically accused him
of being a bad father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Saying something
that nasty, it’s not like you at all.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Max’s eyes were down, staring into his oatmeal but
clearly not seeing it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was real
guilt there, but Tony detected something else still lingering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe annoyance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t sure,
but it was something.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“I am sorry I said what I did, especially since he
was actually getting some more treats for Trini, but you didn’t hear what he
said.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Why don’t you tell me?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Max was silent for a long time, and then finally revealed
the hurtful words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He said I wasn’t a
parent…and would never be one.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Tony himself felt the hurt of those words, but
couldn’t help a little uncertainty too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That
was cruel to say,” he agreed, “but part of it is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and I, we aren’t parents.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“I know.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Tony carefully voiced his next words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Max, do you want kids?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve never really talked about it before.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Max shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m not sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve thought about
it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Tony reached across the table and gripped one of
Max’s hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It sounds like this is
summer we need to discuss together.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
waited for Max to acknowledge that, and then continued, “but right now let’s finish
talking about last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What brought on
your bad mood?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“I don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was there all day and I couldn’t shake it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Tony nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He actually understood that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
days were just like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay, I get
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you later realize there was a
cause of it, I want you to tell me, okay?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Max nodded.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“I also think you need to call and apologize to
your brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was wrong to say what
he did, but you were also wrong to make accusations to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need to own up to your part of the
argument.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Max nodded again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I know, but I can’t say I want to.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“It’s never easy to eat humble pie, is it?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">That brought just a glimmer of a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, it’s not.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Do you want to call now or later?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Max looked thoughtfully toward his phone where it
was charging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think I should
wait.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a little early to call
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll reach out around lunchtime.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Call
me afterward and leave a message if I can’t answer so I know how it went.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“I will.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Tony squeezed his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Eat up now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tonight we can watch a movie or something low-key when I get home.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">When he went to pull his hand back, Max tightened
his grip, stopping Tony’s movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Um, wait,” Max requested with just a hint of
hesitation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“What is it, handsome?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“I think…I think I deserve more than to apologize.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Tony immediately go the hint of what Max meant,
but he always wanted to be careful when moving in this direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What do you need, Max?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“I just…bad mood or not, I was really nasty to my
brother, and I wasn’t kind to you either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I shouldn’t be able to get away with that.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Tony nodded once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You feel you need some more consequences to your behavior?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Max neither nodded nor shook his head, but his
expression revealed that he believed he deserved more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, Tony needed to be certain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Do you need me to spank you, babe?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Max grimaced and looked down, but he didn’t deny.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Max, I need the words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll do it if you feel you need it, but I already
forgive you for your snark to me, and I can move on without doing it if you
can.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Max shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, I…I need you to…spank me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">That word was never easy to say and Tony knew it,
so he was proud at Max’s honesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Alright,
let’s go take care of it now and we’ll finish our breakfast in a little bit.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">Looking both relieved and apprehensive, Max took
his hand when Tony held it out and they moved together to the living room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still showing his willingness, Max undid his
pants, although he hesitated at pulling them down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony took pity and did the job himself,
efficiently pulling them down and then guiding Max across his lap.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">The first swat brought an involuntary jerk, but
Max didn’t fight it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony continued on
with his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew he didn’t need anything
more severe, but he made sure the swats were forceful enough to leave a steady sting
and burn to his boyfriend’s backside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
continued steadily until Max’s ankles crossed and he heard the start of whimpered
tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that point he swung just a bit
harder for another dozen swats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max let
out one loud sob, and then cried more quietly through to the end, and then kept
going when Tony turned him upright and hugged him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13pt;">They stayed like that until the passing of time
required Tony to get ready for work, but later he left the house with both of
them feeling the events of the previous day had been resolved.</span></div>
</span></div>
</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec
15<sup>th</sup> </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">“It’s
ten days before Christmas and I don’t have a gift for him!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Max
said those words to himself with shock and surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d been in the middle of compiling notes
and ideas for his fourth article.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
first one was running that day and online comments to it had been good thus
far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This fourth article was focused on Christmas
through the eyes of the single people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
hadn’t interviewed anyone yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His notes
were mostly on his own experiences in that arena.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right in the middle of brain-storming though,
it occurred to him that with his attention being so much on his articles and
the multiple Christmas get-togethers, that he’d completely foregone shopping for
his own partner.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He
couldn’t believe his own negligence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
two of them together had shopped for their families, but had mutually agreed to
shop separately for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max had
completely forgotten, and now he not only had that to do, but he also had this
fourth article and then six more to write by December 23<sup>rd</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He
banged his head down on his desk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Idiot!”
he muttered.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">After
a minute he grabbed for his desk calendar and looked at his schedule for the
next<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony was working a lot, which Max now
considered a good thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now he
was working a short shift, just four hours, and would be back by five pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They planned to have a bit of a date night
for each other since so much of their time had been apart or in the midst of
crowds lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max wasn’t going to renege
on that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d have to make other plans.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">Talking
out loud to himself, he formed a strategy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’ll focus on the outlining the article today until Tony gets
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow morning I’ll do my
interviews, and write the article the rest of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tuesday morning I’ll go shopping for Tony,
and then work again in the afternoon.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">He
crossed his fingers that he’d find a perfect gift during that one shopping trip,
and hoped in the time before then an idea for the perfect gift might come to mind.</span><br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 16<sup>th</sup> </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Both Max and Tony would be heading out the door at
the same time that morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tony to do
work, and Max for a couple one-on-one interviews.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t Max’s favorite part of his job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was more naturally introverted, and asking
questions of strangers was never easy, but he’d learned to shift his mind into
a ‘professional zone’ and that helped him when talking with interviewees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">He was a bit distracted that morning, thinking
about what questions he needed to ask, when a hand lightly tapped his
backside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He jolted a little from where
he stood at the sink doing up the breakfast dishes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Huh?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony’s eyes were amused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s amazing how I can get our attention by
focusing <i>my </i>attention on your butt.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ha ha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What did you want?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“I asked who you were interviewing and where you
were going today.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Oh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
interviewing a couple singles for my article...a professor at the community
college and then the owner of that pet rescue we always drive by.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Think you’ll be done with those by lunch?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today and tomorrow are long days for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought maybe we could meet for lunch at
the store’s café since I won’t be home until late.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Yeah, that sounds good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll call you when I’m ready to head that
way.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony’s nod and pleased smile showed that Max had
just made his day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They moved together
to the tiny closet that held their coats and shrugged into the heavy
jackets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a cold one that day and
personally Max couldn’t wait until spring rolled around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes lifted from buttoning up the coat to
see Tony holding a few other items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not
arguing against any of it, he let Tony wrap a scarf around his neck, slip a
warm beanie on his head, and hand him his fur-lined driving gloves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Be safe,” Tony said warmly before pecking Max’s
lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
*****</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“So, how did your interviews go,” Tony asked when
they met for lunch a few hours later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Good, but a little depressing.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Depressing?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max shrugged and nodded simultaneously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The holidays can be hard for single people,
even if you have family close by, which neither of my interviewees do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The professor, Gil, is a widower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His parents have passed away, and he and his
wife never had any kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has a
surprisingly good attitude about his situation, but I can’t help but think he’s
lonely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“And the lady who runs the rescue, Tara, looks at
those animals as her family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has
good friends in the area, she claims.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>People she’s met through her work, but it’s the animals she’s closest too,
and she said she can’t help but worry about the ones that get adopted out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has a strong screening process, but
sometimes a bad owner can still slip through.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony’s expression reflected the ache he felt for
the people Max described.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry for
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate thinking of people hurting
anytime, but especially during the holidays that revolve so much around
family.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">That was exactly how Max felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d already had it in his mind to keep up
with these two individuals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He may not
be the most social person, but he could still be a friend.<br />
</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 17<sup>th</sup> </span></b></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shopping. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t like to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t mind grocery shopping because he
had a list, knew exactly what to get, and he could focus on those things and
then move on with the rest of his day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">But any other kind of shopping just felt chaotic
to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was too much to look at;
too much to make a decision about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was worse when he was looking for gifts for someone else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christmas shopping this year had been easier
because Tony had led things and they’d worked together both to make list of who
they were buying for and what they wanted to get those people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But now he was shopping for Tony on his own,
and every idea that came to his mind seemed not good enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did you get for the most important
person in your life?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most things he saw
as he wandered through one store after another seemed frivolous and somehow
lessened what Max wanted to express with his gift.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Feeling like his morning was wasted, Max got to
his car and drove away from the shops, wondering what he was going to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His stomach growled as he worried about Tony’s
gift, so he decided to distract himself with finding somewhere for lunch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Five minutes later, he spotted a little mom and
pop bakery advertising soup and sandwiches along with their baked goods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled into the only empty spot, and then
realized as he got out of the car that the restaurant was just two doors down
from the pet rescue whose owner he’d interviewed the previous day.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">He thought of Tara and how attached she was to the
animals, and yet so alone in other ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His natural introversion tried to take over, but making himself push it
aside, he walked to the rescue and entered, determined to be the friend he’d
decided to be and see if she wanted to join him for lunch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">An hour later, stuffed with a Cuban sandwich and a
delectable mini-trifle, Max was glad he’d ignored his inner introvert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tara had been thrilled to have lunch with
someone instead of by herself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She spent
the lunch telling him about the animals that she recently rescued, and all the
ways she took care of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also
learned that this bakery also made homemade dog and cat treats, and she bought three
bags of them before they walked together back to her business.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Please, come in and meet some of my little
buddies,” Tara requested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You really
only got to talk with me yesterday and not meet the animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not allergic to anything, are you?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max shook his head, and willingly followed Tara
inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be fun to see the
animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">It was fun, but it was also shocking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Max had expected to see cats and dogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were those, but there were also
rabbits, ferrets, birds, and even turtles and two snakes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How Tara kept up with all of them was amazing,
and he told her so.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">She perked up with his praise, and then pointed out
some of her favorite ‘little buddies’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Oh, you should meet Bailey!”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max was led over to a kennel that held an adorable
little white dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The small thing was
somehow sleeping peacefully amidst the noise of the surrounding dogs. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tara knelt down in front of the cage and Max
knelt with her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“This is Bailey,” she explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s a Havanese pup and a little over a year
old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was brought to me about six
months ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was found at the side of
the road and we think he was hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
of his injuries were superficial and healed well, but the accident caused him
to lose his hearing and vision on his right side.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She sighed sadly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s mostly why I still have him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one wants to take care of a ‘special needs’
animal, and yet he’s such a sweetheart.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max felt his heart twist as he looked at the cute
dog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What special care does he need?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Most just some extra love and attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But any owner would need to take care when
walking him or letting him out, because his lack of vision and hearing might prevent
him from realizing something dangerous might be close.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also needs a few extra check-ups a year to
make sure his injuries haven’t progressed.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Max nodded, glad that Bailey had such a good woman
as Tara taking care of him, but also hoping someone might learn to love the
little dog and give him a happy, permanent home.</span></div>
</span></div>
</span><br /><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Dec 18<sup>th</sup> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Unlike Max, Tony actually enjoyed shopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was part of the reason he was so good at
his job and as one of the store’s managers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He knew how to navigate crowds, work with indecisive individuals, and manage
his funds without giving in to impulse purchases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">He also had put a lot of thought into his gift for
Max this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hoped his boyfriend
would love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d purchased it with
the professional help of a coworker, but had been nervous because what he’d
wanted had to be bought online.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
arranged to have it delivered to the store and today it had arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A notice was sent to him when it was
delivered, and he immediately took a ten-minute break to go pick it up, not
wanting to leave it in the hands of the receiving department.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Hey guys,” he greeted the workers in the receiving
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I got notice I had a package
delivered.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Doug, the supervisor of the department nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah, it was dropped off less than fifteen
minutes ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You must be anxious to get
it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony tamped down his excitement in front of the
men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a special gift.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Ah,” Doug replied knowingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Here it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just need you to sign off that you got it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">Tony signed with a bit of a flourish, and then
took that last couple minutes of his break to go to his employee locker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grateful no one else was nearby, he opened
the box and carefully took out Max’s gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His eyes brightened at how much better the item looked in real life than
on a computer screen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 13.0pt;">“Perfect,” he murmured.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
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mso-para-margin-left:0in;
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JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-4469490035269592942019-09-26T06:38:00.001-04:002019-09-26T06:38:26.029-04:00The Suitcase Dilemma<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hey look! I actually have a short story to share! LOL</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">JL-</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">*****</span></span><br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark had been patient. He knew he
had. It had been four days and other than one request—not an order, a
request—he’d said nothing. But he knew now that his patience was
gone. He’d tripped over the item too many times and been forced to maneuver
around the extra obstacle in their bedroom for too many days. He rubbed
his bruised shin as he shouted firmly, “Connor, come here!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">There were several seconds of silence, and
then the shuffling of feet on the stairs alerted him that his command was being
obeyed. When Connor appeared at the top of the stairs, his expression was
wary. “What’d I do?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark pointed at the offending
object. “We got back from Lake Tahoe four days ago and you still haven’t
finished unpacking that suitcase and put it away. I just banged my shin
on it <i>again</i>.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’m sorry. I just haven’t gotten
around to it.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark rolled his eyes. “Connor,
that’s ridiculous. It will take ten minutes to empty it and put it in the
closet. I <i>know</i> there had to be a spare ten minutes in your time
over the last few days. I’ve even seen you take items out of it to use
since we’ve returned.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Connor’s posture got defensive. “You
and I both spent the day we got back resting from jet lag and catching up on
things that happened while we were gone. Then we went back to work, and
made plans to finish the basement, and then unexpectedly babysat last night for
the Colson’s. It’s been <i>busy</i>. Sheesh. It’s just a
suitcase. If it bothers you so much, why didn’t <i>you</i> take care of
it? It’s not like you don’t know where everything goes.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That statement was definitely crossing the
line into disrespect, and they both knew it. One step was all it took to close
the space between them and Mark gripped Connor above the elbow, turned him, and
laid down two hard swats.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Connor yelped, his voice immediately
getting politer. “Sorry! Sorry! I didn’t mean it like that.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark could tell from the tone and body
language that his partner was expecting a few more smacks, but he held
back. He’d gotten the other man’s attention and quickly dealt with the
bratty attitude. He was no believer in overkill when it came to
discipline.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“How did you mean it then?” he asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Connor’s expression became what Mark
thought of as his puppy-eyes. Although the look was totally sincere and
not in the least manipulative as Mark had seen on other people. “Just
that you’re making a bigger deal out of it than necessary. It’s just a
suitcase.” His look turned a bit more repentant. “I am sorry you
hurt your shin though.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Thank you, but it’s time I see some
action behind the apology.<span> </span>I want that
emptied and put away now, and without the snarky attitude.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On that order, Connor’s shoulders slumped,
and his expression was momentarily so sad that Mark was startled.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Babe?<span>
</span>What’s wrong?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Connor’s shoulders lifted in a shrug.<span> </span>“Nothing.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Then why such a morose look?<span> </span>What’s so upsetting about unpacking what’s
left in your suitcase and putting it away?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Connor shrugged again, but he
answered.<span> </span>“It’s just…it returns
everything to normal.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark frowned, unsure what Connor meant,
and why the other man felt “normal” was something to be upset about.<span> </span>“Normal?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nodding, Connor slumped more than sat on
the edge of their bed and looked up at him with a dejected expression.<span> </span>“I hate unpacking.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That wasn’t new information to Mark.<span> </span>Their current predicament with the suitcase
had happened several times throughout their years as a couple.<span> </span>Now though, Mark was getting clued in that there
was more to the situation than performing a dreaded chore.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What’s so awful about unpacking,
Connor-love?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Connor sighed, his eyes looking a mixture
of sad and almost regretful.<span> </span>“It’s just,
unpacking everything is like admitting vacation is over.<span> </span>All the fun times, the relaxing, the experiences…they’re
over with.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark nodded.<span> </span>“That’s true, but it doesn’t mean we’ll never
take another vacation or have other fun times.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I know that, but right now it feels like
all there is for our immediate future is the drudgery of jobs, and just day-to-day
living.<span> </span>It’s a let-down.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark worked hard to focus on Connor’s
feelings of vacation let-down and not be hurt over his husband’s evaluation of
their normal, everyday life.<span> </span>Reaching
for Connor’s hands, he gripped them gently.<span>
</span>“We did have a great vacation, and it would be wonderful if life could
always feel that way.<span> </span>But, I think the
reality is that even vacations can reach a point of running their course and
becoming not as fun anymore.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yeah, I know,” Connor agreed, although he
didn’t look like he wanted to accept that.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Tell me, what is it that you most hate
about returning to our ‘normal’?<span> </span>I know
it’s not exactly exciting or new everyday. <span> </span>Are we lacking in some way?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Connor’s immediate shaking of his head
relieved Mark’s heart a little.<span> </span>“No,
it’s not that.<span> </span>I guess that when we go
on vacation, it feels like the ideal, you know?<span>
</span>We get to spend all day together, doing things we both enjoy, taking
life as it comes without stressing about things.<span> </span>Now we’re back to spending eight or more
hours a day apart at our jobs, seeing each other in passing as we run errands,
or hurry to work.<span> </span>It feels like there’s
nothing much to look forward to.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A look suddenly crossed Connor’s face, and
he seemed to realize how what he said sounded.<span>
</span>“Oh gosh, Mark.<span> </span>I’m sorry!<span> </span>I’m making it sound like I hate our life, and
I swear I don’t.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I know you don’t, love.<span> </span>I know.<span>
</span>But I think maybe you have some valid points.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I do?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark nodded.<span> </span>“We’ve been playing a lot of catch-up at our
jobs since we got back, so you’re right that our time together just being a
couple and enjoying ourselves evaporated kind of quickly when we got back home.<span> </span>And you’re right that there’s nothing real
exciting that we have planned right now, unless you consider grocery shopping
or mowing the lawn as exciting.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I really don’t.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark chuckled.<span> </span>“Neither do I.<span> </span>However,” he squeezed Connor’s hands, “I love
knowing that I get to be with you every day, even if we aren’t doing anything
exciting.<span> </span>I love sitting at our table or
in our living room to eat together.<span> </span>I
love hearing you in the shower in the morning, and the sounds you make when you
drink your first cup of coffee.<span> </span>I know
those things aren’t exactly exciting, but they are things I look forward to and
that I miss when they don’t happen.<span> </span>They
make me feel…” he shrugged, “…content.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Connor’s eyes had softened and some of the
sadness faded from his eyes.<span> </span>“You’re
right.<span> </span>There’s something to be said for
contentment.<span> </span>It makes me happy to hold
your hand, to hear you greet me from the kitchen when I come home from work,
and how we agree to skip watching the news and try our luck at Jeopardy
instead.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I’m glad to hear it,” Mark stated.<span> </span>“But maybe we need to mix some excitement
into our lives as well, things we can look forward to together.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Like what?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Well….”<span>
</span>Mark tugged until Connor got the message and moved onto his lap.<span> </span>“Let’s think of some things.<span> </span>Are we ruling out the normal activities like
movies, putt-putt, and bowling?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Connor grinned.<span> </span>“Let’s maybe keep them in reserve.<span> </span>Although, come to think of it, you and I have
never gone mini-golfing before….”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Putt-putt,” Mark corrected with a grin.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“<i>Mini-golf</i>,” Connor insisted,
smiling right back.<span> </span>“That might be
something to do together at least once.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Alright.<span>
</span>Let’s put it on the list.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“What list?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“The one we’re making right now,
smart-mouth,” Mark said, and gave a light swat to Connor’s jeans.<span> </span>“And I have something to add to it.<span> </span>Remember our third date?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Do I?<span>
</span>That was the group outing to the renaissance fair that never
happened.<span> </span>Your buddy’s van got stuck in
the mud when he veered off the road while playing with the radio.<span> </span>We all got filthy trying to unstick it, and
when that didn’t work, had to pay to have it towed out.<span> </span>I hope you’re not suggesting we do that
again!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Laughing, Mark shook his head.<span> </span>“No, but…maybe we could try to actually make
it to a renaissance fair again.<span> </span>There’s one
about two hours from us that is open ever weekend until October.<span> </span>Maybe we should go.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Grinning, Connor nodded.<span> </span>“That sounds fun.<span> </span>Will you dress up as a white knight for me?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Mmm, maybe…if you dress up like Robin
Hood.<span> </span>You’d look fetching in skin-hugging
tights.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">That brought an all out laugh. “Fetching?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yes, that’s the renaissance thing to
say,” Mark asserted.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Oh is it?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yep.<span>
</span>So now we have the fair on the list, and it’s your turn.<span> </span>What exciting experience would you like to
plan for us?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Connor settled more into Mark’s arms and
thought about it.<span> </span>“This might seem kind
of silly, but you know that zoo in Revard County?<span> </span>Sometimes I see commercials for it on tv and it
kind of makes me want to go.<span> </span>I haven’t
been to a zoo since I was a kid, and this one has a manmade waterway that goes
through it.<span> </span>You can rent kayaks and do a
water tour if you want.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“I think that sounds fun.<span> </span>We should put that one at the top of our list.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Really?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Really, and we should definitely rent the
kayaks.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Smiling and looking much happier than he
had a few minutes earlier, Connor gently poked Mark’s side.<span> </span>“Your turn to pick something.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Okay…let me think a minute.”<span> </span>He ran his hand absently up and down Connor’s
back, and one corner of his mouth lifted in amusement and his husband moaned in
pleasure at the sensation.<span> </span>The sound
also gave him an idea.<span> </span>“What about a
couple’s massage, love?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“A couple’s massage?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yeah, I saw a flyer being passed out for
them while we were on vacation.<span> </span>I bet
there’s some local places around here that do them as well.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Okay, let’s try it.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Well, that gives us four things so far to
look forward to,” Mark said.<span> </span>“And we can
add to the list as we wish.<span> </span>Sound good?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Connor answered with a long kiss, and then
laid his head on Mark’s shoulder.<span> </span>“It
sounds great.<span> </span>Thank you, Mark.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“You’re welcome, love.<span> </span>Now,” he patted Connor’s bottom.<span> </span>“You have a suitcase to unpack and put
away.<span> </span>And while you’re doing that, I’ll
grab the calendar in the kitchen and we can see what days we can start
scheduling these things, alright?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Alright.<span>
</span>And Mark?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Yeah?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">“Thanks again.<span> </span>I love you.<span>
</span>Whether we’re doing boring, mundane things, or planning excitement, I’m
glad to do it all with you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mark replied with a deep kiss of his own.<span> </span>“Me too, love.<span> </span>Me too.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-4113633162764761762019-02-02T15:02:00.000-05:002019-02-02T15:02:01.015-05:00Update :)<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm here, I promise. I am actually working on a new story that pushed to be started last weekend. I've got about 11,000 words written. However, I'm not planning on posting it until I'm done--or almost done--with it, because it seems as soon as I share or post a story I haven't completed, I lose my drive. Thank you to all who keep checking back. I really appreciate it!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">JL-</span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-37778866300183161452018-11-02T18:14:00.001-04:002018-11-02T18:14:40.506-04:00NanoWriMo and Blog addition<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi friends,</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just a couple things I wanted to share. I'm somewhat participating in NaNoWriMo, which is National Novel Writing Month. I'm not actually attempting to write a novel in one month, but I am using this month to challenge myself to write something everyday, even if it's just a paragraph. I'm also looking up writing prompts to help with this goal. I won't post what I write every day, but I will share some of my work.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, I've added a blog archive option to the page. It's at the bottom, left hand side. Most of what I write and share this month won't be linked in the way I've done my other stories on the site, but if you miss a post or want to go reread something, the archive will probably be the easiest way to do so. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alright, yesterday's Writing Prompt that I chose was this: <b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Write about two people seeing each other for the first time.</span></b></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I tweaked that prompt a little, and below is what I came up with.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">****</span></span><br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clueless.<span> </span>That was me.<span>
</span>Clueless, oblivious, dense…and the worst part, so self-absorbed that I
didn’t recognize it until this night of my twenty-eighth birthday.<span> </span>From this day forward I should be called Cruise
Carter, race car driver and egocentric idiot.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My friends had thrown me a
birthday party, and since I was a well-known…okay <i>famous</i>…race car driver, we’d completely taken over the large lake
house we’d rented.<span> </span>I’d guess upwards of
two hundred people filled the house, its large front patio, and the even larger
backyard and pool area.<span> </span>I didn’t know
most of them.<span> </span>If they lined up, I could
point out my six closest buddies—four from college and two who worked my pit
crew—and then another dozen or so who I’d met through them.<span> </span>The rest of the crowd were acquaintances,
friends of friends, a fair number of fans, and even a couple celebrities who’d
somehow become of part of my party-crew.<span>
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The night had been a blast so
far.<span> </span>Alcohol, music, and scantily dressed
people making use of the pool tended to make for a good time.<span> </span>I’d been working the crowd, tossing back drinks
with my guests, joining in the impromptu karaoke, opening the occasional gift
that was thrust into my hands, and thoroughly enjoying being the star of the
show.<span> </span>I won’t lie.<span> </span>I liked the attention.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also like the attention of any
hottie I saw, male or female.<span> </span>I’d been
sharing the love with whoever struck my fancy for a few years now, and it hadn’t
gotten boring at all.<span> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was wonder who I might get to
share my bed that evening when my gaze landed on the ideal target.<span> </span>Twenty-something, black hair, blue eyes, slim
but with broad shoulders, and being a bit of a wallflower as he sat on a deckchair
on the outskirts of the crowd enjoying the pool and its diving board.<span> </span>I tended to fancy the shy ones.<span> </span>Drawing them out was a game I enjoyed playing…and
winning.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maneuvering my way through the
crowd, it took a good five minutes to reach my destination.<span> </span>I’d purposefully come up from behind.<span> </span>The timid ones tended to take flight if they
saw me approaching, hiding nervously before I could even talk to them, so I’d
learned to be where I wanted—within touching distance—before they realized I
was there.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, standing behind the man I
hoped to have in my bed very soon, I took a moment to admire his dark hair and
mild scruff before crouching down next to him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Great night for a party,” I
commented, and couldn’t help grinning when the guy’s head turned abruptly in
surprise.<span> </span>He’d clearly thought he hadn’t
been noticed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Oh…uh…yeah, it is.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His voice was lower than I expected
it to be, and I found that incredibly sexy.<span>
</span>“You’re not joining in much.<span> </span>How
can you know how good it is if you don’t involve yourself with anyone?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His head tilted slightly, his eyes
narrowed slightly and he seemed to size me up in a way I wasn’t used to.<span> </span>“I’ve involved myself more than I should have
in the past,” he said in a way that felt cryptic.<span> </span>“Now, I prefer to watch.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Watching anyone in particular?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His cheeks pinked slightly and
he looked away from me.<span> </span>I reached out to
gently grip his wrist, knowing what to expect, and not being disappointed when
the touch quickly brought his eyes back to me.<span>
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Your expression says I might
have been the one you were watching,” I said with confidence.<span> </span>“Want to go somewhere private and have a drink
with me?<span> </span>We can watch each other all we
want then.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I fully expected hesitation, and
then a nod or a shy yes.<span> </span>Then I’d take
his hand, and gradually get us to that private location.<span> </span>What I didn’t expect was the hurt that came
to his eyes and the question, “You don’t remember me, do you?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I admit, that knocked me completely
off my game.<span> </span>I tried to reclaim my
faltering smile as I stupidly said, “We’ve met?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He sighed, his head dropping to
look at the ground and I barely heard the words, “I <i>knew</i> I shouldn’t have come.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He started to stand, but I
gripped his wrist harder and the action stopped him.<span> </span>“Hey, I’m sorry I don’t remember.<span> </span>I’m not always the best with names and faces
since I tend to meet a lot of people.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yeah,” he said, that sadness
lingering in his voice.<span> </span>“I know you do.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He did stand then, and reached
into the pocket of his shorts to pull out a folded paper and hand it to me.<span> </span>“Happy birthday, CJ.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Shocked landed in my gut.<span> </span>I hadn’t been “CJ” in more than ten
years.<span> </span>Only a handful of people from my
high school years had ever called me that, mostly because I’d begged to be
called anything except my given name, ‘Charlie Jensen Carter’, which I’d never
liked.<span> </span>In college I’d picked the name ‘Cruise’,
always telling people to call me that so that very few knew my real name now.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I looked down at the paper in my
grasp and nervously unfolded it.<span> </span>As soon
as I saw the picture inside, I knew who the dark-haired man was—Tyler Jacob.<span> </span>TJ to my CJ.<span>
</span>My childhood friend who’d draw me pictures to make me laugh, my karate
partner for the one year we’d taken it together when we were ten. <span> </span>The first person I’d confessed I was bisexual
to after he told me he was gay.<span> </span>The one
who’d given me his virginity, and I’d given him mine when we were sixteen.<span> </span>He’d moved away just a few months later,
forced to relocate due to his dad’s job.<span>
</span>I hadn’t seen him in twelve years.<span>
</span>No one would judge me for not recognizing him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I shook my head, knowing I <i>should</i> be judged…judged and found guilty,
because I knew what I’d done to him—both when we were teenagers and this
night.<span> </span>I’d once told him I loved him.<span> </span>When he had to move I said I’d never forget
him and that we’d be together again one day.<span>
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I’d never followed up on those
words, those promises.<span> </span>And now, I’d proven
how shallow my love had been by not even recognizing the one I’d first offered
it to.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Looking up, I desperately
scanned the crowd.<span> </span>I had to find
him.<span> </span>I had to make it right, somehow…but
he was gone.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-56347085973985338352018-10-28T22:01:00.001-04:002018-10-28T22:01:15.636-04:00The Warrant<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I promise I'm still here! It's just been a crazy few months--two jobs, extra training, etc, etc, etc. Anyway, here's just a little ficlet. Enjoy!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">JL-</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*****</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">THE WARRANT</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>The doorbell roused Connor from his
sleep.<span> </span>Groaning, he rolled to his side
and then slowly sat up.<span> </span>Mark remained
asleep on the bed, dark circles still visible under his eyes.<span> </span>Connor was sure he had matching circles,
considering their crazy week and the red-eye flight that had brought them
home.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>The doorbell rang again, followed by
pounding knocks.<span> </span>Connor frowned and
hurried as much as he was able to prevent the intrusive noise from waking his
partner.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“I’m coming, I’m coming,” he grumbled, and
then yanked open the door.<span> </span>“What do
you...want?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>His question fell away as he stared at the
three officers at his front door.<span> </span>They
looked intimidatingly serious, and one of then handed him an envelope.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“Sir, do you live here?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“Um…yeah.<span>
</span>What’s going….?</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“We have a warrant to search this
residence.<span> </span>Please step aside.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>Connor’s tired brain was having trouble
keeping up, and he felt like he was caught in a bad cop drama.<span> </span>“A warrant?<span>
</span>For what?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>One of the cops made a subtle motion for
the other two to enter and start searching, while Connor looked on in confused
shock.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“The warrant is for any and all ‘toys’ of
a sexual nature,” the lead cop explained, his face making an expression of
disgust.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“Connor’s mouth fell open.<span> </span>“What?<span>
</span>Why?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“It’s all explained in the warrant,” the
cop replied.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>Frantic, Connor ripped open the envelope,
his mind trying to make sense of the legal jargon while his heart panicked at
the thought of the cops looking in the drawer of his nightstand or the small
trunk kept in the back corner of his and Mark’s closet.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>Before he could finish reading the
information in the documents of the warrant, the two cops reentered the room,
both now wearing gloves as they held the contents of his nightstand drawer,
including the small wooden paddle that Connor definitely did not consider a
‘toy’.<span> </span>He frantically looked over the
policemen’s shoulders, hoping to see Mark come out to help him, but saw no sign
of his partner.<span> </span>How could Mark sleep
through their search?!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>The head officer turned a menacing look
onto him.<span> </span>“Sir, do these items belong to
you?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“Uh…I…ah…I mean….”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>Apparently they took that answer as an
affirmative, because in moments his wrists were being handcuffed and one of the
cops started saying the familiar, “You have the right to remain silent” speech.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“Wait!<span>
</span>No!<span> </span>I’ve done nothing wrong.<span> </span>Mark!” he called in a panic.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>Not looking impressed or merciful, the
head cop looked at his partner who still held the paddle.<span> </span>“Take him down to the station.<span> </span>If he gives you any trouble, use that on him.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“What?!<span>
</span>No!<span> </span>NO!<span> </span>Mark, wake up!<span> </span>Help!<span>
</span>Help!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“Connor.<span>
</span>Connor!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>With a gasp and a muffled shriek, Connor
sat straight up in bed, his heart pounding.<span>
</span>“Mark!<span> </span>Help!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“Connor-love, I’m here!<span> </span>I’m here!<span>
</span>You’re just dreaming.<span> </span>You’re
okay.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>Gulping, Connor turned desperately into
Mark’s arms as his partner pulled him close.<span>
</span>Vestiges of his dream floating around him for a few terrifying seconds
before they drifted away.<span> </span>His breathing
was rough for a minute more before he started to calm.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“You’re okay, baby.<span> </span>You’re okay,” Mark heard murmured in his
ear.<span> </span>“It was just a dream.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“A nightmare,” he corrected, his voice
muffled against Mark’s shoulder.<span> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“I believe you.<span> </span>You sounded terrified.<span> </span>Want to talk about it?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>It only took a moment’s thought before Connor
shook his head, at first horribly embarrassed as to the contents of his
dream—cops coming with a search warrant for dildos, plugs, and a paddle.<span> </span>Then, exhaustion and residual emotion took
his mind another direction and he began to chuckle, then laugh, and then
completely lose himself to hysterics. <span> </span>His eyes watered and he had to keep wiping at
them until his laughter faded away.<span> </span>Mark
looked at him with a mix of worry and amusement.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“What in the world did you dream about,
love?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>Connor shook his head, unable to find the
words to explain the weird dream.<span> </span>“I’ll
tell you when I can think more clearly.<span>
</span>I think the red-eye flight and plane food has played havoc with my
brain.<span> </span>Let’s just go back to sleep.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>Still looking concerned, Mark nodded and
they snuggled together under the blankets.<span>
</span>Connor closed his eyes, sighed, and then spoke quietly.<span> </span>“Tomorrow, maybe we can find a way to lock
the nightstand drawers.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>“Um, sure, whatever you want, baby.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span>Connor knew Mark was saying that just to
placate him, but it helped, and he fell back asleep with thoughts of his
husband instead of images of cops at the door holding paddles and sex toys.</span></span></span></div>
JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-68079783763714587712018-06-03T15:06:00.003-04:002018-06-17T17:26:28.266-04:00Fairy Tales - Part Eleven<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A few hours later, Fin felt an unusual
tickle run through his wings a few moments before the door to Crill and Sera’s
home opened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His two hosts were working on
the evening meal together, and Fin had been entertaining himself in the family
area with a jar of colored sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
something he’d included in the leaf pack he’d brought with him from home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nearly spilled the fine grains on the
floor when he saw Jac enter the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was inevitable that his cheeks and wings blushed to a nervous pink
when he saw Jac’s expression go from shock to uncertainty to a sad kind of
relief.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin,” the older fairy voiced, sounding
uncertain.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin stood quickly from his spot on the
floor and took a step toward Jac before doubt of his welcome made him
hesitate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jac?” he said, uttering it
like a question.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The silence filling the space between them
felt incredibly heavy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin couldn’t
remember anything he’d planned to say in that moment, and he’d never seen Jac
look so insecure.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then, Fin watched Jac’s demeanor go from
hesitation to resolve, although what that resolve was, he couldn’t be
sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, a seed of hope bloomed in
his chest when Jac closed the distance between them and simply pulled Fin into
an incredibly warm hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The welcoming embrace surprised Fin, and
for some reason made his eyes well up with emotion, but he hugged Jac
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wasn’t sure you’d want to see
me,” he admitted into Jac’s shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The arms around him tightened a little.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I feared the same thing,” the older fairy
admitted.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I need to explain to you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes,” Jac agreed, but he didn’t let go of
their hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They stood like that for
several minutes, until Crill came into the room and made a noise of surprise.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Uh, I’m sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t realize you’d arrived Jac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll just go…”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac finally dropped his arms from around
Fin, which left the younger fairy with a bereft emotion he didn’t expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, Crill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin and I will
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to talk anyway.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Crill didn’t look surprised, although he
did ask a question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Should I expect you
here tonight?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With just a moment’s pause, Jac shook his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, I don’t think so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll check in with you tomorrow.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Putting an arm around Fin’s shoulders, Jac
walked with him out of the house, and then made a motion upward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Follow me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He flew straight up, and Fin followed
automatically, although he wondered where they were going.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac continued a course that didn’t veer
from its upward progression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finally
stopped when they reached the very top of the tree cover, and then settled on a
sturdy limb and patted the spot next to him, inviting Fin to his side.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Taking a breath, Fin sat and then opened
his mouth to attempt a start to his explanation, but Jac spoke before he had a
chance.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ve been thinking about you constantly
for months, Fin,” the older fairy started, surprising Fin with the words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I have a lot I should probably tell you
about those thoughts, but for now most of my focus has been on what happened
after your Bond Guard meeting, and how I could have prevented you running from
me as you did.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His tone had gotten much
sadder, but he kept going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t know
what you need to explain to me, but before you do, I need to tell you that I’m
sorry.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Sorry?” Fin interrupted with honest
surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“For what?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“For the way <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> handled our relationship after my meeting with the Bond
Guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wanted so much for me to tell
you what had been said, and I kept cutting you off or delaying things.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked regretfully at Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Bond Guard told me I couldn’t let you
know I was your mate until your time came, that you wouldn’t be able to handle
the information yet, but that I could prepare for the time when you were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was also struggling a little with some
things I was told by the Guard, and needed to work through them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why I had to delay fulfilling my promise
to you, and it’s why I chose to move here to Apple Hollow after helping with
the fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I…didn’t trust myself around
you just then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just…I’m sorry, Fin,
that I pushed you away and made you not want to be matched with me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He stopped talking then, and Fin just
stared at him for a long minute, having not expected any of what Jac had just
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The information was rolling around
in his head, and he tried to correlate what he’d just heard with his own take
on what had happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac was
sorry?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac had apologized?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, from everything Fin could see, Jac
hadn’t done anything wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a
feeling there was going to be a lot more to this conversation with Jac than he
had initially expected, but he knew he had to make his own apologies first.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Jac,” he said quietly, and with his
nerves close to the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It sounds
like you were trying to do right by me, not push me away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m the one who hasn’t behaved as I should.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really need to explain why I ran that day,
but I think…I think I might hurt you when you understand.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac looked at him, and Fin felt like the
other fairy was trying to look into his mind and see the words before they were
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, tentatively, Jac slid his
hand over Fin’s and squeezed it gently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Before you explain, can you answer a
question for me?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Um…sure.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fin didn’t know what would be asked, but he’d try to say whatever Jac
wanted.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We both know that the Bond Guard has said
we are each other’s ideal match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
bond we create between each other has the potential of being rich and
deep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I need to know, do you want
to match with me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">want</i> to be my mate, Fin?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was not a question Fin expected right
then, and he wasn’t entirely sure he even knew the answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did his best to be honest, but his throat
tightened painfully as he did so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
want to try,” he choked out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not
sure I understand what the Bond Guard sees for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You weren’t who I expected to be told was my
mate, and I’m still trying to…adjust…to that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I do want to try though, with you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s face became very hard to read,
although that Fin’s words weren’t what he had hoped to hear was clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned toward the dimming sky, not looking
at Fin as he spoke very quietly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You want to try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t who you expected.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He murmured very sadly and almost to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There’s someone else you want, isn’t there,
Fin?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You didn’t run because you saw
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You ran because you didn’t see who
you wanted.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With fear, surprise, and sadness warring
in him, Fin confirmed Jac’s words with a nod, and then started the explanation
he’d promised.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Remember when you found me at Rock Arch
awhile back and we fought?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He continued
without waiting for an answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I made a
friend there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her name is Luna, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">she</i> was who I expected to be matched
with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I met her when some of us
transplanted saplings there to save them and strengthen the tunnel home of the
mole, Talpi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was drawn to her and
started to visit Rock Arch in the hopes of seeing her again.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac had grown very still, clearly
listening, but not reacting at all, and Fin’s inability to read him made him
talk faster.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I was attracted to her, and we became
good friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw her almost every
night—well, whenever the dreams didn’t call her away—and I was so happy when I
was with her that I believed she would be the mate the Bond Guard would lead me
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hoped for it, planned for it, so I
wasn’t prepared when the Guard told me the first fairy I’d see when I left his
home would be my mate and it ended up being you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought it would be her.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He was breathless by then, so he stopped
talking and turned an imploring gaze to Jac, hoping for understanding, for
forgiveness, but Jac was still silent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His eyes were no longer looking at the sky, but down toward the ground,
his head hanging slightly and his hands clasped between his knees. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His silence was unnerving enough, but his
utter stillness after Fin’s monologue sent chills of anxiety throughout the
younger fairy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was unsettling that
even Jac’s wings were absolutely still, not moving even with the evening breeze
blowing around them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Jac?” Fin tentatively lifted a hand to
touch the other fairy’s shoulder, but stopped short of his destination,
suddenly unsure if it was the right thing to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please say something.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The deep breath Jac took at least erased
the statue-like impression he’d been doing, but there was such sadness in the
sound that it didn’t ease Fin’s worries.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You haven’t said the words, but they’re
in your voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You loved her—you still
love her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How can you match with me when
your heart belongs to someone else?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But it doesn’t,” Fin debated, and that
finally brought Jac’s gaze to meet his.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s true—unfortunately—that I did offer my heart to Luna, but she was
wiser than me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She knew better than I
did that we wouldn’t be matched, and she tried to prepare me for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She guarded my heart better than I did, and
she made sure I didn’t give it away.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac didn’t look wholly convinced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not sure you truly want me to have it
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think—I fear—that you still
wish to give it to her.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Timidly, Fin inched himself closer to Jac
until their legs brushed against each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jac didn’t pull away, which Fin was grateful for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think I’m learning some things about
hearts, Jac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it’s things my dad
and Luna and the Bond Guard were all trying to teach me, but I didn’t
understand.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What things?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That sharing a heart with someone isn’t
just how you feel about them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a
choice too—maybe even more importantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s true that my heart felt—feels—love toward Luna, but I am not the
right mate for her, and she’s not the right one for me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hard to utter those words, but he
managed to say them without faltering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s my choice now to care for her just as a friend, and my choice to
make a connection to you and hopefully be a mate you deserve.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s posture was still guarded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you truly choose me, Fin?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was a question that begged for honesty,
yet gentleness too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin moved another
inch closer and shyly reached for Jac’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“If I didn’t choose you, then I wouldn’t have come at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have stayed with Luna and probably
tried to force her into a match with me, but that wouldn’t have been
kind.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt Jac’s fingers squeeze
gently around his, and he returned the gesture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I want every fairy to have as happy a life as possible, and as my dad
helped me realize, that means participating in what is best for them, and not
pulling myself or them into bad choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know many fairies bond quickly with their match.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt a little shame for his next words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not sure that will happen with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I might need some time to feel out
the connection the Bond Guard says you and I can make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That doesn’t mean I’m not going to try
though.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He forced himself to look Jac
in the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you mad?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin slowly shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, I’m not mad.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Disappointed?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No…well…maybe,” Jac admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I would, perhaps, wish for a quick bond, but
maybe that’s not the right path for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Also, you’ve been very honest with me, and I need to offer you the same
I think.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What do you mean?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s expression became sheepish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My initial reaction when the Bond Guard told
me who my mate was to be was not the most joyous either.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin thought about that and couldn’t help a
sliver of upset over those words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What
do you mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t who you wanted?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Not exactly that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t have any fairy in mind for a mate,
so I was anxious to hear what the Bond Guard would tell me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he did reveal your name to me, I had
some reservations.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That single word seemed to hold such
letdown that Jac quickly tried to explain more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It wasn’t that I didn’t like you, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I did…I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just thought you
were kind of immature and…annoying sometimes.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hey!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s sincere offense for some reason made
Jac chuckle, which helped break the seriousness of their conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t mean to insult you,” he assured, and
pressed an affectionate kiss to Fin’s temple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I just thought you had some growing up to do, and it seems I did
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did get over my bother quickly
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve watched you from a distance,
Fin, and I’ve spent months preparing and imagining our life together.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Really?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Want to see what I’ve been working on?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jac rose, keeping Fin’s hand in his, and Fin readily stood with him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Am I going to like it?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I hope so.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s wings flapped strongly and he was
soon leading Fin back through the trees, giving the younger fairy a bit of hope
and excitement blooming in him.<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Whose house is this?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac had brought him to the entrance of a
lovely-looking dwelling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like Crill and
Sera’s home, this one was also built into a sturdy tree, but the roof over the
entrance was made of colorful pond pebbles instead of twigs, and the path to
the front door was wonderfully squishy moss instead of stones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s our house,” Jac answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“At least, I hope it will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s part of what I’ve been doing to prepare
for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to have a home ready
for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think…would you like to
see inside?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin didn’t answer at first, just looked
wide-eyed at the abode’s entrance, and then back to Jac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Traditionally, newly mated fairies moved in
together right away, but usually it was with either their parents or close
friends while they got to know one another better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Few couples immediately had a place that was
just theirs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made Fin both excited
and anxious, but he did want to see inside.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac opened the door and motioned for Fin
to enter ahead of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The younger fairy
walked into what was clearly the main living area of the home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Windows had been whittled out on either end
of the room, at just the right angles to catch the rising and setting sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ceiling was arched, and on it beautiful
carvings of vines and flowers graced the space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And on the walls themselves, Fin saw that wooden planters were sculpted
straight from the tree, and the beginnings of Forget-me-nots and wild violets
were peeking out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know it’s kind of empty right now,”
Jac’s voice said from behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I
thought you might want to help decide on furnishings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been collecting bunny fur to make a
couch and chairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fox family is saving
their cubs’ molted fur for me as they lose their kit layer, so we can use that
as we wish as well, and there’s a running stream nearby that has some really
smooth stones if you want to pick some for an eating table or anything else.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin couldn’t do much more than nod as he
took it all in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac stepped to his side,
looking uncertain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If there’s anything
I did you don’t like, we can change it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And um, there’s more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you want
to see?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Another nod, and Fin’s hand was grasped in
Jac’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They rose together to the ceiling
where a cleverly hidden door was unlatched, and then flew upward through a
circular tunnel before coming to another door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jac opened it and brought them up into what was clearly their abode’s cooking
space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Almost the entire perimeter of
the area held decorative shelving fashioned into the wooden walls, but several
spots also had flat counters of gray and red shale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fire stove made from river rocks stood
against one wall, its careful positioning and design showing there was no way a
cooking fire would spread beyond the stones.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin moved around the space, taking in
everything in silent awe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he looked
to Jac, the older boy’s lips twitched in a sweet smile and he held out his
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There’s one more room.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin willingly put his hand in Jac’s, and
the two of them once again went through a hidden ceiling door and upwards to
the home’s final space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There was no secret that this was their
dwelling’s sleeping quarters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
four-poster bed of beautiful elm graced the room, with a lovely canopy that
looked to be spun from rose silk draped over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was striking, but it made Fin’s wings
tremble.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fin, are you alright?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He turned to Jac, feeling too much all at
once—nerves, happiness, anxiety, appreciation, uncertainty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s…it’s all wonderful, Jac, but I
can’t…I’m not ready….”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Strong arms abruptly wrapped around him,
and the embrace grew warmer as Fin felt Jac’s wings encompass them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey, it’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shh, Finny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t shake so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t force
anything you’re not ready for.” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He hadn’t been aware of his shaking, but
he felt the tremors now, although the comforting embrace helped. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s all so much.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin’s words were muffled against Jac’s chest,
but they were heard.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t mean to overwhelm you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only wanted to show you that I care, that
I’ll do anything for you, runt.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The nickname Jac had bestowed on Fin
months ago was now said so affectionately that Fin found himself calming
further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stayed in Jac’s embrace but
tipped his head up to meet the other fairy’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can tell you care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry for not being ready.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac lifted a hand to trace a finger down
Fin’s cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s not something you
have to apologize for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t have to
live here yet, or ever, if it’s not what you want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s okay.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, I want to live here, with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a great place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s…it’s the bed I’m not ready for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dad told me, and the Bond Guard explained,
but…I’m not sure I can….”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac hushed him again and tucked Fin’s head
against his neck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fin, I don’t think
I’m ready for that between us either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
too…personal. We have some other things to figure out first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want, we can go back and stay with
your parents or mine for a time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can
even live separately for a while if you want. There’s no reason to rush.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s cheek rubbed on Jac’s smooth skin,
considering his offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think being
apart wouldn’t help, but could we stay with our parents first, just for a while?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Of course.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin felt a kiss pressed to the top of his
head, and he relaxed a little more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Thanks, Jac.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Eventually, Jac’s wings and arms released
Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re going to be okay,” he
promised, sounding more assured than Fin felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Are you hungry?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have some food
stored in the kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can eat and
then head to one of our parents.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Are you sure?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’ll be late when we get there.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t think they’ll mind, but maybe we
could go to your parents?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mine don’t
know who my mate is yet, and I’d rather not have to introduce you as my match
in the middle of the night.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And yeah, I am a little hungry.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So they returned to the kitchen, and Jac
routed around until he set out an apple cake that Sera had made, and some
roasted black walnuts he’d collected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">They ate without talking, and shortly after were
on their way to Fin’s parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-46183377288824745772018-05-30T22:16:00.000-04:002018-05-31T17:21:33.629-04:00Recommendations<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Hello friends :)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm hoping to have at least a short story or chapter to one of my ongoing stories posted in the next few days...maybe sometime this weekend. In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to share some other good reads to you. Here is a list for you to check out below. These are published authors who I greatly enjoy, including a link to at least one or two of my favorite books of theirs. I might be adding a couple more authors in the next day or two, so check back.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> If you want to check out free reads, follow my recommended links on the right-hand side of the blog.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">JL-</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">PUBLISHED AUTHORS (Believe me, they're worth spending the money on.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*A.M. Arthur - If you like Omegaverse, check out the Breaking Free series. Link to Book 1: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Saved-Omegaverse-Story-Breaking-Free-ebook/dp/B074N5S8LZ/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Saved: Breaking Free 1</a>. If you want something more contemporary, The Cost of Repairs series were the first I read by her: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cost-Repairs-1-ebook/dp/B0738R5683/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Cost of Repairs Book 1</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*Brooke Blaine - I love her Unforgettable duology, as well as the books she's cowritten. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Forget-Not-Unforgettable-Duet-Book-ebook/dp/B079R6C6J5/ref=la_B00R32D186_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1527731385&sr=1-3" target="_blank">Forget Me Not, Unforgettable Book 1</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*Cardeno C - Cardeno has both standalones and series books. One of my very favorites is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Imperfections-Rock-Contemporary-Romance-ebook/dp/B00XAE9QIU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1527731569&sr=1-1&keywords=cardeno+c+perfect+imperfections" target="_blank">Perfect Imperfections</a>, or the Mates series which has shifters and vampires, and starts with <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Until-Forever-Comes-Vampire-Collection-ebook/dp/B011STPHA4/ref=la_B004QSU7J6_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1527731619&sr=1-2" target="_blank">Until Forever Comes</a>.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*Kim Dare - I love Dare's creativity and spin on fairy tales. The first book I read of hers was <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kiss-Kim-Dare-ebook/dp/B074MCJHVY/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">With A Kiss</a>, and I still wish she'd write a sequel. A close second is her take on the ugly duckling with <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Duck-Avian-Shifters-Book-1-ebook/dp/B0137QJRCU/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Duck!</a></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*Lane Hayes - She's great at writing series and even crossing them over with other series and characters sometimes, and she offers some free short stories on her blog. I first read her A Kind Of series, which starts with <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kind-Truth-Stories-Book-ebook/dp/B019YNUYOA/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">A Kind of Truth</a> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*Alexa Land - Her First and Forever series is addictive. I've reread the books in it numerous times. They can be read as standalones, but I recommend starting at Book 1 and reading all the way through :) Book 1 is <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Way-Plan-Firsts-Forever-Book-ebook/dp/B00AQP65GW/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">Way Off Plan</a> and stars Jamie and Dmitri, who are still favorites of mine.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*N.R. Walker - It's very hard to pick a favorite here. I think the Red Dirt Heart books probably top my list though. Here is the link to book 1: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Red-Dirt-Heart-Book-ebook/dp/B00IKGXWYC" target="_blank">Red Dirt Heart</a>. If you're looking for something funny though, you <i>have</i> to read about Henry and Reed in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Weight-All-N-R-Walker-ebook/dp/B01LYGV7HD/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8" target="_blank">The Weight Of It All</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-30916311077341754602018-04-26T20:19:00.003-04:002018-04-26T20:19:58.940-04:00Still here :)<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hello friends :)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hopefully you're still checking in and rereading what's here. Just wanted to let you know that I'm working two jobs for a few months right now, so my time and energy to write is limited. However, I'm still writing while I can. Keep checking back, and I'd love it if you'd encourage others to stop in and read. Thanks!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">JL-</span></span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-2074642546335628172018-02-23T19:27:00.003-05:002018-02-23T19:27:52.148-05:00Fairy Tales - Part Ten<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk498708340"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Eventually, Jac
joined his friends on the treetops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
flushed and almost returned to the house when he saw they were mid-embrace, but
they had heard him approach and waved at him to join them.</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What happened?”
Crill asked immediately.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac sat with them,
wrapping his arms around his knees and resting his chin on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fin’s dad said he’s safe.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When he stopped
there, Crill elbowed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And, I’m not sure
what to think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emre said Fin wasn’t
expecting me as his match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is kind
of what you said, Crill, but I still don’t understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m really thinking he doesn’t want me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But that’s not
what Emre said, right?” Sera clarified.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No, he said what
I told you, and that Fin would come to me after he did some necessary things,
although I don’t know what those are.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Maybe he’s
figuring out how to approach you?” Sera suggested.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, that’s a
good observation,” Crill agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What’s to figure
out?” Jac questioned.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, maybe Fin
didn’t expect to match with a boy,” Crill proposed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not unusual to be matched like that,
but it’s the less common combination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maybe that’s what put his wings in a tizzy.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac hadn’t
considered that, and thinking back on his own meeting with the Bond Guard, he
had also been surprised at discovering Fin was his match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hadn’t expected a boy either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Maybe,” he conceded.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Are you going to
seek him out?” Sera asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Did Emre
tell you where he was?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac shook his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Emre said he’d tell him where I could
be found and that Fin would come to me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, that’s
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You did say that,” Sera
remembered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you know when he’s
coming?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No, and…” he
looked somewhat reluctantly at his friends, “could I stay with you until
then?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t…I just feel like I can’t
sleep at my place until Fin’s with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s supposed to be for us.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Of course you can
stay,” Crill declared, and Sera was nodding without hesitation.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You can be there
anytime, you know that,” she told him.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He breathed a sigh
of relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t want to crowd you,
but thank you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac didn’t really
know what to say after that, since he honestly was at the point that he didn’t
want to discuss his distressing situation anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stood after a few minutes and fluttered
his wings enough to lift him off his feet while addressing his friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll be flying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you tonight?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The couple nodded
and he took off without looking back to them, thinking they might want to
continue from where he’d interrupted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He flew through
the now-familiar surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
easy to see why his kind dubbed this area as Apple Hollow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than twenty healthy apple trees grew in
this patch, although they weren’t the only fruit to be found.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A half dozen sweet cherry trees mingled in
amongst the apples, and a strong patch of earth on the outskirts of the trees
hosted lush blueberry bushes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scent
of the fruits was rich and mouthwatering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With an
experienced eye, Jac checked each individual tree, making sure they were
healthy, and used his inner magic to heal small scars or remove harmful insects
to places they couldn’t damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved
being a Nature Nurturer, and seeing healthy fruit and flowers were things he
never took for granted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When he’d done all
he could amongst the trees, he flew further out, toward a place he was fairly
sure no other fairies neared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
placed Jac indulged his fairy curiosity more than he perhaps should, but it was
also a place that held memories with Fin.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Flying carefully
to make extra sure he wouldn’t be seen by those who couldn’t be trusted, he
neared his destination and kept his eyes peeled for a sight that was sometimes
there and sometimes not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time his
gaze quickly found what he was looking for—the flimsy little house the humans,
Matt and Ricky, lived in when they came to the fairy woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Since coming
across these two with Fin the first time, Jac had sporadically returned to this
location, both out of curiosity of the human creatures, and to make sure they
didn’t wander too close to the densest parts of the forest where the fairy
communities were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two human males
weren’t always here when Jac checked, but he had noticed that they came and
stayed for one or more nights about every other moon cycle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, the visits had increased
lately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d seen them spend two or
three nights here four times over the last six weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t sure what to think about that, but
since they never wandered terribly far from their portable house, he didn’t
feel there was any danger about them being there.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Another reason he
kept returning to check on them was his own curiosity over their
relationship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was clear they were
mates, and what Crill had said to Jac was true—matched-gender matings weren’t
unusual in fairy culture, but they weren’t the most common pairing either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac knew a few couples like that both in the
section of forest where he grew up and in Apple Hollow, but he didn’t know them
well, and wasn’t comfortable asking them anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew he couldn’t ask the human mates
either, but he could observe them—which he did as often as he was able.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In some ways, he
almost felt like he knew Matt and Ricky as well as Crill and Sera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He listened to their conversations and
watched how they interacted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They kissed
and touched in similar ways that fairy mates did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, they did have some activities that
were very odd to Jac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He’d been a bit
frightened the first time he witnessed some of those activities, but he now
understood them to be punishments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were very different from fairy discipline.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When disobedient or disrespectful, younger fairies were usually punished
by having their wings grounded or their flying boundaries restricted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Matt and Ricky
seemed to do a similar version of those as well, but they did more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac observed that Ricky deferred to Matt,
although Jac didn’t fully understand why, and that Matt decided on consequences
when a wrong was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had seemed
strange to Jac that Matt sometimes made Ricky stand so close to a tree that it
would have made Jac’s eyes cross, and Ricky had to stay there and stare at the
tree until Matt said he was done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
first, Jac thought there might have been something special about the tree, but
it wasn’t always the same tree Ricky was forced to stare at, so he knew that
assumption was wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Other times Matt
gave a book to Ricky—Jac was very proud that he’d learned what a book was since
fairies had nothing like them!—and told him to put special words on the book’s
insides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac still wished he understood
the magic that made those odd symbols appear in the book when Ricky moved his
hand over it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would have loved to know
how to do that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, Ricky seemed
to find the activity tedious and he whined about doing it quite a bit. Jac
didn’t like that part.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The whining
irritated him, and he usually left soon after Ricky started that particular
endeavor.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The activity that
had frightened Jac though was the one that always made Ricky, and even Matt
sometimes, cry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Occasionally, Matt would
remove the clothing from around Ricky’s legs and make him lay across his
lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then Matt would smack Ricky’s rump
over and over until it turned red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Usually he used his hand to do this, but a couple times he’d used a
fallen tree limb or a strange flat object from inside their tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac did not
understand why Ricky did not run away when Matt said he was going to get a
spanking—the strange word that always preceded the rump smacking—when it
clearly hurt both of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes Ricky
did argue about not deserving to be spanked, but he never ran away or seemed
afraid of Matt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, whenever Matt
ended the smacking, the two of them hugged and held each other for a long time
afterward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like they loved each
other more at that time, and Jac still didn’t understand it, although he was
coming to believe that it did seem to do something good for the two humans’
relationship.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now, as he drew
closer to the little house, he looked and listened carefully for Matt and
Ricky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were no shadows moving
about in their shelter, so he knew they weren’t in there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was, however, the stone circle the
young men always arranged to contain their fire, and the bags he usually saw
them carry on their backs were on the ground by the stones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He waited, hidden amongst the leaves of a
tree, for the humans to show.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was only a few
minutes before the crunch of dried leaves under footsteps preceded Matt and
Ricky’s arrival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were holding hands
and laughing at something, which made Jac feel warm inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They broke apart when they reached their fire
circle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt squatted down and began
assembling twigs and then small logs within the stones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac watched Ricky grab their two bags and
take them into the flimsy house, then come back out with a couple small items
in his hands.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Matches or
lighter, Matt?” Ricky asked.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Matches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s dry enough that I don’t think we’d waste
one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Want hot dogs or ‘poor man’s
spaghetti’?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Spaghetti.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hot dogs are still frozen, and I’m too
hungry to wait for them to thaw.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Me too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get out the pot and the one of the water jugs
then while I get the fire started.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The two of them
easily moved around each other, seeming to Jac to know what the other was doing
or needed without a lot of words shared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Matt put a pile of strange, skinny sticks into the pot of water when it
boiled, and they became soft and kind of wormlike in Jac’s opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then he poured the water out of the pot and
replaced it with a container of something red that smelled like tomatoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scent was mouth-watering in a few minutes
and Jac wished he could try the food that the two humans were soon scarfing
down.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After they ate,
they cleaned up from their meal, and then Matt began pressing his body closer
to Ricky’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac watched with a mix of
fascination and jealousy as Matt nuzzled at Ricky’s neck, and then began
kissing Ricky’s jaw, slowly moving toward his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was clear Ricky
was enjoying the attentions by the sighs and soft moans that passed through his
lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the two young men started to
remove each other’s clothes, Jac knew it was time for him to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They deserved privacy when they shared their
bodies with one another, although Jac could admit in his head that a burning
curiosity in him sometimes tempted him to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like all fairies, what he knew about a mated couple’s private
relationship came from what his parents had told him the night before his Bond
Guard meeting, and from the Bond Guard himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everything else would have to be learned between him and his mate.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Those thoughts
brought his mind very quickly to Fin, and his heart again felt a heaviness as
he flew to Crill and Sera’s home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would
he ever share the sweetnesses a couple explored with one another in
private?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would he ever laugh with Fin as
Matt and Ricky did with one another, or as Crill and Sera did?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would he ever even get to share the house
he’d made for Fin? </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That house he now
stood in front of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had been so
hopeful when building this dwelling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’d made their home at the base of a strong forest tree with deep
roots; a tree unlikely to release from its foundation from either strong winds
or flooding waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A tree with a wide
enough trunk that Jac had been able to hollow out sections of its insides to
create multiple rooms and levels without damaging its health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A tree that neighbored the one Crill and Sera
had built their home into. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac hoped that Fin
would enjoy Crill and Sera’s company as he did, and that his mate would be
happy to have them as neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For
nearly the last year he’d daydreamed as he’d worked, and often thought of the
ways he and Fin would spend their days—working together as a Nurturer and Earth
Reader, sharing meals and games with Crill and Sera, exploring new and old
places in the forest, and maybe even traveling a bit further to places neither
of them had been.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He sighed and turned
his back on his own front door, moving nearly silently to his friends’
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better to enter this one filled
with companionship than the empty residence his house currently was.<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin had gone home
after his evening with Luna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
decision was made partly to keep his parents from worrying, and partly to keep
himself from staying near a future that wasn’t meant for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t surprising to see both his parents
were awake, and despite the late hour, he told them of his conversation with
Luna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d been hugged and comforted,
but he still wasn’t the happiest of fairies.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Will you go to
Jacoby now,” his mother had asked.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It had taken him a
moment of consideration, but he nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I need to apologize to him, and to explain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure what to do after that though.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What do you
mean?” his mom questioned.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I just…I don’t
know how to stop loving Luna and connect with Jac,” he confessed, and felt
ashamed of his feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What if he
doesn’t want me to be his mate after I ran away like I did?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His father
answered in confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jacoby has been
waiting a long time for his chance to be matched with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not believe he will just push you
aside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of you need time
together, and if it is difficult you can speak to me as a Cultivator, or even
go back to the Bond Guard for advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That is part of his role, as I’m sure he said to you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded slowly
and thoughtfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He did…but I still
need to speak to Jac first.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You do,” Emre
agreed, and proceeded to tell Fin exactly where Jac had been living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I told him you’d come to him after making
your necessary changes, and you’d be wise not to delay in offering your
apology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When do you plan to go?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Tomorrow,” Fin
decided, although he was tempted to put it off.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good,” his
parents said unanimously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ll make a
hearty breakfast for you in the morning before you leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t even think of flying off without
eating,” his mother warned.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The following
morning, Fin’s nose said the breakfast his mother cooked would taste wonderful,
but anxiety was making his stomach feel as squirmy as a bug in a
spiderweb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He managed a portion of sweet
potato hash and mint water, but stopped there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With hugs from his parents, and a few more words of advice from his
father, he started on his way to Apple Hollow.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Despite knowing he
shouldn’t keep Jac waiting longer than necessary, Fin couldn’t help flying
slower than was typical for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
tried to work out an apology as he flew, and an explanation, but neither was
coming easy to him.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Eventually, the
sweet scent of ripe apples tickled his nose, and he knew he had to be very
close to his destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon the copse
of apple trees his father spoke of came into sight, and he admired and enjoyed
the time it took to fly through them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just beyond the grove there was a small meadow of tall grasses and
flowers, and Fin offered hellos to the bees and butterflies that were enjoying
the nectar of the floras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t linger
though, but continued on into another grouping of trees, denser than the small
orchard he’d just gone through, and set his sights for the oldest and tallest
trees he could find.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was among them
that he’d find the fairy community where Jac had been living.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In a short while,
signs of fairy life could be seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
saw several lovely homes, blended so well into the environment that only those
familiar with them would recognize the abodes that they were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A gourd garden also caught his eye in one
section, and he quickly realized the dozen or so of the fleshy fruits had been
hollowed out and were being used as food storage facilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin had heard that some communities were
starting to do such things to make sure no fairy or animal went without during
droughts or cold seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was tempted
to take a closer look at the gourds, but forced himself to turn away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finding Jac was more important.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Very soon he heard
the voices of fairies, and he smiled as his eyes landed on a group of young
ones swinging on vines and shouting to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not far away, their parents were chatting and
watching the children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chose not to
pull their attention away from the playing kids and flew further on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He soon came
across another fairy at the same time that his Reader-senses picked up on the
faintest scent of old smoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
immediately followed his instincts to the ground where the other fairy was
patting a patch of earth that had clearly been victim to a fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compassion welled in him as he knelt down and
began soothing the ash-laden earth as the other boy was doing.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What happened,”
he asked with quiet respect to the other fairy, while they both dug their
fingers into the dirt and massaged its vulnerable depths.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Lightning
strike,” the young man murmured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Over a
year ago now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He glanced toward
Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You a Reader?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded, half
his attention on the fairy and half on the ground beneath him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The depths are healing, I can tell, but it
was a deep wound.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The struck tree did not survive it, but we’ve
planted a seed of his, and we hope that an heir from his branches will renew a
foundation here and grow strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve
been coming frequently to encourage the ground’s healing.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin let his
fingers sink deeper into the soil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was clearly still a lot of the deathly ash of the lost tree in the dirt, but in
the deeper parts, Fin felt the underlying health of good earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Concentrating his
senses, he sought for the planted seed and rejoiced when the soil spoke to him,
guiding him to the embryonic tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, there you
are,” he whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you
growing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have you needs?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He listened
carefully, and then shifted his attention briefly to the other fairy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Have you water?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The young man, who
appeared around Fin’s age, nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is
it thirsty?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, but don’t
offer the drink to the top layer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
still mostly ash.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His companion
looked confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How can we water the
seed then?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ll show you,”
Fin told him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just give me one
moment…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He returned his
concentration to the earth and young seed in its depths, and then gave a
determined nod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Poor the water over
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll guide it down to where it needs
to go.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Looking confused
but trusting, the boy lifted a walnut bucket and poured it slowly over Fin’s
body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin shivered once at its chill,
but then used his energies to guide the droplets down his body and follow his
fingers into the earth, until they soaked the soil that surrounded the young
seed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had the other fairy soak him
two more times before he knew enough had gone into the ground.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His thirst is quenched for now, but we may
need to do it again another day.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The fairy looked
at him in awe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How did you know how to
do that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The earth has been asking me
for water whenever I’ve come, and I’ve always given it, but just on the top
layer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did you know it wasn’t going
deeper and how to get it there?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I only knew it
wasn’t getting past the top layer because the earth told me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I learned the way to guide the water
deeper from a Water Watcher friend of mine named Lorelei.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad I could help.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You really did,
and maybe you could help me learn to do that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The fairy then fluttered his wings in the greeting of welcome offered to
unfamiliar faces and introduced himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m Dani.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m Fin, and sure
I’ll show you how to water the earth like that, but I can’t right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m looking for someone.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Who?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know most everyone in Apple Hollow.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Do you know
Jacoby?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t grow up here, but I
was told he’s been living here recently.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Jac?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah, I know him!” Dani exclaimed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He came right after the fire that took out
this tree and has been helping the Nurturers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s usually off with Crill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you fly to that group of three boulders over there, and then turn left, you’ll
find Crill’s place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s got a white
pebble path leading up to his door.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thanks!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you around?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Definitely,” Dani
agreed, and waved as Fin took off.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It didn’t take Fin
long at all to find the home Dani directed him to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The front door was built directly into a healthy-looking
tree, with a small roof of twigs and dried daisies providing a shade over the
entrance, and a fairy with chestnut brown hair and strong-looking arms appeared
to be securing the white pebbles making a path toward the door more solidly in
place.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Excuse me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you Crill?” Fin asked as he landed next
to the stones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fairy looked up,
offering a smile to Fin in greeting, and dusting off his hands as his stood
from where he’d been kneeling.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hello, and yes, I
am.” He gave the fluttered wing greeting Dani had offered, which Fin
automatically returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What can I do
for you?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m looking for
Jacoby Floraman and was told you often work with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could you tell me where to find him?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A bit of Crill’s
smile faded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jac’s been flying a little
further afield than normal for a couple days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m afraid I don’t know where exactly though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll see him this evening, so I can let him
know you were looking for him if you’re not able to wait.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There was a
temptation in Fin to return to his parents and put off the difficult
conversation he’d come to have, but he wasn’t sure he’d come back if he
returned to his home forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needed
to follow through.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ll wait,” he
decided, thinking he might go back to Dani and see about helping the other
fairy with learning the trick to watering deeper earth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Crill changed those plans quickly.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’re Fin,
aren’t you?” he said, his voice making it sound more like a statement than a
question.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wide-eyed with
surprise, Fin nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How did you
know?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Crill’s gaze on
him was now more scrutinizing than Fin was comfortable with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jac’s my best friend,” the brown-haired
fairy stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He confided in me about
who his mate was to be a few weeks ago, and he was staying with me when your
dad found him.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Before Fin could
be upset about that news, Crill continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m also the one who found him sobbing from a broken heart when you
rejected him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He crossed his arms over
his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you going to hurt him
again?” </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin couldn’t look
the fairy in the face, which Crill took as an answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Why are you even
here if you plan to hurt him?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How cruel
a fairy can you be?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No, I don’t want
to hurt him!” Jac defended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I have
to explain to him, and…I don’t know how he’ll react.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Crill didn’t
soften his gaze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Explain what?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That I didn’t
reject…or, I didn’t mean it to look like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But,” he sighed, his voice growing softer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have to talk to him.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Crill?” a
feminine voice interrupted before either one could say anything else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both looked toward the home’s front
door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pretty fairy with pale yellow
hair and wings that matched stood there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Invite him inside, Crill,” she ordered, although the words were sweet
and without judgment toward either man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We were told he would come to Jac, and it’s good that he has arrived so
soon.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Crill’s protective
posturing for his friend eased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
looked back at Fin and nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My mate
is right,” he said with less accusation and more affability in his tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And so are you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need to talk to Jac and he to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s been staying his nights with us and
you’re welcome to wait in our home until he returns.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you,” Fin
accepted, although he was sure his face and wings had to be blushing with the disgrace
he felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Perhaps…maybe I could help you
with this,” he motioned toward the stones Crill had been working on, “before we
go inside.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Crill hesitated
for a long moment, but then nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The
help would be appreciated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ve
loosened a bit since I positioned them, and I don’t want them to wash away when
heavy rains start.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin quickly got to
work, using some tricks as an Earth Reader to harden the dirt around the stones
and make their positioning firmer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
tried to subtly watch Crill while they worked, wishing he knew more about this
fairy who claimed to be Jac’s best friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He also wished Crill hadn’t said something that was now digging at Fin’s
conscience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That persistent
digging eventually drove him to speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Did you really find Jac crying?” he asked, his voice so quiet that he
couldn’t be sure Crill would hear him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But the other fairy must have been waiting for Fin to say something.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Sobbing,” he
corrected a bit harshly, but then tempered his tone when he saw Fin’s eyes fill
with regret, although he remained honest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I found him sitting outside the house he’d been working on for months
to make a home for the two of you, crying like his heart was shattered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told me you didn’t want him, that you ran
away from him.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s wings wilted
with shame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I never meant to hurt Jac,”
he said wretchedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just didn’t
expect him.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Your father said
the same thing,” Crill told him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What
did you expect?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin shook his head
and managed to look Crill in the eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
need to explain that to Jac first.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With a sigh, Crill
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why don’t you come inside now?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure Sera will have something cold to
drink for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I expect Jac will show up
around sunset.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and he are welcome to
stay and eat with us.”</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk498708340;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Hoping that offer might include some forgiveness for hurting Jac, Fin
offered a sincere thank you and followed his host inside.</span></span></span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-76807546895656270492018-02-09T13:33:00.001-05:002018-02-09T13:33:32.904-05:00Shining Rock Caverns<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a new story with new characters. I can't promise that I'll write more with these guys, but I was inspired for this short story. Enjoy!<br /><br />*****<br /><b>Shining Rock Caverns </b></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Keith did a quick head count of his tour
group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The limit for any tour of the
Shining Rock Caverns was fifteen, and he was told his 2pm slot was full.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Eleven, twelve, thirteen….” He said under
his breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes darted around the
room, looking for two more people who might be part of his group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Off to the left, two young men started
speed-walking his way from the direction of the bathrooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somewhat roguish smiles were on both their
faces, and Keith allowed a split second to admire the handsome looks of the
men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He assumed they were brothers,
considering their similar coloring and apparent camaraderie as they stayed
close to one another. That split second was all he allowed though, before
completely focusing on his job. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hello, everyone!” he greeted with a smile
and easy enthusiasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If you’re here for
the 2 o’clock tour, could you please raise your hand?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Everyone he’d counted lifted their hands,
and he nodded approvingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Excellent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My name is Keith, and I’ll be your guide
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before we begin the tour, I do
need to go over some rules and safety regulations.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saw more than one person roll their eyes
and willingly chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be much more fun to ignore those,
but ‘adulting’ is required during the tour.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That got a few laughs, and he waited for
it to quiet before explaining tour guidelines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“First, when we enter these doors behind me, there will be a rack of hard
hats hanging on the wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Everyone</i>,” he emphasized, “is required
to wear one since we will be moving through a few low-hanging areas, and there
is always the risk—though slight—of falling rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, I know some of you are concerned about the
sanitation of the hats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me assure
you that after every tour, each hard hat is washed and then sprayed with a
sanitizing solution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any questions on
that?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">No one commented other than a few murmurs
to their companions, so Keith continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Secondly, once we’re inside the caverns, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do not</i> separate from our group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There will be places that you will have time to spread out a little bit
and look around, but there will be ropes and wooden barriers to mark your
boundaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please do not ever cross
those lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not safe to do so and
we take our guests’ safety very seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is lighting to mark our route during the tour, but it’s not
bright, so pay attention and watch your steps.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Lastly, I will be giving direction at
times on places that you can touch or things you cannot; please don’t ignore
that, as we don’t want to do damage to the amazing sights you’re about to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, if you have any questions during the
tour, feel free to call out to me, but please don’t shout, as sound waves in a
cavern environment can create instability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Don’t fear that though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A normal
tone of voice won’t cause any problems.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Keith was pleased to see that everyone
appeared to have listened to this initial speech, so he hoped they would be a
group that could be trusted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Alright everyone, if there are no
questions, then follow me!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the room the Shining Rock employees had
termed the “foyer”, Keith pointed out the hanging hard hats to his group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As was typical, a few people needed help
adjusting and fastening the chin straps, including one of the brothers who had
been the last to join the tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mischievous eyes seemed to dominate the young man’s face as Keith tightened
the strap and fit the hard hat to the closely cropped blonde hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Does that feel alright?” he asked out of
habit.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Perfect,” the guy assured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When Keith turned away, his peripheral
vision caught the brother he hadn’t helped elbowing the other one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wondered what that was about, but didn’t
spend any time pondering it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He returned
to his place at the front of the group, quickly confirmed that everyone had a
hat one, and then motioned them to follow him into the first cavern.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The tour itself was an hour and a half
long, and when done three times a day, had Keith’s feet hurting by the end of
it, but he loved his job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Shining
Rock caverns were an amazing natural wonder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They held dozens of different rock types and minerals; one mineral of
which contained a luminescent property that caused a surreal glow to the
rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even more interesting was that
different kinds of rocks glowed different colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blue was the predominant one, but green and
red were also natural sights in the caverns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Keith had a masters in geology and was
working toward a doctorate, and a perk of his job was that he had access to a
lab and the non-tour spots of the caverns to continue his studies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three days a week, he hosted the tours, and
the other two days he was part of the science team that studied and recorded
data of the caverns’ holdings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">While he knew that few people held the
same interest in rocks and ground layers that he did, Keith was still
enthusiastic in the information he shared with his tour groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His clear passion came through, even in the
memorized and over-rehearsed speeches given on every tour, which his managers claimed
made him one of the best guides they had.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Keith’s current tour group seemed to have
been pulled into his zeal, and as they passed through each room and he
explained the sights they were seeing, as well as that luminescent rocks and unique
formations the caverns had to offer, many guests offered up questions and
observations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved that, when people
involved themselves in that way.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As he led the group to each designated
spot on the tour, habit had Keith constantly counting heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d learned never to move forward unless
every person was accounted for, and he took the safety of his groups seriously.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were five caverns open to the
public on the tours, each named almost regally for its individual
splendor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was Crystal Hall, the
Moon Room, King’s Den, the Empress, and the Grand Ballroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Grand Ballroom was the largest cavern
on the tour and the one they were about to enter. Keith did his head count,
happy to get to fifteen, and led the way into the splendor of the large
cavern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a few steps in, and he
heard gasps of awe and respectful murmurs of admiration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned to face the group in his designated
spot and his smile was sincere with his own appreciation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Welcome to the Grand Ballroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the largest natural cavern in Shining
Rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All three classifications of rocks
are found in this room: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus far, the caverns as a whole also are
host to over four hundred types of minerals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This room alone contains two-hundred-and-three different minerals that
we’ve found so far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you can see, it
also shines with all three luminescent colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If you’ll notice, there is no artificial lighting in this cavern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What you’re seeing is its natural glow, and right
now we’re almost a half mile underground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Isn’t that amazing?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He got a lot
of agreement with that statement, and when it quieted again, he continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If you’ll look around, there are several
natural arches throughout the room, as well as amazing displays of both
stalactites and stalagmites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kids?” he
addressed the three members of the tour who were clearly under ten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Remember how to tell which is which?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One little boy enthusiastically raised his
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The stalactites hand from the
ceiling, and they’re called that because they have to hang on tight to keep
from falling!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Excellent!” Keith praised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He reached into a pouch he always had
attached to his belt and took out three specialized coins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Since you and your brother and sister are
paying such good attention, you each get one of these.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can keep them as a souvenir or turn them
in at the gift shop for some special rock candy.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The three kids accepted the coins with
enthusiasm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keith secretly hoped that even
one of them might garner an excitement for geology after their experience at
the caverns.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Another unique facet of this room,” he
continued to everyone, “is that it is the only one on the tour that has
luminescent minerals that shine up through the floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every other room has shining rocks only on
the walls and ceiling.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One of the brothers, the one he’d help
fasten the hard hat for, raised his hand.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, sir?” Keith acknowledged.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Why is that?” the young man asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How come the light is in the floor here but
not the other rooms?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Grand Ballroom is the only cavern on the
tour that holds Celestine in its floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Celestine itself has a faint blue glow all on its own, but when in
contact with the luminescent mineral we’ve found in these caves, that glow is
brighter and does not require any additional light from the sun or artificial
resources to maintain that glow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
might also find it interesting to know that Celestine is also a principal
source of the element strontium, which is commonly used in fireworks.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That information clearly impressed several
people, including the two brothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Keith had to admit that it was information he’d always found interesting
too, especially as a teen when he’d created some of his own fireworks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d gotten him into plenty of trouble at
the time, but even to this day he couldn’t say he wouldn’t have done it all
over again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The smile on his face now had more to do
with rueful memories of that time than his current job, but his tour group
wouldn’t know that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Quickly focusing on
his people, he explained a few more unique aspects of the room before bringing
up a special opportunity the caverns offered.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“If anyone here is in the planning stages
of a wedding or know someone who is, we’d like to let you know that the Grand
Ballroom here at Shining Rock Caverns is a venue that can be rented for that
special occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ceremony itself
would be held right here, with all the natural glory you see surrounding you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our cavern family also have two spaces in our
upper grounds—one outside and one inside—that can be used for a fabulous
reception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If anyone is interested in
more information, please come and speak to me at the end of the tour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Now, you have the opportunity to explore
this space without me speeching you all over the place.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The group chuckled and Keith continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please remember not to cross the barriers as
you explore.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unclasping a special light
from his belt, Keith held it up for everyone to see, flashing it several times
to reveal a red beacon-like beam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
have fifteen minutes to sightsee, and then I’ll flash this light to ask you to
please reconvene right here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have fun,
everyone!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The group began to disperse and Keith
watched the different directions and sights that people headed toward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The arches in this room always drew a lot of
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Personally, he loved a
particular section of stalagmites in one of the few darker corners of the
space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The formations were so tall that
weaving among them was like moving through stone trees, and he loved the sense
of adventure he felt just looking at them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He always gravitated toward them when he gave the group time to
explore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the fifteen minutes were up, he
reluctantly moved back to the meeting place and flashed his light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It usually took several times before everyone
noticed the beam, but that was okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, after several minutes of waiting and repeatedly flashing the
light, he was still only counting thirteen people in his group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a split second he feared two of the
children were missing, but he thankfully spotted them with their parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was then he realized it was the two
brothers who hadn’t returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeping
his voice calm, he addressed those who had gathered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It seems the glories of the Ballroom have
permanently distracted two of our members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m going to take a quick walk around to hurry them back to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If everyone would please stay here, I’ll
rejoin you shortly.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He hated to do it, but he couldn’t leave
two guests behind because they weren’t paying attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a steady but careful stride, Keith
walked the perimeter of the cavern, taking care to check the places he knew
could easily hide people, or that could pose a slight danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was two-thirds of the way around when a
muffled moan caught his attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pausing, he heard it again and feared it meant someone was hurt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it didn’t sound like a moan of pain;
more like one of…sex?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Frowning, he moved closer to one of the
roped off boundaries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the other side
of the rope was a tunnel that was about ten feet in depth, and then turned and
had a very dangerous drop-off about three steps after the turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heart pounding, he crossed the rope and
entered the tunnel, another moan reaching his ears just before his eyes spotted
his two missing members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
locked in an embrace which told Keith that his assumptions they were brothers
was clearly untrue.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Excuse me,” he said sternly, the
adrenalin rush of fear he’d initially felt now transferring to anger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two young men jumped and gasped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If you’ll kindly return to the tour group
with me, I’d appreciate it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll also be
reporting your disregard for the boundaries to management.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll decide if you’ll be allowed to return
to cavern property ever again.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It wasn’t much of a threat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most guests only visited the caverns once,
usually as a day trip or a family outing, but the two young men looked both devastated
and a bit frightened by that statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
taller of them looked almost teary at that announcement, while the other
grabbed his arm in pleading.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Please, Keith…sir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re sorry!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We just got caught up. Don’t tell anyone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We won’t do it again.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Those boundaries are there for your
safety, and you risk yourselves and my job and reputation by going beyond
them,” Keith said without compassion, despite feeling some sympathy for the
apparent sincerity of the pleas.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We’re so sorry,” the young man still
holding his arm repeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please, we
won’t leave your side the rest of the tour!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Keith stared down both young men, some of
his sternness cracking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ll see,” he
finally offered, “but I want to talk to you both, privately, when the tour
ends.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, sir!” the two agreed in unison.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Get back to the group now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone is waiting for you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The two hurried back ahead of him, while
Keith rehearsed exactly what he wanted to say to the two when the tour ended.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The last leg of the outing was usually a
favorite of Keith’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A small waterway,
with luminescent pebbles throughout it, flowed through certain sections of the
caverns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A special battery-operated boat
had been positioned for the tour groups at the far end of the Grand Ballroom
where part of the waterway flowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keith
directed his guests into the boat, specifying where people should sit to keep
things balanced, and then moved to the bow and started the boat on a slow speed
through the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water portion of
the tour was only fifteen minutes long, but it took the group through two
lighted tunnels, including a spot near where they would exit that held ancient
markings on the walls, proof that at some point man had dwelt within these
walls.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Exiting the boat marked the end of the
tour, and Keith thanked his group for their interest and time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave some final directions on where to
hang their hard-hats, and then showed them the exit that would lead to the caverns’
gift shop, small café, and parking lot.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A separate door in the space led to an
employee-only area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before the two young
men could leave, Keith corralled them and led them to the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, no one else was around as they
entered, and Keith immediately frowned at his troublemakers.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Going beyond barriers like you two did
was beyond irresponsible <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i>
dangerous,” he said severely, his tone in lecture-mode.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That tunnel is off-limits because it
contains a sinkhole that you could fall into and we’d never get you out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your disregard of the rules could have gotten
you hurt or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">killed</i>, not to mention
shows a great disrespect for me as your guide, the safety engineers who work to
keep the caverns safe, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> the caves
themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nature is a beautiful thing,
but also very dangerous when it isn’t shown the respect it deserves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me one good reason why I shouldn’t
report you to management and get you banned from the property.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The young men looked to each other, and
then to Keith.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shorter one, who
seemed to be the spokesman of them, answered with clear nervousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Because the Archers are my family, and I’d
get in so much trouble if they knew, especially since Terry was with me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Keith felt the moment of shock run through
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Archers weren’t
management.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">owners</i> of the land on which the caverns
were held.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>George and Rhoda Archer were
well into their eighties and had inherited the land and caves from George’s
parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their oldest son, Milo, and his
wife had mostly taken over charge and care of the Shining Rock Caverns and
business it brought in. They were big into conservation, which Keith
respected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“How are you related to the Archers?” he
asked seriously.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The younger man worried his lowered lip a
moment before answering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“George and
Rhoda are my grandparents, and Milo and Sydney are my uncle and aunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m Cara’s son, Sean.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cara was the youngest of George and Rhoda’s
six children, if Keith remembered correctly, and the only girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d never met her, and didn’t think she had
any involvement in the caverns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sean
continued in his pleading as Keith recounted this information.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m studying environmental engineering
with an emphasis in green technology at college, and Terry is studying
geochemistry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re both doing an
internship at the caverns for the summer, so we can’t be banned!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His look turned even more pleading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Plus, Gramps and Nana don’t know that Terry
and I are…together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They don’t approve,”
he admitted, “and it could ruin everything if they find out!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Keith sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being gay himself, he knew the struggles and
fears that went along with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Does
your aunt and uncle know about the two of you?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sean nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They don’t have a problem with it, but they know how my grandparents
feel, and they won’t say anything, but I can’t let them down when we’ve just
arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please don’t tell them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise Terry and I will be on our best
behavior all summer!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Caught between a rock and a hard place,
Keith couldn’t help being sympathetic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Grudgingly, he gave in to Sean’s pleading and Terry’s wide-eyed look of
anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Alright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t report this incident, but you two
better exercise extreme good behavior and common sense this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suspect I’ll see you here and there.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thank you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you so
much!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Both Keith’s hand were grabbed in
enthusiastic and grateful handshakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
returned the grasps and with one more word of warning sent the two men on their
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As he watched them leave he
couldn’t help thinking it might be an eventful summer.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-88979916965260452762017-12-25T09:04:00.002-05:002017-12-25T09:04:58.199-05:00Starlight Day - Part 3<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk501737755"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan woke early
the following morning after a dream made him restless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His head was pillowed on Jarek’s body, and
the slow rise and fall of the bigger man’s chest informed him that his sleep
was undisturbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last vestiges of
the dream were still floating about in Cailan’s mind, and he didn’t care for the
way it made him feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had memories of
crowds and men’s laughter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those images
mixed with the clang of swords during training sessions, and he kept seeing a
likeness of himself standing in the midst of soldiers and commoners, shouting
at everyone to stop dismissing him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Only, it ended up that it wasn’t the people he was shouting at, it was
Jarek; and every time he said the word “dismiss”, Jarek would turn and walk
away, never addressing the problem.</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the early
morning quiet, Cailan pondered what that meant, and eventually the answer he
came up with didn’t make him any happier than the dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he rolled to get out of bed, Jarek
moaned and turned toward him, his eyes opening groggily.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Where’re
ya’going?” he mumbled.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan couldn’t
help an upturn of his lips at the sleepy question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just starting the day.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He didn’t get any
further though, because Jarek slid a hand across the mattress and grasped his
wrist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Whas’a matta?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Nothing,” Cailan
said, trying to subtly pull free.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Stop,” Jarek
ordered more quickly, his voice losing its sleepy murmur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes were blinking open and looking less
blurry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Something’s not right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We share, remember?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was the “we”
that made Cailan cave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slid back
until he was tucked into Jarek’s side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I had a dream,” he admitted, and then added quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I think you need to discipline me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“For having a
dream?” Jarek asked in confusion.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No, for what the
dream means.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Cailan.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek sounded mildly perturbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re not making any sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell me about this dream.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan shared what
he could remember, but even to his own ears knew it wasn’t making a lot of
sense, so he tried to explain what he thought it meant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I was angry at
you for dismissing me and not sharing what was bothering you, but then later,
when we talked about my disobedience and I couldn’t give you a definite answer
about discipline, I essentially made you dismiss me again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I backed away from an aspect of our
relationship that we rely on, and I shouldn’t have done that.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And now you think
I should punish you for that?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek shifted so
the two of them were sitting up more and put an arm around Cailan’s waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Petling, are you saying you feel guilty
about the original infraction, or about feeling you disrupted the symbiotic
nature of our bond?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t
know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Frowning, Jarek
considered him, and then looked across the room in contemplation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Cailan,” he finally spoke, “before this
dream, were you bothered by any of this?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What do you
mean?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I mean, were you
feeling guilty about maybe thinking you got away with something you shouldn’t
have, and that resulted in the dream?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or, maybe you were upset that it still felt like I was dismissing you?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan had to put
some consideration to that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, he
shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, I don’t think any
of that was weighing on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But,” he
continued, “now it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t like
knowing I disrespected you with my disobedience, and it’s…unsettling…to feel
I’ve changed the way things normally work between us.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hm,” Jarek
murmured thoughtfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hand had risen
to tug absently at the silver strands that had fallen over Cailan’s
shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you remember the promise I
made to you when you first came here?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan felt a
flush start in his chest and rise to his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Um…yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You promised not to
force yourself on me; that you would wait until the day I permitted you to know
me intimately.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your permission and acceptance of what
happens between us is very important to me, petling, and I don’t just mean in
sexual ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t force you in our
bed, but neither will I force your submission to me in other ways.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That seemed
confusing to Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But, you
discipline me when I fall short in your standards and requirements.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No,” Jarek
disagreed, his tone completely serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
discipline you when you fall short of the standards and requirements <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">we’ve</i> agreed to have you uphold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not punish you for something we are
not in agreement over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is why I did
not enforce a punishment for your disobedience the other day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We both fell short, and I could not
discipline you in clear conscience if you could not accept that discipline with
a clear conscience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You did not cause a
break in how we are together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked
it over and in order to prevent a break, chose to not pursue any discipline at
that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a mutual decision,
petling.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Some of the weight
lifted off Cailan’s conscience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
hadn’t considered things as Jarek explained them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A bit of guilt still remained though, but
Cailan now knew what to do about it.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you for
explaining that,” he said sincerely. “I’m in a better understanding now of my
own culpability in what we argued about the other day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I think I still need to answer for my
disobedience,” he admitted, and was proud that he managed to say that without
hesitating, since his heart knew he needed it, but his bottom was clenching at
the admission.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Are you sure,
Cailan,” Jarek questioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m no
longer upset about that, and as I said before, I do not want you to resent a
punishment.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I won’t resent it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a clean slate between us, right?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek’s eyes
softened and he leaned close to press a kiss to Cailan’s lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Right.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The arm around
Cailan then began applying pressure, and a sudden burst of nerves flooded his
body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wait!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The arm never
stopped as Jarek answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes,
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There would be no purpose in
delaying things.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A traitorous
whimper slipped passed Cailan’s lips as he ended up over Jarek’s lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Neither of them had bothered with nightwear,
so there was no clothing for his disciplinarian to remove.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the position was not a new one to
Cailan anymore, he’d never before been spanked while they were both completely
nude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It left a confusing sense of
equality between them, while feeling like it also emphasized the differences in
their bodies.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek’s big hand
patted twice, and then came down a third time in a hard, stinging swat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan yelped, not able to prevent it, and
then buried his face in the covers as Jarek continued in a steady rhythm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pride made him keep as still as possible, and
do his best to keep the tears at bay as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He hated it when Jarek’s discipline brought him to tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made him feel ridiculously young, even
when Jarek assured him that tears were normal and expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes Cailan wondered if Jarek intended
to spank <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">until</i> he cried, but he’d
never made the step to actually ask that question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He was managing to
keep the tears from spilling this time, although he felt the dampness in his
eyes simply from the awful sting that grew with each impact of Jarek’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gasped when a particularly tender spot was
struck, and swore in his head that not only would he never disobey Jarek again,
he’d <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never</i> ask for a spanking again
either!</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The big hand
dropped lower, and yelps Cailan couldn’t control squeaked out when the tops of
his thighs were soundly peppered in quick, biting swats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One tear mutinied and slipped down his cheek
before the spanks finally stopped and he was left gasping and whimpering.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Come here,
petling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come here,” Jarek comforted as
he helped Cailan right-side-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan hid his
face in Jarek’s shoulder as the man hugged him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Sorry,” he mumbled.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew you were before we started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Clean slate now, petling.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The arms around
him tightened and Cailan took a deep breath that felt cleansing and let it out
slowly, his whole body relaxing as they embraced skin-to-skin and Jarek soothed
him.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good thing the
parade wasn’t today,” Cailan quietly mentioned when his breathing had evened
out and he felt he could speak without a wobbly voice.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Why is that,
petling?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Because I don’t
think I could manage two hours in that carriage on bumpy cobblestones right now.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek barked out a
laugh and kissed Cailan’s brow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes,
I’d say that it’s a good thing the parade is behind us as well.”<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The week of the
festival was different from all the other weeks Cailan had thus far experienced
in Cylandrea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Military training was
completely cancelled for the celebrations, although Jarek let it be known that
all soldiers were expected to abide by the principles of behavior they pledged
to uphold when they signed on for with their military service; as well as not
let a week’s worth of missed training make them incapable of meeting their
physical requirements when drill time was reinstated.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The royal family,
occasionally as a whole, but mostly in groups of two or three, traveled around
Palace City and further off municipalities to celebrate the holiday festivities
with their people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because Queen Kesla’s
health still needed to be considered, she and King Alaric spent most of their
visiting hours in Palace City, while the rest of the family went further
abroad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan visited parts of
Cylandrea he’d seen on maps during his geography lessons, but hadn’t realized
were so eye-catching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The town of
Winsome was known for three gorgeous waterfalls that flowed side-by-side to
each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In these winter months, each
waterfall had become a glorious frozen vista, and the waterway they typically
flowed into had a layer of ice at least two feet thick covering it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people skated and somehow danced on the
smooth surface, and the day he and Jarek spent there was a unique and fun
experience.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then they visited
the small municipality of Tigre, Cailan saw it wasn’t the wealthiest of
Cylandrea’s towns, but the people seemed uniquely content in their simple
cottages and work that involved a lot of hard labor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were also a very talented community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every home and business boasted beautiful ice
sculptures, hand-made by the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“They’re gorgeous,”
Cailan said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was in awe of each one.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“They are,” Jarek
agreed, and Sana nodded as well since she was accompanying them on this
trip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tigre holds their own competition
this week, and the three top winners will travel to the palace on Starlight Day
and recreate their sculptures in person, where everyone can watch them.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Really?” Cailan
asked, already determining that was something he wanted to see.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sana smiled at his
excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s one of my favorite
parts of the day,” she admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wish
the sculptures could last forever. They’re so beautiful.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The royal family
was in the habit of coming together after their days spent visiting during this
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They would gather in a sitting
room each evening, usually around a lit fireplace, and share snacks and stories
about what they’d seen and who they had spoken with that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan loved
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It made him feel like he belonged.<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Each day sped by,
and soon the eve of Starlight Day was upon them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan was excited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt like everything had been building up
to this peak of the festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Palace
City lodgings were all filled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
families had relations and friends staying with them in their homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The royal family had even opened the castle
to approved family of servants and guards who had no more room to host them,
although Cailan hadn’t seen any of the visitors.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Where are the
guests staying?” he’d asked that morning as they prepared to leave for the day.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The western
wing,” Jarek told him.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Where the harem
is?” Cailan asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He still hadn’t seen
that particular part of the palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
royal living quarters were spread out amongst the eastern wing of the castle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was where the majority of Cailan’s time
was spent, although he’d seen parts of the northern and southern wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The western section he hadn’t seen at all
yet.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, where the
harem is,” Jarek confirmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s not
the only thing there though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The western
wing is where the live-in servants reside, and where the majority of additional
guest quarters are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has classrooms
for the children of the servants, and there are also three large rooms where
some of the palace furnishings from the past are stored, and a large work area
in the basement level for those with abilities in carpentry, metal-working, and
leather goods.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I didn’t know
that.” Cailan’s head tipped curiously at his husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why have I never been to that part of the
palace?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek held a
Cailan’s traveling cloak out to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
felt that might be a section you’d prefer some distance from for a while.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Because of the
harem being there?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes,” Jarek
acknowledged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He came closer and draped
his arms loosely around the smaller man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I don’t want you to ever think that is where you should have been, or
should ever be, so I thought it prudent to not tour that part of the palace
until you were ready.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“How would you
know when I was ready?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“When you asked to
go there,” Jarek said with certainty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His arms around Cailan tightened, pressing their bodies together
gently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you asking now?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thoughtful, Cailan
considered it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m…curious,” he
admitted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But no, I don’t think I’m
asking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not yet.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek kissed his
brow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When you’re ready,” he merely
reasserted, and then took a grasp on Cailan’s hand and moved toward the
door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The carriage will leave without
us if we don’t hurry.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They were
traveling with Sem that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
always a good time with the youngest of the Lysander siblings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sem was joyful and liked to play at being
immature compared to his brothers and sister, but he was highly intelligent and
always someone Cailan knew could be trusted and counted on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He amused Jarek and Cailan with stories about
his childhood memories of Starlight Day.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“One year,” he
said in a faux whisper to Cailan while his eyes danced with mischief at his
older brother, “Jarek really wanted our parents to gift him with a racing coach
and a pair of trained steeds to pull it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Sem,” Jarek said
in his best warning tone, but the little brother wasn’t put off from his story.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Mother was not
agreeable to his wish at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She felt
the races that had become common at that time were unsafe to both the people
and the horses.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was fourteen years old and I liked speed.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Did he get his
wish?” Cailan asked, enjoying the way the story teased Jarek as much as Sem did.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sem shook his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Father and mother did gift him with two fine
young steeds for him to train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
learning more and more about the horses and royal stables at that time, and
Father felt it would be a good compromise on Jarek’s actual wish.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan looked to
his husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Was it?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sem laughed out
loud and answered for his brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not
to Jarek’s mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He asked what good were
untrained horses and why couldn’t he have the coach he asked for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, according to Alaric, he stormed out of
the room in a huff.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan, wide-eyed,
looked to Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You actually did
that?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek
groaned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was young and, admittedly, a
bit spoiled and full of myself at that age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I grew out of it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Father helped
with that,” Sem continued to tease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“He’s still holds the ‘honor’ of being the only one of us to be
disciplined on Starlight Day.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek groaned
again, louder this time, but he didn’t seem truly upset over Sem’s story.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’re
father…disciplined…you?” Cailan had to ask.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ve told you
that we’ve all felt the pain of our misbehavior at some point in time,” Jarek
reminded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Even Sem.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His gaze fell to his younger brother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Maybe Cailan would be interested in hearing
about the time you were found repelling out your bedroom window.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m sure he
would,” Sem said without worry, “but we’re at our destination, so there’s no
time for more stories.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sem’s words were
true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were kept on the move with
the visits they had scheduled all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the busyness of their visits, Cailan realized that with everything
that had gone on during that week, there were parts of actual Starlight Day
that he didn’t know about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t
have a chance to ask anything until they finally arrived back at the palace and
the sun was starting to set.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ll ring to have
a meal sent up,” Jarek said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Change
into something more comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
join you shortly.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In fact, he
followed less than two minutes later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“That was fast,” Cailan commented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’d undressed down to his undergarments, but hadn’t had a chance to put
on fresh attire.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Apparently Sem
had the same idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He ordered a meal for
himself and said one should be sent to us as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It should be here in a few minutes.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With a nod, Cailan
reached into the ornate wardrobe that held his clothing, but the feel of a warm
body pressed into him from behind. He shivered as Jarek’s big hands started
gentle caresses on his skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Cold, petling?”
the now-husky voice said.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, I am mostly
unclothed,” he replied, his voice low to match Jarek’s.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Mm, let’s get rid
of the ‘mostly’ part,” the bigger man suggested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They moved to the bed and Jarek made sure
they stayed very warm.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">*****</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The sun had fully
set by the time the men’s grumbling stomachs forced them out from under the
warm covers and comfortable embrace they’d been relaxing in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek appeared to be feeling the nurturing
dominant tonight, because he wrapped Cailan in a warm dressing gown instead of
allowing the younger man to clothe himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then, donning his own robe, went to the sitting room where their meal
had been left and pulled Cailan to sit on his lap at the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breaking a bread roll in half, he smoothed a
generous portion of nut butter over one of the pieces and held it to Cailan’s
lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Willingly, Cailan bit into the
offered food, enjoying the smooth flavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jarek popped the rest of it in his mouth, and then began slathering the
second half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan took the opportunity
to ask a question that had been on his mind.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The gates open
for the people to enter the courtyard at the strike of the eighth hour, right?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His mouth full,
Jarek simply nodded.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“There will be
events all day then—music and performances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With so much going on, when does the family get to celebrate and give
their gifts, alone I mean?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek offered him
another bite of the roll as he answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Cylandrean families typically do a gift exchange in the morning, since
most children would find it utterly cruel to have to wait to see their
gifts.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My siblings and I were known to wake our parents
before sun-up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we have more
patience as adults, so our family takes a few hours in the evening for
ourselves now.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“How?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s always something going on,” Cailan
reminded, and to his understanding the royal family was involved throughout all
of Starlight Day.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The performances
take place while there is daylight, but remember that tomorrow night will be
the longest night of the year for darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once the sun sets in the late afternoon, the performances will be
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The vendors and palace cooks will
then make sure everyone still celebrating in the courtyard stays warm and
fed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most people gather around the fires
or inside the artisan booths, and spend the time just eating and enjoying being
together.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Our family will
return to the palace for a few hours to rest and eat together, as well as do
our own time of gift exchange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then,
before Starlight Day ends, we’ll rejoin the people in the courtyard, and watch
the sky-fire show.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan had read
about that show, but he didn’t really understand what it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when he asked Jarek for more
information about it, the man shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No, I don’t think
I’ll explain how that works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s much
more magical just to watch and be a part of it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan opened his
mouth to argue that a little, but a light swat warned him to leave it go. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They finished their meal, and returned to
their bed, with Cailan more than a little excited about the next day.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
*****</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The morning of
Starlight Day started off quite happily in Cailan’s opinion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He woke with the comforting weight of Jarek
pressed into him while the bigger man planted kisses on his throat and chest,
and erotically rubbed their groins together.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tingles of
pleasure ran down Cailan’s spine and everywhere else that the two of them
touched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He groaned and lifted his hips
to do his part in the rutting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’ve been
very,” he panted, “stimulated the last few hours.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Mm,” Jarek
moaned, his lips finding Cailan’s for several minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually he pulled away enough to respond
to the statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s my favorite
holiday, and I’m finding it very <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">stimulating</i>
to share it with you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled back
just a little farther so their eyes could meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’ve loved experiencing the Ice Festival with you this week, and seeing
everything through your eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people
have loved you, and so do I.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He captured
Cailan’s lips again and they both began moaning constantly as they moved and
rubbed against each other.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Close!” Cailan
gasped out, and then gasped louder when Jarek reached between them and
squeezed, holding Cailan’s orgasm at bay.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Not yet,
petling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me inside,” he begged.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A desperate nod
was his answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He moved carefully but
quickly, and Cailan was thankful for their intimacies the evening before
because it left him looser and not needing as much preparation.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When they came
together, both men were vocal in their appreciation of the feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek’s fingers threaded through Cailan’s
hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So beautiful,” he murmured.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The sincerity of
it always awed Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one else had
ever thought his silver tresses were beautiful; no one before Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was also awed by his own intense feelings
and extreme attraction he felt for his husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The man was muscular and powerful, a true warrior, but capable of such
gentleness and understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His black
hair with the amazing shimmer fell like a curtain around his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan cupped is neck and pulled him down
until their mouths connected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt
the bigger man start to rock, and then little thrusts, just subtle in and out
motions made Cailan’s arousal grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Harder,” he
begged in a whisper, and his request was immediately fulfilled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek thrust with more force, and it was
perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan couldn’t stop his hands
from clinging, petting, and eventually scratching, as the rhythm between them
built and built.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hit the peak
first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His entire body tightened and he
yelled in pure pleasure, pleasure which became almost too intense as Jarek
continued to thrust through that tightness, until he too gasped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He dropped his head to Cailan’s shoulder and
bit down, just enough to give a welcome pain without breaking the skin.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek’s full
weight slumped onto Cailan, making the deep breaths the younger man was taking
in harder to get, but he didn’t care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everything about that moment was perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Jarek tried to roll off him, Cailan held
on, not letting the bigger man move.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ll smother you,
petling,” Jarek gasped out.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan shook his
head, his face pressed into Jarek’s neck as he answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then I’d die happy.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek chuckled and
capitulated for another minute, but then insisted on moving off the smaller man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan took several deep breaths as he
snuggled into Jarek’s side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can I stay
here forever?” he asked, only half joking.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“At my side?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Absolutely,” Jarek told him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“In bed?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m afraid not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re expected
for breakfast with the rest of the family in less than an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And after that the gates will open for the
courtyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you ready, my petling?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thinking about the
day ahead and how content he was right then, Cailan nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Absolutely.”<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Breakfast was hot
and filling…and fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was so much
going on that no one lingered over the meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The royal family bundled up, and then moved as a unit to exit the
palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As they walked
outside, the courtyard was set up for the day, but empty of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was clear, however, that the emptiness
would be very short-lived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Outside the
gates, a cheer erupted as soon as the family appeared outside the palace
walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guards stood at the high, steel
gateway, ready and waiting for the influx of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To Cailan’s eyes, hundreds were already
waiting to be let in.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As they
approached, two guards carried a portable step and platform, which they set
securely on the walkway about twenty feet from the gates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They draped the platform in a rich red cloth,
and then Alaric motioned for the family to stop and the guards to stand at
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan couldn’t
help thinking how regal he looked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
and Queen Kesla were the only ones in the family wearing a crown that
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek said it was to show the
family’s honor to him as their current king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A lush, purple cloak, trimmed in white and gold, draped from his
shoulders to his feet, and as he climbed the steps to the platform he lifted a
hand with a bejeweled scepter in greeting to the people.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It surprised
Cailan that the people’s cheers didn’t grow at that signal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, a respectful hush fell over the
crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When all was silent, King Alaric
addressed those waiting.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Welcome, my
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As your king and representative
of the ongoing line of the Lysander family, I’m honored by your attendance and
support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This day will always be
uniquely special to my family, and a time of celebration for all of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As my ancestor, King Trace, swore on his
life, I too swear on mine that I will do everything in my strength, power, and
wisdom, to keep every subject of Cylandrea safe, cared for, educated, and given
opportunities for growth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My family
holds me accountable to that promise, and so do you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I welcome all of
you to spend the day with us today, and encourage you to talk with myself and
my family as you do your own friends and loved ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will always desire to get to know as many
of you as we can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, I’d like to
remind everyone of the manners and rules you are asked to abide by while within
the palace gates.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan watched as
Alaric paused and seemed to personally meet the eyes of everyone watching him.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“For everyone’s
safety,” he said seriously, “weapons of any kind will not be allowed inside the
gates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The palace guards are the only
ones with permission to be armed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will
not abide violence of any kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please
hold yourselves and each other accountable to that, or you will be escorted out
of the gates for everyone’s safety.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“There is no
tolerance for theft,” he continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“All
food, crafts, and other goods <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">must</i> be
honestly purchased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,” he added
in a much gentler and compassionate tone. “Absolutely no one will be allowed to
go hungry today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone who cannot
afford the purchase of food for themselves or a loved one, please just tell the
vendor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The palace will cover the
remaining tab at the end of the festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will trust in the honesty of my people to not take advantage of that.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I also expect no
one to suffer from the cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blankets
and cloaks are available to anyone who needs them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please alert a guard or a member of my family
if the cold is too much for someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
will make sure they are taken care of.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Alaric then gave a
wide and genuine smile to the crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
hope for a wonderful day for all of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Guards, open the gates!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The people flooded
in as soon as the heavy gates were unlocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Vendors and performers immediately moved to their booths and
leaders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others began setting up
blankets and chairs in the courtyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But quite a few began approaching the royal family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan hadn’t expected to be surrounded so
quickly, and when Jarek entwined their fingers possessively, he found he was
grateful for the grounding touch.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I should have
warned you about the initial onslaught,” he apologized into Cailan’s ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This happens every year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the only opportunity for some of the
people to actually interact with our family.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He tugged lightly on Cailan’s hand and began walking, subtly moving them
away from the other members of the family while greeting and acknowledging the
people approaching them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan looked
around and noticed the rest of the family were making some distance too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was discreetly done, but clear to him that
they were spreading the people out and keeping things from shifting into a
chaotic situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Guards were also
moving with the family and keeping the members close enough to guarantee their
safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan noticed Jothan had
followed him and Jarek as they moved, and two other palace guards were also
close by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled at his friend, and
Jothan acknowledged the silent greeting with a nod, even as his attention never
wavered from his duty.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The better part of
an hour was spent conversing with Cylandreans who approached them, and Cailan
felt a little embarrassed that he appeared to be getting more attention than
Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone wanted to thank him for his
work in saving the queen and being the one to fulfill the silver
prophecies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many wanted to hear the
actual story of how those events played out, although Cailan was reluctant retell
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt boastful to share such
things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, Jarek didn’t seem to
mind being the story-teller.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
explained in tactful detail the events of those days at least three times.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Children were also
amongst those approaching the royals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their mothers and fathers would bring them close and, following Jarek’s
example, Cailan willingly extended hugs and kisses to the young ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That was a very
new experience for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Arten, he was
often stared at on public outings, but he wasn’t approached for a blessing or
embrace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Adults looked down at him and
children either laughed behind his back or looked at him nervously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Here in Cylandrea,
the looks were awe and happiness that he was receiving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children might have been shy in their
approach, but they weren’t nervous, and he found he didn’t mind when they
curiously touched his hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some young
ones even ended up on his lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A pair of
three-year-old twins hogged him for a good fifteen minutes as one toddler
chattered to him about the presents she got for Starlight Day that morning,
while the other kept trying to braid his hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He never thought he’d enjoy the sweet attention so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was almost disappointed when the crowds
gradually lessened and eventually gave them a few minutes respite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek let out a
laugh when the last few people moved on to the vendor stalls and he looked to
Cailan.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What?” Cailan
asked, not sure of the cause of his husband’s mirth.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Your hair has
received quite the style, petling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
may become a new trend in the kingdom.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Grumbling,
Cailan’s hands moved to his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
flinched at the knots, half-done braids, and flyaways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need to fix this, Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will it be a problem if I return to our rooms
for a short while?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t think
that will be necessary,” Jarek debated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He motioned to someone, and a minute later Princess Sana joined
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hand rose to hide the smile
that came to her lips, but it didn’t hide the laughter in her eyes.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan
sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Does it look as bad as it
feels?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Probably,” she
gently teased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I’ve experienced
this problem before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why don’t the three
of us move over here where we’re less visible.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The two men
followed her, and they relocated to a semi-isolated corner of the courtyard
behind one of the artisan stalls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sana opened
her heavy over-cloak and reached for an elegant bag strapped to the belt of her
dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rummaging in it briefly, she
pulled out a tiny hairbrush, no longer than the length of her hand.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ve learned that
unless I want little hands in my hair, to put it up and out of the way when I
meet with our people,” she said with a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“And even then, some children can’t seem to resist, so I find it helpful
to carry this with me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She moved behind
Cailan and began brushing out the tangles and knots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He blushed a little, not used to such
treatment, and thankful when neither Jarek nor Sana commented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gentle strokes down his hair also felt
surprisingly good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d taken care of
his own tresses for years, and it never felt so good when he combed it
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But having someone else do it,
he was finding very relaxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A little
embarrassed about that, he worked to keep his enjoyment schooled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sana finished getting the tangles out, and
then pulled a black string from her bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Would you like me to braid the length back, Cailan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be less likely to attract as much
attention then, and you won’t have to worry about needing it brushed.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He nodded and
offered his thanks after she quickly completed the braid and tied the end.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m glad I could
help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy the day, boys.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She moved off into
the crowd then, and Cailan watched her graceful stroll bring her to Prince
Sem’s side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The younger Lysander twins
often spent any required public time together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cailan knew it was because Sana was painfully shy, something she hid
well when necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But she had to deal
with her hearing struggles as well, which were more difficult when in a large
crowd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sem tended to be her constant
guardian when she was part of the instability of gatherings or unfamiliar
faces.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He pulled his
attention away from the siblings when Jarek reached for his arm and hooked them
together at their elbows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Would you
like to explore the vendors?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Do we have time
before the performances start?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
want to miss those.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We have time,”
Jarek assured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They walked, arm
in arm, from stall to stall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing the
talent of the crafters amazed Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
rarely had the opportunity in his previous life to meet the individuals who
could carve statues, sew beautiful clothing, or paint pictures capable of
adorning royal walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He also hadn’t
considered that he could purchase the wares being displayed in the booths, but
was reminded of the opportunity when Jarek exchange several coins for a small
glass bottle of scented cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Mother loves
this,” he explained to Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I always
get her a bottle for Starlight Day, something small enough to travel easily.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Two booths later,
Cailan made his first purchase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
youngest brother, Prince Doron of Arten, wasn’t quite two years old yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was walking, but still wobbly on his feet,
and at this booth Cailan saw a carved wooden duck on wheels, with floppy
leather cut out for its feet. A handled stick was attached to the toy, and when
it was pushed, the duck’s feet made a delightful slapping sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan knew his baby brother would love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He handed over the coins willingly, and was
promised that the item would be delivered to his quarters, so he wouldn’t have
to carry it around.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At another booth,
a young leather worker was selling books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cailan thought that an odd business choice for the man’s trained skill,
until the artisan explained the connection. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I collect books
with damaged or timeworn bindings,” he told the two men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then I cut and sew new covers for them, and
carve the title, author, and a decorative picture or border onto the new
leather bindings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never repeat a
design except by request.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Both Cailan and
Jarek were sufficiently impressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
carvings done on the leather were beautiful, and both men examined and skimmed
the stories in the books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek ended up
purchasing three books, and Cailan picked five more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truthfully, if he’d had the time, he’d likely
have gone through and purchased the vendor’s entire supply.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The first show
will be starting soon,” Jarek then told him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We need to get to our seats.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Do we have
assigned seats?” Cailan asked.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek shook his
head. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not exactly, but the people are
purposeful in making sure the royal family can clearly see the
entertainment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve tried in the past
to allow others to have those spots, but it’s been expressed that the
entertainers themselves want to perform for the family, so we don’t argue
against the people’s desire.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Truly, Jarek spoke
with experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the two of them
approached the crowd gathered around the staging area that had been set up, the
people parted as if a wind blew threw and separated them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With several words of thanks as they passed,
they moved to the front of the assembly and joined the rest of the royal
family, who had already taken their seats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sem handed a paper to him that was embossed with the royal seal.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s the
performance program,” the young royal whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It lists the schedule of entertainment, as
well as what each group is doing.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you,”
Cailan whispered back, and then looked to the first listing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was pleased to see the day’s entertainment
was starting with the children’s orchestra he and Jarek had gone to visit a
couple weeks earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan had hung
the picture the little girl, Glory, had given him on the inside door of his
wardrobe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saw it every morning when
he got dressed, and it made him smile.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">According to the program,
the group would perform three songs, one of them being the Cylandrean
anthem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan showed that detail to
Jarek, who nodded knowingly.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s one of the
first songs all school-age children learn, both to sing and play,” he told
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Considering that, and the fact
that today honors the beginning of Cylandrean’s government, I’m not surprised
they chose to include it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled
brightly when the sound of little feet preceded the appearance of the children
being led onstage and sitting nervously in their assigned chairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We also give any performances with children
the first few spots,” he said lowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“That way they don’t spend the day with anxiety over their show, and can
enjoy the celebration freely when their part is over.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan thought
that was an excellent decision, and he turned his attention fully to the
children now filling the area in front of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He spotted little Glory, and she saw him at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked scared to be in front of so many
people, but he grinned at her and gave a little wave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked like it helped, because her smile
grew, and she waved back before turning her gaze onto their director, Darin
Sorenson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seconds later, Darin gave a
flick of his baton and the hum of instruments filled the courtyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Just as he’d been
before, Cailan was beyond impressed with these young ones’ abilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were as good as any experienced adult
orchestra he’d ever heard, but there was an extra energy to them that showed
their age and innocence, and that added to the show. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the time the strains of their final song
were fading away, the entire crowd had drawn close to the stage, and they had
been hushed in amazement of the music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
it ended, cheers and praises broke out loudly, as did enthusiastic
applause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek and Cailan were the
first of the crowd to stand to their feet in approval, and everyone followed
their example.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the children
were being ushered off the stage and guided to their waiting families, Cailan
looked to Jarek, and was startled to notice the man’s eyes appeared wet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he asked about it, Jarek pressed a warm
kiss to his temple.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Just emotion,
petling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was truly beautiful to
hear, and seeing such talent come from such young hearts touched me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan couldn’t
argue that statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The music and
children touched his heart too, and it made him hope that the gift he had
prepared for Jarek would touch him just as deeply.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We have some time
before the next performance,” Jarek told him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Is there something you’d like to do?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Could we see the
rest of the artisans?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to
miss anything, and they’re all so talented.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Of course,” Jarek
agreed readily.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By the time they
returned to the stage area for the next performance, Cailan had bought several
gifts to present to his own family when they came for his and Jarek’s wedding
in a week’s time, and was excited for when he could offer them.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Our rooms will be
overflowing if you keep this up,” Jarek teased.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan
shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s nice to be able to pick
things for them, and it means a lot to me that they’re coming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Abed is going to be there for the
ceremony!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That fact was
significant to him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides Doron, Abed
was the brother he was closest to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having
him there meant that the entire Artenian royal family would be present for this
ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it also meant that
for at least a couple hours’ time, Arten would not have a member of the royal
family in the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was something
that was being kept very, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very</i>
quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, from what Cailan
understood, the only person outside the family who knew this was going to
happen was the royal sorcerer, Ristoph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ristoph was
thoroughly trusted by the entire Artenian royal family, especially Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew how to open a communication portal
between the countries if it became necessary while the family was gone, but it
was hopeful that wouldn’t be necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The plan was that Cailan’s parents and all six of his brothers would
arrive together just before the start of the ceremony.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the official ceremony ended, Abed would
return as “King in standing” while the rest of Cailan’s family stayed for the
celebration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ideally, Cailan
would have loved to have Abed be able to stay for the entire day, but he
understood why that wasn’t wise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a
prince, he would never expect his father or brothers to put their country in
danger, and they were already allowing a tiny bit of vulnerability in by their
attendance at his nuptials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would be
content with the compromise, and he hoped Abed liked the gift Cailan had picked
out to present to him on that day. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He put those
thoughts aside for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now was a
time to enjoy Starlight Day, and there were still booths he and Jarek hadn’t
gotten to, but the next act was getting set up, so they returned to their
seats.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This performance
was a family of dancers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The parents had
trained their six children and choreographed the entire routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The children were all sets of twins ranging
from ten to sixteen years old, and each set was completely identical.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to Jarek, that detail was
unusual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While all Cylandreans were born
in multiples, mostly as twins or triplets, only about ten percent of them were
born with identical looks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Their presentation
received a standing ovation as well, which Cailan thought they thoroughly
deserved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterwards, Jarek explained
there would be a longer gap before the next entertainment, so attendees could
enjoy a leisurely mid-day meal.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Unanimously, the
royal family chose to indulge in the traditional fire pies for their lunch, and
they walked together to where Nikolai’s stand was set up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan could smell the enticing scents as
they approached, and his stomach growled in hunger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people lined up to purchase a pie as well
automatically started to step aside for the royals, but the entire Lysander
family shook their heads, although Alaric spoke for the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We can have
patience and wait our turn, just as you are doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t step aside for us this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no need.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was such a
humble thing to do, and Cailan knew he wasn’t imagining the honest respect and
love for the royal family that shown in the people’s eyes.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When they did
arrive at the front of the line, Jarek encouraged him to order two or three
pies.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“One won’t be
filling enough,” he warned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Two or
three will satisfy your hunger for now, and later we can purchase some treats
at other vendors.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan couldn’t
help looking behind him at the line of people still waiting for their chance to
order.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will there be enough for
everyone else though, Jarek?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t
want Nikolai to run out of ingredients, or make the subjects have to wait
longer for their food.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek’s gaze was
warm, and he leaned in to brush a sweet kiss to Cailan’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s very considerate of you,
petling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s make me proud to have you
at my side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, you don’t need to worry
about supplies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise Nikolai has
enough, and he’s got all his children and grandchildren helping him today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can make the pies quickly.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan took note
then to the number of people moving around Nikolai, all of which were taking
orders, assembling pies, cooking them, and then doing it all over again.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Okay,” he
capitulated, and then focused on the handwritten sign hanging above the booth,
listing the options available.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the end, he was
glad Jarek said to order several pies, because trying to pick just one out of
the options would have been impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His final choices ended up being a steak and tomato combination, an
apple pie that was made from three different types of apples, and the chocolate
and raspberry one that he’d eaten on the first visit to Nikolai’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flavor of that one had haunted him, and
he was anxious to taste it again.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek chose three
pies different from Cailan’s picks, and suggested they share their meal so they
both could experience each kind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Apparently, the whole royal family thought very similarly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between the eight if them, only two flavors
of pies were repeated, and they spent their meal time sharing and raving over
the flavors they were experiencing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By the time the
meal ended, Cailan felt a little sleepy between the good food, early morning,
and buzzing energy of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were
all gathered on thick blankets in the courtyard and close by to several heating
units.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan felt Jarek move to sit
behind him and urged the younger man to lean back into his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Rest if you want,
petling,” he said softly into Cailan’s ear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“There’s about forty minutes until the next performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have time.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan’s initial
reaction was to say he didn’t need the rest, but a glance around the courtyard
showed he wouldn’t be the only one taking a brief break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Queen Kesla was almost asleep, leaning
against Alaric’s side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prince Sem had
stretched out on the blanket and his breaths were very close to snores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And scattered about the area, Cailan saw
adults and children laying down or leaning against one another with eyes
closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, this was another
common part of Starlight Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Feeling
better about a brief rest, he let himself relax into Jarek’s chest and closed his
eyes.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He didn’t mean to
fall asleep, but a short while later the sensation of gentle rubs on his arms
and a kiss to his cheek woke him from a peaceful slumber.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Wake up,
petling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re a few minutes away from
the next performance, and you won’t want to miss it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">All around them,
people were moving about, some getting seats for the show, others getting more
to eat or wandering amongst the craft vendors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cailan took the hand Jarek offered him and they moved to the stage area.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His husband had
been right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan was very glad he didn’t
miss this show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a dramatic
comedy, with all the men playing female parts, and all the women playing the
men’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan laughed so hard his sides
hurt and he had to wipe tears from his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He laughed even harder when King Alaric’s guffaws over the show caused him
such a bad case of the hiccups that a guard had to run to get him a glass of
water.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After the show, a
series of games were set up for the children in attendance, and the entire
royal family watched and joined in the cheers as the kids ran three-legged races,
had jumping rope battles, and enjoyed push-sled relays on a patch of smooth
snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">However, Cailan’s
favorite part of the kids’ games was one the people called “King’s
Mirror”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the children who wanted to
play gathered in a group, lined up with some space between them, and then
Alaric stood in front of them and began calling out and demonstrating silly
positions for the kids to mimic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a
while, he turned the leadership of the game over to his father, and King
Jonerick had them doing even sillier moves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek leaned close
and whispered that all the men in the family would take a turn as a leader, so
he had better watch closely for his time at the front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan had to admit to some shock and nerves
over that, but in the end, he had so much fun when it was his turn that he
wouldn’t have changed a thing.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the games
ended, everyone moved as a whole toward the center of the courtyard, and Cailan
saw that while the games had been going on, three large blocks of ice had been
arranged in the quad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are they going to do the ice sculptures now?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“They are,” Sem
said from where he walked with his parents in front of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked behind him as he answered Cailan’s
question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s Sana’s favorite part of
the day, and they really are amazing to watch if you don’t mind the time it
takes for them to carve the ice.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“How long does it
take?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“About an hour,
give or take,” Jarek answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They’ll
get done a little before the sun sets.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan frowned as
he considered that information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That doesn’t
seem fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll hardly be able to enjoy
them before it will be too dark to see.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Queen Dyanna
glanced over her shoulder at him to address that concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Actually, doing the sculpting now gives us a
bit more time to enjoy them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the
temperature drops with the sun, the sculptures will harden further in their
shapes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, as long as the daytime
temperature doesn’t rise too much, they’ll manage to keep their form for at
least three or four days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If it gets
very cold, I’ve seen the sculptures last for two weeks.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That pleased
Cailan quite a bit, and he rather hoped that the sculptures would still be
around on the day of his and Jarek’s Cylandrean nuptials.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There was quite a
crowd who surrounded the area where the sculpting would take place, and six
people, two at each ice block, were preparing their implements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek pointed to the different tools and
explained what some of them were used for, as well as expounded on the roles of
the creators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Because sculpting
ice is time sensitive, large pieces are rarely done by just one person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why each block has two artists
present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll alternate jobs as they
carve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While one is sculpting, the other
will keep the necessary knives and tools heated over that fire there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pointed to a small bonfire, far enough
away to not affect the ice, and large enough that several people could stand
around it as needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The artists will
swap back and forth in their roles until the sculpture is complete.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In short matter,
Cailan got to observe what Jarek described.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was fascinating to watch the artisans work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They all began with large, fire-hot knives,
and cut away hunks of ice, some pieces so large that Cailan felt that had to be
a mistake, but both Jarek and Sana assured him it wasn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a general shape began to emerge, they
switched to smaller knives and picks, working on details for their ice statues.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A lot of people
wandered back and forth during the hour it took to create the sculptures, but
Cailan couldn’t take his eyes away from this form of artwork he’d never before
witnessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, just as the sky was
starting to pinken with the setting sun, the artists made the last few cuts and
details to their work. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The final products
were phenomenal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One sculpture was a
large crown, almost identical to the one currently being worn by King
Alaric.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the jewels shaped by the
ice somehow seemed to reflect the color of the jewels in his crown.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The second
sculpture was a majestic eagle appearing to be in flight, his wings fully
extended and carved with such expertise that Cailan could have sworn the statue
was about to take flight and disappear into the sky.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The final
sculpture was absolutely endearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
clearly showed a young family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mother
and father were kneeling together, each with an infant child cradled in their
arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The faces on both the adults and
babies were so detailed that Cailan felt certain the artist had carved people
near and dear to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He truly could
have studied the sculptures for hours, and he rather hoped to do that very thing
the following day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, as he was
warned, the sky was quickly growing darker and making it harder to see.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“There’s one more
performance before we break for the evening meal,” King Jonerick informed their
newest family member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan tried to
remember what the program had listed, but he drew a blank.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What is it?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s an ancient
poem set to music,” the elderly king told him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Our ancestor, King Trace, had one daughter, and she wrote a sonnet in
tribute to country, king, and family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was set to music by her daughter years later, and it has become tradition for
it to be sung every Starlight Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Because of how it originated, every year a mother and daughter from our
empire is chosen to sing it for us.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They had walked to
the stage area as King Jonerick made his explanation, and Cailan saw that four
tall torches were set in a square on the stage, and as the elder man had said,
two clearly related women stood in the middle of them.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It took several
minutes for the crowd to find their seats and settle quietly, and the two women
waited patiently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, without any accompaniment,
they lifted their voices together in a sound so pure it was heavenly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan found his
eyes tearing as the women sang to the crowd in growing dusk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sonnet brought forth the emotions of
love, commitment, and loyalty, and the tune that flowed effortlessly from the
mother and daughter duo gave Cailan the sensations of peace, joy, and
gratefulness all in one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could have
listened all night, and almost felt like mourning when the song faded into the
air.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There was no
applause this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was too pure an
experience for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hush of the
people was truer praise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alaric stood
when the performance ended and joined the two women on stage, kissing both
their cheeks in thanksgiving before standing to address his people.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It has truly been
a memorable holiday,” he said in a voice that wasn’t loud, but still carried
across the courtyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think it has
been the best one in all I’ve experienced, and it’s not yet over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please, enjoy the next few hours with each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take comfort in your friends and
family, enjoy the food from those so generous and hard-working to provide it,
and stay warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sky-fire show will
commence when the lights in the palace’s highest tower are lit, and then we ask
that you safely return to your homes and continue your celebration with family
and friends.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Alaric rejoined
his family, and then led the way into the palace for the private celebration
Jarek had told Cailan about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At least, that’s
what Cailan thought they were doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was surprised when everyone started heading in different directions when they
got inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where’s everyone going?” </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Just to change
clothes and do some last-minute preparation,” Jarek assured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ve been outside in the cold all day, so
we usually take some time to soak in some hot water and dress in more
comfortable clothing for the evening.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan had actually hoped they would gather
to eat right away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was feeling hungry
and the food he’d consumed during the day had been burned off with the
activities.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We’ll be together
again within the hour,” Jarek told him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Did you do what I said with your gifts?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That morning Jarek
had told him to leave all the gifts he’d purchased for others in their personal
library, although he hadn’t explained why; just as he hadn’t explained why each
gift was to be wrapped and tied in the fancy paper and ribbon he’d brought to
their suite a few days ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most
he’d said was, “It’s tradition.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I put them where
you told me, but I still don’t know why.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek just
grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’ll see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t worry about it for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s go soak in the bath for a little
while.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan moved to
head that direction, but was stopped abruptly by Jarek’s hand on his wrist.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Wait just a
minute,” Jarek told him, and then gathered a silk scarf from his wardrobe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He moved behind Cailan, pulled the braid Sana
had put in his hair up, and tied it off his shoulders with the scarf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then did the same thing to his own long
hair, which Cailan found very odd.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What are you
doing?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We’ll be going
back outside in a few hours, and if our hair is wet when we do, it will freeze,
so I’m making sure we don’t get it wet.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With that
clarified, they moved to the hot bathing pool and soaked for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan had to admit, the heat felt wonderful
after the cold of the day, and it was very soothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If his hunger hadn’t continued to grow, he
would have been ready to go to bed at that point.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Dress comfortably
for now,” Jarek told him when they got out of the bath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ll add layers before we return to the
courtyard later.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With that in mind,
Cailan pulled on thick leggings that he could put woolen pants over, and a
long-sleeve tunic made from bamboo thread and dyed a rich red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek clearly appreciated the outfit as he
came and pressed close to Cailan’s front.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His hands cupped the younger man’s bottom and lifted until Cailan was
forced onto his toes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grinning, the
smaller prince wrapped his arms around Jarek’s broad chest, willingly tilting
his head for a kiss.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Feeling amorous
again?” he teased when they pulled apart.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek gave a growl
in his chest that brought Cailan’s body to full attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You look good enough to eat, petling.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The sound of a
gong made Jarek give another, less welcome, growl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Dinner announcement?”
Cailan asked.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“They couldn’t
have waited five minutes,” Jarek grumped, and Cailan couldn’t help laughing.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It would have
taken more than five minutes, and I think the food we’re going to will taste
better than me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That broke out a
smile on the older man’s face, and a wink at Cailan as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I highly doubt that, petling, but you’re
right that we don’t have time. The rest of the family is probably waiting for
us.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They were, and Sem
winked at Cailan in a way that made the younger prince blush. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He carefully avoided his brother-in-law’s eyes
and sat next to Jarek while he looked around at the ornately decorated
table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Unlike other
dining pieces, this table was round with no one claiming a head seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It showed equality, something the Lysander family
seemed to give to each other, even while recognizing lawful authority within
the group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The table was draped in a red
cloth, with gold napkins, stately dinner services, and a silver chalice at each
setting.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As soon as they
were settled, food began to arrive, but Cailan was surprised that other than
the rich, brothy soup that was placed in front of him, the rest of the meal was
placed at a long table against the wall.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Queen Kesla was
the first to notice his confusion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are
you okay, Prince Cailan?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, just….” He
motioned to the food.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh,” she smiled,
her look understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We want the
servants to have the opportunity to enjoy the holiday as much as they can
too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They won’t serve us the meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll just bring everything that’s been
prepared to us and we’ll serve ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It lets them have a few hours uninterrupted as well.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That was
thoughtful, and Cailan didn’t mind serving himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appeared none of the royal family
did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although Alaric insisted that Kesla
remain in her seat and he’d fill a plate for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan didn’t blame him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The queen was smiling, but her expression was
tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had clearly been a draining
day for her.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They feasted on a
perfectly done roast, sweetened potatoes with garlic and onions, baked
vegetables, and hot bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Desserts of
sugared fruit tarts, a spice cake, and Jarek’s favorite pumpkin fruit pudding
were a delicious end to the meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although, Jarek and Cailan were the only ones who indulged in the
pudding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one else in the family cared
for it, but the two of them enjoyed it immensely. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After dinner, they
moved to the largest common room in the east wing, and Cailan was flummoxed at
the sight before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A large pine tree,
rooted in a deep planter stood almost to the ceiling in front of the room’s picture
window.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scent of pine and spices
filled the space, and he drew closer to the tree in rapture to study the way it
had been decorated.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ribbons of red and
silver were tied to the branches and completely surrounded the greenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Glass baubles, some clear, others of red,
gold, and royal purple, hung amongst the needles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Added to them were small bundles of cinnamon
sticks, tied with ribbon, and dried oranges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cailan breathed the scent in deeply, closing his eyes to relish it.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The warmth of
Jarek’s strong arm circled his waist, and Cailan leaned into the embrace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s beautiful,” he whispered reverently,
his eyes still closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I love the
decorated tree as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It adds to the
uniqueness of the day, to have a regal king of the forest in our home,” Jarek
told him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“In a few days, the tree will
be moved to a growing facility, and in the spring we’ll replant it in King’s
Forest.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That made Cailan
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An expression which grew when he
opened his eyes and noticed that his wrapped gifts, and many others had been
placed attractively at the tree’s base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His surprise and joy were a delight for the rest of the family to see.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Who brought the
gifts here?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“One of the
servants,” Sem told him as he plopped on the floor with the packages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is where we do our own gift
exchange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sit, brother, and we’ll get
started.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan was as
happy about being called ‘brother’ as he was to see the packages and be
experiencing this entire holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
family took a seat on the floor instead of the available chairs, although each
of the women draped a shawl or blanket over their shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Traditionally,”
Sem said, puffing out his chest as if he were giving an important speech, “the
youngest in the family has the honor of handing out the gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thus, it has been my job for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looks like I must hang up my hat though,
and pass the mantle on to my little brother.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He waved a hand from Cailan to the pile of gifts.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Me?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan looked to the family gathered, and for
a moment felt out of place and unworthy of what seemed to be so special.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He also looked
shockingly young and vulnerable to the rest of the room’s occupants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>King Jonerick shifted over to him, putting
Cailan between himself and Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Of
course you,” he said, his voice deep with age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You’re the youngest son and brother to us now, Cailan Nyle-Lysander,
and until someone gifts Dyanna and I with a grandchild, this honor is
rightfully yours.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan’s cheeks
pinked a little, but he nodded slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What do I do?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sem reached out
and grabbed his hand, pulling Cailan closer to the presents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll show you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s easy and fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every gift is labeled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just pick one, read who it’s for and who it’s
from, and then hand it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The receiver
gets to open it right away so we can all see what they got, and then you’ll
hand out the next one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got it?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan nodded, but
asked, “Is there an order to who gets the gifts?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Nope,” Sem
assured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just pick any you like and
start there.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That was easy
enough, and Cailan was tempted to hand one of his out first, just because he
wanted to make sure people liked what he bought, but he thought that it might
not be appropriate to start with his own purchases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, he reached for an unfamiliar package and
looked at the paper tag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“To Father,
from Sana.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Everyone had big
smiles on their faces as Cailan handed the gift to King Jonerick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan chuckled with them when the elder man
lifted the box to his ear and gently shook it.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, father,” Sana
giggled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You always try to guess what
it is, and you never do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just open it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Grinning, the man
untied the ribbon and wrapping and uncovered a set of fine-tipped tools that
were unfamiliar to Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
Jonerick looked very pleased with what he saw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“These are perfect, Sana, and look to be among the best made that I’ve
seen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you so much!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sem was closest to
Cailan, so the younger man leaned over and whispered, “What are they?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Wood-carving
tools,” Sem answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Father has
developed a hobby of carving this past year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mother says he’s not a professional yet, but he enjoys it and each piece
gets better and better.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That made Cailan
smile, and he kind of wished he could see some of the things the king had
made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, he handed out the next
gift, and fell into the routine of picking a package for someone and watching
them open it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loved seeing the
excitement on each person’s face, and was very pleased with the reactions
people gave over the gifts he picked for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Kesla had immediately wrapped the blanket he purchased around her,
exclaiming over its softness and pattern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And Sana had exclaimed over the memory box, saying over and over how
beautiful it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The gift he most
wanted to be liked was the one he picked for Jarek though, and he couldn’t
prevent his nerves from showing a little when he handed the present to his
husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek unwrapped it carefully,
and it took just a moment for him to realize what it was, but then he smiled
broadly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“A melody box,
petling?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How wonderful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did you arrange this?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I had some help,”
Cailan admitted, “from the royal sorcerer and a few others.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Is there already
music inside?” Sem and Sana asked at the same time.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At Cailan’s nod,
Jarek lifted the box’s lid and the sound of instruments floated from its
contents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek’s face lit up even
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s the children’s orchestra!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The ones who
performed today?” Alaric asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They
were wonderful!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“They were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a wonderful gift, petling!” Jarek
exclaimed, and pulled Cailan into a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Let it play while
we finish opening the gifts,” Queen Dyanna requested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s lovely music.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan felt
awkward with that request, but he didn’t say anything as he handed the next
gift over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Several minutes
later, a man’s tenor voice joined with the instruments being played.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The unexpectedness of it made everyone pause
and listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan felt his cheeks start
to heat and dearly hoped no one noticed.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“How beautiful,”
Kesla whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That can’t be one of
the children, can it?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Everyone looked to
Cailan for the answer, which brought his blush to everyone’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He shook his head in answer to Kesla’s
question, and Jarek’s eyes widened at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s you, petling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My goodness,
that’s you.” He made a motion for everyone to keep quiet, and they listened until
the end of the song.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the music
returned to the children’s instrumental talent, the entire family was looking
at their youngest member.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That was, kind
of, just meant for you,” he whispered embarrassingly to Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My mother thought it would be a good idea.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, petling,”
Jarek whispered, and pulled Cailan against his side before tipping his chin up
and devouring the younger man’s mouth.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They were stopped
by Sem and Alaric’s cheers and applause that their mother couldn’t get them to cease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan blushed even darker and it took a lot
of effort not to hide his face against Jarek’s shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I think I’d like
you to open my gift to you now, although I’m not sure it can compare to the one
I received,” Jarek told him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pointed
to a gift that Sem handed over and placed in Cailan’s lap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan, not able
to look at anyone else, met Jarek’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I thought you said it wouldn’t be ready in time?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We managed to get
it done,” Jarek answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Open it,
petling.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The package had
some weight to it, and Cailan carefully undid the wrapping, and then lifted the
lid on the velvet covered box that was revealed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gasped when he saw the contents, his eyes
wide in shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek reached in
carefully to take out the priceless item.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Your Artenian crowns will be placed in the treasure room with the rest
of the family’s,” Jarek said seriously, “and you may wear them anytime you
choose, but I thought it was important that you had a crown made from
Cylandrean materials and crafted by our best artisans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first king was crowned on this day, and I
felt it only right that Cylandrea’s newest royal should have a crown this day
as well.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He placed the golden coronet,
embellished with the glisten of diamonds around it, and the crafted points
bright with rubies, onto Cailan’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s my hope that you’ll wear this at our wedding next week, if you so
desire.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan didn’t
realize his eyes had filled until a warm drop slid down his cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wiped it quickly away as he nodded,
careful not to dislodge the crown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’d
be honored.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek kissed him
again, and Alaric spoke up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Prince Cailan,
I know you’re aware that Jarek and I had an argument surrounding your gift, but
I don’t want you to believe it was because I, or anyone else, did not wish for
you to have it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just miscommunicated
on when it was to be finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also know
my brother isn’t likely to tell you this himself, but I think you’d like to be
aware that he worked personally with the metal workers and jewelers for your
gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The design of your crown, and
every gemstone in it, was personally chosen by Jarek.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan blinked
quickly to keep any more tears from falling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Thank you,” he told his husband, his heart too full for any other
words.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At that point, Sem
silently took over passing out the few remaining gifts, because neither Cailan
nor Jarek wanted out of each other’s arms.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Later that
evening, the crown had been replaced with a warm head covering, but Cailan was
still curled into Jarek’s side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
time they, and the rest of the royal family, were back in the courtyard with
the people, sitting on thick blankets and looking to the stars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek had still refused to explain what the
sky-fire show was, and simply told Cailan to watch.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So he did, and
unexpectedly a flash of light shone in the distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It started on the ground and climbed high
into the dark sky like a shooting star, and then it exploded with a boom that
made Cailan gasp, first in fright and then in awe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sparks of fire in all colors had appeared
with the explosion, and now drifted to earth, slowly burning out before they’d
ever touch the ground.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That,” Jarek
whispered into his ear, “is sky-fire.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Never had Cailan
seen anything like that, and although he was better prepared, he still startled
when the next explosion happened and the sky lit up with the show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around him, the people oohed and aahed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan just pressed into Jarek and watched
the show in wonder, deciding not to ask how it was done because he didn’t want
to take away from the magic of the show, or the magic of the day. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It had been one of
the best of his life, but he wasn’t sad it would end soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was happy because the future held years of
Starlight Days, and all the days in-between, in front of him with Jarek.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501737755;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">THE END AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!</b></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-72569642725874354892017-12-24T15:46:00.000-05:002017-12-24T15:46:00.712-05:00Starlight Day - Part 2<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk501733224"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Two days later, a
carriage was taking the two young men into the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the first time, Cailan saw Jothan dressed
in casual wear instead of his guard’s uniform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It made him appear younger than his years, as did the unconcealed wonder
at riding in one of the royal carriages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ve ridden with
a driver on top, or marched next to one as part of the guard, but I’ve never
ridden inside,” he explained when Cailan commented on his awe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t realize the inside was so plush.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That was something
Cailan realized he tended to take for granted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The inside of the carriage was a picture of luxury, with cushioned seats
of crushed velvet, matching curtains over the windows, and hand-carved
decorations within the carriage’s woodwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’d ridden in similar style as a prince of Arten, so hadn’t been
surprised at the look of the Cylandrean palace’s carriages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“How do you
travel?” he asked once Jothan had looked his fill of their ride.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Horseback
mostly,” the young guard informed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Although
I have a buggy that I can attach a covering to when necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I usually use that in the winter or in poor
weather when I take my fiancé somewhere.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan asked about
Jothan’s betrothed, and the two of them conversed easily on the ride into
Palace City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they arrived, per
Cailan’s request, the driver left them off along a street of popular shops and
arranged to meet them when they were ready to move on.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The day was warmer
than the one when he and Jarek had been in the city, but Cailan was still glad
to have dressed warmly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, he
quickly wished that the wool hat he wore did more to hide his hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shame of being a silver-born was not a
part of life here in Cylandrea, but it was still a weight on his shoulders that
never seemed to completely go away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
even though many in this country saw his hair as something good, it still drew
attention he didn’t care for, and made him stand out from them because all
Cylandreans had predominantly black hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Thus, his silver tresses, as well as his reputation as the
prophecy-fulfiller, drew a lot of stares as soon as they alighted from the
carriage.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Uncomfortable,
Cailan found he wasn’t sure where to go or what to do about the stares he was
getting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, Jothan proved to
be the perfect companion to have brought along.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Everyone will
acknowledge you, sire,” the guard said softly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But no one will approach you unless you speak to them first, or you
enter their businesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then they will
approach to offer their assistance.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan calmed some
with that information, and realized that Jothan was likely telling him the
truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It occurred to him that he and
Jarek hadn’t been approached except when entering a shop when they were in
town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had assumed that had been
because so few people had been outside in the cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, now he realized it was a matter of
respect of the royal family’s desire not to be bombarded everywhere they went.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What are you
looking for, sire?” Jothan asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Please, if you
would, call me Cailan when it’s just us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As far as what I’m looking for…I’m not sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are typical gifts that are given for
Starlight Day, and where would be good places to get them?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jothan looked
thoughtful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Most people, if they’re
buying a gift for someone special, try to make it personal and thoughtful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, if gifts are exchanged between
people who appreciate one another, but perhaps don’t know each other as well,
then they tend to offer more generic gifts like foodstuffs, household items, or
scented candles.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I see,” Cailan
murmured, already thinking he should have had this conversation with Jothan
before the came into the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He might
have been better prepared with gifts in mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m afraid I’m not entirely sure where to start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What would be good shops to explore?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Any along this
street will have a wide assortment of items that are often bought as
gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe you’ll get an idea by
seeing what they have to offer,” Jothan suggested.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, they spent
most of the morning wandering in and out of the shops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a novel experience for Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d never done any kind of shopping like
this, and he found it fascinating to see the items that were sold and the way
people chose purchases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He also kept in
mind what Jothan said about giving personal gifts to those who were special to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek was, of course, the first one
to come to mind, and the one he most wanted to get something special for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt especially important to do it on this
occasion, since it was the first holiday they’d be spending together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted to commemorate it in a worthy way.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He didn’t want to
discount the other members of the royal family though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d always treated him with respect, even
when he was essentially a prisoner of war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were his family now too, and he wanted a way to express his
appreciation and respect to them, which meant finding just the right gift for
King Alaric, Queen Kesla, Princess Sana, and Prince Sem.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He was impressed
by much of what he saw in the shops, and had been tempted to purchase some
items for himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One gentleman’s
wares included hand-carved, wooden figurines that he assured he could make to
resemble a real person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A lady with a set
of month-old triplets was selling candles with a lovely scent to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t truly need any of those, but
wanting to help the seller make an honest living and provide for her children,
he bought a candle to give to his mother when she visited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt good to give the coins over to her.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Other shops sold
dried flower arrangements, paintings, stone carvings, clothing, and some lovely
decorative boxes that Jothan said were popular among the women of the country.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Each one is
unique,” he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And it’s not uncommon
for the wealthier among our people to try to attain a collection of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often they’ll keep rings or other jewelry in
them, although some use them as memory boxes.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Memory boxes?”
Cailan questioned.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, like a small
chest to hold special mementos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
mother has one that my father gave her when they married, and she keeps special
letters in it, along with some scraps of fabric from my sister’s and my baby
clothing.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jothan got a sheepish
expression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve purchased a box for my
fiancé.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll give it to her as a wedding
gift when we marry in the spring.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Like your father
did?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jothan chuckled with a bit of
embarrassment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thought it could be
the start of a tradition in my family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First my father, then me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe
someday I’ll have a son who will give one to his new wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That probably sounds silly.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Not at all,”
Cailan assured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m learning that
traditions are valued things here, and I think that’s because they’re seen as a
thread that links people together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s special.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jothan eyed him
with appreciation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wouldn’t have thought someone not born and
raised in Cylandrea would understand that.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We have
traditions in Arten too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not all are as
significant as what I’ve seen here, but they’re still special.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Talk of traditions
continued as they browsed, and eventually they reached the end of the street of
shops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The time felt like it had gone by
quickly, even though a few hours had passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cailan had been welcomed by innumerable Cylandreans and that pleased him,
but as far as gifts, he was disappointed in himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While some items he was still considering, Queen
Kesla was the only one he’d found one for that he would be pleased to give
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a beautiful hand-sewn
blanket for her to keep on her lounging couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The queen’s health had improved greatly over the last two months, but
she was still healing from the prolonged poisoning she’d endured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It required frequent times of rest during the
day, and Cailan thought the blanket could be useful as well as attractive. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Would you like to
visit more shops?” Jothan asked as Cailan handed the blanket and wrapped candle
to the driver to stow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">While he had been
enjoying the novelty of shopping, Cailan thought he’d had about enough of it
for the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No, not right
now,” he told Jothan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Could you
recommend somewhere to eat?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe
afterward we can continue.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know a great place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not palace fare, but you won’t have any
complaints about the food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jothan was
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had the driver take them to a
tavern, and Cailan’s stomach grumbled as they entered and he inhaled the rich
scents of cooking meat and spices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
foods available to diners were written on a board, but most of it was
unfamiliar to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cylandrea had a lot
of foods he’d never had in Arten, although thus far he’d enjoyed the majority
that he’d eaten.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh great!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have my favorite spiced stew today,”
Jothan commented as he read the board.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan wasn’t
exactly sure what a ‘spiced stew’ was, but he figured Jothan’s enthusiasm for
it would make it a good choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
both ordered a large portion, and soon a deep bowl of meat and vegetables,
along with generous hunks of bread, were delivered to their table.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jothan dug in
enthusiastically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan hesitated a
moment, but then tasted the dish in front of him and moaned in genuine
enjoyment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That’s
fantastic!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know,” Jothan
agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dip your bread in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s even better.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan did so and
had to agree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of them thoroughly
enjoyed their meal, and Cailan enjoyed the company as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friendships outside of a royal family were
also things he hadn’t had much experience with, but his current companionship
with Jothan was one of honest contentment.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Where to now?” the
off-duty guard asked after they’d both finished their meals.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan
shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I believe I want to think a
little more on gifts, so I don’t know that going to more shops is my first
choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you think it would be possible
to just drive around the city?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve only
seen a handful of places, and I’d like to get more familiar with it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’re the
prince, Cailan,” Jothan said with a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What we do is up to you, but I don’t mind guiding a tour through the
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are some beautiful places to
see, and some lesser known spots you might find interesting.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan’s nod was
eager.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s do that.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By the time the
carriage returned the two men to the palace, Cailan was much more familiar with
the city, and very pleased with his new knowledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d seen ancestral statues and learned the
history behind them; a topiary garden that was amazingly lush, even during the
winter season; several schools and places of worship; and Jothan even pointed
out the candle shop where his fiancé worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Overall, the day had been a very pleasant one.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan’s only
disappointment with the time was the lack of gifts he’d returned with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, as he washed the day’s dust off him
and changed into fresh clothes, a few ideas began to develop in his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By the time Jarek
joined him in their quarters, a plan for gifts and how to get them was well on
the way in his head.<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The palace was
bustling with family and visitors a couple days later. Sana returned from
visiting with her and her siblings’ parents, and King Jonerick and Queen Dyanna
had come with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On the same day,
Cailan’s mother arrived for her scheduled visit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’d been working and communicating with the
women in Jarek’s family to plan Cailan and Jarek’s Cylandrean nuptials;
something she was thoroughly enjoying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan was glad
about that for several reasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One was
that he and Jarek both were happy to have the details attended to by the
women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They could approve or reject
anything the women wanted their opinion on, but overall were free to continue
in their duties to the soldiers and the palace without the stress of planning
what it appeared was going to be a lavish wedding day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The second reason was
that the time the women spent together had been unifying for both royal
families.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Friendships were being made
and enjoyed, and considering that just a few months previously they had been at
war with each other, Cailan felt like a miracle had occurred.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He greeted his
mother happily when she arrived, and just as happily escorted her to Queen
Kesla’s quarters where the women would continue their planning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he did discuss some plans with her,
and made arrangements for the two of them to spend the next afternoon
together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time Cailan would get to
be the tour guide and introduce his mother to the unique differences of
Cylandrea.<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s going to be
beautiful!” Cailan’s mother, Queen Adesina, said enthusiastically as they rode
together into Palace City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The grand
ballroom will be done in blue and silver, which will match the season, as well
as the colors in the royal seal, according to Dyanna.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan simply
nodded with a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He enjoyed his
mother’s enthusiasm, despite feeling a little nervous about the grand affair
his Cylandrean wedding to Jarek was going to be.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The ladies sent
out the invitations after my last visit, and over four hundred have already
confirmed their attendance!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That comment threw
Cailan’s nerves into a spin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Four
hundred!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How many invitations were sent
out?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“830,” Adesina
told him without flinching or any show of concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t sound so
surprised, sweetheart.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mother
finally noticed his honest shock and patted his cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a royal wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course it will be large.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t you realize that?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I didn’t realize
it would be quite that big,” Cailan admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“How many can actually safely be in the ceremony space?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“According the
Dyanna, the palace chapel can comfortably hold over a thousand people, so
that’s not a concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The grand
ballroom, however, shouldn’t exceed five hundred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kesla said that limit was reached when she
and Alaric wed, but they assured me that the invitations were very specific on
who was invited to the wedding and reception, and who was just invited to
attend the wedding.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
*****</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Adesina could see
none of this was comforting her son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
reached for his hand and gripped it in both of hers, silently realizing for the
first time that the softness and small size she remembered holding in Cailan’s
childhood was now hard and larger than her own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Looking into his
face, she saw subtle changes in his visage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was an awareness in his eyes that hadn’t been there a year
ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was the strong jaw and the
shadow of scruff that revealed a man, not a boy.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But the mother in
her could still see the youth behind his manly features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She glimpsed wariness and anxiety being
carefully controlled from showing too much, and she wanted to know what worried
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It couldn’t be actually getting
married, because he and Jarek had already made that official, so it had to be
something else.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Why does the
number of people bother you?” she asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Most royal weddings are quite large.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If it had been possible, we would have done this for you and Jarek in
Arten….”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She stopped
abruptly as her heart clenched.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
*****</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan realized
almost at the same time as his mother what was most bothering him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wedding in Arten had been small, limited
to his and Jarek’s family and just a few good friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were people who loved him, silver hair
or no silver hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It had also been
small because his own countrymen were prejudiced against his hair color, and
saw him as weak, as beneath them despite being their prince.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also believed he had been a concubine to
Jarek before their marriage, and although Cailan knew that wasn’t the truth,
there was no way to convince the Artenians of that; so, it was just another
reason for them to think less of him.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His wedding in
Cylandrea would be a very different affair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was truly meant to be a nationwide celebration, and the Cylandrean
people were excited for Jarek and him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">However, that
didn’t soothe Cailan’s nerves at being the focus of hundreds of pairs of eyes,
most of whom he did not know, yet who he understood were important to the royal
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He feared prejudice that might
be there but had not yet been voiced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
worried that he’d do something that would damage the respect the people had for
the royal family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never being able to
reach the expectations of others simply for being who he was had been a lifelong
ache in his heart, and despite Jarek’s love and the support he’d thus far
experienced in Cylandrea, he still feared he’d fail them in some way.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His mother’s look
showed regret, and then sadness joined it when she reached to stroke a hand
through his hair and he instinctively flinched.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, my son,” she
sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We gave such hurt to you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It wasn’t your
fault…” he began, but she stopped him with a finger to his lips.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The fault may not
have started with me or your father, but we did not stop it as we should have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have always loved you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart never cared about the color of your
hair, but we grew up believing that trait defined who each person was and who
they would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s taken the last few
months for us to learn that it is not, nor should it be, what defines
anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are brave and smart and
strong, and you always have been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
ashamed that Jarek and his family understood that about you almost immediately,
while they were qualities your own family rarely praised you for.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Adesina looked out
the carriage window for several long seconds while Cailan processed her words.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“There are such
high expectations,” he said into the quiet that had descended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So much about me is different from the
people here, and I was always different in Arten too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fear I’ll disappoint everyone, and with so
many people attending the wedding, it feels very likely that I will.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mother turned back to him, her eyes bright
with unshed tears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Cailan, if you truly
do not want this wedding being the great affair the rest of us have planned,
then I will defend your desires to the entire Lysander family,” she declared in
one of the fiercest tones Cailan had ever heard from her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I want you to know that you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">deserve</i> the grandness that is being
planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are a hero to the people of
this land, and you are an example of a wonderful man to your father and
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have already <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">exceeded</i> every expectation put on you,
and you will never be a disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If someone says you are, then they don’t know you at all and don’t
deserve to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And,” she added, “I think
Leader Jarek would agree completely with the truth of those words.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan rarely
heard his mother speak so strongly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
was a pillar of support to his father, but a quiet one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her words now were evidence that she too was
growing in self-awareness, and Cailan appreciated her willingness to fight for
his desires.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you,
mother,” he said gratefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll go
along with the wedding as planned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’ve just helped me feel better about it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Truly, Cailan?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Truly.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They moved on to
other things, and soon were exiting the carriage onto the street of shops
Jothan had brought Cailan to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew
his mother would love to explore them, and he planned to have them dine
together at a spot Princess Sana had recommended.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His mother did
enjoy the shops’ offerings, as well as the decorations that were all along the
street.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“They’re for
Starlight Day,” Cailan explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s
a special holiday here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They even have a
week-long celebration that goes along with it called the Ice Festival.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That sounds
fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When will it begin?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan had to
think for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Six days from now
will be the first day of the festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Starlight Day will be the last day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The palace hosts the events for that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jarek said there are food stands, music, theatrical entertainment, and
more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The holiday also involves gift
exchanges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s another reason I
wanted to bring you into the city this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have some ideas, but I was hoping you could help me choose some items
for Jarek and his family.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, I’d love to!”
Adesina expressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where should we
start?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It helped quite a
bit to be more familiar with the area this time, and Cailan was both pleased
and relieved at the welcome he and his mother received as they shopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She helped him immensely with the gift
choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For King Jonerick, they chose a
beautiful painting of the palace in a setting of falling snow and the illusion
of lights in the windows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For Queen
Dyanna, a stone planter with intricate carvings in it was picked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan’s mother assured him that Dyanna loved
flowers and it would be a very good gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In a clothing
shop, Cailan was tempted to purchase a beautiful purple cloak with silver
edging for Sem, but he feared insulting Lady Bara, who was usually called into
service when new clothes were needed for the royal family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mother didn’t know the woman well enough
to say whether Cailan’s concern was legitimate, but she agreed not to take the
risk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in that same shop,
several men’s hats were also being sold, and since Lady Bara didn’t make those,
he and his mother picked out a pricey one for the prince.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Not much later,
the only two left to find a gift for were Princess Sana and Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He'd been considering Sana’s gift since
coming to the shops with Jothan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wanting
his mother’s opinion, he showed her to the decorative boxes and explained what
Jothan had said about using them to hold memories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Princess Sana
likes pretty things,” he said, remembering what he’d been told about her eye
for valuables for the treasury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you
think presenting her with one of these would be appropriate?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His mother
carefully lifted one of the boxes and traced its delicate design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think they’re gorgeous, Cailan, and the
notion of a memory box is such a sweet idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can’t imagine she wouldn’t appreciate receiving one.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That made Cailan
smile, and the two of them spent several minutes looking at each box in detail
before picking one out for the princess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan had also
noticed his mother repeatedly picking up one of the boxes they hadn’t chosen,
and when he left her to continue browsing while he paid for Sana’s gift, he
also paid for the other box and whispered a desire to have it delivered to the
palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The proprietor assured him it would
be done post-haste. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When they left the
shop, Cailan took a breath and, a bit haltingly, told his mother of the idea he
had for Jarek’s gift, unsure if it would be suitable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he was encouraged by his mother’s
enthusiasm for his idea once he thoroughly explained it, although she had a
recommendation to add.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t sold on
her suggestion, but said he’d consider it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In the meantime,
he knew he’d have some sneaking around to do to make sure he could get Jarek’s
gift done exactly as he hoped it to be, and on time for Starlight Day. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By the time they’d
eaten—and Sana’s recommendation was greatly enjoyed by both of them—and
returned to the palace, both were feeling the busyness of their activities.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’ve worn me
out, sweetheart,” his mother said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
think I’m going to finish my day with a cup of tea and an early night.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Are your quarters
comfortable for you?” he asked solicitously.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh very!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They feel a bit big without your father with
me, but I am very comfortable.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
smiled and kissed his cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The ladies
and I are having breakfast in the morning before I leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and Jarek should join us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve barely seen him this trip, and the next
time we’ll all be together will be for your nuptials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re only three weeks away now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Another small wave
of nerves went through him at that realization, but he didn’t let it show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remembering his mother’s support and new
views helped him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll talk to Jarek
and see if we’re available to join you,” he promised.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goodnight, sweetheart.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She kissed his
cheek and entered her rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan made
his way down a long hall and up a stairway to his own suite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was pleased to see all his purchases,
included the box he’d asked to have delivered, were already there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since none of them were for Jarek yet, he
didn’t need to hide them, but he didn’t put them away yet either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be nice to show them to his husband
and hopefully get his approval on them as well.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wondering where
Jarek was, he began a casual search through their rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their common room, bedroom, and bathing room
were empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their personal library
showed signs that Jarek had been present, but he wasn’t there now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two small sitting rooms were also empty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was a bit
disappointing to not find him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually
he and Jarek had retired together by this time of day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it also wasn’t unusual to be called into
service or a meeting with someone in the palace at any time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, assuming that’s what had happened, Cailan
changed out of his daywear and sent out a request for a snack tray to be sent
up; his mother’s desire for an evening tea making him feel like an evening
snack was a good idea.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was just after
the tray was delivered that his husband finally returned to their room, and he
did not look pleased about something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Jarek?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s the matter?” Cailan asked, putting
aside the as yet untouched tray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The older man
seemed surprised that Cailan could tell something was wrong, but he forced his
frown away and took a deep breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It
has just been a frustrating afternoon,” he admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What happened?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek sighed, but
put an arm around Cailan’s waist and pulled him close to drop a chaste kiss on
his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s nothing that won’t
pass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a bit of miscommunication
followed by an argument with Alaric.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“An
argument?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan was surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two brothers rarely argued, although when
they did he knew from observation that it wasn’t pleasant for anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What was it about? Can I help?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No, not with
this, you can’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alaric and I will cool
off and come back together when we do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m sure it will be fine by the morning.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan frowned
slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just a few days earlier Jarek
had told him problems were for them to share and work out together, so he felt
a bit rebuffed just then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, despite
his own annoyance, he knew it wouldn’t help Jarek feel better if he pointed
that out and potentially caused an argument between them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Instead, he subtly
pulled out of Jarek’s arms and waved an arm toward the food tray.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I had a light snack delivered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s enough for two, and a pot of tea as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you like some?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That sounds
good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give me a few minutes to bathe and
change, and I’ll join you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek moved to the
bathing room and Cailan heard the vibration of the waterfall shower start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When normally that was a sound that enticed
him to join his husband, this time he held back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Irritation and a little hurt at the other man
not sharing the details of his day and saying Cailan couldn’t help made him
want to maintain some space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He kept those
feelings to himself though, and had turned down their bed and set the snack
tray in the middle, waiting patiently by the time Jarek rejoined him. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“This looks good,”
Jarek said while picking up a piece of orange and sliding under the thick
covers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What made you request it?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan
shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mother mentioned wanting some
tea before bed, and it made me feel peckish.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“How was the day
with your mother?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did she enjoy
herself?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The shower must
have helped Jarek cool down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mood
was clearly improved, and the lack of tension in him helped some of it ease out
of Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe he’d ask Jarek about
the details again in the morning, but for now he put that aside and shared
about his day.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Mother asked us
to join her and the other ladies for the morning meal tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would our schedule allow that?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tomorrow is a rest day for most of the companies, and you can do your
lessons with Sem after the meal.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Can I show you
the purchases Mother and I made before we sleep tonight?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you don’t approve, I’ll need time to
return them and look for something else.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I told you it’s
not necessary to have gifts for everyone, petling.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know, but you
have gifts to give, don’t you?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, yes, but
this is your first year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want
you to feel obligated if you’re not comfortable picking things out.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">want</i> to have things to give everyone,
Jarek,” Cailan insisted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It wouldn’t be
right to accept a gift from someone when I had nothing to offer in
return.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan suddenly had a thought
he didn’t like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Unless…you don’t think
I’d give anything appropriate?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That thought
never crossed my mind,” Jarek assured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Come, show me what you bought.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now feeling
uncertain, despite Jarek’s words, Cailan led the way over to the table where
the items had been set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt an
explanation was needed for each gift, so he described who each one was for and
why it had been chosen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek was
sincerely approving of each item, and even confessed a wish to have a painting
similar to the one Cailan had chosen for King Jonerick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when Cailan showed the delicate memory
box for Sana to him, he got abruptly quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He took the box from Cailan’s hands and examined it before gently
setting it back on the table.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s beautiful,
Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sana will love it,” he said, but
his neither his words nor his demeanor was convincing.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan shook his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, you don’t approve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can tell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is wrong with it?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Nothing, I
promise,” Jarek insisted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Every gift
has been picked with thought, and they’ll all be loved.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He returned to their bed and slid under the
covers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s been a wearying day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you ready to sleep?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At the moment no,
Cailan didn’t think sleep would come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was wondering what it was about the gift for Sana that seemed to have sobered
Jarek so much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew he would stress about
it rather than sleep, but questioning his husband about it had already happened
and given him no answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pursuing the
issue would be pointless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Besides</span></i></span><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">,
he thought defiantly, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jarek isn’t sharing
his problems with me so we can fix them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, I won’t persist in bothering him with my concerns</i>.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Out loud, however,
he spoke with more manners than the voice in his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I actually never cleaned up after coming
home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll do that first if it’s not a
bother.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek, in that
same sober tone, said that was fine, and then laid down and appeared to go
almost immediately to sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan, on the
other hand, just grew more restless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
took his time showering and redressing, and then went to their library instead
of the bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next few hours were
spent with a forced attention on his lesson books before he fell asleep with
his head on the desk.<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Cailan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jerking awake,
Cailan blinked in confusion, his eyes feeling gritty and having trouble
focusing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rubbed at them and looked
around before realizing Jarek was right at his side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s going on?” he mumbled through a dry
throat.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That’s what I’d
like to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why are you sleeping at
your desk?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek didn’t sound
pleased, but Cailan was feeling rather grumpy himself right them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Because that’s where my head landed when my
eyes closed,” he snarked as he rose, and then woke up quite a bit more when a
hard swat landed on his behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t ‘hey’
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That tone was deliberately
rude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I’d like a civil answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you doing sleeping here?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Forcing himself
not to rub at the stinging skin, Cailan forced a more courteous manner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t do it on purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was studying and I fell asleep without
meaning to.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Why on earth were
you studying in the middle of the night?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan shrugged,
which for a moment he thought was going to earn him another swat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek’s gaze was penetrating and he clearly
wasn’t going to put up with anything, but then he let out a gruff sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think about why you were out here because
I want more than a shrug when we talk about it later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, you need to get yourself
ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re having breakfast with the
ladies, remember?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He hadn’t
remembered until Jarek said that, but now realized that if his husband wasn’t
pursuing things immediately, then they were probably close to running
late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nodded and scurried to their
room to change into appropriate attire.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Neither he nor
Jarek were in the best of moods by the time they arrived for the morning meal,
but he thought they both hid it fairly well from their companions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The women
dominated the conversation with wedding talk, occasionally pulling Cailan or
Jarek into their chatter with questions or information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the most part, they left the men to eat,
and Cailan was fine with that.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the meal was
done, Cailan kissed his mother good-bye, promised to be in touch, and assured
her that yes, he was as excited about the wedding plans as she was, although
that wasn’t entirely true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan wasn’t
sure he could reach her level of excitement over decorations and guests, but he
was looking forward to the day itself, even if he was currently not feeling
very pleased with his husband.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Are you heading
to your lessons now?” Jarek asked him as the women started to say their
good-byes as well.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, I planned
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did you need something?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan knew his
tone was borderline what Jarek would consider acceptable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hadn’t meant for it to come out that way,
but he heard it when he spoke the words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jarek clearly heard it to, and got that look Cailan sometimes saw
moments before a hand connected with his bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He flinched, and nearly moved a hand back to
protect himself, when Sana’s voice carried across the room.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Cailan?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before you go, could I see you for a few
minutes?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek looked to
Sana and then back to Cailan, something almost suspicious in his eyes for a
moment, but it disappeared so quickly that Cailan knew he had to have
misunderstood the look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, Jarek
spoke quietly but firmly.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“See what Sana
wants of you and then go to your lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When you’re done with them, I want you to go to bed until I come.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What?” Cailan
asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The order was not expected.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Go to bed,” Jarek
repeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You can either sleep to make
up for what you lost, or think about telling me why you felt the need to study
in the middle of the night.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He turned and left
the room looking like the regal he was, leaving Cailan feeling confused, small,
and dismissed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t aware of Sana’s
presence at his side until the woman placed a cool hand on his arm.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Is everything
alright, Cailan?” she asked softly, her slight lisp coming out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It reminded him that her sense of hearing
wasn’t strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Care and respect for her
had him turning so she could see his face and read lips if necessary.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s fine, my
lady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a bit of a restless night
for us last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s all.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sana looked like
she understood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Kesla mentioned Alaric
and Jarek had an argument last evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
sorry if it made it stressful for you and him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you know what it was about?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan shook his
head, just barely refraining from saying that Jarek wouldn’t tell him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She reached for his hand and gave it a gentle
squeeze, her compassionate nature shining through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m sorry their
spat carried over to the two of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
question for you can wait until later if you need to talk to him.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ll talk later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is it you wish to ask me?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sana momentarily
had the same scrutinizing gaze Cailan sometimes saw on Jarek, which was a
little unnerving, but she must have chosen not to further her inquiries on the
subject.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I wanted to ask
you what might be a good gift to give your mother.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s been so helpful in the wedding
planning, and we all think of her as a friend now.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Really?” Cailan
said with pleasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m glad to hear
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish you could get to know the
rest of my family as well.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sana nodded in
agreement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I hope that too
someday.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She offered a compassionate
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think your mother hopes for
that as well, and is trying to bridge some of the gap and hurt that she feels
the family has caused you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was unexpected
to have that revealed to him; but Sana, other than occasionally teasing her
brothers, never spoke flippantly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
do?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes. When it’s
just been her and I, she’s expressed more than once how regretful she and your
father have felt for what you’ve been through, both for how you’ve been treated
by your countrymen, and for allowing you to be…” Sana’s eyes dropped and Cailan
thought her features paled a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“…given to my brother.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
managed to meet his gaze again, her eyes now sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not sure if it’s ever been said to you
by our family, but we are sorry for the means that brought you here,
Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know it had to be frightening
and feel demeaning, but we only ever saw you as someone valuable.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His chest tight,
Cailan took a slow breath while offering reassurance to his beautiful
sister-in-law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know, my lady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came to understand that a long time ago,
but thank you for the apology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
reassuring to have it confirmed by someone other than Jarek.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She leaned in and
hugged him then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He loves you so
much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now,” she pulled away, “about that gift for
your mother.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Grinning at her,
they conversed for several minutes on thoughts Sana and the other royal women
had considered, gave his honest thoughts, and then said good-bye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He left feeling
better than he had all morning, but some of that pleasure drained out of him as
he headed toward the palace library and his morning lessons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While he didn’t doubt Sana’s words that Jarek
loved him, that didn’t change that right now he was feeling dismissed by
him—both physically and emotionally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
worked to school those emotions though, and Sem didn’t appear to pick up on him
behaving any differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact,
Cailan was actually a little glad to have done the studying during the night,
because Sem quizzed him unexpectedly on both the lessons they’d been having for
weeks and the details he’d been learning about Cylandrean holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a welcome distraction, and Cailan felt
like he’d done well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At the end of their
time, Sem loaded him up with reading assignments, and then headed off to his
other duties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan—per Jarek’s orders—returned
to their suite of rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, the
sight of their bed and reminder of the previous night’s events made anger
bubble up in him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t feel he’d
deserved to be ordered back to bed, to not be told the details of what was
bothering Jarek the night before, to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">dismissed</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Angrily, he considered the time and knew that
Jarek would be at the end of that morning’s company training, but this was a
day he usually scheduled personalized drills to those who requested it.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Putting on heavier
leggings, his soldier belt, and grabbing a warm cloak, he headed to the small
grounds where he knew Jarek would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The man may not want him there, but Cailan refused to feel like he was
being set aside anymore. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He entered the
area like he belonged there, and to everyone present they assumed he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone except Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His husband looked surprised, then cross, and
then determined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He acknowledged Cailan
as he normally did when in the presence of their soldiers, and then turned to
the men who had lined up and gave directions on what they’d be practicing that
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As was usual, he
and Cailan both worked with the men, individually and together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They had found a system that worked for them
over the weeks, and they fell into it naturally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, at the end of the session, when the
men were dismissed and the two of them were alone, Jarek turned a glaring gaze
onto him.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I want no excuses
or explanations,” he stated heatedly, his dark hair flowing around him. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shimmer seeming more intense than normal,
matching the force of personality coming out of him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want you to go to our rooms and wait for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll be there shortly.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The forceful
emotions Cailan had been experiencing, but holding back, came to the fore, and
instead of cowering in the face of Jarek’s anger, he matched it.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t be dismissed again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You dismissed me last night and again this
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First you tell me we solve
problems together, insisting I communicate with you when I have a concern, but
then you withdraw and refuse to speak when a weight is clearly on your
shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I not trusted?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Am I unable to help?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must not be because you easily put me aside
when I ask you to do what you insist I do!” </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They stared at
each other then, neither one backing down, but Cailan could see he had made
Jarek think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After several long moments,
Jarek moved, roughly grabbing Cailan’s hand and marching across the courtyard
toward a palace entry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rough as the grip
was, Cailan was mildly reassured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hand-to-hand grabbing was better than hand-to-arm or hand-to-neck
grips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those usually preceding a round
of discipline that Cailan didn’t care for.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Still silent, they
made their way to their private quarters, barely acknowledging the servants
they passed along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once inside
and alone, Jarek released him and crossed his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His anger was still evident, but there was
something defensive about his posture as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Without meaning to, Cailan mirrored his stance, and they stared each
other down again before Jarek gave a mixed huff-sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We need to talk,”
he said gruffly, “but I’m not in a good frame of mind to do so.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m not sure I am
either,” Cailan agreed, “but I don’t see myself in a better mindset until we do
talk.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With a growl,
Jarek ran his hands over his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come
on then.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He strode to their bath
chamber, clearly expectant of Cailan to follow him, and once there began
roughly tugging off his clothing.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Knowing they were
both sweaty and dirty, and thinking that the bathwater might be calming, Cailan
followed his example.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soon they were
wading into the water, but they kept some distance between them, washing
separately, and then lingering on opposites sides of the pool, facing each
other but still silent.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan felt like
he said what he needed to and didn’t know where to go from this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, Jarek spoke, but he remained across
the water and his words weren’t what Cailan expected to hear.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> didn’t dismiss you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re the one who stayed out of our bed last
night.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan’s eyes
widened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t do that on
purpose!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just fell asleep at the desk
without meaning to.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why didn’t you come to bed after your evening
ablutions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why the need to study at that
time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were avoiding me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I was not!”
Cailan denied, and then abruptly questioned himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, maybe,” he admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But you wouldn’t talk to me!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek’s look was
confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Talk to you about what?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That’s what I’d
like to know,” Cailan huffed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“First you
wouldn’t explain what your argument with Alaric was about, and then you
got—different—after I showed you my Starlight Day purchases.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Different?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were moody, and then you got really sober
after I showed you the gifts, and you wouldn’t explain any of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not fair, Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You insisted I tell you what was bothering me
a few nights ago, and now you won’t confide in me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes me feel….”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Dismissed,” Jarek
finished, using Cailan’s term.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan nodded, his
throat having closed up.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Is that why you
disobeyed me today?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan tried not
to flinch, but wasn’t sure he was entirely successful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Kind of, but I was angry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wouldn’t talk to me last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was tired from falling asleep at the desk,
and then you pushed me away again this morning.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Rolling his eyes,
Cailan pointed out what he thought was obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“When you told me to go back to bed instead of having me join you after
my lessons like I normally do.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You needed rest.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, come on, Jarek!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a grown man who’s been in battle and
spent days running on almost no sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There’s been more than one time when you and I have kept each other
awake all night, and you never made me ‘rest’ after those times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were treating me differently, and even
Sana noticed things weren’t right between us this morning.” </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek’s eyes
narrowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What did she say?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what did she want with you today?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Feeling stubborn,
Cailan lifted his chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re not going to talk with me, then I’m
not answering anymore questions.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Cailan.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a clear warning in Jarek’s tone,
and it sent an unpleasant tingle down the younger prince’s back.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Please, Jarek,”
Cailan pleaded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not
being…disobedient,” he nearly choked on that word, “to anger you further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m truly hesitant to tell you anything
right now because you’re clearly withholding things from me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek seemed to
deflate with those words, and there was a vulnerability coming through that was
so unlike him that Cailan felt his worries grow.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Jarek, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">please</i> tell me what’s going on,” he
begged, and instinct to be closer and offer comfort in the distress he sensed
in Jarek had him crossing through the water and coming to his husband’s side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Immediately, Jarek put an arm around his
waist, and Cailan did the same to him.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’re right,”
the older man said quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not
being fair to you, and I do need to explain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, part of it I really feel I can’t speak of until you answer some of
my questions.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan wasn’t sure
how he felt about that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all seemed a
bit suspicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i> you tell me first?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I can explain a
little more about my argument with Alaric,” he offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We had a miscommunication over something I
asked of him.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked into Cailan’s
eyes and brushed some wet, silver hair away from his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It has to do with the gift I’d like to give
you for Starlight Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This gift
required me to go to Alaric about the details, and he misunderstood—or I wasn’t
clear—about the timing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought it
was to be a gift for our wedding day, not the holiday, and because of that what
I hoped to present to you might not be ready in time for Starlight Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">am</i>,”
he admitted, “still upset about that, and it became an argument between us.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek then put
both arms around Cailan and pulled him into a rather hesitant hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry I didn’t confide this to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t want to say anything about your
gift, but you’re right that it wasn’t fair of me to brush you aside when you
asked me what was wrong.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It felt good to be
hugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’d be a separation between
them that Cailan had felt, but not realized was so big until he was in Jarek’s
embrace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gap wasn’t completely
bridged yet though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within Jarek’s arms,
he asked a question that was worrying him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What do you need to know to tell me the rest?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The bigger man’s
chest rose and fell with a deep breath before he released Cailan from their
hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need to know why you got the
memory box for Sana and what she wanted to speak to you about this morning.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan wasn’t sure
what he’d been expecting, but it wasn’t that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had no idea what the correlation was between Sana and the rest of
their conversation, but truly there was nothing to hide from Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, I decided
on the box for her because she likes pretty things, and Jothan told me that he
knew women who put special treasures or memories in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mother does that with a box his father
gave her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And he said some people
collect them too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I showed the boxes to
my mother when we went shopping, and explained what Jothan said, she thought it
would be a good gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She really admired
the boxes too, and I purchased one for her as well; but don’t let her know if
you speak with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I haven’t given it
to her yet.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek’s expression
had gone from wary, to thoughtful, to almost relieved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You bought one for your mother too?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that important for some reason?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, to me it
is,” Jarek admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But please, tell
me what Sana wanted to speak to you about this morning.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“She wanted my
thoughts on a ‘thank you gift’ for my mother, for the effort she’s been putting
into our wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sana said she’s been a
big help, and that all the women have grown fond of her.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That’s it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did she embrace you then?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Confused, Cailan
had to think back for several moments before he remembered Sana’s hug and the
reason for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She was apologizing,” he
explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She said she and my mother
have discussed their feelings on how I came to Cylandrea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My parents apparently are still carrying
guilt on their shoulders over it, and Sana too felt I deserved an apology for
how things happened, and she wasn’t sure anyone had ever offered me one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why she embraced me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek’s eyes were
wide with surprise, and then they shocked Cailan as they blinked at sudden
tears.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I am such a fool,”
Jarek muttered.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you talking about?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Instead of
answering, Jarek grabbed a cloth and wiped at his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He seemed to need a few moments to gather
himself, so Cailan tried to be patient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
ended up being several minutes before Jarek reached for his hand and walked
them out of the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I promise to
explain myself,” he said while handing Cailan a towel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But let’s get settled first.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan nodded his
agreement, and the two of them dried, dressed, and ordered a now very late
mid-day meal to be delivered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even then,
Jarek waited until the food had arrived before speaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He patted his leg after sitting at the table.
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Will you sit here
while I explain?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The tiniest part
of Cailan rebelled, but he pushed the immature impulse aside and gave in to
Jarek’s request.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of them shifted
instinctively into their most comfortable positions, and Jarek reached for a
piece of hard-boiled egg and held it to Cailan’s lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a sweet thing, but Jarek always gave
the first bite to Cailan when he fed him, and right then the familiarity of
that action made the younger prince feel more secure about the oncoming
conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took the bite
willingly, and was pleased and grateful when Jarek finally began his
explanation.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Do you remember when
I first introduced you to Sana?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Since his mouth
was full, Cailan simply nodded.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“So do I, and
something that I always remember is how beautiful you found her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought my stint of jealousy from that time
was long past, but I’m finding that I may not be as…secure…about how you might
feel for her as I thought I was.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan’s surprise
made him swallow a bit too quickly and forced him into a coughing fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and Jarek reached for the water glass at
the same time and nearly knocked it over before Jarek got a grip on it and held
it to Cailan’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took a little
time to recover, but when he did, Cailan rasped out, “You’re jealous?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I was,” Jarek
admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hand lifted and his
knuckles caressed Cailan’s cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
love you, petling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love you more than
I thought I was capable of loving someone, and that’s a little daunting
sometimes because I dearly love my family and never realized that there would
ever be a person I’d be willing to give them up for, or someone who could
inspire such possessiveness in me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Jarek!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d never make you give up your family!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know,” Jarek reassured quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m just saying that I recently came to a
greater understanding that giving up family is exactly what you did for
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You have them back now, but at the
time when you came to me, your love for them made you let them go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is a strong love, petling, but that
reminder of what you did made me realize the depth to which my feelings for you
had gone, and I admitted to myself that if I had to choose between you and my
family, I’d choose you—no hesitation.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Jarek, I….”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The big hand
gently covered Cailan’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let me
finish, petling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You deserve a full
explanation.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Cailan nodded, he
continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The gift I want to give you
on Starlight Day is a result of how I feel for you, so my upset at learning it
may be delayed was, perhaps, stronger than it should have been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, on the heels of that news, you showed
me your gifts, and the one for Sana stood out to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed…extra special, and made me worried
that you still had a strong attraction to her, that maybe you yearned for her a
little.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And then she
asked to speak with me this morning, and that made you even more suspicious,”
Cailan deduced with understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But
how did you know she hugged me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
happened after you left this morning.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek put a piece
of bread in Cailan’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I came
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realized that sending you to
rest perhaps wasn’t fair, but when I returned, Sana had you in her arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was one more arrow into my insecurity, and
I couldn’t face you.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Only I forced you
to face me, ready or not, when I showed up at your training time.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Which is a
different issue we need to address,” Jared agreed, “but that’s not the concern
right now.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What is your
concern?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Apologizing to
you,” Jarek answered directly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m
sorry, petling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry for not
telling you my concerns immediately, and I’m sorry for my jealousy and the way
I treated you because of it.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The humbleness in
his words and in Jarek’s demeanor touched Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lifted his hand to the bigger man’s
shoulders and leaned in, pressing a warm kiss to his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was received willingly, and they lost
themselves in one another for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When Cailan did
manage to pull away, he looked Jarek in the eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You really don’t have anything to be jealous about.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know,
petling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I trust you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just let my jealousy overpower my rational
thought for a time.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan
laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Just don’t let it happen
again.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t plan
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, speaking of things that
shouldn’t happen again, your disobedience today isn’t going to be ignored.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That dropped the
smile quickly off Cailan’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are
you mad about that?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Initially I was,”
Jarek said without hesitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And
you’re lucky I didn’t take you over my knee immediately.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we hadn’t had an audience, I would have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not angry now, and it’s good that we’ve
talked first, because I realize that more fault lies on me for the events of
the last day than on you, but that does not mean you aren’t responsible for
your choices.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek then said
something Cailan didn’t expect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
cupped the younger man’s face gently, but spoke seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’ve agreed to my authority over you, but
I mistreated your emotions last night and today, and I don’t wish for you to
feel you are being unjustly punished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, tell me honestly, petling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do
you deserve to be disciplined for this?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is it something you feel you need?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or, would you end up resentful because my behavior was not right
either?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan thought
about it, and finally he had to shake his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I don’t know, Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like
I probably do deserve to be punished because it wasn’t an accident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I deliberately went against what you told me
to do, but I did it because I resented how you were behaving toward me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I can’t say for sure that I wouldn’t be
resentful to be punished for something that feels like it was a reaction to how
I was being treated.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek sighed a
little and pulled him into a hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then
perhaps we need to wait to make a decision and just think on it more, okay?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan nodded
against his shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re being honest, and that’s what I asked
of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, let’s eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll be lucky if our meat is still warm at
this rate.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With their issues
talked about and resolved, both men fell back into their comfortable
companionship with one another, and the days before the Ice Festival sped
by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Time was filled with the normal
training and lessons, but both men were also called into extra duties in
preparation for the holiday’s celebration, and Cailan worried that he’d not
have time to do justice to the gift he was having prepared for Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Completing it required two more trips into
Palace City.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jothan accompanied him on
one of them, but he went alone the second time, having wanted a little privacy
to complete the final details.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he
returned to the palace after that trip, the gift was held in his lap carefully
packaged and wrapped in shiny silver paper.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The day before the
festival was to begin, all normal routines were foregone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The palace was filled with extra workers and
deliveries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Decorations adorned every
room, and the amount of food being prepared in the kitchens left few places in
the castle where delicious aromas couldn’t be smelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan’s stomach grumbled all day, whether he
was hungry or not, because of the scents constantly floating around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mid-afternoon, the
entire royal family gathered for an informal meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the first one of which Cailan had been
part of that also included Jarek’s parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They were staying in town for the festival, and until after Jarek and
Cailan’s wedding, before they’d return to the southern hills where they lived
full-time.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan always felt
a bit in awe of King Jonerick and Queen Dyanna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The regality that emanated from them was powerful, and it was something
that had clearly been passed along to their children, for all the Lysander
family had nobility shining in them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
strength of it just seemed brighter in the older king and queen, probably
because of the extra decades they had over the younger generation.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The eight family
members met in one of the larger sitting rooms with hot drinks and pastries
supplied for their enjoyment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk was
casual at first, and Cailan mostly just listened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He found he learned a lot by keeping silent
and observing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noticed that Sana,
usually the quietest of the family, was much more talkative with her parents
present, and not as apprehensive about the way her lisp affected her
speech.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Years of practice from the
family also showed Cailan the completely natural way they made sure to have her
full attention when speaking directly to her, and never shut her out of the
conversation.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sem was being his normal,
exuberant self, but his parents’ presence seemed to bring out a bit more
maturity in him as well.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">King Alaric’s
attention was mostly on his wife, although he didn’t ignore anyone else in the
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan understood the king’s
protectiveness since he’d nearly lost her, but he observed that Queen Kesla
appeared more animated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her sickly features
when he’d first met her were nearly gone now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Her cheeks were no longer sunken or too pale, and the too-thin build
she’d once had was now filling out into its natural curves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Extended activity or time on her feet was
still draining on her, but her health was clearly returning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the shimmer in her hair, that was unique
to the members of the royal family, seemed brighter now.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His thoughts on
that distinctive trait made him take in the family as a group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t overwhelming, but it was a bit
awe-inspiring to see the sparkle on their heads as they moved or brushed
strands of hair out of their faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was a quality that, while the entire family shared it, only he and Jarek could
actually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">see</i> it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As if reading his
thoughts, Jarek bent his mouth to Cailan’s ear and whispered, “I’ve never seen
the shine on each member of my family altogether.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s incredible.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thinking that as well.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Before they could
say anything further, King Alaric made a request to go over the events for the
next day.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Please do, son,”
Queen Dyanna agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’d love to hear
more details about the festival.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Murmurs of
anticipation came from everyone for a moment before Alaric cleared his throat
and gained his family’s attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The
events don’t start until the afternoon tomorrow, so the morning is devoted to
preparation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything is on schedule
from what I understand, and those we’ve made overseers of each part of the
festival will take care of any last-minute issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless something requires a royal’s
involvement, we should have the morning free to do our own personal
preparations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At high noon, the King’s
Parade is scheduled to depart the gates.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan had been
told of this part of the festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
week-long activities were commenced by the King’s Parade, where the royal
family, along with decorated floats and carriages, a brass band, jugglers, and
more would march through the main streets of Palace City and announce the
beginning of the celebrations.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Mother, Father,
you approached me about making a change in the parade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wanted to make sure this is still
something you’d like,” Alaric said, addressing his parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan didn’t know
what this change was, so he listened carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The two elder royals looked to one another, and then King Jonerick
nodded his certainty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, we’ve
thought on this several times over the years, and we’re in agreement.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Alaric
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve alerted the parade overseer of the
possibility and I’ll send confirmation as soon as we’re done here.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then addressed the rest of the
family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What our parents requested was
a change in the typical line-up of the parade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instead of the entire royal family leading the parade, they have asked
to be placed at the very end as the final sight.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sana and Kesla
both gasped at that announcement, and Jarek and Sem’s mouth’s fell open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sem regained his speech first.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Father,
truly?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would you lower yourself?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Sem!” Jonerick
said firmly, the tone of a father’s warning coming through.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sem became aware
of how his words had sounded and his face reddened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I apologize, Father, but I don’t
understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why would you and mother put
yourselves last?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s for two
reasons, my boy,” King Jonerick answered, his tone immediately softer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And we do not lower ourselves in either of
them.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">If possible, Sem
got redder, but he accepted the right for his father to reprimand.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Your mother and I
feel that occasionally our presence can distract the people from who their
reigning king is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Starlight Day and the
festivities surrounding it should have the people not just rejoicing over the
past, but recognizing their current leader, the one who is ultimately charged
with protecting and caring for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
this time, it is Alaric, and we do not want to detract from Cylandrea’s current
reigning king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had my time as the
royal leader, and if I’m ever required in that role again, I will fill it, but
that is not my role now or who I should be to the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We feel it is in the best interest of the
royal family that Alaric and Kesla, as is usual, lead the parade, but your
mother and I will follow at the end.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The second reason
we have chosen to do this is for the sake of those who are part of the parade,
but not part of the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not
unusual for those who are participants in the rest of the parade to be ignored,
despite the work they put into being their best for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many subjects leave the parade route once the
royal family has passed, and thus miss out on some wonderful displays that are
meant to encourage unity and togetherness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We thought that if the people knew part of the royal family would be at
the end of the parade, that they would stay for the entire processional, and
would not miss out on the overall experience.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That all made
sense to Cailan, and he respected the elder Lysanders for their choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He suspected Sem, and possibly the rest of
the siblings, might have still preferred for their parents to be at the front
as was tradition, but he knew they wouldn’t deny the request.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“If I may,” Kesla
put in. “What will the order of the parade now be?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I have it written
out here,” Alaric told them, and put a document on the table they sat around.
“The lead carriage will carry you and I,” Alaric told her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“After us, Jarek and Cailan will follow in
their carriage, and then Sem and Sana will ride together behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The brass band will then lead the rest, and
several vendors who can travel with some of their goods will be handing out hot
drinks and warmed pastries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will be
spread out amidst the rest of the performers and floats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mother and Father will highlight the end of
the processional and will join us in the town square for the induction
speeches.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“How long will
those be?” Cailan asked, knowing that people would be out in the cold for a
while.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No more than a few
minutes each,” Alaric assured him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The
parade will be a couple hours, so the whole of the speeches won’t take more
than half an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Father will greet the
people first, with mother at his side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then you’ll stand with Jarek while he addresses those gathered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sem will speak third, with Sana supporting
him, and then Kesla and I will go last, give the traditional royal blessing and
announce the official start of the festivities.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Will we return to
the palace then?” Cailan questioned, having not been a participant in these
details.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That’s up to each
of us,” Jarek answered. “After the speeches, the public square usually becomes
a community dance of celebration, and eateries all over the city offer special
meals that the people will then go off to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If we want to stay, we can, or we can return to the palace and rest
since we’ll be quite involved the rest of the week, as well as making final
preparations for Starlight Day.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan remembered
some details of the festive week that Sem had been having him read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The entire royal family would make
appearances throughout Palace City, as well as in the neighboring towns, to
enjoy the artisan stands and community celebrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people were thrilled to have their royal
family mingle with them, and all the Lysanders believed it important to be in
contact with their subjects this way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cailan was looking forward to it, as well as a little nervous as he
hoped to be a proper representative for his new family.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Keep in mind that
whether you stay or go tomorrow after the speeches, that decision doesn’t have
to be made now,” Queen Dyanna reassured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We each do what’s best for ourselves at that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we’re cold and tired, we go home to rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we’re exhilarated by the events, we stay,
but there’s no right or wrong decision to make.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan bowed his
head in acknowledgement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you,
your highness.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Her face creased
in a motherly smile, which Cailan was thankful to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since he’d had limited contact with the elder
royals, he was still a bit insecure about what they thought of him, so he
appreciated her kindness.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Alaric addressed a
few more points for the following day, and then everyone fell back into casual
conversation and family companionship.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When a messenger
arrived requesting Prince Sem’s assistance, that seemed to be the cue for all
of them to depart, and Cailan left with Jarek while thoughts of the next day’s
activities entertained his mind.<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Are you warm
enough?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek and Cailan
sat in their open-air carriage, waiting for the gates to open and the parade to
start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan was bundled in leggings
and thick trousers, two heavy shirts with a weighty cloak overtop, and a thick
hat over his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A cotton and fur muff
was available for him to warm his hands, so being cold in that moment wasn’t a problem.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m quite
comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, but don’t
hesitate to tell me if you start to feel chilled during the parade route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are blankets packed under our seats to
use if necessary.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise,” Cailan assured, knowing that
Jarek’s protectiveness was coming through.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A trumpet blared
and Cailan heard the grind of the gates unlocking and being pushed open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The carriage ahead of them carrying Alaric
and Kesla moved forward, and the parade started.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was an amazing
experience to Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d been part of
imperial parades and events before, but being the next to youngest in his
family, and being a silver-born on top of that, meant that honor was rarely
given to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This time was
utterly different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the chill,
the people of Cylandrea flooded the streets, and cheered for every single
member of the family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shouts of “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Prince Cailan!</i>” were heard as often as
cheers for the king and praises for Leader Jarek and the rest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The carriages and floats moved slowly enough
that people could approach the royals as they passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That brought nerves onto Cailan at first
because he feared a rushed mob would ensue, but the people were surprisingly
well-behaved in their approach, and the palace guards were an extra line of
defense and safety for both the Lysander family and the people.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Those who did
reach the carriages often just wanted a touch of hand or a kiss to their fingers
from their leaders, including Prince Cailan, and he humbly granted their
desires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A handful of subjects also
offered tokens of love, and there was small pile of gifts at Cailan’s feet that
had been handed to him.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek leaned
toward him at one point when no one was at the carriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The majority of these you see, as well as
those from further away, will gather in the castle courtyard and outside the
gates the day of our wedding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first
action after the ceremony, and while the invited guests are escorted to the
ballroom, will be to go to the Grand Balcony that overlooks the courtyard and
acknowledge our subjects’ attendance and effort they’ve put forth to witness
the day of our Cylandrean unification.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan looked at
the crowds gathered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So many would
come, even though I’m a foreigner and you’re not the reigning king?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek nodded
seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan tried to
imagine what that would look like, but it was beyond him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t ponder it any further though,
because a family with two children approached the carriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek squeezed the father’s hand while the
mother and little girls held up small bouquets of dried flowers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan accepted them and caressed each
child’s head as he offered a thank you.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By the time the
parade ended and the family was gathered in the town square, Cailan was a
little chilly, but enjoying himself immensely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eight seats, decorated to an almost thronelike status, had been placed
on a podium, and he sat in his designated one at Jarek’s side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a relief in knowing he didn’t have
to give a speech to the crowds, but he listened intently to those that were
given.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As was scheduled,
King Jonerick and Queen Kesla stood and addressed the people first, although
they had to wait until the sounds of thunderous cheering quieted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helped Cailan see what the elder Lysander
couple had meant about their presence taking away from the current reigning
king.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonerick thanked them for coming,
reminded them of some of the history of their first king, and praised the
people for their loyalty.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was Jarek’s
turn then, and Cailan walked with him and stood at attention at his side as
Jarek reminded the attendees of the past year’s highlights; including, to
Cailan’s surprise, the events surrounding the silver prophecies and Cailan
rescuing Queen Kesla.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then reached
out and held Cailan’s hand, lifting the joined fingers together for the people
to see, and thanked them for their support of their upcoming nuptials.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The cheers of the
people were huge.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They retook their
seats as Sem and Sana stood, and Sem told the crowds of plans for the upcoming
year, and gave them things to look forward to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And then the final speech was Alaric’s, who said how much he had to be
thankful for, and then gave a blessing to the people that brought tears to
Cailan’s eyes, it was so beautiful.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Immediately after,
the people broke into song and dance, and Jarek angled toward Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What is your wish, to stay or go?”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Could we stay?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Of course,” Jarek
agreed readily, and then held an open palm out to the younger man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will you dance with me, petling?”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They hadn’t danced
together since their Arten wedding, and some nerves tickled Cailan’s chest
about doing it so publicly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, as he
looked at the people celebrating around him, he knew there was no reason to say
no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, putting his hand in Jarek’s,
they entered into the merriment, and laughed and danced with everyone.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the sun set,
Jarek walked them a few blocks to an eatery titled “Contess Cuisine”.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“‘Contess’ is an
antiquated term that was used for ladies of nobility,” Jarek told him as they
entered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The family who runs this
establishment began cooking three generations ago for parties and gatherings of
ladies of higher society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food has
always been quite good.”</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The place was
crowded, so Cailan didn’t doubt Jarek’s word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They ended up sitting with a group of brothers at a long table, and
spent the evening laughing over stories that grew more and more ridiculous, and
eating thick steaks and hearty potatoes covered in cheese and chives.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk501733224;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By the time the
two of them made it back to the palace and up the stairways to their quarters,
Cailan’s legs ached from dancing and his chest ached from laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was also exhausted, and he and Jarek
didn’t even bother to freshen up with a shower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both merely undressed and fell into bed, sleep taking them quickly.</span></span></span></div>
JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-62959734538466832892017-12-23T17:00:00.000-05:002017-12-23T17:00:19.242-05:00Starlight Day - Part 1<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This Christmas story is a continuation of Jarek and Cailan's tale. So, if you have not read <i>The War Gift</i> and <i>Amity Cove</i>, there will be parts of this story that won't make sense to you. I recommend reading those first. For those who have read them, I've including below a brief list to remind you of people and facts from Jarek and Cailan's world. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> This story is meant to give more information on the world of Cylandrea, and see what Cailan is learning in his new life. There's a little drama in this, but not a lot. It is a fairly long story, so I'm posting it in three parts. Hopefully one today, one tomorrow, and the last on Christmas Day. Merry Christmas, everyone!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">JL-<br /><br />*****</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">>Arten
characters</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Prince
Cailan Pierson Nyle – second youngest son of King Saxon of Arten</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*King
Saxon Nyle – King of Arten</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Queen
Adesina Nyle – Queen of Arten</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Ristoph
– royal sorcerer</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Some of Cailan's brothers – Abed (first born), Eleron (second born), Doron (youngest)</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">>Cylandrea
characters</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Prince/Leader
Jarek Nolan Lysander – second-born son of King Jonerick of Cylandrea; Cylandrea’s
military leader</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*King
Alaric Lysander – first-born of King Jonerick; current ruler of Cylandrea</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Queen
Kesla Lysander – Alaric’s wife</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Prince
Sem Lysander – prince of Cylandrea; brother to Alaric, Jarek and Sana</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Princess
Sana Lysander – princess of Cylandrea; sister to Alaric, Jarek, and Sem</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Jothan
– palace guard; friend to Cailan</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Lady
Bara – Jothan’s mother; seamstress</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*King
Jonerick Lysander – father to Alaric, Jarek, Sem and Sana; former ruler of
Cylandrea</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Queen
Dyanna Lysander – mother to Alaric, Jarek, Sem and Sana; former queen of
Cylandrea</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">NOTES:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Eastern
wing of palace/upper levels – where he royal living quarters are.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">*Western
wing of palace – where harem is located</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">* Southern
hills – where King Jonerick and Queen Dyanna live</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">* All
Cylandrean have multiple births.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />*****<br /><b>PART 1</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Which company will we be with today?”
Cailan asked as he and Jarek lingered in the warmth of their bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On these cold mornings, they both were a bit
slower to leave the soft mattress and shared body heat.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek’s thumb moved lazily on Cailan’s
hip, while the rest of him enjoyed the feel of the younger man pressed close
against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We won’t be with a soldier
company today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have other things to
do.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan tipped his head up from where it
rested on Jarek’s chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What things?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We need to go into the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Preparations are being made for the ice
festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alaric needs us to fulfill
some duties there, and we’ll shop for gifts as well.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan sat up a bit, so he could see
Jarek’s face better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s the ice
festival?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what gifts are needed?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek’s eyes reflected surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Has Sem not taught you of our holidays yet,
petling?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prince Sem had proven to be an excellent
tutor to him since his official move to Cylandrea, but the two months he’d been
there wasn’t long enough to cover the innumerable things Cailan had yet to
learn about his new country. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Sem and I have been focusing on
Cylandrea’s history, royal policies, and the country’s economics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We haven’t spoken of holidays.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hmm,” Jarek murmured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think that’s an oversight on our part, and
I’m afraid we don’t have time to delve into details.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What can you tell me?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek sat up fully, bringing Cailan with
him, and nudged him to get out of bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Grab our wraps and see if the morning meal has been delivered while I
clean up a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll give you an
overview while we eat.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A few minutes later, dressed in their
warm, morning robes, they sat for their meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Usually, when it was just the two of them, Jarek would have Cailan
either on his lap or on the cushion by his chair, always feeding him from the
same plate from which he ate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, when
they needed to talk of specific things, they sat separately, each eating from
his own plate, although Jarek’s natural dominance and caretaking always had him
filling Cailan’s dish himself before placing it in front of his husband.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you,” Cailan said graciously as
Jarek set a plate filled with seasoned potatoes, meat patties, and cut fruit in
front of him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek’s response was a warm smile and a
nod for him to start eating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They both
took several bites before the older man initiated their conversation.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Do you know of any of the holidays we
celebrate, petling?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan shook his head, his mouth too full
to speak.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, there are several throughout the
year, but four are celebrated with a week-long festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of these four are meant to rejoice in
the season for which they take place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
ice festival celebrates the cold season, with the peak being Starlight Day.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What is Starlight Day?” Cailan asked with
interest.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Starlight Day is the day of the year with
the shortest sunshine and the longest starlight,” Jarek explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Coincidentally, it’s also the day Cylandrea
crowned its first king, my ancestor Trace Lysander.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For that reason, it is the most renowned national
holiday we have, and our people celebrate by giving gifts to loved ones,
honoring the royal family in specific ways, going all out for the festival, and
opening their homes to all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Starlight
Day, the royal family also opens up the large courtyard, the one just inside
the gates, to the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We provide hot
spiced cider and fire-roasted foods to all who come, and there are musicians
and, games, and theatrical presentations all day.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There was joy and excitement in Jarek’s
voice, and Cailan could feel his own enthusiasm building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That sounds like a lot of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What has the king asked you to do today for
it?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Us,” Jarek corrected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s asked <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">us.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He requested that you
and I bring the royal crest to the Cylandreans we’ve asked to prepare the food
and entertainment for Starlight Day at the palace, as well as meet with certain
artisans who will have booths set up for the week-long festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three of them have sent word to the palace,
requesting a consultation with a representative of the royal family.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan glanced uncertainly down at the
table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you sure Alaric wishes to
include me in that duty?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek reached over and placed a warm palm
over Cailan’s fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Petling, are you
questioning your value?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was an intuitive question, and one
Jarek had been learning to ask when he saw signs of Cailan’s insecurity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite the respect both Cylandrea’s royal
house and the people of the country placed on Cailan, the young prince still
struggled with nineteen years of his home country’s prejudice against those
born with silver hair.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It just sounds like something you could
do without my help or….”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Or your hindrance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that what you were going to say?” Jarek
asked when Cailan didn’t finish his thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He continued before Cailan could reply.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You are never a hindrance, petling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You are a hero.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The people
already know what you’ve done for us, particularly how you saved the
queen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our countrymen look upon you
favorably, and Alaric has actually scolded me for not getting you out among the
people more.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“He has?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve kept you busy within the palace walls
in assisting me with my men, doing your own training, studying, and just
spending time with the two of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
you need to get to know your people here as well, and they need to know you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our wedding here in Cylandrea is just over a
month away, a week after Starlight Day in fact, and I don’t want you to still
be a stranger to the people at that time. They should have the chance to know
you, just as you need to know them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Alaric’s scolding reminded me of that, and he was adamant that he wanted
you to be as much a part of our duties today as I am.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A small, pleased smile graced Cailan’s
lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I would like to be involved, and
to meet more of the Cylandrean people.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek leaned over to brush a kiss on
Cailan’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eat up now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It will be a full day.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
*****</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The two of them dressed for the trip into
Palace City, and then sat closely together in the carriage as a driver took
them to their first destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I didn’t realize the temperature had
dropped so much since yesterday,” Jarek commented as he pulled Cailan tighter
against him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ll be warmer once we’re
walking through the city, and the shops we’re going to will be warm inside.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good,” was all Cailan responded with. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Normally he could handle colder temperatures
because anytime he was outside, it was usually for training and a lot of
physical activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The immobility of
riding in the carriage had the cold seeping into his body, despite the thick
clothes he wore.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As they made their way deeper into
Cylandrea’s royal city, Cailan could hear the sounds of the town outside the
carriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Horses’ hooves, the chatter of
people, and further-off sounds of machinery all reached his ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When the carriage came to a stop, he was
excited to get out and explore more of the world outside the palace walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The driver opened the door for them, and
Cailan followed Jarek onto the cobbled street.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was even colder outside the carriage,
as a blustery wind blew around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cailan saw people walking quickly in and out of the stores and homes,
all bundled up tightly, although still cheerfully offering greetings and waves
to one another as they passed on the street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He waited as Jarek spoke to their driver
for a minute before grasping his hand and walking them hurriedly toward one of
the stores.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is our first stop,” Jarek
told him as they entered a shop where a sign announcing it as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nikolai’s</i> hung over the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan wasn’t sure what the proprietor of
the business was selling as they walked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were no shelves of goods to be purchased or signs offering special
sales.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead they entered a mid-size
room with cushioned divans scattered throughout the space, several of which
were arranged around a large fireplace at the far end of the area.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t think anyone is here,” Cailan
commented.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Nikolai is probably in the back,” Jarek
replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s closed to the public for now
to prepare for the festival.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What is he preparing?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“He is an excellent chef,” Jarek
explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He caters for almost any
special event people have, and is gifted at preparing unique foods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The royal house has employed him for many
occasions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve asked him to make and
sell his fire pies during Starlight Day this year.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fire pies?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek smiled knowingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I won’t even try to describe them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll just have to see him make one and then
taste it to grasp how good they are.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek then led the way to a door next to
the large, stone fireplace, and rapped loudly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a moment, the hinges squeaked as a man with a dark maroon hue
blended into his black hair opened the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His expression held curiosity until he recognized Jarek, and then his
mouth morphed into a large smile.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Leader Jarek!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t sure who to expect from the
palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an honor to have you!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He opened the door fully to allow entrance
into the back of his building, his gaze respectful on Jarek and inquisitive
toward Cailan; until, that is, understanding seemed to dawn on him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh my!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is this Prince Cailan, my lord?” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek smiled broadly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Allow me to introduce my husband to you, Nikolai.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He didn’t get further than that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nikolai, despite looking quite a bit older
than them, dropped to one knee and gently grasped both Jarek’s and Cailan’s
right hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It is an honor to welcome both of you, my
lieges.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked up to Cailan’s
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And thank you, young sire, for
saving our queen and being such an honorable fulfilment to the prophecies we
have known for so long.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan, surprised at this reception and
unsure how to respond, looked quickly toward Jarek when Nikolai bowed his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek easily read his uncertainty
and stepped in, placing a hand on their host’s shoulder.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you, Nikolai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You please my heart with such words to my
beloved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please stand and let us visit
for a while and give you the king’s crest for the holiday.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nikolai rose with a wide smile and ushered
them into the warmer part of the room where a well-equipped kitchen was being
used, and delicious smells were emanating from several ovens and cooktops.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Come in and sit, please.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have hot drinks I’ve been perfecting, and
I’d love for you to sample them.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek and Cailan followed him, and then
sat on a wooden bench near an inground fire pit, which had a blaze burning
cheerily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was an interesting sight
to Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d never seen an indoor
fire contained in such a way, but while the flames burned hotly, they were
well-contained by blackened stones and a narrow, water-filled trench encircling
the pit.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“How ingenious,” he commented.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you,” Nikolai said humbly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You designed this?” Cailan asked with
honest admiration.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“He did,” Jarek answered while the older
man nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You figured out a design
that was safe enough to use about forty years ago, right Nikolai?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, sire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a way to create some of my foods when
my first stove broke and I couldn’t afford a new one.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Indoor cooking pits are fairly common
now,” Jarek told Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And Nikolai
created his fire pies on them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
excited to have Cailan taste your pies on Starlight Day, Nik.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“There is no reason for him to wait,
sire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is easy enough to make some
now.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek looked more than pleased at the
offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’d love to have Cailan sample
one, and I’ll never turn down one myself either.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Then warm up by the fire while I get you
some drinks and prepare the pies,” Nikolai insisted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan sat a little closer to the flames, appreciative
of the heat, and then gratefully wrapped his hands around a steaming mug their
host handed him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He expected one of the
hot drinks he was becoming familiar with in Cylandrea, either the brew made
from caphee beans or one of the flavorful teas he’d been introduced to drinking
in the palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, the liquid in
his mug didn’t look or smell familiar, although the aroma was very appealing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek also held a mug of the drink, and
didn’t seem to mind asking Nikolai what it held.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Is this one of your experiments,
Nik?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It smells wonderful.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The older man nodded eagerly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are the first two to taste it besides
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please, tell me what you think.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan followed Jarek’s lead and blew
across the top of his mug before taking a sip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A delicious mouthful of cinnamon and other flavors flowed over his taste
buds and soothingly down his throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh
my.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s wonderful!” he exclaimed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What is it, sir?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Please, I am most humbly just ‘Nikolai’
to the royal house,” their host told him, but then proceeded to answer his
question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t have a name for the
drink yet, and I’m still adjusting the measurements, but it is fresh milk
flavored primarily with cinnamon, and then small amounts of vanilla root and
caramel sugar.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s delicious,” Cailan praised again,
and Jarek agreed with him wholeheartedly. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Will you offer this on Starlight Day?”
Leader Jarek questioned.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I hope to, along with hot apple tea and
the fire pies.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Perfect,” Jarek expressed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nikolai, looking wholly pleased, bowed
respectfully, and then hurried to one of his work stations, calling out over
his shoulder, “I’ll prepare the pies for you now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know your preferences, Leader Jarek, but
what flavors does Prince Cailan crave?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Not sure what Nikolai was asking, Cailan
looked toward Jarek for clarification.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What flavors do I crave?” he repeated uncertainly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fire pies are not all the same,” Jarek
explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They can be made to appeal to
an individual’s personal taste preferences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Nikolai would like to know what taste you are in the mood for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something sweet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tangy?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fruity?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meaty?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan was growing more and more curious
about these fire pies, and all the options Jarek presented sounded
appealing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Maybe something sweet?” he
finally decided.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek nodded and looked toward
Nikolai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Cailan has a sweet tooth
today, Nik.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you fill it?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The older man huffed good-naturedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Of course I can!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek chuckled and took another sip of his
drink, and then explained to Cailan that Nikolai’s six grown children, as well
as several grandchildren, would be helping him the day of the palace
festivities.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A few minutes later, Nikolai stood
opposite of them at the fire pit, and put two long, cast-iron poles directly
into the fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What’s that on the poles?” Cailan asked,
noticing the ends in the fire looked different to anything he’d seen before.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I call them ‘pockets’,” Nikolai told
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The raw ingredients for the pies
are put in those pockets, sealed shut, and then cooked directly in the fire.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Curious, Cailan couldn’t help studying the
iron poles, wishing he could see how the food was cooking, while Jarek and
Nikolai conversed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When Nikolai announced the pies should be
ready, he took the irons out of the fire with thick pads protecting his hands,
and carried them to a stone table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cailan couldn’t tell what their host did from the angle he was at, but a
short while later Nikolai returned to them with two steaming items wrapped in
thick napkins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He handed one to Jarek
and the other to Cailan, with a warning to let the pies cool for a minute
before eating them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan studied the fire pie for a moment,
noting that it looked nothing like the pies he was used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, it appeared to be a small, enclosed
pastry, about the size of his hand.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What’s inside it?” he asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek chuckled next to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nikolai likes to surprise people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take a bite and see.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Just take a small bite at first, to make
sure it’s cool enough,” Nikolai advised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tentatively, Cailan brought the pie to his
lips and took a bite off the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
mostly the outer crust he got on this first bite, but the flaky outer shell was
light and tasteful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His second bite
allowed him to taste the filling, and his eyes widened appreciatively as the
flavors of rich, dark chocolate and sweet raspberry filled his mouth.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh my!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s delicious!” he exclaimed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Jarek, you have to taste this!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nikolai was smiling as Jarek willingly
took a bite of the pie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hummed
approvingly. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His face showing his
agreement of Cailan’s enjoyment, and held up his own fire pie for Cailan to
taste.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eagerly, Cailan bit into the
pastry, surprised by the flavors of seasoned steak and cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Swallowing the bite, he looked enthusiastically
to their host.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Nikolai, these are wonderful!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m so glad, your highness,” Nikolai
replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“How many different kinds do you make?”
Cailan questioned before taking another bite of his pie and moaning over its
decadence.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ve come up with twenty-six acceptable combinations
so far, and I’m always experimenting with others.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Twenty-six?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s impressive,” Cailan replied while
wondering how long it would take him to try each one.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With a knowing grin, Jarek added to the
conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tell my husband some of
your less-than-successful concoctions.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nikolai laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, the nut butter and venison was not my
most inspired attempt, although the nut butter with apple was tasty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the worst was the salted orange cream,
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not even my goat would touch that
one!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek and Cailan both laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They visited with Nikolai for a bit
longer, and then Jarek withdrew a scroll from his cloak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’ve brought the crest to announce your
service for the king during the Starlight Festival, Nikolai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shall we attach it to your door?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His cheerful face brightening even more,
Nikolai nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“King Alaric honors me
with the crest, as do you and Prince Cailan for delivering it so personally, my
lord.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Your pies and the Starlight festival are
practically synonymous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, you’re
a friend to the palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re glad to
have you, Nik.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The three of them headed toward the
establishment’s front door, with Nikolai opening it and watching with a glad
smile as Jarek nailed the scroll with the royal crest at eye level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nikolai bowed respectfully to Jarek and
Cailan once the crest was hung, and the men said pleasant good-byes before the
door closed and Jarek guided Cailan to grasp his arm.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Our next two visits are in walking
distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll return to the carriage
after we complete them.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They moved quickly down the street, the
cold air stinging their cheeks until Jarek pointed out a building and ushered
them inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike Nikolai’s place, the
room they entered was filled with people, along with the sounds of a multitude
of instruments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A moment after they
entered, the noise ceased abruptly, and all eyes in the room turned to
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The majority of those eyes were
quite young and looked utterly surprised, while the face of the one adult in
the room lit up joyfully and hurried to greet them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He almost tripped when he tried to bow while still
moving, but managed to catch himself before tumbling into them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a mildly embarrassed smile and blushing
cheeks, the man managed a proper bow before addressing them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Leader Jarek, I just received word this
morning to expect you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you so much
for coming!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek nodded his acceptance of the man’s
welcome, smiling when he met their host’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m more than happy to fulfill this role today.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then brought Cailan a bit closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Cailan, this is Darin Sorenson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is both a professional musician and a
gifted teacher of instruments in many of our schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Darin, this is my husband, Prince Cailan of
Arten.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Darin’s eyes widened fractionally before
he bowed again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s an honor to be in
your presence, Prince Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your brave
actions in saving our queen and our kingdom is known throughout the land and will
never be forgotten.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you, Darin,” Cailan replied
graciously, copying Jarek’s accepting nod.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek then directed everyone’s attention
to the rest of the room’s occupants.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
take it these are the talented entertainers that you and your wife are teaching
for the festival.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Darin’s head bobbed excitedly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, sire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My wife just stepped out to prepare some refreshments for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children!” he called as he turned toward the
group of young faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We have some very
special visitors!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek leaned close to speak softly to
Cailan while Darin moved to organize his students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Darin has formed a children’s orchestra,
handpicking young talents from Palace City and the towns just outside of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wife writes much of the music
they play, and they provide boarding and care for the students whenever the
orchestra travels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are going to be
amongst the performers at the festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sana
was the first to hear them and she picked them to be a part of the entertainment.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan’s eyes took in the twenty or so
Cylandrean children filling the room, chattering to each other in high-pitched
voices, yet listening surprisingly well to Darin as he directed them in
carefully setting their instruments at rest and moving to several low tables
away from the area in which they had been rehearsing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t help smiling at those who looked
toward him and Jarek, but he didn’t interfere in the goings-on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A woman with a beautiful purple showing
through the braid in her thick black hair came into the room a minute
later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A tray looking to be filled
overly much with small drink cups was balanced carefully in her hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The glasses wobbled slightly and clinked
together when she caught sight of the two royal men standing in the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a moment, she looked undecided of what to
do, but Jarek quickly waved a hand toward the children.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Please, Lady Sorenson, serve the children
their drinks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s no offense for us
to wait our turn.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Her expression grateful, the woman moved
to the children’s tables, calling out two names as she did so and having the
girls who stood help her deliver the small cups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as the tray was empty, she set it aside,
ran her hands over her hair and turned apologetically to the men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here to greet you
when you entered, Leader Jarek,” she said quickly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek raised his hand, shaking his head
cordially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No apologies needed,” he
assured, and then made introductions between her and Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Like her husband and Nikolai, Lady
Sorenson praised his fulfilment of the silver prophecies, making Cailan
silently wonder if the people would ever know him as a person beyond those
happenings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said nothing though, just
stood out of the way with Jarek while the husband and wife made sure the
children had what they needed for the time being.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Darin rejoined them while the kids settled
into their refreshment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If your
highnesses have time, I know the children would love to perform one of their
songs for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would it be possible?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I was hoping you would offer,” Jarek told
the teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’d love to hear them.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Wonderful!” Darin exclaimed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A short time later, the young musicians
had reclaimed their rehearsal seats and settled down with their
instruments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan noticed that the
varying string and wind instruments had all been modified to suit small hands
and fingers, and seeing the youthful Cylandreans expertly handle their musical
devices made him smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Darin and Lady Sorenson encouraged Jarek
and Cailan into seats, and then Darin stepped up to a narrow podium in front of
the young orchestra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tapped the stand
three times with a sleek, black baton, ensuring all the children’s eyes were on
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We’re playing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Singing Wind</i>, everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Instruments at your ready,” he instructed. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Unanimously, little arms and hands moved
their instruments into position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was a moment of complete hush, and then Darin gave the gentlest of flicks of
his baton, and the delicate resonance of wind flutes filled the room.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan caught his breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was amazing how just that initial sound
was shockingly soul-touching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those
first flutes were soon joined by their fellow wind instruments, and then the
soft rumble of percussion and strings entered in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The song was not one Cailan had heard
before, but it was slow and beautiful, like the background to an unfolding love
story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan was taken in by it, and
when the last note faded away, he nearly mourned the ending of the music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The room seemed frozen in time for a
moment, but then Jarek rose from his seat and Cailan followed suit, waiting for
his husband to speak first.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That was marvelous,” Jarek told the young
group with sincerity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can’t wait to
hear your entire performance at the festival.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will most definitely claim a front-row seat.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan nodded his agreement and took his
turn to speak when Jarek finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
enjoyed that immensely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you so
much for sharing your talent with us.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">All the children and both Sorensons looked
inordinately pleased with the praise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The two adults bowed, and then with a flick of his baton, Darin guided
the young musicians to rise and take a bow as well.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek nodded regally to the group, and
then withdrew a small bag from his cloak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We’ve brought a token from the royal family for each of you,” he
announced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Since you are part of the
ruling family’s chosen entertainment for the festival, it is important you look
the part.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek reached into the bag and pulled out
a small pin made to look like the Lysander royal crest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We ask that you wear these pins during the
festival, and thank you for representing the palace.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He then gave a handful of the small pins
to Cailan, and the two of them moved to the children and began gently attaching
the tokens to each boy and girl’s collar.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan was charmed by the young orchestra
members’ maturity as he carefully attached a pin to each child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their ages ranged from the oldest at
thirteen, to the youngest—a very tiny six-year-old who played a miniscule
lap-harp beautifully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every child held
perfectly still as they were pinned, and then offered respectful yet excited
thank yous as they marveled at the tokens that marked them as being chosen by the
royal family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan gave his last pin to a little girl
who had hints of pink in her long black hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He held back a chuckle when the child sucked in a deep breath and held
it while he attached the pin to her collar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She let the breath out with a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">whoosh</i>
when he finished, but then tugged on his shirt as he started to rise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knelt back down and offered her his
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Did you need something, little one?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She shook her head, but her big eyes
looked at him hopefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My mama said I
might meet the king and queen and the rest of you,” she told him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And daddy told me that Leader Jarek fell in
love with Cailan the silver-hair who saved the queen’s life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that you?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I am Cailan.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The little girl’s face lit with a smile
and she knelt down to the case in which her harp was kept and pulled out a
paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I drew you a picture!” she
exclaimed happily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As a thank you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She showed him the colorful drawing as she
described it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“See, that’s you,” she
said, pointing to a stick man with rather large hands and feet, and obviously silver
hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And that’s leader Jarek.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan hid a laugh behind a cough as she
pointed to the black-haired man she’d drawn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This one was not a stick figure, but instead had a circle for a
torso.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two figures were holding
hands though, and Cailan thought that was incredibly sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The heart up here is because you’re in
love,” the child continued as she pointed to a large heart above their heads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And this is the castle over here where you
live with the king and queen,” she finished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Do you like it?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Not being able to help himself, Cailan
wrapped an arm around the little girl and gave her a gentle hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I love it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And I have a special place at the palace I plan to keep it, so I can
look at it whenever I want.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you so
much!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The child beamed and then gave him a big
hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He chuckled when she finally let
him go and smiled at her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What’s your name, sweetheart?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Glory,” she answered him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That’s a lovely name. Thank you again, Glory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your picture will be one of my treasures.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Later, as he and Jarek walked further up
the cobbled street to their next destination, Cailan showed Jarek the
drawing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man laughed as he saw the
image of himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Perhaps I need to reduce my food
intake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I’m as round as Glory makes
me out to be, I have a few pounds to lose.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re perfect as you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She probably made you round to make up for
making me look as thin as an arrow.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, while I agree that a few more
pounds on your frame would be good for you, I think you’re perfect too,” Jarek
stated.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I told you when you first said something
that I tend to lose a few pounds in winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cold weather dampens my appetite.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Which I still say is odd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has the opposite effect on me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides which, you still haven’t fully gained
back what you lost while healing from your wounds, so you aren’t in a position
to be losing more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How is your leg
holding up by the way?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s perfectly fine,” Cailan
assured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Other than an occasional
twinge, it’s fully healed.” He gave Jarek a stern look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So no more going easy on me during
trainings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t have your soldiers
thinking I would be a detriment to them should they need me in battle.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You train just as hard as they do,” Jarek
argued.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If you think I’m straining it, you tell me
to monitor the soldiers’ form or to talk with the company captain about tactics
and strategies. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That may have been
necessary initially, but it no longer is required.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek had the grace to look sheepish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Caught on to that, did you?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m not a fool, Jarek, and neither are
your men.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guarantee I’m not the only
one who has noticed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not have
their respect if they perceive you cosseting me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You are a hero, Cailan, and always will
be in their eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were injured
because of your heroism, and nearly died from it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will not think less of you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Perhaps for now they won’t.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan’s tone didn’t let up on its seriousness
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The events with the attack on
Queen Kesla are still fresh on everyone’s mind, but eventually time will cause
what happened to feel less important, and I have decades ahead of being a
soldier and an authority to them while I’m at your side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They need to keep seeing that they can depend
on my skills, that I can support them in battle.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Remembering that Cailan’s very commendable
skills had not been valued by his own country, people, and family, Jarek
understood his spouse’s fear, and agreed that Cailan had a point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Your argument is valid,” he
conceded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will allow you to train as
is fitting for your position and ability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, if your leg pains you to the point you fear a reinjury, I
expect you to let me know at once.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There was a clear hesitation on Cailan’s
part, and Jarek stopped them walking and faced his husband.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I mean those words, petling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you do not obey them, I’ll apply the stick
to your backside.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan’s eyes flashed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s not fair!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s not fair of me to keep you
uninjured, or expect you to not strain your body foolishly?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan maintained his glare, but slowly
acknowledged Jarek’s point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fine, I’ll
let you know, but I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">won’t</i> demean
myself in front of the men.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It wasn’t fully what Jarek wanted, but it
was close enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan had both the
pride of a man and a royal in him, and Jarek didn’t want to take that
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They spent most of the rest of the day
visiting the other vendors who would be a part of the festival, and it was an
enjoyable way to fulfill their royal duties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They got to taste-test several delicious cuisines, hear other musicians
and singers, and examine some of the wares that would be sold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, despite being in and out of homes
and businesses, both men were chilled through by the time they made it back to
the palace, as the temperature had steadily dropped during the day.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cold fingers made it difficult to undo
buttons and ties, and by unspoken agreement they moved immediately to their
bathing room and sank into the heat of the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They groaned unanimously in appreciation of
the warmth, and then laughed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I haven’t felt quite that cold in a
while,” Cailan admitted.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s been a while for me too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind was bitter today.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan moved gracefully through the water
and to the ledge where a supply of sponges and soaps were kept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He handed one of each to Jarek, and then took
some for himself and began washing and talking at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How cold does it get during the festival,
particularly on Starlight Day?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most
everyone will be outside for hours for the entertainment and celebration.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s never warm,” Jarek admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But each vendor will be provided with a heating
unit for their tent, and there’ll be several fire pits and other larger heating
units set around the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, people
know to dress warmly on that day.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
gave Cailan a rueful look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You and I
would have been smart to add another layer to our clothing this morning, but I
didn’t realize we’d be outside almost as much as we’d be inside, or that it
would be quite so cold.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, I’m starting to warm up now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan ducked under the water for several
seconds, and then came back up with his silver hair dripping water down his
face, and shimmering even more if possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jarek was still struck with awe sometimes when he saw that shimmer,
knowing it was something unique to the royal family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing it in Cailan’s hair, and knowing it
was there because he had passed it on to his spouse, made Jarek feel incredibly
lucky, happy, and aroused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He moved to
stand in front of his husband and began massaging a palmful of hair cream in the
silver tresses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even wet, they felt
soft, and he grinned when Cailan gave a pleased moan and shut his eyes.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Feel good, petling?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Very,” Cailan answered, and there was a
hint of breathlessness in his voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There was a responding huskiness in
Jarek’s tone when he finished washing Cailan’s hair and then ordered him to
their bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being cold wasn’t a problem
after that.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
*****</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The next day<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #7030a0;">,</span></i> Cailan had his lessons in the
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and Prince Sem usually met
in the palace library, which Cailan tended to think was both a good and bad
location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good because he loved being
surrounded by so many books, and he had his pick to choose from when he needed
to research something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bad because all
those books could be a distraction, and sometimes he’d rather read something
more interesting than his current lesson.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He’d given in to that distracting
temptation three times over the last couple months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek had been lenient the first time his
giving in had caused him to not complete a lesson on time, with just a warning to
keep his focus where it should be.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The second time wasn’t as merciful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The warning part was omitted, and he was
taken over Jarek’s knee instead, which had not been pleasant, although Cailan
hadn’t argued against it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a lot
to learn and wasting time that had been set aside for him to understand his new
country wasn’t acceptable behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Unfortunately, knowing that hadn’t
prevented him from giving into the temptation a third time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For that offense he had been restricted from
all reading, including his lesson time, for three days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That had been <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">awful</i>, and as much as he was still tempted at times, Cailan did not
want such a privilege taken away again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That morning, Sem was already waiting for
him when he arrived at the library.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
other man was setting a book down on the desk Cailan used, and he looked up
with a smile when Cailan entered.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good morning,” Sem greeted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ready to continue your history lessons?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, but I’d like to focus on something
specific,” Cailan requested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Of course.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sem sat in the chair he usually taught the
lessons from.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What did you have in
mind?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Particularly Starlight Day and the ice festival.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan took his typical seat and mirrored
Sem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jarek and I visited the vendors
for it yesterday, but he was only able to give me a brief explanation of
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d like to know more.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sem’s eyes lit with pleasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s an excellent idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should have started teaching you about our
special days earlier.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rose and moved
to the bookshelves and began scanning their titles, even as he kept
talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What did Jarek tell you about
Starlight Day?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He
explained that it’s a national holiday because it was the day the country’s
first king was crowned—your ancestor, Trace, I think.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sem nodded as he pulled some volumes
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>King Trace Lysander was Cylandrea’s first
king.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Jarek also said it’s the day with the
shortest sun and longest starlight, hence its name, and that gift exchanges are
common.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Also correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anything else?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan shrugged as Sem turned back to him
with three thick books in his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He
explained a little about how you celebrate each year, but I’m not really
familiar with the details of its history or the traditions involved in it.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s my favorite holiday,” Sem said as he
dropped the books onto the desk with a loud <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">thunk</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sana’s too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In fact, most Cylandreans would probably say Starlight Day and its
traditions are their favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a
wonderful time of year.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I understand its significance as far as
the start of your royal government, but what else is involved?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are the traditions everyone celebrates?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, this is likely to take up our
entire weeks’ worth of lessons.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sem
didn’t sound bothered by that, but he directed Cailan’s attention to the books
he’d brought over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll use our lesson
time today to give you an overview of the holiday and answer any initial
questions you have, but you’ll spend a lot of time reading these this
week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This book…” He pointed to the
volume on top of the stack. “…is the royal documented biography of King Trace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An abbreviated version is taught in our
schools, but the royal family is given all the details.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled at Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And you are a part of the royal family now.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sem had always been friendly to him, but
that affirmation of his place in the Lysander family warmed Cailan’s
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His smile back at Sem was
sincere.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“This one,” Sem continued, “addresses all
major Cylandrean holidays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the most
part, each chapter addresses one holiday or celebration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will give you a lot of information, although
still mostly just a detailed summary of each one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And this one is a bit different.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled out the book at the bottom of the
pile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a collection of essays done
by school children—all ages—of what Starlight Day means to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought you might enjoy that.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan’s grin widened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I definitely would.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are other books I can direct you to later, but I thought these
would be a good start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have
anything you want to ask right away?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan had quite a few questions, but he
was more desirous to simply hear about the day itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can you just tell me about Starlight Day,
your understanding of it?” he requested.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Sure.” Sem leaned back and placed his
feet on footstool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the least
formal of the four royal siblings, but that just made Cailan feel comfortable
with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Since the root of Starlight
Day is an ancestral thing for me, it’s always been a very significant time of
year in my experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, as a
young child, it was more about the fun stuff—the celebrations and gatherings
and gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially the gifts.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What kind of gifts, and why are gifts
received and given?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan leaned
forward, anxious to know more.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s one of the traditions,” Sem
explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Actually, it’s one of the
earliest traditions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When my ancestor,
King Trace, was crowned, the people of Cylandrea came from its furthest borders
to be present on that day, and every family who came brought a gift of some
sort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Animals were the most common
offerings, and they were the best the people had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gift baskets of food were also brought, as
well as handmade items varying from simple but beautiful trinkets to expensive
jewelry, tapestries, and artwork.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those
gifts were the foundation of the royal treasury, and many of the original
pieces are still here in the palace walls.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Really?” Cailan asked, fascinated.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sem grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Absolutely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’ll have to have Jarek, and preferably Sana, take you to the treasury
room and give you a tour.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Why Sana?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Because she’s the most familiar with it.”
Sem got that look of a brother knowing a sibling’s weaknesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As proper and shy as Sana is, she gets quite
excitable over sparkly things.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
waggled his fingers like he was showing off a handful of rings, although in
reality he only wore his signet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sana
knows the contents of the treasury and the history of the pieces better than
anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s also done her bit to
enlarge the contents of the treasury room as well.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“How so?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“She’s gifted in seeing quality and
recognizing authenticity of jewels and artistry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alaric has given her a special stipend to make
investment purchases for our coffers.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan was impressed, although not
surprised. “That shows a lot of faith, but I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a
governing family quite as devoted to each other as yours.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His words clearly pleased Sem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you, but getting back to Starlight
Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides the treasury being started,
the animals that were gifted started the flocks that are shepherded by men
chosen by the palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But King Trace did
something special with them.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, he didn’t keep all the animals for
himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Half of them were set aside for
the royal family, so flocks and herds could be started of sheep, cattle, goats,
and chickens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those would be used to
feed the family and servants within the palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The other half, King Trace gave back to the people for their benefit.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That confused Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He gave them back?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t that offend those who offered them?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sem shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He didn’t give them back in that sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What he did was use them to start more flocks
and herds, and those animals are raised to provide assistance and necessities
to those who are struggling to provide for themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those animals are for the people, a gift from
the royal family back to the subjects we’ve promised to lead and care for.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was really generous, and showed a lot of forethought.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan’s thoughts were working on how he
could present this idea to his own father the next time he saw him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That wasn’t the only way King Trace
returned a gift to the people,” Sem continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“All the donated foods on the crowning day were used to provide a
banquet to everyone they could stretch the rations too, which kind of started
the idea of an annual celebration to be held on palace grounds.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The ice festival and Starlight Day
events,” Cailan deduced.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, and Trace took all seeds and
saplings given as gifts and did the same with them as he did the animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Half were planted and tended, and to this day
are used to make provision to those who dwell in the palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other half are cultivated and used for
the benefit of the Cylandrean people.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan was impressed with the wisdom and
foresight King Trace appeared to have had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“So, this is why gifts are included in Starlight Day, because the people
gifted the newly crowned king, and he gifted things back to the people?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sem nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, it’s a tradition of generosity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although,” one side of his mouth tipped in a
boyish grin, “as children we all tended to like the “getting” part of the gift
process more than the giving.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I bet!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sem laughed with him, and when they
quieted, Cailan asked another question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I met a lot of the vendors that will be a part of the ice festival and
the events on Starlight Day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did all
that develop into such a part of the holiday?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s something that has progressed
throughout the generations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During King
Trace’s rule, the celebration was primarily a large banquet hosted by the
palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eldest son, Terryn, expanded
the celebration into a full day event, including musical entertainment along
with the annual banquet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually it
became the Ice Festival that lasts for a week, with the peak being the events
and entertainment on Starlight Day.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan was fascinated, and continued to
ask questions throughout the rest of their lesson time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When notice that the noon meal would soon be
brought, he and Sem ended the day’s studies, although Cailan happily took the
three books Sem had given him back to his and Jarek’s suite of rooms.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After that, anytime he wasn’t working with
Jarek in training or attending to other duties, Cailan’s attention was in the
three books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His respect for King Trace
grew as he read the ancestral king’s biography, and he laughed quite a bit
through the book of children’s essays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like Prince Sem, most of the children focused on the gift portion of the
holiday, but some wrote of their excitement over the festival activities or
foods they got to eat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few others
focused on traditions within their own families that were special to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, many families decorated their
homes and brought greenery, even live trees, inside to adorn with trimmings to
mark the occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some children wrote
of family singing times, or once-a-year travels to visit family or special
places they only saw during this occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It warmed Cailan’s heart to read of such things, and made him think
about him and Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps they could
create their own traditions for this time of year.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As he pondered what special activities
they could do, he was reminded of what he’d been learning about the gift-giving
part of the holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Families and
friends exchanged gifts with each other, and that apparently was a tradition
the royal family also did among themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That meant Cailan would be expected to have gifts for Jarek and the
others, but not only did he not know what gifts would be appropriate, he had no
money of his own to purchase anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As a royal, his needs were taken care of by the palace funds, and as of
yet he’d had no need to make any other purchases in his new land. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He supposed he could request funds from
his family’s coffers in Arten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
mother could bring them the next week when she would visit, but he didn’t like
that idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It just didn’t feel
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also didn’t feel right to
request use of royal funds here in Cylandrea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even if it was to give gifts to those he cared about here, it felt like
taking advantage of something he hadn’t earned the right to use yet.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">These anxious thoughts initially only
niggled at him, but over the course of a few days, they began to weigh him down
with stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He worked to ignore the
worries during the day so they didn’t interfere with his military training or
other duties, but they tended to bombard him at night when there was nothing
else to think about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For the third night in a row now, he was
struggling to rest as monetary concerns filled his thoughts. There had to be an
honest way to obtain the funds without having to ask for the resources from
anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe there were some personal
items he could clandestinely sell to gain some coins.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His worries were abruptly interrupted when
Jarek rolled over in bed, flopped an arm around Cailan’s waist, and squeezed in
a way that meant the older man was no longer sleeping.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Alright,” his voice, husky with sleep,
growled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Three nights you’ve put space
between us in bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who is in trouble,
you or me?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan squirmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I haven’t done anything.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“So me,” Jarek pushed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No, you’ve not done anything either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m just restless.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A tired sigh ruffled Cailan’s hair, and
then Jarek reached over to light a lamp and made them both sit up against their
pillows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rubbed a hand over his face,
clearly trying to wake himself further, but gave his attention to Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why are you restless?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan shook his head, his pride not
letting him share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A prince should not
be worrying about a lack of money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
don’t know. I just am.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek didn’t look convinced, or
impressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Petling, I know there’s a
reason behind it, and I’d rather neither of us lose more sleep than
necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, you can either tell me
right now, or I can spank you for lying and then you can tell me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’ll it be?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Jarek!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The older man didn’t give in to the whine
in Cailan’s voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’ll it be?” he
repeated.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan’s gaze moved to the blankets
covering them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s not fair,
Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of my worries don’t concern
you, and I need to figure them out for myself.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No, that’s not true.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek’s hand found Cailan’s and he entwined
their fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re my husband, soon
to be twice over.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grinned, reminding
Cailan that while they had already been married in Arten, a second ceremony to
happen there in Cylandrea was approaching quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">All</i>
of your worries are mine to be concerned about too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We solve problems together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, tell me why you haven’t been sleeping.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan dropped his head to Jarek’s
shoulder, accepting that Jarek’s words were right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve been thinking about Starlight Day.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When he stopped there, Jarek wiggled the
shoulder Cailan’s head was on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What
about it?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The gift part of it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sighed, and admitted with shame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t have a way to give gifts to anyone,
Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are no funds that are
solely mine to spend.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What are you talking about?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What about your allowance?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You mean my funds in Arten?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a stipend to spend at my leisure when I
lived there, but I don’t know that it would be mine now since I’ve married, and
it feels disrespectful to ask for it.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, I didn’t mean those funds, although
that’s something we do need to address with your father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean the allowance you receive as a member
of the Lysander royal family.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was Cailan’s turn to look
confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What allowance?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Every member of the royal family, whether
born to it or married into it, is given a stipend to spend, invest, or bestow
to another as he or she sees fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t
you know this?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wide-eyed, Cailan shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why didn’t you tell me?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I thought you knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I assumed Sem would have explained it during
your fiscal lessons.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well he didn’t,” Cailan told him, feeling
disgruntled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When did this allowance
start?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The day we married,” Jarek told him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“How do I access it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it really mine to use as I please?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s really yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve earned it just as the rest of us do in
fulfilling our duties to our king and our people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomorrow I’ll show you where it’s kept and
how to access it, okay?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan nodded, wishing they could do that
right now, but knowing it would be wiser to wait until morning.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Think you’ll be able to sleep now?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah, I think so.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek scooted down the bed and brought Cailan
down with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His arm pulled Cailan
against his side until the silver head rested on his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Go to sleep then.”<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek fulfilled his promise to show Cailan
what funds were available to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
breakfast, he sent a message requesting Prince Sem and the palace’s lead
bookkeeper to join him and Cailan in one of the common rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A short time later, the three men and a woman
with intelligent eyes gathered together.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek made initial introductions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Cailan, this is Lady Maia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She leads the team of servants who keep an
accurate accounting of the treasury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lady Maia, this is my husband, Prince Cailan of Arten.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s an honor to meet you, Prince
Cailan,” the woman greeted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Although
I’m surprised it has taken this long.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The fault lies with the two of us,” Jarek
explained as he pointed between himself and Sem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We both assumed the other had explained this
aspect of life to Prince Cailan, but have come to discover that neither of us
did.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek turned his attention back to
Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Lady Maia is highly detailed in
her job and works closely with Princess Sana when it comes to the treasury, but
since Sana is away visiting our parents, I asked Sem to join us and help
explain anything you might be questioning.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan nodded his understanding and looked
toward the lone female in the room. “Thank you, Lady Maia, for taking the time
with us.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She nodded in return and Jarek directed
the four of them to a table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lady Maia
then opened a thick book she had been carrying and flipped several pages,
almost ignoring the men around her as she studied the written entries.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“This is the most recent log book for the
treasury,” Prince Sem explained, filling in for Maia’s silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We actually have a small library, which is
kept locked and discreetly guarded, to house the archive of log books for the
treasury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anytime you wish to make a
withdrawal from your personal accounts, or add an investment to the royal
coffers, the details and amounts will be carefully logged by either Maia or one
of the staff working with her.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The treasury team is directly answerable
to Princess Sana, and then King Alaric ultimately,” Jarek added.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Does the entire royal family know how the
money is used?” Cailan asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The two brothers nodded, but Sem gave an
explanation. “We all stay updated on both palace and government finances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have quarterly meetings to discuss fiscal
matters, the next of which is scheduled after the upcoming holiday, and most of
us arrange personal meetings with Lady Maia’s team to keep up to date as we are
able.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But we don’t interfere in how we each
spend our own funds,” Jarek interjected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“That’s private information unless we choose to share it with each
other.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“So how do I know what funds are mine or
others, and how do I access them?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek nodded toward their lead
bookkeeper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll let Lady Maia go over
some of that.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The woman had apparently located the pages
in the log book she desired, and then spent the next half hour explaining how
her team kept the logs updated, the system of accountability that was in place,
and the columns that were titled either according to use or according to the
owner of specific funds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was all
rather complicated, but Cailan managed to follow along, and thought rather
proudly to himself that his studies and interest in reading throughout his life
were helping quite a bit in his current comprehension.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lady Maia had been turning pages as she
explained different aspects of her job and the managing of the treasury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the last dozen or so pages, Cailan noticed
his name topped a new column in the log, but Maia covered several other things
before tapping her pen on that particular feature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Your funds started on this day,” she told
him, pointing to the date at the top of the page, “and your weekly allotment
has been added since then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since no
withdrawals have been made, each notation has been marked as a credit, and this
is the current total of funds at your disposal.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan just barely managed to withhold showing
his surprise at the amount she pointed to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There was a lot of generosity in the allowance he was being given.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I appreciate having this
information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you,” he
expressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How is it that I access
these funds if I choose to?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s a matter of contacting myself or a
member if my team,” Lady Maia told him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You can send a message for a meeting, or just come to the fiscal
offices set aside for us.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ll escort you to those when we’re done
here,” Jarek told him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lady Maia continued almost as if Jarek
hadn’t spoken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan held back a
smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The woman wasn’t rude; she was
simply very focused on her immediate task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“When withdrawing funds, you just need to tell us the amount you’d like
to have in hand, and we’ll retrieve it for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’ll sign off in the log book at that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you ever wish to look into an investment,
or make a purchase you’re unsure about, my team can help you with that as
well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are well-informed in most
financial matters, and if they do not have an immediate answer for you, they
will know how to research what you need to know.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“So, I’m allowed to do personal
investing?” Cailan asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Absolutely,” Jarek told him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Some ventures will prove worthwhile and some
won’t, but no one will tell you what you can do with your personal funds unless
a law has been broken.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And we’ve gone over the financial laws in
our lessons,” Sem reminded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So, I don’t
think you have to worry about that.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What about the palace and government
funds?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lady Maia explained the logs
books in a way that made it sound like I’d be a part of that aspect of things.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You will be,” Jarek said without
hesitation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Everyone in the royal
family is involved in that, and have been for generations.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That surprised Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In his experience, only the immediate ruler
and those he chose to include—usually his heir and a select few financial
advisors—were involved in such far-reaching decisions.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek must have noticed his surprise,
because he explained further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“King
Alaric always has final say on these matters, Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As king, it is his duty to do so, and the
people rely on him to be fair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,
to maintain that fairness and have a broad understanding of where needs lie, we
the family work together to make sure wise decisions are made and that
necessary information is brought to the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We also have the option to suggest expenditures and investments that we
believe could benefit the palace and the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may not have a lot to say on things right
now, since you’re still learning about all this, but your opinions and insights
will be heard and considered when you do participate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll sit at my side at the next fiscal
meeting.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">*****</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Later that morning, Jarek showed him to
the location of the treasury room in the palace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Getting there was almost like finding your
way through a maze.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When he made that
comment to Jarek, the older man laughed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That’s exactly what it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will probably take you a little while to
memorize the route to the treasury.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
simply an extra security measure taken to guard the palace valuables.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Who all knows where the treasury is?”
Cailan asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Only a very select group,” Jarek
answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s actually limited to the
royal family, the palace sorcerer, and the members of Lady Maia’s team.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek turned them down another hallway and
pointed at the three doors along the right-hand side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The first door and the third door there are the offices out of which
Maia’s crew work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s where you’re
likely to find someone when you need to retrieve funds once you understand your
way here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That middle door is the library
of logbook archives we told you about earlier.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan nodded and tried to memorize the
look of the hall and the doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You
said ‘this is it’ though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where’s the
treasury?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“On this side.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek motioned toward the left of the hall
and the three doors parallel to the ones on the opposite side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Each door is an entry point into the
treasury room, but each door only unlocks on certain days, and unlocking them
requires a voice spell only known to those who have authority to enter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once inside, it is not possible to leave
through the same door you entered.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“So how do you leave?” Cailan asked the
obvious question.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You exit through one of the other two
doors, but it will again require a voice spell different to the one used to
enter.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“So even if someone without authorization
managed to get in, it’s probable they wouldn’t be able to get out, and would be
essentially imprisoned in the room until the palace guards came?” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Exactly.” Jarek moved to the middle door
on the left side, pulling Cailan with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’ll teach you the voice spells and the way they work, but learning to
use them will take time and practice.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan then watched as Jarek gripped the
door’s handle, murmured something completely foreign to his ears, and heard the
click of the lock unlatching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jarek then
led the way inside, and Cailan’s eyes widened at the sight before him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The room was a large rectangle, and the
entirety of every wall was see-through glass cabinets, inside of which revealed
enough glitter and sparkle to dazzle even the richest man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One long wall of cabinets was all
jewelry—necklaces, rings, bracelets, chokers, and earrings were displayed
beautifully on a black background.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cailan could barely take them all in.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The wall opposite the jewelry exhibited
gemstones from the floor to the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Cailan recognized quartz, rubies, diamonds, emeralds, and
sapphires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some were precisely designed
and cut.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Others were still as raw as the
day they’d been mined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still other gems
were completely unknown to Cailan, but they looked as priceless as the
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The two ends of the room were narrower,
but still large and splendid to behold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Silver cutlery adorned the one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
dozen or more silver table services were displayed and shined to a high gleam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in amongst them were candlesticks,
banquet bowls, and decorative chalices.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The true glory of the room though, was on
the far narrow wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From top to bottom,
it held crowns, each one delicate but strong, and clearly made from truly
gifted hands.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan was utterly speechless.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek let him look around in awe for
several minutes, but noticed that Cailan’s attention kept returning to the wall
of crowns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a hand to the younger
prince’s back, he guided him closer to the diadems.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Respectfully, Jarek enlightened Cailan to
the display before them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“From King
Trace to my brother, King Alaric, these are the crowns of the Lysander family.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So
many!</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
Cailan thought, as a quick count revealed at least eighty crowns on
display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t realize there were so
many kings in your history,” he stated, his voice mirroring Jarek’s in
respectfulness.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, it’s not one crown per king,” Jarek
clarified.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Every king has had multiple
crowns during his reign, and these also include the crowns of every prince and princess
in the royal line, and we also usually have more than one crown depending on
our age and the purpose for which we wear it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He moved them a few steps to the right and pointed to several at the end
of one row.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Those three are mine.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Gasping in wonder, Cailan looked
closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They’re beautiful!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s the one you wore on the day we wed.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek nodded, and pointed to the smallest
of his crowns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That one was my first
crown, and the one from which I had the amethyst jewel removed that you now
wear in your ring.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan looked down at his hand to the ring
Jarek had given him for his nineteenth birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gift had been incredibly special when it
was given, and although Cailan knew the origin of the ring’s purple gem, the gift
became more significant to him now that he’d seen the crown from which it was
taken.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’ll also have crowns made, now that
you’re a prince of Cylandrea, and they’ll reside here except during times you
are required to wear one,” Jarek told him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That made sense, but it was a rather
overwhelming thought right then, and Cailan chose to think on it more at a
later time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spun slowly then, and
took in the room once more, suddenly realizing that there was something he
wasn’t seeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You, Sem and Lady Maia all mentioned
coins and cash, but I see neither.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are
they kept somewhere else?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not exactly.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He took Cailan’s hand and moved to the wall
of silver services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Every cabinet, and
every drawer in every cabinet is magically locked, and each one, like the doors
to which we enter and exit, is opened through an oral spell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will take a long time, but I and my
siblings will teach you each one as necessary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, that’s not what you asked about.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It appeared a random choice to Cailan, but
Jarek put his hand on a drawer holding a four-piece set of silverware, murmured
in that strange language again, and the drawer unlocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then reached in and gently lifted a fork
from its spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was only then that
Cailan saw a strong thread attached to the fork, and when it was lifted, the
entire wall slowly swung open like a door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Behind it was a room as large as the one they currently stood in, and it
held what Cailan had asked about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Velvet
bags of coins were piled together on long shelves, along with stacks of the
paper bills Cailan knew the kingdom used for specific things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were also bars of solid gold and silver
that he assumed could be melted down to make more coins as necessary.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek moved to the velvet bags and looked
to Cailan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is where your stipend
is kept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know you have been concerned
about having funds for Starlight Day, but I want you to know that the sharing
of gifts is a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">choice</i>, not a
requirement.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But I want….” Cailan began, but paused
when Jarek lifted a hand.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know what you want, and it’s your
choice entirely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You saw what amount is
currently yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each of these bags
holds seven days’ worth of your earnings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How much would you like to withdraw?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan thought about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One week’s earnings was quite a bit, but
while Sem had taught him a lot about the usage of money and how purchasing or
trading occurred in Cylandrea, he didn’t quite know how the country put
monetary value onto different things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Wanting to make sure he had enough, he requested two of the velvet bags.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek didn’t question it at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He simply handed two bags to Cailan, who tied
them to his belt, and then the two of them exited the coin room.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Just a few minutes later the treasury was
securely locked behind them and they were back in the hall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We just need to inform Maia of what
you’ve withdrawn so she can mark it in the log book,” Jarek reminded.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Doing that did not take long at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lady Maia was fast and efficient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cailan signed his name in a graceful script
before leaving the office and following Jarek back through the maze of hallways
to their quarters.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan carefully put the money bags into
one of his trunks, and then he and Jarek spent the afternoon with one of the
soldier companies.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That night, while getting ready for bed,
Cailan was no longer worried about his finances, but another challenge
presented itself to his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a
temptation to keep it to himself to figure out, but remembering Jarek’s words
that they solved problems together, he knew he needed to speak of it to his
husband.<span style="color: #7030a0;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Jarek?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hm?” Jarek murmured, his attention not
entirely on Cailan as he looked through a stack of correspondence that had been
delivered.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I am allowed to leave the palace without
you or another member of the royal family, aren’t I?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That turned Jarek’s attention onto
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He frowned slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, of course you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know that I’d recommend doing so
until you’re more familiar with the country outside the walls, but you aren’t
confined to the premises.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stepped in
front of the younger man and rested his hands on Cailan’s shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You don’t still fear I see you as a slave or
possession, do you, petling?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re my
husband, not a member of the harem.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan shook his head emphatically, not
having meant to give Jarek the wrong impression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s not that at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just
that I’ve barely been off the palace grounds, and I just wanted to make sure it
wouldn’t be a problem if I spent time outside of them without you or one of the
family.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now Jarek looked mildly suspicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you desire to go somewhere without
me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You aren’t planning anything
reckless, are you?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This time it was Cailan’s turned to frown
at Jarek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I would not do anything
foolish,” he stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But there are some
places I’d like to go in preparation for Starlight Day, without others knowing
what I’m seeking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was also thinking
about my mother coming in a few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She and Sana and your mother have done a lot in preparation for our
nuptials here, but I thought she might like to spend an afternoon with me doing
some shopping in the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She’s seen
even less of Cylandrea than I have.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The suspicion faded from Jarek’s eyes, and
became understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You make good
points, petling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I really have been lax
about introducing you to the kingdom outside our walls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, for that reason, I don’t care to
have you on your own when you are so unfamiliar with the land.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is there someone besides the family whom
you’d be willing to accompany you on these trips?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Cailan hadn’t thought about bringing
anyone else with him, but Jarek was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He wasn’t familiar with the streets and shops and people outside the
palace, and it would help to have someone along who was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He considered those he’d gotten to know besides
the royal family, and one name came to mind.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What about Jothan?” he suggested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man was a guard in the palace, but he’d
also become a bit of a friend, and someone Cailan shared a meal with
occasionally when Jarek was needed elsewhere.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jarek nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’d be a good choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows Palace City well, and is trustworthy.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And he’s a friend,” Cailan added.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It would be enjoyable to spend time with him
outside of our duties.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s fine with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why not send for him tomorrow and see when
would be good for the two of you to go?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ll do that.”</span></span></div>
JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-20086258983403354532017-12-14T17:49:00.001-05:002017-12-14T17:49:14.595-05:00Upcoming Story<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm working on a holiday story to hopefully post by Christmas. *No promises, but I am working steadily on it. The story is set in Jarek and Cailan's world. So, for those interested, I'd highly suggest reading (or rereading) <i>The War Gift</i> and <i>Amity Cove</i> before reading the holiday story. Otherwise, aspects of the story won't make sense. Thanks!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">JL-</span></span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-62424177362242435952017-11-17T19:22:00.000-05:002017-11-17T19:22:22.818-05:00Fairy Tales - Part Nine<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fin!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The shouts woke the young fairy from his
fitful sleep, and for a moment he was confused, wondering why his bed was
suddenly so hard, and why it was his father calling him to breakfast instead of
his mother.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then, the previous day’s activities hit
him like a stone in his gut, and he remembered where he was, hiding and
sleeping in the hollow log at the Rock Arch while staying as close to Luna as
possible.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The shout came again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Recognizing his father’s voice, he realized
that Emre had come looking for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
crawled toward one open end of the log, noting that the sun had barely lit the
sky, but it was enough that the bats would no longer be a danger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also saw his father standing on the rock
Fin normally shared with Luna, a distraught expression gripping his
features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Guilt was added on to his
downbeat emotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d never even
thought to alert his parents to all that had occurred. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Dad!” he called out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m over here.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre turned, relief spreading over his
face as he caught sight of his son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
moments, Fin was gripped in a hug, and his arms came up to embrace his father
as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Have you been here all along?” Emre
asked, his anxiety evident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You never
came home after your meeting, and we thought you may have already been with
your new mate, but then Jac showed up, desperate to find you and saying he was
your mate, but you had disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
happened, Fin?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin, feeling very much like a young
fairy-kin, buried his face in his father’s chest as he explained with muffled
words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Luna wasn’t the one I saw, Dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bond Guard said it would be the first
fairy I saw, and it wasn’t Luna!” he mourned.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It was Jac,” his father murmured quietly
in understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, Fin.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said nothing else for a time; just let Fin
cry and shudder for a few minutes.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When Fin calmed, Emre urged him down, and
they sat side-by-side on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
know it’s not what you hoped for, son.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin sniffed loudly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not, but even the Bond Guard can be
wrong sometimes.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre tensed and then gripped his son’s
shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wrong?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin, the Bond Guard knows….”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin interrupted him with a shake of his
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Bond Guard <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">could</i> be wrong,” he insisted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Luna goes to see the Guard in a few weeks,
so we’re going to wait and see what she is told.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre was flabbergasted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fin, it doesn’t work like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac is your mate, and he’s a good fairy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A friendship with Luna is fine, but you need
to connect to your true mate.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Which might <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">still</i> be Luna!” Fin insisted stubbornly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh no.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is this why you ran away from Jac?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I didn’t run away from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just,” and as he tried to explain, he
realized that it really had been running away, even if it didn’t feel like it
at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just wanted to find
Luna,” he finished.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Son, Jac was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">frantic</i> when he came to our home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Does he even know where you are now?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin shrugged, his heart hurting, but now
his conscience also making him ache.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
haven’t seen him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t mean to worry
anyone, but I was so upset.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know, but you need to find Jac now,
Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needs to know you’re safe, and
you need to make a connection to him.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s eyes welled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have to know what the Bond Guard is going to tell Luna.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre looked sad, but he pulled Fin into
another tight hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Son, what the Bond
Guard tells her will be between them, but I can tell you what won’t be
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She won’t be told that you’re her
mate, because you already have one.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But Dad….”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not a mistake, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now you have a choice to make.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you going to accept the Bond Guard’s
guidance, or forge a harder path?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His head hanging, Fin wasn’t sure of his
choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thought it was going to be
what I wanted, Dad.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But Fin,” Emre tipped his son’s head up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What the Bond Guard told you is very likely to be better than what you
initially wanted.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tears welled again and slipped silently
down Fin’s cheeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It doesn’t feel like
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love her, Dad!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I believe you do,” Emre sympathized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I believe you want what is best for her,
do you not?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Of course!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d do anything for her!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre looked sad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Would you give her up into the arms of her
true mate?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For a moment Fin felt as if he’d fallen
into a snow drift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The truth he faced
was like ice trying to douse his love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did he love her?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did he want the very best for her?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did he think it would kill him to let her go to the mate the Bond Guard
guided her toward?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very likely.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He tried to stop his tears and his
burrowed into his father’s arms again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have to talk to her,” he whispered.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre understood the decision being made
with those words, and he kissed the top of Fin’s head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, you do, but that won’t happen until
tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should seek out Jac while you
have daylight.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin knew his dad was right, but he shook
his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I cannot speak with him yet.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Why, Fin?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Because I may not have the courage to say
what I need to Luna, and I can’t try to connect to Jac until I’ve spoken to
her.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I do understand that, but it is not right to
leave Jac to fear for you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin tipped his head up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will you go to him, Dad, and….”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Explain?” Emre asked when Fin paused.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin bit his lip and shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I need to explain to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would be a coward to have someone else do
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could you just let him know that I’m
safe, and that I’ll come to him when I’ve done…what I need to?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre studied Fin’s face, then nodded,
although a sigh passed his lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will
seek him out, but do not delay in going to him, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know things did not happen as you hoped,
but what has happened since your Bond Guard meeting has not been fair to Jac
either.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t want to hurt Jac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other fairy was his friend…or had
been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truthfully, Fin didn’t know what
to consider him now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But his dad was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac shouldn’t be left to worry and wait.<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac was hard-pressed to remain still.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exhaustion and heartache had caused him to
sleep deeply during the night, but he’d awoken in the morning with a
restlessness he couldn’t overcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There
was a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">need</i> to find Fin, to seek him
out and beg the younger fairy to not run away, to instead come and build a life
with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">However, he had no idea how to either find
Fin or how to make the other fairy want to match with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So instead he sat with Crill and Sera,
picking at the morning meal Sera had made while he and Crill alternately told
her what had happened.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m sure you’ll find him, Jac,” she
assured when they had finished explaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“And I agree with Crill, that Fin probably just needs some time to think
things through and adjust to what the Bond Guard told him.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
told Jac that you might have some ideas on how he could show Fin that he cares
for him,” Crill informed his wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sera’s brow furrowed at that, but it was
clear she dipped into contemplation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Crill lasted about a minute into her silence before asking what she
thought, and she huffed at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m
thinking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not have an instant idea
any more than you do.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Crill rolled his eyes, but he waited more
patiently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac still focused his thoughts
on where Fin might be until Sera finally spoke.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“This is an unexpected situation,” she
finally said with a sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I do not know
your Fin, Jac, so I truly don’t know what appeals to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only make suggestions based on what
you’ve told us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is an Earth Reader,
correct?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He’s an excellent one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told you about him stopping the landslide.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sera and Crill both nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Earth Readers and Nature Nurturers often
make good matches,” Sera commented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
know you’ve been purposeful in how you’ve built and decorated your home here,
Jac, but maybe something else you could do for Fin would be provide a garden, a
special patch where he chooses the type of earth, and you work with him to grow
the flowers or moss or vegetables.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac nodded, liking that idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s good, but I still have to find him
and bring him here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can I do to
convince him to come with me, to match with me?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There was no answer forthcoming, and then
a knock at Crill and Sera’s cottage door ended the conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crill went to answer it, and there was some
muffled exchange that happened before he opened the door fully and Jac saw Emre
walk in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rose quickly from his seat,
simultaneously feeling hope, fear, and anxiety.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What are you doing here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is Fin okay?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Where is he?!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre sped his approach and put an arm
around Jac’s shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fin is not
harmed, Jacoby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found him this morning
and he is safe, although…”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Although?” Jac asked with clear worry.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Although he is distraught.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac felt his eyes well up again, and he
murmured the words he feared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He does
not want to match with me, does he?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
is why you’re here and not him?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre’s arm tightened around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked to his two hosts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry to intrude, and now to be rude on
top of it, but could Jac and I speak privately?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Crill hesitated for just a second, but
then nodded and held a hand out to Sera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We’ll take some time on the treetops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jac, you’ll know where to find us.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When they were gone, Emre and Jac settled
on their hosts’ couch and Jac found he couldn’t quite look at his mate’s
father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He ran away from me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes,” Emre agreed soberly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When he didn’t expand on that, Jac
tentatively looked to the older fairy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Why did he run?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre looked somber as he explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fin wasn’t expecting you, Jac, so
discovering you were his mate took him by surprise, and he didn’t handle that
well.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No one knows who their mate is before their meeting with the Bond
Guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why did discovering it was me
surprise him so?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unless…he was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hoping</i> it wouldn’t be me?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Those words were choked out and hoarse,
and Emre quickly shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It was
nothing against you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin has…” Emre
paused to think about his wording.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He
has thought about what would happen during his Bond Guard meeting for a while
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think he had created an idea in
his head that he believed would take place when he went.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, when it didn’t go as expected, it upset
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had made plans based on his
assumptions, and now he has to change those plans, and that is why I came to
find you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin realized he worried you
and he wanted me to tell you he was okay, and that he would come to you after
he made some necessary changes.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What does he have to change?” Jac asked,
feeling uncertain about what Emre was saying.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The older fairy shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That is not my information to share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It needs to come from Fin, and he said he
wants to be the one to explain to you, but he didn’t want you to worry about
him in the meantime.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Knowing Fin was safe did help calm Jac a little,
but he was still confused and anxious about whatever Fin had to tell him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When will Fin come to me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will he know where to find me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>
find me?” he suddenly asked, realizing that Emre shouldn’t have known where he
was.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It took some doing,” Emre admitted, a
rather cheeky grin appearing on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I asked around at some of the other Nature Nurturers, but no one knew
for sure where you were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently, no
one else even knew you’d been in our part of the forest yesterday, and the only
answer I could get from them about where you’d been living was ‘somewhere
north’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept thinking,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> If I was Jacoby’s parents, I’d be concerned
if no one knew where he was.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I
realized, maybe your parents <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">did</i>
know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I called on them, and they told
me where I could find you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They are the only ones who knew exactly
where I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t want to bring
anyone else here before Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted
him to be the first.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre’s grin faded somewhat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’ve known he was your mate?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Uh-huh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ever since my meeting with the Bond Guard, but I was told I couldn’t
tell him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wouldn’t rightfully be my
mate until his birthday and his own meeting with the Bond Guard.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Is that why you’ve stayed away and been
living here?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Partly,” Jac admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t come here thinking to do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came to help after a fire, but made some
good friends while I was here, and it seemed like a good place to bring my mate
when the time came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d have our own
place, but be close enough to fly to our home forest whenever we wanted.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’ve had good thoughts, Jacoby, and I’m
grateful you’ve been making plans and preparations for when you and Fin could
match.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac nodded, as his thoughts swirled around
the home he had built and what else he could do to make sure Fin wanted
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will he come to me soon, sir?” he
ended up asking.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre’s shrug wasn’t what Jac wished
for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I do not know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It wouldn’t be helpful to him to delay things, and I do not think it would
benefit you either.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s shoulders were slumped and his head
hung low.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What should I do while I
wait?” he asked Emre.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre patted his back rather firmly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You continue your work as a Nature Nurturer,
and be the best fairy you know to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
one can ask more of you, and when the time is right, I believe Fin will come to
you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It wasn’t what Jac wanted to hear, but
Emre’s words were true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of
Jacoby’s life couldn’t be put on hold while he waited and hoped for Fin to
appear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, that didn’t mean the
delay of his matching was going to be made any easier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He nodded his agreement.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre’s tone was considerate in his next
words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll tell Fin where you are and
how to find you,” he assured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Unless,
perhaps you’d like to come back to your home-forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay with your parents and have their support
until Fin is able to join you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For a moment, Jac did consider that
option, but he quickly decided against it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“My parents don’t know what happened yesterday, and they don’t yet know
who my mate is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crill and Sera are the
only ones I told, and I think it’s better that way, until Fin wants to be with
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want my mom and dad to
worry.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Alright, then I will make sure to hold my
tongue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you be alright,
Jacoby?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hate to leave you sad.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac tried to give a believable smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know that Fin is safe and will be coming to me soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll wait, and Crill and Sera are good
friends to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll stay here with
them.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There was clearly still a bit of concern
in Emre’s face, but he nodded and stood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I should return home then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll
make sure Fin knows we’ve talked, and I’ll encourage him to come to you very
soon.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you,” Jac uttered, although his
face heated as the words came out choked, clearly showing he wasn’t as okay as
he wanted to portray.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre stooped and gave him one more quick
hug, and then quietly left the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jac continued to sit in solitude, wondering if such a rough start to a
match could truly bring a happy mating.<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin stayed, as he said he would, at the
Rock Arch all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He filled his time by
checking on the saplings that he and the others had rescued and brought there a
few months ago, and by nurturing the health of the earth in which they were
growing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also gathered a supply of
soft Lamb’s Ear leaves, and molted bird feathers to make a more comfortable bed
for him in the hollow log.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">While he worked, he tried to focus on the
necessity to do the right thing for Luna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His heart still wasn’t sure it agreed, but his father’s words to him
from that morning weighed on his shoulders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fin wanted to be the reason for Luna’s happiness, and never wanted to
prevent what was best for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It still
hurt terribly every time he remembered that it had not been Luna who’d been
waiting for him outside the Bond Guard’s house, but he tried to convince
himself that the heartache would ease…eventually.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As soon as dusk settled into the sky, Fin
perched himself on their rock, waiting anxiously for Luna to show up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried to practice the words he needed to
say, but he could only get so far before it felt like a wall built itself
inside him, trying to keep out the pain of what he needed to do.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Unfortunately, dusk passed into evening,
and then into darkness, and Luna didn’t appear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fin should have prepared himself for this possibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She never promised to come every night
because she had to catch the dreams that called to her and deliver them to
their recipient, and it appeared they were preventing her from coming to him
this time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He waited and continued to watch, even
lingering on their rock a little past when he should.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bolt of adrenalin that hit his stomach proved
that was a bad idea when he saw the shadow of a bat flap across the light of
the moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a choked-back gasp, Fin
darted to his hollow log and buried himself under the Lamb’s Ear leaves he’d
gathered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took several minutes for
his heart to slow down, but the aftereffects of his rush of fear made the rest
of his emotions rush to the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
shed several tears, wishing he wasn’t alone, before slowly crying himself to
sleep.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When morning came, Fin’s eyes still felt
heavy, but he was once again drawn out of his log by the sound of his father’s
voice calling to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin rubbed at his
eyes and joined his dad in the sunshine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre’s gaze at his son was openly
affectionate and concerned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He carried a
leaf-pack on his back, and set it gently down before pulling Fin into a hug.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You do not look rested, my son,” Emre
said honestly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin sighed and let his head fall to his
dad’s shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It was not a good
night,” he confessed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Did you speak with Luna?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No,” Fin mumbled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She did not show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes the dreams keep her away.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre issued and audible sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am sorry your conversation with her has
been delayed.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It can’t be helped,” Fin tried to say
with pragmatism, although he was pretty sure he didn’t pull it off.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps you can rest a bit later. For now, your mother has sent some
things to fill your belly.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emre pulled
up a flat stone and sat down, beginning to route through the leaf-pack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She wanted to come with me this morning, but
I asked her to let me have some time with you first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sit, and have something to eat.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre handed Fin a hollow acorn filled with
berry juice, and pulled out a pastry—still warm—of honey bread filled with
caramelized almonds and sweet plum jam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fin’s stomach gurgled in appreciation of the lovely scent from the
bread, and he relished the first few bites, swallowing them down the with
provided juice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I found Jacoby,” Emre told him before
munching on his own pastry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin felt wary at those words, but looked
to his father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What did you tell him?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I told him that you were safe, and that
you would come to him after you fulfilled some necessary tasks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He accepted my words, but Fin, he already
fears you do not want to be his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was quite distressed when I met with him, and I had to be very careful with
what I said, because I too think you may yet choose to decline the Bond Guard’s
guidance.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin slowly ate another bite of his food as
he tried to find a way to address his father’s concerns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t wish to distress Jac, and I’m sorry
I’ve done so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just didn’t expect him.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I explained that much the same way to
him,” Emre informed his son.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin felt grateful to know that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It might take some time for me to see him as
my mate, Dad,” he admitted.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But you will try to?” Emre asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will you speak to Luna when you get the
chance?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m…planning to.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hm,” Emre murmured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m afraid you aren’t convincing me, and I
do not think you’re convincing yourself either.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t want to just let her go, Dad,”
Fin admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I love her, but you are
right that I must do what is best for her if that is true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s just…it’s hard to accept that I’m not
the one who is the right mate for her.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know it’s hard,” Emre sympathized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I knew a fairy couple a long time ago
who did not abide by the Bond Guard’s guidance, and I wouldn’t wish their
struggles on you or Luna, my son.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That statement grabbed Fin’s
attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You knew fairies who went
against the Guard?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happened?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do I know them?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You don’t know them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only knew them when I was a child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They lived very near to me and my parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From what I was told at that age, it wasn’t
that the two of them went against the Bond Guard; it was that they bonded
themselves before their eighteenth birthdays, so neither knew who their true
mate was to be.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Why not?” Fin questioned.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Because the Bond Guard would not reveal
that to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would have only caused
more problems.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What kind of problems did they have?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, while I believe there was love
between them, they greatly struggled to understand the inner core of one
another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They fought often, and even
with the help of a Cultivator, they found it hard to understand their
differences or help one another grow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You see, Fin, that is a reason why it is
in a fairy’s best interest to listen to the Bond Guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That fairy is gifted in knowing who will come
together to bring out their mate’s best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Being with your true mate doesn’t mean you won’t argue sometimes or that
you’ll always agree, but it does mean that your personalities and inner
qualities instinctively understand each other and mesh well together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those two fairies I knew didn’t have that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And….”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s full attention was on his father,
and there was something significantly sad and almost foreboding in that
“And”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And what?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And there were no children for them,
Fin,” Emre said with sorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A fairy
baby is the most vulnerable of our kind, and the most prone to taking in the
emotions of everything around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
couple has to have a love that is seen as a soothing and safe place for a
child, and they couldn’t offer that.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin had never considered that aspect of
things, and his heart hurt for that couple, because all fairies yearned to pass
their love to another generation, and being gifted with a baby was a highlight for
every fairy marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre’s story of this couple also brought
another thought to Fin’s head, and although he asked, he was unsure whether he
wanted to know the answer.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Dad, do you know what happened to the two
fairies who should have been matched with that couple you knew?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre placed a warm hand on the back of
Fin’s neck, a gesture of comfort his son was familiar with, as he
answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was told they remained
unmated since their matches were taken from them, although I never met them
those two personally.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The look of aghast that came over Fin
couldn’t be stopped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">alone</i> forever?!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No, not alone,” Emre stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They had friends and family, and many fairies
can live very happily like that if they have a good attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But no, they never had a mate or children of
their own.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The heat of tears came to Fin’s eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It would be my fault if that happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could keep Luna from having her own
children, or make another fairy live alone because I took his mate.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre, not wanting to cause his son more
distress, but feeling it was necessary to remind him of one more who could be
hurt, spoke quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There is Jac to
think of too, son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without you, he may
face a mateless life as well.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The tears did slip silently down Fin’s
face then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t want to do that to
him, or to Luna or anyone else.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And I don’t want that to happen to you
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know right now it’s hard and
it hurts, but so much more pain and heartache could happen if you choose to
ignore those wiser than you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded his understanding, and then
latched onto his dad for a long while, neither of them talking, but Fin needed
the embrace to hold him up until his heart felt a bit stronger.<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Father and son spent most of the day
together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin was glad of the company,
and of the ready offer of a hug anytime he needed one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fairies were naturally tactile creatures, and
when his emotions were high, Fin usually needed a few extra embraces.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">However, just as the sun began its
descent, Fin asked his dad to return home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I don’t know if Luna will be able to be here tonight or not, but if she
does come, I need it to just be the two of us while we talk,” he explained.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You don’t need anyone looking over your shoulder,”
Emre said in understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will you
come home afterward?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m not sure,” Fin admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I think it will depend on how the night
goes.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre nodded, but his brow furrowed with
clear concern.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Beware of the bats,
son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your mother and I worried the past
two nights.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ll be careful,” Fin promised, although
he made sure to reveal nothing of his close call from the previous night.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre gave him one more hug, said he hoped
to see him at home in the morning, and then disappeared into the trees.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin sat on the familiar rock and waited as
the sun continued to set and the sky darkened from sunset pink to nighttime
blue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tried not to think whether he
wished more for Luna to show or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
desire to not have the necessary conversation was equal with his desire to see
her.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Just as the last bit of sunset faded away,
he heard the barely audible sound of fairy wings, and moments later her petite
frame was sitting next to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin was
saddened to see that for the first time in weeks she seemed nervous to be with
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not able to resist, he reached to
gently grip her hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I missed you last night,” he said, trying
his best to sound normal.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She blushed slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry I couldn’t come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise I was not avoiding you, but the air
was heavy with dreams last night.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That’s what I assumed,” he assured, and
then took a deep breath and let it out slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I need to talk to you…about mating.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She looked even more nervous at those
words, and Fin feared she’d hate him after this conversation, but he silently
reminded himself of his father’s wisdom. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I love her, I need to do what’s best for
her</i>.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“My father spoke to me since the last time
we saw each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He counselled me on
some things I hadn’t thought on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt his throat tighten
and had to give himself a minute for the words to come out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I love you, but I think I am wrong to press
you to be my match when the Bond Guard has said we are not fated for each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do not want to hurt you by
taking you away from your true mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m
sorry,” he ended, and sniffed loudly while trying not to let any tears fall.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Luna’s hand reached out and a cool hand
cupped his cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you,” she said
simply but sincerely.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That response confused him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wish to always have you as a friend, my
Fin, but I never believed the Bond Guard would match us as you did, and I did
not want to hurt you.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her hand slid
down to pat his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You have a
special heart, and I’m thankful you share it with me, but I wish us both to be
happy with our own true mates. It is what is best.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I still feel strongly for you,” Fin said
honestly, “but I know I need to try to connect with the mate the Bond Guard is
guiding me toward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure I can do
it though.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You can,” Luna assured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She said it so simply, but she clearly
believed her words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin’s lips lifted in
a small but sincere smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can we still
be friends?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I hope to always be your friend,” she
replied, “but I do not think spending each evening with me is best right
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You need to be with your mate.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s heart twisted a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will I see you at all?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She thought about it, and then
nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Send me messages through the
fireflies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will do the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can arrange to meet when it is right.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With a small sigh, Fin nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“May I stay tonight until the moon touches
the tree?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Please,” she agreed quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> And so they sat side by side on their rock, talking no
more, but each silently adapting to their changing friendship.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></span></div>
JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-15021692766235379892017-11-02T20:03:00.000-04:002017-11-02T20:03:18.792-04:00Fairy Tales - Part Eight<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jacoby’s breath caught as he saw the
doorknob turn, his heart beating like a wood pecker drumming on a tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A smile broke over his face as his saw the
familiar purple hair and white wings appear in the Bond Guard’s doorway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shock registered in Fin’s—his mate’s—eyes, but
as Jac took a step toward him, Fin backed up shaking his head.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No,” he heard the younger fairy whisper,
making Jac’s smile fade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No,” Fin said
louder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No! No! No!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And then Fin launched into the air, flying
away like a swarm of hornets was after him, leaving Jac’s heart to break where
he stood, and his feet frozen to the branch in devastation.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh no,” a feminine voice said from
somewhere near him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nyx!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac could only stare at the sky where Fin
had disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t see the two
fairies who’d come to join him, but he felt warm hands on his arms and back,
and heard voices encouraging him to come with them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He shook his head, his gaze still
upward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He…left,” he murmured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have to go after him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have to….”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Come inside and calm down,” Lady Caly
told him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He shook his head again and stepped out of
the two fairies’ grasp. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, I’m going
to find him.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With that, determination poured into his
wings and he took off after his mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
*****</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hours later, Jac’s determination had
devolved into defeat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t find
Fin, and he’d searched everywhere he could think of—Fin’s parents’ house, Lady
Lorelei’s, every tree and pond and mudhole he knew of in this part of the fairy
forest in which they’d grown up.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Exhausted, he stood staring at the sky, pink
from the setting sun, and then turned away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His wings felt heavy, but his broken heart wouldn’t let him stay
here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the past year and a half,
since shortly after his own meeting with the Bond Guard, Jac had been living an
hour’s fly away in Apple Hollow, a fairy community lush with fruits and flowers
in its warm season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living there had
greatly expanded his skills as a Nature Nurturer, and had reintroduced him to
the fairy who had become his best friend, Crill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, next to wishing he could find Fin, Jac
just wanted to return to the home and friendships he’d made in Apple Hollow.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Night had fully set by the time he
arrived, but at the last minute he discovered he couldn’t go in the house he
had built.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Standing in front of it, he
thought of the months spent constructing and decorating, hoping to make it a
home for Fin when their time came.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now,
he didn’t know if he’d ever get to share this space with his mate—a mate who
didn’t want him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The knowledge of that felt like a stomp on
his heart every time he thought of Fin flying away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could still hear the No’s being uttered
from the younger fairy’s lips.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The pain hit Jac again, and his knees
buckled as tears began to roll down his cheeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He couldn’t stop them, so he gave in, wrapped his arms around his legs
and sobbed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For him, time stood still, and he was
unaware of anything but the grief filling his spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually, when his tears ran out, he became
conscious of his face buried in a friendly shoulder and his arms wound tightly
around a familiar torso.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Cr…Crill?” he hiccupped. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, buddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac lifted a hand to wipe at his eyes,
pulling slightly out of Crill’s embrace in the process. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You should...be in bed,” he rasped.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“So should you,” Crill stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“With your mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I can see things didn’t go as
planned.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pulled Jac back into a
tight hug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Let’s go inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll make sweet milk and you can tell me what
happened.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can’t go inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not without Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s supposed to be with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">our</i>
home,” he whimpered.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Ok,” Crill agreed easily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then come home with me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With a loud sniff, Jac nodded, but leaned
heavily against his friend for a moment before standing up and flying slowly to
the other fairy’s house.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Crill got him settled on a soft petal and
bunny-fur couch, and covered him with a chinchilla-fuzz blanket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac cocooned himself in the velvety material
until Crill joined him a few minutes later with the sweet milk he
promised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What happened, Jac?” he asked quietly so
as not to disturb his mate, Sera, who was sleeping in their bedroom.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“He…doesn’t want…me,” Jac hiccupped
through his residual tears and as he took the warm drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He ran away!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Clearly shocked, Crill had nothing to say
for several long moments, but then he hugged Jac again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That can’t be the full story.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac took a long drink of the sweetened
milk, and then tried to bring Crill up to speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I waited outside for him, just like I’ve
been planning for months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bond Guard
said I couldn’t reveal myself to him until Fin had his meeting as well.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Crill nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s why you didn’t go back to visit very often while you waited for
Fin’s birthday.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Uh-huh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But today he was to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only,
when he saw me, he looked…devastated.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jac whispered that last word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He
kept saying ‘No!’, and then,” Jac’s voice broke with a sob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He flew away!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just...disappeared!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t want me!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The tears took over again, and Jac cried
against his friend’s shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crill
hugged him tighter, but didn’t say anything until the tears quieted and became
mournful sniffles.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh my friend, I know it hurts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t imagine….”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sighed sadly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t know Fin, so I don’t know what he
was thinking in that moment; but, do you remember your thoughts the first few
weeks after your meeting with the Bond Guard?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac wiped at his cheeks and thought
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That time felt so long ago
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When he didn’t answer after a couple
minutes, Crill gently explained his memory of those weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There had been a fire on the outskirts of
Apple Hollow, and I sent out a message for help to other Nature Nurturers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You responded even though we’d only met once
before, and I still sing praises for your assistance during that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But you were a very confused fairy back
then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember why?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac nodded slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wasn’t sure I liked what the Bond Guard
had told me,” he admitted in a whisper.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Right,” Crill agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tell me what you remember thinking back
then.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac took a shaky breath, but did as his
friend asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thought…that Fin and I
didn’t have anything in common, and that he’d always been kind of
annoying.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few more tears leaked out
and he shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I don’t
think that anymore!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">want</i> to be with him!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know,” Crill assured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But it took you some time to adjust to the
idea of being with him, and start to see what the Bond Guard understood about
the two of you, how you would be good for each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe Fin needs that time too.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But I didn’t run away from him!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You kind of did, Jac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve been living here in Apple Hollow for
over a year.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That wasn’t running away!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Maybe not fully, because I know it was
partly so you wouldn’t say more to him than you should at the time, but when
you responded to my seeking for help, I’m thinking part of you was relieved to
put some distance between you and Fin.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It took several minutes of silence, with
Jac thinking about Crill’s statement, before admitting wordlessly to himself
that his best friend was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had
taken the escape that had been available at the time.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What do I do now?” he finally asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, part of it will probably involve
waiting until he comes around to understanding the Bond Guard’s guidance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of it might be you showing him how
much you care for him and want to be accepted as his match.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“How do I do that?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m…not sure,” Crill admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sera could probably help with that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can talk to her in the morning if you
want.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac nodded, although his head felt heavy
as he moved it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sera was almost as good
a friend as Crill, and he trusted whatever she would tell him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’d like to know what she thinks.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Then we’ll start there, okay?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Crill rubbed a hand up and down Jac’s
arm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Want to sleep here tonight?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This couch is very comfortable.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac knew it was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d fallen asleep on it more than once, and
the chinchilla-fuzz blanket still wrapped around him was incredibly soft and
comforting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Would Sera mind if I
stayed?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You know she wouldn’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, try to sleep some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll figure out some solutions in the
morning.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Okay,” Jac agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was still feeling sad and teary, but was
so emotionally tired and physically exhausted that he’d probably fall asleep as
soon as his eyes closed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Which is
exactly what happened.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
*****</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That same night, hidden in a hollow log
where he’d been for hours, Fin kept a vigil out for Luna to appear at their
rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beautiful little fairy was
there soon after the sun set, and he raced to her side the moment he saw her,
startling his friend in the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
very nearly took to flight before realizing it was him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin? What is wrong?” she asked anxiously.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He collapsed to his knees next to her and
wrapped his arms around her waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Everything!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything is
wrong!” he stated as hot tears dripped from his eyes.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh no,” she murmured sadly from above,
and her hand landed gently against his hair before lowering and cupping his
cheek, encouraging him to look up at her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“The Bond Guard did not have the words you wished to hear,” she stated,
having drawn the conclusion quickly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not you, Luna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not you!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His voice cracked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I want it to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m so sorry, Fin.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His grasp around her tightened and his
voice sounded desperate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come away with
me!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if the Bond Guard doesn’t think
we should be matched, everyone is wrong sometimes, and we’re good
together!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could make a happy life
with one another.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Luna went very still, and then gently
disengaged herself from Fin’s grip and sat down, silently encouraging him to
mirror her position.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wiped the tears
from his cheeks when he faced her, and then lightly held one of his hands in
both of hers.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I love you, my friend…my Fin,” she said
softly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But if the Bond Guard did not
match you with me, then I am not the best mate for you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But even Lady Lorelei says that no one
knows the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bond Guard could
be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wrong</i>,” Fin argued.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And suppose the Bond Guard is right? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you risk your happiness, your true
mate’s happiness, or my happiness in that case?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I would do everything to make you happy,
Luna,” he professed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I believe you, but it still would not be
what is best for everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know
this, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bond Guard sees into our
hearts and knows who would be best matched together, and you know now that it
is not me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i> couldn’t make you as happy as your real mate, Fin, even as much
as I would like to.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin just shook his head stubbornly, and
Luna sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was quiet for a very
long time, alternately looking from him and the slow tears still seeping out
and up to the sky as if searching for answers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Finally, her soft voice spoke again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I do not wish to take you away from your
true mate, Fin, for I want you to be happy and have the best life you can as
well, but I know you feel a mistake may have been made.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded adamantly at that
statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luna squeezed his hand.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Perhaps there is a way to know for sure,”
she said even more quietly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s countenance perked up at those
words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“My visit with the Bond Guard is only a
few weeks away now, and I will find out who I am best matched with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If, perchance, a mistake was made in what you
were told and we are meant to be together, then my meeting will be the
opportunity to fix that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I am told
that you are my match, I will gladly join with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But…” she continued before Fin could get too
excited, “if I am told it is not you, then we both need to accept that,
Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will choose to follow the Bond
Guard’s guiding on who my mate should be, and you should do that as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you agree to this?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin knew better than to give a hasty
answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wouldn’t trust his words if
they came to fast and without thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He looked up at the moon, noting how close it was to the time he usually
left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually, he looked her in the
face and nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I agree that the Bond
Guard is not likely to be wrong twice, so I’ll wait and see what you will be
told at your meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Luna, I can’t
just stop loving you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want to,
and I’m going to stay near you as much as I can while we wait.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She shook her head, but Fin stopped her
from disagreeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll sleep there at
night when the time of the bats comes,” he declared, pointing to the hollow log
he’d been hiding in earlier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can make
it comfortable enough to sleep, and I’ll work my duties during the day, but I
want to be as near to you as possible.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She seemed to read the determination in
his face, but her shoulders slumped slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I do not like that,” she admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You are not as safe there as in your parents’ home.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I will be very careful,” Fin pledged, but
didn’t change his mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Luna sighed, but nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then you need to go now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bats are rustling.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She squeezed his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Be careful, Fin.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">He leaned in to kiss her cheek before
reluctantly returning to the hollow log, pausing only briefly to gather some
leaves to blanket himself with while he slept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once inside, he popped his head out only long enough to watch Luna dart
up to the sky and chase after the dreams calling to her.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-76981742389762941282017-10-23T22:14:00.000-04:002017-10-23T22:14:27.368-04:00Fairy Tales - Part Seven<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin was on his best behavior over the next
few months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted nothing to get in
the way of his time with Luna, or his upcoming meeting with the Bond Fairy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He was also as busy as ever in his Earth
Reader duties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His skills were growing
in leaps and bounds, and his body was filling out as he grew more and more into
his adult wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, he still
enjoyed playing fairy games with his friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Few fairies ever matured beyond wanting to play in the trees or swim in
cool water, as they believed life was meant to be enjoyed, both in duties and
in times of relaxation.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As his time to discover his bond drew
near, Fin's eyes fiercely observed the couples in his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He watched his parents, the elder couples,
and those who had just met their mates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He noticed the way they touched, how confidences were shared through
looks and quiet words only between matches, and how one always seemed to know
where the other was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gleaned this information
and more from all of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also
fantasized about being told Luna was his match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His times with her only heightened his feelings, and he was certain that
they had to be matched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were too
good together not to be.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Granted, Luna was being more cautious than
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While she didn’t rebuff his good
night pecks to her cheek, or the occasional holding of her hand, she never let
things go further.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite being a bit
frustrated about that, he knew not to push.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Some things needed to wait until the bond between them was official.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Eventually...<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">finally</i>…his eighteenth birthday was a mere two days away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t prevent the smile on his face as
he sat with Luna on their rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
hadn’t spoken much that night, but it was easy to be content with her by his
side as they looked up at the stars and the moon shadows around them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In due time, Luna turned her face toward
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your wings are starting to
shimmer, Fin,” she softly teased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What
are you so excited about?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He grinned at her, knowing she knew full
well what his eagerness was over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s
so close, Luna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like I’ll shake
out of my body!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Will you go see the Bond Fairy first
thing?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded with exuberance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There’s no way I could wait once the day is
finally here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although,” his enthusiasm
waned a little, “my parents have asked that I stay home tomorrow night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They have some things planned for us all
before the morning comes, and they want me to get a good night’s sleep.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He huffed a laugh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As if I’m going to sleep at all tomorrow
night!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t wear yourself out, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And…” she paused briefly, “just remember to
be open to all possibilities.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin didn’t have a response to her
words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew what she was warning him
about, but he couldn’t make himself think about anything other than his hopes
for that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, he reached over
and squeezed her hand, holding it for a minute before noticing the position of
the moon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I hate that it’s time to leave already,”
he murmured.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know,” she replied, just as she always
did when he uttered those words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But
you must.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be safe, my friend.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He nodded and then gave his customary kiss
to her cheek before reluctantly leaving for home.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Later, when he was cozy in his bed, his
wings began to shimmer again as excitement built in him.<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The evening before his birthday was not quite
what he expected it to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Initially,
the time was very enjoyable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mother
made some of his favorite foods, including dandelion salad and the rarely made
rose pollen cake. She even put a honey glaze on it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The three of them almost ate themselves sick
over the meal, so afterward they moved to their home’s main living area and
settled comfortably onto the cotton-stuffed furniture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They were all quiet for a few minutes,
simply enjoying the sated feeling in their tummies, before Fin’s father spoke
in a strangely serious tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sound
more than Emre’s words initially caught Fin’s attention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had never heard such an odd mix of
determination, gentleness, and yet awkwardness in his father’s voice.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin, your mother and I need to speak to
you about what to expect from your time with the Bond Guard, and your life
after that meeting.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin directed his gaze toward his
parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is something wrong?” he
questioned.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No, not at all,” his mother assured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But there is some preparation involved in
your meeting, and all fairy parents are responsible to educate their children
the night before.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They definitely had all of Fin’s attention
right then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What preparation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do I need to know?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Both his parents sat a little straighter,
and his father spoke in a gently serious tone. “First, you need to understand
that the Bond Guard is there to give you information and guide you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are not trying to dictate your life, but
they recognize the soul-deep qualities of every fairy who comes to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The Bond Guard will speak with you for a
long time, and most of that time will be discussing who you are—your strengths
and weaknesses, your natural inclinations, and what it means to make wise or
foolish decisions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You cannot rush this
process with them, so do not go in simply expecting to be given a name, and
then be able to leave immediately.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh,” Fin murmured, since he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">had</i> kind of been expecting to be in and
out of the meeting.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His mother then picked up where Emre left
off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“After the Bond Guard discusses
things about you, they’ll then speak about your mate, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">if</i> you have one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll hear
many things about their inner person, and how the two of you can benefit and
enrich each other’s lives, how you’ll balance each other, being strong where
the other lacks strength, or providing wisdom when the other is confused.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then I’ll be told who my mate is?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Perhaps,” Emre warned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Remember that some fairies do not have a mate,
but if you do, you still need to be prepared for what you might hear.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s mother nodded her agreement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s very possible you’ll be told
immediately who your mate is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or,” she
continued, “you might <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> be given a
name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You might be told instead how to
find the match nature has destined, or that you must wait for a time, or that
you must not go searching because your match will be brought to you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“There are a dozen other scenarios that
could happen,” Emre explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So, you
must listen carefully.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I will,” Fin promised.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good,” his father replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But, there is one other aspect that we must
address before the morning comes.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s mother rose from her seat just
then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“While you two speak together
about this next issue, I’ll tidy up from our meal.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She moved to kiss Fin’s head as he gave her a
confused look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a private
conversation first,” she explained quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But you can talk to me or ask any questions after, all right?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He nodded and watched as his mother left
the room, his attention only turning back to his father when Emre called his
name.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, Dad?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“If you do have a mate after tomorrow,
have you thought about the intimacies that will develop between the two of
you?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s face began to burn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dad!” he complained.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin,” Emre scolded slightly, his gaze
holding his son’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is important.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know, but to talk about it….”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre ruffled his son’s hair with an
affectionate look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It was no easier
talking to my dad about it, but it’s important, son.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">So, for the next couple hours, Fin learned
far more than he realized was a part of a mating bond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All fairies grew up holding hands and hugging
their friends, even occasionally kissing one another’s cheek, but the rest was
brand new information, and Fin understood why it was kept so private between
mates, and only shared and explained by a fairy’s parents on the eve of meeting
the Bond Guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt overwhelmed by
the time he’d run out of questions, although his mind was swimming with this
unexpected information.<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As soon as the sun peeked through the
trees and began evaporating the morning dew, Fin was on his way to his
future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wings hadn’t stopped
shimmering since he’d awoken, his excitement and nerves that great, and he’d
taken special care with his appearance, wearing his best flax-linen pants and
softest bamboo vest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t know if
it would change anything, but he wanted to make the best impression possible.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sooner than he expected, he stood before
the Bond Guard’s home, having followed the directions his father had given.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Bond Guard was a singularly unique
fairy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one knew who he or she was
until the day of their eighteenth birthday, and after their match-meeting,
fairy law would not allow them to disclose to anyone else who held the
title.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When Fin had begun developing more and
more interest in the Bond Guard, his parents had explained these things to
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The secrecy surrounding the
identity of this fairy was for the Bond Guard’s best interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It allowed the fairy to be a part of society
without being swamped with questions, or even looked at with wariness by those
who might not trust his or her guidance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Taking a deep breath, Fin forced the
shimmer in his wings to fade and then rapped on the door of the Bond Guard’s
tree house home.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In mere moments the door opened, and a
friendly face smiled at him in greeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fin immediately recognized the woman who welcomed him inside.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Lady Caly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re the Bond Guard?” he exclaimed to the
woman he knew to be a Nature Nurturer.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She chuckled but surprised him by shaking
her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, gladly I’m not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re here to speak with my mate.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lady Caly and her mate were aged somewhere
between Fin’s parents and Lady Lorelei, and it took a minute for Fin to
remember who Caly’s match was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then the
face of a fairy with black and grey streaked hair and pale red wings came to
his memory, the face of one of the security rangers.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Mr. Nyx is the Bond Guard?!” he asked
with more shock than when he thought it was Caly who held the role.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thought he was a Night Ranger, and….”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He stopped when he realized he was about to
say something unflattering—that Nyx seemed too standoffish to hold such an
important role.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“He is a Night Ranger as well,” Caly
confirmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Bond Guards always have two
roles, but no one knows that until they come for their match meeting.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The older woman had been walking ahead of
him, leading the way into her home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She
paused only briefly to grab a tray filled with drinks and pastries, and then
continued on into a sitting room that brought wonder to Fin’s eyes as he looked
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The space was warm and bright,
and both qualities came from the sunshine spilling into the room; not from
windows, but from cracks and crevices in the tree bark itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The room captured sunbeams which made the
space feel alive and vibrant.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Have a seat anywhere, Fin,” Caly
offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Nyx suspected you’d arrive
early, so I’ll just go let him know you’re waiting.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nerves broke through some of Fin’s wonder
as he was reminded why he was there, and he nodded soberly at his hostess.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you, Lady Caly.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’re welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Fin, there’s no need to be anxious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nyx spends his life looking out for the best
of his fellow fairies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it’s as a
Ranger or as the Bond Guard, he’ll do everything in his power to give you the
best life possible.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin tried to take Lady Caly’s words to
heart, but he was too hyped up to sit, so he paced amongst the sunbeams
streaming into the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was on his
fourth loop around the space when the clearing of a throat turned his head to
see that Mr. Nyx had entered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The older
fairy looked as serious as Fin remembered him being—an unusual trait in a
fairy—but there was something in his gaze that was warmer than Fin expected.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Sit down, young man, before you wear a
hole in my floor,” he ordered, although his lips twitched in a flicker of a
smile.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For a moment, Fin found his legs unable to
move, but as Nyx moved to take his own seat, Fin forced himself into motion and
did as he was told.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The older fairy
handed him one of the cold beverages on the tray Caly had brought in, and then
settled comfortably into his cushioned chair, although his gaze never left Fin’s
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The room seemed inordinately quiet
for what felt like forever, although it was probably no more than a minute or
so.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’re not the first fairy to have such
strong emotions about this meeting, Fin,” Nyx stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I understand them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know what I’m going to be telling you, but
you don’t, and the mystery in front of you makes you anxious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also know that you’d like to reach the end
result of this meeting immediately, but you and I must walk a path together
before reaching that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you
ready?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Feeling a little more settled after
hearing Nyx’s straight-forward words, Fin took a slow breath and nodded.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Let’s start with your questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I know you have some.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nyx leaned forward, his elbows on his
knees and his hands clasped around his cup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But his suggestion surprised Fin.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“My questions?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You mean, I can just ask you straight out who
my match is?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nyx’s mouth turned up, revealing his
amusement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You can ask that, but the
answer to that particular question will come at the end of our discussion
today, not the beginning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, let’s
focus on other things you might be wondering about.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Like what?” Fin questioned, since truly
his main thoughts were on his destined match, and praying fervently that Nyx
would say the name “Luna”.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’d suspect you have questions about me
as the Bond Guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most fairies do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or, about the intimacies bonded fairies share
that your parents should have gone over with you last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing you though, I’d suspect that you’re
wondering quite a bit about what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I</i>
know about you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As soon as he made the suggestions, Fin
knew Nyx was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were a lot of
questions besides that one that he wanted answered.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">do</i>
you know about me?” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Lady
Lorelei said that you have the ability to recognize and understand all the
little quirks and talents and faults and qualities that we each have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that true?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“For the most part, yes; it is true.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How do you know?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nyx gaze became scrutinizing, and Fin
struggled not to squirm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“In my
experience, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to others when I explain it, but
I’ll try.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I observe my fellow
fairies, there are nuances to each one that I notice which most fairies never
see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How long you stare at someone or
something, the emotions that seep out into your wings, the way you interact
with each part of your world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
things are all revelations of your inner spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They tell me if you are calm or impatient,
generous or vain, a quick thinker or naïve, and many other things.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“So, all you know about us is through
observation?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nyx shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, not entirely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a natural instinct given to a Bond
Guard as well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some things we just…know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see where personalities between fairies
match or nettle each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
fairies that we can see would fit together beautifully, like the way eagles
mate for life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While others we know to
keep apart, since joining them would be like mixing a bear with a bunny.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded, understanding a little and thinking
it might be similar to how Luna knew where the dreams she caught were meant to
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just something some of them
were born with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Are you ever,” Fin bit his lip a moment
before continuing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you ever wrong
about someone, or about their match?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Some people think so,” Nyx said almost
too casually.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But you don’t think so?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Slowly, Nyx shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I won’t say that a level of happiness can’t
be found with two fairies who haven’t been matched by a Bond Guard, but I am
saying that neither one will experience the fullness a true match will give
them.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What if I already know who my match is?”
Fin asked boldly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was almost unnoticeable, but Nyx’s
posture tensed slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, Fin, if
you truly know who it is, then consider yourself blessed to have a foundation
started with that fairy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, it is
still not time to address that part of our meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are things you need to understand about
yourself before we talk about your compatibility with a match.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What don’t I understand?” Fin asked
curiously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t I know me better than
anyone?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nyx actually chuckled at that, something
Fin had never seen the Ranger do before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“In some ways yes, you do, but your perspective on yourself is going to
be skewed, just like everyone’s is.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What do you mean?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Simply that all of us, no matter who we
are, tend to think both better and worse about ourselves than we truly are, and
while we know many things about ourselves, we aren’t always understanding of
ways to grow or how who we are affects the close relationship of a bonded
match.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That made sense to Fin, so he nodded and
leaned in, mirroring Nyx’s pose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What
do I need to know?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A couple hours later, Fin’s mind was
reeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It felt like he’d been turned
inside out, taken apart and reassembled in a way that would take some getting
used to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He truly hadn’t understood the
depth of knowledge a Bond Guard knew about their fellow fairies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of them had spoken on Fin’s passions,
his desires and goals, the ways he was sometimes selfish, and what it meant to
share a life with someone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nyx had
encouraged him in his better qualities, but shown light on the areas that
fluttered about in him with no benefit to himself or others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had given Fin a lot to think about.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nyx had also talked about the ways a true
match worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How Fin would complement a
mate, and the qualities in his mate that would benefit him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“A match is like joining sunshine and rain
together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both are very good things and
necessary for growth in this world, and both can exist on their own, but when
they come together…then we get the beauty of a rainbow, something beautiful
that enriches our lives,” Nyx explained.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I never really thought if it like that,”
Fin stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I like it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to be beautiful with my match, and
I’ll work hard to make our lives good for ourselves and the world around us.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That’s a good resolution to make, but
remember that there will be times you’ll have to weather storms together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It won’t always be rainbows.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, that’s why we have Cultivators, like my
dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They help fairy couples when
they’re going through a hard time.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, and we are wise when we garner their
assistance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And remember that you have
me as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any fairy couple or individual
is welcome to come to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t just
guide you to the bond, I help guard it as well, and I’ll answer any questions I
can.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, you’ve answered all of mine,
except….”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Except whether you have a match and who
they are if you do,” Nyx completed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finn nodded, his insides started to squirm
with excitement again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will you tell me
yet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please?!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nyx smiled gently at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, young Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is time to share this last bit I know.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Immediately, Fin felt the intensity of a
bright shimmer spread throughout his wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Who is it?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nyx leaned over and captured Fin’s hand,
preventing the younger fairy from flying out of his skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When you leave here today, your match will
be revealed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be the first fairy
you see when you step out my door.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s breath caught and his chest
seized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had a match, the Bond Guard confirmed it,
and he was just minutes, maybe moments, away from starting his life with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you, sir!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He started to rise, but Nyx hadn’t yet let go of his hand, which made
Fin realize his bad manners.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, I’m
sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you like help cleaning
up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I should thank Lady Caly for the
refreshments, or….”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You need not help with anything, and I’ll pass along your gratefulness
to my wife.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re welcome to leave when
you choose, but I wish to say one more thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You have heard a lot today, but don’t stop listening when you leave my
presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin wasn’t entirely sure what Nyx meant by
that, but the fairy was clearly serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He must be emphasizing that Fin would need to remember all that was
shared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Okay,” he agreed easily.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">With a nod, Nyx released him, and Fin moved as
quickly as was acceptable toward the front door, toward his destiny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He paused at the door, taking just a moment
for a deep breath and to smooth his hands over his clothes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, with a hand that shook slightly, he
opened the door, his breath leaving him as his eyes alighted on the fairy
waiting for him on the other side.</span></span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-38338575667034967272017-09-25T23:53:00.004-04:002017-09-27T23:45:33.565-04:00Fairy Tales - Part SixHey, guess what! I'm still here! LOL. I'm very slowly making some progress on stories, and below is the next bit of Fairy Tales. It's not a long piece, but I hope you like it.<br />
JL-<br />
<br />
*****<br />
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Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was another week before Fin saw Luna
again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The day after the party, Fin’s
parents had sat him down on their river stone chair and insisted on knowing all
the details on where he’d been disappearing to and with whom he’d been
associating. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When Fin explained it all, his father
nodded knowingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I suspected it had
something to do with the girl,” Emre stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But your interest in her sounds like it’s beyond friendship, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know Dream Catchers are unobtainable to
bond with except with other Dream Catchers, don’t you?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin shrugged, but it was an action showing
he didn’t want to agree with his father’s statement, not that he wasn’t aware
of that information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mother sighed
sadly, and his father mandated that he was not to go out after dark for any
reason for the next week. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin vehemently tried to argue that point,
but achieved nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His father did
allow for a message to be delivered to Luna so she wouldn’t look for him to
show up during that time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grumpily, Fin
caught a firefly friend, explained the message, and asked the little bug to
pass the words along to Luna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
that, it was a matter of impatiently waiting for his time in disgrace to
end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He did put an extra visit in to Lorelei
during that week, and found himself divulging his feelings for the pretty Dream
Catcher to her over sweet mint water and blackberry jam on crackers.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“She’s the prettiest fairy I’ve ever seen,
Lorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her eyes are the shade of a
spring lilac, and her hair looks like the color of the sky when it pinkens with
the sunset.” He sighed softly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I hope
she’s there when I’m allowed to go back.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You have it bad for her, don’t you,
little mole-boy,” the elder fairy said knowingly.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin blushed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I like her a lot,” he admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But you’re probably going to tell me it’s
impossible to be with her, just like everyone else, right?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No, I’ll make no such statement,” Lorry
asserted, surprising him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There is no
one on earth, not a fairy or gnome or merfolk or leprechaun or human or anyone
else, who can tell what the future holds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll not say what is or isn’t possible because I’ll just be proven
wrong.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin started to look hopeful at Lorelei’s
words, but his face felt a bit as she continued speaking.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I will say that I’ve never known or heard
of a Dream Catcher fairy finding a compatible life-companion outside of another
Dream Catcher.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But is that because the Bond Guard picks
the mate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You just said no one can tell
the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be the Bond Guard
too, right?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lorelei popped a jam-filled cracker in her
mouth and looked thoughtful as she chewed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When she swallowed the bite, she took a drink of her mint water before
answering him.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The Bond Guard fairy’s gift is not in
telling the future,” she agreed, “but those born as a Bond Guard have an
ability to recognize and understand the part of us that that would typically
latch onto a companion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This fairy can
see all the little quirks and talents, faults and qualities, and wants and
needs in each individual, and then instinctively know with whom they are best
matched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bond Guard directs us to
our match, and will fight for us to have the best relationship possible with
that match, but he or she cannot see the future and know the details of what
will happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can only guide and
advise.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin considered Lorry’s words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Is the Bond Guard ever wrong?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lorelei nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“In some things, yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, when it comes to matching mates, no; I’ve
never known of a Bond Guard to mismatch anyone.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He still held out hope to be matched with
Luna when the time came, but that hope was constantly being tread on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lorelei heard the sigh and patted Fin’s
purple hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You dwell too much on
things that are out of your control, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What will be will be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, tell
me what you do have control over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
have your Earth Reader duties been lately?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Since Fin loved his role as an Earth
Reader, that change of subject was easy to move to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He told Lorry of moving a colony of
earthworms to a section of the forest where the soil was lacking in air and
water, and of his favorite mud bank where he and his Earth Reader friends would
wade and wallow in the cool, squishy patch. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lorelei chuckled over that
information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You Earth Readers are the
only fairies I know who like to get completely covered in mud.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin laughed with her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s fun, and it feels so good!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s cool and smooth and gooey!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Of course it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s mud,” Lorelei stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I do hope you all wash yourselves well
before you go traipsing into your mothers’ homes.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin assured her they did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He learned his lesson about that when he was
five and had discovered the joys of mud wallowing for the first time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just two steps into the house and his mother
had shrieked at the sight of his dirt-covered form.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His father had quickly whisked him back
outside to a dew shower and scrubbed him with aloe soap, while admonishing Fin
to not track such large amounts of muck into the house if he wanted his mother
to keep her sanity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin hadn’t understood exactly what his
father had meant, but since the high-pitched shriek from his mother had hurt
his ears, he’d been careful to wash after mud wallowing in the future.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When their snack was eaten and the dishes
cleaned, Fin said his good-byes to his friend and began a leisurely walk back
home, his thoughts easily drifting back to the pink-haired fairy he had to wait
a few more days to see.<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the week of his punishment ended,
Fin’s father insisted on coming with him the next time he went to meet
Luna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin wasn’t pleased with that
decision, as the embarrassment of his father needing to approve of his visiting
with the pretty fairy made him blush from the tips of his wings to the soles of
his feet.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He did try to argue against his father’s
presence initially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She won’t come out
if she sees a fairy she doesn’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You know how shy Dream Catchers are.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I do know,” Emre agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But shy does not mean completely
antisocial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and I will call out that
I am there and not a threat.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“She still might not come.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Then I will go with you until she does.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin stomped his foot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You will make me lose my friendship with
her!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His father’s hands went to his hips, which
was never a good sign in Fin’s experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“If she refuses you friendship over the presence of a father who loves
you and cares for her safety as well, then she is not a good friend for you.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s hands clenched into fists, but he
turned and strode away before arguing further and risking extending his
grounding.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now the two of them sat on the familiar
rock Fin usually shared with Luna, and waited for the fairy to appear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When they had arrived, Finn had seen the
firefly who’d delivered his message the week before, and asked him to find Luna
and explain that his father only wanted to meet her and then would leave.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The little bug, unconcerned with Emre’s
presence, simply flickered his understanding and flew off into the darkness.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Quite a long while passed as they
waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin was coming to believe Luna
would not show that night; but then, just a few minutes before the moon would
touch the tallest tree, he heard a whispered rustling and turned toward the
sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a happy flutter in his
heart, he recognized a bit of Luna’s pink hair peeking from behind a fallen
pinecone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He smiled and called to her
softly, knowing she didn’t like loud noises.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Luna, it’s okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My dad just wanted to meet you because you’re
special to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve missed you this
week.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Slowly, the timid fairy stepped away from
her hiding place, although she only approached them by a few steps before
stopping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked to Fin’s father and
lifted her fingers in a tentative wave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Hi, Mr. Emre,” she said very softly.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin looked to his father who stood behind
him, noting the elder fairy’s brief surprise and then soft smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hello, Luna.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m surprised you remember me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You were only a newborn when I last saw you.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She shrugged bashfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dream Catchers always remember faces, no
matter our age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It helps in our
calling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus,” she added reservedly,
“my parents always spoke highly of you.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad to see you’re well, and please don’t
be nervous about my presence tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was simply concerned for my son because he was disappearing so frequently.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emre then gave a mild look to the younger man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And not always being completely honest about
where he was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just wanted to ensure
everyone’s safety.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Luna still kept her distance, but she
looked less reserved as she nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
wouldn’t let him come to harm, Mr. Emre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is my friend.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I am glad for your friendship, but I hope
that if either of you have a problem that you might come to me.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin almost spoke up to argue against any
problems they might have, but Luna responded in her quiet voice with a simple,
“Thank you.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It wasn’t a promise on her part at all,
but it was an acknowledgement of the offer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre then patted Fin’s shoulder and made
him face him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His voice lowered as he
spoke so Luna wouldn’t hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She’s a
sweet girl, Fin, and your friendship can be valuable to both of you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But son,” he said in warning, “guard your
heart.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put a warm palm against Fin’s
chest to enforce his words, letting them seep in for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll head home now, but I expect you to not
be far behind me. Understood?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin looked and saw the typical time of his
departure was drawing near, and he nodded in acknowledgement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll be home soon,” he promised.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With a nod, Emre simply turned and flew
away, but Fin knew he’d stay awake until Fin returned.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When the younger man turned back to Luna,
she looked nervous again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I missed you
too, Fin,” she finally offered.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He felt some of his tension
dissipate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You did?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was worried you wouldn’t see me after
this.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She approached slowly then, and joined him
on the rock where his father had sat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
like spending time with you,” she admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s nice to have a friend who isn’t a Dream Catcher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You…see the world differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s nice to experience.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin grinned at her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m glad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are there many other Dream Catchers around?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you all friends?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“There are more of us than most
day-fairies realize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are all friends,
but we do not often gather in groups.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our friendships are...individualized,” she explained haltingly.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin would have like to ask more questions
about that, but Luna looked over his head and spoke warningly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You need to leave now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moon has touched the tree.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin sighed and very nearly argued to stay
just a few more minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, as if
knowing what he was about to say, Luna shook her head.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The bats are stirring.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not safe to stay, and I promised your
father.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With a deep breath, he knew she was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll be back tomorrow,” he swore, then
pecked a very light kiss to her cheek before taking off in the direction his
father had flown.</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-43386183639115374242017-08-12T20:38:00.001-04:002017-08-12T20:38:52.357-04:00Fairy Tales - Part Five<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Hlk486187150"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Several days
passed after helping Talpi the mole, and Fin found himself thinking about Luna
more often than not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the third day,
he convinced himself he needed to see her again; so, foregoing his Earth Reader
duties for the day, he flew to Rock Arch, determined to find her.</span></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He had no
luck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He spent all day searching the
trees and nooks and crevices of the arch, but saw no sign of her or any other
fairy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The next day he
went back, and the next, and the one after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a full week he returned to that section
of the forest and sought her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finally
felt the fullness of defeat come over him, and he sat dejectedly on a piece of
fallen bark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lonely and sad, he sat
there longer than he realized, and then startled when the screech of a bat
revealed to him that night had fallen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He trembled and ducked behind a pine cone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bats were one of the few animals dangerous to
fairies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While his kind was always
careful not to harm nature in any way, there were a handful of creatures that
had no respect for their fairy guardians, and bats were among them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A fairy was as much food to them as moths and
spiders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He stayed as quiet
as possible, know that bats hunted by sound instead of sight, and he spent
several minutes barely breathing before the erratic flapping of the nocturnal
beast’s wings could no longer be heard.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Moving slowly and
silently, he stepped out from behind the pine cone, breathing a sigh of relief
until a soft voice spoke from nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Why do you keep returning here?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin, although he’d
adamantly argue otherwise, shrieked and whirled around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes barely caught a flash of pink before
it was gone, clearly having run away in fright.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t go!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Luna?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it you?” he called as
loudly as he dared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no answer,
and his eyes darted all around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Luna?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please come back.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Just as his wings
began to wilt sadly, Fin heard the barest rustling of shuffling feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned around and finally saw frightened
eyes peering at him from behind a rock.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Luna?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please, I didn’t mean to frighten you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you come out and talk to me?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She lifted her
head just a little more over the rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m sorry I made you scream,” she apologized apprehensively. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin wanted to
argue the scream comment, but even more he just wanted to see her again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s okay,” he assured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve been looking for you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Why?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Why?” he repeated
back, feeling his cheeks warm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Because
I think you’re beautiful, and I want to know you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Violet eyes
blinked at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you,” she
whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re welcome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will you come out and talk with me?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She still sounded
unsure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t have much to say.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Then we don’t
need to talk,” Fin compromised quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“We can just sit and watch the night together.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He approached her
slowly then, and sat on the rock she was hiding behind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After several long minutes, she climbed up
and joined him, and they sat like that all night, never speaking, but simply
being in each other’s company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Toward morning,
when the night’s blackness was starting to lighten to gray, Fin’s eyes grew too
heavy to keep open, and despite wanting to continue basking in the girl-fairy’s
presence, he fell asleep on the rock they shared.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When he woke, it
was clear several hours had passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
stomach grumbled hungrily and he was, sadly, alone again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luna had left while he slept, like the best
of dreams that unfortunately comes to an end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had no idea if she was nearby or not, but he spoke into the air,
hoping she’d hear him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll be back,”
he promised.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was approaching
the hottest part of the day when he arrived home, and his mother wasn’t pleased
with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where have you been?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s becoming a bad habit of yours to keep
disappearing like you have.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A mixture of shame
at worrying his mother, and frustration that she was questioning him like he
wasn’t almost a grown fairy rolled over him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m sorry, Mama,” he offered a bit grudgingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Perhaps you are,”
his mother stated with obvious disbelief, “but perhaps a day staying home will
make sure your apology is sincere.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin gaped at
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re grounding my wings?!”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She stared him
down for a moment, but then shook her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“No, I’m not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am saying that if
you are truly sorry for the worry you caused, then you can make up for it by
helping me here at home today.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin bit his lower
lip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“All day?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d been hoping to sleep a bit before going
back to the arch to find Luna.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“All day,” his
mother confirmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And sleeping in your
own bed tonight instead of disappearing without a word.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin felt stuck,
like the time he’d gotten tangled up in a clematis plant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t want his mother upset with him, but
he couldn’t stand the thought of not trying to see Luna again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, he just nodded his head, not
verbalizing anything and simply letting his mother interpret that action
however she saw fit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good,” she
stated, fooled by apparent agreement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You can start helping by collecting the abandoned webs the cob spiders
have left around our tree cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need
to make sticky rope for some friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>When you’re done with them, fresh water needs fetched so you can launder
the clothes, and then I’ll need you to shell enough walnuts for me to make nut
cakes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that’s all done, come find
me and I’ll tell you what’s next.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
*****</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">long</i> day to Fin’s mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His parents provided him with one chore after
another, which kept him from taking the nap he wanted—although they couldn’t
have known that—and which also kept his mood steadily deteriorating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That deterioration
took an extra nosedive when his friends, Nak and Nymia, stopped by to invite
him to go honey-hunting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He didn’t even get
a chance to beg permission to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
father, overhearing the invitation, answered for Fin with a, “Sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin has work he needs to do here today.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In disappointment,
his friends left, and Fin couldn’t help tossing a glare to his dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emre merely looked at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know what your mother asked of you,” he
finally reminded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If you want to show
her you’re sorry for causing her worry, then you do have work here to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’re not that apologetic, then you’re
free to join your friends.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Put like that,
Fin’s guilt hit him and he knew he had to stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That still didn’t mean he actually wanted to though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wished there was a way to be sorry, but
still do what he wanted.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">By the time his
parents deemed his work done, it was well into the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Supper had come and gone, and his parents
were making comments about heading to bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Although tired
himself, Fin silently urged his parents to hurry up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as he knew they’d be asleep and
couldn’t worry, he planned to head back to the arch.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At the first
snores of his father, Fin was out of the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He flew quickly through the trees and vines, not worried about the dark
except to keep an eye out for bats.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When
he reached the arch, he landed on the rock he and Luna had shared the night
before and looked excitedly around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Luna?” he called
as loudly as he dared.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There was no
answer.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Luna?” he called
just a bit louder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come share the night
with me again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t have to
talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can just watch the stars.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Still, no answer,
but for the next hour Fin waited, every now and then calling softly for the
pink-haired fairy to join him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Eventually he sat on the ground, trying to force back the way his eyes
threatened to tear at not seeing the girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He sniffled a few times, and had just decided to go home when the sound
of fluttering wings came to his side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There Luna was,
her pretty face looking concerned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are
you hurt, Fin?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t cry.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Luna!” he stood
quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I thought I missed you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You were looking
for me again?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that why you were
crying?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin embarrassingly
wiped at his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wasn’t
crying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was just…a little sad…that I
couldn’t find you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She smiled
bashfully at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t help
grinning back.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Would you like to
watch the night with me?” he asked.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Her smiled faded a
little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’d like to, Fin, but I have things
I must do.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His father’s words
about Luna came back to him then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are
you a Dream Catcher, Luna?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that what
you have to do?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Her violet eyes
widened in surprise, although she didn’t ask him how he knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I am,” she confirmed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I hear the dreams calling to me even
now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I don’t catch them, and guide
them to the right places, they’ll be lost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, I can’t stay.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand, but when can I see you again?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Luna appeared
surprised every time he expressed his desire to see her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t know,” she finally answered
slowly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have to answer the dreams
when they call to me, and give good dreams to those who need them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I don’t always know when that will happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes the night is quiet, and sometimes
there are too many dreams to follow.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Maybe I can
help,” Fin offered.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Luna gave that shy
smile again, but shook her head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Only
those who can hear the dreams can help.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin knew that, but
he still sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll come back
tomorrow and look for you then.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll come if I can, but please do not stay
past the time the moon is above that tree.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She pointed to the tallest of the birch trees around them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The bats fly frequently after that time, and
you need to stay safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will not be
here after the moon touches that point.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I promise, but I’ll look for you until
then.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With one final
smile to him, Luna rose with flapping wings and headed off to catch the dreams
floating in the night.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin flew home,
already looking forward to the next evening.<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">For the next two
weeks, Fin’s daily routine included flying to the arch as soon as his parents
were asleep for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He only saw
Luna about every third day, but he followed her instructions to leave when the
moon hit the tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hoped she was
being careful though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He feared for her
safety with the bats around, just as she feared for his.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When they were
together, they talked very little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Occasionally Fin would share about his day, and Luna would
intermittently try to explain to him what dreams sounded like, although he
admitted that he never fully understood it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, mostly they sat on their rock and watched the events of the
night—the appearing of stars, blinking lightning bugs, the night breezes
rustling the grass and leaves around them.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">On one of their
nights together, Fin slid his hand over Luna’s and gently held it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She looked at him in surprise, then down at
their hands, then back at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Is this okay?” he
asked hopefully.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s…I like it,”
she admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But….”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But what?” Fin
asked nervously.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But, you make me
think you want to bond with me.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin managed to
meet her eyes, despite the nerves he felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What if I do?”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With a sad shake
of her head, Luna answered him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fin,
Dream Catchers can only bond with other Dream Catchers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We…we’re not compatible with other fairy
roles the way the rest of you are.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin knew
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was common fairy
knowledge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dream Catchers needed the
strength and understanding of other Dream Catchers because their duties were
often very emotional.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They dealt with
bad dreams and nightmares as well as the good ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That didn’t change
how Fin felt though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“There’s always a
chance,” he said with hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“When it’s
my time to go to the Bond Guard, I’ll tell her I want to be with you.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Luna shook her
head again. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know that’s not how the bond works, don’t
you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bond Guard doesn’t choose our
mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are merely the
messengers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like dreams speak to me, our
inner natures speak to the Bond Guard and lets him or her know with whom we are
best suited to be life companions.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know,” Fin
agreed, “but perhaps we are one another’s companion.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Luna looked down
at where Fin still held her hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If
that is the case, I will be happy with destiny’s pick for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are my friend…my best friend,” she added
in a whisper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But Fin, be prepared to
know I may not be your companion.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin knew she was
right to warn him, but he didn’t want to hear it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He lifted her hand and kissed her
fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I will still hope,” he
insisted.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With a sigh, she
lifted her free hand and cupped his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You are my sweet friend, Fin,” she said softly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You must go now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The moon is near the tree.”</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bookmark: _Hlk486187150;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded,
knowing she was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a gentle
squeeze of her hand, he let go, and then headed home with a heart that wasn’t
sure what to think. <br />
</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
*****</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Luna wasn’t there the next night, which
Fin expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dreams called for her
more often than not, but he still waited on their rock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The moon had almost reached the tree when
the sound of an unexpected voice startled him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin Earthenly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you doing here?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re a sitting meal for bats!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin whirled around to see Jacoby glaring
at him with disapproval and anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
mouth dropped open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jac?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you doing here?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I just asked you that, but I’ll wait for
the answer until we get somewhere safer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Come on.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s fine,” Fin tried to argue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The bats don’t come out until the moon has
moved past that tree.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We are not going to test that
theory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get flying, Fin!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We have time….”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin stopped abruptly as Jac stomped the
few steps separating them and grabbed the younger boy’s hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re going <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">now</i>,” Jac insisted, and then flapped his wings forcefully, making the
younger fairy fly with him whether he wanted to or not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They went a fair distance away from the arch
before Jac slowed down, and he only did that when he spotted an empty bird’s
nest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Here,” he said, his tone short and
gruff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I saw the babies fly away yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nest will be empty for now.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin, still in shock over both seeing Jac
and being drug away from the rock arch, went grudgingly into the nest and
settled in amongst the twigs and soft feathers left from the baby birds.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The two of them were silent for several
minutes, Fin feeling a confusing mix of anger, frustration, and yet gladness to
see his friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually, when he
couldn’t stand the silence anymore, he glanced toward Jac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What are you doing here?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s been talk that you’ve moved away
permanently.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s mouth had been tipped down in a
frown for several minutes, but now he sighed and scrubbed a hand over his
face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve not moved permanently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve just moved…for now,” he said without any
real explanation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve been back for a
couple days for my mom’s birthday.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That news bothered Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’ve been back?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You didn’t even come to say “hi”!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Actually, I did,” Jac argued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I arrived late two days ago, and spent the
night with my parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I went
around the next day to invite everyone to her party, but I couldn’t find
you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your mom and dad thought you were
attending to your Earth Reader duties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My mother’s birthday and the party is tomorrow, and I went back to your
house this evening to invite you, but your parents said you weren’t there again
and they were worried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They said you’ve
been disappearing a lot recently. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
asked if I minded doing a fly-around to try and find you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">didn’t</i>
expect to find you at the rock arch where the bats congregate at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What were <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i>
doing there?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin lifted his chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not your business, but I was meeting a
friend.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jacoby’s eyes narrowed at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What kind of friend can you only meet at
night, and that you have to hide from your mom and dad?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hiding</i> anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friend
is a Dream Catcher, so that’s why we meet at night, that’s when she’s awake, and
I haven’t said anything to my parents because they’d just worry.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“They’re worried anyway, Fin!” Jac
reminded in a scolding tone.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“They don’t need to be!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can take care of myself!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Says the fairy out at night, by himself,
in known bat territory,” Jac retorted.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s ire rose at the rebuke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why’d you even come looking for me,
Jacoby?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just to scold and yell?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re just a stick-in-the-mud fairy who <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">still</i> hasn’t kept his promise, and who
just up and leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What kind of friend
are you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You should just go back to your
new home and stay out of my life!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin rose from the nest, anger making him
reckless, and darted off, not caring where he headed.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He could hear Jacoby behind him, clearly
chasing him as he called out, but Fin ignored it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Familiarity with the forest and trees had him
zig-zagging around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Subconsciously, he
must have desired to go home, because his parents’ hollowed-rock house came
into sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac caught up with him just as Fin landed
at his front door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fin, listen…”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No!” Fin interrupted, still mad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You come and go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You think you have the right to scold me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know, I wanted to be better friends with
you back when you helped me with the rainbow water, but then you
disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you </i>chose to do, so that means my
choices aren’t yours to worry about.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin turned then, walked into his house,
and slammed the door shut.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
*****</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When Finn entered his home, things didn’t
get much better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His parents had waited
up for him, and the scolding he received from them was about the worst he’d
ever had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He apologized repeatedly, and was warned that
disappearing again would get his wings grounded indefinitely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With that threat issued, Fin feared not
seeing Luna anymore, so he told his parents about his nighttime flights to see
his friend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t tell them about
his feelings for the girl, knowing that they’d tell him the same thing about
Dream Catchers bonding with Dream Catchers that she did.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Expectedly, both his mother and father
expressed fear for him being in bat territory at night, but Fin explained
Luna’s knowledge of the bats and when they started flying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">always</i>
leave when the moon gets to the tree,” he promised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dubious, his parents said they’d talk
about continued nighttime visits with him when it wasn’t so late.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There wasn’t time for that talk the next
day though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mother had him helping
her make berry jam and corn cakes for Jac’s mother’s party for most of the
morning.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When it was time to leave for the
celebration, Fin tried to find an appropriate reason not to go, but claiming
tiredness wasn’t deemed an acceptable excuse to not be present.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, unwillingly, Fin flew with his mother and
father to the mushroom grove where the party was being held.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There was already a crowd of fairies
assembled when they arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Festivities
of any sort—birthdays, bonding ceremonies, births—were always well
attended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life was a thing to be
celebrated, and fairies did times of merriment very well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Reed whistles and pan pipes were already
being played, and several fairies had started to dance and flit from mushroom
top to mushroom top, moving with the rhythm of the music.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Several of the older generation of
fairies, including Lady Lorelei, were chattering in a group together,
reminiscing of other celebrations they’d experienced in their lifetimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin stayed close to his mother and helped
her set the food they’d made on the banana leaf table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mouth watered a bit as he saw what else
had been brought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dishes of honeycomb
cookies, nectar bread, spiced fruits, and cocoa milk were enough to tempt even
the most disciplined fairy.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When his parents moved to greet the
birthday fairy, Fin knew he should do so as well, but knowing Jac was probably
nearby kept him from following.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was
still upset at the other boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He sighed, wishing there was a way to
disappear and go find Luna, or wishing that she would at least be at the
party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that was unlikely
though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dream Catchers rarely attended
such large social settings.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Looking around, Fin took in the other
fairies present, and then spotted another young but familiar face…Vaxon, the
boy who’d held up the earth and gone for help when Fin had arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like had happened with Fin, Vaxon had also
been called a hero that day, and anyone could see it had done a lot for the
boy’s confidence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was currently
surrounded by several other fairies his age, and the group of them were
drinking cocoa milk and laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Although several years older than the group of pre-teen fairies, Fin
headed their way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vaxon’s boyish face
smiled at him as he joined the group.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hi, Fin!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hi, Vax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How’re ya doing?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good,” the boy stated happily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you know everyone?” he asked, nodding at
his group of friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin knew or knew
of several of them, but they all exchanged introductions anyway, and Fin joined
in their conversation that ranged from the best swinging trees to their classes
and teachers in fairy school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Most fairies completed their formal
schooling—which involved plant identification, land/water/mountain geography,
seasonal effects, and appropriate magic use—by the time they were thirteen or
fourteen years old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, fairies
focused on their personal roles within their community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the young fairies with whom Fin was
chatting were nearing the end of their schooling, and were looking forward to
focusing their energies in what they saw as more purposeful arenas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin understood and tended to have a similar
mindset, so he enjoyed listening to young Species Ambassadors speak of their
soon-to-be assigned animals, future Rangers talk of the ways of protecting the
natural world and the secrecy of their fairy society, and excited Magic Minders
discuss the misuse of magic they saw sometimes in other creatures with that
gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Gnomes are some of the worst!” one young
girl complained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They play pranks on
humans and animals both, making the plants shift around so they get lost, or
whispering in a way that makes them think there are hauntings going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They should learn to mind their manners,” she
huffed.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A couple of the other fairies agreed with
her, but then that familiar voice of Jac’s spoke up from behind Fin in a tone
of mixed amusement and gentle scolding.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Gnomes have been known to do those
things, but don’t judge them too harshly, Vina,” he said to the younger
girl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We fairies have our own history
of pranksters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You remember how
Tinkerbell behaved when she had a crush on the Peter-human.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And Puck turned the poor weaver, Nick Bottom,
into a donkey for a night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It took the
work of a lot of Magic Minders, Cultivators, Rangers, and even a couple Dream
Catchers, to fix those situations and convince the humans to make them believe
they dreamed those events and turn them into stories.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah,” Vaxon spoke up knowingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Our teacher, Lady Teema, said it was from
those situations that the term ‘fairy tales’ was started.” </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Most of the group of pre-teens giggled at
that reminder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fairy community as a
whole had always found it amusing that the humans had termed those stories, and
others like them, “fairy tales”.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Talk then shifted to the party currently
going on, and the group began to dissipate, some going in search of food, while
others joined in on the dancing.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin took a few steps to follow those
heading to the assorted victuals, but a hand on his wrist stopped him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Knowing who it was, he looked over his
shoulder with a carefully controlled expression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac looked at him tentatively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re still mad at me?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Maybe,” Fin challenged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Are you planning to be all sanctimonious
about what I choose to do and who I do it with?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s face didn’t change, but one wing
twitched, revealing a brief feeling of annoyance, but then he let out a soft
sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I…” he hesitated, but then continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I don’t have the right to judge what you do right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry about how I spoke to you last
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing you out in the open, in
bat territory, scared me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He met Fin’s
eyes with a seriousness not often seen in a fairy’s expression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just want you safe, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin crossed his arms and studied the older
boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ok,” he finally accepted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I forgive you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But,” he continued just as Jac’s eyes started
to soften.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They immediately became wary
again.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But?” Jac asked.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">still</i> haven’t kept your promise to me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s face fell completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can’t tell you yet, Fin,” he whispered.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Of course not,” Fin said with a clear
pout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll be as old as Lorelei by the
time you tell me.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It won’t be that long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not sure what I think of your promises.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac looked distraught, but then his eyes
flickered with excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can do
something else for you, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just give
me ten minutes, ok?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That peaked Fin’s curiosity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ten minutes for what?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“A surprise!” Jac said with
determination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll be back in ten
minutes!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He jumped in the air then, his
wings flapping quickly, and disappeared into the trees above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Uncertain, and a bit excited at the same
time, Fin chose to go say happy birthday to Jac’s mom while he waited.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Exactly ten minutes later, as Fin and the
birthday fairy were discussing their favorite types of cake, Jac returned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hi, Mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Having fun?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s a wonderful party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and your father have made me feel so
special with all you did to arrange it!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac grinned and kissed his mother’s
cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">are</i> special, Mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, do
you mind if I take Fin somewhere for a little while?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will still be plenty of partying to do
when we get back.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Of course you can go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just let me know when you return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to dance with my son.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac grinned and nodded, then motioned Fin
to follow him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Come on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to tell your parents we’re leaving
for a bit.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That statement made Fin feel like a
fairy-kin, but he knew Jac was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His parents’ threat to ground his wings was only too clear, although he
still wished he could argue that he was too old to be treated like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and Jac quickly found his dad and Jac was
the one to speak up and request having Fin leave with him for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin’s father gave them both a bit of a
narrow-eyed look before agreeing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Relieved and inordinately curious, Fin then
willingly followed the older fairy away from the party until Jac stopped and
gave a short, sweet whistle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
flapping of much bigger wings reached Fin’s ears, and Daichi the owl landed
next to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac patted Daichi’s side.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I made another promise to you a while
ago, runt,” he reminded, teasing Fin with the nickname.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I promised to have you ride with me on
Daichi to see above the trees.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A slow grin spread across Fin’s face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re really going to?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac nodded, and Fin whooped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s awesome!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac laughed and jumped onto the owl’s
back, and then offered a hand to Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fin took it and climbed up behind the other boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac gripped Daichi’s feathers while Fin
latched onto Jac’s waist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, in
moments, the large grey bird rose regally into the air, his impressive wingspan
stretching wide and catching the wind currents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was a different experience to fly
without any effort on his part, but Fin loved it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He trusted Daichi to safely maneuver through
the dense trees, and not be distracted by anything while he had fairy friends
riding on his back.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Seemingly in seconds, they broke through
the tree cover and Fin gasped, gripping Jac tighter as the owl took him higher
than he’d ever been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac looked over his
shoulder at him and grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Pretty
neat, huh?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded, wide-eyed as he looked at the
far-away ground and gorgeous sky above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s amazing!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He breathed
deeply, loving the fresh air that was almost cold against his cheeks as it blew
against them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the distance, he saw
other birds in flight, some gliding lazily in the air, others clearly seeking
out food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trees below blended into
one another, and Fin couldn’t see through them anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was being given the bird-view of his
forest home, and found it incredible to see the world from such a height.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Daichi flew them over several miles, much
further than Fin could typically manage in a day, and he saw things he’d never
known of before.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Look, Jac!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a waterfall on that side of the
mountain!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s beautiful!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s Green Falls.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’ve been there?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Once, but it was a very long trip.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin knew it would have been, and he would
have asked about it if his eyes didn’t keep seeing other new things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Look!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I think I see caves over there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hey, that’s the Rapid River!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s the one that eventually leads to the sea!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My grandfather said mer-folk can sometimes be
seen there!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh wow, there’s the pine
population that the black squirrels live near!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hey, what’s that?!”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac hadn’t had a chance to respond to
Fin’s constant comments, so he’d simply let him chatter and take it all
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now though, Fin clearly wanted an
answer to his question, and Jac looked where the younger boy pointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, that’s a human road, Fin.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What are those things on it?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Crill told me they’re called cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re boxes of energy with wheels that take
the humans to different places.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin stared at the strange things in the
distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can we get a closer look?”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Daichi doesn’t like those things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He won’t get near them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, we should be heading back now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promised to dance with my mom, remember.”</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin was disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He would have loved to get a better look at
the strange car boxes, but Jac was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Ok,” he agreed with just a hint of
disappointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It took some time to get back to their
starting point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dusk had started to
settle over the land, but that wasn’t hindering the party still in full
swing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both fairies thanked the friendly
owl for the experience, and Daichi bobbed his head in acknowledgement before
taking off to return home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of
them then quickly joined in the now larger crowd of celebrants and were caught
up in the fairy games going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Later, while watching Jac dance with his mother,
Fin had to admit that he was glad he’d come, but a part of him wished Luna was
there to experience it, and maybe dance with him too.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></span></span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-76620406193361473272017-08-06T21:00:00.000-04:002017-08-06T21:00:04.425-04:00Fairy picture<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I promise I will be adding more to my fairy story, but life is CRAZY right now. Long working hours, a broken toe a few weeks ago, and a rather intense house project have left me rather too tired to write lately. Things should (hopefully) slow down come September. In the meantime, I thought I'd share a picture I liked with you that reminds me of the fairy world in my head. The artist is Paul Barker, so all kudos go to him.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxQsgv0Q4tIF7gRFtPK4zT4Su-ZHPM9ysRE2vZpH13t1UYTc87RH8EKJ93BPYGFk6UtDH-51q_cg9H8ixDxko2bCyg4ZSIvtNe9733fVAfKO7KnulPVl6bRfm_7LP2MhdSTO33_Ya8no/s1600/Residential-Fairy-Mural-by-Chicago-muralist-Paul-Barker-2014-640w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="640" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWxQsgv0Q4tIF7gRFtPK4zT4Su-ZHPM9ysRE2vZpH13t1UYTc87RH8EKJ93BPYGFk6UtDH-51q_cg9H8ixDxko2bCyg4ZSIvtNe9733fVAfKO7KnulPVl6bRfm_7LP2MhdSTO33_Ya8no/s320/Residential-Fairy-Mural-by-Chicago-muralist-Paul-Barker-2014-640w.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-4257863616793929432017-07-14T22:52:00.001-04:002017-07-14T22:52:27.200-04:00Fairy Tales - Part Four<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin clung to the mole, Talpi, as the
animal burrowed through the dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
protective mask he wore kept dirt from getting into his eyes and mouth, but he
knew the rest of him wouldn’t fair as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was a small sacrifice to pay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the months since he’d held the cliff up
until help arrived, he’d been working hard as an Earth Reader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His magic and skills were growing, and he
tried to help wherever he could, although he wished for more time just to
flutter about and play with his friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Even now, several he knew were going swimming for the afternoon, and he
definitely would rather have gone with them right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, he knew it was better that he was
where he needed to be than where he wanted to be, which was why he was now
underground with Talpi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s friend Coty was a Species Ambassador
and had brought Talpi to Fin because the mole’s tunnels were unexplainably
collapsing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin had agreed to see what
the earth told him about the situation, but to do so meant going underground to
the burrows. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It seemed like they were going deeper and
deeper into the dark earth, and Fin was glad that tight spaces didn’t bother
him; although he was a little freaked out by the utter darkness of his surroundings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once Talpi got him to the tunnels, Fin knew
he could initiate a fairy glow, but until then he had to deal with the dark.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally, quite a while later, Talpi
stopped and did a little wiggle, urging Fin off his back and letting him know
there were at their destination.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin
immediately created a deliberate fairy glow, starting with his wings and
letting it spread until his entire body exuded enough light for him to see by.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The tunnel appeared solid at first glance,
but looks weren’t everything. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin ran
his hands gently along the tunnel walls, feeling and automatically recognizing
each differing type of earth that he touched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When nothing stood out to him as a
problem, he knelt in the tunnel, facing one of the walls, and gently dug his
hands into the packed dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He felt the
coolness of the earth and mild dampness lingering in its depths from recent
rains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Closing his eyes, he focused on
what he could feel and hear, and then spoke quiet words to the earth around
him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m here to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re struggling to maintain your walls and
be a safe home to your animal friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Are you ill?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you
need?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me help.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He continued to murmur quietly and
soothingly, and then paused as a sound only a trained Earth Reader would detect
graced his ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A moment later he felt
a sensation on one of his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
pressed into the dirt a little deeper and got a better feel and understanding
of what the soil was telling him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you for letting me know,” he
uttered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We’re going to help.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Keeping his arms buried in the dirt, Fin
addressed the waiting mole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Talpi, I’m
going to need your help.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The mole scurried closer, his snuffling
nose tickling Fin’s leg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin couldn’t
help giggling a little at the sensation before explaining what he needed Talpi
to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Talpi, I need you to return to
the surface and get Coty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tell Coty that
I need him to come meet me here in your tunnel, and to bring Mio and my father
with him.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His father was a Cultivator, and his
friend, Mio, was a Nature Nurturer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Considering the situation, Fin thought it would be best to have both of
them on hand for what needed to be done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He didn’t explain the details of what the earth revealed to him to
Talpi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moles were simple creatures and
wouldn’t understand the whole situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They just trusted the fairies to help them when needed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It took longer than Fin liked to Talpi and
the others to return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d had to stop
glowing to save energy, and sitting in the dark tunnel by himself wasn’t the
most fun he’d ever had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He amused
himself by making up limericks to pass the time.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“In
the dark I let my mind wander.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fun
thoughts I never will squander.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">In
the light of the day</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
will go out and play.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">While
my clothes my mother will launder.”</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Truthfully, he knew his mother would
probably make him scrub his own clothes, but he could hope she’d do it for
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He then thought of his friends out playing
while he was working.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I
would swim with my friends if I could,</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But
instead I’m told I have to be good.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A
good fairy goes</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">To
help those he knows.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But
I don’t always like to do what I should.”</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He sighed, thinking of the many lectures
he’d had about being responsible.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“There
once was a fairy named Fin.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Who
decided he just couldn’t win.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He
wants to help others</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But
responsibility smothers.</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Can
he play and leave work to his kin?”</span></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He knew the answer to his own
question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did have to help Talpi and
the earth around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He truly wanted to
as well; he just hoped that there might be time to swim later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now, he focused back on the tunnels, and
took advantage of the quiet to continue listening to the earth and making a
plan for when the others arrived.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Eventually, the scuffling sound of Talpi
scurrying through his tunnels reached Fin’s ears, and a few minutes later Coty,
Mio, and Fin’s father, Emre, were hopping off Talpi’s back and starting to
glow.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin? Talpi said you needed us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you know why his tunnels are collapsing?” Coty
asked, the anxiety he felt for his animal friend clear in his voice.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded as he resumed his own
glow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“From what I can tell, it’s an
issue of too much demand being put on the earth Talpi’s home is in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soil is tired and weak because it’s being
used so hard.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Who is using it besides Talpi?” Fin’s
father questioned.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin knelt down and scooped a bit of earth
into his hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Focus on what you can
smell, and then scent this,” he directed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Coty, Mio, and Emre each took a deep
breath of the dirt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mio recognized the
scent first.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I smell birch trees…young ones.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“A new generation of birch has started, but there
are too many growing close to each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They will have no space to fully grow, and there are so many that their
roots are burrowing into the ground and taking extra nutrients that the soil
can’t spare for them all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is growing
weak, and Talpi’s tunnels are collapsing because of it.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre’s look to his son was serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You believe we need to move some of the
young trees, don’t you?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded, his expression just as
serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“At least a dozen of the
saplings need relocated, maybe more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That’s what I need your help for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Coty, I need you to explain to Talpi and ask him to refrain from his
tunnels for a little while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mio, I need
you to soothe the saplings and the parent trees about the move, as well as
guide me to the best location for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And Dad, we’ll all need your help keeping our relationship with the
trees and soil good during the transition.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes,” Emre agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It could easily be traumatic on all if we’re
not careful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mio, do you know of a safe
and healthy place for the birch saplings to go?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mio thought out loud as he contemplated
the best location for the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Their
root systems are shallow and they need somewhere cool and moist to grow to
their maturity.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After another moment’s thought, he snapped
his fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We can take them to the
grassy area by the rock arch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
other birch there, and there’s enough space to plant them to grow freely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, the arch provides shade, which will
keep the ground cool and moist for them.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded and addressed his little group
of fairies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sounds like a good
location, and thankfully it’s not too far.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now we need to return to the surface and work with the trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coty, Dad, could you explain things to
Talpi?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The two fairies together sat with the mole
for a few minutes, carefully and slowly explaining the situation and asking
Talpi to take his family and to shelter elsewhere for the next day or so.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The large mole responded with grunts and
whines, but eventually Coty brought his attention back to Fin while Emre
continued to talk consoling to the animal.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Talpi understands what we’re going to
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’ll take his family to explore
some of the forest’s eastern grounds for the next couple days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I assured him the earth would welcome him
back to his tunnels when he returns.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thanks, Coty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is he okay with taking us back to the surface
first?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Before his friend could answer, Talpi
ambled over and grunted in friendship at Fin’s ear and nuzzled against
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin grinned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m guessing that’s a yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Climb on everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to get this done as quickly as
possible.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When they reached the surface, things got
a little more complicated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The birch
tree parents questioned the need to move some of their young trees, and the
young saplings began to droop and wilt depressingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin’s father had his hands full keeping the
copse of birch from uprooting themselves with anxiety, and Mio practically
talked himself hoarse with promises to both the young and old trees that he
would personally take care that none of them were hurt in anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally, with the understanding that the
soil and space they were growing in would not be able to continue supporting
them, the birches worked with Mio and Fin to choose which ones would be
relocated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“This relocation is going to take quite a
while to accomplish,” Fin’s father stated as they began to gently loosen the
soil around the saplings.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know,” Fin agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wish there was a way to move them all at
once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be easier, and less
traumatic for them all.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, you’re right!” Mio said with a snap
of his fingers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And you just reminded
me of something.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What?” Fin and Emre asked in unison.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“When I went to visit Jac a couple months
ago, he showed me something he and Crill had worked out.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s ears perked up at the mention of
Jac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hadn’t seen the other boy since
he’d come out of his fairy sleep, and that had been ages ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin’s own eighteenth birthday was coming up
in four months’ time, and the closer he got to it, the more he wanted to know
what the Bond Guard had said to Jac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
secrecy of it drove Fin to distraction sometimes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d had other friends who had turned
eighteen in the last year and been to see the Bond Guard, but they’d all shared
what she had told them with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One had
been told she hadn’t met her mate yet, but would before her next birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another had his mate’s first name revealed,
but not when they would meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A third
was told to find joy in his singleness, because that was what was best for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin had felt sorry for that friend, but
that hadn’t lasted long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His buddy had
said he hadn’t really wanted a mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
enjoyed being with friends, but didn’t relish the thought of sharing his living
space and everyday choices with someone on a permanent basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin found it hard to fully understand that
explanation, but he was relieved that his friend wasn’t upset by the Bond
Guard’s words to him. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With an internal sigh, Fin turned his
attention back to Mio, who was looking around the area, apparently seeking out
something, and then motioned everyone to follow him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin, Coty and Emre flew with him expertly
around the trees until Mio landed on some thick moss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“This is what we need,” he stated, pointed to
the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Moss?” Fin asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Mio nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s perfect.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we roll it up
gently from here and take it to the saplings, we can unroll it there, put the
young trees on it, and guide them to temporarily root themselves in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we each take a corner, lift it, and fly
the trees over to the arch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be
much faster, and we’ll be able to reroot the saplings quicker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s less traumatic on them that way.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And then I can help settle the moss back
here in its home,” Fin added thoughtfully, silently contemplating that who
might still get some play time in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
think this could work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad, what do you
think?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre seemed to be a bit less enthusiastic
to the idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, I prefer not to
traumatize the young trees either, but we’re also asking a lot of the
moss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to make sure no damage
comes to it as well.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked to his
son.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re an Earth Reader, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t run too far ahead with this idea until
you listen to what nature is telling you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin took a breath, knowing his dad was
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needed to make sure this was
the right thing to do for all involved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He knelt down on the soft peat, feeling the moisture in it sink through
the spun-cotton pants he wore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hands
rubbed gently over the moss, caressing it as a friend and assuring it he was no
one who wanted to cause harm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew he
had the attention of this unique earth-plant when it grew and spread a little
at his touch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Can we ask for your assistance?” he
whispered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your fellow-earth nearby
grows weak in trying to support too many.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Do you have the willingness and strength to help us move the young
trees?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise to bring you back here
to your home.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The mat of green underneath him became
very still, and then it shifted slightly, just enough to loosen the shallow
roots it kept, and Fin understood it had agreed to help.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you,” he said sincerely, and then
quietly spoke to his companions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Gently
roll from that end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will help us.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The four of them together rolled the moss
up like a scroll, and then flew it gently to where the birch saplings still
waited to be moved. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, as tenderly
and efficiently as possible, they loosed the baby trees from their first home
and set them on the now unfurled moss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Mio guided the trees into setting their young roots down into the moss,
just enough to maintain a safe grip, and then the four of them each took a
corner and lifted the babies smoothly into the air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At a much slower flight than normal, they transported
their load to the rock arch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t
an easy task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While, like an ant,
fairies can carry several times their body weight, balancing and transporting a
dozen saplings was a heavy and muscle-straining job.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When they did arrive at rock arch, they
set their bundle down carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emre
immediately began flying to the grown trees already deeply rooted in this
ground, explaining why they’d brought the young trees, and asking that they be
welcomed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That was easily accomplished, as the grown
birch trees were delighted to see young saplings joining their home. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As each tree was replanted, they were openly
adopted by those already there, and a few of the saplings sprouted several
inches up or grew new branches in the first few minutes there, as the rich soil
and friendly welcome immediately improved their health.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin had just finished planting one of the
trees and flew to grab one of the last two when an unfamiliar voice, barely
loud enough to be heard, spoke to him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What are you doing?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin looked over his shoulder, his body
freezing and his eyes latching on a lovely young fairy half hiding behind a
fallen leaf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pale pink hair topped a
heart-shaped face with violet eyes, which peered at him with a mix of curiosity
and shyness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a lovely.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“H…hi,” he choked out after a minute of
staring back at her.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hi,” she replied just barely loud enough
for him to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What are you doing?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin realized that was the second time
she’d asked that question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh, um,
we’re replanting these saplings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
earth they were in couldn’t support them all, so we had to move them,” he
explained.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, ok,” she said, and then looked about
to fly away, but Fin didn’t want that at all.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Wait,” he called out as she started to
turn away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Would you like to help?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can plant these last two near each other
over there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pointed to an area of
damp earth big enough for two trees to grow side by side.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The pink-haired fairy took a step forward,
looking a little unsure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can you show
me how?” she asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Sure,” Fin agreed happily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked quickly toward his father and
friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one else seemed to have
noticed the new girl, but he thought that was okay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She seemed skittish and he didn’t want to
scare her away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He picked up both
saplings and approached her in friendship, handing her the tree in his right
hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Follow me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll show you, it’s not hard.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She came willingly and then knelt next to
him as he went to the ground and dug out an area of earth that would fit his
sapling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It needs to be deep enough for
the roots to dig in and make a home, but not so deep that new branches can’t
develop.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She watched him closely as he planted the
tree, and then packed the earth back around it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The sapling gave a little shudder of pleasure as it settled into the
ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It likes it here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll plant this one just over there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’ll have each other to grow up with
then.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The girl nodded silently and started to
hand him her sapling, but he gently pushed it back into her hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You plant it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll guide you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She bit her lower lip, but nodded, and
then followed his directions precisely as she helped the young tree into its
new home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A smile lit her lips when the
newly planted baby grew a couple inches as soon as the earth was packed around
it.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good job,” Fin praised, and then felt
like time stood still as he and the girl shared a look between them that made
Fin’s stomach jump with pleasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“What’s your name?” he finally asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She looked away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Luna,” she answered timidly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Like the daughter of the moon,” Fin
commented with happy surprise, referring to a fairy fable he’d loved as a
child.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Luna looked back and smiled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her lips moved enticingly as she softly
quoted from that story, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The moon’s daughter
explores in the dawn of the day….”</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But
at night returns home to her father to stay,”</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Fin finished the quote.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A sweet laugh bubbled out of her when he
did that, but then she again bit her lip nervously as she looked past him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin glanced quickly where she did, seeing
that they’d caught the attention of his father, who was watching but letting
them be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Fin turned back to Luna,
her cheeks blushed and she stepped away. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Bye,” she whispered, and then turned and
fluttered away so quickly he didn’t have time to blink.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He felt his stomach drop in
disappointment, but a moment later his father’s presence was at his side.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“New friend, son?” he asked, the touch of
amusement in his tone revealed he’d seen the effect the girl had had on Fin.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin tried not to seem so affected, but he
knew he wasn’t fooling his dad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Her
name is Luna,” he told the older fairy.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Luna?” Emre repeated, surprise in his
voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin looked his father in the face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You know her?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, I’m not sure,” his dad
replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I knew a fairy couple several
years ago who asked me to help cultivate their marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was struggling, and because of that they
hadn’t been able to gain a child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
know that our kind must have a special kind of love between them before the
blessing of a fairy-babe.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded, knowing that children were
only bestowed to couples whose love was trusted and safe.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I stayed several weeks with that couple,
even though you had only been gifted to your mother and I a few weeks
prior.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His father looked proudly at
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It was hard to leave you, but I
couldn’t not help other fairies try to have the same joy given to your mother
and me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The couple showed a lot of
progress and promise by the time I left, and a few months later I was invited
back to visit and meet their new infant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They’d named her Luna.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Do you think that was her?” Fin asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have no way of knowing, but she looked
about the right age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However,” his tone
grew more serious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If that was the Luna
I met all those years ago, then you should know that she had the mark of a Dream
Catcher on her brow.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin blinked in surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fairies born as Dream Catchers were
rare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The mark was there when they were
born, but faded by the time of their first birthday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were also known to be exceedingly shy
and mostly night-abiders—fairies who slept during the day and fulfilled their
Dream Catcher natures at night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were also very rarely seen socializing with other fairies once they entered
their teen years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin looked in the direction the girl had
flown off to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The temptation he had to
follow must have been clear on his face.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Son,” Emre said to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She’s gone, and it’s best you don’t chase
her.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But….”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Emre shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“She chose to leave and you need to let
her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You still have a job to finish.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Reminded of the very reason he was there, Fin
looked around at all the newly planted trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His father was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His job
wasn’t done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had to return the moss
to its home, and then he needed to go back to where Talpi’s tunnels and the
trees had been.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soil would need his
skills and nurturing as an Earth Reader to return to a healthy state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a sigh, he fluttered his wings and resumed
his work.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-4562925139958016232017-07-01T14:24:00.002-04:002017-07-01T14:24:53.743-04:00Fairy Tales - Part Three<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<style>
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table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";}
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Just some addition notes first. I have designated "roles/jobs" for those in my fairy world. In case you're curious about them, here is a list and brief description of what I have so far.</span></span><br />
<br />
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
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</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Nature Nurturer – a fairy who helps plants
grow</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Animal Keeper – a fairy who cares for
animals with special needs—orphans, injuries, etc.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Mystic Guardian - No Descripton Yet</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Magic Minder – Someone who makes sure fairy
magic isn’t being abused, and who watches carefully for any magic that is not
part of the fairy world.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Dream Catcher – a fairy who can interpret
dreams, or help create dreams.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They also
guide dreams to the places and people they are meant to go to.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Water
Watcher – a fairy who cares for and develops all types of water</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Earth Reader – works directly with
earth/soil to keep it healthy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Species Ambassador – a fairy representative
of the animals</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Night Ranger/Day Ranger – fairy security</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-Bond Guard - kind of a fairy matchmaker (but not really). A Bond Guard knows or reads the signs of the fairies who will be a best fit for one another.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>-Cultivator – Similar to a Nature Naturer, but this fairy cultivates
relationships of all types—between fairies, between fairies and plants, between
fairies and animals, etc. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />*****</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />Pat Three</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin Earthenly, get in here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those raindrops are bigger than you, little
mole-boy!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s boyish laughter was endearing as he
hurried into Lady Lorelei’s home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m
wearing a duck-feather cloak and hat, Lorelei.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The water rolls right off me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The older fairy looked to her ceiling with
a sigh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The water wouldn’t touch you if
you’d stayed at home, boy.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It’s my day to come over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little rain wasn’t going to stop me,” Fin
contended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the six months since the
day he’d cleaned and organized her water cellar, Fin had fallen into the habit
of visiting the aging fairy every seven days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sometimes he did chores for her, and sometimes they just sat and
chatted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both fairies were surprised and
pleased with the friendship that had developed between them.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I do believe a monsoon wouldn’t stop you
once you have an idea in your head,” Lorelei stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Leave your cloak and hat on the hook
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t want drips on my floor. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may be a Water Watcher, but that doesn’t
mean I want to be cleaning it up all the time. Want some blackberry tea?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, please!” Fin answered emphatically
as he hung up his outer wear, chuckling to himself over Lorelei’s mixture of
complaints and generosity. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was a
good soul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, he never refused a
homemade drink from her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She only served
the best!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She returned seemingly moments later with
the hot beverage, which Fin blew on before enjoying a flavorful mouthful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Anything you need done today?” he asked
as Lorelei waved at him to sit on the couch.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Not in this weather,” Lorelei
answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Although I dare say there
will be some good mud for you to work with when these rains end.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And some nice, flowing rivers for you,”
Fin replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m going rainbow hunting
the second the rains stop though!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lorelei chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good luck with that.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“When did you see your first rainbow, Lorry?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The elder fairy rolled her eyes at the
nickname Fin had started calling her, although she secretly enjoyed it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin was a young, life-filled fairy with a
good heart, but a tendency for mild foolishness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He brought warmth to those around him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I saw my first rainbow at just two-years-old,”
she told him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It touched the very
puddle I was playing in and my wings reflected its colors for hours after the
rainbow faded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s how we all knew I’d
be a Water Watcher.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her aged face lost
some of its years as a smile touched her lips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fin thought she was beautiful when she smiled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The calling for our fairy roles comes to us
at a young age,” she reminded him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Some
are even born with their role embedded into them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nature knows what we are meant to do.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Like the Bond Guard knows about our
mates?” Fin questioned.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lorelei gave the young fairy a knowing
look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, it’s similar, and it’s also
not the first time you’ve brought up the Bond Guard recently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you anxious to know that aspect of your
future, Fin?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The boy blushed, the red in his face
clashing cutely with his purple tresses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Kinda.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know we have to have
eighteen life seasons to our names before we can go to the Bond Guard, but I
wish I could know now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard to
wait.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Do you have a fairy in mind to whom you’d
like to be bonded?” Lorelei asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin adamantly shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
just…I’m afraid I won’t like what the Bond Guard will say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What if I don’t even <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have</i> a mate?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You have got yourself twisted up like a
snake, haven’t you?” Lorelei clucked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You need to remember, Fin, that it is not a bad thing to be an unmated
fairy.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin blushed brighter as he remembered that
Lorelei herself had never had a mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m sorry, Lorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t mean
to speak against you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You didn’t speak against me, lad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You stated an honest fear, but that fear
comes from not realizing that being unmated is a gift just as having a
companion is one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bond Guard knew I
would be happier without a life-bond to someone, just as she knows that other
fairies are meant to be together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Neither situation is good or bad in itself; it is simply what is best
for each creature.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But what about the mated fairies who
don’t get along?” Fin asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, there are two reasons for that,”
Lorelei said knowingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Some fairies
fight the Bond Guard’s guidance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
think they know their match better than her, so they don’t accept their mate
and seek out a different one; or, they take the mate the Bond Guard says is
theirs, but they don’t accept in their hearts that it is right, so they always
fight against the natural bond that is there.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lorelei sat more deeply into her bunny-fur
couch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Bond Guard knows matches,
but mated relationships still take work between the companions, and even the
best of matches can be miserable if the fairies refuse to accept one another.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I didn’t know we could refuse our mate,”
Fin confessed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, sometimes we are not the wisest of
creatures.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lorelei’s tone was mildly
acerbic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The mate the Bond Guard
directs you toward is as natural as the calling of your fairy role, whether you
are an Earth Reader, Water Watcher, or something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But just because it’s natural doesn’t mean we
will always accept it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Acceptance is a
choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An Earth Reader may find
temporary enjoyment in a Water Watcher’s role, but it won’t last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He will never experience the fulfilment his
natural role would give him if he refuses to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the same way with your life-companion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You may enjoy your time with someone else,
but there will also be a lack if you refuse to bond to your true mate.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t know why anyone would refuse to
bond with their mate,” Fin declared.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lorelei chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, suppose I was the mate the Bond Guard
said was for you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you believe her
and accept me?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin was taken off-guard, and his words
were stuttered as he tried to answer respectfully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t…I mean…you’re a different
generation, Lorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We couldn’t be
mates.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Since when does age play into it?” the
elder fairy questioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We fairies have
very long life spans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve known mates
who were several years apart.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lorelei
softened her tone as Fin floundered to answer without causing offense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not truly asking for you to answer me,
Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What I want you to understand is
that even you may be surprised and even reluctant to accept your companion if
the Bond Guard says you have one.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin considered her words, now nervous that
maybe he wouldn’t like the Bond Guard’s choice for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was pulled from his thoughts though as he
glanced out the window and saw the rain had lessened to just a drizzle.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The downpour is over!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He set his
teacup down and bounced to his feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I’m going to go search out a rainbow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I still owe you a bottle of water,” he reminded.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Out you go then,” Lorelei agreed,
gracefully letting the conversation end. “But watch out for toads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t let them mistake you for something to
eat!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I won’t!” Fin assured, already partly out
the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He tossed her a smile before
taking off on his search.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The young fairy darted on young, speedy
wings away from Lorelei’s home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes
searched for the colors of a rainbow, but his mind thought on Lorelei’s
words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Was it true that he might not
like the mate the Bond Guard would say was his?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How was it possible to run away from your destiny?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin was distracted enough by his thoughts
that at first he didn’t hear the call for help, but he couldn’t miss the
disaster he almost flew into as he neared one of the waterfalls that graced the
fairy woods.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The heavy rains had greatly increased the
flow of water over the small cliff face that created the falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The roar of the water was loud, overtaking
the sound of everything else in the area.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin was startled at the sight, and then
highly alarmed as he saw two things at once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One was that the rocks and dirt bordering one side of the falls was
slowly starting to drop, the strength of the water pounding it apparently
creating too much pressure for it to remain firm, and threatening now to
crumble and bury the everything below it, including the homes of many animal
friends. Not only that, but if the earth fell away then the water pouring over
it would be completely released, and the fairy wood would be in threat of
flooding.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The second thing he saw was one tiny
fairy, desperately using every ounce of strength and magic in him to hold the
mass of earth upright.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He recognized the
young boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was Vaxon, another Earth
Reader like himself, but at only twelve years old, Vaxon didn’t have the
ability yet to keep the terrain from falling and burying himself along with
everything else.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Help!” the boy cried out as he saw Fin,
and Fin flew as fast as he could to the child, immediately adding his own
abilities to keep the earth from crumbling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With the magic churning inside him, he created a wall, invisible to the
naked eye, but solid against the cliff face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He held it as steady as possible to prevent the cliff from collapsing. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It wouldn’t be enough though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More magic than the two of them had was
necessary to prevent the disaster.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Vaxon!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You have to go get help!” Fin ordered. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You can’t hold it on your own!” Vaxon
argued, his young voice desperate and afraid.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We can’t hold it together either!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I can hold it until you bring help back,” he insisted, although he
feared that might end up being a lie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Go and sound an alert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Get as
many fairies to help as you can as quickly as you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With a trembling lip and a fearful look,
Vaxon obeyed, his young wings buzzing with the speed with which he flapped them
as he darted away for help.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As soon as he and his magic was gone, Fin
felt the increased weight of holding the cliff together on his own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He pressed his wall harder and spoke to the
earth, encouraging it to stay strong.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Stand firm,” he pleaded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know the water is powerful, but it’s not
trying to hurt you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t give in under
its weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll help you, and others
will help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stay as you are until they come.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will be ok.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As the minutes passed, his arms began to
tremble and the wall he’d erected began to wobble, showing that his magic was
growing weak and needed to rest, but he couldn’t let go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lives and homes would be destroyed if he did.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We’re coming!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hurry</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">! he thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He could barely flap his wings, he was
getting so weak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then he was being
surrounded by his fairy comrades. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fellow
Earth Readers enveloped him and lent their magic and their voices to strengthen
the wall he’d erected and encourage the dirt and rocks to stay strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nature Nurturer fairies brought seeds of
vine flowers and began planting them in the earth, and then using their magic
to encouraged supernatural growth that would create additional support to the
struggling cliff.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Animal Keepers herded the vulnerable
animals away from danger while working with the resident beavers, birds, and
otters to gather sticks and stones to make dams and slow the water’s force.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin continued to work with his Earth
Reader fairies to hold the wall in place, but his strength was seeping out of
him at an alarming rate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His wings
managed a few final flaps before they could move no more, and he started to
fall away.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Someone yelled his name, and almost
immediately his body landed limply onto the soft, feathered back of a friendly
bird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted to say thank you and he
wanted to keep helping, but instead he unknowingly faded into ‘fairy sleep’,
that deep, dreamless, but dangerous period of restoration that was unavoidable
when a fairy’s magic needed time to recuperate.<br />
<br />
*******</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin knew he was waking up, but it was a
strange kind of wakening, because it didn’t feel like he’d actually been in a
normal sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were no dreams, no
sense of anything around him, and his whole body felt heavy and immoveable,
instead of doing its typical tossing and turning that preceded waking in the
morning.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The knowledge that he was waking was due more
to the way his magic felt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d been in
a place of darkness that left him feeling hollow and alone, like the magic that
was such a part of him and filled him with color and purpose and energy, had
gotten frightened and run away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now,
thankfully, it seemed to be coming out of hiding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a sensation of warmth filling him,
like a sunbeam touching his toes and slowly moving up his body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was pleasant and relaxing, and helped keep
the sense of fear that he couldn’t move his arms or legs at bay.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After a long while the warmth reached his
face, and after several tries he was able to blink his eyes open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His vision was blurry and he couldn’t make
out the images around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They could
have been trees or people or animals; nothing was clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then he heard voices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sound of them was like being underwater,
and it was impossible to tell what they were saying, but something tender
touched his cheek, caressing it and he had just enough energy to turn his face
into the soothing touch.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After that a much more natural sleep
overtook him, this one filled with pleasant dreams and happy visions.<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The second time around, Fin’s waking was
much more natural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He flipped from side
to side a couple times, and then with a sigh opened his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He immediately recognized that he was in his
own bedroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His clothes hanging on
hooks on the wall cast familiar shadows in the early morning light, and the
clean smell of his potted moss that kept the air in his space moisture-rich and
cool tickled his nose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He was able to move his arms and legs
again too, and he stretched luxuriously, letting out a satisfied groan that was
loud enough to bring his mother to the door.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, my boy!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re finally awake!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s such a relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emre!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Come quick!” she called out to Fin’s father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fin is awake!.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He gave her a confused look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s going on?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Before his mother could answer, his father
appeared in the doorway, a look of concern morphing into a smile of relief
matching Fin’s mother’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Oh Fin, you
had us so concerned!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin looked back and forth between his
parents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t understand what you’re
talking about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are you so relieved
over?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His parents came fully into his room and
sat on the edge of his bed, his mother mechanically smoothing out the down
blanket covering his legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’ve been
insentient for over eighteen hours, Finny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You dropped into fairy sleep.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s eyes blinked in surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fairy sleep?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The rains threatened the cliff
falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t you remember?” his father
asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin had to think for a minute, but soon
the image of the powerfully rushing water and crumbling cliff entered his
mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His arms and wings tingled with
the memory of the effort he’d put in to hold the cliff upright and the subtle
sensation of his magic still weak, but slowly returning to full strength.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He nodded after a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah, I remember now.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes widened and met his mother’s in an
anxious moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The cliff!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did it crumble?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is everyone alright?!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His mother patted his hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“All is well. You’re a hero, Finny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You and Vaxon both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You kept a tragedy from happening and got
help just in time, although you about gave your father and I a fainting spell
when the fairy sleep descended on you and your wings stopped moving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You dropped as fast as the water over the
falls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank goodness Jac and the owl,
Daichi, were close enough to catch you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You would have fallen to the water and gotten stuck under the falls if
they hadn’t.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s eyes got even bigger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jac was here?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When did he get back?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought he was gone for good!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“He’s still working with a Nature Nurturer
a distance away, but he was visiting his family when Vaxon’s call for help
sounded,” Fin’s father explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
gave Fin a confused look.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jac even
stayed here with us until it was clear your fairy sleep had become a natural
rest, but you seem upset that he was back.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He made a promise to me before he left a few
months ago, and he never fulfilled it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think it’s pretty crummy that he’s been back in the area, but he hasn’t come to
see me and fulfill that promise.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well,” his mother soothed, “He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">did</i> save your life when you fell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You wouldn’t even be here with your father
and me if he and Daichi hadn’t caught you when you dropped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps it’s time to forgive him for the
broken promise and be thankful for his rescue instead.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin knew his mother was right, but there
was still a seed of resentment in him, mostly because his curiosity on what the
Bond Guard had told Fin demanded to be satisfied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, he nodded at his mother’s words.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’re right.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She leaned in and kissed his brow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Those are words every parent likes to
hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, how is your energy
feeling?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think you’re ready for some
food?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You bet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Can we have blackberry cakes for breakfast?” </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His mother chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I suppose so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m guessing you’re going to want some tree sugar
sauce with them?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded emphatically. That made his
mother laugh harder.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“All right then, Finny.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you have the strength to go to the sugar
tree and get some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll get started on
them right away if you can.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin assured her he was okay, and then
dressed quickly after his parents left the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He grabbed a walnut shell bucket on his way
out the door, but paused as he stepped outside and his feet touched the
terrain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His magic tingled as grass and
soil rubbed against his soles, and he knew the earth was talking to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Closing his eyes, he concentrated on what the
earth was saying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After several moments,
a beautiful smile lifted the corners of his mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His heart warmed as the land thanked him for
his help the previous day.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’re welcome,” he replied softly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grass blades wrapped around his toes, almost
petting his feet in silent gratefulness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fin bent down and gently petted the grass in return, and then moved
toward the sugar tree that grew tall and strong behind his home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He’d just attached his bucket to the tiny
tap in the tree when a voice startled him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’re looking well, runt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You had a lot of us worried when the fairy
sleep made you fall.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Looking up in surprise, Fin saw Jacoby
standing on a low branch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The older
boy’s mouth was turned up in a familiar smile, but his eyes looked concerned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He jumped from the branch and spread his
wings out to float to the ground.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Everyone’s really proud of you, including
me, but I was worried about you too,” he offered sincerely.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin quickly got over his surprise at
seeing the other boy and crossed his arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Mother says I should be grateful to you—and I am—but I’m mad at you
too,” he stated candidly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s smile faltered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Mad at me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did I do?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You disappeared without saying good-bye, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> you broke a promise,” Fin reminded.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The Bond Guard meeting, right?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded, his mouth set in a pout he
didn’t even realize had appeared.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Listen, runt,” Jac responded, his own
arms crossing to match Fin’s pose, although the look was a little more
intimidating on the older boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t
break my promise to you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just haven’t
fulfilled it…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">yet</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also had—and still have—a very good reason for
needing to be away right now.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin huffed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“To be with your life mate, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s what most of the fairies think.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That Nature Nurturer you went to help is the
one the Bond Guard told you about,” he asserted.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That’s what you think?” Jac questioned,
his brows lifting in surprise and a hint of exasperation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fin, you and your friends need to focus on
what’s real instead of what your imaginations dream up.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, that is what’s real, isn’t it?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“As a matter of fact, it is not,” Jac
answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Crill is not my mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a friend who needed my help, a friend
who has helped me in the last few months, and a friend who is happily bonded to
a lovely fairy named Sera.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I…oh,” Fin replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac rolled his eyes and dropped his arms
from across his chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the heat
left his voice and he chucked Fin under the chin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Crill is also waiting for me to return
because we have some important work to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He’s teaching me a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was
waiting to leave though until I could make sure you really were ok.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m saying good-bye this time, ok?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, ok, but you still haven’t kept your
promise,” Fin reminded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I will,” Jac declared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I can’t yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have some preparation to do before I can
share what the Bond Guard told me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Why is it such a secret?” Fin asked.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac hesitated, but then answered honestly,
although rather vaguely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It was a
secret at first because I wasn’t thrilled about what the Bond Guard told me,
and I didn’t want to share it with anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Now I’m seeing things a little clearer, but the time isn’t right
yet.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When Fin didn’t look wholly convinced, Jac
tried to offer a little more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I haven’t
even told my parents what the Bond Guard said, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not their information to know yet either.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">That surprised the younger fairy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You haven’t?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Does anyone else know?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After a brief hesitation, Jac nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Crill does, and he’s been helping me with
it, but he’s the only one.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin felt mildly put out that this Crill
person knew the secret, but better about things to learn that Jac’s parents hadn’t
even been let in on it.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You will tell me one day though, right?”
he pushed.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One day I will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With a resigned sigh, Fin accepted
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ok.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I should go,” Jac stated, “and your
bucket is almost full.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin glanced at his walnut shell and
quickly moved to release the tap and prevent it from filling any more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He then turned back to Jac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thanks for sticking around to say
good-bye this time, and thanks for catching me when I dropped.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’re welcome, runt,” Jac replied, a
smile returning to his features.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Try to
stay out of trouble, ok?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, yeah,” Fin replied without
promising anything.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Moments later Jac was gone and Fin returned to
the house, feeling less upset with the older fairy than he had been, but still
frustrated that his curiosity had yet to be appeased.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-37757051809978407132017-06-23T22:30:00.000-04:002017-06-23T22:30:06.105-04:00Fairy Tales - Part Two<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac was distracted, and had been for the
last two days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was making Fin
nervous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The previous day the two of
them had flown to Nighttree Pond to collect Lorelei’s sample.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac had barely spoken all day, except to
repeatedly tell Fin the “proper” and “respectful” way to gather the required
water samples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin had grown quite tired
of hearing, “Lady Lorelei said…”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
other than Jac being a little bossy in the way they retrieved the water
samples, he’d almost ignored Fin, making the younger fairy wonder if he’d done
something wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This day they were flying to Rock Falls to
get the required sample for Lorelei.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was a long distance away, and the two of them rested every hour or so to give
their wings a break.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was during one
of these breaks that Fin finally had enough of the strange silence exuding from
Jacoby and spoke up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What’s wrong, Jac?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you mad at me?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Huh?” Jac looked his way, his expression
confused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Why would I be mad at you?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s why I’m asking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re barely talking to me,” Fin complained.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ve just got things on my mind, Fin.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What things?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you worried about collecting the
water?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is getting it keeping you from
doing your nature duties?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it about your meeting with the Bond
Guard?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How did that go?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You didn’t tell me!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac tossed him a mild glare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t tell you everything, Fin
Earthenly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not best friends or
anything.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s wings drooped dejectedly, matching
the now crestfallen expression on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I know, but I thought we were casual friends…kind of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean, you helped me with the rainbow water
and you’re getting the samples with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I just thought….”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave a
forlorn shrug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t mean to upset
you.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac sighed, his glare quickly
disappearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are friends, and you didn’t do anything
wrong,” he consoled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But my meeting
with the Bond Guard is a private matter.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Didn’t it go well?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did the Guard
not know who your mate was?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did she say there is no mate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sorry if she did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be hard to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did she….”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin!” Jac interrupted firmly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Please, no more questions. I told you it was
private.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But why is it such a big secret?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No one ever told me we had to keep what the
Bond Guard says secret.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that
something new?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just thought….”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That if you keep pesting me I’ll tell
you?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, I won’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to think on some things she said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s all.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Maybe I can help,” Fin said sincerely.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s pale green wings fluttered, lifting
his feet off the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You can help
by getting the water samples with me and quitting with the questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come on, we’re almost to Rock Falls as it
is.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac took off, making Fin have to fly hard
to catch up with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">really</i> wanted to know what it was that
the Bond Guard had said that Jac needed to think on, but he didn’t want to be a
complete nuisance with his curiosity either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was just <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so hard</i> to not
press to know more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A few minutes later they were nearly to
the falls, but an unexpected sight caused Jac to land on a sunflower before
continuing on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What’s going on?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why’d you stop?” Fin asked as he landed next
to the older boy.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hush,” Jac ordered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Look there.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin looked where Jac pointed and then
noticed what was causing their delay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
strange contraption had been set up in the woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked like a flimsy little house, and
inside it shadows were moving.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What’s that, Jac?” Fin asked
nervously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Something alive is
inside!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is it evil?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac put a warm hand on Fin’s
shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t think so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think those are humans inside it.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Humans?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What are they doing in our woods?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“They show up from time to time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know that, Fin.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, but I’ve never actually seen them
here before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are they doing?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t know,” Jac whispered his reply.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Both fairies watched for a couple
minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the quiet, they could hear
muffled voices of the people within the odd-looking house, but not the exact
words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually Fin’s nerves morphed
into curiosity that couldn’t be ignored.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Quietly his wings fluttered and he darted toward the enclosure, with Jac
exasperatedly calling for him to, “Get back here!”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin ignored him; instead, he flew near the
strange enclosure that was tied down with ropes and hid under a fallen
leaf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In moments Jac was at his side,
hissing at him that they shouldn’t be so close.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I want to see,” Fin insisted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“They won’t notice me.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“They will if you don’t control yourself
and start shimmering!” Jac reminded him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fairies, when they got overly excited or
didn’t pay attention to their bodies, could sometimes produce a shimmering glow
in their wings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Often the untrained eye
mistook the glow for a firefly, but a fairy could never be too careful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Concealment was an important part of their
continuing existence.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ll be careful,” Fin contended, not
letting on that until Jac had reminded him, he hadn’t noticed the subtle warmth
in his wings that preceded the appearance of the shimmer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He forced himself to be calm and then slowly
began inching toward the shelter and the humans inside it.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“This is a bad idea!” Jac insisted, but he
moved quietly with Fin, his own fairy curiosity pushing him along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They got right to the edge of the strange
little house, and were now able to hear the voices inside clearly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“They’re arguing,” Fin whispered after a
minute.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac nodded his agreement, but continued to
listen silently to the voices of two human males inside the shelter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever had started the argument, one of the
males was clearly mad while the other was upset and apologetic.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m sorry, Matt,” the upset voice said in
contrition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I just forgot them.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m not angry that you forgot them,
Ricky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m angry that you lied about it
and hid it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shouldn’t have taken you
out camping if I couldn’t trust you to pack what we need and be honest when you
forget something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could have stopped
at a half a dozen places to pick up matches on the way here, but you didn’t
tell me about them until we had the tent set up and everything!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m sorry,” Ricky apologized again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will we have to go home now?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The voice belonging to Matt got grumbly,
and Fin’s nosiness drove him to get even closer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He slipped through a tiny gap in the shelter,
putting him inside with the humans, but still out of sight as he hid behind a
bag laying haphazardly in the corner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
moments Jac was with him, silently trying to urge him back out, but also
curiously observing the two humans they could now see.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin guessed the males were roughly the
same age as Jacoby—maybe a couple years older.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One of them had his arms crossed while the other sat morosely across
from him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one with crossed arms
turned out to be “Matt”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin recognized
his voice when he spoke.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No, we don’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">have</i> to go home,” Matt stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“But our leisure time is getting cut into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll have to take everything down, hike back
to the truck, and go back to the last convenience store we passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll have to get a supply of matches there,
and then come back and set everything back up again.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We don’t have to take everything down,”
Ricky insisted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“One of us can stay here
and one of us can go back to the store.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m not leaving you here alone,” Matt
replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not safe to be alone and
isolated for either of us, and I don’t trust just leaving our stuff out and set
up while we’re gone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could come back
and find everything stolen.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ricky looked defeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sorry I ruined the weekend, Matty.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Matt shook his head and ended up pulling
Ricky into a hug, his voice getting lower and gentler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You didn’t ruin it, little buddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Were just going to take a detour from our
original plans.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He kissed Ricky’s brow,
and then his lips dropped lower and brushed across Ricky’s mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You always keep life interesting, brat.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">After another peck on the mouth, Matt turned
Ricky towards the shelter’s zippered door and popped his hand against the young
man’s bottom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Matty!” Ricky complained, his hand
immediately covering the smacked area.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t ‘Matty’ me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could smack those jeans a few more times if
necessary, or we can just start packing things up and get a move on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your choice.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m packing!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m packing!” Ricky insisted.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good call,” Matt chuckled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The two humans disappeared outside the
shelter, and Fin and Jac waited until they were sure no one was paying attention
before silently slipping away and giving the humans back their privacy.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They flew into the branches of a tree, one
close enough that they could still observe the two young men below them.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ve never seen real humans before,
especially so close,” Fin commented as he watched Matt and Ricky collapse the
strange shelter they’d been in and start to roll it up.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ve seen them before, but mostly from a
distance,” Jac replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve never been
this close either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’re bigger than I
thought.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do you think those two are mates?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Maybe, but it’s hard to tell since they
were fighting.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Just at first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matt was nicer to Ricky later.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I wish we could talk to them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d ask if they were mates.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t you dare!” Jac ordered firmly, his
voice both determined and a little anxious at the direction of Fin’s
thoughts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s dangerous!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Humans cannot be trusted by those of us with
magic in our world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They abuse it!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i>
stupid, Jac!” Fin defended himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
know humans don’t understand magical creatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was taught the same stories about captured mermaids and killed
unicorns as you were in school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I
can still wish humans could be trusted enough to talk to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m curious to know more.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Curiosity killed the foolish fairy,” Jac
quoted from a familiar fairy proverb.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not a foolish fairy.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Maybe not,” Jac conceded, and then gave
Fin a little push.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But you’re still a
runt, and you can’t catch me!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The older boy’s wings fluttered as fast as
a hummingbird’s, and he took off toward the nearby Rock Falls. </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin shouted out a “Not fair!” before
darting after him, the two human males already forgotten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
*******</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Sunshine Tide pools were a beautiful
part of the fairy woods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as their
name described, the pools were a dozen or so small water areas separated by
rocks and sand, and their shallow depths were warmed by the sun and filled with
small aquatic life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The two young fairies had flown there the
day after visiting Rock Falls and seeing the human males.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gathered their samples as Lorelei had
instructed, but then took the time to enjoy the pools themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They swam and explored the small, underwater
worlds, and then floated on their backs in relaxation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I could live here,” Fin said happily.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Mm,” Jacoby murmured in response.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was tranquil, his eyes closed, as he
floated on his back, his wings underneath him creating a type of water
hammock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Both fairies were quiet for several
minutes, but quiet was not something that lasted long with Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He swam over to wear Jac was floating and
tapped the older boy’s shoulder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac
sleepily opened one eye.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Are you done thinking about the Bond
Guard yet?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can you tell me what she
said?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s mouth turned down as he closed his
eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s private.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told you that before.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“But <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">why</i>?”
Fin whined.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac grumbled and moved from his floating
position to tread water next to the younger boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re always such a pest, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some things just aren’t your business.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’d tell you if I’d gone!” Fin wheedled.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And that would be your choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mine is that I want what the Bond Guard told
me to be private.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll share what she
said when I feel it’s right.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin crossed his arms in the water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Keeping secrets is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mean</i>, Jacoby.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No…some secrets are mean, but some
aren’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some things aren’t meant to be
shared, and I wouldn’t trust you with a secret, runt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re too excited to be in everyone’s
business, especially mine apparently.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, just see if I tell you anything
when it’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">my </i>turn to go to the Bond Guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I won’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ever</i>
tell you who my match is,” Fin said petulantly.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">One side of Jac’s mouth tipped up and his
head tilted in humor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m pretty sure
I’ll know the second you leave the Bond Guard’s house…me and everyone else in
wing distance.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Feeling insulted, Fin swam to the edge of
the tide pool and climbed out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">never</i> tell,” he insisted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And I’m going home.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The sound of wings fluttering was behind
him for a moment before the presence of the older fairy appeared at his
side.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A damp hand gently squeezed Fin’s
neck, and then moved up to ruffle his short purple locks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t mean any insult to you, but you
have to admit that secrets aren’t your strong suit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now I need to keep what the Bond Guard
told me to myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s important, and
it’s trying my patience just as it’s trying yours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll tell you someday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ok?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin looked up into Jac’s green eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You really promise?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s face lit up in a boyish grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I really promise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now let’s get these samples back before
Lorelei thinks we’ve run away with them.” </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded, his natural buoyancy
returning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Race you home?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’ll never win, runt,” Jac declared,
and then laughed as he grabbed a bag of the samples and took off into the air.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Cheater!” Fin yelled, and took off after
him with the rest of the samples secured in his arms.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br />
*******</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A few days later, Fin was rather
grudgingly fulfilling the chore of organizing Lady Lorelei’s water cellar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The task had been interesting initially.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lorelei had more kinds of water than he’d
ever seen in his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides the
waters found throughout their fairy wood, she had pristine bottles of rare
waters from around the world: glacier water from Alaska, murky water from the
Caribbean salt flats, red-tinted water from the Egyptian Nile, and even an
exceptionally rare bottle of earth-core water—water so close to the center of
the earth that it never cooled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin had
to make sure he wore special gloves whenever he touched that bottle, or any of
the frigid glacier waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Can you even drink earth-core water?”
he’d asked Lorelei when she’d given him a tour of the cellar.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh yes, but never by itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It must be carefully mixed, first two fingers
of glacier water—preferably that from the arctic region—then a choice of any
special water you prefer, and then just a drop of earth-core water to give it
kick and fizzle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Done right, an
earth-core mix is divine.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Wow,” Fin murmured in awe.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, well, don’t be getting any ideas
little mole-boy,” she warned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re
here to organize my cellar, not drink its contents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can I trust you?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, ma’am,” he assured, although he
couldn’t deny there was a strong temptation to indulge, as well as to comment
that he didn’t really care for the nickname “mole-boy”.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He’d manage to deny his desires to taste
as he worked the day away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Per Lorelei’s
instructions, he separated the bottles as she directed, alphabetized, washed,
and even put new labels on some of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His arms were tired and aching from all the lifting and moving, and his
wings were dust-covered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one good
thing was that the underground cellar with its moss-covered walls was cool and
conducive to working such a heavy job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He finally finished in the late afternoon,
and helped Lorelei down the stairs to check his work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Quite good,” she said in satisfaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“I believe I had the right fairy for the job,” she praised.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin preened a little, appreciating the
approval since he knew he’d worked hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Come upstairs now,” Lorelei directed, but
then changed her mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Actually, go
outside through the basement door first and flutter that dust off
yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Afterward you can come in and
use the shower, and I’ll have some food made up for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suppose it’s only right to feed you for
your effort.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She almost made it sound like a chore to
feed him, but he guessed the tone was more for show than any true
derision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lorelei was definitely bossy
and a bit prickly, but Fin had figured out that she wasn’t mean or nasty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went outside to shake his wings off, and
then made quick use of the shower to clean away the day’s labors.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When he joined her a few minutes later,
his tummy rumbled at the sight of rice toast with berry jam and fresh basil and
honeycomb salad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Sit,” Lorelei ordered as soon as she saw
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Dig in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not right for the hostess to eat before
her guest, so the sooner you take a bite, the sooner I can sate my hunger too.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, ma’am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you, ma’am,” Fin said eagerly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He immediately sat down and filled his plate
with the sweet toast and fresh salad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s so good!” he said sincerely around his first mouthful of food.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Of course it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A good host only gives her guests the
best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Need a drink?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, please.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He was startled a moment later when his
glass began filling up with a colorful beverage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First red, then orange, yellow, green, blue,
violet, and purple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He turned wide eyes
up to the elder fairy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Rainbow water?”
he squeaked.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I serve my guests the best,” she repeated,
but her bright blue eyes sparkled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Good work deserves recognition and reward,” she explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Eat and drink little mole-boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s plenty.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was a surprisingly enjoyable meal for
Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lorelei told him how she had
obtained her<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>water collection, and he learned that she had
been quite an adventurous Water Watcher when she was a young fairy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We are born to do what we love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We fairies are lucky like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You enjoy your Earth Reader duties, do you
not?” she asked.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Very much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I love making the soil rich and pure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did you know the darker the soil, the better it is to grow vegetables,
but fair-colored soil is better for green flora?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also try to make the best ground I can for
the animals in the area, like good mud for the beavers to build with, or the
right grains of sand for the beach-dwelling creatures.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin spoke with passion and joy, clearly
loving his fairy job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lorelei nodded
approvingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is good that you think beyond just the
soil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All life works together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The soil to grow food and beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plants to provide sustenance and
homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water to quench thirst and irrigate
the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the magic of fairies,
sprites, mer-folk, and others to add mystery to the universe.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin agreed wholeheartedly, and by the time
the food was gone and he was saying good-bye to Lorelei, he wondered if he had
made a bit of a friend in the older lady.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tired, but content with the day, Fin’s wings buzzed as he flew through
the trees, debating whether to go home or possibly stop by Jacoby’s house and
tell him about his time with Lorelei.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As he was flying, he saw some of his other
friends and one of them, Coty, called out to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He quickly turned in their direction and
joined the group of them that were hanging around a honeysuckle bush and
enjoying its nectar.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hi, everyone,” he greeted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What’s flapping?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Nothing much,” Coty answered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Where have you been this week?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve hardly seen you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even Nak says you’ve been elusive the last
few days.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Nak was an Earth Reader, like Fin, and the
two of them often worked together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I had to fulfill some tasks for Lady
Lorelei, but I’m done with them now.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Great, then you can play with us!” Coty
invited.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin grinned and got some nectar for
himself. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sounds great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did you have planned?”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We all wanted to go swinging,” Coty
answered.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah,” Nymia, one of the fairy girls
agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Coty and Mio found some
newly-grown vines today, so we’re all going to try them out!”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Awesome!” Fin said gleefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He loved to swing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Hey, let’s stop by Jac’s place and see if he
wants to go too.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, haven’t you heard?” Mio asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Jac’s gone.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Gone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What are you talking about?” </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I went to see him yesterday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sometimes nurture the bigger trees together,
and he told me he was leaving.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Where was he going?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When will he be back?” Fin questioned.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t know.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mio shrugged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“He said there was another Nature Nurturer who asked for his help in
healing a section of land that had suffered a fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was leaving right away.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hey, do you think the nurturer he’s
helping is his mate?” Nymia asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
heard he went to the Bond Guard this week.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Wow, that would be really cool if it
was!” Coty piped in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Maybe that’s why
he left so quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait till
the Bond Guard lets me know if I have a mate.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
</span><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">All the other fairies started talking
about mates and who theirs might be, but Fin was unusually quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wanted Jac to be happy and to have a mate
so he wouldn’t be lonely, but he was sad the older boy was gone.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">On the heels of his sadness, a bit of anger
bubbled inside him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac had promised to
tell him about his meeting with the Bond Guard, but now he was gone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin didn’t like that one bit!</span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7800268300388790301.post-40173882018381325152017-06-17T19:55:00.004-04:002017-06-17T19:55:58.004-04:00Fairy Tales - Part One<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>To those interested, I will be posting WIP (work-in-progress) stories and chapters as I can this summer. I will warn readers that I cannot guarantee quick updates or completion of these WIPs anytime soon. However, I hope you enjoy reading, and I'd love to hear your comments. Positive feedback definitely helps my muse :) Thanks, readers :)</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b>JL-</b></span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>*******</b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Fairy Tales - Part One</span></b><br />
<br />
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<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin Earthenly, just wait till I get my
hands on you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your wings will be
grounded for a month’s moon cycle!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Young Fin’s wings shuddered at the threat,
despite the fact that he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">was</i> an Earth
Reader.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, just because he
communed with and cultivated the planet’s earth-force didn’t mean that he
didn’t find thrill and fulfilment in stretching his wings and flying to the
treetops and above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being grounded would
suck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He couldn’t let his mother find
him until she calmed down.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His eyes darted around and spotted a soft
pink rose, its petals starting to close for the night, and he flew as silently
as possible to the flower, hiding himself in the fragrant petals just as they
shut completely.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He breathed a sigh of relief, only to gasp
and whirl around as a chuckle sounded behind him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His eyes landed on a familiar face, Jacoby Floraman—occasional
friend and occasional bane of Fin’s existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh flutterby.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He murmured the common fairy swear.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac clucked his tongue both in chiding and
amusement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Your fairy butt in trouble
again, Fin?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes
in an attempt to look menacing to the older and bigger boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacoby had a knack for rubbing him the wrong
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I don’t see how my fairy butt is
your concern, Jacoby.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s mouth tipped upward with growing
amusement instead of being cowed by Fin’s posturing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’re in one of my flowers, runt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d say my concern became valid the moment
you joined me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin huffed, having forgotten Jacoby was a
Nature Nurturer and had a vested interest in all growing things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t know you were here.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And if you did, you wouldn’t have flown
in?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No,” Fin adamantly declared.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, letting your mother find you and ground your wings would be the
preferable option?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin scowled, embarrassed that the other
boy had heard his mother’s threat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
hate you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac merely chuckled and shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What did you do this time, kid?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin crossed his ankles and gracefully sat
down, resting his back against the rose’s soft petals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s no big deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mama will calm down by morning light.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“If it’s no big deal, why are you so
determined not to tell me?” Jac questioned.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin felt his cheeks heat up, but tried to
bluff away the blush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just don’t see any cause for Mama’s
ire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides, you knowing my activities hasn’t
always worked to my advantage.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh please.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“If you’re talking about what happened when I
turned seven, it’s time to get over it.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin harrumphed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I was five-years-old and your tattling kept
me from having any sweet foods for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">two</i>
days!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s hard for a kid to get
over.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Newsflash, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re not five anymore, and you <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">were</i> at fault.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You blew out the candles on my birthday
cake!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I know!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I couldn’t help it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
were…mesmerizing.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, well, I was seven and upset that I
wouldn’t be able to make a birthday wish for another whole year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know birthday wishes are special…just as
special as the wishes made on the first star of the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You took my wish away and I was distressed.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And went crying to your mother,” Fin
repeated sassily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m not apologizing for something that
happened over ten years ago and that wasn’t my fault.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">You
told….</i>”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“And you deserved it,” Jacoby interrupted
the start of Fin’s rant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Wouldn’t you
have told on me if I took your wish?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin actually thought about that and some
of his indignation faded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yeah,” he
conceded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I would have.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a long moment he added, “Sorry for
taking your wish away.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac immediately smiled at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I made up for it with an extra big wish when I turned eight.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s eyes brightened with interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His natural curiosity being immediately
triggered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What did you wish for?!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The older boy shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Not telling.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jac-o-by!”</i>
Fin whined.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Tell me!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You know you shouldn’t tell your wishes.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“That’s just to make sure they come
true!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If your wish already came true,
then you can tell me what it was!” Fin insisted.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Maybe it didn’t come true yet,” Jac argued.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s eyes flashed in irritation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re just being mean now.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m actually bargaining with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Tit for tat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You tell me why
you’re hiding from your mama tonight, and I’ll tell you what I wished for.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin bit his lower lip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being overly-curious was a natural trait
among fairy-kind, although some learned to manage it better than others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin was not one of those.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He struggled to keep a handle on his
inquisitiveness at the best of times, and having Jac dangle the tantalizing
string of a childhood birthday wish in front of him was too much for him to
resist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fine,” he yielded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ll tell you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mama…well…she’s been preparing some things
for company tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of her and
Papa’s water sprite friends from their school days are coming over, and she had
been saving some rainbow water for them.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s pointed ears perked up at the
mention of rainbow water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very</i> hard to get,” he stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Rainbows directly touching the water are
rare, and they only linger a few minutes at most, but the water they touch is
the sweetest there is.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, I know,” Fin admitted reluctantly,
his eyes going downcast.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh dear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did you spill it?” Jac questioned.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin shook his head guiltily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I drank it.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s sea-green eyes blinked in
surprised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You drank it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s lip trembled slightly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t realize it had been brought out for
Mama’s company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was just sitting
there and it looked so delicious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
thought to just take a sip, but then…I couldn’t stop.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The older fairy shook his head
disapprovingly, causing the ponytail his black hair was pulled up in to sway
back and forth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No wonder your mama is
irked at you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would be too if you
drank my rainbow water.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s eyes dropped to his knees, his wings
drooping in remorse as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I didn’t
mean to drink it all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d give it back if
I could.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It would be hopeless to get now anyway,”
Jac stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Finding a rainbow at night
is nearly impossible.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin whimpered, his pretty violet eyes
getting bright with moisture.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know
it’s impossible, but Mama is really mad, and now there’s nothing special for
the company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t fix it and I don’t
want to get my wings grounded.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A tear
dripped down his cheek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I hate it when
my flying is taken away.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">There was a shuffling sound, and then Fin
felt an arm slip around his shoulders and Jac’s voice was surprisingly
sympathetic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’ve certainly dropped
yourself into a thorn bush of a problem, but don’t lose heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let me think for a few minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps there is something that can be done.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Really?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fin looked to him hopefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Can
you help me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What can we do?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hush, runt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said I needed to think,” Jac lightly
scolded.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s head dropped again, but then Jacoby
squeezed him lightly and urged him to rest his head on his shoulder while they
sat in silence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s patience only lasted so long though,
and after several minutes, he lifted his head to look up at the older boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You done thinking yet?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jacoby’s sigh in response seemed
borderline exasperated, making Fin feel bad all over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His fall back into melancholy earned him
another squeeze though.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You could try thinking of some solutions
too, kid,” Jac suggested ruefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Although I might have an idea at the moment.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Really?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will it work?!” Fin
immediately reacted.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I said <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">might</i>, Fin,” Jac reminded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“It’s just an idea, and I think it’s best we wait till first light to
pursue it.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What is it?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I think we should go to Lorelei, the
Water Watcher, and ask her advice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe
she’ll know where we can gather some rainbow water before your mama’s guests
come to call.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Lorelei?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fin scrunched his nose in disfavor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“She’s such a stick-in-the-mud, and she’s bossy.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“She’s a wise fairy who has been a Water
Watcher since she could speak, and an elder in our community for decades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She can give us guidance, and I’m sure will
be willing to assist us…”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked down
warningly at Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">If</i> we are respectful to her.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin harrumphed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m respectful!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, it’s respect that makes you call
her a stick-in-the-mud, right?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin shook his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No, that’s just me being honest.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jacoby laughed and lightly smacked Fin’s
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re naughtier than a raccoon
pup, Fin Earthenly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now lie down and get
some sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We need to take care of
things at first light because I have other things to be done tomorrow besides
saving your little white wings.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The two of them settled comfortably into
the rose’s soft petals, the quiet settling onto them, although it didn’t last
long.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Jac?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The older fairy sighed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What, Fin?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You didn’t tell me your wish yet.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac couldn’t help chuckling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It would drive you crazy if I didn’t tell,
wouldn’t it?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You promised you would!” Fin
insisted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Aye, I did.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“So, what was it?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac was quiet for a long moment, but Fin
could tell he was getting ready to answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“On my eighth birthday, I wished to see above
the trees for the first time,” he finally said softly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh wow,” Fin breathed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“My wings weren’t strong enough to do that
until I was twelve.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Neither were mine,” Jac admitted, “and I
didn’t tell anyone my wish, but I think my Pop figured it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just before dusk that day, he brought me to
Daichi the Owl, and we rode on Daichi’s back until we broke through the
tree-cover.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We circled the Fairy Woods
while the sun set.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the best thing
ever.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Wow,” Fin said again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I want to do that someday.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">They lay in contented silence for several
minutes after that, and Jacoby was just drifting off to sleep when a voice
interrupted the quiet again.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Jac?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin, go to sleep,” he grumbled.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Just one question, Jac?” the younger boy
pleaded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, maybe two.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac sighed, knowing Fin’s curiosity would
have to be soothed if they were ever to get any sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What is it?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Could you take me to Daichi someday to
ask to ride on his back above the trees, and maybe ride with me?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac grinned in the darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Sure, runt.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Good,” Fin said happily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Is that all you wanted to know?” Jac
questioned.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“No,” Fin replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I wanted to know what else you needed to do
tomorrow besides talk to Lorelei with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What are you going to do?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s voice got mildly sober.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I turn eighteen tomorrow, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s my time to go see the Bond Guardian.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin felt his wings shudder slightly in
nervousness for Jac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d forgotten it
was the boy’s birthday the next day, and what turning eighteen meant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All fairies went to see the Bond Guardian on
that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an important
event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Bond Guardian was the guard
of relationships and compatible love between fairies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was the one who told you if you were to
be mated, or if you would be happier as a single fairy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you did have a mate in your future,
sometimes she could even tell you who it would be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin was glad he still had two years before
his time to see the Bond Guardian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
feared he wouldn’t like whom he would end up matched with; or, even worse, he
feared being told he had no match.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
didn’t like the thought of being without a life-companion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Are you anxious, Jac?” he asked quietly.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“A little,” the boy admitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“And that was three questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No more tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go to sleep, Fin.”<br />
<br />
*****</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Hurry up, Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know I don’t have all day.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jacoby grabbed the younger boy’s hand and
pulled him along.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin still hesitated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But what if nothing can be done?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“We won’t know that until we talk to
Lorelei.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now come on!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Finally, they reached the willow tree that
Lorelei lived in. Its leaves hung down toward a lovely woodland pond that was
just starting to shimmer with the morning light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin hung back slightly as Jacoby knocked on
the Water Watcher’s door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It opened a
moment later to reveal the white-haired fairy called Lorelei.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Jacoby Floraman,” she said in a husky
voice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What are you doing beating my
door down when dawn has barely begun?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m sorry, Lady Lorelei,” he replied
sincerely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know it is early, but a
friend of mine has a problem and we’ve come seeking your help.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“What friend?” Lorelei questioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I see no one but you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jacoby looked behind him and saw that Fin
had indeed disappeared.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His hands going
to his hips, he turned and spoke to the seemingly empty area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fin Earthenly, you better not have run away!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come out right now!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The tinkle of rustling fairy wings could
be heard and Fin’s head popped out from behind one of the willow tree
roots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jac pointed firmly to the spot in
front of him, and Fin hesitantly came to join him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Don’t hide like a mole,” Jac
admonished.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s not respectful.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Sorry,” Fin said softly but sincerely.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lady Lorelei huffed quietly, but there was
a sparkle of amusement in her eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Come inside, Jacoby, and bring the little mole-boy with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll see if you are deserving of my help.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">With a hand on Fin’s back, Jacoby followed
the elder fairy inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lorelei had them
sitting on a bunny-fur couch with hot cups of honeydew tea in their hands
within minutes.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Now, tell me what this problem is,” she
ordered as she sat with her own cup of tea.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Just glancing at Fin told Jacoby the boy
was too nervous to explain his dilemma, so Jac did his best to explain what had
happened, while trying to make Fin not appear as guilty as he was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The boy’s face was still the color of the
rose they’d spent the night in by the time Jac finished the explanation.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I see,” Lorelei said when he was
done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was hard to tell what her
sentiments were on the subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her tone
revealed little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I suppose you’d like
me to find some rainbow water for you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Is that right?” she questioned.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jacoby didn’t want the elder to think they
were taking advantage of her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“We don’t
want to put you out, ma’am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We hoped
maybe you could tell us where we would be most likely to find some.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fin would like to replace what he drank, and
we’re on a bit of a time crunch because his mother’s company arrives today.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It does sound like you’re about to go
over a waterfall of trouble, young man,” Lorelei said to Fin.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, ma’am,” he agreed, his blush getting
rosier.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, I’m afraid finding a rainbow within
wing distance today is not going to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rainbows require rain, and the Water Watcher in me knows that the next
shower for these parts is two days away.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s wings seemed to wilt against his
back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sight tugged at Jac’s heart,
and it seemed to affect Lorelei in much the same way.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Now, now, lad,” she soothed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Don’t let your white wings turn blue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may have an answer to your problem, but it
will come with some conditions.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s gaze finally met hers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You can help me?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, it just so happens that I have a
bottle of rainbow water of my own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
always try to keep some on hand…just in case, you know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, I might be willing to part with it into
your hands, but I’d like some recompense from you if I give it.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Oh, I’ll do anything, ma’am!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise!” Fin declared, his eyes lighting
with hope for the first time.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You might want to hear my conditions
first, young man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If I am to part with
my water, then I’ll expect you to someday replace it with rainbow water you are
able to gather on your own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no
time limit on that condition, since I know better than most how rare it is.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’ll do it, Lady Lorelei!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can count on that!” Fin assured. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, I believe you will do your best to
gather it, but that’s not my only condition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have two more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first is
that I could use some help with some of my duties at this time of year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not as easy for me to gather samples
from all the different waterways in our fairy wood as it used to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The samples are vital though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water is alive you know, and the samples the
waterways gift to me tell me how healthy each area is or what they need from
us.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Both Fin and Jacoby nodded their
understanding of that knowledge. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Well, it would do me well if two young
lads like yourselves could gather samples from the furthest away waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would be Nighttree Pond, Rock Falls, and
the Sunshine Tide Pools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each one is a
day’s flying for me, although I’d guess it wouldn’t take quite so long for
young ones such as yourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Could I
count on the two of you to get me adequate samples from those waters?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin nodded his head emphatically while
Jacoby said “Yes, ma’am, but you might need to advise us on the proper way to
do it.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Lorelei gave an approving dip of her
head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Of course I will.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She then turned her gaze exclusively on
Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The last condition rests on you
alone, lad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since it appears you’re so fond
of sweet drinks, I’ll give you the task of organizing my water cellar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It has needed it for a while, but shifting
all those bottles is too much for me now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’ll direct you how I want it done, and I’ll expect it done well…<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">without</i> tasting any of my
collection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that understood.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin looked momentarily disappointed in
this assigned chore, but he nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I
understand, but I’ll have to see when I can do it.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You’ll do it a week from today,” Lorelei
stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“That will give you time to
change any plans already made, and it gives you and your friend Jacoby here the
span of this week to obtain the water samples I need.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin appeared rather affronted at Lady
Lorelei’s mandate, but Jac elbowed him in the side before the youth could say
anything disrespectful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The younger
fairy seemed to swallow back his first reply and merely nodded, with a “Yes,
ma’am” added in for good measure.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“It is agreed then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll go retrieve my rainbow water now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two of you can wash up these few tea
cups.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin was a mix of giddy and grumbly in the
few minutes he and Jac had to themselves as they washed and dried the cups;
giddy to be able to take a bottle of rainbow water home to his mother, grumbly
about the tasks assigned to him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Just be grateful,” Jacoby said more than
once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Lady Lorelei is probably the only
fairy in wing distance who has rainbow water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She’s being very generous to give it to you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin sighed dramatically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I know.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It was still less than enthusiastic, but
Jac didn’t push.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Not too much later they were out the door
with chilled bottle of rainbow water in hand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Fin looked at it longingly until Jac nicked it from his grasp.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Maybe I’ll just carry this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re already tempted to drink it, aren’t
you?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Not <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i>
tempted,” Fin tried to defend, although the unconscious licking of his lips
betrayed him.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac rolled his eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re such a fairykin, Fin.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I am not!” Fin asserted loudly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t take kindly to being called the
disparaging term for a “baby fairy”.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fine, fine…you’re not, but if we don’t
get this water and you back to your house quickly, your mama is likely to treat
you like one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come on.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Glaring at the other boy, Fin still
fluttered his wings a little faster, and the two of them made fast time to
Fin’s home.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">At the door to the Earthenly’s
hollowed-rock home, Jacoby was about to say good-bye, but the silent look of
pleading on Fin’s face made him decide to delay his departure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, he followed Fin in as the youth
entered his home and immediately faced his mother.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin Earthenly!” the small fairy woman
scolded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve a mind to ground your
wings until you’re eighteen!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First you
drink the rainbow water, and then you disappear for hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll turn my red hair white before too much
longer!”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’m sorry, Mama,” Fin apologized, the
blush on his face so strong that his wingtips had even tinted pink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’ve tried to fix things.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How</i>
could you fix this, Fin?” his mother demanded.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin glanced at Jacoby, whom his mother had
barely noticed, and the older boy held up the bottle of rainbow water. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Fin went looking to replace the water,
ma’am,” Jac offered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“He garnered one
for you in exchange for assisting Lady Lorelei with some of her needs.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s mother was rendered speechless for a
minute as she took the bottle of water from Jac’s hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her voice was softer when she did speak
next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“You did this, Fin?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The youth nodded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, Mama, but Jacoby helped me.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The woman looked between the two young
fairies and the anger that had been in her eyes and voice faded
completely.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Thank you, both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I appreciate the effort gone to for this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although,” she gave a mildly reproving look
to Fin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I can hope that it won’t be
necessary to go through any of this again.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, Mama.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Fin’s mother came closer and dropped a
kiss onto her son’s dark purple hair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You’re a good lad, Fin.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She then surprised Jac when she lightly
kissed his brow as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“So are you,
Jacoby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for helping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would you like to stay for a bite to eat?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“I’d like to, ma’am, but I’m afraid I have
somewhere I need to be.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">She looked disappointed for a moment, but
then her eyes widened as understanding hit her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“You are eighteen today,” she stated knowingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, you do have somewhere to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go on with you then, and good luck, Jacoby.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Thank you, ma’am.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The lady disappeared into her kitchen then
with the bottle of rainbow water, and Fin walked Jac to the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He looked a bit embarrassed and his wings
were stiff instead of relaxed, but he met Jac’s eyes and offered a sincere,
“Thank you.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jac’s mouth tipped up in a grin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You’re welcome, runt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See you around.”</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">After that he was out the door and flying
quickly toward the house of the Bond Guard, knowing it was better to face his
future than spend the day worrying over it.<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><b> </b></span>JLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03288710325470412213noreply@blogger.com8