#kermitwriting

It hadn't been a full year since Eira arrived in Rafta, but it actually felt a bit longer. Xe had shown up months and months before, not aware of how xyr life would end up. Xe had nothing. Xe had no connections, no family or friends or money...

...But now before xem was the Heroes' Guild hall, a place xe viewed as not only their place of employment, but xyr home. And what a busy home it was! People were bustling even more than usual around Rafta, though, thanks to New Years Eve being upon them all. Eira was having a hard time keeping up!

Everyone was helping out. For instance, Muktuk and Saffron had joined forces to create a giant ice sculpture of a slime, with Muktuk's artistic expertise and Saffron's way with ladders and supports while he worked. Another example was Roxanne helping decorate with Quinn - it seemed they were at a bit of odds, though, with what was actually a decoration and what was just disgusting shock humor.

That said, not everyone was busy out in the hall. Someone like Corsac was staying behind the scenes, teaching Mint further survival first aid in case the heroes got too rowdy that evening. Mint was all about first aid, but perhaps even she questioned using seaweed to tend to a wound...

Other notable supporters of the celebration included Luna (who promoted the event), Salt and Pepper (who brought in extra funds for the event, although they didn't exactly specify where those funds came from), and Xid (who was setting up her guitar for some BGM for the event).

Everyone was busy, either way - except for Eira. Xe didn't know where to start helping. Xe didn't know crafts and sculping, décor and first aid weren't xyr calling, and all those other things weren't much use to xem either. Still, xe chose to check in on everyone.

"Um...How's it going, Saffron?" Xe attempted, approaching her where she stood in front of the ice sculpture. It towered over, but was notably intimidating up close.

Saffron's goatish ear twitched, and she turned to Eira with a smile. "Hello Eira. It's great work, isn't it? I didn't think we had so much access to ice here in Rafta...I suppose I'm just used to the forest. Who knew there was an whole arctic region as well?"

Eira gave a small smile. "It really came out so nice."

"That it did." She hummed, then took a whiff of her pipe. "That said, Muktuk is insistent it can be improved more." She hummed. "I can't fault him without sounding a little hypocritical though, can I?"

"You do like to fix things..."

Saffron chuckled now. "I do. I won't deny that. Oh, but..." She glanced around a bit. "Have you seen Baptiste?"

It was natural Baptiste, as the spokesperson administrator type related to the guild's affairs, was also involved. But Eira couldn't tell you - or Saffron - where he was or what he was doing right now. Xe shook xyr head, and Saffron got the message. She sighed, and took another breath of her pipe.

"I see...Well, I'm sure he'll turn up. In the meantime, I've got to get to replacing some of the tables around this place..." She frowned. "Between Mint grinding down the edges for safety and Baptiste constantly cleaning the surfaces, the wood's been worn down."

"I'll leave you to that," Eira tilted xyr head. "I would offer my help, but..."

"But...?"

"I've got a bit of a record of being ...clumsy." Eira's tail curled around xem a bit, tapping xyr fingers together.

"Got two left paws?" Saffron gave another soft laugh. "I don't think that's so bad. But..." She smiled. "You might want to find Baptiste for us. He's got to be around here somewhere."

"Right, right. I'll do that then!" Eira's tail unwrapped, xyr ears perking up with determination. "Thank you, Saffron!"

"What are you thanking me for?"

"For giving me something to do!"

With that, Eira left an amused Saffron to her work, and xe worked on finding the guildmaster...Who doubled as xyr boyfriend.

It wasn't too worrying a concept to have to search for Baptiste, it must be said. As the barkeep was a big part of the Heroes' Guild, Eira  knew he was just busy with all the preparations, and that he likely was planning something big and got distracted by whatever it was. Maybe it was fireworks...Eira's ears lowered a bit nervously at that thought, but then returned to their normal position. No matter what he was doing, xe was given a task. And xe would perform it well!

...As soon as xe found a lead to his whereabouts. For that, there was nothing to do but ask the other vendors and volunteers.

......

"Baptiste?" Xid looked up, the fingers of one hand strumming a few acoustic chords, the fingers on her other hand tuning the head of the guitar to perfect the melody. "No, sorry. Can't say I've seen him. Maybe he's practicing his poor ventriloquism act."

"You think?" Eira blinked. "At a time like this?" Xe didn't deny the act's quality, also.

"No, not really." Xid laughed, "I'm just joking. I don't know where he is. But good luck finding him, yeah? I think he ought to be on a leash sometimes, if I'm gonna be brutally honest..."

"A leash wouldn't do us any good," said the voice of Quinn, who was hunched over their clairvoyance orb as usual as they slowly approached. "Well, not unless it's one of those child ones."

"A child leash for Baptiste?" Eira giggled, but then paused. Xe paused a little longer. "...Actually, it...might not be such a bad idea. Oh, but - if you two haven't seen him -"

"He's out with Sylvia, I think." Quinn revealed, leaning on their floating orb.

"Yeah, come to think of it, I hadn't seen Sylvia here either." Xid glanced at Quinn. "...Wait, wait, can I borrow that sphere thing you have?"

"...What?" Quinn held it a bit protectively, pulling back. "What would you need it for? Don't get too close, you'll get glitter on it..."

"I don't use glitter in my stage productions!" Xid shook her head, "Anyway, I thought it might make a good disco ball."

"No way." Quinn scoffed, "That's as bad as the wardrobe demon suggesting we cut it into earrings."

Eira cleared xyr throat. "Um...I think you should both go back to your jobs." Xe was hoping to avoid altercation here. It did seem to settle them both down pretty easily.

Xid bit her pierced lip. "True that. I've only got a short time to write a song for this gig."

"Meh, I'm taking a break. Roxanne is fun, but she's so freakin' picky..." Quinn shrugged. "I don't see why we can't just throw some squid vine around and see how it plays out."

"Tentacles are a bit....much, Quinn." Eira shivered at the thought.

"It's vine, not tentacle."

"Even so...Uh. You said Baptiste was with Sylvia?"

"Last I saw, yeah. He told me not to tell anyone, though...Bragging about the end result being a surprise."

"He asked you to keep it a secret?" Xid raised an eyebrow. "Sounds kinda weird."

"Yeah. He's a weird guy. Still not sure what you see in him, Eira." Quinn grinned in a relaxed, knowing and smug way.

"But he asked you to keep it a secret, Quinn." Eira's tail puffed a little, as xe became a little offended. "You betrayed his trust!"

"Weren't you the one looking for him? I'd feel bad lying to you Eira, cause I don't dislike you. I can't care if Baptiste refuses to sell me his slime earnings...I know he'll come crawling back anyway." Quinn didn't seem malicious about this, but they did seem to have quite the racket going here. They waved their hand though. "Anyway, I never told you what exactly he was doing. Just that it's gonna be a surprise."

"Mh, well...Don't tell me anything else, okay?"

"I won't tell you...Not for free, anyway."

Eira calmed at that, giving an exhale of air xe didn't realize xe was holding in. Xyr fur smoothed out now, as well. "Thank you."

"I just hope his surprise is worth the fuss." Quinn shook their head.

"If not, I'll make up for it with some tunes." Xid gave a big smile, jumping to her feet with her guitar in hand. "Time to plug this baby in and test it out..."

"Time to leave, then." Quinn didn't wait for anyone to comment. They just walked off. It was just their style to enter and leave at their own pleasure...Or displeasure. That too.

Xid looked to Eira, then. "You wanna stay for a song or two?"

"Hm..." Eira frowned, considering it, before nodding. "I think a song wouldn't hurt..."

"It won't hurt a bit, I promise! As long as these amps are volumized well..."

......

Soon, Eira excused xemself due to a headache due to the amplifiers' unnecessary reverb, though the song itself was nice. Xe sat down at the bar counter despite nobody being there, and sighed... Xe could've gone for a smoothie or something, but Baptiste wasn't there to make anything.

What was this surprise Quinn mentioned he had, though? Eira swung xyr pawed feet in excitement (said feet not touching the ground very fully due to xyr shortness) as well as in anxiety. Sylvia was a friend, a potionmaker who was even newer to Rafta than Eira, but was very talented at her brewing...What could Baptiste be doing with her?

Eira would've gotten up, debating dropping in on other friends around, but instead xe was distracted by a gloved hand slipping a glass of colorful liquid xyr way. Eira blinked, and looked up to meet the eyes of a dark-pink haired young lady.

"Sylvia?"

"I thought you looked a little thirsty." Sylvia smiled.

"How long have you been here?" Eira was surprised, eyes widened ever so slightly. "I though you were with - um...That is..." Xe flushed, looking away now.

"It's fine, Eira." Sylvia laughed, "I'm sure Quinn let it slip a little, right? Of course they did. Baptiste is outside. Why don't you go see him?"

"I...But -"

"It's fine, this isn't actually for human consumption I'm pretty sure." Sylvia took the drink back when she noticed Eira's gaze fall to it. "Baptiste made it, so..."

"Ah, uh...Say no more, then." Eira sighed... "He's getting better...I think...But...He's outside, you say?"

"He is. You need to get a coat, though, it's kinda chilly out there. The last thing you need is to start the year with catching a cold, I'd say."

"I'll be okay." Eira giggled, and slid off the barrel upon where xe sat. "Thank you, Sylvia." Xe thanked xyr friend, then moved to go outside.

...It was actually colder than Eira expected, but xe could still handle it; it came in handy being an arctic fox and all. Xe was just glad it wasn't windy, too. Xyr eyes settled on a man eventually though upon glancing around. His blue hair shined in the snowy atmosphere, his body bundled in warm clothes.

"Bappy?" Eira called out to him excitedly, beginning to approach him. However, before he could find himself turning around, Eira had reached him - xe didn't know xyr own speed sometimes.

Wrapping xyr arms around his torso and burying xyr face into his chest, Eira sighed with relief. "You're okay..."

Baptiste was surprised by the sudden embace, but didn't resist. He gave a chuckle that shook his shoulders, a feeling Eira felt being so close. "Hello to you as well, my rose!" He slipped his arms around xyr shoulders. "I am in fact here and okay...Truthfully, I'm here, and more than okay. I'm feeling spectacular."

"Mmh...Come inside with me, Bappy." Eira hadn't let go, and xyr mumble was against his fluffy coat.

"Oh, we should certainly go inside - you don't even have proper wardrobing for this weather, beloved." He rubbed xyr shoulders with his gloved hands, generating some heat for xem.

"I'm fine..." Eira held him tighter. "You're warm enough. Um...But ..." Xe finally pulled back a tad. "What have you been doing?"

"Hm?" Baptiste blinked. He seemed genuinely surprised. "...Quinn didn't let the secret out? I'm impressed."

"Um...They did a little, but...They only said you were out with Sylvia."

"Ahh. Well, my rose...I am thankful they did not spoil the surprise."

"What surprise?" Eira stepped closer again, and Baptiste replied by pushing xem back slightly and giving a soft huff of amusement. "Bappy, let me -"

"Inside, my rose. My rose, whom I wish not to wilt in this chill..."

"Baaaappy...."

But Eira puffed xyr cheeks and admitted defeat. Inside the two went, though Eira was hardly a few inches from him. Finally, Baptiste came to a stop and turned towards xem - a hardly necessary action, but regardless...

"Now then." He brushed some snow flakes off his hair, giving a shiver as they fell. "I have a delightful surprise for you."

Eira's ears lowered slightly. "You didn't set up fireworks, did you?"

"Hmm...A trick question, that one." Baptiste reached to pet xyr ears. The scritch-scratching pressure, even though gloves, was enough to make Eira's tail wag and for xem to just generally relax. "I am aware you are startled by fireworks, so I didn't opt for them..."

"Then ...?"

"I opted for Sylvia's potion making ability, instead, and decided to see if she could help make an explosive concoction of similarity to a firework....Without the sound."

Eira blinked. "...Explosive...Concoction?"

"In simpler terms, we - and her uncle, too - invented a firework we can dowse Rafta's skies in quietly. No disruption to the neighbors, the sky, nor you, my rose..." He lifted his hand and took Eira's, kissing the top of xyr knuckles softly. "Thank you for your patience. I assure you, that tonight shall be a night to remember..."

Baptiste didn't need to wait for the night to fall, actually, for the day to be memorable - for Eira jumped into his arms then, and he swung xem around lovingly before dipping them into a kiss.

A chill had fallen upon the village. It was nothing unpleasant, but nothing incredibly welcome either. It signaled the sign of changing seasons, as did the leaves that colored and fell. One morning, May would awake to find frost - not yet, but it would happen soon. Under the current white light of the moon, it might as well have tempted snow already.

But no snow covered the fields, and no ice prevented travel. May sighed as he walked up to his home, pulling his cloak tighter around his shoulders with a shiver. He glanced at his front door, but looked to the small stall in which he kept his Ox. This animal blinked its eyes softly, and May moved not towards the warm indoors, but to take care of his beloved creature instead.

"Hey, honey. I thought you might've needed a break, so I didn't bring you along." He spoke to the animal, who shook its head and became noisy. May blinked, but settled it down. "Alright...It's alright. Is something bothering you?"

The ox couldn't answer, but at least it was calming at his presence. May frowned, looking towards his house.

Something was amiss, was it? May let out a soft, but weary breath, for he wasn't exactly unable to guess the trouble. There was only one way to be sure, so he now headed towards his front door.

His shack was smaller than some, but it was home. It had good enough ventilation in the summer, and he owned enough warm clothes to be sure he didn't freeze in the winter. It didnt really have notable windows, though, so it wasn't like he could easily peek within to see the happenings.

So he opened the door, instead, without a single hesitance or fear.

Inside was two ponytailed sitting at a table. Both seemed to be in a hushed sort of argument, and May was shocked it hadn't yet turned into an altercation between them. He stared for a minute, then spoke simply.

"Hello."

Chaos erupted now;  the men nearly falling out of their seats with shouts of alarm.

"M-May, you're..." began the brown-haired Mu Qing, composing himself a little better first.

"You're home..." concluded the black-haired Feng Xin, though he looked concerned.

"I am home." May shook his head. "Why are y-"

"Where were you? Why were you out so late?" Mu Qing demanded, talking over May's own inquiry.

Feng Xin pressed as well.  "Were you in danger? Are you hurt?"

What nosy little gods. May stared at them both for a few moments, perhaps finally answering just before they would start asking more. "I was at a neighbor's house."

The two blinked.

"A neighbor? What neighbor?" Feng Xin's worry was not lessened, it seems. Mu Qing, on the other hand, crossed his arms.

"A friend, I assume. That's fine, then."

Feng Xin glared at his companion. "Fine? Who is this friend?"

"An old man who lives with his wife. He's married, and I'm not into him."

The two blinked again. They both looked a little...embarrassed. They averted their eyes from May and from each other.

May shook his head. "You don't need to worry so much. Why are you both down in the mortal realm, anyway? Do you need directions again?"

"..." They did not reply.

"...Is that a yes?"

"...Hmph. You needn't think we're incompetent." Mu Qing said coldly, "Is it not a normal thing to stop in for a visit? Although you have kept us waiting, we've remained patient."

"Considering my house is in one piece, I won't deny your patience this time."

"...This time?" Mu Qing turned up his nose with a huff.

"I'm here now, okay?" May smiled softly now. "I'm teasing, that's all."

"Allow me to take your cloak," Feng Xin offered, getting to his feet. "You must be exhausted after walking so far..."

"Oh, it's alright," May brushed him off politely. "I'm actually pretty energized."

"Mh? How so?" Feng Xin asked, pausing in his motions.

"Well...The moon is just very full. It's beautiful out."

"I thought you were one that preferred the day." Mu Qing raised an eyebrow. "Yet you're getting so eccentric over moonlight?"

"...Mu Qing, have you not ever danced below the light of the moon?"

"...Dance?" He scoffed, "I don't see how that's relevant."

"Were you late because you were...dancing?" Feng Xin seemed confused. But despite their puzzlement, May continued to smile.

"Well, I was meeting with the old man to share dinner, but...I couldn't help but have some fun on the way home."

"Childish." Mu Qing shook his head.

"Would either of you like to try?" May hummed.  "The hour may be late, but that means the moon is going to be there a while."

"...I don't know." Feng Xin seemed hesitant, but less judgemental than the other man. He just seemed unsure. But May walked over to him and took his fingers lightly.

"Come on. Just try it."

"I'll pass." mumbled Mu Qing. May glanced at him.

"...Alright. Then I'll just take Feng Xin." And though Feng Xin wasn't entirely willing, he allowed himself to be dragged back outside.

May turned to him once they were in the yard, though they didn't release his hand. "Isn't it lovely?"

Feng Xin looked up. "...It is, but...I've been wondering."

"Hm?"

"From what music do you dance? What's the rhythm...?"

May paused at that, blinking slowly. "Well...The wind is one. Doesn't an evening breeze feel melodic?"

"I'm afraid I don't quite get it...This feels foolish." He looked away, frowning.

"I'll lead you." May lifted one hand to stroks his face, and turn him back towards them. Before he could question further, May would step closer to him and begin to lead.

Indeed, at first it felt silent and foolish..Feng Xin felt embarrassed...But May's confidence encouraged him. Soon, he felt the wind's song. How could he not, when he was lead to be so in tune with it?

The crickets, as well, added to this silent song. The moonlight felt like a stage, like a constant, but private curtained act. It was unexplainable, and yet Feng Xin wouldn't deny an enjoyment.

After some time, they were interrupted. It was a different song, and that of an instrument. Mu Qing was playing a flute on the front step, from where he'd retrieved this flite being unknown. But it didn't matter. In fact, that interruption wasn't bothersome.

It added to the song for the three.

    "You don't mind, do you?" Lila asked as she poured herself some coffee that morning, "I mean, it's not like you two have other plans, right?" She received blank stares in response. Well, Mephiles always stared blankly, but Infinite's stares were usually more disappointed...Ah, that's besides the point.

    She had, for context, just dropped the awkward (not for her) bomb that she had agreed to Mephiles, Infinite and herself babysitting six year old Cream the Rabbit while her mom, Vanilla, went out on a day trip with a friend. (Which was a little strange to Lila, because normally Vanilla would simply take Cream along, but it seems the friend wanted some alone time, whoever it was...)

      Anyway, the babysitting thing; it was going to start around noon, and Lila hadn't bothered to tell either of her partners before the morning of. It's fine, she knew they never really went anywhere without her, so if they hadn't been able to help out, she would've known!

       Infinite sighed, moving forward and crossing his elbows on the kitchen table. "Interesting mother the child must have, to entrust her daughter to the likes of us..."

       Lila paused. "...Yeaaah, I guess that's true - Mephiles almost destroyed the essence of time, you kinda reigned terror for a while..." She tapped her chin. "..Ah well. What's done is done and well in the past." ...Technically what Mephiles did never happened in this timeline, though. Infinite has less excuse.

       "There would also be you, who is a danger to everyone, including herself." Infinite added, to which Lila huffed.

      "I'm more careful when it's not my life on the line!" She told him, putting her hand on her hip and sipping her coffee a moment after. She froze, then, and glared at Mephiles now - "Don't you say a WORD about it, Mr. Ruined Timeline."

      Infinite also glanced at Mephiles, who had been quiet so far (though had a minor air of amusement at Lila's words). "...What about you? You have no complaints?"

       Mephiles said nothing a moment longer, then looked up at him. "...No." A goo monster of few words. Oh well.

      "Glad to hear it! Vanilla is really sweet, so I would hate to let her down!" Lila hummed. If that's truly the case, maybe she should've checked with Infinite and Mephiles BEFORE the day of, buuut...That's not how Lila rolls, and everyone knows it.

      "I do wonder, though," She mused as she leaned against the counter, "Who exactly is she going out with...? Is she dating someone? Hmm..."

        "It's not your business, is it?" Infinite shook his head. "There you go again, observing everyone's lives..."

        "I'm just curious! It's not like I'd ASK HER something so personal!" Press the X button to doubt, as the kids say. Infinite and Mephiles would mash that button if it were physical.

    ...........

    A little later, the three would depart, and a bit after that would arrive at the little cottage that Cream and her mother called home.

    "Well, we're here!" Lila smiled with the announcement of her presence, skipping up the decorative garden-barriered walkway. "Man, it's always so cozy here..."

     "That's a word for it," Infinite eyed the home with a bit of distaste. Clearly, it was too cutesy for him. Mephiles also seemed a little...put off by the bright colors. He began to reach out, actually, for a flower, but Lila stopped him.

      "Hey! Don't touch the flowers! Cream worked hard to plant those."

      "...The child planted these?" Mephiles seemed...curious. Weird.

      "Yes, and I don't need you upsetting her before we even get inside." Lila scolded him. Still, her attention was caught by the front door opening, and a very tall rabbit stepping out.

      "Miss Lila, is that you?" the woman spoke with a restful expression; probably a demeanor unfitting of her greeting two ex-villains and the singular and irresponsible thing keeping them from returning to said villainy. Yeah, Lila was that singular thing, somehow.

      "Ah! Miss Vanilla!" Lila beamed, "You look lovely today!"

        "Thank you, dear. Please, all of you - do come in..." She opened her front door a tad wider, and Lila gestured for her partners to follow as she walked inside. The interior was comfortable, but somehow bigger than the outside had implied. "Cream shouldn't be any trouble for you today...In fact, she seems quite excited to see you."

          "Oh, she could never be any trouble." Lila shook her head. "She's so sweet, after all...Where is she now?"

          "Ah, she's in her room with Cheese and Chocola..."

         "Well, we'll go see her, then." Lila nodded, and started towards the hallway.

         "Oh, do you know which room is hers?"

 Vanilla gently called after her, and the feline stopped. 

        "Er...." Didn't think so. Vanilla would inform her, though, and they'd actually make their way there.

         Voices were audible, once getting closer - well, one mobian voice, and two chao voices. "Cheese, please pass the sugar."

         "Chao, chao!"

          "Thank you. More tea, Chocola?"

            "Chao, chao, chaaao!"

           "Certainly!"

     "Tea parties..." Infinite grimaced, but Lila shushed him.

     "You will enjoy a lovely tea party with Cream, Finni." She smiled in a way he did not exactly feel emotionally supported by. "And you'll play dress up, eat her toy cooking, compliment her pictures, give her friendship bracelets..."

    "Joyous day. Shall I allow her piggyback riding as well?"

    "Oh! Great idea!"

    Infinite's hand brought itself to his face. There was no backing out now, was there? Absolutely not, and it was worthless to even ask. 

    "Hi Cream!" Lila popped her head into the room, followed by stepping in with a bit of a sway in her movements. "And Cheese and Chocola, of course! I hope I'm not interrupting..."

   "Oh, hello Miss Lila!" The soft spoken little rabbit smiled - although, she actually wasn't much shorter than Lila. Lila was small for an adult mobian, you see. "Please don't worry! You're always an invited guest."

   She then blinked as Infinite peered his head in behind Lila. Lila glanced at the Jackal. "Oh, um...I brought along some friends - is that alright, Cream?" She smiled a tad...nervously now.

     Cream tilted her head. "Hm? Oh!" Another blink, and a surprised expression. "Of course, Miss Lila! I'm sorry for staring, Mister Infinite. Please, do come in."

    Infinite hesitated, seeming to be more on edge than before. Lila, on the other hand, relaxed tremendously. Then, Cream spoke again.

     "Miss Lila, you said you brought friends...But I only see you and Mister Infinite."

     Lila glanced around. "Ah - oop - one second. Mephy, where are you?" The cat moved to leave and search...Leaving Infinite and a child alone.

     A child, to be specific, who knew all about the destruction and fear he had caused. Infinite could only give a feeble, fleeting prayer that she at least hadn't witnessed it first hand.

    Yet the girl said nothing to him, really. For all he knew as she turned back to her Chao, her intentions were to ignore him. Maybe for the first time in his stubborn life, Infinite was fine with no acknowledgement. He watched her pick up another little teacup and fill it with some apple juice - sorry, tea - with just as sweet a smile as before. Infinite figured it was for Lila, and tilted his head to gaze around the tiny little room.

"...Here you are, Mister Infinite."

   The direct referral certainly took him off guard. He looked back at Cream, bewildered at her offering out the teacup she had just poured.  "...What?"

  "It's for you. I do insist you drink it while it's hot."

   Infinite blinked, but took it in his hands with more gentleness than maybe anyone expected. But Cream did not waver. She retained her pleasant demeanor and seemed delighted he took the tea. "I..." Infinite averted his eyes. "...Thank you, Miss Cream."

   What had he gotten himself into?!

    ...........

    Meanwhile, Lila was hunting down Mephiles. It seemed to her like he'd just vanished! Not unlike him, but not convenient right now. Lila did run into Vanilla, though, who seemed to be taking care of chores while she waited for her date to arrive. 

  "Um, Miss Vanilla...Did you see Mephiles come through here?"

   "Mh? Mephiles?" Vanilla turned to the cat with a thoughtful frown. "I'm afraid not. Perhaps he stepped outside?"

   "Hmm..." Lila tapped her chin, gaze shifting to the doorway. "It is possible. He showed interest in Cream's flowers earli - AH!" Lila's shout caught Vanilla off guard, but the cat didn't notice the concern and rushed out towards the front of the cottage again.

    As Lila very naturally and accurately predicted based on the presented clues (she praised herself for such cunning intellect), Mephiles was crouched by a patch of flowers. Immediately, she panicked. Knowing Mephiles, he had turned Cream's precious garden to gooey shadow or crystalized it or...

    ....Or perhaps he was helping them grow? The flowers looked taller than before, and very much blooming vibrantly. Lila blinked, confused. "Um...Mephy?"

   Mephiles looked up at Lila upon her approach. As he stood, she noticed a fading purple from his hand, and she deduced a usage of his powers. (All this exaggerated journalism vocabulary was getting tiresome.)

    "Did you, um...?" She pointed to the flowers. Mephiles nodded. Lila pursed her lips. "...So my next question is how you did that."

  "It's simple." Mephiles replied, "I have a decent control over time and space...I chose to manipulate the growth of the plant to a more notable appearance."

   "...Notable?"

    "They were unimpressive before."

    Lila stared at him. He stared back, as blank as ever. Finally, she sighed. "Okay, well. Let's get back inside now."

   Mephiles nodded, abd the two started for the front door...but their destination would be reached first by someone else. Lila instantly recognized the culprit, and all the clues came together at last.

    What clues, the audience asked? (What audience it is remains irrelevant to Lila's thought process.) Well, to go over them...Lila was used to Vanilla taking Cream out when she had to leave the house, meaning whomever she was going on a date with had romantic intent. Vanilla had many friends who could've watched Cream, and not just Lila's mismatched trio. Finally, Lila just remembered she technically owed someone ten bucks.

   With all this, it was finally clear! Vanilla was going on a date with Vector the Crocodile. Sure enough, the tall green reptile was strolling up the walk, bouquet in hand, possibly listening to music based on his rhythm filled walk cycle. However...He froze at the sight of Lila, and quickly turned his headphones off.

   "You?! What're you doing here?"

    "Watching a child." Lila replied confidently. Vector blinked, his eyes shifting to Mephiles. Lila rolled her eyes. "Not him. I mean Cream."

    "Alright, yeah, okay. That makes more sense." Vector rubbed his forehead. "What're ya being hired to watch 'er for, though? Can't she get Amy?"

    "I'm making up the ten I owe you." That was not the real reason, but Vector bought it. Well, whatever.

   Vector and Vanilla would have to be on their way, so there was hardly time for more chit-chat. Lila had more hope in herself, and she guessed she kind of had hope in her companions, too. Mephiles would likely please Cream with having helped her flowers, and as for Infinite...

  Lila paused. 

  "...You think we would be able to ditch him here?" She turned to Mephiles hopefully. "Maybe instead we could follow Vector and Vanilla and take notes for blackm..."

   Mephiles now gave a chill inducing effect in his stare, and Lila shivered.

"Another pearl?" Ifea blinked with surprise as they gazed down on the shiny orb, revealed once Prince Sidon's fingers unfurled. It was small, but undoubtedly an object of beauty.

"Ah...Are you not pleased?" Sidon became concerned. He averted his eyes, indicating a notably rare sense of anxiety from the normally courageous zora. "Perhaps I should have brought you an opal this time? Or...."

"Nonono, please don't fret." Ifea gently reached for his hand, gently taking the pearl from it. "I quite like it." She shook her head. "I just...I'm not used to getting so many gifts. A-and...Especially not from a Zora Prince."

"Oh, of course...Yes, of course." He relaxed now. Together they sat on the bridge leading towards the domain in which zoras dwelled, although Sidon was very, very tall by comparison to Ifea even as both sat. "But I have assured you many times, have I not? You need not hold me so high."

"I know, but it's...a hard concept. You've been ever so kind to me, after all, during my stay." Ifea sighed lightly and put their hands in their lap. They held the pearl in their palms, though, gazing down softly at it. "And you are a prince..."

Sidon watched them, tilting his head a little and causing his head's bang-like fins to sway to the side. "...I would be truly shameful if I were to be anything but my best towards an esteemed guest. If I turned you away...That would be a foolish action of bigotry."

"I...don't know if I'd call myself esteemed." Ifea gave a small and halfhearted chuckle. "I would more assume I was imposing."

"Imposing?" Sidon's eyes widened. "Never! It is exactly the opposite. I welcome your company. That has been so from the start."

"...I appreciate that." Ifea smiled a little. This was more genuine. "You saved my life, and if I were to be hated for that..."

"You are not hated, dear Ifea." Sidon looked towards the domain entrance. "...I do not deny some of my people aren't fond of hylians. But that is of no personal grudge towards you..." He paused, then looked down at them. His eyes were sadder, but his expression soft overall. "...And it has never been a viewpoint I have agreed with, either. How could I, when my own sister..."

Ifea gazed upon him and heard his voice trail off. Although he held himself proudly, it seemed the zora prince was showing a brief moment of vulnerability. He began to push it down after said moment, shaking his head.

"No matter the reasons the zora may dislike hylians, I still have to seek one out who can be of help." He looked towards the reservoir not far off. "The rains continue, and I must seek a hylian who can help us put an end to it."

Ifea followed where he looked. Indeed, rain was flooding. Soon, should that reservoir overflow thanks to a monstrous being known as a divine beast, more then Sidon's home could be endangered. It was a mission all would need to put aside differences for.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be the hylian of choice." Ifea spoke quietly, "I can't even swim, let alone can I fight."

"Fear not. I do not intend to put you in harm's way." Sidon met their eyes again as they both turned to face the other again. "I should resume my search, as well, but..."

Ifea rolled the pearl in her palms. "...Um, before you go...Might I make a request for you to bring back?"

Sidon blinked, but nodded.

Ifea smiled. "...Can you bring me another pearl?"

The prince seemed surprised at that, but quickly jumped to his feet, fists raised excitedly. "Ah, but of course! I shall, I shall. In fact, I shall bring you two of them."