"So, have you gotten used to swimming on your own yet?" Gareicht was crouched down by the pool-like bathtub.

            "Yes, I think so?" She pondered, "Thank you!"

            "I'm not the only one that benefits, you've been teaching me Elven, so." He scratched his head and then began to avert his gaze, "Well, I'll leave so you can dry off and change."

            She held the end of the bathtub, "Gareicht, thanks, for everything."

            "You've thanked me for everything several times, any more than that and it'll be all you can say." He joked, and hurriedly shut the door behind him.

            He took a deep breath as a blush on his face surfaced, that was close, he thought, if I stayed in there any longer and she probably would've found out.

            Why do her legs have to be so damned pretty, He sighed, it's a miracle I haven't been found out in the past six months.

            Originally, about three months ago, Gareicht went through all of his funds, and he was going to head back to work until he could see her again, but in the next letter from his captain he received more funding. He was also happy to read all the letters from his crewmates. He felt relief that he didn't have to bring it up to her.

            Since they were in winter, there haven't been many attempts to try and snatch the spear from anyone, and his curse is still in the slow-affect from the spell that Ellava cast on him.

            He thought of himself as fortunate, however he hadn't seen his sister in awhile, and to be quite frank he missed her.

            I need to tell her, but when should I tell her. I really don't want to see that upset look on her face. He pondered, and then Ellava came out of the bathroom.

            "You were waiting here the entire time?"

            "Oh, I was just lost in thought."

            "Is something on your mind?" She asked him, her gentle concern showed on her face.

            "There is...something that I should tell you, but...it's probably not something you want to hear."

            "Sometimes...we have to live by hearing the things that we wish we didn't have to. If there is something that is concerning you, and it involves me, well, I'd like to hear it."

            He scratched his neck, "How about we talk about it over a cup of cocoa?"

            "Sure!" Her face was lit brightly, and she waltzed into the kitchen to prep them up.

            As they sat down, cocoa cups on the table, his gaze was first on the table, as he was holding onto his mug, she leaned over and she held onto his hand.

            "What is it?"

            "Um, well it's more like it's something that's going to upset you, and I'm not sure how to approach it, let me think."

            "Is it...that bad?"

            "It's more like...well I've been with you here for six months...which means that the last time I saw my sister was before I got here...I've just been thinking about her lately. I miss her, but if I go see her, then you'll be alone."

            "Gareicht, it's true that I'll be alone, but this isn't the first time I'll be alone. I know that you'll come back. I don't want to hold you back from your sister, and I don't think she'd want me to do that to you either." 

"Are you sure...?" He looked up at her.

            "Yes. I'm glad you talked to me, but you don't need my permission to leave, you're not my prisoner." Her smile was warm, as always.

            "I feel like this could be avoided if I could just bring my sister here." He sighed, resting his head on one of his hands.

            "I mean, you could, technically, but once your curse is removed, you won't be able to come back and you wouldn't be able to see her again unless we prepare beforehand..."

            "You bring up a good point, as if it'd end up being that easy." He sighed again, looking back down at the table, "But I've been taught a decent amount of Elven by you, if I could just find a spell-book on removing barriers, then I could bring you with me."

            "Gareicht," She spoke softly and reached across the table, her finger pressing against his lips, "Shhh, you're over-thinking, everything will work out in the end."   

            In a moment of silence, they both looked down at her finger pressing against his lips, she pulled back quickly, but the awkwardness atmosphere was still ever so present.

                                                                        ***

Out in the wilderness, one man with a mask and a bird as dark as ebony stood in the midst of the trees, when another man approached. He had rust-colored hair, was wearing somewhat formal wear, but his jacket was torn and ragged at the ends and he wore a gas mask, he was also carrying an instrument case.

            "Kira," The gas-mask man called out to him.

            "Oh, Vincent," Kira looked back at him.

            "We've just gotten ourselves another job."

            "What're the details?"

            "In elf country, apparently there's a spear they want us to steal."

            "Over a weapon? How guarded is it?"

            "The details I was given stated there was only two people at the location, and they want all three of us."

            "Over one single weapon? Is the pay good at least?"  

            "They paid us three times the expected amount," Vincent replied and Kira stopped in his tracks.

            "Is this...not a normal weapon?" He looked over at his bird, "Niji, change to your bigger form." His bird's size grew, as if black flames surrounded it, and what seemed like red runes surrounded the birds feathers and body.

            "Also, he said he'd meet up with us later, he's currently...participating in one of his, hobbies."

            Kira sighed, mounted his giant bird, and Vincent followed, they flew towards elf territory.