Lion's Heart

[Pandora]

Detachment rotated her ankles exposing the soles of her feet and glanced briefly at them. Black, the shade she took
pride in, as per usual. She strode on, Babi on her shoulder and Fenlar at the rear. Slung over her left forearm was Talent's shirt, and clutched in her hand was a note he had left her. Detachment, of course, could not read, but Fenlar explained to her the current situation. It was held tightly, as though her existence depended on it being crumpled against her skin.

Earlier that morning, when she woke and found Talent to be absent, Detachment pondered what was assumed to be a wonderful dream. Eyes closed, she savoured its vivid and harmonious remnants.To wake up, meet a ruggedly beautiful man and fall in love in a day's time could not, realistically, be possible. However, upon opening her eyes, she was greeted by a tiger standing over her. The man, the kiss, the running away, had all been as real as the bite of the frosty air around her.

Finally, the peculiar trio stood at the outcrop which overlooked the town. Detachment dug her toes into the same spots as the morning before. They had been untouched, as had the etching of her name in the dirt. She hugged the note and T-shirt to her body, sending a glowing smile out to the town below. The feeling of time travel was an exciting and spooky one; The same place, the same time, a slightly different girl.

She began to descend the hill in the direction of where she first found Talent.

[Sean]

Fenlar was confused why Talent wanted this girl to stay with them. The whys of humans where still very strange to him. So when he saw the girl wake up in the morning he was confused on why she closed her eyes. He was about to ask her why she did that but then decided not to on the sake of he wanted to stretch.

He followed her where ever she went. Only because he knew that Talent wanted him to protect her. Ever sense They came into this world he has always been able to tell what Talent was feeling. So when he left him alone with the girl he could feel the cannon blasts of emotion from Talent. He was utterly confused by this. But he knew the name of the emotion. True Love.

So why do you love him? Fenlars question was blunt but he wanted to know if this girl could stay with Talent.

[Pandora]

"Why not?"

Detachment felt her response constituted all that needed to be said. However, for the sake of clarification, she decided to elaborate. Stopping mid stride, she bit her lip, looking at her toes twirling in the dirt. Talent was everything she could possibly ask for, as far as she was concerned. Handsome, kind, gentle, and, of course, talented. She buried her face in his shirt, chortling softly. Oh, relax! You met him yesterday! Babi chided her for the first time this morning.

Flicking her summon playfully on the ears, Detachment turned back to Fenlar. "I'm not so sure. I only just met him, and I knew!" She smiled, thinking of the deep-blue oceans staring into hers. Her stomach danced joyously. "Imagine that, lil' me, fallin' for a boy just like that!" She shook her head, laughing now. "To think, I barely thought of boys much 'fore I saw Talent. He changed everything."

[Sean]

Fenlar chuckled to himself. He has changed many lives young one. Mostly humans though. Ever sense the war he has defended them with his life. But it is different for you. He truly loves you. Fenlar gave another chuckle thinking back a few months ago.

It was when a warlord attack a village we were in. He demanded that everyone in there was to give up everything that they had. But do you know what Talent said?

'Up yours' and everyone in the town right then and there knew that he was there savior. So he ran out to fight the warlord. But to his amazement. The whole town was going with him. They killed the warlord. All together. That was when we knew that humans that worked together were more powerful than any immortal. Even the goddess.

Fenlar looked back at the girl. But enough about the past I want to ask about your future. Fenlar looked directly into her eyes. How far are you going to go with Talent?

[Pandora]

As Fenlar told Detachment the stories of Talent's heroism, her heart fluttered blissfully. To think, he was a hero. My hero, she realized. The tale-telling died down, and Fenlar sprung a question in a manner that caused Babi to let loose an alarmed squawk. Well, that was less than tactful, was it not? The mouse ground his teeth, flustered.

Detachment paused, pondering his question. She knew Talent would never make her do anything she didn't want to. Although, upon second thought, if there was anything Talent wanted that she could some how give him, it would be what she wanted too.

She grinned at Talent and esponded, "To the ends of the world!" The girl sprinted down the slope. The cold air flowed past her face as she went through the streets. Quickly, and with much agility, she hauled herself up to the roof where she first met Talent, dagger clutched in teeth as it had been the day before.

[Sean]

Fenlar gave a loud cough. Then saw the girl run down the hill. He gave a sigh. He ran after her. She had gotten faster sense last time they ran. He followed her to where she stopped. He recognized the place as where they first met her. He gave a light chuckle on remembering.

Then Fenlar though about what she said. To the ends of the earth . . . He then came up behind the girl and sat down. You might regret thoughts words. He has become very . . . serious of late. He has become very protective of people. Fenlar gave a sigh.

All that I am asking is that you don't put your self in danger. Because Talent will defend you to the death. And I mean death. He though back on what he said. Sorry I am just a bit moody in the morning. Fenlar came closer to the girl. If the time came to it would you marry him? Fenlar knew that he was being a bit pushy on this but he needed to be sure that she was the right one.

[Pandora]

Babi squealed at the question. He stretched his arms, covering Detachment's face protectively. We'll be having none of that! He scolded, as though the tiger had attempted to spit on Tach. He liked Talent well enough, but the thought of Detachment getting married was absurd. If she had a husband to look after, whose shoulder would he sit astride? certainly not Fenlar's. Who would tickle his fat belly? Who would feed him sweets?

Detachment blew on Babi's face, prompting him to let go. She snorted slightly. Her snorts turned to giggles until she was rolling on the ground, guffawing profusely. She rolled around on the roof, spilling Talent's shirt, the note and her dagger. "What? You mean in a dress?!" It was not until she flopped onto the blade and gave herself a cut that she stopped. She examined the trickle of blood as it inched down her side. Detachment swept a finger along the trail and wiped it on the surface where they sat. "As much as I love Talent, I don't much like dresses."

[Sean]

Fenlar licked the cut on the girl. Then he stopped himself. Sorry I am so used to having this happen to Talent. He stepped back. Then looked at Bibi. It was the first time he noticed him. He chuckled to himself. Don't worrie I wont eat you. He didn't know why he had to say that. He just felt it was right.

Fenlar then laughed so hard that it was hard for him to breath. Do you even know why he fell in love with you? Fenlar started to contral his breathing. You think he would be cought dead in a suit? Fenlar started to laugh again.

More than likly he would want to do a race with the person he loves most to see who proposes first? Then the cerimony would be them just haveing the night to themselfs! Fenlar knew that the girl would like that last bit.

[Pandora]

Fenlar's toungue tickled the girls side. Detachment stroked Babi thoughtfully as he glowered at Fenlar. He was wary of the fact that the beast could probably swallow him whole. Considering this, he kept his mouth shut. The idea was so wonderful; Talent, all to herself forever.

She rose her head and looked at Fenlar. Detachment's face pinked with embarrassment, though she could not fathom why. Her meek lips parted as she struggled to find words. "How," the girl asked, "How does one go 'bout doing that? Marrying, I mean."

[Sean]

Fenalr looked at the girl with astonishment. Well. . . Troditionaly it is the man giving the woman the best ring they can get. And he askes her if she would agree to marry him. If she says yes then they get some holy person to blesssd them then they are married. After that well. . . You already know I hope.

He looked back at the girl in awe. Are you thinking of marrying him? If you are then you should tell me. Mostly because he reads people as well as. . . As you read.

[Pandora]

Detachment shrugged her shoulders. She didn't understand, really. The girl and her beau were hopelessly in love, and she feared change. They were both immortal; the time as carefree lovers before they spent eternity together should be savoured.

"What's the rush, really? we do got 'til forever, you know." Detachment turned towards the horizon, wondering when Talent might return.

[Sean]

Fenlar thought about that. You know how the ties of fate work. Anything can happen. And what might happen would split you both. He gave a sigh. I fear for him. . .

He has nothing in this world that he needs to hang on to. If he makes no connection to anyone. Then I fear that he will fight with nothing to loose. But with you I have seen that he fights with more care. That is why I wish for you two to be together.

And forever can come sooner than you think. Fenlar took a sniff of the air. I can smell the silence before the storm. And I know that Talent will be in the middle of it. He took a second to think about what he was going to say. If you two were to marry then I would set an example for everyone. There might even be peace for more than a year. What do you think?

[Pandora]

Here, Babi stepped in. Tach is just a girl! He squealed, It's not her job to save Talent! he's a grown up, he can figure things out for himself! Babi hugged Tach's face tightly.

Detachment plucked the mouse from her face, dangling him by the tail. "I'm big enough so's I can take care o' myself, thank you!" She placed him on her lap, stroking him affectionately. She rocked slightly, bending over her summon. Her eyes scanned the horizon. "I love Talent. Always will. I'll protect him till the end of our days!" She drew her dagger dramatically. The restless girl had more than enough talking for one morning, as she waited anxiously for Talent.

[Sean]

You didn't answer my question! Fenlar rolled his eyes to the sky. He was about to give a large roar until he felt a long awaited presence. Talent was coming. He gave an annoyed sigh. Your knight is here. He then looked off to where Talent was coming from. I hope for you to answer my question at some time young one.

Markes was running as fast as he could. Which was almost as fast as a horse. He leaped over loges and jumped off of stones to move faster. On his face was a wide gin. He really wanted to get back to Tach as fast as possible. Then he saw them from one of the hill tops. He thought of bellowing to them. But decided not to and surprise Tach.

He jumped form roof to roof until he came to the one where Tach and Fenlar was at. He got there at such an angle that Tach didn't see him get there. So he came up from behind and rapped his arms around her. Then gave her three simple words before she could react to him holding her. "I love you. . ." And he truly did. He felt Fenlars mind join his. It is good to see you again. Where have you been? Markes only smiled at Fenlar. Away. Fenlar gave him a low growl.

[Pandora]

Detachment felt Talent's arms wrap around her and heard the voice in her ear. She hadn't noticed him arrive, nor heard each light bound from rooftop to rooftop. She whirled around and stretched her arms free, reaching upwards and wrapping them tightly around him. The girl craned her slender neck to kiss him softly on the lips, smiling. "I love you too", was her giggly reply.

Standing in his embrace, her tiny frame quaked slightly. It was a cold day, and her nakedness would not tolerate much more. Detachment leaned her head back to look up at his face. "Talent", she then uttered a request that she never would have fathomed asking at her own will only days ago, "Might we go inside?"