In a restaurant located in downtown Manhattan sat a Sun King, a Recon elf, and two humans. I know, I know this sounds like the beginning to a bad joke, but it's not. In reality it's the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
"Dairine tells me you two are lab partners," Roshaun commented.
"Yes, Professor Abalone paired us on the first day of class. We then became friends after researching for our assignments," said Artemis.
"So, how did you and Roshaun meet?" Holly quietly asked while the boys continued to converse.
"In an exchange program," Dairine said.
"I thought he was from another planet?" Holly questioned, adjusting a stray strand of red hair to hide her pointed ear.
"He is," Dairine confirmed. Holly raised an eyebrow. "It's a long story," Dairine said, blushing.
"Go on," Holly said, leaning forward. "We've got time." She glanced at their partners.
Dairine smiled. "It all began…"
Meanwhile, Artemis continued to ask Roshaun about Wellakh customs. "You're responsible for your planet's sun?" he asked.
Roshaun sipped his glass of ice water. "Correct."
"So you're well-versed in quantum physics?" Artemis inquired.
"Yes," Roshaun said. He raised an eyebrow. "Is there something with which you require assistance?"
Artemis' eyes narrowed. "Of course not." Even after becoming an adult Artemis didn't delight in asking for help, even from Holly. "However, I thought my work might interest you."
With the perfect poker face Roshaun replied, "I see. Well, I suppose the next time I visit time Dairine I'll make time in my schedule to see you as well."
Dinner passed and the bill eventually came. "I insist on paying for everyone," Artemis said, pulling out his wallet.
Roshaun began to protest until Dairine whispered in his ear. He then gazed at her with a reluctant expression on his face. "Very well," he said. As a king he was used to being in charge, but there was nothing more he could do in this case. He didn't have any Earth money (yet) and Dairine's wallet had seen better days.
"I know, it takes some time getting used to," Holly said, noticing his distress. "But he is the one with all the money. It's better for him spend it on our dinner than on some take over the world scheme."
"I haven't done anything of the sort in years," Artemis protested, frowning.
"No? Then what about those blueprints I found last week?" Holly asked.
His eye twitched just the slightest, but enough for Holly, who knew him so well, to notice. "It was all in jest. A child's game," he continued, "for Myles and Beckett."
Holly turned to Dairine. "You see what Mud Boy here, puts me through?"
Dairine snorted. "You should have seen Roshaun last week. Red eyes, puffy nose, and he still insisted on helping on a wizardry."
"I need to tell you the story about when Artemis had the Atlantis Complex," Holly said with a certain glint in her eye.
With the same glint Dairine said, "Sounds interesting. Want to share it tomorrow over coffee?"
"How about tea, instead?"
"You've got it," Dairine said, doing her best to hide her smirk as Roshaun and Artemis exchanged hopeless glances. "I'll even tell you about how Roshaun got his first cavity."
Holly smirked outright, enjoying their partners' distress. "I can't wait to hear all about it." The two men just barely stifled moans of protest.
