"Ready?" asked Steven, standing at the Maheswaran's doorway and politely smiling at the worried looking woman that frowned down at him.
"Ready!" answered Connie, skipping out to greet him.
"Are you sure?" inquired her fretful mother, slipping off Connie's backpack and looking through her supplies, determined to find something missing.
"Connie, why on earth do you want to bring your sword?" she finally asked.
"I have to! Pearl always says I must be prepared to fight at all times."
"It's true!" pitched in Steven. "You wouldn't believe how many monsters attack..." He cut off as Connie quickly nudged him and gave him a you're-really-not-helping-with-my-parents-mood look.
"Fine" was the mother's answer, mostly because she had experienced a horrific monster attack herself and knew Connie had to be able to protect herself.
"I'm getting a little late mom, my friends will be waiting." piped up Connie, knowing her mother would freak out at the word "late".
Sure enough, she looked shocked and quickly told the kids "Oh yes, well I suppose there's no use stalling any longer. Be good. Oh, and have fun. As long as you stick to the rules."
They both said their goodbyes and headed off down the street, giving a relaxed sigh as Connie's house slipped away from view.
"I don't ever remember your parents being that worried to let you go out just for an evening" laughed Steven.
"My mom's been trying to be less controlling since the whole hospital fiasco, but I think she's slipping back to her old ways" replied Connie. "But it's cool that she actually let's me take sword everywhere! And I think she may even be starting to warm up to you Steven."
"I highly doubt that" he smiled. "Hey, we reached the park!"
Sadie waved to them while lying on a large pink blanket next to several of their other friend.
"I've got donuts!" yelled Lars, passing the warm box around.
"And I've got everything else" joked Connie as she set her bulking backpack down.
"This is gonna be a fun day jam buddy" declared Steven, holding Connie's hand and watching the fluffy clouds float over them.
"I'm sure it will" answered Connie. She took out the pink scabbard that held her sword and set it beside a basket.
"Just in case" she winked.