Hard Lessons Learned
Chapter 1
A few days after the big victory Fauna found herself and her brother heading for Care-a-lot. She hadn't even participated in the celebration. Instead she had chosen to pout in her nest and with her closest friends unable to cheer her up Renegade suggested that she get away for a few days. Blue had supported the idea, insisting Fauna would feel better afterwards.
Renegade and Fauna landed near the portal, "Com'on, Swift Heart and Grumpy will be happy to see you," he reassured her as he nodded to the portal guards.
Walking past the guards without any recognition she sighed, "Yeah I'll be happy to see them too." She didn't sound very convincing.
Renegade sighed as well but followed his sister wordlessly through the portal, "It's been a while since I've been here," he commented.
"I am looking forward to not having to see the councils gloating faces. Do they really think anyone believes that all this was their idea?" She snorted to show her agitation, "Don't mind me. I could really use a slice of grams bear's happy apple pie."
"Then let's stop by there, that sounds tasty," Renegade smiled.
Fauna actually managed to smile, "It is. When we were growing up she always gave us a slice if we were crabby."
"And it would cheer you up just like that?" Renegade sounded surprised.
"Yep, even Grumpy wasn't immune," Fauna laughed at the memory.
"Sounds like Grams knows a lot more than she lets on. That kinda sounds like magic, or maybe I've been spending too much time with White Fang," Renegade shook his head rapidly.
Fauna shook her head, "It has to be magic of some sort."
"Well you've told me she's very nice so I guess there's nothing to worry about." Renegade and Fauna landed in the Forest of Feelings and Renegade shifted into human form, "there we go," he stretched upwards.
Fauna chuckled, "Feeling a little stiff there?" Even as she said it she was shifting down to her human form.
"I haven't been spending as much time in my human form as I thought I would," he sniffed and made a face, "I guess my clothes still pick up smells when they merge with my hair and feathers, I should get these washed."
Pretending to sniff him and Gag Fauna nodded. "We need to get you a girlfriend who can kiss. I spend so much time in my human form because of that pastime," Fauna smiled for real now.
"If I can find someone, I haven't met anyone in the falls I've really connected with," Renegade said as he started down the path, "Grams' house is this way, right?"
She nodded, and looped her arm through his, "Hey I'm supposed to be the downer remember? No taking the limelight away from me." Pulling him down the path she had to admit, she was feeling better already.
"Sorry, I'll try to remember my job from now on," Renegade grinned as they headed for Grams' house.
Grams was currently sitting outside her house on her porch swing. She was reading over her book while sipping her morning tea. It was nice and quiet at this time of day and she enjoyed it as often as she could.
Renegade spotted her and was about to shout when Fauna stopped him, "Try being more subtle," she said.
"Alright," Renegade said, instead walking up to the porch and fighting the urge to break into a run.
Grams looked up as their shadows fell across her, "Hello my dears. Lovely morning isn't it?" Just hearing the older bear's voice made Fauna less tense.
Leaning her elbows on the porch rail she grinned impishly at Grams. "Yeah it is. You know what would make it even better?"
Shaking her head Grams laughed, "You are as tactless as ever darling. I think I have some pie in the kitchen."
"Yay!" Renegade jumped then grinned, "Thanks Grams."
"You're welcome." Leading them into her house she had them sit at the table. "So what brings you to here?"
"The Falls suck." Scowling she set some milk down in front of Fauna, "Language young lady. Renegade milk?"
"Yes please," Renegade nodded, "but I have to agree with my sister. The council, and Tonar especially, are getting unbearable."
"I would have thought what with the recent, um, victory you had things would be splendid." Seeing Fauna's disgruntled expression she tried again. "Are they unhappy?"
Fauna shook her head, "They are very happy. In fact they are so happy they are taking credit for the whole thing."
"Oh dear," Grams shook her head.
"I thought elders were supposed to be wise and kind, like you Grams," Renegade said, taking his milk and taking two big gulps of it.
"Most of us are dear. But its not a requierment. Here we go gang," she put the plates down in front of the two.
"Normally my grandame Ferra is like you Grams. But she chewed me out big time when she saw how I handled my frustration at not being able to go with the Magi."
Grams smoothed down Fauna's flyaway hair pieces. All the pieces were starting to come together. "It sounds like you definitely needed to get away."
"Ferra is Tonar's mate?" Renegade asked, "I never met her."
Fauna nodded to him. "Destroy a tree and I guarantee you'll meet her real quick." Taking a bite of her pie she hummed happily, "Grams I love you."
"I hope that's not just the pie talking." She said with a grin.
"Nope cause I love you and I haven't had any yet," Renegade grinned before taking a bite of his own slice.
Fauna watched Renegade as she chewed, "So what's the verdict Ren?"
Renegade smiled and swallowed with a mouth full of milk, "Fantastic! What's your secret Grams?"
"Sorry, my little darling, but that's my own personal secret," Grams just smiled back at him as he continued to eat.
"And she is taking it with her to the grave." Fauna said while taking another bite. "After this I'll head to Swifty's and let her know I'm crashing with her while I'm here, since my old place is now underwater."
"Sounds good, I'll just make the rounds of the forest then," Renegade said, "thanks for the pie Grams."
"Go ahead and take a slice to go kids. It looks like I have to make more anyway," Bending over she kissed them both on the forehead before returning to her tea and porch.
Renegade smiled and took another piece, "She reminds me of your other grandsire, the one I actually like," Renegade said.
"Silver Foot? Yeah she's much more like him." Opening the back door she held it open for Ren, "And he's your grandsire too. No dumping all the relatives on me now."
"I know, he's my only grandsire as far as I'm concerned," Renegade taking a bite from the pie as he walked out of the house.
"Yeah well I'm not that lucky." She muttered, "Even though I know we'd both be happy to pretend the other didn't exist. Me and Tonar I mean."
Renegade nodded, "Take a bite and cheer up. Have fun with Swift Heart," Renegade said as he headed off in another direction in the Forest.
Fauna walked briskly towards Swift Hearts. Crawling into the cozy rabbit hole and not coming out for a few hours definitely sounded like a plan to her. Renegade headed to the one place he knew best, Jolly and Illusion's flooded area, hoping to run into Grateful Heart over there.
Jolly was outside his hut waxing surfboards. He was going to try and make one last trip down to earth for some surfing before school started. Seeing Renegade coming up he called, "G'day mate. Wha brings you here?"
"Just a vacation with my sister, wanted to get away for a while. Is Grateful Heart around?" Renegade asked, swallowing the last of the pie piece he'd brought with him.
Jolly shrugged, "She isn't with me so she moit be with Illusion. You can knock an see." He pointed towards the gators door.
"Thanks, also do you know where I can get my clothes washed, they're starting to smell," he asked, heading around the pond to Illusion's door.
"Most of us 'ave washing machines. OI don't. OI let Cozy do moi stuff. OI can ask her ta do yours if ya loike?" He asked the pegasus.
Renegade only knocked once before the door was yanked open. "Bonjour homme. Don mean to be rude but I on my way out."
"OK, do you know where Gloria is?" Renegade asked, stepped aside so Illusion could leave.
Illusion nodded and pointed over his shoulder. Rushing down the stairs he called, "wish me luck," to Jolly.
"Luck mate. Knock 'em dead."
Renegade watched him go before entering Illusion's house. Grateful Heart was seated on Illusion's couch and she smiled when she was Renegade come in, "Hi Ren. It's nice to see you."
"You too, so how's it going?" Renegade asked, dropping next to her.
"Good, though school starts in a week but otherwise I'm good. What about you?" she asked, smiling.
"Better than last time. Have more friends and some other family members I like," Renegade replied.
"That's good! Who'd have thought we'd turn out like this? I mean out of all the opposites we are the only ones left," Gloria said cringing slightly.
"Well there's Swift Heart's too, though he doesn't remember that," Renegade pointed out. "So where's Illusion off to?"
"To take his make-up test to decide if he's a student or a teacher next week," Gloria replied.
"Sounds good. Are you just gonna sit here all day until he gets back?" he asked.
She shook her head, "I suppose at some point I'll go out to do something. Oh and just so you know, we don't talk about to Delay Heart. He is a sensitive subject," She told Renegade.
"Got it, well I'm gonna see who else is around. See ya later," Renegade stood up and headed out the door.
Getting up Gloria ran after him. "I'll come too." She really didn't have anything better to do until Etienne finished.
"Thanks," Renegade nodded as they headed out.
Hearing a knock on her door Swift Heart headed to open it. "Who's there?" Normally people just yelled down the hole knowing she would hear them.
"Only the greatest person you know!" Fauna called back.
Squealing and rushing for the door Swift Heart flung it open. "What are you doing here? I would have thought the Falls would be partying big time!"
Throwing her arms on Swift Heart she hugged her tight, surprising the bunny. "Exactly why I'm here. I know I should be happy, but I'm not."
Swift Heart hugged her back, "Well I'm happy you're here. I missed you. Come on in and talk it out with me."
Fauna nodded into Swifty's shoulder before pulling back. "Is it cool if I crash here for the next couple of days?"
"Like you even had to ask." Swift Heart closed the door behind her.
Going to the couch the girls tucked their legs under each themselves and faced each other. "Alright Fauna go. You don't feel happy about your enemy being dead. How do you feel?"
She couldn't meet Swift Hearts eyes, "I feel angry and cheated. I'm glad they're dead, don't get me wrong. But I thought I'd be at peace and I'm not. I feel worse." Placing her hand on her chest she continued, "I feel like something dark is growing in me. I just don't feel like me." Shaking her head she curled her fingers into her temples, "Ugggh I don't even know what I'm saying. I'm probably not making any sense."
Reaching over Swift Heart pulled her hands away making sure to keep a loose grip on them. "Hey we'll figure it out. That's what I'm here for."
Seeing Swift Heart being so understanding and just what she needed she began to relax. "I'm really glad I have you in my life."
"Well good. Cause I'm not going anywhere." Swift Heart told her.
Proud Heart finished her test and turned it over, sitting back and taking a deep breath, waiting for Illusion to finish.
Illusion had his head propped in his hand, stuck on the last couple of questions. He knew the stuff, but he was so tired from the rest of the test he couldn't find the knowledge. "Jus take it easy homme, you got dis."
Proud Heart looked over at Illusion two seats away, "You can do it," she said quietly, "just remember what we studied."
He nodded back at her. After staring at the paper for a few moments more he wrote in what he could remember and sat back. "Dat settles it."
True Heart and Noble Heart had been watching and now that Illusion and Proud Heart had finished they scooped up the tests and went to sit down, pulling out the answer keys fro each test and going over them.
Proud Heart felt herself being to sweat and gulp, "How do you feel, Illusion?" She asked the alligator.
"Better den de firs time aroun, dats fo' sho'" he told her with a grin, "I hopin dat be de case."
"Me too, but tests always make me nervous. I really hope I pass this test," Proud Heart said.
"If we don' chere, I know de perfect place to get death by chocolate cake. Nothing better fo' a case of depression," he said with a wink.
"Thanks, Illusion," Proud Heart smiled.
"Well neither of you have to worry about that," True Heart said as she and Noble Heart approached, setting the marked tests in front of each of them. Proud Heart's test was marked 87 and Illusions was marked 86. "Congratulations, you both passed," True Heart smiled.
Illusion was so happy he swooped Proud Heart up in a hug. "It all tanks ta you ma petite Chat."
"Thanks Illusion," Proud Heart smiled then her face contorted a bit, "Please, you're kinda squeezing me too hard!"
"Ma apologizes madame." He set her on her feet and looked to the founders, "So we get to have our own classes den? I get cooking oui?"
"Yes, as I'm sure you're aware most of the rest of the family isn't exactly good about feeding themselves properly," Noble Heart cleared his throat, "They seem to subsist on microwave dinners and canned meals, and that's not healthy."
"I agree. Don worry. We start small an work our way up from dere. No five star recipies I promise," He crossed his heart in an added gesture.
"I trust you to make your own lesson plans," Noble Heart nodded and smiled.
"And Proud Heart, I'd like you to teach health and wellness," True Heart said, "and history and geography classes. I know it's a lot but I'm sure you can handle it."
"I'll manage, thank you True Heart," Proud Heart gave True Heart a hug.
When they separated, True Heart spoke again, "Now that that's done, tomorrow all us teachers are heading down to earth to get some supplies for school. Also uniforms and outfits for teaching. I do feel it would be wise for us to dress the part as teachers."
"That means wearin more then skin tight muscle shirts and well fitting jeans." Noble Heart told Illusion while giving him a look.
The gator laughed, "Don fret Noble. I make sure I look good but not too good oui?"
"I think you'd look good with a white chef's hat," Proud Heart said.
Scowling he shook his head. "I don do de hat. Usually if I cookin a big meal I jus tie a bandana 'round mon head. But I suppose I can do de rest of de outfit."
"Well meet back here in about an hour, you can decide what you want then," Noble Heart said.
"OK, I need to go make sure Loyal Heart isn't too run down by Trust Heart," Proud Heart said as she turned to leave.
After talking for a few hours Fauna was exhausted so Swift Heart told her to shower and get some sleep. She was going to head over to Care-a-Lot for a few hours anyway so Fauna would have absolute peace and quiet.
Climbing out of her hole she opted to run the new rainbow bridges that connected Care-a-Lot to the Forest of Feelings. It took longer than just flying with a cloudmobile but she preferred it. She never thought it took that long anyway. Zipping over the multi colored road Swift Heart sighed happily at the feeling of wind through her ears. It was nice and cool. All too soon the run was over and she found herself in Care-a-Lot.
"Alright, let's see who's around for me to annoy." Chuckling to herself she headed off in a random direction.
Playful Heart and Funshine had a similar idea to Swift Heart's, at the moment they were hiding in the trees outside Cheer's house.
"So what did you have in mind, Sunshine?" Playful asked.
Funshine handed him a brown paper bag. "We can use this glow in the dark paint to paint scary faces on her windows. Then tonight when it's dark they will pop up and scare her."
"Perfect!" Playful grinned and gave Funshine a peck on the cheek, "I'll take the living room and kitchen windows then."
Funshine put her hands on her hips and try to scowl, "you're the better climber you should take the bedroom."
"OK, I thought you'd get jealous," he teased as he jumped to the house and began to climb up the drainpipe.
"As if I would ever be jealous," the yellow bear said with a giggle. She got to work on the lower story windows. It took a little longer than she thought because she kept looking up at Playful Heart. Playful hung by his tail in front of Cheer's bedroom window, carefully painting the scariest face he could imagine.
Swift heart seeing the two took advantage of this rare opportunity to sneak up on them. Getting behind them she said in her best cheer voice, "What do you to think you're doing?"
Playful had to suppress a shout as he nearly dropped the paint, only barely managing to catch it in his teeth before transferring it back to his hands.
Turning upside-down he spotted Swift Heart and giggled, "Good one, Swift Heart."
Funshine had dropped to the clouds attempting to hide. But when she heard what playful said she turned and grinned, "Well done indeed."
Coming closer Swift Heart inspected the paint Funshine was using, "I am so glad I don't have windows."
Playful flipped right side up again and put the finishing touches on his face, "Yeah well, we don't prank people going through break ups. Cheer on the other hand," he grinned at his handiwork before slipping over to the drainpipe again.
Swift Heart laughed. "Well she is so madly into Champ Bear I'm pretty sure you guys will be able to prank her forever."
Funshine nodded in agreement, "That's for sure. You seem to be doing better though? Has talking to Grumpy helped that much?"
"Yes, even though you forced it upon me. I missed him more than even I knew."
"You're welcome then," Playful Heat said, landing next to the girls, "So who's next on our list?"
Funshine pulled out the piece of paper, "Looks like...Birthday Bear."
"Perfect, wanna join in Swift Heart?" Playful asked.
She nodded, "Sure. I can't go home for the next couple of hours so I'm game."
"What's going on at your home? Bad cooking experiment?" Playful joked.
"Oh yeah. Garlic and chocolate smell everywhere! Haha no Fauna is there sleeping and I want her to have dead silence, she needs more than a good night's sleep." Swift Heart told them.
"Things at home a little hectic for her?"
Nodding to Funshine she replied "Yeah that's a good way to put it."
"Well a little vacation should be good for her, and we have to get all these targets done before school starts," Playful said. "I hope Valiant gets back soon, wouldn't want him to miss out."
Swift Heart looked concerned, "He isn't back yet? It's been a few days hasn't it?"
"Yeah, but he did say it was a big job, at least that's what Noble Heat said he said when I asked him," Playful replied.
"And to think it only took them an afternoon to kill all those people. That's insane to me," Swift Heart replied.
"I know, it is insane," Funshine sighed, "I wish I knew what those hello, or hollow, or hilo things are that Valiant kept talking about are."
"Yeah, I know what you mean," Playful nodded.
As they were walking they passed by a house that was completely dark. There were planter boxes outside the windows overflowing with four leaf clovers however. Swift Heart felt sad as she looked upon them, "Has anyone heard from Good Luck recently?"
"Not really, now that you mention it, I guess he's been busy," Playful guessed.
"Yeah, with all the crazy stuff going on I guess we just haven't thought about it," Funshine said.
Swift Hearts ears drooped. "Well I feel like shit now. I considered him a really good friend and I haven't even tried to talk to him since he stayed in the Valley." She really felt awful now, "Have things really been that insane?"
"Well let's see, opposites, hunters, crazy magic using bears that kill people and school," Playful ticked off the items on his fingers, "Yep, sounds insane to me."
"Well how about we go visit him then. Everyone will still be here to prank when we get back," Funshine suggested.
"I like that idea!" She slung her arms through theirs, "Roadtrip!"
"Alright! Who else should we grab?" Playful asked.
"I'm alright with it jus being us. But if me and the girlfirend aren't enough for you then by all means grab someone."
Funshine smiled at Playful Heart, "Well pookie. Are we enough?"
"I'm fine with that Sunshine, let's go," Playful conjured a cloud car and hopped into the driver's seat.
Swift Heart stretched out in the back, allowing Funshine to sit up front. Pulling out her phone she sent a quick text to Grumpy, asking him to check on Fauna around dinner time. His response was almost instant surprising Swift Heart, until she saw what it said. "Huh?" Quickly she sent another one explaining that Fauna was sleeping at her place. This time he responded with a "Yup." By that time too they had left Care-a-Lot airspace.
"I can't wait to see the valley. I wonder how it is down there," Playful said as they descended.
"It's pretty warm. It was miserable getting through the snow last time but the valley itself was heaven," Swift Heart told him.
"We should fly over the top and go straight down," Funshine said, "Grumpy told me that any other way is too dangerous."
Swift Heart scowled. It figures he would go see Good Luck and not take her. Now she knew where he had disappeared to after their breakup. "Sounds like a good idea to me. Oh wait! Let's stop at a grocery store real quick and get Good Luck some of his favorite snacks. I'm sure they don't go out too often."
"Good idea, he'd like that," Playful looked over the side and drove downwards.
A few hours later they found themselves descending into a lush colorful valley. Funshine peered over the edge of the cloudmobile. "Wow! And I thought home was colorful!"
"You're telling me, and so warm too," Playful said as the car landed, "Wonder how ol' lucky is doing," he asked, putting on a thick fake Irish accent.
"Ack I'm sure he's right as rain laddy." Funshine replied in an accent of her own.
"Ye best hope he dosen catch ye talkin bout him. Er else yer luck will run out." Swift Heart couldn't help but join in.
"You know he never talks like that," The voice came from Perfect Panda, who had spotted the cloud car coming and had arrived to greet them.
Swift Heart smiled at him and held up a finger, "Nuhuh. Correction. He's never spoken like that to you."
Funshine nodded with a smile of her own, "We know things."
"I'm sure you do," Perfect said.
"Well it's nice to see you again, Perfect," Playful jumped forwards and gave the panda a hug, "things alright down here."
"Things are great, and it's nice to have visitor down here anytime," Perfect replied.
Swift Heart moved in to hug him as well, "Sorry we couldn't come down sooner. Things have been crazy. Like you don't even know."
"Well tell me then, I'd love to hear what's going on," Perfect said as he led them towards the village.
Funshine began, "Well I'm sure Grumpy caught you all up on stuff after the last time he was here. But since then there have been these new additions to our family. I mean I think they are anyway?" She looked to Swift Heart for conformation but she shrugged. "Anyway, like I was saying..." Funshine told him all about the Magi as they walked.
Perfect absorbed everything as they headed for his house, his face turning to one of shock when the hunters and the battle with the magi was mentioned.
"But how could... I thought we were supposed to help people," the panda's eyes were wide.
"We are, but the Magi are... different," Playful said.
"Yeah different is a good way to put it. And to think I was so obsessed with them for all this time and had no idea," Swift Heart commented.
"I have all their CDs and read anything I could find on them. I mean I didn't have a shrine in the back of my closet like Harmony but yeah, I liked The Elements a lot," Swift Heart told him.
"Oh yea, I forgot they were a band too," Playful nodded.
Funshine shook her head, "Oh Playful Heart. You can be so clueless sometimes. But I can't say I really mind it now," she had never been a fan of the band.
"Yeah, I think Good Luck mentioned 'The Elements' a couple times," Perfect said. "Here we are, my sister should be home, Good Luck's working right now."
"What does he do? No offense Perfect but what exactly do you consider work down here? I mean you seem to live on the bare basics," Swift Heart questioned.
"Gardening," Perfect said, "we do live off the natural plants here but we decided to grow some of our own plants in gardens, to make things easier."
"That sounds...fun?" Funshine couldn't imagine spending her day tending to plants. Swift Heart agreed but exchanged a look with Funshine saying she didn't get it either.
"It can be fun, if you have the right mindset," Polite was sitting at a table reading a book when they entered.
"I'm sure it can," Playful rolled his eyes, "but I guess there's not much else to do down here."
"Hello Mrs. Luck." Funshine greeted her, "So exciting by the way!"
"And unfortunately Funshine and I are both ADD positive so we do not have that mindset," Swift Heart added.
"That makes three of us," Playful added.
"Well you all get reacquainted, I'll see you later, sis," Perfect added as he left the house.
"He's a bear of a few words isn't he?" Swift Heart asked Perfect's twin.
"So where'd you get the book..s," Playful added the s to the end of the word when he turned to see a small bookshelf with about a dozen books placed on it.
"Good Luck goes out to nearby cities sometimes, just for half a day, and picks up stuff. I love the books he keeps bringing back," Polite replied, placing a leaf on the page she was reading and closing her book.
Sighing Swift Heart held up her grocery bag "Darn. I guess we didn't need to bring this bag of goodies for him then."
"Oh no, he'll love that," Polite stood up and walked over to hug Swift Heart, "thank you."
Swift Heart hugged her back. "You're welcome. Ummm he's going to wonder why the Lucky Charms are open already...just tell him I wanted to make sure all the charms were there."
"Of course," Polite took the bag and set it on the table before moving to hug Funshine as well.
"I haven't seen you since you and Perfect moved home. We have so much pranking to catch up on. Hahah just kidding," Funshine added the last bit when she saw Polite's concerned face.
"What about me?" Playful asked.
"I couldn't forget you," Polite mvoed to give the monkey a hug too.
"Gainina a little weight as we?" Playful asked, patting the panda's tummy.
"Kind of, but not in a bad way," Polite giggled as she released the monkey.
"Funshine do you want to do the honors or can I?" Swift Heart asked the yellow bear, who looked horrified by what her boyfriend had said.
"You can. By all means, you are much more practiced then I am."
Nodding Swift Heart whacked the back of Playful Hearts head. "Playful Heart! You never comment on a girl's weight!"
Funshine nodded, "We were waiting for Polite to tell us."
"OW! Sorry!" Playful Heart rubbed the back of his head.
"Don't be too rough, even I know that boys have a hard time being discreet," Polite said back, "but yes, I finally convinced Good Luck to have a child with me."
Swift Heart beamed at her, "Congrats hun! That is so exciting!" Sending another glare at Playful she went to give Polite another hug.
"Just don't break up with him over this, Funshine," Polite said, hugging Swift Heart back.
"Oh no! I would never!" She said as she too moved to hug her once more.
"Thanks," Playful said, "sorry Polite."
"It's fine," Polite said, hugging first Funshine then Playful. "I don't mind gaining weight either, it's actually a more appreciable look here, since there isn't all that junk food you guys seems to eat a lot of up there so weight gain is considered attractive. But you still shouldn't comment on it," she added before Playful could utter any smug remarks.
"So how long?" Funshine asked.
"I think about four or five months, I'm not really sure since we just have to guess," Polite replied.
"So are you just gonna have one?" Swift Heart asked.
"Probably not, if we can have a large family then we're going to try," Polite added, grabbing a bamboo stick off the table and chewing on it.
"So is that a wierd craving or just your normal eating habits?" Funshine asked.
Polite bit a piece off the bamboo and swallowed, "Weird craving, maybe we just eat our natural animal diets when we're pregnant."
"That would explain why Proud Heart ate so much more raw fish when she was pregnant," Playful said.
"I eat a lot of carrots now anyway so if I ever have kids I don't think we can call it a weird craving," Swift Heart said.
Polite nodded, "Good Luck's happy about this too, a bit nervous but I guess he's still not used to the idea of being a planned young family."
"He's the luckiest guy in the world he shouldn't be worried at all," Funshine said teasingly.
"Well I hope your child grows up nice and healthy," Playful Heart said.
"Thanks, Playful," Polite smiled.
Swift Hearts ear flicked towards the door. "Sounds like Papa is home."
Good Luck came into view and jumped when he saw his friends, "Holy shamrocks what are you guys doing here?"
Jumping on him Swift Heart hugged him tight "we missed you! A lot!" Good Luck hugged her back.
"I missed you guys too. Hey Funshine! Playful Heart!"
"Hi 'daddy'," Playful teased, "I guess you're even luckier than you thought."
Blushing Good Luck put Swift Heart down. "Heh yeah looks like it. It really didn't take more than a little luck. Well maybe a little more." He joked before going over to Polite, "Hi honey."
"Hi dear," Polite gave her husband a kiss, "how are the gardens?"
"Green and gorgeous. Brought you a present," he handed her a ripe passion fruit.
"Just like you," Polite said back, taking the fruit as she stood up, "My favorite."
Forgetting his friends were there he kissed her again, letting his hands drift to her waist. Swift Heart was grinning. Clearly he was totally in love with Polite. She knew fatherhood would be cake for him, his personality was perfect for it.
Playful smiled and whispered to Funshine, "He's so happy down here."
She nodded, "I'm glad he decided to stay." "So you guys gonna show these two around or what? Barely anyone from the family has seen your valley you know." Swift Heart chided them.
"Oh, well sure we can show them around," Polite said, she had set the passion fruit down and her hands had gone around to his back. "Good Luck, they brought you some treats."
"Treats?" Seeing the bag he saw a red box sticking out. "Lucky Charms!" Dashing for the bag he started dragging stuff out. "You guys are awesome!" Pulling out a fruit by the foot he unwrapped it and started to chew it.
"You're welcome," he smiled at Swift Heart in thanks.
Polite giggled at her husband's antics, "I guess there are some things you miss from the outside world. We can show you two around when Good Luck is done."
Unwrapping another fruit by the foot he handed it to Polite. "Try it sweetie and you'll understand, and I'm ready. Let's go." Swift Heart moved to walk next to Good Luck and he smiled at her. "I missed you guys too you know. I need to be better about keeping in touch."
"We need to be better," Swift Heart agreed.
"Mmm, this is good," Polite said as she began eating.
"Yea, and just wait until we tell you all the crazy stuff we've been dealing with, starting with school," Playful said.
They spent a good couple of hours in the valley with Good Luck and Polite. It was really nice for all the friends to get the chance to catch up and they were sorry when the three had to head home. Swift Heart promised they would be back soon and Good Luck said he would attempt to come back up and visit. It was late when they got home though so they said their good nights and went their separate ways.