A/N: I'm reposting this again because my dividers didn't work. Any response would be great (hint, hint!)

Discussions

A 15-year-old girl was walking down the hallway and into a sitting room. All things considered she was quite pretty. She had curly long brown hair that was rarely seen by her face. It was always back in a ponytail. When asked why she just said it got in the way too much but she didn't want to cut it. She was grudgingly wearing a short navy blue dress that looked stunning on the 15 year old. She had pierced ears but she only ever wore studs in them, no dangles. She was nervous about having to confront her parents about wanting to lead a warrior's life instead of becoming a proper lady, and it showed. Jazlyn opened the sitting room door and walked in.

Half an hour later Jazlyn left the room, leaving her parents inside.

Isabelle and Ernest sat on the couches still, with no thought of leaving soon. Isabelle was a lovely lady. She was not the most beautiful, but she made up for what she lacked in looks, in charm and poise. She sat up straight so the mauve dress she wore elegantly hung around her body. She had curly blond hair and a determined face that was always most always full of compassion. Now it showed a bit of worry and disappointment.

"I wish this didn't have to happen this way. I had hoped she would follow in my footsteps and become a lady." Said Isabelle.

"Yet it it's no surprise that she wanted a warrior's life. After all she always had to be tricked into practicing etiquette and dragged away from the practice courts"

"I know that, but I still hoped."

"What surprised me is that she wants to travel to Tortall and join the Riders instead of merely joining the King's forces here."

"She has always loved to travel to new places, and meet new people. And besides, it's said that The Riders has almost more women than men."

"All right, I can accept that. I just wish she would stay with us for a little while longer," He said with a sigh.

"You can't keep her under your wing for ever you know. And don't say you wanted her too take over the 'family business,' you have Takumi for that and you well know it."

"I thought you wanted her to become a proper lady and do everything she's told." Ernest scowled.

"I did, but I did not honestly expect her too. I had hoped though."

"So when shall we go north?" was all he had to say.

"I do not think it is such a good idea for you to go with her at all. Why not ask Joseph to take her. He's always going up their around this time anyways."

"You're right." He said with a sigh, "It's probably best for her to make a clean break. I'll ask him tomorrow."

They both left the room with sad smiles because their girl was finally finding her place in the word, but she was doing it without them.

When Jazlyn left her parents she felt happy that they were letting her go, but sad to be leaving and wanted to talk to someone. She decided to go see Takumi, her older brother.

After hunting all over the house she finally found him and his girlfriend, Larissa, by the pond in front of their father's shop 'Carlock's Finery'. Lush green grass and plants and flowers and bushes everywhere surrounded it. There was a wooden bench underneath the willow tree, with ivy wrapped up around the legs and creeping onto the seat. That's where they sat watching the fish between the lilies and cattails. They were also finishing off a few ladies' bags for the store and sharing a few secret kisses.

Jazlyn almost laughed when she saw that her brother was adding sequins (little shiny circles) to a delicate pink bag. "Nice choice of bag Takumi."

His head whipped around thinking she was one of the town boys who often mocked him for enjoying 'ladies work'. "Dang it, it's Jaz." He said with heavy sarcasm in his voice.

"Thanks, I was serious about the bag though, it really is our style."

"Ha ha. That's so funny I forgot to laugh."

"Really, it's sounds like you laughed to me."

Larissa had turned around when she first spoke but now went back to her sewing. Though they did this often they truly were the best of friends and could tell each other anything. Without looking out from her work she said, "You two remind me of a quote I heard from someone umm … Julie Ganger!" Though girls often weren't educated, Larissa loved it and her parents were proud of her for continuing her education. When they both just stared at her she continued "'Some people believe that best friends never run out of things to say, others believe that best friends never need to say anything' Guess what group I think you are?"

They both shouted out "We're number one!"

When Larissa started giggling and hopelessly trying to stop, Jazlyn and Takumi started laughing uncontrollably. Within a second Larissa had joined them.

When they finally got themselves under control, Jazlyn sat down in front of the bench and squiggled a bit. Realizing she couldn't get comfortable she lay down on her stomach and stared at her brother.

"So I heard that mom and dad wanted to talk to you all formally. How did it go?" Takumi asked, sounding interested.

"You cease to amaze me sometimes. How did you know that?" No matter what people (Jazlyn especially) tried to hide from him, he always knew.

"My little maid friends have ears." Larissa's eyebrows shot up and a suspicious look crossed her face.

When Takumi saw her, he laughed "Don't worry my dear, I have eyes for you alone. However they'll tell me almost anything to try and get me to look their way."

Taking a good, long look at him Jazlyn was a bit surprised to see why the girls liked him. He was tall and slightly muscular because their dad had insisted that all of his children would know how to wield a sword. Though Takumi was all right at it, and still practiced occasionally, he preferred to work in the shop. He had short, curly, dark brown hair that he kept in good order. Though he was only 16, he was beginning to get a bit of facial hair, but he usually kept it shaved. His eyes were a mix of blue and green that made you feel like you were drowning in them. All in all he was quite an attractive boy, or man.

"I wonder why they don't go after Mark instead. I mean, he is your identical twin."

"Girls love what they can't have." Larissa gave a polite yet sarcastic cough.

"I second that." Jazlyn said.

"I'm serious! Plus my bet is that, once they're done sleeping with Mark-no don't wince Jazlyn, we all know they do (she had winced) – they get bored and come try me instead. Too bad for them, I have you," and he flicked Larissa on the nose. She let out a little squeak and he kissed her passionately. "Anyway, don't try and change the subject Jaz."

"Yes Jazlyn, how did it go?"

"It was alright."

It the typical, blunt manner of a guy Takumi asked, "What did you chose to do?"

Jazlyn sighed and thought a moment before answering. She knew her choice would make her brother sad. "I'm going to Tortall and joining The Riders."

"But that's so far away!" Larissa said in a little maidenly squeak.

"I know, but it's the only place that openly accepts girls."

"I guess you're right but I'll be sad to see you go." Jazlyn was startled to see tears starting to form in his eyes.

"It's alright. I promise I'll write and visit when ever I can."

Takumi frantically wiped the tears away.

Larissa had turned her head to hide the tears starting to form on her face. Despite how she acted she really liked Jazlyn. She saw the shadows starting to creep in around them, all looked at the sundial to see what time it was. "Oh my! I really must be going. I promised my family I'd be home hours ago!"

Jazlyn looked away as they kissed goodbye. "Are you sure you don't want me to walk you home?" he asked.

Larissa giggled and said, "I'm just down the street, I'll be fine. " When it looked like he was going to protest she quickly held up the lilac bag she had been sewing and asked, "Do you mind if I take this home to finish. I'll bring it back tomorrow."

"No, that's fine. I'll see you soon."

"Bye," Jazlyn said. Sometimes when those two were talking they got lost in a world of their own.

"Good-Bye" Larissa said as she walked away.

When she was completely out of site and hearing Jazlyn asked Takumi, "So… when are you proposing?"

Takumi merely stared at her with a confused look.

"For a guy who 'hears everything' you really don't know anything."

"What's your point?"

"When are you going to ask her to marry you?"

"What!? I'm not! Not for a while, at least!"

"Why everyone already knows you love her."

"Our parents wouldn't approve. Neither would hers." He was starting to look sad.

"How can you be so sure? I heard mom and dad talking about you a bit before I went in to talk with them. They said that while that it wasn't right for you two to keep seeing each other."

"WHA-"

"They also said that things were getting so serious between you, that you're starting to be the gossip of the whole town. They said that they're going to talk to you tomorrow. "

"About what! What are we doing that's wrong?"

"They said that it's nothing wrong, you just love each other too much."

"WHAT!?"

"The last thing they said before calling me in was that you would either have to get married soon, or break up and go out with Dierdra."

"Who?"

"The miller's daughter. The one who never shuts up."

"Alright, then I like option one."

"Me too. I'll finally get a sister!"

He just rolled his eyes. "The only problem is that I don't want to marry her, just because mom and dad want me too."

"Then don't."

"What?"

She just stared at him.

"What?"

" Go over to her house now, and ask her parents if it's alright for you to marry her. Wait. Ask mom and dad first. Then sneak up to her room tonight and propose. That way you've been a good boy and done what your parents want you to, you followed all the rules, and it's a total romantic surprise. Just make sure you don't go in when she's changing."

Takumi let out a little laugh but looked really thoughtful. "I like that plan."

"Of course you do. I thought of it."

"Thanks for your help." He said as he was getting up. Remembering something, he said, "Do you know when you're leaving?"

"No, I don't. When I do I promise I'll tell you."

"Thanks. Do you know where mom and dad are?"

"When I last saw them they were in the sitting room, but they're probably in the library, or the shop."

"Right. I'll check the shop first, and put away my gorgeous bag." And with that he flung it over his shoulder in a very girly way and pranced off.

A/N: R&R!