"I believe this is the part where i tell you i don't own okage. But, being the evil villian i am i might as well inform you that i have plans to streal it. Yes, and once okage is mine..." *THUD*. Just as the authoress said this Ari walked into the room holding a rather large book. Upon hearing her evil plans he hit her over the head with the book. she now lies unconcious so posting may be a bit delayed.

***

Mara slipped down the hand rail of the stairs closely followed by her twin brother Ashitaka. Olivia, who was younger by two years, slowly followed them but took the stairs instead. She wish she could join in on their fun but could never get herself to do so. They had such a strong bond and Olivia always felt out of place when around them. Actually, Olivia felt out of place almost every where. She had no friends and was content with blending into the shadows.

When she arrived in the kitchen her siblings were already trying to get mom to tell them what was for dinner. But, like Ari's mom, would not tell the curious children. Their mother, Marlene, had never been as good of a cook as their father was but was still better than most. Olivia sat down at the table listening to their conversation.

"Come on mom."

"I told you Ashitaka, I live by your grandmothers philosophy. I never tell what's for dinner."

"Dad would tell us." pouted Mara giving up.

"Yeah well, your fathers not here."

"When well he be back?" asked Ashitaka. " He promised to take me fishing."

"You know your father teaches lessons until five."

"Oh yeah. I keep forgetting." he said grinning.

"Don't you two have something to go do?"

"Yep. I'm meeting Celia in fifteen minutes. See ya!" said Mara rushing out of the room.

"I guess I was going to see if Tristan wanted to play today. Bye." he said leaving the room more slowly but still enthusiastically.

"What about you Olivia?" asked her mom trying hard to mask her concern.

"I don't know." she sighed. "I guess I'll go read or something." she said turning to leave.

"Ok. But when your father gets home we need to talk."

"Alright." she said passively. She thought she already knew what they would talk about, and it would be boring. She decided she might actually try to enjoy the time she had before then.

Olivia shared a room with her two siblings. It was crowded and none too clean. But Olivia did what she could to keep some organization in her part of the room. She had thought numerous times about sleeping in the basement, but it was dark and scary.

Olivia dug through her top drawer and pulled out a small device. It had cost her a lot, but she finally saved up enough sukel to buy it. It was purple and rectangular in shape. It was her pride and treasure, no one else was allowed to touch it. It was her Gameboy. (I know. Put Nintendo in a playstation fanfic.) She held it in her hands, loving the way it felt. This was her only escape from reality. She could play it for hours and at the same time live the life she longed for. Olivia already hoped to join the heroes club when she got older. Fighting and winning. She would be unstoppable. Just like the character in her game. Olivia bent down and pulled something out from under her bed. It was a wooden sword. She had made it herself and practiced with it often. When no one was around of course. She looked to her Gameboy sitting on top of her bed. She carefully placed the sword back under the bed and took her Gameboy.

--

It was an hour before Ari returned home. When he opened the door he was greeted with the savory smell of food.

"Hi Marlene." he said entering the kitchen.

"Hi Ari honey. How was sword fighting lessons today?" she asked giving her husband a hug.

"The students learn quick. By the way, Rosalyn dropped by to see how they were doing. She told me tell you she says Hi."

"Rosalyn. Well I haven't seen her for a while now. We should invite the old party over for dinner sometime." Marlene suggested smiling.

"Well the circus should be here in a month or so. Maybe we could have it then. When Epros and Linda could be here too."

"Oh. Um…Ari. Their's something we need to talk about." She said, her smile vanishing.

"It's Olivia isn't it?" he asked gravely.

"Yes. She's so much like you were when I first met you. Overshadowed, friendless. I don't know what she does in her room all day. Or on the occasions she goes outside. I'm so worried."

"I'll talk to her after dinner." he said turning to go upstairs. "I wonder if she feels too left out by her older siblings. Maybe we should consider adopting another girl her age."

"Don't you dare." she joked.

"Oh yeah, almost forgot. I bought you something." he said handing a small wooden box to Marlene before going to his room to change. Marlene couldn't figure out how to open it. Oh well, she would just have to ask Ari later.

--

After dinner Olivia headed up to her room in hopes of defeating the boss in her game. But before she could get up the stairs her father stopped her.

"Olivia. I need to talk to you." he said trotting up the stairs to join her. Olivia looked at him with eyes void of emotion. Her reddish brown hair was in a neat ponytail and she was dressed in jeans and a black shirt.

"Perhaps we should go somewhere private." he stated.

Olivia and her father sat together on Olivia's bed. Ari tried to think of how to start.

"Olivia." he said making sure she was listening. "When I was only three years older than you were my life changed. You see, I was exactly like you. I was overshadowed, I had no friends, I did nothing all day but daydream or read or what ever."

Olivia could sense this was a bit hard for her dad. His adventures had been hard.

"You remember those bed time stories of the evil king Stan and his slave."

"I remember. You were the king's servant. You, mom, Rosalyn, and the others all saved the world. Why hasn't that hit the text books?" Olivia said. Those stories were among the few things that brought her true joy. The idea of adventure made her feel excited and hopeful.

"Nobody knows what we did for them. But your changing the subject."

"Sorry. But what does any of this have to do with me."

"Well, that's the only reason I'm no longer overshadowed. But it was also a very hard time of my life. I want you to adventure. I know you would like it. But I also don't want you to end up with a possessed shadow."

"Don't worry dad. I may not have friends but I am certainly no pushover."

"I Know." Ari said smiling at his daughter. "I guess I'll quit lecturing you now." Ari turned to leave.

"Dad."

"Huh?"

"Why don't you invite hero Rosalyn and your other friends over. Then you can all tell me the story."

"I may just do that. The circus is in a few months and Epros and Linda will be here."

"And dad. What about Stan? Where did he go. He obviously never succeeded in conquering the world."

"That I don't know."

Olivia asked no more questions, so Ari left.