Despite everything, Dolce loved Pico. Sure her love was platonic as opposed to Pico's romantic, but that didn't mean she cared any less for the little ghost. Dolce simply was less openly affectionate than Pico. Still, she'd be lying if it was only pure sisterly devotion. Pico was one of the only ties to her former life, and even if Pico was a horrid monster, she wouldn't dare risk losing someone from the past.

But at least now the past had less of a grip on her than it used to. There were people who cared about her in this future, and there was even someone who loved her with a passion she had never felt before.

"Oh there you are, Dolce!" Clorica gave her usual bright gentle smile that always managed to melt her heart. "You're here early."

"I didn't wish to be late for an important occasion."

"It's just tea, but I'm glad it means so much to you," Clorica laughed. "Come on, everything was even set up before I got there!" The two girls made their way into the castle, holding hands and smiling all the way. As Clorica said earlier, it wasn't anything grand, but Dolce still liked the practice. Clorica's slowed down and relaxed pace of life suited her fine. She got to enjoy these little moments their fellow townsfolk often missed.

Everything was going perfect until Dolce noticed a few cookies were missing. At first she attributed it to her miscounting and nothing more, but a few minutes later, neither Clorica nor she had touched a cookie, yet another one was gone. Something was definitely up, but Dolce had rather not ruin the moment, so she simply shot a pointed glare at the space around the couple.

That seemed to have no effect. Soon afterwords there were random breezes and eerie howling. Thankfully, Clorica didn't seem to notice, too wrapped up in her story about her adventure with Frey yesterday.

It was when a book fell down and startled Clorica, Dolce finally snapped.

"Excuse me," she didn't wait for Clorica's response and made a beeline for the bathroom. Only once she was securely locked in did she let her anger boil over.

"Pico!?"

"Yes, Dolly?" She found the ghost perching on her shoulder, batting innocent green eyes at her. "What do you want?"

"Don't play dumb. You know you where supposed to leave me alone for this date."

"I can't help it there have been some weird stuff going on."

"You knew how much this meant to me," Dolce hated the way her voice shook. She could never work up the fire others could to stay angry. Instead she froze up, her words grew as cold as ice while she tried to maintain enough heat just to function.

"Alright, ok, I did it," For once in her afterlife, Pico wasn't smiling. "I'm sorry I don't like being ignored."

"You couldn't stand not being the center of attention for an hour."

"Still, it would be so easy for you to forget me. What am I to do when even you don't notice me anymore?"

Dolce paused at this statement. With Pico's happy-go-lucky nature, she had never taken into what kind of insecurities this new future could hold for her.

"Pico," She took a deep breath as she tried to collect her thoughts. "I love you so much. You could never be replaced. However I love Clorica very much as well."

"She really means that much to you?" Pico would not look at her.

"Yes."

"I see," She bit her lip as she floated to and fro. "I'll stop bothering the two of you."

"Wait a second. I think I have a better idea."

And so a few minutes later, Clorica and Dolce were back in the middle of their tea party. Only this time Pico joined them as well.

"Is it alright if she tags along?" It was irrational, but Dolce felt so nervous for asking so much of her.

"Of course," Clorica had just given her bright laugh. "After all, two's company, three's a party!" While Dolce didn't necessarily agree, it would do for now. Somehow they would make this work.

A.N. Celebrating Rune Factory Valentine Fever 2016, won't write something for every prompt but there is more to come