Chapter 2

Thyra crossed the bridge and entered Werites Beacon. She still held the love letter in her hand, wondering who her secret admirer could be. By Nerifes, she sincerely hoped that it was a Ferines. There was no way that Thyra would ever share her love with an Orerines.

"Hey, Tulip!" The brown-haired Orerines girl ran up to Thyra. "We haven't seen you since the Christmas party. What are you up to?"

"Well, I was looking for Shirley," Thyra said.

"Shirl? I haven't seen her today. Why do you ask?"

Thyra held up her letter. "I got this letter from...a secret admirer."

"A secret admirer? Awesome!" Norma looked at the letter over Thyra's shoulder. "Do you know who it is?"

"No...do you know?"

"Of course not! Why would I ask you if I already knew?"

Thyra flashed her an angry glare.

"Well, whoever he is, I'm sure he's as handsome as can be," Norma said. "Don't you think so?"

"I suppose. What exactly is Valentine's Day?"

"Oh, it's a time for love and romance, that's all. Very simple."

"This letter says to meet my secret admirer on the morning of Valentine's Day. When exactly is that?"

"Oh, that's tomorrow! So get your beauty rest, and then get up bright and early tomorrow morning and meet your man!"

Thyra blushed. "Well...I'm a little nervous."

"What is there to be nervous about?" Norma asked. "You already know that the boy likes you. He wouldn't be your 'secret admirer' otherwise."

"But what if it's someone I don't like?"

"Then you slap him in the face."

Thyra looked away, apparently deep in thought.

"Don't worry, Tulip, you'll be fine," Norma continued. "I have the utmost faith in you."

"Why are you calling me 'Tulip'?"

"Um...because I want to?"

"Well, don't call me that. My name is Thyra."

"Okay, Tulip, good luck!" Norma waved at her. "See ya later, Tulip!"

Thyra turned and began leaving the city.

"Wait!" Norma called after her. "Aren't you going to see Shirl?"

"No...I only came to learn about Valentine's Day. Now I know."

-------------------

Later that day, Jay went to Musette's house, responding to a call from Norma.

"Wow, JJ, you're the first one here!" Norma called.

"Jay, good timing," Musette said. "I have a letter for you."

"Another letter?" Jay asked, taking the paper from Musette.

Dear Jay,

Don't forget Valentine's Day!

Your Secret Admirer

"What does it say?" Musette asked.

"It's another letter from my secret admirer."

Norma perked up. "Secret admirer!? Ooh, ooh! Who is it? Who is it!?"

Jay narrowed his eyes at her. "I have no idea."

At that moment, the rest of Senel's party arrived at the house.

"Oh Jay, you're here," Senel said. "Here's a letter for you."

"Another one?" Jay asked as he opened it up.

Dear Jay,

I can't wait until Valentine's Day!

Love,
Your Secret Admirer

"Oh yes, I have a letter for you as well," Will said, handing Jay the next note.

"What the...?" Jay gasped.

Dear Jay,

You have such twinkling eyes!

Your Secret Admirer

Jay folded the note and moved on. "Anyway, why did you call us here, Norma?"

"Oh, right! I want to announce the Valentine's Day play that we're having tomorrow," Norma said. "Senny and C are going to be the romantic couple."

"Oh my, that sounds lovely!" Grune gushed. She walked in front of Senel and Chloe. "I now pronounce thee husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride."

"Uh..." Senel and Chloe looked away from each other.

"I expect everyone in the city to be there!" Norma went on. "Senny and C, I expect both of you to put on your best performance! Show the world how much you really love each other!"

"Uh..." Senel and Chloe said it louder this time as they both cringed.

Just then, Harriet came into the house with a letter in her hand. "So here you all are!"

"What is it, Harriet?" Will asked.

"Jay, here's a letter for you." Harriet walked over to Jay, handing him the letter.

"Again?" Jay asked in disbelief.

"Damn, Jay, how many secret admirers do you have!?" Moses exclaimed.

Jay ignored him and read the letter out loud.

Dear Jay,

I can't stop thinking about your face!

Your Secret Admirer

Jay looked up, his eyes widened. "She can't stop thinking about my face!?"

"Wow, JJ, that girl really digs you!" Norma said.

"It sounds more like she's obsessed," Chloe added.

"Where are all these letters coming from!?" Jay asked, nearly in a panic.

"I found that one under my pillow," Harriet told him.

"The one I found was in the oven," Will said.

"I found a letter at my doorstep," Senel said.

"The one I found was behind the portrait," Musette said.

Moses straightened himself. "Well, I've had enough of this. I'm outta here." He quickly left the house.

"What's up with Moses all of a sudden?" Senel asked.

"He's just jealous," Norma told him. "We all know how Red loves JJ. Red is just worried that JJ will start an affair with his secret admirer."

"I seriously doubt that," Jay said. "I'm not particularly interested in such relationships."

"Oh come on, JJ, don't be like that!"

"Bah..." Jay walked past the group and left the house himself.

---------------

Moses sat in the grass in front of his tent at the bandits' camp, while Giet sat faithfully beside him.

"Jay's got himself a secret admirer, Giet," Moses said. "And I don't like it one bit."

Giet whimpered in response, evidently sympathizing with the bandit.

Csaba emerged from his tent and joined Moses. "What's the matter, Moses?"

Moses shrugged. "Ah, nothin'. I'm just thinkin' a bit."

Csaba handed him a letter. "I just found this letter in my tent."

"All right, a letter for me!?" Moses grinned as he opened the letter...but the grin immediately turned into a frown upon reading the salutation. "It's for Jay..."

Moses' right eye rolled into his head as he passed out, falling back into the grass.