Disclaimer: Lieal does not, will not, and shall never own anything about Avalon Code, just the name used in the stead of Tia.

Anwar: Is it really that big a deal to own me?

Yes, you're my cute little desert boy, but somewhere out there there is someone else who sees you as her cute little desert boy...so...It's a sad existence for fangirls.

Anwar: Huh... so then why dont you get a real boyfriend?

Oh, I wish it was that easy, I wish.

Lieal had indeed gotten lost in the central desert. At first everything had been fine. New map pages appeared, she code scanned new monsters, gathered information, and even discovered now tablets for new weapons. However, after some time, the map of the book indicated she was wandering in circles. This frustrated her.

"This doesn't make sense," Lieal muttered, flipping through the pages of the map.

"Of course it makes sense. You're lost, Lieal," Rempo answered, his small figure forming beside her head.

"I'm not lost!" Lieal protested, turning one page back and forth, trying to see where she had made a wrong turn. "I've been going straight, but according to the maps, I'm still in area four – but I've already passed through seven! It makes no sense!"

"What will we do?" Mieli muttered, her slim figure slipping out from between the pages, "We need to hurry up and find Ur…"

Neaki soon joined the group, but no words left her. The metal latch around her throat kept her voice trapped inside where none could hear.

"Maybe I should go back into town…" the young orange-haired girl muttered. The sun was high overhead, and she was tired from running around so much.

Without waiting to hear a reply from her elemental companions, Lieal closed her large tomb and proceeded to retrace her steps back to the desert town. Periodically she ran into monsters, but it took no time for her to strike them down.

At the last stretch of empty land, Lieal could see the entrance to the town and relaxed. The book was opened again, and the 'chosen one' was soon flipping through the pages, refreshing herself on the meanings of the flowers Kamui had taught her about. Page at a time, she re-read about each flower she had shown to her green-haired novelist. However, when she came across the page of the flower meaning bravery, she couldn't help but wonder…

* * *

Anwar was beginning to worry. He knew he shouldn't bother thinking about this strange new girl. She would go and do whatever it was Olly was sure she would need to accomplish, and then she would leave. Things would return to normal, and Anwar would once again be left to solitude.

"Here."

The desert boy glanced up, only to have a flower thrust in his face. Startled, his eyes lifted slightly to focus on the girl holding the plant out to him. It was a shock to him – what was he to make of this?

"Yes," he soon found himself replying, a single hand reaching out to accept the offered gift, "I'll take it."

Again, for the third time that day, the girl smiled at him – for him. An innocent little gesture that sent his heart pounding and his mind spinning with questions he didn't have answers for. He watched as she turned and disappeared into one of the nomad's tents.

Anwar lowered his gaze to the flower that he held gently in his fingers and felt a heat burn in his cheeks.

What was this…feeling?

Author's Note: Guess what?! My eye's swollen! Yeah, I bet you're jealous because your eye doesnt swell for no good reason. Stupid allergies.

Anwar: Sounds painful.

Typing this wanst much fun... ow... ow...

Anwar: You should put ice on it.

I did... and it didnt do much...

Anwar: ...huh. Well, rest and get better.

Aw, are you worried about me?

Anwar: No.

Liar. Let's go eat cake.

Anwar: Okay.