Hello hello! These are coming out so fast - I'm just overflowing with ideas! Picture a field, brimming with happy plot bunnies bouncing around. Enjoy it whilst it lasts. :)

This is another chapter from the past. I love writing them!

Chapter 4

Many years ago...

So, tell me, Vitana, what did you think? Jahar asked as she waded in to knee depth. They had borrowed Arbat's prize and glory, his ship, the Starwave, and flown it to the coast of Lake Stilena. The cool purple water washed up to her shoulders as she walked in deeper, and then she pushed off and began swimming, the dark depths rolling mysteriously beneath her. Vitana snorted and tossed her lovely head, then huffed as water trickled into her ears.

I think that this water is very cold, she replied playfully. Jahar groaned.

No, what do you think of Arbat's brother?

You're a very nosy Andalite, Vitana replied abruptly.

So you won't tell me what you thought of my friend? Jahar asked, adopting a huffy tone. Vitana laughed and splashed water at her friend's head.

You know fully well you did not bring him to my lands as a 'friend'.

I don't understand why you're being so difficult, Jahar snipped. She was somewhat hurt that Vitana did not seem more grateful for the fact that Jahar had brought a not unattractive and very available male to her scoop. What more could a female want?

I dislike your assumption that I require males to be paraded in front of me and am incapable of finding my own, Vitana wailed dramatically. You made me look and feel like a fool. Jahar sighed at her friend's petulance.

My bringing Alloran to you was supposed to be a favour, not a comment on your abilities to find your own mate, she said crossly. I just know that he would make a good mate, and I wanted that for you. If you wish I will never bring a male your way again. Vitana remained silent and moody for a while longer and then laughed, lost her concentration and slipped beneath the surface by accident.

Vitana!

I'm fine, she giggled, coming to the surface and spluttering. You brought me a male to make me happy. That's very… kind. Jahar sniggered.

Well I thought if I waited for you to find your own all my fur would have turned tan before you could report success.

Indeed, Vitana replied teasingly. After all, we can't all be lucky enough to have Arbat on his knees for us. The memory of serious Arbat kneeling before her and imploring her to put him out of his misery and consent to be his mate floated into Jahar's mind, and she stifled further giggles.

It was extremely dramatic of him.

And unconventional! Vitana commented. Have no fear, I'm not expecting anything more than a casual proposal whilst on a gallop.

Your loss, was Jahar's only comment.

They turned back to the shallows, and stretching her hooves down Jahar found the sandy lake bottom again. As they climbed out the water trickled in purple streams down her shoulders, and she shook herself, the droplets creating a rainbow halo around her.

Who's that? she asked, peering into the distance. A blue shape was moving closer, emerging from the heat haze and defining itself into an Andalite.

I believe it's your good friend Alloran, Vitana said, a little spitefully, but Jahar heard a catch in her thought speak. She glanced over and saw that Vitana looked rather less composed than usual. Inside Jahar smiled. Success. Her friend might protest, but she was clearly already beginning to like Alloran a great deal.

The big Andalite skidded to a halt in front of them, breathing hard, his fur slick with sweat.

Greetings, Jahar, Vitana. He inclined his head to them both, and they bowed back.

Galloped far? Jahar asked snidely, eying a trickle of sweat down the left side of his face.

All the way from my lands, Alloran replied, his sides still heaving. You told me to get fitter, he added in private thought speak to Jahar. She glanced at Vitana, who was standing absolutely silent. That would never do.

Unless you're waiting for him to fall to his knees, say something intelligent, she hissed. Vitana paused, fumbling for words, then turned to Alloran.

Would you like to go for a swim? she asked eventually. Alloran eyed her damp fur with amusement.

Another one? He asked. Again she flushed a little, but then recovered her poise and, smiling, turned and walked slowly back into the water for an answer. Very good, Jahar thought, approving of the way the waves washed elegantly over her friend's flanks, staining them a darker blue. Alloran stared a little, then caught himself and trotted after her, ignoring Jahar. She was surprised at how much this stung, but recovered her good humour when she saw how he practically fell into the water to catch up with her friend.

Whilst they swam and talked Jahar walked across the dunes, tasting the spicy sand, and collected the spiral Berdel shells which littered the ground. And when that got tedious, she knelt in the sand and arranged the shells into whirl patterns and drew in the sand with sticks. And when that primitive exercise failed to amuse anymore she wandered back to the Starwave and started up the computers again. It irked her a little, that Arbat had not been able to find the time to join them on the ship to come to the lake, but Alloran had galloped all the way to see Vitana. Grumpily she began an artistic programme, and started to relax as she drew the graphics together to form a standard Elysathean design, similar to the whirls she had doodled in the sand, but in three dimensions.

When the last sun slid below the horizon Jahar left the ship and performed the evening ritual, before looking for the other two Andalites. The sight of the pair of them stopped her in her tracks: Alloran was kneeling under a Kistorn tree, and Vitana rested against him, leaning her head against his chest, their tails entwined. Again a pang of envy stabbed her, and she resolved to force Arbat to leave his labs more in the future and join her on such excursions. Quietly she trotted up behind them, and Alloran turned his left stalk eye back to follow her movement.

Trying to sneak up on us? He asked, amused.

Has Vitana noticed me yet? Jahar countered. Alloran glanced down at her and smiled.

Still fast asleep. Two swims proved too much I think. Jahar knelt down and nudged Vitana's shoulder. The Andalite opened her main eyes sleepily and breathed a deep Andalite yawn.

I was not asleep, she said grumpily. Alloran laughed, as he stood up, shaking her off.

Certainly not. You were merely indulging in a very long blink. She blinked rapidly at that, in embarrassment, and stood up quickly, pulling away from him petulantly. He looked slightly confused as she turned her back to him.

Would you like to come back in the Starwave? Jahar offered, sensing an awkwardness in Vitana's silence.

Yes, Alloran replied gratefully. It's rather too far a distance to gallop twice in a day.

Although it would keep you fit, Jahar mocked gently. He snorted, and she turned and cantered back to the Starwave. With her stalk eyes she watched him step towards Vitana, but the female crossly kept her back to him, so he raised his hands in annoyance and came back to join Jahar. After a hesitation Vitana followed moodily, and she avoided meeting either of their gazes on the journey home.

They came to her lands first, and Jahar gently set the Starwave down and opened the door (Arbat would never have sanctioned Alloran being allowed to fly his ship). Alloran dallied by the exit as Vitana walked towards it, and she was forced to stop and raise her main eyes to his.

I hope today was enjoyable for you, he said formally. Jahar stepped away, back to the main cockpit, so she didn't hear Vitana's reply, but it clearly wasn't long as Alloran joined her shortly afterwards.

I'll fly to your family's lands and return the Starwave, then run home, she proposed. Alloran snorted.

Then you have a long gallop. Why not let me pilot and I'll drop you off at your scoop and take Arbat's firstborn back to him? He moved towards the central panel, but Jahar batted him away with her tail.

I made Arbat a solemn promise that I would not let you near his baby's controls.

He wouldn't have to know! Alloran cried.

You might break it.

Alloran looked contrite. I would never do that, Jahar!

Nevertheless, I can not betray my future mate's trust so terribly. Alloran growled in irritation, but then leant over. When he spoke his thought speak was silky, with a seductive undertone.

How about I give you a ride home in my new ship? She set the autopilot and turned to face him.

What new ship? she asked suspiciously. He smiled.

It's a real beauty. I got it three days ago. Specially built to my specifications, and half of it put together by me personally. Interested?

That depends, Jahar replied playfully. What's her name? He shot her a teasing glance.

Do you know, I haven't given her a name yet? But as she is the most beautiful of her kind, I think I shall call her The Jahar. Does that suit? A blush crept over Jahar's face.

Don't you dare! Arbat will be furious! Alloran laughed wickedly.

But I can't undo it now. The Jahar she remains, and that way both Arbat and I will have our very own Jahar. Jahar stared at him, shocked at his impropriety, wondering if it was a joke. He was certainly in a humorous mood, but she had a horrible feeling that he was being deadly serious. Finally she said crossly, War Prince Alloran, I would feel very odd being flown in a ship that bears the same name as me. Alloran tapped her gently with his tail.

Fly or walk? There's quite a cold breeze outside. Jahar waved the 'cool breeze' away with a flap of her hand.

I might ask Arbat for a lift home then.

If you can prise him out of his lab, Alloran mocked. She started a retort, but he silenced her by taking her hand. Can we not fight, just this once? Just let me take you home. This time the look in his eyes made her certain he was serious. Defeat appeared to be the only option, so she decided to give in with grace.

Thank you, War prince Alloran. I would be happy to accept your most kind offer.