Merry Christmas all! Here's a late present for you. And it's long so you'll enjoy that!

Chapter 12 -- Company, In Which Vika's Friends Come to Retrieve Her

After Reyson and Vika shared their first kiss, they were fairly quiet for the rest of the day. Naesala and Leanne decided to leave them alone (at Naesala's suggestion, since he was still desperate to propose to the heron princess before the day was out), so they went to another part of the garden.

This could be my only opportunity for a while, Naesala thought. Deep breaths. You can do it. He turned to Leanne and grinned. "So, now that we're finally alone... would you like to go to the beach?"

Leanne blinked at this question. "Beach? Why go to beach? Cloudy sky."

Naesala looked up. Sure enough, a white cloud blanket was covering the sky. Dammit! That's not romantic at all! But this could be my only chance... "Ah, well, it's not sunny, so well... you know, you won't get sunburned."

"Oh! Yes, I like idea!" She smiled. "I not think of that."

Perfect! He grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him so he could pick her up. "I'll carry you, if you don't mind."

At this point she didn't protest to his insistence on carrying her through the air. She hopped into his arms as he lifted off from the ground with ease.

Finally... I can finally make her little visit count! Reyson couldn't possibly protest at this point. He grinned in satisfaction.

Suddenly, Leanne giggled. "You all right? You heart beating very fast."

"What? Oh..." Naesala gulped. Am I really getting nervous about this? It's not like she would possibly say no...

"Oh no. Nealuchi following us," she whispered. She pointed behind him.

"Are you kidding me?" Naesala turned around, and sure enough, the old crow was frantically fluttering after them. "It better not be anything important," he muttered. He slowed down to let his caretaker catch up.

"Nestling! You have to return to the castle immediately!" Nealuchi shouted. "Tormod and Muarim are approaching the island! They're coming for Vika!"

The raven king groaned. "Damn! They picked a horrible time!" He looked down at Leanne. "Sorry, love, we'll have to go back for now."

"I hope they let Vika stay," she replied softly.

They returned to the castle and waited for Vika's friends to arrive. Nealuchi suggested that they be as hospitable as possible in order to help ease the tension. He led the angry beorc and tiger into the throne room, where Naesala was waiting. He had no idea where Vika was at the moment, but he had a feeling that she was somewhere with Reyson.

Tormod burst into the room and stormed over to him. "All right, where's Vika? You better not have done anything mean to her or I'll--"

"Calm down, little one." Muarim followed behind the hot-headed beorc. "Remember, we are dealing with the ravens."

"Please, you act like I'm some sort of criminal." Naesala casually waved his hand. "Vika's a raven, too. Why would we do anything bad to our own kind? And honestly, we brought her home."

"Against her will!" Tormod crossed his arms in defiance. "Now, you give her back, or we'll fight you!"

Naesala couldn't help but laugh. "You must be joking. You wouldn't stand a chance. But if you insist..." He gestured to Nealuchi. "Go hunt her down. She's probably in the garden somewhere."

"You mean you don't even know where she is?!"

Naesala patted the redhead on the shoulder. "What, did you think we were keeping her prisoner or something? We actually had quite a lovely time. We had tea parties and singing concerts and other fun activities."

Muarim nodded. "See, little one, I told you there was nothing to worry about."

"Well, there is one small thing I should warn you about," Naesala added.

Tormod's eyes rose. "What?"

The raven king smirked. "I don't think she'll want to be leaving any time soon. You'll have to see for yourself."

The mage was about to angrily protest when Reyson and Vika entered with Nealuchi. Vika's eyes lit up on seeing her two friends, and she eagerly ran over to them.

"Tormod! Muarim! What are you two doing here?" she asked as she gave each of them a hug.

Why is she so eager? She's not supposed to be that eager! She's supposed to be upset that she has to leave her true love for who knows how long! Naesala managed to keep his face calm, though inside his guts were squirming in anticipation.

Tormod grinned in triumph. "When those two ravens kidnapped you away, Muarim and I decided to go after you and rescue you! But we couldn't get a boat right away because all the sailors were too afraid to sail so close to Kilvas."

"For good reason," Naesala muttered with a smirk.

"But we finally managed to get a boat," Tormod continued, "and we came here. You can come back with us now!"

At this comment, Vika's face fell, as did Reyson's. "N-now?"

Ah, that's more like it. Naesala stepped over to Reyson and nudged him in the side. "Come on. Now's your chance, you little lovebird."

Reyson quickly frowned at him and then walked over to Vika. "A-are you sure you wouldn't rather stay a day or two?" he asked. "After all, you have come such a long way. Vika hasn't had any time to pack!"

"She didn't come with anything," Tormod replied. "She was kidnapped, Prince Reyson." Then he glanced around the room and saw Leanne smiling in the corner of the room. "By the way, Prince Reyson, why are you here?"

Reyson shot a quick glance at Naesala. "It's a long and complicated story. I'm really just watching out for my sister."

Leanne hopped over to them. "Vika so nice! We have lots of fun dress-up, right, Vika?"

"Y-yeah, that was fun..."

"I think you stay for dinner at least," the heron princess continued. "I want spend more time with Vika. Reyson does, too."

Reyson blushed at that statement. "W-well, Leanne, you can't be pushy..."

Muarim scanned over the assembled laguz and then nodded. "I think we should accept your offer and stay, at least for the night. After all, it would be rude to refuse such willing hospitality."

Tormod was about to protest, but then he changed his mind when Muarim gave him a stern look.

Naesala cleared his throat. "Well, if everyone is in agreement, I believe we should hold an extravagant feast for you. Nealuchi? Have the cooks prepare the finest meal they can come up with!"

The old crow nodded and left the room.

"A feast? Right now?" Tormod eyed the raven king suspiciously.

"Why not? Besides, you must be hungry after traveling such a long way!"

The mage looked down at his stomach and gulped. "Yeah... I guess you're right."

For the next hour they chatted about various topics, such as the weather in Begnion and other items of small talk until the food was finished. The whole time Naesala kept an eye on Reyson and Vika, hoping that they'd mention something to Tormod and Muarim about their newly-budding relationship. However, the two lovebirds seemed too nervous to say anything even slightly broaching the topic of love.

Nealuchi finally walked in and led the party to the dining hall, which was not nearly as grand as the one in Gallia, but it was there just in case anyone felt like visiting Kilvas. In other words, it was rarely ever used unless Naesala felt like using it.

The old crow, being such a clever crow, forced everyone to sit in certain seats. He moved Vika next to Reyson, across from Tormod and Muarim.

"So this seat next to me will be for Leanne, I assume?" Naesala whispered as Nealuchi ushered him to his seat.

"Oh, no, Nestling. Princess Leanne must sit on the other side of Vika for moral support!" the old crow replied with a chuckle. "Besides, if you sit next to her then you will get distracted, and you won't be able to help Prince Reyson out at all!"

"What?! That's not fair!" the raven king protested. But he does have a point... damn, I hate it when he's right...

"Now now, Nestling. You'll have time to propose la--"

"Shut up. Go show Leanne to her seat." Naesala frowned and plopped into his seat with a huff. I have to focus on getting Vika to stay longer... The proposal will have to wait for now. I'm not sure how I'll be able to do that, though...

Leanne was all the way on the other side of the table next to Vika. She waved at Naesala as she sat down and then mouthed the words, "We helping Vika now. We have plenty time to hold hands under table later."

This cheered Naesala up somewhat.

The main course for dinner was freshly-caught salmon. Tormod was upset at first, since he had grown up on more Gallian dishes like steak and venison. However, he soon found himself enjoying the fish, eating several helpings. Leanne finally decided to start conversation, directing attention to herself by giggling innocently.

"Tormod eat so much food! I not each too much food," Leanne explained. "I so little. Vika eat much food?"

The raven girl snapped out of her loving gaze. "Ah, well... it depends. I don't eat as much as Tormod and Muarim, though." Then she turned to Muarim. "So, Muarim, how did the last mission go? When I left you were doing pretty well with spying on the villa."

"Yes, the mission was a success. It would have gone even better if we'd had a flying unit, though." Muarim nodded toward Vika. "However, it seems you had a good time here. I see you have become good friends with the heron royals."

Vika blushed and glanced over at Reyson, who had frozen in embarrassment. "Y-yes, friends..."

Finally! Naesala grinned. Dammit, Reyson, SAY SOMETHING!

The heron prince swallowed what was in his mouth. "It has been a pleasure having Vika in our company. A-are you sure you wouldn't mind staying a few more days?"

Tormod perked up. "Stay a few more days? But we have to get back to Begnion! We have three more missions to complete before we can take any kind of break."

Vika's shoulders slumped at this news. "Oh, I forgot about that. I was hoping we could stay..."

Muarim looked back and forth between Reyson and Vika. Naesala could tell that at least the tiger was catching on to what had happened.

Leanne gasped at the realization of a great new plan. She caught Naesala's eye before suggesting her newest scheme.

"Maybe Reyson help you out? Reyson sing to refresh! Then you all have better time freeing slaves!" Her eyes were sparkling. Then she turned to Reyson. "You not mind. Nealuchi take me back to Gallia, so you not have worry about me. You go help Vika and friends!"

Reyson's face glowed for a moment in hope, as did Vika's.

"We could use the support of the herons," Muarim muttered. "What do you think, Tormod?"

"Sure." The mage was too preoccupied with his fifth helping of fish.

Reyson gets to spend more time with Vika. Good idea, Leanne! Naesala nodded at Leanne. And this would also get rid of Reyson for a few days, so that by the time he would return he would find that his sister has a dashing new fiancé!

Reyson seemed to be able to read Naesala's mind, for as soon as the raven king came to that realization his face fell. "Wait a minute... I can't leave Leanne here by herself. As much as I would love to help in the emancipation of laguz slaves, I do not feel confident leaving my sister alone with... well, here for too long." He shot a glare at Naesala.

"Oh, come on, Reyson! I've been good so far! Go with Vika!" he replied.

"Yes, go with Vika!" Leanne agreed. "Not worry. I behave!"

Reyson groaned. "I'll think about it... We have until tomorrow to decide on all of this for certain."

At this point everyone had finished their dinner. Tormod had eaten a total of seven helpings of food and was far too stuffed to really notice what was going on anymore. Nealuchi entered the room again to ask about dessert, though everyone had eaten too much to have any room for more food.

"Nealuchi!" Naesala stood up. "Would you please escort our distinguished guests to their rooms?"

"Yes, Nestling. Right this way." The old crow led Tormod and Muarim out of the room. Reyson and Vika followed closely behind.

Excellent! This will give me more time! Naesala looked over to see that now the room was completely empty except for him and Leanne. The heron princess ran over to him excitedly.

"I think it work!" she exclaimed. "Vika staying one more day, and maybe Reyson going with them!"

"Now now, Leanne. We'll have to take this one step at a time. I think it's going to take a lot of convincing in order to persuade the redheaded mage. And Reyson still has doubts about us." He patted her shoulder. "You've been handling that part pretty well so far, though!"

She smiled at the comment. "I learn from you!"

Naesala glanced out the window. It was still light enough out for him to take her to the beach. "Well, Leanne, do you still want to go to the beach? Looks like we have some time for now."

"Okay!" She jumped into his arms once again, and he flew out of the window, heading toward the beach.