Second-to-last chapter here! But remember, superawesomeanythinggoes drabble series once this is wrapped up! Seriously, I've already got thirty chapter ideas at this point in time. Likely more. ^^ All the ideas are written down-they just need to be written out! But, you know, not yet! First, I need to finish Today (which is still pretty sad for me, having to end this. But I'm really excited for this new series, and I really think you all will like it!)

Here we go! I was trying to think of a chapter idea, and then I started thinking of quotes, and then I started thinking of Shakespeare, and this was the first quote of his that came into my mind, so, yeah. Have fun!

Shakespeare and Shiners

"Et tu, Brute. Then fall, Caesar."

~William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar

"I still don't get what's so great about Shakespeare."

Sighing, Alek turned his attention from the book of plays in his hand to his belligerent friend. Instead of answering in words, he gave Dylan a look that screamed 'Really? in a particularly sarcastic manner, of course.

"Sorry, Alek, but I think this stuff is clart! The man can't even write in plain English!" Dylan complained, glancing down at the object in Alek's hands.

Alek replied, "You do know that most of our modern English was formed thanks to him, right? If he weren't around, we'd probably all still be talking like 'Ye olde gurr thurr wen' a wass thataway!'"

Dylan raised an eyebrow. "I honestly don't think anyone, even in the medieval days, spoke such horrible English."

The Austrian shrugged. "How are we supposed to know?"

"'Beowulf spake, bairn of Ecgtheow, 'Sorrow not, sage! It beseems us better friends to avenge than fruitlessly mourn them. Each of us all must his end abide in the ways of the world; so win who may glory ere death! When his days are told, that is the warrior's worthiest doom.'' That is how people of old English spoke," Dylan quoted without skipping a beat.

"You…did you just quote literature?" Alek asked, stunned.

"Aye, that I did!" Dylan puffed his chest out proudly.

"But-but-how-I-" Alek spluttered.

Dylan winked at him, asking, "But what?" His confident expression was the epitome of arrogance.

Alek said, "But, I didn't know you could even read!"

Dylan's face fell immediately, and he gave Alek a look very similar to this: -_-. At Dylan's expression, Alek couldn't help chortling, and Dylan's eyes continued to narrow.

"Yowch, what happened there?" Newkirk asked the Austrian prince.

Sighing, Alek gently fingered the growing bruise on his left eye. "I angered Dylan."

Newkirk winced sympathetically. "Ah. Best not to do that."

"I know," Alek replied in exasperation.

Newkirk held up his hands in defense. "I'm just saying!" He walked off, muttering something about how everyone was being grumpy today.

Alek stood in the hallway, patting the shiner with great care. Still, he couldn't help but feel a small amount of pride. His first black eye; his father would have been proud, he was almost sure of it!

His mother, not so much.

Aaaand…that was short. Mostly because I'm working super-duper hard on the last chapter, which is going to be massively long! Oh yes. I'm dead serious. Though it'll be multiple drabbles in one. 'Cause I'm cool like that. xP (I intend to get it posted later today, before I leave on the trip! Must get back to writing! *runs off*)

Pony: Yep, there's definitely going to be lots more! Closing Today's going to open up lots of windows. ;) And I'm glad you liked the chapter! Idea credit goes to purplerose34. ;)

HopelessRomantic: Yep, new series! *fistpumps with you* And the English dubs are great. ;) And yep, Dr. Barlow's family! I'll need to do some research on her, of course, but I hope you'll like it, when someday that drabble comes out. ^^ Thanks!

See you all in the next chapter!