Thank you all for the reviews! they mean so much to me...(sniffs)

anyways, here's the next chappy! XD

Part Thirty-six:

The room was the same as Rachel's, but his was stuffed with wood, saws, strings, tools, and molds to make the beautiful string instruments that hung finished on the walls. "Oh, they're wonderful!" Lark gasped, rushing forward to peer at the different kinds and styles of them. Richard nodded, his chest puffed out in pride. "Yes, they are all unique," he boasted, "not one the same as the other!" He walked over to where Lark stood and, reaching up, handed her a violin. "This one I deeply recommend," He said, "it's very durable, and sounds like a dream!" the young girl took it and looked it over; it really was a beautiful style and the strings looked well cared for.

"So how is Monsieur Erik, Lark?" Richard asked politely, watching the girl look over the violin. Lark sighed, "Cryptic as usual," she said, picking up the bow of the violin. Richard laughed. "Is that so?" he said, smiling. Lark gave a fond smile as she held out the violin to him. "Yes," she said, laughing a little herself. "I think I do like this one, though, Richard." She gestured to the violin in her hands. "I think this one would be the best for Erik!" Richard nodded and took it from her. "Alright, do you need it wrapped?" Lark thought about it for a moment then nodded vigorously. Richard smiled and walked over to the table, and taking some brown wrapping paper, carefully wrapped the violin and its bow up. Tying it up with some string, he handed the package over to Lark.

"Thank you, Richard; I know Erik will really appreciate it!" Lark said, "His viola was sm-…er, well it broke so he needed a new one." Richard bowed gracefully. "It is my pleasure, Lark." She laughed nervously; she couldn't really tell her friend that Erik had actually smashed the viola himself. Richard looked anxiously at his young friend, "It really is good to see you well." Lark smiled as they walked out of the workroom. "I know, Richard, I know." Closing the door, Richard and Lark headed down the stairs to the parlor where Rachel was perched on the sofa, sewing busily. Richard coughed once and his older sister looked up from the shirt she was mending.

"Ah, did you find one you liked, Lark?" she asked warmly, noticing the package in the child's arms. Lark nodded gratefully and smiled at the woman. "Yes, I thank you both for your hospitality." She bowed, still unused to acting like a lady after pretending to be a boy for a few years. Rachel laughed, delighted and patted the seat next to her. "Sit with me, my dear, and we'll send my brother for tea!" Richard growled but the girl laughed and joined the beautiful lady on sofa. "Now let's see this instrument," Rachel said, "I want to make sure my brother hasn't gotten you a faulty one."

Richard sputtered angrily, but his sister just laughed. Lark cut in. "I don't want to cause any trouble," she mumbled, "I think that Richard picked out a very nice one…" Rachel smiled fondly at the child. "I know, my dear," she apologized, "can you blame an old woman for teasing her younger brother?" Richard coughed, "No." The woman rolled her eyes but smiled at Lark who relaxed and smiled back. "Sorry, Rich," the girl said sheepishly. The host just shook his head and headed for the kitchen, his sister laughing at him all the way.

"Don't worry about Richard," Rachel assured her, noticing Lark's worried look, "he's very used to it by now." The girl looked relieved. "You don't look old, Rachel." She told her, remembering what Rachel had said before. The woman laughed and placed down her sewing. "Well for everyone else, thirty-six is pretty old, my dear," she explained, "Especially when I am still unmarried." Lark glanced at Rachel's left hand; sure enough, there was no ring upon her third finger. "Aren't you lonely?" asked the girl. Mama had been distressingly lonely when Papa died, almost to the point of not existing.

"No, I am not that lonely," Rachel said quietly, smiling at Lark to reassure her, "I have my brother and my art. And I also have a new friend, my dear!" She stood up and took the young girl's hands. "And I have met you, Lark. I hope we are friends," Lark beamed and stood up also. "Of course we'll be friends!" she giggled. Rachel laughed and was about to say something when the doorbell sounded. The woman and girl looked down the hallway curiously as they watched Richard come out of the kitchen. "I'll get it, sister," he said as Rachel started forward. Lark peered out from behind her new friend and watched Richard go to the door.

oooh! cliffy! XD sorry about that...

oh yeah, my family is going to go camping in Tuson, so i won't be able to do another chappy until i get back. Sorry about the short notice, but that's how it is in my house XP