Divinity: The Fates and the Afterlife

Chapter six

A/N: Another Friday, another chapter. Thank you for sticking with me and reading the story. I appreciate your messages and reviews, they brighten up my day-thank you. This is a more normal/chill out chapter, last chapter I asked for your patience because you will find chapters like these very often. I know, I know-we all want the action right away but, we never get to see them in their normal routines plus, I am still working on that.

Have a nice weekend everyone. Thank you again.

I do not own Sailor Moon, just this plot and some of the characters.

As soon as the sun began to set, Rei decided that it was time to do things that would give her some peace of mind. It was not like her grandfather was a burden to her, but what was indeed a burden was to fake love and respect for the man she once did love and respected. Yuuichiro.

After sweeping, moping, praying and doing some work as Miko, it was finally her time to be Rei, just good old Rei. She walked into her bedroom and slid the door closed and went for the only thing that would make her feel connected to the real world—her phone.

She dialed a set of numbers she knew by heart and waited for a familiar voice to answer, her lips curved and her body relaxed almost instantly, "Hey, it's me."

"Hey, I thought you were never going to call." said the other voice at the other end of the call.

"Sorry I took so long, I was busy with some things here at the shrine and…well, you know—Yuuichiro." the Miko threw her tabi away from her feet and threw herself on her bed while holding her phone close to her ear, "I don't know what to do anymore—I am so tired."

"It's making you miserable Rei-chan, you should just…"

Rei pursed her lips "I know... But I'm afraid it might affect my grandfather."

"Just tell your grandpa that things didn't work out—it happens in a relationship. Do you know what you should do?"

"What?"

"Go on a date again,"

"That's your best advice?" Rei sweat dropped and growled with annoyance. At the other side of town, Minako turned on her little stool at her kitchen bar and blew her freshly manicured hand, "It can help you dust the whole Yuuichiro thing off your shoulders."

"I am not interested in dating anyone, besides—I am a Miko."

"...And you were in a serious relationship with a man, come on Rei-chan, things change…times change. Don't you want to go out with someone who really appreciates you?" Minako frowned.

"Well, I thought I was with that person until it happened—you know, that." Rei rolled on her bed and covered her face "I am exhausted—it is very upsetting."

"No, do you know what's upsetting?"

"What?"

Minako blew her nails again "This blonde girl appearing everywhere, that's upsetting. She's taking all of my jobs! It's so unfair!"

"Want me to fry her with my hidden powers?" Rei said jokingly, but to Minako that sounded more like an urge than just a plain joke. Silence fell between them for a couple of seconds before Minako decided to go there. "Rei-chan," she made a pause, "About what you said the other day, of missing it…"

Rei moved her hand away from her face and stared at the ceiling "What about it?"

"Do you?" Minako bit her lower lip "Miss it?"

The black haired Miko sat on her bed and looked out her window. She stayed in silence for a minute and took a deep breath "Sometimes…" before the blonde could say anything she continued, "Please don't get me wrong, I love my life as it is… I love that we are all living at peace but, sometimes—when I am alone… these thoughts come to my mind." The Miko stood up and closed her eyes, "It made me feel secure, made me feel strong—like nothing could ever hurt me, maybe it is because I am feeling incredibly vulnerable right now. Maybe I just want him to pay in some way for what he did."

Even when they were on the phone Minako could feel the heaviness of her friend's words. Sadly, and in silence she knew what she meant; now that they were away from that life and kept it as a sacred memory and even when they were very aware of who they were in reality and not just them but all of their friends, she now understood how big it was to be a Senshi of love and justice. She was famous in secret and she enjoyed the game of having a secret identity, sure, it was very exhausting having to sneak out very late at night or very early in the morning to go and fight an enemy but it was always an adventure and just like her Miko friend she had to admit that she missed it a little.

"Am I being selfish?" Rei's voice startled out of her thoughts "What? No." she heard Minako's reassuring voice. Rei sighed and ran a hand through her hair, "Sometimes I feel guilty for thinking about it, I should not be thinking about it, not when Usagi risked her life the way she did… she is very happy now, I…" she trailed off.

"Rei-chan?"

"I cannot do this to her." Minako widened her eyes when she heard her friend's voice break into a soft sob, this was more serious than she thought; she really was in a horrible predicament. Without saying another word, Minako went for her keys and left her apartment with her cell phone in her ear.

At the other side of Tokyo, far into the depths of an industrial kitchen Kino Makoto was doing another order of crepes with her now famous secret creamy sauce. After the incident with the infamous food critic, her crème crepes became famous and her abilities as Cook caught Haruto Asato's full attention.

"Kino-san, another order of your crepes has been made."

Makoto turned to look at the man and nodded "I'm on my way!" she took another saucepan and began making another batch of creamy sauce. Chef Haruto walked closer once he finished checking on the poultry and seafood station and stood next to her "You okay or do you need some help?"

"I…" Makoto blinked surprised when he grabbed a knife and began chopping some fresh herbs to add to the boiling cream "You need more wine, I can see." His rich voice caught Suzuki's attention, making her turn while she was still chopping a big amount of onions for a soup. Her light brown eyes searched for his voice and widened once she saw him standing there, helping the girl she tried to boycott one too many times.

Suzuki cursed under her breath and continued chopping onions while thinking about the drastic change Haruto made once he read the positively and rather refreshing critic Goda Kahori wrote on the Tokyo Metropolitan Newspaper. She remembered clearly his voice while he read "It was like tasting a little piece of heaven on Earth," and, "I know I was very direct and came out too bold when I said 'La Blanche Colombe' was like watching a train accident happening in slow motion, but this time, Chef Haruto made me eat my words—literally, with such delightful crab crepes."

Haruto was a very strict man in the kitchen; Suzuki knew he was not an easy going person and that he wanted things well done and fast. The young chef's mind began playing little games with her, making her turn frantically every time she heard Makoto's sweet melodic voice. With a frown on her face and while she put a large copper casserole over the stove she thought of what or how could she even managed to get the job she had if she didn't have the same resume or education she had. As she stirred the onions with the industrial amounts of butter and cream, she thought of the big difference her preparation and experience as a chef she had over the tall girl, why? she asked to herself as she continued to stir the creamy mixture, how come a girl like her could surpass her like this?-–she thought.

She had been working for almost four years with him and she never ever had a compliment or help from the man she now watched helping and supporting a rookie. As she let the ingredients inside the casserole slowly turn into an onion soup she walked towards the working couple and with a smile, interrupting their little conversation "Chef, the soup is in process… are there any more orders you want me to cook? I can take from here if you want."

Chef Haruto turned to look at a very interested Suzuki and sighed, "The night has been tranquil, I might close early tonight."

Suzuki blinked surprised "Chef?"

He turned to Makoto who was too concentrated cooking the scallops and crepes and then back at the other brown haired girl, "How's Hikawa-san doing with that fish fillet?"

Suzuki turned to look at him and then back at the chef, her spirit not letting the situation ruin her mission "He's almost done."

"Then start with the cordon bleu." He looked at Makoto before walking away to the station were new orders were coming through. Masao, who had just finished his dish walked over to Makoto and offered her a hand, which she gladly took, "Thanks." she mumbled as she continued serving the dishes with incredible detail and precision.

"You sure have tons of new orders," Masao smiled while he poured some creamy sauce over the crepes Makoto was carefully placing and stuffing with crab, "You really changed the pace of this restaurant with your innovation."

Makoto blushed and poured some fresh herbs on top and press the little bell on the counter "It's just a sauce…"

"Why didn't you do something before? You clearly have a gift in the kitchen." The dark haired man told her, "Anyways—thank you for saving my job."

Makoto stopped and looked at him "What?"

"We all knew this place was going to close if things continued the same, you practically saved our asses Kino-san." He smiled, "Thanks."

Makoto blushed a crimson red and served another order of crepes. At the other side of the kitchen, while the flames danced passionately at the grill a very busy chef continued supervising the many orders that came once after the other with gleaming eyes and with a smile looked at the clock on the wall marking ten o' clock, "How are those quenelles?" he asked out loud.

"Ready to serve Chef!" Suzuki said from her station as she began to decorate the dish.

Chef Haruto clapped his hands and began undoing the knot on his apron "That's our last dish for the night, the kitchen is closed until tomorrow."

"Awesome." Masao smiled and began cleaning his station. Makoto sighed and began wiping her station, while the kitchen assistants picked all the pots, casseroles, pans and utensils away to be washed and dried. Just like any other cook, she went to put the sauces and perishable products in the large freezer behind her and waved her hand goodbye at some of the assistants leaving the kitchen.

Masao took off and walked over to Makoto who had her hands full with things she still had to put away, "Let me give you a hand," he said softly as he took some of the jars from her hands "Oh, thank you!" Makoto smiled at him and closed the freezer door once he came out, "You almost drop those jars and then what would we do without your miraculous cream sauce?"

Makoto chuckled "Well, you would have to make some more."

"But I don't know the recipe."

"Then you would have to come up with something new, who knows? Maybe you can do something even more sensational."

Masao chuckled in response "Maybe, maybe." Makoto smiled and was turned on her heel; Masao looked at her and blushed slightly "Um… hey, Kino-san…"

"Yes?"

The young Masao bit his lower lip and smiled nervously. Akiyama Masao began working for Chef Haruto at the same time Suzuki did; they actually coincided in many of the classes and diplomats together in France but the difference between them lay on their different visions of success. While Suzuki thought of it like something she deserved to have, Masao, on the other hand, enjoyed the journey of just being able to cook for people. The blaze, scents, and rhythm involved in a restaurant was what really made him feel passionate about his work. He loved his work for the emotional benefits that brought and not much for the money that came attached with it.

His abilities and his patient character were what made him land this job as a chef in one of the best French restaurants in Tokyo, that of course before the tragic incident where the food critic came and described their food as boring now that many restaurants had taken the 'contemporary' route. He had to be honest with himself; he was starting to lose faith until Makoto came into the picture. With her emerald green eyes and her kind personality, she slowly began to make her way into the kitchen starting from being the hostess to one of the chefs who now, reinvented the whole concept of a crepe and that fascinated him. Since the first day she started in the kitchen, Masao knew she didn't have the same studies as he did or the same experience but he saw the same passion for food in her eyes and that was more than enough for him to captivate him.

Since the beginning he befriended her and taught her the basics of French cuisine while she helped him stir sauces, bake pastries or just watch over his pork dishes until she was ready to take over a station on her own.

He had always had a conversation topic for her and they always helped each other in the kitchen, everyone could see they had chemistry and that there could be something more than just friendship, or at least Masao thought that. He never had a problem to go and talk to her, but maybe because he had never asked her out on a date before and now he felt like it was the perfect timing since they got relatively early out of work.

Masao put his trembling hands behind his back and stared at the tall girl put her utensils away "Um… I was wondering…"

Makoto turned and looked at him with a curious stare, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah… I was just wondering if by any chance you…"

"Kino-san."

Both Masao and Makoto turned to look at Chef Haruto standing a few feet away from them, "Good job today."

"Thank you, Chef." Makoto bowed her head in respect.

"Tired?" Haruto arched his brow, Makoto shook her head, "Um, not really… not like I usually am."

"Good," he turned to Masao, then ignored him completely for another minute "What are you doing tonight?" he asked softly as he put some pans out of the way. Makoto widened her green emerald eyes "Going home, maybe."

"Why don't you stay? There are some things I would like to talk with you."

Now it was the time for Masao to cancel whatever plans he had in mind and shrugged his shoulders, "Well, I guess I will see you tomorrow."

"Wait, I wanted to ask you something!" Makoto widened her eyes, silently hoping the young man would stay. Masao smiled and waved his hand, "It's okay, you can ask me tomorrow..." he turned to Haruto and bowed his head, "Good night." he turned to leave before seeing a very surprised Suzuki standing by the door. Her amber eyes could not hide the frustration and jealousy she was feeling for not being asked by Haruto to stay as well.

"Good night Akiyama-san." Haruto looked at Suzuki, who was still standing by the door "Mahami san." Suzuki blinked out of her reverie, "D-Do you want me to stay as well Chef?"

"No, this is something that only concerns Kino-san, good night." he waved his hand to dismiss her.

"Good night…" she mumbled and left the kitchen without even looking at Makoto. She knew that staying a few more minutes with Haruto was going to have its consequences tomorrow morning. It was no secret for anyone that worked there that once the chef made up his mind about something, he would do anything to accomplish it and because of that same reason, she preferred to stay hidden behind the door and eavesdrop on their conversation and see what she could use to her advantage.

Once they were finally alone, Makoto turned to look at Haruto who was coming back from the large fridge with a bottle of white wine and two glasses "Chef?" she asked, confused. Haruto put the glasses on her station and pulled two stools closer, "I've been meaning to talk to you."

"Did I do something wrong Chef?"

"On the contrary, please, have a seat."

Makoto took a seat and watched the chef open the bottle and serve the first glass, then the second "Kino-san, I wanted to show you my appreciation for what you did for the restaurant." He took a sip, "It was too risky for you considering the circumstances and my character—still, you took the chance and did something that is helping me change the course of this place."

Makoto blushed, this was sure something she was not expecting "Thank you, Chef."

Haruto looked at her and did what he barely ever does, he smiled. His eyes showed sincere gratitude but also something else "Makoto,"

Makoto widened her eyes "Yes?"

"I want you to know that whatever you need, you can count on it. If you want to go to classes, courses or a specialty like Suzuki or Masao-san, whatever you need…" he extended his hand and touched hers, "You can ask me—I can give you whatever you want."

Suzuki widened her eyes in shock and horror, while she stood behind the door and listened to their conversation in silence. Makoto didn't know how to feel about all this, this was new and it felt incredibly awkward and out of place. She was grateful to him for offering help to build her culinary experience but she was aware it was something she could not accept, this is not what a normal boss would do. The wine, and now his hand on hers it was not something a normal boss would do, or maybe it was a custom he learned in France, who knows? She thought, but it made her feel uncomfortable. With a trembling hand, she moved her hand away from his, "I have to go," she stood up from her stool, startling Haruto "What? Why?"

"I… remembered I had to be somewhere."

"Boyfriend?"

Makoto blushed and shook her head, "Thank you for your offering and—everything." she stumbled with her stool and went to look for her purse "I will see you tomorrow Chef."

Haruto Asato watched her as she struggled with her apron and stood up and went to help her "Here, let me help you with it." he began working his fingers on the tight knot and chuckled, "You sure are in a hurry," he arched his brow "If you don't have a boyfriend then why do you need to leave so suddenly? We can stay as much as we want, it is my restaurant after all."

"A friend," she said softly while waiting for him to undo the knot on her apron, "Hmm," Haruto mumbled "A friend, male friend?"

"No, long time friend," Makoto said and bit her lower lip; her heart was pounding like a drum in her chest. She was confused by everything that was happening with him and questioned to herself why was he being so nice to her all of a sudden? Sure, she noticed he was being more accessible since the critic left a week ago but this was something else—was he trying to achieve something? She thought with panic.

"I see." the chef mumbled dryly, like magic, the knot loosened giving Makoto the opportunity to flee the kitchen as fast as possible, "I will see you tomorrow Chef,"

"Tomorrow then," Haruto mumbled, again.

Makoto nodded and left the room, ignoring Suzuki who was still hidden at the other side of the hallway. Without saying anything else at the people cleaning the bar, she went straight to the door and out of the restaurant. With trembling hands, she reached for her phone inside of her bag and called the one person she thought could help her decipher what did just happen.

"Minako-chan?"

Minako hung up her phone and tossed it on Rei's bed. She has been there for what it seemed more than two hours, she got there mentally prepared to deal with her friend's strong and fiery character but instead found a very vulnerable girl in an ocean of tears. After talking and crying her heart out but now feeling a thousand pounds lighter, Rei sat straight on the bed and sniffed, "Who was it?"

"Mako-chan." Minako looked at her from her seat on the floor, they had drunk almost an entire bottle of sake since there was the only thing she had in the shrine, Rei frowned "Everything okay?"

"She seemed upset about something," Minako narrowed her eyes "Maybe something happened at work."

"Yes, probably… maybe that girl Suzuki did something to upset her again."

"Sounds possible." The blonde looked at her friend and smiled softly, "How are you feeling?"

Rei sighed and joined her friend on the floor "Drunk but much better—I'm so sorry for making you come all the way over here to listen to my whining."

Minako chuckled "Don't be silly—you know I would do anything for you." She tucked a strand of dark hair behind her friend's ear, "But about the other thing we talked about—how do you feel?"

"Confused, hurt…" Rei looked down, "I feel guilty Minako-chan, I don't want to do this to her, to them."

"You are not doing anything." Minako frowned. Rei shook her head and sighed heavily, in a tired fashion. "I am just longing for something that one day was and is not anymore."

Minako patted her friend's hand softly, "There is nothing wrong with that but I want you to tell me the truth of why are you feeling like this? Since when?"

Rei looked at Minako and stayed silent, her thoughts went right back to that day when she was praying and that black image appeared in the middle of the flames. Since she got up that day everything seemed off, she wasn't feeling like herself and for some reason, she knew her alter ego was trying to tell her something; even Phobos and Deimos were acting strange, the day itself was too weird for her to bare.

Rei thought a lot of times of how could she even mention what happened that day, what she heard, what she saw and how she was attacked by something she could not even explain. It was beyond anything she had faced before as Senshi, it didn't look like an enemy ready to attack, it didn't feel like their previous encounters with evil forces, this was something else—like a beast waiting for its prey to be unprotected.

"Rei?" Minako put her hand on her shoulder "Is something wrong?"

Rei blinked and shook her head, "No, no..." she rubbed her temples, "I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

Rei looked at Minako and hesitated for a moment "Well…there is…"

Both girls were startled when they heard a knock on Rei's window. The blonde screeched in surprise before seeing Makoto standing outside, "It's me!"

Rei stood up and opened the door to her room, "You scared us the hell out!"

"I'm sorry—I'm sorry!" the tall girl said as she walked inside and took her shoes off, "I didn't know where to go…" she frowned when she saw the half empty bottle on the floor, "Are you drinking sake?"

"It's the only thing I have laying around here," Rei mumbled and reclaimed her seat on the floor, next to Minako. "Want some?" Minako lifted the bottle and waved it in front of her, "There's still plenty to continue our own little private party."

Makoto looked at them in silence for a couple of seconds before nodding, "Yeah, why not?"

"Aren't you guys supposed to be working tomorrow?" Rei asked while pouring another round of sake in porcelain cups.

"I go to the restaurant until 2:00 pm." Makoto sighed and put her bag on the floor next to her then turned to Minako, "You?"

"I don't care anymore," Minako mumbled with annoyance, and took another gulp of sake, making a face as she swallowed the strong, hot liquid.

"Whoa, what's with the attitude?" Makoto widened her eyes surprised, Minako took another strong sip of her drink and sighed, "I hate my job but it's the only one I have and the one that pays my bills."

"Is it going that bad at the studio?"

"I was telling Rei-chan that my boss is a complete jerk." Minako stretched her legs and sighed heavily, "He treats people like scum and takes all the credit for my work with the network partners and executives—he's an asshole."

"Oh…" Makoto blew her bangs and took a sip of her sake. "Yes, I know." Minako pouted her lips, "And with this blonde everywhere, I hardly get any acting auditions."

"I really never understood why did you quit acting for a while in the first place, you were doing good!" Rei asked curiously, "It's what you have always wanted and when you were really making a name for yourself, you quit—why?"

Minako gave her friend an angry glare, "I fell in love with the wrong person—you know that." she sighed, letting the sake take over slowly, "I listened to my mother in taking my life 'more seriously' but when I realized I was not doing what I wanted—it was already too late. So I got this promising offering at the studio but I ended up working for a jerk."

"Fell in love with the wrong person…" Rei mumbled "Ironic."

"What?"

"You really fell for that guy?" Rei frowned with curiosity, "Really?"

"What guy?" Makoto asked trapped in her own confusion. Minako pursed her lips, "He was cute and independent." Minako tried to defend herself.

"Independent?" Rei frowned, "Independent is a person who does everything on its own like Mako-chan or Mamoru kun has done it. I remember that guy always complained about how he never got better roles and how he never had enough money."

"Wait, what guy are we talking about?"

"The actor." Rei said, "The one with blonde hair, brown eyes, very thin—not too tall."

"That guy? Really?" Makoto turned to Minako who waved her hands defensively, "Hey, he was the only one supporting my dream of becoming an actress."

"And what about us?" Rei arched her brow, "We've been supporting you since day one."

"Romantically speaking." Minako frowned.

"Who knew…" Makoto sighed, "Yeah, I remember Haruka never liked him."

Minako blew her bangs "He was nice to me—until he decided to follow another path."

"Which was?"

"Who knows? He left and never heard of him again—but that broke my heart. I thought you knew the whole ordeal!" Minako raised her hands with frustration. Makoto shook her head, "Usagi-chan is the only one that really knows what happened. You kept a lot of things out when you gave me the news that you were no longer with him."

"Oh, right—poor Usa chan, I remember calling her at late hours crying my heart out," she turned to Makoto "Speaking of paths and mysteries…what happened to you? You sounded weird on the phone earlier."

"Right," Rei said, "Did something happen with that Suzuki girl?"

Makoto sighed and looked at both girls "Not exactly."

"Then what?"

"Well, remember the food critic?"

"Yes…"

Makoto sat straight and took a shot of sake, making a weird face in the process and continued, "Well… since she wrote that positive review about the restaurant, things have turned a little bit odd."

Minako frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Well… my boss—the Chef, has been acting a little bit too friendly towards me…" Makoto bit her lower lip "Especially today."

"Ah?" Minako frowned. Rei arched a brow and took a sip of her sake "Like what?"

"Well, the restaurant has been doing fine since that review came in the papers and has given the chef a lot of liberties, one of them is being able to close the restaurant's kitchen whenever he pleases like tonight," Makoto sighed and frowned slightly "But after he decided he was closing early he asked me to stay because he wanted to talk to me. He waited until everyone left the kitchen and went to get a bottle of wine and offered me 'his help' in 'anything' I needed, and started caressing my hand."

Both Rei and Minako stared at Makoto with a surprised look, "Are we talking about the same man?"

Makoto nodded, Minako rubbed the bridge of her nose "Wait, you said he was really serious and demanding…now he gives you wine and touches your hand?"

"I don't know if I am misunderstanding the whole thing," Makoto raised her hands, "He did thank me for taking risks and said something about me helping him to make improvements to his restaurant; the help he offered me is professional…he said that he would help me if I decided to take some classes, course or even if I wanted a specialty in something."

"Well…" Rei put her sake cup down, "It's obvious that after that good review and that new leaf he wants to improve his restaurant and stay at the top and for that, he needs to have the best team possible. I get it. What I don't get is…the hand gesture, I mean…"

Minako nodded "That man was trying to do something else..."

Makoto widened her eyes in panic "Was he?"

"Why are you so surprised Mako?" Minako looked at her "You are beautiful, tall, very talented…"

"Yeah, why is it so shocking to you? That man is interested in you." Rei said softly. Makoto looked at both and bit her lower lip for a moment, "He has a secret affair with Suzuki."

"What?!" both girls said in shared surprise. Makoto sighed and nodded softly, "Well, at least that is what everyone says at the restaurant. It's obvious she has feelings for him…I cannot come into the picture and accept his help and his attentions that would break Suzuki's, heart."

Minako raised her brows, "Wow, you are actually thinking about her feelings? When she's been so awful to you..."

"What are you going to do then?" Rei asked, ignoring the blonde's drunken commentary "What if he keeps insisting?"

"I thought you had feelings for the other guy who works with you, what happened?" Minako asked this time. Makoto sighed, "We are just friends there is nothing going on between us." Makoto shook her head and took a deep breath "Maybe I am taking this way too far, and it's not that big of a deal… tomorrow will be another day and well I have better things to think about."

"Like?"

"Usagi chan's wedding cake and my own business, I want to have my own pastry shop." Makoto smiled, "I have seen places where I could open my own little café."

"Really?! That's amazing!" Minako widened her eyes and with great joy, clapped her hands. Rei leaned her back on her bed and tilted her head "You're leaving the restaurant?"

"Those are my plans, yes." Makoto nodded, "But not at this moment…I need the money, I would start slow like a project on the side."

"Well if you need any help with anything let me know! If you need some publicity I can ask the reporters at the station to go and do an interview," she smiled, "Usagi-chan could help by adding some advertising in her magazine!"

Makoto widened her green emerald eyes "Speaking of Usagi-chan…" she bit her lip "I need to start buying the ingredients for the cake. If everything goes well, that will help me put me on the spot."

"How many layers?" asked Minako.

"Three."

"What flavor did she ask?"

"Chocolate of course," Makoto chuckled "My God…I really can't believe the moment has come."

Rei sighed softly, a gesture Minako caught right away "Yeah…" she said softly, then smiled "Well, it's about time!" she sniffed a little tear that threatened to fall "Who goes for another round? I think we all need it!"

Both girls laughed and raised their cups "Oh yes, please! Hit that cup, my dear friend!"