Tactical Change

(4:00 PM)

"All right," called Vinsfeld. After Annie had gone into the bakery, she had told the others about him being tied up. Brad and Ptolema had then got him down. "It's 4:00 and time for…"

"Violet Lavender's Adventures in Filigia," yelled Annie. She promptly turned on the TV and tuned in. Just as Kanon had predicted, Irv and Alley stopped bouncing so they could watch too.

The members of Odessa stood wide eyed at the 3 childfen. They didn't look to happy about the arrangements. Antenora began to wine, "But we wanted to watch 'The Dominators of Silintha.' It's our favorite show"

Kanon sighed. "Would you rather the twins running around ruining your show? This is a popular children's program about a group of adventurers named Violet, Alex, Mike, and Lyla who journey across Filigia. Along the way, they learn all of life's little lessons."

"Sounds stupid," complained Judecca.

Kanon glared at him and said, "I like it, thank you very much." Then, she sat down with the kids.

(5:00 PM)

After the show was ove3r, the twins had reaced a level of peace with their sitters. They were currently listening to the members of Odessa as they put on a dramatic re-enactment of 'Goldie Locks & the 3 Bears'—featuring Antenora as Goldie Locks, Ptolema as Papa Bear, Caina as Mama Bear, Judecca as Baby Bear, and Vinsfeld as the narrator.

"I guess you want to hear how it happened," said Kanon. She was sitting at the dinner table with her 4 comrads, Irving, Altaecia, and Anastasia. Annie was exercising on the kitchen floor, and dinner was in the oven.

"Yes we would," said Irving. "You're not the type to fall in love with people."

Kanon ignored his comment and began. "Shortly after the memorial, I was in Damzen. A bunch of male bar patrons tried to get me to sleep with them. I beat 'em up in a fight, and continued my drink. Suddenly, two men who had heard the fight entered the bar. They found out what happened and hired me to travel with them to find something in Holst's abandoned mine."

"Wow," said Lilka, "did you take long to travel?"

Kanon answered, "No, we used a Teleport Gem. When we arrived in Holst, we rented a boat to head for the mines. On the way, one of the men and I fell in love. He asked for my hand in marriage, and I accepted. We then began sleeping together, since we were getting married anyway, we thought there'd be no harm."

"Where is he now?" asked Anastasia. "I'd love to meet your husband."

Kanon wiped tears from her eyes. "The mine shaft…collapsed. The two men were trapped inside. My fianceè gave his life to save me from being trapped too. I returned to Damzen were I found out I was pregnant. My daughter was born there. Her given name is Anastasia, but I just call her Annie."

Marivel gave her friend a look. "Well," she said, "I guess stranger things have happened than you becoming a mother."

"That wasn't funny," said Kanon.

Marivel sighed. "I'm serious Kannie, that's one thing none of us thougth would happen."

"Don't call me that. I'm still the famed exorcist Kanon, even though I've got a daughter," vented Kanon.

(6:00 PM)

"Dinner," called Altaecia. Irv and Alley came running in leaving Odessa preforming the scene where Goldie Locks knocks Mama Bear across the room and begings to fight her (Caina had commented on Antenora's acting, and Antenora had gotten really angry). Annie got up after finishing her exorcises. Finally, the members of Odessa finished fighting, and entered.

"Hey Annie," said Irv over his steak. "What happened to your arm and eye?"

Annie looked down. "I tried to prove I was just as tough as mommy, so I jumped a demon with a dagger. It gauged out my eye and damaged the nerves in my arm. Mommy saved me and took me to the clinic where she got her implants. Then, the doctor gave me my new arm and the patch. Why do you ask?

Irv replied, "The arm and patch look cool, I want one."

"No you don't," said Kanon and Annie in unison.

(6:30 PM)

After finishing dinner, Kanon settled the kids down for a game of Monopoly Jr. She had been inspired by the ongoing game the members of Odessa and the 3 Valerias wer playing. Unlike said people, the kids didn't complain about losing.

"1,2,3 oh I've got to go to the restroom," said Irv. "Oh well, at least I'm closer to landing on Uncle Pennybags and getting all the excess money."

"Not another jail chance card. What's this the 'Send Vinsfeld to the Slammer Game'," yelled Guess Who.

"The game sure has the right idea," grumbled Kanon. To the kids she asked, "Are you all having fun?"

"Yesssssss!" the 3 screamed in unison.

"You're the best sitter ever," said Irv.

"This is insane! How come Antenora has 5 get out of jail free cards yet never ends up there, while I have none and spend half the game in jail," screamed Vinsfeld.

Kanon sighed, "It's gonna be a long night."

(7:30 PM)

Finally, the game was done. Vinsfeld was the first to go bankrupt—from paying an excessive ammount of get out of jail fines. Antenora had ended up kicking the butts of everyone else, and was currently gloating.

"Brains over brawn wins everytime, eh guys," she said.

Judecca responed by yellign, "Just shut up you little…"

Before he could continue, Vinsfeld had him against the wall. "Never insult my love Antenora in my prescence, get it Judecca?"

"Anything, anything boss, just let me down," whined Judecca.

Antenora began chuckling at this. "He's so dillusional," she said to Anastasia.

"Let's shut her up," said Alley.

"Got a plan?" asked Irv.

Alley smirked. "This will be the best one yet."

Kanon scratched her head, wondering what Alley had meant with that.

Well, I know I haven't commented on this story yet, but I had to say something. I got the idea for the beginning of Kanon's story from her picture durring the credits. It shows Kanon drinking something at a bar, while there are men knocked out and overturned tables everywhere. I figured she'd been in a fight, and decided to add my interpritation on the fight to the story.