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STORM
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Episode 2. Visit
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The next morning, the rain showed Sumaru no mercy. Ellen voiced her annoyance at this the moment she woke up. The sky was dark as night. The rain still pounded, thunder still sounded, lightning cracked and wind attacked. Ellen hated this weather. She willed herself up, and put on her robe. She stepped inito her slippers and walked downstairs.
She had invited Mark and Chris over today, and she had to be ready. Mark had the tendency to show up in the single-digit morning hours, and since he was driving Chris...Ellen sighed. She poured herself some coffee before padding up into the bathroom.
After her shower, she wasn't surprised to hear a jolly knock on her door, followed by a roll of thunder. She threw on her bathrobe, and walked downstairs, opening the door. "Chris, Mark...you're early."
"Ellen. You look...stunning." Mark winked. Ellen shoved him and moved.
"Get in here and dry off, you lump."
"Happily."
Mark walked in, and Chris followed, patting Ellen's shoulder. "Hello."
"Hi, Chris, how are you?"
Chris shrugged and blushed a little. "I'm ok. Katie's...uh...pregnant again..." He grinned sheepishly.
"Again?!" Ellen giggled. "But Takashi was just born! Oh, which reminds me, I forgot to ask him--"
"Guido came. He was the first to hold him after he was born. I thought the man was gonna cry, he looked so happy." Chris reflected, nodding.
"Sorry I couldn't make it. My life's been hellish with my new job."
"I understand. I got your card, and that meant a lot." Chris smiled.
"I try." Ellen smiled. "Now boys, can I leave you alone for a few minutes without the two of you destroying a part of my house?"
"For what?" Chris asked, blinking.
"....Chris, dear, I'd like to get dressed now." Ellen said flatly.
"OH! Whoops. Sorry 'bout that."
"I think it's a good look for her!" Mark called from the living room.
"Shut up, you fungus!" Ellen laughed, walking upstairs.
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Alana was doing laundry when he showed up in Lunarvale. She didn't even notice him walk up behind her, she had her music up so loud. She hummed along to the song, a popular one sung by the Muses, one written by Ginji Sasaki. Finally, he reached out and touched her shoulder.
"AIYAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Alana shrieked, grabbing his arm, standing up and quickly throwing him over her shoulder. Then she stopped. ".....?"
"Ow!" Dante grimaced, bouncing right back up. "What's up with that, Alana? Didn't you miss me?"
"....Dante? Well, of course I did. What are you doing here, anyway? How did you know where I lived?"
"Tammy and Tad helped me out there."
"If my husband sees you here, I'll kill you. I don't care how hard I'll have to try!" Alana hissed.
"Simmer down, sweetie! Hey, I just wanted to say hi to everyone. I'm working with Ellen on a haunting case! I thought I could come down and see everyone again. And let me tell you, that was one hell of a greeting, Alana." Dante grinned, rubbing his neck.
"You snuck up on me. Anyways, so you're back to see Ellen?"
"Ah...something like that."
"That's good. She needs someone other than the old Scooby gang to talk to." Alana smiled going back to her socks.
"Eh? What for?"
"Ituki came back, and he finally told her he didn't love her, that he actually loved Nate."
"Jesus." Dante sighed. "I know how much she likes him, I bet it hit her like a brick wall."
"You have NO idea, little man. She's still torn up. I feel so bad."
"Well, then, I'm gonna go see her."
"Tell her I said hello!"
"Will do, Alana!" And Dante left, walking through the terrible rain and wind to his Ellen's house.
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Mark had run through his new dance routine quite a few times for Chris and Ellen before Ellen halted him. "I've memorized it, Mark. I think even Chris could do it now if he had to."
"HOW have you memorized it when I keep messin' it up and makin' it look retarded?" He snapped.
"It doesn't look retarded, Mark, it looks great. In fact, I think you'll win the competition at this year's culture festival." Chris said leaning back.
"Hoo boy, I hope so." Mark sighed. He sat down next to Chris. "Can I teach Takashi how to dance?"
"MARK. The kid can't even bleedin' sit up yet." Chris barked.
"Ah, yeah. Heh...heh.."
"Hm? Ellen, Mark, did you guys hear that?" Chris blinked, looking around.
"Hear what?" Ellen and Mark asked in unison, looking around.
"A knock, someone knocked." Chris got up and walked to the door, opening it slowly.
".....!!! Dante!"
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