400 years ago

Commander 'Red' Gum closed off his morning lecture with a flourish that he was renowned for and dismissed the 7 troops under him.  Julius was one of the first to rise and make for the exit with his buddies – Simon Sycamore and Fredrick Frond – close behind him.  One brownnoser, a Private who almost nobody liked, called Briar Cudgeon stayed behind to try and wrestle brownie points from the Commander.  He would get his just deserts sometime in the future – hopefully sooner rather than later.

            "Hey!  Root!  Wait up!  What's the hurry, bro?"  Yelled another cadet who was following.

            "I just want to get cleaned up and then sprint off.  It's Sally's birthday today and Maple wants me to be there ASAP."

            "Cute.  How's the little darling?"

            A huge grin spread over Julius' face, crinkling it up in such a way that his eyes were almost lost.  "She's great.  Absolutely wonderful."  And his grin became somewhat mischievous and, if possible, grander.  "Practises her levitation in the mornings, helps her mother cook lunch and then takes a nap.  She's already LEPservey's most trusted officer, of course.  Just like her Pa."

            The mates around him laughed and only Simon responded.  "LEPservey already?  And here I was thinking that your 3 year old had only stopped the Mud Men from taking over the underground, predicted those lava eruption thingies and invented a flying vehicle.  It's amazing that she can do all that when she still can't read.  I think you have a severe case of PPS."

            "PPS?" asked Cudgeon who had sneaked up behind them.

            "Parental Pride Syndrome."

            "Hey, I'm not that bad.  A little joke bragging never hurt anyfairy."  The group of 4 had finally reached the bathing room and went inside, striping off their stinking green shirts and the dark knickerbockers.  "I almost forgot to ask.  Si, Fred would you be able to come along to Sally's party?  Maple wanted me to ask you two because Sal absolutely loves you.  And she seemed to think I might make a nuisance of myself if I didn't have someone to talk to."

            "That you would bro.  You going Out for it?"

            "Just nearby, nothing too far."  Haven was one of the lowest Fairy Forts that The People had so it was quite difficult to get very far in just one night.  The inhabitants just had to make do with the fact that they were safer from prosecution by being so far from the outside world.  "We thought we'd go for a little romp around the grasslands.  You know, over in the direction of that Mud Man village – Thistle End or something completely unimaginative like that."

"Sounds alright.  You Fred?"

"Sure thing.  I can't wait to see the little girl again.  And, of course, I'm her favourite."

"Her favourite!  How would you know about favourites!  Nobody's ever favoured you in your entire life."

"And you have complete knowledge on the factor considering you're not even married."

The argument continued as they finished washing, putting on their regular clothing – which was something like the Mud People britches and tunics - leaving Briar behind in the washroom.  It was still going as the trio made it's way up the twirling staircase cut into the earth, only stopping on occasion to glare enviously at the Sprites and fairies sporting mechanical wings.  But it finally stopped as they reached the surface and breathed a breath of fresh night air. 

The grasslands stretched outwards in all directions from the point where the fairy fort opened in the middle of deserted land lending it a desolate and lonely feeling.    Julius took point with Fred and Simon coming in behind him as they lazily walked towards some far off flickering fires that they could spot on the horizon.  As they got closer they could pick out individual fairies as they played in the grass or talked.  A few green sprites were zooming around in the air above, sometimes picking up the younger fairies – friends of Sally – and taking them up with them. 

As they reached the party one of the squealing youngsters currently in the air let out a particularly high-pitched giggle and started to lean towards the ground until the sprite, Ruby Rushes, landed and let go of her hold around the child's middle.  She came running up towards them at the edge of the group so fast that all the other adults stopped to watch the spectacle.  She flung herself in Julius' arms and he kissed her on the forehead.  And then she tightened her grip around his neck and gave her own slobbery childish kisses back.  He grinned.

"So I guess that answers the question about favourites, Fred."

"That it does, comrade.  He's wrapped around her little finger."

Now

A middle-aged elf made his way into the heart of Police Plaza by flashing a visitor's pass and giving the old reception lady a bright smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.  She just gave a nod and buzzed him through to the high-up offices.  He was walking with a slight limp but it only became pronounced when his shoulders were stooped as they were now.  He seemed like he knew where he was going; but he looked like he didn't want to get there, while being well aware of the fact that, eventually, he would.  He stopped when he reached the start of another gray corridor and just stood there for a moment before making a move to actually reach the door. 

At that moment it opened and a harassed and pissed off elf came storming out.

"Don't go in there.  He's in a really bad mood.  And I mean that in Beetroot standards.  He's not going to appreciate signing any more meaningless papers for you."

"Beetroot?  Is that what the younglings call him nowadays?"

"It is when his face is as red as one.  Who are you? Sir?

"An old friend of … Beetroot."

"Be careful, he might not treat you like one."

"Thanks for the warning, but I wasn't really expecting a warm welcome." His eye's rested on Holly's shoulders.  "You're the new captain?"

"Not exactly new."  Her voice was wary and suspicious.

"How's your mother doing?"

"Um… good last time I saw her.  Why?  How do you-"

"-know her?  It's not really important.  I'd better be seeing Julius now.  Nice to talk to you Captain Short."

And he opened the door.

Holly Short was left standing outside the door with a stunned expression on her face.  Something had happened, she had known that it had happened but she was completely clueless as to what it was.  She left before she could hear the suspicious lack of screams.