Location: Pice
Time: 7:15 PM

*Razor was near the hotel that he was given directions to, and as he got near, he saw an orange hedgehog outside the hotel, pacing. She seemed worried about something. Razor shrugged, and the group headed up to the hotel. As they got near, the hedgehog noticed them, and her color changed to a deep purple. She ran up to Razor, the color seeming to spread into an aura around her.*

Hedgehog: Roi!? Wow, I haven't heard of you being back through here in a couple years!
Razor: …Umm… Hi…
Hedgehog: So where are you headed?
Razor: I'm… checking in… Why?

*The hedgehog didn't respond, and instead darted inside the inn that Razor planned on staying at. Razor shrugged and headed in, Sparks and Aita following, Kai flying into an alleyway. At the front desk was another hedgehog, much older and composed. His fur was multi-colored: blues, black, white, orange, and a few colors that Razor couldn't quite put a finger on. The hedgehog that had greeted Razor at the door was right beside him, the purple fur and glow matching her eyes.*

Male Hedgehog: Checking in, Mr. Valley?
Razor: Yes sir.
Male Hedgehog: I wouldn't happen to be able to convince you to stay at our house over this hotel… rather than in the hotel, could I?
Razor: Excuse me?
Female Hedgehog: Would you? It would be an honor if you and your friends stayed with us.

*Razor looked awkwardly around.*

Female Hedgehog: I'm sorry, my name's Sephrinia, and this is my dad, Ganette.
Razor: Nice meeting you both, but… I don't want to be a burd—
Ganette: Nonsense, you're a guest! Sephrinia, why don't you take Roi and his friends up to our home, I'll be up as soon as Sesois arrives.

*Sephrinia nodded, and Razor soon found himself following her to an elevator. Sam stopped him near the elevator, pointing back. As Razor turned, his heart jumped as he saw an enormous... well, it looked like a cobra, but it had arms, and golden-colored scales. Razor tried to ignore the fellow, and Sparks changed the subject.*

Sam *softly*: What is up, dude, I mean, she really seems to like you, but you two have never met.
Razor: My family used to do a lot of things here.
Sephrinia: Used to, what... you aren't... this is the last time you're coming?

*As she said this, her coloration turned back to orange, and her eyes were filled with concern as she stepped into the elevator.*

Razor: No, it's… just, I'm the only one ever returning.
Sephrinia: Why?
Razor: Because I'm the only one alive to do so.

*Sephrinia's color suddenly flushed out, and her fur was suddenly an intense blue.*

Sephrinia: I'm so sorry... When... when did this happen?
Razor: Almost a year ago.

*The elevator doors opened, and Razor was greeted with a quaint house. The first thing Razor noticed was a staircase, and he sighed a little in relief, half-hoping Sephrinia was an only child.*

Razor: Are you sure, Sephrinia? I don't want to be putting anybody out…
Sephrinia: No, you won't be... we have three guest bedrooms. None of them are taken.

*Razor breathed a sigh of relief. As he headed in, he saw who he guessed to be Sephrinia's mother, working in the kitchen. Her fur was a reddish-purple. Not fuchsia, not maroon, but a different, sort of midway-between shade. She looked over at Sephrinia and Razor, and smiled. Her shade switched to a welcoming pale yellow.*

Mother: Dinner will be ready in about half an hour, Roi. And, who's your friend?
Razor: This is Sam.
Mother: Hello Sam.
Sam: Umm, hi.

*The mother must have noticed Aita in Sam's quills, because she continued.*

Mother: What is that in your hair?
Razor: Oh, that? That's just Aita.
Mother: Aita?

*At this, Aita darted from Sam's hair, landing on Sephrinia's shoulder, then darting again towards the mother.*

Aita: I'mAitawhat'syournamehowareyoutodayI'mfineareyoufineandyoustillhaven'ttoldmeyourname!
Mother: I'm... Ammesyn, slow down, you're going to hurt your tongue talking that fast.
Aita: Ammesyn? AmmesynIlikethatnameitsveryprettyanditissofittingofyou.
Ammesyn *to Razor*: Does she always talk like this?
 
*As Ammesyn said this, a twinkle of amusement came into her eyes.*

Razor: Yes, and it's quite a lot of fun to try to fall asle—

*Laughter interrupted Razor, both Sephrinia and Ammesyn laughing.*

Ammesyn: I bet it is.

*At this, Ganette came into the room, and started chuckling.*

Ganette: What's so funny?
Razor: Nothing, nothing really, sir, you would have had to be here.

*Razor suddenly remembered that he had his board in his grip, and he excused himself to put it down somewhere. He decided to put it down, for the time, up against a wall that seemed to get no traffic. It was in the living room, and he saw Ganette, Sam, and Sephrinia take a seat. Sephrinia sat on the couch, Ganette in a recliner, and Sam in a leather chair. Razor stood up, and sat next to Sephrinia on the couch. Sephrinia was silent for a moment, then looked at him.*

Sephrinia: How did they die?
Razor: Excuse me?
Sephrinia: Your family, how did they die?
Ganette: His family died? I'm sorry, Roi.
Razor: Thank you. And, they were murdered…

*Razor pulled out his emerald, and sighed.*

Razor: Ironically, by one of these.
Sephrinia: Oh, God... They were killed? I can't believe it...
Ganette: When did this happen?

Sephrinia: He said about a year ago.

*The two fell silent, and Sam looked over at Razor. He seemed quizzical.*

Sparks: Did you see who killed your parents?
Razor: Not really, when I came in, it left in a black and red blur. I know who it was, but I am trying to be forgiving.
Sparks *jokingly*: A black and red blur. Heh, wasn't me!
Razor *chuckling*: Other way, dude.
Sparks: I know.

*Another pause, something caught Ganette's eye.*

Ganette: So, you skateboard, do you Roi?
Razor: Yes sir, I do.
Ganette: Forgive me if I'm rude, but, without your family, how are you going to buy new boards and such. There was a little while where Sephrinia skateboarded. I understand how often you need to replace that stuff.
Razor: I'm sponsored, so I don't have to pay for it.
Sephrinia *fur turning purple: You mean you skate professionally? You must be pretty amazing at it.
Razor: Eh, I'm okay at—
Sparks: You got that right, Sephrinia, he's da bomb!

*Razor blushed slightly.*

Razor: Come on, I'm no better than Conseco, or Bucky or Bob.
Sparks: Razor, four words: Frontside. Rodeo. Nine. Hundred.
Sephrinia: Frontside Rodeo 900?
Razor: Every pro needs a signature trick.
Sephrinia: A backflip with a 900 rotation? That's insane!

*Razor's redness intensified. Ammesyn poked her head out from the kitchen.*

Ammesyn: Dinner is ready.

*Everybody stood up, heading to a table in a room behind the kitchen. Razor's jaw nearly dropped when he saw the meal that lay before them. With prime rib, cheesy potatoes, broccoli casserole, green beans, corn on the cob, peas, and a recently iced 4-layer cake on a countertop in the kitchen, it was quite a banquet. It didn't help that Razor's last home-cooked meal was almost an entire year ago. The smell of it all was enough to make Razor high. As everybody sat down, Razor waited patiently for somebody to lead in saying grace. The father did, and after the small prayer, Everything was passed around, part by part. Razor took an average helping of everything brought his way, and one cob of corn, eating happily. He chuckled slightly as he saw Aita salvage a pea from Sam's plate.*

Ganette: So, Roi, you're a professional skateboarder?
Razor: Yes sir.
Ganette: Is Sam there a pro?
Sparks: Oh, no sir, not even close.
Razor: Not even close? Dude, you could probably get street.

*Sparks shrugged*

Ganette: How does it pay?
Razor: Not much more than you'd expect, but you get a lot of free stuff.

*Razor brought out his cell phone, and chuckled as he looked at it.*

Razor: To think, I never have to pay a single phone bill for this thing.
Ganette: You're sponsors must like you.
Razor: Guess so.

*After they finished dinner, the mother brought forth the cake, which was a chocolate cake, made from scratch, down to the buttermilk icing which was spread generously on top of it. She cut the cake and distributed it, and Razor accepted a slice gratefully, as did Sparks. Aita flew over to Razor's plate as she saw the cake on top of it. Razor pulled his plate away, and she tugged at one of his fingers angrily. Razor laughed, and cut a small amount of the cake off, turning that part of the plate toward Aita. Getting the hint, she sat right beside the small part, and took a chunk out of it that seemed large to her, though it was miniscule to Razor. Razor picked the rest of the slice up, and popped it into his mouth. After they were finished with dessert, everybody but Ammesyn headed into the living room. Razor stopped before he got far, and turned around.*

Razor: Would you like some help with the dishes?
Ammesyn: Thank you, Roi.

*Razor joined Ammesyn in cleaning the table, and working on the dishes. They didn't have much to say to each other, and an hour or two later, Razor came out of the kitchen. Ganette, Sparks, and Sephrinia seemed to have retired, and Ammesyn soon led Razor to his room. As he got there, he turned around.*

Razor: Excuse me, but where is your bathroom?

*Ammesyn pointed to one of the doors on the second floor, and Razor thanked her, using its facilities. As he finished, he headed to his room, heading beneath the cozy covers of the bed, curling tightly, soon after falling asleep.*