-Prologue-

Little Bundles of Joy

It had been a very long night for the Marill family.

Melia Marill, wife of Garn Marill, had just given birth to her third child.

It hadn't been the easiest birth, either. For whatever reason, the baby had refused to leave the womb.

Of course, there was a reason. There always is.

"That makes number three." The doctor said, washing his hands, "I would advise you stop there, though. If you think three will be challenging, you haven't got the slightest idea what four is like."

The doctor was speaking to a brown haired woman. Melia Marill, the woman who had just given birth to her third child, and was looking quite tired at the moment. Considering how long she had been in labor, though, she was downright perky.

"Why my good doctor, you speak as if from experience." Melia said, laughing a little.

"I am speaking from experience, Mrs. Marill. All four of them are girls, too. I can only imagine what the teenage years will be like."

"Oh, it won't be that bad. Just learn to give up and you'll do fine."

The two laughed some, then the doctor left. When he returned, he was carrying a little bundle, a little bundle containing a baby boy. And, in the typical drama of presenting the mother with her newborn, the doctor placed the baby in Melia's arms. The woman cradled her new bundle of joy, and then thanked the doctor for his help in the matter. He had come a long way to help with the delivery.

"Not a problem, ma'am. I always take pleasure in assisting with the event," the doctor said, tipping an imaginary hat.

As soon as the doctor left the house, the rest of the family entered. Everyone gathered around Melia, looking at the newborn. Even little Sara Marill, who had just turned one a few months ago. The miracle of life was certainly no stranger to the Marill household.

"He looks just like you," the boy's father said, looking at his new son.

"Mm hmm." Melia said, "But I can also see a little of you in him."

"I'll agree with that. I'd like know what happened here, though." Garn said, examining an oddly colored section of the newborns arm.

"Probably nothing, dear. Now, what shall we name him?"

"Something strong, since he will be. A name that shall bring him respect."

"Streep." Melia cooed to her baby.

"Streep?" Garn said, looking at Melia, "Sounds like a cross between stupid and strip tease."

Melia scolded Garn some, and then went back to cradling her baby. The name the family eventually agreed on was Streep Alexander. They weren't, however, the only one's observing the newborn. Outside, a pair of brilliant green eyes was observing the family; in particular, observing Streep. Soon, another pair of similarly green eyes joined the first pair, and the two individuals began to speak.

"Everything in order?" the second individual asked.

"Apart from my conscience, yes," the first pair of eyes said, the voice clearly that of a female, "it's not fair, really. The past shouldn't come back like this. Those problems should have been taken care of long ago."

"You did take care of those problems. You were the best at that."

The first individual glared at the second. It was a harsh, cold glare, augmented by the piercing green sharpness of her eyes.

"But I wasn't good enough, now was I?" the female said.

Streep Alexander Marill was the third child of Melia and Garn Marill.

To tell of his earliest years would be a mostly uneventful process, truthfully.

It is safe to say that he was a particularly plucky child, but was in all other ways normal.

Sadly, Streep's fate was not his own, for his ancestor had made a deal. Streep would be the one to collect.