Lok: *walks in* What was?
Pike:
Ah, yes! Everyone, you remember
Lokhart, right?
Lok: I'm pretty sure they do, Pike ^____^
Pike: Right, right. I'm glad to finally have someone to talk to – besides Disclaimer.
Lok: Is that really a good thing?
*Horror music inserted here*
Pike: O.o I'm pretty much hoping it is.
Lok: Ha, ha!
Disclaimer: Pike Anderson doesn't own Golden Sun.
Pike: And by the way, "Adrian" will be known as "Alex," from now on.
Lok: *rolls eyes* No kidding, genius.
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Chapter 5: Deciding His Fate
And so, he was Adrian no longer. He was Alex, and he liked it. A strong name, it was. The name of Lemuria's defender, it was. Alex couldn't be more proud of his new name.
He extended his hand in good meaning. "Pleased to meet you, Miss Mia."
Mia found that awkward. He was clearly not younger than her, though he was still a boy, yet he still called her "Miss Mia" instead of just plain "Mia." Hesitantly, she shook his hand.
He isn't… threatening, she thought. On the contrary, he seemed rather friendly, actually.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, too," she replied, in shy softness. She smiled. "I believe you are feeling well, if you don't feel weak."
"Yes," Alex said, "and I believe I must thank you for that, Miss Mia."
Miss Mia again… "Alex, please. I'd like you to just call me 'Mia.'"
"Very well. …Mia, huh? That's a pretty name." His brow furrowed. "It suits you just fine." He got to his feet and stretched and yawned. He didn't notice Mia's blush. "Ah… Well, if you don't mind, I'd like to see your town on the outside. It seems… rather chilly in here – even with the furnace's fire."
Mia nodded, and Alex dropped to his feet and strolled out the door. As soon as he was out, Mia's father came in. He looked back for a brief moment to see the boy exit, and then he faced his daughter again. The look in his eye wasn't pleasant. On the contrary, nothing was glad in his facial expression.
"I don't think he's from Imil," he said to Mia, rather sternly. "And we found him stranded in our lands. You do know what that means, don't you Mia?"
Mia's face sank, as did her heart. "Yes, Father… He is not to be trusted."
"That's right. He will only be allowed to stay here for another day – possibly two or three. A week is the maximum limit. You understand?"
A week at maximum!?--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pike: Yeah! "A week at maximum!?" What's the deal there!?
Lok: I dunno. You are the one writing it. ^___^
Pike: Oh, right, right. And as the author, I need to figure out what'll come next! *idea bulb turns on*
Disclaimer: Why did such an idiotic employer choose me?Lok: I'm wondering the same question…
Pike: ^^; Anyway, back to the story!
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A week at maximum!? Mia didn't want that. There was no way she would let that happen – no way in Mt. Aleph. (FYI: That was just a figurative phrase, like "Like heck I'll let you do that!") She was only getting to know the boy today. Everyone in town liked Mia, but there were few among those people that she considered actual friends."Father," she said timidly, "d'you think he could stay a little longer than that?"
The father couldn't hold back a grin. "I suppose you are going to ask me if I could train the boy to be one of us. Is that correct? Well, Mia, I could certainly try that out. I know it isn't in your nature to demand that someone leaves, especially if it doesn't seem like they have a good reason to. One chance."
Mia felt herself shine. She smiled. "Thank you, Father…"
He returned the smile with his own and turned to leave. Then, suddenly, he stopped and whirled around once more. His grin was gone, and he spoke sternly. "However, he gets one chance, and he only gets one chance. I mean it, Mia."
No matter. Mia was overjoyed. She didn't know why she was this cheerful about someone she only befriended today, nor did she care. Just then, a sudden thought occurred to her. What if Alex wanted to leave? What would happen then?
She couldn't bear to have that thought unanswered. Grabbing her thick, blue-and-white cloak, she ran to the front door. She skipped and danced before finally opening it and exiting. She slammed it shut. Her father was there, in the kitchen, watching as she left. He smiled. Never had he seen his daughter so happy.
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"Hi, Mia!" Justin and Megan chorused. (Those are their names, right? I don't remember…)
"Hi Justin!" Mia sang. "Hi Megan!"
"Come play with us!" Justin chimed. "We're gonna build a snowman!"
"Yeah!" Megan piped. "He's gonna have a corncob pipe, a carrot for its nose, and a big round belly just like the innkeeper! He's gonna be as tall as the Mercury Lighthouse!"
Both children laughed, and Mia joined them in their laughter.
"I would love to join you," Mia said, calming down. "But first, I need to talk to someone, okay?"
"Okay!" the children sang in unison.
Mia nodded and set off to find Alex. She didn't need to look very long or very far. Alex was marveling at the town's buildings and the snow that piled neatly on each roof. It was like the town was covering in frosting from a cake. It was like a dreamland.
Mia snuck up behind him and said softly, "Alex…"
He jumped and whirled around. When he saw her, he sighed. "Ah, Mia… It's only you. The way you called me like that was like someone who wanted to hunt me down."
Mia giggled and blushed. "Alex… Will you be staying here?"
Alex looked at her curiously. Then, catching the understanding, he smiled warmly. "As long as I'm invited, I will stay here."
All at once, Mia burst into laughter. Like a child, she threw her arms around him, dancing around with him. He was staying! He was staying!
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Pike: Well, that concludes chapter 5 of this fic. That was really long too…
Lok: Welcome to the club, Pike! Fics were meant for people's entertainment – even if that means writing a long chapter.
Pike: *slaps forehead* What have I gotten myself into?
Lok: *wicked grin* A locked closet.
Pike: O.o What!?!?!?
Disclaimer: Please stand by until the next chapter. We are experiencing partnership difficulties.
*TV static*