You lot are all lucky I have no life whatsoever; otherwise you can bet I wouldn't have time to add 3 chapters in 3 days. I mean seriously, am I devoted to this story or what… fine ignore me. You're just like all the others. Mom, my classmates, Satan (mutters darkly)
I do not own the rights to Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles etc
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Chapter 3: The caravaners
At this point most of the crowd had received their meals and were chatting to each other. A few were still staring at Leo incredulously who, was still leaning back on the chair. He had a very smug look on his face and sat on his chair as though it were a throne. He was trying, unsuccessfully, to make small talk with Morgan, who was the only person at the table who had not looked disgusted by his smell or appearance. Though perhaps he hated it no less than the rest of us. It wasn't easy to tell with his large helmet on. Leo was the only person eating. He had finished his chicken leg and was now picking at the salad he had had his feet in. Sett wanted to believe he was trying to pick out the pieces his soles hadn't touched, but he found it unlikely.
Mistie wasn't touching her food and Sett couldn't blame her. The smell of Leo's clothes/rotting carcass was still lingering in the air and it seemed to be having a very negative effect on her. She was quite green and looked as though she might throw up. Tim didn't seem to care about eating or the smell. He was stabbing his food viscously with his knife. He had started five minutes ago and his steak could now be mistaken for a portion of rice. Tim's thrusts now made scraping noises and Sett knew that if he carried on much longer, he would make a hole in the china plate. Morgan, he knew, simply wasn't hungry and he knew this because he had heard Leo ask him. The only difference was that the hadn't said he wasn't hungry, only that he 'did not require nourishment at this time.'
As for himself, Sett did not feel very hungry either. On one hand was the fact that the excitement of day had left food seeming very unimportant when in a few days time they would all be setting out to gather Myrrh. Then there was the smell. No matter what, even if the sky collapsed and crushed the entire town, that dead rotting animal smell would still bother him. But neither of these things even compared to the revelation Tim had brought to his attention.
Lillian would not be joining them. He couldn't believe it. Tim had often joked about Sett being too weak to be a caravaner. Part of his Liltian charm. However, none of them ever really doubted whether or not all three of them would be chosen. Sett knew that if he felt as bad as he did now, Tim must feel even worse. He and Lillian were so close, so close in fact, that Sett wouldn't be surprised if Tim decided not to come just for her sake. Sett looked across the table. Everyone seemed gloomy. Well, apart from Leo of course. He had finished his meal and was looking back at the stars.
It was getting dark. Normally at times like this, Tim would try to cheer everyone up, but he wasn't in the best of moods. Sett didn't know how much more of this he could take If these were the people he would be travelling with, they would have to learn to get along. Someone needed to break the ice and it appeared that someone would have to be…
"Bloody Hell, you lot could at least try looking more cheerful." Said Leo, he had gotten bored of the stars and had decided to try talking to people who didn't give the one-sentence answers Morgan gave. "I mean I thought you would all be going 'Yay, we're off to fight monsters and be heroes" He bit at one of his fingernails. "I'd use that 'any happier and a funeral'll break out' joke if it wasn't so bloody old." He grinned at them all. He seemed oblivious to the fact that he was causing most of the bad mood. Morgan remained as emotionless as always. Tim continued to vandalise his plate. Sett and Mistie however stared at Leo in disbelief. "What?" he asked "Don't have something in my teeth do I" he gave a big smile. His teeth were very yellow and brown.
"You have several things in your teeth." Sett replied. He could even swear one of them was moving!
"Low and behold, the Clavat speaks!" shouted Leo gleefully. "Thank god, I was beginning to think I'd be sharing a Caravan with a load of mutes!" Sett wondered for a moment if he had judged this Selkie too quickly. He didn't feel like forgiving him for replacing Lillian just yet but he seemed cheerful enough. Leo turned to look at Mistie. "What about you babe? You know how to speak?" Mistie just scowled at him. "Aww, now come on," Leo pouted, "If you don't speak you won't be able tell me about how I'm such a disgusting pig and I know you'll want to do that a lot once you've given it a try." Mistie looked towards the crowd and then said,
"All right, I think you are the ugliest, smelliest most god awfully grotesque creature on the entire continent." Leo smiled happily.
"Thanks babe, I like you too!" he said
"You know, while I'm talking, you mind if I ask you something?" Mistie said coldly. If Leo had been attempting to lighten her mood, he had obviously failed. Leo sighed thoughtfully.
"Sorry babe," he said finally. "I'm not that kind of guy."
"Why the hell are you wearing that animal corpse?" Leo looked down at his clothes.
"What's wrong with them?" he asked. The weirdest thing about the way he said this was that there was no humour or sarcasm in his voice. It had been a genuine question. He looked at his clothes again seeing nothing amiss. Mistie didn't seem to know how to begin.
"Th…They've still got bits of flesh on them…There are flies buzzing around your head…You… You…" She struggled with the millions of reasons she had.
"They stink." Sett said, trying to help the now exasperated Mistie. Leo looked puzzled as though this was news to him. He sniffed the air around him. "Seriously, you can't expect us to let you wear that if it means we're going to have to start breathing toxic fumes." Mistie nodded, but Leo looked mutinous.
"I've always worn the skins of monsters that I've hunted and killed myself." He grumbled. "Who are any of you to stop me?"
"I might point out," Morgan said in his one-tone voice. "That your unsanitary garments greatly increase the risk of infection. It would be wise for you wear something that would not jeopardise our health. Undoubtedly we shall all be receiving many cuts and bruises.
"All right, all right." Leo muttered. "No need to get all logical on me," he looked back at Mistie "You win this round, babe."
"Yeah, that's not my name." She said coldly
"I know, but I'm used to it now. Anything else would just sound weird so I think I'll just keep calling you babe so we're all happy." Mistie was about to argue when Leo said. "The rest of you had all better tell me what to call you before I think of names for you too."
"Morgan will be sufficient." Morgan said
"Sett" said Sett.
"Tim," said Tim
"As for me," Leo said, "Whilst we're travelling, you may refer to me as Leo, or hey ugly."
He looked at a large wart on the palm of his left hand and began to gnaw on it. He then turned to Tim, who had finally stopped mutilating his plate. "I might as well tell you now Timmy," he said. "I've never trusted your kind. Too much ego."
"Oh really?" Tim replied "Well I might as well tell you, that I don't trust people who chew their warts...ugly" Leo laughed
"I think we're going to get along fine." He said. Sett had to admit Leo wasn't one of the worst Selkie's he'd ever met even if he looked like it. Of course being at the end of the table, he was furthest away from Leo so he may have missed some bad habits that would have changed his mind.
"I have to go." Tim said suddenly. He got up.
"What are you talking about?" Sett asked, "The ceremony's not finished."
"Don't care." Tim said. "I'll see you later." He walked off swiftly.
"Oh no you don't, I'm coming with you." And with that, Sett got up off his chair and ran after Tim, leaving the others looking bewildered. Leo sniffed his clothes.
"I don't smell that bad do I?"
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"You mind telling me where we're going?" Sett asked. He and Tim hadn't gone very far. Every time he tried to catch up to walk next to Tim, Tim ran forward hoping he would take the hint and leave. However, Sett was far too stubborn for that.
"I'M looking for the elder or Lillian. Whoever I find first. YOU can go back to the table.
"Look Tim, I know you're upset." Sett said. "And you have every right to be, but this can wait I mean your angry and you can't just go shouting at the elder." Tim stopped and spun round.
"Oh, that's easy for you to say. You've hated Lillian from the moment you met. Everything's gone perfectly for you. No more Lil to get between me and Tim…"
"You know perfectly well that that's not true." Sett said, starting to get angry himself.
"Well, you know what I think?" Tim said back. "I don't think it was ever between Lil and Leo at all. I bet it was between you and Lil."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard" Tim said spitefully "I bet it was between you and her, and you thought your showing off with the goblin would push you forward."
"Now you're just being ridiculous"
"ENOUGH!" Tim and Sett nearly jumped out of their skins. Standing behind them was the elder. Sett had never seen him look so furious before. "Timothy you must stop jumping to such ridiculous conclusions. If you wish to know where miss Lillian is, then she is with her family. However I have no intention of telling you where that is until you come to your senses." Tim cursed at the elder. Sett was shocked. He had lived in Tipa his whole life and never heard anyone be so abusive to the old man. The elder, however took no notice. "I believe you have some questions only I can answer." He said. "Perhaps you should begin there."
"All right then," Tim said, breathing heavily. "Why wasn't Lillian chosen?" The elder sighed and thought for a moment.
"Normally, would never see any reason as to why I should have to answer such a question. However, I can see your anger does not need a catalyst. Very well. You were half right in your theory of Leo not being a replacement. There was never any question as to whether he would be going. This is because he has a vast amount of experience when it comes to battling. More so than either you. The same could be said for Morgan. As for why Lillian was not chosen, well that reason was simple. Although had a tough time deciding between her and one other caravaner, two days ago, the reason why she should not be chosen presented itself to me. This reason was that she did not want to go."
"What," Tim said in disbelief "You can't have known that."
"I'm afraid I can, you see on this day, Miss Lillian came to me and asked me not to pick her for the Myrrh's collection."
"But… why?" The elder came closer to Tim and patted him sympathetically on the shoulder.
"Lillian has many other priorities. Her family have been going through some rough times and their farm's business may collapse if it were understaffed any further. Lillian did not tell you of any of these things, which was probably not an intelligent thing to do but she never wanted to see you upset. This was why she did not want to attend the ceremony."
"I want to see her." Tim said quietly. "Please tell me where she is." The elder nodded and whispered something in Tim's ear. Tim then walked off to find Lillian, leaving Sett and the elder alone.
"Do you think I should go with him?" Sett asked.
"No," the elder replied. "Tim needs to make his peace with Lillian before leaving. No good can come from your attendance. Do not worry, In the morning he will feel great remorse for what he said and will undoubtedly offer a full apology" Sett supposed he was right, but there was something Tim had said that was bothering him.
"Elder," he said, "Who was the person who might not have been picked if it weren't for Lillian's backing out?" The elder looked thoughtfully at Sett.
"Such a thing I cannot tell you." He said, "It would be unfair to the person you refer to. No good can come of your knowing. However, I can assure you that neither you, nor Tim were that person." Sett smiled with relief. "Now, I suggest you return to your home and get into bed."
"Shouldn't I go back to the ceremony?"
"No, if you did you would only face answering many questions you do not wish to answer. It would be best to wait until morning, when those questions will be forgotten. However, as elder, it is my duty to attend the ceremony until its end so I must now say goodnight." Sett bid the elder a good evening and watched the elder walk back to the town centre. The elder had told him to go home, but he didn't feel tired yet. He looked up at the stars and he suddenly realised how much he was going to miss this town. He stood there for a long time looking up at the stars and remembering all the good memories he had of this town. After a while he heard someone speak to him.
"Have you been here the whole time?" It was Mistie. Sett looked round.
"Is the ceremony over already?" he asked.
"No but I needed to leave so I could give you something." And before Sett could even look puzzled, she slapped him!
"What was that for?" yelled Sett indignantly.
"For leaving me with Morgan and the swamp monster. You ever tried having to talk to them alone? Its an unpleasant experience."
"Why don't you go slap them then?" grumbled Sett, rubbing his cheek. If that had been an affectionate slap, it had been a very hard one.
"Because Morgan probably wouldn't notice and I'd rather have my head dunked in a cow pat than touch Leo." She shuddered slightly at the thought. "What was wrong with Tim?" she asked.
"He's just upset because his girlfriend Lillian wasn't chosen." Said Sett, he's normally more cheerful.
"Well that's a relief," Mistie sighed. "Anyway, I better go before they start looking for us. I could probably use an early night. After all, we've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow." Sett nodded and they both set off in opposite directions. "Hey, Sett," she called back to him. Sett turned round. "Pity Lillian wasn't picked instead of Leo. Would have done us all a favour." She grinned and continued walking. Sett did the same. Something had just occurred to him. The elder had told him that Leo was too experienced to not be a caravaner. He had said the same about Morgan. He had also assured Sett that his and Tim's position had never been in question. That just left Mistie. Sett wondered briefly if he should tell her about this but then thought better of it. The best move was to act like he had never figured it out. After all, the Elder had said that no good could come from his knowing.
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Ok, I know this fic doesn't exactly have an army of fans but if there are those of you out there who are following this story then this time I am defiantly going on holiday and you wont see any updates for two weeks.
It would also be nice to have a tiny bit of recognition when I get back, not that I'm trying to imply anything COUGH review COUGH
See you all in 2 weeks ;)
I do not own the rights to Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles etc
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Chapter 3: The caravaners
At this point most of the crowd had received their meals and were chatting to each other. A few were still staring at Leo incredulously who, was still leaning back on the chair. He had a very smug look on his face and sat on his chair as though it were a throne. He was trying, unsuccessfully, to make small talk with Morgan, who was the only person at the table who had not looked disgusted by his smell or appearance. Though perhaps he hated it no less than the rest of us. It wasn't easy to tell with his large helmet on. Leo was the only person eating. He had finished his chicken leg and was now picking at the salad he had had his feet in. Sett wanted to believe he was trying to pick out the pieces his soles hadn't touched, but he found it unlikely.
Mistie wasn't touching her food and Sett couldn't blame her. The smell of Leo's clothes/rotting carcass was still lingering in the air and it seemed to be having a very negative effect on her. She was quite green and looked as though she might throw up. Tim didn't seem to care about eating or the smell. He was stabbing his food viscously with his knife. He had started five minutes ago and his steak could now be mistaken for a portion of rice. Tim's thrusts now made scraping noises and Sett knew that if he carried on much longer, he would make a hole in the china plate. Morgan, he knew, simply wasn't hungry and he knew this because he had heard Leo ask him. The only difference was that the hadn't said he wasn't hungry, only that he 'did not require nourishment at this time.'
As for himself, Sett did not feel very hungry either. On one hand was the fact that the excitement of day had left food seeming very unimportant when in a few days time they would all be setting out to gather Myrrh. Then there was the smell. No matter what, even if the sky collapsed and crushed the entire town, that dead rotting animal smell would still bother him. But neither of these things even compared to the revelation Tim had brought to his attention.
Lillian would not be joining them. He couldn't believe it. Tim had often joked about Sett being too weak to be a caravaner. Part of his Liltian charm. However, none of them ever really doubted whether or not all three of them would be chosen. Sett knew that if he felt as bad as he did now, Tim must feel even worse. He and Lillian were so close, so close in fact, that Sett wouldn't be surprised if Tim decided not to come just for her sake. Sett looked across the table. Everyone seemed gloomy. Well, apart from Leo of course. He had finished his meal and was looking back at the stars.
It was getting dark. Normally at times like this, Tim would try to cheer everyone up, but he wasn't in the best of moods. Sett didn't know how much more of this he could take If these were the people he would be travelling with, they would have to learn to get along. Someone needed to break the ice and it appeared that someone would have to be…
"Bloody Hell, you lot could at least try looking more cheerful." Said Leo, he had gotten bored of the stars and had decided to try talking to people who didn't give the one-sentence answers Morgan gave. "I mean I thought you would all be going 'Yay, we're off to fight monsters and be heroes" He bit at one of his fingernails. "I'd use that 'any happier and a funeral'll break out' joke if it wasn't so bloody old." He grinned at them all. He seemed oblivious to the fact that he was causing most of the bad mood. Morgan remained as emotionless as always. Tim continued to vandalise his plate. Sett and Mistie however stared at Leo in disbelief. "What?" he asked "Don't have something in my teeth do I" he gave a big smile. His teeth were very yellow and brown.
"You have several things in your teeth." Sett replied. He could even swear one of them was moving!
"Low and behold, the Clavat speaks!" shouted Leo gleefully. "Thank god, I was beginning to think I'd be sharing a Caravan with a load of mutes!" Sett wondered for a moment if he had judged this Selkie too quickly. He didn't feel like forgiving him for replacing Lillian just yet but he seemed cheerful enough. Leo turned to look at Mistie. "What about you babe? You know how to speak?" Mistie just scowled at him. "Aww, now come on," Leo pouted, "If you don't speak you won't be able tell me about how I'm such a disgusting pig and I know you'll want to do that a lot once you've given it a try." Mistie looked towards the crowd and then said,
"All right, I think you are the ugliest, smelliest most god awfully grotesque creature on the entire continent." Leo smiled happily.
"Thanks babe, I like you too!" he said
"You know, while I'm talking, you mind if I ask you something?" Mistie said coldly. If Leo had been attempting to lighten her mood, he had obviously failed. Leo sighed thoughtfully.
"Sorry babe," he said finally. "I'm not that kind of guy."
"Why the hell are you wearing that animal corpse?" Leo looked down at his clothes.
"What's wrong with them?" he asked. The weirdest thing about the way he said this was that there was no humour or sarcasm in his voice. It had been a genuine question. He looked at his clothes again seeing nothing amiss. Mistie didn't seem to know how to begin.
"Th…They've still got bits of flesh on them…There are flies buzzing around your head…You… You…" She struggled with the millions of reasons she had.
"They stink." Sett said, trying to help the now exasperated Mistie. Leo looked puzzled as though this was news to him. He sniffed the air around him. "Seriously, you can't expect us to let you wear that if it means we're going to have to start breathing toxic fumes." Mistie nodded, but Leo looked mutinous.
"I've always worn the skins of monsters that I've hunted and killed myself." He grumbled. "Who are any of you to stop me?"
"I might point out," Morgan said in his one-tone voice. "That your unsanitary garments greatly increase the risk of infection. It would be wise for you wear something that would not jeopardise our health. Undoubtedly we shall all be receiving many cuts and bruises.
"All right, all right." Leo muttered. "No need to get all logical on me," he looked back at Mistie "You win this round, babe."
"Yeah, that's not my name." She said coldly
"I know, but I'm used to it now. Anything else would just sound weird so I think I'll just keep calling you babe so we're all happy." Mistie was about to argue when Leo said. "The rest of you had all better tell me what to call you before I think of names for you too."
"Morgan will be sufficient." Morgan said
"Sett" said Sett.
"Tim," said Tim
"As for me," Leo said, "Whilst we're travelling, you may refer to me as Leo, or hey ugly."
He looked at a large wart on the palm of his left hand and began to gnaw on it. He then turned to Tim, who had finally stopped mutilating his plate. "I might as well tell you now Timmy," he said. "I've never trusted your kind. Too much ego."
"Oh really?" Tim replied "Well I might as well tell you, that I don't trust people who chew their warts...ugly" Leo laughed
"I think we're going to get along fine." He said. Sett had to admit Leo wasn't one of the worst Selkie's he'd ever met even if he looked like it. Of course being at the end of the table, he was furthest away from Leo so he may have missed some bad habits that would have changed his mind.
"I have to go." Tim said suddenly. He got up.
"What are you talking about?" Sett asked, "The ceremony's not finished."
"Don't care." Tim said. "I'll see you later." He walked off swiftly.
"Oh no you don't, I'm coming with you." And with that, Sett got up off his chair and ran after Tim, leaving the others looking bewildered. Leo sniffed his clothes.
"I don't smell that bad do I?"
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"You mind telling me where we're going?" Sett asked. He and Tim hadn't gone very far. Every time he tried to catch up to walk next to Tim, Tim ran forward hoping he would take the hint and leave. However, Sett was far too stubborn for that.
"I'M looking for the elder or Lillian. Whoever I find first. YOU can go back to the table.
"Look Tim, I know you're upset." Sett said. "And you have every right to be, but this can wait I mean your angry and you can't just go shouting at the elder." Tim stopped and spun round.
"Oh, that's easy for you to say. You've hated Lillian from the moment you met. Everything's gone perfectly for you. No more Lil to get between me and Tim…"
"You know perfectly well that that's not true." Sett said, starting to get angry himself.
"Well, you know what I think?" Tim said back. "I don't think it was ever between Lil and Leo at all. I bet it was between you and Lil."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard" Tim said spitefully "I bet it was between you and her, and you thought your showing off with the goblin would push you forward."
"Now you're just being ridiculous"
"ENOUGH!" Tim and Sett nearly jumped out of their skins. Standing behind them was the elder. Sett had never seen him look so furious before. "Timothy you must stop jumping to such ridiculous conclusions. If you wish to know where miss Lillian is, then she is with her family. However I have no intention of telling you where that is until you come to your senses." Tim cursed at the elder. Sett was shocked. He had lived in Tipa his whole life and never heard anyone be so abusive to the old man. The elder, however took no notice. "I believe you have some questions only I can answer." He said. "Perhaps you should begin there."
"All right then," Tim said, breathing heavily. "Why wasn't Lillian chosen?" The elder sighed and thought for a moment.
"Normally, would never see any reason as to why I should have to answer such a question. However, I can see your anger does not need a catalyst. Very well. You were half right in your theory of Leo not being a replacement. There was never any question as to whether he would be going. This is because he has a vast amount of experience when it comes to battling. More so than either you. The same could be said for Morgan. As for why Lillian was not chosen, well that reason was simple. Although had a tough time deciding between her and one other caravaner, two days ago, the reason why she should not be chosen presented itself to me. This reason was that she did not want to go."
"What," Tim said in disbelief "You can't have known that."
"I'm afraid I can, you see on this day, Miss Lillian came to me and asked me not to pick her for the Myrrh's collection."
"But… why?" The elder came closer to Tim and patted him sympathetically on the shoulder.
"Lillian has many other priorities. Her family have been going through some rough times and their farm's business may collapse if it were understaffed any further. Lillian did not tell you of any of these things, which was probably not an intelligent thing to do but she never wanted to see you upset. This was why she did not want to attend the ceremony."
"I want to see her." Tim said quietly. "Please tell me where she is." The elder nodded and whispered something in Tim's ear. Tim then walked off to find Lillian, leaving Sett and the elder alone.
"Do you think I should go with him?" Sett asked.
"No," the elder replied. "Tim needs to make his peace with Lillian before leaving. No good can come from your attendance. Do not worry, In the morning he will feel great remorse for what he said and will undoubtedly offer a full apology" Sett supposed he was right, but there was something Tim had said that was bothering him.
"Elder," he said, "Who was the person who might not have been picked if it weren't for Lillian's backing out?" The elder looked thoughtfully at Sett.
"Such a thing I cannot tell you." He said, "It would be unfair to the person you refer to. No good can come of your knowing. However, I can assure you that neither you, nor Tim were that person." Sett smiled with relief. "Now, I suggest you return to your home and get into bed."
"Shouldn't I go back to the ceremony?"
"No, if you did you would only face answering many questions you do not wish to answer. It would be best to wait until morning, when those questions will be forgotten. However, as elder, it is my duty to attend the ceremony until its end so I must now say goodnight." Sett bid the elder a good evening and watched the elder walk back to the town centre. The elder had told him to go home, but he didn't feel tired yet. He looked up at the stars and he suddenly realised how much he was going to miss this town. He stood there for a long time looking up at the stars and remembering all the good memories he had of this town. After a while he heard someone speak to him.
"Have you been here the whole time?" It was Mistie. Sett looked round.
"Is the ceremony over already?" he asked.
"No but I needed to leave so I could give you something." And before Sett could even look puzzled, she slapped him!
"What was that for?" yelled Sett indignantly.
"For leaving me with Morgan and the swamp monster. You ever tried having to talk to them alone? Its an unpleasant experience."
"Why don't you go slap them then?" grumbled Sett, rubbing his cheek. If that had been an affectionate slap, it had been a very hard one.
"Because Morgan probably wouldn't notice and I'd rather have my head dunked in a cow pat than touch Leo." She shuddered slightly at the thought. "What was wrong with Tim?" she asked.
"He's just upset because his girlfriend Lillian wasn't chosen." Said Sett, he's normally more cheerful.
"Well that's a relief," Mistie sighed. "Anyway, I better go before they start looking for us. I could probably use an early night. After all, we've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow." Sett nodded and they both set off in opposite directions. "Hey, Sett," she called back to him. Sett turned round. "Pity Lillian wasn't picked instead of Leo. Would have done us all a favour." She grinned and continued walking. Sett did the same. Something had just occurred to him. The elder had told him that Leo was too experienced to not be a caravaner. He had said the same about Morgan. He had also assured Sett that his and Tim's position had never been in question. That just left Mistie. Sett wondered briefly if he should tell her about this but then thought better of it. The best move was to act like he had never figured it out. After all, the Elder had said that no good could come from his knowing.
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Ok, I know this fic doesn't exactly have an army of fans but if there are those of you out there who are following this story then this time I am defiantly going on holiday and you wont see any updates for two weeks.
It would also be nice to have a tiny bit of recognition when I get back, not that I'm trying to imply anything COUGH review COUGH
See you all in 2 weeks ;)