Disclaimer: I am not Mercedes Lackey, and I don't own anything, really. Oh, I own Takril and Larle, and two new characters in this chapter who I won't tell you about until we get there. But I am just poor, sad Breezefire, sitting at home typing on her computer, not Mercedes Lackey.

A/N: Thanks to all of my three reviewers for last chapter! No new reviewers, so sad. My one shot The Death Bell –plug-- has as many reviews as this story, even though this one has two chapters. Tear, tear. Hopefully people will like this chapter! Not much plot advancement, though, mostly two new characters, because I was getting bored with just Takril, Larle, and Jaseen. This isn't too important for the story in general, but I liked these characters, so they're in. Here we go, review responses!

Herald Kelsin: I'm responding to your review for Death Bell, too, because I'm not going to respond on that one. I do get the Kalira inner recognition thing, it's kind of that inner sense where you know you recognize something, but you don't really know what. Good good, I thought you were revealing the Companion's secret, and that would ruin the Storms series and cause complications. I loved your story, and I'm looking forward to the next one you write! I'm trying to put more description into this chapter, see if it works out. Wow, long review response, I hope you like this chapter!

Fireblade: Thanks! You're getting another chapter now, I hope you like it. Oh, I keep forgetting to tell you this when I respond to you, but I love Dearest Kera and your angsty stories, as well as the Grove Born one. Did I ever review that? Well, anyway, I loved it!

PrettyKittyOreo: That's OK, I like Don't Touch Me too. You should update it! Here's the next chapter, I hope you like this one as much as you did the last two!

That's all the responding, so onto the chapter! I'm trying to put more description into this chapter, here goes!

Chapter 3: Friendship

Jaseen laid on her brother's bed, watching Takril turn around to leave. She looked into her brother's eyes, the mesmerizing, endless pools of deep azure blue, and was suddenly jolted with memories of her father.

Both of us inherited his gorgeous eyes. Lucky us!

The eyes caused women to fall head over heels with Takril. However, he did not always retain his lovers for very long, for there were men around Court who were much more handsome. Takril had plain, stern black hair, and he did not have the best figure in Court. His stunning eyes usually made a permanent impression on women, though, and his kind nature usually earned him at least one lover. His clothes did not seem to be nice enough to bedeck such eyes, with no embroidery or patterns, but they befitted a clerk, so he wore them.

They fit his personality too! No hidden agendas or secrets inside him!

Jaseen only saw the good side of her brother, the sweet and caring side. Jaseen was blind to her brother's faults, his slow-to-cool temper and the way he held grudges. No, Jaseen could see only positive attributes in her brother Takril, and none of the negatives.

Jaseen laid on the gently embroidered, scarlet quilt, lost in her thoughts. After a while, she became bored, and had nothing left to do.

I should go visit some of my old friends! Maybe Larlai or Prtif is free around this time. But I don't know if they'll still like me, now that I don't live in the Palace anymore…

Jaseen used to have many friends around Court. Two of her childhood friends were Larlai and Prtif, and Prtif was her first lover. Prtif, unlike Takril, had a stunning figure and a handsome face. He was one of the most popular men in Court.

Jaseen left the room, nervous that Prtif and Larlai would no longer like her. She thought of Prtif, remembering when the two of them were a couple. Prtif had been her first lover, and she had been his. They had a fun time for a week or so, when they both finally ended their virginity.

Larlai was jealous of me for that, at least at first. Then she realized that we didn't love each other, we were just in love with the thought of love.

After that night, Jaseen and Prtif had a mutual breakup, and Larlai and Prtif realized they were in love with each other all along. Jaseen suspected it was a lifebonding.

They are so perfect for each other, they have to be lifebonded.

Jaseen hurried down the stairs to the room the two shared in Court, and surely enough, the couple was there.

"Jaseen! We were wondering when we'd see you," Larlai exclaimed eagerly. "Took you long enough to visit us, silly." Larlai suddenly faltered, and murmured sympathetically, "I'm sorry about your father, Jas. I'm really sorry."

Jaseen nodded, gleeful to see that her friend seemed to still enjoy her company. She thought about her father quickly, but tried to take her mind off him, as she wanted to have a fun time with her oldest buddies.

Better not to think about that, now.

"Oh, thanks, Lar," Jaseen answered. She happily looked up at Larlai, her brown, almost golden locks and big green eyes bringing back joyful childhood memories. "You seem to be even taller than the last time I arrived. You aren't still growing, are you? You're a little old to still be growing taller!"

Larlai laughed, an almost song-like chuckle. "Just because I'm taller than you, Jas, doesn't mean I'm still growing. You know I've always been taller than you-not that that's saying much!" Larlai joked, her eyes lighting up with mirth. "Or maybe you're shrinking!"

Jaseen looked down and noticed her high heels. "Or maybe you are cheating! Take off those heels, you know you can't wear those around me!"

Larlai laughed. "All right, you noticed." She began to un-strap her black shoes, as she called, "Prtif! Jas has finally come to visit us!"

Prtif scrambled in from the bedroom, wearing only his nightshirt. "Jasi, hello!" He playfully hugged her, and plunked onto the bed next to his lover, now wife. "Now that you aren't living in the Palace, you think you can abandon your old friends!" Prtif joked. "Just because you aren't near us anymore…"

Larlai interrupted him, elbowing him in the ribs. "Don't bring up her father's death, silly," she whispered urgently. "You'll remind her."

"My mistake," Prtif murmured back. "So," Prtif announced to Jaseen, "Have any idea what you want to do today?"

Jaseen looked at Prtif, reminiscing over their past. "You've grown out your hair again! I like it that way, Prtif." Jaseen remembered his hair when they were young, his silky brown locks surrounding his angelic, smooth face. He had cut it back for a while, but the beautiful mahogany hair once again embraced his face, the curly strands almost reaching his shoulders.

Oh, he is handsome. If I was at all attracted to him, or Larlai wasn't lifebonded to him…

Jaseen jolted back to reality. "And, yes, I do have an idea of what I want to do today. How about the theatre?" The Palace theatre was renowned to be an exemplary example of fine entertainment, and therefore cost a bundle of chits. However, those who lived in the Palace or were on the Palace staff got in free, and those people could bring one guest, namely Jaseen.

"Oh, sounds like fun!" Larlai exclaimed. "What do you think, kechara?"

"Wonderful! I've heard the play they are putting on today is fantastic, too," Prtif responded. "It starts soon, let's go!"

Prtif, Larlai, and Jaseen hurried down the stairs to the theater. The three got there fairly early, and so claimed good seats on the front of the balcony.

I can't believe I've procrastinated on visiting Lar and Prtif for so long! I thought they wouldn't like me anymore, since I no longer live in the Palace, but obviously I was wrong.

Little did the three friends know when they chose the play, the topic was three good friends, all girls.

"Hey, I got left out!" Prtif joked. The three seriously turned to each other.

"Friends forever?" Larlai asked Jaseen, looking anxious. Jaseen thought for a moment, and answered quickly, with the obvious response.

"Of course!" Jaseen responded. The three clasped hands and closed their eyes.

"Ingrain the image of your other two friends into your mind…" Larlai droned. "These two people will be your helpers in times of need… Shoulders to cry on… Friends to laugh with. Forever."

The three opened their eyes, and shared sacred glances. Prtif opened a box of jewelry up, which contained three golden pendants, with the letters P, L, and J on each. "Take the pendant on which the letter which begins your name is first," Prtif commanded. "I've saved these for a long time!"

All three took a pendant and slipped it over their head, the gold in front of their robes. "I think we've gotten all we needed out of this play," Jaseen whispered.

"I agree," Prtif responded. "Let's go back to my room and share stories!"

My two true friends. How could I have forgotten what it felt like to be with loyal friends, through all?

The three hurried back up to the room, babbling and telling stories, their arms clasped around each other.

A/N: Done! Shorter than the last chapter, I think, sorry. I think I might have been sappy too, yeah, I was. Oh well, too late now. Hope you liked! Please review, I'm not going to say read because you're already down here. Come on, if you read it, just press the little purple button that says Go, and type something in. It will take a few seconds of your time, and make me HAPPY!!! Flames not welcome, constructive criticism welcome, compliments loved! Hope you liked it!

Wind to thy wings, Breezefire