But, thanks to all reviewers, and readers for their encouragement and ideas. ::glomps all:: Thankies!

Review Responses

chaos0619 - Great idea! ::big smile:: Thanks!

Isaac's Girlfriend - Thanks for the support! And yeah, it is freaky having Felix laugh... O.o

Spastic Djinn -It is a good idea! ::grin:: I'll use the idea once they get off the icy mountain...

Thanks to all people who reviewed! ::gives each a piece of chocolate::

Chapter 8

Isaac flopped down on the table at the inn. "I wonder how Flint is doing... Hope he's having fun..."

Garet flopped down beside him, staring moodily into the wall of the inn. "Well, I don't. Why didI let them go in the first place?"

Picard spoke languidly from a chair beside them. "I wish Shade was back... I have sure gotten a lot less scratches from those fights with the mushrooms... and where is Ivan? He said he'd meet us here today..."

"What on earth are youboys complaining about?" Jenna planted her hands on her hips and stood in front of them, glaring at both. "You know they needed a break. And Garet, I think what you're trying to say is that you miss them..."

Garet sat up, embarrassed. "Hey, I don't do that kind of sentimental crap!"

Isaac looked at him out of the corner of his eyes. "You don't? Well,I know I miss the djinn..."

"Yeah... Me too..." Picard played with his wineglass carelessly.

Garet looked around. "...I see I'm outnumbered...Well, I'll just leave and go find Ivan..." He stomped out of the inn, his intention to find the small golden haired adept.

Mia almost bumped into Garet as she walked in the door. "Garet! What's the matter? You look to be in a very bad mood..."

Garet brushed past her without replying, but Mia grabbed his arm. "If you're looking for Ivan, I suggest you don't. He's talking with Sheba... "

Garet glared at her. "So? I don't care who he's talking to." He made as if to walk on past her, then stopped. "...by talking to Sheba, do you mean they're having a little... er... well... THAT kinda conversation?"

Mia stared at him. "Um... What THAT kind of conversation?"

Garet waved his hands around in frustration. "Well, you know. The kind of conversation that I don't like and stuff."

Mia stared blankly.

"Gah! Nevermind!" Garet stomped off, although this time, he wasn't headed for Ivan. It was just a LITTLE bit too risky... (in case you're wondering, the type of conversation he's talking about is the ones full of EMOTIONS, FEELINGS AND OTHER FEELINGS WHICH HE DEFINES AS GIRLY. ahem... excuse me, continue the story...)

Mia shrugged and walked into the inn and headed towards Jenna's table.

"Hi Jenna!" She took in the gloomy expressions on Isaac and Picard's faces. "Aw, come on you two! You can't miss them all THAT much, can you?"

Isaac ignored her, which was a first, and Picard just sighed.

Mia turned to Jenna. "What, were they like this when you arrived too?"

Jenna nodded. "It's amazing, under all that 'I'm really tough' exterior, they're really just big softies."

"Yeah... Who knew they'd miss their djinn so much as to become lazy louts who don't do anything..."

While they were having this conversation, Isaac and Picard were starting to feel rather uncomfortable and were having a quiet conversation of their own. "Big softies...? We're not soft..."

"No, course we're not... We're just being sad about our djin leaving, as is appropriate!"

"Yes, exactly... ButI have a sudden urge to go fight some monsters..."

"Yeah... Picard, what do you say we leave now? I'd say that mourning is officially over!"

They jumped up and left the inn, leavingMia and Jenna staring after them.

"Well... Um, what were we just talking about?"

Meanwhile, on a cliff beside the river...

"So... What was it you wanted to talk to me about, Ivan?" Sheba gazed at him quizzically.

"Well... You know how Felix decided to follow the djinn, to make sure they didn't do anything silly?"

Sheba nodded. "Uh huh. But what's that got to do with this?"

"Well... I wanted to check on them too..." Ivan looked down, embarrassed. "ButI don't have enough Psynergy or power to be able to do what I have in mind..."

Sheba tilted her head to one side. "And... Er.. what exactly did you have in mind?"

"My brain of course!" Ivan cracked up laughing, but Sheba just stared.

"That's not funny, Ivan."

Ivan coughed, then got himself under control. "I'm sorry, didn't mean to do that... No, well you know how we can normally Mind Read someone if we're standing right in front of them? Well... I wanted to try Mind Reading the djinn except, well, from here."

"...Ivan, that's not possible!"

"Yes it is! I'd already thought about it! You see, if we join our minds, we should be able to figure out a way to sense them wherever they are, and see them!!"

Sheba looked doubtful. "I don't think that's gonna work..."

"Well, why not?"

"Logical reason numberone...We don't know how to use that Psynergy that way yet. Logical reason number two, the djinn are in a completely different world from ours. Logical reason number three... I just don't think it will work!"

Ivan literally drooped. "I guess you're right... I just want to see them once, you know? Just to make sure they're okay, that they're having fun..."

Sheba patted him on the back. "Yeah, I do too. But I'm sure they're okay! I'll bet that Isaac and Picard are moping in the inn right now... At least you're trying to do something, right?"

Just than, a squealing possessed mushroon ran past, along with 2 amazes. Sheba blinked. "Well, that's unusual behaviour. They don't normally - "

"Come here you silly monsters! I need to kill you!" Isaac ran past, brandishing his sword like a maniac.

"Yes! We need to prove that we're not soft!" Picard followed Isaac, casting Diamond Berg as he went.

Ivan stared, eyes wide.

"Oh no, Ivan, there's no need to be sad because they don't - "

"HEY GUYS! WAIT FOR ME!" Before sheba even completed her sentence, Ivan had jumped off the ledge and was following Isaac and Picard.

Now it was Sheba's turn to stare. "Well... Maybe he didn't miss the djinn that much after all..."

Very OOC... Yes, I know. Probably not particularly funny either... Anyway, i hope you did like the story a little bit, and tell me where to improve, eh? Some people have been giving me really good ideas. ::grin:: Thanks!