"Argh, I can't take this any longer! Where the heck are they?" Mika exclaimed anxiously.
Sakura nodded, "Can't say I don't agree with you this time, Mik. All this waiting is sooooo boring!"
Variante looked up and shook his head. Women! Never an ounce of patience in them, he thought scornfully as he fiddled with his jur. He looked at Black and was amused at the expression flitting his face. Maybe the rest were oblivious, but Black was looking at Jewel with intense adoration stamped all over his face. Hmm, looks like we're about to have a wedding soon? He thought amusedly as he continued playing with his weapon.
He started when he heard a faint sound behind him. He turned around and found himself staring at a pretty rogue. Startled, he jumped up and exclaimed, "Wha-"
Surprised, the rest turned to see what was going on and stared at the rogue in astonishment. It was obvious what she was trying to do: stealing.
"Hey, what are you trying to do?" Variante exclaimed, staring at the pretty rogue. Blushing, she stood up and apologized, "Sorry about that, I thought you were someone else." They stared at her. "But that doesn't give you the right to sneak up behind us like that," Mika said.
The rogue nodded and apologized again before explaining, "So sorry, I really thought he was someone I once knew. You see, I was just trying to get back something that was rightfully mine. The person I was talking about had taken it when I was young and I have been tracking everywhere to find him."
Unknown to them, Silver and Clay had already stepped out from the palace gates and were surprised to see their party in a heated discussion. "Hi, guys. What's up?" Silver asked cheerfully, stepping in into their conversation. Surprised silences followed before Tranquil broke it with a squeal of delight. "Silver! You're finally back!" She raced towards him and gave him a big hug.
Laughing, Silver swirled Tranquil around, obviously delighted with the welcome he had gotten. "Oh, brother! Give me a break," muttered Variante, as he watched the lovey-dovey act. The rogue stared at Silver with a gaping mouth. "Hey, wait a minute..." she whispered to herself.
Mika cleared her throat, "Ahem, Silver? When you're done..." Silver stopped twirling the delighted priestess and smiled sheepishly at her. "Sorry, I guess I got carried away," he said before noticing the fair rogue. "Uh, who's that?" he asked curiously, not rudely.
Sakura stared at the person in question, "That's what we all want to know." They gazed at the rogue questioningly. As if snapping out from her trance, the rogue looked at them and apologized, "I'm sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Serenia, Serenia Waters. And you are SilverBane, aren't you?" She pointed tentatively towards Silver. Slowly, everyone stared at Silver. The wizard in return stared blankly at Serenia. "You know me?" he asked.
Smiling softly, she stood up and embraced Silver. "Oh, you have no idea how long I've been searching for you!" she exclaimed. The rest were shocked. Mika stole a quick look at Tranquil to see if she's okay. The priestess' face was ashen as she stared at the embracing couple. "Silver...?" she whispered softly.
Silver stared at her unseeingly before looking back at the woman in his arms. He pushed her back and mumbled unsteadily, "I'm sorry, but who are you?" Surprised flashed in her eyes. "You mean, you don't remember?" she said. Shaking his head, Silver backed slowly until he was beside Tranquil and hugged her protectively.
Serenia's eyes caught that movement and closed her eyes momentarily. When she opened them, a single tear escaped as she said softly, "I am your fiancé, your lover, your best friend, SilverBane."
"What?" Sakura, Mika, and Variante exclaimed. They stared at her in shock. Jewel stepped in calmly, "Serenia, I understand that you might be in a lot of pain, but I suggest that we should take this discussion some other time. Silver has already been under a lot of pressure and I don't think it would be wise to press him on. Why don't we call it a day and talk some other time?"
Variante looked at her, marveling her words. She sure does know how to pour oil into troubled waters, he thought. He looked at the rogue, who bit her lip and nodded slowly. "Very well, we shall talk another day. How about tomorrow in the inn? I shall meet you all during lunch," she said, fighting back her distress. With that, she turned around and went off without another word.
Tranquil looked at Silver, her eyes shining brightly with tears. "Silver? Is this true? Is she really your..your...fiancé?" she asked shakily. Looking at her with trouble eyes, he kissed her forehead and said, "I don't know, Tran. I just don't know." He stared at the retreating figure broodingly.