Gelendra - Thank you, am glad that you're still with me

Saffire Raynius - Thank you Saffire, I really try to keep these guys in character. I'm really glad that you could actually feel like you were in the court with Vivi. He isn't ready for love yet (And it never really enters into it) As to Sarah ... you're really gonna hate what I do to her in the next fic - that's all I'll say on the matter. I think Vivi really needed a polite Kick up the backside (again, lol) which the announcement provided.

AN: Because I couldn't finish the next half of this, this chapter is shorter then I expected. Bloody Amarant would not play ball!

SSS

The next day found Mikoto in the library, talking with Tot about the methods she had used to restore 288 and the other mages. The erstwhile c type moved down the steps to sit close by, his tail flicking at the tip in a way Mikoto had come to associate with being concerned and worried. "Have you seen Vivi yet?" Mikoto asked him after she had finished her explanation, which had driven Tot into thoughtful silence and pacing.

"No, Quina mentioned something but s/he sometimes confuses me,"

The two Genome's lapsed into thoughtful silence, neither noticing as the prototype mage descended the steps; Vivi shuffled uncomfortably, unsure of what to say to either one. "Umm … hi," He settled on at last in a painfully small and slightly squeaky voice; he coughed to clear his throat, drawing 288's yellow hued eyes first, a fond smile lighting his Zidane like features. "I - I thought I'd better come find you," Ducking his head anxiously, not sure how either one would react to him.

"Hello Vivi," Mikoto greeted simply, as if she had seen him everyday for years. 288 and Vivi just looked at one another in silence; the body 288 now inhabited looked as if it belonged to someone in their late teens or early twenties, maybe only two years older then Mikoto. Besides his eyes and clothing, 288 looked much like any other Genome Vivi had encountered but the aura of power he emitted set him apart from any other Genome. "We have a lot to talk about," Mikoto reminded them both, as if appreciating that neither would say anything without being prompted. "Please take a seat Vivi,"

Obediently, Vivi did so, sitting a little apart from Mikoto and 288. "What have you decided to do?" Mikoto queried, the last time they had met she had been desperately trying to save 288's life but everything she had said had held medical precision and coldness; Vivi had always consider her to be a little detached from life. But, he had noticed at the feast and announcement that she always looked towards 288 in a very caring way; it was the same way that he had seen Garnet look at Zidane and he knew exactly what it meant.

"I'd like to bring them back, please,"

"I hoped that would be your answer," 288 said with a wide smile, Vivi had never really associated the severe C type with smiling but it seemed right in a Genome. "I know I can never assure you that I remember nothing of what happened to me but you're making the right decision Vivi."

"I hope so, I couldn't live with myself if I'd taken them away from a better place."

288 rested a hand on his arm, drawing Vivi's eyes to him. "At home with their father is the best place they could be." He promised gently, smiling at the younger mage. "No place can replace the love of a parent,"

No matter how hard he tried to suppress it, Vivi's desire to ask 288 a key question refused to leave him. "Mr. 288, can you still … cast magic?" He asked very gently, as if he were afraid that the answer would be no. The idea of a mage without magic was worrying for Vivi, who tried hard to imagine a life without it. Suddenly he realised that this was exactly what his life had been for a long while but he was not going to cast again yet, slamming the door on Zidane with the blizzard spell had drained him so much that Vivi feared to cast again.

There was a breath soft whisper from 288 that Vivi did not instantly recognise, but soon the Genome held a small Fire spell in his palm. "At first we did fear it was lost but once 288 and the other became acclimatized to manipulating a Genome's form their magic returned." Mikoto explained softly, "It is the acclimatization process that takes so long. After the soul is inserted, it takes about two years for the Genome to show any change, after that it took a further two years for a full soul to show itself."

288 snuffed out the spell and Vivi silently thought about what Mikoto was saying, "Four years." He murmured softly. "It seems like such a long time," He admitted, eyes on his hands. "Will I be able to come and visit them sometimes?"

"I wouldn't recommend it," Mikoto advised, "It was distressing enough for me to realise that they could all remember but not access memories key to themselves." Vivi nodded in understanding, knowing all too well that it was memories that helped to give a person their sense of self. "I shall write to you when I can with detailed reports about their recovery, and feel free to write to them, but I will warn you not to expect a reply."

"I can write to them?"

Mikoto nodded, "I see no reason for you not too," She smiled slightly and Vivi realised that he had never seen her do so before. "Even if they fail to remember everything about you, they will remember you for who you are. I would wait two years if I was you." Vivi nodded, knowing that before this time there would be no point.

He looked again to 288 who seemed comfortable in his Genome form, "What's it like?" Vivi asked drawing 288's strange, off yellow, coloured eyes. "Becoming a Genome?"

There was a thoughtful pause as 288 considered his answer, "It's rather like shrinking," He said thoughtfully. "I vaguely remember being a Mist mage, it felt different somehow. Mages are stockier," Vivi nodded, he could agree with that easy enough because he himself was a little on the plump side. "Genome's are very lithe, but heavier somehow."

"Because mist is light," Vivi suggested and 288 nodded in agreement.

"Then there are tails of course,"

There was a slight laugh from Mikoto and Vivi thought it was one of the most interesting things he had heard; she had a very light laugh, one which seemed to be very natural and not at all forced. "A subject of bitterness in many of the other mages, 33 and 111 hide theirs, and 56 has trapped his in more doors then anyone can remember." 288 flinched slightly as she mentioned this and Vivi realised that he had trapped his own many times. "He often walked around the village with a bandage around it,"

"I wonder what the boys will do,"

288 smiled at this pondering, glad to see that Vivi was comfortable with the fact that his sons would no longer look the same. "If you'll forgive us Vivi, we were waiting for your answer before leaving today; I'm keen to get started, for the sooner I start, the sooner you shall have your boys returned." Mikoto apologised as she stood, 288 did the same. "It was a pleasure to see you again,"

Vivi stood too, out of etiquette and bowed his head slightly. "The same to you," He replied but both could see that he was still thinking about what they had said. 288 said nothing as he left, but squeezed Vivi's shoulder quickly on his way out. The mage sat down again, eyes lingering on the seat Mikoto had sat in.

SSS

Entry 38

I know I have to make an entry, but I really can't think of anything to write.

I spoke to Mikoto and 288 today about bringing the boys back and funnily enough, all I can think about now is tails! I know you can't hear me, but I'm giggling right now; just imagining what the boys will get up to with the added bonus of a tail is making me smile.

I'm also trying to guess who will hide theirs away, I think Calan will because it'd get in the way. Sola will keep his on show because it'll make him even more attractive to the young women of the court. I can't see Nicara or Ollan being bothered either way. Turo will keep his on show for practical reasons, I'm worried about the pranks he'll pull already! And Valian will probably hide his so that he can look like me.

I know I should probably be focusing on something less frivolous then tails but I really can't think of anything else to focus on.

SSS

AN: Next up a chapter I never intended. Lol.

A meeting with someone else, someone who he was unsure about meeting. What other things must Vivi face before he can feel at rest.