Mako: Well, hello, reader, I got a brilliant inspiration for a new story. This is a simpler, lighter, less serious story than my main story, Things are Different Now. Basically, it starts out with a view of an old bangaa, Starkin. He's a retired Dragoon-turned-Bishop that is now the bodyguard and mentor of a noble's daughter, Kayi. Well, keep reading, friend, and enjoy!

Oh yeah, and if anyone can offer sewing tips on making plushie bangaas or can offer ideas for vegan materials, feel free to leave that in the review too.

-Mako

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"Kayi?"Starkin snapped his staff quickly, his rough, slightly gaunt face turning upwards at the eyebrows. The old bangaa had been searching for the young viera Kayi for a long time. Multiple engagements had left his gait wobbly and unsure, like old, brittle stumps. He was often harrassed because of it- not because that the ancient, quiet, shy, bangaa was a Bishop (no one he knew laughed at a Bishop) but because the staff wasn't only used for spells, it was for walking. Old nu mou, they called him. Old human, decrypt bangaa, lame chocobo... It could have been worse. No one dared tease the mentor and bodyguard of the lady Morgana's daughter Kayi. "Kayi!" he called again.

The young viera popped out from the bushes, tackling the bishop, who fell to the ground with an "Oof!"

Kayi stared down at the fallen bangaa cheerfully. "I know I'm not allowed in the bushes. But Kayalie is driving me, you know, insane," the Assasin-in-training explained, adjusting her head wrap.

Starkin looked up. "Don't take it out on your old bangaa, Cricket, I'm old and you know it."

"You're not old, Starkin! You can kick the butts of everyone I know!" Kayi hopped around happily, helping the old mento up.

Starkin considered the sky for a moment. "Tell that to everyone elsse. Where's Carlos?"

"He had his studies," Kayi replied promptly, referring to her moogle best friend.

Starkin shakily stood upright like a shaky, thin stick. "Yess, I know. I wass sseeing if you knew too, Cricket."

Kayi smiled. No one else dared call her Cricket. "Are you here to take me back?" she asked dejectedly.

Starkin hid a smile on his wrinkled old face. "Your parentss want you."

Kayi, although she snarled, did not resist and started walking in the direction of the great noble-house gates.

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"Kupo, Kayi, you're finally back!" A happy moogle bounded down the halls. "Kupo, I finished my studies early," the Juggler explained.

"Great- where are my parents?" Kayi asked.

"Lady Morgana, you mean? Or your father?"

Starkin's staff whipped out before Kayi's opening mouth. It only leftthe breezy shadow of a sting, not like the times he chose to forcibly discipline her. "No, Cricket," he said to Kayi. And to Carlos, Starkin replied, "To Lady Morgana, if you pleasse."

Kayi glanced apologetically at her best friend. "Well, our scandel has been uncovered,"Kayi sighed.

Carlos grinned. "I had no part save for obeying the word of my Lady-in-training. I am unaccounatble," he said, his white face grinning.

Starkin's staff whipped out. Kayi and Carlos saw nothing, not even the movement of the bangaa. They didn't even know what happened until twin thin welts appeared along their noses.

"Kupo-Kupo-Kupo! That hurt!" Carlos moaned.

"Starkin, that wasn't nice!" Kayi wailed, clutching her nose.

Starkin stepped back to observe his work. "Hmm, not bad. I ussed to be a Dragoon in my warrior dayss, you know. Mastered everything there wass to know about being a Dragoon. Bessides, what you did probably wassn't half as nice as that sting either."

Kayi looked up with the saddest eyes before continuing down the corridor, Carlos whimpering behind and Starkin hobbling after.

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Okay, how was that?Well, sorry if it seemed a bit too serious and deep- I tried my best to make this a more light-hearted story. Well, next chapter coming up in a few minutes! Enjoyed it? Please, even if you didn't, leave a review. No flames.