Chapter 6: "A Strange Introduction!"

Alaylle happily unlocks the front door and opens it, only to be rushed by her father. "Eep! Daddy! What's wrong?"

Alaylle's father is a bit pale, "Your mother... tried to cook! It was terrible, horrifying, a pox on humankind! I was lucky there was a meat tenderizer handy or it would've gotten us!"

Alaylle's mother glances with the "Look of Death" at her husband, "Oh, it wasn't that bad... I mean... it's not like it was going to bite...hard." Her gaze softens as she sees Alaylle. "Hello dear... had a fun time outside?"

Alaylle smiles happily. "Uh huh! I'll tell you all about it!-While making dinner!" Alaylle happily gives the basket to her father with a happy wink and starts with her evening routine.

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"Yeah! It really happened that way! The animals outside of Prontera sure are nice!" Alaylle smiles happily as she delicately eats a slice of steamed carrot.

"Grmphphhpif! Fhmeppihoodihh..." uhh... states Alaylle's father as he tries to talk while shoveling food into his mouth.

Alaylle's mother glances sideways at her husband as she carefully cuts a piece of fish, "Allow me to translate, Alaylle? He said 'Good for you! It's always good to go outside once in a while!'...Honestly, dear..."

Alaylle's father finishes eating and wipes his mouth on a napkin. "Aaahh... delicious as always, Alaylle! Excuse me for a moment... I need to get something."

Alaylle's mother glances over her daughter, "That was faster than usual... maybe next time, you could make something that required him to actually chew his food?" Mother and daughter both burst into giggles and then slowly finish dinner.

Alaylle's father walks in holding a necklace and two bracelets made of blue gemstones. "Dear... for our anniversary!" He smiles happily as he hold them out to his wife.

"Oh! You remembered! How wonderful! You naughty husband, no wonder we were cleaning today... you wanted to throw me off!" Alaylle's mother and father embrace, while Alaylle smiles softly to herself as she washes the dishes.

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"Heh... so had a lot of fun yesterday huh?" Karian says with a grin.

"Uhmm... it wasn't that much fun... but it was different!" Alaylle, Karian, and another young woman are standing around the east entrance to Prontera square.

"K-Karian told me all about it... honestly, Alaylle, you shouldn't have left like that... You know how hard it is for your parents to keep the house..." The young woman sighs and keeps her eyes downcast.

"Nah... I think the traveling was good for her! And don't say it isn't! You've traveled a lot yourself, Kaori!" Karian says as she glances at her. "And for crying out loud, look up!"

Kaori smiles slightly at the request that Karian always asks of her. "Hmm... perhaps it was good for you, Alaylle... but... are you going to do it again?"

"Nuh uh! That's enough adventuring for me!" Alaylle says while shaking her head quickly.

'Hmph... not if I have something to do with it... Hmm...' Karian grins to herself and thinks for a moment. "Heh heh heh... yes, this would be perfect for her..."

Kaori glances over at Karian, "Did you say something, Karian?"

"Uhh... no... just thinking to myself! Say, I wanna show you two something!" Karian grins and leads them off.

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"Gosh... it looks... kinda frightening!" Alaylle says as she looks up at the building.

"Nah... it's not... I hear it's really neat inside!" Karian says with a grin.

"I-I-I've heard of stories of screams and yells coming from inside of there!" Kaori says while glancing up at the building.

"Awww... come on, it's just the church... it's not like something's gonna jump out at you when you enter it and gobble you up!" Karian says while looking up at the church of Prontera. "Alaylle, come on, go in! We'll be right here!" 'Come on... I hope this works!'

"Umm... alright..." Alaylle gulps as she walks into Prontera Parish's doors. She turns around, looking for Karian and Kaori. "Ehh? Hey! You two were supposed to come in too!"

"AHA! A visitor at last!" A minister jumps seemingly out of nowhere at Alaylle and grabs her shoulders as she turns around towards the entrance.

"Kyaaaaaaaa!" Alaylle closes her eyes and stiffens as if a monster has grabbed her.

"Uh, oh... Sorry about that." The minister smiles awkwardly as he releases Alaylle's shoulders. Alaylle slowly and awkwardly turns back around. "Welcome to Prontera Parish! Sorry again... it's just that so many nowadays don't wish to become acolytes..." The minister sighs and glances around. "The place gets rather dusty and dirty... no one ever cleans now... and the acolytes nowadays are always out and about!"

Alaylle slowly manages to recover her wits. "Aahh... I see... but... did you really have to jump out at me like that? From behind me, even?"

"Eh heh heh... sorry... got too excited... Father Renauld at your service!" The minister rubs the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Umm nice to meet you, Father Renauld... well, if you really need help, I'll help!" Alaylle smiles happily at the father.

"Really? Wonderful, wonderful! Maybe one day you'll become an acolyte too!" The minister smiles happily and hopefully at Alaylle.

"Uhmm... well... I dunno about that... but I'll still help!"

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Karian removes her ear from the door. "Eh heh heh... perfect... my plan is working perfectly!" Karian grins and laughs out loud.

"Wh-what plan?" Kaori looks over at Karian curiously.

Karian slowly turns towards Kaori... Kaori could be so quiet sometimes; it was easy to forget she was there. "Uhh... no plan! But Alaylle is perfectly fine... so... let's head on home for today! It is getting late!" Karian awkwardly laughs and runs off.

"Oh no you don't! I know that line! You aren't getting us in trouble again!" Kaori actually raises her downcast gaze and chases after Karian.

End of Chapter 6
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Chapter 7 Preview!

Alaylle: "I-I have to go back there?"

Renauld: "That's right... there's a person in Geffen Forest that needs this..."

In the next Chapter: "A Strange Errand, and a Shining Find!"

Alaylle: "I hope I remember my way..."
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