"Okay... is everybody here? Let's go!" said Bloom excitedly.
"No, wait. The Starz aren't here yet." Tecna replied.
"They're not coming," explained Tegryn. "They wanted to come, but they're still feeling a little groggy from the other day. Except Charlotte - she hasn't been able to sit still all day!"
"Why?"
"Well, me and her had a little chat the other day, and it seems she finally plucked up the courage to ask Riven out on a date... and guess what? He said yes!"
"Really!"
"Uh-huh," he nodded. "So now you don't need to ask why Riven isn't here neither."
"Yeah, I was kinda wondering that. Mind you, parties never really were his thing, were they?" said Sky.
"I guess not. So then, are we going or not?"
A stern voice rang out behind them. "They can, but YOU'RE staying here." They turned around to see Griselda walking down the staircase.
"You mean Teggy?" asked Musa looking confused. "Why not?"
"He still has homework to do."
"Oh, you can't be serious!" he protested. "Come on, it's Flora's birthday. Please, just give me one night off - after all, you said I could the other day."
"I've changed my mind. You know how important this is - you can't afford to waste time. Now come on... back into the library you go!"
"That is so whack!" said Musa, half-angry, half-upset.
Tegryn sighed and turned to Flora. "I'm really sorry about this," he said, giving her a friendly goodbye hug. "Just go out and enjoy yourself - this is your night, okay?"
"Okay. It's such a shame though," she replied. "How about I bring you back a little something?"
"That is so sweet of you. Thanks!"
He then turned to Musa, who was looking more and more upset with each passing second. "Come on Musie, don't be sad."
"But I was really looking forward to this. It just seems that we never get any time together any more. This really sucks!" she sniffed.
"You're telling me, I hate this just as much as you do. But don't worry - with any luck I'll soon finish this, and when I do I'm all yours!"
"You'd better be!"
"Sure. How about... every night for a week, we'll do whatever YOU want?"
"Yeah... I'd like that."
"But only on one condition - you have to enjoy yourself tonight. If anyone tells me you weren't, the deal's off, okay?"
She smiled weakly. "Okay, I'll try."
"Nice one." he said, kissing her. "Now, you go on and have fun, okay?"
They shared one final embrace and a goodbye kiss (which as far as Musa was concerned didn't last nearly long enough), then turned and left for their ride. He waved them off, gazing longingly at Musa, before being interrupted by Griselda.
"Come on. You have work to do."
"I hope you're happy. Musa didn't deserve any of that" he scowled.
"You know this is for your own good. Trust me - you'll see things differently very soon."
"Yeah, whatever."
Griselda stood there, arms folded, saying nothing, but smiling rather sinisterly as she watched him trudge reluctantly up the stairs.