After enjoying this most welcome of welcomes, Tegryn motioned to the others. "Please, sit down. You're just in time for dinner!" As they did so, he wheeled the trolley around and unveiled two large bowls, one containing freshly-cooked rice, and the other containing a rather sumptuous-looking stir-fry.
"Wow! That smells gorgeous!"
He happily dished out generous portions, first to Musa and Charlotte, then the other girls, Faragonda and Griselda, the boys, and finally himself - luckily, he had made just enough.
"Did you make this yourself?" asked Bloom.
"Yep." he replied.
"But why did you go to all this trouble?"
"I've been acting like a right jerk these past few days and I've hurt a lot of people. I figured I owe everyone a LOT of apologies, and this was a good way to start. I'm just glad everyone was able to make it, especially Riven - it's a good job he's as tough as nails! Ooh, before I forget, I have a little something for Musa... well, my friend has anyway. Now then, where is she? Polli?"
"Polli?" Mimi whispered to Nini. "Who's Polli?"
"Ah, there she is!" he said, looking over to a large pair eyes peeping out from behind a table. "It's okay, these are my friends. And this is Musa - you know, the REALLY nice one I was telling you about."
Warily, a cute little pixie with curly brown hair and dressed in a black and white outfit came out from behind the table, before zipping over and hiding behind Tegryn, clutching his arm. She was holding a small white envelope.
"That's it, let Musa have it." Polli coyly went over to Musa and handed her the envelope before racing back to Tegryn.
"Why thank you" she said politely. "Awww, she's so cute!"
"Ain't she just?" he said. "She's very shy though."
"So how did you meet her."
"I get the feeling Discorda had something to do with it."
"Probably," Stella interrupted. "And don't forget - you owe her a shopping trip!"
"How could I forget?" he replied smiling. "Anyway, as I tried to run away from you guys back in Cloud Tower, you probably saw that portal opening. Well, as I passed through it, I found myself in a strange little village, full of pixies. They looked after me for a day of two, and that's when I was introduced to my little friend here. Her name's Polli - I guess as in Polygraph."
"Poly-what?"
"Polygraph - you know, a lie detector. I tell you, it's shame I didn't meet her sooner - all of this mess could've been avoided."
"How come?"
"She's a pixie of truth - she can tell instantly if someone is telling a lie. Go on, try it."
"Umm, okay. Let's see... this morning, Stella had 27 doughnuts for breakfast!"
"Oi!"
"Eep!" Polli let out a tiny squeak, then hopped up onto Tegryn's shoulder and started to whisper in his ear. A shocked expression slowly crept onto his face.
"Wow!" he gasped unconvincingly. "She says you were telling the truth!"
"Eep!" She squeaked, looking at Tegryn with a rather cross expression on her little face.
"Aww, there there Polli - I was only joking!" he said, ruffling her hair affectionately. Then he looked at the card that Musa was still holding.
"So go on, open it!" he said.
Musa giggled and did as she was asked, and pulled out a card. It had a picture of a rather sad-looking but incredibly cute kitten on the front with 'Sorry' written across the top in big letters. She opened it and read:
To my darling Musa,
I know being as sweet and kind-hearted as you are that you won't blame me for what has happened, but I must say sorry anyway. I said and did a lot of hurtful things to you and to our friends, and it's only because of your incredible love for me that I can write this now.
Nothing on Earth can ever split us in two,
Always think of me, I'll always think of you
And me, meant to be.
We're beautiful together.
Loving you forever
Your Teggy
Musa sniffed. "Oh, it's beautiful Teggy. Thank you." she said as she hugged him - but then she felt something on her arm. She looked down to see Polli hugging her back.
"Awww, I think she likes you!" he said, sitting down. "Now, please, we really should start eating this before it gets cold!"
The friends tucked into their lovingly prepared meal.
"Wow!" said Bloom between mouthfuls. "This is gorgeous. It's Chinese, right?"
Tegryn nodded. "It's Chicken in Black Bean Sauce."
"Chinese?" asked Griselda. "So you learnt this from your family?"
"Family?" asked Musa. "I never knew you had any family. You've never mentioned it before."
"Yes, I know. I, it's um, well, it's kind of a sore point for me, and I know how sensitive you are on the subject." he said sadly.
"Teggy, it's okay. Please... tell us about them."
"I'd rather not." he replied, stifling a tear. "I mean, there's not really any point, 'cos there's no way I'll ever find them again."
"Oh Teggy, I'm sorry." said Musa, trying her best to comfort him.
"Never mind, you'll just to make do with us as your family." said Charlotte. "To be honest, I kinda see you as a big brother anyway!" The other Starz girls nodded in agreement.
"That's right," Layla added. "You'll never be alone when you're with us!"
"That's so sweet!" he sighed. "I honestly don't know what I'd do without you guys, you've all been too good to me. Friends forever?" he asked, raising his glass of fruit juice.
"Friends forever!" came the emphatic reply.
And so, the homecoming dinner continued happily late into the night, and in amongst all the joyful chatter, Tegryn turned to Musa and kissed her tenderly.
"You know what?" he said lovingly to her. "Do you remember when I said that I would be all yours for a whole week?"
She nodded.
"Well, I kinda have a problem with that."
"What do you mean?"
"I've really REALLY missed you - couldn't we make it TWO weeks instead?"
She laughed and happily embraced him, smothering him with yet more kisses. Upon seeing this, Charlotte turned and whispered into Bloom's ear "You know what? That poem in his card was so true."
"I know," Bloom replied. "They really are beautiful together!"
THE END
--------------------------------------
( PS: I'd love to say I wrote that little poem in Tegryn's card myself, but it's actually a lyric from one of my favourite songs, 'Beautiful Together' by Betty Curse.)