A/N: Thanks for all the kind comments so far! It really makes writing this worthwhile! Chapter 4 up now, uploaded in doubletime for Fan Fan Girl :D Thanks for the support bubz!

IV) Reunions

"Presea!" Colette's eyes seemed to reflect the pink haired girl's delight as she helped the former Chosen to her feet. They embraced warmly. "How have you been?"

"I am doing fine." Presea took Colette's hands, trembling with excitement. "What about you? It has been so long! I…I have missed you." She hadn't actually realised how much she had missed her friend until she had set eyes again on the buoyant young lady.

"I've missed you too! I've been busy in Mizuho with Sheena. It's been really hectic, so this is one of the few chances I've had to get away for a while."

Presea looked Colette up and down before smiling again. As well as the native clothing, Colette was adorned with a variety of beads, bracelets and other accessories made from the natural materials around the village. "I…can't believe it! You look so different Colette – and it really suits you!"

The blonde haired girl giggled. "Hehe, thanks – Wow, you've changed too! Your hair looks nice all loose." Colette glanced back up the corridor at Rochelle.

"Oh, hello!" she cried, running over and grasping the Felesian's hands. "Sorry for bumping into you. Are you a friend of Presea's? I'm Colette – I hope we can be friends too!"

Rochelle stared at the excited blonde haired girl, completely nonplussed. "Huh? Uh…yeah, okay…sure."

Presea smiled as she watched the scene, finding amusement in the knowledge there was somebody who was more outgoing than the Felesian. She really had missed Colette.

"Her name is Rochelle…"

"Wow! And you have a tail too! That's cool, I've only got wings."

"Uh…you have, wings?"

Colette nodded, still grinning. "Hehe, yeah, it's nothing special. Remind me to show you sometime." She looked round at Presea, "Oh, we should get moving, Regal is expecting me."

They walked back up the corridor, and entered Regal's office. Colette quickly scanned the room as she entered. "Hello Regal, Harold wanted me to let you know that the meal will soon be ready and–" she paused as she caught sight of Lloyd.

"Lloyd!" She cried, dashing forward to hug the young man.

"Colette – wow!" Lloyd gasped as he was squeezed in a tight embrace. "Woah, what are you doing here? It's great to see you! How have you been?"

The blond haired girl didn't reply for a second, and as she took a seat beside Rochelle, Presea could see the former Chosen's eyes were shimmering with tears. She looked away, concerned that she was intruding. She had forgotten how long Lloyd and Colette had known each other.

"Oh Lloyd, I've missed you."

"Hey, I've missed you too!" He ruffled the top of her head. "Me and Presea were only just saying earlier that we were going to have to visit you all."

"Really?" Colette took a proffered tissue from Regal as she sat down beside him and smiled. "That would be nice. I was saying to Sheena before I left that we haven't seen any of you for a while. I've been staying with Regal for a couple of days hoping to see you both."

Lloyd leaned against Regal's desk. "Oh, did Sheena come as well then?"

Colette paused for a second, her eyes meeting Presea's for a second. "Um…no, she couldn't get away this time. Y'know, Chief stuff."

"That is a shame," said Presea, wondering why Colette had looked at her as she replied "Lloyd! Perhaps we should go to Mizuho first."

"Yeah, you got it," he smiled.

"Really? Cool." Colette was beaming. "That's good. The reason I came here was to try and get in touch with you both anyway. A week ago there was this strange Exsphere which had been washed down onto the bank of the stream near Mizuho. It was the only one, but there has been a lot of activity since from groups of people looking for more."

Lloyd sighed, a look of disgust crossing his face. "I bet that's Delphinium."

Colette frowned. "The Delphinium Administration? I didn't know they were after destroying Exspheres too."

"That is because they are not." Presea looked out of the window as she spoke. It had begun snowing lightly again. "They are seeking them for their own unspecified use."

"Oh…I see." Colette thought for a second. "Then I guess it's a bad sign that these groups have increased their presence in the area. We've managed to keep them away so far, but it's getting tougher."

"I see…" Lloyd paused, looking at Presea. "What do you think?"

"If we are going there anyway then we should look into it," she paused. "It'll be fun."

Regal shook his head. "Damn Delphinium. What is Alderwyn hoping to achieve?"

There was silence in the room for a second, each person thinking his or her own bleak answers to Regal's half-question. Then Colette spoke.

"Hey Presea, when we get there we can dress you up in Mizuho style. You'd look really cute."

The five individuals left the building, their heads bowed against the brisk wind that was causing the heavy snow to fall in random chaotic swirls. Walking down towards the dock, Presea shivered against the biting cold and Lloyd wrapped his arm around her, drawing her close. The warmth from his body flowed through her, and she snuggled closer as they walked. She liked these moments, where they didn't actually need any words to know what the other was thinking, or how they felt.

Rochelle and Colette had seemed to hit it off quite well, and were talking amongst themselves about all kinds of weird topics as they all boarded the boat and set off for the main spread of Altamira. Regal outlined the remainder of the plan to Lloyd and herself as they travelled the short distance.

It had been decided that, due to the amount of people planning to go to Mizuho, the Rheaird would not be a sufficient mode of transportation. To that extent, Regal would be organising a small airship to take them directly to the village, as it would be faster than travelling by boat. It would, however, take a couple of days to organise and prepare, so the group had made plans to leave Altamira the day after the Cup race. Until then, they would be staying at Regal's mansion – their current destination.

From the mainland dock, they had taken a carriage which, again, had been pre-arranged by Regal. As they passed through the streets of Altamira, the evening weather took a turn for the worse, developing into a raging blizzard that severely reduced visibility. The temperature inside the large carriage, however, was warm and Presea had a pleasant snug feeling pass through her every time she looked out the window at the bleak weather outside. She leaned across into Lloyd's embrace and smiled, ignoring the Felesian opposite her poking out her tongue and pretending to gag.

"It is nice to be surrounded by friends again," she said, running her fingers over his.

"Yeah, you're right," he replied, closing his hand over Presea's. "The next few weeks are going to be a lot of fun. And I can't wait to ride in one of these airships."

Presea watched what little scenery she could see through the falling snow change as they left the bustling streets behind. "At least the pilot of the vessel will probably know the correct signal codes for taking off and landing."

She felt Lloyd gently poke the side of her head with a finger. "Hey! That's enough out of you! Be nice, or I won't take you to the market tomorrow." He glanced out of the window. "Woah Regal, these are some pretty big houses."

Regal looked out the window closest to himself and Colette, nodding. "Yes, this is a district populated by nobles and suchlike. It is a little out of the way from the busier areas of Altamira. Such people value their privacy above all else."

Presea glanced outside again. There were a number of large mansions moving by, mostly surrounded by their own walls, complete with large ornate gates – stylish barriers designed to keep unwanted visitors out.

"Wow, look at that one! It's huge!" Rochelle leapt up to the window, peering out. "Is that gate gold?"

Regal shifted uncomfortably, "Yes."

Colette grinned. "That's Regal's house. It's really cool, isn't it?"

"Well, it's not really mine – it would be fairer to say that it is the Bryant family home."

Presea had to admit she was impressed by the modest grandeur of the place. As they passed through the gate into the grounds of the mansion, she peered out of the window. A variety of trees greeted them, all coated by the falling snow. There also appeared to be sections of land dedicated to orchids and vegetable patches, although they were not being tended to during the winter season. A small pond, complete with an ornamental fountain, rippled against the wind to the right of the track the carriage was moving along.

It was only as they disbanded from the transport that they saw the house in its completeness. It was a long building, punctuated at equal distances by large elaborate windows on two levels, with the upper ones possessing small balconies too. There seemed to be a third floor as well, but it was neither as long nor as wide as those beneath and looked like an observatory of some description. The structure, like the Lezareno building, was a mixture of white marble and stone, and seemed to have the usual assortment of carvings and decorations that frequented the other buildings in the area.

"Oh…wow…" Rochelle whispered, looking up at the mansion – her words adequately speaking for all of them.

The great door opened as they walked up the front steps towards it, and a tall elderly man with grey hair stepped into view. He was dressed in a suit, and looked very presentable, clean shaven except for a small, neatly trimmed, moustache.

"Good evening Harold," said Regal, smiling at the man as he dusted snow from his clothes. "How is everything."

Harold, who appeared to be a butler of some description, returned the smile. "Everything is in order sir, the dinner has been prepared and is ready to be served and I took the liberty of preparing another three guest rooms."

He stood back as Regal and the others entered, greeting each of them in turn, before shutting the door against the biting wind and snow. "Will the young guests require any time to freshen up before food is served?"

Presea looked round the room as Lloyd replied for them. It was an elegant lobby, well furnished but not excessively so, and with a beautiful fireplace which spilled light and warmth into the area.

"I don't think so. All of our items are in storage at the airship facility at the moment anyway. I'll have to get them in the morning."

Regal shook his head, "If you give me the storage details then I can have them brought over in the morning."

Harold walked over to a darkly hued door on one side of the lobby and opened it slightly, peering through. "Ah, I do believe food is being served as we speak. If you would like to come this way young master and madams then you can be seated." He paused. "Will you be joining your guests this evening sir?"

Regal nodded his assent and they were escorted into a long room, just as ornately furnished as the lobby. A long dining table in the centre followed the direction of the room, a crisp white tablecloth covering it, and an assortment of plates and cutlery laid out to seat five at one end. The area was bathed in a soft light cast by another blazing fireplace, supported by candles on the table and the chandelier above. The aura of snug comfort was enhanced by the soft ticking of a grandfather clock in one corner of the room.

Lloyd looked about in awe. "Woah, you just eat here?"

Regal shook his head as they moved to sit down. "Not really, it's a little too big and lonely for one person."

Presea nodded as she glanced about the room, staring at the assortment of paintings on the walls. "I can understand that."

A door beside them opened, and Harold stepped through, accompanied by a few other servants, carrying an assortment of foods and drinks on plates.

Regal smiled as the food was laid out on the table, "Oh, this looks splendid. Well, friends, time to eat."

Presea closed the door to the garden quietly behind her as she left the house, shivering against the frosty wind despite being wrapped up in Lloyds jacket – as well as her own clothes. She squinted as she trudged through the snowy ground, the dim moonlight only just making things visible enough to see. Moving away from the thin garden path, Presea made her way through a group of firs that were nestled protectively together, hoping she had remembered Regal's directions correctly. The garden covered an area of land equal to the size of the house, and she did not relish wondering around all night in the current climate.

Seeing a lamp glowing through the foliage gave her encouragement, and she pushed her way through the remainder of the trees to stumble into a small clearing. Soft light spilled from a couple of lamps, and water flowed from a fountain into a small pond, gifting the area with a strange tranquillity. Presea walked up to the monument in the centre of the clearing, which was surrounded by a variety of beautiful winter flowers.

She dusted some of the snow from the base of the cold gravestone and smiled sadly.

"Hello, sister. Regal said he had moved you here."

Looking up from the grave, Presea noticed a bench nearby which faced the monument. Walking over to it, she cleared away a patch of snow and took a seat, leaning forward slightly as if she was scared someone would overhear.

"It is nice here," she continued, looking around the clearing. "I hope you like it Alicia. I would have brought some flowers but…it is a little hard to obtain any during this time of year." She paused, feeling the usual cycle of emotions when she was beside her sister's grave. Foolishness at having a conversation with someone she didn't even know for certain could hear her, sorrow that she had been denied a longer relationship with her sister, then a strange kind of calm – an inner peace which lent her strength to be able to just voice her thoughts.

"I…I have been keeping well Alicia, and I'm glad to see that Regal is too. I mean…" she laughed humourlessly, "…I have Lloyd to take care of me, but…well, Regal appears to be managing fine without the aid of anyone in particular."

Presea looked up as snow began to gently fall – like tiny stars falling from the cloudless dark blue sky. "I guess that means that he is strong. Or at least, stronger than me." She felt a smile come to her lips. "But I was thinking Alicia, that it's okay. I feel that I've had my share of having to be strong like that, and that it's okay sometimes to get by on the strength of others."

She paused for a second, staring at the grave in silence. Then her eyes lit up; "Oh, and I have made a new friend too. Her name is Rochelle, and she…well, to be honest, she reminds me slightly of how I used to be. Lonely." Presea caught a snowflake in her hand and watched it melt, feeling old memories return. "The thing is, I get the feeling that there is something she is not telling us, and it concerns me because, for some reason, I've been getting this urge, this strange desire to take care of her. So if there is a problem, I feel…bad that she cannot tell me." She looked up at the grave and sighed, wiping her wet hand on the jacket. "Is that just me being foolish? I cannot tell, as I have had so little experience in situations like this."

There was a sudden rustling in the trees opposite, and Presea jerked her head up to see what was causing it. For some reason she felt very self-conscious.

"Who is there?"

The rustling paused, then a few seconds later Rochelle pushed herself through the firs and into the clearing, shaking herself to get the snow off. She looked about as awkward as Presea felt.

"Um…sorry babe. Am I interrupting you?"

Presea paused, then shook her head. "No…not really," she looked down at her feet, wondering how much the Felesian had heard.

Rochelle remained where she was standing for a second, here eyes flicking between Presea and the grave, before moving slowly over towards the bench. "Can I join you?"

Presea smiled, "You can if you wish, but you shouldn't stay outside long without warmer clothing."

Rochelle sat down, and ran a hand through her blonde hair. After a few moments she looked up at the grave. "So…um, that's your sister's…"

"Yes."

The Felesian blinked, looking sad. "Was it an accident?"

Presea stared at the grave. "No, not really. It was a…tragic series of events. One that was triggered by Exspheres."

Rochelle closed her eyes, leaning back and tilting her head up towards the sky. "They truly are bad then."

The pair were quiet for a moment longer, before the Felesian opened her eyes and looked at Presea, "So…you don't have any other family?"

"No…well," Presea paused, correcting herself. "I have Lloyd, and I have my friends."

"Oh…I see…"

Presea placed a hand on her companion's shoulder. "That includes you too Rochelle."

The Felesian looked across at the pink haired girl and smiled. "You were right," she said. "What you said before. I am…lonely."

Presea felt her cheeks colouring a little. So she had overheard. "I…Well, you won't be anymore. You are coming with us to Mizuho, correct?"

Rochelle nodded. "Yeah…about that…um, well there's something…" she trailed off, bringing a hand up to rub her upper arm. "Never mind, it doesn't matter." The Felesian poked out her tongue. "Sure, I'm coming – if that's okay with you guys."

Presea smiled, "Well, it will keep you out of trouble with local law enforcers at least."

Rochelle laughed and threw her arms around Presea. "Aw, Big Sister, you're the best!"

"All right! Look, it says here that anyone can enter!"

Presea could not believe how excited Lloyd was becoming over the whole prospect of the Altamira Cup. She yawned, casting an eye about the crowded marketplace as the early morning sun melted away the previous night's snowfall. I wonder where Colette and Rochelle have gone, she thought.

Lloyd was still reading the flyer, which had been pasted to a wall on the side of the market. "This even shows all the people currently registered to take part."

Presea wandered up to the closest stall and looked at the wares on display. The merchandise appeared to be aimed primarily at tourists, but there were a couple of items that caught her eye. A range of little figurines of Klonoa – the Altamira mascot – sculpted with incredible detail from clay stared back at her. She especially liked the one in a strange gargoyle costume and picked it up to admire it. The figurine certainly was cute. Presea looked up at the stall merchant. "I'll take this one please."

She returned, clutching her purchase, to a disgruntled looking Lloyd.

"Look!" She held the figurine up. "Is it not…cute?"

He blinked. "Uh…it is? What is it?"

Presea scowled. "It is Klonoa! As a …gargoyle. Anyway," she added defensively. "I thought it was quite endearing."

"Hey, calm down." Lloyd laughed, "I was only joking." He gave Presea a hug, then pointed to the flyer.

"Have you seen this?" He asked, knowing full well that she hadn't. "Look who's entered the race!"

Presea looked at where his finger rested on the parchment. "Um…Kia Sparrowhawk? Lloyd, do we even know this person?"

"No, not there! The line beneath!"

Presea read the names below and frowned. "Eiros, Mara and Jorin." She looked back up at Lloyd. "They are…entering the race?"

"Yeah, one of three Delphinium teams. That sucks."

"Aw, ya jealous much?"

The pair spun round at the cold sounding voice to see Mara and Jorin stood behind them. Presea instinctively went to grab her axe, before realising that she had left it back at Regal's house with the rest of their items that had been brought over from the Rheaird.

"What do you want?" She muttered. It was a poor alternative.

"Ooh, steady there, little princess. You're scaring me." Presea felt her blood begin to boil as the pair laughed. "We're just here doing a last bit of shopping – y'know, stocking up before the big event."

"You really think you're gonna win?" Lloyd looked incredulous.

"Oh, we know we're gonna win, you little wretch. And you'll be able to see it too – watching us from the sidelines…" Mara paused, looking at the figurine. "…Clutching your little dolly. Ha, see you creeps later."

They turned and walked off, laughing amongst themselves. Lloyd looked at Presea, his face reflecting her own. "Man, they really piss me off."

"Yes," Presea nodded, "Their very presence is enough to irritate me. Perhaps they will all crash tomorrow and perish."

No sooner had the two Delphinium agents left, Colette and Rochelle appeared through the crowds of people, each holding what looked to Presea like a funny coloured apple on a stick.

"Hello you two! Look – toffee apples!" Colette waved the item at them, grinning. "Having fun?"

"We're getting there," Lloyd replied, scowling after Mara and Jorin. Presea took out her figurine and held it out to Colette.

"Look what I bought!"

"Oh wow!" Colette giggled, looking closer at the clay sculpture. "That's really cool! I want one too! Where did you get it from?"

"Over there," Presea pointed at the stall. "They have quite a few on display."

As Colette dashed off, Lloyd looked at the apple that Rochelle was tucking into. "Hey, looks nice! Where'd you get that from?"

Rochelle grabbed the toffee apple stick with her tail as she pointed with both hands, "Colette got them from that stall, babe – the one over there with the blue top." She brought the apple up to her mouth and licked it. "They're really nice!" she purred.

"Think I'll go get one!" Lloyd began to make his way across the market before turning around. "Presea! You want one too?"

The pink haired girl looked dubiously at the toffee apple Rochelle held. "Um…okay…I'll try one…"

A few moments later, Colette returned with a figurine similar to the one Presea had purchased. "Presea! Look at this one!" she shouted excitedly – holding it up. It was a carving of Klonoa in beach gear, complete with rubber ring and snorkelling equipment.

Presea found herself laughing. "That is cute!" She raised her own figurine. "Wahoo!"

"Wahoo Wahoo!" Colette bobbed her figurine about in the air.

"Wahoo Wahoo Wah –"

"Uh, guys?" Rochelle interrupted, raising an eyebrow. "Please stop it, you're embarrassing me!"

Lloyd came dashing back then, a big smile lighting up his face. Presea wasn't sure why it bothered her. He paused, panting for breath and handed her a toffee apple. The pink haired girl took it, and sniffed it warily before tentatively licking it. "This product seems to contain an odd combination of flavours."

"Hey Presea, are you any good at reading maps?"

"What?" Presea looked at Lloyd with a frown, "I suppose I can read one reasonably well, why?"

Lloyd grinned, and handed her a large piece of paper, which was folded into quarters. Presea quickly scanned it as she took the paper – it looked like a route plotted through Altamira and the surrounding area. She looked at Lloyd inquisitively.

"It's a map of the Altamira area," he said, rubbing the back of his head. "I…kinda signed us up in the race. You're gonna be my navigator, right?"

Presea looked at him blankly for a second, then sighed. "It is lucky that I enjoy flying," she replied wearily, and bit down on her toffee apple so as not too say anything further out of frustration.