Chapter Two: That's A Secret
Note: Here comes Chapter Two!
"Hey, Master Mage Clef! Just the person I wanted to see first..."
"Good morning. I see you're the first one here.", the Master Mage greets.
"Is everything ready for this evening?"
"This evening? Oh, yes, of course. Actually, I'm not really sure. Lantis and Hikaru are going on a picnic this morning. I'm not sure if they'll be back in time.", Clef admits.
"Oh, don't worry, I don't think Hikaru and Lantis are really going on a picnic.", the former Magic Knight informs.
"Oooooh, so something IS going on between them? I always suspected..."
"Mister Clef! I can't believe that you would imply something like that! Although, even I would have to admit...ahem, I think they are looking into a few last minute details."
Meanwhile, in another part of the castle..."Pu pu pu puuuu pu pu!" A fluffy, bunny-like ball of fluff is happily bouncing up and down. Mokona stops for a moment, then leaps up into the arms of a red haired girl just as she turns the corner. "Oh good morning Mokona," Hikaru smiles, "I don't suppose you've seen Lantis around, have you?" "Pika...chu.", Mokona replies. Hikaru blinks, swinging a picnic basket.
"Are you...feeling okay, Mokona?", the firey haired girl wonders.
"P-p-p pu!", Mokona insists.
" Oh, okay. It's just that I could have sworn I heard you say 'Pikachu.' Guess it was my imagination.", Hikaru remarks.
"Pu pu!" An innovative thought suddenly enters into the ex-Magic Knight's mind.
"Hey, Mokona, why are we going through all this hard work and trouble when we could just use you?", Hikaru wonders.
"P-p pu!", the powder puff exclaims.
"Don't worry Mokona. We're not going to break you. Besides . I think it's more fun doing things on our own. We can't have you making EVERYTHING for us ALL the time.", Hikaru comforts.
"Good morning Hikaru.", a familiar voice greets from behind her. Hikaru turns around and sees the tall, dark, mysterious, and very handsome Lantis.
"Good morning Lantis! Are you ready to go?", Hikaru happily greets.
"Yes...I am. Is Mokona coming too?", Lantis speaks.
"Pu pu!"
"Is it alright if he does?", Hikaru asks.
"He'll help us find everything we need for tonight! If we can't find anything, Mokona will make it for us.", Hikaru insists.
"Then why don't we just get everything we need from Mokona then?", Lantis wonders.
"Then we wouldn't have any fun!", Hikaru informs. Mokona leaps down from Hikaru's arms making his usual "pu" noises. Hikaru then takes hold of Lantis' hand, causing him to blush briefly. "Let's go!"
"Good morning Caldina."
"Mornin' Presea. Ya never gonna believe what I saw in Ascot's room this mornin.", Caldina greets.
"Well, I have a feeling you're about to tell me.", Presea comments.
"Can ya believe it? Ascot wears the silliest lil undies! I caught him in boxers with lil 'ol hearts on 'em. He'd be mighty embarressed if lil miss Umi ever found out 'bout 'em so ya better make sure she don't find out, ya hear?", Caldina tells too much information.
"Er...well...Oh, speaking of Umi, has she arrived yet?", Presea inquires.
"Not that I know of.", Caldina answers.
"I don't suppose you told Ascot about Umi coming to visit today, did you?", Presea wonders.
"Nah, course not. Reckoned it be purtty nice if it was a surprise 'an all."
"Caldina! That wasn't a very nice thing to do.", Presea scoldes.
"Aw come on now, he'll be mighty happier if it's a surprise.", Caldina defends.
"The surprise isn't for Ascot."
"What? Then who's it s'pose to be for then?", Caldina questions taken aback.
"We're suppose to have a surprise birthday party for Umi. This isn't a surprise party for Ascot where Umi's suppose to jump out of the birthday cake.", Presea clarifies.
"Umi jumping out of a birthday cake? I reckon lil 'ol Ascot'll enjoy that. That's a mighty good idea you've got there. I best remember it for when Ascot's birthday rolls around. I 'spose I could convince lil miss Umi that the cake's really going to Master Mage Clef, 'an all. Somethin' for me to think 'bout later."
"Oh dear.", Presea remarks shaking her head.
Meanwhile, Mokona, Hikaru, and Lantis arrive in a field filled with flowers.
"What are we here for? We still haven't gotten the last of the party supplies.", Lantis asks.
"I'm going to pick a few flowers for a birthday.", the perky red haired girl replies happily.
Hikaru kneels down on the soft grass and starts to pick flowers. Mokona attempts to help, but ends up pulling nothing but grass and weeds.
"Puuuuuuuuuuu!", Mokona pouts in frustration.
Hikaru laughs at Mokona seeing that the little ball of fluff is having a hard time.
"Not those, Mokona, try picking those over there.", the former Magic Knight suggests pointing to a patch of tiny purple flowers.
Lantis waits patiently as Hikaru picks a variaty of Cephiro's unique and beautiful flowers. She gathers up various Cephirian varietis of flora in shades of blue and purple as well as white. Lantis scans the area for any sign of trouble, although he knew that such efforts were in vain since Cephiro only sees peaceful days. His eyes come across a beautiful red flower, blossoming beneath the shade of a tree that resembles a cherry blossom, except that the bark is a pale white and the blossoms are a tint of purple. Lantis walks over quietly and picks the precious and solitary blossom, known as the Shadow Blossom, or the Albino Rose.
"I think we've got enough flowers, Mokona.", Hikaru informs, placing the flowers they picked into a basket.
"Here.", Lantis speaks simply, handing the flower whose leaves and stems are a pale white to Hikaru.
"Wow! That's a beautiful flower, Lantis. It'll be perfect for Umi's birthday bouquet!", Hikaru exclaims.
"No."
"No?", Hikaru wonders.
"It's...this flower is for you. It is called the Shadow Blossom. A rare and beautiful flower that grows in the shade. At night, they glow in the darkness and light the ground like stars in the sky. This red color on the petal, makes it extremely rare. Normally these flowers are pure white or pale pink.", Lantis informs.
"Thank you...very much, for the flower, Lantis.", the former Magic Knight thanks.
"We better get going. She will be here any moment now.", Lantis remarks.
"You're right. Come on Mokona, we need to hurry up and get back."
Back at the castle, everyone is in a hurry to get everything ready for Umi's surprise birthday party. Well, everyone except Caldina, whose taking her lil 'ol time, and poor Ascot whom Caldina neglected to inform about the party.
"Master Mage Clef, how are things going?", the former Magic Knight inquires.
"Oh, everything is fine.", the short, white haired Master Mage replies.
"How are you feeling? I heard that you weren't feeling well lately."
"I'm fine. I just got a tad ill due to stress. Since Cephiro no longer has a Pillar, it appears that I have undertaken a rather heavy burden in overseeing the peace and prosperity of our country. Fortunately, I have a lot of help. Ferio is become quite the prince now, so it will be only a matter of time before he'll be coronated as king, and help carry this heavy burden.", Clef answers.
"Well please don't overwork yourself. I worry about you, you know."