Tancred sat against a tree while Mio got a fire started. He was thinking about what his brother in law had said, it was no surprise that he was pissed at him, no one in Mio's family liked him but that was under the belt. He wasn't surprised that he had gotten angry but to have him say it so openly was just insulting.

"Why do they all hate me?"

"Who?"

"Your family."

"Oh…I'm not sure, Mom doesn't like you hair, dad doesn't like the fact that you have no respect for authority and I'm pretty sure Lysander just doesn't like you."

"Oh…great."

"Don't worry about it…I like you."

'Well, I knew that but…"

'Well I guess if you stopped doing stuff like this…fiasco…"

"Yeah a few people get a little confused so what?"

"Tancred, do you know where we are?"

"No…where?"

"We are in the Ymir forest…would you like to know where that is?"
"Where?"

"About two miles away from Luin."

"Man…I fucked up."

"I agree, now we need to fix this."

"Well…. we don't have to but…"

"See that's what they don't like, you never clean up what you make a mess of."

"Well…I guess that is a good point…what's up, something with your stomach?"

"No…I'm fine."

"Well I guess in that case, I'm gonna get some rest."

"okay."

Tancred turned his back on the fire and fell fast asleep quietly. Mio stayed up watching the fire until night was at its peak. It was smoldering when she decided she needed to tell someone. She leaned over and shook Tancred awake.

"huh? Wha…what's going on?"

"I'm not okay."

"But…what?"

"You asked if I was okay…I'm not."

'Oh…right…what's wrong?"

"I think I'm pregnant."

"What?"

"You heard me."

"Man…I fucked up."

"Don't say that…we both fucked up this time."

"So…what do we do?"

"Well, it'll be a few days until we know for sure…let's wait and see."

"Fine… oh imagine what you family will say if they find out."

"Yeah…we should wait to tell them until it's really obvious."

"Okay, that'll blow their minds!"

They both laughed and Tancred lay back down, Mio put her head on his shoulder and they both got a somewhat restless night.

Lloyd had a far worse time than Tancred that night. He had gotten home with Mithos and Zelos to find Altessa had already found out he had gone to the Human Ranch. Zelos and Mithos quickly left to find something to do while Lloyd was forced to listen to Altessa's lecture.

"Do you have any idea what could have happened if they had caught you?"

"I know, I know, they would have sent me to mine for material to make Cruxis Crystals with."

"That's not the worst of it, if they had caught your friend…"

"I know, they could have ransomed him to the town."

"Or tortured him then killed us all…listen to me, Alicia is not one to tempt, she can be very violent so be careful."

"Okay, are you done yet?"

"Yes…but be more careful next time."

"Right."

Altessa walked upstairs and Lloyd went to sharpen his blades. Mithos and Zelos heard the talking had stopped and went to see what Lloyd was up to.

"Well you guys were sure a help."

"I'm sorry Lloyd, you know how I get around Altessa."

"I know Mithos…"

"Hey you guys what's in this copper jar?"

"Ummm…Zelos don't touch that Lloyd gets real sensitive when you pick up his mom."

'What?"

"That's his mom in there."

"Are you high Mithos?"

"No…his mom died and was cremated."

"Oh…I see…oops!"

"Zelos you retard! Now you've spilled some on the floor!"

"Sorry, sorry I didn't mean it…Tabitha! I didn't mean it!"

"Lloyd you never told me your mom's name was Tabitha."

"We never got to it."

"Oh damn Lloyd don't step there, I'll sweep those ashes up."

"Nooooo Dad, don't do that!"

"Why not?"

"That moron just spilled mom's ashes that's all."

"Oh…."

Altessa swept the ashes back into a jar and put them back on the shelf. Zelos looked a tad confused and guilty.

"I'm really sorry Lloyd."

"That's okay…there wasn't any harm done."

"Well I didn't realize you mothers name was Tabitha."

"Why should that make any difference?"

"It doesn't but I figured your mother's name for…something else."

"okay…"

Lloyd was getting plates out and setting them on the table.

"Mithos, shouldn't you go home, professor Brunel will worry."

"Okay, bye Lloyd!"

Mithos left and Zelos followed him. Lloyd was about to get dinner started when there was a knocking at his door. He went to find Raine was standing there looking excited.

"What's up Raine?"

"Well, Professor Brunel and that red haired guy were talking and he agreed to accompany us to the Tower of Salvation."

"Oh…great."

"It's too bad that Mithos and you can't come."

"Yeah…when are you guys leaving?"

"Oh tomorrow morning at six."

"Oh…wel I hope you…"

"No wait! I meant late in the day, we wont even leave till the sun starts going down!"

"Oh, okay then…be careful."

"Don't worry, I will."

Raine left and Lloyd went back to getting dinner ready. Altessa was looking at the weapon Lloyd had been working on.

"Hmmmm…good craftsmanship…but why?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why a sword…?"

"I dunno I just finished it."

"I could guess…are you going with Raine on that journey?"

"I don't think so, she gave me two time they're leaving."

"Pretty obvious that it was the first time."

"How did…"

"Lloyd, we dwarves have a way of telling when someone's lying."

"Oh…well can I go?"

"I certainly don't see why not, you seem to be eager to."

"Thanks dad!"

"Well…it's the least I could do besides, I overheard Mithos saying he was going to follow them and I didn't think you'd like being in this dull town by yourself."

"True…"

"Well in that case, lets get dinner finished."

"Right."

Lloyd and Altessa both got dinner served and ate. When they had finished, Altessa got the dished cleaned and Lloyd went outside to watch the stars, He was sorely disappointed it was very cloudy outside and it was starting to rain. He was about to go back inside when he heard someone say his name.

"Lloyd."

"Oh…professor, what are you doing?"

"Well, I came to day goodbye."

"Ot….yeah, I hope the journey goes well."

"So do I…will you look after Mithos?"

"Yeah…he'll be fine."

"I'm just worried about him being without me…"

"He'll be fine, don't worry."

"I'll try not to…well, I gotta get ready."

"Okay…bye."

Colette walked back towards town. Lloyd thought she had looked back at him but he wasn't sure. Altessa was waiting for him when he went back inside the house.

"Here, drink this."

"What's this?"

"A dwarven brew makes you sleep lightly."

"Why would I need this?"

"Well, given the way you sleep, you'll never get to town if you wake up as late as you usually do."

"Good point."

"Have a good rest Lloyd."

"You too."

Altessa went back to his room and Lloyd went upstairs to his. He tipped the cup and began to drink, the liquid tasted awful. When he finished he went to get some water to wash his mouth out with. After that he went upstairs and got to bed.

He barely got any sleep at all and actually watched the sunrise come. He bolted out of bed and got dressed. He went downstairs to find a note on the desk. "Lloyd please be quiet as you leave…don't forget your weapons and Mithos, Dad" Lloyd got his swords and sheathed them. He opened the door to find the sun shining brightly in the east. He set off at a fast pace towards Iselia and towards Mitho' house. He found the door slightly ajar and inside he saw Mithos sitting at the table waiting for him.

"Lloyd what are you…"

"No time, we have to leave."

"But…"

"No time Mithos…"

"But my sister said…"

"Come on!"

Lloyd grabbed Mithos' arm and he dragged him out of the house. No one else in town seemed to be awake. Mithos finally gave up resisting and walked with Lloyd to where he thought Raine would be getting ready to leave. Sure enough, he found her talking to her father, Remial with Colette and Zelos close by.

"So daddy, I'll be careful and make sure that…oh…Hi Lloyd."

"What, Raine what happened?"

"I must've accidentally told Lloyd the time we really were leaving."

"Damnit, Colette I thought you said they weren't coming!"

"I did Zelos…but it wasn't my fault Raine told them."

"Well, now you have to let us come sis!"

"Fine…just be careful Mithos."

Yes! Did you hear that Mithos? We get to go with them!"

"Just calm down you two, and just a note Lloyd, I get first dibs on and hot chicks."

"Fine Zelos…you get all the hot chicks."

"God, if we're all settled on that, lets go!"

They all began walking with Zelos leading the way energetically. Lloyd and Colette brought up the rear with Mithos and Raine in front of them. Colette gave Lloyd a look that told him she didn't appreciate the stunt he had just pulled. Lloyd grinned sheepishly as the left the town limits, and started on a great and perilous adventure.