Something's Wrong With Celica

Dining Hall – 9 AM

Stahl inhaled deeply. If you asked what the best part of the castle was, most of the Heroes would mention the large training area, or the limitless amount of rooms. However, this all paled in comparison to Stahl's preferred location.

Breakfast in Askr Castle was a sight to behold. Some forty dedicated chefs working tirelessly to host a small army with high-quality food? It was more than the cavalier could imagine. He wiped a small amount of drool from his mouth. He was usually first in line, but today, he was stuck behind 3 others. Oscar had beaten him to the dining hall, and gave Stahl a smug look every chance he could, even asking for extra bacon. To add to that, two people that Stahl didn't recognize were now in line in front of him as well.

One had long purple hair, a calm and kind demeanor, and called himself Lyon. He was apparently friends with Ephraim, considering how much he talked about him. The other was a smaller, red-headed woman. She spoke little, even to the chefs, and Stahl felt a shiver in his back. They had been summoned recently, along with Cordelia's other daughter, Morgan. And with the journey the royals of Askr took to the north, they would be the last new heroes for awhile, which Stahl took as a comfort.

More food for me. He thought. Getting his food, a healthy plate of eggs, bacon, potatoes, and some bread with a greenish paste that Kiran had insisted was good. It was, but it seemed a bit too … high-class for Stahl. He sat next to Oscar, who was chatting with Gaius. Gaius usually opted out of the normal breakfast, stealing a sweet roll or some other sugary treat instead.

"So, you see the new units?" Gaius asked the duo.

"Lyon seems nice," Oscar stated, "but that Celica, she gives me the creeps." Stahl nodded, devouring his food all the while.

The thief nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Henry and I met them last night before the bosses left for that Nifl place," He looked around, before leaning in and whispering, "Celica seemed alright last night, but something's definitely up."

"Um... speaking of that, guys, looks like Celica is up to something." Gaius interrupted. The group turned to face a table near the center, where Celica was staring at her sword, which she had placed on the table next to her food. She seemed to be muttering something, before swallowing her piece of bread whole. She then repeated the ritual for each piece of food, only increasing the tension in the room. She stared at the group afterwards, before grabbing her sword and storming off.

"Oh Naga, something is definitely off about her." Gaius remarked.

Library – 1 PM

Kagero looked around the room blankly. In two days, she had gotten more than she had bargained for. She and Priscilla sat in a circle with ten others. What surprised her was the varied group that sat with her. There was Lachesis and her liege Ryoma, who were the epitome of nobility. Micaiah sat with the broad-shouldered Black Knight, who had refused to remove his helmet, even at Kagero's request. He had been eerily polite, and she hadn't felt the need to press the issue. There was Nino, who had dragged along Marisa and Fir. The two swords-women didn't seem very upset, however. And then there were the three … outliers.

At first glance, Arvis and Celica didn't seem too out of place, but Kagero could sense it. With a glance, she could see that Priscilla felt the same way.

"Haha! Why is everyone so glum?" Came a boisterous voice from within the circle, "You would think we're in a funeral! Isn't this poetry class?!" Kagero sighed. The last person she thought she would see was here.

Lord Hector.

Besides participating in and probably instigating Chrom's infamous "Break-a-thon", Hector wasn't really involving himself in any of the classes or clubs, so Kagero was morbidly curious as to why he chose this club in particular.

"Very observant, Lord Hector," Priscilla said respectfully, "Do you have a poem you would wish to share with us?" Hector's face lit up.

"Oh ho! I certainly do, Lady Priscilla!" He pulled out a folded piece of paper. "I call this Morning Hew -"

Marisa interrupted, before Hector could begin. "It isn't an ode to your axe, is it?"

"ahem-

Twas but a cold eve in December

The fire left naught but an ember

With my armor and axe

We made a quick pass

To determine which foe to dismember!"

Priscilla's face darkened, and Kagero had to hold in a humorous snort. Of course Hector had made a limerick about Armads, it was pretty much what she expected of him.

"Alright, that was pretty good." Marisa conceded, while Fir was trying to hold back laughter. Priscilla was not amused, however.

"Does anyone else have a bawdy lyric they would wish to share?" She asked, barely masking her disappointment. Arvis pulled out a pristine sheet of parchment, grinning at Hector all the while.

"I believe mine is more … elegant, if I may." Kagero nodded, as Priscilla was now engaged in silent warfare with Hector. "Mine is called On a New Creation:

Neither cold nor unfeeling, Summer's warm embrace

A simple wretched curse thou used with no thought

I, driven to crazed flight, could only give chase

And given my thoughts, your choices hath brought

Me forth, a hot iron to strike all cold and dead

I would not wait for my hatred to rot

For you, a warm meal and some bread

Would be your last as I took your head"

There was a long silence, before Kagero clapped respectfully.

"A very interesting rhyme scheme, Arvis," she commented, "a chain rhyme?"

"Ah yes, Lady Kagero." Arvis gave a small bow, "I'm glad you understand the finer points of poetry."

"It seems a little short for it's rhyme scheme."

"Alas, three lines was all I could fit in without it becoming too dark a poem."

"On the contrary, I found it quite delightful." Kagero looked around, and realized that her odd sense of style was probably on full display, considering the nervous looks from the rest of the people in the circle. She sighed.

"W-well, are there any others before we discuss some of our favorite poets?" Priscilla asked. Celica raised her hand, and slowly opened a small notebook. Kagero had no recollection of that notebook in her hand earlier. Before anyone could speak, Celica began.

Began something; but what, Kagero had no clue. For almost three whole minutes, Celica was speaking in various tongues, staring at her book intently. When she finished, she stood up and promptly left the room. Kagero stood up, and looked at the other 10 in the room. Everyone had gone deathly pale and still, looking at each other with horrified glances.

"... We should go get checked by Henry and Tharja."

"Nyahahah! Oh wow!" Henry exclaimed, "That is one strange curse!"

The group found themselves in the basement. Tharja sat at a large metal desk in the back, with several large cases of plants and other parts. Sometimes purple smoke would emit from behind her shadowy figure, but Kagero couldn't figure out what she was doing. Henry was observing the group, mainly Hector, who was willing to get poked and prodded more than the others.

"So we all got cursed after all." Marisa noted. "Explains why I kept tripping on the way here."

"Nope, this is a curse that would make you vomit an endless supply of whatever you ate after you got cursed." Marisa blushed furiously. "But I have a curse that could make you never trip again!" Henry offered. "Though it might make your feet fall off, it's rather experimental."

"So can you reverse it or not?" Lachesis asked impatiently. Henry laughed again.

"Tharja and I wouldn't be the premiere curse-breakers if we couldn't break this lil' guy!" He exclaimed, as he began bopping people on the noses. As he reached the Black Knight, he grabbed Henry's arm. "Aw, come on! We gotta take care of that curse before dinner!"

As he took off his helmet reluctantly, there was the sound of something slapping the ground. Several slices of bacon fell to the ground.

"Ah, that would explain it." Henry commented, before bopping the general on the nose. "There you go!"

"My apologies, Lady Micaiah, I chose to eat something to regain some strength. I won't make that miscalculation again." the Black Knight gasped out, finally being able to speak. Micaiah patted her protector on the back.

"It's quite alright, Zelgius." She responded kindly. "I'm the one who insisted." Henry leaned up against the wall.

"So, just professional curiosity, but who cawsed this calamity?" At this bird pun, Kagero could hear Tharja groan loudly from across the room. She could also hear several birds caw in response. She wasn't sure what was funnier to her.

"That princess, Celica." Arvis muttered. "She began speaking in a strange language, and ran off before we could figure out what happened." Henry's eyes opened slightly, before grinning again.

"That sounds like a standard possession, don't ya think, Tharja?" Tharja nodded in response, never taking her eyes off of her work. "Alright! I need a couple of big guys and …" He pointed at Fir and Marisa, "Some slicer-dicers! We gotta go get a couple of others before this Celica gets out of control!"

Main Hall – 3 PM

"So she was possessed when we met her?"

"Extremely likely, Gaius," Henry responded, "I gotta give her credit, she hid it extremely well!"

Standing in the main hall was a small group. Marisa and Fir were joined by Chrom, who looked rather nervous. Hector and Effie stood by the hall's entrance, providing a wall for the others. Lucius, Lissa, and Priscilla all stood by with Arvis, Robin, Kagero, and Nino.

"So why did you need all of us?" Lucius asked. Henry clapped his hands together excitedly.

"Right! Right." The mage gathered his thoughts. "So, this Celica? She's probably possessed, and Tharja said she was too busy to help, so I need some mages and clerics with serious magical power."

He pointed at Kagero and Gaius. "You two need to get Celica to chase you to the main hall, where," Henry pointed to Marisa, Fir, and Chrom, "You three will toss a net on her! Hector and Effie will hold her down while you six prepare a magic circle and I de-possess her?"

"Why did you need us exactly?" Marisa asked, "You explicitly stated 'slicer dicers' or something of that nature."

"Oh yeah." Henry shrugged. "Well, if I can't de-possess her, we either accept life without her, or we paint the town red. Literally." He paused, "We're gonna have to kill her."

"That's actually not going to happen." Robin reassured the others, "Henry's the best at this."

"Even I can fail, Robby." Henry replied, perhaps a little too gleefully.

"No you can't, Henry ol' buddy!"

"Hey! Let me go!" The sounds of Hector and Effie approaching interrupted their argument. In between the two was a diminutive figure, who seemed to have too much energy for her body. Her short black hair seemed to be out of control, and she had pegasus knight armor. Robin's eyes widened. He knew that face.

"Oh wow! Uncle Henry and Uncle Gaius are here too! And Aunt Lissa! And Uncle Chrom too!" Standing in front of them was Robin's other daughter, Morgan. "Hello father! Mother told me you were in here!"

Robin embraced his daughter, holding back tears. "Morgan, what are you doing here?" He managed to ask.

Morgan tapped her chin in thought. "Well, I started glowing, and there was this buzzy feeling in my gut, and then I was in this castle with that weird robed summoner and the royal family. They brought me to mother and Severa, and they sent me here, so I could see you!" Robin smiled, before hugging his daughter again. "I missed you too, father! But what are you guys doing with all these serious faces?" She turned to Henry. "Uncle Henry, you look like you're up to trouble again." Her voice took on a scolding quality, not unlike Cordelia.

Henry looked at Morgan, a smile creeping on his face. "Hey kiddo! Long time no see!" Robin faced the mage, glaring at him.

"Henry... no."

"Do you want to help us exorcise a gross thingamajig?"

She gasped in excitement. "Oh Naga do I ever! Father, can I please?" Morgan's eyes seemed to grow twice their size. Robin tried to look serious, but kept twitching. He let out a big sigh.

"Alright, but you need to stay close to us."

"So, Morgan's on the away team with Gaius and Kagero!" Henry exclaimed.

"Henry NO!"

West Hall – 3:45 PM

Kagero noted that the scenery had gotten quite gloomier. For her to note that, she figured that the other two might be shaking in their boots. Gaius was busy sucking on a butterscotch that he had swiped from Princess Lissa, and, to Kagero's surprise, Morgan was still the bouncing ball of energy.

"Wow, this area of the castle is really a dump, huh?" She noted, wiping a cobweb off of the wall.

"It wasn't like this in the morning." Gaius commented. "Celica really got in a decorating mood."

"You two seemed more at peace with this scenery than I would have expected," Kagero noted, "The Ylisseans have all seemed a bit more … flighty than others."

Morgan tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Well, I think that when you live with several black mages, a few cobwebs are to be expected." She looked at Gaius and smirked. "Are you talking about Uncle Gaius and Uncle Stahl when they make Aunt Cherche mad?" Gaius frowned.

"Hey, Henry might like being called uncle; but I'm not technically your uncle, and it makes me feel old." He said, attempting to sound callous. "And I never make Cherche mad."

"Even when you tried to use Minerva to steal candy?"

"That was for a noble purpose!"

Kagero put her hand up, silencing the two. Standing in front of them, facing a nearby window, stood Celica. She gave off a dark aura, but had not seemed to notice the three, as she was still muttering to herself. The ninja turned to the others.

"How will we get her to give chase?" She whispered, "She has no reason to follow us."

"I thought you had a plan!" Gaius hissed. Morgan tapped her chin.

"I have an idea," Morgan said, "it worked on Severa when she was mad at me." She took a few steps forward and called out to the princess. "Hey! Demon monster thing! I'm a human and I'm celebrating the fact that I'm alive!" She began dancing awkwardly. Celica's head snapped towards them and she snarled. "Come and get me!" Morgan shouted, before running down the hall. Gaius and Kagero began chasing her as they heard an otherworldly howl come from Celica. A harsh swishing sound came from behind them, and Kagero felt a small gust of wind from behind her.

"Is she really swinging her sword at us?!" Gaius shouted. Kagero didn't respond, focusing on keeping pace with Morgan, who was surprisingly nimble.

"This world is impure. You must suffer."

"Wow, that doesn't sound great!" The trio turned into the main hall, passing by Marisa and Chrom, who were holding a net with grim determination. Fir had her sword out, ready to strike. As Kagero and Gaius passed by, they could hear an inhuman shriek, followed by steel striking steel. The trio turned around. Celica had been disarmed by Fir, and Chrom and Marisa were attempting to hold her down. The sounds of Effie and Hector approaching the princess drowned out her angry howls. But only barely.

"Duma shall get his revenge on you lowly humans!" She shrieked.

"Nyahahah! Oh wow, she's actually possessed by a dragon!" Henry and the mages had approached the writhing figure, held down by four others. "Alright everybody, circle around our little troublemaker!" The mages and clerics began holding hands, creating a circle around Celica. She spat curses at the group. Henry walked over to the princess, observing her much like an oddity at a zoo. "Hmmm … this is a pretty intense spell here." He commented, frowning.

"You can reverse it, right?" Robin asked. Henry shrugged.

"I'm gonna give it my best," he replied, "but we never did get that dragon out of you without extreme measures."

"You shall never be rid of me! I am a deity of myth and legend, and you are but a weak fleshling!"

"Nyahaha! You dragons always get me so well! It's a shame I gotta exorcise you!" Henry turned to Chrom. "Hey boss! Pull out that flashy sword of yours!"

Chrom glowered at the mage, "Henry, I'm not about to execute a defenseless-"

"Ah ah ah! I just need you to show it to me!" Chrom acquiesced, pulling the blade from it's sheath. Celica hissed at the sight of the gleaming blade. Before anyone could prevent it, Henry grabbed the sword by the blade, cutting deeply into his palm. "There we go! Some anti-dragon blood!" He said, completely unperturbed by the blood spurting out of his new wound. He began covering a fingertip in the crimson liquid, and began attempting to paint something on Celica's forehead. The possessed began squirming, attempting to bite the mage. "Nyahaha! You have a lot of fight in you!" Henry was some renaissance artist, lost in his moment of inspiration. Celica's forehead was his canvas, and he was bound to create a true masterpiece in countercurses. It was not a matter of if, but when he would be successful. After a minute of struggling, Henry stood.

Celica lay still for a brief moment, before slowly getting up. She looked confused. "Hello? W-where am I?" She asked, putting a hand on her forehead. At the sight of the blood, she looked even more distressed. "Did I hurt my head? Why is there so much blood?"

"Nope!" Henry responded, waving at her with his injured hand. "That's mine! Pleased to meetcha! How do you feel?"

"I … I think I need to lie down." She admitted. "And to get out from under this net."

"I'll carry her to the medical wing." Hector offered. The others nodded in agreement. He grabbed the net, and slung her over his shoulder, much to the protests of the now exorcised princess.

"Oh! Father! I haven't seen the medical wing yet!" Morgan managed to blurt out in all the excitement. "We should go too!"

"I guess someone needs to take Henry over there as well," Robin admitted, "I was hoping that we could maybe spend time with your mother and sister right now."

"Oh, I'm perfectly fine! Dizziness is the new normal, Robby!"

"Oh no you don't, Uncle Henry!" Morgan scolded. "You can get mother and Severa, father! I just need someone to help show me around, is all! Uncle Henry can do that!" From behind the three, Kagero spoke up.

"I don't trust Henry to show you the way to the medical wing. I will accompany you."

Morgan's face lit up. "Oh wow, really? Thanks, Ka … um … Ka …" She began knocking his fist on the side of her head. "I'm sorry, I just tend to forget names sometimes …"

"I don't think we formally met yet," the ninja responded, "I am Kagero, retainer of Lord Ryoma."

Morgan nodded. "Kagero. Okay. It's locked up in my noggin now!" She looked at Robin. "Kagero can show me around, so you can get mother and Severa, okie dokie?"

Robin sighed, looking at Kagero. "Are you sure? You don't need to do that for me." The ninja grinned.

"Us heroes need to look out for each other, and I'm more than happy to assist in any way I can," was her blunt response. She began walking down the hall, and Morgan followed, towing Henry by his cleaner hand. Robin felt a hand clap on his shoulder. Arvis stood next to Robin, sporting a sympathetic face.

"Ah, to have your daughter be fully grown up." He said dramatically. "It really is bittersweet."

" … Was that an attempt to comfort me?"

"So, Morgan."

"Yes?"

"How did you know that was going to work?"

Kagero was standing in the medical wing, watching Sakura timidly patch up Henry. Next to her stood Robin's daughter; who, despite only being here for a few hours, had thrown herself into a dangerous situation for fun. She had done it with an eager smile, as if she had never experienced fear. Morgan looked up at the ninja.

"Honestly, I didn't!" She admitted, "I used to do that whenever I read Severa's diary, and that worked. And the first dragons usually don't like humans, so I figured that it was worth a shot."

"Well, it was a better plan than nothing."

"I know, but can I tell you something?" Her voice was quieter. Kagero nodded, gently smiling. "I'm frustrated that I couldn't figure out a better plan, like father could've."

"You really admire him, huh?"

"He's amazing! I want to be just as good as him one day!" Kagero looked at the mage, smiling, "... Is there something on my face?"

"No, but I was impressed by your quick thinking," Kagero admitted, "You aren't stealthy enough to be a ninja, but you make decisions like one." Morgan's eyes widened.

"Am I an honorary ninja now?!" She asked. Kagero ruffled her hair, as Robin walked into the medical wing.

"Don't push it, but I have taken a liking to you."

East Parlor Room – 4:00 PM

Oboro lived to sew. Her parents had been great tailors and designers, and she could only hope to match them. Askr had been both a boon and bane to her imagination. The intricate armor of the Magvellians was beautiful, and many of the mages had beautiful flowing robes. However, a lot of the armor reminded her of a certain country. A certain country that would go unnamed, because no matter what she did -

"Oboro, dear. You're making that face again," Cherche's calm voice cut through the silence, "Would you like to talk about it?" She cringed. Cherche was one of the nicest people she had met in Askr, but she knew that that wasn't a request; and an impatient – or worse – angry Cherche was something to fear.

"I was just thinking of that night again." She admitted. "I'm really trying, Cherche."

"Oh, I know," Cherche said kindly, "I really think you've improved immensely."

" … Thank you, Cherche."

The two sat in silence for a moment. The sound of knocking on the door broke it for a moment.

"Please, come in!" Oboro called out. She caught the familiar purple and blonde hair of Elise before the girl's face peered into the room. "Ah, Princess Elise!"

"Ah, Lady Oboro!" Elise responded. "I wasn't sure if this was the right room …" She slowly walked in, taking in the room. Some candles were lit in the corner, despite several magical sconces lighting up the room. The scent was … comforting. A mixture of spices and clean cloth that felt safe. Elise sat at a pillow that had been laid on the floor. The room had baskets full of different types of cloth. It was truly a tailor's paradise. Elise's eyes lit up.

"Are we really just sewing and talking with each other?" She asked. "Sounds like heaven."

Cherche smiled. "I thought that a Saturday afternoon should be relaxing," she responded, "It's a custom in my homeland."

"Can I look at patterns now? I want to make a blanket for cold nights." Oboro nodded.

"There should be some different types of stuffing if you need them." She offered. As Elise began tearing through the fabrics, the door opened again, a small contingent of heroes walking in. Shigure and Laslow were talking amongst themselves, with Odin tagging along. Elincia and Tana had once again dragged Nephenee to something. Lissa and Priscilla sat down, with the former heaving a massive sigh of relief as she sank into her pillow.

"Oh Naga, thank you for pillows." she muttered.

"A rough day, Princess Lissa?" Cherche remarked.

"If helping Henry exorcising a possessed girl isn't the worst thing ever, I'll eat bear meat for three whole days."

"Sir Frederick would greatly enjoy that wager."

"Hah! Freddy would never take me up on that!" Lissa exclaimed confidently, "Anyways, I'm just too precious."

"Yes, mother! Father would never be cruel to someone as radiant as you!" Odin shouted from across the room. Oboro's face darkened.

"Odin, I would appreciate a lowered voice," She said, "This is a quiet place." Odin almost shoved his hand into his mouth. As Shigure and Laslow laughed at him, another 3 people entered the room.

"I apologize for my tardiness!" L'Arachel said fervently, "I'm still getting my bearings of this elaborate castle!" Standing behind her was the pair of Lucina and Selena, who quietly apologized to Cherche before sitting at pillows of their own. Elise chose to sit next to them, having already picked her fabric. After several minutes, everyone had picked various fabric designs to test out. Oboro clapped her hands together.

"Well, I was hoping that we could share what we're planning to make, even if it's just to pique my curiosity." Oboro looked around, before deciding to get the ball rolling. "I'm planning to create a yukata inspired by Magvellian armor designs." L'Arachel began clapping excitedly.

"What an inspired idea!" She cried out.

Cherche decided to go next. "Poor Minerva needs a scarf for the coming winter months, so that's what I plan to make." She turned to Lissa.

"I … uh …" She began mumbling, "Wanted to make Freddy a couple of new shirts."

"I wish to make a new cape for my dear brother!"

"I thought my mother could use a new dancing outfit." Laslow admitted sheepishly.

" … I was thinking the same thing."

Odin was awkwardly silent for a moment. "I was going to make a new heroic outfit for myself, but I think I'll make something for my mother instead!"

"You really don't have to, Owain!"

"I must create something for you, mother! Something that reflects your greatness!"

Lissa gave him a stern look. "I'd much rather you make something for yourself, Owain."

"... Yes mother."

There was a long pause, the sounds of fabric moving the only respite from the awkward silence. L'Arachel cleared her throat. "Well, I'm considering making a new set of riding gloves for myself!" She declared.

"I'm making a big coat for me and a big coat for Sakura!" Elise exclaimed, "Coats are only good if you have matching ones!" Everyone nodded in agreement.

Selena smiled haughtily. "Well, I'm making a sundress!"

"I am as well!" Lucina almost shouted, trying to hide any nervousness. "Though … I'm not the best at sewing." Her face held a strange mix of embarrassment and barely contained excitement.

Oboro flew into what Cherche began to call her 'helpful setting'. "I can definitely assist you there, princess!" She cried out, "You don't have to worry about a thing!" Lucina looked grateful.

"Ah, thank you, Lady Oboro." She gave a small smile. "I promise not to be a burden."

"So Morgan's been summoned here, Severa?" It was a simple question from Cherche, but it had many layered questions beneath it. Why don't you seem excited? Why aren't you with her now? Don't you want to be with your family?

"Yeah, but I promised Lucy I'd be here for this," Selena retorted, "And Morgan wouldn't be happy if I ditched my best friend for her. Besides, Morgan probably wants alone time with dad and mom." Severa looked at Lucina and smiled slightly. Lucina returned the smile, though it seemed to be tinged with guilt.

The rest of the afternoon was filled with various stories from the group. Laughter filled the room past the 6 o'clock hour. It was only when Elise's stomach growled that everyone realized how hungry they were.

"I propose we go eat some dinner," L'Arachel stated, "And then we can reconvene for more tailoring!"

"While I appreciate the excitement," Oboro stated, "I think we should put this on hold until next week." There were some groans from the group, especially from Odin. Oboro smiled a little bit. "Fine," she relented, "but don't feel like you have come back, please. I know some of you are busy." As the group began to leave, Severa felt a hand on her shoulder. Lucina looked at her, eyes full of worry.

"Sev, I'm sorry if I-" Severa put a finger over her lips.

"Hush." She ordered, "Who could've predicted that Morgan would appear today of all days? And anyways, the three of us can have dinner together. I'm sure your father is eating with mine, you know." Lucina nodded.

"You've always been a good friend, Severa." Severa rolled her eyes.

"Of course I have, silly." Severa said, "It's easy to be a good friend when someone doesn't see your faults."

Lucina opened her mouth to protest, but Severa's face said everything she needed to know. Lucina smiled back at her friend.

"Thanks."

"Whatever."

I feel like I should apologize. This chapter was going to go up on Tuesday night, when I heard some sad news. I'm still not close to 100% okay yet, but this story pulled me through the week and weekend and kept me functional. I hope you guys enjoy it, it really means a lot to me that you guys are reading this.

Some comments that are more fun than that:

I haven't written a poem in like, 12 years or something, but I knew I wanted to try a short Terza Rima for Arvis, because he would be the type to write a fancy Italian rhyme form. Also, Hector doing a limerick about Armads just made sense! I wanted to do a sonnet for Marisa, but I realized that:

A. Marisa would definitely not be willing to share it.

B. I would have to write a scene where somebody finds her stuff, and I haven't really introduced the concept of where and how everyone is living yet.

So - minor spoilers I guess - you can look forward to that happening soon.

As always, I love receiving comments, critiques, concerns, questions, and the like! It really makes me happy to see so many positive responses to this story. I really appreciate all of you.

The tentative title for the next chapter is: A Big Sunday Snowstorm: Nephenee and Her Greenhouse