Hello, again! I'm super-duper not good at this "updating" thing, but I'm still keepin' on, and that's what matters. (Now that school is back in session and I'm working again, I'm going to shoot for every two weeks with this story. Let's see how long I can keep it up! Go, go!) As usual, I don't own anything, I'm just a fan writing some fiction. Please enjoy!

Dwarven Vow 64
Is uaisle am breid na toll.
A patch is better than a hole.

35-

They found Lloyd and his friends engaged in some sort of charades-esque game when they returned, though Yuan was quick to break it up in favor of a more serious conversation. There was groaning and complaining, but he silenced them as soon as he mentioned his connection with the Church of Mana. Suddenly this was less of an interruption and more of a call to action.

The room was crowded with Lloyd, Colette, and Sheena on the couch, and Zelos in the armchair. Genis sat on the arm of the couch next to Colette and Raine stood opposite him, leaning on the couch's back. Anna and Song sat on the floor next to the low table and Dirk stood in what space he could find. Yuan was left to stand halfway through the kitchen door, making it appear almost as though he were putting on a stage play. But the information he gave them was very real.

"We were right. There are members of the Church in service to Professor Low," Raine spat once Yuan had filled them in on the details. "The nerve of her, telling you guys that you were stupid-"

"Not only are they working for her without knowing," Genis interrupted before she could get any angrier, "but they've been stealing her work right from under her nose. The scientist in her would be horrified, of course, but the control freak in her would be utterly humiliated."

Sheena nodded. "Right. After what she said today, I know she won't accept any of this without proof. And to get proof, we'd need her permission. So we're stuck."

"Not necessarily," Lloyd offered, raising his hand. "Don't she and Raine have, like, a thing going on-?"

Raine cleared her throat loudly. "No, Lloyd. As of this morning, Professor Low and I no longer have a thing going on."

There was an awkward moment of silence and Lloyd cringed. "O-oh. I'm sorry. That, uh, that's rough."

"Don't be sorry. It's not rough." Raine spoke with a stern voice, though she was making a point not to look at anyone. "I have no desire to 'have a thing' with a lying, backstabbing-"

"Hey, now!" Zelos interrupted. "Can we, uh, get back to the subject at hand? The problem is that these goons are stealing your research and building some awful contraption out of it. Instead of denying that you've got break-up rage, you should be directing that rage at these Church weirdos."

"I do NOT have-" Raine raised her voice as she began, but she cut herself off as she realized how loud she was being and returned to a normal tone. "Ah… perhaps you're right."

"Um, Yuan," Colette began, "how long do we have until this group attacks the tree?"

"They plan to meet Wednesday, mid-afternoon."

"Wednesday?" Lloyd gasped. "That's the day after tomorrow!"

"So they've already got their contraption ready, huh?" Zelos murmured. "Now the only question is, how much damage can that thing do?"

"If I have anything to say about it, it will do none," Yuan replied. "However, I'm not well-versed in the specifics of this project. Even if I got my hands on it, I don't have the ability to render the machine inert."

"Professor Raine could," Dirk pointed out.

"But how am I going to find it? I don't even know where they're keeping it."

Sheena looked up at her. "Doesn't Professor Low's mansion have a servants' quarters? If they live there, then it's likely they've hidden the device somewhere within their own rooms- somewhere where the master wouldn't think of going."

"Yes, but that would mean breaking in and passing through unnoticed," Raine argued. "I don't like that idea."

"From a moral standpoint, or a logistic standpoint? Because, logistically speaking, my ninja training could get us in and out with no problem."

Genis leaned over "...you sure? Because your ninja skills have left a lot to be desired in the past."

Both Lloyd and Sheena jumped back with a response, nearly smothering Colette as they did so. "H-hey, that's uncalled for-" "Don't make fun of her skills-!"

Genis held his hands up in defeat. "Geez, I was just joking around."

"Now is not the time for jokes," Yuan responded. "Sheena, are you sure that you could escort yourself and Professor Sage into the servants' quarters undiscovered so that the two of you can find the machine?"

"Yes, I am."

"I can go with them!" Colette volunteered. "I know having another person will make it more difficult to hide our presence, but I'm good at creating distractions if it has to come to that. Besides, if the layout of the Low mansion is anything like the Wilder mansion, I can navigate you through with no trouble."

"They're not identical," Zelos began, "but they were built around the same time, so they have the same general layout. I could always go instead, since stealth hasn't ever been Colette's strong suit-"

"Hey!" Lloyd interrupted again. "What's with you guys being so condescending tonight-"

"No, he's right, Lloyd." Colette placed her hand against his arm. "He wasn't teasing, it was a genuine concern. But I promise, I'll be fine. Zelos is going to work with Professor Low to keep her distracted, right?"

Zelos paused and scratched the back of his head, looking over to Genis. "Uh, she did say we could come back tomorrow, right?"

"Yeah, so long as we didn't try to bring in more 'garbage' about how her servants are conspiring against her." Genis let out a sigh. "Honestly, if she's not going to listen, we might as well come up with some bogus lead and run with it. All we've gotta do is keep her and her servants busy, right?"

"Bianca said that the servants she overheard talking about an assassination plot were working in the greenhouse," Raine offered. "Perhaps that's a place you could focus on."

Zelos closed his eyes, a pleased smile crossing his face. "Ah, a greenhouse. Now there's a place to be on a cold day."

"Then I guess it's settled!" Lloyd clapped his hands. "Sheena, Colette, and Raine will go infiltrate the servants' quarters and steal the machine while Zelos and Genis keep Professor Low busy! And I… I'll…" He stopped and let his voice trail off with a sense of defeat. "...stay here, I guess."

"Dirk and I will be here," Anna spoke up, turning so that she could smile at him. "We'll come up with plenty of fun things you can do to pass the time while you're healing."

"It's not about passing the time, it's about being useful," Lloyd replied with a shake of his head. "I hate that everyone else is working hard to fix these problems while I'm stuck here off my feet!"

"That's nae true an' ye know it," Dirk scolded. "Th' most helpful thin' ye can dae reit now is allow yerself tae heal. If ye hurt yerself further, ye could be unable tae help when we need ye th' most. Reit now yer friends hae th' situation under control. Ye should be grateful an' use 'at time to ensure ye'll be able tae pay them back someday suin."

Lloyd glanced down, fidgeting with his hands. "I know, Dad. I'm sorry."

"Besides that," Yuan added, "I don't want Professor Sage to steal the machine. That would make it obvious that we've meddled with their plans and could lead to a conflict here in Meltokio. We just want to render it inert so that we can call their bluff and allow them to fulfil fake promises."

"I see," Sheena nodded. "That will also allow us to move the conflict outside of Meltokio so that we'll have a chance to escape with Lloyd."

"I was thinking the exact same thing!" Song spoke up, raising his hand so as to prove that he hadn't fallen asleep. "While we're involved with the conflict at the Great Tree, you guys can escort Lloyd back to, uh, wherever you're taking him."

"Iselia Forest," Dirk answered. "We'll use th' rheiards tae gie him back tae my house. He can spend lae ay his recovery thaur."

Genis waved in Dirk's direction. "I'll help with Lloyd. I can leave the city Wednesday morning and bring the rheiards just outside."

"I'll go too," Raine volunteered. "Genis and I will be waiting outside the city gates so that once you leave, we can start flying immediately."

"That's very kin' ay ye." Dirk closed his eyes and scratched his chin through his beard the way he did when he was thinking things over. "But we can't assume 'at all ay uir enemies will hae left th' city. This Church of Mana seems tae hae a raither wide influence. Perhaps we should keep th' sewer route in min'."

Zelos sat up straighter. "How do you know about the sewer route? Who's been telling people about my secret passage?!"

"It wasn't us!" Lloyd defended. "Noishe led him in through the sewers."

"That Noishe!" Zelos groaned. "I should've known I couldn't trust him with a secret-"

Yuan cleared his throat, waving one hand to get the group's attention. "I believe that, with this information presented, we can work out the details of the separate groups amongst ourselves. Song and I will go to the Great Tree with the Church members in order to work damage control. The rest of you are free to help Lloyd however you choose." He turned toward the hallway and started down that way again, waving for Song to follow. "I'm going to check on Adora. We can discuss things further in my room, Song."

"Okay!" Song scurried after him, so fast that he was gone by the time Zelos' statement began, and Zelos had to call out for them to hear.

"Remember, you have a child with you! No funny business!"

There was only silence and the sound of a door closing. Anna began to laugh, covering her mouth so that she wouldn't be too loud.

"Wow, no response from Yuan. I guess he's totally stopped caring by this point."

Lloyd glanced at her, then at Zelos, then back down the hall. "I don't get it. Do Yuan and Song have a thing going on?"

"Nah, I'm just being a tease," Zelos replied with a dismissive wave of his hand. "With all that's happening, we've gotta find some way to lighten the mood."

Anna pulled herself to her feet, her smile softening from the earlier laughing fit. "He's right! We can't let all of this conflict overwhelm us. If we do, then we're letting the enemy win before the battle even starts. At least, that's what my grandmother used to say."

"True, but we can't overlook th' need for a plan." Dirk stepped forward so that he could better address the whole group. "We need tae figure out whit range ay motion Lloyd has sae 'at we dorn't risk his injuries worsenin' durin' transport. I know ye're tired, Lloyd, but can ye-"

"I'm not tired." Lloyd stood up, this time separating his feet further to help him keep his balance. "In fact, I'm feeling fantastic! It doesn't even hurt."

"You took some strong pain medication only an hour ago, and it's obviously still in effect" Anna explained. "If you try to push yourself now, you could hurt yourself without realizing it. We should wait until the medication begins to wear off before testing anything."

"Shouldn't we ask Song for help with this?" Genis asked. "He's the expert."

"We'll ask Song to do an assessment later tonight before Lloyd goes to sleep," Anna replied with a nod. "For now, you all should just enjoy each other's company. You've been through a lot, and there's still a lot to be done."

"Yeah, that first part is true," Zelos sighed, leaning backwards in the chair. "I could use a good distraction. Lloyd, lemme see that comic book. The way you described it earlier, I'm interested."

"Yeah, sure!" Lloyd got up again, holding out the book and stumbling over to Zelos. "We can read it together. I'll give you the rundown, because this is actually a sequel series and you might not understand the characters right away, but this one is way better, so you might as well start here-"

Zelos laughed as Lloyd continued, scooting over so that Lloyd could sit beside him in the chair. "Calm down there, hunny. Don't hurt yourself. We'll have plenty of time to read while you're recovering."

"But the new issue comes out in two weeks! You've gotta get caught up so we can read the new one together."

A relieved laugh passed through the group, and Anna looked up at Dirk with a smile. "I guess that's enough planning for the night."

"Dwarven Vow 10: play hard, play aft," Dirk replied with a wink. "There's a reason 'at's my favorite."

"Really? Lloyd always said your favorite was 94."

"94? 'At ain is…" He paused and then came to a sudden realization. "Lloyd, 'at's not funny-!"

The Low family's butler ushered in Zelos, Genis, and Bianca, who had insisted on coming with them so that she could see Professor Low. Even though she had heard the story from Genis, she wasn't satisfied with it. She held Professor Low in too high regard to believe it. And so, neither Genis nor Zelos could think of a reason she couldn't come with them. Any extra distraction for Professor Low would be welcome, in any case.

"The mistress is running late this morning. She will be here once all her guests have arrived."

Zelos frowned. "All her guests? Who else has she invited?"

"Lord Emmett Wilbur, the Marquess of Avery, assistant director of the Meltokio Treasury Council. She had questions for him regarding her search for the assassin."

"That's-" Zelos began, his face turning pale. "Oh no."

"You know him?" Genis asked.

"...he's my cousin," Zelos replied with a heavy-hearted sigh. "Somebody I'd really rather not see."

"Why?" Bianca asked. "If he's your cousin, aren't you friends?"

"It doesn't quite work like that," Genis replied. "Just because someone is family doesn't mean that, well…"

Genis' voice trailed off, and Zelos nodded, giving Bianca a pat on the head. "Emmett and I used to be friends a long time ago. Maybe someday we could be friends again. But right now, he's a bad person and if I spend too much time with him, I'm afraid it might make me a bad person too."

Bianca frowned. "But if you're a good person and he's a bad person, maybe you could make him a good person instead of the other way 'round."

There was a pause and Zelos turned away. "If I were a good person, maybe that would work. But I'm not-"

He was cut off as Bianca grabbed hold of his legs, squeezing him in a tight hug. "I think Zelos is a good person! Even if you did some bad stuff before, it doesn't mean that you're bad. Your heart is good. That's how come I think Professor Low is a good person too. Even if she did bad stuff, her heart is good."

Genis knelt down next to Bianca, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I think that… there are a lot of ways to describe people. Good and bad are such basic concepts, it's hard to categorize something as complex as a person under such simple terms. We do good and bad things, but no one is truly good or bad."

"I don't get it," Bianca murmured with a vacant expression.

"Of course you don't," Zelos answered with a shrug. "It's something you learn as you grow up. No one expects a seven-year-old to understand the intricacies of morality. Most adults don't. Just stick with the view you find best."

Bianca responded with a stern nod. "Then I'll keep thinking Zelos and Professor Low are good people."

"...you really are an interesting kid, you know that?"

Genis sighed and started back toward the sitting area. "It sounds like Professor Low is going to be a while. Why don't we sit down and get our stories straight so that we don't say something we shouldn't once she arrives?"

"You say that like we have something to hide," Zelos laughed, giving Genis a slap on the back. "Keep lying like this and you'll set a terrible example for your little sister-in-law."

"Between your lack of tact with the relationship and your obvious hypocrisy, I don't know what to criticize first."

Zelos continued to laugh as they walked, and Bianca latched onto Genis' legs asking "what's a sister-in-law?"

"It's the sister of someone's spouse," Zelos answered, patting Bianca on the head. "So, when I marry Colette, Seles will become her sister-in-law. And when your sister marries Genis, you'll become his sister-in-law-"

Genis' face flashed red.

"D-don't say things like that so casually!"

As they made themselves comfortable in the sitting area, Genis and Zelos continued their good-natured argument while Bianca followed along excitedly. Before they managed to turn the conversation back to its original topic, the butler arrived once again, with a guest in tow.

"-the mistress will be here shortly. In the meantime, please make yourself comfortable."

The casual air of the response was a stark contrast to the butler's professional demeanor. "Thanks, man! Will do!"

Zelos cringed and looked up toward the doorway. "Emmett."

"Zelos?" Emmett stopped just short of the couch, glancing over the scene in front of him. "What's this motley crew? Are you babysitting these two kids?"

Genis bristled. "I'm not-"

Zelos shoved a hand in front of him before he could finish the sentence. "Hey, now. These two are my pals. This is Genis and his little sister, Bianca."

"She-" Genis started again, but he noticed the look of disinterest in Emmett's eyes and gave a sigh of resignation. Bianca scooted close to his side, hugging his arm, so he nodded in her direction before turning back to the others. "I mean... you're Zelos' cousin, right? It's nice to meet you."

Emmett examined them for a moment and then turned back to Zelos without even responding to them directly. "Siblings, huh? They don't look it. You sure the little one's not yours? She's got that Wilder red hair."

Zelos opened his mouth to send back a sharp retort, but he reconsidered as he realized it probably wasn't the kind of thing he should be saying in front of a 7-year-old. "Joke all you like, but they're better company than you ever were."

"Ouch. You can't hate me that much, can you?" Emmett laughed and shrugged it off. "Though, maybe that's just a compliment on their part. It's nice to meet you guys. Bianca, he said, right?" He knelt down next to the couch so that he could address her on eye-level. "You're a real cutie, y'know that? I'm Emmett Wilbur. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Bianca leaned forward curiously. "My name is Wilbur too."

"Oh really? It's a common surname among half-elves in Tethe'alla, especially around the Toize valley area where my father's the duke. It probably means your family used to work for my family. Pretty cool, huh?"

"My mama and sister used to work for some fancy place in Tethe'alla. So maybe-"

"Don't humor him, Bianca," Zelos warned. "Trust me, this is not the kind of guy you want to hang out with. Especially if you're a little girl."

Bianca frowned, the meaning of the statement lost on her, but Genis caught the implication from Zelos' gaze and instinctively shielded Bianca with his arm. Emmett frowned and looped one arm around Zelos' shoulders, pulling him to the side.

"Hey, man," he began in a whisper, "it's not like that. It never was, it was just..." Emmett shook his head. "Now that I'm grown, I've seen the light. It's older women who are the real catch. Why d'you think I'm here?"

Zelos was trying to keep a deadpan expression through Emmett's speech, but the last bit caught him off-guard. "What the hell are you talking about? Professor Low invited you as a consultant from the treasury council, right?"

"Yeah, to-" Emmett made an exaggerated quotation gesture "-give her financial advice. But you've made house calls before. You know how it is. I heard a rumor that she's newly single from a broken engagement, and then all of a sudden I got a message from her inviting me over. All my pals who attended the Imperial Research Academy talked about what a hottie she was, and how everyone wanted to take her courses even though she was a pretty shitty teacher. There's no way I'm gonna pass up the chance to score with somebody like this!"

Zelos stared, his mouth hanging open slightly as he worked to come to terms with what Emmett was saying. "You… you don't know anything about Professor Low, do you?"

"I know she's a total babe!"

"And you also know she's a lesbian, right?"

There was a pause. Emmett frowned and looked around the room as though he were searching for the punchline to a joke that wasn't there. He glanced over at Genis and Bianca, who had started their own conversation and weren't paying any attention to the two cousins, and he was finally forced to look back and confront Zelos. "...what?"

"Lesbian. Homosexual. Only interested in women. I don't know how much clearer I can make this for you, Emmett."

"Z-Zelos, you…" Emmett started with a nervous laugh, avoiding eye contact. "...you know you shouldn't joke about things like that. Why else would she call me here right after a break-up?"

Zelos briefly considered a more abrasive approach, but he kept his temper in check, deciding Emmett wasn't worth the energy it would take to yell at him.

"The fact that she and her girlfriend broke off their engagement has nothing to do with the fact that she needs economic advice from a member of the treasury council. If that's what she asked you here for, you can be sure it's actually what she wants."

There was a long pause, and Emmett's face went pale. "...oh, come on. I'm on vacation. I don't want to work. I'd better get out of here before-"

"Hello? Genis, Zelos? Arthur said you were here…"

Professor Low appeared at the top of the staircase, looking down at the group. Her eyes lit up as she saw all of them, and she started down the stairs two-at-a-time.

"Oh, Marquess Wilbur, you're here too! This is perfect. We can all talk together. I had some questions about records at the treasury council."

Emmett tried to bolt, but Zelos grabbed him by the wrist and he was forced to stop momentarily, waving his free hand. "U-uh… sorry, I had something come up last minute and I was only stopping by to tell you that I couldn't make it-"

"But I had some of my people take care of it," Zelos broke in. "So there's no trouble at all. Emmett is happy to help us get whatever information you're looking for, Professor."

Professor Low seemed oblivious to the conflict between the two cousins- either that, or she was purposefully trying to ignore it, as it seemed to have been settled in her favor. "That's wonderful to hear. You're a life-saver, Zelos."

"Heh, I do what I can."

Bianca latched onto Professor Low's leg, and Low affectionately scooped the girl up in her arms. "Now, then! Let's all go somewhere we can discuss this privately. I've cleared the second floor conference room just for this meeting."

"Th-that's fantastic, Professor Low," Genis answered, following after her up the stairs, "but we also have some hypotheses that we'd like to explore in your greenhouse."

"The greenhouse? That's unexpected, but I suppose it isn't out of the question. Of course we can…"

The three of them continued their conversation as they climbed the steps, but Zelos and Emmett stayed behind a moment. Zelos looked over at Emmett with a glare.

"Don't try anything funny. This is important to her, and you'll treat it like it's important to you. Understand? If not for Professor Low, then for me- on the orders of the Chosen."

Emmett snatched his hand back as Zelos' grip on his wrist loosened. He turned away, crossing his arms.

"I did not sign up for this."

"Technically you did. It's not her fault you misinterpreted the invitation."

"Zelos, you-" Emmett spun around on his heels, giving a huff of frustration. "-you used to be cool! But ever since you started hanging out with half-elves and people from Sylvarant, you've just become the worst."

The room went silent for a moment. Zelos narrowed his eyes.

"In case you haven't noticed, I've always been 'the worst.' Now let's get going. We don't want to keep the professor waiting."

For once, Emmett didn't have a rebuttal. He simply followed after Zelos, dragging his feet the whole way.