Don't own, yadda yadda… BUT! I do own Soran! smirk…

"Soran? 'Tis an unusual name. Lovely, but unusual."

One of the girls shoulders lifted slightly. "It's a word from the Korelian language. It supposedly means 'shadow ', but no one's really sure."

Sasame's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "You know about the Korelian language?"

A smile tugged at the corners of Soran's lips. They were flushed with a deep rose tint due to the chill in the night air. "Yes. And I take it, from your reaction, that you know of it as well?"

Sasame nodded his head, his bangs falling to cover his eyes. He knew it. Much better than she could ever come to terms with. It was an ancient language. Among one of the first to ever be spoken. The way the language rolled off ones tongue, it would seem that every word spoken was infused with magic. That every phrase was enunciated to alter some event in time. He himself had personally enjoyed the feel of each pronunciation. The poetic ambiance it created, when used correctly, was a reward in itself.

It was truly a wonderful language. A language that the Leafe Knights had come to highly value.

Throughout the millennia though, this magnificent language died slowly at the hands of the original versions of today's speech. Many contents of it were lost, even amongst the Leafe Knights. But not all. Though the Knights had lost the ability to speak it, throughout the years of practice and teachings of the Elders, the Knights were able to maintain the capacity of reading it. It had eventually become a code used between the Knights. And only the Knights.

But lately, as Sasame noticed, History channels, and sometimes, in later news reports, small pieces of this ancient language began to appear on small fragments of pottery, or on torn pieces of parchment. Obviously, scientist and linguists have been working to decipher the meaning of these lost words.

Sasame chuckled. And they weren't doing too badly either. In some cases, "soran" could be used to mean "shadow", but in correct context, it more literally meant "night" or "dark-time".

Soran studied the man beside her. His shoulder were shaking. From what though, she could not tell. "What?"

Sasame looked at her, his violet eyes sparkling, complementing his bright smile. He moved a hand to wipe his bangs from his eyes. "I'm sorry." He glanced away as if in shame. "I was just surprised that that you knew of the Korelian language. Not many people do…" He marveled at her smile. "Why do you lie out here?" he wondered aloud. "For the past week or so, I have noticed you out here in this exact spot, at about the same time. Why?"

The girl stared at him, as if contemplating answering or not. Her eyes crinkled a little in their corners, deciding that the information would not hurt. "I like the music." A small smirk grazed her lips as she caught confusion flash through Sasame's features. "Every night, they play live radio in this area. And since I don't have a radio of my own, I decide to listen to it out here. Plus, I'm a night person. I love to look at the stars while one of my favorite songs is playing."

Sasame watched as she stood, lacing her fingers and stretching her arms above her head. He smiled a little as he heard her squeak during the effects of the stretch. He glanced down at his watch and found it to be ten 'til midnight. He quickly followed pursuit of Soran, once again feeling his joints pop in protest. It was about time he got home. The others would be curious about his late night arrival, no doubt. But first… he glanced at Soran. "Do you grow tired of this music?"

She shook her head, a single lock swaying in act of her movement. "No, I just don't find the talk shows to be very interesting. They come on around midnight, and I find it best not to listen to them."

"Don't like talk shows, huh?" Sasame tried to hide the offense in his voice as he heard one of his pre-recorded hours being played instead of the previous music.

"They're okay, but not my favorite. I never believed they carried the right message for me."

He stared at her quizzically. "And music does?"

Soran looked him full in the eye then. "Music carries a variety of messages. Not just in the lyrics, but in the tune itself. I believe that music appears far more appealing to the soul than just a voice. Therefore, it remembers more. A spirit is more willing to accept lessons through music a little more openly than it is through a straight lecture." She turned and started to walk away, then threw over her shoulder. "Why do you think people sing and dance?"

Sasame, unable to understand the meaning of the question at the moment, decided to let it slide for the time being.

"Would you like me to escort you home?" he called after her.

"No, thanks."

"Then answer me one more question." She turned and stared at him. "What's your favorite ice cream?"

End 3

First off, if I'm confusing anyone, Soran is my own character. She has no relation to Takako. Well, not at this point. She might later. I haven't decided yet. smile

At the moment, I'm still kinda setting up the stage. But, the info. Here will turn up later in the story. wink wink

Thanks for reading! The next Chapter will be up soon! (hopefully)