Continuing Lenrouh's precious visit and/or family reunion:
"They lost Tigresala's Clawbells." Ebal's body tensed at such a thought. Tigrasala's Clawbells was a sacred item, one of the most sacred in Morphic culture.
*sweatdrop on Lenrouh's behalf*
"How could you lose it! Tigresala will DESTROY you if she finds out her gift to us was misplaced by a couple of jokers like yourselves!" Lenrouh was freaking out.
"You're one to talk, mishi. We'll just put the blame on you. She'll believe us. Short guys always cause trouble, right?" Sajer said coolly, as if nothing happened and there was nothing to worry about.
"Yeah, even I'd believe he'd do something like that." Safice smiled at his twin.
"Can't you guys act right for once?" Roro sighed.
"It's impossible, and everyone knows. Them two acting right is like Masakye acting nice." Ebal scratched his head, amusement gleamed in his eyes.
"Well, I can agree that Masakye will NEVER be nice." Laginef agreed.
Lenrouh glanced at his brothers in panic.
"How about instead of talking, we start searching for the Clawbells?" he said.
"I guess you're right. Let's get looking." Roro agreed, beginning to search the floor.
"Do you remember where you had them last?" Laginef asked the twins.
"Haven't a clue." they said in unison.
*facepalm*
"Looking for these?" A familiar figure leaned against the doorway. Masakye. In his hand was the Clawbells.
"Oh good. They've been found. Hand them over so I can place them on the podium." Ebal instructed.
"Quake's *** I will." Masakye snarled in his usual vicious tone. His chocolate-brown eyes dared them to tell him what to do. His long black hair swayed as he put his hands on his hips. It was so long it was past his knees. A streak of white hair shone in it.
"Come on, Masakye. Not this again." Laginef rubbed his hand over his brow.
"Go drool over a bone, dog-boy. I gots business here, unlike you." he glanced over at Lenrouh and muttered "Oh great, shorty's back. Still got a small you-know-what there, blondy?"
Lenrouh hid his face in his hands.
"Why must you always be so cruel." Roro sighed.
"Because I can do what I want. Scrubbed mom's feet yet?"
"Oh, come on! It was just that one time!" Roro yelled, tired of Masakye's attitude.
"Makes no difference." Masakye twirled the Clawbells in his hand "And your dress looks wonderful today, miss Ebal." he mocked.
"Right on!" the twins cheered. They were only on the side of anyone who wins a fight. And Masakye was.
Masakye tossed the Clawbells to them. They placed it on the podium. Then Masakye left.
"Thank goodness he's gone. I couldn't stand another minute of his squabbling." Ebal ranted.
"Agreed." said Roro.
"mm." was all Lenrouh said.
dinner~
Lenrouh's large family sat to dine in the dining hall. It consisted of boys today due to the sisters' absence.
"Well, it's nice to see the family again this evening!" Lenrouh's mother began "It is unfortunate the girls couldn't be here. On the other hand, our beloved Lenrouh is here to visit!" The brothers clapped, except Masakye.
Lenrouh stood up to speak.
"It is nice to see my Mother and my brothers again." Lenrouh mewed "I am doing fine these days. Good grades at my new school, new friends-"
"Since when have you ever had friend? If they are your first friends, then they aren't 'new' friends, just regular friends." Masakye sneered, leaning his chair back.
"That's not true! I've had friends before!" Lenrouh snapped back.
"What are these 'alleged' friends like?" Masakye asked, faking seriousness.
"Well, one's skinny and has short brunette hair, on is short and has blond hair, and The last girl . . . she has long brunette hair." Lenrouh paused before describing Kyu.
"So, all your friends are girls?" Masakye ventured.
"That is correct." Lenrouh confirmed.
"Are you gay?" Masakye persisted "All your friends are girls . . . suspicious."
"I AM NOT!" Lenrouh has losing his temper.
Masakye replied with a sly "Slow down there toddler, before you give yourself an aneurysm."
"Please, boys! Calm down!" their mother pleaded "I don't want to give you time-outs."
All the brothers choked on their own laughter, smug looks on their faces. Masakye threatened them all with a furious look on his face. The room grew silent again.
"Get a load of this!" Laginef mused as he stood up, dog ears flopping "Lenrouh's got a crush!"
Masakye dropped his piece of steak.
"My my! I knew this day would come! Tell us, who is she?" their mother stood as well, her blond curls bobbing around her skinny frame.
"The brunette girl." Lenrouh said shyly. He did not expect it to be announced. Serves him right for trusting Laginef, the most talkative guy in the entire castle.
"What's she like?" his mother was milking (for lack of a better word) him of information. Mothers are kind of like that, if you think about it.
"Well, she's kind of pushy. She's not very fond of guys, but I think she doesn't mind me."
"What kind of Morphic is she? Cat, dog, bunny. . .?"
Lenrouh gulped. He knew that question would be asked at some point.
"She's . . . not Morphic. She's human."
A gasp encircled the table.
"Well, that's not good." their mother sighed, as if she knew it were bound to happen to ONE of her children.
"But she is the girl from the prophecy. She has the butterfly birthmark!" Lenrouh sounded as if he were trying to save his own hide.
More gasps sounded.
"Well, that is even more unfortunate." she murmured "You simply MUST change her!"
"Well, it won't be easy. She's a fighter. But I'm sure I'll find a way. I did plan to change her. I have the needles of the changing fluid at my home back on the Mainland."
"Thank goodness. If she really is the girl from the prophecy, then she has to be changed. No exceptions."
Lenrouh gulped again.
No forks hit plates at the table. it was a Morphic tradition to eat with your hands, which Lenrouh found appalling. He preferred the use of silverware, whether that was from years of living on the Mainland or not, he did not know. His ears twitched regretfully as he picked up a chicken leg and began to munch. Everyone else was eating too, and before he knew it dinner was over. Everyone helped clear the table (usually one of the sisters' job because she was a maid. After the dishes were washed and put away, Lenrouh went to find his suitcase. He had to leave soon. He was most certainly NOT going to spend a night in the same castle, TOWN even, as Masakye. He ran into Roro before he left.
"You're leaving already?" Roro exclaimed, hugging his brother again tightly
"It seems that way." Lenrouh sighed.
"Well, I can't blame you. It's hard living with Masakye." Roro squeezed him tighter.
"Yeah." was all Lenrouh had breath to say.
Roro released him and Lenrouh picked up his bags and suitcases.
"Well, good luck with that unlucky lady of yours."
"I'll be as gentle as I can." Lenrouh mewed, and hauled off. Roro watched him go with a sad expression.