Well, here we are again. Thanks for stopping by with each update. Oh and many thanks if you've reviewed as well!
SO! Thanks many times to
Bonar, Celestia's Paladin, crazy reader, Golden Sun Guy 17, Noel the mermaid, and TrippyToastersAndABagOfChips .
YAY!
Let's go!

Daylight. It was most definitely there. Felix's heart elated at the thin shaft of the sun's rays through the heavy smoke of this blasted rock. Typical that Jenna would have wanted to visit it because of pure jealousy, even going as far as to make Garet carry back a molten rock as souvenir of the place she had gained a new power. Still, they were nearly free, and after having spent from the very early morning until well past midday struggling for breath and trying to find whatever pockets of clean air there was, Felix, and surely everyone else, was glad for that.

He took off at a sprint, the others following eagerly behind them. He could taste the fresh air, feel the chill of the outside, it spurred him on faster. His pace quickened exponentially as the thought of clean air became even more prevalent in his mind, leaving the others behind. Spending eight hours amongst the lava-rivers, and smoke-filled, constricting passageways of Magma Rock was definitely not how he had envisioned the group spending the day.

He quite literally burst out into the outside world, inhaling the far cleaner air than in the tight passageways of that blasted volcano. He stopped, closing his eyes, and inhaled deeply through his nose. He was glad he was somewhat out of breath. That just meant there was more clean oxygen for him to take in. It was so thick and fresh that he felt he could almost bite or drink it. The others were not moments behind him, and each fought their way out of the cave, sucking up as much of the fume-free air as they possibly could.

The Mercury Adepts were first, leaning against whatever surfaces they could find, their clothes drenched in sweat. They did not like that place. At all. Mia had nearly thrown up several times due to the heat and complete separation from her element. Piers became much more verbal, reciting out curses in both his native and the common tongue. Piers summoned a quick rain shower, falling upon the two of them. They both opened their mouths, trying to catch whatever hydration they could.

The Jupiter Adepts came next. They too had a great dislike for the cave, it came with dense and heavy, polluted air. The very concept of that disgusted the Psynergy in their veins and by extension their mind-set. They had been rather quiet for them. They barely even battled, focusing more on trying to keep the air around the group as clean as they possibly could. As they escaped, they focused their power to suck in even more oxygen into the surrounding area while forcing out all other gases.

The other Valeans followed then with Kraden. Jenna first, just glad for the air, she had seemed to find the volcano rather homely. Though, Felix reasoned that was most likely due to her finally having an extra power. Kraden exited next, seeming to be struggling for air. Felix wished he would listen to him just once and stay out of harm's way. Everything they did was detrimental to his health.

Garet and Isaac followed soon after, hauling the ball of concentrated heat in a heat-resistant satchel that Kraden had on him for some reason. No one questioned the good fortune. They dropped it to the ground with a heavy clang, doubling over and breathing in as much as they could. This was not how Isaac had envisioned spending the first half of his birthday. Still, Felix had promised there would be time for celebration when they got back to the ship, which would be about another half an hour.

"Yeah!" Ivan exclaimed, still sounding wheezy, "Suck it, rock! We beat you!"

The others all laughed, or rather they tried to as their chests seized up a little when they did. Felix even smiled, feeling so elated now that his lungs had pure clean air in them for the first time in hours.

"Okay, everyone," He started, raising his hand to the panting group, "let's get back and clean up. Isaac has a party to get to."

The others smiled. Isaac seemed very surprised by Felix's comment, and was glad for it. Maybe they were on their way to being best friends again.

So, they began their trek back to the ship, docked carefully in a river they had managed to land it in thanks to Kraden's guidance, and knowledge of geography. It was actually thanks to him they had managed to make it to Magma Rock so quickly, none of them favoured thinking of how long it would've taken had they sailed all the way to the southern tip of Gondowan. As result Felix had tasked him with finding a quicker way to access central Angara without needing to travel to Lalivero.

Mia relished the water of the shower, revelling in the refreshing splashes of Mercury against her body. She had washed herself fully four times now, spending a total of thirty minutes in the shower, yet still she could feel the coat of sweat sticking to her. It just felt wrong, no matter how much she tried, no matter what she used, this feeling just wouldn't wash off of her. She admitted that some of it was probably credited towards her situation with Felix, but it had never been so external.

She turned off the shower, rotating the stiff joints in her back that the volcano had caused. Felix had allowed her the luxury of washing first, so he was still waiting, sweat-covered, and grimy, in their room. She loved the Lemurian device, mentally noting to ask Piers how exactly it worked later. It was so different from baths, it just gave a sense that you had been washed fully, even if sometimes you doubted that as Mia was currently doing.

"Felix?" She questioned the door.

"Yes?" His calm voice returned in its deep baritone.

"Sorry I took so long." She apologised as she began drying herself fully.

She heard something that may well have been a chuckle from the other side, "That's alright. I'm sure you needed it more than I."

Mia smiled to herself. Sweet, understanding, Felix… why couldn't he always be like this? She finished drying herself, pulling the towel around her as she opened the door to the bathroom. A blush hit her with such force that it threatened to knock her back into the mirror on the opposite wall. Felix was standing still, waiting with towel in hand, near completely bare. The sweat was still rolling along his body, despite the large amount of time that had passed, defining his muscular physique in a glistening shine.

Mia swallowed hard, trying to avert her eyes as she realised that the towel around her was hugging her curves rather tightly, "S-sorry." She muttered again, moving past him, her eyes on the floor as he entered the bathroom. Wonderful, now she could feel the sweat returning to her. Why did he have to do that? It was almost like he was trying to woo her. Didn't he realise how conflicted she was? After all, it wasn't as though she hadn't dreamt about them… no.

She shook her head, refusing to think of anything that would only bring more of a hot deluge along her. She dried herself once more in an effort to purify herself. Then realising that, before too long, Felix would most likely return from the bathroom in a steamy flare clad in nothing more than a towel, she quickly threw on a light shirt, sweats, and left the room.

She leaned back against the door, desperately wanting a drink of water. She suddenly felt so parched, so hot, even though she had long since escaped that near-hell of the rock. She figured that was as close as she was liable to come to hell in her lifetime, unless Mars Lighthouse proved to be even more hellish. Cupping her hands in front of her, she watched as her Psynergy slowly filled them like a bowl. Gladly downing the cool liquid, feeling the effects run along her insides, she sighed thankfully, but the sensation persisted.

There was some ruckus or another coming from upstairs, most likely prep for Isaac's party, but with Ivan, Garet and the new addition of Sheba anything could be happening. Mia slowly walked upstairs, hoping to Mercury that her face was not some flushed colour.

Jenna, Sheba, and Kraden were all gathered near the kitchen area, presumably baking a cake and various other foods for the upcoming celebrations. Then her eyebrows rose nearly clear off her head as she saw Garet, Piers, and Ivan, stacking a multitude of crates in the corner. From the clinking sound that was emanating from within, she made an educated guess that tonight would be quite the show.

Isaac though, was still nowhere to be seen.

Everyone turned and smiled to the healer as Piers announced her entrance with a warm greeting. She smiled back, wondering where in the world Piers had managed to acquire quite so much alcohol. The three men instantly recognised her look and made to explain.

"Piers had a load on his ship from Lemuria. Most of it is wine, way old now, but there's some good stuff here. Got some whiskey, gin, various spirits, something called cider, mead, ale, and generally just plenty of nectar to sate the party girl in you." Garet commented, beaming maniacally as he went on to list the names of several more drinks within the crates.

"Why do you have so much?" Mia questioned, looking on in shock at the huge amount of crates stacked in the corner.

"Garet insisted we buy a good supply before we left Contigo. We snuck it onto the ship. There's still more down in the hold. And the rest was given to us when we became friends with a pirate." Piers explained, "We did object, but neither he nor his grandmother would hear of it after we helped them."

"I see." Mia nodded, "I do hope that you do not intend for all of this to be gone by the morning."

"Of course not!" Ivan piped up, "Just by midnight. Garet and I can't wait to get you hammered." He laughed and continued as Mia frowned in disagreement, "Think of it. It's the perfect premise for a romance. The shy healer finally gives in to her inner desires and wins the heart of the man she loves through her never-before-known drunken, wily, charms. Of course, it's a sad ending as you would no doubt end up heaving over one of us."

Mia shuddered at the thought of her like that. That was not something she would ever allow happen. Ever. She shook her head and spoke up, "Where's Isaac?"

Jenna turned around, her front covered in various foodstuffs, "Bed. We insisted the birthday-boy be well rested for his party."

"So, Jenna?" Ivan started, "I assume you've got a 'special present' for Isaac… if you know what I mean."

Half the occupants of the room sighed, while the other laughed.

"Sadly, Ivan," Sheba taunted, "we all know what you mean. All the time. And before you ask, no, you will not be getting a special present for your birthday from anyone."

"Fair enough." He said, falling into a couch, "My birthday was four months ago, I got one off of Mia."

"You're such a liar." Mia sighed, falling into the couch beside him, giving him a gentle knock in the arm.

A noise of some form came from the Jupiter Adept, though what exactly it tried to convey escaped Mia. She laughed with the others in the group, going to join in the preparation in the kitchen, allowing several sexist comments about women and kitchens to slide for now.

Isaac yawned wide as his eyelids fluttered open again. He hadn't been particularly tired but after Jenna hit him in the head and Sheba used some of her Sleep Psynergy on him he was out like a light. He was rather glad for it though, he hadn't rested well last night and he had spent all morning struggling for air. The rest had been rather nice, and the knowledge that there was a party later and for him no less.

He pulled himself up, thinking of all of the shenanigans that were likely to take place and most likely because of Garet and Ivan. He had seen Ivan drunk last year and that had not ended well, and if Sheba was anything like that, all comedic hell would break loose. Still that was not all he thought of.

Jenna would be there, not as though she couldn't he supposed, but it was the first 'social event' they had both attended since a seasonal celebration in Vale not too long before the eruption. That time they had nearly… Maybe tonight, he could… no. He had promised Felix that he would stay away from anything such as that until after Mars Lighthouse. Maybe he could blame it on the situation, just get a kiss or something.

"Oh yeah, real smooth." He sighed to himself.

How in the hell did he plan on getting that to happen? A party was hardly the time to have one of 'those' conversations, those ones that always began with 'We've been friends for a long time and I…' Besides, Jenna wasn't one for talking at a party, one was lucky if you could get her to stay still for a minute.

Maybe he should say something like: 'Hey, Jenna, birthday kiss?' or: 'Care to dance?' and hope something happened? Yeah, that'd work. Slick as a fox. Get her drunk? Oh, smooth, real gentleman-like. Yeah, that's what women want. Plus, chances were she was planning on doing that anyway, if they had any supply of alcohol on this ship. Venus, what was wrong him?

He sighed again, burying his face in his hands. None of this would work, and if it did Felix would surely kick his ass again. He may have been able to hold his own, but he would still lose, not something he truly cared for.

"Merry Birthday, Isaac!"

He looked up at the squeaking voice to see his nine Djinn, presumably, smiling up at him, "It's more traditional to say 'Happy Birthday'" He commented, laughing slightly at his companions.

Quartz's head tilted to the side, "Oh yes, very original there."

Flint turned to stare at the other, "I told you we should have just said 'Happy'."

"Just cause you were here first doesn't mean you're our spokesman!" Granite shot.

"And you are!?" Sap cut across, "Please, if you-"

"Guys?" Isaac asked over there argument, resulting in the other Djinn laughing at 'Sappy' for getting shut up, "Any suggestions?"

"About…?" Vine questioned.

"Jenna, you clod!" Bane retorted angrily, "You'd swear you're deaf to his thoughts!"

"Can't blame him." Crystal intoned, "Some of his thoughts are rather-"

"Hot! Have you seen Jenna in his imagination!? AWH!" Ground yelled out, forcing Isaac to note that he should not let his thoughts drift to more private things whenever he could.

"You're a Djinni!" Mold argued, "What can you do!?"

The two Djinni squared up to each other, bumping bellies as they stared each other down, "Wanna take this outside?"

"No one's taking anything outside." Isaac ordered firmly, "Behave. Now, advice."

"Pfft, you honestly expect us, a race of hyperactive beings of pure elemental energy to have useful advice for you? You're really getting desperate if that's the case." Granite mocked, "When have we ever collectively given you useful advice? Flint is the only one who actually tries and we try to keep him quiet."

"Speaking of which, I think you should just talk to her." Flint started, "It's the most logi-"

"Blah, blah, blah!" Bane cut across, "Do you ever stop with the logic? Can't we just do stuff on impulse, so much more fun."

"You're giving me a headache." Isaac snapped, "Not something I want when I intend to enjoy myself tonight. Return."

"Aww, man…" The Djinn sighed, swirling back into his essence where he could at least block out there voices.

Oh, what wonderful help those little beings were. Gods only know what may happen if so much as two were together out in the wild. One was often bad enough, but it was not provoked by another.

When did things ever get so difficult? When did Jenna become the object of such great affection logical words just did not make sense when they were spoken? What had changed? They sure as hell hadn't. They still had the exact same relationship from two years ago.

Maybe tonight wasn't exactly the best time to try something. She may feel obligated after all. Isaac sighed, collapsing into his bed, waiting for whatever call he may receive.

Felix relished the essence of Mercury from the ship's shower, and coupled with Mars' heat it was truly magnificent. The water ran all along his body, turning black as it washed away soot, ash, grime, smoke and many other foreign substances that Felix didn't care to think of. That rock had been, more or less, a death-trap. He reminded himself to ignore Jenna's next wish, besides given her temperament more power was not something that could end well for them. Still, maybe they would actually need this new power.

Felix didn't quite understand it himself, after all every Mars Adept can control and redirect flames, so what was the point in delving into the depths of that volcano? Were there certain flames out there that a normal Mars Adept could not control or stop? He decided not to think about it.

Everyone was in high-spirits today. That wasn't odd, but the feeling was greater than usual. There would be no time for rest or celebration until after the Beacon, and Felix did not see the aftermath of it to be something that the others would celebrate. The gods wanted him dead after all. Master Hama's prediction told him that, she had said that a storm would chase them across the seas to the north, and an emissary of great power would always watch them, try to stop them.

The storm was coming soon, Felix had seen it far to the west before they boarded, still gathering over Jupiter Lighthouse. It had been a month already, and its proportions were legendary. From what Felix could see it stretched over the entire width of Atteka, and would no doubt move at a speed worthy of Jupiter.

Then there was the emissary, the great power, waiting for them. It didn't matter to Felix what this power was, nothing would stop him. It could do what it wished to him when the Beacon was lit, but nothing before that.

Exhaling a long breath of relief, Felix stopped the flow of water feeling thoroughly cleansed. Sometimes he envied Mia and Piers for being able to control the waters and its purity, they could wash whenever they wished. On the flip side though, Felix didn't much mind filth, as long as it was earthly filth alone, dust, soil, clay, maybe mud, that didn't bother him at all. Water caused mud. Mercury…

Mia…

She hadn't tried anything more since Contigo. Perhaps she had been telling the truth after all. Perhaps she simply kissed him to show that she cared. Admittedly it was not the smartest move, but it was damn effective, seeing as Felix could not forget that most delicate touch of her lips, the scent of her hair as it fell over him during and the euphoric feeling of… no, that didn't matter.

Of course, they talked every night since she slept in the same room, or rather, he talked and she listened and asked. She didn't like to talk about herself much… something they had in common then. She always tried to probe, to discover, to help… Felix did not want that. He understood what she wanted, he even understood why, but he just could not do that to her. Everything he had experienced, everything he had done, seen, heard, it would just pollute her, corrupt her. Angels should never be corrupted.

He had let slip some things, sometimes she managed to lead him to a trance of memory where he would just get lost in his past. It felt… good though, right, so maybe it wasn't such a terrible thing. Still, his darker, more horrible, secrets were his. Lucky then, that she wasn't a Jupiter Adept, unlike Piers he could not hide his secrets by thinking in Lemurian. He did thoroughly enjoy Mia's company though. He didn't dislike being around her, or try to find some way to escape conversations, even if he didn't wish to discuss the topic.

After he had fully dried himself and thrown on his tunic, with sword always at the belt, Felix strode toward the common room where all the preparations were in full swing.

It seemed that the boys had finally managed to carry, and fit amazingly, all of the drink into the room, serving to reduce the space by half. It was arranged though, as a sort of stage, Ivan and Piers were fiddling with some instruments that they both had laying around: a lute, a harp, flutes, drums, a device Piers called a violin, and a harmonica. Garet had already cracked open one of the large boxes and was sitting watching the 'kitchen' where the girls and Kraden were gathered.

Not long after Felix had entered did Jenna make her dislike for kitchen duty very, very, vocal and abandoned the attempt altogether so as to join Garet at the table, leaving Sheba, Mia, and Kraden to do the work. That was probably for the best as well, Jenna was not the best cook in the world, Garet had more skill with it than she.

Felix, hoping to dodge any of this work, seeing as Jenna and Garet had just decided to string up decorations together, made a beeline for the door out to deck.

"Felix!" His sister shrieked out, "Where're you goin'!?"

He turned calmly, taking time to wipe the frown from his face first, "To pilot the ship, Jenna. Too many cooks and all that, surely you understand."

"We're in a river, man." Garet said as he clambered up over a box carrying a long coloured ribbon behind him, "You pilot us, we die. You need us to fly."

"I'd prefer that didn't happen, so do channel your Psynergy when I give the signal." He said, quickly turning and retreating outside. He took a deep breath of the ocean air, so fresh compared to the smoke and fumes that still dwelled within him from Magma Rock. Slowly, enjoying the peace of the day, Felix made his way to the tiller, turning the anchor's winch with his Psynergy.

Mia, who had watched Felix from the moment he had entered, worried for him. She always did. It was natural after all, she worried for everyone. Right now though, Felix should be at least somewhat sociable, after all, the party was in no less than half an hour. The food was pretty much finished, save for some final touches that she was confident Sheba and Kraden could handle without her, she excused herself so as to find out what was wrong with the leader. Piers watched from the corner of his eye with a small smirk as Mia chased after Felix.

Inhaling deeply as she stood out onto deck, breathing in the salty-fresh air, the scents of fish strong where they were now, Mia took a moment just to enjoy this. It wasn't often they could have this, but the region was rather devoid of monsters due to Magma Rock, all of them dwelling within the volcano, so she enjoyed it as abundantly as possible.

She then turned with a smile, finding Felix's back to her as he began guiding the ship away from its landing, "You know, there aren't many monsters around here." She started simply, "Don't you think it would be better if Isaac could enjoy his party without any monster trying to crash it."

"Mia." Felix acknowledged first, always formal, "We don't know how much time we have left to light the Beacon. I'd prefer not to risk it."

"It's only one night, Felix." She replied, walking to his side and staring out at the horizon, they hadn't navigated out of their position yet, "We could leave first thing in the morning to make up for it, what do you say?"

"I…"

"C'mon. For all of us. You may or may not be a party person, and I know I'm not really, but I do plan on enjoying myself tonight with everyone else. I say you should too."

"Okay, Mia… but I'm not going back in there while Jenna and Garet are decorating." He said as he released the tiller and the clunk of the anchor's crank banged out.

"That's fine, we can stay out here for now. They'll be finished in a few minutes anyway, there's not much of the room left to decorate."

"There's not much of the room left." Felix commented as he took a seat on one of the benches by the railing.

Mia giggled slightly, as true as that was, a joke from Felix was rare. She moved to take a seat beside him, both staring out at the horizon to the north, to the end, to Mars Lighthouse, to Prox, to that town that changed Felix. She wondered what it was like, what it could possibly have done to change Felix into the person he was now.

"So…" She began awkwardly, the silence having gone on for some time now, "My dance card's not filled up yet, care to help with that?" What in the heavens was she doing? This was… this was ridiculous! Asking him to dance before the party had even begun!? Oh, what was she doing?

Felix seemed to be asking those very questions as he turned to her, always with that odd expression. Mia tried her best to hold her gaze, not swallow, and if the gods were kind they would not let the red show in the cheeks she suddenly felt were ablaze.

"Maybe just the one… I don't know how to, not something they teach in Prox." Felix answered honestly, "And I never really cared to learn before I had to in Vale, which of course I missed."

Mia frowned, surprised by the frankness of that answer, "Oh, well, don't worry about that. You're a fast learner after all, I'm sure you'll pick it up."

Could this have been any more awkward? Really? That had to have been the worst question to ask. They fell into silence again, neither of them being great conversation starters, especially not with the previous question to follow up on. Thankfully, the silence did not last too long.

Sheba's head popped around the corner, "Sorry to interrupt you love-birds," She played, "but, c'mon, everyone's gotta be dressed all fancy before we all burst into Isaac's room. Well, hop to it!"

Mia sighed gratefully, glad something had broken the silence and spurred them into some action. She turned to Felix as he had not moved at all, "Aren't you coming?" She probed.

"I'll wait until you are changed, Mia." He said simply, still staring out to the northern horizon line.

Mia frowned, grabbing his arm and hoisting him from the bench, "C'mon, I'll get changed in the bathroom. We can't delay the party anymore."

She always felt rather strange, strong even, when she gave orders to Felix. He wasn't one to really object to her too much, well not when it was her little orders like the previous anyway.

She ran into the bathroom after grabbing her simple white dress from a drawer. It wasn't anything special, just something she had purchased in Tolbi during the Colosso tournament. It hadn't been very expensive and the others all agreed she deserved something ladylike and had even purchased it for her. It was just plain white, nothing extravagant, but it did have some light blue patterns around its edges. It stretched to her knees, and had enough fabric to cover her shoulders as well. If nothing else, the dress was currently as modest as its wearer.

As she left, she found Felix sitting on his bed, still wearing exactly what he had been. She eyed him curiously, trying to decipher what the problem was exactly. Then it clicked, he did not have a change to anything fancier to wear. Once again, though, Sheba was a saviour.

"Jeez, shoulda guessed!" She announced bursting into the room. She was wearing a violet knee-length dress that exposed her back and some of her midriff. She had matching violet elbow length, fingerless gloves that greatly complimented the already stunning look, "You're lucky you have me around! I expect to be repayed! Five hundred coins with interest!" She said tossing a bag at him, and then her eyes fell on Mia, "Wow, Mia, you look great."

"Thanks." She said, following the girl out so Felix could change, "You too."

Felix emerged into the expectant hallway five minutes later. Sheba had acquired a slate grey dress tunic. For once Felix was wearing something that did not have a belt or pouches for supplies or weapons, gloves or grimy travelling boots. Underneath, he wore a dark green shirt, it wasn't necessarily the most pleasing pallet mix, but somehow he made it work. He actually looked… well, cleanly dressed.

Isaac beamed fully as he was attacked and dragged upstairs. It had been quite an ordeal, almost sure he had been given some bruises as Piers, Garet, and Ivan, burst in, pulled him off the bed and hauled him into the air, cheering gaily as the Venus Adept was tossed between them on their way to the common room.

There, he was assaulted by congratulations and cheers, along with some confetti that Ivan had apparently made in his spare time. As he was placed on the ground he was crushed at the centre of a group hug that Jenna and Garet initiated together. Everyone, even Felix, joined in, doing their best to smother the reason for the party.

When at last he was released, he was quickly ushered to the head of a table. When there, Kraden produced a large cake from behind one of the kitchen's counters and brought it to the centre of the table, cutting the first slice for Isaac. Jenna quickly stole it from the scholar and brought it to Isaac personally.

"Happy birthday, Isaac!" She yelled in his ear, the others joining in, deafening him for the remainder of the evening, before she placed the cake in front of him and planted a kiss onto his cheek.

The 'birthday dinner' then followed, Isaac's not being allowed to have his cake and eat it too. Various meats and vegetables were brought to the table by Kraden, Piers, and Felix. Drinks of every choice were of course readily available. Everyone inhaled the food as quickly as possible, trading stories of the Venus Adept, be it from Vale, which even Felix told of, or of the quest from after Vale. It should be noted that the main contributors were Garet and Ivan.

"So, this once, "Ivan started his tale, still laughing from the one Jenna had just told which involved Isaac inventing new things to do with Psynergy, until he eventually trapped himself in a self-made cave for an entire day, "we were walking along, as you do when you're on a quest. We get to this town and from over yonder, Isaac notices a Djinn standing up on a cliff, assessing that it was beyond our reach. Then he spies a quite attractive woman filling a jar with water and carrying it on her head back to a point below the cliff."

Isaac hid behind his hand, quite vividly remembering this story. Garet and Mia were already chuckling slightly, the others had all leaned in curiously.

"So, Isaac, being the genius and quick adapter to strange situations tells us, 'Hey, if I can get her to spill water in the right places we can get to that Djinn!'. Understandably, we were rather confused seeing as Mia could have done produced the water and freeze it for us, or he could have just made a platform for us, but before we could voice our argument he had already run off to bother this poor woman."

The others all smirked, completely disbelieving this particular tale.

"Indeed, quite baffling!" Ivan agreed heartily, "But that's not the end. Seeing as we still had brains we decided to retrieve the Djinn without telling Isaac, and then purchase rooms for ourselves. Half an hour later, Isaac returned with a bright red handprint on his cheek. Needless to say, sexual harassment is never a good idea."

The group erupted into disbelieving laughter, Isaac sighed, "You make it sound worse than it was, and I didn't have a handprint, my cheek was just… redder than usual."

"He makes it sound exactly like it was, Isaac." Mia voiced, making the story true in everyone's eyes.

"That wasn't even one of the bad times though!" Garet laughed, "Pretty bad, but not the worst. Remember the 'Djinni in a tree' incident?"

Ivan burst out laughing, Mia immediately flushed a deep red, Isaac raised his eyebrow.

"There was a Djinni in a tree, and-"

"Nooo! Oh, we had not seen this coming!" The young Sheba exclaimed, slightly intoxicated after a mug or two of ale.

"Yes, quite the shock, I'm sure. Anyway, Isaac decided to try and use his Psynergy to get the Djinni down, using the Catch Beads. He reached this idea, not realising that Mia had been climbing the tree in an attempt to shake the branch the Djinni was on. So, Isaac's Psynergy did not so much catch the Djinni… it actually hoisted Mia into the air, giving all the locals of the town we were in quite the show for a full twenty seconds before Isaac finally managed to release the shy healer." Garet winked at the healer, "Needless to say, the image is stored up here for prosperity."

"Not to mention the lonely nights you're doomed to for the rest of your life, Garet." Jenna taunted.

"Well, that too."

"That wasn't me!" Isaac piped up, Mia nodding along in agreement, "You had taken the beads from me, remember?"

Garet paused for a moment, reflecting on this, as Ivan pointed and laughed at the fool.

"I was wondering why you brought that up, man you're stupid!" Ivan announced as the group laughed.

Garet went slightly red, grinning despite the embarrassment he had brought on himself. It wasn't the first time he had done confused someone else with something he did. Although, he did admit to himself that he had caused that 'accident' completely on purpose, when he remembered it had been him of course. Jenna seemed to be laughing the most, at everything, she was in brighter spirits today. Although, she had gained a power that Garet had been denied, so she was no doubt feeling smug and satisfied with herself.

"Back to Isaac," She smirked, nudging the man in the arm, "remember the catapult log?"

Even Felix let out a quick, and audible, laugh with Garet at the mention of this. Isaac smirked to himself, knowing that this story was not that embarrassing for just him.

"The four of us gathered up these logs, Isaac and Felix using the Psynergy to catapult stuff across Vale. Now we didn't quite know where exactly the items we fired off landed, and we didn't care. Eventually, the time came when Isaac decided he wanted to be fired, Garet joining in on this idea. So, we fired them across Vale."

Garet and Isaac were chuckling to each other, vividly remembering the outcome of that idea.

"Felix then tells me he knows where everything is landing. On the mayor of Vale's house, Garet's house. So, he begins to quickly disassemble our wonderful creation and we pretend we know absolutely nothing of it. We casually stroll to the mayor's house, to find windows broken and Isaac and Garet sized holes in the roof. Apparently the two came through as Garet's sister was in the process of changing, so I'll leave it to you to imagine how that ends, as Felix and I were never told. However, we didn't see them publicly for another two months."

Ivan smirked, putting up his hand, "I know what happened. By the by, Garet, your sister's hot. Anyway," He pressed on, no one noticing Sheba's little expression of jealousy, "screams were had, those two were beaten by her, embarrassingly enough, forced to pay for damages, forced to work on repairs, and put in solitary for those two months."

Everyone chuckled and laughed, including the two perpetrators. Neither of them really cared, after all that brief moment of flying had been exhilarating. They could at least say they somewhat understood how Jupiter Adepts liked to feel.

The stories continued as all the food slowly disappeared, most of it being lost to Garet. Then more and more drink mysteriously appeared on the table and just as quickly disappeared.

Mia smiled to the room as the party progressed. Dinner was long finished now and the festivities had kicked into full, drunken swing. Ivan and Sheba were completely lost to whatever they had ingested, and continued to do so as well. Although, in Ivan's favour he was still quite the musician despite his current state, even able to keep up and know any tune that was suggested or played. Piers may have had some part in that though, Mia conceded. Kraden had also revealed that he was a rather talented musician.

Sheba was dancing with Garet, but she used the term dancing loosely. They were more… flailing about than dancing, didn't seem to know what they did. They were thoroughly enjoying themselves though, even if they were being upstaged by Isaac and Jenna who were actually dancing. Their movements were fluid and graceful, an extension of each other as they twirled and spun about each other. Jenna's crimson dress flew and swished as Isaac pulled her around, the two of them laughing all the while. Of course, they may have tripped up once or twice, they had been indulging in the various poisons Garet and Piers had dug up after all.

She made her way over to Felix, who was simply… well he wasn't smiling… but he looked happier than he usually was, like he was enjoying himself more, "I'm sure they're all glad you let them do this." Mia said over the music Ivan, Piers, and Kraden played as she sidled up next to him.

"I'm sure they won't recall a single detail after tonight." He replied, a small smirk present.

Mia laughed a little, nodding along with this probable truth. She took a sip from her glass of water, having previously just tried to dance with Garet. That had been exhausting and dehydrating. She could still feel sweat rolling down her, and to think of how thoroughly she had washed herself earlier just to be rid of the very same.

"I do hope that's not what you meant by dancing with you." Felix said, tipping his glass to Garet and Sheba, "It seems far too… sporadic for my tastes."

"Trust me, never. If you ever see me going to dance with Garet again, stop me, please." Mia laughed, finishing her glass before replenishing it with her Psynergy, "I meant more along the lines of Isaac and your sister."

"Seems complicated." Felix grumbled, glaring slightly at the pair, "Ordered, but complicated."

"It can be…" Mia agreed, "but, it's all memory and timing, action and reaction. Friendly battle almost. Sounds like your kind of thing. They can do it, and they're slightly… off. Why don't you watch them, see if you can't memorise it."

"You make it sound fun." Felix smirked, finishing whatever was in his glass and fixing his eyes on the dancing couple.

Mia sighed slightly. She made it sound fun… by comparing it to battle? What was wrong with Felix? That may not have been the best worded question, but she couldn't quite think. After all, who enjoys battle? She understood the adrenaline rush and the thrill, but to actually enjoy it? She just couldn't understand that. But, that was Felix now… so…

"Did you really never learn how to dance?" Mia asked, breaking the loud silence.

"Kay, Garet's sister, tried to teach me at a celebration once. I was one of the few who were around her age, but I was never really one for parties, so that didn't go well." Felix answered, "One of the kinder women of Prox tried as well, as did my parents, but that was quickly stopped."

"Well, maybe one of the best ways is to learn by doing," She said quickly, finishing her refreshed glass and pulling a reluctant Felix onto the dance floor, "c'mon!"

Oddly enough, although she blamed Piers, the music suddenly changed to much slower, tenderer, notes. Wonderful, typical of Piers to change it all as Mia and Felix chose to dance together. It may have made it easier to dance seeing as it was slower, but that also made it more embarrassing. Slow dances were usually for couples, people who like each didn't like her.

And… and she didn't like Felix! No-no-no, just wanted to help. Gods, damn it, she'd have to remember to get Piers for this.

"O-okay," She swallowed, as Jenna and Isaac started their dance and Garet and Sheba left for more intoxicating beverages, and took Felix's hands, "you put this hand here," She said, placing his right hand on her hip, trying to control her embarrassment, "and you hold my hand. Then we just kind of… sway."

Felix nodded, trying to be gentle. He was nervous, odd as it was for him, he had never danced with a woman before, and most certainly not with a woman like Mia. No… no. He forced certain ideas away from his mind, refusing, absolutely refusing, to even entertain them.

Mia rested her head against Felix's chest, afraid to look him in the eyes right now. His heartbeat was rather erratic for who owned it, which meant his thoughts were in areas they didn't often drift to: thoughts of the romantic. This made her heart quicken in its pace, if it were possible, noticeably. She was getting through to him in some way at least. Maybe she was beginning to break through his shell.

Felix stiffened considerably as Mia's head rested against his chest. He understood that this was a slow dance, a dance of affection or something. This was supposed to be a dance for couples, those with romantic inclinations toward each other. Jenna had just been doing the same with Isaac, though now she was looking him right in the eye. Mia wasn't looking him in the eye, worse, she was pressed closer to him to avoid doing just that. But, just because this kind of position was the norm for these dances didn't make it any easier.

Mia, feeling this awkwardness had gone on more than long enough, motioned for Piers to move on to something faster, something that didn't express the things a slow dance would. Piers, laughing at Mia's suggestion, seemed to reluctantly agree. The song couldn't just suddenly explode into notes of passion and movement, though. This song had to fade out naturally and end properly, otherwise it would be obvious. Piers seemed to delight in this. The ending notes dragged out, ending in a very long and low tone of love.

Mia moved herself out of Felix's chest as the song ended. Both of them held their position though. Mia swallowed, meeting the eyes that always told her so much about the man. She smiled to him a little, knowing it was okay to be embarrassed when she saw a gentle red hue on even his cheeks. She did not know though, that all eyes were on the two of them at the centre of the dance floor, dead-silent, just staring into the other's eyes. Nothing was happening… but everyone was waiting for it to happen between the two.

The music exploded back into existence, the couple realising all too late how long it had been silent. Felix took the initiative. Mia was suddenly caught by surprise as Felix spun her around and caught her again. Had he been lying, did he know how to dance? That previous move, and the consecutive ones, seemed to suggest just that. Mia looked up thoroughly surprised, but still keeping up to pace with him. His eyes were darted between her and Isaac and Jenna, who were just a few steps ahead of them. He may have just been copying them, but Mia didn't really care. This was… great! She felt alive.

Felix's eyes bounced back and forth from Isaac to Mia, his body reflected what he was doing, he had to memorise. He didn't know why, he never really cared for dancing, but there was something about it. Maybe it was the motion, the timing, the fluidity of it all, that suddenly attracted him to it. Though, there was that one quickly silenced thought that always returned: maybe it was because he was with Mia, maybe he wanted to impress her, maybe he just wanted to make her happy.

Jenna beamed wide, her vision somewhat blurry now. To her recollection dinner had ended… three, four, hours ago… maybe. Ah, what did it matter? She was having fun! Everyone was! Even Felix, dancing with Mia as well, oh the shock. That little moment of them had to be the sweetest and most embarrassing thing Felix had done in years, well apart from the time he was showering and Sheba walked in on him because he hadn't locked or even closed his door. But this was different! She could have much more fun with this! Wait… when had he learned to dance? Pfft, who cared?

Ah, forget him, tonight wasn't about him! It was ISAAC! That's right! He was the star attraction, one moment in his arms, the next spinning around him depending on whatever tune the others belted out. Garet had got back up dancing with Sheba, tripping over himself as always. He was never a good dancer. That poor girl, she should have known. Jenna thought she told her.

Yeah, Jenna was a little drunk, but most of them were! So, who cared? She still knew what she was doing, she could still think straight, unlike Garet or Little-Miss-Mind-Read who were very far beyond thought. So, yeah, Jenna was a little tipsy, but she was dancing, so it was okay. Isaac looked like he was the same way, he had been drinking too. The only ones who hadn't were Mia and Felix. Piers was still drinking his wine, knocking it away like it was air. Gods, he could hold his drink. Unlike Sheba who had just run to heave into an empty crate.

The song faded out, the music dying away, leaving the air feeling much heavier. Not something the others particularly fancied. The group all applauded the two musicians, impressed that they could play even when drunk.

"Thank you, thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Don't forget to tip your waitresses." Ivan hiccupped, "We'll be here all night, but right now, before sense is lost I feel it's time for the chair!"

The others all questioned him.

"Thehellsthechair!?" Garet bellowed out, all of his words slurred into some incomprehensible drivel.

"It's where we sit that handsome fellow," Ivan indicated Isaac, somehow understanding the drunkard, "in a chair! Then we all wish him a happy birthday in our special way by giving him a kiss for good luck!"

"Gay!" Garet yelled again, though Jenna quickly silenced his outburst.

A chair was quickly thrown to the centre of the room by Sheba, and Isaac was forcibly shoved into it. Ivan was first up, jumping up into his lap, "Happy birthday, man!" He exclaimed, head-butting him before kissing him on the cheek. Isaac seemed slightly disturbed by it.

Pier followed suit, wishing him a happy birthday and kissing his cheek. Felix surprisingly went along, being the third person to kiss Isaac's cheek. Both Mia and Sheba went up together, giving him an overly exaggerated kiss on either cheek. Kraden was next, being very quick about it before retreating back to the stage. Garet followed next, and despite his prior objection kissed Isaac's cheeks and forehead multiple times.

Then Jenna bounded up, knocking the chair over and attacking Isaac's mouth with hers. When everyone realised what happened, a cheer rang out from all but Felix, who quickly turned away.

On the floor, Jenna admitted that this may not have been the smartest manoeuvre as she swore that was Isaac's elbow digging into her ribs. She didn't really care though. She was kissing Isaac! What was she doing!? But… wait…! He was kissing her back! That wasn't imagination! Oh she didn't care if it was the drink, or the moment or if it was even true, but it was happening! All her friends had just seen her first kiss! What a story!

She pulled away from him, both of them blushing madly her realising only know that she had been straddling him, smiling down at his wide beam, "Happy Birthday." She said softly.

"On that note!" Ivan said, slapping Sheba's ass, which resulted in several more notes, but not of the festive or joyous mood, "Let's get back to it!"

Dances continued in their mad swing of vibrant movement and colour. Drink was lost and then reproduced along with food by some. And the eight Adepts who had the entire fate of the world on their shoulders threw away all care and enjoyed themselves.

And the party went on.

Well... thanks for stopping by and reading through the whole chapter.
I hope you enjoyed it. All filled with shippy-goodness as it was.
REVIEW!
And tell me what you thought, like/dislike, etc. I can take it, I'm a badass like that.

Well, until next time guys and gals,
Your friend and writer,
Droory