Author's Note: Just to let you all know, I don't intend on making this story very long. If I try I'm afraid I'll lose interest and never finish. It's not meant to be an epic tale so much as a short look into the lives of the characters in the future. I have no idea exactly how long I'm going to make it, but don't be surprised if it ends sooner than you expected it too.

Oh, and I promise this chapter is far less angsty than the last one.

Once again, thanks to everyone who reviewed and boosted my low self-esteem.

"Let's take a break, I'm beat."

Luke unceremoniously slumped down against a tree, panting slightly. His blond companion sheathed his sword but remained standing, silently observing his friend.

Luke carefully inspected the sword he had been using, running a finger along the flat of the blade. It was a sword that Guy had brought from Grand Chokmah, and Luke was testing it out to see how he liked it. He still owned the Key of Lorelei, but it felt odd to use such an important weapon for a simple practice session.

It may have seemed silly to some that the two swordsmen continued to practice their fighting skills in a time of widespread peace, but one could never be too prepared. They had been through too much turmoil to accept the ignorant notion that the peace could be everlasting. It would end eventually, and if it ended in their lifetimes, they would be ready. Besides, Luke had always enjoyed sword fighting, and he did not intend to give up one of his favorite hobbies just because it was not currently necessary.

After a minute of silence, Guy finally sighed and spoke. "All right, what's wrong?"

The red-head stopped his task to look up at his friend questioningly. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"You've been acting funny all day. It's obvious something's bothering you."

Luke sighed. "Man, am I that easy to read?"

"Yup." Guy looked thoughtful for a moment, then said, "It has to do with Tear, doesn't it?"

"Huh? How did you..."

"What did you do to make her mad?" Guy asked teasingly.

Luke glared at his companion. "It's not like that! ...Well, at least, I don't think it is..." Seeing Guy's confusion, Luke continued. "I can tell she's upset about something, but she won't tell me what it is, so I don't know if it's my fault or not..."

Guy shook his head. "That's why you have to be careful around women. They'll get mad about the weirdest things and then won't even tell you what you did wrong."

Luke frowned, a look of concern on his face. "So... you think it really is me that she's mad at?"

Guy shook his head again. "I have no idea. But I'd say it's definitely a possibility."

Luke hung his head. "Dammit, I wish she'd just tell me what it is. I thought she trusted me..."

Sensing that his friend was starting down the path toward self-pity, Guy quickly intervened. "Hey, don't take it personally. I'm sure she has a good reason. She'll tell you when she's ready."

"I guess..."

Guy pondered the situation for a moment, then drew his sword and said mockingly, "Well, are you going to sit there all day, or are you ready to be schooled in another few rounds?"

Luke immediately perked up at the challenge. "No way! I was doing way better than you!"

"Prove it!"

The left-handed swordsman jumped up from his place on the ground and got into position, grinning broadly. "You're going down!"

Tear sat up from the bed with a start, confusion setting in. Had she just woken up? Was it morning? But then, why was it so dark? Had something waken her in the middle of the night? Wait, if it was the middle of the night, where was Luke? And why was she holding a stuffed animal?

Tear's mind finally caught up, and the situation became clear. She must have fallen asleep while she was thinking. Now she really had wasted the whole day.

With a sigh, Tear got up and put the plushie back on its place on the shelf. She walked to the door and opened it... only to have Luke practically fall into the room on top of her. He had evidently been reaching for the handle, and had not expected the door to suddenly open.

The man in question regained his balance and stared at the door in mild confusion for a few seconds. Then he shook his head and turned to his wife, smiling. "There you are! I was looking for you." He seemed about to continue, but stopped himself and looked beyond her into the empty room. He then turned his attention back to Tear, giving her a strange look. "Were you in there in the dark?"

Tear flushed, feeling somewhat embarrassed. "I was just thinking things over, and I seem to have dozed off."

Luke frowned at her. "You really didn't get much sleep last night, did you?" When she did not respond, he figured it was best to change the subject. "Anyway, I came to find you because Guy says he has a message for us from Emperor Peony."

Tear looked at him curiously. "A message? From Emperor Peony? Concerning what?"

"I have no idea," Luke admitted, shrugging. "Guy didn't say. But it didn't sound like anything bad. Maybe he wants to give us something. He seems to like doing that."

"Oh good," Tear muttered sarcastically, "Because all his past gifts have been fantastic."

"Maybe he wants to give us a rappig." Luke grinned as he watched Tear's face light up at the idea. However, she quickly realized she was being teased and rewarded him with a glare.

"Don't test me," she warned, "Or I just might bring one home. How would you like our bedroom to end up looking like Emperor Peony's?"

Luke shuddered involuntarily at the thought. "Even I couldn't stand living like that much of a slob."

Tear smiled in triumph. "That's what I thought. Now, let's go hear what Guy has to tell us."

"Well, the message is actually for Natalia, too," Guy informed the two of them when asked about it.

"Oh?" Tear responded, "Is there a reason you can't tell us first? Natalia won't be back for another two or three days."

Guy looked a little surprised at the information. "I didn't realize she was gone. Where did she go?"

Luke cut in. "I think she's doing something for that Homes for Replicas project she started."

Tear nodded in affirmation. "She's looking at possible building sites. She left almost a week ago, so she should be back soon."

"All right," Guy said, "I guess I could just tell you now. Emperor Peony wants to throw you- well, us, a party."

"A party?" Luke asked curiously, "What kind of party?"

"Well," Guy replied, "It's sort of a really belated thanks-for-saving-the-world celebration. That's his excuse, anyway. I'm pretty sure he just wants a reason to get everyone together at his place."

"So," Tear asked next, "When is this party of his?"

"A week from tomorrow," Guy said a bit sheepishly. "I know it's kinda short notice for something like this, but the whole thing was pretty last-minute."

"Well, I don't think we have anything better to do," Luke said, shrugging. "Just hope Natalia doesn't have somewhere else to run off to."

"And what about Anise?" Tear questioned, "I assume she is to be invited as well?"

"Yeah, a letter was already sent to Daath. She'll probably be willing to take a few days off from whatever she's up to these days to see everyone again." Guy thought for a moment, then suddenly cried, "Oh, I almost forgot! Emperor Peony said not to bother bringing your own clothes for the party. He said he has outfits picked out for everyone already."

Luke turned to Tear, grinning. "See? I told you he wanted to give us something."

Tear sighed. "Wonderful. I can't wait to see what he expects me to wear."

An unidentifiable bug, about half an inch long, crawled out from behind a painting and made its way across the wall to the edge of the room. Once it reached that destination, it began its ascent up to the corner where the walls met the ceiling. It now made its way unhurriedly to the opposite corner of the room, driven by an unknown force.

For the past fifteen minutes Tear had been lying awake, watching the creature's slow progress by the light of the moon through the windows. It was late, but she found herself not the least bit tired. It was no surprise, after having slept until noon and then taking an accidental nap until nightfall.

The bored and restless woman turned to look at her sleeping husband, mildly jealous of how peaceful he looked. She considered waking him up so that she would at least have someone to talk to, but finally decided against the plan. Instead she carefully got up from the bed and quietly slipped from the room, closing the door behind her.

Tear did not stray far. She leaned on the low railing just outside the room, watching the silent courtyard. She looked sadly at the closed petals of the flowers, finding herself missing her selenia garden. It would be in full bloom right now, and much more pleasant to look at.

It was not long before Tear heard the quiet "click" of the door opening behind her. She smiled but did not turn around, already knowing what to expect. As she predicted Luke came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, making her the subject of a warm embrace. She leaned back against him and placed her hands on his, and he responded by resting his chin on her shoulder.

For a few seconds Luke held her in silence, reveling in the closeness of the woman who had sworn herself to him. Then he turned his head slightly and blew gently into her ear before whispering, "Can't sleep, huh?"

Tear sighed, but this time it was not brought on by negative emotions. "No. That's what I get for sleeping all day."

Luke chuckled in response, then slipped back into silence. After a few more seconds he kissed her neck before whispering slyly, "You know, if you really can't sleep I know a way we can pass the time."

Tear loosened Luke's grasp enough that she could turn around to face him. He was grinning lecherously at her, and she smiled innocently back, pretending not to understand what he wanted from her. "What did you have in mind? A quiet conversation, perhaps?"

He pulled her closer to him and his grin widened. "Something like that."

Tear laughed quietly before responding. "All right. Shall we go back inside then? Or would you rather 'talk' out here?"

Luke gave her an odd look before finally releasing her and heading back into the room. Tear followed soon after, closing the door behind her. Then the two of them had a quiet conversation.

Luke's version of one, that is.