Quill 4 act 2: One month later…

The wind rustled through the trees shaking what brown-golden leaves were left. Cyrara entered the bakery and greeted Ragugu.

"She's still gone?"

"Yes. I'm sure you know this is the season when Pekopons are in there training facilities. I think she's in the highest one, what was it called… coal-age or something?"

Cyrara sighed. "I guess pekopons are real busy. She hasn't written back in a month."

"Well, you got to meet her one time before she left right?" Ragugu bent down and re-emerged with a glass and a rag.

"Yeah, but I don't know how she really feels about me. I met her briefly then she had to go home to pack for coal-age."

"Don't worry about it too much!" Ragugu picked up another glass to polish.

"I guess I shouldn't. It's just that I have to go back to keron in another few years." Cyrara stared through the window at the people passing by. They had so much time on pekopon.

"Oh, that. Well maybe the army will let you stay for a few more years. It wouldn't hurt if you took off for a few years you know. Hey! Maybe if you two get married you could stay for invading reason-"

"Here. Let me help." Cyrara grabbed a mug and a rag.

"Anyways. It was just an idea." Ragugu said.

"A foolish one." Cyrara retorted, "Who's heard of another species getting into a relationship? I'm a keronian. She's a pekopon. No go…"

"All's fair in love and war" Ragugu quoted, "Does it matter if you're a keronian or whatever?"

Cyrara concentrated on a tough coffee stain on the mug.

Around lunch, Cyrara left Ragugu so Ragugu could work with out distractions. He went home and Bretete opened the door for him. Cyrara walked inside and brought out his laptop.

"Hey, you sure like this pekopon," Bretete commented, "You've been checking your e-mail constantly since she's left!"

"Oh, be quiet." Cyrara said turning slightly red.

The computer booted up and an automated message appeared.

YOU HAVE 2 NEW MESSAGES

"Hey! She wrote! I think." Cyrara clicked on the message and his mail opened up.

The sender was from . Not Roxane. Cyrara glumly opened the message.

"Is it from Roxane?" Bretete asked.

"No. It's from the invading platoon's head officer." Cyrara replied, "Briefings of a new so-called "invasion plan" he has. The chance it'll succeed looks like the chance of Sisyphus pushing his boulder to the top of the hill."

"Oh." Bretete turned back to his work.

Cyrara then opened up the second mail:

Dear Christian,

Cyrara was overjoyed to see his pseudonym. So it was from her! He continued to read.

Dear Christian,

Thank you so much for writing your beautiful letters! Collage is very busy and I'm sorry I couldn't write to you sooner. I remember the last time we met before I had to go and that memory is still so dear to me.

Can we meet again if you have time? A break is soon and maybe you'd like to come and have lunch somewhere.

Fondly,

Roxane

Cyrara typed a hasty reply and sent it. Just then, a knock came on the door.

"I'll get it." Bretete opened the door.

"Can I come in?"

"uh…oh, oh sure." Bretete led the guest into the living room.

"Hi. Did you get my mail about the plan?" Cyrara shut his laptop and looked up. Sure enough, the green leader of the invading platoon was there.

"Yes I did."

"Great! Can you send it to keron? I kinda lost HQ's e-mail…" The leader rubbed the back of his head, "Uh, I just wanted them to see that we're working on the invasion and not slacking off!"

So that was his objective. To show off to headquarters.

"Fine. Is that all?"

The leader looked surprised at Cyrara's brief talk. "Uh, I guess so. Oh, wait, how long are you going to be on pekopon and observing us?"

"A few years. Why do you ask? I could extend the time."

"Gero! NO WAY! Er I meant…. It's ok! No need to! We're fine by ourselves. No need to worry no sir. Well, thanks. Gotta go! See you!" The leader hastily left the room.

Bretete shut the door. "That was short."

"The leader appears to be incompetent for invading if you ask me." Cyrara said, "He easily revealed his motives, he's so shallow."

"Eh, oh well. Are you really going to send it?"

"I said I would and I don't break my word." Cyrara said.

To prove this point, he brought up the plan outline and forwarded it to HQ right then and there.

Now to wait for my real objective and wait for Roxane's reply.