Hello hello hello! I have returned from the land of people in school! Believe it or not, I have actually had this chapter written for a couple of months now, I just never got around to typing it. I am SO SORRY for the 6 month delay! :( I haven't abandoned you though! New chapters will start appearing again regularly.
The whole story has been entirely refreshed with updates and edits and other what-nots. I've missed this place. We've grown quite a bit haven't we? :D
Ah well. Anyway. On with chapter 10!

Dear Diary,

I had absolutely no idea that being a human would be so strange. And it is highly inconvenient. I cannot breathe fire, I cannot fly, and my senses are not as good as they used to be.

I used to be able to hear everything, and see twice as far. I could smell the pheromones that seeped off of Jester's body as he got close to Jane. Now I can only smell highly potent things, like my old dung pile, or Peppers cooking.

Something has been better though, since I became a man. There is now more of a chance that Jane will be attracted to me. And now I can shamelessly flirt with her. Jane taught me about flirting when Rake and Pepper started courting. She called it "dropping subtle hints that you like them." I have seen Jane do it the the jingle boy and him to her. Maybe now I can try.

I do not have much time though. Vanessa said that the effects of the potion wear off in a full week. One week. One week is not enough time to get someone to fall in love with you. But! Not all hope is lost! Oh no, dear leather bound journal! For I am Dragon. And Dragons always win. That is the way the world works. Right?

"Tristan retrieved the horse did he not?" Smithy had an edge on his voice, almost like doubt.

"Well, sort of. We both did." Jane picked at her evening meal.

"Both of you? Alone?" Jester too had an edge, but his was of anxiety.

"Yes. Alone." She drawled out the word. "I was to go on patrol, and he needed to find Cleaver. So we thought we would go together."

"I see." Jester pouted.

"Are you feeling alright Jester? You seem rather solemn." Smithy put a sympathetic hand on his shoulder.

"More or less. I guess I am still in shock over my family."

"Your family?" Jane asked completely bewildered. The boys stared, mouths agape.

Jane's brain rewired. "Oh! Right! Sorry..." Jane kicked herself inwardly. How could she have done that? It had just slipped her mind. That was not like her though, especially not with Jester. How could she have been so insensitive?

"So, where is Tristan?" Jester asked smugly. He slanted his eyes into a glare. He knew that was why she had forgotten. She never acts like that. Tristan had changed her...

"That injury to his head was getting to him. He went to lie down."

"He sure does sleep a lot, no?" Rake questioned.

"Well, um..." Jane tried to defend him, but no words would come.

"Thank you Pepper for this delicious meal, but I am not feeling well, I too shall go lie down." Jester stated blandly. He stood and started back to his room. He kept his head low, trying to think only about each step. His feet suddenly stopped when they ran into a pair of chocolate brown boots. He raised his head and locked eyes with Tristan.

"Good evening Jester!" Tristan said enthusiastically.

"Good evening." He replied sternly. "I thought you had returned to bed."

"Ha, no. Hunger got the better of me." He rubbed his firmly sculpted belly.

"Well you had best hurry. There was little left." Tristan took off running to the kitchen.

He is so odd. I actually worry for Jane's safety when she is around him. We know nothing about him except for those stories. Well, not for long...

Jester made a swift turn and climbed the stairs to Tristan's room. Jester cautiously walked down the hall.

I have no loyalty or trust with Tristan... he thought, trying to justify what he was about to do. He should not be trying to rifle through another persons belongings. It was an invasion of privacy. But jealousy pushed him forward. He took quick glances around before pulling the latch and opening the door.

Jingles! It is cold in here! Jester found breeches, shirts, vests, and shoes, but nothing that would give him any insight to Tristan's life. He was about to give up hope and leave. He sat down on the unmade bed. He felt a lump and a sharp pain in his rear. He reached under and pulled out a leather bound journal.

Hello... what is this? He pulled out the ribbon and started reading.

"Well Tristan, I have never seen anyone eat my soup that quickly before."

Tristan hiccuped. "Oh well, it was delightful, I could not help myself."

Pepper giggled with a crimson blush.

"Sorry Smithy, about losing Cleaver earlier."

"Well you got her back and that is all that mattered."

"Jane here was a big help in her retrieval. Were you not?" Tristan gave her a wink.

"It was nothing really." Jane shuddered. Her heart was always racing around him.

"It was everything, thank you." He placed his hand on her forearm. Jane was positively going to die where she sat. This was all so fantastic. She would have to tell Dragon all about this later. She gasped out loud. Dragon...

"Jane is something wrong?" Tristan pulled away.

"I-"

"Jane!" Jester strode up to the table.

"Jester? What is it?"

"Ladies and gentleman!" Jester leaped out of his skin.

"Dear god! Langely!"

Langley grinned wide. "Your majesties and my family would like to invite you to a performance in the throne room!"

Pepper squealed. "Wonderful! Come on Rake!" The two stood, locked hands and followed close behind Langely. Smithy followed suit. Tristan stood and leaned in close to Jane's ear.

"Would you like an escort milady?" he breathed and looped his arm around hers.

"Jane. I- please. We need to talk." Jester gripped her other arm.

"Not now Jester." She ripped her arm from his grasp. She tilted her head back and held it high as Tristan led her away.

"Jane!"

She stopped. She sighed exasperated. What am I doing? "Go on, I will catch up." She gave Tristan a little nudge.

"But-"

"Go."

He solemnly trudged behind the group.

Jane folded her arms. "What is so important Jester?"

"Shh... Jane." He whispered. "Tristan is not who he says he is."

"What ever are you talking about?"

Jester gave her a sincere look of worry. "Jane, listen."

"Wait." Why would he care about who Tristan is? Rumors have been spreading that he loves me... which must mean... "Jester. Are you jealous of Tristan?"

"Jealous? Why on earth- Jane. I am being serious."

"As am I."

"Just listen to me!"

"No Jester!" She pointed a stern finger in his face. "There is nothing wrong with Tristan. He is a kind, sweet, honest person."

"Jane..."

"Jester... I understand that the loss is hard, but you do not need to persecute others because you are hurt."

Jester felt as if he had been slapped. "Wha-what are you even talking about?"

"Forget it Jester! I am going to the show." Jane stormed off to catch up with Tristan. Jester lingered behind, trying to make sense of what just happened. It made none.

"Jane!" He called but received no answer. Not even a glance.

Awe. We now see a new side of Jester. Jealousy! I don't like it... :p
Yes. I know what you're thinking. "She abandons us for half a year, and returns and gives us this short of a chapter? How dare she!" But haha. The next chapters will be much longer. I am just easing you back into the story slowly. :D
Happiness can be achieved in three easy steps. 1)Read. 2)Review. *please?* 3)Receive virtual cookie. :D