Spirits of the Earth

The Jadenshine sun hung bright in the sky today, no clouds to obscure its beams of light. With fall approaching fast, the leaves changing from verdant greens to golden yellows, fiery reds, and vibrant oranges, the temperature was perfect.

Ryuu ran across the crisp grass littered with fallen leaves, eyes focused on the target ahead—a little black blur that zigzagged here and there in quick, jerky motions.

*Can't catch me! Can't catch me! Four legs beat two!* an over-excited voice called through his mind, making him laugh.

The trees of Jadenshine Park whizzed past him, blurs in the corner of his vision. His breathing grew heavy and he tried to keep up, but the silly pug was right: he wasn't fast enough. That didn't mean he was about to give up, though!

Putting on a burst of speed, he tried to maneuver his way in front of the animal, knowing when a sudden turn was going to be made because the pug was not good at concealing his thoughts. "I've got you now, Rus!" he said triumphantly, legs poised to spring on the dog.

Rusger's eyes bulged. He made a mad dash to the left, but he was too slow, his labored breathing holding him back from running much further. Ryuu dived to grab him, hands at the ready, just as his foot caught on a hidden tree root and he pitched forward into the grass and leaves.

He only had time to roll onto his back, dazed, before the black furball climbed onto his chest in a frenzy of wheezes, wet tongue trying to get at every part of Ryuu's face that it could. *Hurt! Hurt! Are you hurt? Are you okay? Do I win? That was fun!*

Unable to open his mouth for fear he'd find the tongue poking its way into his mouth as well, Ryuu moved his head from side to side, half-heartedly trying to dislodge his friend while mind-speaking, *I'm fine, Rusger. And yes, you win. Could you get off me now?*

He sat up, Rusger tumbling to the ground in a mess of gasping, snorting breaths, tongue lolling and eyes popping. There was a tear in Ryuu's sleeve where he'd fallen on it, and he stared at it a moment. This was his second shirt ripped in the last week. He'd have to throw it out—no patches. Patches looked uncomely. "Look what we've done again," he said, holding out his arm for Rusger to see the damage, who sniffed it and sneezed, making him laugh again. "We'd better take a rest before you fall over dead," he teased. The poor dog always sounded like he was dying when he ran around for too long. Even he was rather out of breath.

Sighing, Ryuu used the torn sleeve to wipe what slobber he could off of his face, then lay back on the grass, taking in deep breaths of air and feeling his heart rate slow. Rusger made another attempt to get at his face, but he shielded it with his arms and pushed the pug away with a smile.

*I don't want to rest. I want to play. We're not done playing!* the pug wheezed. Rusger pawed at his arms, the movement so fast it looked more like he was digging.

"Nooo," Ryuu said. He rolled to his side and grabbed the pug in a quick motion, lifting his tiny body up off the ground. He then rolled back onto his back and held the animal over him. "We're going to rest."

When he put Rusger down, the pug gave a sharp yip of resistance, then climbed back up onto Ryuu's stomach and sat there, staring at him, tail wagging. *Fine. Rest. But only for a little bit, okay?*

"Okay." He closed his eyes, still smiling, and rested one arm up on his forehead to block out the sun. "A little bit."

Rusger sat there a bit longer, panting heavily, and after his breathing calmed a little, Ryuu felt him lie down. He smiled under his sleeve.

Today was Primrose's fourteenth birthday and all she wanted to do was get out of the house. While she found it wonderful to be in her uncle's home in Jadenshine again, she did not take too kindly to the idea of playing hostess all day.

'Is it so hard for Uncle to understand that it's my birthday? I don't want to entertain a bunch of old men and women. The men will tell me how much they disapproved my father while the women will weep over mother's death and then throw their sons at me. I don't even want to get married, let alone spend the day courting snobby prissy suitors!'

She had tried to reason with her Uncle but he had only shot her down claiming it to be what her mother would have wanted. Her own argument of "what about what I want" did not go over well. This of course explained the reason why she was currently locked up in her room with nothing but a scrap of mauled embroidery. 'Nice hint Uncle,' she thought looking at it, 'but there is no way I am touching that thing. If only he had left me a book to pass the time with!'

Grumbling she sat at the windowsill watching the groomers come and go from the stable. 'That's it!' Looking down she checked the distance between her window and the ground. 'I can climb down and then go for a ride. I will be back before anyone knows I'm gone!'

Quickly she plaited her hair and climbed down the rose terrace. There was only one mishap along the way, she did snag the hem of her skirts but considered it so minor that no one would notice.

She chose the gray dappled mare and quickly saddled her up before galloping out of the stable doors. The horse flew through the streets, its rider laughing the whole time. Faster and faster they went until the made it to a familiar park.

Slowing the horse to a gentle trot, Primrose led the horse through the trees. Memories of her childhood surfaced making her laugh. She was reminded of all the times she had snuck out of the house just to come here. 'It seems that not much has changed in four years.'

She stopped when she saw a figure laying on the ground ahead of her. Dismounting, she made her way over to the men, notcing for the first time the little dog sitting on his chest. "Sir are you alri-Rusger?" she began to ask only to recognize the mug looking back at her. 'It can't be!'

Looking closer she was almost positive the man was who she thought he was. "Ryuu?" she asked smiling down at the figure.

*A person! A person is coming on a horse! It's Primmy!* Feelings of unconditional love and excitement wound through his daydreaming thoughts, his heart skipping. *Primmy! Maybe she'll want to play?*

Because of the warning call, Ryuu didn't have to open his eyes to know who it was that now stood over him. Through Rusger, he caught Primrose's familiar, delicate scent as it wafted by. "Hello, Prim," he said through his sleeve that still covered his face, heaving in a deep breath and letting it out with a contented sigh. "Long time no see."

Rusger bounded off his stomach, the force of the leap knocking the wind out of him and making him groan.

*Primmy! Primmy! Pet me!* He turned his head to peek out from under his arm and saw the pug dancing speedy circles around Primrose's feet, tail wagging so hard his entire bottom wiggled as he moved. The excitement made Rusger start gasping for air again, but as always, the dog didn't seem to notice his own distress.

Sighing, Ryuu sat up. "All right, Rusger. Calm down before you give yourself a heart attack." But the pug's enthusiasm made him feel suddenly antsy, too, so he gave up on trying to rest.

His eyes moved to the horse a little distance away, then back to Prim. "What brings you to the park?" he asked. He got slowly to his feet and brushed dirt, grass, and leaf pieces from his clothes. He was genuinely happy to see her. It had been some time. She looked as happy as ever.

"Russy!" Primrose laughed as she tried to pick up the excited pug. "Oh you silly thing, if you just hold still I could pet you!" Making a grab for him she finally managed to catch the panting dog. "Who's a good boy?" she cooed rubbing his belly. "Has big, bad Ryuu been taking good care of you?"

Giving him a kiss she gently released him back onto the ground. "I see he still gets worked up easily," she said facing Ryuu again. 'He certainly has gotten tall,' she thought observing how he was nearly a foot taller than her.

"What always brings me to the park, Ryuu? Freedom from my family, of course." Her nose scrunched up as she thought of the dinner party tonight. "Uncle, wants me to play hostess to a group of dignitaries. So, it being my birthday and all, I decided to skip out and go for a ride."

Kneeling down to Rusger she began to talk to him. "It was all going quite well until I happened upon a ruffian I had beat in my youth. But, being far wiser and older, I decided to take the higher road and invite him to my celebration."

She winked to Ryuu and smirked. "Will you come? It's my fourteenth birthday celebration and I will be ghastly bored without you there."

Rusger continued to wiggle in Primrose's grasp until he realized he no longer had his paws on the ground, in which he stopped, though his tail continued to wag. When she started to rub his stomach, Ryuu caught of flash of pleasure from him. However, it only lasted a few seconds before the pug writhed around again, too excited to stay still for too long.

Placed on the ground, the pug started spinning circles around her legs again until, completely drained, he plopped down on his bottom and panted up at her. *Primmy's nice. I like Primmy.*

Ryuu smiled, but it sank down in concern at Primrose's next words. Trouble with the family again. Of course. He should have been able to guess that. It hadn't been that long.

Waves of glee washed over him when she knelt down next to Rusger, the pug always so eager to lick faces when they got within range. But he didn't need to warn her; she knew. And she, like always, managed to keep the pug at bay. With his soul-link's eagerness flooding him, it was hard to feel upset over his friend's troubles for too long.

Before he could open his mouth to give the definite yes, Rusger was shouting at him in his head. *Say yes! Say yes! Will there be lots of food? I like food.*

"I wouldn't miss it," he said, a feeling of guilt poking through at his having forgotten her birthday. They hadn't been in contact as much as they used to, but he usually liked to send her a little gift on holidays. "But as I recall, your uncle doesn't like me much. What with my . . . uh . . . hyperactive companion and all." He nodded subtly at Rusger, who was oblivious to the hint toward himself, still smiling and panting.

Smiling impishly up at him she replied, "all the more reason for you to come. What upsets my uncle, delights me. Besides, with the two of you there as my guests, I will not have to entertain the other suitors after one dance each." Standing she moved over to him and embraced him, her arms wrapping around his thin waist. "I missed you Ryuu. Adela is nice but it's not here. The only friends I can make are girls and you know what they are like," she said in disgust. The fact that she herself was a girl was lost on her. "The boys all run away or stutter over their words. It really seems to be quite a sad affliction."

Pulling away she thumped him on the chest. "You don't write as often as you said you would and I bet you forgot today was my birthday!" Turning to the sweet pug she consulted him on the matter. "He did, didn't he? What do you think Rusger, should we make him pay? Yeah, I think so too."

Jumping up she ruffled his hair before taking off at a run. "Catch me if you can Ryuu!" she screamed joyfully. She had missed this. The peace of the woods and the childhood memories they held lightened her spirits and allowed her to forget for a while that she needed to be prim and proper Primrose.

Always the one eager to start trouble. He had no problem attending her party--he'd been to many of them back in the day--but her uncle worried him. The man sneaked him dark looks whenever he could. Looks that spoke of his dislike far louder than any words could.

The sudden embrace startled him out of his thoughts. He looked down at Prim's golden locks, noticing with some surprise how much shorter she now was, a good six inches at least. To him, she'd only left for Adela a few days ago, yet here she stood, blossoming into a woman.

Yet her words told him she was still the silly old Prim he'd always known. More comfortable around guys than those of her same gender.

His arms wrapped themselves around her, hands resting on the small of her back. He opened his mouth to tell her that he'd missed her as well, and that she'd fit in eventually if she gave it a shot, but she pulled away too quickly and was already on another topic, thumping him on the chest and making him blink.

*Pay! Pay! What's a birthday, Ryuu? Is it food? I like food.* Rusger started barking excitedly, caught up in the tone of Prim's words, and spun around once.

Then he found himself staring after Prim as she ran away, yelling at him over her shoulder, Rusger right at her heels, barking with glee. *A chase! A chase! I'll catch you, Primmy! I'll catch you!*

He shook his head, smiling. Yes. Same old Prim.

Then he was running, too, calling out, "Maybe I can't, but Rusger'll give you a run for your money!"

She laughed as they took chase. It was just like old times. Turning to peer over her shoulder she could see both closing in on her. "Who said, Rus was on your side!" she called back. Not paying attention she ran onto a large patch of mud. Gasping, she faced forward again and wobbled trying to keep her balance. Unfortunately, she was moving too fast and her flimsy ball shoes gave her no support. She fell crashing backwards with a squelch.

'My dress!' she thought remembering that this was the party dress she was supposed to wear tonight. 'Uncle's going to kill me.' Seeing Ryuu and Rusger catch up to her a plan took form. 'As mama always said, in for a pip in for a shil.'

"Hey Ryuu! Catch!" She grabbed a ball of mud and threw it at him. 'Yep, just like old times.'

The bare patch of mud stood out like a beacon to him amid the green grass on which they ran, but Prim apparently didn't see it, so caught up in her looking back and shouting at him. He only had time to call out, the noise lost as she tripped and fell forward into the imposing filth. Alarm overcome him and he ran faster.

Then his furry companion decided to join Primrose in the wet dirt, too fast for Ryuu to even tell him not to. His heart sank as he watched his dog run through the mess to reach Primrose, yipping madly.

"Are you . . . all right?" he asked through gasping breaths.

"Hey, Ryuu! Catch!"

Splat!

He jumped back, arms out as he looked down at the disgusting mess now dripping from his already-torn shirt.

Well. Now he definitely needed to throw this shirt out.

"Prim!" he exclaimed, exasperated.

His arms sank down to his sides in defeat, a small smile alighting on his lips. Rusger barked and barked, rolling around in the mud, completely filthy. *She got you, Ryuu,* the little pug shouted amid rolls. *Now we're all dirty. Dirty, dirty, dirty. I like mud!*

Primrose pouted at Ryuu's exasperation. Guiltily she stood hanging her head in shame. "I'm sorry Ryuu. Will you forgive me?" she asked looking up at him through her lashes with teary eyes. Step by slow squishy step she wobbled her way out of the mud patch and back onto the green grass. Twice she fell, now completely coating herself in the warm sticky mud.

Her dress was ruined, her shoes were torn and her perfectly coiffed hair now stuck out at odd angles and housed copious amounts of leaves and twigs. Once golden-red her hair was now nearly as dark as Ryuu's own locks.

"Ryuu, can I have a hug?" she pouted sticking out her bottom lip and opening her arms wide, walking towards him, ready to pounce. Her eyes twinkled with the thought of getting Ryuu disgustingly dirty. 'He always liked looking "just right" a little too much. Time for a little fun.'

He knew that tone, that face. He wasn't fooled by either of them. They spoke of mischief, a plan that would end with him covered in mud. Dirty, sticky, disgusting mud.

She looked like a mud monster, no bit of skin or cloth not brown and oozing after she fell several times. Her hair looked more like thick dreadlocks with slime dripping down from them, and twigs and leaves adorned her head like a hideous crown.

He backed away as she opened her arms, his hands out in front of him as if they would protect him. Prim's eyes sparkled with a child-like vice. "You don't need a hug," he said, another step being taken away.

*Hugs! Hugs! Can I have a hug, Ryuu? I like hugs!* Rusger was the first to reach him, and he cried out as the little pug started clawing at his pants, coating them in smears of mud.

"Rusger! No! No hugs." But by now it was too late, and of course the animal ignored him.

*Hugs!*

"Don't you like me anymore Ryuu? I thought we were friends!" Turning away from him she squished her way over to a tree and flopped down amongst its roots. Her knees curled up into her chest, her face hidden in her skirts. Her tiny frame shook as quiet sobs escaped her. 'Wait for it. Wait for it. Now cue the self-pitying.'

"I don't know why I bothered coming back to Serendipity. Nobody likes me here and nobody likes me in Adela. I'm just a pest that everyone tolerates. Even you," she pointed accusingly in Ryuu's direction, "don't care about me. I'm gone four years and you forget about me. You hardly even write anymore!"

'If Ryuu doesn't fall for it then at least Rusger will.' She smiled into her skirts. 'Kia I missed this.'

Forlorn, Ryuu stared down at his soiled pants. An entire outfit ruined in one day. This wouldn't be the last, either. Thank the gods he was rich.

Done pawing at Ryuu, Rusger now rolled about in the grass, mud covering the green blades. When he finished, he simply lie there, paws up in the air and tongue hanging out of the side of his mouth as he snorted loudly.

Then Ryuu didn't know what happened. One minute everything made sense, the next, Prim sat on the ground, crying into her hands. A childhood trick she'd done often when Ryuu would refuse her of something, when she felt like making their time a little more "fun," though he only found it stressful. If there was one thing he didn't know how to deal with, it was a girl crying.

His mind instantly went blank when she spoke. He knew this to be a trick, but Rusger always fell for it, and the pug's distress bled into his own subconscious. Despite this, he held back. It would be one thing for her to complain about silly things, but here she said things that rang with minor truths.

*Primmy's sad!* The pug sprang to his feet, staring at Primrose with his wall-eyed expression of concern. *I'll make her feel better! Don't be sad, Primmy!* Little paws charged forward, and soon the pug was bathing Primrose in wet kisses.

Annoyed, Ryuu watched, not saying anything. Some childhood things he'd missed, but this wasn't one of them.

"Prim . . ." he said, stepping toward the tree, avoiding the mess of mud Rusger had made. "I'm sorry I haven't written you."

Primrose giggled as Rusger clambered around her and on her showering her in kisses. Looking up at Ryuu, she noted his miserable expression and felt guilty. 'I did that. I made him upset.'

She felt guilty, her desire to tease and prank was gone. "I am sorry as well. It is not fair to use that against you when I could have written you more myself. That was very cruel of me. I am sorry," she repeated slowly standing.

"Wasn't there a stream not far from here? Uncle's going to kill me if I come home looking like this," she said. Her smile had returned, a hopeful look in her eyes.

*I made Prim feel better, Ryuu,* Rusger said, pride decorating his mind-voice as he sallied on over to Ryuu and sat at his feet. The little pug's chest puffed out, tail moving slowly back and forth.

But she didn't look cheered up. Now she just looked guilty, confusing him.

Grateful for the change of subject and the end of her discomfiting game, he gave a half-hearted smile and nodded. "There is a stream. But a stream isn't going to clean," he opened his arms and gestured at his muddied self, then at her muddied self, "all of this." Not satisfactorily, anyway. Her uncle would get mad at her, and pitch him out the moment he saw him.

But what else was there to do?

"Why don't you sneak back home to change and I'll be at your place shortly?"

"It may not clean it but it would be a start. Unless you expect me to ride back home looking like this?" she said motioning to her mud-caked hair.

"You go on ahead. I know it will take you forever to pick out an outfit," she teased. "I have my old room back. I trust you remember where that is. If you are feeling rather spry you can try to climb the terrace, I know from experience it will still hold. If not, then I guess you could always try the front door. I think Uncle may have forgotten about Russy and the cat incident." She smiled up at him.

"I better at least get some of this mud off me, or I'm doomed to spend my fourteenth birthday locked indoors," she said shuddering at the thought. As she did her head whipped about causing mud to splatter outwards and hit Ryuu in the face and chest.

Seeing it happen, Primrose gasped. "I'm sorry Ryuu! That one I didn't mean, honest." She winced at the state of his clothes. "You better head home and get cleaned up too. You look like a pig farmer," she informed him moving past him, headed for the stream and her horse. "See you too soon!" she called over her shoulder, splattering more mud about with her hair. 'He is going to kill me one of these days.' Looking down at the state of her clothes, she grimaced. 'That is, if Uncle doesn't kill me first.'

Mention of her old room brought back many vivid memories, as if she had only left a few days ago, not four years. The times they had spent in there in solitude, talking and laughing, or when they had sneaked out the window to go running or playing in the woods. He'd been twelve then, so young, yet he still felt the same now. Had he changed at all, besides growing taller?

He nodded at her before jumping back as mud splashed across his face. He squinched up his eyes at the feel of it as it dripped down his chin, then sagged where he stood and sighed. "A pig famer," he said. Right. The last thing he ever wanted to look like. "More like the pig itself." Farmers didn't drench themselves in mud. "Come on, Rus. Let's get cleaned up."

- - -

About an hour later, Ryuu stood on the doorstep of Prim's house, dressed in his most elegant clothes: a flowing garment of a deep, rich rosewood red, lit with specks of gold and silver, and hems the color of carmine. His entire figure shone with immaculate cleanliness, posture straight-backed and proud, long straight hair pulled into a blood-red ribbon. In his arms he carried Rusger, who after much persuasion had agreed to stay still for once. The pug wore a large blue bow around his neck and his black fur was clean and brushed.

*Ready, Rusger?* he asked his companion, hand rising to knock on the door.

*Ready!*

Ryuu knocked the bronze knocker three times, hoping it could be heard over the noise of the other guests inside.

Primrose hurried home, praying all the way that Kia was on her side. The moment she stepped out of the stables, she knew she was not so lucky.

The corpulent form of her Uncle blocked her complete exit. 'Good thing I stopped at the stream, I guess,' she thought as the man took in her appearance with a look of disgust.

"Primrose Dragoslav, where have you been! The guests have already started arriving and you are a mess. Your mother would be completely disappointed wtih you. This is not how she raised you. Get inside and get cleaned up," she scolded her.

Primrose bolted the first chance she got, taking the "and be quick about it," to heart. 'Ryuu's coming! I can't wait!' Racing into her room, she flitted about trying to get ready as fast as possible. 'I wonder what dress I should wear?'

Within the hour, Primrose was dressed and once more looking like the prim and proper noblewoman she was. 'Could I be anymore miserable?' she inwardly groaned. Her uncle had made absolute sure that she behaved herself. She was surrounded by boys who only wanted to talk about themselves. 'Where is Ryuu? He promised he would come'

She heard the knock at the door, and glanced over hopefully. Much to her relief, it was Ryuu and Rusger who entered.'Aww, he got Russy in a bow. Wonder how long that will last.' Politely, Primrose excused herself from her suitors, making her way over to her friend. Unfortunately, she was intercepted by her uncle.

"You stay away from that boy," he hissed gripping her arm tightly.
"Uncle Engilram! He is my guest, here at my personal invitation. You have always taught me to be polite. What you are doing is just rude!"

Her uncle would not release her and instead dragged her towards another social circle, this one consisting of girls her on age. Looking about, Primrose tried to catch Ryuu's eye. 'Help me!' her eyes plead as she listened to the latest gossip and fashion.

As usual, the party seemed to be more a competition to see who wore the most stylish clothes, who had the most gossip over an important political figure, and who could garner the most men or women by the end of the night. Lucky for him, he was no person of small reputation, and his clothes alone radiated over most of those around him, resulting in his receiving some envious looks of disdain. Many turned to regard him with disapproval when they saw the animal in his arms, but he paid them no mind, smiling as courteously as he could.

And then he saw Prim making her way toward him, only to be intercepted by her uncle, who, despite his trying to seem at ease with his false smile, apparently still held ill-feelings for Ryuu.

He watched as Prim hustled away, ushered by her uncle toward a group of chittering girls, some of whom he knew.

When Prim's uncle walked well enough away, attention focused on arriving guests, Ryuu made him way toward them. The girls all looked up when he came to them, some blushing and looking away, others giggling behind fans, while the remaining simply stared at him.

"Sylvia," he said, nodding at the one with curly red locks, who smiled back at him in greeting. "Rossya. Pamel. Mind if I join you?" His eyes moved to Prim's.

*I smell food, Ryuu. Do we get to eat soon?* Rusger ignored all of the people around him, his sole focus apparently on the smells of food wafting through the air. Even Prim didn't seem to be holding much of his attention.

Primrose felt a wave of jealously rise within her at the sight of the other girls fawning and swooning over Ryuu. 'He is MY friend. Back off!' She opened her mouth to welcome him but was cut off by the other girls. Every chance she got to give her own opinion or ask a question was monopolized by one of the other girls.

At last the bell signaling dinner, rang. "Shall we eat?" she asked the group. "Ryuu would you do me the honor of escorting me to dinner?" she asked beaming up at him. As the other girls moved off disappointed she had asked before them, she began to whisper to Ryuu. " How is Russy doing? Does he still get excited by functions such as these?"

'Is he going to help us in a prank?' her question seemed to ask. 'I wonder if Ryuu still likes playing pranks? What if he grew out of it. What if he thinks I'm just a silly little girl because I still like them! I'm going to make a fool of myself,' she thought worriedly. As her thoughts turned inward, Primrose failed to notice her uncle's glare directed at the trio.

Used as he was to social gatherings such as this, Ryuu knew exactly when to smile and nod, when to put in a word or two of his own opinion. Girls tended to make it easy, always so eager to put their own two cents in, enabling him to need say one or two words in order for the conversation to continue at is brusque pace. He didn't care much of political affairs, though he kept up-to-date on all that went on in Serendipity, having to because of his family's standing.

Prim stood silently to the side, within the group yet not a part of it. Even after four years she hadn't quite mastered being a part of her peers. He kept looking at her when the other girls didn't have their attention on him, a slight frown creasing his face when he saw how discomfited she appeared to be.

Thankfully the dinner bell rang after not too long, allowing him to drop his social air and move to Prim's side. He said his farewells to the girls, not missing their jealous eyes resting on his friend.

"I would love to escort you, Miss Dragoslav." He kept to protocol, not wanting to skip etiquette when other ears were listening. It might be taken as slander otherwise. He gave a clumsy bow, Rusger making it difficult, and held out his hand for her to take. Under his voice so that no one else could hear he said, "Always. But he and I made a deal. No worries about him causing trouble." I hope.

Prim's uncle had gone out of his way to ensure everyone that came would know of his riches. Decorations of different colored silks adorned the walls, hung from the ceilings, and flashed vividly from chandeliers. There was the main table, long and extravagant with its dark-laced tablecloth and porcelain plates. Other little tables sat evenly to the sides for the lesser guests, but these too shouted luxuriance.

Toward the front of the head table is where Ryuu led Prim, keeping a firm grip on Rusger while he did so, the pug startling to get fidgety with all the bustle around them.

He pulled out the nearest chair for her. "After you, ma chérie."

Primrose pouted at the mention of a deal between the two. 'I will have to ask him about that later.'

"Thank you, kind sir," she replied blushing slightly. 'Why do we play these games? Uncle, I really just wanted something simple, nothing extravagant like this. Whose birthday is this anyway?'

"Boy! I thank you for escorting my niece but I believe your seat is with the rest of your kind," her uncle's voice sounded beside her. Confused, Primrose looked to where her uncle was intimating. 'The furthest table from me, so predictable!'

"But Uncle, this is Ryuu. Surely, you remember my best friend," she said trying to weasel her way into getting what she wanted.

"Be still Primrose! I will not have your birthday ruined by the order of things being disturbed. You would not want a diplomatic war starting because of we insulted someone, do you?"

"Forgive me, Uncle, but I hardly see how a seating arrangement at a birthday celebration could such civil unrest in such a large country as Serendipity. Surely we can disobey protocol just once. I am only fourteen once after all."

"And you only get one chance to make a good first impression. Primrose there are several dignitaries here to ask for your hand in marriage. Use your head girl!" Engilram hissed lowly to her.

Primrose angrily rose to her feet. "If you will not allow him to join me, then I shall join him!"

"Do not embarrass me like this with your petty squabbling. Sit down, you child!"

He went to sit in the chair beside Prim, when a booming voice came up out of the din of the crowd. Prim's uncle made his way toward them, stopping just short of Ryuu, his chin held high and eyes blazing.

Ryuu turned to see where the man pointed--a table further away from any of the others--then looked back at him in mild confusion. "'My kind'?" he repeated. While he did not have as high a standing as Engilram, it still wasn't something to scoff at. His parents owned one of the third richest houses in the area, well established in the community of diplomatic virtues. To send him away because of worry of scandal was one thing, but to put a blight someone else's reputation was another.

But as he opened his mouth to retort the man's rudeness, a bickering began between the man and Prim. A common occurrence.

The proposition of a war was ridiculous, almost made Ryuu scoff. All this blather simply because he didn't like him?

At the mention of possible marriage candidates, though, Ryuu's expression grew grim. He didn't know how he felt about the idea of Prim being married off. Especially when she was merely fourteen--at least, that was the reason he gave himself for not liking the idea.

"Sir," he interrupted. "If I might interject." He hefted Rusger higher into his arms. "You are sullying yourself and your own reputation by going on like this in front of your guests."

He could sense Rusger's discomfort. The dog had done well holding still for so long, but it, as he knew, wasn't something that could last. The fight with Prim and her uncle had distracted the pug a little, his bulging eyes staring from man to young woman. *Fighting again. Shouldn't fight.*

"Oh let the boy sit with her, Engilram. It is obvious they are smitten with each other and it's not like she's shown any interest in the others. There is still plenty of time for you to chose her a husband. Let her enjoy her day," called out one of the guests.

Both Engilram and Primrose flushed in embarrassment, although for differing reasons. Engilram was furious for being so publicly humiliated by his niece and her friend. Primrose was shocked at being told she was smitten with Ryuu. 'I must certainly am not!'

"Happy birthday Primrose," her uncle said leaning in to press a kiss to her cheek. As he did he gripped her arm hard enough to leave bruises and whispered in her ear, "we will discuss this indiscretion later!"

"Thank you Uncle. Come sit Ryuu," she said smiling away the pain and anger she felt. "Oh, and Lady Vameer, Ryuu and I don't like each other. We are just friends," she informed the guest who had supported her desires.

After a long series of speeches dinner finally arrived. Primrose played the perfect guest, accepting compliments and toasts graciously. On the inside she was bored to the core. Every chance she got she would lean over and whisper to Ryuu comments about what she thought of the other guests. "Just think," she said to him rolling her eyes, "this is only the second course."

Flames of crimson embarrassment bloomed on his face, burning all the way down to his neck. Smitten? Smitten? Why did friends have to be smitten just because they hung out together and were of the opposite gender?

His feelings of mortification bled through so powerfully that Rusger picked up on it. The little dog started to make a strange, high-pitched whimpering growl, a sound that matched his feelings spot on. Only he could hear it over the noise of everything else.

It was as he moved his hand to pat Rusger on the head when he noticed how hard Prim's uncle gripped her arm. When the man walked away, he stepped up to her. "Are you all right?" he asked. He hoped the burning he felt in his face wasn't visible on the outside.

But she ignored him, turning to the woman that had embarrassed the both of them. And then the dinner continued as if nothing had happened.

Ryuu spent a lot of his time sneaking bits of food from his plate to the pug in his lap, who ate them with eager relish and gratefulness. Were it not for the noise of all the dinner guests speaking amongst themselves, everyone would have heard the happy slobbering sounds coming from his midriff.

He remained polite with those that spoke to him from across the table, answering their questions with feigned enthusiasm and false smiles. The food proved to be as fine as the decorations, filling him faster than he would have liked.

*I like parties!* Rusger was saying between mouthfuls.

She smiled as she watched Ryuu share food with Rusger. 'At least one of us is having fun,' she thought mournfully. "Ryuu, would Rus let me hold him for a while? Or does that go against your, agreement with him?" she asked quietly. 'He probably thinks I'm going to let Rusger loose.' She took a choice piece of meat from her plate and fed it to Rusger.

"I promise not to intentionally stir up trouble," she reassured him. Unconsciously, Primrose rubbed her bruised arm. 'I don't need to be stirring up more trouble with Uncle. He's mad enough as it is. No good will come out of dragging Ryuu into this as well.'

"Ryuu, thank you for being the best friend even after all these years," she muttered under her breath, unsure if he heard her, unsure if she even wanted him to. 'I know I can always count on you,' she thought remembering her uncle's anger and the thrashing she would probably get tonight.

Between conversation with the person across from him, an old woman whose attempt at hiding her age involved layers of makeup and her hair being held back so tightly that it smoothed out her many wrinkles, Ryuu heard Prim's request. He nodded subtly in response, the movement making it look as though he was reacting to something his conversation partner had said.

*Remember our deal, Rus,* he said as he secretly lifted the pug from his lap and transported him to Prim's. His eyes darted to Prim's uncle as he did this, making sure the man wasn't watching.

Prim said something to him then, but it was drowned out by the sudden burst of raw energy that shot through his mind like a flare in the night. Senses alert, he became aware of something linking along the corner of the room nearest the table.

A cat. And Rusger had smelled it, explaining the feeling.

*Rusger . . .* he warned, eyes following the cat's progress across the room. He could sense that the pug had gone rigid in Prim's lap, ears perked as far as they could go, eyes wide as they stared off in the direction of the feline. Rusger's happy panting had ceased in his strain to keep all his attention on it.

Ryuu tried to grab Rusger from beneath the table, but before his hands got there, the little animal let out a loud bark while at the same time shouting, *Cat!* in Ryuu's mind, and took off, leaping from Prim's legs and scampering under the legs of the other dinner guests.

There was some confusion as people looked down to see what had brushed them, then screams erupted from some as they noticed the black blur speeding off toward the tabby who was by now yowling and streaking away.

Ryuu was on his feet, the quick motion sending his chair flying. "Rusger!"

A small smile graced her face as Rusger was moved to her lap. She gave the little pug a quick squeeze before resuming her current hostess responsibilities. Primrose felt him tense under her hand and looked down worriedly. "Russy what's wrong?" she whispered. She tried petting him and became more concerned as his constant panting seemed to stop. "Ryuu, I think something is wrong wit- Rusger!"

Just as Primrose tried to alert her friend to the problem off went the little dog. "Mr. Grimalkin!" she cried noticing the cat racing by. She spared a single terrified glance to her furious uncle before tearing off after the animals.

She winced as the feline jumped up onto the table and Rusger followed shortly after. Guests yelled and shouted, wine glasses fell and broke, food was dislodge, a candelabra was knocked over and set a tablecloth on fire. 'Oh Kia, Uncle's going to kill me!'

"Ryuu try to corner them!" she shouted to him, pointing to the end of the table they were heading towards. She ran down the left side, not caring about her dress as wine and food both ruined. Her shoes slipped and she fell, sliding the rest of the way. Grimalkin jumped landing on her head and hissing from his perch at the yapping dog.

"Primrose Dragoslav!" She cringed, wincing hearing her uncle's voice ring out and the room go silent.

Over the shouts of the guests and the roaring in his head, Ryuu didn't catch a word of what Prim said to him, but he did understand her pointing at one end of the table. Nodding, he ran off for the end of the table, all the while trying to calm Rusger with his mind. But the pug's excitement proved contagious, and before he knew it, Ryuu found himself also enthralled in the chase.

All that mattered was catching the cat. So when he reached the end of the table and appeared to be reaching for Rusger, he was actually reaching out for the feline, a mad spark in his eye.

But he missed, and the cat was on Prim's head. He stretched out for it, fingers groping, victory soon to be his as Rusger barked at his feet and spun in circles--

A loud voice rang out through the noise, making him cow like a dog smacked on the nose for doing something wrong. Until he grabbed a hold of his senses and quickly composed himself, bending down to scoop Rusger up as he continued to bark.

This was bad. Though to be honest, he'd known Rusger wouldn't be able to hold his end of the deal.

"Go to my study immediately!" Primrose winced as she stood to follow her uncle's orders. "And take your guest with you," he spat out disgustedly. She grabbed the cat off her head and nodded to Ryuu. Her uncle followed close on her heels.

'I never should have let him bully me into coming home. I knew this would be a bad idea. Now I have gotten Ryuu in trouble too. This is so embarrassing. This is all your fault,' she thought glaring at the obese cat lounging in her arms. 'Ryuu is going to hate me now. I am such a terrible friend. Nothing ever changes, does it?' Primrose continued to berate herself harshly as each heavy footfall led her to the dreaded study.

Stepping inside sent a dark chill up her spine. This room was one she remembered well. Its dark ornate interior always filled her with a deep-seated dread. In her youth, this is where her punishments had always been doled out. It was also where she always heard the things she did not want to hear. Anything from "no you cannot play outside" to "your mother is dead" had been addressed in this room.

She waited patiently for her uncle to close the door and sit behind his desk. The moment he was in his chair with his brandy in hand she launched at him verbally. "Please Uncle, this is entirely my fault. Ryuu had nothing to do with this. I wish to accept full responsibility for this," she told him. Primrose stood straight and proper, her head bowed demurely and her hands clasped loosely in front of her. 'I will not let you hurt him because of me. He is the only friend I have. I will not let you destroy that!'

While Ryuu felt tremendous guilt for having gotten Prim in trouble, Rusger still wriggled in his arms, wide eyes set on the fat cat in Prim's arms. Ryuu had a good grip on the pug, though, so there was no chance of the animal escaping this time.

*It's a cat, Ryuu! A cat! I want to play with it. I like cats!*

*We've put Prim in a bad situation, Rus.* He followed Prim and her uncle down familiar halls until they turned into a dark room he remembered all-too-well. Many a times he and Prim had come here to be yelled at--and in his case, be forbidden from the house for all eternity, a threat he never obeyed.

It was as if he'd stepped back in time, the room just as it had been those many trouble-making years ago. Even the desk sat in the same position, the smell of the room still stale and musty.

Sensing Ryuu's discomfit, Rusger stopped staring at the cat to look around. *This is a bad place,* the pug said. *It smells like sad and mad. Let's leave. We could go back to the park!*

But then Prim spoke, and all thoughts of the park left Ryuu's mind.

"No," he said, a little more sternly than he'd intended. How could she be saying this? She'd done nothing wrong. Why did she always have to throw herself in front of him like this? "I had everything to do with this." He stepped forward, keeping straight eye contact with the man that held his brandy bottle so firmly it looked like it might break in his grip.

*There's a cat, Ryuu. Prim has the cat. Let's chase it!* All worry about the room had left the little pug.

Primrose bit back a growl as Ryuu moved to verbally defend himself. 'Why can't you just let me deal with this for once? I am a big girl, Ryuu. Let me handle this!' As she mentally yelled at her friend, Grimalkin decided he no longer liked his current location and jumped down onto the desk. Slowly he situated himself until he was sitting in front of Ryuu and Rusger. His tail flicked out in Rusger's face tauntingly.

"Uncle, this is my guest. What he does affects me. Therefore, I am the one to blame."
"I see you finally learned something, you foolish girl! That is right, his actions affect you. You never should have invited such filth into this household. Tonight is meant to be the start of finding you a husband. Having him around only tarnishes you. What husband wants a harlot for a wife?" he spat out at the pair.

"How dare you! You insult not only me and Ryuu but his family as well. Ryuu is not just some common stable hand you can push around. He is of a noble family, just as we are. He-"

"Who and what he is does not matter when you have sullied yourself by sleeping with him!" Engilram screamed, throwing his glass at the wall. Primrose flinched as it struck the wall beside her and glass sprayed out towards her.

It took every ounce of dignity he had to not stare down at the cat as it made itself comfortable on the desk and started to provoke Rusger with its tail. He had to will his own control onto the little pug as well so that he didn't start screaming to be put down. Through all of his *No, Rusger*s every few seconds, it was a wonder he caught any of the dispute going on between Prim and her uncle.

When the glass was thrown at the wall, shattering into hundreds of pieces, chaos erupted. The cat, startled out of its game with Rusger, jumped off the desk and made a run for it. Ryuu, also surprised by the violent act, lost his mental hold on Rusger and the little pug squirmed violently out of his grasp, tearing off after the fat tabby with loud yips and barks.

Upset by the rude, caveman-like behaviour of the man that claimed to be so dignified, and frustrated with Rusger, Ryuu stepped in front of Prim, one arm out as if to protect her from any other flying objects.

"Sir, your behaviour here is abominable. You act like a common peasant, not like the noble that you are supposed to be. I beg your leave until you are willing to act civilly." With that he turned and offered his hand to Prim. When she took it, he began to escort her from the room, mentally asking Rusger to join them.

The pug, having already caught the cat and now trying to chew on its ears without much success due to his lack of snout, quickly obeyed.

Her raced raced in her chest as she took Ryuu's hand. Her face stung but her mind was quick to remind her that this was mild compared to what her uncle was capable of. Her ears rang with his false accusations.

'Sleep with Ryuu? I would never. He would never. We are just friends.We don't like each other like that. Do we? No, Ryuu would never like me like that. He would never take advantage of me like that. He is too much of a gentleman for that kind of business.'

So wrapped up in her thoughts and fear, Primrose never noticed her uncle moving towards them, rage burning in his eyes. She did not even realize the extent of the danger she was in when latched on to her hair close the her scalp and ripped her away from her friend's safety and comfort.

"Whore!" her uncle screamed as Engilram swung her towards his desk. She cried out as her arm flared in pain after making awkward contact with the floor. Breathing heavily, her back to the door, Primrose tried to collect herself.

"Ryuu I think you should go," she called softly to her friend, breaking the tense silence. 'Please Ryuu. I don't want you to see me like this. I don't you to see how weak your friend is. If you go now, he won't hurt you. Please Kia, send him away! Protect him for me, please.'

Primrose did not wait to see if Ryuu heeded her warning. She cowered before her uncle, giving him the impression that she was truly apologetic. In truth she was anything but. 'If you hurt him, I swear to Kia herself I will kill you for this! '

He watched in horror that quickly turned to outrage as Prim was snatched from his grasp and thrown to the floor. Ryuu'd known Engilram to be an angry, offensive man since he'd first met him, but never had he seen him act so acrimoniously irrational before. It was as if all reason had left the man, nothing but primal thoughts left.

Feeding off of each others' feelings, he and Rusger moved forward as one, the little pug growling and barking as he went to stand in front of Prim as a sort of shield, and Ryuu standing between the Engilram and his friend.

*Primmy! He hurt Primmy!*

"You've gone too far, Engilram," he said, the man no longer deserving to be addressed as one of high stature. Ryuu was no longer the little boy he'd been over four years ago, allowing those bigger than him to tell him what to do. At sixteen, he was much taller, and had gained some magical prowess that the man did not know about.

But he would now.

Flame exuded from his outstretched palm, licking at his fingers with a comfortable warmth. He held the ball of fire as though holding a precious and fragile figurine. "You will leave immediately, or I will take matters into my own . . . hands." He flicked his eyes toward his burning palm, hoping he had insinuated well enough what he'd meant. He had no intention of harming anyone, but he did not let that show.

Primrose nearly rolled her eyes as her friend moved to protect her. 'Ryuu you idiot, you're going to get hurt!' Moving quickly to her feet, she scooped up the tiny pug and grabbed Ryuu's wrist just above where his hand was now flaming.

"Ryuu," she called his attention now placing herself between her friend and uncle. "I think you should go. This is a family matter, a private matter," she told him, smiling through her pain. "It was good to see you friend. I hope to see you again before I return home. I have missed you."

A true smile finally graced her face and she moved forward to give him a Rusger. Her eyes were a silent plea to him. 'Please just go Ryuu. You are only making this worse for me. He always wins. Don't let us both hurt for this.'

"Please Ryuu," she softly begged. Behind her, her uncle sneered but wisely held his tongue. He knew just how close he came to being in serious trouble. He would not taunt the pair anymore tonight but, he would not quickly forget it.

'There will come a time boy where all you care for will fall to pieces. One day she will not be there to save you from me. One day your world will fall. When that day comes I will be waiting,' he thought morbidly.

In the second that Prim grabbed at his wrist, Ryuu extinguished the elemental blaze, the fire dissipating with a small fwoosh. Despite his threats, he had no desire to harm anyone, especially not Prim. Just as quickly as his flame had gone, however, an invisible flame of irritation perked its bright head inside his mind.

Like always, Prim stood in the way of his trying to help her, tried to get him to leave, and, while that might have worked in the past, he was not going to let it work this time. He was not going to stand by and watch his friend be abused by this vulgar excuse for nobility.

Taking Rusger—who did not squirm due to his disgruntlement—Ryuu ignored Prim, not looking her in the eye and instead maintaining his eye contact with her uncle. "I'm sorry, Prim, but you're wrong," he said, "this is not a 'private matter.' Your uncle has insulted my family, and our character and virtue—which," he added, "I will not allow to continue."

He stepped past Prim, standing right before her uncle, then gave a low bow, eyes still locked onto the other's. "As I stated before, we'll now be leaving. Prim." He turned to his friend, nodding at her and then nodding at the door. Rusger glared around Ryuu's arms at Engilram, his senses keeping Ryuu alert to the possibility of an attack from behind.

Primrose gazed up at her childhood friend in silence. 'He really has grown up,' she thought in awe. His diplomacy and maturity surprised her but, the initial rise of his magical flame only proved to her that he still had some more growing to do. She had no doubt of the noble man he would become. 'Even after all this time, he still protects me. The girl he marries is truly blessed.' She could not understand why the last thought sickened her though.

"Forgive me, Ryuu," she applogized, bowing her head and releasing his wrist. "I mean no further insult to you and yours by denying you your noble right to reclaim your honor."

She smirked, looking at her uncle with mock innocence. "Pardon me Uncle, but I think it only best if I escort our guest out." Primrose moved quickly out of the room, ignoring her uncle's glares and further snide mutterings. With both her and Ryuu now outside the room, she quickly pulled the study doors shut behind them.

Removing one of her many metal hairpins, she bent it until it fit her purpose and jammed it into the door's locking mechanism. Primrose placed a finger to her lips and raised her brow at Ryuu. It was as if four years had not passed, as if blood was not beading on her face from the glass shards, as if this was just another prank between. She reached out and took his larger hand in her own, silently motioning her head in the opposite direction of the exit.

'It should take Uncle quite a while to get out of there. Perhaps now I can spend some time with Ryuu. I hope he isn't too offended,' she thought worriedly. 'I will have to ask him once we are out of hearing range.' A smile curled the corners of her lips and she breathed a soft sigh of relief. 'I am glad I can always count on you, Ryuu.'

The walk through the halls allowed Ryuu to calm some of his righteous temper toward Prim's uncle, but the temper aimed at Prim only seemed to kindle. Even after four years she still let the man mistreat her, hadn't learned to stand up for herself when she was clearly in the right. And when she did stand up for herself, it was for the wrong reason, to get him out of the way.

Prim's door to her bedroom came into view, its fanciful carvings in the wood as recognizable as the back of his own hand. How many times had he been led here in their younger years to sneak inside?

He stopped, pulling his hand out of hers. It was no longer proper for them to do this, especially after all the accusations Engrilram had made. Who knew if the man would spread the rumors and tarnish Prim's future?

"Prim," he said, looking down the opposite hall for an alternative route. "We should go elsewhere. Outside, maybe."

*Outside! I like outside,* Rusger commented cheerfully, all dour thoughts from back in the horrible office forgotten.

Primrose paused briefly in surprise at Ryuu's statement. "Why-" she began before understanding set in. 'We are not children anymore. Entering my room would only sully his honor further than my uncle's false accusations.'

"Why don't we head out through the kitchens then? We can swipe some sweets along the way," she suggested right before internally slapping herself. 'Idiot woman! You are not children. He is not going to want to sneak around through sevant's entrances and steal food like a common thief.'

Flustered, Primrose shoved her hand through her haid, smearing beads of blood across her cheeking and knocking loose a few tiny shards of glass. "Or we don't have to do that. We could do something else. I don't mean to imply that we have to sneak about because we don't. I know it sounded that way, but we really don't. I know it sounded that way but I didn't mean it; this may be my uncle's house but I still live here for now and you are my guest. Well I did mean the suggestion but, what I am trying to say is, is that the implication that came with my statement was not meant," she rambled. Four years in Ketra had done nothing to end Primrose's nervous circle-talking.

The kitchens? Ryuu stared at her. Sometimes, even now, it was hard for him to understand what was going on in her head. And then there was the issue of the glass still on her face, which she somehow failed to notice, or at least for some reason refused to take care of.

"We'll walk out through the front doors," he said, interrupting her mindless babbling that he wasn't even going to try and understand. "And you should take care of your face before we do."

He didn't mean to sound so snippy, but his irritation ground at him, like one grinding his teeth. At fourteen, she should have been able to take care of herself. He felt like a scolding parent, and he was only sixteen!

Rusger's confusion at his behaviour stifled him some. He sighed.

It was as if a door had been slammed on Primrose's emotions. She just suddenly went from rambling to silence and numbness in the face of Ryuu's anger and frustration. The smile fell away from her face, leaving behind a blank expression.

Squaring her shoulders, she straightened her posture, and half-glared up at him through her lashes. Turning on heel she marched into her room, slamming the door behind her. Angrily she ripped her hairpins and jewels from her gold locks and threw them down on her vanity, sending the remaining glass shards scattering about the room. Catching her reflection in the looking glass gave her reason to pause in her jerky motions.

'I look horrid,' she realized observing the small nicks on the right side of her face and the pinpricks of blood that ran down it. 'What happened to me? I used to be so different when I was a child. Things like this never mattered before. Why do I let them upset me now?'

Furiously, she wiped at her face scraping the dried blood off her cheek. Grabbing up a head scarf, she wound her long hair up into it and tied it tightly before marching back out the door. Ignoring Ryuu she marched past him headed for the main foyer.

Her change in demeanor was instantaneous, startling, really. He didn't know a person could go from one emotion to another so quickly. Before he had time to ask about it, she stormed into her room and slammed the door behind her, leaving him to stare at it blankly.

*What did I do?* he asked, though more to himself. She had been the one acting like a child, the one with blood on her face from her uncle's temper tantrum. He'd never quite realized it before, but Prim was a lot like her uncle in some ways: prone to mood swings, those mainly falling under the category of angry.

Rusger was snorting happily, unaffected by Prim's bout of ill-temper, mouth hanging open as he breathed. Ryuu could feel the pug's sides rattling against his arm. The noise was comforting for no explainable reason—just feeling his soul-bond move with life, unworried about things of little consequence. *Will she come back? I want to go outside. Let's go outside and she can meet us there,* the pug said.

It wasn't hard to hear Prim thundering around in her room, even if he didn't share the hearing of his soul-bond. He didn't know what to do in this situation; he'd never had to deal with a raging girl before.

He was just supposing he would leave her to her tantrum when he heard the door open behind him and he turned in time to see Prim stamp past him.

Having no idea whether he should follow or not, Ryuu kept up at as slow a pace as he could without losing her. How long was this going to last?

The closer she got to the main foyer, the slower Primrose moved. By the time she reached the archway, her steps came to a complete stop. Couples spun around the dance floor, splashing the room with color like a painting. Apparently the chaos of dinner was being drowned out with gossip and entertainment.

From the orchestra in the corner an old tune started up. A violin let out soft melancholy notes followed by the other string instruments, picking up the beat. Primrose's shoulders drooped as she listened. 'Mama's song.' She let the notes wash over her, calming her anger but also tainting it with sadness. 'I am such a spoiled little thing,' she thought glancing over at Ryuu. 'I ruin his honor, his family's honor, and our friendship. How do I keep doing this?'

Tears welled up in Primrose's eyes, her gaze on the dancers once more. Tentatively stepping out into the crowd, she felt incredibly naked. Each smile was a sneer; each laugh was cruel mockery; each whispered word was a stab in the back and a lie. 'I should have never invited Ryuu. None of this would have happened if I did. Me and my big mouth always getting me in trouble!' To her left the group of girls from earlier began to approach her. Primrose's eyes widened and she froze in place. The instinct to bolt, to hide, to lock herself away and never be seen again was coursing strongly through her veins. 'Now what?' she sobbed internally.

In truth, the girls were approaching Ryuu, not Prim. They walked right past her and gathered in a tight circle around him.

"What happened, Ryuu?"

"Oh! Are you all right? I'm so glad you caught your puppy. He's cute."

"You look upset. Come dance with us!"

He listened to the tittering words with some aggravation. Why Prim had led them back here was beyond him. He'd thought she'd wanted to leave, and going through the main foyer to get to the front door was not his idea of an escape. More like a trap.

Despite his assurances to the girls that surrounded him, several of them would not take his words to heart and started grabbing at his arms, pulling him toward the dancing people. One of them took Rusger, who starting yipping and wagging his tail at the attention, and handed him over to Prim. "Prim won't mind watching your puppy, will you, Prim?" the one with red hair said, her question more a statement than anything else. "Just keep a good hold on him in case that cat comes back."

*Cat! Where's the cat? I like cats!* Rusger said as he was passed around, soon being held out to Prim. His tail moved so furiously that his entire body wiggled in the girl's arms who carried him.

"Please," Ryuu tried to say, pulling back on the grabbing hands without much success. His arm was no longer his property. He found himself on the dance floor in no time flat, a girl with dazzling blue eyes and blonde hair leading him along in the current slow step being played by the nearby band. He looked to Prim and Rusger in a mild hope for escape, but it would be rude now that he was in the middle of a dance, despite it being against his will.

*I wish you'd fought back, Rus,* he told the pug exasperatedly.

At first she felt affronted when the girls passed off Rusger as if he was just some worthless piece of trash and stole Ryuu away. She watched her childhood friend move on the dance floor and came to her own unfounded conclusion. If she had just observed a moment more, she would have seen his pleading looks.

'He doesn't need me. Why would he ever want to spend time with me when he has them? Where have I been the last four years? I let our friendship fade. It is only fair that he has moved on without me. Now I have upset him. I never should have tried to see him. Uncle would never have had that argument and Ryuu would never have been offended.'
Saddened, Primrose cradled Rusger close to her chest. "At least I have you Russy," she murmured, scratching behind his ears. "Let's go outside and let Ryuu enjoy his dance."

Weaving in and out of the crowd, she slipped out the front door and into the courtyard. The cool night air made her shiver and she hurried towards the stables. Placing Rusger in the crook of her arm, she carefully climbed up into the hay loft and settled herself against the wall and out of sight.

"Oh Rusger," she exclaimed picking him up and holding him at eye level. "What am I to do?" Primrose gently placed him back down, letting her hand brush over his back and keep an eye on him. The guardrails would prevent him from falling, but she still did not want to take any chances. 'Ryuu would kill me if I let anything happen to him.'

"I thought we were friends. Was I wrong?" she mused allowed. "So much has changed and yet, so much hasn't. I feel like we are so different now that we are unrecognizable. He looks like Ryuu and he sounds like Ryuu but, he's not. He's different."

Her head dropped down into her hands. "I have changed. Maybe it isn't Ryuu. Maybe it's just all me. Kia! He must find me horrid and spoiled. Why did things have to change? Why can't things go back to the way they were?" Even as she mumbled the words aloud she felt a sickening sensation from deep within her gut. 'He doesn't need you, Prim. He has them. He's grown up and so should you! Uncle is right, you are just a silly girl.' Primrose let an exclamation of frustration before falling silent once more. Her head whirled with thoughts of regret and self-loathing. 'I wish I could turn back time. I wish we could be friends again. I wish...I wish.'

By the time he managed to pull away from the hormone-crazed girls, an hour had passed. His face ached with the strain of having kept a false polite, endearing smile the entire time, acting as though he enjoyed it each time a new girl stepped in to dance with him.

He didn't need to look around to know that Prim had left the room, but that was as far as he knew. Had she gone back to her room, or gone outside?

Being too far a distance away from Rusger, Ryuu couldn't speak to him to ask, though he did get tinges of sadness from the animal, near to pity.

So he followed his instincts, which led him to the stables. He could sense Rusger nearby and glanced around. *Rus? Where are you?*

*Prim is sad,* the pug said while mentally showing Ryuu an image of the hayloft, which Ryuu made his way for.

"Prim?" he called out softly.

Primrose rested her head on her arms, pulling her knees in close. The head scarf fell forward slightly, covering her eyes and letting silken strands of hair escape. 'I will not cry. I will not cry. I will not cry. I'm crying.' Warm tears traced down her face, even as she pressed her face harder into her arms to hide them.

"What?" she asked weakly, curling in on herself. 'Go 'way Ryuu. Stupid, perfect boy, you can't even let me sulk in peace can you? You have to come and make me feel worse by being nice. Why must he come torture me with politeness? I know he doesn't want to be friends. I get it now. I should have understood that when the letters dwindled off. I am such a fool. I am going to tell him. He always said I needed to stand up for myself. I can do this. When he comes closer, I will just be upfront with him. "Ryuu," I'm going to say, "you can stop being nice now. I know it was a childhood thing," and then I'll uh...I'll leave. Yep I can do this.' She sniffled softly, trying to stop the tears. 'I can't do this.'

He suddenly became aware of the taste of salt on his tongue, followed by a brief sense of his pug licking Prim's wet face.

So. She was crying.

He stopped where he was and looked up at the hayloft he now stood under. He'd heard her say something, but he couldn't see her.

Was he to go up there to comfort her? This wasn't like when they were children and he would try to cheer her up after she'd scraped a knee or her uncle had yelled at her. She was grown now, and crying over something he didn't understand at all.

Going against his better judgment, he started climb up toward her, the frayed wood of the ladder biting into his palms. When he reached the top, he saw her curled up by the hay, her scarf hiding her face from view. Rusger sat beside her, looking sadly from her and then to Ryuu. Upon seeing Ryuu, the pugs curled tail wagged slowly.

"Prim," he repeated. "What are you doing up here?"

Each creak of the ladder as Ryuu ascended made Primrose cringe. 'It's going to break. He shouldn't come up here. He is going to get hurt. Oh that would be terrible and all my fault. No, Ryuu just go away. Leave me in my misery. You don't need to be my knight anymore. We were children then. We've grown up. Just let the memories die. Don't pour any more salt on my festering heart.'

Primrose sniffled loudly. "Go 'way!" She lifted her head, furiously rubbing at her tears. Pushing the scarf back, revealed pale skin marred by red blotches and dried tear tracks. Her blue eyes were swollen and puffy. 'I look like a toad!'

She let her legs fall down so that she was sitting in a cross-legged position with her head hanging to stare at her lap. Occasionally one hand would come up to brush away stray tears that fell faster than she could wipe them away. The other hand hesitantly reached out and gave Rusger a gentle pet down his back.

"I offended you didn't I?" she blurted out. 'Now that was not what I was going to talk about.' Primrose looked over to him, feeling pitiful and small. "When my uncle was yelling at me, I offended you didn't I? I'm sorry Ryuu. I'm sorry you have to put up with my childish notions." She began to hiccup, the more upset she became. "I understand now. You don't have to keep pretending, Ryuu. I know you don't...I'm sorry," she finished softly.

He'd had some idea as for what to do when he got up here, but now that he was and saw her tear-streaked face, his mind went blank. Flashes of a sad Prim with a large cut on her arm, and an upset Prim after a particularly stern scolding from her uncle went through his mind. She looked the same now as she did at those times when they were younger.

"Pretending?" he repeated. He remained on the ladder, grip tight on the wood. What was she talking about? What was he pretending?

After a few moments, he moved up off the ladder and went to sit in front of her. Rusger came and sat in the crevice created by his crossed legs, still looking at Prim and giving off little whimpers every time she sniffed.

Ryuu looked away from her, unable to stare directly at her sad face, embarrassed more for her than himself. "Prim," he said to the old wood beneath his hands. "Engilram was the one being offensive, not you. I just wish--" He paused, at a loss for how to word what had upset him. "I just wish you'd stand up for yourself when someone treats you like that."

"How can I? How when others are at risk? I don't want you getting hurt. I would rather look weak then see that happen. I've lived with him most of my life. I know how to live with his temper. I am not afraid of him!" she justified.

"What point is there of standing up to a man who can't even hear the poison he's spewing? I would rather save such efforts on...on matters that actually count." Her voice softened in weary defeat. "Why do you care, Ryuu? I know I'm just a silly little girl. You don't need to try and protect me anymore. You don't...have to force childhood memories to rule your actions now."

'You don't have to be my friend anymore. You don't have to be my champion against the family demon. I will figure it out. I always do.'

"You shouldn't have to live with it," he said, voice growing hard again. Even after he'd explained, she still didn't get it, still acted like a child. "And I care because you're a friend."

Now he looked to her, glaring. She spoke nonsense after that. Something about childhood memories ruling his actions. Childhood memories were not what held a friendship together; friendship was deeper than that. Were it just memories, then it wouldn't last over time.

But he was only sixteen. What did he know about complicated things? He simply knew what he felt, and what he felt was irritation toward her allowing her uncle to treat her like dirt. She was old enough to stand up for herself.

And for some reason seeing Prim cry put him at a blank. It hadn't been like that when they were younger; he'd always known what to say to make her smile again.

"Let's . . . go back to the park," he offered, one hand going to rest on Rusger's head. "Or get out of here, at least. Even just go for a walk."

"Really? We're still friends? I mean, I know things have gotten distant. I guess I just fear by living apart, we are growing apart." Primrose gave him a weak smile. "You are the only friend I've ever had, Ryuu. I don't want to lose that."

She brushed her hand harshly across her face, banishing the drying tears. Her lips quivered, finally settling on a real smile. "Enough of this silliness. I'm sorry for being such a girl," she spat out the word as if it left a bitter taste on her tongue. "To the park then?"

He blinked. "Of course we're still friends," he said, dumbfounded. "Four years of absence doesn't take away from the ten years of our association with one another. But," he added, a hint of warning growing in his tone, "people do change over time. You can't stop that."

He felt a sense of relief upon seeing her relax and wipe at her face. Somehow something he had said had calmed her, though he'd no idea what it was. Maybe he did still have the ability to soothe her, at a subconscious level.

But he didn't know what to say to the girl comment, since in his mind it was true that she had acted strangely, which girls were known to do, so he didn't answer to it. Instead he gave a small, knowing smile and got to his feet, holding out his hand to help her to hers. "No mud playing this time," he said in mock warning. "These dress clothes are not meant to get dirty, and I'd rather not have to replace two outfits in one day."

Reaching her hand up, Primrose slipped hers into Ryuu's larger one. "Now who's acting like a girl," she teased. "But, I promise. I think earlier was enough mud to last me quite a while. It took ages to get it all out of my hair."

Her skirts rustled as she made her way over to the ladder. Looking down, she frowned at the idea of having to try and get back down with her layers and layers of skirts. Changing her mind, she hopped over the low railing and allowed herself to fall onto hay bales below. She had not done that since she was a child and thrilled at having done it.

"Ryuu?" she asked, waiting for him to follow with Rusger. "Are you sure you want to go to the park though? Wouldn't you rather go back to the party and dance with the other girls? I know they really like you. We could go back, if you want to." Primrose was proud of herself for being so very calm about it all. 'No more tears, Prim. Ryuu doesn't like it when you cry. Let's not upset him more tonight. He didn't even want to come because of uncle. He only did it because you begged him. Try and let him have a good time. He deserves it after dealing with your family.'

Not one to commit to rowdy behavior like jumping from haylofts when in fine silks, Ryuu chose instead to take the same route he'd taken to get up. Scooping Rusger up off the ground, which was littered with broken strands of hay that stuck to the pug's fur, he made his way to the ladder and started to descend.

He was midway down when Prim's next words cut him short. He stopped, staring at his hands, consternation and exasperation coming over him. After a few seconds, he started downward once more, though when he made it to the ground, dropping the last few steps, he turned to her. "No. I would not like to go back and dance with the girls," he said evenly, and, leaving it at that,  he stepped past her into the dark of the night.

*Ryuu!* Rusger suddenly sounded very guilty, which made him halt for a moment.

*Yes, Rus? What is it?*

Rusger squirmed a little. *I lost my bow when I chased the cat.*

Oh. Ryuu cracked a little smile. *That's all? No need to feel so guilty over that, Rus. It was just a bow.*

*Yes! Just a bow! But you gave it to me.*

*I'll buy you another if you'd like.*

*I like bows!*

And so Ryuu made the mental note to buy his pug another bow once they got home. Whenever that would be.

His even tone sent a spike of unease through Primrose 'I upset him, again. But, how? Doesn't he like the other girls? They are very pretty, surely their company would be better suited for him than mine Let it go, Prim. He said he wanted to be with you. But-no buts, you know Ryuu doesn't do anything he doesn't want to do. Then, why did he dance with the girls? Did he want to? Primrose Dragoslav, give it a rest! He wants to spend time with you; enjoy it! With Uncle acting the way he is, who knows when you will get a chance like this again.'

Quickly, skipping over to catch up with Ryuu, Primrose tried to let her thoughts go. "It's a clear night," she finally said as she stared up at the stars. "Remember when we used to sneak out in the middle of the night?" Primrose blushed and shook her head, chuckling, "I used to get in such trouble for that. But, it was always worth it. I loved our little adventures. They always made life seem so much more magical, for me at least. I missed you," she let out a soft sigh, "both of you."

His eyes followed Prim's toward the sky. Upon seeing the bright stars, shining down without a care and lighting his and Prim's path with their glow, he felt a sense of relief for the first time since he'd arrived at the house that evening. He hadn't realized how uptight he'd become until he noticed his shoulders visibly relaxing, the grim line of his lips falling into a comfortable frown.

It was hard to remain on the defense when outside. The world was so big, his cares so little in comparison.

*I like stars,* the little pug said in awe as he too gazed up, the stars reflecting in his large brown eyes.

Ryuu did remember sneaking out with Prim, but now those nights seemed long ago, in another life entirely. What she called "adventures" had seemed that way then. Now they reminded him of how reckless he'd been. At the time he'd never thought about how Prim's uncle would have punished her later for having sneaked out--he'd just wanted to make Prim happy and had been unable to do so in the walls of the house.

"I remember," he said. "And I missed you as well. Rusger, too."

"The hare," she cried pointing up to a certain constellation in the new autumn sky. "Did you know that he dances right over our old night clearing? That is how I always found my way back to you. I knew the rabbit would lead me far from my own fearsome fox."

Primrose scrunched up her nose and giggled. "The only time I never got lost was when I was on my way to you at night. I often wondered how you could stand me when I was constantly getting distracted. I flitted from one thing to the next like a bird. Although, I don't think that has changed much."

She walked with him in silence a bit, just enjoying the cool night air and the peace it brought. "Have your parents started on you about courting yet? That's all Uncle ever talks about nowadays. The way he acts you would think I'm in line for some crown." The young noble rolled her eyes and shook her head playfully. "He was the same about my father. The manner that Uncle talks about father is as if he was some lowly peasant. My father was a knight and a noble. He had thrice the honor in death Engilram has now in life."

Her hand reached out to scratch the pug behind his ears. "I wish you could have met my father. He would have liked you. But, then again I would never have met you if he hadn't died first. So I guess this is the way it was meant to be. Strange how that works, isn't it?"

Not one to really be interested in constellations and their stories, Ryuu nonetheless let Prim continue on with her explanations. It all sounded silly to him. They were stars, nothing more. That people saw images in them--which he couldn't understand, either. The bear Ursa, or whatever it was called, was made up of some four of five stars which looked nothing like a bear--was nothing more than fantasy. Like insane people making out images in ink blots.

And then, out of nowhere, the conversation moved to courting. "My parents don't believe in arranged marriage," he said, holding Rusger a little tighter, making the pug look to him with his big eyes.

Of course they were back on her uncle, the subject that had started this whole upset in the first place. He didn't want to keep it up, so he merely nodded at the name.

"It is strange," he said. "But I believe things happen for a reason. I'm sorry about your father."

She shrugged her shoulders, unphased. "People come and people go. Love them while you have them; miss them when they're gone. Lucky you though," she exclaimed, switching topics again. "All Uncle talks about in his letters is marriage and fortune. I much prefer yours to his, even if they are few and far between."

The birthday girl shook her head and smiled. "But, enough about me. What have you been up to? Have you continued with your studies or perhaps found something in particular that interests you?" Primrose looked up at Ryuu as they continued walking, finally entering their favorite park. Every so often she would look down to smile at Rusger who becaue of her short stature was level with her face.

'I missed them more than I even realized. No one in Adela seems to understand me as he did. He never judges me or expects me to be anyone but myself. Ryuu never made fun of me for prefering books over boys, and he certainly never insisted that I needed to change that. I almost wish I could move back and live here again. Perhaps I wil extend my visit so that I may see them a bit more before my departure. Enduring Uncle's caging presence would be worth it.' Feeling a bit better and certainly more content, the yound noble stood closer to her friend, so that as they walked they ocassionally bumbed into each other.

He never knew if it was from his own liking, or if it was Rusger's doing, but Ryuu always felt at home when at the park. The sound of the wind through the trees, the stars glowing overhead, the smell of autumn in the air, here he felt truly calm.

Or hyper, depending on the time of day.

Rusger wriggled in his grip, sensing his excitement and increasing it with his own. *We should live at the park,* the pug said, tongue lolling. *I like the park.*

*Yes. I know you do.* He couldn't help and smile at this one. If there was another animal that liked the park more than Rusger, Ryuu would be sorely surprised. The pug's heart rate increased the moment they stepped onto the grassy territory. He'd marked it as his own. And here was where the two of them had the most memories. Good ones. Mostly of running. To Prim he said, a bit more softly to not disrupt the peace of the park, "Always with my studies. There's always something to learn. Nothing other than that. The usual. It's only been a few years."

"A lot happens in a few years. For instance," she started, smiling broadly, "I have decided to apply to teach at the sanctuary in Ketra, the healer's college. If they will accept me, I can do a great service to my father's people, at least a much better one than I could to my mother's. I wish you would come visit me Ryuu."

Her senses took in the beauty of their park, the feel of the breeze, the sound of nighttime, the smell of nature. "There are no parks like this but, the forest has some redeeming qualities. I have yet to venture out into it at night, or very far within during the say as it were. It's," Primrose trailed off trying to find a word that would describe it best and came up blank. "Different. Have the two of you gotten into a trouble lately? Well, besides this evening. Sorry about that."

"I might." He didn't look away from the sky when he said this. Truth was, he didn't ever plan on leaving this place. It was where he'd been born, where he'd grown up. He had more of a future here than anywhere else. But he couldn't tell her that, not when she was so intent on seeing him come. Let her hope.

"And it wasn't anything Rus and I couldn't handle. We've been in worse. Not lately, though."

Primrose laid down in the grass, folding her hands behind her head so that she could better view the stars. "Good, because you're not allowed to get into trouble without me. I'll always be there for you, you know that right? No matter how far apart we live or how many years pass, I'll still be your friend."

A smile crossed her face as she listened to the night. Frogs croaked, crickets chirped, the wind rustled the leaves and the grass. The fresh clean smell of water and earth soothed her and made her forget even for a moment of her uncle and her troubles at home. "It's so peaceful," she whispered. "I'd forgotten." The forest near her home was far more dark and enclosing than the park here. She did not even realize how much she missed it until she was now back here and with him.

Since I'm dropping Ryuu, I'm afraid I have to drop this thread, as well. It's been fun, Goblin!