101 Interludes (87a+b)

Interlude 1

The party at the Forest was an absolute blast. Kyubia hosted it and her clan pulled off so many hilarious antics, Colin was beside himself in laughter in spite of everything.

Lynn enjoyed it too. She instated the new Clans as the night ended, ending with the new Queen Megant, who had arrived late after settling colony at a nice spot near Floras.

Colin was watching a giant peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich dance with a purple penguin on ice skates (both of them Streak Foxes in disguise) when Katrin called him.

"Colin…" she gasped. "I'm sorry, I couldn't get away…"

"It's okay." He said. "But you sure missed a lot of fun."

"You're not… mad?"

Colin laughed. "No. I'm not. Come on over, if you like."

"Umm… okay. I'm on my way." She cut the link.

Lynn noted the exchange. Colin sent her his memories, so she'd know what happened.

"That's good." Lynn said. "Try not to get mad at her as much as you can, Colin. She's still young, and so are you."

"I'll try." Colin said, feeling slightly mischievous from his contact with Kyubia.

Lynn rolled her eyes. "I'm heading back to the Forest of Legends. Don't forget what I told you, okay? Any of it… starting from the transfer and the quest."

"Sure." Colin answered. "We'll get to it tomorrow, since it's nearly time to Wake Up here."

Lynn nodded as she got up to leave. "You really should hurry up with the quest, Colin. I'm going to need you soon."

"Need me? For what?" Colin asked, but there was no answer.

Lynn had already gone.

***

Interlude 2

"Sora."

{That voice… that dear, precious voice…} it was the voice Sora wished to hear the most. "Lucy."

He held her, there in that secluded corner, whispering, "I have to thank Colin for giving us an extra chance to meet."

"Sora…" Lucy half-cried. "My father doesn't approve. I told him I found someone good, someone capable and everything, but… but he…"

"We'll figure something out." Sora said, his mood dampened, but refusing despair. "Maybe I should just meet him and tell him…"

"Tell me what?" Silvero stepped up, his face red and angry. His men crowded the entrance of the alley behind him.

"Father…!" Lucy gasped.

"Take him!" Silvero ordered, and his men scrambled in.

"Run!" Lucy told Sora.

"No." Sora stood firm. "I have to face him, and show him…"

"That you've been using my daughter to scheme behind my back?!" Silvero roared. "The Protectorate will not be undermined by such trickery!"

"It's no trick." Sora said, putting up no fight as Silvero's men closed in on him. "I am sincere."

"Lies!" Silvero barked. "Take him to the Pit!"

"The Pit?!" Lucy protested. "Father!"

"Take her to the Tower!" Silvero said next.

"Father, have you gone mad?!" Lucy gasped. "The Forester will…"

Silvero froze. He changed his mind. "Never mind the Tower. Bring her home to her mother. I'll deal with her later."

Lucy leapt aside and ran for it.

"Lucy!" Sora and Silvero gasped alike.

But Lucy did not turn. She kept running…

Towards the Forest.