[The Great Sue Hunt]

Bronx spared a quick glance at 'Cune, pinned to the wall, as she muttered, "Oh fuck me."

"Civilians," Bronx growled. She reached into the bag of holding and pulled out the dagger Sanura had gifted her with, the red dragon blade she simply called Haurach--Fate. As she had feared, the pinned 'Cune attracted the attention of a Tzu. "And it just gets better and better. Foe wants to talk to you, and I'm going to assume he'd prefer you breathing for that, so you're in luck."

"Oh, you poor dear!" the Tzu said to 'Cune. "Let me dispatch this evil... person, and I can tell you all about the wonders of our great Mistress and the joys of self-insertion."

"I'm sorry, but did you just refer to me as a person?" Bronx said, her tone deceptively pleasant.

The Tzu arched a perfectly plucked brow at Bronx. "Well, yes, I did, you evil... person."

"Let me guess. Teen rating, right?" Bronx arched her own elegant brow, the faintest smile beginning to curl her lips.

"Well, yes, as a matter of fact, I do specialize in Teen fiction for the greater glory of our beloved Mistress. I bring the joys of inserting one's own self into fiction to hordes of impressionable young girls everywhere," the Tzu chirped proudly.

"I see," Bronx said, and her faint smile grew a little more. 'Cune shivered, not liking that smile in the least little bit. "And you called me evil?"

"Well, yes!" The Tzu gestured. "Look at you! That outfit is practically painted on, and those heels just scream loosey goosey."

"They're fuck-me heels," Bronx said dryly, and the Tzu flinched. "Please don't mince words, since I'm hardly a teenaged girl. I'm dressed to entice, and that's because I do enjoy a pretty man with a hard cock and a desire to use said cock to make me scream loud enough to wake the fucking Pope."

The Tzu gagged a little and tried to move around Bronx toward 'Cune. "Please don't use words like that. They're offensive and totally unnecessary."

"Oh, really? I suppose that means you wouldn't want me to mention that I like the feel of a thick cock in my pussy, although I also enjoy taking it in the ass, and preferably at the same time, because two dicks are better than one. I like to suck cock, too. And I swallow the cum because spitting is really unladylike, and I would hate to be mistaken for a mannerless cunt." Bronx smiled cheerfully as the Tzu doubled over and began to vomit great gouts of black ink.

"But you know, the one thing I really never did like was inserting myself into my stories," Bronx continued, moving her foot out of the way of the spreading puddle of ink. "No, I prefer writing slash, and having all my pretty men fuck each other into a stupor, with cum slicking every possible surface and lots of asshole slurping. Tongue fucking, too. I really do like that. It's even better when I have men fucking elves, and the elves happily fucking the men, with big fat dildoes stretching assholes until they gape like barn doors."

The Tzu was twitching feebly as she dry heaved, the last few drops of ink wrung out of her. Her eyes were dull, the light fading as Bronx looked down at her. Bronx gave her a slightly anxious look.

"Do you think I'm too focused on slash? Do you think I should give dickgirls a try?" Bronx grinned as the Tzu collapsed and disappeared slowly.

Bronx looked over at 'Cune. "That one will need a good debriefing before she's ready to come back. But these Tzus... they're not nearly as tough as the first batch we encountered. I'm not so sure I'm happy about that, either. If they're not buffing the Tzus, who are they planning on throwing at us?" She examined Haurach pensively. "I wonder what you'll be able to tell us?"

[Probably an elementary question but how do you get notification of new reviews?]

It will be over the course of a few months, as I understand it. We would rather do this in stages, and deal with issues as they arise rather than do a sweeping change and perhaps wind up doing more harm than good.

I'd suggest keeping an eye on the monthly news announcements, since Apollo, our site owner, will be giving everyone warning before the next changes are rolled out, especially if there is anything that our users need to do to prepare.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand looked at Satoshi and shook his head, smiling a little. "Saiai, anything we have forgotten, we can get from the house in Neverwinter. We will stop there before going on to Evereska."

"Did I pack my favorite hoodie? I can't go without that hoodie. It's my most comfortable one." Satoshi looked up at Sand, his pink tongue peeking out to poke at his piercings. "Maybe we shouldn't even be going. Maybe this is a bad idea."

"Nonsense, this is a marvelous idea," Sand replied, unruffled, as he leaned in to nibble a kiss. "And you are wearing your favorite hoodie, as you insisted you would." He reached past Satoshi to close the bag of things Satoshi had insisted he required.

"How will I keep up with my physio?" Satoshi asked, a fretful note creeping into his voice. "I need the swimming, Masato. That really helps, and it tires me less than other things. And I have to take my laptop."

Sand smiled angelically. "The point of going to Evereska, watashi no kokoro, is so that you will be healed and not require physio. Vale has asked his sister Ardiel to meet us there, to supervise the healing. He has also worked with the gnomes in Neverwinter to create a solar powered battery charger for your laptop. Mist and Santhiel have a lovely pool that is at our disposal, and the weather in Evereska is balmy. Yuji has put the Hayashi estate at our disposal as well, and there is an equally lovely pool there, as well as the onsen."

"Stop it, Masato," Satoshi said, glaring up at Sand. "Stop being so fucking reasonable."

"Would you prefer it if I put you over my shoulder and hauled you off like a sack of grain?" Sand chuckled. "You should know by now that I am not going to be put off by your grumblings."

"Masato." There was an entirely different note in Satoshi's voice, and Sand turned and dropped to his knees to face Satoshi. "I'm sorry. I'm just scared. I want to believe that this is going to work, but it's hard."

"I did not expect it would be anything less, saiai," Sand replied, reaching up to stroke Satoshi's cheek tenderly. "It is hard to believe in such things. It goes against everything you have known, and everything you have been taught to expect. But that was then, and this is now, and you deserve this and so much more."

"I know I should be used to what you can do by now, but I'm not, and you're right. It's hard to believe that it will work for me." Satoshi looked into Sand's eyes, his dark brown eyes utterly serious. "I want to believe. I'm trying." Tears beaded in his lashes. "I'm trying."

Sand pulled Satoshi close, kissing him tenderly. "You are doing marvelously well, cormamin. Let us go and get settled in at the estate in Evereska. We will deal with this like elves, one day at a time."

"And what if I can't deal with it? Or if it doesn't work?" Satoshi's lips trembled. "What then?"

"Then we try other things. Saiai, there is always another option. We are trying elven healing magic. Humans have their own magics, just as powerful, and that is what healed Yuji. This is not our only chance, and we will find a way that works. I am certain of it." Sand wiped the tears that had spilled over and trailed down Satoshi's cheeks. "Hawk and Sora are meeting us in Neverwinter, and will travel with us to Evereska. Duilin'ai is with Mist, and we will see them when we arrive. Now, do you think we should take the folding wheelchair?"

"I suppose so," Satoshi replied. "If we're really doing this, then let's just go. I want to get this over with." He looked sidelong at Sand, fighting to keep his lips from trembling. Sand could hear the rest of the sentence as clearly as if Satoshi had spoken it. Not that it's going to work anyway...

"I think that would be a wonderful idea," Sand replied, taking a deep mental breath. "Shall we walk over to the portal?"

"Yes," Satoshi said, standing and taking Sand's arm with grim determination. They walked down the hallway, to where the family was gathered to say goodbye.

Satoshi sighed under his breath as they approached the family, Satoru smiling at him with an encouraging smile, and Eryn had her "silly bird" look on her face.

"Have a good trip and make sure that you are fully healed before you come back. And don't push yourself too hard, Satoshi-kun. You need to do this slowly," Satoru whispered and held Satoshi tightly, kissing his temple gently.

"Yeah, I know, tousan. I'll be careful," Satoshi answered with a tone of defeat, and gave his father and Eryn an epically fake smile, his eyes almost black with sadness.

Eryn snorted a little, and pulled Satoshi over to kiss him. "The only thing you will need to be careful of is that Vanyaduilin doesn't wear you out. The Spring will work, Satoshi-kun. This is what I've done for well over five hundred years. Go and heal and come back to us with your beautiful smile back in your eyes as well as on your lips." She stroked Satoshi's hair with tender motherly love.

Satoshi blushed and ducked his head, nodding as he mumbled something that was supposed to be a promise, but not even the elves could hear it properly.

Satoru lifted Takara off the floor, so she could slip her arms around Satoshi's neck, and kiss his cheek. Satoru did not dare to let Satoshi hold the little girl himself, so Satoru held her as Satoshi wrapped his arms around his daughter and kissed her hair.

"I love you, wildcat. I'll see you in a few weeks," Satoshi said with a loving smile and Takara's chin wobbled a little bit as she nodded her head, trying very hard to be brave.

"You go and get fixded, and hurry home, chichi. And be careful with toufan, becaufe he ifs not very happy now. I will hold down the fort. And I promife to be good." Takara sniffled and kissed Satoshi on the lips, being careful of his piercings and Satoshi stroked her hair gently, nodding.

"I'll be good, too, and I know you'll hold down the fort. I love you, Takara."

Willow reached out and grabbed him into a tight embrace, kissing him with passion, and Satoshi moaned softly into the kiss, taken utterly by surprise. "You better get your pretty ass back here, all healed up. I've missed you way too much, and I'm going to miss you while you're away. And your children miss you even more than I miss you, so hurry back."

As Sand handed Michi back to Willow, the small half elf held out her arms to Satoshi, her little face bright as she chirped, " 'San!" Willow laughed and scooped her youngest daughter up, and brought her to Satoshi, Michi giggling in pure delight as her adored tousan came close enough for her to pat gently.

Satoshi's lips parted in a small beautiful smile, completely unconscious as he felt Michi's soft hands on his face, and he leaned in to kiss her cheek lovingly, whispering to her, "I love you, little bit. You be good to your mama, while I'm gone, and don't grow up too fast. I'll try to be back before you start talking and walking, alright. My pretty little bit."

Willow smiled, stroking his cherry red hair, and he nodded at his wife as he moved over to Yuji.

Yuji put his hands on Satoshi's shoulders, and stared at him for a few moments, until Satoshi blushed and looked down, to avoid Yuji's stare.

"I love you, Neko. It's as simple as that. And I trust these cracked elves that we're married to, you know. I trust them with my life. Please do the same. You trusted them with my life, and I trust them with yours. They would not promise us something they can't do. So, please, just believe them. I love you. And I'll miss you," Yuji said quietly, then pulled Satoshi into an embrace and Satoshi sobbed softly against Yuji's shoulder.

"I love you too, Yuji," he whispered and Yuji nodded, one hand tangling in Satoshi's hair for a moment, and they held each other for a long while, before Yuji let go of Satoshi, and they both nodded at each other.

Aika came over, her beautiful face solemn and her perfect eyes as serious as they had ever been. "You go and get better, keifu, because we all need you. Tousan is right, and you are our heart. I know, because mine hurts when you're not here, so hurry up and get better. I love you, keifu." Aika's chin wobbled just a little as she let Yuji lift her to kiss Satoshi, her arms going around his neck.

Satoshi's chin wobbled a little when Aika put her arms around his neck, and he wrapped his hands around her small back, giving her a tight squeeze. "Please don't be sad. I'm going to get better. I promise. I don't want your heart to be hurting. I'll hurry home, I promise, our little love song. I promise," Satoshi whispered, his voice trembling and he had to blink his eyes rapidly to stop his tears from overflowing. He sniffled a little as he let go of her, and stepped back.

Vale held out his arms and held Satoshi for a long moment, his face buried in Satoshi's soft hair. His voice was full of love when he finally spoke. "Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva, mela en' coiamin." Vale cupped Satoshi's face between his hands and kissed Satoshi with tender passion, not holding back on the wild love that filled the bond between them. "Sweet water and light laughter until we meet again, love of my life. My beautiful love, my sweet Satoshi. He's crazier than anyone I know, but trust him. He loves you without limits."

Satoshi managed the faintest of smiles as he looked up into Vale's eyes, and nodded his head. "He has to be the craziest for loving me so much. I left you a little gift on your pillow. It's only a demo, but I think you, Eryn and Yuki will get a kick out of it. I love you."

Hikaru let Vale scoop him up so he could press a sweet kiss to Satoshi's cheek. The little blond stroked Satoshi's cherry red hair. "I love you, pretty keifu. Get better and come home to us. I'll miss you. I'm going to practice Chopsticks on the piano with tousan, okay?"

Satoshi giggled softly at Hikaru's words and nodded his head, "I love you too, kame, turtle. You practice hard so you can be as good as tousan on the piano. I'll miss you, too. Keep being so nice to Takara, while I'm gone, alright, because she really does love you a lot." He leaned in and kissed Hikaru's blond curls, stroking his smooth cheek.

Erion stepped up next, wrapping his arms around Satoshi with a ghost of a sob. "I love you, Satoshi. Aishiteru. Come home healed and happy, because I'm going to miss you every day until you do. And I'll take good care of Kansas, and make sure he's okay," Erion promised, his silver eyes filled with love for Satoshi.

Satoshi nuzzled Erion's neck and kissed him softly, whispering into the fragrant skin, "Sukoshi otto. Little husband. I'm going to miss you. Make sure that you take care of yourself, too. I don't want you to fall apart thinking about Kansas too much. I love you, baby."

Erion nodded emphatically, not quite ready to let go of Satoshi. "I'll be careful, and take care of myself, too. Don't let atara fuss over you too much. She gets broody when she's pregnant, and starts mothering everyone half to death."

Satoshi chuckled mirthlessly, and shook his head, kissing Erion lightly on the lips. "I'll be careful. I'll probably just irritate her until she's about ready to throttle me, but I'll be careful."

Erion nodded, and released Satoshi, stepping back to give Kansas a chance to say goodbye, shrinking back into Eryn's arms.

Kansas slid into Satoshi's embrace when Erion let go of him and stared into the dark brown eyes intently, staring deep into Satoshi's soul. "There is nothing that I can say that will change your mind, Satoshi. I know it's hard to believe, and that you don't want to, but please trust us. You've never doubted us before, so please trust us. All of us, not just the elves. That is the one thing you have ever demanded of us, that we not break your trust. Now use that trust, my love," Kansas said, his voice sounding far older than his twenty-four years, and his granite gray eyes sparkled with a deep wisdom that only came with age.

Satoshi nodded his head slowly, unable to look away from Kansas's eyes, and his voice trembled ever so slightly when he answered, "But I do trust you all. I don't trust myself, on the other hand."

Kansas nodded, and leaned in to kiss Satoshi, slow and tender, the passionate love between them plain to see. When they broke the kiss, Satoshi was slightly breathless and Kansas whispered, "Then trust us when we tell you that you will be healed. If you can't trust yourself, then trust in us."

Satoshi nodded slowly, his chin trembling and small tears pearled in his lashes, his hand lingering on Kansas's cheek. They exchanged one last look, their love for each other obvious in their eyes, then Satoshi let go of Kansas and looked at Ryuu.

Ryuu stared up at Satoshi with a stoic face, then stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Satoshi's waist, holding him tightly, his face buried in Satoshi's abdomen.

Satoshi bent down unsteadily and kissed the top of Ryuu's head, his voice low and trembling. "Watashi no ryu," he whispered and Ryuu nodded slowly.

"Watashi no ryu no chichi. I love you," Ryuu whispered back, looking up at Satoshi with his dark brown eyes, and a tear fell from Satoshi's lashes, landing on Ryuu's cheek.

"I love you so much. You are my little bronze dragon. My son. You always make me proud, and I love you so much."

"I know, chichi. And I love you. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. You are the best chichi in the whole world, and I could not be who I am without you. So, please don't be so stubborn, and listen to tousan. You know he would never lie to us. I will take care of the kids and sofu while you are away, and I'll make sure the girls behave themselves. Then you can come back for the new year's and we can start a new year together and be happy," Ryuu said softly, his arms tight around Satoshi, and Satoshi nodded, more tears falling from his lashes to land on Ryuu's cheeks where they mingled with Ryuu's tears.

Satoshi bent down again, even more unsteady on his feet now than before, and pressed a lingering kiss to Ryuu's forehead, the little boy stretching up on tiptoe to press a kiss to Satoshi's cheek.

"Now go, chichi, before I start really crying, and can't let you go," Ryuu said softly and patted Satoshi on the hip, waving at Sand to kiss him good bye as well, and Satoshi took a step back with a small wry smile.

"Yeah, we should get going, or I won't be able to leave," he said with a small mirthless grin, and looked at Sand, asking, his voice trembling, "Shall we, poldoramin?"

Sand thumbed the runestone that activated the portal, Satoshi's bag resting on the wheelchair. Satoshi took a deep breath, gathering his resolve, and he stepped through the portal, Sand right beside him.

The house in Neverwinter was quiet and familiar, everything in its place, and Maela could be heard in the kitchen, scolding Sorien about something or other while the wood elf just laughed at her. Hawk looked up as they appeared, and called out to Sora in delight.

"Sora! Miramin! They're here!" Hawk called out, and hurried over to embrace Satoshi and Sand. "Toror'ae, it's so good to have you both here, at last." He lowered his voice dramatically. "Sora's been checking the portal every few moments, and she's fussing more than she did when she was pregnant."

"I have not been fussing, you big idiot," Sora said, smacking Hawk's arm gently as she came into the room. "Why are you making Satoshi stand around? Come on, let's get you sitting for a bit. Knowing you, you stood around and said goodbye to everyone and got yourself all tired."

Sora had managed to get Satoshi tucked into a comfortable chair, and his bad leg elevated on a cushioned stool. Maela breezed in with a tray with tea and mochi that she had made herself.

"Hello, Satoshi-san," Maela said in her increasingly fluent Japanese. "It's so good to see you again. You rest a moment, and have some tea, and then you can head off to Evereska. Master Nathe has the portal all set up, to take you from here right to Yuji-san's estate there."

Satoshi waffled as he was all but manhandled into a fluffy chair, his leg moved onto a footstool, and then Maela came swooping in with the tea and mochi.

"Thank you, Maela. That looks really good, but honestly I just ate. And I'm really not that tired, hibaba. I got a good nap after my swim..." Satoshi started to move as if he meant to stand up, but Sora pushed him back down and ordered in her most grandmotherly tone of voice, "Sit, and drink your tea. You have to keep up your strength."

Sora glared at Hawk as she spun around to follow Maela to the kitchen again, and ordered, as if she was ordering a private in her own personal army, "Keep him sitting and no funny business. You're supposed to be the oldest and that should make you the most responsible. So, make sure he sits and eats his tea."

Satoshi stared after Sora as she sashayed out of the living room, then he looked up at Hawk and grinned impishly. "Did she hit her head and forget who she married, or...?"

Hawk burst out laughing. "Do you honestly think I'll cross her when she takes that tone of voice? She's a slip of an elf, but I'd rather take on a clan of orcs single-handed. Well, male orcs. Orc matrons could give Sora a run for her money in the 'scare the shit out of me' race." He winked and yelled toward the kitchen, "Of course, miramin!"

Sora peeked around the corner and glared even more at her husband, and if a tone of voice could glare, hers did. "Don't take that tone of voice with me, Hawk Iradil," she said then disappeared back into the kitchen, as if Hawk should know exactly what she meant.

Satoshi snickered and grabbed one of the sticky mochi balls, and bit into it, the sticky candy gluing his mouth closed, so all he could do was snicker through his nose.

"There, you see? And that's why I utterly adore her, and no other elf could measure up to her. She's magnificent," Hawk said happily, and the look of love he turned toward the kitchen was wonderful to see. "But that's good, you're gluing your mouth shut with sticky things, and Sora will be happy. These are really good, though." Hawk grabbed a mochi and popped it into his mouth while Sand snickered.

"You are quite the conversationalist, toror'alta," Sand teased, pouring tea for Satoshi and for himself. He waved the teapot at Hawk, who nodded vigorously.

Satoshi snickered some more, struggling to unglue his mouth by trying to chew. Eventually he managed to roll the bite of mochi into a smaller ball in his mouth and took the tea gratefully, to help dissolve the mochi.

"They're really good. A bit on the sticky side, but they're good," Satoshi said and licked at his fingers, biting into his mochi again, and snickered helplessly as his mouth glued closed again.

Sand reached over and helped himself to one of the candies, biting into it and promptly snickering as he too was silenced. Sora stuck her head in, grinned, and ducked back into the kitchen, announcing loudly, "You see, Maela? I told you, sticky is perfect. You make them that way, and feed them to the damned gnomes, and you'll get some peace."

Sand sipped his tea, freeing up his mouth, his expression one of amused outrage. "We were an experiment? Truly?"

"It's no worse than you and your potions, toror'ai. Mist still hasn't forgiven you, you know." Hawk grinned and reached for another mochi. "Me, I know what side my mochi is sweetened on."

Satoshi growled indignantly as he struggled to swallow his bite of the mochi, and eyed the two elves suspiciously. "Seriously? Did my hibaba just use me for an experiment? Me, her poor broken up great grandson? How cruel," he said in a slightly mock indignant tone, his chin wobbling dramatically.

Hawk began to laugh, or to at least try to laugh around the sticky mochi, tears streaming down his cheeks. Sand thumped him on the back helpfully, and Hawk collapsed in a heap, his shoulders shaking as he struggled to free up his mouth.

"Really, I have no idea why Maela has such a problem with the gnomes. They are quite helpful," Sand said with utter innocence.

"They never stop talking!" Maela yelled. "Never! They talk in their sleep!" She popped out of the kitchen with a new plate of much less sticky mochi. "Ask me how I know that. I dare you." She glared at Sand.

Satoshi grabbed the front of his sweater and buried his face in the neckline to try and hide his laughter, then suddenly piped up, using one of his many cute voices, from underneath his sweater. "Because one night they decided to sleep walk, ended up in your room, and decided to hold the annual gnomish debate about the efficiency of steam powered back scratchers."

Maela whirled around to look at Satoshi, trying to hold on to her outraged expression, but her lips were twitching, and she began to laugh. "You peeked!"

Satoshi roared with laughter, and yelled back, "Peeked at what?" His face turned beautifully crimson and he buried his face even deeper in his sweater, his eyes sparkling with his laughter.

Maela sank to an empty chair, laughing delightedly. "You know you like those back scratchers."

Sora came in and poured herself a cup of tea, looking at Hawk who had managed to get himself off the floor and into a chair. "More of a handful than Duilin'ai, you are." She seated herself on the edge of Hawk's chair, and he lifted her gently and sat her on his lap.

"Amin mela lle, miramin," Hawk said, his eyes shining.

"Mela lle, faralinamin," Sora replied, leaning back into her husband with a happy sigh. "Now, when we're done, we can pop over to Evereska. Taren's at the estate, and she'll be looking after you two. Don't say a word, Mori Masato. I've seen you in a kitchen."

Satoshi snickered as he popped his face out of his sweater again, and reached for another, less sticky mochi, and glancing apologetically at Sand he said, "She's right, Masato. I'd rather have Taren cook for me than you. Honestly with your skills in the kitchen, I'd be scared you'd poison me before you'd manage to scare up something edible. And no, rice does not make a good meal for every meal of the day."

Sand threw his hands up and laughed. "I surrender, saiai. I will not go near the kitchen, with the exception of tea. I can manage tea."

"Does he really make rice and call it a meal?" Hawk asked, beginning to laugh all over again. "Please, toror'ai, even I can manage more than that."

Sora looked at Hawk and snorted. "You cut up fruit for our daughter and think you've cooked. Although the grilled rothe on skewers was quite nice."

"No, he doesn't actually. It's just the only thing he can do right, so Willow lets him do the rice usually. He is good at cutting up fruit, too, and his tea is excellent. But anything involving the stove or the microwave he's banned from. Although given how well he's driving now, that might change. If you want to, that is," Satoshi turned and smiled lovingly at Sand, his eyes sparkling with his love for the blue eyed elf.

"Soup," Sand said with a laugh. "I am permitted to heat soup in the microwave, although Vale has left the note on the front reminding me to remove the spoon. But I do not think microwaves and stoves will be an issue here, and I am quite comfortable with braziers –"

"No!" Hawk yelled, sitting up and nearly unseating Sora, who smacked his chest reprovingly. "Please tell me that you won't cook on braziers. Do you remember trying to toast pieces of celarta in your room? Stick to microwaves, please."

Satoshi coughed into his tea cup and his eyes were wide when he looked at Hawk, his tone unbelieving when he asked, "What happened then? Please don't tell me it was worse than setting the microwave on fire, or exploding it like a fucking firecracker."

Sora quirked an eyebrow at Satoshi, and he automatically responded, "Sorry I cursed, hibaba."

"He never told you this one?" Hawk asked in disbelief. "Really, Masato, I had no idea you never shared this one." Hawk looked anything but sorry, however, and he leaned forward a bit. "You can ask atara if you think I'm exaggerating, but we needed to rebuild an entire wing of the house."

"It was not quite that bad," Sand protested.

"My little brother here loved celarta slices fried up and dipped in honey. So, one night, he decided to make a snack for himself, but since he was caught up in a particularly engrossing tome, he simply grabbed a celarta and a pot of honey and headed back to his room." Hawk grinned. "The first slice wasn't so bad, and he dipped it in the honey. But then he decided the honey would taste better if that was heated as well, so the next slice was heated, dipped and then he went to heat it again. Flaming drops of honey everywhere, on his desk, and trust me, his desks have looked the same all his life."

Satoshi started to laugh and imitated something going up in flames with his hands as he made a loud "Whoosh!" and roared even louder as he looked at Sand. Tears started to pearl in his lashes as he laughed and he gasped out between bouts of laughter, "Oh, man, Willow would skin you alive for that."

Sand shook his head and appeared about to protest again, when Hawk continued.

"Well, Masato here decided to do something about the flames that were engulfing his desk, and being who he is, the first thing he decided to try was, you guessed it, magic. But magic is tricky when you're first learning it, and it's really hard to concentrate when all your careful notes are going up in flames. He thought he was conjuring an ice spell, or even a water spell." Hawk began to laugh. "He conjured a fire mephit, who proceeded to set fire to everything the flaming honey had missed."

"In my defense, my masters later told atara that conjuring a mephit was quite advanced," Sand said, looking indignant.

Satoshi roared even louder, gasping for air, and tears flooded his cheeks, but somehow he did manage to squeeze out of himself. "Why does it not surprise me that that's the first thing you think of?"

"It was a magnificent blaze," Hawk confirmed gleefully. "It took three mages to put it out, and there was a rather irritated water elemental to be placated, but that was when Masato here learned his first mending and cleaning cantrips."

Sand shrugged lightly. "Atara did say that the storerooms probably needed cleaning out."

Satoshi was hanging sideways over the armrest of his chair, gasping for air and sort of twitching with his helpless giggles, his eyes bright with laughter. "Oh, I don't blame her. I wish I had been there to see it," he said between giggles and Sora snickered a little bit on Hawk's knee.

"I remember hearing that story. Although the way I heard it, it involved massive fireballs and at least two mephit," Sora said with a giggle, her eyes sparkling with mirth.

"It grew in the telling," Sand said with a smirk. "But now, if you are feeling up to it, saiai, shall we go visit the scene of the crime? Or at least the general vicinity, since we are staying at Yuji's house?"

Satoshi drew a deep breath and wiped his tears from his cheeks, looking up at Sand plaintively.

"Can't. He wore me out by making me laugh too much. I can't walk," Satoshi griped and pointed an accusing finger at Hawk, only to have Sora reach out and slap his hand lightly, telling him, "It's rude to point, Satoshi. Now go on, you're not an invalid even if you are little gimpy at the moment. Masato can help you."

Satoshi grumbled a little more, but he allowed Sand to help him stand, leaning on Sand while Hawk took charge of the wheelchair. Hawk kept giving Satoshi sidelong looks and snickering, until Sora smacked Hawk's arm and told him to stop distracting Satoshi.

Maela added a bundle of meat pies, sandwiches and a large flask of cool sweet tea, despite Taren being at Yuji's estate already, insisting that they would have enough to do settling in without thinking about a meal, and it would give Taren a break as well. She hugged Satoshi gently, her pretty eyes bright with friendship as she wished them swift healing.

Nathe had indeed arranged for the Neverwinter end of the portal to be in the house, and it was only a few steps down the hall to the playroom, where the portal waited. Satoshi held Sand arm as tightly as he could manage, his steps slower than his injured leg would need to make them, and Sora shot Sand a quick look of concern behind Satoshi's back. Sand looked back with a small nod, trying to reassure Sora that Satoshi would be fine, but she frowned a little to indicate her concern.

Hawk picked up on the exchange of looks, and set about distracting Satoshi. "We've moved your bed down to the first floor, and set you up in the guest apartments there. This way, you have your own bathroom attached to the main bedroom. Vale sent over a bathing stool with handles as well, for the shower, and the pool and onsen have been freshly cleaned. It should be pretty comfortable, I think."

Satoshi nodded, his dark brown eyes paling a bit as they approached the portal, and Sand could feel his apprehension rising through their bond.

"It is alright, saiai," Sand said quietly. "We will give it a day or so when we arrive before we begin anything. I know you need a little time to relax."

Satoshi looked at Sand mutely, the grief and pain in his eyes making Sand want to wrap his arms around Satoshi and shelter him. That would do nothing to help Satoshi for the long run, however, and letting Satoshi hide was a luxury they could not afford. Sand firmed up his resolve and managed a small smile of encouragement.

"You are walking so much better, saiai," Sand said, pouring all his love through their bond. "Just a few more steps, and we will be home."

"I'm tired, Masato," Satoshi replied, his voice as dull as his eyes, and Sand bit back a sob.

"I know, cormamin, and you can rest when we get to the house. I will take you straight to the bedroom." Sand wrapped his arm around Satoshi's waist, sending strength through their bond along with his love.

They stepped through the portal, into the small guest apartment at Yuji's Evereskan estate, and Sand guided Satoshi to the side of their bed, the beautiful wooden platform from Suldanessallar already set up with a futon and pillows, silk comforters folded neatly at the foot of the bed.

Hawk busied himself delivering Maela's food offerings to Taren, while Sora helped Sand to get Satoshi settled in the bed, the slender pierced man rolling away from them and curling in on himself. Sand's expression faltered a little, and Sora reached out to squeeze his hand.

"Sleep for a bit, Satoshi," Sora instructed, her voice soft but firm. "You have a little time before dinner, but then I want you up to eat a proper meal. You can't hide in the bed, magomusuko."

"I know, hibaba. I'll get up." Satoshi's voice was flat and emotionless, and Sand leaned over to kiss him gently, lowering his eyes to hide the grief in them from Satoshi.

"I will come back for you, saiai. Rest well. Aishiteru, watashi no kokoro." Sand stroked Satoshi's hair, and Satoshi turned a little to look at Sand.

"I know, Masato." Satoshi's eyes warmed a little when he looked at Sand, the moon elf's head bowed slightly. "Aishiteru, watashi no tsuyo."

Sora tugged Sand out to the kitchen, where Taren handed him a glass of wine. Sand sank into a chair and took the wine, sipping it with a grateful smile.

"He's been doing this a lot?" Sora asked. "The mood changing like that?"

Sand shrugged helplessly. "He is afraid, Sora. He fears that we cannot heal his hands, and that he will never be able to make his music again, that he can never again pick up a guitar and coax beauty from it. I will do whatever it takes to give that back to him, and I know we can do this, but he is afraid to even hope."

"And you're at your wits' end trying to figure out how to make him hope," Sora said with gentle sympathy. "The thing is, Masato, as you well know, he was never given any reason in his life to hope. I have no idea how he's hung on this long, really. He just keeps pushing back against the crap life throws at him. He does love you, though. Just hold on for his sake."

Hawk rubbed Sand's back with brotherly love. "Any time you need to blow off some steam, toror'ai, I'm here. I might not have answers, but we can drink enough whiskey to paralyze a dwarven clan and I can listen."

Sand smiled at Sora and Hawk, taking a deep breath and letting the very air of Evereska fill his lungs. Being home did give Sand added strength, and he let himself relax for a moment, in the company of elves, in the land where he had grown up.

"I will be fine," Sand said, his smile stronger. "What I do need to do is to finish my research on something I am working on. I believe I can create a shield to protect Satoshi's back from the effects of the Spring. He does not ever wish to lose those burn scars. He has come to see them as too much a part of who he is, and I respect that, utterly. If I can protect those, all the better. If not, then we will have to bathe Satoshi by hand with the waters. It will take longer, but I will not take this away from him."

Sora patted Sand's hand. "Thank you, Masato. It's taken him a long time to come to terms with that, and I'm glad you understand and respect his wishes." She reached up and smoothed Sand's hair. "I'm glad you two found each other. You complete each other perfectly. I love him like he was my own great grandson, and you make him happy."

Sora stood, her smile sweet. "Now, go do your research, Masato. I'll be here if he wakes up, and Hawk can go fetch Duilin'ai later, for dinner. She may cheer Satoshi up a bit. I think a quiet dinner tonight is best. We can drag him to Mist's house tomorrow."

[Probably an elementary question but how do you get notification of new reviews?]

Hi!

If you had already indicated on your archive profile that you wanted email notification of new reviews, I am told that you should still get such email notifications. I believe that this option will be added in the future phases of the new code rollout.

The number of reviews on a story is still shown in the story listing in the archive itself, although it does not show on your author profile page. But anyone viewing your story on the main listing pages will see the number of reviews as usual.

I hope this helps!

[The Great Sue Hunt]

The woman in the red and black looked at Bronx, her eyes widening. Bronx grinned back, her smile predatory and her pupils looking just a little more like slits than a moment ago.

"What the fuck were you playing at down there?" Bronx asked, tapping her booted foot as she considered the women.

"What are you talking about?" the woman in red replied, trying to brazen it out.

Bronx looked around at the empty ballroom and grinned again. "First rule of the Game. If you want to Hunt, clean up your own godsbedamned messes." Bronx began to shimmer a little and the next thing the woman knew, she was being observed by a red dragon, a delicate plume of smoke trickling from her nostrils. "What do you think people are going to do or say if bodies with their hearts ripped out are found here at the Con?"

The other woman found her voice. "You're smoking."

Bronx barely spared her a glance. "I don't smoke, I smoulder. And if you piss me off, I do a lot more than that. Now, if I've made my point, I'm going to shift back to a more appropriate form for Earth."

Bronx shifted back to her human guise, smoothing her silver hair into place irritably.

"We're here for a reason," Apollo continued. "We believe that the DragonCon is being infiltrated by a high level MarySue and her minions. It's bad enough that they threaten the existence of fandoms all throughout the Multiverse, but to threaten Earth? Most of us have ties here, and we're not about to let that happen."

Foe nodded, his blade not wavering in the slightest. "I've been hunting Sues for some time now. Over the years, I've picked up a few companions, and as Authors, we're committed to preserving the integrity of the written word. But the first rule is not to fuck with the rules of the 'verse that we're in, and here on Earth, it means no drawing the attention of the authorities."

"So that bring up back to the big question," Apollo said, folding her arms under her perfect breasts, her peplos accentuating her curves superbly. "Bronx says there was other magic in play, some kind of pheromone thing directed at males in the vicinity. What do you know about that? What's your game, and who was the dead woman?"

"She sure as fuck wasn't a Sue," Bronx snarled. "She bled real blood, not ink. That's another rule, ladies. Don't kill the civilians."

Kelk clicked, Tarenth laughter, and Bronx looked at him for a moment, one hand resting on her hip as she turned back to the women.

"There's another rule," Bronx added, narrowing her eyes. "I just missed out on a very nice treat in a chainmail loincloth, which is bad enough. What I want to know is why you were following Foe and Kelk? Particularly Kelk?"

[Why was my story deleted?]

Thank you! Your story is visible once again in the archive!

[Why was my story deleted?]

Hi.

Your story was not deleted. It was hidden because of the self review that has not yet been removed from your review boards. You would have received an email at the time the self review was first noted, and I emailed you earlier today regarding the story being hidden for the self review.

In the email I sent to you today, there is a direct link to your review board. The subject line of the email contains the id number of the review that you need to delete. Once you have done that, you can either post here or reply to my email, and we can restore your story to visibility.

Thanks!

[Looking for a Dragon Age: Origins fic]

As best I can tell, the author pulled all their stories from the site with no indication as to why.

The current profile link is here.

[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

"Khaleth," Haedrith whispered urgently, standing outside the bedroom window of his dearest friend and nearly hopping in agitation. Overhead, Selûne and her Tears made their stately progression across the night skies of Evermeet. Most sensible elves were deep in reverie, and although Khaleth was often far from sensible, he had apparently decided to behave that way tonight.

Haedrith, on the other hand, was normally the most sensible of elves, and yet the quiet librarian was hovering like a nervous shadow in his friend's garden, attempting to wake Khaleth without waking Araira. Haedrith peered through the gauzy drapes at the sleeping forms within, and tried one more time, desperation creeping into his voice.

"Khaleth!" Haedrith hissed the name as loudly as he dared, and all but moaned when the figures in the bed remained still. His shoulders slumped, and Haedrith bit back a sigh as he decided it was going to have to wait until morning after all.

Haedrith was about to turn to leave when he felt a hand on his arm, and he let out a quickly muffled shriek. He turned around swiftly, burnished golden curls flying and turquoise eyes wide, coming face to face with an irritated Khaleth.

"What in the Nine Hells are you doing skulking around my garden in the middle of the night?" Khaleth demanded. He wore only sleep pants, and his hair was tousled, the pale strands hanging down over bare shoulders. From behind one shoulder, Haedrith could see Araira, her moss green eyes filled with concern as she peeked around her husband. "Seldarine, Haedrith, you're acting like you're moon-addled."

Haedrith took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment. "I was at the Tower late tonight. I've been re-categorizing some scrolls – don't say it – and the next thing I knew, it had gotten so late. I hadn't even noticed."

Khaleth reached out and grabbed Haedrith by the arm, none too gently. "Hold that thought. Sweetest of all elves, do you think we can have tea?" Khaleth turned to Araira, his smile tender and loving.

"So you can talk about your little mysteries that I'm supposed to pretend I know nothing about? Of course, most cherished of husbands," Araira replied. "Take our poor Haedrith inside, and I'll bring tea and something light to nibble." She pressed a loving kiss to Khaleth's lips and glided away, her diaphanous nightdress floating around her delicate ankles, her auburn hair silvered in the moonlight.

"I don't deserve her," Khaleth muttered, watching his beautiful wife walk across the damp grass. He turned back to Haedrith and his expression changed, growing grimmer. "I definitely don't deserve you, either. What now? More dead elves, or have you managed to top that?"

Haedrith yanked his arm away, looking slightly hurt. "You know what, I'll just go home." He turned away and began to head toward the gate, and Khaleth hurried after him.

"No, wait, please," Khaleth said, catching Haedrith's arm again, gently this time. "I'm sorry, mellonamin. It's late and you took me by surprise. Come in and have tea, and we can talk."

Haedrith turned to face Khaleth again, mustering his shredded dignity. "I wouldn't come for anything small, and I certainly wasn't looking for trouble."

"I know, really," Khaleth said contritely. "Please? Araira will hang me if you don't."

Haedrith seemed to slump again, this time in relief. "I feel like I'm always coming here with bad news. I am sorry, honestly, but it's been so quiet, and I was on the verge of forgetting what's been going on since Erion was attacked. Tonight was just an awful reminder."

Khaleth guided Haedrith into the living area, settling the librarian down on a silken cushion as Araira came in with a delicate wicker tray holding a pot of tea, two porcelain mugs, and a plate of lacy little cookies that smelled of celarta and cinnamon. She set the tray down on a low table, and leaned over to kiss Haedrith's cheek with affection before bestowing a slightly more lingering kiss on Khaleth.

Khaleth watched in rapt delight as Araira sauntered off to the bedroom, her hips moving like poetry under her sheer gown, the fine mithral chain around her hips glinting softly. Haedrith watched Khaleth, his eyes softening as he recognized the depth of the mage's love for his pretty wife. Khaleth finally turned back to Haedrith, his cheeks slightly flushed.

"Tea, and cookies. Perfect. Nothing bad can happen when you have tea and cookies." Khaleth poured tea for them both, and Haedrith accepted a cup gratefully, wrapping long fingers around the porcelain and sipping with relish. "So, what happened?" Khaleth demanded, taking a bite of a cookie.

Haedrith nodded, feeling a bit calmer for the tea and the company. "I was leaving the library, and as I headed for the back stairs, there was someone who just seemed to come out of the shadows. You know how dark it is back there, just beyond where the stairs are? Where they store the extra scroll cases and such? Anyway, I managed not to jump, but you know your pendant? The one that senses faerzess magic?"

Khaleth's eyes widened. "You still have that thing? And it still works?"

Haedrith nodded again. "Oh, it works, alright. It went absolutely mad under my robes, warming up and glowing bright enough to be seen, and the person who came out of the shadows most certainly saw it. Whoever it was wasn't amused, either. He hissed at me."

"Hissed?" Khaleth repeated.

"Like an angry cat," Haedrith confirmed. "I was startled, and I took a step back, and he lunged at me the moment I moved."

"Lunged?" Khaleth's eyes grew wider.

"Please stop repeating everything I say," Haedrith said sharply. "You sound like an idiot, you know. I think it was the fact that I moved that made him come at me like that. If I had stayed still, he might not even have noticed me."

"So you think," Khaleth retorted. "You were in the light. How could he miss you?"

Haedrith gave Khaleth a withering look. "I don't think he was paying any attention to his surroundings, until I caught his eye with my movement. Still, it was very disconcerting to be lunged at like that." Haedrith smoothed his robes with a nervous gesture. "He stopped, and then took off in the opposite direction quite briskly, but I was very sure of one thing."

"I'm not even going to try and guess," Khaleth said, reaching for another cookie. "Your logic more than escapes me tonight. It evades all attempts to corral it."

Haedrith sniffed and leaned in to take a cookie. "Whoever that was, it was no elf. I'd stake anything on it. That wasn't even a drow. That, my friend, was our balor, and I think he knows I know it."

"You're overreacting," Khaleth said, his eyes widening anyway. "Think about it. You're being hasty in assuming that the person you saw even realized that you knew he wasn't an elf."

"Well, what else would he think? I jumped backward like I was afraid," Haedrith protested.

"Your reaction was entirely normal for anyone taken by surprise late at night, and the glow of the amulet could've been any one of a number of protection spells flaring to life, not an uncommon sight in a mage tower," Khaleth replied reasonably. "Most mages wear a handful of protective amulets, after all. We tend to need them."

Haedrith nodded slowly, the explanation easing the knot of fear that had been twisting in his belly. "I forgot about that," he admitted. "But I'm not a mage myself."

"That doesn't mean you don't need protection," Khaleth said. "In fact, why don't you wear amulets of protection? Don't you have any idea what kind of things go on in the Tower?" He frowned at Haedrith and leaned over to open a drawer in one of the small tables nearby, rummaging industriously.

"I think I have a better idea than you do, since I actually spend time in the Tower every day, while you spend your time avoiding it," Haedrith said acerbically. He arched a graceful brow as Khaleth shoved a jumble of amulets at him. "What is all this?"

"Your new jewelry," Khaleth snapped back. "Seldarine know why, but if you won't look out for yourself, I'll have to do it. Now, do you want to reverie here or do you want to go home?"

Haedrith examined the amulets, touched to see how many of them were actually quite powerful. "I think I should go home. Herenith will worry if I'm not there in the morning, and I hate to get him upset." He smiled and stood gracefully, embracing Khaleth when the other elf stood to walk him to the door. "Thank you, for the welcome and for setting my mind at ease, mellonamin. I'm starting to see shadows inside shadows these days."

"Just don't go poking around, and you should be fine," Khaleth said, but he watched for as long as he could still see Haedrith, the graceful figure finally fading into the night.

Erion and Kansas hurried down the quiet streets of Neverwinter's Blacklake District, heading for the Cloaktower. It was a Friday evening by Tokyo reckoning, and they had decided to steal away to Evermeet, to spend a couple of nights with Haedrith as a surprise. It had been some time since they had seen their elven lover, and both Kansas and Erion truly missed the company of the graceful librarian. It did not hurt that Haedrith loved surprise visits, and from his sweet young lovers most of all.

Spur of the moment or not, Kansas was more than happy to learn from Nathe that Shaevran and his ship were available to take them to Evermeet. The battlemage and his crew were the only ones Kansas trusted to get Erion and himself to and from the elven island sanctuary without incident, and Shaevran looked forward to serving the young Captain, as he referred to Kansas. And while Shaevran was certainly aware of Erion's bloodlines, he treated Erion with the same grave courtesy he would show to any other young elf of a respected House, which Erion appreciated greatly.

Nathe met them just inside the Cloaktower, looking surprisingly unharried. Erion realized that Nathe looked exactly like Vale looked every time Erion had visited him at the Cloaktower, the startling efficiency of both elves masked by their air of tranquility.

"Hello, you two," Nathe said as he walked over. "Shaevran has your ship waiting for you, and he said to tell you he's found a shortcut that will have you there tonight. That way, you can have two nights with your pretty lover." Nathe grinned at Kansas as he gestured gracefully toward the stairs to the private dock of the Cloaktower.

"Checking up on us, Uncle Nathe?" Erion teased, his silver eyes bright.

"Thank you, no," Nathe retorted quickly. "I have a full time job already, and Mirwen is ready to strangle me for neglecting her as it is. And when did I get promoted to uncle, you little handful? Are you hoping to confuse your parents with your vast collection of newly minted relatives?"

Kansas snickered and patted Nathe on the shoulder, winking as he moved out of range of Erion's arms. "Be thankful it's only uncle, Nathe. He might decide to propose marriage to you, so he can even things out between us, in terms of husbands."

Kansas giggled louder and moved so that Nathe was standing between him and Erion, and added with an even louder giggle, "He's still short two elves to even the score."

Erion burst out laughing and hugged Nathe. "Well, I do need one moon elf and one sun elf, so if I can convince you to marry me, I just have to find a pretty sun elf."

"And your librarian doesn't count?" Nathe teased, putting one arm around Erion and the other around Kansas with brotherly affection.

"No, because he'd marry Kansas, too, so I'd still be short an elf," Erion explained cheerfully. "Although it would even me out nicely, with three humans and three elves for husbands."

Kansas gasped playfully and leaned into Nathe from behind, standing on tiptoe so he could rest his chin on Nathe's shoulder, saying with mock seriousness, "That won't do at all. That means that I'm short a human. I should have three human husbands, too."

He quirked his eyebrow in a playful manner and pursed his lips as if he was thinking very hard. Suddenly Kansas burst out in a radiant smile and exclaimed, "Oh, Yanagi-san is single now! Maybe I'll just ask him to marry me. That way I'll have three human husbands and three elven ones, too." Kansas grinned cheekily at Erion and his hands tightened in the back of Nathe's robe, just in case he would need a human shield, or in this case an elven one.

Erion looked at Kansas for a long moment, and then burst out laughing. "Yanagi-san? Really? Well, I suppose I could share you with Yanagi-san. Hmm. Maybe I could ask Shaevran to marry me! He's a sun elf!" Erion ducked a little and peeked at Kansas from around Nathe.

"Rascals," Nathe laughed. "There's Shaevran now, waiting for you two. Go have fun with your librarian, and try not to break the pretty elf."

"And how do you know he's pretty?" Erion asked, kissing Nathe's cheek with careless affection.

"All elves are pretty," Nathe retorted. "Almost as pretty as your Kansas."

Erion looked around Nathe at Kansas, and his silver eyes were bright with love for his beloved imp. "Never as beautiful to me as 'lokiamin." Erion let go of Nathe and slipped his arm around Kansas, the two young lovers fitting together perfectly as they waved goodbye to Nathe and greeted Shaevran, boarding the elven vessel with light steps.

The journey was both uneventful and as fast as Shaevran had promised, and the docks of Leuthilspar were brightly lit under the light of Selûne. The streets were busy enough that Shaevran and a few of his crew were able to form a discreet escort to make sure the young Captain and his lover made their way to Haedrith's house safely.

Kansas shook his head a little as Erion opened Haedrith's door, stepping in and calling out brightly, but when Haedrith came flying over to the foyer to hug and kiss his lovers, Kansas embraced the sun elf eagerly, plundering his mouth with passion.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were Herenith for a moment. Can you stay long? I'm so glad to see you both." The words tumbled out as Haedrith lost himself in even more hugs, and sweet lingering kisses.

Erion had wrapped himself around Haedrith from behind, slim hands stealing up to slide beneath Haedrith's tunic, the sun elf's skin silky and warm. Erion buried his face happily in the mane of red-gold curls, breathing deeply to revel in the scent that was uniquely Haedrith. Kansas's thin fingers were tangled in that same mane of hair as he kissed Haedrith breathless, Haedrith holding Kansas close and relishing the sweet assault on his mouth.

Kansas finally let Haedrith up for air, turning the sun elf so that he faced Erion, Kansas's thick cock already hard in his tight elven breeches as he pressed against Haedrith's round ass. Erion was already nibbling on Haedrith's lips, his fingers tracing the delicate edge of Haedrith's ears.

"Hello, melindoamin," Erion murmured between kisses. "I've missed you, my beautiful elf."

"Herenith is coming?" Kansas asked, his cock aching to be buried in that perfect ass.

Erion let Haedrith up for air long enough to respond. "He's at a friend's house, and I really don't expect him until the morning."

Kansas and Erion exchanged a predatory grin over Haedrith's shoulder.

"Bedroom," Kansas said firmly, and Erion laughed in delight as they maneuvered their captive lover into the bedroom, bits of clothing left in a trail behind them.

Haedrith looked around his cheerful kitchen the next morning, smiling as he heated the water for the tea. He even hummed a bit of a tune he had learned from Kansas as he prepared the tea pot and waited for Herenith to come home with the sweet rolls from the market, as they had agreed before Herenith left to stay at his friend's house. Haedrith knew Herenith would bring enough for a pack of starving elflings, which meant that with some fruit and cheese, he had a decent breakfast offering.

Haedrith smiled again as the water reached a brisk boil, and he took it off the flame of the brazier and set it aside for a moment to calm before he poured it over the tea. He set mugs and a pot of honey on the table, and turned around to get linen napkins and a tray for under the tea pot, but he forgot what he was doing as slim arms slid around him from behind.

"All done worshiping, my sweet Erion?" Haedrith asked, leaning back into the embrace.

Kansas strolled in and Haedrith turned around so that he could hug both his sweet lovers at once,

"All done," Kansas confirmed. "You know you're always welcome to join us afterward. We'd love it, actually."

"Maybe tomorrow," Haedrith replied, pleased and he leaned in to kiss Kansas tenderly before turning to kiss Erion as well. "Did you find what you needed for the shower?"

Erion's answer was interrupted by the sound of the door banging open, a muffled sob accompanying the noise, and Haedrith turned in alarm. Kansas immediately moved to a position to defend Haedrith, as did Erion, both youngsters alert and tense.

"Atar! Atar! Ron naa tulien!" Herenith rushed in, his blue eyes wide and shimmering with unshed tears. He threw himself into Haedrith's arms, clinging to his father with a fierce desperation. "Tua!"

"Utinu'amin, what's wrong?" Haedrith asked, his arms wrapping around Herenith, holding the elfling close. "My sweet child, breathe. Come and sit, and catch your breath." He looked at Erion and Kansas, worry in his turquoise eyes.

Kansas looked at Erion with alarm when he heard Herenith's cry, and dashed out of the kitchen to the front door. He peered out quickly, to make sure there was no one there, then closed and locked the door tightly. He grabbed the long dagger that he always carried with him to Evermeet now, and quickly checked all the windows of the house before he returned to the kitchen, locking the backdoor as well.

Haedrith guided Herenith to the table, and Kansas pulled out a chair. Herenith mewled a little, clinging to his father so tightly that Haedrith gave up and sat, pulling Herenith into his lap, something the elfling had not done since Elenwen had passed to Arvandor. Haedrith stroked Herenith's thick chestnut hair, so much like Elenwen's hair, and he waited for the elfling to calm down enough to speak.

It took several minutes for Herenith to stop shivering, and he finally lifted his head from Haedrith's shoulder, his eyes damp and red. "I'm sorry, atar. I was so scared."

"What happened, my sweet boy? Tell me everything." Haedrith pressed a kiss to Herenith's forehead, his stomach churning already.

Kansas moved over to stand by Haedrith's side, keeping his dagger sheathed, but he quickly tightened the belt around his hips, giving Erion a meaningful look over Haedrith's head. He lay a hand on Haedrith's shoulder, and listened with growing fear to Herenith's story.

"I went to the market to get the sweet rolls, and I was coming back when these cloaked elves surrounded me and dragged me into an alley." Herenith sniffled a little. "I couldn't see their faces but they asked me if I was your son, and they told me that they had a message."

Haedrith felt a surge of rage that completely overpowered the fear that had made his stomach churn only a moment ago. Kansas's thin fingers tightened on Haedrith's shoulder a little in support, and Haedrith flashed him a grateful smile.

"What did these elves say, exactly? Try to remember," Erion said, his voice gentle as he reached out to stroke Herenith's hair. Herenith sniffled a little, and Erion was reminded that he was younger than Falon, just an elfling still.

"Let me think a moment," Herenith said, his smooth forehead furrowing in concentration. "First they asked me my name. They said, 'You, efling, give us your name.' One of them had something in his hand, but I couldn't tell what it was right then."

"That's good," Erion said encouragingly.

Kansas sank down on his haunches, laying his hand gently on Herenith's knee, his look softening and he reached up to stroke Herenith's arm gently. His voice was soft and warm, filled with friendship and reassurance when he spoke. "It's alright, Herenith. You're safe now, and no one can get you in here. Just take your time, and try to remember as much as you can. Do you want some juice or something to drink?"

Herenith looked at Kansas, and managed a small and grateful smile. "Thank you, Kansas. I know you'll keep us safe. I'm so glad you're here, you and Erion. Could I have some juice?"

Erion grabbed the carafe of orange juice and poured a glass, handing it to Herenith, who sipped it gratefully. Herenith took a deep breath, and then fastened his eyes on Kansas's eyes before continuing, taking courage from the slender young man's presence.

"I told them my name, and the one holding something said, 'You are Haedrith's son.' I nodded at him. I was so scared by the way they were acting, all whispery and secretive. Then he said, 'You will bring him a message from us.' I was shaking by then." Herenith stopped, looking at Kansas to see if he was doing alright.

Kansas gave the young elf an encouraging smile and reached up to brush back a lock of his chestnut hair, stroking his shoulder gently as he encouraged Herenith to go on, the touch almost fatherly in its gentleness.

"Go on. Just take your time and breathe. There is no need to rush, Herenith. You are doing great. You can hold my hand if you want to. But you are very brave," Kansas said, his gray eyes filled with warmth and pride in the young elf. He lay his hand on Herenith's knee again, with the palm up, offering the elf to hold his hand, not assuming anything.

Herenith reached out and took Kansas's hand, Haedrith's arms warm and tight around him as well, and the elfling visibly relaxed as he laced his finger with Kansas's thin fingers. Erion moved closer as well, and stroked Herenith's other shoulder, his strong fingers soothing the elfling. Herenith took a deep breath, calmer and steadier.

"He moved, and I could see what was in his hand finally. It was a dagger, and the blade was odd. It was wavy, and the metal wasn't mithral or steel. It glowed, sort of, or at least it was dim enough in the alley that it looked that way. I must have jerked or something when I saw it, because he sounded really angry when he spoke. He said, 'There's nowhere to hide that we can't follow. Tell Haedrith to remember that if he keeps prying into things that don't concern a librarian. Tell him he has a lot left to lose.' " Herenith's eyes welled again with tears. "I was so scared that I just nodded. I couldn't even talk."

Kansas glanced up at Haedrith and Erion quickly, his face still warm and friendly, his eyes full of understanding, but through their bond, Erion felt a surge of fury and apprehension come from Kansas.

"It's alright that you got scared, Herenith. Honestly, I would have been too if that had happened to me at your age. Did the man threaten you with the knife, or did he just let you see it? Did they hurt you at all?" Kansas asked gently, his thumb stroking over the back of Herenith's hand in soothing circles, and his gray eyes were trained on Herenith's blue eyes.

Erion watched as Kansas soothed Herenith, calming the elfling with such skill and assurance that Erion realized why his boss used Kansas so much, and wanted him at all hours to work the hardest cases. There was something about Kansas that inspired trust, and brought out hidden reserves of confidence. Erion wondered briefly if he would ever be that good himself, and resolved to work even harder to become that good.

Herenith looked into Kansas's eyes, utterly confident that Kansas was going to make this right. "He lifted the knife and he touched it right here." Herenith tilted his chin back and indicated the pulse point under his jaw. "It was cold, and it felt tingly where it touched, but I touched there later and there was no blood. I didn't know then that he hadn't cut me, and I was scared to even breathe for a moment, until he took the knife away."

"It sounds like an alchemical silver dagger," Erion said quietly. "Mages use them routinely, because they can hold enchantments powerful enough to make up for the fact that mages can't wear normal armor." Erion looked at Kansas somberly. "Fuck, Kansas. This is my bastard, isn't it?"

Kansas looked up at Erion, giving the faintest shake of his head, his look telling Erion to chose his words wisely, but the warmth and reassurance in his look did not falter for a second. He continued to stroke the back of Herenith's hand, reaching up with his other hand to stroke the elfling's cheek, keeping his voice calm.

"You've been very brave, Herenith. I can assure you, there is no cut and no blood. He was just trying to scare you, and you did the right thing not to struggle or cry out. He could have hurt you more if you had done that. Sometimes it's more courageous to just not do anything. Especially when there are weapons involved. You did exactly the right thing, Herenith. Do you want some more juice, or do you think you can go on?"

Kansas reached out through his bond to Erion, sending out his love, trying to reassure Erion that he was not angry, but that his only thought was to help Herenith calm down and that they could discuss this later when Herenith was not listening.

Erion sent back a quick wave of understanding and reassurance, coupled with a quick surge of conviction that they were indeed dealing with the bastard who had kidnapped Erion. He turned his silver eyes back on Herenith, long fingers combing through the chestnut hair in a soothing gesture. Erion's other hand was stroking Haedrith's hair, and he leaned in to nuzzle Haedrith reassuringly.

"Kansas is right, utinuamin. You did everything just right, and you were very brave." Haedrith held Herenith tighter, relief that his son was unharmed mixing with the fury that filled him as he realized they knew exactly where to strike to stop him.

Herenith took another big breath. "He took the knife away from my neck, and said one last thing. He said, 'This is the only warning he will get.' Then he made a gesture, and the others moved away, and there was an opening. I could see the market, at the end of the alley, and they weren't blocking me anymore, so I ran for it. I ran right home, but right before I began to run, I heard another one talk. He said, 'Should we follow?' The first one just laughed and said, 'Why?' But that second one, his voice was funny."

Kansas stroked Herenith's arm reassuringly as he rose to his feet, and gently untangled their fingers. He poured some more juice into the glass and handed it to Herenith, touching his hands gently as Herenith took the glass and sipped.

"You're safe now, Herenith. We will not let anyone in here. No one can get you in here.," Kansas said with a reassuring smile, his hand lingering on Herenith's arm. He looked up at Erion and Haedrith with a slightly questioning look, not quite sure what the significance was, but decided to press the issue nevertheless, in the hopes that one or both of the elves would know what it meant.

"What do you mean his voice was funny, Herenith? Can you describe it?" he asked gently, still keeping his voice utterly calm and reassuring.

Herenith nodded, looking at Kansas confidently. "He sounded like he was hissing his words, or had some sort of hissing accent," Herenith replied, squeaking a little when Haedrith's arms tightened involuntarily. Haedrith looked to Kansas, his turquoise eyes filled with recognition.

"Are you very sure?" Haedrith asked, taking his cue from Kansas and keeping his voice gentle and calm.

Herenith turned to look at Haedrith. "I'm positive, atar. I've never heard anything like it before, so it stuck in my head." Herenith paled a little, and Erion moved closer instinctively.

"What is it?" Erion asked softly.

"I dropped the sweet rolls," Herenith said miserably. He looked at Haedrith. "I know you won't care about that, but I was starving and I really was looking forward to those."

Kansas chuckled softly and made a mock shocked face, asking with a gentle humor, "Oh, no! What are we going to eat now? We'll starve."

When that coaxed the tiniest of smiles from Herenith, Kansas smiled and reached up to stroke the chestnut brown hair gently and told the elfling, "Don't worry about the sweet rolls. I can go and buy more, if you want some. Are you feeling better now? You want some more juice?"

Herenith smiled again, a little more this time, and he looked at Kansas steadily. "I'm okay now. I'm really glad you were here, though. I know atar will always keep me safe, but it's good to have you two around. I'll go with you to buy the sweet rolls. I know which baker makes the best ones, with a nice icing on them that's so good."

Erion leaned in to kiss Herenith's forehead. "You've been amazing, Herenith. You have a perfect memory for things, don't you? That's a very useful talent, you know." He stood up and held out a hand to Kansas, offering him a hand up. "Tell you what, if you two go get sweet rolls, I'll see if your atar has any cinnamon. My atararim taught me a really good secirna porridge, but you really need cinnamon for it."

Haedrith released his hold on Herenith, who stood up, looking at Kansas with his wide blue eyes. "Go on, you two, you run to the market, and Erion and I will make a mess of the kitchen so Aira can yell at us later."

Kansas rose to his feet, shaking his legs a little to get the blood running again and he beamed at Herenith with an impish smile. "That sounds just fantastic. Maybe we can find some other sweets too, just for a treat," Kansas said and walked to the front door to pull his tall leather boots on. He threw his light cloak over his shoulders, making sure that his dagger was concealed but easily within reach, should he need it. He hesitated for a moment, but then he reached under his tunic and pulled his Dragon's Tear out, drawing the chain off his neck.

He leaned close to Herenith and slid the chain over the elfling's head, tucking the jewel under his tunic, saying quietly, "I want you to wear this while we go to the market. It's a protective amulet. It protects those I ask it to. Just as a precaution, Herenith. I'll take it back when we get home again, alright. You are just too precious to me, for me to let anything happen to you."

Kansas opened the door and peeked out, making sure that there were no strange elves about, before he stepped outside and held out his hand to Herenith, offering the elfling to hold his hand while they walked to the market.

Herenith bowed his head to let Kansas slip the amulet on him, and then took Kansas's hand with the same unselfconscious happiness that Hikaru would have shown, smiling up at his father's lover with perfect trust.

Haedrith watched quietly as they left, and then tugged out the mass of amulets Khaleth had given him, sorting through them quickly and choosing two that he intended to give to Herenith when he and Kansas returned. Erion watched quietly, and arched a brow at Haedrith, who blushed faintly.

"My friend Khaleth wanted me to wear protections in the Tower. It seemed like an awful fuss over nothing at the time, so I shoved the amulets in a drawer." Haedrith looked at Erion. "That was a Dragon's Tear he put on Herenith."

Erion nodded. "It was a gift, actually, from the Lady Adalon herself. She and Vale became friends a long time ago, and she takes an interest in Kansas, and the family." Erion shrugged lightly, trying to downplay the fact that a draconic demigod was a family friend. "Will you tell us about him later? The hissy one?"

Haedrith's eyes widened and he nodded. "Later, without Herenith around. He doesn't need to hear this, but we should wait for Kansas to be with us."

Kansas held Herenith's hand tightly, much like he would Hikaru's or Ryuu's hand as they walked, and he was secretly grateful that there were no surging crowds of people here, or large traffic streets with speeding cars and train crossings, all of which scared him mindless whenever he went outside alone with the kids. Especially the boys, who were far more likely to suddenly run off on some whim than Aika was.

He asked Herenith how his studies were going, trying to keep a light chatter going between them to keep Herenith's mind off his ordeal, but his gray eyes were constantly aware of their surroundings, Tatsuya lending Kansas his power to keep the young elf safe.

Herenith kept up a stream of bright chatter, Kansas's company and the aura of the Dragon's Tear combining to make him feel utterly safe and protected. He took Kansas to his favorite baker, and the sweet rolls were indeed iced and smelled delicious, as did the almond cookies, and the custard pies with strawberries on the top, and half a dozen other sweets.

By the time Kansas and Herenith made their choices and strolled back to Haedrith's house, Erion had the porridge ready, the smell of cinnamon and honey making Herenith moan happily. They hurried into the kitchen to put their bundles down, and Herenith turned to Kansas and dipped his head a little shyly.

"Thank you for letting me wear the amulet, Kansas. I felt very safe." Herenith looked up at Kansas with all the adoration of a younger brother shining in his blue eyes.

Kansas smiled brightly and pulled Herenith into an embrace, stroking his hair and giving him a small brotherly squeeze, nuzzling his nose into the thick chestnut hair. "You're quite welcome, selen'ai'. Like I said, you are too precious to me, to let any harm befall you. It is a good talisman, that. It was given to me by a dragon. A great silver dragon."

"Really?" Herenith's eyes widened in delight, and he smiled at the affectionate nickname. "You know a dragon? Silvers are among the best of all dragons. They're guardians, and they are good of heart and pure and lawful." Herenith giggled a little as he looked at Haedrith. "See? I do listen, atar."

Haedrith laughed and kissed Herenith's forehead. "I know you do, utinuamin. I'm always proud of you." He handed Herenith some dishes. "Will you set our places at the table?"

Herenith grinned and hurried off to set the table, and Erion looked up from his porridge. "You're so good with him, 'lokiamin. Thank you, baby." Erion gave Kansas a radiant smile, and moved the porridge off the brazier. "Now, what kind of goodies did you bring back? I think I'm as hungry as Herenith."

Kansas wrapped an arm around Erion's waist and leaned in to steal a quick kiss. "Thank you, baby. It just felt like the right thing to do, to try and get his mind off this. We all need to talk later, when he's asleep," Kansas said quietly, glancing at Haedrith. He stole another quick kiss from Erion's soft lips and smiled.

"We bought up half the bakery, to be honest. We've got those glazed sweet rolls, and some almond cookies, and custard pies with strawberries. Honestly I wish we had some yuzu, so I could slice some up and put on them too. We should try to candy some yuzu slices and bring over next time, and get the baker to make some custard pies with those on top." Kansas smiled brightly and his eyes became hooded as he imagined what his creation would taste like.

"Oh, that would be so good," Erion enthused, and then spent half an hour trying to describe the taste of yuzu to Haedrith and Herenith, neither of whom had ever seen a grapefruit or a mandarin orange. In the meantime, as they talked, the four managed to devour nearly all the porridge and made serious inroads into the mountain of sweets.

Kansas did his best to help Erion describe the taste of yuzu, but his adjectives seemed to be quite limited to "mmmm," "aahhh," and a peculiar, almost sexual rolling of the eyes. And the word sour found its way in there somewhere.

Kansas and Erion shooed Haedrith out of the kitchen and cleaned up to keep Aira happy, and Haedrith gave Herenith the amulets he had chosen from Khaleth's bundle. After the kitchen was pronounced worthy, Herenith decided that he was going to study for a bit, and headed off to his room. Haedrith sent word to the Tower that he would not be there that day, and he dragged his lovers off into his small study, the walls lined with shelves of tomes and scrolls.

When Haedrith gave Herenith the protective amulets, Kansas drew his Dragon's Tear from under Herenith's tunic and let the clear crystal touch the two amulets gently, exerting all his will to leave some extra protection in those amulets. He gave Herenith a quick kiss on the forehead, then slipped the mithral chain over his own head again, feeling a little more whole once the Dragon's Tear was back where it belonged.

He sat down in the study with Erion and Haedrith, his eyes dark and finally showing the rage that he had been holding in all morning. "So. What can you tell us about the hissing one, and what was it that you wanted to say earlier, Erion, about the one who kidnapped you?"

Haedrith and Erion exchanged glances, and after whatever silent communication passed between them, Erion spoke first.

"The dagger, the wavy one. That's a mage's weapon almost exclusively, if it's alchemical silver. A mage can't wear ordinary armor. It interferes with spellcasting and accessing the Weave. So, mages enchant their robes, but cloth is only so much protection, and they craft insanely powerful weapons." Erion spread his hands. "How many mages in Leuthilspar are there who would be sneaking about and willing to harm another elf? The threat was clear, that if Haedrith didn't back off, they'd hurt Herenith. But it's our most cherished and fundamental law that an elf does not harm another elf. It's why what was done to Vale was so horrific to us, and why the cleric had to die by Yuji's hand."

Kansas nodded, his gray eyes cold, a fire burning in their depths, a fire that only burned for those he loved. "I understand that. I would have killed that witch myself a few times, if I'd been given the chance, and I wouldn't have done it as mercifully as Yuji did."

Kansas bit out his words, his voice bitter, but then he sighed and shook his head a little. "So, according to Herenith's description that dagger was most likely a mage's weapon. And given that, we are going with the assumption that he's the same asshat that elfnapped Erion, right? But what about the hissing one? You think it's that demon again?"

It was Haedrith's turn to speak, and the gentle librarian drew himself up a bit. "I know you'll probably have my head for this, but I've been sort of poking around the Tower. What was done, the kidnapping of Erion, is simply not permissible, not in the Tower I've worked in all these years. I started by trying to figure out who was showing any interest in demonic summonings. Erion clearly sensed a balor, and the language he heard, from what he repeated to me right after he escaped, was definitely Abyssal. If you want to summon a demon, you need to know the right rituals, and those aren't taught in most Academies, at least not as thoroughly as you'd need to summon a balor powerful enough to reach between Planes."

Haedrith paused, and reached into his desk for a flagon of wine. He opened it and offered it to Kansas, and then rummaged and found three mismatched glasses.

Kansas grabbed the flagon and took a swig off it without hesitating, then handed it to Erion and pulled out his cigarettes, lighting up with a small sigh, and rubbed at his eyes. "We told you to be careful. We can't protect you from where we live, and we have no idea whether they've been intercepting our letters or not. Even when we've resorted to codes, we still can't be sure whether they've figured us out. But I understand why you did it. If I were in your shoes, I probably would have been tearing through that damned tower like a hellion on fire."

Haedrith watched as Erion took a swig of wine and then passed the flagon to Haedrith, who took a deep drink himself. "We were as careful as we could be. I started out just trying to keep an eye on anyone showing an interest in Lower Planes lore. There was an apprentice who borrowed a tome on the Lower Planes, but no one seemed to know who his master was. I scared the apprentice, and he disappeared. We backed off for a bit, but it dawned on me that I have a charm to help me find misplaced tomes and scrolls that my friend Khaleth enchanted for me. It seemed a simple enough thing to go and look for that tome the apprentice had taken, since it was never returned. When I went looking for the tome, I found it. And him. Dead and gutted." Haedrith shuddered.

Kansas's eyes fluttered closed with a silent sigh, and Erion could see the muscles in his jaws tightening for a moment, then he opened his eyes again, and held out a hand for the flagon, ignoring the glasses completely. He took another deep swig and nodded at Haedrith, urging the elf to go on.

Haedrith's cheeks were a definite pink now, but he continued grimly. "The other night, I was working late, and when I left, I ran into someone near the back stairs. We store extra scroll cases and the like back there, nothing important, and it's usually darker. I was very surprised to see someone there, and apparently, he was just as surprised. I have this pendant. Khaleth made it, to locate faerzess magic, the magic used by the drow elves. They deal a lot with demons and we thought maybe they were involved. Anyway, the pendant lit up, and this person actually hissed at me. I jumped back a little and then they lunged at me. I think it was the balor, disguised to look like an elf. They can do that, alter their appearance."

Kansas stubbed his cigarette out almost violently, in the ashtray that had become a permanent fixture on any table within arms reach of Kansas, and his eyes paled slightly. He nodded at Haedrith almost impatiently and urged him to go on, lighting up another cigarette with barely a breath between them.

Haedrith paled a bit, but he continued. "I went straight to Khaleth to see what he thought, but he didn't think that the balor realized I was on to him. It appears Khaleth was wrong. But I'm done. I'm going to steer very clear of anything to do with elf-killing mages and balors and drow. It's not worth harm coming to Herenith. I'm sorry, Kansas. I wanted to help. I wanted to find the bastard that kidnapped Erion, and see him pay, but I'm a lousy spy."

Erion looked at Kansas, his expression grim. "I don't think it's going to end, not now. I think we need more than just us, 'lokiamin."

Kansas jumped up from the chair that he had draped himself over, and grabbed Haedrith around the back of the neck, pulling the sun elf possessively into his embrace, nibbling a sharp kiss to Haedrith's neck, hitting one of Haedrith's sensitive spots exactly. There was an intimacy in the touch that had grown between them when Erion had been away with Momo, and Kansas was not even fully aware how obvious it was.

"I know, my love. You only meant to help. But we do not want you to come to harm either. I am glad to hear that you have stopped, because I agree. It is not worth harm coming to Herenith. We will talk to Vale and Masato, and probably Nathe too. They will know what to do next. We will find out who did this, one way or another. If all else fails I know a pissed off dragon demi-god who wants nothing more than to raze Evermeet to the ground. Although that might have to remain our very very last desperate resort."

Erion watched the play between Haedrith and Kansas, sensing the deep intimacy between them, something that had grown when he was occupied in loving Momo and teaching Momo to allow love back into his heart. Erion could not find it in himself to resent such a tender love, and instead he smiled as he watched these two beloveds of his together, as content as when he watched Kansas and Satoshi touch.

"Vale's our best place to start. He knows more than enough about the Lower Planes, and I'm pretty sure he's dealt with balors himself. I'd leave Sand out of this for as long as possible. In the mood he's in, he's liable to decide that razing Evermeet is a splendid idea." Erion shrugged lightly. "If we talk to Vale, Nathe's in anyway. Vale and Nathe work together seamlessly."

Kansas let go of Haedrith when Erion spoke, and moved over to his star elf, sliding effortlessly under Erion's arm, and nuzzling his neck tenderly, right below Erion's ear. "You are right. Given Masato's state of mind these days he'll probably go with Tatsuya and wipe Evermeet off the map completely. Nathe and Vale it is. I just wish we could leave someone we trust here, to look out for you guys. Someone that would not stick out as a stranger. Someone that could have a logical reason for being here. And who knows, maybe these bastards will get complacent when you stop snooping and slip up somehow so we can find them."

"Ask Vale to plant someone. It's what he does. The Cloaktower is a mercenary mages' guild, and they specialize in infiltration and espionage, as well as taking out the enemy. The governing council makes sure they act for the good, but if this isn't a goodly cause, I don't know one." Erion purred a little as Kansas nuzzled him, his eyes silvery with bliss. "And any of Vale's people will know both how to protect themselves and others, as well as how to apprehend this bastard. The only question is whether we want him to disappear quietly, or if we want a big public fuss."

Kansas looked over at Haedrith, his eyebrow quirking a little. "Didn't Nathe, Vale, atar and Masato all say that the politics here were too fragile for something big and public? We don't want to cause a war, Erion. But I don't think I would want him to just disappear. Someone would have to be informed. But I don't understand your politics well enough. All I know is that I just don't want to cause a war."

"Well, I suck at politics. I get that from atar." Erion shrugged. "I don't care if it's public or private, as long as that bastard pays. He scared the shit out of all of you, and he would have let that balor play with me and then kill me. Just because he wouldn't have killed me himself doesn't make his fucking hands any cleaner. But Vale understands the politics better than anyone, since he deals with that shit all the time in Neverwinter."

Kansas nodded decisively, and kissed Erion softly on the corner of his mouth. "Then we will talk to Vale and Nathe as soon as we get back to Neverwinter, and we'll get them to send someone here to watch over you, Haedrith. I'll send you one of my encrypted notes to let you know what we decide."

Kansas moved over to the bookshelf and looked at it quickly, then pulled out two books, one a collection of Japanese haiku poems, written in kanji, and a beat up old paperback copy of Wind in the Willows. "We'll use these two for the code, alright? I'm hoping those bastards haven't mastered kanji yet," Kansas said and smirked a little.

"I was wondering if you two were going to let me in on this code," Erion said lightly, and nuzzled Kansas's ear to let him know that he was not upset, despite the code probably only having begun after Erion's kidnapping, after he and Momo had parted ways. Kansas had endured a great deal while Erion was partnered with Momo, and if Haedrith had eased that, then Erion could only love the gentle sun elf more.

Haedrith snickered at the question, and scratched the back of his head, while Kansas grinned impishly. "Well, isilmeamin, you know how I love patterns and strategy related things and all that? This sort of started when you were with Momo," Kansas said and Haedrith nodded.

"I was trying to teach Haedrith hiragana and katakana, and showing him like first grade kanji. And we started talking about secret codes, you know, anagrams and such. And I told Haedrith about this number code that has always fascinated me, where you pick a page from a book, find a certain line, and then a certain word within that line, and there you have a three digit code for just one word."

Haedrith started smiling, and a faint blush entered his cheeks as he interjected. "And given my passion for books, I was fascinated by that. So we started playing around with this code. The finished version is that Kansas writes me a long letter using kanji, and for all intents and purposes it just looks like a letter telling me about his day, or like in this case, discussing poetry. Using the haiku book means I'll get a lot of long winded letters with quotations from haiku poetry."

Kansas nodded and smiled, handing Erion the old paperback, continuing. "But it's the kanji that's the key. I use the kanji to mark each digit. It's the stroke count of the kanji that tells Haedrith what digit to replace the kanji with, and then he can decipher the number code, using Wind in the Willows. And since it's common knowledge around here these days that I come from a different Plane, and am his lover, he has the most legitimate excuse in the world to have these foreign books here. I bring them to show him the literary history of my world."

Haedrith snickered and nodded emphatically at Erion. "And everyone who knows me or even just of me, knows that I can talk anyone to sleep when it comes to literary history and books."

Erion started to laugh at his two beloveds. "Honestly, I can just imagine you two coming up with this. Naked. Please tell me you were naked. Wait, never mind. Let's just go get naked. Do you think Herenith will miss us if we do? Or will Aira think we're total barbarians for fucking before lunch?" He tugged both Kansas and Haedrith close, kissing them both with rising heat.

Kansas responded to the kiss with equal heat, slightly breathless when he broke the kiss to let Haedrith at Erion, his voice a little raspy when he answered, "With you as the sandwich filling, she'll just think it's a regular Saturday morning, love. But we'll need to be a little more quiet, for Herenith's sake. I don't want him to feel like we are too preoccupied with our sex life, that this scare of his doesn't mean more than this."

"Oh, true," Erion said, blushing a little. "Maybe we should wait until tonight, when he's in reverie. We can go look for a wand of silence or something to muffle the noise this afternoon. I wouldn't want Herenith to think we don't care about what he went through, and he was pretty damned brave today."

"I could ask my friend Khaleth to, um, alter my bedroom a little, the way Kansas says yours are altered back on your world," Haedrith suggested. "That would solve the problem of alarming Herenith, at least once the enchantment is in place."

Kansas quirked an eyebrow at Haedrith and asked plaintively, "Now why didn't you think of that when you were all but gagging me so we wouldn't alarm Herenith, last winter? I can tell you this, Erion, exploding feather pillows are anything but conducive for a good sex life."

Haedrith began to snicker, his turquoise eyes sparkling once again. "It never occurred to me to ask Khaleth. He's a good mage, but he tends to be a little odd. And surprisingly cranky, given what a good job he does avoiding his master. You'd think that would cheer him up."

Erion looked at his two lovers and shook his head. "I don't know, we've exploded a few pillows in our time and had fun." He grinned and hugged them both. "Send a message to Khaleth, and beg him, will you? Bribe him with sweets. Anything, Haedrith, please? We only have tonight and then we have to go back, and I really, really want to limp to the boat."

Kansas pouted at Erion and grabbed him around the waist, spinning him around and pulling him close so his ass was pressed tightly against Kansas's semihard bulge. He nibbled on the back of Erion's neck possessively, telling him, "Yeah, but those pillows did not explode into my mouth. Therein lies the difference. Haedrith, you want me to run over to Khaleth's house and ask him for a silencing spell or wand or something, while you warm this one up a little?"

"That sounds perfect, my love," Haedrith replied, and for a brief moment, Erion could have sworn that the glint in Haedrith's beautiful turquoise eyes was as predatory as the glint in Kansas's eyes. It was an utterly delicious thought, and Erion shivered a little with pleasure at the thought of the ravaging to come.

Kansas snickered as he saw the shiver that ran through Erion. He all but tossed Erion into Haedrith's arms, the sun elf catching Erion and easily hoisting Erion up on his shoulder, patting his ass soundly as they left the study.

"Don't finish without me." Kansas tittered, and waved at Erion and Haedrith, then ran to the foyer and pulled on his boots, running as fast as he could the few streets to Khaleth's house. There he stood on the doorstep for a good fifteen minutes, while Khaleth laughed himself breathless at Kansas's request, before inviting Kansas in, and taking all of seven minutes to produce a wand of silence for the lovers.

Kansas filled him in quickly on what had happened to Herenith, and Khaleth's face turned cold at the news. He saw Kansas off with a promise of being careful, closing the door behind Kansas with a gloomy look on his face, which was highly out of character for the usually jovial mage.

Araira wrapped her hands around Khaleth's waist, leaning into her husband as he watched Kansas hurry off after Khaleth had promised to come by and make the enchantment more permanent.

"What is it, most beloved husband?" Araira asked softly.

"Remember, back at the Academy, the old adage about staring too long into the Abyss? I have a very bad feeling about all this." Khaleth turned around to bury his face in Araira's auburn hair, the warmth of the sun doing nothing to melt the ice in his veins.

Elven:

Ron naa tulien! - They are coming!

Tua! - Help!

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[Sandcastles and Fireworks]

Sand reached out to cup Satoshi's face between his slim hands, his own eyes filled with an echoing sorrow. "Oh, my sweet saiai, what has been done to you? Was it so hard for those who have hurt you over the years to accept such rare beauty, such a generous heart? No, do not even answer that. I know what has been done, and by whom."

Sand looked deeply into Satoshi's eyes. "Do I lie to you, saiai? Do I tell you things that are not true simply to have my way with you? I think you know me just a little better than to think that of me. I am many things, and not all of them are pleasant, but I do not lie to those I love."

Satoshi closed his eyes, the tears sliding down his pale cheeks, and Sand leaned in to kiss them away. "I'm sorry, Masato. I do not think you lie to me. I don't ever think that. It's me. I've failed you."

"No," Sand said, and there was a note of gentle love in his voice that made Satoshi open his eyes. "Words are what fail both of us, because words are what were used to hurt you, just as much as the blows. I can offer something better than words, something that will not fail."

Sand moved Satoshi's wheelchair so that it faced Sand as he sat on a bench. Once Satoshi was settled, Sand reached out and took one of Satoshi's hands, his touch gentle. Satoshi tried to flinch away, his cheeks burning in shame and dismay, but Sand shook his head slightly.

"No, saiai, not this time. Let me show you something that perhaps I should have shown you long ago, if I were not a fool who forgets that words can fail." Sand touched Satoshi's cheek softly with his free hand. "Just look into my eyes, and see."

Sand pulled Satoshi effortlessly into his memories, and it took Satoshi a moment to realize that they were in Evereska, in the temple where Eryn had served. It was a bright day, and Hawk was there, wrapped in linen bandages and looking thin but not nearly as pale as when Sand had wrested his soul free from the phaerimm. Hawk was walking in the temple gardens, his arm through Sand's arm, and the two brothers were talking. Satoshi listened as he heard his name come up.

"So, this is really serious, you and your Satoshi?" Hawk asked. He looked at his younger brother with great affection. "And don't tell me that you're married to him and expect me to settle for that. I know you far too well, toror'ai'."

Sand laughed, his head falling back a little, and it was easy to see the resemblance between the two elves. He looked at Hawk with amusement. "And when could I ever carry off a lie to you, toror'alta?"

"Never, so don't try now." Hawk winced a little, and Sand steered him to an elegant marble bench. "Seldarine, I wish atara would heal this all at once."

"She cannot, and you know it." Sand seated himself next to Hawk, tucking his arm through Hawk's arm again with that easy physical affection that the elves displayed even in public. "The phaerimm leaves wounds that magic cannot touch. If atara tried, it would wound you more."

"I know, I know," Hawk grumbled good-naturedly. "This just wears on me. But, let's not get off the topic, my elusive toror'ai'. How serious are you, really?"

Sand looked at Hawk, and his face lit up. "Satoshi is the piece of me that has been missing, Hawk. You know I have always felt like I was looking for someone specific, someone who filled the empty places. That person is Satoshi. He is utterly magical, Hawk."

"You thought Vale was the one," Hawk said, and Sand's cheeks darkened.

"I wanted Vale to be the one. He saved me, and gave me a reason to go on after Luskan. I thought it meant, well..." Sand chuckled and spread his hands.

Hawk grinned at Sand. "You don't have to tell me. He's beautiful, deadly and still manages to be somehow innocent. Vale's all the things you want to be."

"I am wounded to the quick, toror'alta, truly I am." Sand looked at Hawk, his blue eyes bright with laughter. "I am at the very least both beautiful and deadly."

"But your Satoshi, well," Hawk said, his voice dropping into a purr. "My preference is females, as you well know, but for him, I'd make an exception."

"I think not," Sand retorted quickly, something like anger or jealousy flashing in his eyes. "Satoshi is not like that. He is not fickle and prone to sampling among the pretty and available bodies. I know we have shared lovers before, but not Satoshi, never Satoshi. He is steadfast, and loyal, and utterly loving, and so very beautiful. When I was in the Weave... His soul shone so brightly, Hawk. It was beyond a beacon. It was a column of pure white light, utterly good, and noble. Nothing could outshine that, and I cannot even contemplate a day without him. He is everything I am not, Hawk. He is generous, and he loves without reservation or condition. He is kind and pure and as innocent as an elfling, and tender. He is – " Sand looked at Hawk and smacked his arm lightly. "You are such a bastard, do you know that?" he laughed.

"I like seeing you gush. You've never gushed before," Hawk replied, his eyes bright. "He really is the one, isn't he? I'm glad you found each other."

"I am as well, Hawk." Sand voice was filled with a pure love, and his eyes were bright with certainty. "It was the easiest decision I have ever made, you know. Choosing to return to him. Seldarine, it was not even a choice. It was the only possibility for me. We belong together, and not even the gods can put us apart."

"He's human. I know Hanali granted him more years, but if she didn't? What then?" Hawk watched Sand, smiling a little when Sand did not hesitate in the slightest.

"It would not have changed a thing. The only thing I could not bear is a day without him. If we were only given fifty years, I would have spent every day loving him more than the day before, and faded on the day he died so as not to spend a day without him." Sand smiled that radiant smile that made him look as young as Erion. "Fifty years with my Satoshi would be worth more than five thousand years with anyone else."

"Then do me a favor, toror'ai'. Love him with all your heart. Don't hold anything back, and tell him how you feel about him. Tell him every day. Don't let him slip away because you take it for granted that he knows how you feel." Hawk looked at Sand for a long moment. "I learned that lesson the hard way, and I've spent far too long regretting not following my heart."

"Sora," Sand said quietly. "You still love her that much?"

"As much as you love your Satoshi," Hawk replied. "I should have told her father the truth, or told atara and let the pieces fall where they would."

"It is not too late. Satoshi gave me a second chance. Perhaps Sora will do the same for you." Sand wrapped an arm around Hawk's waist. "I need to get you back inside, before atara hunts us down. We will get a lecture, no doubt, and be called foolish little birds for the millionth time."

The two elves stood, graceful and tender with each other in the manner of loving brothers, Sand's arm firmly around Hawk's waist, and Hawk's arm over Sand's shoulders.

"I don't know if it matters, Sand, but you do have my blessings," Hawk said. "I like your Satoshi, a lot. I'm hoping he'll come to see me as a brother one day."

"I hope so as well, toror'alta," Sand replied, his eyes filled with joy.

Sand let Satoshi ease out of the memory, looking at him intently. "I love you, saiai. I would choose to spend my life with you a thousand thousand times, and never regret that choice. You are everything that is beautiful and honorable and loving in my life, and you humble me with the depth of your love. I am eternally proud to be your husband, Mori Satoshi, and I will love you more every day for all the days of my life because you are worth loving, my gorgeous husband. Yours is the only song my soul will ever sing."

Satoshi stared at Sand, unaware of the massive tears that rolled down his cheeks and landed on his broken hand, forming a small warm puddled in his palm. He drew a deep shuddering breath, then lurched forward, all but throwing himself out of the chair and into Sand's arms, the wheelchair bucking under him and sliding backwards over the floor, rolling away from them.

"I am everything you are not? How can you say that? You are everything that I am not. You are strong, and confident, and determined, and you are never afraid. I wish I were more like you, Masato. You've loved me through ages..." Satoshi sobbed loudly, and buried his face in Sand's shoulder, his voice muffled and filled with tears. "You saw my soul there? In the Weave? You saw my soul shining that brightly?"

"I am impatient, and self-centered, and thoughtless, but the one thing that I do right is to love you will all that I am, saiai." Sand stroked Satoshi's hair and back lovingly. "And you have loved me through the ages as well, my sweet devoted Satoshi. It was the call of your soul that drew me to you every time. Your soul is the brightest thing in the universe to me, watashi no kokoro. I realized, there in the heart of the Weave, when you still shone so clearly, that there will never be a place so far or so dark that I cannot see you, and feel you, and come home to you."

Satoshi struggled to climb on to Sand's lap, his weakened right leg aching under him as he bent his knee, and a wave of pain washed through their bond, Satoshi sobbing into Sand's shoulder and his tears leaving a large wet stain on Sand's shirt. "And you keep me calm when I get overwhelmed when we are in crowded places. You make me stop when my OCD takes over, and patiently let me work it out when I get anxious. You are like a rock beside me when all I can see is darkness, and you make me laugh like no one else ever has."

Sand reached out and absorbed the pain without even thinking about it, helping Satoshi to settle onto his lap.

Satoshi lifted his head and tried to look into Sand's eyes, but he could barely see anything for his tears. "I was scared of you when I first met you, that afternoon at the vacation. But then you made love to me with such passion, and you didn't even see my scars. And afterward you held me so tenderly..."

Satoshi lowered his head and sobbed for a moment, then sniffled loud and long, and raised his head again. "I fell in love with you then. When you curled up on the couch with me, and held me so tenderly through the night. I left my heart with you when I left, but it didn't hurt, because I knew it was where it belonged. I just told myself you didn't feel the same."

"I was resisting, saiai. I told myself that I was in love with Vale, and that this had just been a vacation, a small fantasy. But then Vale went to Yuji, and I was alone, and all I could think about was you." Sand cradled Satoshi and tenderly wiped away his tears, kissing his cheeks. "I thought I had hurt you by not coming back to you, and I was ashamed. When you came to Neverwinter, I hoped it meant I would be given a second chance."

"And you were. It was never a question of giving you a second chance, because I never gave you a chance to begin with. I never told you how I felt, or that I was interested in more. I just let you have me that first day, and then avoided you." Satoshi pressed his forehead against Sand's cheek, his whole body shivering with the effort of holding back his sobs. "You were the one who gave me a second chance. Even when I told you I hated you, you still came to me, and helped me. You are utterly selfless when it comes to helping me. You are always willing to brave my darkness to pull me through. You were the one who gave me a second chance."

Sand kissed Satoshi again, pouring all his love through their bond. "Then we shall have to agree that we gave each other a second chance. Do not try and take all the responsibility, though, saiai. I did not seek you out again at the vacation, either, and I could have. But that is our past, and I want to live in the now with you. The now is a little unpleasant at the moment, and I can only ask you to hold on a little longer, until the hospital releases you. Then, cormamin, I shall take you to Evereska and heal your wounds, all of them. I shall show you what we can do, and you shall play for me again, the sort of music that makes elves weep with joy in the streets. That is my vow to you."

Satoshi sank into the kiss, but when Sand promised to heal his hands he withdrew and crumbled in on himself a little again, his tears overflowing again. "Don't promise me that. I can't believe it. I can't let myself hope for that, only to be disappointed when it doesn't happen. This kind of damage has always meant death to anyone who plays guitar. It's impossible to fix," Satoshi sobbed, shaking his head as he spoke, lowering his head to hide his tears from Sand. "Just look at Kohaku. He used to be brilliant on the guitar, but now he can barely play for an hour, and there are certain grips that he just can't make anymore. And he can only reach a certain speed. Anything more and his hand just hurts too much. It's impossible, Masato."

"It is impossible here," Sand agreed. "It is not impossible in Evereska. You saw what wiping the water from the Shining Spring onto Yori's arm and shoulder did. Damage that was fifteen years old began to heal. Had we brought him to Evereska, and let him bathe in the Spring and soak in its waters, his arm would be perfectly whole. Elves have regrown lost limbs in that water. Were I to soak in it, my scars would vanish as though they never were. The waters are a gift of the Seldarine, our gods. They heal all ills."

Sand put a gentle hand under Satoshi's chin, lifting his head so that Sand could look into those dark brown eyes. "I will never lie to you, Satoshi. I promised you that, and I will keep that promise. I have given you my vow that we will heal you. I will not go back on a vow, so please? I know it is hard, the hardest thing I have ever asked of you, but trust me? Just a little? And as for Kohaku, I want to bring back water, and wash his hands with it as well. Like Yori, we cannot heal him all the way, but enough so that he can play again."

Satoshi broke down crying again, and crumbled into Sand's arms, his voice tiny in his despair.

"I don't dare to hope. I do trust you, I really do, but I'm so scared. I've been disappointed so many times before, that I just can't dare to hope. I do trust you with my life. But this... I'm just too scared to let myself hope."

"Then I will settle for trust, my love. That is enough for now. Trust me and trust that I will keep my vow to you." Sand held Satoshi as firmly as he could, letting his love wash over Satoshi without pause. "I know you are scared. I know you have been disappointed, but not this time, saiai. Not this time. I will not fail you, because I love you far too much to give you false hope."

Satoshi wrapped his arms around Sand's neck and nuzzled in, his sobs slowing down, but his chest still hitched as he tried to calm down. "Take me to bed, please? Don't let go of me, just take me to bed. Please, saiai, take me to bed and hold me. I know you will never disappoint me, Masato, or give me false hope. But I'm too far gone to be able to see that hope right now. Just hold me for a little longer and then you can take me to Evereska, and maybe I'll find my hope there," Satoshi sobbed, tightening his arms around Sand's neck and nuzzling his nose into Sand's soft skin.

Sand stood easily, lifting Satoshi in his arms and holding him close. "Then let me take you to our room, and I will hold you, saiai. I will never let you go. Hold on to me, and we will make that enough for now."

Sand carried Satoshi out of the smoking area, pausing only to ask an orderly to leave Satoshi's wheelchair outside his room when he got a chance. Sand walked back to the room, Satoshi in his arms, his love wrapped around Satoshi like a warm blanket as he held Satoshi against himself.

In the room, Sand carefully laid Satoshi down, and kept one hand on Satoshi as he kicked off the slippers he wore in the hospital and slid into the bed alongside Satoshi. Sand gathered Satoshi close to him, Satoshi's face nestled in the warm hollow where Sand's neck and shoulder met, and Sand pressed gentle kisses to Satoshi's soft hair.

"Rest, saiai. I am here, and I will not let go." Sand gently stroked Satoshi's back, and he murmured softly in elven, an ancient poem about lovers who were parted and found each other again. The words were almost musical, and Sand's voice was lilting, as close as he could get to singing without damaging Satoshi's ears.

Satoshi lay utterly quiet in Sand's arms, his breathing slowly returning to normal, then slowed even further, untill he was breathing with that slow deep rhythm he used during his meditation, and his body relaxed utterly in Sand's embrace, his heart beating slowly and steadily next to Sand's.

As Sand murmured the elven poem, Satoshi managing to understand most of it, or at least enough to fill in the blanks, Satoshi began to hum softly under his breath, Sand only sensing the vibrations in Satoshi's chest at first, but then slowly the sound got louder and began to weave perfectly with Sand's murmured words.

"Masato. Do the elves have music with that poem?" Satoshi asked suddenly, an urgency in his voice that had Sand had not heard in weeks.

Sand blinked, and smiled a little. "I have not heard it sung, but the words do seem to want to be sung, do they not?" He nestled closer to Satoshi. "Shall I continue reciting, saiai?"

Satoshi nodded sharply and nuzzled a little closer to Sand, wrapping his arm tightly around Sand's chest, as if he was trying to feel the vibrations of the words in Sand's body. "Go on. Let me hear it all," Satoshi urged, and nuzzled Sand's jaw lightly.

Sand smiled into Satoshi's hair, and began to recite again, the elven words flowing out again in a soft lilt. Sand could feel the vibrations beginning in Satoshi's chest again, and his heart soared as he realized that Satoshi was finding the music in the words, hearing a song that only he could bring to life.

Sand said a mental prayer of thanks to all the Seldarine that he had inherited Eryn's love of poetry, and had devoted himself to memorizing tomes of ancient elven compositions. In his youth, Sand had recited the poems to various lovers, but never until now had the words meant so much, and he found himself as caught up in the poems as Satoshi, Sand's fingers gently stroking Satoshi's soft hair as he recited.

Satoshi stared straight ahead of himself as he listened to Sand's lilting words, the elven flowing out of his husband in a silvery wave, and slowly the cold hospital room faded from his vision, and the story that the poem told started to unfold before Satoshi's eyes, the music of the two lovers of the poem filling his very soul and pouring out as he began to hum, louder and stronger, and slowly he found the right sounds, the right beat and tempo, and finally the music bloomed within him, filling him up with the bright light that it always did, and a radiant smile spread over his lips.

He opened up his bond to Sand and flooded his elf with the music that the elven poem had created within Satoshi, his eyes bright when he looked up at Sand, the elf's lips still moving as he continued to recite the poem.

Sand never paused in his recitation, but his eyes shone with appreciation for the beauty of the music, the elven words fitting in seamlessly as Satoshi's music filled Sand's soul, as glorious and breathtaking as anything Satoshi had ever composed. Sand's fingers stroked through Satoshi's hair, and Sand let the meaning of the words, the eternal love they celebrated, fill his voice as he recited the final stanzas.

Bright tears welled in Satoshi's eyes as he continued to hum the music, but the smile on his face was radiant, as Sand finished his recitation, and fell silent. Satoshi licked his lip quickly and then whispered even more urgently than before, "How long would it take you to get home, and find the shiny black laptop in the studio, and bring it back here?"

Sand smiled just as radiantly. "Keep the door closed, and I will teleport there and back. If I go straight to the studio, our queen will not catch me misusing magic." Sand's smile grew impish, and he kissed Satoshi sweetly before he teleported off.

Satoshi's studio was quiet, and Sand looked at the three identical shiny black laptops sitting on the table in the studio. He looked at them in dismay, and reached into his pocket for his cellphone, dialing Satoshi's phone and waiting for Satoshi to answer.

"Saiai? There are three shiny black laptops here. They look identical to me, I fear. Help?" There was a bit of laughter in Sand's voice as he looked at the table, bemused.

Satoshi laughed brightly through the phone, his voice teasing when he answered, "I'm beginning to see what you mean about impatient. You poofted on me before I could even finish telling you what I needed. There should be two shiny black ones and a sort of matte black one on the table. If there are three shiny ones, it means Matsu's been around the house to pick up the studio one." Satoshi sort of trailed off, sounding more like he was talking to himself than Sand for a moment. ["Anyway. They're all macs, right?"

"Yes, they are all macs," Sand replied. He chuckled a little as he added, "I really must learn to be a little more patient, must I not?"

"Sometimes it's cute," Satoshi giggled, then cleared his throat, and pretended to be serious for a moment. "Alright. One should be a pretty beat up old MacBook. There should be a large scratch on the top, like someone scraped it with a key or something, and then a pretty old and worn out Kohaku sticker on the bottom of it. The power cord for that one should be close by, it's got gaffer tape all over it, and there is a little Penicillin keychain thingy attached to it. Alright? You found it?"

Sand saw one laptop with a scratch and lifted it, seeing the sticker that Satoshi had described, and then the proper cable. "Yes, I have them both. Really, saiai, you are marvelously organized. You know exactly what is here."

"Meh, it's called OCD, Masato. Now, there should be a computer bag around there somewhere, unless Matsu stole it again. You can put the computer in there with the cable, and then I'll need you to find a microphone. Just one of the small ones, with the cord and the little jack. It has to be a small jack, otherwise it won't plug into the computer. There should be a couple in the large drawer on the left of the door, the top drawer, I think." Satoshi hummed softly through his nose as he wracked his brain for what else he needed while he listened to Sand search the studio.

Sand found the computer bag, and tucked the MacBook into it along with the power cord, and then began to rummage around until he found the microphones. He checked a few of the smaller ones, and found one with a little jack, much like his headphones that he used with his music player.

"So far, so good, saiai. I have the microphone, with the tiny jack like my headphones have." Sand waited to hear what else Satoshi needed, delighted that Satoshi was humming as he thought. Sand had not realized how much he missed that sound, the humming Satoshi did when he was pondering, a sound that had been sadly absent until now.

"Perfect. Then I need you to do the hard bit. Go to the desk on the left of the console, and open the top drawer on the left side. There should be a rack of cds there, and a stack of blank ones. I need you to bring a couple of the blank ones. There should be empty sleeves for the empty cds right next to them, so they don't get scratched in the bag. But from the rack, I need you to find a cd that's marked, Drum brain, and BassuBass. The titles are in my handwriting, so sorry if you can't read them." Satoshi's voice rose with excitement, and a tone of delight slipped into it, his bond to Sand throbbing with joy and the soft sound of the music that Satoshi had been creating before he sent Sand off on his mission.

Sand grinned into the phone as he went over to the desk and opened the top drawer on the left side. He found the blank cds and sleeves quickly enough, and he slipped several blank cds into sleeves and added them to the bag.

The rack of cds presented more of a challenge. Sand looked through them, his brow furrowing slightly as he read Satoshi's handwritten labels. It took two passes and a bit of squinting, but Sand finally let out a yelp of triumph. "There they are!" Sand took the two cds, already in cases, and placed them in the bag.

"Now, is there anything else you need while I am here?" Sand asked, nearly as excited as Satoshi.

Satoshi giggled shyly suddenly, and nodded, without realizing that Sand could not see him or hear him nod. "Don't laugh. But you can teleport to our room without anyone noticing you, right?"

Satoshi tittered a little bit, and drew a gasping breath, his voice coming out in a bit of rush, and terribly low when he continued. "Go to our room. You know my little shrine in the corner. In the top drawer on the right side, there should be a small brown basket, with a couple of small baggies of sort of light brown or white salt. Bring one of those, please."

Satoshi giggled shyly and then added with a shout, "Oh, and a couple of sticks of incense if there is any. I'm sure Kansas has pinched them all, but if there are any in the small domed holder, then you can bring those, and the holder."

"Of course, saiai," Sand said, laughter in his voice despite his bemusement. "Salt and incense and a holder." He teleported to their room at home, hoping Vale was not home to pick up the movement in the Weave, and went straight to the shrine to collect the requested items. He found a small baggie of light brown salt, and there were two sticks of incense in additional to the ones already in the holder. Sand wrapped those carefully in some tissues and packed them.

"I have those, saiai. Anything else?" Sand asked, his voice filled with love.

Kansas jerked awake to the sound of footsteps in the room, and very slowly he peeked from underneath the covers, his raven black and blue hair standing out in all directions, making him look decidedly impish as he peered over the edge of the covers to see Sand poking around in the drawer of Satoshi's shrine, and talking on the phone at the same time. Kansas smiled wide, but breathed slowly to try and do so silently, lying absolutely still in the bed, not really in the mood to have Sand catch him, buttnaked in Satoshi's and Sand's bed.

Satoshi hummed through the phone and shook his head, laughing at himself a little. "Nope, that's everything. Unless we're running out of lube."

"Lube!" Sand exclaimed. "A good thought. It would not do to run short. I cannot imagine the staff would appreciate me asking for that."

Sand turned around to reach into the nightstand, and nearly dropped his phone in surprise as he saw the sweet image of Kansas peeking out from under the covers. He opened his mouth to speak, and then stopped when Kansas looked at him, wide-eyed.

"Masato? What happened? Are you alright?" Satoshi asked through the phone loudly.

Kansas stared up at Sand with wide eyes, and then lowered the covers enough to reveal his slightly apologetic grin. "Sorry. I just like to nap here sometimes. I miss him. I miss you both," Kansas whispered, barely above a breath, and his cheeks turned faintly pink.

Sand smiled radiantly at Kansas, sitting down on the side of the bed as he spoke into the phone. "It is alright, saiai. I was simply startled by a rather enchanting vision. I turned around to get the lube, and there was a very beautiful young imp in our bed. I am almost tempted to steal him back with me, so very sweet he is."

Sand leaned in and kissed Kansas tenderly, letting his love for Kansas radiate outward.

Satoshi giggle snorted through the phone and then said, "Masato, move the phone from your ear, I'm going to shout." He paused for a moment, hoping that Sand had done as he asked, then he shouted with a giggle, "Get your naked ass out of my bed, imps!"

Kansas smiled lopsided up at Sand when Sand told Satoshi that he was there, but then he covered his mouth with the covers when Satoshi shouted through the phone. For a moment there was absolute silence, and Kansas stared up at Sand with wide eyes. His gray eyes paled suddenly and welled with tears as he mumbled quietly, "He called me imps."

Sand held the phone out, his face bright with laughter as he reached out to cup Kansas's cheek with his free hand. When Kansas paled and mumbled, Sand looked at him, worried. "Kansas, my love, are you alright?"

Satoshi listened to the phone, expecting an indignant shout back, but all he heard was Sand's worried voice, and his heart sank.

Kansas nodded his head quickly, but his voice was shaking and tears formed in his lashes. "He hasn't called me imps since Yuji was sick. I can barely remember the last time he called me that. It's just a little overwhelming. He sounds good."

Kansas wiped his tears into the covers and tried to smile up at Sand, but his smile was terribly shaky. "I'm sorry. I just miss him so much," Kansas whispered, his voice not strong enough to speak louder.

"And he's right. I'm buttnaked."

"We're fine, saiai," Sand said into the phone. "I think I startled Kansas a bit, and he says you are right and he is indeed butt naked. Now I really think I should steal him away with me."

Sand leaned in to kiss Kansas again, very tenderly. "We miss you as well, Kansas. Satoshi misses you."

"Let me talk to him, Masato?" Satoshi said quietly, his voice still bright but more serious than before.

Sand handed the phone to Kansas with an encouraging nod, sitting up and going to stand to give Kansas a bit of privacy. "Talk to him, Kansas." Sand smiled radiantly and nodded.

"I'm sorry, Satoshi. I just missed you so much, I wanted to nap in your bed," Kansas said, sniffling a little when Sand handed him the phone, his hand reaching out to make Sand sit still, Kansas's thin fingers lingering on Sand's hand while he talked on the phone.

"Are you alright, imps?" Satoshi asked, his voice filled with love and concern.

"Yes. I just miss you. I wanted to feel close to you."

"But why do you always have to do it naked?"

"Because..."

"Because what?"

"Because, it makes me feel like I can feel you. You know, like I can feel your skin against mine," Kansas all but whined, his eyes lowering, so Sand could not see them, and Satoshi giggled softly through the phone.

"I know. I miss you, too, you know. I miss having you hogging my bed, and pouncing me like a sex starved rabbit in the mornings. Is Erion holding up alright?" Satoshi said quietly, his voice filled with love.

Kansas sniffled and nodded, his voice still small. "Yes, Erion's really good. He misses you, too, and sometimes he gets a little depressed, but we just try to do stuff to get him through it. Vale made a little spell for us, that we can use when the kids aren't home, where the pool house looks like the night sky over Evereska, and then we float in the pool just watching the stars, like we used to do back home. He drags me out to see the guys when I get depressed. I think he's still worried I'll lapse back to Puppy, when I get like that. Just hurry home, alright? I miss you so much. Can I sleep in your bed tonight?"

Satoshi listened in silence, then he hummed softly through the phone. "Kansas. I love you. I always will. And I miss you, too. Like you wouldn't believe. I'll be home in three weeks. I promise, alright? Just three more weeks and I'll be home. And yes, you can sleep in my bed tonight. Just change the sheets if you and Erion have sex. Three more weeks, imps, and I'll be home," Satoshi said with a quiet confidence and a determination that Kansas recognized immediately.

He sobbed quietly, but his eyes brightened and his voice was much stronger when he answered, "Alright. Three weeks. I love you, Satoshi, forever, my heart is yours."

"Yes, my love. I remember. Now, don't cry any more. I don't want to see you cry," Satoshi whispered back and made a kissing sound through the phone.

Kansas giggled softly, and made the same sound back, then bid Satoshi good night, and handed the phone back to Sand with a radiant smile. "He'll be alright. He's coming home soon."

Sand took the phone, his hand still tangled with Kansas's hand. "Hello, saiai. Now, I think I have everything you asked for." He started to laugh as Kansas dug in the nightstand and slipped the lube into the computer bag. "I shall be back in just a moment or two, but I want to say good night to our sweet husband."

Satoshi sighed softly, and whispered through the phone, "Kiss him good night from me as well, but please hurry back, because I need that computer before I lose it again."

Kansas lay back down on the pillow and burrowed under the covers, only the top of his head and his eyes and nose peeking over the edge.

"Just a few moments, saiai, and I will be there," Sand reassured Satoshi, and hung up, turning to Kansas with that radiant smile. "Yes, my sweet husband, our Satoshi is coming home soon. Now, sleep well, and I will see you tomorrow? I need to bring these things back to him quickly."

Sand leaned in to kiss Kansas one more time, his blue eyes sparkling with love for the slender little imp. "I do love you so, Kansas. I am glad you come here to sleep. I feel better knowing that you can still feel close to Satoshi in this bed."

Sand stood, untangling his fingers from Kansas's fingers, and smiled before teleporting back to the hospital room, the computer bag in his hands. He placed it on the bed and waited as Satoshi opened it eagerly, knowing that Satoshi would tell him what he wanted Sand to do.

Satoshi gave a small startled yelp when Sand reappeared in the room, the remote control to his bed in his hand, and the top half of the bed rising slowly to a comfortable position.

"Don't startle me like that," Satoshi griped playfully, all but tossing the remote at Sand as he grabbed the bag and started pulling everything out of it. He set the laptop on the small table that he could use while sitting in his bed, handing the power cord to Sand without a word, then piled everything else all around himself, in his organized chaos, and finally he dug out the small baggie of salt, and the incense.

He placed the holder on the table, as far away from the computer as possible and asked Sand to light the incense, then he opened the bag of salt and took a small pinch out, throwing it over the table, and around the computer, all the things that Sand had brought and finally all around the bed as far as he could reach. When Satoshi was done, he clapped his hands twice and pressed them together quickly in a silent prayer.

Only then did he open the laptop and turn it on, plugging in the microphone and fiddled around with it for a few moments, before handing it to Sand, and telling the elf, "I want you to recite that poem again, and do it like you did to me, earlier. Don't change your voice or anything, just put the same feeling into it if you can." Satoshi smiled encouragingly at Sand, and a little expectantly, his finger hovering over the trackpad on his laptop.

Sand nodded, and took the microphone, and began to recite the poem again, the beginning sweet and lilting and the emotion deepening in his voice as he realized once again that the poem evoked his love for Satoshi. The elven words flowed out like a silver stream, and tears of love and joy were beading Sand's lashes by the time he was done.

Satoshi listened to the first few lines of the poem with sparkling eyes, all his love for Sand shining in the dark brown eyes, then he got a look on his face that Sand had not seen in many, many months. It was the same look that he always wore when working with Kohaku in the little studio at the house, full of joy and excitement, but utterly professional as well.

Satoshi fiddled around with the computer constantly while Sand recited the poem, his fingers dancing over the keyboard and the trackpad, the only indication that his hands had ever been hurt when Satoshi stopped for a moment and spread his fingers, then made a fist a couple of times, his joints creaking slightly.

When Sand finished reciting the poem, Satoshi held out his hand for the microphone and turned it off, then sank himself into his work for a while more, utterly ignoring the orderly who brought in their dinner with a smile.

When Sand was about to open his mouth to tell Satoshi to at least eat a little bit, Satoshi stopped moving for a moment, and held his breath, his eyes as wide as they could be. "I think I'm done," he whispered, almost as if he was afraid of breaking something if he spoke too loudly.

Satoshi lurched to the side and grabbed his phone off the table, and dialed a number, all but shouting when the call was answered, "Go to your computer. Right now. Yeah, whatever, moshimoshi. Just go to your computer."

Satoshi stared at Sand for a moment, and then he hit a button on his phone, setting the phone down next to the computer and asked, "Can you hear me alright?"

Kohaku's voice floated back, the singer obviously talking with his mouth full, "Yush, what the hell awe you up to?"

Satoshi stared at Sand for a few moments then poked the trackpad of his computer and said quietly, "Just listen."

And the room was filled with Sand's voice reciting the elven love poem, underscored by the haunting yet sweet melody of a guitar, the soft slow tempo of a bass and drum keeping time with Sand's words, sounding almost like a heartbeat.

Sand's hands flew up to his mouth, and then he reached out to Satoshi, his eyes wide in awe as he listened to the gorgeous music and the ancient poem, woven together so perfectly that Sand wondered how no one had thought to do this before. He looked up at Satoshi, his voice barely a whisper.

"Saiai, that is utterly wonderful." Sand's voice strengthened as he spoke. "Kohaku-san, are you still there? Is that not incredible? Oh, Satoshi, I cannot believe how perfect that is."

Satoshi smiled at Sand, and waved his hand a little in a sign of keeping quiet, but he leaned over and offered Sand a sweet kiss, his hand tight around Sand's hand.

Sand subsided, holding Satoshi's hand, his eyes filled with love as he waited with Satoshi. His soul was still filled by the music, and Sand looked at the laptop, utterly amazed that Satoshi had been able to coax something so wondrous from it.

On the other end of the phone call something could be heard falling on the floor and breaking, and Kohaku gasped a curse that would have made even Vale quirk an eyebrow, Emiko's voice rising in the background, and Kohaku shouted back, most distractedly, "Gomennasai," (I'm sorry) but turned his next words to Satoshi, evidently without even bothering to clean up after himself.

"Satoshi-san, what did you use? You used BassuBass, and what else? What did you use for the guitar?" Through the phone came the sound of Kohaku punching away at his own keyboard, and Satoshi started talking shop as if he was sitting in his studio at the record label.

And on Kohaku's end, Emiko's voice floated through, behind his own chatter, "Kohaku! Seriously? You spilled noodles all over the floor. You're worse than the kids. Hell, you're worse than the puppy."

Sand just grinned and set up dinner in front of Satoshi, alternately feeding Satoshi bites of things he could not yet manage, and then grabbing his own chopsticks to eat a few bites. The distraction of talking shop with Kohaku gave Sand a chance to get Satoshi to eat more than he had been eating of late, and although it was still a light meal, it was still enough of an improvement to make Sand smile happily.

Satoshi and Kohaku talked fast and constantly, sometimes completing each other's sentences, and soon the song that Satoshi had just created was playing on both ends of the phone, Satoshi having emailed a copy to Kohaku. Satoshi was only mildly hampered by the food that Sand fed him, and at times he even opened his mouth expectantly like Takara and Michi, waiting for the next bite, while his hands were occupied by the keyboard of the laptop.

On Kohaku's end, Sand could hear Emiko cleaning up the bowl and noodles that Kohaku had dropped and then bring him another bowl, which Kohaku would slurp at from time to time.

A couple of hours passed, and the two artists worked on the song in unison through the phone, then finally Kohaku proclaimed the song to be ready, and Satoshi clapped his hands in anticipation as he waited for the email to return to him.

When it arrived, Satoshi opened it, and then looked at Sand with an almost reverent look. "How about, if we find the right lyrics for this, that we put this on the next album?" Satoshi asked, and Kohaku squealed a little bit on the other end of the phone, then Satoshi hit play.

The song was even more perfectly tuned to the poem now, and Kohaku had pitched Sand's voice a little lower than the original recording, but all of the passion and love was only more evident in the words now.

Halfway through the song, Kohaku suddenly chimed through the phone, "Hey? What language is that? I just realized it's not English."

Sand looked at Satoshi and arched an eyebrow, waiting to see if Satoshi was going to field this question. When Satoshi shot Sand an impish look, Sand just shrugged and grinned.

"It is an invented language, Kohaku-san, for role playing. It does actually have a proper grammar and dictionary, though. The inventors were quite diligent and strove for accuracy." Sand looked over at Satoshi and stuck his tongue out playfully, his stud flashing briefly in the light.

Satoshi smothered his giggle in his palm as Kohaku's voice floated through the phone, utterly disbelieving, "No shit? Wow. That was so beautiful that I was convinced it was an actual language. It reminds me of that elven language in that story. Lord of the Rings. It's beautiful. And Masato-san, you have a beautiful voice for this kind of recitation. It's so melodious. But how did you like the additions?"

"They were perfect. The windchimes worked much better than the violins. You were right there. But do you have any lyrics in mind for this?" Satoshi answered, his eyes glittering in the dim room, never straying from Sand's face.

"Actually I was wondering if there was a chance of getting that poem translated, and then maybe we can work something out from that?" Kohaku asked, yelping indignantly when Emiko came barging into his office, barking at him that it was time to take the puppy out.

Satoshi did not manage to stop the giggle snort that escaped him, the sound perfectly happy and filled with joy.

Sand wrapped his arm around Satoshi, his face radiant with happiness. "I will send you a translation in the morning, Kohaku-san. It sounds as though you are needed for other more pressing matters." Sand's voice was filled with laughter, his eyes bright. "It has been a treat, as always, listening to you two work together. Now all we need is our young intern and his marvelous coffee."

Kohaku griped to his wife at the other end, but apparently the argument that this was her dog was utterly lost on Emiko, and Kohaku could be heard dragging his feet towards the front door, as he took his phone off loudspeaker and spoke to Satoshi and Sand, "Thank you for that, Masato-san. I would love to try that."

He sighed painfully and continued griping as the door closed behind him, "I don't get why I have to be the one to take this mop dog out, when it's her dog! I gave it to her and the girls, because they begged, and then I have to take it out for a shit? Do you two know how gross it is to pick up dog poop?"

Satoshi laughed happily, and his words were barely heard over the loud yapping of the dog in the confined space of the elevator that Kohaku was riding down from his apartment. "No. We only have cats. And if you are so unhappy about taking it out, then you should have gotten them a big dog, you know, like a doberman or a bulldog."

Kohaku snickered, "Yeah, like I would have been allowed to bring a monster like that into the building, much less the apartment. But now, let me demean myself by taking the mop out for a walk. You two lovebirds have a cozy evening and be careful not to break the bed. I think you'll be expected to pay for it if you do. I'll see you tomorrow, Satoshi-san. Masato-san."

"Alright, see you tomorrow, Kohaku-san," Satoshi shouted back, and hung up, smiling brightly at Sand, small tears of joy dancing in his lashes, and his voice trembled with emotion. "Thank you."

"Thank you, saiai. It is a gift to see that smile again, and to hear you full of such enthusiasm." Sand leaned forward and kissed Satoshi tenderly. "We will be alright, my love. We will make it."

The next two weeks seemed to move quickly, and Satoshi redoubled his efforts in his physio sessions, working harder than ever to build up his strength. His therapists were amazed at how quickly Satoshi's legs regained their strength, and while he could not walk unassisted, he was able to walk holding on to Sand's forearms, each day pushing for a few more steps.

Sand was quick to caution Satoshi against pushing too hard, but he was pleased by the enthusiasm that Satoshi was showing, and he was thrilled by the back and forth between Satoshi and Kohaku as they worked on the new song. Sand had sent Kohaku a translation of the poem, and had even been dragged into a few discussions about the lyrics, to his delight. It was actually a surprise when Tanaka informed Sand and Satoshi that he was planning on releasing Satoshi in another week.

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