The Drums of War-- Day 5 (February 6, 2317)

[Cytherea]

Jason showed Cheiko inside, and Eli and Josh were quick to run down the stairs.

"Good day, Miss Cheiko." Eli said with a grin. "My brother's got the whole thing rigged up and waiting! Wait till you see it! It's a-"

Jason quickly clamped a hand over his brother's mouth.

"It's a surprise."

"Oh..." Eli said slowly. "Gotcha. Josh and I will go get it ready!"

Josh and Eli turned and quickly flew down a flight of stairs, leading to the basement. Bright light streamed from the doorway.

"This way." Jason said with a grin as he took her hand and started walking down the stairs.

The sight still took Jason's breath away. How his father and grandfather had labored over this device every day, pouring over it countless hours of the night and morning before other work called them away. Jason let go of her hand and ran to some controls.

"This is a transporting device." Jason gestured grandly to the elaborate machine standing before them. "It will take you anywhere you want to go. Well, you can't go backwards or forwards into the past or future, but you can go, present-day, present time, to anyplace in the world." He smiled at Cheiko. "Where do you want to go? Take your pick."

[Lithium]

Cheiko

Cheiko's mouth opened in a small "o" of surprise. She couldn't summon words. It was incredible. It was... was it legal? She inwardly laughed at the thought and, mind racing tried to think of a place to visit--- a place she had always dreamed of going to.

All that came out was: "This is incredible! I- I don't know what to choose. I mean, there's so many different places to go to and... and--" She grinned. "How about...um...a Sky-port? Like, say... Solari? Or maybe... I don't know. Aquias? What do you think?"

Missy

The phone vibrated again, this time continuing to vibrate until she realized that she was receiving a call. The number was blocked and she tentatively answered it.

"Hel--"

"They deleted my previous message, didn't they?" said a voice at the other end of the line. "I had it traced and it was deleted before it was even read. And they're probably listening in, so I'm going to hazard a hardy hello from the Badlands."

Missy was curious, but she stayed silent.

"I can block them out. Let me just type some..."

His voice faded into the pitter-patter of keys and she tried to hold onto what his voice sounded like. It was... strange.

She heard a female voice in the background. "Are you coming, Perse? I'm--"

He shushed her, and said that he was dealing with "that Fletcher-bloke's family" and to "head to the mess without him."

She frowned. Was he in some kind of military camp?

"All right. They're blocked on both sides. Sorry, but I had to hack your phone."

She shrugged, then remembered that he couldn't see her shrug and just replied, "That's fine. Is... is Matty okay, Mr. Perse?"

The man on the other end stifled a laugh. "My surname isn't Perse. It's a nickname. It's Ferdas, but I'd prefer if you called me Perseus."

"All right... Perseus. Tell me about my brother."

[Cytherea]

Jason saw her amazement and broke into a wide grin. She was really cute, he realized, when she was astonished. Her face had formed an adorable look as she gazed at the machine. Her eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement.

"This is incredible! I- I don't know what to choose. I mean, there's so many different places to go to and... and--" She grinned. "How about...um...a Sky-port? Like, say... Solari? Or maybe... I don't know. Aquias? What do you think?"

"Sure!" he replied. "We'll go to Solari." he powered up the machine, his hands flipping over the control panels swiftly and skillfully. He grabbed two little remotes and beacons and walked over to Cheiko. "Put this in you pocket; it'll make sure that you are still able to come back to Royalia like that-" he snapped for effect. "And this;" he said, handing her one of the remotes. "It's something to make doubly-sure you don't get stuck in Solari."

He stuffed the little blinker into one of his jeans pockets, and the remote into the other one. He took her hand and led her up to the glistening machine.

He waked her into the machine and then stepped in beside her.

"So, with the remote, we need to sync up." He pressed a few buttons on his, and then on her's. "When we want to leave, we have to press the button with the 'R' on it; Return. It usually works better if we do it at the same time, but it doesn't matter too much. You ready?" he smiled at her.

[Anwen]

Will showed his ID card at The Fence, and raced through as quickly as he could.

He just had to see her again.

He almost got lost on the way to her house. As he came up, he saw her closing the door to another young man. He raced up and knocked on her door.

Why am I so flustered!?!

[Cytherea]

Another knock sounded about five seconds after she shut the door. A look of confusion crossed over her face, but she shrugged it off.

"Probably the guy making sure we don't want anything. Solicitors like doing that."

She opened the door, and-

Oh my goodness... it's him!

Endosi forgot to check herself, before flinging herself into his arms. She laughed and hugged him tightly.

"I'm so glad to see you!" she exclaimed with a joyful laugh.

[Lithium]

Cheiko's heart was racing with excitement and nervousness. She'd always wanted to visit a Sky-Port... She smiled back at him and took one of the remotes. "Th-thank you. I... I don't know what to say. It's... wow. Are you ready?"

[Cytherea]

Jason smiled and beckoned to Josh and Eli. The boys still looked upset after being firmly told that they were not to come, but they seemed to brighten up when they started the machine. An echo sounded, and then bounced around the room. Jason took her hand and smiled reassuringly... right before blue waves engulfed them. They were turning, falling, looping, reeling; through a blue tunnel that sped by at immense speed. And then suddenly, they were standing on firm ground.

Jason caught his balance and stood on shaky legs.

"That ride always makes me feel insecure." he said with a nervous laugh. He swallowed and his Adam's apple bobbed. He ran his hand through his hair and straightened his shirt. "How about you? You managed? It's pretty exhilarating, isn't it?"

[Lithium]

Cheiko nodded, her breath stolen from her body and her heart beating against her rib cage and sternum. She could barely speak, and felt slightly nauseous, but she smiled at him and straightened, hoping he couldn't tell.

"Let's––" Her voice cracked, then quaked and she coughed to get control of it. "Let's look around. They take credits from OnNa, right? You know how I feel about shopping." She almost winked at him, but just settled for a bright smile.

[Cytherea]

Jason almost thought she looked a bit unbalanced for a moment, but quickly dismissed the thought after she started talking about shopping. A grin broke onto his face.

"Yep! They sure do." He took her hand. "And if that's what you want to do, we'll go shopping. Everything's on me, okay?"

[Lithium]

Cheiko blushed. "I... I couldn't make you do that. Imagine the electricity bill you'll have to pay to power our little outing..." she said, uncertainly.

"I'll pay for my shopping, and you can pay for food and entertainment. How's that sound?"

[Cytherea]

"Well, you've got a point." Jason conceded. "Fair enough."

They made their way into the city. It had happened before, Jason remembered, where the machine had graciously deposited him and his brothers right in the middle of a huge group of people. That outing hadn't been the best.

"So what do you want to shop for?" he asked as they walked.

[Anwen]

"I'm so glad to see you!" she exclaimed with a joyful laugh.

All the things Will had been thinking of had vanished. He loved her. That was all that mattered.

"I'm glad to see you too." He murmured into her hair.

[Cytherea]

Endosi

Endosi felt as though she could have stayed in his arms forever, but she quickly realized with a blush how impudent it must have seemed. She gently released him, a big smile on her face.

"I was hoping you would come. I- Would you like to meet my parents?!" she asked quickly and excitedly. "If you have the time, of course."

[Wylla]

    Jacob closed his book, set it on the table, stood up, and stretched. He looked at his watch.
    “I’m not really hungry, I think I’ll skip lunch” Jacob said as he walked to the door.
    He stepped onto the front porch and stepped onto the sidewalk.
    “Now, I went to Subterria last time” Jacob said. “So I think I’ll stay here this time. Where should I go?”
    Jacob thought for a moment.
    “I know” Jacob exclaimed “I’ll go to the park.”
    Jacob started down the street and walked a couple blocks before arriving at the park. He surveyed the park and found that there was only a couple other people. Ah, it will be nice and quiet. Jacob thought with a smile as he climbed up to a strong looking bough on one of the trees. He sat down and looked around.

[Anwen]

Will

"Would your parents like to meet me?" Will asked, slightly dubious. "I mean, you and your family are Royales after all. If they want to meet me then I'm fine with meeting them. I have time."

Angie

It's a bit chilly out today. Angie mused to herself, staring out the window. I think I'll go outside in a bit. As soon as the thought struck her she smiled. She left the window and rushed into her walk-in-closet. She came out wearing her soft brown boots, her green leggings, brown lil-longer-n'a-mini-skirt, and long sleeved green top. She also had a short brown cloak. She grabbed her flute and ran outside, down the street, and into the park.

Once she got there, she began to play her flute and skip into the more forested part of the park. She didn't notice anyone there at first, until she looked up. "Hey, you up there!" she called, preparing to follow him. She backed up, took a running leap, flipped, and ended up on the branch. "Hiya! My name's Angie! What's yours?"

[Wylla]

What was that? Music? Jacob wondered.
“Hey, you up there!”
Jacob looked down. Suddenly something landed on his tree branch. Jacob started to get unbalanced at the sudden movement. He grabbed a branch above his head to stable himself. He calmed himself than looked at whoever had startled him.
It was a girl. She was wearing fancy looking clothes. She had mischievous blue eyes and yellow hair. Jacob’s first thought when he saw her was those clothes have got to be SO itchy.
"Hiya! My name's Angie! What's yours?” The girl asked.
“I’m Jacob” Jacob said than wondered “Were you playing music?”

[Anwen]

"What? Oh, yeah, I was playing my flute. What about you? are you part squirrel or something? I don't normally find people in trees in the park in the winter." She stopped and looked him over. "Are you warm enough?"

[Cytherea]

"Oh, good!" Endosi said with an exuberant smile. She took his hand in her small soft one and led him inside. She gestured to the large and homey looking family room.

"This is where I like to study and enjoy games and movies with my parents." she quickly whisked him away before she gave him any chance to reply. "This is the kitchen. I love to cook." She smiled and drove him towards a small room. "This is my Dad's office. They're both in there right now, talking."

Endosi respectfully knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Endosi opened the door quickly and stepped inside, grabbing Will's arm and dragging him in beside her.

"Dad, Mom; this is the guy I'm going to marry!"

Endosi's face turned an extreme shade of red. Her cheeks felt hot; no, burning. She felt like she was dying in embarrassment.

Did I just... say that?

[Wylla]

Jacob shivered as he realized that he’d forgotten his sweatshirt.
“I’m fine” Jacob said, and then added, “I play a little guitar. And no, I’m not part squirrel” although that would be so much fun. Then I could climb so well on the trees.
“Do you like Sandwiches?” Jacob asked.

[Cytherea]

Alex

I can't believe it... I actually said yes. Alex rolled his eyes and placed his head in the palm of his hand as they drove steadily on. He gazed out the backseat window. As much as he was telling himself that he wanted to be back home, he couldn't help feeling inspired by the different scenery. He could mold and shape his view from the window he so often gazed from as he played his violin perfectly, but the surroundings were now changed. His father began speaking, and he tore his eyes from the scenery.

"Alex, your mother and I are going to a short business meeting first, and then we're all going to the banquet." his father stated as he drove. "It's a high-end sort of party, so I'm glad you... dressed up."

Alex looked down skeptically at his skinny jeans and blue button up shirt, that he had left un-tucked. He felt the heat in his cheeks, and quickly resumed looking out the window.

I never go anywhere, so I don't have a clue to what's formal or not. Who cares. I'm hardly going to show my existence at this puerile banquet.

[Anwen]

Angie

"Ummm... Yeah, I guess so." She giggled. "Y'know, you're really random. Oh!" She covered her mouth with her hand and blushed slightly. "I didn't mean to say that out loud. I hope you don't mind."

Will

Endosi had shown me around her house in a jiffy. When she knocked at the next door I finally had a chance to catch my breath.

But only to have it stolen again.

"Dad, Mom; this is the guy I'm going to marry!"

What???

I could see that she had not meant to say that. She was blushing furiously.

And, somehow, I managed to find it funny. She's so sweet when she's embarrassed!

"I didn't know it was decided yet Endosi..." I said, chuckling slightly.

"But, I don't see why we should wait." I got down on one knee, took her hand, and looked deeply into her sparkling eyes. "Endosi, you are already the queen of my heart. Will you consent to be the queen of my life and home as well?"

[Cytherea]

Huh...? Queen of his life... MARRY? I.................

"Uh..." Mr. Brightworth stood up quickly and Mrs. Brightworth looked close to fainting. "You... you want to marry my daughter?" he finally managed. "What..." he cleared his throat and composed himself, though it was still a very weighty thing on his mind. "Why do you want to marry her... so soon, William? Endosi couldn't stop talking about you all day yesterday, but I never thought..."

Mrs. Brightworth looked from Will to Endosi, and then back at Will.

"Do you- you really love her, don't you?"

Endosi had completely blanked out. The same word kept going through her head... marry, marry, marry.

[Anwen]

Will turned toward Mr. and Mrs. Brightworth, blushing a bit. "Well, I wasn't thinking marriage right away. I mean, we did only meet yesterday. I was hoping to be able to court her with your blessing, with an understanding of marriage taking place afterwards."

Turning back to Endosi, he added, "If that's acceptable to you of course, my love?"

[Wylla]

"I don't mind" Jacob said. So that's how people think of me.

"So, where do you live?" Jacob asked.

[Cytherea]

Endosi

Endosi couldn't help but throw her arms around him again in a grateful hug. She laughed joyfully.

"I- I would like that very much." she looked hopefully up at her parents, her eyes pleading.

"Dear..." Mrs. Brightworth gently said to her husband. "Can I... speak to you?"

"Of course." Mr. Brightworth looked at his daughter in the arms of a man, a man who loved her.

I had wished to keep her for some time... she is such a cheerful girl, and a wonderful daughter and companion for her mother. But maybe... maybe it is time for her to... be someone elses companion for life?

"William, Endosi; please wait for us in the living room." he asked them with a smile.