Sorrow's Surprise
by Nightshade

Leanne smiled as she lowered her arm. "He saw me. Kev's coming back."

With a sideway glance Phanna studied her best friend. "You sound glad. But, when are you going to tell him?"

The two friends from Pandora were sitting on one of the Tree Palace's defensive walls. They were among the first to arrive, since they had volunteered to setup for the peace talks. Now that their duties were done, the old friends were enjoying a well deserved break.

"I don't know... " Leanne sighed. "He's been acting kinda strange recently. Ever since Sage Luka gave him the invitation to come here."

Shaking her blue hair, Phanna took out a brush from her travelling bag. "Yeah, I felt a little spellbound when I got my invitation too." she paused in her brushing and sighed.

"He's coming down the path." Leanne laughed, "It'll take him a few minutes to walk through the crowd."

"So I take it you're going to tell him tonight, to his face? Just before the first meeting?"

"Ah, that meeting's just for formal introductions. I get the sense he'll be glad when I tell him."

Phanna put away her brush and snickered. "Really? Or will you just be helping yourself?"

They both saw Keven break through the joyful crowd. Noticing he carried a sword Phanna asked, "So Watts did make him a new sword?"

"Yeah." Leanne replied. She shifted around uncomfortably for a moment. "Uh, do you mind leaving?" she asked with caution.

Rolling her eyes Phanna jumped off from her seat. Turning she waved goodbye and proceeded to walk toward the crowd.

Leanne thought about her friend for a moment. She's changed so much. Ever since the zombie spell left her. Her train of thought was interrupted by another person taking Phanna's seat.

"Hey." she mumbled.

"Hey... what's up?" Keven glanced worriedly at her. "Phanna left in a rush. She barely had time to say hello to me!"

"We... uh... have to talk." The words wouldn't come to her, the speech she had practiced faded from memory.

Keven smiled warily. "Sure... what's on your mind?" He laughed to himself. "There's no time for anything anymore - I miss the old conversations we used to have." He looked at her. "Remember those? When we first met in Pandora?"

Leanne nodded. I better just come out with it... "Keven... I'm cancelling the wedding." Her voice was solemn, as she tried to hide her emotions.

Keven froze. It seemed to Leanne, when she dared to look at him, like he was figuring out what to do next. Slowly Keven took in a breath and started his reply. "Well, I don't know what to say. If you don't want it, then neither do I." He stared up at the sky. "I guess you're still hoping Dyluck could come back somehow, huh?"

Leanne nodded. "Yes." was the barely heard reply.

Suddenly, Keven sat up straight and took in a deep breath. "Well, at least if we can be friends still?" He smiled at her.

A large grin appeared on Leanne's face. "Yeah, of course!" And the two embraced.

Keven jumped off the wall. "I've got to go to that meeting. Just so all the Ancients can see Serin's son." He rolled his eyes and sighed.

"Go on without me. I'll be there soon."

"Sure thing. Be seeing you!"

Leanne stayed on the wall a few more minutes. "Oh, Dyluck! If only I knew how to get to you!" she spoke to the wind. "I'll find a way. I'm not going to break our promise. Ever." And with that she jumped off the wall and ran for the main building.

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