The Festival of Glad Arrival [ Open To All! ]

[Jamie Pyne]

The festival, now fully underway, was brimming with activity. Tens of thousands of people enjoying themselves with the multitude of attractions. The chyme and laughter of children, the sound of mechanic rides taking passengers to and from, games buzzing and beeping with droids tending to players rang through the air. The aroma of fresh baked breads, flowers, and meats filled the air all around, each one replacing the last. A multitude of instruments could be heard playing near the opposite end of the festival grounds, close to a grand waterfall and rapids.

As the blonde looked about, her eyes caught the peculiar sight of a man climbing about. Leaning forward she squinted through the bright rays of sunlight to strive for a better look. Slowly a wide smile flashed across her face and the woman stood from where she was sitting to shout. "Kurt Meyer! What in the Force are you doing!? Why are you up there!?" She pointed, and several RSF members hastily moved to gently apprehend and escort the man. "Bring him over here please!" She urged them as they shuffled through the crowd towards his location. Even as she directed them to retrieve the man she began her own hasty shuffle towards him, despite the urging of her personal guard to remain seated.

She was hardly one to obey orders.

[member="Kurt Meyer"] [member="Myles Davorak"] [member="Zai Avery"]

 

[Kurt Meyer]

[member="Jamie Pyne"]

The Sight of Naboo Guards running towards him was something he was sort of used to by now. He had twice before been arrested or otherwise detained on this planet, so as the guards began to move towards him Kurt simply tried to duck down from the roof so they didn't exactly have to climb up and chase after him.

He landed on the ground with a quiet thud, his knees bending slightly as he dirtied his pants. Kurt brushed them off for a moment, mostly because the suit he was wearing was just about the most expensive piece of clothing that he had never actually owned and he'd be rather upset if he ruined it. The Guards reached him just a moment later, one of them giving him a sour look as though he wasn't quite keen on Kurt being there. The Courier gave him a small, albeit apprehensive smile.

Luckily none of the guards moved to handcuff him, something he was thankful for.

They all turned, two of them moving just a bit too close to Kurt, as though he was about to try something. The Courier understood their apprehension, mostly because next to no one knew whom he actually was. Yet as Jamie came closer the guards were quickly forgotten.

His smile broadened, his arms stretched out as she came closer in an odd sort of shuffling run. "I couldn't stay away."

Was all he said with a broad smile.

 

[The End Narrator]

Mira looked to the bottle and then to Isar, shaking her head vigorously. “Oh, no. This? Hah, not quite what you think.” She looked around her frantically before haphazardly tossing it behind her during the commotion caused by [member="Kurt Meyer"] and the Queen, [member="Jamie Pyne"]. Mira’s cheeks flushed a soft red as she gestured with the now liberated hand. “I, uh, spotted you as I was about to bring that to some people in attendance but…”

Mira turned quickly towards the commotion and signaled to the gathering. “That gave me the chance to get rid of it.” At this point, she was not only scrambling for words but she was emotionally train wrecking herself. Any time she had gotten close to Isar, she became a jumbled mess of words and emotions. The mention of the lake country made her cheeks turn an even darker shade of red as she stepped back, waggling both hands.

“No, I’m good.” Her eyes widened suddenly. “I mean! I did come to see you, just not like that!” Mira became increasingly flustered, stifling a bit of a laugh. She simply just huffed and dropped her hands by her side, shrugging. “I’m here. That’s really all you need to be concerned with, yeah?” She nodded in a bit of defiance.

[member="Isar Kislo"]

 

[Isar Kislo]

Isar chuckled lightly as Mira unceremoniously tossed the bottle behind her. His light eyes only briefly diverted the definitive spectacle that [member="Kurt Meyer"] had caused. However, as he didn't really know the man, all he saw was the RSF taking him into...some kind of custody. Returning his attention to the ever-enthralling presence before him, Isar allowed an easy smirk to settle over his features. It was amusing when Mira did this, tripped all over herself. Truthfully though, he smiled to keep himself from being reduced to a similar random mess of thoughts and feelings.

Reaching out, Isar placed a hand gently on her waist, stepping close to her once more as he smiled down at her. "Mira," he started in a deep, smooth voice. "I was only kidding." Nope. That was a lie. "Well...I'm glad to see you either way." Glancing up at the general procession, Isar lowered his hand and offered Mira his arm. "Whatever your reason for being here was, I'm rather going to have to insist on your company for a while."

Though Isar was easy-going about his status and family connections, it didn't exactly play that way in the eyes of all the other nobles. If it hadn't been for his father having been the monarch of Naboo before the current Queen, he was rather certain that his presence would be largely ignored, forgotten at most events. As it stood, however, there seemed to be no shortage of individuals attempting to 'introduce him' to their daughters and sisters. If Mira was an unknown quantity on the planet, it wouldn't remain so for long. Gone was the seclusion of their personal visit to his family's estate.

Interestingly enough. Isar couldn't have cared less what it looked like. His personal relations shouldn't have been anyone's concern.

[member="Mira Rekali"] | [member="Jamie Pyne"] | [member="Zai Avery"] | [member="Myles Davorak"]

 

[Luther Lewis]

He could scarcely believe his plan had worked. This opened so many new avenues for him to pursue. With the right disguise, he could get in anywhere. Provided he didn't get caught.

He laughed and spun on the spot, admiring his surroundings. He had never seen such decadence. The surrounding meadows were beautiful, with dozens of different blooming flowers. Nobles were crowded in small clusters, draped in fine silk brocades. Each outfit must have cost a small fortune. The waiters and waitresses were just as richly garbed. Each carried silver platters adorned with a plethora of exotic food. Zai sampled it all, but took little like to the subtle, aromatic flavours. A nearby noble made a noise of disgust as Zai dropped the rest of his caviar into a nearby potted plant.

He knew a few of the members by their reputations, and he done research on other people likely to attend the feast. The Dagger was here, as known as [member="Myles Davorak"]. Zai had a lot of respect for the seasoned soldier. [member="Mira Rekali"] and [member="Isar Kislo"] were deep in discussion while [member="Kurt Meyer"] seemed to be enjoying the festivities from the top of a building, much to the distress of the RSF. The Queen, [member="Jamie Pyne"], was impressive and regal sight as always. [member="Kaiden Rohn"] was watching warily for any threats, and Zai decided it might not be a good idea to approach the Queen. [member="Felix Hardy"] was nearby, but Zai knew little about him. He had contacted a source to try and get more information, but all he could determine was that the man was a poor dancer. Zai walked deeper into the festival.

He practiced the finer aspects of his character on various party-goers, making sure every response was as flamboyant and ridiculous as possible:

"No, despite the name Applewood, I do not sell apples. I own a vast plantation of Marble-Berry on Deralia, however."
"No, I've never been to Nar Shaddaa, I find the whole planet distasteful. The crooks and rogues that inhabit it should get a real, steady job. One that is just as exciting. Like banking."
"I find the Toniray far too subtle. I prefer a fine Corellian Brandy, much easier on the throat."

He had gathered quite the crowd, although he couldn't tell if his newly acquired companions were being sycophantic or that they were merely amused by his behaviour. "Aperitif, sir?" a waiter offered him a small glass containing a caramel-coloured liquid.

Zai swirled the liquid around and swallowed the drink whole, like he would a shot at a bar. The waiter and assorted nobles stared, in shock. Zai repressed an urge to giggle. Looks like you weren’t meant to swallow that whole. It tasted of Sherry, a drink he had only tried once before.

“It’s an ancient tradition in my family to down the first drink fast, so that the burn of the liquor matches the burning respect you have for your forebears”

They seemed to buy it, but he strolled off towards the fairgrounds anyway. B'kik was manning a stall, talking to [member="Velok the Younger"]. The Jawa seemed to be everywhere. He hoped that his colleague wouldn't unravel his disguise, however there was only one way to find out. He strode towards the Jawa's stall.

 

[Velok the Younger]

[member="B'kik"] was an extremely lucky Jawa. No swap meet steal had ever found him so fortunate as today. Velok, you see, was getting old. He didn't quite catch the word 'Sith' - or 'Mercy Me,' the name of his stolen ship. There would be no Jawa al dente on the afternoon menu. With a nod, he urged the compliant bantha into the crowd. Its happy little mind enjoyed the cool breeze and smelled water everywhere. The bantha began drinking from a fountain.

Velok, for his part, licked the last of the ice bluecream from his claws and concealed his Force signature. He'd opted not to do that before now, mostly for the sake of perverse curiosity. Those around would feel a general relaxation as the balance of the Force shifted away from the dark side.

From his vantage point on the bantha, he caught a glimpse of Her Majesty. Shaggy eyebrows rose as he took in the grandeur of her crown.

 

[B'kik]

"Enjoy baa ride"
B'kik would never know buja lucky he just was
B'kik then noticed a noble nearing his store
As the noble got closer B'kik could see a grin slowly growing
Was loo noble here to cause a scene B'kik thought
B'kik then noticed something on the noble's face
Scars matching Zai's but loo can nyeta be right
The face somewhat marched [member="Zai Avery"] but the hair un clothing
Zai could never afford such clothing un the hair was neatly tucked under his hat
Zai never had a cane either
B'kik signaled po of his jawa employees to be ready incase this noble tried something funny
As the noble got to the stall B'kik started speaking with unease
"M'um m'aloo. Weeza baa nye blue milk icecream or play some dunk the tusken or even nye a bantha ride"
B'kik still could nyeta get the thought of the noble being zai out of his head
B'kik decided to try and figure out who this person was
"Weeza baa like to nye Zai avery Flavoured Blue Milk Icecream?"
B'kik was paying close attention to how the noble reacted to this question

 

[Luther Lewis]

"No thank you, I don't eat Ice-cream. Such desserts are beneath me" he ignored B'kik, knowing that it would infuriate him to be dismissed by a potential customer.

He got comfortable, sitting next to a Whiphid ([member="Velok the Younger"]) who had just finished his Bantha ride. Zai thought he looked familar, but he was sure he had never met him before. The Whiphid seemed the type to be able to sense deception, so he dropped all pretenses of Conrad Applewood. He was tiring of the acting anyway. He introduced himself as Zai Avery and relaxed back into his usual friendly-going nature.

The two of them spoke casually, about the festivities and the other guests. Zai got the sense that he had a deeper, darker background, but said nothing. Today wasn't for making allies or enemies. Today was for enjoying the festival.

B'kik had started cursing in his native tongue when Zai revealed himself. The Jawa claimed to have always known that it was Zai, but he doubted that was the case.

Zai smiled as children ran back and forth excitedly, yelling in delight at the ice-cream and the banthas. It was good to finally relax. He had experienced a lot of death and trauma in the past few months. He felt he had filled his quota, despite his youthful age.

He stretched in the sun. Just for now, he would take some time off from all the schemes. He leaned back in his chair and moved his hat so it covered his eyes.

Comfortable, he napped in the dappled sunlight.

 

[The End Narrator]

It was true she was the unknown variable in Isar’s life, and probably more so true that it wouldn’t remain so for much longer but Mira didn’t care. She merely smiled and took that all too familiar arm to which Isar was so kind to offer her. “I was actually just here to delivery some stuff, truthfully.” Mira looked up to Isar’s cobalt orbs with her own crimson colored gaze, staring admiringly in them. “So, I assume your family has you here for the festivities? Or did you actually take my advice and decide to enjoy the culture which society has to offer?” She said it with such a straight face that one would find it hard to tell if she was joking or not, but he’d know better. Mira allowed the moment to linger before moving onto another subject – like the reason she had approached him.

She broke the fixated gaze and gently pulled her arm free from his as they had approached some semi-secluded area, away from the festivities. Mira walked to the edge of the balcony and sighed, leaning against it with a huff. “You do realize that I probably just disappointed about a dozen or so noble girls – right?” She turned to briefly look at Isar. “I mean, the way they were fawning over you…” Mira made a mock fanning motion, waving her hand against her cheek. She made her voice pitch really high, dripping with sarcasm. “Oh, Lord Kislo – take me to be your wife! I shall please you and bake you things!” Mira brought both hands to her mouth suddenly, gasping dramatically. “And give you many children!” It was then that Mira took it over the top and pretended to faint, bringing her hand against her forehead, leaning back against the railing.

She’d linger for a moment before suddenly springing up with a laugh. “I wasn’t that bad.”

[member="Isar Kislo"]

 

[Isar Kislo]

Isar nodded only slightly to Mira's statement about being at the festival to make some deliveries. To her question regarding his presence, Isar half-laughed softly. "It's comforting to genuinely belong to something, I guess. Yes, my father does keep me pushing forward as he spends an increasing amount of time on Kiffex with my mother. I've found that I have started to enjoy my role in the society of Naboo...insofar as I have the time." Isar shrugged slightly. "We live finite lives. I just want to make a difference."

When Mira abruptly withdrew her arm from his own, Isar gazed at her with a flat expression. When she moved to lean against the rail of the balcony, Isar's eyes remained locked on her form, mind immediately going back to their time at his family's estate. His initial response to Mira's comments about the various members of the Naboo nobility elicited little more than an eye-roll and a subtle smile from Isar.

Casually, Isar approached the woman as she leaned against the railing of the balcony. "Oh? Well you're in luck." By the time he finished speaking, the large Zeison Sha was less than a few inches from Mira's body. Casually, he hooked his left hand around her waist. "I don't need you to bake or bear my children." Isar took the final step to completely close the distance between them as his right hand raised to gently cradle the side of Mira's face.

When he spoke next, Isar's voice was softer. "I just need you." The final word did not linger long before Isar leaned in to kiss the woman softly and deeply on the lips.

[member="Mira Rekali"]

 

[The End Narrator]

“So, I guess the next question is…” She’d pause as he approached closer, an eyebrow rising as she was pulled closer to him. Her heart began to beat a bit faster as she looked down at his arm and then him. A hand would rise up to touch his chest. “Uhm…” Suddenly, her mind went completely blank.

What was she going to ask him?

Something to do with his parents?

Mira’s head was pounding, or was that how hard her heart was beating in her chest? She didn’t care, she just felt him. As he closed the distance that is when she knew it was coming. Her breath was completely taken away by the moment, unable to really speak or do anything – she reacted. She moved the hand off his chest and cupped the side of his face, closing her eyes as she returned the kiss.

[member="Isar Kislo"]

 

[Isar Kislo]

Isar had only barely registered the fact that Mira had been about to say something. They had been in a similar position before during Mira's visit to Isar's family estate. However, the interaction had ended mostly with Isar having to say goodbye with a simple peck on the cheek. He had been called back to Sullust in preparation for a major military offensive. Even on the eve of battle, Mira had been the one constant on his mind. It hadn't been the distracting kind of thought...more like motivation.

As the embrace deepened, Isar made no move to stop what he was doing. Gently, he pulled Mira's body even tighter against his own as passion raced through his veins and arteries. A subtle moan of pleasure escaped the Zeison Sha's lips just before he slowly broke the kiss. Still holding Mira close to him, Isar gazed at the woman not with a smile so much as a simple expression of pleasure and longing. A deep, sincere longing.

"You were saying?"

[member="Mira Rekali"]

 

[Losgadh]

Losgadh groaned as she stepped into the festival. She and her father took a trip to Naboo at this time of year to celebrate at the Festival of Glad Arrival. Her father thought it was needed to attend these sorts of festivals to show that the nobility of Xasuri respects the nobility of Naboo. But she did not understand why she was always dragged into it. It wasn't as if she was Princess [Member="Elleryn"]. But that certainly wasn't the case. She had to come to this festival and "have fun".

"Daddy? Must you take me here? I know there is a new princess and all but does that really concern me?" Losgadh asked her father.

"Losgadh, we represent the nobility of the planet of Xasuri and we must pay our respects to the newly arrived queen." Losgahd father lectured.

Losgahd moaned and wandered off to enjoy the festival. The good thing about the festivals was that she got to wear the most amazing clothing. Currently, she was wearing a long, sparkly, dark purple dress with beautiful black dress shoes. She also wore a long necklace covered and many numerous beautiful jewels. Her hair was let out long, halfway down her torso, and it was curled to perfection by the most brilliant hairdressers her father could offer. In hair hair was a small, purple flower. She wore much purple. It was her favorite color after all. She always wore much of it. She also carried around with her a beautiful, small black back decorated with numerous purple gems and jewels.

"You questioning your father?" Losgadh said to herself "Why, I thought you were just daddy's little girl." She quickly snapped back at herself "Can you please leave me alone for once!"

Losgadh wandered around but didn't see much that appealed to her... Until she saw it. Blue milk ice cream! She's only had it a few times before and it was amazing! It was much better than Xasurian food, which was much too extreme. It was always either way too extremely sweet, salty, or spicy, which Losgadh did not like. She remembered that earlier, before she went to the festival, her father had given her many credits for pocket money. She kept it in her bag so she quickly pulled it out and stepped up the the stand, where a jawa ([Member="B'kik"]) was giving out blue milk ice cream.

@B'kik

 

[Nyree Justice]

You didn't get a friend on every planet by just--well doing nothing. And besides, Nyree had just completed a shipment of jewels on world that made her, well, ready for some fun. She loved Naboo, if it could be described in one word it would be pretty. The landscape was pretty. The buildings was pretty. The people were pretty. Well, except the gungans, they were just annoying. But besides that, the place was pretty.

And she liked pretty.

The young merchant girl put a few finishing touches on her mascara, and smoothed her dress over, giving herself an appraising eye, "Fabulous."

Satisfied she hurried away from the Merchant Princess, her heels clacking on the beautiful marble pavement as she hummed a little tune to herself. The girl bobbed happily with each step. Of course the city was overrun with celebrating folk. It was like going through a maze of people just to get out the front door.

"Scuse me, pardon me, passin' by, hey lemme squeeze through here," she muttered as Nyree weaved through the crowd. It took time, more than she would have liked, but they young woman made it to the main gathering where the queen was. Well, sorta. She got placed behind some tall guy who was apparently part woookie part--something-else-that-was-tall.

"Heya, can I get by you?" she asked, tugging on his shirt.

The guy glanced back at the teen and gave her an indifferent shurg.

Jerk. That was the other half, Nyree decided. "Hey, c'mon man, I just wanna see the queen, is that so much to ask? Not all of us are like a bajillion feet tall, ya know?"

"Fine," he muttered, moving just a few inches so Nyree could pass by.

The small teen managed to barely squeeze through between him and another guy. Good gods, I got jerk-face all on my dress, she thought dusting herself off from--well, nothing exactly, but her dress was a little wrinkled from it. When the teen finally looked up, she saw [member="Jamie Pyne"]. Her eyes grew wide for a second as she admired her clothes, her make up, her hair, it was all on point. It was fleck and totally lit. "Ooooo. Pretty."

Her eyes lighted on [member="Felix Hardy"]. He looked ok. Ok, to be honest, he looked pretty miserable. The girl couldn't and wouldn't have any of that. She made her way closer to him, through some of the crowd and gave the man a nudge, "Hey, come on now, its a party. No frownies at parties."

 

[The End Narrator]

As the embrace between the two of them broke, Mira’s eyes fluttered open and she simply stared into his azure orbs. “Uh…” Her hand fell from his cheek to his shoulder, letting off a chuckle as she placed her forehead against his form. “When do I get to meet your parents?” A question for the ages no doubt, and one that would be quite the mood killer considering where things were headed. Mira looked up at Isar with a grin. “You know it’s unavoidable, just like you have to meet my dad eventually.” She pulled away just a bit. “Oh, you’re going to love him.”

Mira took a moment to look around. “You’ll have to meet my brother as well.” Truth be told, considering the last time she was with a guy, her brother was lurking somewhere nearby. She was quite surprised this wasn’t the case again, then again, they were teenagers back then. Mira gently patted him on the chest. “You’ll do fine though, it’s when you have to meet her is when I’m concerned.”

[member="Isar Kislo"]

 

[William Bradley]

He seemed to be staring off in the distance, the sound of crying and death filled his ears, women and children's cries, men's yells, was all he could hear. He stared off at the palace just standing there, in his own little world, almost nothing around him affected him in his own little world, as he remembered, and tried to forget the past he had lived. His mind was filled with these thoughts, it seemed, more and more often but he couldn't stop them, and he didn't want to, memories like these were there to teach a lesson, he had to find it.

The festival seemed to be in full swing now, everyone having fun, laughing, singing, yelling, and the queen [member="Jamie Pyne"] enjoying herself. People were playing games, people were scamming other people at street games, but it all seemed to be in good fun, and that's what made Naboo a little different from any other place in the galaxy, but he stood out as he stood there staring off into nothing because it drew some attention, some unwanted attention, but attention nonetheless. He felt it before he saw it, the large shove from next to him, he glanced down to see, [member="Nyree Justice"] talking to him.

He raised a brow as she talked to him, a little confused at what she meant and then he realized that he probably held the largest frown in the crowd, which wasn't hard in a crowd full of smiling people. "I''m going to frown whether you like it or not, It's my life and I will frown when I want to frown mam, but I feel you won't accept that as an answer Miss....?" He said looking down at her as he examined her appearance for a little, looking at her face and then at her body, before he just focused in with his ears to listen to her.

 

[D'vok Windroamer]

D'vok walked along the city streets, making his way past bystanders. He figured this festival would be fun, or at the very least, a way to make a quick buck no questions asked. He heard lots of talking about the new queen. Given that D'vok had been away for a while, he hadn't heard of the news. He entered the crowd surrounding the festival, and tried to get a look at the new royal. It was hard, some Wookie wouldn't move so it was a bit difficult to see, but he could just make out the somewhat familiar face of [member="Jamie Pyne"]. He was shocked, as he recognized her.
"Oh! She's the... That girl from the thing... Right, with the cave and the... Oh that's neat."

 

[Isar Kislo]

Isar arched a curious eyebrow at Mira's question. Introducing her to parents that he was still getting to know himself was an interesting prospect. Before he could really offer a reply, Mira, true to her personality thus far, moved the conversation forward. Laughing softly to himself, Isar leaned forward to place a kiss on Mira's forehead. "I think we can probably ease into the family introductions, and we'll definitely start with my sister." [member="Loske Matson"] tended to get on fairly well with...well...just about everyone. "Though, at least where my parents are concerned, I'm sure it will be an easy interaction."

For the moment, Isar left the comment about meeting 'her' alone, flashing an easy smile instead. Eventually, Isar was able to divert his gaze away from Mira, looking around the secluded area. He could probably sneak out right here and nobody would see him. "Hey umm..." Ice-blue eyes dipped downward to regard Mira once more. "Are you done with your deliveries?" That was the story she'd given him, at least.

Isar had half a mind to say he'd pay the difference. Probably a good thing he didn't because the notion of paying for Mira's time kind of made her sound like a prostitute.

[member="Mira Rekali"]

 

[Fiore]

Fiore had always wanted to go to a festival or a party of sorts. They were considered a luxury that she has only experienced once. That experience though was while she was working as a bodyguard. So sure couldn't have fun, she couldn't mingle and she couldn't make any friends. She longed to wear pretty clothes and dance the night away surrounded by friends. Today would be that day, although she wouldn't be wearing a pretty dress - that was going a little far for the Eldorai assassin.

She would find herself armorless, wearing simple but body shape complementing clothing. Her white shirt hung off her shoulders, while her simple dark pants shaped her. For once, she allowed her hair to remain down with just the tips of her ears poking through at the right places. The holonet was an amazing resource, Fiore even learned how to put on a touch of makeup. Enough to just enhance her features.

The wayward woman would weave through the crowd. She heard there was a queen and at times she caught glimpses of her. Fiore stood in awe that someone could be so beautiful and elegant. One day she hoped to reach that pinnacle. Continuing to weave her way through the groups of people she looked to see if anyone was familiar. Not seeing anyone, Fiore shrugged and sparked a conversation with a few people that stood near her. The conversation was short but she enjoyed it. Her arm reached across and adjusted the silver arm band on her other arm. Stopping suddenly she needed to make sure that didn't become a nervous tick this evening.

Fiore smiled and continued to enjoy her time.

 

[Nyree Justice]

[member="Felix Hardy"]

Nyree got his attention. Good. That was the easy part. Apparently her little prod of encouragement didn't help. She let out a huff of disapproval at his reply.

"Nyree." she gave her name. "Oh and don't call me ma'am." the small woman stuck her tongue out, "It makes me feel old."

He would frown when he wants and where he wants, because something about his life... Or whatever. Well there was just one solution available at that, or at least just one she could think of. The thing that always could make her smile, even when Kim Stardashian's mascara was runny or when Nyree's lady days were starting. A good old pint of Ben and Larry's.

"You like ice cream, Mr. Frownies?" she didn't really know his name and she wasn't gonna call him Mr. Guy-Who-Just-Looked-At-My-Goods.

"Of course you do," she said interrupting him in mind answer, "It's ice cream. Now come on."

She grabbed a fist full of his shirt and started tugging him along, leading Mr. Frownies to a nearby ice cream vendor. She reached into a little fold in her dress and slapped a fist full of credits on the metal counter, "I'll have the tripple chocolate fudge with strawberry, and Mr. Frownies will have," she glanced back at him, "Same thing. Give it some extra love. He's having a bad day."

The ice cream vendor quickly produced small dishes containing the frozen treats with plastic spoons. Nyree shoved the second dish to her new friend whether he liked it or not. She scooped up a bite of her own and let out a hearty, "Mmmmmm. Better, Mr. Frownies?"