Well, this obviously wasn't meant to be this late, but here it is! I've decided the change up the chapter posting a bit, so rather than that picnic we're following Jenna and the TLA gang in Lemuria for this chapter. More on that later, and as always, more ranting after the break.

Chapter 11: Journey to the Beach

"I'm feeling just a bit more pressure, knowing that now the fate of the world is at stake, rather than just your parents' lives... no offense!" Sheba mused, seated in a grassy patch along with the rest of the party (minus Kraden, who was off harassing every Lemurian in earshot about architecture and culture), picking at the grass in front of her. Their meeting with King Hydros had proved meaningful, and most were still in a bit of shock from the implications of it.

"None taken, I feel the same way," Jenna replied; she was lying in the grass, trying to decipher where the sun was in the sky. The perpetual fog made it very difficult to do so, and she wondered if that was another one of the things that had led the civilization to grow lazy: a lack of sunlight.

"I can't believe you had already realized that though, Felix," Sheba muttered, picking a stick off the ground and tracing the symbol of Jupiter into the newly formed circle of dirt. "That's really intelligent."

"Not really, it's more or less what the Proxians told me," Felix replied modestly, though Jenna could see his ears tinge red, a sure sign he was embarrassed. "I mean, Saturos and Menardi really were psychopaths, but they still were right. Either way, it doesn't matter... I would be doing this anyway even if it would destroy the world."

"I'm sure you don't mean that, Felix," Piers replied, his eyes wide.

"Well, I wouldn't have lit Mars; I would have still lit Jupiter, though," Felix muttered, and suddenly his eyes narrowed. "Anyway, it doesn't matter, we're on the right track, and finally can get out of the Eastern Sea."

Jenna tilted her head, wondering why Felix would have been willing to light Jupiter but not Mars, but decided to let it go, as there had been enough strife in the day. Her eyes landed on Piers and softened, amazed at how calm and cheerful he seemed after discovering his mother's death.

"I like the Eastern Sea," Sheba piped in, having rearranged her dirt drawing into Poseidon. "So many cultures and cool people. I'd like to live in Apojji at some point, maybe."

"It's fine... it's just the going around in circles has gotten to me," Felix replied with a wince. "Apojji was nice... besides my sun-burn."Jenna cackled, grabbing her sides as she laughed, and Felix sighed. Why had he thought bringing up that would be a good idea?

Piers and Sheba smiled as well, picturing Felix's bright, bright red face. In the week afterward, anytime Felix has gotten on Jenna's nerves she had simply slapped his cheek, which had, judging by the swearing, been very painful.

"All joking aside, I had a question to ask all of you," Piers said, glancing around the circle.

"Yes, we would like to go sunbathing!" Jenna replied with another giggle, earning a glare from her brother. "But, I think we have to wait until we get out of cloud city. What was your question?"

"Well... time passes slowly in Lemuria, as you know. Very, very slowly," Piers replied.

"Just like jokes through Felix's brain," Jenna yawned, and Felix rolled his eyes.

"What did I do to deserve the teasing today?" Felix grumbled, not backing down as Jenna's fiery gaze fell upon him.

"I don't know, maybe NOT GIVING THE MARS ADEPT THE TRIDENT THAT BESTOWS MERCURY RESISTANCE!" Jenna shouted, and Felix winced.

"Uh... valid point, sorry about that," He replied, and Jenna shook her head. She wasn't just being an ass; that damned Sea God had been a pain in hers. "Anyway, go ahead Piers."

"That's exactly what I'm talking about!" Piers said with a surprising burst of energy, jumping to his feet. "We've been very morose and passive aggressive the last week, and very uptight. I think our party had the idea that getting to Lemuria would be relaxing, or that it would solve some of our problems, and not just those relating to the Lighthouses."

Felix and Sheba glanced at each other, and rather than turning away when their eyes met, Felix nodded silently and Sheba gave a weak smile. Jenna lifted her back off the ground, and pulled her legs into her chest. She had definitely been looking forward to Lemuria... one of the few places she knew she could find other girls like her.

Piers smiled sadly as he looked at his friends, ignoring his own disappointment at not getting the see the one person he had wished to the most. "I think it would be nice if we took a week off in Lemuria..." Piers continued. "If we just gave ourselves a chance to sort some things out, and relax—"

"Yeah, that sounds great, did you must miss the meeting about the world ending?" Felix muttered grumpily, and Piers smiled.

"Trust me, Felix, we haven't spent very much time in Lemuria as it is, and if we stayed for what we perceived as about a week, we would not stay very long in comparison to the outside world. I'd say it would be about... a few hours."

"Whoa, whoa, WHOA," Sheba exclaimed, dropping her stick and staring at Piers in awe. "I thought... you just aged slowly here. You don't mean to tell me that time actually slows down?"

"That's what I'm saying," Piers replied, and the party's collective jaws dropped. "You might have notice how my people have referred to me when they realized I was alive; it was as if, to them, I had been perished for a great length of time. I have no idea how it works... I have long wondered how such a thing would be possible. It is almost as if a Psynergy is constantly being cast on Lemuria that makes time inside flow faster, yet keeps anything within said bubble aging naturally. Or something like that."

"Piers... my head is... ow..." Jenna muttered, holding her head in her hands, Sheba looking similarly pained. Felix was staring at Piers as if he was literally insane, and the Lemurian coughed and flashed a shaky smile.

"Anyway, trust me; we won't burn much time if we remain here for around a week, and we could use the break," Piers concluded, and the rest of the party shared glances. Or, rather, Jenna and Sheba looked at Felix with wide eyes and innocent countenances, and while the Venus Adept could shoot down one such look with ease, both his sister and the girl he favored doing it at the same time was hard to resist. Not to mention that the idea of a vacation that actually took less time than it should sounded very, very wonderful to him. Time to... like Piers had said, sort things out.

"That sounds good," Felix replied, and the rest of the party smiled and gave a small cheer. "But first, we best ask Kraden his thoughts, just in case. KRADEN!" The sage spun at his name being called, and walked over.

"My Felix, I have to show you this spire on that column, if I'm not mistaken some of the lettering is reminiscent of the ancient letters found inside the Great Gambomba!" Kraden began to ramble, and Felix winced. This was going to be the most rhetorical question of all time.

"Wait, um, tell me later, but right now I have a question," Felix interrupted, and Kraden coughed, nodding. "You, uh... you don't mind staying here for a week, do you?"

There was a long moment of silence as Kraden's mouth slid open and his eyes slowly began to water, an image which sent Sheba and Jenna into near hysterics. "OH FELIX!" The elderly man exclaimed a moment later. "You really do care!"

As the sage encouraged Felix to his feet so he could give him a hug, Piers said with a smile, "Well, on that note, there are a few people I would like you all to meet while we stay here, and since we have nothing planned for the rest of the day, I figured we can go visit them. I have already alerted them to our potential visits, so if you all wouldn't mind..."

"Yeah, let's go," Felix muttered, glancing at Piers with untold terror as he slowly patted Kraden's head.

"Hmmm... I'll stay here and examine the spire, but I shall be sure to catch up with you," Kraden said with glee. "I can't describe how wonderful this is... never had I thought, when I was kidnapped against my will by Saturos and Menardi, that it would lead me to Lemuria..." With a wizened smile, the sage turned and jogged back to the column, and Felix sighed.

"Oh, you know you love him Felix," Jenna countered as they turned to follow Piers, and Felix sighed.

"When Kraden's not excited, he's harmless. When he is excited?" Felix asked rhetorically, and Sheba giggled.

"He's just as harmless?" She supplied, and Felix broke into a smile. Jenna, considering the past few weeks, couldn't help her face break into a smile of her own at the sight.

"So, where are we headed?" The Mars Adept asked, slightly excited to see more of the city and its denizens (thought not as excited as Kraden).

"To see two close friends of mine; Cladnen, and Selia. Cladnen first since he lives nearby, and then to Selia's," Piers replied, turning to lead them down a hill. "They both live closer to the shore."

"Ooh, beaches?" Jenna inquired, and Piers nodded.

"You need to be careful, as there are, as you might have guessed while sailing in, numerous rocks if you go out too far," He replied. "The only injury related deaths in Lemuria are usually a result of those. Other than that, though, the beaches are fantastic."

"I can just imagine... watching the sun-set through the clouds, lying in the sand. We're definitely going," Jenna said with anticipation, and Felix sighed. More sunburns. Great.

"What are Cladnen and Selia like, Piers?" Felix asked, interest in what other Lemurians were like. Travelling over the world instilled an interest in other cultures in you, whether you liked it or not.

"Well, I've known Cladnen for—" Sheba's ears perked up "–well, a long while," Piers said, the Jupiter Adept's shoulders sagging, as the Lemurian then turned once more onto a bridge wrought from ancient and faded purple stones. "He's... er, actually similar to you, Felix." Something about the way Piers said that made Felix suspicious, and he squinted at the mariner, who smiled airily in return.

"It's a similar story with Selia," Piers continued. "You will enjoy her, Jenna, I think." Jenna whipped her head around at that comment and hesitated before smiling. She couldn't help but hope that he meant what she thought he did. "Anyway... we are indeed here."

The party stared at the house they had arrived at; it was quite... small. And decidedly, well, less decadent than the rest of the city. Rather than made of ornate stone, it was built from wood, and while most of the island seemed to be coated in cool and misty colors, its simple brown palette was slightly out of place.

"Cozy, reminds me of Vale," Felix said, breaking the silence. "A little out of place. I like it."

"It certainly is quaint," Sheba agreed, used to living in a small house despite her pedigree as a "Goddess".

"Cladnen is very low-key," Piers said with an amused grin, walking up to the house and knocking on the door. "Hey! I'm back!"

An audible grunt came from inside the cabin, and the door opened a moment later. Standing in the doorway was a fairly young looking man, well-built and muscular, his only distinguishing feature his blue hair, which unlike the other shades the party had seen so far was reminiscent of the ocean.

Well, that wasn't his only distinguishable feature, Jenna mused, but before she could say anything Sheba contacted her via telepathy: HOLY ME! He looks just like Felix! The Jupiter Adept shouted mentally, and Jenna had to hold in her laughter.

Holy you? What do you mean? And he DOES look the same! Jenna thought back, only to hear a snicker.

I am holy, remember? You're lucky I don't request better treatment... Sheba shot back, and Jenna couldn't help it, letting a giggle slip, coughing and blushing after she did so. The man eyed her for a moment, but then shrugged and remained still.

"My friends, this is Cladnen, my part—"

"This is the guy you were pretending to date?" Cladnen interrupted Piers, moving out the door and standing directly in front of Felix. "I have no idea who you're talking about, Picard, I look nothing like him." The mother of awkward silences occurred as Felix's jaw deftly dropped while he eyed Cladnen, before Piers coughed.

"Picard?" Sheba squeaked, her eyes brimming with laughter as she turned towards the mariner, who simply sighed.

"My partner, Cladnen," The Lemuria finished, smiling awkwardly as Jenna and Sheba shared a glance of clarity while Felix's face hardened and he and Cladnen began an impromptu staring contest.

A minute passed before Felix barked, "I agree, no resemblance," leading Jenna and Sheba to burst into giggles and Piers to smirk. "Also, completely different personalities."

"...What are you implying?" Cladnen asked angrily, taking a step forward, and Felix took one as well.

"What I said. No resemblance. You and I are not alike in anyway whatsoever," Felix replied firmly, and Cladnen raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, Mars! They're trying to out-Felix each other!" Jenna whispered to Sheba frantically, too amused to use telepathy.

"I know! Who are you rooting for, brown-Felix or blue-Felix?" Sheba asked, and Jenna stroked her chin thoughtfully.

"To begin with, I think they need better names, and I guess our Felix," Jenna replied, turning to glance back at the two before twisting around again, nearly losing herself. "I mean, he already has a hard enough time being Felix, I can't imagine someone taking his Felixicity away."

"Both good points," Sheba murmured in response, her green eyes darting between the still staring Valean and Lemurian. "Uh, how about Land-Felix and Sea-Felix?"

Jenna smiled and began to respond when Felix (er, Land-Felix, that is) growled, "Jenna, if I ever hear you call me Land-Felix, I swear to Venus I will strand you on this damn island."

"Oooh, I think Land-Felix just pulled ahead!" Sheba exclaimed jovially, but was quickly silenced by Piers.

"I had feared this might happen..." Piers muttered, stepping it between Felix and Cladnen. "Listen, Clad, you don't need to feel threatened; remember my promise, before I left?"

Cladnen chuckled and shook his head after a moment, turning and walking into the house. "Heh. Threatened. By that guy? Fat chance," He grunted, and with an enthusiastic wave Piers led the party into the house, Felix being the last to enter to no one's surprise.

It was what one would expect from viewing the outside, organized and tidy. A small furnace sat in the corner near a large bed and a stuffed bookcase, while the rest of the cottage was only filled by a stove, icebox, pantry, and a good-sized table. The party plus Cladnen definitely fit, but it was a bit cramped.

"So... Cladnen, it's wonderful to meet Piers' boyfriend," Jenna said amicably, offering a hand to shake, and while Cladnen, who sat at the table, took it, he seemed displeased.

"Husband," He replied when he noticed Jenna's puzzled look, and then sighed. "Did you... I don't know, even mention me?" He then asked Piers, who shrugged.

"Truth be told, I didn't know if I would make it back... it was lucky I could, and that the ship wasn't destroyed, among other various trials," Piers replied, patting Cladnen on the back. "So, I didn't focus on speaking of Lemuria, since there was a chance we could not reach it. After seeing the outside world... describing our home would be difficult."

"I don't know Piers, you could have mentioned you were married," Sheba popped in, grinning as Cladnen pointed in her direction exasperatedly to show he agreed. "But, I guess you kind of have a flair for mystery, huh?"

"M-Mysterious!" The sailor stuttered, taken back. "I... I mean, I don't gush about things, but—"

"I've tried to have this conversation with him a thousand times... and you're not from here, so when I say that, I am NOT exaggerating," Cladnen replied, rising to give Piers a kiss on the cheek and then moving to the icebox. "He's just... eh, dramatic. I bet he's told you all some of his stories." The party nodded, and Cladnen smiled, ruffling Pier's hair as he sat back down, an apple in his hand. "But that's what I love about him, though once in awhile getting information straight would be pleasant. Feel free to eat anything you wish; if your Picard's friends—" Piers sighed as his birth-name was used once more "—then you're guests."

"I actually think I'm going to head down to Selia's with Jenna, for now," Piers replied, placing his hand on the Mars Adepts shoulder and gaining her attention. "Though I'd appreciate if you watched after Felix and Sheba till I return."

"Ah, was meaning to ask their names. Sheba, Felix." Caldnen nodded at each as he spoke. "Fine. I've waited a while for you to come back, another hour or so won't hurt," Cladnen said with a yawn, seemingly settled down from his earlier grumpiness.

"You should warn Jenna about Selia, considering you probably forgot to," Cladnen continued, and Felix's head shot to Piers as if on a swivel.

"Warn? Why? Why warn?" Felix shot, Piers smacking his head and Sheba giggling.

Cladnen laughed, and shook his head. "Oh, it's nothing really... Selia favors the exotic, and I'm just picturing her meeting a girl with auburn hair."

"Ah," Felix muttered, sending a look that was so sharp at Piers that the Lemuria nearly moved his head in an attempt to dodge it.

"Oh! Alright, so she is... you know," Jenna exclaimed, her grip on the terminology still not very strong.

"She likes both," Piers replied with a gentle smile, and Cladnen raised an eyebrow.

"Is that normal in the outside world?" He asked, and the rest of the party nodded sadly. "Figures, and I can tell by your faces it isn't accepted, either," The Lemurian muttered darkly, shaking his head. "My ultra-grandfather told me stories of how he personally exiled this ass of a senator who refused to listen to reason about sexuality. Not the first time I've been glad we cut ourselves off from the outside. No offense."

"None taken," Sheba replied for the party, and then coughed. "Um... ultra-grandfather?"

"Oh, that's a term we use when we forget how many greats back a relative is," Piers responded, and Felix raised an eyebrow. Lemuria definitely had its quirks.

"So, we should probably head out then, before dusk comes," Jenna said with loosely restrained anticipation, and Piers smiled and nodded.

"I'm only dropping her off, so I should be back soon," The mariner added, ignoring Felix's death glare as he turned away, and kissing Cladnen goodbye, of course.

It wasn't that the Venus Adept wasn't happy that Jenna was meeting someone like her. He just sure as hell didn't want Piers to be matchmaking in the situation.

"See you guys soon!" Jenna said with a wave, exiting as Piers held the door for her.

"Uh... so," Sheba muttered after a few moments had passed, and Felix coughed.

"So, that sword for show?" Cladnen asked Felix cooly, staring at his nails.

"I don't mind showing what I can do with it, no," Felix replied just as calmly, and Cladnen, grinning, pointed to a large, sheathed blade behind the furnace. Sheba could only roll her eyes; they had fought to the death so many times in the past few months, and what does Felix do at the first sign of rest? Pick a fight.

The Venus Adept rose along with the Mercury Adept, and after Cladnen retrieved his blade they made their way to the door. "It's muggy out, and muddy as well; you should lose the shirt," Cladnen suggested, and Felix raised an eyebrow at the implications of the statement before shrugging and removing his tunic.

Sheba raised an eyebrow as he did so and exited the house, and after a moment rose from her chair as well, stretching as she did so. Maybe a nice sparring match wasn't so bad an idea after all.

"So, tell me about Selia," Jenna said with a smile, drawing one out of Piers. Cladnen's house had been near the shore, and rather than take another path they had elected to travel along the beach. Despite being a Mars Adept, Jenna had a deep love for the ocean, and particularly beaches; she had been stunned the first time she had come across one. Perhaps she would give Lemuria a chance as a home in the future, what with the nearby ocean and the whole living forever thing. That was a decent perk, to say the least.

"Uh… she's kind of hard to describe," Piers replied, scratching his head and smiling, old memories sparkling in his golden eyes. "But you'll definitely like her. She's… unique."

"What does she look like; blue hair?" Jenna teased, and Piers smiled.

"How did you guess?" He replied, nodding. "And blue eyes to match. She's about my age, whatever that means to you."

"Ugh, you are so cryptic," Jenna said, shaking her head as she squinted to view a house in the distance, wondering if it was Selia's.

"How rude," Piers replied with distaste, and Jenna giggled. "I'm serious! I was distraught at Sheba calling me mysterious… so, I like to be subtle about things. There's nothing wrong with that."

"How is not telling us your mission or that you were married subtle, exactly?" Jenna inquired, and Piers froze.

"Anyway, back to Selia," Piers said, and Jenna rolled her eyes, punching him in the shoulder. "Fine, fine… I'll try to be less secretive!" Piers said with exasperation, and Jenna smiled.

"Good. You should open up more… you AND Felix," she replied, and then frowned. Jenna wondered how much Piers knew about Felix's planned discussion with Sheba; that is, if her brother was actually living up to his end of the bargain. "He's… talking to Sheba soon, right? I mean, at least it's not painful anymore, but it's still awkward."

"Him and Sheba or you and Sheba?" Piers asked deftly, and Jenna growled. Piers would find a way to shift this into a conversation about her…

"Oh, but you don't mind prying into other people's business, now do you?" She hissed, and Piers nodded cheerily. "I guess both. I mean, it's been hard watching them kind of awkwardly avoid each other on the ship, considering how naturally flirty they were before, but I figured it would be easier to get over Sheba once Felix and her were together, which obviously hasn't happened because Felix… ugh, that boy, sometimes."

"Hahaha… fair," Piers replied, shaking his head with mirth. "He is a great man. He just goes about things a little differently."

"Un. Der. State. Ment." Jenna replied, and Piers laughed once more, and the Mars Adept couldn't help but smile. "Uh, is this it?" She pointed to the mansion they had arrived in front of.

Well, not a mansion, but it was more than close enough to warrant the comparison. The size wasn't up to par, it only being two stories and not too wide, but the regality and attention to detail were certainly there. The omnipresent purple color scheme was still in use, but it was enhanced by doses of aqua as well, and the stonework was superior to even the palace, and certainly more imaginative, with numerous arches and elaborate spires decorating the outside walls and roof.

But, the selling point for Jenna was the stained glass windows, of which there were four, in the front. They were painstakingly crafted, utilizing a variety of colors and, from what Jenna could tell, depicting scenes from Lemurian history. One such image looked to be Poseidon conjuring a massive tidal wave, which caused Jenna to gulp; much, much too soon.

"Yes, it is," Piers replied, having stopped to admire the house as well. "Selia certainly has a flair… she claims she built this house to look so majestic because (He cleared his throat and began speaking in a higher pitch): 'If I'm not able to leave this island and find somewhere else to live, I'm sure as hell going to be living in a house I won't get tired of looking at.'"

Jenna couldn't help but crack a smile at that, and with a nod they made their way to the door, where Piers took one of the large, turtle shaped knockers in his hand, releasing it and causing a large din.

"Jeez, if you got your fingers under one of these, it'd be flattened!" Jenna exclaimed, and Piers nodded sadly.

"I've had said experience. It's why I knocked," He replied, and Jenna smiled.

"Such a gentlemen!" She replied, but turned quickly as the door opened, a pair of crystal clear blue eyes and hair reminiscent to Alex's greeting her. Selia (or at least Jenna assumed this was Selia) was wearing a light blue sundress with a few white trills; plain, but cute. She eyed them both with a warm smile for a moment, before…

"Ah! Piers! And Jenna!" Selia exclaimed rushing forward and glomping Piers.

She turned and nearly leapt into Jenna before pausing, but Jenna smiled and said, "It's fine, I'm a hug person." Selia's smile widened and she sure enough hugged Jenna tightly, before parting and waving both of them in.

"Come in, come in! Visitors from the outside, it's so exciting! Not to mention that you're alive Piers, which is also great news as well," Selia said with a wink to her fellow Lemurian, who shook his head.

"Alas, imagine if I had indeed perished? What would you have done without me?" Piers teased, and Selia giggled.

"Drowned Conservato? I'll still give it some thought, even though you have returned," Selia replied, leading them into what looked to be a living room, and offering two stone seats coated with plush padding. "How was Cladnen? The poor thing… he's been over here every other day worrying. This time, try to leave with less style?" Piers's face fell slightly at the concept of his husband being so distraught, but quickly shook it off.

"Ha, if you call getting stuck between a barrel and the cabin while the boat was flung by that tidal wave stylish!" Piers said, and both Jenna and Selia laughed.

"So, Selia… how do you know Piers?" Jenna asked, noting how close the two appeared. Both Lemurians shared a fond look, and Selia cleared her throat.

"Well, first off, I'm sure you can see we aren't as large a city as Tarion, so…" Selia paused as Jenna gave her a blank stare, and Piers coughed. "Well… I guess it would make sense that a few of the cities we used to visit have ceased to exist. Anyway, we're a small little group, so you get to know everyone very well early on in your life… a little too well, to be honest."

"That makes sense," Jenna replied with a nod, and Selia glanced at Piers, smiling once more.

"However, Piers and I do have a bit of a… expanded history, I guess you could say!" Selia continued, blushing slightly. "I was his first, and as it turned out, last female partner." Jenna's eyes widened, and her gaze quickly fell upon Piers, who grinned nervously.

"Piers! You didn't tell me that you and Selia were together!" She shouted, and Selia giggled.

"Are you trying to forget me, Piers?" She asked, and the mariner flushed.

"I… never! I greatly enjoyed our time together, and consider you a valued friend…" Piers sputtered out, clearly having hoped the conversation would not go down this route. "I… just didn't want Jenna to feel awkward."

"Awkward about what?" Selia asked, tilting her head as her eyes shifted between Piers and Jenna.

"Well… um… you know," Jenna whispered, blushing as she laid her hands in her lap, hesitant to breach the subject so brashly. If there was one thing she could work on in terms of romance, it was subtlety.

"Um… Piers?" Selia asked, clearly confused, and the sailor winced. Jenna narrowed her eyes and bit her lip. There was no way… surely, Piers wouldn't have…

"Piers? You did, er, mention me, right?" Jenna asked, and Piers gulped.

"Er… yes," He replied, and Jenna sighed, fearing the worst.

"Did you mention the… you know what I'm talking about!" Jenna shouted, tired of the mariner's dodging. He smiled nervously a moment before slowly bringing his shoulders into a shrug.

"It… might have slipped my mind?" He forced out, and Jenna groaned. "But it's fine! I'm sure Selia will understand!" His unsure smile directly contradicted his words, and Jenna had half a mind to walk out of the room.

"Understand what?" Selia asked, her patience seemingly growing thin. "Piers… what did you neglect?" She rose from her seat, hands on her hips, and made her way over to Piers. It was only now that Jenna truly took in the woman's body; it was emphatically the body of a woman, Selia appearing a few years older than her and more curved. Not to say that was a bad thing, as Jenna found Selia very fair, and moving past her body she did indeed radiate a certain sense of joyousness, much like Sheba.

"Well, I may have, er, kind of implied, but not promised!" Jenna rolled her eyes as the nervous Lemurian spoke, "That you would… um, no easy way to say this, that you and Jenna would go out on a date?" Selia raised an eyebrow, and turned to Jenna, who was blushing but still made direct eye contact.

Selia's stern face quickly morphed into a smile, as she then brought her gaze back to Piers. "How rude; you're gone for a few years, and the first thing you do when you return is try to matchmake me? What if I had gotten married in that time?" Jenna caught herself from exclaiming "A few years!", still unused to the Lemurian time lap, and sighed. Well, this was going fantastic.

"Well… Selia, it's just that… perhaps Jenna could do her story more justice," Piers replied, and Selia rolled her eyes, and turned back to Jenna, who bit her lip.

"The poor thing clearly didn't expect to walk into this situation, Picard," Selia accosted, Jenna doing her best to stifle a giggle at hearing Piers's true name once more.

"No, it's fine," Jenna whispered after Piers's silence, rising from her chair. "It's something I really should be doing myself. You see, Selia, I only recently realized I like both girls and boys, as in the outside world, liking someone of your gender isn't really… normal. So, as such, it's been hard to find another girl… well, like me." Jenna paused and sighed, trying to find the right words.

"So, Piers told you about my bisexuality, and wanted us to… try something out?" Selina asked, and Jenna nodded hesitantly.

"Or at least talk about things… get to know each other," Jenna said, rubbing her arm, feeling foolish and guilty. "I feel bad now, though, I don't want you to feel forced or anything—"

"Are you joking? I've been wanting to go on a date with an outsider for years!" Selia exclaimed, rushing over to Jenna and grabbing her by the hand. "Everyone in Lemuria is sooo damn lazy and boring, blaming the 'air' or 'lack of things to do' or (she pointed to Piers) 'the SEALING OF ALCHEMY!'" Selia waved her arms dramatically. "I mean, Piers is pretty energetic, and Lunpa is a right sparkplug, but everyone else here can barely tell what the difference between being awake and asleep is."

Selia palmed her forehead with a groan. "Do you know who I spend most of my time with? You know the two children who hang out in the buildings on the east side of the island?" Selia asked, and Jenna thought briefly before she remembered seeing a boy and girl chasing each other earlier, and nodding. "Yeah, them! Hell, the cow provides better conversation than Conservato! If there was ever a perfect naming job…"

Selia trailed off, and, viewing Jenna's smiling face, winced and coughed. "Sorry… I kind of get, carried away now and again."

"That's fine, I'm the same way," Jenna replied with a wider smile, placing a hand on the Lemurian's shoulder. "So… you, um, don't mind if we…" Selia leaned in and kissed Jenna's lips, her hand finding the curve in the Valean's back.

"Not at all… you can stay in my home if you wish, and that goes to all of your friends as well," Selia whispered as she moved her head back, smiling at Jenna's warm blush. Selia's years of supposed experience had certainly led to her be very, very good at kissing.

"I-I'll let them know," Jenna replied, but Piers interrupted her with a cough.

"Actually, I'm going to head back and leave you two alone for a little bit," Piers said with a smile. "So, I'll let them know for you."

"Alright, but Piers?" Jenna asked, and the mariner nodded. "Like, actually tell, them alright? Not… partially tell them. TELL. THEM." Piers frowned and Selia burst into laughter.

"Trust me Jenna, he is MUCH too old to learn new tricks," Selia said, patting her old friend on the back and then placing her other arms around Jenna's back. "We'll be outside by the shore if you need us, but we shouldn't be too long; the sun is setting." Jenna couldn't conceal her glee at the idea of watching the sunset, smiling brightly at Selia.

Piers looked at the two with a grin, and nodded. "Have fun you two — see you soon!" With that, the sailor left the room, and Jenna tentatively reached her arm around Selia's back, only for the woman to move away and quickly grab the Mars Adept's hand.

"You're a Mars Adept, correct?" Selia asked, gently guiding Jenna to a side door and pulling it open, revealing the ocean in the distance. Jenna nodded, and Selia licked her lips. "Hot." Jenna burst into laughter at the terrible pun, with Selia joining in as they began to make their way down to the sand.

I really enjoyed writing this chapter; it's funny, I procrastinate so much, but once I just get all these ideas of deadlines and screwing things up out of my head I really enjoy writing these stories, and they happen naturally.

So, I'm probably going to end up changing it, but right now it will be this, another chapter in Lemuria, the Garet/Mia chapter, and then a final Lemuria chapter and then OUT. That might change around a bit depending on how things go, but that's the tentative plan.

I had way too much fun with the Cladnen and Felix situation, but I actually do think that Piers would kind of go for someone like that; a little more stoic and down to earth, like Felix.

With Selia, though, I really allowed her character to grow as I was writing her, and I like her so far; OCs are a weakness for me, as I can make a character interesting but have problems rounding them out, so we'll see where things go with her. It's nice to finally get Jenna a romantic interest, though; or at least one that's in her general vicinity.

I'm going to try to pick up on some kind of schedule again, not as quick, but one that I can actually manage. So, that's it for now, thanks for reading!