[CoolNard]

"When we all come back, I would like to know, well Swift and I would like to know, if you would approve of us.." Suzette's last words break off into an inept stammer, albeit her determination to discipline her tone.

I wasn't expecting Suzette to announce our relationship so soon. It will come to be one of those moments my whole face, but eyes, reddened. I don't mind if Aisha approves or not, but if her mother's blessings are that important to Suzette, then any positive impression must have gone to the dumps by now.

"When everyone is all back together then we will talk about. You know how I'm so picky with my little girl." Aisha bends forward and kisses her daughter on the head. Suzette is, after all, Aisha's beloved child, whom she definitely spent many hardships birthing and raising; will I ever have a part in that one day? A warm, ordinary family like that and a wrenched, wayward heart like mine - is it possible?

No, I have to take the initiative. I have to prove myself - as a man, as Suzette's lover. I remove my mouthpiece that has been deadening my voice ever since my body was possessed by rancour.

"Aisha, rest assured. As many times as it takes, I will protect Suzette," I promise, my voice clear and sharp. "I swear on my very being that every tear she cries will be my undoing for each lifeti-"

Suzette has cupped my mouth with her hand.

"Then, let me be your new face mask," she insists. "I'll soothe the despair of your wail, and if I ever feel sad, you'll always be close by. Besides, I can cry out of happiness, right?"

"Looks like you already didn't have a need for this a long time ago," Aisha says, indicating the removed strap-on gear. "What about that skull on your ear?"

"I'll keep it. When I've atoned for my sins only shall I take it off. For now, it's a reminder of how I lived for the wrong reasons, and how I need to learn to love again." I look at Suzette.

"You have quite the eye for your man, Suzette," Aisha satisfactorily remarks, measuring me with her eyes.

After an emotional farewell, we kiss her goodbye, with which I am quite reluctant but Aisha hugs me first and I relish in her ardent smooches. We leave her a message to Tatsu and Nozomi that we will meet them outside. I want a little more time with Suzette before we part ways. As we walk down the porch, she swirls round again and waves affectionately.

"Kick butt mom!" And with that... Suzette and I head toward the edge of town.

As we cross the woods, a sort of quaint silence ensues. Our hands are latched together and the wildlife is humming.

"Swift... Did you... Do you really mean what you told my mom?" Suzette asks equivocally.

"'cos I did. I meant every word and I'd whisper them to you again."

"What if we're in front of a tough crowd?"

"I'd yell them at the top of my lungs, until the applause drowns me out."

Suzette leans her head on my shoulder and for a magical instant, the bonafide enchantment of a prince escorting his princess in a fairytale burns into us. Our bodies become incandescent. My fingers caress the fine sinews on her neck. But the privacy is short-lived.

"Swift!! Su!!" Tatsu bursts out from a crevice in a gigantic tree, clothed in new garments. Before I have time to comment, he taps us by the shoulders and hurries us into the hole.

"Wh-?" Suzette starts but Tatsu hushes her with a hard glare.

"Just hold still and listen," he talks in a low voice. "Good news is Nozomi notified me about approaching dragons. Apparently, their numbers are big and they most likely brought their top-ranking officers, as well, but they're a few hours away."

"And the bad news?" I probe.

"The village is out for our heads," comes the non-sugarcoated reply and Tatsu yanks out, from his pocket, 'Wanted: Dead or Alive' posters, with our photographs printed on them.

"The goverment!" Suzette silent exclaims. "Those dogs of the dragons, they must have given us away!"

"I've sent Nozomi on her way, but the rest of us need to get away from Aisha's ASAP, lest they suspect her involvement with us," Tatsu explains.