"Luminus. Bubbliec." Kit muttered with a flick of her hand as she walked out onto her balcony. Immediately she was shielded from the rain and the area around her was lit with a dim light, and she slid her sword from it's sheath and held it up in front of her. It had been a long couple days, and empathically, she was drained. I don't know exactly what's gone on with Sydney, Hardin and now Syl, but it can't be good...and dammit, I really wish Rian would come by again... She swiped at the air in front of her, her sword strokes graceful and familiar, and she was just about to stop and consider logging online to check her email when she felt a familiar presence behind her. Bringing her sword to the ready, she whirled just in time to block a blast of lightning that came whizzing at her head. "What the hell was that for?" she demanded.

"Good afternoon, Sara," her friend greeted her jovially, sauntering across the balcony to sit down in one of the wicker chairs, corssing one long leg over the other and grinning at her. "Nice place you have here."

Kit rolled her eyes and smirked, sheathing her sword and walking towards the table and chairs. "What brings you here, Sage?"

Sage shrugged, folding her arms across the bodice of her dress and gazing up at Kit with sharp green eyes. "I've been thinking about you, and you've been hiding out for some time now."

"I suppose I have."

"And I really wish you'd let up with the rain. This depression thing does not suit you at all. Hasn't Sirius been by to give you some proper attention?"

"SAGE!" Kit's face flushed red and her friend laughed. Sirius, of course, was also known as Rian, just as Sage could often be called Arie, and Kit doubled as Sara. The Author apologizes if she's confused you, but that really is the way it works around here.

"Really, Sara, you need to stop with this rain, understand? I'd like some sunshine, and not just an illusion of sunshine."

Kit-Sara smiled then and walked over to the railing. "Yeah, yeah...you've only been telling me what to do since we were eleven."

Sage shrugged. "In which continuum?"

"Does it matter?"

"I suppose not." She stood up and walked over to the railing as well. "It really is a beautiful place, honest."

"Thanks...so why are you really here?"

"Bored,as always" she smirked. "Thought maybe you could introduce me to that Sydney fellow. He seems like fun."

"Oh Mwsig, oh Gods, oh Kami-sama!" Kit said in exasperation. "You and the rest of the world, it seems. But he's not here right now anyways."

"What a pity," she said, giving a dramatic sigh. "In that case, what's to eat around here?"

Kit shrugged. "It's not time for dinner, but maybe Marie will make us milkshakes. She's an amazing cook." Sage followed Kit down several sets of stairs until they passed through the entranceway to the kitchen.

"I'd be glad to make you some milkshakes," Marie said cheerfully, looking up from her arrangment of "America the Beautiful". "Just don't spoil your dinner. Have you seen Flik today? He was supposed to help me with this."

Kit shook her head as Marie grabbed the ice cream from the freezer, and moments later, Selphie, Milo and Astala came racing in to demand their share.

"Booyaka! Marie, do we have Christmas lights?" Selphie asked excitedly, clapping her hands together.

"Terra would know where they are," she replied, pouring milkshakes for the group.

"Wow, this is good," Sage said appreciatively.

"I wish the rain would stop," muttered Astala and Selphie sighed. "We can't possibly have a party in the rain."

"Party?" Kit said, raising an eyebrow.

"Staliiii!" Selphie said, her eyes going wide. She grabbed the younger girl by the arm and started to drag her from the room. "Shhh, you'll give away the surprise!" She turned to wave at Kit, Sage and Marie. "See you at dinner! Love and Peace!"

"Well," Marie mused. "I hate to bother Flik while Viktor's here, but I really need his help...I'll see you all at dinner. I was thinking we'd have lobster tonight." She wandered away with music in hand, humming to herself, and Sage gave Kit an amused look.

"This place is hilarious," she said, getting to her feet. "I should stop by more often!"

"Party...?" Kit continued to say to herself, shaking her head. "I have a bad feeling about this..."