*Some time passes. The gang are gathered as usual for dinner. They have been treated to something that can only be described as a 'fish slop' by Chiara. She caught, cleaned and cooked the fish herself, though it seems she only managed a good job of the first two activities. Unwilling to hurt her feelings, the gang are doing their best to eat it. Kitzie seems to be the only one, other than Chiara, that is genuinely enjoying it.*
Kitzie: Fishy fishy fishy! *Shovels forkfuls into her mouth.*
Lierlo: It certainly is that...
Red: Kind of makes all the struggles worthwhile...
Kuja: Whoops. *Knocks his fork off the table and uses picking it up as an excuse to dive under the table and feed most of his to Tabitha. He meets Apathy under the table, witnessing him giving his to Smiley. He smirks at him then returns topside.* Dropped my fork.
Chiara: Oh Kuja, you've cleared your plate! Have some more. *Ladles another large dollop on to his plate.*
Tifanel: Oh Kuja, I just remembered I wanna ask you somethin'. Can I borrow The Destiny tomorrow?
Kuja: Hmm... I suppose so. Just remember to use beverage caddies, don't pull any stupid stunts and keep your hands off the Death Ray.
Thorn: As if he would... *Smiles.*
Rin: I must assume nothing good would come from using this aforementioned 'Death Ray.'
Apathy: You don't say.
Laurenza: Are you going somewhere, Tifanel?
Tifanel: Yeah, just a lil' trip.
Thorn: Anywhere nice?
Tifanel: Ahh, nothin' that'd interest you guys.
Kitzie: The zoo?
Lahrne: *Laughs.* Why'd he wanna go there? Tif would wanna go somewhere cool and manly, like... uh... a tank factory!
Ares: Your affinity with tanks is worrying.
Lahrne: Heheh...
Chiara: No, I bet Tif is going somewhere two hundred times more awesome! *Looks interested.* You can tell me.
Tifanel: Geez, you've gone and built it up too much. It's gonna sound all anti-climactic now. I'm just gonna go visit my parents.
Laurenza: Your...?
Tifanel: Okay… the closest thing I had to parents, the people who I lived with before comin' here. It'll be the first time in over 15 years that I've seen 'em.
Thorn: That's nice. It'll be good for you to see them again.
Rin: I agree wholeheartedly. Family is of the utmost importance.
Ares: Hmm...
Laurenza: Are you okay, Ares?
Ares: *Looks up.* Oh yes, I'm fine...
Kuja: You're probably feeling the after effects of this fish. I thought it smelt a bit off.
Chiara: I caught this today, you... poop!
Thorn: All right guys, let's calm down.
Kitzie: Yeah, let's finish this yummy fish!
Apathy: *Sarcastically.* With gusto!

*A little later, Chiara is looking after Ana in one of the chambers. Ana has a pile of toy cars, that look suspiciously like they might belong to Lahrne, and is making them crash together.*
Ana: *Slams two cars together.*
Chiara: Boom! Wow, what destruction!
Ana: *Giggles.*
Chiara: *Picks her up and sits her on her lap.* Hey Ana, do you think he'll ever realise how I feel if I just leave him to it?
Ana: *Dumps a handful of cars on to her.* Daaa!
Chiara: No, I don't think so either. He's a pretty face but he's none too bright! I mean even after that kiss… *Shakes her head.* Daddy doesn't help things much either.
Ana: *Picks up a car and hits Chiara's leg gently with it.* Dadadada!
Chiara: *Holds her arm to stop her doing it.* Right, I've made up my mind. I'm going to tell him how I feel right now! *Lifts Ana off and stands up.*
*Ana starts chewing on the car instead. At that moment, Laurenza, Red and Lahrne enter the room. Lahrne is carrying a small bag with him.*
Laurenza: *Looks around.* Who were you talking to, Chiara?
Chiara: Mostly myself. *Grins.*
Lahrne: Don't eat my cars! *Tries to take the toy from Ana.*
Red: Lahrne, you have to learn to share...
Lahrne: But... she's breaking it!
Laurenza: Lahrne, let her keep that one. You have lots more. *Takes Ana in her arms.* I'll take her back now. Thank you for looking after her, Chiara.
Chiara: It's okay. By the way, I've worked up the courage to finally say what I want to say. It may come as a surprise to you, but I'm in love with Tif!
Red: To be honest, Chi, it's not that much of a surprise.
Laurenza: None at all. *Smiles.* We all knew that already.
Chiara: Really?
Lahrne: *Wolf-whistles.* Yep!
Chiara: Oh... Well, he never noticed! He's never picked up on any of the hints I've dropped!
Laurenza: Men are like that. You can't be subtle.
Red: Maybe it's time you stopped dropping hints.
Chiara: Yeah, that's just what I'm going to do. I'm gonna march right up to him and say how I feel. *Walks out, looking for Tifanel.*
Laurenza: I hope things go well for her.
Red: Don't worry, I think Tifanel feels the same.
Laurenza: *Nods.* We'll see how things work out.

*Chiara finds Tifanel in his room, packing a few things ready for his trip the following day.*
Chiara: *Peers round the door and spots the open travel bag, the sight of it jogging her memory about his trip and making her momentarily forget what she had to say.* Hiya Tif. *Comes inside his room.* Packing already?
Tifanel: Yeah, it'll save me rushin' in the morning.
Chiara: 15 years, huh? That's about the same time I didn't see my daddy for. Is that how long you've been away from home?
Tifanel: Yeah... I didn't leave outta choice, though.
Chiara: What happened?
Tifanel: *Drops some socks in his bag.* I... uh... Well, somethin' happened so I had to leave home… Let's just say I couldn't come back for a long time. I reckon things might've blown over by now though… at least I hope so, anyway.
Chiara: Oh, okay. *Grins as he packs his underwear.* Can I come?
Tifanel: *Seems a bit taken aback.* Uh… it's kinda personal, you know... being with my family 'n all.
Chiara: I know, but… but… I could just come along for the ride in the airship! That's always neat. And I always wanted to see… um… whatever planet you're going to…
Tifanel: *Shakes his head.* It's just Earth. There's gotta be another reason. Why do you want to come?
Chiara: *Gives him a hard stare.* Oh, you big dolt! Of course there's another reason. Don't you get it? I want to come because I want to be with you! *Takes a deep breath.* I love you, you crazy fool!
*There are a few moments of silence. Tifanel and Chiara just look at each other, their expressions impossible to fathom.*
Tifanel: Oh... *Now looks somewhat stunned.* R…really?
Chiara: *Looks a bit hurt that it came as such a shock to him.* Yeah, really… Haven't you noticed at all? All the little things I did… *Swallows hard.* ...The kiss…
Tifanel: *His face has shifted to an awkward expression.* I… uh… just thought you were bein' nice… And the kiss…? Well, we thought we were gonna die, so I thought…
Chiara: …I was just getting desperate…
Tifanel: Yeah, it's just… I'm me and you… you're a pretty, young girl. I didn't think you'd want me like that.
Chiara: Oh Tif! You sell yourself too short! *Throws herself at him, flinging her arms around his neck.* You're just what I want.
Tifanel: *Looks even more uncomfortable.* And when I say a young girl… I mean you're like half my age…
Chiara: I don't care.
Tifanel: Well, don't you reckon I'm too old for you?
Chiara: No... *Seems a bit worried.* Do... you?
Tifanel: Well… just a bit. When I was your age, you weren't even born.
Chiara: … *Tears prick at her eyes.* But what about how you feel?
Tifanel: Me? Well… *Shakes his head.* That doesn't matter 'cos the age difference is too big.
Chiara: No... *Her eyes are now streaming.* You JERK! *Runs out of the room, howling with tears.*

*Chiara runs down the stairs, back to where Laurenza, Ana, Red and Lahrne are. Ana is asleep in Laurenza's arms now. Lahrne has opened his little bag and tipped its contents onto the floor. He has a pile of beads, shells and pretty stones in which he's making little holes with a screwdriver. Sobbing loudly, Chiara rushes up to Laurenza and clings to her.*
Chiara: Sis...!
Laurenza: Oh dear, what happened?
Chiara: He... *Sniffles.* ...He rejected me!
Red: Why? I thought he really felt for you.
Chiara: He said... I'm too young for him!
Laurenza: *Hugs her.* I'm sorry, Chiara...
Lahrne: *Looks up from his work.* Want me to kick his butt for ya?
Laurenza: Lahrne...
Red: I don't think that's really the answer.
Chiara: *Her tears subside a little.* No... But I think there might be something you can do for me, Lahrne...
Laurenza: Oh Chiara, you're not thinking of...
Red: Won't it be dangerous, Lahrne?
Lahrne: Yeah, I'm only a trainee Time Spirit. Lord Chronos only taught me how to control my powers and use them on myself a little... I dunno how they'd work on other people...
Red: I suppose it depends how desperate you are, Chiara.
Chiara: Very! I love Tif and I'd do anything for him to love me back! Please, Lahrne, use your trippy time powers to make me older for him.
Lahrne: Um... *Looks around anxiously, as if Thorn is going to jump out any moment and tell him not to.* Sure, I'll give it a try!
Chiara: Squee! Thank you! Hit me with your time rays, baby!
Lahrne: Here goes! *Holds out his hands and concentrates. A weak, flickering silver light shoots from his fingers like spindly ropes and pass over Chiara's body.* I hope this works...
Chiara: I can feel something tingling.
*Slowly, Chiara's appearance begins to change. She gets taller and slightly bustier, as she gradually ages.*
Laurenza: Oh, it's working!
Red: Chiara, are you okay?
Chiara: Yeah, I feel fine. *She looks about ten years older now.* I think you can stop now, Lahrne.
Lahrne: Um... *Tries to end the spell, but to no avail.* It's stuck!
Red: Lahrne?
Lahrne: I can't get it to stop!
Laurenza: That's not good...!
*Chiara is now aging rapidly. Her hair is becoming lank and grey, and her skin is wrinkling.*
Lahrne: *Looks panicky.* Stop, stop, stop!
Laurenza: *Grabs hold of Lahrne and pulls him backwards. The spell fizzles out.*
Red: Good thinking...
Lahrne: Ugh... I'm not doing that again anytime soon!
Laurenza: *Lets him go and approaches Chiara.* Chiara...?
*Chiara now looks about 80 years old. Her hair is grey-white and lifeless, and her face is deeply lined.*
Red: Umm... Lahrne? Do you think you can reverse this... without turning her into a baby?
Lahrne: *Shakes his head.* I don't wanna try messing with someone's age again... I'll probably mess up worse.
Red: We can't just leave her like this...
Laurenza: No, we can't...
Chiara: *Her voice is croaky.* Where am I?
Laurenza: You're in the castle, remember? *Helps her up.*
Chiara: Oh, of course... thanks Agnes.
Laurenza: Ag...nes?
Red: *Tries not to laugh.*
Laurenza: *Looks a little angry.* I think we should go find the others. They might have an idea of what to do.
Lahrne: Ohh... hope dad won't be mad with me...
Thorn: *Steps through the door.* Mad about what?
Chiara: Hiya Horn! It is Horn, right? *Scratches her head.* I'm sure it was something like that...
Thorn: Umm, who's this?
Lahrne: That's Chiara, dad... *Grins nervously.* ...Don't you recognise her?
Thorn: Wasn't Chiara... a little younger?
Laurenza: She had a bit of a mishap with Lahrne's time Magick. You see, Tifanel doesn't want to date her because she's too young for him, so she asked Lahrne to try and make her older...
Thorn: And you let him do this?
Laurenza: *Looks a little guilty.* Oh, I'm sorry, Thorn. I know it wasn't very good judgement, but she was so upset...
Thorn: *Is silent for a while, but soon shakes his head.* It's okay. We'll sort it out.
Lahrne: I'm sorry too.
Thorn: It's all right, Lahrne.
Laurenza: Lahrne doesn't think he can fix Chiara. Shall we ask the others for ideas?
Thorn: Good idea.

*They call the rest of the gang together, telling them there has been an incident, but they don't get a chance to tell them individually what happened until they are all gathered together. Laurenza is just about to start explaining when Rin approaches Chiara.*
Rin: Well… who's this mature Goddess of--
Laurenza: *Interrupts him.* Don't start, Rin, it's Chiara.
Kuja: *Blinks.* I don't know what's more disturbing, the fact that Chiara has somehow become an old woman, or that Rin has now come on to his own daughter twice...
Thorn: It is a tough decision.
Rin: You surely cannot place the blame entirely on me. At the time, I was missing pieces of information that would have informed me to choose differently.
Kuja: Yes, okay. So what happened?
Tifanel: *Looks like he has a little idea of what took place.*
Lahrne: My Magick went wrong. Chiara wanted making older, but it went too far...
Lierlo: Why did she want to be older?
Ares: Maybe that's a little personal.
Tifanel: *Stares at his shoes, looking slightly uncomfortable and more than a little guilty.*
Lierlo: *Approaches Chiara and examines her from all sides.* If it's a Time spell, it will most likely be very complex Magick.
Apathy: Not one any of us could easily reverse.
Red: And I don't think any of the Time Spirits will be eager to help.
Lahrne: *Looks rather sheepish and fiddles with the chains on his jacket.* Nuh-uh, 'cos I'm not really supposed to use my powers for this kinda thing anyway...
Kitzie: Oh no, Lahrney might get in trouble!
Thorn: It's okay Kitzie. I won't let them do anything to Lahrne.
Apathy: Oh, in the same way that you didn't let Chronos take him away?
Thorn: ...That was different.
Lierlo: *Sighs.* Apathy, that was uncalled for. Listen, let's worry about Lahrne being reprimanded later. I feel our first priority is helping Chiara.
Laurenza: Isn't there anything we can do for her?
Chiara: *Grabs Kitzie's arms and starts jigging.* Dance, Miss Kitty, dance!
Red: At least she's comfortable with it.
Rin: Hmm, I believe I could try casting an illusion spell, similar to the one I used on that Li fellow. I could make my fair daughter appear to regain her original form.
Chiara: *Stops dancing as there is an unnerving 'crack' sound from one of her joints.* Ow, my hip!
Ares: Her life span would still be shortened significantly. We need a more permanent solution.
Kuja: I don't know, why don't we leave her like this? Right now, she's pretty hilarious.
Thorn: And if you were in the same situation?
Kuja: ...All right, point taken. This spell of yours, Lahrne, won't it wear off after a while? I mean, you're not entirely proficient with your powers yet, so I doubt it will last forever.
Lahrne: Um, I guess it might wear off in a couple of days or so. I think.
Kitzie: But if it doesn't, Chiary will be stuck as a grandma!
Lahrne: If it doesn't, we'll call on the Time Spirits for help. I'll get my butt kicked, I'm sure, but I don't wanna be responsible for that happening to Chiara. But can we save that till a last resort? I don't really want them to have to find out...
Thorn: Yes, Lahrne. Of course.
Tifanel: Till then, guess Chiara's just gotta stick it out...
Chiara: *Grins at Tifanel.* You're a hunky man. Will you pre-chew my food for me?
*Tifanel looks awkward, whilst the rest of the gang pull embarrassed faces.*