*Poor Chiara remains in her aged form for the rest of the day, despite Kitzie's well-meant efforts of rubbing Laurenza's anti-ageing cream onto her. The next morning, Tifanel heads out to The Destiny, ready for his trip to Earth. He finds Chiara stood in front of the gangplank, still elderly and now holding a walking cane, wearing a defiant expression.*
Tifanel: Chi, what are ya doin' here? Shouldn't you be restin' in bed or something? *Spots the cane.* Is that Rin's?
Chiara: *Waves said cane at him.* Just 'cos I'm old, it doesn't mean I'm completely incapacitated. I'm coming with you on your trip!
Tifanel: *Sighs some and shakes his head.*
Chiara: I want to teach you a very important lesson! *Scratches her head.* I just can't remember what it is right now...
Tifanel: Uh, 'I should learn to love you for who you are and not how old you are?'
Chiara: That's the one!
Tifanel: *Smiles a little.* Heheh, I ain't gonna talk you outta this, am I? Just… this is gonna be a doozy to explain to Riley and Felicity…
*They board The Destiny. The lights flicker on and Tifanel starts the ignition. Chiara takes a seat in one of the chairs.*
The Destiny: GOOD MORNING TIFANEL, LORD OF THE LOSERS, DUKE OF THE DRUNKARDS, MONARCH OF THE MORONS...
Chiara: Huh? *Giggles some.*
Tifanel: Kuja swears he didn't tell it to say that, but I dunno… *Sets the course for Earth.*
*The Destiny starts to ascend.*
Chiara: Ohh, this chair is way too hard. It hurts my back. And don't you drive too fast, sonny!
Tifanel: Are ya gonna complain all the way?
Chiara: *Looks huffy.* You should respect your elders, Nelly!
Tifanel: ...Nelly?

*They drive through space for a while without event, unless you count Chiara preaching to Tifanel to observe the speed limit and watch out for cyclists. They soon reach Earth's atmosphere and start to descend.*
Chiara: There's a big city on the LPS-wachamacallit. Are you gonna land there?
Tifanel: No, I don't wanna attract too much attention...
Chiara: Attention?
Tifanel: *Shakes his head.* Never mind. *Sets The Destiny down elsewhere.*

*The Destiny touches ground on the outskirts of a little village. Amongst the buildings, there are a few small bungalows, a schoolhouse and what seems to be a small marketplace. The Destiny, being so big, seems a little out of place. Tifanel and Chiara exit the ship.*
Tifanel: *Looks around.* It's hardly changed at all.
Chiara: Hey look, I bet we could squish one of these houses with The Destiny! Ooh, ooh, can we try it?
Tifanel: *Gives her a look.* I worry about you sometimes, Chi. Let's just head to Riley and Flis' place. Damn, I sure hope they still live there.
*Tifanel heads off and Chiara hobbles after him. They come to a familiar bungalow. Tifanel takes a deep breath and then knocks firmly on the door. After a few moments, a rather round and elderly woman with grey hair comes and answers.*
Woman: Yes? Oh... *She stares at Tifanel curiously for several long moments.*
Tifanel: Felicity, it's me.
Felicity: Tifanel? *Recognises him at last. She cries out and hugs him tightly.* Oh, Tifanel! Is it really you? You've grown so much, dear!
Tifanel: Heheh... *Hugs her back for a moment, then manages to escape her grasp.* It's been a real long time.
Chiara: *Looks up at the roof.* Oh my gosh, I think your second floor has fallen off!
Tifanel: It's a bungalow...
Felicity: *Smiles nervously, not knowing whether Chiara was being serious or not.* Oh, who's this? *Gestures Chiara.*
Tifanel: Uh, she's uh… the grandmother of a friend. I brought her to Earth… 'cos she needs some… um… medicine from here. *Grins not entirely convincingly.*
Felicity: Aw, that was sweet of you. Come on now, let's not stand on the doorstep all day. Please, come in. *Lets them through.*
*They enter the house. It is a very cosy-looking little home, almost unchanged from how Tifanel remembers it.*
Felicity: Let's have a sit down and a nice chat. *They take seats on a sofa.* Oh, Tifanel, I missed you so much ever since... *Remembers what happened, and why Tifanel had to leave. She trails off.*
Tifanel: *Looks apologetic.* Yeah, I'm so sorry. I caused both of you so much trouble...
Felicity: You don't know the half of it. Riley… Riley went to prison.
Tifanel: What?! He went to prison... because of me? *Looks terribly guilty.* Oh my god, I'm so sorry... Can you ever forgive me?
Felicity: *Sighs.* It was a long time ago. It's water under the bridge now… You were an unusual boy, but I knew what happened… wasn't really your fault. I'm... sure Riley thinks the same.
Tifanel: *Smiles in a relieved way.* I can't thank you enough for all you two did for me.
Felicity: We loved you like a son. We did all we can to help you. So, tell me what you've been up to all these years.
Tifanel: Well, I took the job as Royal Guardian that Riley found me, and I've been there ever since. Life's never dull there. Lemme tell ya a couple of things that've happened…

*Tifanel recounts several of the gang's more exciting exploits to Felicity. Chiara listens intently, looking almost as interested as her. After finishing his stories, Tifanel brings the conversation back to the present.*
Tifanel: Hey, where's Riley now?
Felicity: He's in the city at the moment, helping oversee the construction of the new community centre. Some of his apprentice carpenters from the village are making window frames, doors and furniture for the building.
Chiara: Did you say something about carp? I like fishing!
Tifanel: No, carpenters. *Sighs.* I would've liked to see him.
Felicity: Are you afraid of going to the city? I'm sure enough time has passed… People will have forgotten.
Tifanel: *Sorrowfully.* I haven't…
Felicity: Oh... Just... just be careful.
Tifanel: Yeah, okay. *Helps Chiara up.* C'mon, we're going out. Hmm, it's a bit warm for my jacket, I think. *He takes it off and hangs it up.* See ya later, Flis. *He and Chiara leave.*
*Tifanel's wallet slips from his jacket pocket and falls to the floor. It bounces open. Felicity goes to pick it up and notices a photo in it. She looks at it.*

*Tifanel and Chiara walk from the village into the city. Tifanel seems to be slightly on edge as they travel through the town square. As they pass the stone obelisk that is engraved with the words, 'This memorial is to remember the brave men of this city that sacrificed their lives to defend the women and children from the merciless killer of 3026,' Tifanel represses a shudder.*
Chiara: Pretty statue. What's it say on it? *Squints at the obelisk.*
Tifanel: *Pulls her away from it.* It's not interestin', Chi. C'mon, where's this building site?
*They look around for a while, then find the construction site on the farthest outreaches of the city.*
Tifanel: *Stares at the site with a look of mingled surprise and horror.* Aw, you've gotta be kiddin' me!
*The site is unmistakably where the derelict Owens Weapon Research Laboratories used to be.*
Chiara: *Runs her cane across some scaffolding poles, making a lot of clanking noise.* It's a giant glockenspiel!
Tifanel: *Is snapped out of his stupor. He laughs a little.* You're nuts.
*The two of them hear voices from around the back of the site.*
Voice: Just right down the middle, Michael.
Tifanel: *Seems to recognise the voice.* He must be round there.
*They go around to the back of the site. A group of men are working hard building things, chopping wood and various other activities. An old man, with hard features and what's left of his thinning grey hair tied in a ponytail, is watching a young man sawing some wood.*
Tifanel: *Calls to the old man.* Riley! Hey!
Riley: *As with Felicity, he doesn't recognise him at first. He stares at him blankly.*
Tifanel: It's me, Tifanel. Remember?
Riley: Tifanel...
Tifanel: *Notices the man slowly working his way through the wood.* Hey, lemme help ya with that wood. Stand back. *He nudges the guy with the saw out of the way and draws his sword. In one, lightning-fast motion, he cleaves the wood in two.* There we go. That'll save ya some sawing, right?
*Many of the workers have now abandoned their tasks to focus on Tifanel and his sword. The air has become tense and uncomfortable. The man with the saw is looking particularly hostile.*
Tifanel: Heheh… guess I shouldn't have got my sword out. So much for not attracting attention... *Sheathes his sword.*
Chiara: *Sweetly oblivious of what's going on.* I think everyone is watching you, Nelly. Why? Are you going to do some tricks?
*The man with the saw, assumedly Michael, speaks out.*
Michael: Some of us hoped we'd never see you again. Some of us wanted you to come back... *Holds his saw towards Tifanel threateningly.*
Tifanel: Um, yeah... *Looks anxious to dispel the animosity.* So, uh... how've you been, Riley?
Riley: Well, if you wanna know, I had a very rough time after ya left. Guess we didn't know just how serious the trouble you caused in this city was, bein' sheltered in our lil' village, but hoo boy… The Owens girl in a coma, her dad dead…
Tifanel: *Looks down.* Evelyn...
Riley: ...And scores of other men slaughtered. It was hard to believe a kid like you was behind it all, but man, Tifanel… ya left a big mess behind and someone had to clean up!
Tifanel: Yeah, I know. Felicity told me you got sent to jail for helpin' me out. I'm... I'm sorry!
Riley: It's a bit late for sorry now!
Tifanel: I know, I know! But what else can I do? I can't do nothin' but apologise. *Raises his voice a little.* D'ya think I don't regret what happened? D'ya think I don't have to go through every day thinkin' about what I did? D'ya think it doesn't haunt me enough in my dreams? *He stands in silence for a moment, before speaking more calmly.* I'm sorry…
Chiara: *Looks really incensed.* Nelly is a good man! I don't know the whole story, but I know him well enough now to know that he isn't a killer! He wouldn't hurt anyone! He's a nice guy who cares, who loves! He spends 70% of his time saving the world, and the other half… the Universe! Now that's not the kind of guy I could stay mad at!
Tifanel: Chi… *Seems to really appreciate her kind words.* I came back because I wanted to see you guys. I missed you, 'cos I like you. I… I never meant to cause you trouble.
Riley: …I know that at heart. I just… I must've been a lil' bitter havin' to be the fall guy. C'mon guys, back off.
*The workmen lower their tools and back away from Tifanel.*
Riley: I guess I should invite you two to dinner. That'd be the courteous thing to do after you've come all this way to see us. *Smiles some.*
Tifanel: I'd like that.
Riley: So, see ya later at home. *He shakes Tifanel's hand.*
Tifanel: See ya.
Chiara: Okay, let's go! Um... which way did they live again?

*Tifanel and Chiara head back to the bungalow. Chiara is tired out, so she goes for a rest. Tifanel recounts to Felicity what happened with Riley, and she is glad everything worked out. She then shows him the photograph from his wallet.*
Felicity: I hope you don't mind me prying, but I found this photo in your wallet. *Holds it up to him.*
*It appears to be of the gang in Jubril city on Palamoor, taken on what seems to be a walk of fame. Behind them are large statues of famous Palamoorian actors.*
Tifanel: *Smiles and remembers the photo being taken.*

**Flashback time.**
*The gang are stood inside Starpress Studios in the city of Jubril, Palamoor, each dressed in a ridiculous getup.*
Laurenza: So I guess there wasn't anything here. We were simply led into the Hallowed Knight's trap.
Thorn: Looks like.
Tifanel: Let's just get out of these stupid getups and blow this joint.

*The gang head back to the hotel and gather their things. They are about to leave the city, when Chiara spots the walk of fame and a photographer.*
Chiara: Oh, WOW! The walk of fame! The statues are sooo lifelike! I heard they actually used Elsa Diago's own spit as part of the concrete mix for her statue! Can we have our picture taken here. Can we? Huh, huh?
Kuja: Do we really have time for this?
Thorn: Oh, it won't take that long...
Laurenza: And it'd make a nice souvenir, don't you think?
Apathy: This isn't a holiday.
Lierlo: In her defence, we did come to see the sights of Palamoor and find a way to rescue Dalimoor, so I feel her point is valid.
Thorn: Then shall we?
Kitzie: Yeah, yeah! I want a picture!
Kuja: Fine, fine. Once again, it's only Apathy and me that are the naysayers. You win.
Chiara: Yay, you guys are awesome! *Goes to the photographer and hands over some jewels.*
Photographer: If you could get in line in front of the statues...
*They start to line up.*
Kuja: Tifanel, Thorn, you're far too tall. Stand at the back or you'll completely overshadow me.
Tifanel: *Quietly.* 'Cos that would be such a shame... *Moves.*
Thorn: *Smiles and moves to the back.*
Laurenza: Kitzie, move to the left a bit, please. You're practically standing on my toes.
Kitzie: Sorry. *Budges over.*
Apathy: *Does the 'V' sign over Red's head.*
Lierlo: *Grabs his arm and pulls it down.*
Rin: How's this? *Puts his arm around Ares.*
Ares: Remove it, or have it removed.
Rin: A fair set of choices, my lady. I think I'll go with the former. *Takes his arm away again.*
Chiara: Ooh, I don't know where to stand. *Rushes about, trying different places to be.*
Lierlo: Chiara, I think you should stay still, or you'll come out blurry in the picture.
Chiara: Sorry, sorry! *Stands near Tifanel.* Perfect!
Photographer: *Sounding impatient.* Are we all ready now?
Thorn: Yes, thank you.
Photographer: All right. *Readies his camera.* Say 'May the blessed light of Amyrian correctly guide us down the one true path to paradise!'
Everyone: Huh?
*Click! The photograph is taken.*
**Flasback over.**

*We return to the present. As a result of what happened, in the photo, the gang all have quite funny, confused expressions.*
Felicity: Your friends?
Tifanel: Yeah, we had this taken on one of our adventures.
Felicity: *Points at Chiara. She seems to have sneaked her hand into Tifanel's at the last second of taking the picture.* Who's the pretty girl there? Your girlfriend?
Tifanel: No, that's just Chiara. She's not really my... No, but she likes me, though.
Felicity: And do you like her back?
Tifanel: Uh... *Thinks for a moment.* I dunno… There's a bit of an age difference between us.
Felicity: Love doesn't care about things like that. *Hands him back his wallet.* And neither should you.
*Felicity heads to the kitchen, leaving Tifanel standing there with something to think about.*

*Later on, Riley arrives home and they have dinner. They reminisce about the good times Riley, Felicity and Tifanel had as their odd little family. Tifanel tells them of more adventures he's had with the gang. Afterwards, night falls, and we rejoin the action with Tifanel and Chiara outside. They are taking a stroll through the city.*
Chiara: Where are we going?
Tifanel: Somewhere.
Chiara: Ohh, somewhere, huh?
*They crouch behind some trees and peer through the branches at a house. A little blonde girl is playing in the front yard. Evelyn comes out of the house.*
Evelyn: Iris, it's time for you to go to bed.
Tifanel: *Watches her slightly longingly, a sad look in his eyes.*
*The girl, Iris, follows her mother inside.*
Chiara: That's the woman you loved, isn't it? The one you lost a long time ago, like your fortune said…
Tifanel: *Nods a little.*
*Chiara surprisingly doesn't look jealous that Tifanel still feels for Evelyn. Instead, she looks sympathetic. She slips her hand tentatively into Tifanel's. He holds it tight.*

*Meanwhile, back at the castle, Lahrne pokes his head around Kitzie's bedroom door. He's holding something behind his back.*
Lahrne: Hey Kitzie, let me in. I've got something for you.
Kitzie: Sure, come in, Lahrney.
Lahrne: *Comes in all the way and holds out his finished present for her. It's a bracelet made from shells, beads and attractive stones threaded together.* For you. *Looks a bit embarrassed.*
Kitzie: *Takes it.* Oh wow, it's so pretty!
Lahrne: Do you like it? *With a slight swagger.* I made it myself.
Kitzie: Yeah yeah, it's great. *Puts it on.* Why did you give it to me? It's not my birthday or nothing.
Lahrne: 'Cos... uh... I want you to like me, Kitzie.
Kitzie: But I do like you, Lahrney.
Lahrne: I mean like, uh… like me-like me.
Kitzie: Ohh, like be your girlfriend? *Thinks for a moment.* Mmm, okay! *Gives him a little kiss on the cheek.*
Lahrne: Ew gross, Kitzie! Now you've got your girl germs all over me. Don't do that!
Kitzie: But that's what a girlfriend does! We have lots of kissies, and we go out on dates and you get me presents like this and then we get married and buy a mortgage!
Lahrne: Really? Is that what it's all about? Seems like a lot of work. Can't we just go play instead?
Kitzie: Okies!
*The two of them run out into the corridor, almost straight into Thorn and Kuja, who were obviously passing.*
Kuja: *Grabs Lahrne's collar.* Where do you think you're going, Casanova? It's time you were in bed, wouldn't you agree, Thorn?
Thorn: Hmm, yes. You can play your games in the morning.
Kitzie: Aww...
Lahrne: Wait a minute, were you listening in?
Kuja: Well, we couldn't just walk in, could we? I personally have got in a lot of trouble before for barging in on other peoples' romantic moments. *Grins.*
Lahrne: Oh you…!
Thorn: It's okay. Most of us respect your confidentiality.
Lahrne: Okay. Night night, Kitzie.
Kitzie: Night Lahrney. *Goes back into her room.*

*A few hours later, everyone is asleep in bed. Thorn is woken by quiet sobbing coming from another room.*
Thorn: What is that? *He puts on a dressing gown and leaves his room.*
*He follows the sound through the pitch-black corridor and finds it's coming from Lahrne's room.*
Thorn: *Enters Lahrne's room.* Lahrne, is everything okay?
Lahrne: Daddy... *Cries a little.* Nightlight's broken... I'm scared of the dark!
Thorn: It's okay Lahrne, you're not the only one...
Lahrne: Can I have a hug?
Thorn: Of course you can... *He hugs Lahrne.*
*As he hugs Lahrne, Thorn notices a faint light coming through a crack in Lahrne's wardrobe doors.*
Thorn: What's that?
Lahrne: What's what?
Thorn: *Lets go of Lahrne and heads over to his wardrobe.* That.
Lahrne: I dunno. I toss all my junk into that wardrobe. It could be anything.
Thorn: *Opens the wardrobe sharply.*
*Light spills out through the open doors, being caused by the glowing stone Clang gave Lahrne one Christmas.*
Thorn: *Laughs and picks up the stone.* I think this solves your nightlight problem, Lahrne.
Lahrne: Oh yeah, I forgot about that!
Thorn: *Places it on Lahrne's bedside table, holding his hand over it gently. It responds by dimming a little, so it is not as blinding.* It responds to Magick... Interesting.
Lahrne: Oh cool! Thanks for finding it for me, dad.
Thorn: That's no problem. I'll see you in the morning, Lahrne.
Lahrne: Night night. *Yawns and settles down to sleep.*
Thorn: *Smiles and leaves the room.*

*Back on Earth, the following morning, Tifanel and Chiara are ready to leave. They are just about to board The Destiny, but they are stopped by Michael and the other workers.*
Michael: Not so fast. We're not letting you leave here without avenging all those people. *He and his friends brandish their tools.*
Tifanel: *Sighs.* Geez guys, didn't we get over this? Look, I don't wanna fight you. I'll only hurt you.
Michael: You're outnumbered.
Tifanel: Yeah, but I'm also a better fighter than a bunch of guys with carpentry tools.
Michael: We'll see about that.
*They rush Tifanel, striking and cutting him, but he refuses to fight back.*
Chiara: Nelly, defend yourself, you big goofball!
Tifanel: I said I didn't wanna hurt them!
Chiara: But they're hurting you!
Tifanel: Damn... Just get lost! Sonic Blast! *Claps his hands and discharges powerful sound waves. They send the guys flying backwards.* C'mon! *He grabs Chiara and runs up the gangplank of The Destiny.*

*Back at the castle, some of the gang are gathered in one of the chambers as usual.*
Rin: *Comes limping into the room.* Has anyone happened to see my cane? I seem to have misplaced it…
Lierlo: No, I don't think I have.
Apathy: Sorry.
Rin: *Sits in a chair.* If someone has immaturely taken it as their idea of a cruel prank, I'd like to point out it's not very funny.
Thorn: Well, it'll turn up.
Rin: So, none of you has taken it?
Kuja: Oh, believe me, if I'd thought of that, I would've.
Lahrne: Maybe his walking cane walked off. *Sniggers.*
Red: Oh, I get it.
Kitzie: *Giggles.* You're funny, Lahrney.
Tabitha: *Pops her head from out of Kuja's robes and yawns, her ears flopping down. She climbs off him and wanders towards Rin.*
*Tabitha stops dead in front of him and suddenly becomes angry. She growls at him, hackles raised, looking very hostile. Rin returns her glare, and for a fleeting moment, his eyes are filled with a fierce hatred. He gives her a swift kick in the side with his good leg.*
Tabitha: *Yelps and runs back to Kuja, whimpering.*
Thorn: Now, that was a bit harsh.
Laurenza: *Looks a bit shocked.* I think that's an understatement...
Kuja: *Leaps to his feet, glowering at Rin.* That's my daughter you're smacking around, Rin! *Charges fire in both hands.* Maybe I should give you a good smacking in return…
Lierlo: Kuja, don't...
Ares: I'm sure Rin just overreacted...
Kuja: *Dissipates the Magick.* To what? She barely breathed on him!
Rin: Listen friend, I'm awfully sorry. I... don't quite know what came over me.
Kuja: *Grudgingly.* It's okay... I suppose. But if you even touch a hair on her again...!
Thorn: He won't... *He turns to Rin.* Right?
Rin: No, of course not.
Kuja: *Tries to comfort Tabitha with soothing strokes.*
*The awkward air is broken slightly by the arrival of Tifanel and Chiara.*
Tifanel: Hey guys.
Thorn: Oh, hello Chiara, Tifanel.
Laurenza: Welcome back. Did you have a nice time?
Tifanel: Yeah, mostly.
Rin: *Spots Chiara has his cane.* Oh, there's my cane! Angel, I wouldn't have minded lending it to you, but I do wish you had asked... *Takes it back.*
Chiara: Sorry...
Lahrne: Oh no, Chiara is still old… It's all my fault...
Thorn: Don't worry, Lahrne. You were asked to do it, it wasn't your fault.
Lahrne: Yeah... I guess I better call for help. *Places his hands together and sends a small, silver ball of light into the air.*
*The light expands towards the ground and forms into the shape of a silver cat.*
Chiara: Oh my gosh, KITTY!
*The cat changes into the Time Spirit, Lyrian.*
Kuja: You!
Lyrian: Don't worry. The hatchet is fully buried. *Having said that, he seems reluctant.* I'm here to help. It's about time you called in reinforcements, Lahrne.
Lahrne: You knew?
Lyrian: Of course. You can't do much without Lord Chronos knowing. He's just too busy to fix things every time you screw up.
Apathy: Are you going to help Chiara or not?
Lyrian: I suppose I'll try.
Tifanel: 'Try?'
Lyrian: I cannot guarantee I will be able to reverse Lahrne's spell. Magick is a dangerous thing to play with to start, but Time Magick... Shoddy spell work like this may have caused irreversible damage.
Thorn: Anything you can do for us, we will be most grateful.
Lyrian: I'll have to take her to the Time Tunnels. It'll take more than just me to try and fix this. *He disappears with Chiara in a ball of silver light.*
Rin: Oh, I do hope she'll be okay.
Lahrne: *Looks guilty again.*
Tifanel: *Seems particularly worried.*
Thorn: I would have felt more comfortable if one of us had gone with them...
Kuja: I know what you mean. I don't trust that Lyrian.
Lierlo: Well, we don't have much choice but to trust him right now.

*They wait for several anxious minutes. After several have passed, Chiara suddenly appears back in the room. She is back to normal, but looks slightly older than she used to.*
Lahrne: You're okay!
Red: And if I'm not mistaken, you're back to normal, albeit a couple of years older...
Chiara: Yeah, I am. I guess they couldn't reverse the spell totally! *Grins in an unconvincing way.* I'll tell you about it more in a sec, 'cos I want to speak with Tif alone for a moment... *Grabs his arm and drags him out the room.*
*Once outside the door, Chiara jumps Tifanel into a hug.*
Tifanel: *Accepts her embrace and hugs back.* I'm so glad you're okay. I was worried you were gonna be stuck like that!
Chiara: You were worried about me?
Tifanel: Course I was. Now, c'mere you. *Pulls her close and kisses her deeply.*
Chiara: *Looks pleasantly shocked and kisses back.* You know, when the Spirits de-aged me, they were able to go all the way, but I told them to stop before they got to my actual age.
Tifanel: Really? Why'd ya do that?
Chiara: I did it for you, dummy, so I'd be older and able to date you! *Hits him lightly.* You really are oblivious to everything I do for you! *Smiles.* But… I love you all the same.
Tifanel: Heh heh...*Strokes her cheek and kisses her gently.* I love you too, Chi. Just do me a favour, will ya?
Chiara: Yeah?
Tifanel: Never call me 'Nelly' ever again.
Chiara: *Giggles* Okay, sure. Oooh, let's tell everyone we're dating ! *Holds his hand and skips back into the room, grinning from ear to ear.*
Tifanel: Heheh... *Looks a bit embarrassed holding her hand, as everyone watches them come back in.*
Red: Hmm, is there anyone here who isn't dating someone else?
*Ares and Rin exchange an awkward look. Rin then smirks and waggles his eyebrows at Ares. She looks a bit nervous and ignores him until he stops.*
Laurenza: Heh heh... Well, congratulations, you two.
Lierlo: It never hurts to have a bit more love in the world.
Thorn: Yes, we're very happy for you.
Kitzie: Tiffy and Chiary, Tiffy and Chiary! Are you gonna buy a mortgage?
Tifanel: Uh, what?
Rin: Oh, to be eight years old and naive again. *Smiles for a moment, before turning to Tifanel sharply.* Though I don't remember bestowing my permission to date my daughter, Tifanel.
Tifanel: *Looks a bit ill at ease.*
Chiara: *Angrily.* Funny, daddy, I don't remember him needing it. You've been against us being together from the start and it's not funny anymore. You know Tif is a decent guy, and isn't just in it for the sex or anything. He was the one who said he was too old for me! I'm sick of you being so overprotective!
Rin: No, angel, it's not that...
Chiara: Then what is it?
Rin: I... I'm not entirely sure.
Chiara: *With a vicious smile.* You just don't want us to be happy. Just because you can't commit for more than five seconds, it doesn't mean you can ruin everyone else's relationships!
Kuja: *Smirks some.* Ooh, ouch.
Thorn: Chiara…
Rin: *Looks shocked and hurt. He gets up and leaves the room quickly.*
Chiara: *Glares after him, seething some.*
Lierlo: Really, that was a bit of an unkind thing to say.
Apathy: Even if it does have some ground in truth. His little black book must be the size of a phone directory.
Ares: Chiara, you do have a point, but you should apologise to your father...
Tifanel: Yeah, I think so too. You don't wanna fall out with your dad.
Chiara: Ohh fine, I'll do it. But I won't like it! *Goes after Rin.*

*Chiara goes to Rin's room and knocks on the door. She goes in to find Rin sat on his bed, looking rather unsettled.*
Chiara: Daddy, I'm sorry.
Rin: It's okay. Don't concern yourself too much.
Chiara: Really? I thought you'd hit me with your smacky stick... or at least yell at me a little!
Rin: No, I believe you may have only said the truth. Perhaps I do have commitment issues. My relationships never seem to last, as whenever someone gets close to me, I push them away. It's as if I'm afraid of something.
Chiara: *Looks a little guilty.* Oh, that's no fun... That's kinda sad, actually. I'm really sorry. Hugs? *Offers him a hug.*
Rin: *Hugs her back, sighing ever so slightly.*