Roreille: I am sorry... I should not have said that. You do not need me yelling at you about it, you are probably depressed enough as it is.
Lierlo: ...
Roreille: *Waves her hand and a gentle gust of wind blows out the flames. She sits back down on the bed next to him.* I was afraid that this would happen one day. *Hugs him close, tears now forming in her eyes.* I know he did not much show it, but father loved you, Lierlo. He really did...
Lierlo: *Struggles out of her grasp.*
Roreille: Lierlo, listen to me. That day when you were banished from the Spirit World, it was not just father being spiteful towards you. It was a joint decision from the whole council. You had disobeyed a direct order from them, and they all agreed you should be punished.
Lierlo: …
Roreille: Lierlo, say something, please...
*Silence.*
Roreille: I am trying to make you feel better, but I guess it is hopeless *Gets up.* I shall come back and see you again tomorrow. Try to cheer up a bit, hmm?
Thorn: You tried your best, Roreille, but I think he just needs time.
Roreille: I hope that is all he needs. Who knows what he is thinking? He is probably torturing himself inside his mind.
Thorn: *Looks over to Lierlo.* Poor guy...
Roreille: Yes... I must go now. As you may imagine, the Spirit World is in a bit of disarray right now.
Thorn: Of course.
Roreille: *Disappears.*
Thorn: *Crouches down in front of Lierlo.* She's right, you know.
Lierlo: *Looks away from Thorn.*
Thorn: *Stands up.*
Lierlo: *Covers himself with his quilt again.*
Thorn: *Sighs.*
Laurenza: *Walks in the room.* Thorn…
Thorn: *Looks away from Lierlo.* Hmmm?
Laurenza: Did you come in my room earlier?
Thorn: Yes, but I chose not to interrupt.
Laurenza: Hmmm. What is it that you wanted?
Thorn: Well, I was just wondering whether you could cheer up Lierlo, I mean, you've known him longer than I have...
Laurenza: Why, what's wrong with him?
Thorn: Depressed... killed his own father, didn't he?
Laurenza: *Looks away.* Yes... I guess you would be depressed if you did that...
Thorn: We've tried to get through to him, but he's just not... responding. Well, not with words, anyway.
Laurenza: I'll try talking to him. *Sits on his bed.* Lierlo, sweetheart? *Lifts the covers off him.* Please don't be upset like this. Everyone in this castle, with the possible exception of Ana, has killed someone sometime in their life. But we don't care; we can forgive them and put it behind us. Please try and forgive yourself... I know how you feel, because... *Whispers something into his ear.*
Lierlo: *His eyes widen.*
Laurenza: But I'm not crying my eyes out… well, not now. Give me a smile, please, show me just a small smile.
Lierlo: *Hides under his quilt again.*
Laurenza: *Sigh.* There's nothing we can do if he won't forgive himself. But maybe if we keep talking to him, we'll get through. I don't want him to get too depressed; because he might... he might do something...
Thorn: That's what I was thinking.
Laurenza: But not right now, it's late. Let's let him get some sleep, shall we?
Thorn: Yeah.
Adrienne: Thorn, Treacle Pie, where have you gone off to?
*Adrienne walks into the room.*
Adrienne: Do you guys often meet in other people's bedrooms?
Thorn: Err... what did you want?
Adrienne: To see where you'd got to.
Laurenza: Haven't you gone home yet?
Thorn: Err... Adrienne, why don't you wait in my room? I need to talk to Laurenza.
Adrienne: In your room? *Giggles.* Sure, whatever, honey. *She leaves.*
Thorn: I think it's better if... Adrienne... stays here.
Laurenza: So she can keep insulting me? Yeah, that's great.
Thorn: I've told her that if she wants to stay than she's got to start being a little more... cooperative with the other residents. I've set her up in one of the spare rooms.
Laurenza: Okay okay, I suppose she'll have to stay, anyway, since she's your girlfriend and all.
Thorn: I want her to stay because she helped us get your daughter back. She's got nowhere else to go and this is the only way I can think of to repay the debt we all owe her.
Laurenza: And because she's an easy lay.
Thorn: That has nothing to do with it.
Laurenza: Fine. Whatever you say. She can stay as long as she behaves herself. The minute she doesn't, she's out of here.
Thorn: Thank you.
Laurenza: Whatever. Don't let me keep you from her. *She goes back to her own room.*
Thorn: *To himself.* Do I detect jealousy? Or did Kuja lick her ear too much or something?

*Thorn goes to his room. Adrienne is waiting for him when he arrives. She is lying on his bed, wearing her red dress.*
Adrienne: Thought you'd never come.
Thorn: I had things to take care of with Laurenza.
Adrienne: So, I can stay?
Thorn: Yeah, but like I said, you've gotta be polite and nice to everyone.
Adrienne: I'll be on my best behaviour... heheh.
Thorn: *Smiles.* If you say so.
Adrienne: But since no one else is around right now, I can be a naughty girl... heheh.
Thorn: Just the kind I like.
Adrienne: *Pulls Thorn on to the bed and they get a visit from their friend Creaky Bedsprings.*

*The next morning, Kitzie and a fully recovered Ana are once again running around the castle playing games.*
Kitzie: *Is going around knocking on everyone's bedroom door.* KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
Ana: Weird thing to do... but fun! *Joins in.* KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!
Tifanel: *Opens his door.* I don't want any.
Kitzie: Tiffy! Come play!
Tifanel: No.
Kitzie: Tiffy come knock on doors?
Tifanel: No.
Kitzie: Comb Tiffy's hair?
Tifanel: Yes.
Ana: Clever plan, Tif.
Tifanel: You're damn right. *He and Kitzie go into his room.*
Ana: Now what am I gonna do...? I know! *Goes to Laurenza's room and bounces on her and Kuja.* Mummy! Daddy! C'mon, lazybones!
Kuja: *Sleepily.* Stop that, or I'll put you up for adoption.
Ana: You wouldn't really.
Kuja: I'm sure there's a little family out there who'd really appreciate a nice, bright, energetic little girl in their home.
Ana: *Whines.* Mummy, make him stop!
Laurenza: Kuja, we're not adopting out Ana. No matter how tempting it is.
Ana: You do love me! *Bounces some more.* So come and play with me.
Kuja: Okay, I'm up! I'm up! Enough with the bouncing! Now get lost so I can get dressed.
Ana: *Goes out of the room.* I'm bored again... I know! *Goes knocking on Thorn's door.* KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
*Thorn answers, wearing a dressing gown.*
Thorn: Ana?
Ana: You're awake!
Thorn: Yes, and from what you were just doing to my door I could presume the whole castle is.
Adrienne: I changed my mind… I'm in no hurry to have kids.
Thorn: Yeah, this castle already seems to have too many.
Ana: There are only two of us! If you ask me, there are too many adults!
Thorn: Ah, yes, but adults don't run around making a lot of noise in the early hours.
Ana: 'Cos you're boring.
Thorn: Well, why don't you go find something interesting to do?
Ana: Like what? There's nothing to do in this place.
Thorn: *Looks at Adrienne.* Well, not if you're a child, anyway.
Ana: Ooh. *Grins.* "Thorn and Adrienne sitting in a tree, doing things they shouldn't be..."
Thorn: I had no idea my bed was a tree.
Ana: If you're going to be pedantic... "Thorn and Adrienne sitting in a bed, Adrienne's giving Thorn..." heheh.
Adrienne: *Laughs.* Dirty child.
Thorn: Well, she's Kuja's daughter, what would you expect?
Ana: My poems are better than his, though. Much funnier, don't you think?
Thorn: Hmm... yeah.
Ana: "There once was a guy called Thorny, who was always terribly horny..."
Thorn: *Laughs.*
Laurenza: Maybe you should stop there, Ana.
*Laurenza comes up behind her.*
Ana: Uh, hey mum...
Laurenza: Where did you learn such dirty things?
Ana: *Grins.*
Laurenza: Not telling? Fine... Morning Thorn, and Adrienne.
Thorn: Morning...
Adrienne: Hi.
Laurenza: Tifanel'll have some breakfast on the way, that's if Kitzie has finished with his hair.
Thorn: We'll come down to the dining hall.
Laurenza: Okay then. Come on, Ana. *They both go downstairs.*
Adrienne: Look, I didn't say anything offensive. Yay me!
Thorn: Now, just keep it up.
Adrienne: Okay, but it'll be hard. 'specially when I have to face Kuja.
Thorn: I'd just try and treat Kuja like any other person if I were you.
Adrienne: But he's not like any other person, just look at his... oh, okay. I'll try. *Puts her arms around Thorn.* I'll be good, so I can stay with you.
Thorn: I'm glad.
Adrienne: And I'm hungry. But I should put something more on than just a dressing gown before going to breakfast, dontchathink?
Thorn: Good idea. *Starts getting dressed himself.*
Adrienne: What to wear, what to wear? How about this? *Magicks some clothes onto herself.* Or this? *Keeps changing outfits, trying to decide on one.*
Thorn: *Puts on his usual trousers, vest and duster jacket.*
Adrienne: How about this? *Copies Thorn's clothing.*
Thorn: *Laughs.* It kinda suits you...
Adrienne: I would make a few changes though, darling.* She flares her trousers, and her duster and trousers turn bright red.* This is more of my style.
Thorn: Hmm... Well, we better go down.
Adrienne: Okay, hun. *Takes his hand.*

*They go down to the dining hall and join the others who are having breakfast.*
Adrienne: Morning, everyone!
Kuja: Good god! What are you wearing?
Adrienne: I could ask you the very same question.
Thorn: Leave it, hun. *Sits down.*
Adrienne: But he started it! I was simply retorting! Retorting!
Thorn: Nobody cares what each other wears.
Adrienne: I care.
Laurenza: That's nice. Now there's bacon and eggs, cereal, toast…
Adrienne: Ooh, toast. *Gets some toast and starts to spread jam on it.*
Tifanel: *Is wearing an apron.* No one ever seems to have the eggs. I don't poison them...
Adrienne: Oh, how sweet. He's wearing an apron.
Kitzie: *Pops her head out of the apron pocket.* Hello!
Thorn: Hey, Kitzie. What are you doing in there?
Kitzie: Sitting!
Thorn: Right.
Tifanel: She's been my little kitchen buddy this mornin', making more mess than food but she's been here nonetheless. *Goes into the kitchen.*
Kuja: *Turns to Ana.* Anyway, what was I saying? So you remember nothing about the Malaphaera incident?
Ana: Nope, nothing.
Thorn: I didn't think you would, I mean... she was nothing like you. It was like you weren't you... she had completely taken you over.
Ana: Ooh, creepy.
Thorn: Sorry.
Laurenza: Ana, could you go and see if Lierlo wants any breakfast? Chances are he won't, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
Ana: Okay. *Runs off upstairs.*
Laurenza: *Stabs at making conversation with Adrienne.* So, um, sleep alright?
Adrienne: Yeah, eventually. *Grins at Thorn.*
Thorn: *Looks down at his plate.*
Laurenza: The less said about that, the better.
Thorn: So, you and Kuja are back together again, I presume?
Kuja: Something wrong with that? You seem to be getting along with Adrienne very nicely.
Thorn: There's nothing wrong with it, it's just... if you… If we start with different partners, don't you think its right we should get divorced legally?
Adrienne: *Looks shocked.* You're married?!
Thorn: Yes.
Adrienne: Gee, thanks for telling me.
Thorn: It's not really important. We were still married, but we weren't in love.
Adrienne: Yeah, that was pretty obvious and I don't blame you… *Sideglances at Laurenza.*
Thorn: Heh…
Laurenza: I think you're right, Thorn. We should really.
Thorn: I mean, it's only fair.
Kuja: So, who's getting the castle?
Laurenza: It's my castle, Kuja!
Kuja: I know, I was just kidding. Calm down.
Thorn: We'd still stay here, I mean, that is if you want us to...
Laurenza: Yeah sure, I seem to have practically everyone in the Known Universe living here, so you guys can stay. I guess I'll get in touch with Mr. Ringtail. He's a solicitor I know. He was the one who sorted out the legal stuff after my parents… died. *Leaves the room.*
Tifanel: *Comes back in from the kitchen.* Didn't even finish her toast... what a waste.
Kitzie: *Quick as a flash, jumps up from Tifanel's pocket and snatches the toast.*
Adrienne: She'd make a good thief.
Thorn: Yeah...
Tifanel: *Shakes his head.* C'mon you, you can help with the washing up. *They go back into the kitchen.*
Adrienne: Very nice apron that. So masculine.
Thorn: Heh heh... yeah.
Adrienne: By any chance, did he borrow it off you, Kuja?
Kuja: Ha ha.
Ana: *Comes back into the dining hall.* What's up with Lierlo?
Thorn: He's upset because of what he did to his father.
Ana: What did he do to his father?
Thorn: He killed him.
Ana: Oh good! Uh, I mean… how unspeakably tragic.
Thorn: Why would Siun being dead be a good thing?
Ana: Yeah, well… I've never been a big fan of Siun, what with the murder attempts and the whole sending Chimeras to kill my parents and all.
Thorn: Oh, I'm sorry. Of course you hated him.
Ana: Lierlo should snap out of it. I mean, I wouldn't go to pieces like that if I killed my father.
Kuja: What?
Ana: Not that I want to, that is, daddy dearest. *Grins.* He should be glad Siun is gone.
Kuja: Could it be… someone who is more insensitive than me?
Thorn: I think he's more upset about the fact that he killed, not just that his father is gone.
Ana: You're probably right.
Thorn: Killing people changes you, and not for the better.
Adrienne: That's very profound.
Thorn: Thanks.
Ana: Well, I hope he gets over it. He's not much use sitting around and crying.
Thorn: He just needs time.

*Later on, there is a knock at the castle door.*
Tifanel: I'll get it. I don't know why I bother sayin' that anymore... *Goes to the door and it.*
*Stood there is a racoon-like creature, carrying a briefcase.*
Rueben: Hello. I'm Rueben Ringtail, here to see Ms. Rendemal about a divorce.
Tifanel: Oh yeah, come in.
*Rueben goes to find Laurenza.*
Rueben: I say… you've grown quite a bit since I last saw you, Ms. Rendemal.
Laurenza: It's been a while, Mr. Ringtail. Let me find Thorn, and we can get down to business.
*She goes to find Thorn and finds him in his room, reading a book of spells.*
Laurenza: Thorn, could you come down here a second? Mr. Ringtail is here.
Thorn: Okay. *Follows her*
*Back downstairs; they all sit around the table. Rueben has laid out some papers.*
Rueben: Ah, there you are. Good. Now if you both could sign these papers here. *Gestures to them.*
Thorn: Simple as that?
Rueben: This is the 31st century.
*Thorn takes a pen from his pocket and signs where indicated. He then hands the pen to Laurenza.*
Laurenza: *Signs.* Are you sure this is it?
Rueben: Well, there are things I have to take care of with the registrar, but yes. That's basically it.
Laurenza: Wow, I thought there'd be more to it. I thought it'd be a long, drawn out process or something.
Rueben: Well you see, people are married and divorced so often nowadays, we've made the whole process much quicker and easier.
Thorn: Well, thank you.
Rueben: That's quite all right. I guess I'll be on my way now *Takes up the papers, puts them in his briefcase and exits the room.*
Laurenza: Well, um, good luck with your future life, I suppose.
Thorn: Thank you, you too.
Laurenza: I guess... I guess I'll see you around. *Walks off.*
Thorn: Yeah...

*Meanwhile, in Lierlo's room, Roreille has come to visit again. She is sat on the end of the bed, looking concernedly at Lierlo, who is laying face down on his pillow.*
Roreille: How are you today, Lierlo?
Lierlo: ...
Roreille: No better, I take it. *Sighs.* Well, I have been promoted to head of the Lower Council. Lucky me. It is only because I am the next of kin. But do you know what I think? You would have made a much better candidate had you still been a Spirit. You may be younger than I am, but you are much more intelligent, resourceful... The Spirit World was a better place when you were part of it. I know you still think father treated you badly. He only did what he did because he missed my mother. She did not take kindly to finding out that he had had a child from another woman. He may have been a bit mean to you at times, but at least he took you in and raised you, and did not abandon you like your mother did.
Lierlo: *Puts another pillow over his head.*
Roreille: Oh... I am sorry, I always seem to end up saying things that will make you feel worse... *Sings.* "Sunshine and lollipops and rainbows..."
Lierlo: *Turns to face her.*
Roreille: Lierlo?
Lierlo: *Blasts her off the bed with a fireball and storms out the room, trailing fire behind him.*
Roreille: Lierlo! Where are you going? *Chases after him.*
Lierlo: *Heads towards the castle door.*
Thorn: *Who was passing by.* What's going on?
Roreille: Lierlo... he is going somewhere. He has just left the castle, I think. It did not look good. We should follow him.
Thorn: Right. *Follows.*

*Outside the castle, Lierlo approaches the edge of Dalimoor Head.*
Roreille: Lierlo! What are you doing?
Thorn: *Understands.* Lierlo! No!
Lierlo: Let me do this, Thorn.
Roreille: Lierlo, please do not do it. There has got to be a better way to deal with this
Lierlo: You don't understand how I feel.
Roreille: *Bursts into tears.* Then tell us! Make us understand, and we can work it out.
Thorn: Lierlo, we can help you, you just have to let us. We can make your life better!
Lierlo: Don't give me that rubbish! I... I don't know who I am anymore... I feel like I'm two different people. Part of me is sad because of what I did, but the other part... the other part is glad. I tried to kill you all and I liked it. I still want to kill you and I can't get rid of the feeling…
Thorn: You think I don't know what that's like? Waking up and wanting to only take lives, destroy worlds?! Lierlo, I can imagine how you feel, but I'm not feeling suicidal, I deal with it!
Lierlo: Well maybe I'm just not as strong as you are, Thorn! Some of us are only human! I can't stand what I've become... I'm a danger to all of you.
Thorn: So we'll help you.
Lierlo: There's nothing you can do.
Thorn: Really? Vinchente! *Uses holding spell on Lierlo.*
Lierlo: Release! *The trademark black Cielnoir wings appear on his back and he breaks loose of the spell.* I stand by what I said. Nothing. *And with that he turns to the cliff and drops off, plummeting towards the forest below.*
Thorn: *Runs to the side, but is too late.* NO!
Roreille: *Runs to the side also.* LIERLO! *Overcome with despair, she grabs Thorn's arm and sobs hard into his shoulder.*
Thorn: Oh, god... *Hugs her.* Roreille... *Starts to cry himself.*
Roreille: If he had only told us he felt this way... if he had only told us before...
Thorn: I'm so sorry.
Roreille: *Cries again.*
Thorn: *Just cries too.*
*Laurenza, curious of what all the commotion was, comes out of the castle.*
Laurenza: What's wrong...? What's happened?
Thorn: Lierlo...
Laurenza: No... He's not... do you mean...?
Thorn: He... told us... we couldn't help... I... I tried to stop him...
Roreille: But... he... he... jumped... *Points shakily to the edge.*
Laurenza: Oh, Lierlo... *Joins in with the crying.*
*The rest of the gang: Tifanel Kitzie, Ana, Kuja and Adrienne all come out to see what the crying is about.*
Laurenza: *Sniffles.* L-Lierlo's dead... he... he jumped off of Dalimoor Head.
Ana: Uncle Lierlo...
Kitzie: Lierly…
*They both burst into tears.*
Tifanel: Damn, he was one of the good ones. Why did he have to...?
Adrienne: Poor guy, it didn't have to end this way...
Kuja: Hmm. How unfortunate.

*A little bit later, the gang is assembled in the grounds near the lake. A hole has been dug out and Tifanel has been to the forest to find Lierlo's body.*
Laurenza: We should give him a headstone and write something to nice on it.
Kuja: I don't need a gravestone to remember him by. I've got a couple of bruises that'll keep him fresh in my memory for a long while.
Laurenza: How can you be so insensitive?
Roreille: Here is another, asshole. *Elbows Kuja hard in the ribs.*
Thorn: *Whispering to Kuja and Roreille.* Look, we're burying him for goodness sake. Lay off each other, okay?
Roreille: *Nods.*
Kuja: Okay, I'll keep quiet.
Ana: Any ideas for what to write on the gravestone?
Roreille: 'Much loved brother.'
Tifanel: 'Deeply trusted friend.'
Kuja: *Opens his mouth to say something, but Laurenza cuts him off.*
Laurenza: Say one word and I'll rip out your tongue. Yeah, those sound nice, don't you think?
Thorn: *Nods.*
Adrienne: Anyone got a hammer and chisel? Or we could Magick one up.
Thorn: *Walks up to the hole and takes a handful of dirt. He sprinkles it at the head of the hole and a large, decorative tombstone with the words 'much loved brother' and 'deeply trusted friend' appears there.*
Roreille: Can I add something to it?
Thorn: *Looks up and nods.*
Roreille: *Waves her hand and the words 'LIERLO GABRIEL D'LOR, 3024-3041' appear at the top of the tombstone.*
Thorn: *Stands up.*
Laurenza: 'Gabriel...' well, you learn something new every day. Shame it had to be the day he died...
Tifanel: Lets get this in then... *Picks up the coffin he made by nailing some spare bits of wood together and places it in the grave, and begins to fill it in.*
*Ana and Kitzie clutch each other and begin to cry again. Laurenza leans on Kuja, also crying. Roreille sobs again too.*