*We last left our heroes arriving on Calanoa for their holiday. The gang follow the kids out of the airship.*
Lahrne: I'm gonna go swimming right now!
Laurenza: Hold your horses, Lahrne, we have to check in and find our rooms. We have to put all of this luggage somewhere, don't we?
Lahrne: Can't it wait?
Thorn: No, son, I think Laurenza's right. We should get that sorted out first.
Lahrne: Aw...
*Suddenly, smartly dressed porter-guys who seem to be directed by Jo come and put the gang's luggage onto trolleys. She murmurs something to them and they take the luggage into the nearby hotel.*
Jo: It's already been sorted, guys!
Lahrne: Does that mean I can go swimming now?
Thorn: Uh, yeah, I guess.
Lahrne: Yay! *Strips off his clothes to reveal he's already wearing his trunks. He throws his clothes at Thorn and runs towards the hotel pool.*
Thorn: *Laughs.*
Clang: Well, he's mighty eager.
Li: You can say that again.
Jo: Guys, we're booked into this hotel. It's two adults to a room, or three kids... or an adult and two kids... Well, I guess we'll see closer to the time.
Laurenza: So, if there's nothing left to do, I guess we can all go to the pool if we like.
Thorn: Yeah, great.
*Everyone heads towards the pool, except Kuja.*
Kuja: I think I'll go and find our room.
Thorn: *Comes back.* You want me to come with you?
Kuja: No, you can go and have fun. I'm thinking of staying in the room for the remainder of the holiday.
Thorn: Hey, you don't want to do that really...
Kuja: Then what do I want to do, pray tell?
Thorn: Err... well... I know you don't want to be by yourself, that's for sure.
Kuja: I'd rather be with you, but I really don't like being around Bo and his annoyingly perky animal chums.
Thorn: Then, how about we stay together, and keep out of their way? Clang and Laura will be playing with the kids, Bo and Jo are just going to want to be alone, as are Lenny and Tinny. We can be by ourselves, too.
Kuja: Don't you want to be with them, though?
Thorn: I'd rather be with you than surrounded by people, especially when they want to be alone.
Kuja: Okay then, I guess you're coming with me. *Grins.*
Thorn: *Smiles.*
*Thorn and Kuja go off to their room.*

*The scene switches to the rest of the gang who are at the pool area. Lierlo is wearing green trunks, and the Cywyrm that has permanent residence around his neck has been fitted with a little snake-size snorkel and mask. He climbs up to the diving board and makes a graceful, wing-aided dive into the pool. Mihako, in a cute pink costume, follows him on to the board and nonchalantly walks off the end. Li is walking around the pool, wearing black trunks that read 'Nice Ass' on the cheeks. He is checking out all the girls in bikinis. Tifanel is at the bar area, sipping a cold one. Kitzie and Laura are sat on Clang's back, who seems to be surprisingly buoyant, bobbing up and down in the water. Laurenza has Ana in the little babies' pool, dipping her in and out the water.*
Kitzie: Watch this! *Steps off of Clang and onto the water.*
Clang: Cool. *He tries to float in an upright position, but spins over onto his back instead, splashing Laura into the pool.*
Laura: *Giggles.*
Kitzie: *Dances on top of the water.*
*Bo and Jo are lying by the side of the pool on loungers, laughing. Bo has put on some reflective shades and Jo is wearing a garland of flowers around her neck. Also by the side of the pool, Tinny is laying bacon, burgers and sausage on a barbecue and covering them in sauces. Lenny is stoking up the fire with his own flaming breath.*
Doggy Lahrne: *Comes sniffing around the barbeque.*
Tinny: Here you go, pooch. *Throws Doggy Lahrne some sausages.*
Doggy Lahrne: Thanks, Tinny! *Eats them.*
Tinny: Lahrne!? That's you?
Lahrne: *Changes back to normal.* Ya-huh.
Lenny: Now that's a convincing disguise... provided you don't speak of course!
Lahrne: I know, isn't it awesome? *Changes back and forth.*
Lenny: *Laughs.*
Tinny: Hey Jo, show Lahrne your transformation!
Jo: *Gets up.* Sure. *She jumps into the water, and when she surfaces, she has a long, silvery-blue tail instead of her hind legs. Her ears are longer and she looks more like a mermaid than a dog.*
Kitzie: FISH!
Jo: Wah! *Jumps out, resulting in her changing back.*
Lahrne: Check me out! Check me out! *He concentrates really hard and after a few moments, he has assumed the likeness of Kuja.* I'm Kuja and I'm a grumpy, stinky, party-pooper!
Tinny: *Laughs harder and longer than anyone else.*
Tifanel: Yo Tin, you been drinking my beer?
Tinny: No. But I'd be quite happy to join you… in something non-intoxicating, of course. *She leaps onto a stool next to Tifanel.*
Bar Tender: So, what can I do you for? How about the Coral Springs Special? Made from spring water and plum juice.
Tinny: Why sure.
Bar Tender: *Gives Tinny her drink.* So, where'd you crazy kids come from?
Tifanel: Well, some of us are from Dalimoor, but Tinny and her friends aren't from the same neck of the woods as us.
Tinny: We're from Homeworld, in Ormold. Like he said, very different neck of the woods.
Bar Tender: We get visitors from all over the Known Universe. I hope you guys have a good time here. It's a great place.
Tinny: Sure we will.
Tifanel: As long as I've got beer, I'm happy.
Tinny: *Sips her drink.* Mmm.

*In Thorn and Kuja's room, Thorn and Kuja are in bed together. Kuja has his head laid on Thorn's bare chest.*
Kuja: I love you, Thorn.
Thorn: I love you too.
Kuja: *Snuggles up to Thorn, the quilt slipping slightly from his back, showing a large symbol. It is similar to the one on his forehead and appears to be burned into his skin.*
Thorn: *Looks at the symbol.* Is... this why you didn't want to go swimming?
Kuja: *Rubs his back a little.* Yeah, chlorine stings. And, uh, there is another reason.
Thorn: What?
Kuja: It's a little embarrassing.
Thorn: You can tell me anything.
Kuja: ...I can't swim.
Thorn: Well, what's so embarrassing about that? I couldn't swim till about... a year before I came to Dalimoor.
Kuja: Well, at least you can now. But you know what Li and Tif are like... they'd laugh at me if they knew.
Thorn: Well, learning shouldn't be so difficult. See if they have private classes here in the resort.
Kuja: I... don't want to learn.
Thorn: Why not?
Kuja: I'm scared... I... don't know why... but I am.
Thorn: Well that's okay. If anyone asks you to swim, just say that your burns would hurt too much.
Kuja: Good thinking.
Thorn: Hey, looking after you is like my first priority.
Kuja: *Puts on a mock baby voice.* Little Ku-Ku needs a lot of taking care of. *Grins.*
Thorn: *Smiles and kisses Kuja.*
Kuja: *Cuddles Thorn and kisses him. After a moment, he stops kissing and pulls the back the curtain a bit and peers out.* It looks boiling out there.
Thorn: Well maybe we should go out and get some sun.
Kuja: Hmm... I don't know...
Thorn: Come on, it'll be fun.
Kuja: Fine. Just let me get something on over my captain's quarters.
Thorn: *Laughs and changes outfits.*
Kuja: *Pulls some pale purple shorts on.*

*The two of them go outside to the pool area. Kuja sits on a lounger by the side of the pool. Thorn lays on one next to him and puts on some shades like Bo's. Some girls in the pool are looking at Kuja and talking quietly to each other.*
Girl: Look how skinny he is! What kind of diet d'ya think he's on?
Girl2: A 'no food' diet by the looks of him.
Girl3: I'll say. He looks like a skeleton.
Kuja: *Blinks and looks away, pretending not to hear them.*
Lahrne: *Waves at Thorn from the pool.* Daddy! Come in the pool!
Thorn: Err, that's okay, I'm fine here.
Lahrne: But it's fun! The water slide rocks!
Thorn: No, you go and have fun. I'm fine here.
Lahrne: Fine! Be boring!
Kitzie: He's almost as boring as Creepy Guy!
Kuja: *Sticks his tongue out at her over the book he's reading.*
Kitzie: Don't worry, Lahrney. Me and Laurie will play with you!
Laura: Sure!
Kitzie: Let's play... splash Lahrne! *Giggles and kicks water in Lahrne's general direction.*
Laura: *Giggles.*
Lahrne: Hey, no! *Dives under the water, and comes up again in front of Kitzie and pushes her under.*
Kitzie: *Comes back up again, laughing.* Meanie Lahrney... don't do tha-- *She stops mid sentence and starts staring at something.*
Laura: What is it, Kitz?
Kitzie: Another Neko! Another Neko! *She points to a sandy-coloured Neko boy, who looks older than Kitzie, sat on the edge of the pool with his back to them.*
Laura: Another one of your kind? Well why don't ya go say yello?
Kitzie: Okay! *She swims up to the side, and climbs out.* Hi! I'm Kitzie! What's your name? I like colouring, and games and swimming and playing with friends...
Neko Boy: Hello Kitzie. *Rubs noses with her.*
Kitzie: *Giggles.*
*Laura climbs put of the pool (with some difficulty, she's only little) and sits on top of Kitzie's head.*
Laura: So, what's your name, handsome?
Kino: Kino. Now if you don't mind... butt out. *Pokes Laura.*
Laura: Okay, I'll leave you two alone. *Scampers off, giggling.*
Kino: *Circles Kitzie, purring.*
Kitzie: *Begins purring also.*
Kino: You're pretty, Kitzie. *Licks her face.*
Kitzie: Thanks!
Kino: *Goes behind her and nips her neck.*
Kitzie: *Cries out.*
*Bo has come up behind them to see what they are doing.*
Bo: Kitzie, are you okay?
Kitzie: Uh huh. *Nods.*
Bo: Are you sure? It's just... I thought I heard you cry, or something.
Kino: She's fine! Come on, Kitzie. Follow me and we'll find some peace. *He scampers off.*
Kitzie: Uhh, see ya, Bo... *Goes after Kino.*
Bo: Kitzie, be careful, don't go too far!
*Kino and Kitzie have vanished from sight. Bo has gone and sat back down again.*
Laurenza: Oh... do you think we should go after her?
Bo: I don't know. I mean, I'm concerned for her safety, but I wouldn't want to make it seem like I was trying to spoil her fun.
Li: Leave her. She can take care of herself. I've seen the way she beats up Tif to get his socks.
Tifanel: She does not!
*Bo and Jo are laughing.*
Kuja: Hey Thorn.
Thorn: Huh? What? You say something?
Kuja: Sorry, did I just kick you off the Dreamland Express?
Thorn: Err... no, I was just... well, did you want something?
Kuja: No, I just wanted to see if you were asleep. *Grins some.*
Thorn: Heh heh...
Lierlo: *Comes running past.* Mihako, please stop!
Mihako: *Is chasing Lierlo with a hose and laughing some.*

*That evening, the gang and some of the other guests are all sat at a long table that has been set up next to the pool area. It is laid out with lots of yummy food. There is a band playing nearby. Lierlo is sat breaking bits off a sandwich and feeding it to his Cywyrm. Tifanel is next to him, looking uncomfortable.*
Tifanel: Can I change seats?
*Tinny, who just happened to be sitting next to Tifanel, jumps up and changes seats with him.*
Tifanel: Thanks, Tin.
Li: So, Lierlo, what's your pet snakey-thing called?
Lierlo: Oh, I don't know. I haven't really given it a name as such.
Laurenza: Maybe we should give it a name. Anyone got any suggestions?
Lahrne: What's a good name for a snake? An 'S' word?
Clang: Sid!
Laurenza: Stuart? Sam?
Thorn: Siun?
Lierlo: Definitely not.
Thorn: *Laughs.* Only joking.
Lahrne: Cecil! Cedric!
Thorn: Well, they sound like 'S' names, but they're really 'C' names.
Lahrne: Darn...
Lierlo: How about... Smiley?
Bo: Why? Does it smile?
Lierlo: No, I just thought it was a little ironic considering its true nature. But I won't go into that.
Li: Snakey?
Kuja: *Is not sat at the table, he's stood near it leaning against a wall.* Frank.
Mihako: Frank is a very nice name for a Cywyrm, do you not think?
Jo: Perfect.
Lierlo: I still like Smiley...
Laurenza: It's your snake, Lierlo. You call it what you want.
*'Smiley' slithers onto Lierlo's arm, and lays its head on the table. Little Ana reaches out and touches it with her tiny fingers.*
Ana: Gooaa!
Tifanel: Nah, 'Gooaa' doesn't really fit it.
*Laura has now arrived at the table, soaking wet. She shakes herself vigorously and decides to curl up on Tifanel's head.*
Laura: Whoo, that water's cold. Has anyone seen Kitzie?
Lahrne: Not since she went off with Kino... *Says his name with a certain amount of disgust.*
Laura: Aww, I hope she's okay. *She looks down and seems to just realise who's head she was sitting on.* Hey Tiffy.
Tifanel: Hey Laura. Never knew you were a hat.
Laura: It's a tiger, a mechanic and a hat, all in one!
Tifanel: *Laughs.*
Kitzie: *Comes scampering up to the table.* Food! Yay! *Jumps on the table and eats some chicken.*
Laura: Kitzie! *She jumps of Tifanel's head and onto the table, but slips and falls in some pudding. As she is licking herself clean, she quizzes Kitzie.* So, what did you do with the German cinema-boy?
Kitzie: What's a sinny-mer?
Thorn: You've been teaching her foreign languages?
Tinny: She picks up certain words. Don't ask me how.
Laura: So, did you guys do it?
Lenny: Laura!
Laura: I mean kiss! Kiss!
Kitzie: Mmm... chicken.
Laura: You don't wanna answer? Hmm... I guess it's personal. *Goes back to licking the pudding off herself.*
Laurenza: For goodness sake, Laura, she's eight years old! She wouldn't even know what you're on about.
Laura: I'm eight!
Laurenza: *Stares at Tinny and Lenny.*
Lenny: Tell them while they're young...
Tinny: ...That's what we did with Laura.
Lierlo: Yes, but it wasn't a very nice thing she said to Kitzie...
Laura: I'm super-sorry Queen Laurenza! *Looks sweet.*
Laurenza: It's okay, sweetheart, and you don't have to call me 'Queen.'
Laura: Okay Queen Laurenza... I mean, Laurenza.
Laurenza: *Pats Laura.*
Laura: *Curls up and starts to go to sleep.*
Ana: *Has taken hold of Smiley's tail in her little hand and she is sucking on the tip of it.*
Lierlo: Ana... I don't think... Actually, never mind, Smiley seems to like that. Odd...
Bo: *Yawns.* Sleepy. *He flops onto the table, into the pudding that Laura fell into earlier.*
Mihako: Is this some kind of game?
Jo: Err... no sweetie. I think I should get him cleaned up and into bed.
Kuja: *Is consulting a map of the resort.* Oh look, a petting zoo... is that where you and Bo are sleeping, Jo?
Tinny: Hey, leave my friends alone!
Kuja: Oh, go promote a breakfast cereal.
Tinny: That's it! You're going down! *She pounces from her chair and lands on Kuja, pinning him to the ground.*
Thorn: Tinny, don't!
Lenny: Tinny, be careful!
Clang: Tinny, go for the nose!
Kuja: You don't want to fight me, you stuffed animal. *Throws Tinny off with Magick.*
Tinny: Wanna bet? I'll show how much of an animal I can be! *She roars deafeningly and gets ready to strike.*
Thorn: Separate! *The all-too familiar wall of Magick appears between Kuja and Tinny, keeping them apart.*
Lierlo: Please don't fight. Can't you get along? We're on holiday!
Tinny: Yeah, you hear that, Kuja? Why can't you just get along with people? Why do you have to be so mean?
*Tinny storms off, and is quickly followed by Lenny, Bo, Jo and Clang, who is carrying a sleepy Laura in his arms.*
Laurenza: Kuja...
Kuja: I bet you all wish I had stayed at home after all... *He walks off back to his room.*
Li: Geez, what is his problem lately?
Tifanel: Yeah, has anyone else noticed he's been more of a pain in the keester than usual?
Lierlo: Only the other day, he threatened to kill me because I'd used the last tea bag...
Kitzie: Meanie Creepy Guy...
Thorn: I... I think Tinny was right though, he doesn't need to be that mean... something's got to be wrong.
Li: Pfft, I know what it is. He's Kuja!
Thorn: I think there may be a more logical reason.
Li: Yeah, you believe what you want.
Thorn: I'm gonna go talk to him. *He gets up and leaves.*

*In Thorn and Kuja's room, Kuja is flopped out on the bed, staring at the ceiling.*
Thorn: Kuja... I'm sorry for all that happened back there.
Kuja: Hah, you're saying sorry? I thought you'd come busting in here, demanding an apology from me.
Thorn: Well, that was what I originally planned. Look, I'm not asking you to be best friends with them all. Just... don't be so mean towards them.
Kuja: Yeah, okay. I'll try, but it's harder than you think.
Thorn: Why...? Is... there something wrong?
Kuja: No... well, yes. There's always been something wrong. Do you remember when we first met? We were very much the same back then, both mean and saying things to people that were less than pleasant. But you... you've changed, you're a much nicer person than you used to be. I haven't changed at all… I'm still as nasty as I've always been. It's the only way I seem to be able to act... I don't know why you like me.
Thorn: Kuja, there are deep down feelings for you that I have. I like the fire and passion that's inside of you. It's what makes you what you are. And I like what you are.
Kuja: You do?
Thorn: I do. Plus, you're really cute.
Kuja: Understatement of the century. *Even having said that, he is blushing a little.*
Thorn: Oh, and Kuja... about not changing. I changed because I wanted to. I changed because I wanted to be a better person. I wanted to be friendly and courteous to the people I met. And I wanted to defend the people I loved. If you want to really change Kuja, then there is nothing to stop you.
Kuja: I guess, but... what's the point in changing if you like me the way I am. And if you like me, then I don't give a rat's arse about what anyone else thinks.
Thorn: I... don't like the way you're nasty to people without giving them a chance.
Kuja: *Sigh.* Fine, I promise I'll try to be a little nicer to the Pedigree Chums, but if they start on me first... I won't be Mr. Nice Guy for long.
Thorn: Right.
Kuja: Is that better?
Thorn: I guess we'll see.
Kuja: So can I have a hug now?
Thorn: I guess.
Kuja: You're still a little mad at me, aren't you?
Thorn: I'm not mad, just a little downhearted. I wanted this holiday to be perfect...
Kuja: Don't be so naive, Thorn. Nothing is ever perfect.
Thorn: I guess you're right.
Kuja: *Jumps him into a hug.*
Thorn: *Laughs some.*
Kuja: Gotcha!
Thorn: Yeah, you got me.