Water flowed and jumped about in rings around the pool. The Garden smelled heavily of moldy vegetation. A pair of monsters had inhabited the fountain only moments ago. Skeed cut them down and out of his way in half of that time. The look on his face was priceless and somewhat cute. At least, that's what Trill thought.

"You shouldn't be so upset about that Doppelganger. He was probably an illusion of the Garden." She chirped and sat in the grass properly. She opened her basket and shuffled through it.

"Illusion, my ass..." Skeed flopped onto the lawn and crossed his arms over his chest. His dark eyes scanned the garden for any more threats. Much to his dismay, the search came up empty. His stomach suddenly growled and he made a sour face.

"You're such a baby. Stop pouting and eat a sandwich before you waste away to nothing." She held a sandwich out to him. He didn't even look at it nor Trill. That irritated her. Trill hated being ignored and, worse yet, to have her cooking rejected. Food was her pride and joy.

"Who did that bastard think he was? I'll bet he's behind the..." Before Skeed could finish his declaration, Trill crammed the sandwich into his open mouth.

"You won't be able to stop him or anyone else if you starve to death." She nibbled at her own sandwich and sipped on her canteen. Her manners certainly did not match her outlandish personality. She was dainty and lady-like in appearance but it all faded to black when she opened her mouth.

Skeed was her polar opposite. First impressions were no longer a priority for him since he left Alfard to become a third-rate mercenary. His appearance was rough and his language was coarse. However, if a stranger looked closely enough, it was easy to see that his heart was in the right place. Skeed was just moody and chauvinistic.

"You're not a bad cook." Skeed shattered the gloomy atmosphere with a smirk. Food had always made him happy. He finished eating and snatched the canteen away from Trill.

"Ah, what are you doing?!" She threw her hands into the air and pulled the canteen away from Skeed's lips.

"I just want a drink, damn it! I'm thirsty!" He forcefully retrieved the canteen and took a swig of water. He sighed with satisfaction and rested back on his hands.

"I can't drink out of it anymore!" Trill sounded upset this time. She threw the canteen down and glared back at Skeed.

"What did I do this time?" He asked sarcastically and picked up the canteen. He blew on the top of it and wiped it with his sleeve. "Are you afraid of getting cooties or something?"

"Oh, shut up! I just don't want your lips on mine..." Trill's eyes widened as the words tumbled out into the open air. She quickly clapped a hand over her mouth and turned around.

"Huh?" Skeed was curious now. He processed the meaning behind what she had said and grinned. "Never been kissed before...?" He wheeled around to where she sat and lifted her chin.

"You stop that!" She slapped his hands away and whirled about in the opposite direction. Skeed was having fun.

"Awe, come on," He plodded over the grass and squeezed her cheeks together. "I haven't had any romantic goings-on for quite some time. I was a stud in the Empire, I'll have you know. Girls would kill to be where you are right now."

"You're a creepy old pervert! Master Tisoco told me how old you are! You're almost twice my age!" Now she was making excuses for herself.

"Whatever..." Skeed dropped her chin and gathered up his equipment. The atmosphere became icy once more. The Garden suddenly smelled like Winter. It often changed with the ebb and flow of one's emotions. Trill silently packed up her basket and stood behind Skeed.

Skeed grabbed her by the hand and advanced into another corridor of the Garden. Trill could feel her cheeks flaming with embarrassment. He carted her around like she was his girlfriend or wife. They stopped at the end of the hall and came to a large archway.

"That's the way to Reverence." Trill said quietly and pointed through the doorway. Skeed dragged her along and exited the Garden. It was still nighttime as they strolled along the road to the Picture Book Village. The moon above was clouded and hidden. It was dark night indeed. As they neared the village, Trill tugged away from Skeed.

"What's your deal?" Skeed snarled and glanced over his shoulder.

"What if people saw you dragging me around like that? They could get the wrong idea." She wrung her hands and stared at the ground.

"What a pity that would be." He said with a suggestive smile and yanked her back into his arms.

"Why are you holding my hand anyway?" Trill popped the question for kicks. It was funny to see Skeed get embarrassed.

"You're a ditz so I have to keep an eye on you." Skeed speedily stalked towards the village. He could feel Trill struggling to free herself. "Stop wiggling or you'll force me to take disciplinary action."

"Let go of me already!" Trill slid her delicate hand around in his. No matter how she pulled, she could not break away from him. His snide remark about her intelligence had insulted her.

"Have it your way, princess!" He roared and threw her onto his shoulder. Laughter stung at his vocal cords but he resisted the urge. He had to be authoritative and firm with her. She would walk all over him if he didn't.

"Are you insane?! Unhand me this instant, you pig!" She pounded on his back with her little fists.

"Ah, that feels good. You need to go a little further to the left, though. That's where it's really sore." He reached up into her frilly skirt and pinched a chink of her thigh. He raised an eyebrow and caught a glimpse of what was beyound her skirt. "Nice panties."

"Skeed, stop it!" Trill sobbed and kicked around.

"Geez, you have no sense of humor." Skeed mumbled and rolled his eyes.

They had reached the gates of Reverence at last.

Skeed meandered into the village with a squirming pastry chef daped over his left shoulder. The locals did not seem to care. He had to find a place to stay. He hated asking for directions so he casually walked around and inspected the buildings until he located an Inn. He hauled Trill inside and met the stranger keeper at the front desk.

"Er, we need a room for the night." He spoke uncertainly.

"A room, you say? With what shall you pay?" The Innkeeper asked in a sing-song tone. It annoyed Skeed. Was everything about Mira this weird?

"Look, pal," Skeed threw a couple of gold coins onto the counter. "I want a room for my lady friend and I. She's awfully tired. You know, carrying around that baby wears her out."

"Six twenty-four." The Innkeeper answered and scooped the coin up into his metallic fingers. He tossed a key back at Skeed, who caught it perfectly.

"You have my thanks." Skeed had clamped his free hand over Trill's lips. She was ready to scream bloody murder because of Skeed's white lie. He ran up the stairs and down the hallway looking for their room. He kicked the door open and threw her onto the bed in the corner.

"I am disgusted with you!" Trill angrily folded her arms and faced the wall.

"Cut the crap, will you? You should try to enjoy yourself." He loosened the strings that held his shirt together and unbuttoned his pants. He sat on the bed and removed his boots.

"What are you doing?" Trill looked over at Skeed in horror.

"I sleep naked." He lifted his arms out of his shirt and rolled over onto all fours. He crawled towards Trill and backed her into a corner. He leaned in close and positioned his lips beside her cheek. Trill hadn't knocked him cold yet. It shocked him. Nevertheless, he softly growled and licked her cheek. She made no move to stop him so he continued. It had been years since his last sexual encounter. Even if it was a scrawny girl like Trill, it still excited his natural machismo. He smashed his lips into hers and accidentally grabbed one of her breasts.

That had done it.

Minutes later, he was in the floor gasping for air. Trill had kicked him square in the chest. She appeared to be traumatized and was intent upon chastising him for such a sin.

"Never ever touch me like that again! O-or next time, I'll castrate you!" She sounded confused and nervous. Why was she ecstatically happy all of a sudden? It deeply disturbed her. Skeed was obviously a cretin. He was a good-looking cretin with a lot of experience.

Maybe it was time for bed...