A Second Chance at Love

The trip to Gallia was a short one for Ike, Shinion and Soren after their escape from the masqueraders’ camp, lasting only two days. As the three moved closer, harsh memories that were hidden deep in Soren’s memories decided to rear their ugly heads. He remembered the area well, as this was where he spent the majority of his life before Ike met him the first time. His hateful mother, the corrupt sage who took him in, the villagers who called him a plague on the world and threw stones at him, all of the memories were painful. If it wasn’t for them he probably wouldn’t have been so angry at everyone, everyone except Ike that is. Ike was the only one who truly showed him kindness from the beginning, and he was willing to travel across Tellius just to see him one more time.

Now it was time for Soren to do the same for Mia. Mia had been kind from the start and he had pushed her away. Soren had to show how much he cared for Mia and that he wanted to be with her. He secretly hoped that it would be enough for her.

Shinion watched on as Soren buried himself deeper and deeper into his thoughts as they walked. What was that boy thinking about? Did it have to do with the crappy apology the boy had given him two days ago? Shinion couldn’t think of anything else. What happened that made Soren want to change so drastically? Definitely a girl he assumed. Maybe the little fucker finally found someone who made him happy, which meant time for Shinion to figure out who the mystery girl is and steal her away.

Why? Because he was hot damn it, and only the retarded resisted a chance to be with him. Compared to Soren he was a God with radiant crimson hair; Soren would probably be the equivalent of a troll, with many warts to boot. Yep, whoever this girl was, she was going to make it too easy for the Sniper to win her heart.

“Hey! We’re here, I think?”

The two long-haired men snapped out of their thoughts as they looked in front of them. Within the thick brush and trees stood walls lined in Cat's Claw, Golden Trumpets, Jasmine, and Passion Vine, something completely new to Ike and Soren. It was obvious that the Gallian Cats had let the Courtyard Garden spread to the outer walls, a change both Ike and Soren welcomed. The three immediately began walking toward the grounds.

“It smells… wonderful.” Soren said taking in the scents of the flowering vines on the wall, “I like it, a lot.”

“They probably did it to cover up their scent of their dirty fur.” Shinion scoffed.

Normal instincts would’ve told Soren to call Shinon a jerk for ruining the somewhat serene moment here in the forest, but he held his tongue, barely, as they reached the front gate. Better let Shinon alone get kicked out of Gallia instead of the three of them for his antics. That and Soren was more concerned with trying not be an asshole in front of Mia.

“Please inform King Skirmir that Sir Ike, Soren, and Shinon are here and would a meeting with him as soon as possible.” Ike said courteously, “I understand he might be busy, but I’m sure if you mention us-”

“Ike?! “

From the corner of the post, a familiar blue cat with an obnoxiously orange hat and a toothy grin pushed his way through the guards and hugged the blue haired hero, “Ike it IS your voice! You fools let him by!”
“Ranulf! It’s good to see you!” Ike said somewhat surprised to see the right hand man to the King Of Gallia crushing him in a hug instead of at the king’s side, “ What are you doing here instead of with Skirmir!?”

“That’s right!” Ranulf said remembering excitedly, releasing his friend and hurrying off, “Lyre is in labor!”

“What?!” Ike and Soren replied in unison and extremely confused.

“I’ll explain when we get there! She had the first one when I received the notice! It’s a boy!” Ranulf said with a sense of pride, “There are supposed to be Five more! Follow me!”

“Oh great. More fur balls to pester me.” Shinon said scowling slightly.

“What do you mean?” Soren asked somewhat confused.

“I guess we’re gonna find out when we go in there.” Ike said shrugging, “Let’s go.”

The three casually headed in the direction of the room that Ranulf went into, unsure of what they would see. What they could hear were two mews and a laughing Ranulf. Following after Ike and Shinon, Soren cautiously poked his head into the room before stepping inside behind them. Another door was in the room, and Ranulf came out of it, an ecstatic look on his face. “A girl Ike!” Ranulf said nearly jumping on his friend this time. “The second one is a girl!”

“That great.” Ike said placing a hand on his friend’s shoulder, “Care to explain what’s going on now? It’s been almost four years since Soren and I have seen you, let alone heard anything from Mist about you.”

“Mist never told you about the wedding?” Ranulf said somewhat surprised, “ Ike, I married Lyre about a year and a half ago.”

Soren’s eyes grew wide. Ranulf was married? When did this happen? Whenever Soren saw Ranulf and Lyre together, he was usually going over battle tactics with lyre’s sister Lethe, Mordecai, and Kyre; Lyre and Ranulf were never alone, were they?”

“Hey, I’m glad things worked out between you two!” Ike said with a smile, “Lethe obviously is taking this a lot better than from the Mad King’s War.”

Soren looked at Ike. He knew about the relationship the two cat beasts had? How had Soren not known about it? It suddenly hit him that the reason Soren didn’t know is because of his personality; why would anyone want to converse with him when he had been such a prick? Solemnly Soren took a seat on a couch next to Shinon. It was another wake up call for him to change his attitude.

“It took her awhile to accept it, but you should see her now!” Ranulf said cheekily, “She’s practically smothering the two that are in there right now!” Suddenly another mewing cry escaped the room causing Ranulf to look behind him. “Ranulf, another Girl!” The voice cried happily, “Two more sis, and you’re done!”

“I’ll be inside in a second Lethe!” Ranulf called, “Ike, I’ll take you to Skirmir once Lyre delivers with the last two. Do you mind?”

“Not at all, these are your children Ranulf,” Ike said with a smile, “actually; they’re your new family.”

Soren watched as Ranulf’s smile softened and then returned to the room while Ike took a seat next to Soren and Shinon on an armchair. How great it must feel to be able to love someone and have them return the favor. Soren immediately began to think of what Tethys had said about her and Geriks’s relationship.

“It was rocky at first, but all meetings. Once we accepted each other and saw what each other were, things made it easier for us to fall the way we did.”

Maybe there would be that possibility for Mia and Him in the future….