Path to Starry Pool (MAJOR EDITING)

Chapter Six: The Personals

 "Mari, Cassius, I'm Astoria," Astoria kneeled down and shook their hands.

Mari ducked behind Piper shyly and grabbed her sleeve. Piper blinked warmly behind her. Cass waved at her and said hello, then zoomed into Mari's room. He came back out with a large white bag. Mari walked back into the room as well and came back with a small tissue, seeming to be wrapped around something small.

"Here, Piper," Mari tugged on Piper's sleeve and handed her the small tissue. "I saved it for you."

"Thank you!" Piper said excitedly and rubbed Mari's head.

Piper looked more excited than a puppy getting an owner to Astoria. Her eyes were sparkling as she unwrapped the tissue. Inside, it was a slice of white bread and a ruby red apple. Piper, teary-eyed, bend down and squeezed Mari into a tight hug, almost lifting her off the floor. Cass watched with wide eyes and a wide grin. Ha! They all seem to be close. Astoria thought, the corners of her lips rising slightly. That drama queen, at it again!

"So, what are we going to be doing?" Astoria asked as Piper finally released Mari.

"We always go to the tree house!" Cass exclaimed loudly, slamming the door shut behind him.

Mari winced at the sound and nodded.

"Right, we always go to the tree house! Of course, we also have dinner!" Piper explained to Astoria, then tilted her head questioningly. "So want to go?"

"Oh, yeah-" Astoria was cut off as Piper interrupted her.

"Sorry, I forgot! I should explain as to why I'm 'kidnapping'-" She did quotations with her hands jokingly "-Mari and Cass, shouldn't I? Well, I volunteer here! It's very fun, and most of the volunteers get to have their own pair of children to take care of. As you can see, I have Mari and Cass, the sweetest little kids I've ever met! I usually take them to my house around this time."

"Makes a lot more sense now," Astoria said cordially, beginning to understand Piper a bit more. "So shall we go?"

"Yep! Yay!" Cass giggled gleefully.

"How old are they?" Astoria whispered into Piper's ear, leaning over.

"Cass is eight, I'm nine," Mari answered somnolently, leaning against the wall.

She heard me. Astoria mentally slapped herself and took a deep breath. Then she realized something vital. Astoria turned to Piper and tapped on her shoulder.

"How are we going to take all of us from here to the tree house?" Astoria asked. "We only have one bike."

"Miss Anderson actually gathered money and bought a used bike for Mari and Cass," Piper remarked happily. "She did it so we all wouldn't have to walk everywhere!"

"That's... nice of her," Astoria commented slowly.

"It is," Piper agreed briskly.

"Then let's go!" Cass insisted, pushing past Piper and sprinting down the stairs.

"Well, follow Cass!" Piper shrugged her shoulders and dashed after Cass.

Astoria and Mari followed behind them, walking quickly. Thoughts swarmed in Astoria's head. What would happen if I opened the locket right now? Would it happen again? Meanwhile, Mari had other things on her mind. I wonder what we're going to eat, Mari thought, looking sideways. Astoria and the group passed by the room, waving goodbye to Miss Anderson. The room was packed with children, most of them in a long line that led to a table smelling strongly of onions and cheese. Outside, Piper showed Astoria the bike she had spoken of. It was small and had the same thing in the back where Mari stood.