CHRYSANTHEMUM

Waking hours

One victory after the other

We all seem to overcome

But it seems that every hour

A challenge comes along

When we think we are victorious

We need to be alert

Because when we think we have it

There is still more to be done

Klarysa loved the chances she got to run off into the woods with her boyfriend; now that it was three years after the 'Strange Ones' had threatened them and been defeated, they were all at ease. They still wore the gems though, just in case they showed up again or maybe one was still roaming about. Rumour had it that there was one still around. They were certain Lyric would find it. He had gone back to his mysterious ways though he kept the palace open. No one would dare go there without summons; as much as he was attractive he had a somewhat overwhelming presence.

Klarysa went diving into the pool. She loved how the water felt on her skin. At times they swam for hours on end yet other times she swarm alone. She had developed a liking to swimming alone. The water always had this unusual feel to it when she was alone. At times hot then abruptly cold and then a lovely warm. She enjoyed the little changes; they made things all the more fun. Then there were the bubbles. It was a really unusual thing. There would be a sweet, rather unusual scent then bubbles would emerge and then a low soft humming sound. When Fred was around, that never happened. It was her little personal amusement. The most spectacular of it all was when 'he' took shape.

Klarysa had long since known that she had one of the 'Strange Ones' with her. She had seen the necklace and knew, but for some reason she had not trapped him. She wanted to see what he would do? Whether he was any harm to her. He had proved to be harmless and great fun as well. He would speak to her and teach her his language. They would play in the water with him sponging it off and making weird water forms. She liked the man form he made. She wished it were solid. All the same she had fun taking her hand through the squishy fluid. At night she sprayed him with gold dust just to be able to see him when they talked. She really enjoyed his company.

Today they were splashing around having a good laugh when all of a sudden who should appear but Lyric.

"What do we have here?"

Klarysa was shocked and could not utter a single word. She went ahead to try covering herself up as she blushed. Lyric could make anyone shrink back. His gaze was piercing like a laser aimed at a target. She wanted to sink into the water only that she could not stay down there for too long.

"I was just having a swim" she muttered under her breath.

"What about your friend?" he said without revealing any emotion.

"What are you talking about? I am alone" Klarysa tried to cover up.

"Do you take me for a fool?" Lyric asked incredulously.

Klarysa knew she had no other option than try and save her friend.

"Okay, I apologise. Just do not take him away from me. He is good and kind and plenty of fun. Let him live."

"I did not kill the rest I just took them to a new home. He will be comfortable with his own people."

"He is my people now. Just let him stay" Klarysa urged. She had gotten out of the water and was now sobbing at Lyric's feet.

The display was unnerving for Lyric. He turned his attention to the stranger. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I wish to stay with her" he said in a weird accented voice.