"You gonna wow her with your charms?"
"She's not a shy little ghost anymore. Remember?"
"How do I look?"
"Apple, you look fine.
She won't even notice."
"She…..she won't?"
"Woo…wooo, that's not what I meant. I meant, she'll be happy to see you that she won't even notice you've changed. In her eyes, you have stayed the same."
"Yeah, and if she hates me; she can just make a new me."
"Don't say that. Their is only one of you."
"Yes, but now with her tree rebuilding my home, all things are now created by her. She's infinite."
"No one's infinite.
Even if she was, and no matter what she did, the one thing you can never get rid of is.......Your emotions."
*Tap, tap.*
"Hello, Ruby.
Sorry for not believing in you earlier. Guess I was under the....Please forgive me.
I brought you some nice sweets to…..…..you're not Ruby."
"Thanks, Darius, but how did you find me? And why are you here?"
"Princess Elwin….I….I...what are you doing....
Oof.
I missed you two, Elwin."
"I don't care how you got here, or why; but I am glad you are.
My Father is missing and no one will tell me where. It's awful, Darius. Just awful.
It's like they're trying to hide me from a dark truth, that they think I won't be able to handle.
Do you know what that's like?"
"Elwin, don't cry. Your Father is not far."
"He….*Sniff*....He...*sniff*...He's not?
Will you take me to him? Can I see him?
"......Tomorrow, Elwin.
Everybody will see him tomorrow."
"Is Ruby here with you? Can I see her?"
"......Tomorrow, Elwin.
Everybody will see her tomorrow, no matter what she decides to do."
"Do?
...….Darius......…What did she do?
What aren't you telling me?"
"Elwin, why don't we focus on the positives.
I hear your birthday is coming up tomorrow. Are you excited?
Think it will be as big as last year?"
"........Father said you two would be invited."
"Ruby will be there. I just can't promise which one."
"Darius."
"Yes, Elwin?"
"Can you stay with me tonight.....that is, if it's okay with whoever you came with?"
"My Mom took everyone home, and I snuck away to find Ruby, so...yes. I would be honored to be your guest."
"Darius, you are not my guest."
"I'm not?"
"No.
I treat Royalty as my guests.
Guests, I have to entertain and walk over eggshells.
You mean more than that to me. You are my friend, Darius."
"And you are mine.
Remember what I said last time I spoke to you?"
"Yes. How could I forget?
You said you'd show me the world. Make it smaller to fit inside the palm of my hands."
"Then who am I to disappoint; but man.....where to start?
It's been a long few weeks."
"Why not start after you left my Castle."
"Oh boy.
I don't even think I can remember that far back."
"I can wait."
"But I couldn't.
The next day, that night; I thought you were all a dream, and I cried all day.
My parents didn't know why I was crying, or who I was even talking about; but I knew the truth."
"Must have been hard."
"It was awful.
I just made a friend...and then I lost them just as fast as I made them."
"Darius, I'm here now. You can talk to me.
How did you meet Ruby?"
"Meet?
Ahhh…
She came like a thief in the night.
Had my parents all scared and shaking in their boots."
"Heee.
I'm sure it was a site to see."
"They couldn't see anything. My Grandpa told them to hide in the closet, while they dealt with this ghost that was here to 'steal' me; but in reality, Ruby misread the situation and thought she was there to protect me."
"Did she?"
".......Let's just say she protected more than me that day."
"And who's this handsome young guy?"
"My name's Apple. You....you…."
"I'm just messing with you. Couldn't recognize you with that new coat of yours. Who gave it to you?"
"Ruby. She.....she's nice."
"Yeah.
Yeah she is."