Martha glances over at the attendance working on Emerald.  Rolling her over to change the bedding not being the gentlest.  Under her breath Martha remarks, “I’m glad Dr. Morose isn’t here to see this.”  Checking her watch and the monitor she takes details notes of all the graphs.

     Emerald wanting to escape the intense pain of this world, the world of reality throws her mind back into the computer.

     Hearing a click and the hard drives reactivating Martha looks puzzled at the monitors.  Clicks the drives off again. Thinking, she had not got the switch all the way over.

     Emerald gets into her dark room then is thrown back roughly into her hospital bed.  Her mind screaming in pain as they move her body every nerve cell consumed with pain.  Again her mind runs back to her refuge the computer.

      She steps back into her blackened room just as Martha throws the switch turning on the drives again. She falls out of bed in her hurry to return to her sanctuary.  Rolls onto her back getting untangled from the covers she stands and sees the portal.  Still in pain but not as much she stumbles to the portal holding her body from the pain a feeling that the farther she gets from her body the less the pain there will be.

     Unable to use her wings do to the pain she allows herself to fall down the shaft.  Closing her eyes as the light flash by she lands hard.  Back in the Town Square she manages to move over to the bench under the tree and sits.  The pain greatly reduced as she sits there.

     Wildfire walks up to her from the tavern and sits next to her smiling.   “Well, welcome back sugar wings,” he greets Emerald.  Emerald managing a small smile she nods acknowledging his greeting.

    Taking a deep breath finally feeling free of the pain she sits up straight.  “How did the game go milord,” she inquires.

    Wildfire chuckles, “ about half hour after you left the kids got into a fight about who’s turn it was and they ended up going there separate ways.”

     The charming human stretches and puts his arm around Emerald lightly touching her lower back with his hand.  “What do you say to me buying you a drink?” he asks.  Sighing feeling she could use one to relax her body after the tension of the pain.

    Emerald nods and smiles softly saying, “sure.”  She rises and the two new friends walk to the tavern together.

     Lord Feralkindle opens the door for the fair Emerald and she steps into the tavern.  Lother, seeing Emerald comes in immediately puts a glass of white wine on the bar at her usual spot at the bar.  Smiling brightly at Lother saying, “thank you, Lother.”

    Blushing slightly Lother looks over at Wildfire, “what will it be sir?” the bar keep asks.

    Helping Emerald up onto the stool by gently lifting her onto the seat Wildfire responds by saying, “Ale, please good man.”

    Lother smiling at Emerald, getting Wildfire his drink, he frowns at Lother and says, “how about some peanuts to go with the ale, my good man?”

    Lother nods and gets the nuts sets them in front of the beautiful Gray elf, she smiles warmly saying, “thank you.”  “Your most welcome milady Emerald,” Lother replies.  Then goes back to cleaning the glasses behind the bar.

     Emerald sips her wine then looks over at Wildfire, “tell me about your self, please?”

    Wildfire smiles lightly, “ IC I’m quarter prime, I was married to a loving elf, but lost her in the great fever that swept through Fantasy Realm last winter.  Leaving me to raise our daughter alone.  That is pretty much my story in a nutshell.  I’m hoping to fine someone who will help me raise Crimson.  Someone refine that can make a lady out of her and someone to keep me warm on those cold Fantasy nights.”  He chuckles.

     Emerald snickers, “that is a tall order for any woman.  I think you may have quite a search on your hands”.

    Nodding his head Wildfire responds to that with, “you could be right. Do you know anyone that may fit this profile?”

    Laughing Emerald shakes her head with a laugh, “no afraid not. That is one tall order.”

     As they talk Emerald hears a halfway familiar female voice say, “Milady Emerald how are you today?”

    Turning in the direction of the voice Emerald sees Grazalla, smiling brightly she gives a cursory look around for Grazalla’s husband Stout.  “Hello Grazalla how are you today?” Emerald asks the smiling dwarf.

    Grazalla replies, “I’m well and how is yourself milady Emerald?  Where is that fine young elf friend of yours?”

    Looks curiously at Grazalla, “ my young elf friend?” Emerald asked.

    “What was his name?  Oh yes, Zephyr,” replys Grazalla with a bright smile.

    “I think he is still in school,” Emerald replies then remembering her manners she introduces Lord Feralkindle to Grazalla.

    Wildfire bows with a sweeping motion to Grazalla, “it is my pleasure milady Grazalla to meet you”.

    The pretty dwarf blushes as she nods to Wildfire, “it is a pleasure to meet you Lord Feralkindle.”

    Flashing a charming smile he says humbly, “please call me Wildfire that is what all my friends call me.”

    Smiling back Grazalla nods slightly, “very well milord Wildfire.”

     Looking at Emerald pensively Wildfire sighs and informs the two lovely ladies that he had to depart and he hoped to see them again in the future.   Smiling brightly the two ladies assured him that they would surely meet again and that they had a most enjoyable time.  With a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face he disappears back into reality.