HUMANAVILLE
1:00 PM; SUNDAY
PONYEVER 21

With the remaining free time Cuddle Bug and Moon Dancer have from all the studying on a Sunday, Cuddle Bug chose a place to kill some time. Poor Cuddle Bug, always been dragged from her bed just so Moon Dancer can have a study partner, despite of the little knowledge Cuddle Bug can only contribute. Cuddle Bug loved shopping for new clothes, but on the contrary, Moon Dancer didn't care about wearing the same thing over and over. Nevertheless, Moon Dancer thought it would be fair to let her have this one, after all, Cuddle Bug was always there to accompany her.

Cuddle Bug skipped along, browsing through from one clothing rack to another, while Moon Dancer followed her with her arms crossed. Moon Dancer couldn't get herself to wear any of the clothing she sees; fancy skirts, pretty blouses, and boots. There was one time I forced her to wear a skirt of my choice, it only took her three seconds, then she instantly removed it. She didn't really like showing her legs in public due to her insecurity, regardless of what Cuddle Bug and I say about it. I think if she dresses up nicely, she can be one of the sexiest girls in town. No pun intended on that.

"How does this look?" Cuddle Bug held a blouse against her upper body, presenting it towards Moon Dancer.

Moon Dancer in complete deadpan, "... Yeah, looks nice.."

"I know right?!" Cuddle Bug chuckled, "I'm soooo going to buy this one!"

Moon Dancer tapped Cuddle Bug's shoulder, "Pssst... Do you see that guy over there?" Moon Dancer said in a low voice as she discreetly pointed at a man who wore sunglasses, leaning against a wall. "I have a bad feeling about that guy..."

Cuddle Bug slyly looked at the direction where Moon Dancer pointed, "Hmm... How so? It's not like he's bothering us."

"Oh c'mon Cuddle Bug... There were times I caught him holding his phone up, taking photos of girls that walked by pass him." Moon Dancer said, "Now tell me... Do you see any other guys in this store but him?"

Cuddle Bug peered around the store, and found a male employee working at the cashier, "That guy over there." She pointed.

"Um, okay Cuddle Bug, but he's gay... So he doesn't count."

Cuddle Bug placed both hands on her own hips, and raised an eyebrow, "Hey! How would you know?"

"Look at his pink shirt, it says hashtag 'yes homo'. Also, can't you tell he's wearing make-up."

Cuddle Bug humphed, "Fine..."

Moon Dancer continued grimacing at the creepy guy. He wandered around mischievously. He waited for a random girl with a mini-skirt to walk pass him, then quickly, yet, slyly snapped a photo under her skirt. "You saw that?!" Moon Dancer proclaimed seeing the act.

Cuddle Bug paused from browsing through the dresses, "Could you please stop? If you keep up, you'll draw attention." Cuddle Bug sighed, "Now I know why Clair doesn't like shopping with you.... Because you do this."

"Cuddle Bug, explain to me why y'all even need to buy anymore clothes... Geez.. You girls still have some dresses in your closets that you don't even wear."

"Geez... It's always good to have a backup... Plus, I'm not that type of gal who wears the same clothes over and over, okay?" Cuddle Bug hinted, as she was actually referring to Moon Dancer.

"That's so not true..." Moon Dancer crossed her arms, and squinted with eyebrows lowered. As Moon Dancer noticed the creepy guy approaching near, she quickly nudged Cuddle Bug on her shoulder, "Shhh! Cuddle Bug, he's coming, he's coming!..."

The creepy guy with sunglasses and a calm, persistent, calculating expression on his face, ostentatiously approached us. He let out a sketchy grin, "Hey, I can't help but notice but your hot friend here keeps staring at me." The guy revealed his eyes as he shifted his sunglasses on the top of his head. He winked at Moon Dancer.

Moon Dancer grabbed Cuddle Bug by her arm, and gave him a grimace smile, "I'm sorry, we we're just leaving..."

"No wait, wait." The creepy guy halted, "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zephyr Breeze, and I'm sorry if I scared you girls, but I'm an artist, ya' see, It's my job to stare at beautiful women."

"Okay? Well, that thing you did a moment ago, you call that art?" Moon Dancer questioned with irritation, "Didn't think I caught ya."

Zephyr Breeze laughed, "Oh, you mean photo snapping the girls? Of course it is!"

Moon Dancer moaned in disgust, "Ugh, get away from us you creep."

While Moon Dancer and Cuddle Bug briskly walked towards the exit of the store, Cuddle Bug turned her head to look at Zephyr Breeze, and made lip movements inhibiting words, "I'm sorry."

Zephyr Breeze smirked with an increased tone directing at Moon Dancer across the room, "You'll soon grasp the way of the art, I don't want you to mistaken me as a pervert! I'm an artist!" Zephyr Breeze then snapped a photo of them exiting the store. He huffed out of laughter, and took another glance of the photo he had taken. "Yeah.. That's going in my collection. Good Job, Zephyr." He pat himself on the shoulder, and grinned.

Little do Moon Dancer and Cuddle Bug know, Zephyr Breeze was Adagio's ex-boyfriend. Getting involved with someone who calls himself an artist, more like a scam artist, can lead to many problems and I'm sure Moon Dancer is smart enough to detect this. So walking out of the store was a smart move on their part, but this is just the beginning of a bad storm.

HUMANAVILLE
4:32 PM; SAME DAY
ADAGIO'S APARTMENT

After a few days since the incident between Sunset and Adagio, so much has happened in such a short time. For one major thing, Adagio made false orders in order to break my lease in the apartment I had rented for a very long time, and moved in with my sisters, which I was left with no choice but to make such a drastic decision. Secondly, she had forbade me to meet up with Sunset again. She overly stressed about how Sunset can't be trusted, and how she only wants one thing done: Destroying my gem. No matter how much I try to persuade Adagio otherwise, but she displays such a headstrong character. Having lived with her for thousands of years, that's one thing about her she'll never change. Sandal Wood got a new job a week ago at Home Depot, and has been busy since then. So with little time we both have, is only spent on texting. Nonetheless, we planned about going on a picnic this coming weekend on his day off. I can't wait to see him again.

Sonata and I sat by the dining table, and played a couple of games of poker. Aria didn't want to be bothered because she was really busy doing job-related things on her computer, so she stayed in her bedroom. But still, we all couldn't wait for Adagio to come home from work. She texted Aria that she was going to be late tonight, but will be bringing home tacos. Sonata jumped for joy as soon as she heard about it.

"So Clair, what do you think of the idea of having a surprise party for Aria's birthday?"

I grinned while shuffling the cards, "I think it's a great idea, Aria would love that."

"You really think so?!" Sonata leaned forward with cheerfulness.

"Yeah, but promise me you'll wear a helmet before doing so."

"Why would I need to do that?"

"To save you the trouble of Aria punching you in the face."

Sonata laughed in bewilderment, "Umm, that happened only one time, because I broke her expensive hair straightener."

My eyebrow shot up, "How much was the expensive straightener?"

Sonata shrugged, "I don't know.."

I chortled and shook my head incredulously, I took the deck of cards and began to lay them out for the both of us for the next round of poker. As Sonata hummed a melody, she waited patiently before starting our next round of poker. She cleared her throat with words in a low voice, "Ummm, by the way Clair... Don't tell Adagio and Aria what I'm about to tell you."

"What?.."

"I have a boyfriend, yay!"

To my sudden surprise, the cards have been shuffed and thrown all over the place. My eyes widened, and looked at Sonata again with anger and concern, "And you think it's alright to tell me?"

Sonata let out a nervous laugh and a grimace, "Uhh, yes?"

"Sonata... The answer is no. Break up with him ASAP."

"Why?!"

"Because, you don't know anything about love and relationship, making wrong decisions could hurt you."

"What do you know about love and relationship, huh?" Sonata questioned as she shook her head side to side with both hands on her hips.

"Enough to know that there are a bunch of perverts out there who just wants to get in your pants."

"Duh! That's why I wear skirts all the time. C'mon Clair, what kind of an idiot you take me for?.."

I blinked and stared at her blankly, "Ummmm... Uhh.."

"Exactly the answer I'm expecting, Hmph!" Sonata attested while crossing her arms.

I rolled my eyes, and sighed, "... I give up... But I'm telling Adagio."

"Why?!"

I leaned forward, then gave her the angry stare, "Listen to me, Sonata. You suck at hiding stuff, okay? Oh and if Adagio finds out that you're dating someone, you already know what's gon' happen. So you either break up with this guy, or I will tell Adagio myself, am I clear?"

Sonata's lower lip protruded in a sulky pout, "... What's up with you and Adagio not wanting me to make friends?.."

I leaned back on my seat, and my eyebrows went up in a concerned expression, "Well... It's just... With the way things are, I don't think it's safe to make friends right now, Sonata."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, with my gem and all... We don't know what may happen next, but it's always good to stay safe from all danger." I placed my hand upon hers, "Even as simple as making new friends."

Sonata understood what I strictly implied. She nodded, "... Okay."

I grinned, and gave her a comfort rub on her palm, "Atta girl. Now what do you do?"

Sonata sighed lightly, "I'll break up with him..." I looked at her intently, urging her to finish her sentence, "... Ughh!.. I'll break up with him tomorrow."

I let out a bright smile, "Thank You, Sonata. Now just because you made me happy, I'll let you pick out a game to play tonight."

Sonata suddenly perked herself up, a smile of debonair gallantry lit up her face. "YAY!" She paused for a second, "Wait... Are you sure it's okay for me to pick out a game two nights in a row?"

I nodded with a warm and glowing smile, "Seems fair, if you ask me."

I love Sonata so much. After all, she's the youngest sister, so she gets all the affection. At least from Adagio and me. Aria, on the other hand, shows her consideration by picking a fight with Sonata and making her cry. But I know deep inside Aria, she loves Sonata as much as I do. This treatment between them has helped me see this. Why I was so blind not to see it before is beyond me.

*Knock Knock Knock*

"I got it!" Sonata shouted. She suddenly got up from her seat, and ran towards the apartment door to answer it.

The voice was heard from Aria's bedroom, behind closed door, "Geez, Sonata! Could you shout more louder please?!"

"Sorry!" Sonata replied in a loud voice.

The second Sonata opened the door for Adagio, instantly, a searing pain branded the inner walls of my skull, causing my vision to blur once again, followed by a sustained ringing, supervening an echo of voices coming from both of my sisters, "Clair! What's happening? Are you okay?!" Everything felt so slow. I drew in a deep breath and squinted my eyes, willing myself to escape the vision. It was the same kind of attack I experienced that night at the Christmas Showcase, but worse. As I felt my shortness of breath approaching, I lost control, and fell from my chair unconsciously.

Sonata and Adagio came quickly by my side to provide aid. Sonata briskly elevated my head on her lap, and Adagio attempted to wake me up from my own unconscious state. When Aria heard the commotions from her own bedroom, she quickly opened her bedroom door, shocked by the thought of seeing three of her sisters by the kitchen floor. She joined in to contribute medical help. "What happened?!" Aria questioned as she felt the hot temperature on my forehead.

"I... I don't know, Aria!" Sonata stuttered with a scared look on her face, "When I opened the door for Adagio, I turned around, and saw her collapsed out of nowhere!"

"Aria, call 911." Adagio demanded in a rushed tone.

"Okay!" Aria walked outside of the apartment, instantly took her phone out, and dialed out for emergency.

As Sonata and Adagio gazed down on me, hoping in a minute that I would snap back to my conscious state, their faces suddenly flashed with illumination by countless bright rays of light from my own gem. They were cherry red, glittering in the light like glass marbles. It was almost blinding. They have never seen anything so beautiful, but deadly. It lasted about ten seconds, the intensity of the light diminished in brightness. Adagio and Sonata exchanged puzzling glances. "What... What was that?.." Sonata, with a blank expression, she was unsure how to react to what just happened.

Adagio carefully ran her fingers through my hair that was covering half of my pale face. I was still unconscious, but Adagio felt my temples throbbing, and my pulse beating normally once again. Adagio let out a reassuring smile, "I don't know, Sonata... But Clair is going to be alright."

Sonata looked up at Adagio, feeling relief, her tears seeped down her cheeks. "Adagio... I don't like what's happening to her..."

Aria walked in, "Okay guys, the ambulance is on their way in a minute!" Aria drew near, "How is she?"

Adagio replied, "She's going to be alright. But she really needs medical attention right now."

Aria nodded, "Yeah..."

Adagio looked up at Aria, giving her the concern look, "Aria... It happened again.."

Aria let out an attentive look back at Adagio, "Her gem lit up?"

Both Adagio and Sonata nodded. This moment made Adagio realize that if she doesn't do anything soon, my life will be in great danger. Adagio's truly scared to death, but she doesn't express it. She tries to stay strong only because she's the oldest sister, and it's her responsibility to take care of us. But she has to understand that she can't stay with us forever, they're considered human beings. Immortality is not all that it is made out to be; It is a myth. Nothing lasts forever.

Two men with paramedic uniforms entered the apartment room, both carried a stretcher. "ER Service for Clair De Lune?" One of the men had called out.

"Over here." Adagio signaled them to approach near my unconscious body.

The men quickly walked towards us, one of them opened a bag of medical supplies and took out a ventilator with a tubing connection. The same man inserted the breathing tube through my nose, then quickly placed me on the stretcher. They were fast. As they escorted me out of the apartment door, one of them confirmed the location of hospital where they were going to take me, "We're taking her to Humana Regional Hospital ER."

"Okay, Thanks. We'll be over there shortly..." Adagio nodded, then the paramedics made their exit out of the building.

A short moment of pause, the silence had brooded in betwixt the three of them. Usually Sonata would break it, but it never happened. However, Aria stepped in, "C'mon people, we gotta go."

Sonata agreed, "Yeah, I miss Clair already... Lets go."

Adagio nodded, "You girls go on ahead, I'll catch up in a bit."

As Sonata and Aria grabbed their coats, Adagio watches them rush out of the apartment door. She took one final peek, making sure they were completely gone. She then took her cell phone out, and placed an out going call.

A familiar voice was heard on the other side of Adagio's phone, "Yes, Adagio?"

Adagio replied, "Sunset.... It's about Clair... It happened again, they took her to the ER." Adagio sighed, "... We really need all the help we can get..."

Sunset gasped, "I'll.. I'll be on my way! Which hospital is she in?!"

Adagio couldn't think straight, so she stammered in words, "I... I don't think you can come, Sunset..." Adagio couldn't give her the hospital location because she wouldn't know how Aria would react to the situation if she saw Sunset there. She continued, "I gotta go Sunset, we'll talk more about it later." Adagio hung up and then took a deep breath. She was upset, ashamed, but then an overwhelming fear took over her. This wasn't the right time to think about what's right or wrong, but what's more important is that Aria and Sonata are waiting outside for her, so the three of them can finally head to the ER together.