There is a sudden, terrible wracking of emotion. It shakes his body. And like a summer storm, it passes just as quickly.

     As hands join from couple to couple, Gruffydd glances to his lover. It's perfect, actually. Just family. Just friends. We're all holding one another's hands. And the promise is a simple one. Love one another.

     "I wish that I could remain forever with you. Unfortunately... my time here is coming to an end, children."

     "...Prince Balthazar is a wonderful man of intelligence and grace, and he comes from a family by whom I consider myself privileged to be granted the honor of this consideration. I am certain that he would be dismayed if I took him so for granted as to fail to give him the opportunity to display his abilities; but I do not believe that I shall go out of my way to invent tests for him, our courtship already being secure. Fate will find tests aplenty for us both, as it will for all living beings who strive for excellence. My only hope is that we may both achieve a level of such that we may be each other's equal."

     Gwilym relaxes back on the sofa again. His look towards the ceiling is that of a man who knows full well he's unleashed unspeakable mischief upon the world.

     "Oh oops," Sabira says with a smile, folding her wings as she walks with Maddie into the radiant blue-white light and into the portal. She sticks a foot in first, that disappears from sight and then says: "I'm melting, I'm melting!"

     Maddie pivots, holding her breath as she heads back to the door through which she came. She is going to explode, she just knows it. Once her back's turned, she is blushing vividly. Ohmygod. I SO need a drink!

     "The day after tomorrow - no, tomorrow." Maddie blinks, and gulps, going ashen. "Oh god. I should be practicing right now. Time got away from me!" She begins scrambling to brush crumbs off of her lap. "Thank god it's not today. I'd never forgive myself if I'd missed my audition!" She is all sixes and sevens, now...

     She tangles her fingers in your hair, lightly, gently, then withdraws. Her hand remains on your thigh, feeding you energy, powering the healing that is needed. "I think it is time that you built your temple..."

     Mentally, Pres facepalms. We're gonna need a bigger boat. He looks both ways. Where is someone to rescue him now?

     "I hate meditating." Maddie wrinkles her nose. "I'm bored."

     The crowd rises to its feet as chariots swing around the completion of the first turn and the grand armored figures for Rose and Gold begin to fight.