Thursday night in Karanthir and Zyfan’s room …

ZYFAN:
… Karan, you have yet to share with me your final
grade in our English Literature course. 

KARANTHIR:

I’d rather not say. It may spoil my image.

ZYFAN:

I thought the final exam was truly difficult.
Perhaps if you had studied more …

KARANTHIR:

Are you insinuating that I was unprepared?

ZYFAN:
If not, then why will you not tell me how
you did?  I will show you my grade, if you like.

KARANTHIR:
Are we playing ‘I’ll show you mine, if you show me yours’
my prince? If so, then I can think of much more
stimulating things for us to show.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

KARANTHIR:

… Let’s not  answer that. Maybe they’ll go away.  

ZYFAN:

But I must, it could be important. 

ZYFAN:

… Greetings Fin, come in.

FIN:
Hi Zyfan. Karanthir, you promised Orrie you’d put him to bed.

KARANTHIR:

Indeed I did. I must’ve lost track of the time…

KARANTHIR:
… I must confess dear brother, when I saw it was you
at the door, I thought for certain you were
here just to annoy me.
  
FIN:
Maybe next time. 

KARANTHIR:
No doubt. I’ll see you soon, my prince.

FIN:
Zyfan, how are things with you?

ZYFAN:
Quite well. The semester is finally over, and I managed
to get a B plus in my English Literature class. 

FIN:
B plus, that’s very respectable. Isn’t that the class
you and Karanthir took together?

ZYFAN:

It is. Karanthir is being secretive about his grade.

FIN:
He probably aced it.

ZYFAN:
I do not see how. He never studied.

FIN:
He doesn’t need to. When we were kids, he’d always get perfect
scores on his tests. It drove me crazy. I’d study for a week and he’d
barely crack a book. He’s just brilliant - but don’t tell him I said that.

KARANTHIR:
Talking about me, dear brother?

FIN:
That was quick.

KARANTHIR:
Poor little lad was all worn out. He didn’t even ask me to read him
a story. Just as well, the prince and I were about to turn in. 

FIN:
In other words, it’s time for me leave. No problem. Good night.

ZYFAN:
Fin thinks you got an A. Is that true?

You know I am not going to rest until I know.

KARANTHIR:
As usual, Fin is wrong - but close.  I got an A plus
- and I’d rather you not mention it to anyone else.

 

ZYFAN:
An A plus? How is that possible? I did not think
the university could give an A plus as a final grade.

KARANTHIR:
Either did I. Apparently they made an exception for me. 

ZYFAN:
An exception? Karan, this is good news. I am
proud of you. Why did you not want to tell me?

KARANTHIR:

I thought it might upset you. After all, you study
so hard and well, tests are just easy for me …

KARANTHIR:
… Ah, there it is, that look. See, you are upset.

ZYFAN:
I just do not understand how you could do it. 

KARANTHIR:

It doesn’t matter. Let’s not think about it anymore.
Classes are over and it’s summer vacation. That means
we’re free to do anything we like, or nothing at all.  

ZYFAN:

You are right.  It will be so nice to …

ZYFAN:
… Karan, are you seeing what I am seeing?

KARANTHIR:
A little pink UFO - yes I am …

KARANTHIR:
…  And it’s landed. This can’t be good. 

ZYFAN:
Sacred ancestors -  it is a scroll from the Daughters of IlluminatA.

KARANTHIR:
What do they want this time? As if I don’t already know.

ZYFAN:
I am to go to the Elvin realm to escort Syrrah back here.
The griffins were already summoned. They’ll arrive
tomorrow afternoon. I am to leave then. 

KARANTHIR:
Correction - we will leave then.

ZYFAN:
How I wish we could, but you are not invited.

KARANTHIR:
Seriously? Summer vacation Zyfan! I’m sure
Syrrah won’t mind if I’m with you.  

ZYFAN:
This is not from Syrrah. It is from the Daughters of IlluminatA.

KARANTHIR:

Same difference.

ZYFAN:
They are not. Although Syrrah is a high priestess, she is only
one of seven. And you must remain here to look after Phae.

KARANTHIR:
Cupcake? You act as if she’s a child. She’s perfectly
capable of being here, with everyone else in the house,
to keep her company. It’s not as if we’re abandoning her. 

ZYFAN:
Karan, she is the Heart of the future One, me. You are my
Consort. You must stand in for me when I am not able. Phae is my
responsibility and with me away, I need you to stay with her.

KARANTHIR:
This is ghastly! I truly hate this. They say jump - and up
into the air we go. They don’t seem to realize we have
lives of our own. Will this ever stop? 

ZYFAN:
It will cease to happen when I am
released from being my sister’s servant. 

ZYFAN:
… Karan please, let us not fight. You know I do not want
to go, but I must. It will only be for seven or eight days.

KARANTHIR:
And nights, don’t forget about the nights. Alright my prince,
I shall be your obedient servant and babysit Cupcake.
I don’t want to discuss it anymore. Let’s both put it
out of our minds and go to bed.

ZYFAN:
I cannot. I must prepare for my trip, and I would
appreciate it if you did not distract me.

KARANTHIR:
Fine. I’ll just sit in the chair and play on my phone.

ZYFAN:
You are staring at me.

KARANTHIR:
On the contrary, I was just gazing in your direction,
which got me thinking … Oh never mind,
I wouldn’t dream of distracting you.

ZYFAN:
Thinking of what?

KARANTHIR:
How much I long to lightly trace the contour of 

your lips with my finger …

KARANTHIR:
… and run my hand slowly across your cheek, 

up through your silky hair… 

KARANTHIR:
… to the back of your head so I can gently draw you in, 

closer and closer to me, and then …

KARANTHIR:
… Forgive me, I got carried away. I know you have things to do
and here I am distracting you. I’ll return to my phone.

ZYFAN:
No wait. Perhaps I could pack later, or in the morning.

KARANTHIR:
I think that would be best.