2024

LITA:

That is little me? 

VANNI:

Yes she is.

LITA:

I do not remember being that tiny.
Daddy, am I a good baby?

VANNI:

Yes, most of the time.

Syrrah walks in.

LITA:
Look Mummie, it is little me.

SYRRAH:
Yes I see …

SYRRAH:

… Darling, Neve is outside on the swings. Why do you not join her?
You remember Neve? You met her at breakfast. 

LITA:

I remember. I love the swings. 

SYRRAH:

Then do join her. Mummie needs to speak with daddy.  
And mind Harmonia. She will be watching you. 

LITA:

I promise. 

Lita leaves. 

SYRRAH:

Now husband, tell me, what have I missed while I was away?  

VANNI:

Well, one thing that may interest you is that Es has decided to
open her own restaurant rather than continue working for others. 

SYRRAH:

Good for her. Is that corner store of ours still vacant?

VANNI:

It is.

SYRRAH:

Then we shall offer it to her. Yes, we will do all we can to
help make her business a success.

VANNI:

Agreed. Oh, I almost forgot - we received a wedding invitation…

VANNI:

…Chinatsu is marrying Shichi in the Fall.

SYRRAH:
I see.

VANNI: 

Wife, you can communicate more with those two words than 

anyone I’ve ever met. OK, out with it.

SYRRAH:
It is puzzling to me how your sister should time travel a millennia

 to be with you, her favorite brother, and open a flower shop, 

only to abandon it, leaving us to tend it.

VANNI: 

She came here and  fell in love. She didn’t plan that.

I like Shichi and think they’re good together. 

SYRRAH:
As do I, but he is a prince of the Sea Clan. They will need to 

remain in the Elvin Realm. So, what of her flower shop?

VANNI: 

I’m already looking for a manager. I just need someone I can trust.

SYRRAH:
I may know just the person. Leave it with me.