For a Friend

“Blanche! Be careful with that!” came a whining cry from Anna who desperately reached for the faintly luminescent flower bud that had just been so quickly snatched from her. The monk held the little flower to the light within hand, and held the smaller woman at a distance with the other. Her eyes squinted at the icy blue plant, examining it with enough scrutiny that her brother had to clear his throat to get her attention. She snapped her head to the impatient Knight.

“Yeah, yeah. It's the first time I've gotten a chance to look at the Starglen Bloom since we left the dungeon.” She softly handed the little flower back to Anna Lee, who gingerly placed it back into the bag their contractor had supplied for carrying it.

“At least we got it.” Came the retort. Crossed arms and a serious expression was crossing the little wooded trail. Responding in kind, Blanche just turned about and continued walking, an uneasy silence filling the air. It was Anna Lee who finally spoke up.

“I think he meant you nearly killed us with that tripwire.” Blanche's tail stood on end for a second before relaxing.

“I know what he meant, and his big ass would have tripped it if I hadn't.” a solitary ‘ha' broke out from behind the two of them. A long suffering sigh broke out, along with the tensing of Blanche's shoulders. Anna Lee fell back a little, one of Banco's armored hands keeping her from falling too far back. He moved his mouth to Anna Lee's ear.

“Watch this.” And with those words he picked up his pace just enough to catch up to Blanche. Ever so smoothly, he reached out and tapped his sister on the shoulder. What happened next left some ringing in the air, and the group at a standstill again.

“You big Bastard!” Cried Blanche, now hopping around on one foot. The speed with which she had whirled around to kick her brother in the groin had left Anna's head reeling, and the following sound of foot against codpiece had struck through the air like a smith hammering his creation into shape.

Banco himself was having to resist doubling over from his boisterous laughter, and Anna Lee had turned around, both trying in vain not to have a silly smile and hide her amusement from the siblings.

“I won’t forget this Banco, I'll find a way to get you back!” cried Blanche, now trying awkwardly to walk normally down the beaten path, Banco laughing in tow, and Anna Lee, shortly behind.