It is The Season, a magical time of year. Ellarya had decided to throw a Winter Ball. There was excitement and happiness in the air. The snow was on the ground and the lakes had frozen over. Skating and Skiing and Snowflairy Flakes .Magicka was about. Ice Sculptures and small little huts with fires and toddies that sprinkled throughout and around the lakes of both dark and light ChessterField Woods. The Moats around the Strategic Castles were built up to be ice rinks and toboggan slides. Lots of fun and JJ and the little drakes had a blast. After school activities , until it was time to go inside. Ellarya placed the wet clothes over her hearth on a drying rack. She got JJ into the bath and the little drakes into the sandpit to preen and clean. All the “Mommy ” drakes to their turns but no over ruled any of Mymsha”s decisions, not even her mother. It was hard for little Ricky, he was sort of by himself. He tried to be happy but he was missing having a Ryder to be his own and feel like he belonged. He remained a happy little chappy and decided the best way to avoid being in the doldrums was to entertain himself by “bugging” the life out of the ” Girls”. He stuck glue in JJ’s school shoes. He decided one day it was a good idea to lock them in the outdoor shed. Until, he discovered everyone was looking for JJ and Jaida and he was gonna get into a lot of trouble. They found a secret way out and slipped up to their beds. Came down as if what was all the fuss about… they were taking a nap. Ricky decided he owed them one and would not lock them up for at least a month. Will have to think of something…. the something was oil on the door handles to make everyone slip. They never found out it was him.

Ricky became a little village prankster. He kept the adults on their feet. He had a little cohort of helpers. Jiery Valance was his best pal. A little village boy with dark brown hair , with blond and red highlights that glittered light when he played , nice disposition bright, cheeky & musical. Jiery V as he was affectionately called was destined to be Ricky’s Ryder. Jier was from one of the nice , more respectable families in Elle ‘s domain. Jier’s mother was one of her ladies in waiting , that had been assigned by Giovanni along time ago. Elle had not availed of her services , until JJ came on the scene. She was grateful for her help ,along with Mrs. Haiden, the Celtic Nanny, also chosen by Giovanni.

Ellarya had to admit to herself , how very much she missed Giovanni. She buried it. She heard he was off working and being successful. He was healthy and happy and she could not want anymore for him than that. She missed him. Daily the thoughts of how their son would be, would fleetingly enter her mind and she would busy herself with home or work. Her Herebral Alchemy post was expanding and she was building her own reputation and practice and really enjoying herself. Her nights were spent with Parian when he was not on duty. She glowed. They kept their pregnancy hidden. Elle was carrying the next Prime with the next Butterflairy Seed, this pregnancy was part of a prophecy. She had decided that Giovanni had flown off on her for the last time. She was in her own place with the kids and supporting herself. Parian had his barracks, his own family homesteads and dwellings. Parian came from Rosedrop World Royalty, one of 3 brothers and their grandma: Nana , legendary. She was one of the Elder, the Elydras who held knowledge about their world and how to protect the Prime. Nana’s knowledge and wisdom helped them win many battles over the Centuries , she was as ancient as the trees. Her wrinkles were life lines, filled with laughter and sadness, like rings on a tree , they told a story. She was petite; wore her hair in a bun, tightly pulled back. She had cane, like a ballerina’s timing stick. She knew how to use it. She glided elegantly around and arguing with her was like arguing with mother nature herself. They were good friends.

The preparations for the first Snow Ball of the Winter Season were well underway. The same barn was decorated with Seasonal Holly and Berried herb Spriggs. Cinnamon and Nutmeg, and all Spice smells delighted the senses and the taste buds from the baking treats. Full Seasonal spread for both Butterflairy forms and their humanoid counterparts. tKOSS were embroiled in patrols . Parian was enthralled, to becoming a father again. He knew he could not slow Ellarya down. He knew she was busy , so busy ,to keep her grief at bay. She never got over the loss of her eldest son, neither did Giovanni and it bonded them together in away he knew , he could never separate them. He decided the best thing was not to be jealous ; protect which was his duty and keep her happy ,if he could.

Yra and Ary were separated. Ellarya went to her friend and convinced her to come home and be with them in their Butterflairy Tree where she could take care of her. Yra stayed in the dButterflairy Tree. Yra was lonely. Ellarya thought she was pretty and although she was a Dark Heiress and her supposed Opposition. She liked her. She had her over , told her to come help with the kids and they actually became fast friends. Dark and light enjoyed being in each other’s company. Their only problem , was Giovanni and Ary. Ary ‘s dip in the Diablo waters was wearing off. She looked at her reflection in Yra and ate more, in hiding. She figured no one knew. Yra and Elle knew. They did their best to encourage her to healthier options, which fell on deaf ears and inevitably ended in an argument or Ellarya being told off , insulted. Ellarya despite this , helped daily -treks, cleaning, taking care of the felines, little cuties. Tuffles was always missed.

Yra and Elle planned the feast and had it already. They wardrobes were red and green and mirrored one another. They changed into their Butterflairy forms and Elle’s Green, Red and Purple Wings were matched by Yra in the Opposite ,a sort of mirrored pattern. Yra was great with the kids and the little drakes. She had a special way with them. Life went along pretty good. The ladies in waiting, well they just had to take a back seat. Everyone worried that Yra and Ellarya were friends, they were destined to fight one another. Elle kept Ary safe. She had made a promise and she stuck to it. NO one knew. Not even Stefano . It would be many years before they all learned what had been asked of Ellarya , when she was so very young; one man, one life , one love that just endured.

The night of the Winter Ball arrived. Everyone was having fun. Ellarya and Yra entered together. Elle asked Yra to sit in Giovanni’s chair beside hers ,as he was not around. She looked at her and it was the closest Yra every came to tears. She was so pleased. They had fun the strobe lights played tKoss showed up and all the combined ladies in waiting with the villagers danced up a storm. Food was brought in. Parian had his guard around and he stood behind The Prime’s chair and watched his pregnant companion-wife entertain her friend, possibly her worst enemy. They laughed and drank and complemented one another.

He arrived. Giovanni appeared. He stopped ,as he watched the scene of Yra and “his” Ellarya laughing , having what appeared to be a wonderful time. He had come in on the quiet. He actually saw them together and thought he had literally died and gone to heaven. They looked amazing together. NO NO , he thought, it would never happen and he chuckled more to himself. He came up slowly and passed Parian with a nod put his hand out and asked his hand- fast wife to dance first, as he winked at Yra, simultaneously. Ellary looked at him ,with tears in her eyes . Ellarya got up . They went to the centre of the dance floor. Giovanni took Ellarya in his arms . Their aura combined once more, he said, your pregnant again. Sapphra is most welcome . We are very blessed to be expecting another child ,within our homes. As far as Giovanni was concerned, Ellarya’s children and belongings were his. It was an ancient law that had been squashed in Rosedrop World, by the feminine hierarchy of their governing ways. Giovanni had told Ellarya ,the way it was( for him, or so , he thought. She would listen to him rave on about it…” how unfair”, not under my roof, etc… “YES DEAR”, was all she would say. ) He figured he had her wrapped around his little finger. He did to an extent. She was blind, when it came to him. They danced. Parian watched “his” companion – wife and , his PRIME , dancing with Giovanni. The guards were doubled around them.

Giovanni brought her back to Parian and placed “his” Elle’s hand in his , as he went and asked Yra to dance. Yra looked worried .Giovanni said, its ok. She won’t take your head for a dance tonight. I promise.” Yra smiled . She stood up. Ellarya looked over and thought how pretty Yra looked , completely over looking that she was in Giovanni’s arms. Elle went over to her , asked Giovanni to go take a seat . Ellarya took Yra in her arms , the girlfriends: danced the night away . The ladies joined in some of tKOSS stood back and watched also. The ladies had taken over the dance floor.Ella and Yra combined their light this night and kept the peace.

Yra looked over at Giovanni, winked at him, then she kissed Ellarya , right there in the middle of the dance floor. Ellarya kissed her back. Parian and Giovanni were gobsmacked. Neither had anything to say, they each sat there with what knows what was going through their minds. The ladies , arm in arm said it was time to say good night and set off to see their children and left them all stunned. The music played well into the night. Lots of dancing and ‘ after party’ mischief was a foot. Flirtatious smiles and exchanges, that lead to clandestine liaisons. It was an interesting night for a few couples. The extravagant , extraverted , more voracious individuals that exchanged their dance cards throughout the night.

Elle and Yra, snuck off in laughter. They had a lot of fun doing that. Yra asked, her, “would “you take my head for Giovanni. Ellarya looked her and said with a deadly stare: “YES”! However, you would have to have your own wicked way with him, then , I would then we both would and well… really.. that in itself would give him a heart attack. They burst out laughing and agreed that Giovanni was not actually worth the trouble anymore. Somewhere , some how the ladies had found a kinship with each other that surprised them both.

Ellarya put her arm through and around Yra’s and kissed her again. It would be very hard to hurt you in anyway , my friend. Let’s try and keep the balance of power and peace for the rest for this Season and remain friends during “OUR” time, this span and beyond ,if we can. How does that sound? Yra burst into tears. Ellarya decided , no stupid “guy” was worth more than her friend ( accept Steve , of course, that ” damn , silly STUPID , man).

They looked in on the little ones. The Nanny close at hand , told them they were fine. They left and as they walked away from the Nursery ,Yra looked at Ellarya ‘ reflection .”Your expecting aren’t you ? I can tell, you have that really happy glow. ” Yra felt her tummy. Ohhh, you have the Seed as well. Yra asked , “I need to have one as well. We are supposed to be enemies. Our children will be enemies.” Ellaya said to her, “we love each other, so let’s set all that aside for now and enjoy the rest of the evening in each other’s company”. Elle knew the way around that one. She smiled to herself. For Peace , she thought. It will just have to be that way. Yes, there were going to be stuck with each other , one way or another , that’s for bloody sure.

Come Yra, Come be alone with me , let’s connect our superior feminine powers this night , magic and harmony will be felt in” our” world. We will send out this vibe. Really , good harmonious vibrations.

Ellarya flew back with Yra, back to Giovanni’s Castle and her quarters there. Giovanni heard them go into Elle’s room . With all his might, wished he could walk in on them, but knew he did not dare. Parian stepped from the shadows. He said to Giovanni, I will leave them a guard. Let’s go drink the rest of this night away. They did and their ladies , well, they had tea and talked and tried to put their heads together about keeping the balance and avoiding having to fight one another. Dark and light became fast ‘girlfriends’, the best of friends.

Ary looked into the Celestial water bowl and thought: How did that happen? She had brought Yra into this domain to KILL Ellarya and there they were the BEST OF FRIENDS, without her ,as well, Elle was supposed to her friend! Damn it . Damn them!. Damn them all. She yelled and wailed and smashed glass. Her usual , like a 3 year old, same height , as well! YES, and there they were planning ,another baby and what they were going to do when Yra had her little dark seeded podling. Really, Ary didn’t really like babies at all. She didn’t really like children, she was in fact the Witch of the Gingerbread House, if ,she could eat children , she would. She had a better plan for Ellarya and Yra and their children. She was going to starve them out. Cause such hardship for Ellarya and Yra that they would end of fighting each other over that old harsh enemy: “COIN”. Ary looked at them and laughed. Giovanni would help Ary. She could always warp /wrap Giovanni around her little finger. Gio wrapped Ellarya around his little finger ( & every where else as much as he could) Ellarya decided that Yra was her friend first before she was dark anything. Yra was absolutely at a melting point, at how ” happiness” with Ellarya, had lifted her darkness. She found a true friend and this made her happy. She was born into and of darkness but thought friendship and love found light. YRA was changing.

Giovanni and Parian went for drinks in the great hall. Sat in the main chairs where Elle and Yra had been sitting with visions of them dancing .They danced like Sugar Plum Flairies., in the Nutcracker Ballet by Tchaikovsky .

Like the ballet, the visions of sugar plums dancing did not last, the darkness came with approach of the dark “mouse” parade. Rosedrop World was descending into a Winter Blizzard, despite the good vibrations.

Yra and Ellarya fell asleep arm in arm, plotting to protect their peace and friendship. Believing like all good friends do, it would last. Elle and Yra were not lovers , but some ,wondered if they were. Giovanni thought he would finally get his threesome with them both, if he dared. Parian laughed at him ,when he mentioned it. It made him sad. He knew she was still hiding her grief at the loss of their son. Giovanni stood up, shook Parian’s hand, said he had to get back. He congratulated him on his expected daughter , Sapphra. Said he was a lucky man to father the next Prime. He asked Parian to good care of them all. He would be back soon. He handed Parian the keys to his Castle and said he could use his quarters when he was not there. HE told Parian, he expected him to survey and keep things going in his absence ,that he was no longer just the Captain of the Guard, he was also the Companion Steward of Ellarya Prime and Rosedrop World . Parian’s job and duty had somehow just expanded. Tristan arrived. Drawn by the Good Vibe he felt. He immediately joined with Parian. Tristan joining with his lifeforce once again.

Giovanni tiptoed back to Ellarya’s room and opened the door a smidge. He saw the two friends side by side. Yra had her hand on Ellarya’s tummy feeling and protecting the just noticeable little bump. Their heads were side by side and they had their wings surrounding each other and wrapping around them , like hands entwined. They had their hair strands, entangled within each others, they were that close. A rainbow surrounded them and a dark halo , then another grey sort of rainbow… the combinations of dark and light with their protective forces in balance. The balance of dark and light and peace… rarely one gets to see it in this world. It never lasts, but on this night, the first Winter Ball of the Season, magic had hit Rosedrop World.

Giovanni closed the door. He went and looked in on the babies. Ricky was at Jier’s house. He snuck in their also to check on them both. He went had tea with Ary in what seemed to be the very Special RoseDrop Cafe this night. He poured an elixir for her. It was made with the waters from Diablo pool. Ary’s youth was restored. He left her , in the hands of Ellarya and Yra.

Giovanni went into the dark Butterflairy Tree – THRC and slept there. He dreamt all the terrible things that Ellarya had to endure for him, by him, because of him. He had no idea how he would make it up to her if he could. He didn’t know how. Neither did she. They grew farther apart. Giovanni left for one of his long extended business trips and his other family with Dyandra , his other wife. Dyandra had no idea about his life with Ellarya , best kept that way.

Fate looked down and smiled. It cried for the loss of their first , eldest son and declared that the last part of the three part prophecy had yet to be fulfilled.

Tristan found his way, to his future wife’s bedroom door. He had no hesitation and stepped into the room with the two friends, to entertain them both. They were sleeping. He sat quietly in a chair , over looked them both. He walked over gently, put his hand on Allura’s tummy just above Yra’s and felt the baby beneath. She would be joined by twins in the future, his. He smiled. Laid a gentle kiss on Ellarya ‘s lips, not waking her. He sat back down and waited for them both to stir awake and let the fun begin, even if all he got to do was serve them both breakfast in bed. The Feminine Delight would prevail.

The magical snowflairy flakes began to fall . Magicka dropped down again onto the habitants of Rosedrop World , a Snow Blizzard was on its way. Love and beauty started to fall , nestled in every snowflairy flake. Passions and secrets were formulated.

Dark Beauty and Love of light intermingled and a Dragon Egg started to glow pink.

( as per the magickal calender of this month Venus, the Goddess of Love and Beauty enters into the time and leaves signs for secrets to develop and passions to soar. Moon Beams shine down and Moonlight shines down on Rosedrop World. Pearl droplets have sprinkled down into the depths of our Seas. )