A meeting in the teahouse

[Broken Wings]

Hanada Teahouse
Location: MFE Academy
System: Omicron Theta

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Isa would smile as she entered the Tea House. The Smell of Traditional Kusarian Tea and the Clasical Teahouse Music that came from hidden Speakers made her feel as if she had stepped through a Portal into a Calm and Secluded Teahouse on Planet Kyushu. Isabella was wearing a Traditional Kusarian Kimono on her body and her hair was done in the Traditional Kusarian Fashion. The only thing that gave away that she was only half Kusarian was her Olive Skin tone which was much too similar to the Corsairs that lived in these parts of the Omicrons. As always she would have the Cat named Niki with her who would Ride on her Shoulder and would watch over the World from up there as if she was a Queen. Isabella would Wait Respectfully till a Waitress brought her to one of the Free Tables. It was a bit Extraordinary place and had normal Tables on the floor and on the wall was a Little Honeycomb Setup that would allow for even more tables. Isa would be Guided to one of the Honeycombs on the top floor and waited for Jill.

Isa would read again the Reply that Jill had Sent her a couple of days ago as she was on the way to Omicron Theta. She was really happy that Jill would love the idea that she would become her Maid of Honor. And that she also liked the idea that Anya would become the Ring Bearer. She knew that John´s Goddaughter was still very young and the last thing that she wanted was to Burden the Precious little girl. But that was a thing that she would talk about with Jill, she as Anya´s Mother would know best what her little Girl could do and what not. for now, Isa would wait for Jill, she had told her that she would be here so she should not have to wait too long, but with a place like the academy, no one could ever be certain. But Isa didn't mind she would order a Pot of Green Tea and a Slice of that Delicious Kusarian Cheesecake. Now with these Delicious Treats on the way, she would be well-equipped to wait for Jill. While she did that she would look at the Engagement Ring on her finger and smile as she thought about the love that she felt for John.

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[Pennyfield]

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Jill hurried through the corridors of the academy, her mind still slightly preoccupied with the last-minute questions from a pair of interns. She had left early, intending to be on time, but such is the life of a director. Five minutes wasn’t too bad, she supposed, though she hated the thought of keeping Isabella waiting.

As the entrance to the Kusarian Tea House came into view, Jill took a moment to adjust her posture and smooth her hair. The serene ambiance inside was an immediate contrast to the bustling academy. The scent of freshly brewed tea and the calming tones of traditional music welcomed her, and the space seemed to exude tranquility. Jill's gaze flicked upward, searching for Isa.

When the waitress guided her to the honeycomb seating above, she spotted Isabella. Her friend looked radiant in a beautifully worn Kusarian kimono, her hair styled in a traditional fashion that Jill couldn’t help but admire. The small cat perched on Isa’s shoulder was, as always, a picture of feline regality.

Jill’s heart swelled at the thought of being chosen as the Maid of Honor. The role was deeply meaningful, and the fact that both John and Isabella had agreed on her filled her with warmth. And then there was the idea of Anya as the ring bearer. Jill smiled softly to herself. Her daughter would undoubtedly love the idea. With a bit of guidance and a lot of encouragement, the little girl could rise to the occasion. But everything depended on where the ceremony would take place. Anya was still so small, and long-distance travel would be a consideration.

As Jill approached the table, the lingering worries faded. Today was about joy and celebration, and she was more than ready to share in her friend’s happiness. She gave a wave, her warm smile shining through.

"Isa, you look stunning," Jill said, her voice full of genuine affection as she gave Isa a warm embrace. "I’m so honored, truly. And as for Anya, I think she would be thrilled — with a little coaching, of course."

Sliding into her seat, Jill cast a glance at the steaming pot of tea and the inviting slice of cheesecake. It seemed Isa had prepared the perfect setting for their conversation. Today was a celebration of love and friendship, and Jill was more than ready to be a part of it.

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[Broken Wings]

Hanada Teahouse
Location: MFE Academy
System: Omicron Theta

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Isa Smiled as she saw Jill approaching, her friend looked a bit Stressed and Isa could understand that very well. Jill was after all the Leader of the Academy and had many Responsibilities and a lot of Weight on her shoulder. Isa hoped that this meeting could at least take a little bit off her shoulders. Isa would stand up as she approached and greet Jill with a respectful bow, as it was a fashion in the Kusarian culture. But then she would Give her a hug as well as it was normal between friends. She wasn't sure what Jill would have wanted so she had not ordered anything for her, but the Pot of Tea would have enough for both of them if she wanted it.

Isa: Oh my Jill you make me Blush with such Compliments. Especially from such a good-looking woman as yourself. she said and pointed towards the Pot of Tea. I have some Green Tea if you want a Cup. But they also have other Flavors if you wish to them. They also have other Kusarian Sweets if you want some, but I can definitely advise the Cheesecake.

And not just Isa was happy to see Jill, Niki was as well and would Jump from Isabella´s shoulder onto the table and then walk over to Jill and Greet her with a Purr as she rubbed her head on the other Doctor. Isabella smiled as she knew that Niki could feel the Stress in Jill and that her natural Instinct and the Training as a Therapy Cat would compel her to help Jill find a little Relaxing Time.

Isa: oh John and I are Excited as well, you are a good friend to both of us and that's why we thought of you as the Perfect Match to be my Maid of Honor. And well the Idea for Anya to be the Ring Bearer was a Spontaneous one that John had during a Stay at the Beach on Baden Baden during our Last Holiday. But I do not want to Overwhelm the little angel, she shall have fun at the Wedding and I don't want you to think that I would want to take advantage of how cute she is for some Wedding Pictures. John is so Proud to be her godfather and I think he wants her to be the Ring Bearer because in his heart she is Part of his Family.

Isa spoke with a voice that showed how nervous she was. for her Jill was someone that she Deeply Respected and that she didn't want to offend in any way, shape, or form. Now she would wait a bit nervous about these things that Jill would respond and to cover that up she would raise a hand and sign for the waitress to come over and take Jill´s Order. And then she would play a bit nervous with the Beautifull Engagement Ring on her finger. It was a beautiful piece and showed how much John loved her. The Centerpiece was a Shining Stone that was Pure and Beautifull and would Reflect the Light in many different ways. To look at this Ring would Calm Isabella as she would know that the man of dreams Loved her and would be always by her side.

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[Pennyfield]

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Jill felt a warmth spread through her chest as Isabella greeted her with both a bow and a hug. The Kusarian gesture of respect combined with the familiar embrace of friendship was something she deeply appreciated. Despite the stress of the day, being here, in this calm space, with a dear friend, was already lifting some of the weight off her shoulders.

She gave Isa a soft smile, chuckling at the compliment. "Oh, Isa, you always know how to make someone feel special. And thank you, I’d love some of the green tea." She glanced at the cheesecake and added, "You know, I think I will take your advice on that as well."

As she settled into her seat, Niki’s sudden leap onto the table made her pause. The small feline padded over to her, rubbing her head against Jill’s arm with a gentle purr. A quiet chuckle escaped Jill as she reached out to stroke the cat’s soft fur. "You always know when someone needs a bit of comfort, don’t you, Niki?" she murmured, appreciating the small yet soothing presence of the therapy cat.

Jill turned her attention back to Isabella, listening intently as she spoke about the wedding. The nervousness in her voice didn’t go unnoticed, and Jill felt a surge of affection for her friend. She reached out and placed a reassuring hand over Isa’s. "Isa, I’m truly honored that you and John thought of me for this. It means a lot. And as for Anya, I have no doubt she would love to be involved. She adores John, and I know she sees him as part of her family too. We’ll just have to see how she takes to the idea with a little practice."

She glanced down as Isa fidgeted with her engagement ring, the way the light caught the stone making it shimmer beautifully. Jill smiled, knowing how much love was behind that simple yet profound symbol. "It’s a gorgeous ring," she said softly. "And you’re going to make a beautiful bride. John is a lucky man."

As the waitress approached, Jill placed her order before turning back to Isa, a gentle warmth in her expression. "Now, tell me, have you two thought about venues yet? Or is that still part of the brainstorming phase?"

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[Broken Wings]

Hanada Teahouse
Location: MFE Academy
System: Omicron Theta

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Isa blushed at Jill's Compliment and sat down again with a smile. Such Compliments from a friend like Jill meant a lot to her. Isa would wave over a waitress and order the same delicious cheesecake and an extra cup of tea for Jill, as she mentioned that she wanted to order the same as she had. And as Niki did her Cat thing she couldn't hold back and had to chuckle.

Isa: oh yes she is my Best Employee and the Cheapest one as well. All she wants for Payment is a Full Bowl of Food, Regular Cuddles, and some Cat Treats from time to time. She is a great help for my work, and sometimes I wish I had 10 of her kind.

She said and then would break out into a burst of happy laughter as the cat answered these words with a loud meow as if she wanted to say that Ias was Right with her assessment. Isa could not help but think that this cat was much more intelligent than all of the humans around her would want to give her credit for. But she was not here to talk about Niki after all. So she would simply let the cat cuddle with Jill and would come back to the topic.

Isa: well I am glad you say that. I mean you her Mother so you will know best what your little girl can do and what not. But I have also heard that Anya would see John as some sort of Uncle. I think that is very cute and when I see how jJohntalks about her then I know that he sees her as a part of his family as well. To be honest, hearing how he talks about Anya and his children makes me more confident that he is the right one to be the father of my future children as well. But that is a thing that we want to try after the Wedding so please keep that a Secret for now.

Isa said with a giggle as she took another sip from her tea and could see how the Waitress brought the Plate with a Delicious Slice of Cheesecake and the cup of Tea for Jill. She smiled as she heard the comments about the Ring and the Question about the Wedding Venue. She would first another Fork of the cake before she answered, the Kusarian Cheese Cake was simply tasting too good to resist for long.

Isa: You should put a Spoon or two into the Tea before you Drink it, Kusarian Green Tea is Calming but can be a bit Bitter. And yes i almost had a heart attack when he pulled this ring out of his pocket on that Beach. I never took it off since then. And I think John also enjoys it when I wear it. I often catch him staring at the ring when I am cuddling with him, it's almost as if he can't believe that I said yes.She said and Chuckles As for the Wedding Venue I can tell you that It is currently not 100% Decided, but we narrowed it down to Two Options. The first one would be here at the Academy. We could Invite all of our Friends and it would be at a place that we both see as the Heart of MFE. I mean you Educate so many Young and Brilliant Doctors and Nurses here that will be the Future of our Company. The other option would be the Faith Haven Colony on Planet Pygar. The New Covenant Church are good friends and I have personally Trained the new Head Psychologist of Faith Haven. It would also be a Strong Signal to our Allies and these Idiots from the Phoenix who want to play Warlord in Omicron Theta. I have told John that I am fine with Both Venues as long as you are my Maid of Honor. Of course, we would also value your opinion on this matter and I will discuss your Advice with John.

She said and would sip some more of the tea and the Cake while she enjoyed this talk with Jill. She was so happy about this meeting ant that Jill would be her maid of Honor and especially that Anya would Carry the rings. Isa would need to think about a Proper Present for the Litle Girl. Maybe a big Plushie Animal? She would need to aks Jill, and talk with John about it.

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[Pennyfield]

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Jill couldn’t help but grin as Isa described Niki as her best and cheapest employee. The cat’s timing with that proud meow was impeccable, and Jill gave the feline a fond scratch behind the ears.

"Honestly, I could use a few Niki-types in the Academy," Jill said, amused. [b][i][color=#FFBF00]"Loyal, low-maintenance, and excellent at emotional support. What more could anyone want?"

She took the offered tea gratefully, giving it a little swirl before taking Isa’s advice. "A spoon or two of sugar, huh? That’s the kind of insider Kusarian wisdom I need more of. I trust your taste completely, Isa." She smiled, taking a careful sip. "Mmm. You’re right. Still a little bitter, but that calming note is perfect after a long day."

As the cheesecake arrived, Jill gave it an approving look. "And this," she said, slicing off a small piece with her fork, "might just be the real therapy session I needed today."

She listened attentively to Isa's heartfelt words about Anya and John, her expression softening. "Anya does adore John. She calls him 'DocDoc' sometimes, even when he's not around," she said with a laugh. "And yes—give her a gift, especially a fluffy one, and you’ll win her heart forever. A plushie would definitely do the trick. She's at that age where soft things are like instant best friends."

Jill reached over briefly, touching Isa’s hand gently. "Hearing you talk like this, about your future, about family... it just feels right, Isa. I'm happy for you. And your secret's safe with me," she added with a playful wink.

She leaned back slightly, thinking about the two venue options. "Both are beautiful choices. The Academy has heart and legacy—it would feel like a gathering of the whole MFE family. But Faith Haven… there's a certain symbolic strength in choosing that, especially given your ties and what it represents. I can see both working wonderfully. Just tell me when and where, and I’ll be there—maid of honor sash and all."

Taking another bite of the cheesecake, she sighed contentedly. "But if I get a vote, I’ll cast it over more tea and cake. I think this is how all major life decisions should be made."

Jill smiled warmly at her friend, feeling truly connected in the moment, and glad to be a part of something so special.

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[Broken Wings]

Hanada Teahouse
Location: MFE Academy
System: Omicron Theta

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Isa smiled as she heard the praise for Niki. She smiled at her little kitty while she looked at the table and had a curious look at the cheesecake. But of course, she would not get some of that, so Cheesecake wasn't a thing that a Cat should Eat. But thankfully Isa had a little bag of Cat Treats in her Purse and would now slide them over the table towards Jill. They were Approved by Niki´s Vet and the little kitty Loved them. Once she saw that Isa had pulled them out she would Stretch herself in the direction of the little Black Bag, and Sniff in the Air and get the Scent of the Cat Treats into her nose.

Isa: Give her some of these. But be careful she can get pretty wild for these Treats, so better lay it onto your hand instead of giving it to her with your Fingers. Oh and yes if I could Clone her then I would have done that already. But she is a unique and wonderful being, and I just try to enjoy the time that we have together. And to be honest she has some days where she doesn't want to work at all. But even on these days when she just lays in her cat bed, her mere Presence has a Positive Effect on the Patients.

She said and would take another bite of the Cheesecake and would make a happy sound as the wonderful Taste would hit her tongue. The Light Flavor of the Cheese and the Softness of the Cake were a wonderful combination and would put a smile on her face. All of this would send feelings of happiness through her body and give her some happy goosebumps on her arms. This time with Jill was special for Isa and she cherished it greatly. Isa considered Jill as one of her close friends and she was sure that she would give her good advice for the wedding and the things that a Maid of Honor would be Responsible for.

Isa: Oh I definitely buy her one of these Cute and Fluffy Kusarian Stuffed Animals. I think I know an Anime Character that she would most likely love to cuddle with. After all, I will be John´s Wife and therefore I should get on Anya´s Good Side as soon as possible. And I also see it the same way as you, we should decide the Location for the Wedding over Tea and Cake. And we should also keep John´s ideas into Consideration. She said and Smiled Softly at Jill But I would also need a bit of Help with Choosing my Wedding Dress. After all, John is an Old School Guy and I want to have this Wedding done Right. I mean I know it's most likely a superstition, but it shall mean bad luck when your Fiance sees the Wedding Dress before the actual Wedding. And while I usually do not believe in such things I also don't want to risk it.

Isa said and would enjoy this conversation. Usually, she and Jill would talk about Patients or Students. Usually, she would give her advice or work with Jill to improve the Student curriculum. But today she was here with her as good friends who just had some fun and talked over Tea and Cake. She smiled and would take another Sip before she would speak again.

Isa: Well I had dreams of a Family with John for a while now. But I thought my Fertility was bad, because of some information that I got from a Bad Doctor Earlier in my life. But well John and I Recently found out that I am Perfectly Fertile. We just were really lucky that we didn't have a baby by Accident yet. Well for now I am on Birth control, but after the Wedding, we want to try and start a family together. I would love for Anya and my Child to grow up together and if Anya could be a Big Sister.

She said and smiled softly as she daydreamed a bit about her future together with John and the Children. She would Remember this one dream she had while they were on the Vacation on Baden Baden. It was a Dream where she would be on the Front Porch of the House on Erie with John as they watched over a Garden full of Children and Grandchildren who enjoyed a Warm Summer Day while they had some homemade iced tea in their hands and one of Niki´s Grand Grand Children would Purr on Isabella´s Lap.

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[Pennyfield]

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Jill laughed under her breath as Niki daintily inspected the treat on her palm, sniffing once, twice—and then, with surprising grace, accepted the offering and sat with the air of a cat who had deemed everything to her liking.

“Well, I’ve officially passed the Niki test. I assume that means I’m in your will now?” she quipped, gently brushing a bit of fur off her sleeve.

The treat bag Isa had handed her was small, but its significance wasn’t lost on Jill. There was a kind of quiet affection in sharing something like that. And in this moment, with warm tea in her hands and the sweet scent of cheesecake lingering in the air, Jill allowed herself to relax. That had become a rare thing lately.

“She really is something special,” Jill said, watching Niki curl up by the edge of the table. “Therapy animal or not, there’s something about her presence that settles the room. You’re lucky to have her. And I’d say your patients are, too.”

But even as she smiled at Isa’s enthusiasm and the talk of stuffed animals and wedding planning, her thoughts drifted for a moment—uninvited—to someone else.

Javier.

She hadn’t seen him in over a year, not since the Theta Treaty Conference—a high-level diplomatic assembly where representatives of various factions met to discuss stability and protocols across Omicron Theta. It had been strictly business, and she’d only spoken to him in the context of official exchanges, all formal and professional. Yet… something about him had lingered with her afterward. His calm demeanor, the way he’d asked sharp but thoughtful questions, the quiet intensity with which he watched and listened during the talks.

She remembered catching his eye once across the chamber floor. Not flirtation—not even familiarity. Just a kind of… presence. A steadiness that stuck in her mind long after the session ended.

It was silly, she knew. They hadn’t shared words outside the agenda. But sometimes people left a mark not because of what they said, but because of how they carried themselves. She wondered now where he was—if he was still stationed in Theta or had moved on. And she wondered, too, if he even remembered her.

A flash of guilt passed through her. It wasn’t as though she was looking for something—or someone. Raising Anya alone had always been a choice. A promise she made to herself and to her daughter: that no matter what, she would build a safe, loving world for her. Alone, if need be. And truthfully, she’d done well. Anya was thriving, and Jill had never regretted the path she’d taken.

Still… the question lingered in quiet corners of her mind. Would there ever be room for someone else in that world? Could she open that door again?

She shook the thought away gently as Isa brought the conversation back to the wedding, asking about help with the dress. Jill smiled, grateful for the anchor back to something real and joyful.

“Oh, you know I’ll help with that. Wedding superstition or not, we’re going to find the perfect one. Something classic but bold—just like you. John won’t know what hit him.”

She took another bite of the cheesecake, savoring the balance of sweetness and cream, then added with a smirk:

“And this cake? Dangerous. I might start holding student reviews here just for an excuse to sneak more slices.”

When Isa spoke about children and the dream of starting a family, Jill softened again. She reached across the table and gave Isa’s hand a gentle squeeze.

“You’re going to be an amazing mother. I can see it in how you talk about your future. And if your little one ends up half as loved as Anya is, they’re going to grow up with more kindness than most people see in a lifetime.”

Her heart warmed at the thought of Anya having a sibling-like presence in her life—someone to laugh with, learn with. And even though she’d chosen to raise her daughter on her own, Jill couldn’t deny how precious it might be for Anya to have that kind of bond.

“And as for the stuffed animal? Get the biggest, fluffiest one you can find. She’ll sleep with it for a year straight.”

With that, she leaned back slightly, watching Isa's face glow with quiet joy. And in the back of her mind, the memory of a diplomatic chamber and a man with calm eyes lingered like the last note of a song you didn’t quite realize you'd been humming.

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[Broken Wings]

Hanada Teahouse
Location: MFE Academy
System: Omicron Theta

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Isa smiles as she sees the Charm that Niki would have put over Jill. The Little Kitty was a magician who made others feel relaxed and secure. Her Simple Presence alone was often enough to make a Nervous Patient Calm down and get more Relaxed in a Therapy Situation.

Isa: Oh you are now definitely adopted into her Cat Family. I am pretty sure that she has a Special Place in her heart for the people who give her Pets and Treats. And you are right she has a Special Talent to make even the Most Chaotic Room into a peaceful one. I don't know why but when people see her they just want to cuddle and pet her.

She would look at Jill and could see that something was bothering her. She had that Thinking Face and the way she looked into the room was a clear sign that her Thoughts were a Thousand Lightyears away. Isa didn't know what she would think about but she knew that she thought about a man she had once met. Isa had often wondered why Jill would Raise Anya all on her own. Sure she was a Strong and Independent Woman that had a huge heart for her little Girl. She knew that Jill did a wonderful Job by Raising Litle Anya all on her own. It was a huge effort to do all these things alone and to make her little girl Happy, but Jill mastered it all. Isa wasn't sure if she would have the Same Strength if it wasn't for John on her side. She would surely love her Children as much as Jill Loved Anya, but she was happy that she could share the loads of being a Parent with John. Especially as he had already some Experience with being a Parrent.

All Experience she had was to be the Mommy of this little furry Bundle of Joy that was Called Niki. She smiled down on the Purring Furrball that would now Sleep Relaxed on the Table. Isa didn't know why Jill was still Single, but she hoped that her friend would one day find the Same Love that Isa had found with John. If one person out there in the vast sea of Stars Deserved Love and happiness then it was Doctor Jill Xi. Isa knew how much of her heart would Flow into the Daily Operations and Teachings at the Academy to make sure that all her Students got a Good Education and a wonderful start in their Medical careers. So Isa would make a little Prayer for Jill when she would be at a Shrine in Kusari the Next time.

Isa: A Penny for your Thoughts Jill. What do you think about Anya?

She smirked and ate some more of the Cake and then had a look on her face as if a Lightbulb would go off in her head. She would look at Jill and have a sparkle in her eyes.

Isa: Do you think they also make Wedding Cakes here? I mean this Cake is Super Delicious and If they can make my Wedding cake only Half as Delicious as this one then I would be more than happy. I mean it would at least be a First Step in the Decision Process.

Isa smirks and Chuckles as she enjoys a sip of her tea and thinks about the Wedding Dress. She wasn't a Fashion Girl and had no idea where to buy a Dress. She hoped that Jill could help her with that. And if not then they would have to try and find one by a Neural Net Search. But whatever happened the Support of Jill was something that meant a lot to Isa. She was happy and the smile on her face showed that.

Isa: well from a psychological perspective I can tell you that a Student Talk would be a great benefit from an environment like this Tea House. I mean Studies have shown that Difficult Talks are easier when you hold them at Places that look less Official and are less intimidating than an Office. But yes I can Understand your worries about gaining some Extra Pounds. We have a Cafe on board the Healing Heart that makes Delicious Strawberry Cake. I have spent more than a Couple Extra Hours doing some Sports to keep my Weight. But I can tell you that this Cake was Worth Every Extra Mile of Running that I did.

She said and blushed as she heard the comment about being a good mother. She hoped that as well as she would look over at her friend.

Isa: I hope that you are right. If I just be half as good as a mother as you are then I am sure that I will make my children as happy as Anya. Oh, I hope that I will pick the right one. I mean Anya is already Cute as she is, but if you Combine that with a Cute Plushy then this would Multiply her Cuteness Factor by a Thousand.

Isa smiled as she laid back on the bench she had eaten her Slice of Cake fully and now needed a bit of Relaxing time. She loved her time with Jill but she feared that for today the meeting of them was almost over. But she was happy that she had this talk with Jill. And till they had to Part Ways she would Enjoy every second of this meeting at the Teahouse.