Frank emerged fom the Velvet Room, looking somewhat happier, and a little more determined. I sat up and looked at him curiosly. Tellka barely seemed to notice his entrance. Suddenly, her mouth dropped in shock and I looked over to see what it was.

What?

"Look at was he's holding.."

I glanced over at Frank again, and blinked in surprise.

"I didn't think that you' be that surprised to see me again!" Frank said sarcastically.

I kept my eyes on what Frank was holding. "We're glad to see you again, Frank... It's just..."

"The... the MEOW STAFF!!!!" Tellka cut me off. "Where.... did you..." She began.

Frank shrugged. "It was left behind when I created my Ultimate Persona... I thought that you could use it, Tellka." He tossed the Meow Staff to Tellka, who caught it in mid flight. She glanced down at it, exameningly slighty and looked over to me.

"Do you think..."

I nodded. Tellka twirled it lightly around and gave a few strikes with it.

"Grips okay, I suppose... And the speed is good.. but.. it doesn't feel right, not like the old one."

Just try it for a while.. It was about that time that Frank noticed Tellka's cut.

"You're hurt! What happened???" Frank asked with worry in his voice.

Tellka held the staff still and just gave him a quiet look. I figured that if I didn't answer, no one would.

"While you were gone, something must have broken the door downstairs. They tried to get up here, but Tellka stopped them." I said quietly. Frank glanced at me before looking back at Tellka.

"Let me heal you, Tellka. I think you could use it."

"I don't need it..." Her answer to Frank was just a silent stare.

"Tellka..." Frank continued.

"I don't need any help." Tellka answered dryly.

"I think you do. That cut doesn't look to good."

"Tellka..." I looked up at her. Please? Just let him heal you..

Tellka looked over at me for a moment. "I'll do it... but only for you..." She sighed and looked back at Frank. "Alright. I'll let you help me, for Kate's sack."

Frank smiled, then raised his hand. "Persona change... WINLAN!!!!" He yelled, and suddenly three images of Frank split from his body, and circled him. One settled on his body, with the other two images in tow. I couldn't help but stare when it was all over.

"That wouldn't bother me.. if there wasn't such a big deal made out of it.." I heard Tellka grumble quietly.

Frank looked at us. "What???"

"Nothing, Frank." I blinked. "It's just that we're still not used to that." I said quietly.

"Okay, Kate. Sorry if I scared you." I couldn't help but smile at that. Frank looked back at Tellka, then raised his hand and yelled. "I NEED HELP!"

Wind and magica energies kicked up around Frank, blowing throughout his jacket. Suddenly, a blue circle appeared under Frank, and he was enveloped in a column of soft, blue light. A beam of light shot out of Frank and enveloped into Nina Winlan, who hovered over his body.

"Heal!!!" Nina yelled, and I blinked as I watched Tellka become bathed in a bright light. The light faded, along with the column and the circle. Frank lowered his arm and looked at Tellka. I just shook my head for a moment.

Tellka glanced over at her arm and noticed that the cut had healed. "Interesting..."

"So... What happened while I was gone?" Frank asked.

"Something tried to get in and hurt us. Tellka stopped them though." I told Frank, while watching Tellka.

Frank looked away. "I knew I should have taken you two with me."

I looked back over at Frank. "Don't worry about it, Frank. The important thing is that we're both ok." I said quietly. I really didn't want him to worry. Frank looked back and we caught each others gaze. I sat there, quietly, just looking into his eyes, when suddenly my stomach growled. My face immediatly went red and I looked down, embarrsed. Tellka just started to laugh.

"I guess you're hungry, huh?" Frank asked.

I nodded. "I am.. actually... I don't remember the last time I ate..." I thought for a moment. Did I even have breakfast? Yes, I did, Carrie made something. Carrie... oh, I wish I knew how she was right now..

"Well... here." Frank's voice broke into my thoughts. "When my friends left me soem spell cards, they left me a few other things as well." I watched as Frank pulled out a little package and a strange cup of stuff and handed it to me. He also took out a little bottle that seemed to be full of water and gave that to me.

"What is this?" I glanced down at the little package and examined the cup of things. They looked like little sticks or something.

"It's a cheesebarger, made fresh at the Peace Diner. Those things in the box are french fries, also made fresh. Trust me. You'll like it." He handed Tellka the same thing that he had given me.

"I don't need to eat." Tellka grumbled.

"Just try it. I'm sure you'll like it." Frank handed her the bottle of water.

I unwrapped my 'cheeseburger' carefully. It still seemed to be warm. I sniffed it lightly. "Hey, this smells good..." My mouth watered. Food.. gad, I must really be hungry. I looked at it again for a moment and then took a small bit. It tasted much better then it had looked. "And it tastes even better! Tellka... go ahead and try it!" I took another bit and chewed happily.

Tellka gave me an odd look, then unwrapped her burger and took a bit. I waited for a moment and a smile spread across her face. "You're right, Katelll And these... what are they? They're good as well." She munched on a french fry.

Frank reached over and opened our water bottles and gave us each a napkin before answering. "Those are called french fries. They're made from fried potatoes." He took a bite of his burger.

Frank and Tellka began discussing their plans of what to do when we leave the room. I didn't catch to much of it because my mind was too fixed on the joy of having food at the time. When we all finished, we put our garbage in the paper bag. Frank turned to me.

"Kate... My friend Chris left a weapon that you might be able to use. Here." Frank said as he opened a little box. Tellka glanced inside and her eyes went wide.

"Those are nice... Whoever crafted them did a very good job...."

What? What are they? I looked into the box. Inside was a set of claws, crafted so that the user could wear them on there hands. I remembered what Tellka said earlier as I lightly picked one up, "Claws are a Woren's best friend." I examined it carefully. "They look nice.. I just hope I don't have to use them often..." I said quietly. Great.. another reminder that I had to become a fighter.. I hated fighting.

"I hope so too, Kate..." Frank replied. I glanced over at him and gasped.

"How much sleep have you had??? You look extremely tired!!!" I looked at him with a bit of concern. Tell me to sleep, will you? You need it more then I do.

Frank yawned. "Just that thirty minutes earlier. I get the message. I'll rest before we leave."

I nodded and hopped off the cot. Frank walked over, removed his weapons, jacket, and his shoes before lying down. I watched him a while as he fell asleep and then turned my attention back to the little claw in my hand. I slid it on to my finger, just to see how it would fit.

Gee... what a great fit... I sighed. Tellka glanced at me.

"Well.. would you rather I teach you how to use a staff?" I just shook my head and put the claw back in the box. I walked over beside the cot and sat down, waiting untill Frank woke up again.

e-mail author, talonr@hotmail.com