Part 1: Chapter 3

STAREYe had been in the shower for a good thirty minutes before Weldar heard the water shut off. A few moments later, he stepped out of the bathroom looking paler than usual, probably because of the contrast to the black face he had when he first came.

"I didn't expect you to be on time." Weldar greeted him.

"I didn't either. I got up early to test something....it kinda blew up in my face."

"So it was you. I saw it this morning after I got up. What the heck could you be doing to make an explosion that big? Wait, let me guess: you were trying to get into SV's house again, right?"

"Yep, and this time I think I got it! I used some of the most powerful explosives I've ever made. Here, let me show you." With that he reached into on of the larger pockets on his pants (which were covered with many of various sizes) and began to pull out something similar to a stick of dynamite.

"WHOA!! Wait, wait! Put that back! My house is already in ruins, I don't want it demolished!" Weldar was up in a heartbeat and ready to help STAREYe to put the explosives back up if he had to.

"Aww....you're no fun, Mr. Nofun." STAREYe complained as he repocketed the sticks.

"Speaking of SV's, where the heck are he and Rick at?" Weldar had calmed down a bit.

"Probably crying over SV's demolished wall," STAREYe laughed, "I only wish I could go inside and see my victory in their teary faces!"

"...you're scaring me...."

"And then, then I could stand in the smoldering ruins and laugh, and enjoy sweet, SWEET VICTORY!! I WILL...will...yeah, I am getting carried away. They're probably on their way to kill me right now. Too bad I'm vital to the mission and all."

"I hope they're on their way, it's getting on 10 o' clock. If we don't leave by noon we won't get to the castle in time for our meeting."

So for the next couple of hours they sat in Weldar's living room, chatting of old times. They talked of times like when STAREYe tried to tunnel into SV's house. Weldar had innumerous stories of the times his mother came to visit. It was nearing noon when:

BAM! BAM! CRACK!

And with that CRACK! came a fist through Weldar's front door. Also with that CRACK! came the surprised yelps of the two occupants of the house as they jumped out of their seats.

"Hey, I know that fist." STAREYe commented to himself as he slipped behind the couch.

"Yeah, it's probably been in your face a time or two." A shaken Weldar laughed to himself as he went to answer the door. His cheerful conversation with the light-hearted STAREYe had relaxed him, but the "knocks" at his door brought back all the nerve-racking stress that he had gone through that morning.

Weldar needn't had to answer the door; Rick let himself and SV in. Rick looked especially unpleasant, while SV had an air of worry about him.

"Sorry 'bout being late, we had a little delay on the mountainside this morning. By the way, 'av'ya seen STAREYe?" Rick questioned Weldar upon entering.

"Hello to you too. As it happens, I hav-"

"Present!" STAREYe jumped up from his hiding spot.

The worry on SV's face disappeared. "Good, we can get going! We're pushing it as is, so let's get a move on!" With that, he turned and walked out the door.

"Yeah, so I'll spare you a beating until we get some spare time." Rick turned and followed SV.

"Yeah-ha! Off to adventure!" STAREYe skipped out the door after Rick and SV, carrying a haversack.

"Cool, just let me get-," Weldar peered behind the couch, "HEY!! Where's my havvy? STAREYe!!!!!!!!!"

Weldar quickly grabbed his spare pack (which was in the cabinet by the door...just in case.) and ran out of his house after the northward-bound party, which was already halfway through an upbeat song of some time of yore when "heroes fought bravely against evils and -"

"Rick danced in a tutu for nickels!"

SV held Rick back from maiming STAREYe, who continued his parody.

"He twirled so fine and pink
and every once in a while, gave a wink.
With a huge grin and a twinkle in his eye
He'd dance and twirl and flip and fly!"