Summer, age 8.

I'm sitting in Alfred's workshop.

It's a bit lonely today.

Alfred is pulling Emelia around outside, same as yesterday, same as the day before. And the day before that.

So I'm left here tending the shop, minding my own business.

I do practice paying attention while imprinting, but it's slow progress. Takes a lot of concentration.

Not a lot of customers, but that's not unusual. Alfred mostly sells things in bulks, or on order. Still, there's no reason to reject people who just need their basic stuff replaced.

I've even convinced a few people to switch to the crystal designs that I made. Not that I told them that. They think it's Alfred's invention, which is fine by me.

I don't really need more attention. The odd glare or under-the-breath-comment is really enough.

``Are you still doing that?'' [Tony]

``Hmm? Oh Tony, weren't you playing with James today?'' [Nathan]

``Yeah, we're just picking up a sword, then we're gonna go to the forest again.'' [Tony]

By ``sword'' he means that stick that Alfred made for him..

``So you're fencing?'' [Nathan]

``Yeah! You should join us! Isn't your mom teaching you fighting and stuff?'' [Tony]

She is, but she also told me not to fight with people for fun.

``A bit, but I'm really no good. And I promised Alfred that I wouldn't leave the shop.'' [Nathan]

``Too bad, see ya! Come on James, we're racing to the hill!'' [Tony]

He says, running out of the room with the glorified stick in his hand.

Back to work I guess.

``Nathan! Did you see the big crystal tree outside the village?!'' [Emelia]

She exclaims as the door opens with a bang.

She's gotten quite energetic since she got that wheelchair. Alfred seems a lot happier too.

``Yeah I saw it. It's one of my favorite places. The others think it's dull though.'' [Nathan]

``How can they think it's dull, it's marvelous!'' [Emelia]

``Was there any customers while I was away Nathan?'' [Alfred]

``Only Miss Skyhide, she wanted to replace a heater crystal. She couldn't find one she liked, so she might come by again later.'' [Nathan]

Although I doubt she actually needed a heater crystal..

``Oh, well I'm sure we'll find one she likes if she comes back later.'' [Alfred]

And even if he still hasn't figured out that she isn't clumsy enough to ruin a crystal once a week, he doesn't seem to mind that she comes by so much. Saves him from going down to the well to see if she's around.

``I can push Emelia around the village if you need a break.'' [Nathan]

``Hmm.. Well if you need a break, then maybe that's a good idea.'' [Alfred]

``Alright. Come on Emelia, we'll start with going down to the pier.'' [Nathan]

I wheeled Emelia down to the center of town, by the pier, and rolled her out onto the pier.

"I never liked the smell of the sea.." [Emelia]

She said after taking a deep breath.

"Really? I love it. The salty smell when you see a sunrise, especially combined with the smell of grass is one of my favorites." [Nathan]

"But I don't like the salty smell. Sometimes I can smell it from my room." [Emelia]

"I smell it every day when I go to be and when I get up. That's the best part of living on an island." [Nathan]

"You're weird sometimes Nathan." [Emelia]

She says with a giggle.

"Probably." [Nathan]

"So when did you see the sunrise?" [Emelia]

"I do it all the time. Dad often needs to go out early in the morning, and I asked him to wake me up and take me with him when he had to get up before dawn. He sometimes takes me here when he does." [Nathan]

"Isn't it hard to get up that early?" [Emelia]

"You get used to it." [Nathan]

"But is it really worth it just to see the sun?" [Emelia]

She looks at me with a slightly puzzled face.

"Yeah. Makes you feel alive." [Nathan]

Beats waking up to stare into my computer for hours on end. I miss my PC and my games, but I don't miss waking up and playing all day because I had nothing else to do.

"I never saw it." [Emelia]

"I can take you if you want." [Nathan]

"But I don't really want to get up that early." [Emelia]

"Then how about the sunset? I know a good spot." [Nathan]

"Really? Would you?" [Emelia]

She looked at me.

Like a small light was lit in her eyes.

Her smile is phenomenal, but she's captivating when she's looking at you like this.. I couldn't have said no if I wanted to.

"Sure. Your father has done a lot for me, and you're a friend." [Nathan]

"When can we go?" [Emelia]

"I'd love to say today, but it's a bit far away, and I your wheelchair can't make it all the way. I'll make some preparations and let you know when I'm done." [Nathan]

"Thank you Nathan, I'm really looking forward to it!" [Emelia]

She's squirming in her chair, so cute.

We sit at the pier for a bit longer before I roll her to the crystal tree. She saw it earlier, but she's still like a child looking at a Christmas tree stuffed with presents when she looks at it.

As we return to the shop, we see miss Skyhide exit with a small basket under her arm, probably containing a brand new heater crystal, and a smile on her face.

"We're back." [Nathan]

"Oh good, Nathan can you take Emelia to her room? I need to run an errant." [Alfred]

"Sure." [Nathan]

I roll Emelia to her room and says my farewells. It's getting late and dad might be waiting for me on the pier.

"See you later Emelia, I'll let you know when I'm ready to take you alright?" [Nathan]

"Okay, see you." [Emelia]

She looks very excited. It's good to see her less depressed.

As I walk through the hallway, I happen to look through Sarah's half open door. She's walking around in her room a bit frantically.

"Hey Sarah, is something wrong?" [Nathan]

She stops with a jerk. Seemingly, she was deep in thought and I interrupted her.

"Wha-what?" [Sarah]

"Is something wrong?" [Nathan]

It's like I'm looking at someone else. She's usually very assertive in a somewhat calm manner, but now she's standing there with her shoulders lumped and twitching uneasily like she's a scared critter.

"N-no, I'm just looking for something. It's nothing." [Sarah]

"Are you sure? I can keep my father waiting if you need my help." [Nathan]

"I'ts fine, I don't need your help." [Sarah]

"Alright, but let me know if you change your mind. I'm coming again tomorrow, so just pull me aside if you need me okay?" [Nathan]

She nods quietly before I leave.