The old tavern known as "The Nest" was surrounded by abandoned, dilapidated buildings, empty lots, and was only a few levels above what one would call a trash heap. However, Diarmiud and Muriel could hardly believe their eyes as they stared at the building now standing where The Nest should've been. It had, apparently, cannibalized the buildings behind and next to it. It now stood a story taller and almost twice as wide. There hanged a sign in front of the building, calling it "The Nest". They were in near disbelief. They heard movement and talking inside and decided they needed to know what was going on.

Inside, they saw Kit smoking his pipe while Johnny and Stitches walked around shirtless, carrying supplies. Old Kit saw them and beckoned them forward.

"Ah, aren't you a bit early?"- Kit

"Ey, don't play games with me Kit, you old lycan. What in the name of Ragnir is happening? Where did you get all this stuff and what is Johnny thinking?"- Diar

"I thought you said you didn't give 'em a pence. What's all this then."- Muriel

"I don't quite know. Actually, I'm rather certain that I know about as much as either of you at the moment. Johnny asked me if he could redecorate the place and I told him to go ahead. He then started to tear the whole place down. Hahaha, imagine my surprise. I don't really know though. Those two have been working, without sleep or rest since you left. Hm, the youthful are truly something. Stitches seems especially motivated for some reason. Haha." - Kit

More than slightly stunned, both of them simply stared at Kit without knowing what to ask or say. They only turned to see the two, now very mysterious, boys as they approached them both only wearing pants. They appeared alien in that moment. Neither appeared wholly human. Johnny's skin was perfectly white, without blemish or flaw. Stitches' skin was covered in scars that told of injuries no man or beast could ever hope to survive. Johnny had a smug smirk on his face while Stitches looked at them warmly, a pure and excited smile on his face.

"Ah, Diarmiud, it's a good thing you showed up. We were working non-stop to make the deadline but barely realized none of us have actually been to a Coming Spring or whatever, aside from the one Old Kit went to but that was so long ago, he isn't of much help at all. I can only improvise so much you know, Hahaha." - Johnny

"Johnny, what is going on and what are you up to? I trust you boy, but right now, I am in no' mood for games." - Diar

"Oh, stop that, that's no way to speak to these nice boys after all they have done. Now, Johnny dearie, what's all this now. You've always been a schemin' sort but you don't 'ave a mean bone in you. But before that, put some clothes on, you're gonna catch the death of ya'." - Muriel

"Come now, aren't we all friends here? Look at Stitches, you've no idea how excited he got when I actually explained to him what a Coming Spring was. Should've seen his little eyes light up. Let's not ruin the mood around here, so can we talk business later?"- Johnny

"Talk. . .business? What business?"- Diar

"Like I said we can talk business later, right now we need to cover a few things about this whole thing going on tomorrow because we are actually clueless about it ourselves."- Johnny

Johnny never took the smirk off his face as he talked. Stitches waited patiently for his turn to talk, a big smile on his face. Diarmiud was at a complete loss and felt he couldn't match up to the young man. He knew he truly meant no harm but he couldn't have him have him at a disadvantage. He had to take charge of the situation or else Johnny would run wild with it. Just then, Muriel stepped up to Johnny.

"Johnny, son, we can do both just fine, I assure you. Talking business and planning are things we've been doing since your parents were in diapers so it don't bother us none to do both. Also, Suturis, child, put on a sweater, it gets cold in the evenings."- Muriel

Johnny's smirk faltered.

"Well, that'll suit me fine too, why not. Stitches, also go get the things you want to talk about with Ms. Muriel as well."-Johnny

"Ey, Johnny, how many times do I got to tell you. Don't call the boy that weird name, he has one that is perfectly fine. Suturis is a good name." - Muriel

As the exchange went on and Stitches left somewhere in a hurry, Johnny was left to contend with Muriel and Diarmiud. They stared at each other until Johnny gave up his act. Deflated, Johnny began to try to spin his tale.

"So, uh, I've a perfectly reasonable explanation for all this. I swear. It stared when I got drunk and .." -Johnny

"Johnny, boy, you're babbling again." - Diar

"Johnny, stop. Tell us exactly what it is you're doin' and we'll take from there."- Muriel

"Ok, but you're not listenin', it's Stitches, he wants to go to the moon so first we have to.." - Johnny

"Johnny. Stop."- Muriel

Again, Johnny seemed at a loss. He had been so busy working nonstop that he hadn't actually prepared for this inevitable confrontation. He had never been good in communicating his crazy ideas well.

"Johnny. Who are we? I've cared for you as though you're one of my own because I count you as such. I ain't gonna bite your head off. You're doing this huge favor for me and I stand in your debt but you have to be honest here with us boy cause I can't see where you are going with all this."- Diar

"You don't have to tell us everything. We are short of time as it is. Just tell us most of it. We'll ask the important stuff for now and get everything sorted out after this mess is over. But you will tell us everything once it's over."- Muriel

"Ok, ok, well, um, where to start. Ok, so Stitches was actually secretly a very wealthy son of a famous seamstress who became soldier who fled his war torn country after it was over and accidently smuggled all of his belongings here because he didn't understand taxing laws. I am actually a runaway genius from another land as well. Are you with me so far? So, me and Stitches need a good cover to explain why we have all this stuff. We want to use your Coming Spring as a cover to explain how two vagabonds "found" all this treasure. We are gonna pretend that you and Kit were actually saving up money all this time and are gonna open up a new business with us in charge." -Johnny

"Johnny, of all the maddening things you have ever said to me, this has got to be the worst of it. You're telling me Stitches has riches big enough that he needs a cover?"- Diar

"Johnny, what is the price."- Muriel

"I, ah, what now? Price of what?"- Johnny

"The price for all this. You said it yourself, we are talking business now. This ain't a favor from the bottom of your heart any longer. What do we get in exchange for coverin' for you? It's too late now to go back but that doesn't mean we don't get to have a fair deal. So what's the price for our name and face in all this mess?"- Muriel

Johnny smiled at them as he saw Stitches coming back with more than a few manikins and accessories. As Stitches, now fully dressed, counted the things he brought with a bright smile, Johnny opened his arms wide as though he were revealing something grandiose.

"You get to have us at your disposal for the entirety of your Coming Spring. We will spare no expense in making sure that you get the greatest Coming Spring possible. I don't like the circumstances that began all this but I at least want to make sure I ain't cheating you out of a dime. Whatever you want, you get, for this little party of yours. Actually, your demands would be very useful right now because as I said previously, we have no idea what we are actually doing."- Johnny

"No, we celebrate your long marriage yes?"- Stitches

Finally, it seemed that Stitches could no longer hold his tongue as he excitedly tried making conversation with Muriel.

"Come and see what I've made for you. They are beautiful and lovely. This day is very important, yes? Married for such a long time. You are very lucky, 50 years are a lifetime. We must celebrate this joyous occasion! Come, come, your most beautiful feature, your hair. It must be focused. Your hair, most beautiful I've ever seen. I no see such thing in my country." - Stitches

"Oh stop it you. If only more boys were as polite as ya', these streets would be far nicer. This crow's nest of mine isn't such a thing to look at. I've more white than color in my hair anymore" - Muriel

"Say no more, your hair is lovely. Like warm dawn after lonesome night, your hair great. Come, these dresses my favorite for you. These greatest." - Stitches

"Oh, I can't stay mad at you, Suturis my boy. You've always been too sweet."- Muriel

Muriel and Diarmiud were both once charming and youthful but age had taken a toll on them. Running a shop where they lived and the general problems of the city would eventually wheedle down even the most resilient of spirits. Muriel's vibrant, orange hair had considerably dimmed but a few bright rays remained. She and Stitches happily talked over the clothes and shiny things he had brought over. Stitches even brought clothes for Johnny to wear.

"You are teaching him too well. Honeyed words can land him in trouble with some lads if he ain't careful. Not that I think anyone is foolish enough to pick a fight with him. Women might even be a bigger worry than the men actually."- Diar

"Actually, old friend, I haven't been teaching anything like that. That's all him. Mind you, I don't think he does it on purpose. I don't think he understands the way he says things sometimes. So what do you say? We promise to give you a day to remember guarantied. Do we have a deal?"- Johnny

"A day to remember? One day? You really have no idea how these things work? The Coming Spring lasts between 3 to 5 days and involves a ton of ceremonies and other things. You really have no idea what you're getting into, do ya."- Diar

" 3 to 5 days? Ceremonies? Do we need a priest?"- Johnny

"Ah, Johnny, if you were any smarter I might've started to suspect ya' cheating me but it seems some things don't really change."-Diar

"You trusted me and Stitches to prepare something that would span several days and then just left without telling us anything? Are you mad?"- Johnny

"You're both idiots. The only good one among ya' is that sweet roll, Suturis. He went somewhere to get me some shoes he wanted to show me, so now we can get back to business."- Muriel

"That boy seems rather excited about this whole thing. Did you explain it properly? Can't help but feel like he might be misunderstanding something or other" - Diar

"No. He understands perfectly. He is just very happy for you and that he is part of this."- Johnny

"That can't be all. Doesn't seem right"- Diar

"He is a widow, you know. Don't really know how he lost his wife. Doesn't really talk about himself, or anything for that matter. Might've lost her to the war. Don't know."- Johnny

"Oh."- Diar

"Oh that poor boy. Been through too much for someone his age. See, I told ya'. He is the only decent man amongs ya'. Now, you said no expense will be spared?" - Muriel

"Yes, nothing spared." -Johnny

"Well the, Old Kit, stop pretending this don't concern you and get over here. We are gonna fix this mess right. No time for yellers or proprieties or talking to the elders but we can solve this if we just throw enough money and false prestige at it." - Muriel

"Yellers? Talking with elders? What does that have to do with a party?"- Johnny

"Johnny, just hush up and listen." - Muriel