"fern," sol called, for she had misjudged and alighted somewhat away from fern.

all was silent for a stretching moment. "yes, hello," fern called back, and the rustling began to head towards sol. "sol? is that you, sol?"

"why, yes, as a matter of fact," sol returned ponderingly as fern's unruly hair popped up near her. "aqua has gone again... so it said in the scrolls."

"oh dear, yes," said fern in a state of great agitation, as if she had been suddenly reminded of a great responsibility. "i do worry so; just look at that sky, would you, sol? i wish you had not made it quite so menacing tonight."

"a good point," sol agreed.

"oh, but, dear, wouldn't the scrolls have reminded you not to paint such a dark sky tonight? it has me in such a state. i wonder how aqua will ever be able to avoid losing her way in this chaos..."

"i cannot say," sol said apologetically. "i suppose time will tell. as time does."