Ella sat next to her father while Tiffany played her music.

"Father," she asked, "You've done a lot of traveling as part of your duties. Have you ever seen anything...unusual?"

Herman looked at her quizzically. "I suppose I have, but it would depend on what you mean by 'unusual'. Is there something on your mind?"

Ella shook her head. "No, not really. I was just thinking...you used to tell us so many stories when we were younger about elves and dragons and demons. I know now that they're not true, but I can't help but wonder if some of those creatures really exist."

Herman laughed. "Oh my dear girl, I've seen some things that would be unusual by our standards. Men who pierces their bodies. Women who hide themselves from sight. But elves and dragons? No, nothing of the sort. I will admit, though, that they do make for good stories to scare yourself with when you're camping in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by trees and darkness."

"I know, it's silly. I'm not even sure why I brought it up."

"Oh what are you bothering Daddy with now, Ella?" Tiffany sat on Herman's lap. Ella sometimes had a hard time believing they were the same age.

"She wasn't bothering me at all, darling," Herman said, putting his arms around her. "Neither of you are ever a bother. But why don't you tell me what you two have been up to while I've been gone? I need to catch up while I have the chance."

"You're not leaving again soon, are you father?" Ella asked.

"Not that I know of, but you know how my work is. I go where I get told to go, and sometimes it simply can't wait."

I think the manager at my local Burger King is an eleven year old girl. Every time we go there, they don't play the usual music... they play bubblegum pop. Like, exclusively.
The last time Jon and I went in there to eat chicken fries and discuss Star Wars (for some reason, we always discuss Star Wars at Burger King) their playlist consisted of Britney Spears, Hilary Duff, Avril Lavigne, some boy bands I can't name and Hey There Delilah. Come [i]on.[/i]


In other news, I'm sick and it sucks. According to my recent doctor visit, I have a sinus infection and some sort of allergy?
Let me tell you, the stuff they put me on is horrible. I have four different meds to take currently. I've got some big, bad antibiotics, some Zyrtec, and something that comes in an inhaler.

But by far the worst of these is this disgusting cough syrup with codeine. I've taken to calling it liquid nastiness, because it is certainly one of the worst (if not THE worst) things I have had to put in my mouth and swallow. Do people really use this stuff for recreational fun? Because, uh, I can't think of a high awesome enough to be worth chugging that disgusting liquid.

Then again, I never understood drugs to begin with.

Feed them?

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"Daddy!" Tiffany cried as she ran into his arms. "You're home! What did you bring me this time?"

Herman laughed as he embraced his daughter. "It's good to see you too, dear. I'm sorry, but I was too busy to do much shopping this time. I hope this will be to your liking." He pulled a small box out of his pocket and handed it to Tiffany.

The disappointment was apparent on her face for a second as she opened the box, but she managed to hide it as she removed the necklace from the box. "Of course it is Daddy. You can never disappoint me, you know that." She quickly put on the gold-and-emerald pendant to show her approval.

"I got one for you as well, Ella." Herman handed her an identical box containing an identical necklace, this one with a sapphire instead of an emerald.

"I love it, Father," Ella said honestly as she hugged him before putting her own present around her neck. The pendant was rather simple, merely a stone held by gold filigree, but it was very much to her liking. "How was your trip?"

Herman signed then took each of the girls under one arm. "Maybe later girls. Father is tired right now from all his traveling."

Tiffany gave Ella a strange look. "Of course you are, Daddy. We should let you rest, not have you bore yourself with stories of negotiations and politics." She took Herman's hand to lead him to the sitting room. "Come, I learned a new song on the piano I want you to hear. Aren't you coming, Ella?"

Ella suppressed a sigh. "Of course I am." She hastened after them so Tiffany could serenade them with Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

[INDENT][INDENT][INDENT][COLOR="DarkOrange"][SIZE="1"][B]So I'm considering doing a user event now thanks to that announcement. Thanks you guys.

We'll see what happens as time goes by.[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR][/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT]