"I don't think we should be here, Tir," Ted told his best friend uncomfortably. "Cleo might catch us."

"You worry too much," Tir replied breezily, not even sparing his friend a glance as he raided through the books Cleo kept. "She just likes to keep us away from her things and I'd like to know why. Besides, she's not even home and Gremio's at the back, hanging clothes, and Pahn's out with Father. We'll be safe." He turned to his friend and snapped, "Well? What are you waiting for? LOOK!"

Ted grinned, finally reassured, and helped his friend. His eyes alighted at the bed, frowning slightly at the odd angle of the pillow. He neared it and slipped his hand beneath...aha! A book! He snatched it out and grinned wickedly. Not just any book...a diary! Cleo's diary. He opened it and his eyes fell into something. He scanned it for a while before singing out, "Hey, Tir, listen to this!"

Tir blinked and turned to him. "Huh?"

Ted began to recite:

My dearest, darling Cleo:

Your lips are as rubied as cherries
Your kisses as sweet as berries
Your skin as tan as golden bread
Your blushes are beautiful and red

Tir's eyes widened and he began to tackle his friend. "Gimme that!"

"There's more!" Ted laughed as he struggled to keep the paper away from the equally laughing Tir while continuing to read the sloppy handwriting.

I melt like butter under the sun
I know you are the one (Here, Ted had to elbow his hysterically rolling friend)
With you I'd like to dine
Please, Cleo, be mine!

Awaiting your answer as breathlessly as I await Gremio's stew,
Pahn.

By the time they finished reading it, Tir was no longer fighting for the letter. He was rolling on the floor, clutching his stomach, wheezing in laughter. Ted could barely keep standing, laughing loudly along with his friend.

"Oh, oh, that's RICH!" Tir howled. "Comparing Cleo to...to FOOD!"

"There's more!" Ted went on, trying to straighten himself beside his friend to grab the diary. "There're a lot more letters here--"

"WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!" a voice boomed from the hallway.

The two froze and looked up to the doorway where a seriously angered Cleo loomed like a rain cloud. Ted and Tir gulped. "Uh-oh," Tir muttered, grabbing his friend's arm, "time to run!" He pulled his friend up and dashed out of the room, Ted looking equally frightened in tow.

Cleo glared at the two running figures and shook her head. "What on earth have they been doing in my--" Her eyes fell on her open diary and scattered letters. "TED! BOCCHAN!"

~ * ~

 "So who kicked you out this time?" Marie looked at them sternly. "Master McDohl? Gremio?"

"Cleo," the two replied in unison, exchanging a small, secretive smile at the innkeeper's surprised look.

"'Rubied' isn't even a word," Tir whispered to Ted.

Ted only giggled in reply.