07-08. Reform the Rep

The day before Emad and Bebhinn were sent through the Portal, Caprice had Marvin on her mind. They were finally going steady, but Rinn Fada didn't seem to notice. Marvin still had his reputation of Exploring his Options from when he'd been running around town as Vinnie. 

Well, Caprice was tired of that. Time for "Operation: Reform the Rep" to be set in motion. She needed to let those ladies in the village know that Marvin was no longer looking for love. He'd already found it!

__________

Caprice: We've never been on a real date, Marvin. Would you go out with me?

Bunter had purposely kept his romance with Caprice away from town. He'd always been afraid of them running into one of his ex lady friends. But now that he and Caprice were going steady, maybe it was safe.

Bunter: A wonderful idea, luv! You lead and I'll follow.

That's just what Caprice wanted to hear. Because she was determined to romance the socks off Marvin! By the time she got through with him, every woman in town would know that Marvin was her man.

Caprice hugged Marvin when they first arrived at the movie house.

She kissed him while they watched a romantic movie.

And she made out with him when the Rinn Fada women tried to get his attention.

Two of those girls had the nerve to ask Marvin for a dance, but Caprice kept him focused on her.

Caprice was daring. She took Marvin on a tour of the theater and woohooed with him backstage.

Then she drove him over to the diner and flirted with him outrageously

Marvin was responding nicely too. He seemed to enjoy all her kissing.

When they went to a party later, Caprice stayed close to Marvin and made goo-goo eyes at him all night. She didn't let any other girl talk to him--not once.

When she noticed anyone looking, Caprice grabbed Marvin and started smooching.

Marvin smiled a lot that evening. Caprice wondered if he knew what she was up to. He was Perceptive that way. So she was acting a little out of character, what did she care? She was on a mission!

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Bunter did indeed know what Caprice was up to. All that Public Display of Affection! Well, he had no complaints. 

In fact, that night as he lay beside Caprice, he dreamed of proposing marriage to her. Maybe no one in town thought he was ready to settle down, but they were wrong.

__________

Caprice was disappointed that her date hadn't changed Marvin's reputation, but she was soon in for a surprise. The night of the Portal activation, little Jenna Brennan was at the Community College and saw the flower rain.

She Loved the Outdoors, just like Caprice. She also loved the magic. Jenna was a true believer.

So she could easily believe that a wayward genie could fall in love with a kind fairy. Seen through her innocent eyes, Bunter's reputation changed in an instant!

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But Bunter's Faithful reputation soon evolved because he had now been with Caprice 20 days. When Bunter called out to Bo Walsh, Bo looked up, saw Caprice with Bunter and thought, "Those two will be Eternally Faithful."

And so, Caprice's mission to reform Marvin's reputation was a resounding success!

07-07. Epilogue

After his brother had vanished from sight, Bunter felt a little low. It was just too bad Emad and he had never really seen eye to eye. They'd once been so close, but an Evil brother was not something he could overlook.

Thankfully, Bunter still had Caprice.

She even tried to lighten his spirits by bestowing the Flight of Felicity on him.

The best part of that was just getting to know more about Caprice.

She was a wonder! Just look at how strong her magic was. And they'd worked together, side by side.

Suddenly, the future seemed as bright as a shower of Reviving flowers. How's that for mushy thinking!

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Bo Walsh had inherited the entire Walsh estate. He still wasn't letting wealth go to his head though. He continued serving as a village firefighter and was taking courses at the Community College. He'd already earned a Bachelor of Technology degree. Maybe he would realize his dream of becoming an inventor after all.

The new Disciplined trait Bo had received from Lord Wimsel, in place of his old Loser trait, was being put to good use. He sparred whenever he had a chance, even won a match against Bunter, 2-1.

That earned him a new belt to show off.

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But best of all, Bo had a heart-to-heart talk with his father. Sure, his old man was a ghost now, but his dad made a pretty nice ghost ... compared to what he was like alive.

Larry: I always intended the best for you, son. Wanted you to live up to your potential, you know.
Bo: Of course, dad. I should have listened more.

Larry: Well, just remember I'm here if you have any questions about your inheritance.
Bo: Thank you, father. I want to learn all I can ... to be the Walsh I should be.

Larry: Proud of you, boy!

__________
David McDonagh had moved into the manor with his friend and roommate Bo. He was certainly making a name for himself in Rinn Fada high society, just the way he'd hoped he would when he'd left home.

Not bad for a boy raised as a low-life Irish Traveller!

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And what of the last two remaining Woeful Brethren? How was life treating them, Post-Faraz?

Fitz didn't mind his continued servile position in the lodge really. Less pressure that way.

And Eddy Ryan's wife did get her new dress, but only because Eddy sold his Collector's Edition of Alien Attack.

07-06. Fallen Genie

"Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven."
              ~Lucifer (from Paradise Lost by John Milton ... quoted by Emad Faraz)

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Bunter took Caprice to the Weather Stone and explained everything Walsh had told him. She was eager to help.

Emad, too, had some explaining to do! Bebhinn wasn't quite as eager as Caprice, but she stood by her husband.

Caprice summoned her fairy magic while Bunter did the same with his Djinn powers. She focused on the totem. Bunter concentrated on his medallion. He conjured images of his brother Emad and all he knew about him. And from Emad's heart and mind, he also found Bebhinn.

And just as the Weather Stone began to respond to Caprice's enchantments, Bunter discovered three other souls at the edge of his consciousness. The minions! Guilt by association. He pulled the three further into his power.

Emad: Hold tight, Bebby. We need to stay together!
Bebhinn: I won't let go.

Then they felt the Portal open! Space and time had been breached.

Emad: I'll make this up to you, gorgeous. I promise.
Bebhinn: Yes, Emad, you will. I'll make sure you do!

 __________

Somewhere in a realm too distant to measure, the upper heaven split and a bright light flashed through! The locals would later gossip about the mysterious golden sphere that had blazed in the sky that day.

What they hadn't seen was the ray from that fiery orb striking the totem by the community center. Nor had they seen the two strangers who suddenly appeared beside the relic!

Neither had they witnessed the three black-clad men shot from the sky screaming and scurrying for their lives!

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After a time of panic and sheer terror, the three minions found one another and even managed to locate a rebuilt lodge. They were amazed that it was unoccupied and theirs for the taking. What luck!

Emad: We made it, Bebby! Are you all right?
Bebhinn: Yes, I'm fine. Just a little lightheaded.

Bebhinn: But Emad, where are we? What kind of place is this?

 Emad: Well, let's take a look around and see what we can discover.

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Because Emad and Bebhinn (or the minions) were not ALL bad, neither was the world they found themselves in. Though the once advanced civilization had long ago been destroyed by the carelessness of its inhabitants, ruined by war and greed, the land itself had survived.

Nature had reclaimed her own. But it would be up to the current survivors and travelers to rebuild their Eden.

Lost Cove