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The Never Ending Quest - Episode 118162

Though she felt no happier about her situation, she perhaps felt a little more... at peace? If nothing else, she was resigned. She thought, though not in so many words, that perhaps it was better than having false hope.

As she walked down the dirt path, she tried to remind herself of the good in her life. Ginnie was generous and kind, Tandrus was a better partner than she could reasonably expect in this kind of situation, and she got to be human. She had a purpose, even if she didn't quite understand what it was.

She was terribly hungry by the time she returned to the place they had been staying for four days. Tandrus rushed out at once and grabbed her, holding her tight, which somewhat surprised her, but there was undeniable relief in his voice as he said, "Where did you go? I was so confused and worried. Already thinking what I was possibly going to tell Ginnie... Oh, please don't leave again." She pulled away and nodded, and he sagged in further relief. "Good. Come inside with me, you must be hungry."

She sat with only her bathrobe drawn tight around her thin shoulders while he got a nice brunch out for her, talking all the while: "You know, I've been thinking I almost prefer being a toad at this point. In that part of your mind you can't help, you know? It's so much easier, so much simpler. I don't need to be human. I don't need much of anything. It's... well, never mind what I used to want for my life. I really shouldn't complain; it's nice not to want for anything. What do you think?" Lila gave a barely perceptible shrug. "Yeah. I don't know if I'd say I'm happy, but also, heck, I might be, because I'm not sure I can recognize happiness anymore. I... I've really enjoyed these last few days with you. But I also won't be sad to go back to life as usual in Ginnie's tower."

Lila listened. They ate together. They got on with another day of relaxing, taking walks, and just spending time in each other's company.

  1. The following day, the dragon set the countryside alight.
  2. The following day, they had a visitor.
  3. At the end of the week, they suddenly appeared back at Ginnie's.
  4. At the one-week mark, they both turned back into toads—but they were still at the lakehouse.
  5. The one-week mark came and went. They both remained where, and what, they were.

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5/18/2021 1:54:36 AM

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