[color=00ff7f]"Vol-tear. Vol-tear,"[/color] Koph repeated under her breath as she quickly wiped down the table; then she wiped off the chairs and flipped them up onto the table, freeing up a little more space to move.  Voltaire had finished the dishes just as swiftly.  Koph rushed to the back room to push her nest into the corner (where Solome wouldn't run into it if he needed to come grab something) and collect her spear.  It was a good weapon, one her mother had given to her when she departed the tribe.  The entire length was made of steal, from the five-foot shaft to the eighteen inches of sharp blade.  Standing next to her, it was close to a foot taller than Koph; the reach it gave her was wondrous for the dance.

With spear in hand, Koph was ready to head out the door.  Amaterasu called to stop her before they could leave.  [color=gold]"Remember Koph-chan, Voltaire-kun.  I want you to do your best, to push yourselves and grow strong.  But more than that, I want you to be safe and come home.  Watch out for each other."[/color]

[color=00ff7f]"Yes, Amaterasu-sama.  We'll be back soon."[/color]  Koph leaned her spear against the wall, then stepped into the waiting embrace of her goddess.  She wrapped her arms around Amaterasu, returning the hug for a long, comfortable moment.  She felt warm.  The song was still, preserving a warm chord that resonated with the emotion she felt.  The goddess truly was her melody.