Antony shrugged. "Probably take a bath or else dad will yell at me." He giggled. "Uhm. So I'll be right back and all."

Lyra nodded and smiled a bit at him. She wandered up to her drawing room to spend the time while she waited for them.

Nickoladze came down an hour later, dressed and ready to go. Antony's hair was wet, but he was jumping off walls. He really wanted to go outside. "Can we go to the park!? Please?!"

Lyra walked down when it was time and smiled at them. "I think that would be nice,' she said, walking up to them.

Nickoladze smiled. "I'd love to see how it was cleaned up." He said lightly. He walked out the door with his family and into the streets. Theyre were busy! People were excited. They were laughing and bright. None of them were struggling or starving anymore.

Lyra smiled and walked with them, smiling to some of the people she knew. She slipped her hand into Nickoladze's as they walked.

Antony rushed ahead and into the park. Nickoladze laughed and walked with Lyra's hand in his. "We'll go shopping later." He said. They were getting pleasent looks-if not confused ones.

Lyra nodded a bit. "Sounds good," she said quietly. She watched Antony for a moment. "He looks happy..."

Nickoladze smiled. "Yeah." He said softly. "It's great to see." He looked over and smiled a little at Lyra, before putting his arm around her shoulder.

Antony rushed off into the clean park and to the pond. He got on his knees and leaned over to look in the pond.

Lyra smiled, slowly walking along the park's path with him.

A little girl slowly walked around the pond, but she spotted Antony and walked over a bit faster. "Hi!" she said quietly.

Antony stood up and grinned. "Hi!" He said lightly. "My name's Antony." He said holding out a hand.

She slowly reached out and took his hand. "Ally," she said quietly. Her hair was long and thin, a little wavy too, a deep brown in color. Her clothes were a little mis-matched and baggy on her.

Antony smiled. "Hi Ally. Uhm. You're really pretty. Do you want to play?" He asked softly, smiling sweetly.

Ally smiled and nodded. "Yes please," she said quietly. She stood still for a moment, as if waiting for him to tell her what to play.

Antony twisted his mouth in thought. "We could play hide and seek. Or tag. Or knights and thieves." He said lightly. "How about! You're a princess and I have to rescue you from a dragon!"