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In the evening a few days later, we find a basketball game wrapping up in the outdoor court. When we look closer, we see that Water Princess and Earth Prince are on one team, his sister and brother-in-law on the other. The other three players on each team are men, and the play has been intense. All ten are sweating profusely.
"How many baskets have we traded with no one getting two ahead?" one of the men asks, breathing heavily as he recovers the ball after a hard fought basket.
"Twenty."
"I think we call it a draw."
In the chorus of Ayes, there is only one Nay.
Earth Prince chuckles. "Dywysoges, I think the rest of us're done."
Water Princess laughs. "Sorry, just being contrary. I'm beat, too."
Now there is a chorus of laughter.
"Mogue, why is it you and, uhm, Ceri's brother are so lucky?"
Earth Prince's brother-in-law, Morris, raises an eyebrow and mugs. "Luck has nothing to do with it."
There are scattered chuckles and complaints, and Ceridwen gives Morris an eye and an "Oh, really?", but Water Princess looks a little embarrassed.
"Hey, Ceri's Brother! Trying to remember not to use your real name cost us at least four points."
Earth Prince laughs.
Water Princess ducks her head. "Sorry, guys. But thanks for putting up with me."
"No, no!"
"Our pleasure."
"Glad to play a little hoop with ya, Ffynhonnau Dŵr."
"And calling Ceri's brother 'Daear' is something we don't get to do every day, too."
Earth Prince smirks at his best mate, grabs the ball, and plants it in his gut.
"Oof."
More laughter as the two young men chase each other around the court.
Quickly, the game of tag ends, and friends take their leave. Water Princess leaves with Ceridwen and Morris, but three good mates remain on the court, tossing the ball around and talking.
"This new princess of yours is a real beaut, but, I tell you -- Beryl is not taking this well." Hefin tosses the ball to Earth Prince.
"She is not my new princess, and Beryl and I are not going steady or anything." Earth Prince passes it to Dai.
"You're over-reacting, Hefin." Dai passes the ball to Hefin again.
"I thought you'd be on my side, Dai." Hefin holds the ball.
"Hef, can't you see that the way is clear for you?" Earth Prince signals for the ball.
"That's not what this is all about." Hefin one-hands the ball against the ground, and it bounces away as he shakes his fist at Earth Prince.
Dai chases it down.
"It is. Beryl and I have talked this to death. Before we left on our missions. Letters while we were out. Four times since I got back we've been through it. We're mates. Best mates. We like each other -- a lot. But we both know it would not be right."
"Hefin, if you aren't going to step up, I will." Dai passes the ball back to Hefin.
Earth Prince chuckles. "Dai, your true feelings come out."
Dai smirks.
"This is not a laughing matter." Hefin heaves the ball hard at Earth Prince.
He takes it in the chest with a grunt and passes it on to Dai. "Ask Beryl."
"I couldn't."
Dai holds the ball. "Hefin, I tell you, if you aren't willing to make Beryl happy, I'm not going to just stand by." And he passes the ball back to Earth Prince.
"I think the three of you need to talk this out. I've got some homework." Earth Prince holds the ball.
"You're not ditchin' us."
"Okay." He puts it down and dribbles. "You guys are still mad at me for going to the Hyde for school."
"No. We're settled on that. You're going pro in the States and then you're comin' back to coach our kids. But you should be taking Beryl with you."
"Maybe we should all four talk. Dai?"
"I'm in."
"Let's go, Hef."
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