The More Things Change...

For a deviant who was mentioned here:


A Lumix shot from Monday night at the castle Grotto. Ariel recognized me, and because she was the first character who I was revealing my rejoining the team to, when she asked me why I was back, I began, "Long story..."

Me Do you wanna know why really I'm back over here?
Ariel Wait, why? Is it to find more dinglehoppers?
Me A little more important than that.
Ariel More important than dinglehoppers? What is it?
Me All right. (Pauses) I've been called in because I've got another on boarding appointment this Thursday. I'll be rejoining the team later this month.
Ariel (Gasps) You will? Oh, my gosh, are you excited?
Me Very. But I also know this is where the hard work starts.
Ariel Yeah, it is, definitely!
Me I know you guys are entrusting me to do a heck of a lot.
Ariel I'm sure you're able to do that.
Me One, you're expecting me to do a heck of a lot, and you're expecting me to give everything I've got each time...
Ariel I'm sure you will, though. I think you've got what it takes.
Me That's what I want to prove, but I definitely want you guys' help to help me prove that once again even though I'm a little older now.

Ariel assured me that they'd help again and also said she liked how I had been reminding my family (and others) that, as we'd been taught, it was about the "young and the young at heart". Then Ariel brought up how she'd like to make Sebastian young at heart.

Me We'll find a way to do that.
Ariel Maybe if I'm on time for my music lessons, he'd be okay with it, right?
Me That's certainly one way to start.
Ariel One way to start - on time for music lessons. Is three hours late okay?
Me No.
Ariel Three hours, no?
Me I can't claim to be perfectly punctual either, but I think that's a bit much, even by my standards.
Ariel A bit much? Well, you'll have to help me, okay? Maybe you could help me be on time for my music lessons?
Me How about we help each other? 'Cause I know I could use help with that too.
Ariel Oh, thank you. We'll help each other.

I was grateful that even though I was older and even though a few things had changed, one thing hadn't - Ariel and the others were more than willing to help and we were also willing to help each other. As we parted and hugged for a second time, I spilled my guts and told Ariel, "I missed you." She replied, "I missed you too! I'm so happy you got to visit."

We also spent a bit of time, because this was the Grotto, talking about Mika (FuriePhoenix). Ariel liked reminiscing about the time we'd visited her together (The Princess, the Sister and the Pupil) and said she hoped she could visit again soon.