Slide 2:As President Sally Sullivan of Landgraab Industries promised, several new free clinics were established in order to distribute the vaccine for what is now called the "Bluewater Plague." Also promised were free DNA tests to prove relation to the famed Commander Doran, and fifty-thousand simoleans to go with it if the tests proved positive. And that was precisely why Charlie had escorted the 10 sons of Amber and Gethin Doran to Sim City one Spring afternoon.


Slide 3:Charlie, wearing his Sunday best, approached the front desk and cleared his throat. Nurse Brian looked up from his computer screen lazily with a mumbled "Can I help you?“ though it was clear he didn’t want to do anything of the sort. The Bigfoot gestured to the young man next to him, and said young man spoke. "Erm, yes, hi. My name is Adam Doran and my brothers and I are here for the free DNA test...?“ The nurse chuckled to himself. Doran my ass, he thought. Geez, what a boneheaded move this was. With that much money on the line everybody in the country wants to be related to the Commander. "Sure, kid. Fill out these forms and someone will be with you all in a minute.“


Slide 4:Or twelve. Or thirty. The boys waited and waited, but nobody came to call their names. Ed entertained himself by trying to jump between his brothers on the sofa, but when he landed in Liam's crotch that one time causing an almost-all-out brawl, Charlie made him stop.


Slide 5:Ein grabbed a book, and Adam found himself seated next to a woman he was pretty sure he didn't know. "What are you in for?" he asked conversationally. "Oh, Commander Doran was my, er...uncle. I mean my cousin. Yeah, my cousin.“ "Really? I didn't know he had any.“ "Well you know, distant...distant cousin.“ Adam was pretty sure this lady was full of crap. From across the waiting room, Charlie yelled at Ed to stop jumping on the couches again. "But Charlie-clomp clomp, Edward swears he won't smash Liam-sibling's d—” He stopped at the look the Bigfoot gave him and climbed down. "Fiiiiine..."


Slide 6:Dr. Wei stepped into the room and called out, "Adam Doran. Brendon Doran. Ein Doran. Logan Doran. If you would follow me…?“ Ein jumped up and nodded. Logan followed suit and said, "Yeah, that's me. Come on, guys."


Slide 7:Far away in the North Forest, a red-haired elf yawned dramatically. "How much longer is this going to take? The Elders aren't going to be happy if we can't do this."


Slide 8:His companion Saoirse was a Seer, and she didn't take kindly to being rushed. She turned on the male elf. "This is not an exact science, Iaon! I can't just turn on a switch and POOF, half-breeds!“ "Touchy, touchy...“ "Shush, now let me think."


Slide 9:The beautiful elf placed her fingertips to her head and hummed quietly. For a few moments, her humming was the only sound in the room. And then Iaon snorted. "Alright, come on. Stop hamming it up.“ "Hush! I think I see something!"


Slide 10:Saoirse gestured to the large basin in front of her, and gazed into it intently. It was blurry for a moment, and then she saw flickers. Flickers only, and then...the picture became much clearer... The room was filled with faint voices from a long distance away…


Slide 11:“Right, so…Ein is it?“ Ein nodded. "Is that short for Einstein or something?“ Ein shrugged. "...Ok, well, make a fist as tight as you can, Ein. And roll up your sleeve, please.“ Ein obliged.


Slide 12:In Saoirse's magical basin, the scene switched. Now there was an elderly man speaking to the doctor and nurse... "That's right, Director. All ten were matches,” Dr. Wei said. "All ten indeed..." the old man mumbled, his shoulders drooping. "How would you like to proceed, sir?“


Slide 13:"We hand them the money, of course!" Director Austen shouted happily. "Sir? Oh. Yes, of course, but you didn't seem so excited just now...“ Nurse Brian was a little confused, but what did he care? It was almost his lunch break, thank Plumbob. "It's just those poor boys must have been through so much….but huzzah, we have matches after all this time!"


Slide 14:Her eyes were a million miles away, but still the Seer muttered, "I've found them."


Slide 15:“Excellent.”


Slide 16:Director Austen met the boys in the lobby. "On behalf of Landgraab Industries, I hereby award you with fifty thousand simoleans each, as well as the Orphaned Sims Assistance Fund which shall provide you with an additional fifteen hundred simoleans should you choose to attend university. I also must say that I am deeply sorry for your loss. Commander Doran, your grandfather, was a great man."


Slide 17:The old man handed each of the boys a certificate and a check, and then moved to Charlie, shaking his hand. "Thank you for bringing the young men in, sir," he said. "I am happy they have finally gotten what they deserve."


Slide 18:"No, they haven't," Iaon said menacingly as Saoirse let out a small growl. “Not yet, anyway.”


Slide 19:The boys made varying noises of shock and surprise at the sudden appearance of two very intimidating elves. "Hey!“ "What, but when—?” "Where did they come from?“ "Not-friends have pointy ears like siblings!“ "Shut up, Ed!"


Slide 20:The old man slapped his knee and laughed. "Hoo-hah, that was entertaining! But how did you do it, did Brian help you out? That boy is always full of tricks. This one time at the company picnic he—” “Silence, Human. We have come to capture the half-breeds and we will not hesitate to kill you if you get in our way.“ Director Austen's smile turned into a panicked grimace immediately.


Slide 21:Charlie turned to the boys and spoke quickly, though not without his perfect articulation. “Young gentlemen, we were all aware of this possibility when we set out on our venture, and so now the time has come for us to go our separate ways. Always remember that your parents and I loved you very much. Farewell.”


Slide 22:Much to the elves' surprise, Charlie and the Dorans disappeared in a cloud of purple smoke. For a minute, they were too dumbstruck to do anything but gape.


Slide 23:Director Austen took the opportunity to berate them. "I want you out! Out, I say! This is a clean facility, I don't want any of your crackpot schemes in my clinic! What do you think I'm running here, a circus?! Out!“ Iaon and Saoirse obliged, disappearing in a much less impressive cloud of smoke.


Slide 24:Ein shot up in bed, screaming. He quickly put a stop to that, there were important things to be done. For one, where was he? Oh, the dorms. He rubbed his eyes, still sort of trying to get his bearings. What the hell kind of a dream was that?


Slide 25:Ed burst into the room then, a look of worry on his usually happy face. "Ein-twin, are you OK? Edward heard you yelly-welling...?"


Slide 26:Ein smiled and shrugged as his twin plopped down on the bed with him. "Did you have another of the elfy-dreams?“ Ein sighed, and nodded. "Edward thought so. The elfy-dreams are weird, I wonder if other siblings get them like Ed and Ein do.“ Ein looked at the mattress.


Slide 27:"Ed misses other siblings too, Ein-twin, but they are safey-wafe. Charlie-clomp clomp promised, ‘member?“ Ein smiled, nodding again. "Do not worry, brother, Edward will take care of everything. Just be the nerdy-poo that you are and acey-wace your classes, then we will be outta here!"


Slide 28:Ein laughed at his brother. Sure, the out-of-body-ish dreams about elves and that day he split with the others were pretty freaky, but they were safe for now. They had to be.


Slide 29:Back in the North Forest, Iaon growled in frustration. “What do you mean you cannot see them?! Can’t you get a signal or something?” “Signal! What do you think I am, a cell phone?” “You’re not much better…” “Take that back, Iaon. Now.” “Hn…” “Look, there is only one solution to this.” “What’s that?”


Slide 30:“We merely need to find another solution,” the Seer said simply. “Oh yes, that’s brilliant, Saoirse. ‘The solution is another solution!’ Damn, why did I never think of that?” “You will not be laughing when the ‘cell phone’ figures all this out.”


Slide 31:“GRAAAAAAAAAAUGH!” Nervous felt the current flow through him with more force than the Beakers normally used. Was Circe PMSing or something? “AHHH!” He screamed for the millionth time that day.


Slide 32:Finally the pain stopped, and Nervous twitched in relief. “That’s enough for today, I think, Subject,” Loki Beaker said with a smirk. Circe pulled back the lever to turn off the machine. Again, Nervous felt a wave of relief and showed it with a quick convulsion in his arms. His relief ended quickly when the man in the white coat continued, “Well, enough with the Energizer, anyway. Move to the Detector, please, Subject.” A groan was all Nervous managed as he stepped out of the water.


Slide 33:A few minutes later and Nervous Subject could be heard making “ZZZZT” noises as the Detector went through its routine tests. The blonde nodded in approval as he watched the machine and its inhabitant. “Oh, Loki, I almost forgot!” Circe exclaimed. “Forgot what, dear heart?” The scientist did not look away from Nervous. “I got promoted today, isn’t that wonderful?” “Oh, indeed.”


Slide 34:“Yes! Do you remember all that crap that went down in Bluewater, you know, about the disease? Well the Chief Researcher, you know, the woman who created the vaccine, was asked to resign or something like that, stupid woman, and so now the SAMRIID—” “The whosit?” Nervous asked in between shocks. “The Simland Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases,” Circe said quickly. Nervous snorted. “I guess I see why they shortened it.” “Shut it, Subject. Anyway, Loki, the SAMRIID needs a new Chief Researcher…and guess who they chose…?” She looked at her husband expectantly, but he said nothing. She sighed, and continued. “Me! I’m the new Chief Researcher, aren’t you proud?” “I really ought to replace the circuit in this blasted metal hand…it keeps grabbing randomly…”


Slide 35:“Loki! Are you even listening to me?” Circe shouted. “No, not really. Get ready for another round, Subject.” “Hey, no way, MISTER BEAKER. You’re going to be happy for me and you’re going to do it now. No torturing Nervous until I’m satisfied, am I understood?” “But—” “Am I?!” “…Yeah.”


Slide 36:Erin plunked the tray of take-out on her brother’s coffee table. “Loki! Hey, its me!” No response. She tried again, “Oh big brooooother, it is your lovely sister to come see you! Loki?” Again, nothing. Erin grumbled, and went with a different approach. “Look, I saw your car in the driveway when I pulled up, so I know you’re here! Loki! I brought Chinese!” She pouted, getting no response once again. She looked at the food longingly, and then went down the hall to the laboratory.


Slide 37:The scientist turned away from his angry wife to see his sister barge through his laboratory door. “There you are! Didn’t you hear me calling you?” Loki sighed. “Yes, but as you can see I am very busy here, so if you would be so kind as to return at a more convenient—” “Hey! Not a chance, I’m already here. Geez. Leave Nervous alone for a little while, hmm?”


Slide 38:Nervous wasted no time. He jumped up from the machine and bolted for the door. “Thanks, Erin!” he said as he went past. “Yeah, no problem. Food’s in the living room,” the girl said over her shoulder. Looking back at her brother, she gave him her best please-I’m-your-cute-little-sister face. “Come on, Loki! Please?”


Slide 39:“Hmph. Do not think you shall win me with your innocence, Sister, for I…I am LOKI BEAKER, mad scien—” He was stopped mid-villain monologue by Erin’s cocked eyebrow. “What?” "Stop being so creepy, Loki, it's...creepy. Now come on, the Movie Awards are on!“ "Why would I care about that drabble?“ Loki asked, waving his hand disdainfully.


Slide 40:Erin smirked. “I brought wontons.”


Slide 41:He sighed in defeat. “Dammit, foiled again. So crispy and delicious…mmm…”


Slide 42:“You know, this is dreadfully bad for my status as a respectable villain.” “…Right. How do you eat with that claw thing?”


Slide 43:College wasn't all that interesting during Ed and Ein's freshman and sophomore years. Ein, being a Fortune sim, spent a lot of his time in the cafeteria shelling out pancakes. Er...crispy pancakes. As any good chef knows, there is no such thing as burnt. There is only “blackened.”


Slide 44:Ed spent most of his time, well...being Ed. For instance, he very much enjoyed splashing in the ever-present puddles. (In a desert? One would think they'd be soaked up immediately, no?)


Slide 45:He also spent a lot of time at his trusty telescope looking for… "Aliens! Here aliens, aliens, aliens! Come out to play-e-ay! Edward doesn't bitey!"


Slide 46:When the daylight came and it was too bright to look for aliens, and when the puddles had dried up, Ed spent his free time pummeling his friends with water balloons. Speaking of which…


Slide 47:Ed had a lot of friends; he made Big Man on Campus within a few days of arriving. Most of them were female, Elizabeth, Maddie, Erin, Jane…and a whole lot more.


Slide 48:Edward did have a few male friends, of course, but most of the time there seemed to be a problem with him offending the other man's ego. How he did this is unknown, since the author is fairly sure Ed doesn't know what an ego is. "Nery-wery! Wowow, yours is almost as long, long, long as Edward's! Woo! Hey, let's get a tape-ity-measure and find out, okie dokie? Ooh! Can Ed feel it?“ "The hell...? Perv.“ "Oook, so Nery-wery does not like his pointy-mohawk hair touched."


Slide 49:The men Ed didn't unwittingly offend, however, wanted a bit more than friendship. "Hey, Ed! Just about to hit the showers, care to join me?“ Ein snickered. Ed smiled, pretending not to hear Alvin and his proposition. "Um...Ein-twin, whadya think about a watery balloon fight? Outside.”


Slide 50:And so, with all of Ed's friends, there was a lot of this: "Hidey-hi, Edward speaking!"


Slide 51:Ein did answer the phone a few times just because his twin wasn't around, but for various reasons he didn’t do that for long. "Hello? Is anyone on the line? I'm trying to reach Edward Doran...? Hello?" "..." "Ein, is that you?" "...“ "Thought so, hey...can you put Ed on?“ Ein nodded and went to fetch Edward from the pinball machine.


Slide 52:"Your burn-ied the panacakes again, Ein-twin!“ Ein grimaced. "Edward promises to call them Cajun panacakes if Ein-twin lets him have a party.“ "...“ "Oh, pleeeeease!? With a pickle on top?“ Ein snorted, shaking his head. “How about a bunny-carrot on top? A tomato-tomahto-potato-potahto?” Ein just laughed, and finally nodded much to Ed’s delight. “Yay yay yay, partay!”


Slide 53:The first guest to arrive that afternoon was an interesting woman named Chloe. Or at least Ed thought she was interesting, even if she wasn't very polite to him. "Eeee, you're an alien! Alien, alien! So whatsit like living in a flying saucer? How did you get alllll the way down here? Did you fall down, down, down? Edward falls down a lot, but it's fun! But WOW an ALIEN!“ "I, uh...I don't live in a flying saucer.“ "What?! Did they kicky you outta the alien club? That’s so sad! Boo.“


Slide 54:"There is no such thing as an alien club...and I've never lived in a UFO. I live in Strangetown with my friends...you know, your stereotyping is pretty screwed up. Why don't you nix the "alien alien" chanting?“ "Alien friends?! Can Edward meet them? I likey like new people! Especially scary green ones!“ "Yeah, whatever, freak. I’m going inside, let me know when you’re done insulting me.“ “Edward didn’t mean to…” he said with a pout. Chloe turned on her heel and stalked inside. Edward was pretty upset that he'd screwed up his chance to be friends with a real alien...


Slide 55:...BUT, he was quickly cheered up by one of his many friends. He didn't know what came over him, but just had to kiss someone immediately, and Maddie was the closest. Edward then decided that kissing was almost as good as aliens.


Slide 56:"But seriously, Nervous, you just gotta stop being such a pansy. My brother's not that bad deep down, you just have to let him know who's boss.“ Over his chili, Nervous gave Erin a withering look. "Yeah, well maybe he is the boss, but you know what I mean."


Slide 57:The cafeteria manager came over then and snagged Erin's bowl. "'Scuse me, but I'm pretty sure you graduated a few years ago, Erin Beaker.“ "Hey, yeah sorry. I'm just here for the party.“ "Fine, but quit eatin' all the grub. I don't get paid minimum wage to feed you.“ "OK...“ Erin said quietly. The cook nodded gruffly and turned away to clean up the dish. Erin smirked and said under her breath, "Food wasn't that great anyway.“ "What was that?“ "Nothing.“ Ein, who had been watching the exchange, grinned widely.


Slide 58:Before she could bail on the cafeteria, Ein caught Erin with a smile and a wave. "Oh!" she said. "Hi, I'm Erin. You must be Ed's twin, yeah?“ Ein nodded. He pointed to Erin, and gave a thumbs up. "Sorry, what?" Erin asked, laughing. "Ed did say you didn't talk much, I guess he wasn't joking around.“ "...“ "So...you enjoying the party?“ Erin asked him.


Slide 59:Ein nodded. He made a gesture towards the cafeteria worker, and rolled his eyes with another grin. Erin was puzzled, but laughing. "I'm sorry...I can't understand you at all!“ Ein pouted. “So you're just quiet, I get that. I do enough talking for two people anyway, so no worries," she said with a wink. Ein grinned appreciatively. "You're really cute, you know that?“ "...“ "Don't blush, it's true!"


Slide 60:In the living room, Nervous joined the dormies and other Strangetown citizens in the Smustle. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, but Nervous was just grateful to be out of the freaking house for a while. He’d have agreed to helping Erin with her laundry if it got him out of “testing” for a while. … Erin pretty much rocked when it came to sisters-of-men-who-torture-reaper-spawn-but-act-like-it’s-in-the-name-of-science. He sort of had a thing for her, if he was being honest.


Slide 61:"Ed, right?“ "Yep yep yep, Edward is at your service!“ "Right. Well, Edward, I'm really sorry for snapping at you before. It's just sort of off-putting when someone makes fun of your heritage, you know?“ "Edward does know, he has a very weirdy-weird heritimage too, but he wasn't making fun. Ed loves aliens! Edward has wanted to meet aliens since he as an itty-bitty-kitty-kid!“


Slide 62:"You'd think I'd be annoyed, but honestly...I think you're pretty much adorable.“ "Thanks! Edward thinks you are adorable too!“ Kristen, Chloe's roommate, apparently did not like hearing the pseudo-flirting going on. And so...


Slide 63:She grabbed Ed by the neck and planted a big, wet kiss on him.


Slide 64:"What the crap, Kristen?“ Chloe asked as she jabbed her frienemy in the chest. "Ooh, sorry Chloe, were you making the moves on him?“ "Yes! I mean no, but...hey! You don't just kiss people!“ Edward laughed. "Why not? Kissy-wissy-poo, kissy-wissy...Edward likey!“ The girls turned on him. "Stay out of this!" they said in unison.


Slide 65:The bickering continued for a while, until Kristen decided to just walk off. Chloe took the opportunity to apologize. Again. "Ed, I'm so sorry. Kristen and I have had a rivalry for a while, and well...it's not like I'm claiming you or anything, geez, we just met! But yeah...sorry." She looked down and mumbled, "And I think you're really hot.“ "Edward is confused. Hot? Edward is comfy, not hot. Is there a fire somewhere?“ "...Totally missing the point.” "Okie dokie, but do not worry Chloe-alien! Edward is not mad. Ed loves everyone!"


Slide 66:A few minutes later... "Ha! Gotchyer bum, Ed! Ooh, nice and firm...“ "Hee hee hee! Stoppit, that tickley tickles!“ Ein, who had for some reason but on his dressing gown, made a "you're both nuts" motion with his finger. Chloe was just jealous of Kristen's hand...


Slide 67:...So she grabbed Ed and kissed him, hard, and for a while they made out with the llama and the cheerleader to "rah rah rah" them. Kristen was pissed, and walked off.


Slide 68:Keeping with his "Ed loves everyone" attitude, Ed went in for a hug with Erin a few hours later. She didn't like that. "Ed! Hey, quit. No way, man, I'm not getting in the middle of the thing you've got going on with Chlo and Kris.“ "Erin-friend...?" Erin sighed. It appeared that Ed was totally oblivious about his affect on women. “Edward," she began nicely….


Slide 69:"You're a man whore.“ "Ed is not! Not not not!" Erin raised an eyebrow, and Ed followed suit. "Waity-wait, what's a man whore?“ "Let's see...well, basically...you! You can't just go around kissing all your—” "Why not? Kissing is fun, Ed likes it!“


Slide 70:"Yes, but see...you hurt people's feelings when you just kiss them and leave them, Ed. Listen...your friends, do you love any of them?“ "Edward loves everyone!“ "I know, but do you um...love any of them above the others?“ Edward considered that. "No, not really. "What are you going to do when you start woohooing them all, and they find out? You're going to be in big trouble.“ "...What is woohoo?“ Erin sighed. "I'm so not getting into that with you, Ed.“


Slide 71:However Chloe was more than happy to educate Edward a few days later. After that, Ed became less of a romantically-social butterfly, and pretty much stuck with the "sock hiding game that he played with Chloe-alien" a lot.


Slide 72:Ein liked Erin. A lot. They’d spent most of the party together, Erin doing most of the talking, but he hadn't seen her since then. To rectify the situation, he sent her an email, inviting her over that evening.


Slide 73:She accepted. "Ein! Hey, good to see you! How have you been?“ "...“ "I'm just going to assume you can't complain," Erin said, smiling Ein's favorite smile. "So what do you want to do?“ Ein beamed at her, and pointed at the stars. “Yeah, it's really nice out tonight! You wanna just chill out here and look at the contellations?” Ein nodded with enthusiasm; that's exactly what he'd meant.


Slide 74:And so that's precisely what they did. The pair had an odd, one-sided argument over whether those "three dots" were Orion's belt or part of the Little Dipper, but it was all in good fun.


Slide 75:Erin snuggled closer to her friend and whispered, "Want to know a secret, Ein?" He nodded. "I don't care that you don't talk much. Er...at all. I really don't mind, I think I know what you feel most of the time anyway." Ein smiled, and then hesitated before pecking her on the nose, causing Erin to sigh happily.


Slide 76:"This was really fun tonight, Ein. What do you think?" He nodded. Erin pulled him in for a goodbye hug, and then turned away. Ein caught her arm before she'd taken the first step...


Slide 77:...And kissed her.


Slide 78:The pair suffered from acute awkwardness afterwards, but they got over it pretty quickly with the help of Erin's easy personality. They said goodbye, or she did, and then Erin started the brief walk back to Strangetown. She called over her shoulder, "Meet me at Crypt O' Night tomorrow, OK? 7:30." Ein could do nothing but grin.


Slide 79:Ed, joined by one of his many friends, joined them downtown. "Ein has a mommy-person, hee hee hee! Do you loooove her, Ein-twin?“ Ein just concentrated on getting that damn silver ball through the bonus hole, while at the same time trying not to blush. Erin saved him from the taunting. "Hey, Ein, do you want to check out the photobooth with me?“ Ed blinked. "Photobooth? Chloe-alien says they're only used for—” "Shut it, Ed!“ "Shutting!"


Slide 80:Ein looked at Erin questioningly. Why did she look so nervous? What was Ed about to say? "Scoot over, it's a tight fit," she said, pulling the curtain closed. Was she blushing?


Slide 82:And then he got the crap kicked out of him by Mrs. Crumplebottom. "Just WHAT do you think you're doing?!“ "...???“ "Don't take that insolent tone with me, youngin'! Such indecency!" WHACK. "Photobooths should be banned!" WHOMP. "Don't let me catch you at that again!“ "...???“ WHAM.


Slide 83:Once she'd had her fill of beating a poor, innocent student's brains in, Crumplebottom went off to her knitting. Ein rubbed the back of his head, confused. "Guess she thought we were doing the "other" thing, eh, Ein?" Erin asked, smirking. OH. The lightbulb clicked on in Ein's head. That's what they were on about? Woohoo? ...That sounds like a pretty good idea, actually...in a photobooth? Yeah. He smiled at her, and pointed to the dance floor. "Yeah sure, I'd love a dance! Come on!"


Slide 84:Erin and Ein danced in a fashion that was about 100 years out of style, and also way too slow for the booming House Mix the DJ played. Neither of them cared. Nobody was looking at them, anyway.


Slide 85:That was until Ein bent Erin backwards to kiss her passionately, and said DJ announced, "HEY, EVERYONE! CHECK OUT THE LOVEBIRDS OVER HERE! WHOOP WHOOP!“ They blushed, and then decided once again that they didn't care.


Slide 86:College mostly passed in a blur after that. Parties were held, sometimes with only Ed and Ein in attendance...


Slide 87:Kisses were had between couples so much in love it was sickening...


Slide 88:And more kisses were had between oddly, but adorably matched sort-of-not-really-but-kind-of-couples.


Slide 89:Before they knew it, Ed and Ein found themselves cramming for their final exams. "Schooly-school-school!!! Do you learn, yes you don't! No, you do!  Hey, Ein, didja think about what you want to be when you grow up?""...""I'm never gonna grow up!  I'll be like Peter Pan!  Flighty floaty, pirate boaty...""...""Well not a real pirate boat, I know you get seasick.  But a rocket-ship.  Vroom!  A space pirate!  That'd be fun!  You can be the captain and I'll be your cruise director.  Aye-aye,  Arrrrr!!!“ Ein shrugged, for he’d just been planning on becoming a doctor.


Slide 90:Poor Ein. There was so much on his mind it was about to explode, and the exams weren't helping. First, there was the whole thing with he and Ed being on the run from elves. They didn't think about it often, but it was always in the back of their minds. And Erin...Erin had taken it so coolly when he explained (with his twin's help, of course) his and Ed's past. She was perfect. Now he had to do something that he wasn't sure was going to work out, but he had to try. The question was...how?


Slide 91:"Simearth to Ein-twin, Simearth to Ein-twin! Didja not hear me?“ Ein cocked an eyebrow, shaking his head. "Edward said 'just wanna go to party-parties for the rest of his life. Edward likes parties.“ Ein rolled his eyes. He knew that. "Hey, Ein-twin...are you okie dokie?“ "...“ "Ed is stressed too! What's the formula for the square root of a plumbob again?"


Slide 92:The night before graduation, Ein took Erin out for dinner. "This is a really nice place, Ein! And thanks for the dress, I love it!“ Ein blew her a kiss.   Erin knew this gesture. It's how EIn said "I love you"...   "I love you, too."


Slide 93:"..." Ein grasped his glass firmly, trying not to shake. The meal had been excellent, but it was over and now there was only one thing left... "Ein you look like you're about to jump out of your skin! What's the matter?” Ein shrugged. “Yes there is something wrong! Tell me…oh Plumbob, this isn’t one of those break-up dates, is it?!” Ein shook his head violently. That was the last thing he wanted her to think. “What, then?” Ein sighed.


Slide 94:As he sighed, he meekly pushed a black vevet box towards Erin...


Slide 95:"Oh..my Plumbob...!"


Slide 96:Is that really all you're going to say? I'm dying over here, Ein said in his mind. Please, please, please say yes...Oh Plumbob, she's not saying ANYTHING! I knew I should have just— but it's too late now...


Slide 97:"Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, YES! I'll marry you!“ Mission accomplished, Ein thought with a grin.


Slide 98:They both jumped up from the table, kissing the only thing on their minds…


Slide 99:Now or never... Ein took a deep breath and leaned in close to Erin's ear. "I love you," he whispered.


Slide 100:Erin jumped. "Ein! You just said—!” "I love you," he said again, louder this time. "I love you, too."


Slide 101:The boys graduated with honors the very next day. Ein with a 4.0 and a degree in Biology, Ed with a 3.9 and a degree in Philosophy.


Slide 102:At the end of the night the Dorans transitioned into properly hideous outfits. They then made their way to Strangetown where they had an empty lot with their names on it.


Slide 103:Ripp Grunt whooped as he swung back and forth on the refrigerator door, hanging on for dear life. He was supposed to be making dinner (he was always supposed to be doing something or other) but he didn’t effing feel like it right then. Of course, keeping his voice down as he hung on the door might have been a good idea, because his jerk of a brother, Tank, had heard him. “Crap,” he said under his breath, dislodging his foot from the cottage cheese. His brother strutted into the kitchen.


Slide 104:“Ripp! The General will be home at eighteen hundred hours and he will expect dinner on the table!” "Yeah, yeah, don't get your camo pants in a bunch.“ Tank ignored the insubordination and went on. “Do you know what time it is? Seventeen thirty! Get cracking!“ "Pfft...“ "What was that?“ "Meh...Sir! Yes, Sir!“ Ripp said with a middle finger salute. “Yeah, screw you too.”


Slide 105:"I see you've burnt the chow again, Ripp,” the General grumbled as he ate his hot dog. "It was Tank's fault, Dad, he was rushing me!“ Tank was outraged across the table. "He wasn't going to have dinner ready in time for you to come home, Sir.“ "Well, then...Ripp, don't let this happen again.“ "Ugh. Yes, Dad."


Slide 106:"So, how was work today, Sir? Anything new happening?“ "As a matter of fact, yes. Do you all remember when I had to go away for a little while when the Bluewater Plague hit?“ "Yeah..?“ "There were a lot of problems in that situation, it wasn't properly handled, but long story short...the elves of the North Forest were behind the whole thing."


Slide 107:The General looked at his sons' confused faces. Ripp rolled his eyes. "The who of the what?“ "I suppose the particulars aren't all that important as far as you three are concerned, but if you see any kids with pointy ears walking around, let me know. Apparently there are some half-elves on the loose and the military is after them. Er...for their own protection...and I've been made head of the investigation in Strangetown.“ There was a loud knocking at the door. "Good Plumbob, who could be here at this hour? Ripp, get the door.“ "Meh, yes sir..."


Slide 108:Buck piped up with a squeal. “Ooh! Daddy, can we be friends with the pointy-eared people?“ "I'd prefer you weren't, son.“ "Aww...“ Tank grinned evilly, saying, “Yeah, Bucky. These elves are probably criminals and the have to be brought to justice. Right, Sir?” The General nodded, and the knocking at the door continued. “Plumbob, Ripp, hurry it up!” “I’m going, I’m going…” “Pick up your damned feet, boy!”


Slide 109:Ripp opened the door to see a pretty blonde woman standing just outdside. He blinked a few times, surely it couldn’t be who he thought it was. Could it? No, it definitely wasn’t... "Mom–?”


Slide 110:The End! I hope you all enjoyed part 1 of my turn with the legacy! Next time… Just who was that at the Grunts’ door? Will Ed and Ein break the recent trend of male children in the Doran family? Find out when Ed, Ein, Erin, and I return for part 2. =D Thanks muchly to Lark/ladylarkrune for her help with this chapter.