No visit to Atebus would complete without a walk down Promenade Strasse and a visit to Captain Jacqueline Deverough's coffee shop for the best coffee in two worlds and a pastry or two ( or in Frieda's case...three). Of course she and her friends will peek into the thriving medical clinic that Frieda build seven years ago, but it will be a social call, business will be taken care of on a later date during the week. Frieda just wants to bring her staff a few dozen donuts, some fresh hot coffee and gossip of the goings on at the Masquerade Ball.

Frieda is seated at her table in the Lounge, nibbling on lox, bagels and cream cheese, full of anticipation for the days activities when a shadow crosses her table. She looks up and is shocked by the appearance of the handsome male standing before her, his face aglow with the light of the rising morning sun filtering in through the open windows.

"Oh, my gosh...is it really you?"

The handsome male is her kind, tall, muscular, mature and fabulously wealthy. He takes her in his arms and they kiss. "Weldon doesn't know I'm here" he says after they hug.

Frieda blushes, "I didn't know you were here." She absentmindedly smoothes an invisible wrinkle from her bodice, her tail flicks in nervous excitement and she acts suddenly coy. "What are you doing here Sparky?"

Sparky Wheezle takes Frieda's paw in his and beckons her to take her seat. He flags down a waiter and orders eggs benedict, mimosa, and a plate of fruit and cheese. Frieda immediately recognizes that his selection contains all the required nutrients one needs to replace after 'jumping' through a Einstein-Rosenberg space-time portal.

"You used your Lurking Device to get here?"

"Yes, my Darling little cousin, I'm on a mission. It seems I need the advice of our Queen. I'm on a secret mission."

Sparky's explanation is interrupted by an explosion of giggles and gasps of shock and surprise. Madison, Frieda's best friend rushes up to Sparky, grabs him and plants a big wet sloppy kiss right on his mouth. She was never shy about her feelings toward him, and even now that Sparky had been married for six years and Madison was engaged to Louis, she felt no guilt showing him that he was something a little more then just a friend. Not that it would ever go any further then a little snogging, that was out of the question. But for Sparky, a peck on the cheek was simply not enough. Besides, Pherrets and Weasels were always a little more physically demonstrative then humans.

"Holy Cow Maddy..." Sparky gasped, trying to catch his breath....

"It's great to see you too. You look simply ravishing today, Louis is one lucky Pherret, you know."

Madison took a pawkerchief from her clutch, dabbed at her lips, flicked her tail and cooed, "Thank you Sparky, you always say the nicest things. He'll be here this week, Colonel Weldon is flying him and his big band in from Terra on Wednesday. They'll be playing on the Promenade all week for those who aren't really into the whole Masquerade thing. Will you join us?"

Sparky laughed, "Yes, Sally is arriving this evening, she had to make sure that Grandpoppy and Grandmum were all ready to look after the children this week. I'll save a slow dance for you."

Madison turned to greet Frieda and sat next to her best friend and instantly started a snicker-fest watching Sparky interact with the others.

Li Li approached Sparky and bowed. "Master Wheezle, I am again delighted to see you well and full of spirit, you look...ah...healthy How is your mate and your young children? And how is Captain Daniel and Miss Dolly Wheezle, are they well? Has Dolly found a mate yet? And your sister Daisy and her mate Skippy Landotter, are they well? Has Daisy littered again yet?" Li Li was from the old school, one didn't simply kiss or hug in her world, they exchanged news of family, friends, acquaintances, and the weather first. Li Li was engaged to be married to one of Sparky's commanding officers in the Watcher Corps, Major Billy Woodfern, and she was eager for news of his arrival to Atebus. But she waited patiently for Sparky to answer her questions.

She didn't have to wait long, "My family is all fine, My oldest son Danny and his mate Bonnie are expecting their third litter, Dolly is promised to General Leastweasel's oldest son the goldsmith. Daisy and Skippy are expecting their second litter and Skippy is studying to take his Journey Level III Luthier's exams. He will be Master one of these days you know." Sparky reached into his vest pocket and produced a beautifully inscribed envelope sealed with red wax bearing the initial "L". He handed it to Li Li with a smile, "I bring word from Louis that he is well, his big band is very successful right now and that he can hardly wait to see you on Wednesday. He sends you this letter and his love."

It was a little out of character for Li Li, but she snatched the envelope from Sparky's paw, fell into his arms, smooched him on the lips and burst into sobs of bottled-up longing, happiness and joy, which made Frieda and Madison burst into fits of giggles.

Merril Starchild wasn't even as forward as Li Li was, she waited patiently for her turn to speak to Sparky, but she wasn't going to shower him with kisses or displays of affection in public, that would just be too embarrassing and...intimate. When he finally was free to take notice of her, his face lit up with a most genuine smile. He took her paw in his and led her over to one of the divans that lined the Lounge walls and sat with her, paw in paw. "Merry, I am amazed at how more beautiful you are every time I see you. You truly are blessed by the stars, aren't you?"

Merril blushed "Thank you Master Sparkles, as always you are magnanimous as well as gracious." She tried to look away as she spoke, she was always self-conscious in Sparky's presense. But, she couldn't this time, Sparky had been away for three years now, the last time he had been here was on another one of his secret missions having to do with Lady Frieda and the continued threats to her during her exile from Terra and it seemed that he hadn't the time for her. Now here he was, holding her paws in his and paying attention to her. She gazed into his eyes and tears formed in hers.

Their relationship wasn't romantic in the least, but they loved each other with utter devotion like a brother and a sister would. Merril was an ancient soul, her age undetermined, her origin unknown even to her. She was of exceptional brilliance, an inventor of many of Sparky's greatest possessions, his 'lurking device' his teleporter and the one who kept Frieda's craft Passion Flower and Happy Wanderer airworthy.

She had been exploited and abused by Calvin Blackmoon and his war machine factories. She was forced to design weapons of ultimate destruction which left her a hollow soul, empty of any love or compassion. Sparky saw her worth and had fought for her release from Blackmoon's corrupt and vile clutches. It was Sparky who nurtured her back to health and gave her a purpose and will to live, although it nearly killed her when Sparky had to leave Subeta permanently. Had it not been for Frieda and her love, Merry would have simply ceased to exist....