Previously on Warriors of Destiny: The group was finally face to face with Abraxas, the demonic doppelganger, who had been disguised as Tabris and Claron�s son, Stryder, under the blood contract with the sorceress Shaiya.
Ordered to bide his time and then destroy them, Abraxas decided to go after the Sword of Flame, one of the sacred blades, and fight the Warriors and their allies in the process. The battle was hard-fought; and after slaying his physical body, he became a blood demon.
Draining power from the sword, he seemed invincible...but destiny had other plans. Kabal, choosing to sacrifice himself, was able to launch a powerful self-destructive attack against the blood demon and destroy both himself and Abraxas. Seemingly unscathed by the attack, the Sword of Flame chose its wielder, Valrash.
During the battle Stryder, Katie and Shayne found themselves arriving in the Matano system. Drawn to the volcanic planet by a Rogue Fleet beacon, they landed their shuttle on the mining station, meeting up with a surprised Alexei. Together they headed into the facility to look for the others.
Once the battle was over and the Warriors reunited, Cibo, the cybernetic �associate� of Gabe, offered the group a deal. In exchange for passage back to Pegasus Station, Cibo would give them his information on the Rogue Fleet.
*Time passed: About an hour*
Finishing his communication with Pegasus Control, Alexei docks the Ettik at one of its many docking ports. Cibo hands Alexei a thin black data-disc with a nod, �That�s all the information I have on the Rogue Fleet. What you do with it is your business now.� With a nod, the cyborg exits the bridge, heading for the ramp room.
Alexei sets the data-disc into a spot on his holo-console, thin strips of light reading its data with swiftness. Alexei idly turns on the ship wide com. �We�re docked at Pegasus Station again. I�ve been given the information from the contact, it�s downloading into the main computer now. I�ll browse through and let you guys know what I find. In the meantime; relax, shop, whatever��
Stryder twirls a finger idly in his cup, watching the drink swirl as he sighs heavily.
Tewyn lays in bed rubbing the bump still on his head. �Maybe I should shower just in case that kitty shed.� Shivering at the thought of the last place he felt kitty fur.
Katie turns her head to the other side, her nostrils flaring, caught in some unpleasant dream or vision.
Shadow looks over at Stryder, �Ye look like ye have a heavy heart, lad.�
Wraith quietly leaves the ship, rubbing his temple softly with one hand. �I�d forgotten how strong they can be when brought together�� he whispers to the ever present wind playing through his hair.
Valrash wanders the ship in no particular pattern.
Tewyn strips down and enters the shower.
�I guess so...don�t see my parents for 20 years, finally get back�and my mom doesn�t want anything to do with me.� Stryder sighs again, taking a sip from his cup before setting it back down and staring at it.
Shadow sighs with him. �Well, maybe she just needs some time. Someone did just pretend to be you for some time.�
Tza giggles at Drac, �Maybe we should get out of this cold water now, your beginning to look like a prune.� Her gaze travels over his form, �Well most of you does anyway.�
DracBlue smiles and gets out of the tub, offering her a hand to get out as well.
�I know�I guess I just expected more,� Stryder takes another sip, shifts his gaze out the window at the station outside.
Tza stands and takes the towel, wrapping it around herself with a wink and a smile.
DracBlue starts drying himself off, and drains the tub.
^Shinta watches his binding fade even more. �Let�s hope she finds my words soon.�
Tza smiles as she is mooned by bare cheeks, she reaches over and gooses Drac.
Shadow looks over at Stryder. �Time heals all.�
�Suppose�but a few more years and I�ll be as old as my parents!� Stryder shakes his head and stands to return the cup to the replicator pad.
Kyra moans, shifting, then is still.
Claron finishes rolling up another joint, then puts the remaining weed safely away.
Luna purrs softly as she cuddles with Eclipse. �I wonder if they have a salon on this station?�
�Not a salon in particular, but I did see a consort�s chambers. They do salon-type work there, among other things,� Eclipse looks at Luna matter-of-factly.
Shinta looks over to Kyo. �What if I don�t get the chance to say all those things you wanted to say?�
Kyo looks over to Shinta, �Then I guess you will be stuck here forever.�
Luna looks at Eclipse, �I�m forever amazed at the things you know.�
DracBlue stands up straight when he gets goosed and turns around. He walks towards her and puts her in a bear hug. While doing so, he pinches her ass.
Tewyn exits the shower and gets dressed. �Hmm, odd I haven�t seen Clarice or those two kids of mine since getting back here.� He heads out to the galley.
�I�ve got a long lifetime�s worth of experience,� Eclipse winks at Luna as he grabs his shirt with his tail.
�Va? Has anyone told Va about Kabal?� Cara asks numbly, tilting her head to look at Clarice.
Tza squeals and squirms in his hold. Her towel working loose in the process.
Shadow just nods, unsure of what to say to him.
Getting another drink, Stryder turns. Glancing at Shadow a moment, he studies him. �You�re one of them, aren�t you?�
Luna watches Eclipse pick up his shirt, �I think you need a new one, that one is pretty well shot to hell.� Poking her own tail through one of the tears in it.
~Hurrrrrts.~ Kyra�s mind whimpers softly.
DracBlue smiles as he keeps up the bear hug. Holding her, he takes her to the bed and tosses her on it.
�So I�ve noticed, claws, bullets and cuts do seem to ruin the latest fashions,� Eclipse sighs, looking out the window through a gash in his shirt.
Shadow lifts an eyebrow. �One of whom?�
Tzaphiel bounces on the bed as she lands, quickly crawling across to escape from him.
Valrash enters the galley and gets a mug of something that looks like it�s on fire. He begins drinking it while listening to the people around him.
�Those time benders,� Stryder says curiously as he tries to judge Shadow�s reaction. �They�ve all got this...presence about them. It�s subtle, but a telepath can notice if they know what to look for.�
Luna runs her paws over her burnt fur. �I need a stylist, I need a trim now.�
Clarice returns Cara�s gaze. �I don�t think so�I don�t know how much Tewyn remembers, or doesn�t remember.�
Katie cries out in her sleep, beginning to thrash a bit.
Tewyn steps into the galley and looks around.
Shadow smiles, but then sees another in the galley and says while he nods towards Valrash, �I have no clue what ye be talking about, lad.�
�Well then, let�s find that consort�s chamber, I�m sure they could style your fur anyway you want,� Eclipse says as he slips his pants on, choosing the torso section of his armor to wear instead of the shirt.
Cara tilts her head, a painful look on her face. ~Kyra?~
DracBlue runs over to the bed and jumps onto Tza, playfully.
~Cara�where are you?~ Kyra�s eyes open wide.
Luna stands and grabs a clean cloak from the closet. �Let�s see what we can do for you, too.�
�Forever, huh? Hmmm, no offense�but this isn�t where I plan on staying for any period of time.� ^Shinta looks up at Kyo.
Tabris takes a deep breath, looking at the worn punching bag in front of him, �Whoever set this makeshift gym up, genius.�
Lilly gets up and stretches, letting out a loud yawn before she notices where she is again. �Ok�now I�m confused. How did I end up back on the ship?� Shaking her head, she gets up and grabs her favorite cloak. Walking out the door, she makes her way toward the galley for a bite to eat.
Tza moves at the last minute and runs out the door. Her clothing taking shape as she runs down the hall, laughing.
�No!� Katie screams, sitting up in her bed, breath coming in labored gasps.
The door to Katie�s room opens, Shayne steps inside and looks around. Seeing nothing, he steps closer to Katie, �Everything all right? I heard you scream?�
DracBlue sighs as she escapes the room. And then he gets up, taking his time putting on his clothing. Walking out into the hall, he asks the ship where Tza went. Seeing the screen pop up, he starts running towards her.
Katie gives Shayne a wild-eyed look. �I had a really bad dream. It was so real��
Jonathan looks around as he scribbles something in one of his many notebooks. His stomach lets out a grumble and he puts the notebooks down. �Alright, alright. I�ll get you some food. Just be quiet.� Moving toward the galley, his mind continues to stay in his room and what is on the paper.
Lilly moves to the replicator after taking one look around the galley; not really interested in who is in there at the moment, only getting food in her stomach. �God, I don�t think I�ve eaten in days�bacon and eggs.� She mumbles to the replicator and frowns at what she is given. �Come on, Lilly. That�s not what you really wanted.�
Humming to himself, Skirmir enters the galley. Heading directly for the refrigeration unit, he pulls out some meat and heads for the cooking area. Glancing around at those in the galley, he speaks, �Would anybody else like some of this as well?� He raises the meat before tossing it on the cutting board.
�You will tell him? Won�t you? I don�t know if I can.� Cara�s facial expression, clearly pained while mentally sending, ~Oh, Kyra! I�I didn�t forget you. It was awful�really awful....~
Shadow looks at Skirmir. �I�ll take some, lad.�
Tewyn shakes his head toward Skirmir, �No thanks. Too red for me.�
Lilly looks up as he tosses it on the cutting board. �Yeah, I�ll take some.�
Jonathan walks in just as the meat is pulled out and smacked down. �Any for me?�
Skirmir shakes his head, �I was going to cook it first.�
~Oh no�what�s�~ Kyra�s mental voice sounds hesitant, like she�s afraid to know. ~You�ll come to me soon, won�t you? I�m sick of this tank. I feel like the world�s ugliest goldfish.~
Tewyn smirks. �Nah, I prefer the other white meat. But she seems to be in hiding at the moment.�
Stryder shakes his head at Skirmir, deciding to take a walk instead. He gives a goodbye nod to Shadow, then heads out of the galley.
Skirmir nods to himself, then cuts the meat into equal portions for everyone. Replicating a frying pan, he begins to cook the meat slabs.
Lilly sits down and picks at the bacon and eggs she has made for herself. She really wants the meat, but she needs to eat something first. She notices Jonathan and frowns. �I thought you had left us.�
Jonathan sighs and sits across from Lilly. �No, I didn�t think you meant what you said. And besides, I kind of need the money.�
Clarice rubs her forehead as she nods. �Yes�yes. He needs to be told.�
Laying a couple kicks and punches into the bag, Tabris watches it sway on its stand. Looking around, he sighs. �Could use some music in here, some rock or something,� he requests hopefully.
Eclipse, with Luna in hand, heads out of the ship and down the ramp. Browsing the flashing holo-signs on their way into the station�s promenade, he leans over to kiss Luna on the cheek.
Alexei stirs from his drifting thoughts when the download light flashes on the screen. �All right, let�s see what we�ve got, put it on the main screen,� he says to the empty bridge. The wall screen popping up several windows filled with data and information.
Luna smiles and blushes warmly. �So what first? Clothes or hair?� she asks Eclipse with a chuckle.
�What was it about, if you don�t mind my prying?� Shayne asks Katie, giving her a thoughtful smile as he sits on the edge of the bed.
�You�re the lady, and therefore more trained in the art of shopping then I,� Eclipse smirks at Luna.
Tzaphiel slides to a halt as she sees the door to Katie�s room close. Tilting her head thoughtfully, she turns around and walks back the way she came.
~Very soon.~ Cara mentally replies back.
DracBlue turns a corner and spots Tza. He continues running towards her and then slows down. When she turns towards him, he gets ready to pounce.
Luna grins, �I think, hair first. That way we can just wear the new clothes out of the store.�
�You sure you wouldn�t like to tell your father together?� Clarice asks just as she steps out into the hallway.
Tzaphiel is lost in thought as she nears Drac�s hiding place and doesn�t see him.
Lilly frowns. �So you are only in it for the money. God, you are such a jerk. Is that like genetic, through your race, or are you just that way personally?�
Adding a few finishing touches with some spices, Skirmir puts the meat onto plates. Carrying them all, he gives one to Lilly, Jon, and Shadow before taking his own plate to a table and sitting.
Katie closes her eyes, scooting back to lean against the wall. �That Kabal was dead and Shinta�� She squeezes her eyes tighter. �But it�s not just a dream, is it?� Her rhetorical question hangs in the air.
Shadow nods to Skirmir, �Thank ye, lad.�
Jonathan looks up at Skirmir. �Thanks.� He digs in, only stopping to comment to Lilly. �Hey, what do you expect me to do? You are paying me for what I do. It�s my job and there is nothing I can do about it. I�m not about to do it for free, so if you don�t like it�look at yourself before me.�
Shayne shrugs a bit, �Who can say for sure�are you all right?�
Cara doesn�t respond verbally to Clarice. ~Oh, Kabal�It wasn�t good enough for me to lose you just once. Mother saw to it�thanks to her, I got to witness it twice.~
Lilly thanks Skirmir as well for the meat and digs in faster than she did the bacon and eggs, which are now pushed aside only half eaten. �Forget you. I�m not conversing with you anymore. Go waste someone else�s time.� She gets up and moves to another table, alone once again.
�No.� Katie sighs, opening her eyes. �Thank you for putting me to bed, by the way.�
Claron grabs the couple of joints she rolled off of the desk, and heads out into the hallway toward Katie�s room.
�Works for me,� Eclipse looks over the various signs of services posted on the nearby wall. He points down the right promenade way, �That way it says...funny, galactic common wasn�t the biggest language on the sign.�
DracBlue pounces onto Tza. Tackling her, he says, �I�ve got you now, my pretty.�
Lilly gets up after finishing the second helping of food and thanks Skirmir again. �You�re a great cook, by the way.� She smiles and walks out of the room.
�Was the least I could do, couldn�t have you laying in the middle of the hallway now, could we?� Shayne smirks lightly, looking into Katie�s emerald colored eyes.
Luna smiles and follows Eclipse down the promenade. �What was the biggest language, then?�
Cara sighs, then leaves her quarters and heads to med bay. ~I�m almost there, Kyra.~
Jonathan glances at the other men in the room, and raises an eyebrow. �What is it with women on this ship. The attitudes? Are they like all on some pissy pill or something?�
Shadow looks at Jon. �No, I think they all just dislike you, lad. It seems you don�t rub them the right way.�
Tewyn looks up. �Kid, if you want to survive a moment longer on this ship�I suggest you keep that kind of outburst to yourself.�
Skirmir chuckles heartily, �They are women, my boy. You learn to live with it. For without them, life is not as good.�
A little smile flirts at the corner of Katie�s lips. �Well you could, but�� She sighs.
Tzaphiel, startled by Drac, emits an electric pulse to her attacker as she falls. �What the hell?� she screeches loudly.
�Aerian, actually,� Eclipse says without any surprise in his voice. �Not hard to believe though, they are known for being excellent companions.�
Jonathan shrugs. �Maybe it�s just her. Usually I�ve found, they are infatuated if they are that grouchy towards a man. But I get some weird feeling that she doesn�t share that feeling. OH, and Tewyn. What do you mean by that? They don�t seem to care for you much either. How is it you continue to stay on the ship?�
DracBlue rolls off of Tza. Not expecting the shock, he says, �Well, I see that your not happy to see me.�
Clarice walks quietly down the hallway, thinking, �First, find Tewyn�then check on yer sister.� �Ettik, location of Tewyn.�
Luna pauses a step and stares at Eclipse with her mouth slightly open. �Oh really?�
Tewyn mumbles around a mouthful of food. �Cause not even I say everything I want to, kid. Not even I�m that dumb.�
Lilly sighs as she meanders through the ship. �I wonder where we are off to. S�pose, I should see what Alexei is up to and see if he can chat with me. Tired of not having anyone to talk to��
Tzaphiel pushes herself up off the floor and looks at Drac, �You scared me, I didn�t expect you to jump out at me like that.� She leans over and kisses him gently. �I�m sorry.�
Ettik gives Clarice a plain flashing dot in the galley on a holo-map.
Jonathan stands up and glares at Tewyn. �Dumb? And who are you to say what is dumb or not? Who made you king of the ship?� He lets out a long breath before sitting back down trying to control himself again.
�Well, we can�t having anyone stepping on you. You�d show dirt, I think,� Shayne chuckles lightly.
Tewyn shakes his head. �Must you read into everything. I called no one dumb. But it wouldn�t be smart to say what you�re saying to any of the women here. If they don�t hurt you�rest assured the ones that love them�will.�
Clarice nods her head, �Thanks, Ettik,� as she heads off toward the galley.
�Didn�t pay attention when were in the Republic did you? They had lots of offices,� Eclipse shakes his head at Luna, then smiles.
DracBlue sighs, and then leans into the kiss. Getting up off the floor, he then says, �So, what do you want to do now that I�ve found ya?�
Jonathan grumbles, trying to control his anger. �Forget it, elf boy. Alright, I�m out of here.� He leaves and heads back toward his room.
~I�m here, Kyra�~ as Cara lays her cheek on the bio tube Kyra is in.
Tewyn continues to shake his head. �Hard to believe that used to be me.�
Lilly arrives at the bridge and peeks in. �Alexei?�
Kyra turns her head. ~Cara-mia. You look like shit.~ Her expression is one of sympathy and friendship.
Strolling aimlessly along the promenade, Stryder stops in front of a shop. From the transparent slate-colored windows, it appears to be a curio shop of sorts. Perking a brow, Stryder notices an odd telepathic sense from inside.
Alexei turns his head from the streams of data filling the front 90 degrees worth of view screen. �Lilly, how are you doing?�
Luna catches up to Eclipse, �Oh, no, I had other things on my mind at the time.�
�A bit confused and pissed off. But don�t think it�s anything out of the ordinary. What about you?� Lilly moves in closer to him and glances at a couple of the screens, taking them in.
Katie summons a weak smile. �Wouldn�t be the first time.�
Tzaphiel shrugs and holds her hand up to Drac, �I guess, we could go for a walk around the station. Kill some time.�
Jonathan finds himself in front of his door and he turns around. �No action...guess I should feel good about that. Getting paid for doing nothing.� Shrugging, he walks back in his room and picks up the notebook he had put down earlier. Continuing writing, he gets lost in the words.
�Understandable,� Eclipse motions to the rather ornate marble doorway and sign. In nearly a dozen languages, including common, it reads �Consort Services� in elegant purple lettering. A light purple pair of curtains blocks the doorway, and is flanked by two slender but well-built Nevirus bouncers.
DracBlue smiles. �Alright, let�s get to the station then.�
�Just going over this data that cyborg we rescued gave us,� Alexei sighs a bit, shaking his head at the data. �Logs, fleet movements, transactions, etc�he�s kept quite an eye on this Rogue Fleet and its business.�
Cara hears the sympathetic sound of Kyra�s voice in her mind. ~Then I look just like I feel. Oh, Kyra! Please get better. I need you�~ Looks at her in the tube.
�Does that help us?� Lilly questions glancing at the data. �Looks kinda boring and long to me. So is this supposed to tell us where we are going next?�
�Think you�re up for a walk, or grabbing a bite to eat?� Shayne asks Katie calmly.
~I�m as good as I�m gonna get, sister. Think the sphincter police will lemme out for bad behavior?~ Kyra tries to inject some levity into her tone, not knowing the impact her words might have.
Clarice enters the galley, her eyes seeking out Tewyn.
�It�ll give us an idea, at least. It�s very boring�� Glancing at Lilly again, Alexei smiles, �Ettik says it�s pleased that you joined us again.�
Katie looks up at him. �I don�t know if I have much of an appetite.� She looks sad.
Lilly blushes slightly. �It�s good to know I�m missed when I do go. Although, these disappearances keep bothering me. I�m starting to wonder if something might be wrong with me. But it�s good that it will give us an idea.�
Claron knocks lightly on Katie�s door.
�Yes?� Katie�s voice is tired and confused.
The medic-bots skitter along the floor and up the side of the tank. Using a claw scanner, one of them quickly scans Kyra. Slowly the tank begins to empty, med gel disappearing into the grate in the bottom of the tube.
Luna looks at the bouncers and raises her brow. �Ummmm, is this the place you meant to bring me?� she whispurrs quietly.
Shayne gets up from the bed and goes to the door to open it.
Jonathan puts down the notebook and glances around. �Wonder how the collection is doing?� He gets up and walks over to the closet he keeps his hardware in and pulls out a couple of the pieces of equipment.
�It�s the place,� Eclipse says and approaches the curtains. The bouncers look at Eclipse and Luna, then each other. The right one nods, and the left one holds back the curtain. The lobby of the Consort�s is lavishly decorated with angelic statues, purple wall curtains, and a dozen or so circular purple couches.
Luna steps through the curtain and looks around with a sigh, �Oooh, it�s lovely.�
Stepping inside the shop, Stryder looks at the tables piled with bottled herbs and reagents. A dark green hooded figure sways idly behind the counter, mixing items into a large bowl with yellow smoke rising from it.
Tzaphiel looks around at all the shops, �Where do you want to go?� she asks Drac.
Clarice moves over to where Tewyn is sitting. Sighing softly as she places her hand on his shoulder. �Feeling better?�
Lilly glances up and nods. �Thanks, Ettik. You are too sweet.�
Valrash looks at Cin and wonders to himself, �I wonder if I can channel my abilities through this to make them better.�
DracBlue looks at Tza. �How �bout we just wander around the station for awhile. It�s not like we need anything.�
Tewyn looks up. �Got quite a lump, but feeling ok, I guess.�
Jonathan pulls out his favorite rifle and smiles. �There�s my beauty.�
~I can hear you, and it should be possible,~ Cinthoric whispers skeptically to Valrash.
�What can I say, likes its crew,� Alexei smiles at Lilly, then looks back at the data and rolls his eyes. �Ettik, narrow the data to any notable star systems or installations in our star charts, please.�
Tzaphiel shrugs and takes his hand in hers, �Alright.�
�Kat, up to seeing an ole� friend?� Claron smiles weakly, peering round the side of Shayne.
Valrash smiles wickedly and then thinks to his sword, ~Then shall we try it out on that Jonathan fellow?~
�By all means, if you two ladies wish to be alone�I�ll take my leave,� Shayne steps aside gracefully, allowing Claron in.
�Claron!� Katie looks astonished. �Of course! But�what are you�� She breaks off, staring.
Claron then glances up at Shayne. �Just who the hell are you?�
Lilly watches the screens with Alexei, trying to keep herself busy. Wishing that she knew what all the gibberish was in front of her meant.
Jonathan puts the gun back, then pulled out two more and one of the many knives. Setting them down, he takes them one by one and cleans every inch of them.
�Claron�� Katie rushes to explain. �This is Lieutenant Colonel Shayne. We met when I was stationed away from you guys before Tab�well�before I�uh�.�
�Pleasure to meet you, Claron,� Shayne extends his hand.
�It was a nasty fall you took back there�� Clarice pauses for a moment, �Tewyn�something else happened back there. Kabal.��
�Kabal? What about him?� Tewyn suddenly looks concerned.
Valrash walks to Jon�s room and stands outside. He begins channeling his ability to find peoples fears into Jon. Finding one, he begins to push Jon�s fears upon him, making him live his worst nightmare.
�You dinnae think, I�d forget to come see how you doin� for myself, now...didja?� Claron�s smile broadens as she moves in closer toward Katie.
An Aeris woman in revealing but tasteful light pink robes moves over to Luna and Eclipse. �Welcome to the Consort Office, what may we do for you today?� She questions with a charming smile as she holds a thin data pad in her hand.
�Ach, lass, ye be a fine sight. Missed ye, I did.� Katie smiles and holds out her hands to her very best friend.
Jonathan falls backwards as his thoughts jump from his guns to a talking unicorn butting him in the behind, pushing him towards a mysterious male. Looking shocked and fighting the whole time not wanting to be able to see the other man. Knowing exactly what the unicorn is trying to get him to do. The thoughts jump to the two men embracing and�the real life movie starts over again and replays. Outside of his mind Jonathan screams.
Shayne gives a nod to the two ladies, �If you need me, I�ll be in the galley.�
�If it hadn�t been for Kabal, we wouldn�t have beat that creature. He didn�t make it�� Clarice looks mournfully at Tewyn.
Luna smiles softly at the lady, �I need a trim,� as she pats her mane with her paw. �I�m having a bad hair day.�
Tewyn lowers his head. �So�he�I see�.� tears forming in the corners of his eyes.
�Anthony�� Katie gives him a soft smile. �Thank you. I�ll see you later?�
The Aeris nods and marks something down on her data pad. She then looks at Eclipse, �And what can we do for you, sir?�
Valrash falls over laughing so hard that he can be heard from quite a bit away. He gets up and walks away, breaking the loop of Jonathan�s fear and he thinks to his sword, ~Yes, I do believe that it worked much better with you. A lot faster than normal.~
Claron takes Shayne�s hand as she straightens herself, �Pleasure seeing...er� meetin� ya, is all mine.� A reminiscent gleam of times past shimmers in her eyes.
Shayne gives Claron a friendly smirk, then looks over at Katie. �It�s a date,� He smiles at Katie, then steps out of the door.
Lilly turns at the laughter. �Who was that?� She works her way toward the laughter and finds herself in front of Jonathan�s door. Opening it, she looks inside and raises an eyebrow at the sight.
Jonathan lifts his head, now covered in sweat and looks around with the most shocked and frightened look on his face. �Where is it? Where is it�please, get it away from me!!�
Cinthoric sighs. ~And I was thinking you meant your pyrotechnics...not torturing somebody with unicorn fantasies.~
A tear lands beside Tewyn�s hand on the table. �How�s Cara?�
Claron�s gaze follows Shayne�s exit. �Not bad�not bad indeed.�
�Claron!� Katie looks shocked, but can�t help a small giggle.
Lilly moves in slowly. �Where is what? Jonathan, what are you blabbering about? There is nothing here.�
Jonathan sits up and continues to pant. �The unicorn�that blasted unicorn. The kissing and embarrassing, I could handle�but not that damn UNICORN!!!�
�Well,� Eclipse rubs his head, thinking, �can�t say there�s much I�m needing. Unless you think there�s something, Luna?�
Valrash looks at Cin, thinking, ~But it was funny�at the least, amusing.~
Lilly covers her mouth and tries to stifle a laugh, but can�t hold it in. �An unicorn? You are scared of an UNICORN??�
Valrash lets another bellow of laughter come out.
�Cara?�She is holding up fairly well. Quiet�� Clarice wipes a finger across Tewyn�s tear stained cheek.
Jonathan looks at her. �GET OUT!!!!!�
~Right�next time, leave me in your room.~ Cinthoric�s voice relays annoyance to Valrash.
Luna smirks at Eclipse, �Maybe they could trim your nails? They are a little sharp there, babe.�
Tewyn takes Clarice�s hand, his tears now streaming down her fingers. �So, I lost him again, before ever knowing all about him.�
Lilly breaks out laughing, shaking her head. �Fine I�ll leave you to your unicorn love. I�ll go find someone else to talk to... �She hears the laughter she heard earlier and makes her way towards the voice. Then notices it�s Valrash. �Hey, Valrash!!! Hold up!�
Valrash frowns. ~But next, we have to test the fire out�~ He turns around and sees Lilly, bows. �A pleasure to see you again, Miss. And what can I do for you?�
Tewyn sobs. �This is wrong�All wrong�This isn�t what the plan was to be!!�
Lilly stops and tries to control her breathing. �You weren�t by chance, the one that caused Jonathan to be on his floor covered in sweat, were you�screaming about unicorns?�
As the glass tubing sinks into the floor pad of the tank, one of the medical bots brings Kyra a blanket. The other gives her a quick injection. In its generic computer voice, it speaks, �This will help your body recover. You will have full motion in an hour or so.�
Claron embraces Katie tenderly. �I missed you, my friend. Brought ya a lil healing magic,� opening up the palm of her left hand to show Katie the rolled doobies, smiling.
Tzaphiel sees the garden area ahead, �Why don�t we take a walk in there?� She squeezes Drac�s hand lightly.
Jonathan gets up and slams his door loudly, taking a look around the room again.
Kyra sighs. ~I need a friggin� wheelchair like a weakling.~ �Cara-mia�let�s get out of here and talk.�
�Well they�re claws, but I suppose it couldn�t hurt,� Eclipse nods to the Aeris who marks it on her data pad. With another cheerful smile, she motions for the two to follow her, �This way, please.�
DracBlue nods and squeezes back, smiling and looking at all of the sights around them.
�I�m afraid so�I�m so sorry, my drow.� Clarice squeezes Tewyn�s hand gently.
Luna follows the Aeris with Eclipse. �Well honey, the claws are good until they rip the sheets.�
~Yes, let�s. But where?~ Cara slips an arm around Kyra�s waist.
�I�ve missed you too, Nuffing. It was awful there. If it hadn�t been for Anthony and Stry�well I�m just grateful to be back. But�Shinta�� Katie�s eyes shimmer with unshed tears.
Tewyn stands, keeping his head lowered. �He was to be my best man. I wanted him and Cara both there when I was going to ask you to be a Sion. I was going to discuss�.surprising, you�with them really soon. We were to all finally to be a family.� His tears run down his face.
�What about Shinta?� Claron sits down on the bed beside Katie, lights one of the joints.
�Katie�s room. I need to see her. Luna says they found her. But why was she missing? There�s so much I need to know.� Kyra�s voice is weak, but agitated.
�He�s in a coma in med bay, Claron. I don�t know what�s wrong with him. He looks like he�s�� her voice drops to a pained whisper, �dead.�
The green-hooded figure looks up at Stryder, the soft glow of light reflecting off its eyes shines before the hood is pulled back. Soft grey hair flows down either side of a humanoid-fox�s face, �You look troubled, child? Perhaps a potion to cure your ills? No...perhaps a daemon?�
^Shinta watches the gray void around him start giving way to the darkness. His binding, still fading.
Stryder raises a brow, �Daemon? What�s that?� his gaze drifts around the shop at the many trinkets, bottles and reagents.
Valrash smiles. �Guilty as charged.� He looks at her and then says, �Very interesting that someone would be afraid of a unicorn, I must say.�
Clarice looks stunned, unable to will words out of her mouth.
Lilly smiles again. �Yeah, and he seemed pretty angry when I told him there was no unicorn; and I was shocked that it was a poor unicorn that he was screaming about. Sheesh, you would think if it was a huge poisonous snake, that I could understand.�
�It�s what they wanted�.It�s what I wanted�.� Hugging her tight, Tewyn whispers in her ear, �They deserved you for the mother they longed for.�
�I suppose you�re right. Sheets are harder to find than clothes,� Eclipse chuckles lightly in agreement as the Aeris leads Luna and Eclipse into a large semi-circle room filled with salon-style equipment. A blue skinned woman with floor-length head tentacles motions Luna to a comfortable looking purple chair, while another Aeris sits Eclipse down at her manicurist table.
Valrash smiles at her. �Well, it�s not like I had to push hard to find his fear. So, he must think about it a lot.�
�How did you do it anyway? Last I knew you didn�t have that ability?� Lilly asks Valrash, looking at him, trying to find the thing that was out of the ordinary.
�That doesn�t make sense. Why would he go and do something like that?� Claron takes another hit off the joint and passes it to Katie.
Valrash continues to smile. �I have always had this ability, but I haven�t had a chance to use it recently.�
Katie grabs the joint and takes a deep breath. Then, taking a fairly large hit herself, she passes it back. �I don�t know what he did, Claron. I�m afraid of what might have caused this.�
Tzaphiel leads Drac into the garden and follows the path into what feels like a forest.
Jonathan groans and moves towards his bed. �I need some sleep. Something to shake off this feeling.� Collapsing in his bed, his eyes drift shut and he disappears from reality.
Luna takes off her cloak and lays it across a chair, then takes the offered seat.
Shayne enters the galley with a quick look around. Casually, he strolls over to the replicator and orders a drink. Taking the cup, he makes his way to one of the windows to get a view while he sips his refreshment.
Lilly nods. �And what made you choose him?�
Clarice can feel the warmth of Tewyn�s breath against her ear, melting away some of her icy layers of late.
Valrash continues, �It�s very easy. You just concentrate on their mind, and then pinpoint their nightmare. Then replay it in their mind�and as to why him, I hate hired hands.�
Lilly frowns. �That would be my fault then�Sorry.�
The blue-skinned stylist smiles at Luna, then picks up her tools of trade, �What kind of trim would you like, friend?�
Valrash says, �It is never the person�s fault that hired them. Just the ones who took the money to do the deed.�
Tewyn pulls himself up and looks into Clarice�s eyes. �I�m going to need you to get through this. If you are up for it.�
�But why don�t you care for them? Did something happen in the past?� Lilly looks concerned.
Luna looks at herself in the mirror, �I�m a mess. I�m not sure you can fix this.�
�You�ll not find it amongst my wares, child,� the fox pushes the mixing bowl aside and motions Stryder over. �Come, come. To find your daemon, we must look within and call it forth.�
Valrash thinks back and then replies, �One betrayed my mother once, and since then�I dislike all I see.�
Lilly puts a hand on his shoulder. �I�m sorry.�
�I will do my damnest to try and be. But�I can�t promise I will succeed at it,� Clarice gazes back at Tewyn.
Valrash looks at her hand and then at her. �It is not your fault.�
Tewyn strokes her cheek. �I think you will do fine. You always have.�
�I know, I�m still sorry you had to go through it.� Lilly looks at him reassuringly.
DracBlue looks around at the trees. �If I were ever to settle down�I think I would want to live near a forest.�
Valrash sighs as he says, �You are kind.�
Lilly smiles. �Thanks for noticing. Didn�t think people felt that way anymore.�
Claron takes another huge hit off the doobie, �Well, what do you think it is?�
Tzaphiel smiles, �It�s beautiful. You could almost forget that we�re on a space station.�
Valrash smiles. �Well, I was planning on taking a walk onto the station. Do you want to join me?�
Tewyn kisses her forehead, nose and lips. �I love you, Penance. Always have. Just wanted you to know. Didn�t want you walking around not hearing that from me.�
Clarice leans her cheek into Tewyn�s caressing touch.
Lilly nods. �Taken a lot during my time here, but don�t have anything better to do�and always seem to be without company. So sure. Let�s go.�
Stryder steps over to the counter, but remains unsure of whether to believe this person or not, �So, what all is involved in this Daemon finding?�
Valrash leads the way off the ship onto the station. �So, where to? The market? Or do you want to see the natural parts of this station?�
�We�ll see what we can do,� the stylist smiles at Luna and begins to work on her fur. Meanwhile; Eclipse watches as the Aeris works like an artist with his claws.
Tewyn holds Clarice again. �If I knew where that damn monk was, I�d ask you to be mine right here, right now.�
Lilly moves in step with him. �Let�s check out the market. Not sure how much I can afford to let go, but I think a little window shopping never hurt anyone.�
Clarice stands momentarily frozen in space. �The monk? He�s in med bay.�
DracBlue looks up at the trees and responds to Tza, �Well, I believe that were in a forest; except, there is no wildlife.�
Tewyn frowns. �What is he doing in med bay? He wasn�t fighting?�
Valrash heads to the market, �Well, you�re probably better off than I am.�
Almost as if in spite of Drac�s comment, a bird lands a white glob on his shoulder before flapping off towards the upper tiers of the station.
Lilly raises an eyebrow? �Why?�
DracBlue looks at his shoulder, �I have a bird to go kill.�
Tzaphiel laughs at Drac. �Careful what you wish for, baby.�
�I dunno. I found him laying unconscious in his quarters. I made sure he got to med bay. That�s about all I know.� Clarice shrugs her shoulder.
DracBlue looks up to where the bird flew off to. �I�ll be right back.�
Tewyn rubs his head. �Did you tell Katie? That sounds very strange.�
The fox pulls out a bag of powder from beneath the counter. Taking a pinch, the fox blows it at Stryder, then chants. After a few moments, the settling powder glows, displaying the blurry image of an animal moving about. �What is it?� Stryder questions.
Tzaphiel shakes her head at him as he flies off.
Lilly grabs Valrash�s arm. �Doesn�t matter, come on. Let�s go SHOPPING!!� She pulls him to a couple booths and picks up a couple of things before moving on to the next one. �Hey Valrash, didn�t everyone else pretty much come out here?�
DracBlue spots the bird that hit him with the glob and begins to fly toward it.
Holding up a hand, the fox nods, �Yes...yes, it comes. Your daemon, boy. It is in your soul, it drives you. Gives you strength, courage.�
Valrash watches her shop. �I�m not sure. I saw quite a few of the people in the galley.�
�No�there hasn�t been time�with Kabal, Cara�you, Claron�Stryder.� Clarice says genuinely.
The bird darts into a small hole in a support pylon just moments before its pursuer makes a nice *clang!* by hitting it.
�Just doesn�t seem right. He was unconscious, alone. Nothing else was in the room?� Tewyn lifts a brow.
Lilly stops and looks around. �Just don�t see any-� Suddenly someone catches her eye. �Is that Shadow?�
DracBlue falls and lands in a tree. �Oh, I am soooooo gonna get that damn bird.� He uses a leaf to wipe off the glob on his shoulder. He flies over to the pylon and reaches into the hole, trying to reach the bird.
�Okay�and why does an animal have to do with my soul?� Stryder questions, looking intrigued by the glowing yellow dust.
The fox gazes at him, �We can bring it forth, make it live alongside you. Your soul made manifest.�
Valrash looks where she is looking. �I believe that it is.�
�Wanna go see what�s going on? I�m curious to find out what is going on.� Drac feels a series of pecks on his forearm, followed by a short shock from a stray electrical wire.
Cara nods her head. �She�ll be happy to see you,� walking slowly with Kyra in the direction of Katie�s quarters.
Valrash follows Lilly. �Alright then, let�s go see.�
Clarice shakes her head, �No�not that I remember.�
Lilly stops right behind Stryder and glances at the hooded character. �So Stryder, what you doing? Did you find anything good?�
Tzaphiel flies up to Drac, �Let it go, baby.�
Tewyn persists. �That�s not like him. There should of been something there.�
DracBlue feels the shock, but keeps groping around for the bird. Feeling feathers, he grabs it and pulls.
�What makes you say that?� Clarice asks innocently.
�I�m not sure�� Stryder glances over at Lilly and Valrash. �Something about daemons and making them manifest?� He looks back at the fox, who simply watches him and the two others.
Tewyn sighs impatiently. �Well if you saw no signs of a struggle. Then why would he do it to himself and not leave something behind. That is not what he would do.�
DracBlue sighs as he pulls out just a mere handful of feathers. He sighs again. �Alright, I�ll let it go.�
�So what are you trying to hide? And why would you even try to hide it?� Tewyn says accusingly.
Lilly�s eyes enlarge. �Daemons manifesting. Sounds kinda cool. Hey Valrash, what do you think?�
Valrash shrugs. �It sounds interesting enough.�
Drac hears a triumphant chirping from the hole before he leaves.
Tzaphiel makes a hissing noise at the hole, sounding very much like a lynx. Then slowly floats back to the floor.
Lilly turns to the hooded fox. �So what�s this about the Daemons? Are you trying to hurt people??�
Luna sighs and smiles at her reflection in the mirror, �You are a miracle worker,� she says to the girl behind her.
Kyra�s steps get a little stronger as she strength begins to return. �I�ll be glad to see her, too. And glad to have some answers. I�ve been having the weirdest visions in that damn fishbowl.�
�How much is this going to cost me?� Stryder questions the fox.
The fox glances at the glowing dust and shakes her head, �Free of charge,� turning her attention to Lilly. �Never hurt. The daemon is a reflection of you, of your soul.�
Clarice looks at Tewyn strangely. �Hide? Can�t think of a thing I would want to hide.�
Valrash just watches with interest.
The blue skinned stylist smiles softly as she adds the finishing touches to Luna, �A pleasure to serve, friend.�
Lilly looks around at the other three. �Of my soul? What is that supposed to mean? I don�t have a Daemon in my soul.�
Katie takes another as well. �I don�t know. I didn�t get close enough to look. It was such a shock��
Valrash smiles. �I wonder what yours would be.� He looks at Stryder.
�What did you see, Kyra?� Cara asks as they stop in front of Katie�s door, then knocks.
Tewyn shakes his head. �You�re telling me�that it looks like he did this to himself, and wouldn�t even leave something for her? If there is one thing I know about that guy, it�s that he loved her. And it was a big struggle for him. He wouldn�t remove himself from this place and not leave her something.�
�Come in!� Katie yells a little more loudly than she�d intended.
Luna stands up and bows to the girl, �Thank you for your help.�
�Everyone does�some deny their daemons, and others embrace them. Do you wish to glimpse yours as well?� The fox questions Lilly, as the glowing dust in front of Stryder forms into a stalking lioness.
Lilly raises an eyebrow. �Free of charge? I guess if it�s free and there are no side effects�sure, I�ll glimpse it.�
Clarice stops for a moment, hands on hips. �Wait just a minute. I never once said I thought he did this to himself. I simply said I found him in his room unconscious.�
Tewyn growls. �Well, how about I go to med bay and just find out then.�
The fox blows a pinch of the dust at Lilly and chants once again, the glowing powder taking the blurry shape of a animal bounding through the trees.
Lilly watches the dust, confused. �What is this?�
Luna looks over at Eclipse, �You ready to go shopping?�
The animal in the dust pauses, lifting its head high and letting out a soundless howl as it forms into a ivory wolf.
Lilly smiles amazedly. �A wolf? A wolf is my soul???�
Eclipse thanks the Aeris, then looks at his nails, �Not bad�good thing I passed on the polish. Red just isn�t a good color for me.�
�Do you wish your daemon be made manifest, child?� The fox asks Lilly, the hint of excitement in her aged voice.
Luna giggles, �I�m partial to purple, it would look good with your dark coloring.� They walk out of the office and down the promenade. �Now to find some new clothes.�
Lilly smiles and nods her head. �Sure. I always liked wolves.� She turns to Valrash. �Hey, you should find out what yours would be.�
�Okay�why don�t you just do precisely that. And I think, it�s high time I check on my sister. After all, Shaiya made certain my sister felt her wrath again.� Clarice stands shaking her head, her quietly sleeping anger now being fueled slowly.
�I know your lying. You were always bad at it.� Heading to the med bay and bursting in, walks over to Shinta. Tewyn looks down at Shinta and looks around for the bots. �So what happened to him?�
The fox scoops up the dust wolf and tosses it into the smoking mixing bowl nearby. A soft dust stream flows up from the bowl and over to Lilly. Going through her, it begins to gather behind her on the floor, building upon itself. A bright glow shoots from Lilly painlessly down the stream, causing the dust to form into a living breathing ivory wolf.
Lilly turns from the fox and looks at the wolf forming. �Wow�it�s beautiful.�
The wolf tilts his head to Lilly and to her surprise speaks, in a young spirited tone, �Lilly, I am Sata.�
Clarice feels her anger rising as she heads off down the hallway towards Claron�s room. �Oh, fuck it. Ettik, confirm location of Claron.�
Lilly looks shocked at the sound of the voice. �Sata? Um, hi. But�um�how did you know my name if I did not know yours?�
Valrash looks with even more interest. �I believe, I would like to see mine as well.�
Stryder�s eyes widen at the sight of the wolf.
Claron moves over to the door and opens it. �Busy place�yer room, Kat,� palming the joint behind her back.
Sata grins as he cocks his head. �Well, I�m part of you. As for why you did not know my name. Well, that just means you don�t know your soul all that well.�
Katie looks with interest at the door. �Oh my God. Kyra!� She jumps to her feet and embraces the girl.
DracBlue walks towards the market. �Say�isn�t that Stryder, Valrash and that one girl? I think her name was Lilly?�
The fox smiles at Lilly and Sata, then blows the dust for Valrash. Amongst the blur, a winged creature soars in the sky. As it circles, it dives downward, forming into a small dragon.
Tewyn looks around for anything stating Shinta�s condition. �I know it�s here somewhere.�
Lilly turns to Valrash. �I�m getting sleepy. Do you mind if I take my leave and we continue the walk later?�
Claron looks at Cara sympathetically, �Cara. I�m sorry.� She slips her arm around Cara and pulls her in close in a motherly fashion.
Tzaphiel looks around and sees them through a shop�s window, �Looks like it, what are they doing in a shop like that?�
A holographic readout hovers in the air above Shinta, giving life-signs and current condition in an easy to read format.
Valrash smiles. �Not at all get some sleep.� Then he looks at the dragon and smiles even greater. �A dragon how curious.�
�Damn! Thought so. He did it to himself. Why the fuck would she hide that?� Tewyn runs out of sick bay and toward Katie�s room.
Sata yawns softly next to Lilly, mimicking her sleepiness.
Looking back at the fox, Lilly asks. �Any chance, I could borrow some of that dust stuff. One of our crew would love to see his soul animal. And well, he isn�t here and can�t come anytime soon�and I don�t want him to miss out on this joy��
Luna pauses in front of a shop that looks promising. �Let�s check this one out.� She pulls Eclipse into the store and moves purposefully to a rack of men�s wear.
�Come in, lass. Claron and I were just talking.� Katie sighs. �After what we�ve all be through, they need it just as much as we do. You can stop hiding the smoke.� She looks at Claron.
Lilly looks shocked. �You�re sleepy too? Oh wait�does that mean however I feel�you feel the same way?�
Sata bellows lowly. �Exactly. We are connected in such a way that whatever happens to either of us, happens to the other.�
DracBlue looks at Tza. �Let�s go check it out.�
Tewyn catches his breath and knocks on Katie�s door.
Tzaphiel follows Drac towards the shop, �I have a bad feeling about this.� She shudders as she looks at all the unappetizing things on display.
�It will cost you, child,� the fox says to Lilly as she separates some of the powder and puts it into a small bag, along with a small scroll.
Shadow heads out, walks the station until he sees Stryder. He walks towards the store and asks Valrash, �What�s going on here?�
�Shit. On second thought, hide that.� Katie smoothes her tunic. �Yes?� she tries to say in a level voice.
Lilly goes to grab it, but not before glancing back at the fox. �How much?�
�Okay, hum�� Eclipse leafs through the rack, �This one looks nice.�
Tewyn walks in and sees all the women gathered, giving Cara a look of sorrow. �I have some information you might want to know.�
Luna nods at his choice and makes several selections for him as well. �These look like they should fit.�
Valrash looks at Shadow. �We�re looking at what our souls are. They are called daemons.�
The fox glances around at the gathering group, then at Lilly, �500.� Turning her attention to Valrash, the fox nods, �You wish your daemon made flesh?�
Lilly grabs her money pouch and counts it. �There�s 500.�
Valrash�s eyes smile as he nods his head. �Yes, definitely.�
The fox nods and gives Lilly the bag, �Read it precisely as written, otherwise there could be�problems.�
When Clarice finally sees the flashing light on the holo-graphic map, her faces pales. The image of her father jerking her head back flashes before her. She feels his other hand clawing at the neck of her blouse just as she slumps limply to floor.
Lilly raises an eyebrow and then nods. �Of course. And thank you very much.� After grabbing the dust and the scroll, she says her goodbyes to the group before heading back to the ship. Sata following closely.
Sata moves right up to Lilly�s side. �So, you heading back to the ship?�
�Info? What info, Va?� Cara asks in a soft whisper.
Tewyn�s mouth thins to a grim line. �The monk�He did it to himself.�
Lilly nods and when she arrives on the ship, she directs Sata to �their� room. Opening the door, she waits for Sata to go in, which she soon follows. �Umm, Sata, where do you plan on sleeping?�
Sata moves around the room, looking around. �On the edge of the bed, the floor. Doesn�t really matter to me. Where do you prefer me to sleep?�
�SO? What does that matter to me?� Cara asks innocently.
Tewyn looks at Katie. �He did it to himself,� now ignoring Cara.
Katie pales and sits down on the edge of her bed. �No.�
Lilly climbs into bed and covers up. �Edge of the bed, I guess. You are my soul, after all.� Getting comfortable, she closes her eyes and drifts off to sleep as Sata jumps on the bed and curls up at her feet.
�And I think Clarice has the answer to why. He wouldn�t do that and not leave you a explanation. You know as much.� Tewyn prods.
The fox repeats the same ritual with Valrash�s dust figure. The stream flows through him, the pulse from its body red as it strikes the forming creature, giving form to a small (lynx sized) red dragon. The red dragon introduces herself to Valrash as �Kalseru�.
Luna moves around the store picking a few other items out for Eclipse. �I think, this should do for a while,� she finally says as she drops an arm full of clothing on the shopkeep�s counter.
�I�d say�� Eclipse gives a �phew� sigh looking at all the clothes.
�What makes you say that about my sister, Tewyn?� Claron stands with a protective arm still around Cara.
Valrash walks out of the store talking with Kal.
Tewyn looks at Claron. �If you had to do something, and Tab wasn�t there, would you not leave him something to let him know you still loved him?�
Luna smiles at Eclipse, �Well you deserve to look good. And you can�t keep wearing that armor all the time.�
Tewyn scowls. �She found him in his room. But didn�t tell anyone. That�s odd behavior.�
�If you say so. You�re sure you don�t moonlight as a fashion adviser?� Eclipse chuckles as the shopkeep puts the clothes into bags.
�So then, what did he do?� Katie�s voice sounds numb. �And what makes you say Clarice had anything to do with it? It doesn�t make sense, Froggy. How could he put HIMSELF in a coma?�
Claron tilts her head as she looks at Tewyn. �I would if I could.�
DracBlue watches Valrash exit the store with a dragon and just stands there in awe.
�So even something like a note, or something�yes?� Tewyn looking at Katie, �He has some very unique gifts. Maybe a coma is the only medical term they can label it. We know he can do very powerful things with souls. Why couldn�t he with his?�
Luna shrugs, �Maybe I was in a past life.� She grabs a bag and hands it to Eclipse, then reaches for the other one. �Anything else you can think of?�
Seeing the two daemons come to life, Stryder turns back to the fox, �Interesting...so mine would be what? A lion?� He looks down at the glowing dust figure bounding across a savannah.
Katie nods thoughtfully. �But why would he? What purpose would it serve?� Her soft whisper is achingly sad.
Tzaphiel looks from Valrash and the dragon to Drac, �What was he doing with a baby dragon?�
Tewyn shrugs helplessly. �Maybe he was fighting for you in his own way. But that can�t be answered by me. But I think someone knows the answer. And if he did leave something. Don�t you think you have a right to know what that was, Katie?�
�Fighting�.for me? Dammit, what the hell is he THINKING!?!� Katie�s voice raises in anger. �Does he think I�m going to be pleased to see him harm himself for me? Is that supposed to prove his love? Goddess, that man is insane!� She thunders, flopping back on her bed.
DracBlue shakes his head. �I have no clue, but I intend to find out.�
Claron slips away from Cara�s side. �Oh, Kat.� Her eyes catch the sight of something familiar on the stand next to Katie�s bed as she slips an arm around her. �Sounds cowardly to me. Very foolish of Shaman.�
Tewyn lowers his head. �Maybe he was proving something for you both. You always say you�re poison. Maybe he is showing he would die for you....Not from you.�
Tzaphiel follows Drac through the shop, hesitantly. �I don�t know about this place,� she whispers.
�So he chooses my greatest fear to teach me a lesson?� Katie�s anger is still smoldering.
�We all have to face our fears sometime.� Tewyn says gently.
DracBlue turns to Tza and caresses her face. �Don�t worry, I�ll be here too. I won�t let anything happen to you.�
Tzaphiel moves closer to Drac. �Ok.�
�It�s worth a try�� Stryder says as the fox repeats the ritual yet again. Stryder watches the dust cloud form into a slender lioness. Crouching down, he extends a hand and the lioness rubs up against it, �Hello Stryder, I�m Aurora,� she speaks softly.
�Everyone should know they�re loved. No matter how someone tries to show it. He had his reasons. It�s up to you to find out what they are.� Tewyn leaves her room with a heavy heart.
DracBlue looks in just as the dust turns into the lioness and his jaw drops. He can�t believe what he is seeing.
Shadow looks at Stryder. �This is interesting, I don�t believe that I have ever seen anything like this.�
Katie gets up and stares at the door. �Why? Why would you do this to me, shaman? Why would you put me through this?� Her broken whisper is barely heard.
Kyra puts a hand on Katie�s arm. �Katie?�
�More guests�so many daemons today,� the fox almost giggles, though settles for a pleasant smile instead.
DracBlue looks at the fox. �Daemons? What are those?�
Tzaphiel stands behind Drac and looks around him at the lioness. �Wow.�
�See for yourself,� the fox motions at Aurora next to Stryder. �Daemons are a part of you, your soul, brought forth to help and guide you.�
Claron watches Tewyn leave, �Froggy seem different to you?�
Tzaphiel moves a little closer, �Are they always beasts?�
Katie nods. �More intense. It�s like he�s seeing his sins and trying his hardest to save everyone else from theirs.� She says absently.
Nodding, the fox looks at Tza, �An animal reflects who you are, it is not known why, but daemons are always beasts.�
�That's putting it mildly, don�t ya think?� Claron reaches her hand out, a fingertip traces the clip laying there.
Tzaphiel moves back again, �I don�t think I like the thought of that. A part of my soul living outside of me?� She shudders at the thought.
�It is your choice, child. The daemon still lives within you.� The fox nods to Tza, with respect. She eyes Drac, �What of you?�
DracBlue sighs and then says, �I don�t believe I want my soul out of my body either. Thanks though.�
�As you wish�� The fox scoots the bowl back in front of her.
Luna passes by the shop with Eclipse. She pauses, her ears twitching as she overhears Tzaphiel�s comment. �What in the name of the goddess are they doing in this voodoo shop?� She moves into the store and walks to the counter the group is gathered around.
Still tracing the outline of the clip, Claron looks up at Katie, knowingly. Her eyes saying it all.
Luna looks around the group, then turns her attention to the fox lady, �What are you doing?�
Stryder listens to Drac and Tza, then shrugs looking at Aurora, �Was a more interesting walk than I thought it�d be,� he says as he leaves the shop, giving Eclipse and Luna a wave.
�I only offered them what was already theirs,� the fox lady says, then pauses looking at Luna. �You�yes�you have the gods touch upon you, child.�
Katie continues to stare at the door.
Luna growls, �I see, and how many of my crew have you affected?� Luna looks at the lady with a raised brow, �As a matter of fact, I do.�
Shadow smiles as he leaves the shop, not talking to Luna. Heading back to the ship, he decides to go to the galley and throw back a few pints.
�Affected, no�given them their daemons,� the fox lowers her hood, eyeing Eclipse. �The gods have touched you both...daemons within your own right.�
Tzaphiel feels Luna�s ire and thinks better of getting on her bad side. Tugging on Drac�s arm, she whispers, �Let�s get out of here.�
Luna�s mane fairly stands on end as she is called a daemon. �I am the avatar.� She growls lowly.
DracBlue just nods to her as he walks out with her hand in his.
�Avatars are a plenty if you know where to look.� The fox pulls back part of her robe to reveal a marking on her wrist. Luna recognizes it as one of the more older gods symbols.
Tewyn falls into his bed, his mind whirling about Kabal.
Luna shakes her head, �You should know better. Avatars are servants of the gods. It�s not something to be toyed with.�
�We all serve our gods.� The fox says scathingly to Luna as she turns, �I guide as he wishes me to. It is their choice to make, I simply show them it is a choice. Now, Avatar, go and leave me to my work.
Luna looks at Eclipse, then storms out of the shop. �These people are not gods. How do you think they will use this new found daemon?� she mutters as she goes out the door.
Tzaphiel holds Drac�s hand tightly as they walk back toward the ship, �That place creeped me out.�
Eclipse looks at the fox for a moment after Luna leaves, �I thought I was right...gods be with you, Vulpe.� Eclipse gives a quick bow of his head, then hurries out after Luna.
DracBlue nods to Tza, �It was definitely creepy.�
�So, Katie�my wee lass�a belt of scotch sure would taste good about now.� Claron smirks.
�Interesting,� Alexei says, pausing the data streams for a moment. �Cross-reference these locations, with the movements, and show it on the local star charts.� Alexei watches as points light up on the star chart. Once they are all up, he moves closer and studies it. �It�s a pattern�they�re moving in a pattern. If we add in the data from the Alliance about those energy signatures��
�It�s under the bed.� Katie says softly, her eyes bright and burning.
Tzaphiel leans into Drac�s side, �Let�s just get back to the ship before Luna decides to take her anger out on us.�
DracBlue nods his head. �I agree. I wouldn�t want to be in her way when she is mad.�
Luna moves away from the shop, watching the young couple ahead of her. �I can just imagine the mischief those two would have caused if they had taken her offer.�
The corners of Claron�s mouth curls up into a smile as the bottle of Scotch comes floating out from underneath the bed into her hand. �Some things do remain the same.� She giggles, takes a belt of scotch, then passes the bottle to Katie.
Katie grabs the bottle and takes a healthy swig, wiping her mouth gingerly. �Damn him. Damn him for this.�
Cara reaches her hand out towards the bottle, looks back and forth between Katie, Claron and Kyra.
�If we�re right, that means they�ll be going here, then here�� Alexei rubs his chin then nods. �It�s worth a try. And according to the Alliance data, one of the weak signatures was in this general area.�
Katie shrugs and hands Cara the bottle. �Might as well. Seems we�ve all got something to get fucked up over, tonight.�
Cara takes a swig, then coughs as she hands the bottle to Kyra.
�Can you now?� Eclipse asks as he follows next to Luna.
Kyra takes the bottle and belts one back like a pro.
Katie smirks. �You little lush.�
Kyra burps delicately and shrugs.
Luna glances over at Eclipse, �Can�t you? Do you think this is going to be a good thing?�
�Can�t say for sure either way, it�s their choice. They�ll have to live with all it entails,� Eclipse says calmly, shifting a glance to the two bags of clothing he is carrying. �Explain to me again why I need one pair of clothes for each day of the week?�
Alexei moves back to the console and switches on the ship-wide, �All right everyone, I�ve examined the data we were given and I�ve come up with two possible locations of the next weapon. We know what to look for now, all we need to go is find it before they do.�
Clarice props herself up on her elbows, off the floor. �Fuck �em.� Rising slowly to her feet, she heads off to the only other sanctuary she has ever known, Katie�s room.
Luna sighs, �We all have to live with what their choices entail.� Reaching a paw over to his back, she raps on his armor with her knuckles, �Not so much for each day of the week. But so that you have a new set when you wear one out.�
�With the rate we�re going, that�ll be in a few days,� Eclipse chuckles as they head back to the ship.
Luna smirks, �I hope not, dear.�
Tzaphiel pulls Drac into her room, �Let�s try to get some sleep before the next fight.�
Luna�s ears twitch, listening to Alexei�s announcement as she and Eclipse enter the ship. �Well, that was fast work, Alexei.�
Katie mentally replays random moments of her and Shinta�s friendship, slumping onto the bed and gazing over at the nightstand idly.
Tzaphiel makes quick work helping Drac undress, her own clothing disappears just as fast. She climbs into the bed and makes room for him to join her.
Valrash lays on his bed, thinking as he begins to doze off. Kal lays down with him.
Luna leads the way back to their room. Taking the bags to the closet, she hangs up Eclipse�s new clothes and her own cloak.
DracBlue lays down with Tza and then cuddles with her.
Tzaphiel pulls the blanket up as she curls into Drac�s side. �G�nite, baby,� she sighs as she lays her head on his shoulder.
DracBlue sighs in contentment as she lays her head on her shoulder. �G�night, my lovely.�
Stryder sits on the edge of his bed in his quarters, Aurora laying next to him on the sheets, �Don�t worry, Stryder. Your mother loves you, she just needs time to see it.�
As the Ettik prepares to head for the first of its two destinations, the Aquanas� system, the crew is given time to relax and some given time to interact with their daemons, the animal spirits that once resided within them. Others took their time off to deal with recent events and getting to know a different kind of spirits.
Elsewhere: Zach crashes onto his father�s swivel chair, turning to see the green-haired man swirling a glass of wine as he watches the promenade below. �So Zach, it was a demon after all�and the real son returns to them. I wonder if they�ll think that if one was an imposter, could the other have been?�
Meanwhile: Under the groans and stresses of the old metal, the city stands firm amongst the crashing waves. In a low chamber, flooded from its slow descent into the sea, something stirs as it detects intrusion into its silent sanctuary. Padded feet echo against long forgotten steel, unaware that their search for power will not be without strife�