Previously on Warriors of Destiny: Arriving at Port Aegis, the crew had time to rest and relax after aiding the breakout of prisoners on the Bane planet, Acheron. While the two ships were re-supplied and repaired, the crew had the chance to explore the large station.
On the ship, Claron sought to smoke away her troubles, but had used a mystical herb instead of her normal stash. The result allowed Claron to see and even talk with the spirit of Vincalis, Tabris� father, and got some insight into her son�s condition.
Meanwhile, the others enjoy each other�s company or looked around the station�s marketplace. Shops offering a wide variety of goods littered the tiered promenades, restaurants and clubs offering refreshments and entertainment as well.
*Time passed: About an hour*
As Ettik�s spider bots finish up with the final external repairs, interior maintenance once again become their priority. Port Aegis, with its constant daylight illumination, seems to quiet down as the large crowds dwindle to window shoppers and casual strolls.
Shadow snores loudly from his room.
Skirmir having decided to leave Clarice to her thought, watches the passersby as he and Clarice continue walking slowly along one of the middle tiers. His gaze drifts over to the artificial lake and grassy parks lining it, �The illusion is quite remarkable��
^Shinta sits quietly in his room listening to Remy babble.
Luna lays tangled up with Eclipse purring happily. �And I thought you were tired.� She chuckles as she kisses his shoulder and heals the bite marks. �I�m sorry, I forgot I can hurt you now.�
Tewyn sits on his bed staring blankly at a wall. �So you ready for this? Seems your daughter and son have been waiting a long time for you to make your mind up.�
�As long as you fix them afterwards, I think I�ll manage,� Eclipse smiles at Luna, shaking his head at her apology.
Syne leans over the railing, looking out at the massive interior of the docking bay. His eyes trail along the Ettik�s hull, then to the offspring, �Well...looks like the kiddo is built more for battle than mom is.�
DracBlue lays next to Tza, �And that�s where my gems come from.�
Katie strolls back onto the ship, going to her room and sitting on her bed. She draws her knees to her chest and sighs, closing her eyes.
Tzaphiel shakes her head in confusion and sighs, �I guess what goes in must come out. I�m just confused by the change in the product.�
Clarice shakes her head slightly, �Huh? What did ya say?� looks over at Skirmir with an apologetic look.
Kyra stirs restlessly. Her eyelids flutter once, twice, then she gazes at the ceiling. Raising her hand to her face, she sniffles.
Luna runs her paws over his back soothing some scratches. �I�ll take care of you forever, my love.�
�Just commenting on the scenery.� Skirmir glances back to Clarice, studying her look, �You seem to have a lot on your mind.�
DracBlue stares up at the ceiling, �What�s even more perplexing is how we change when we are touched by white magic.�
Tabris approaches the door to their quarters. Sniffing the air, he raises a brow, �Smoke?�
Cara paces back and forth in her room, her mind in a whirl with what she mentally picked up on concerning Kyra and Stryder.
Kyra swings her feet over the side of the bed, sitting up. She stands, then crumples to the floor. �Ow,� she gasps weakly.
�And I�ll do the same,� Eclipse stretches as she paws his back.
Valrash comes out of his room and walks to the galley. �What I can�t stand is all the waiting. When are we going to see some action? Nothing to do, but wait here.�
Syne turns around and watches several techs ferry hover-loaders full of ammo crates to a large Terran dreadnaught, docked across the bay from Ettik. �Don�t see those everyday��
^Shinta waves a hand. �Yes, Remy. I am aware there seem to be some others around, but they are not of my concern�You can play hostess if you want, and greet them�Just don�t grope the guests, ok?�
�No, you don�t. Terran Alliance ships don�t usually frequent the Outer Rim.� Alexei says as he walks up to Syne. He checks something off on a datapad, �That takes care of the re-supply, now we�re just here for R&R.�
Claron smiles as she finishes brushing her hair. At the sound of Tabris� voice, she takes one last look in the mirror, then exits out of the bathroom.
Clarice nods her head, �That obvious, is it?�
Tewyn gets up and stands at the door, �One step at a time, Sion...One step at a time,� walking out of his room.
DracBlue sighs, �But enough about me�can I ask you something?�
A short but slender female alien dressed in a courier�s outfit walks down the docking catwalk, package tucked under one arm and an idle humming on her lips. She stops near Alexei, �Excuse me, gentlemen. Package for a Lt. McKinnon here.�
Kyra pulls herself painfully to her feet, wincing. �My ankle,� she moans. She drags herself to the bathroom and looks in the mirror, startled at how pale she is. �Lovely.� She splashes her face with water, then makes her slow way back to her bed, sitting down with a weary groan.
Alexei looks at the courier, then at the package, �Lt. McKinnon?� He looks at Syne, �You think she means Katie?�
Luna cuddles closer. �I know you will,� she whispurrs against his warm chest. As she lays in his embrace listening to his heart beating, she hears a low rumble and laughs. �Someone�s hungry.�
^Shinta watches Remy run out like a kid after a new toy. �Never listen, do you?�
Tzaphiel runs her hand thru her purple tinted hair and raises one brow at Drac, �You can ask anything you want. But I can�t promise what the answer will be.�
Syne shrugs, �Beats me...I didn�t even know we had ranks around here.� The courier taps her foot impatiently on the plating, �I just need someone to sign that it was received.� She holds out a datapad with an equally impatient grip.
�Am I?� Eclipse chuckles, �I thought that was my body showing approval.�
Katie plays through memory snippets in her mind, smiling at some, frowning at others. She scoots back against the headboard and resumes her previous position of knees to chest. Her lashes fan her cheeks once more, and she takes a deep breath, exploring more of her memories.
Skirmir nods, �That distant look, like a shaman using foresight to predict weather and crops.� He glances to the lakes again, �You were quiet for some time, it must be troubling you greatly.�
Alexei takes the datapad and signs it and has the package promptly shoved into his hands. He blinks, then looks at Syne. �Here, take this to Katie. I�ve got to check up with Sikozu and see how they�re doing.� He hands Syne the package and heads down the catwalk.
Syne eyes the plain brown package suspiciously and holds it up to his ear as he boards the Ettik, �Well it�s not a bomb, that�s good, I suppose��
Tabris enters his and Claron�s quarters and smiles to Claron. �Well hello there...been �relaxing� a little, I see.� He motions to the ash-tray with a mostly-smoked roll in it.
Kyra notices her hands shaking, surprised at what a toll walking to the bathroom took on her. �Gods, what is going on?�
Tewyn starts wandering down the halls until he is in front of his daughter�s door. Pausing a moment, he takes a deep breath and knocks.
DracBlue looks at Tza. �How do you know Syne?�
Luna shakes her head, �No, that sound means you really need to eat. How about a quick shower, and then we go get some food?� She begins to untwine herself slowly.
�Works...no clothes to take off, so it will be a quick shower.� Eclipse winks at Luna as he snakes off the bed and into the bathroom with lithe agility.
Syne finishes sniffing the package as he reaches Katie�s quarters, �Hmm...doesn�t smell dangerous. Guess it�s safe then,� he says to himself quietly as he knocks on her door.
Katie�s head snaps up. �What?� she barks warily.
^Shinta grunts. �Shut up, Sano�you�re starting to sound like a certain rat we had around years ago. I know we have to talk at some point.�
�Package for you, Katie.� Syne says in his best delivery boy attitude.
�Kinda rude of me to say the very least. To start a conversation, then get lost in my own thoughts. Yes...troubling....one could say that. Please accept my apology.� Clarice smiles meekly at Skirmir.
�Package? What package? It�s unlocked.� Katie calls out in a softer voice.
Tzaphiel sits up and swings her legs over the side of the bed, turning her back on Drac. �Why do you want to know that?� Her hair changing to a very short style and hot red color.
Tewyn turns away from the door. �Well she isn�t here, guess I will lounge in the galley,� walking away.
Syne opens Katie�s door and presents the unmarked brown package to her, �This package...it doesn�t sound or smell dangerous, so I have no idea what�s in it.�
Claron walks toward Tabris, nodding her head. �You could say that,� as she nears him.
Katie blinks, then holds out her hand.
~Father was at your door, Cara.~ Kabal�s voice plays in her head as he sits on the edge of a table in the galley, watching a small cargo ship dock and unload.
Cara rushes to the door, and opens it. Spotting Tewyn moving down the hallway, �VA!� she calls out.
Kyra�s mind instinctively reaches out for Stryder�s, then she catches herself and stops. �No, stupid. Leave him be,� she grumbles.
�Well, I shouldn�t pry,� Syne turns to head for the hallway, then stops just outside the doorframe. �Oh, and the delivery person said it was for Lt. McKinnon. If that means anything.�
Tewyn stops and turns, �So about this one step at a time thing�� looking down at the floor, �you happen to be hungry?�
DracBlue notes a mark on her back. He decides to ask her about that next and then he responds, �Just curious. You know, it was weird how you looked at each other.�
The breath wooshes out of Katie. �Lt. McKinnon?� she gasps.
Arwyn walks through the corridor of Ettik towards the galley, pleased with all she has seen so far.
Stryder looks up from his knees to glance at the closed door to Kyra�s quarters. Sighing, he leans his head back against the bulkhead and rests his arms on his knees.
^Shinta mumbles while heading to the door, �I really don�t know who is worse�you, Remy, or Kyo.�
Luna crawls off the bed and joins Eclipse in the now warm shower.
Cara smiles, �Come to think of it...I�m starved,� stepping out into the hallway.
Tzaphiel shrugs, �Let�s just say we had a sordid past and leave it alone. Okay?�
^Shinta sighs. �But if she starts yelling and going crazy�you�re taking over, and I�m taking vacation on the other side�you got that!�
�No need to apologize, Clarice. Thoughts distract everyone from time to time,� Skirmir smiles friendly at her, brushing away a persistent bunch of his long red hair intent on hanging over his eye.
Katie thinks of the tattered remains of her old uniform in the bottom drawer of her dresser. �I don�t know of anyone else who knows me as a Lieutenant.� She shakes her head. �Except the people on this ship who served with me.�
�Well, let�s go see what we can find to eat then,� Tewyn looks over to Cara.
DracBlue smiles his usual happy-go-lucky smile and nods his head, now asking, �Say, what�s that mark on your back?�
�Maybe it�s from one of them then? Who knows?� Syne shrugs, then waves to Katie, �I�ll be around, just yell if it ends up being a bomb or something.� He smirks as he walks down the corridor.
^Shinta turns a corner and stops, seeing Syne by her door. �Guess that shouldn�t be a surprise�Better wait until they are done.�
Kyra stares at her door. �Though I can�t help daydreaming that you�re going to come through that door and sweep me up in your arms, telling me there�s no one else you want. It�s stupid. I�ll try to get over it.�
Lathering up his tail, Eclipse rubs the tip of it playfully across Luna�s nose.
Cara nods to Tewyn as she moves down the hallway towards him.
Luna playfully bites his tail and purrs, �Mmmmm, I always did like a good piece of tail.�
Syne nods to Shinta as he passes him, �Howdy, out for a stroll?�
^Shinta just nods and continues to walk.
�Thanks a lot.� Katie grumbles, smiling faintly. �Some friend you are.� She looks at the box in her lap, then opens it carefully. �Alright. What mystery and intrigue do we have here?�
Tewyn glances at Cara, �So what are you hungry for?�
Tzaphiel looks over her shoulder at Drac, �It�s a mark of my origin and gift.�
DracBlue cocks his head sideways, �So your origin and gift is a thunderbolt?�
Past the plain brown packaging is a plain white box, inside it is a black dress folded gently into the small box. In the middle of the folded dress is a small lump, something hidden between the layers of fabric.
�Oh! Saut�ed mushrooms, sound nice.� Cara slides her hand into her father�s.
�Mmmmm, mushrooms are always nice. Sounds like a good appetizer.� Tewyn feels Cara�s hand slide into his.
Katie gasps, pulling the dress out carefully. �Oh my god. This is the dress I was looking at in Aventine. The one just like I wore the night�� She feels something land in her lap and looks down.
�So...see anything good? Or just the usual stuff that makes you giggle like an academy girl?� Tabris sits on the edge of the bed looking at Claron quizzically.
A small felt box rests on Katie�s lap, a paper note tied around it with a small string.
^Shinta pauses, looking at the door. He raises his hand, then lowers it again, sighing before finally knocking.
Katie unties the note carefully.
Tzaphiel turns away, trying to figure out how to explain it to him. �Well you know by now that I�m a shape shifter, like Syne.� She falls back across the bed, her head landing on Drac�s belly. �But we�re from two different clans.�
DracBlue runs his hand through Tza�s hair. �So it�s basically like�different clans are different families?�
Katie calls out absently, �Forget something, Rogue?�
Kabal turns his head as he notices Arwyn enter the galley.
Valrash enters the galley and orders some raw steak.
^Shinta sighs heavily, �He probably did, but it�s not him.�
Valrash sits down, cuts the steak and then, uses his flames to cook each bite before eating it.
Skirmir chuckles lightly, �You�re doing it again.� He eyes Clarice as they start taking a ramp up again.
�So, about that misunderstanding...now that you have my attention, Skirmir.� Clarice watches Skirmir as they continue to walk.
Katie looks up for a moment. �Oh. Hey there.� She gives him a shaky smile.
�The machine can cook it for you, you know that, right?� Kabal questions over to Valrash, watching him eat.
^Shinta just stands in the doorway. Noticing the packaging, �Hmm, a gift?�
Valrash looks over at Kabal, �Just doing it to pass the time, is all. Little too much pent up energy.�
�Evidently.� Katie looks back down at the note.
Cara continues to smile, �I love mushrooms. Kabal and I used to go hunt for wild mushrooms.�
�Ahh...might want to watch that energy there, you�re starting to melt the fork,� Kabal points to Valrash�s fork beginning to smoke faintly.
Tzaphiel sighs. �More like different races of humans. I�m from Storm Clan and he�s not.� She turns her head and looks over at Drac. �But even within a race there are differences in people. That�s more like families.� She lifts her fingers and rolls a small energy ball around in them. �My family does this.�
Tewyn smiles. �That is nice, we should all do that someday. I�m the best mushroom finder there is.�
Valrash blows on the fork. �Man, they don�t make �em like they do at back home.�
Claron tilts her head, �Hmmm, well...actually...I did experience something. Something that has never happened before from smoking.�
The note is hand-written. �A little something standard issue, and a little extra.� There is no signature or anything else on the paper save the sentence.
Katie shakes her head, the words echoing with a memory in her head that she can�t place. She shrugs and opens the felt box.
�Oh, really!? Kabal and I were the best back at the citadel,� Cara�s eyes twinkling.
Eclipse ducks out of the shower and grabs a towel with his tail, using it to wipe the unreachable parts of his back off first, before grabbing the towel with his hands.
DracBlue nods, knowing full well what those balls do against an enemy. �So your family throws balls of light that explode. That�s pretty neat. My family just teaches each other to carve things.�
Tewyn smirks, �Well you did inherit parts of me, so maybe you have a nose for them also.�
^Shinta stands there watching Katie.
Inside the felt box is the shell ring Katie was eyeing not just an hour earlier on the station�s promenade. It sparkles as the lighting in her quarters shines off it.
�Oh?� Tabris stretches out and props himself up with his hands, �And what was that?�
Katie stares in awe at the ring for a moment. Then she frowns and sets the packages aside. Looking up at Shinta, she gives him an unreadable look, but her voice is soft when she speaks. �It�s good to see you, shaman.�
Cara shrugs her shoulder, �Guess so, then. Kabal and I used to challenge one another to see who could find the most. I usually won, but...sometimes I think Kabal just let me win.�
�Is it? Seems you have someone wanting more of your attention again,� ^Shinta lowers his gaze.
�Well then, I�d say he was a good brother if he did that,� Tewyn smiles over to Cara.
Katie feels irritation rise, but shoves it down. She shrugs, swallowing and keeping her voice soft. �I don�t know who it�s from. And it�s you who has my attention, at present.�
^Shinta shuffles his feet. �Yes presently, it seems...But for how long this time? Seems like ages since you have even tried to speak to me.�
Claron sits down on the bed next to Tabris, �You remember those two bags of smoke we got some time back?� not waiting for Tab to reply. She continues, �Well. I sort of forgot which was which.�
Alexei takes a few steps around the inside of the offspring�s bridge before looking at Sikozu, �He�s developing a warship configuration for the bridge. I assume his weapons and engines are also growing along those specs?� Sikozu nods, crossing her arms as she speaks, �Ship Engineers at HQ are still not sure how a transport produced a viable combat offspring.�
Katie grits her teeth. With a sigh, she draws her knees to her chest, again. �I�m talking now.�
�Huh? Bags of smoke?� Tabris gets a confused look as he tries to remember, �Those? I thought you�d lost them somewhere.�
^Shinta murmurs, �And the drawing inward continues...guess your not wanting to see me after all...Guess I thought you may of been missing me like I have you.� He starts to turn.
�Yes, he�s the best. The one person I could always count on, no matter what.� Cara is still nodding her head as they enter the galley.
Kabal slides off the table as Cara and Tewyn enter, �Well look who decided to come out of her room and join the rest of us.�
Luna rinses the soap out of her mane quickly as the water is turning cold. �Brrrrrr, that�ll wake ya up.� She chatters as she jumps out and wraps herself up in a towel.
Tewyn smiles. �Well I am glad he looked after you when I wasn�t able to. He did a good job.�
Eclipse finishes wiping the last of the water off himself, then tosses the towel aside. Strolling back into the main room with a hum, he collects his clothing.
�What are you talking about? If I didn�t want to see you, I�d have you tossed out. And I did miss you.� Katie closes her eyes for a moment, not wanting to see him walk away with so much unsaid.
�Skirmir? How �bout we get a bite to eat while you tell me of this misunderstanding?� Clarice asks as they walk through the corridor of Ettik.
^Shinta turns back and kneels in front of her while she isn�t looking. �You have an odd way of showing it, emerald eyes.�
Tzaphiel forms the energy ball into a spear. �Oh, I can do more than a ball, but those are just so fast and easy. I don�t usually bother with much more than that in a fight.�
Skirmir nods with a chuckle, �Ahh, that...I have to admit it was my first time on a starship.�
Tewyn turns towards Kabal�s voice, �Hmm, has she been unsociable?�
Luna smiles to herself as she watches Eclipse�s tail. �Maybe we should have gone and seen about some clothing for you.�
�Not too much, but enough to have me wondering,� Kabal nods and moves over toward the two.
Katie opens her eyes and looks at him. Her expression is soft, and filled with pain. �Things have been rather daunting lately, huh?�
Claron half chuckles, �I had forgotten about them, myself. Till I saw them under one of the embroidered baby gowns. And I smoked out of the wrong one. At first I started hearing voices. Thought maybe it was Remy up to his usual tricks. Then I saw him��
DracBlue looks at the spear, and then back to Tza. �That�s super neat. Have you ever just created works of art with it? I bet you would be good.�
Looking Tab in the eyes, comma pauses a moment, �Your father.�
^Shinta places a hand on her knee, �Can�t say I�ve gone through anything quite this hard.�
�Really?� Tabris looks at her with intrigue, �So you saw Dad...interesting.�
Cara rolls her eyes at Kabal, �Like you didn�t know that already.�
�Well, she said she was starving for some mushrooms, if you care to join us?� Tewyn motions to Kabal.
Tzaphiel closes her hand and the spear vanishes with a loud crack. �Why would I do that? It wouldn�t last like your art.�
Katie reaches over to touch his hair. �Yeah.�
Kabal chuckles, �Told him the mushroom story, did you?� he laughs as he nods to Tewyn. �Sure thing, Father.�
^Shinta continues, �Guess I didn�t know just how powerful emotions could be. Isn�t an easy transfer from monk to trying to be normal, as you say.�
DracBlue just smiles. �For fun�if nothing else. To see if you could do it. To aspire to be more. I don�t know�just to try it.�
�You know I did. Says he�s the best mushroom hunter, too.� Cara boasts to Kabal.
Tewyn grins. �So how do you two take them? Steamed, raw or with a side of grubs?� rubbing his stomach and smiling.
Skirmir nods, �I suppose a bite to eat wouldn�t hurt. I have yet to investigate your ship�s food stores.�
Katie sighs. �Emotion can be one of the toughest parts of being human. It can drop you to your knees in a heartbeat, or send you soaring above the clouds. Either way, it�s more intense than anything you�ll find elsewhere.�
�Then follow me. I�ll show you the way to the ship�s galley.� Clarice leads them down the hallway.
^Shinta nods. �Well I found out about that to �your knees� part fairly quickly...Guess I have to wait to see those clouds. So how do I cope with all of this?�
�I�ll pass on the grubs,� Kabal makes a disgusted expression as best his face can. �Steamed sounds fine, unless Sis wants to cook her recipe again.�
Luna brushes her mane out, then drops the towel and walks out to the closet. �I seem to have left several things behind last time we were here.� She pulls out a pink dress and slips it on, then moves to the bed to pull on her boots.
Cara�s eyes light up. �Steamed, smothered in butter, with grubs mixed in.�
Tewyn laughs. �Wow, you do not know what your missing. Flavorful mushroom with some squishy grub, adds the spice!�
Eclipse fastens the clasp on his belt and nods, �I didn�t leave much. But at least I�ve got some clothes, if only a few pairs.�
Tewyn sits down. �Mmm, that reminds me of a story of one night in this exciting fun house.�
Giving Shinta a sympathetic smile, she pats his hand. �If I ever figure that out, I�ll let you know.� Katie takes a breath. �I don�t think we ever really master the art of coping. One just has to do the best they can.�
�Just remember to make some without grubs for me, Cara.� Kabal slides into a seat across from Tewyn, �A fun house?�
Tzaphiel is silent for several minutes, �I don�t think I want to try that on this ship. I don�t want to hurt it, or anyone else.� Sitting up slowly, she sighs. �I�m actually surprised no one has come to see what that noise was.�
�So it is indeed a living ship, then?� Skirmir questions Clarice as he studies the halls yet again, �It is hard to imagine myself inside a large flying beast.�
^Shinta sighs, �I see�Well in the words of Remy, I�m �stinking it up with you.� But I shower frequently.�
As if on cue, a half-circular section of door into the room opens, and a crab-bot skitters in looking around, then �blinking� at Tza.
Katie can�t help but giggle, a bit.
Tewyn eyes sparkle. �Yes, it was exciting. Mission from when I was with a military group. There was amputation, swimming horse bones, and a buffet of all-you-can-eat grubs. Wow, it was fun!�
Tzaphiel looks down at the crab-bot. �Did I hurt it?�
^Shinta looks up at Katie, �Do I really smell that bad?�
The crab-bot chitters at Tza, then disappears from where it arrived.
Kyra gazes at the door a moment longer, then lays back down on her side with a sigh, tears trailing down her cheeks.
DracBlue nods in agreement. �Well they don�t waste any time. I don�t think you hurt the ship, maybe startled it.�
Katie shakes her head. �No. Of course not.�
Luna checks over Eclipse�s clothing. �Well�they still fit pretty well, considering how you�ve changed since then.�
�Right�� Kabal shoots a glance to Cara, then glances back at Tewyn, �Must have been a strange military group.�
Tewyn is lost in remembering. �Oh�oh, and a furniture rodeo!�
Claron nods her head. �Yes, I did. He said I summoned him, but all I did was smoke. He made me realize how trapped I have been in my mind, all wrapped up in the past and the grief of our lost ones. I have been such a fool...to forget about what is going on in the here and now�and what our son is going through.� Placing her hand on Tabris� shoulder, �I knew all this in my mind, but in my heart...I was suffering.�
Stryder takes a deep breath, then stands. Looking at the door, then closing his eyes, he curses himself, �Just check up on her��
^Shinta looks perplexed. �Hmm, then what did he mean? Have I been doing something wrong?�
Cara smiles from ear to ear. �Oh, I would love to cook my recipe...you think they�d let me?�
Tewyn smiles faintly. �It was a interesting group, son, to say the least. I just didn�t fit in very well.�
�He means, you and I haven�t been doing too well with this fledgling relationship. It�s another way of saying, you�re blowing your chance.� Katie�s voice is laced with amusement.
Sikozu finishes going over the projection screens and looks at Alexei critically, �He wants a name. When is that group of yours going to come up with one? I�ve been having to come up with lists in my mind just to keep him occupied.�
Alexei sighs and nods, �They�ve been busy, but we�ve got some time at port, I�ll see if I can get them to think about it.�
Clarice nods her head, �Ettik is very much a living ship, and a new mother, as well.�
^Shinta looks thoughtful. �I see...So is there a way to un-blow it?�
�Truly amazing,� Skirmir says, then perks his ears. �I hear several people, we must be near the galley.�
Valrash puts up his plate and the burnt fork. Then wanders out into the hallway.
Cara moves back towards the kitchen area and begins to prepare her �special� recipe for mushrooms. �I have missed being able to do this,� as she carefully slices off the ends of the stems on the mushrooms, then washes them.
Kabal glances at his sister, then looks back at Tewyn. �Seem to be fitting in fine here, for the most part.�
Tewyn leans close to Kabal, �So is this recipe any good? Or should I fake it?�
Katie closes her eyes. �Let�s hope so.�
Tewyn laughs. �Well, I�m not as likely to get jailed for life for defurring someone with this bunch.�
�It�s good, just don�t eat it too quickly,� Kabal whispers to Tewyn, then nods to his comment.
�Ah, so a savory meal it is.� Tewyn looks appeased.
^Shinta frowns. �Guess that�s if both of us want that�.�
�So, my old man dropped by to help you figure it all out, huh?� Tabris glances around the room, �Wonder what�d happen if I tried that stuff.�
Tewyn nods. �Well I fit in better here since Clarice has been back...She seems to understand me better than the others�That, or she just like draining my water hose.�
�Yup,� Eclipse idly makes the bed as he glances at Luna. �Ready? I think my stomach growled again...sounds like an angry razor beast.�
�The galley is just up ahead,� Clarice tells Skirmir. �There is a kitchen where one can prepare food, and a replicator...where one can get just about anything they want already prepared.� Just as they enter the galley, Clarice sees Tewyn sitting with Kabal and suddenly goes quiet.
�Little more info than I think I need to know right now,� Kabal lifts a hand up to stop Tewyn. Turning his attention back to Cara, he watches her cook. �How�s it coming, Shitaki Sis?�
Tewyn�s ears twitch at the sound of Clarice�s voice and turns to see where she is.
�I see...can this replicator produce unprepared food as well?� Skirmir eyes the black metal surface set into the counter top.
�Yeah.� Katie nods.
Luna stands up and smoothes out the part of the bed that she was sitting on. �Your turning domestic, babe.� She smiles over at him and winks. �Let�s go see what is stirring in the galley.�
^Shinta sits beside Katie on the bed. �Hmmmm. So what have you been up to?� looking over at the package.
�Knowing the others, chit chat and eating, in varying degrees of both,� Eclipse smirks a bit as he heads for the doorway.
�Oh Kyn�� Kyra sobs, �how can I be all noble and give him up when everything in me is screaming not to let him go? How can I let him have the life that he deserves without me? It hurts��
Tewyn gazes at Clarice. �Speaking of her.��
Stryder knocks on Kyra�s door, then stares at the ceiling and floor for a few seconds each, �She may still be asleep��
Luna follows him. �I hope they�re not fighting is all I can say. I�m not up to playing referee today.�
�If they keep it up, they should buy you a whistle and flags,� Eclipse takes Luna�s paw in his hand, �so you can be a proper referee.�
�Not much of anything. Went for a walk around the port for a bit. Fell off some boxes in the cargo bay.� Katie sighs and points to her black eye.
�Almost ready,� as Cara adds a few more spices. Smiling, she removes a nice portion of her mushrooms to a plate before adding in the grubs to what�s left in the pan. Then she divides the remaining mixture on two more plates. �Hope you like it, Va,� setting a plate down in front of Tewyn and Kabal.
Luna chuckles, �I want ear plugs, too.�
�Sounds interesting�But I haven�t seen you in a long time. Surely you have done more.� ^Shinta cocks his head.
Kabal sniffs the plate, �Mmmm...smells great, like always.� He takes a fork in hand and takes a bite.
Tewyn sniffs appreciatively. �Well it smells good, I�m sure I will enjoy it,� eyeing Clarice again.
Tzaphiel stands up and turns to look down at Drac, �I�m famished, do they feed us on this big ship?�
Kyra rolls over and tries to stand up, collapsing with a yelp when her weak frame, and injured ankle won�t support her. �Coming!�
^Shinta smiling at her. �And did you kick those boxes� ass afterwards?�
�Kyra? You okay in there?� Stryder questions loudly, hearing the faint yelp through the metal door.
Tewyn takes a small bite.
�I dunno, Tab.� Claron gets a frightened look in her eyes. �You might see him, then maybe not. Right at the end, I had a feeling he wasn�t alone, even though I didn�t see anyone but him. It was somewhat disturbing as well.�
DracBlue gets up and looks at the door. �Yep, the galley is this way�just follow me.� He gets to the door and opens it.
�Uh. Not really. I just kinda hobbled away.� Katie looks slightly embarrassed.
^Shinta chuckles. �Hmm, guess I better go buy a shiny suit and show them a thing or two then, huh? For your honor and all.�
Clarice�s eyes make contact with Tewyn�s as she answers Skirmir. �I think so��
Skirmir presses the replicator and watches the screen come to life with rows and rows of choices, �My...so much to choose from. This looks like it will take awhile.�
Tewyn raises an eyebrow. �So you going to stand over there and gawk, little lady? Or come and join your family?�
~Peachy. Just trying to break my limbs.~ Kyra automatically switches to their mind channel.
Tzaphiel nods and walks behind Drac, �Lead the way then.�
DracBlue walks towards the galley, passing Valrash on the way.
~I�ll just let myself in, then.~ Stryder says before he teleports right next to her, leaning over help her up, �Still think we shouldn�t take you to the med bay?�
Valrash eyes Drac as he passes on the way to his room.
Clarice takes a deep breath, �I�d best join them... and you could meet more of your fellow travelers, if you�d like, Skirmir.�
Kyra looks helplessly up at him, his words not even really registering as her heart skips a beat at the sight of him looming over her, looking so achingly handsome. She finally shrugs. �They can�t fix what�s wrong with me. Other than the ankle.�
Katie laughs. �Just make sure they don�t get the better of you, too.�
DracBlue leads Tza into the galley. He walks up to the replicator and gets himself a couple of iron bars.
^Shinta smirks. �They will be a piece of cake...It�s sticks and mud that get the best of me.�
Tzaphiel watches Drac then shrugs and ends up with a cup of noodles.
�After I choose, but feel free to take leave of me,� Skirmir motions her politely that she can go as he browses the many selections, staring at the small pictures of each as he does.
�Ain�t that the truth,� Katie wipes her eyes, still laughing. �But you still shine through, now and then.�
�Well we can at least get that healed,� Stryder says and he hoists her up into his arms. �Ready for the quick trip?�
Without a thought, Kyra snuggles her head against his chest. �MmmHmm.�
�^Shinta nods. �Yeah, sometimes I guess....So what did you get?� looks back toward the box.
Clarice moves over to where Tewyn, Kabal and Cara are and sits down next to Kabal. �Nice to see you out of that room of yours, Cara.�
Tewyn looks over at Clarice. �So, looking for someone with more body hair now?� eating more off his plate.
Katie looks over at the packages. �A dress and a shell ring.� She says finally.
Cara nods at Clarice, �So what you think of it, Va...honestly?�
^Shinta rubs his head. �Can I say I�m jealous? Aren�t I suppose to be buying those things.�?�
Luna enters the galley with Eclipse and pauses to take in the view of the occupants. �Well seems like we�ve got a full house today.� She jokes as she moves towards a replicator.
Stryder teleports himself and Kyra to the medical bay, then lays her down gently on one of the tables. A pair of red-cross marked crab-bots skitter away from inventorying and climb up to either side of the table looking at Kyra and Stryder. �She�s having trouble with her ankle.� Stryder tells the bots, and they begin scanning Kyra�s leg.
Tewyn smacks his lips. �It�s pretty good, I have to say. You cook fairly well.�
DracBlue sits down at a table and munches on one of the bars saying, �I haven�t ever seen Syne eat to be honest, but I haven�t been around him that often.�
�Seems so, we�re getting bigger as the days pass,� Eclipse comments as he follows alongside Luna to the replicators.
Cara cringes slightly, mentally picking up on Stryder and Kyra.
Kyra�s eyes remain on Stryder.
Clarice sighs heavily, �Hardly, drow.�
Katie turns back to him in surprise. �I dunno. I don�t remember there being a requirement for buying things for your antagonist.� She smiles as she teases him.
Tewyn smiles. �Well, nice to see you too there, dear.�
�This may sting momentarily,� one of the crab-bots says in an emotionless pre-programmed computer voice as it injects medical nanobots into Kyra�s ankle.
�Oooooooh!� Kyra yelps in surprise and pain.
^Shinta grumbles, �You know what I mean...Are just things I�m the one that should be doing. No one else. So who would send you that?�
Cara�s face beams, �I used to spend a lot of time with the cooks in the kitchen at home.�
Stryder holds Kyra�s hand watching at the crab-bots as they continue scanning her legs. For Kyra, the initial sting subsides and her ankle begins to feel tingly as if it falling asleep.
Luna begins ordering a bunch of stuff. �Good thing this ship is versatile.�
Katie raises a brow. �No one else, huh? So if Claron gets me a birthday gift, I should throw it back in her face?� she can�t hide a grin. Then she shrugs. �I dunno. Mebbe I�m being stalked. Kinda creepy.�
Tewyn nods. �Guess so,� finishing his plate. �You did well, daughter,� smiling at her.
^Shinta sighs. �Nevermind��
Tzaphiel shrugs at Drac. �Maybe it�s just something to do,� as she sits next to him holding the steaming cup idly.
Skirmir picks out a selection, a plate of raw fish appearing on the replicator pad much to his amazement. Getting over that, he takes the plate and moves over to one of the stovetops and looks at it, trying to figure it out.
Kyra looks at her tiny hand in his. She knows she should let go, but just can�t bring herself to end the contact. She draws comfort from his presence.
Clarice tries to maintain her composure, although in her mind she is thinking, �You could have seen me anytime you wanted if you had only looked for me. Cara cooked?� trying to avoid a public confrontation.
Tewyn nods with a grin. �That she did, and very well I might add.�
Once the medical crab-bots are sure the ankle damage is repaired, they scan the rest of Kyra, �blinking� at each other as they go over the reading internally.
DracBlue looks at Tza as he munches on the bar of iron. �I found that I have to eat a lot, if I didn�t I might lose this figure,� he says jokingly.
Katie looks at Shinta. �Nevermind?�
Kabal raises a brow studying Clarice�s expression, but shrugs, dismissing it, �She�s been a good cook ever since she was taught how.�
Tzaphiel giggles at him. �We wouldn�t want that to happen.�
Cara notices the red-haired man checking over the stovetop, �Maybe I should help him,� sliding her chair back and moving over to Skirmir.
^Shinta nods curtly. �Yes, nevermind� Not getting into that fight again, and go weeks without speaking again.�
Katie�s eyes flare. �What fight? Dear God, I was teasing you,� a muscle twitches in her jaw.
�Said I wasn�t going to bring it up so we end up fighting about it�Just calm down, will you.� ^Shinta shrugs his shoulders.
DracBlue nods. �That would be a tragedy.� noting that Tza still hasn�t touched her noodles.
�Need some help?� Cara asks Skirmir as she approaches him.
�I WAS calm.� Katie growls.
�Hmm�� Tabris says after some thought, �It may be worth a try, but I have no idea what I�d see, much less talk to!�
^Shinta rolls his eyes. �Yes, those eyes and jaw spasms are sure signs of calmness.�
�So where have you been hiding?� Tewyn looks over to Clarice.
Tzaphiel lifts the cup to her lips, looking at Drac over the rim as she swallows.
�Ah yes...afraid I am not versed in using all of the modern devices these days,� Skirmir rubs his head as he looks at the dials and circular platforms. �My world has what your people call �pre-nuclear� technology.�
�Well, don�t know if we summon �em like your father suggested, or if they pick us.� Claron mutters. �But I do know now... which bag one sees spirits.�
Eclipse looks at the stuff Luna ordered, �So what�d you get us this time?�
DracBlue finishes eating his bars, leaning back to look at all the people in the galley. �Wow, lots of people are eating right now. Usually not a lot of people here at once.�
Luna grins. �A little bit of every thing, I guess.� Picking up a strawberry and dipping it in some sweet cream. She offers it to Eclipse with a wink. �This is good.�
Eclipse looks at it then takes a bite, �Mmm...it is.�
Cara smiles, �I see. Luckily for me I learned to cook the old way and on the new.� She shows him how to operate the stove, �See, its not all that difficult, and if it gets too hot you can adjust the heat if you touch this button right here.�
Luna pops the rest of the berry into her mouth and purrs. �The chocolate is better though,� as she reaches for one.
Eventually making his way back to Ettik�s bridge, Alexei fires up the ship-wide com, his coarse Russian accent pumping from the speakers, �Attention crew, your new mission, should you choose it, is to name Ettik�s child. The young one is getting impatient, but Ettik is intent on letting you all come up with the name. So, when you get a chance, come up with some ideas and bring them to the bridge.�
Clarice looks at Tewyn, �I needed some time to think, so I�ve been bunking with Katie.�
Skirmir nods, �Ahh, I see. Thank you.� He cuts the fish into sections and sets them in a skillet as he adjusts the heat. �Perhaps adapting to all this machinery will not be as difficult as I imagined.�
Luna�s ears twitch as she listens to Alexei. �What type of name do you give a living ship?�
�Whatever name you think is appropriate, I�d think,� Eclipse says after taking a bite of another fruit off the plate.
DracBlue frowns. �I think I�ll stay out of this one, I haven�t been here long enough to have that big of an honor.�
�It isn�t too difficult at all.� Cara watches him as he cuts the fish up and places it in the skillet. �My name�s Cara, by the way.�
Tabris glances over at the speaker then at Claron, �Naming the baby, huh? Interesting request.�
Tzaphiel nods, �I wouldn�t know where to start anyway. I mean, is it a boy or a girl?�
Kyra shivers a bit as she lays on the table.
DracBlue laughs, �It has a gender?�
Claron begins to giggle, �Well Clartik might be interesting.� Then laughs heartily.
Tewyn expression hardens. �I see.�
^Shinta says softly, �So what do we do now?�
The crab-bots finish scanning, then the one that spoke skitters along the table towards Kyra and Stryder. �You have a class 3 abnormality, with corrective surgery and immersion in medi-gel, it can be corrected.� The emotionless voice follows the bots �blinking� at Kyra.
Clarice shakes her head, �Do you? Do you REALLY see? Or are you just saying that?�
Tewyn growls. �Well I see you haven�t bothered to be around since the night of the dance�So guess I have seen plenty. Ever stop and think for one moment there might of been a reason I didn�t want to be in that hall? Your nephew tried to kill my daughter, and you know my past!�
Katie sighs. �Hell if I know. I�m new at this.�
�And I am Skirmir,� Skirmir bows his head to her, then goes back to sniffing the fish as it cooks, flipping it over with a large fork.
^Shinta shakes his head. �You have had more relationships than I have...I�m tired of the fighting though.�
�Yeah, and we�ve seen just how well my relationships go.� Katie says in an exhausted tone.
�And I seem that you didn�t even BOTHER to inquire about my whereabouts, let alone what has been troubling me!� Clarice snaps back.
^Shinta sighs tiredly. �So what do we do to try and change it, then? Or are we going to just keep fighting over and over on the same issues?�
Tewyn counters, �Well when one runs off isn�t much to inquire about...I�m not the one who left the planet! Can�t ask what�s wrong when you�re no where to be found, now can I?�
Flipping his fish over, Skirmir lowers the heat. Ears perking at the conversations, he glances sideways at Cara, �Sounds like a disagreement.�
Katie frowns. �I just don't know, anymore. We haven�t had a conversation in months that didn�t end up in a bunch of verbal sparring and slapping.�
�Corrected? You sure about that, doc?� Stryder looks down at the crab-bot, feeling somewhat silly talking to a robot but clinging to the hope it provided.
Luna stares out the window, lost in thought. �Zehuti, Khepra, Khensu,� she purrumbles softly.
�Damn you, drow... how DARE you... if you consider leaving to find my nephew running, then I will take your not going with us in the beginning as your way of saying FUCK my blood family,� shoving her chair back roughly from the table and leaping up from her seat.
�Those sound good,� Eclipse says listening to Luna. �You say them as though you knew people with those names.�
DracBlue looks at Tza. �Ok, normally people who are famished do more than just drink the liquid from a noodle cup. Do you really have to eat?�
^Shinta�s shoulders slump. �Yes, I know. But when I was being shut out, I didn�t know what else to do. Supposed to be me, Katie. Supposed to be me.�
Kabal blinks and looks between Clarice and Tewyn, still surprised at the exchange.
Luna�s focus returns to the galley and all the fighting. With a heavy sigh, �Not people I knew, but some old names of gods.�
Cara jerks her head toward the sound of Clarice�s voice in surprise.
Tewyn glares. �Guess I should of said that, huh? It�s what I wanted to say the night of the dance to your sister. Since no one but me seemed to care for Cara�s well being. For it to be placed as a �oh it�s a family sickness�.�
�It did come back.� Kyra says in a small voice. �It always comes back.� She looks at the ceiling, and you can see her retreat inside herself.
Tzaphiel sets down the cup with a smile. �Not really, just trying to fit in.�
Tewyn continues, �What about my family, Clarice? One I just found out wanted something to do with both of us��
�But if they fix it, it may not come back again,� Stryder says to Kyra, shaking her shoulder to rouse her from her retreat.
DracBlue gets up and gets some more bars, trying not to stare at the spat between Tewyn and Clarice.
�It always comes back.� Kyra repeats, her eyes unfocused. �I�m a walking time bomb. You need someone alive. Someone who has a future. Not a broken shell,� she ends in a fragile whisper.
Sliding the fish onto a plate, Skirmir smells the various spices by the stove, eventually settling on one and sprinkling the fish with it. Turning, he eyes the conflict, but finds a quiet table near the window to sit at and eat.
DracBlue sits back down with Tza and sighs. �I wish I could fit in, but mostly I just try not to get in people�s way.�
Tzaphiel leans back in her chair and watches the brewing battle. �Feels like home already,� she mutters to herself lowly.
�I never said I didn�t care about Cara�s wellbeing. Yes, I failed to see why you wouldn�t have wanted to go in to the dance that night. I admit that. But don�t you see? You expected...expect me to accept the bastard children you and Shaiya produced. Yet��
Katie stares at Shinta for a moment, chewing on her lip.
�And if they do this surgery, you may have a future,� Stryder leans closer to Kyra. �Please...just let them try.�
Clarice�s words are cut short by the sound of Cara screaming, �STOP IT!!! STOP IT RIGHT NOW!!!� as she races back to the table.
DracBlue raises an eyebrow at Cara screaming.
Tewyn explodes. �Don�t you dare call my family that! So it was ok for them to be lied to about me, but it�s such a shame that your family�s kids get taken�when we know they will be killers!�
^Shinta looks back at Katie.
Luna starts to jump into the fight, but bites her lip and looks at Eclipse, shaking her head.
Tzaphiel glances at Drac. �Is this a common occurrence?�
Tewyn looks at Cara and Kabal. �I�m sorry you had to hear that. Not once did I think of you that way. But guess someone who I thought was close to me does. So I will take my cue from her. So if you�ll excuse me. Leaves the galley.
Eclipse sighs heavily and shakes his head in return.
DracBlue looks at Tza. �I�m not sure, but from what I have seen it happens quite often around here.�
Luna reaches for a glass of wine to wash down the urge to jump into the fray.
Kyra shakes her head. �Let me die. It�s better this way. No more anguish. No more worrying. No having to choose.� Her words come out in a vacant whisper.
Kabal stands watching Tewyn leave, then looks over at Cara, �...now what.�
�Your going to bite that off one day if you keep doing that.� ^Shinta says gently.
�I can�t let you die Kyra, not without giving it a chance.� Stryder glances at the med-bot and nods, �If you say it�ll help her, then do it.�
Clarice stands her ground. �And Shaiya taking the twins, I suppose that was okay with you, too? How can we be a family when you can�t accept mine? Their faults, as well.�
Clarice growls as she realizes Tewyn walked away.
Katie stops chewing. �Probably.�
Luna lowers her glass and says softly to no one in particular, �We don�t know that they would have been killers if they hadn�t been taken.�
The med-bot looks at Kyra again, as if waiting for her to agree to Stryder�s demands.
Cara looks at Kabal, then back at Clarice. �You don�t mean that, do you?�
Tewyn stops and turns. �Reproducing when you know what will happen isn�t a fault. It�s a choice. A choice they decided not to share with anyone. They made the choice to continue the madness and not end it. But I guess that�s just a fault.� Turns and walks off.
Kyra looks up at Stryder. �At least I got to love once, in this life. That�s not so bad, is it?�
^Shinta studies Katie. �What are you thinking in that head of yours?�
DracBlue looks at Tza and whispers, �if fitting in here means causing fights, I�m not sure I want to fit in.�
Clarice lowers her head, her heart aching, �Damn you, drow...it�s called love and hope,� she whispers.
Tzaphiel nods in agreement. �Me either.�
Kyra takes Stryder�s hand. �Do as you will. But it will return. And when it does, I want you to promise me you�ll take good care of Cara. She needs someone strong to see her though the dark times ahead. Promise me.� She sighs, and a tear leaks out of the corner of her eye.
Stryder shakes his head. �I�m not ready to give you up yet�� He looks at the med-bot, �Is there anything you can do that�s not surgery? Medicine or something?� The med-bot chitters to the other for a moment, then �blinks� at Stryder, �A nano-bot injection could work on the abnormality, but it will require surgery to remove it in the long run.�
Katie lets out a long sigh. �I�m thinking it�s nice to have you here.�
Tewyn arrives back in his room and sits on the bed. �Fault...it�s only a fault!�
^Shinta looks skeptical. �That all your thinking? It has been awhile though that�s for sure.�
DracBlue sighs and says, �C�mon, lets go and decorate your room.�
Tzaphiel stands up and nods. �With what?�
�I can�t promise that, Kyra. Cara�I�m still confused about her.� Stryder rubs his forehead, �Do the injections, that will give it time before she needs surgery.� The med-bot nods and repeats its stock phrase about it stinging, as he injects nanobots again.
Clarice looks up at Cara and Kabal, �I-I didn�t mean that...I know how it must have sounded. Dammit! It�s just all the right buttons were pushed��
�Yes it has.� Katie stares at her hands.
DracBlue pulls out a diamond, a ruby, a sapphire, and an emerald and sets them on the table. Making precision cuts, he starts carving them into different shapes. One into a tree, another into a small scenery of a river, yet another in the shape of a dragon and the last in the shape of an elephant. Then he leaves them on the table.
�New habit of yours? To just not look at anyone�� ^Shinta looks around for a moment.
DracBlue shrugs. �We can go buy some stuff from the market with the chips I got earlier for ya.�
Katie snorts. �I was just looking at my nails, jeez.�
Tzaphiel leans down and looks at the carvings. �These are so pretty.� She picks them all up. �Maybe we should put these up first.�
Cara looks at Clarice, puzzled, �But you said Va expected you to accept us. You mean you really don�t?�
^Shinta looks back around. �Hmmm, strange...and they look fine to me.�
DracBlue gets up. �Or I could just carve you a bunch of things.�
�Oh it sounded horrible,� Kabal looks at Cara then Clarice. �Do you really accept us? Or was it simply a farce?�
The med-bot gives Stryder the clear as it skitters away with its partner to continue the inventory. Stryder looks down at Kyra and scoops his arms around her again, �Time to get you back to bed.�
Luna sets down the wine glass and begins cutting up a thick slice of meat. Picking up a piece, she offers it to Eclipse. �Here, try the pork.�
Clarice moans, �I do...accept you both...I-I have forgiven much where your father is concerned...Why can�t he see, that Claron and Tab love their child as much and as deeply as he loves his own.�
Tzaphiel looks at Drac thoughtfully. �You could, but maybe we should get some other things while we have the chance.�
Tabris eyes the yellow bag of herbs, shifting a gaze to Claron. �I can imagine who I�d see...dad, mom, my brother��
DracBlue nods. �Lead the way.�
�Their child,� Kabal bunches a fist as he looks at Clarice. �One killed the other, and before that the other killed me. Father is not as willing to...overlook this as I.�
Eclipse smells the pork before taking a bite of it. He nods, �Not bad...I believe I�ve had it before.�
Stryder teleports Kyra and himself back to her quarters. Kneeling down, he lays Kyra on her bed, gazing at her face with mixed feelings.
^Shinta frowns. �Hmmm, Remy seems to of gotten lost.�
Luna nods and takes a bite for herself. �Some religions believe that pork is unclean, and therefore they won�t eat it. But I think it�s pretty good.�
Cara thinks about what Clarice just said and at that very instant realizes she has forgiven Stryder for what he did to her.
Elsewhere, Wraith quietly wanders back onto the ship, a peering gaze studying the corridor he walks down. He nods to the invisible wind around him. �Yes...the shaman�s spirits are around.�
Tzaphiel takes the carvings and heads back to her room to leave them there. �What did you have in mind for my room?� Curious as to how he thinks her room should look.
�Really...that�s interesting.� Eclipse raises a brow as he takes another bite, �I don�t believe I have a religion, now that I think about it. Guess over the millennia I lost use for gods, save Selenia, but I�ve always thought of her as more of a commander.�
DracBlue walks with Tza. �A few pictures on the walls, a few decorations for your desk and some light decoration like a decor blanket.� He says, thinking out loud.
Kyra looks longingly at Stryder. �You deserve better,� she whispers, reaching over to toy with his hair. �Why do you insist on being so stubborn?�
Clarice just shakes her head. �Then we are divided on this...I can�t turn my back on my own sister and her child...I just can�t.�
Luna leans closer to Eclipse and whispurrs, �I think she�s alright with that. You don�t have to worship her.�
�How dare she call my kids bastards!� Tewyn gripes, now pacing his room.
Katie looks up and arches a brow. �Where did he go that he got lost?�
^Shinta shrugs. �I do not know. He was babbling about some spirits being around, and wanted to go say hi. I�m almost afraid to know what he went and got into.�
Stryder smirks, �Runs in the family I�m afraid.� He looks down at her, then holds his forehead as a quick pain shoot through his mind, �Aghh��
Katie nods. �Must feel more like you�re a babysitter, some days.�
Wraith tilts his head, gazing sidelong down the corridor at Remy, �Coming on behalf of your keeper, lost soul?�
Tzaphiel seems impressed with his ideas. �Well, let�s see what they have to offer on this floating mall.�
Kyra sits up, wobbling dizzily. �What is it? Stryder? Stryder? What�s wrong?�
Shadow turns over in his bed, mumbling something about his wife.
^Shinta gives a groan. �There is no babysitting that one. Only hoping he can contain his outbursts.�
�I, for one don�t plan on smoking any more of that seeing dead people stuff for awhile. But you can if you want.� Claron leans in and brushes a kiss against his lips. �And I do believe it�s time we had a DuVallis family talk again. The sooner the better.�
Remy shakes his head and only asks if Wraith has any cute female spirits with him.
Stryder shakes it off, gazing blankly at the ceiling for a few moments. �I...ow...Kyra, I-I must go, I�m sorry!� Standing, he teleports out of the room, in pain and a hurry.
�Now if you excuse me, I think I�d best go and face the rest of the music with your father, alone.� Clarice starts to move away from Kabal and Cara.
Valrash stops mid-step and looks in the direction of Stryder. �Something is wrong with that one.�
Kyra stares at the spot where Stryder knelt just seconds before. �Dammit!�
^Shinta blushes. �Almost hate to imagine what he will do if we take this up a step.��
DracBlue nods, walking with Tza.
Luna watches Clarice leave and looks at Eclipse. �I�m glad we don�t have any reasons to fight, babe.�
Katie visibly shudders. �One good argument for remaining platonic.�
^Shinta looks at Katie. �There is something else missing.��
�There is?� Katie cocks her head and looks back at him.
Wraith takes several paces towards Remy, a studious glance in his eyes. As he draws closer, Remy notices spirits massed around him, numerous enough to form a spiritual torrent around Wraith, with no soul staying in place long enough to be seen as more than a blur. �Do not linger, spirit. Return to your keeper.�
^Shinta grabs Katie�s face and gives her a long soft kiss. �Yeah, been missing that,� smirks at her.
As Clarice gets ready to pass through the doors of the galley, she passes Arwyn and hears, �Your drow will never accept your nephew, not until he has righted the wrong.�
�So am I, enough of my past has caught up to me already.� Eclipse shakes his head a bit, �Living so long, I�ve got a lot that can catch up.�
Remy vanishes and returns to Shinta with a frown.
Katie trembles and sways. �Um. Whoa.� She closes her eyes and touches her fingertips to her lips.
^Shinta looks down at Katie�s feet. �Well damn, they didn�t curl,� laughing a bit.
Clarice jerks her head towards Arwyn, �Why don�t you just go to hell, you fucking royal pain in the ass!� brushing past her quickly.
Luna lays a paw on Eclipse�s cheek and pulls him closer to her. �Purrhaps some of that past went away when the shadow realm was destroyed.� She kisses him softly. �But we�ll deal with any thing that comes up.�
^Shinta looks up at Remy. �Ahh, so didn�t find any cute single ones, did you? Poor guy.�
DracBlue stands outside of Tza�s quarters while he waits for her to put the statues up.
�Perhaps...and the rest can stay buried in history,� Eclipse smiles at the kiss and looks at Luna with some mystery. �Not destroyed exactly��
Katie looks dazed. �Who knew monks could kiss like that?�
^Shinta�s eyes twinkle. �Who said I was still a monk?�
Tzaphiel drops the gems on her bed and turns back to the door, �What are you doing out there?�
Valrash wanders the ship, now concentrating on what Stryder did to Cara.
Katie grins. �But you used to be.�
Luna tilts her head. �Not destroyed exactly? So what happened then?�
DracBlue shuffles his feet. � �Cause I haven�t been invit...oh, forget it,� as he walks into the room.
^Shinta looks at her. �Used to be and still are, is quite a difference in the way of a monk, dear.�
�I�m not sure...but a part of me knows it�s still there, changed somehow, but there,� Eclipse looks past Luna to the window. �I could even say that in a way, it�s calling me.�
Katie sighs. �Don�t be so pompous.�
�Yes, dear.� ^Shinta says with a barely repressed grin.
Luna stares at Eclipse with her mouth slightly open in shock. �Calling you?�
Tzaphiel laughs at Drac. �Do I have to invite you every time?�
Clarice stands in front of Tewyn�s door. She takes several deep breaths in an effort to build the courage up to knock. She lifts her hand, and knocks softly.
DracBlue laughs. �I guess not.�
�Yeah, it�s open.� Tewyn�s voice is heard through the door.
^Shinta nudges Katie. �I was going for toe curling, by the way.�
Clarice enters the room, then stands with her back against the door. �Been
taking lessons from the shaman, I see�� she snips.
Kyra stares at the wall, retreating inside herself.
Tewyn shrugs. �Guess you could say that. We both have had plenty of alone time recently. Came to blows a few times.�
Tzaphiel steps up to Drac and gives him a soft kiss. �Thank you for the carvings.�
�Oh, and was there a winner?� as Clarice laces her fingers together.
DracBlue smiles his big goofy smile. �Why you�re quite welcome.�
Tewyn shakes his head. �Not really, just working frustrations out. So what did you come to say?�
Eclipse nods, �I�m not sure what it�s saying...but I have a feeling we�ll find out someday,� he shakes it off. �Anyway...this pork is good. I may get some more.�
Luna sits back and pushes the plate closer to him. �Take all this, I�ll finish the fruit.�
�I came to finish what we started�� Clarice answers in a calmer voice than before.
Tabris claps his hands together in a decisive manner, �I�m going for it, babe,� he eyes the yellow bag, then looks at Claron. �Time to see what I summon up.�
DracBlue takes a step closer to Tza and kisses her in his own right, putting as much passion as he can muster into it. �And thank you,� he whispers into her ear.
Tzaphiel blinks as she licks her lips, �For what?�
�If you have made your mind up, I won�t try to stop you. But Tab, I don�t think this shit is stuff one should play around with lightly.� Claron gets up and moves over towards the partially smoked joint. �Are you sure you really want to do this?�
�Ok, well speak your mind, then.� Tewyn crosses his arms and waits.
Katie shakes her head with a faint smile.
^Shinta shrugs. �Guess I will have to try again.�
Tabris shakes his head, �No, I�m not...but if my dad helped you, there�s got to someone out there willing to help me.�
DracBlue just smiles, murmuring, �For coming with the Warriors.�
�I want to know how we going to resolve this?� Clarice rubs the palms of her intertwined fingers together.
Tzaphiel smiles softly. �It�s not like I had anything better to do.�
Luna nibbles on a slice of fruit and stares out the windows at the space beyond, thinking.
�Oh, so can�t think of anything to say now, is that it?� Clarice feels her anger to begin to resurface and the beginnings of a sense of hopelessness.
^Shinta stands and exits Katie�s room. �I will leave you back to your gift�Come find me later.�
Taking the joint, Tabris lights it and takes a hit off it. Breathing a soft cloud of smoke into the air before him, his eyes go wide as a familiar deformed black spirit appears in front of him, followed by another and another as they begin to fill the room, �Oh hell no��
As that evening rolled past, several people on the station�s promenade would swear they saw a young man, appearing one moment then vanishing the next, a wild and confused look on his face. And the next day, technicians would find maintenance bay 5-B gutted by flame, with no trace as to how or where it came from.
And somewhere in an abandoned corner of Port Aegis, in an old observation post looking out into the light-speckled void, a young man falls to his knees before the stars, a fire raging in his mind and his voice tainted with madness, �You cannot fight it forever, boy...I will destroy you and all you care for, just as you destroyed me��