Vin_Da_DM: Previously on Warriors of Destiny: As the Warriors began their battle against Bronze�s demon guardian, the evil Knight began the incantation to release the evil sorceress entombed in the temple.
Vin_Da_DM: The demon, that was capable of replicating itself, proved to be a hard battle as it took all of the Warriors to defeat it. Even Kabal and Cara joined in the fight but only in an attempt to stop Bronze from completing the resurrection ritual.
Vin_Da_DM: Following behind the evil twins was Tewyn who was rescued from Cara�s alien minion by dog-turned-human Syne, aka Midnight. As the battle against the demon came to its end Bronze turned the tables by trapping everyone and choosing who would do duel in a one-on-one.
Vin_Da_DM: His first choice was Black Inferno and after only a few short moves Bronze had dispatched the servant of Daegriss. Choosing Clarissa next he did not count on Inferno breaking the force field holding the others.
Vin_Da_DM: Attacking Bronze the group had thought victory was their�s, but Bronze completed the ritual using his own blood. As the dead Lady Velarenyssa woke from her slumber Black Inferno used the last of his power to pass on his powers to Clarissa, corrupting the Warrior in the process.
Vin_Da_DM: With a simple gesture Lady Velarenyssa threw Kabal and Cara into a portal and the Warriors into another, sending them to some unknown part of the universe�
Vin_Da_DM: *Time passed. Unknown*
Vin_Da_DM: A bright green sun shines down on the group who are scattered across a large field filled with tall plants and sporadic piles of dirt. A light breeze blows across the grass as sounds of birds� echoes from a cluster of trees nearby.
Vin_Da_DM: $ Start
Kat|e groans and rubs her limbs, checking for breaks, still a bit weak.
Tabris: �Well...I�m not dead. So that�s a start,� Tabris shakes his head and leans up looking around.
Tewyn looks around still holding his sides.
^Shinta: �So where are we now?�
Luna_Faline pushes up off the ground and dusts the dirt off. �Goddess only knows.�
Vin_Da_DM: �It appears to be a field of some sort.� Guardian glances at the plants in the ground.
Clarice dusts herself off as she looks around to see where the others are.
Claron is still kneeling on the ground sobbing uncontrollably.
Vin_Da_DM: �Not exactly what I was expecting,� Eclipse stands up next to Luna, �It could have been worse.�
Vin_Da_DM: The rustling sound of plants echoes from the far end of the field as something makes it way between the plants.
Luna_Faline looks around at everyone, �I can�t imagine it getting much worse at this point.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Mom, you okay?� Stryder leans down next to Claron putting his arm on her shoulder.
Luna_Faline turning towards the sound, �Purrhaps I spoke too soon.�
Clarice spotting Tewyn moves closer to him, �They did a number on you�� reaching a hand out to touch the bruise on his face.
^Shinta: �Seems we have company again.�
Tewyn grimaces a bit, �Yea, just a bit, but I�ll be okay.�
Vin_Da_DM: Titling his head towards the sound the Guardian picks Lilly up and slings her over his shoulder.
^Shinta looks over to Kat|e, �How�s the leg?�
Claron: �I...can�t...lose...her again.�� manages to get out through her sobs.
Tabris looks at Stryder and Claron and sighs, �I know...I can�t believe what just happened.�
Kat|e: �I�m sure I�ve had worse, but I can�t remember when.� She frowns. �Lost an awful lot of blood, though. Feelin� a bit wobbly.�
Clarice face shows great concern, �Are you sure? Here...lean on me�� wrapping an arm around Tewyn�s waist.
^Shinta slips his shoulder under Kat|e�s arm, �Just till you get steady footing.�
Vin_Da_DM: The plants part away as a young blonde elf-ish boy stops dead in his tracks and stares at everyone. A blue and white animal with a circular horn plods up behind him watching you curiously from behind the boy.
Tewyn shakes his head, �I�m fine�just few more bumps and bruises to add to my collection.�
Kat|e nods, �Thank you.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Seems we have company,� Eclipse says as he motions towards the boy and animal.
^Shinta nods back, �And don�t worry about those memories too much, they will return when your truly ready for them to.�
Kat|e: �Aw, dammit. And I didn�t dress for company.� She gives a tight smile, her thigh aching.
Luna_Faline places a paw on Eclipse�s arm as I study the boy.
Tewyn: �Well, hey kid, you gonna stare at us all day or talk?�
Vin_Da_DM: Looking around at each of you he blinks then looks back at his animal momentarily saying something undecipherable. The creature plods off back through the field bellowing oddly.
Vin_Da_DM: �What are you doing in our field?� The boy tilts his head as he speaks.
Luna_Faline looks across the horizon as the animal moves away.
Clarice: �We all have had our fair share of bumps and bruises,� Clarice says halfheartedly.
^Shinta: �We were just dropped here�umm, could you tell us where here is?�
Clarice looks up to see who Tewyn is speaking to.
Vin_Da_DM: �You, you don�t know where you are?� Stepping closer he eyes the Guardian in amazement, �Are you travelers?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Not exactly, kid.� Syne dusts himself off as he pops his neck.
Kat|e blinks at Syne, �So�our rogue turns out to be two-legged. Just another day at the office, it seems.�
Luna_Faline speaking softly, �We are travelers in a sense. We mean you no harm.�
Claron looks up and sees the elf boy through her tear ridden eyes then sobs all the harder.
Vin_Da_DM: �Okay...this is the field outside of my village�� The boy points over to where the animal ran off to. Noticing Claron he gestures curiously, �Is the lady well?�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder stands up giving a heavy sigh as Tabris hugs Claron tightly, whispering to her, �It�s all right...we�ll find a way to get her back.�
Luna_Faline nods, �She is sick in spirit, she has lost a child. What is your name?�
Vin_Da_DM: Before the boy can answer Luna the animal comes running back with a teenage girl similar in appearance to the boy in tow, �Niklas, what is it this time?!�
Claron feels Tabris arms around her and hears his words. �How? What if there is no way to get her back? What if the evil has a hold so strong that the only way means her death?�
Tabris: �No...don�t think like that. There�s got to be a way,� Tabris looks at Claron with sad eyes.
Luna_Faline turns to Tabris and Claron, �If there is a way to get her back, we will find it.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Miran, these travelers are lost,� Niklas looks at the girl then pats the animal on the head gently, �Good, Nox,� He returns a look to Miran, �We should help them.�
Claron looks into Tabris� sad eyes, �They want her badly. Or she wants them. Either way, I feel we have lost her forever.�
Vin_Da_DM: Miran studies the group for a moment, �For travelers you are dressed strangely��
Vin_Da_DM: �If you have shelter we can use, our friend here needs some time to heal,� the Guardian looks at Miran and Niklas as he adjusts Lilly on his shoulder.
Luna_Faline: �She�s not the only one that needs to heal.�
Vin_Da_DM: �I�m afraid we don�t have an inn at the village, travelers,� Miran pauses for a moment to think, but Niklas cuts in, �They can stay at our house!�
Clarice still with her arm around Tewyn looks over at Tabris and Claron. �Tewyn, you must know how they are feeling�� in a very low whisper, knowing his keen ears will hear it.
^Shinta: �That�s a bit too kind.�
Tewyn: �All to well, I guess.�
Vin_Da_DM: �I suppose they can,� Miran nods, �The village is this way, travelers.� Miran turns and walks towards the edge of the field.
Vin_Da_DM: �Well�what do you think, Luna?� Eclipse looks at Luna then back at the two kids and their animal.
Luna_Faline takes Eclipses hand to follow the siblings, �I don�t think we have any other options at the moment.� Dropping my voice, �How are you doing?�
Tabris: �Come on, dear,� Tabris stands up and offers Claron help.
Clarice: �I wish there was something...I�we...could do to make it easier for her�� as she feels the pang of not ever being able to know what only a mother and father can feel concerning their own flesh and blood.
Vin_Da_DM: �A few cuts and bruises, but I�ll be all right,� Eclipse studies Luna for a moment, �And you?�
Claron draws a deep breath as she accepts Tabris� help.
Vin_Da_DM: Niklas looks at everyone while he walks with them, �You�re all so different...where are you from?�
Tewyn: �Is something she will have to deal with on her own.�
Luna_Faline shrugs, �I�m as healthy as ever in body, my pains are mental, and spiritual,� in a whispurr.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder watches the sky as he follows the others, ~All that I tried to do and it still happened...why...why couldn�t I stop it?~
Luna_Faline answers Niklas, �We come from many different places. I come from Mount Aventine.�
Clarice nods her head while thinking, �Something I will never know,� as she and Tewyn follow Miran and her brother.
^Shinta looks to the child, �No real home, I am just a wanderer that goes where I need to be.�
Vin_Da_DM: �That�s a long story, kid.� Syne smirks at Niklas then continues to follow with his arms crossed behind his head, �All that action...it�s been a while since I�ve been in chaos like that.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Mount Aventine? Where�s that, in the west?� Niklas looks at Luna curiously and questioningly.
Vin_Da_DM: Miran quietly leads through the group onto a grassy path that enters a lightly forested wood.
Vin_Da_DM: �Quiet an inquisitive young boy,� Eclipse smiles lightly at Niklas.
Luna_Faline smiles and purrs softly to Eclipse, �Should I tell him where it is?�
Tewyn looks to Niklas, �How about we share some of our stories when we get to your village�seems we will have the time for now.�
Claron finally manages to control her heavy sobbing although tears still slide down her cheeks, �He would probably never believe where we came from,� whispers to Tabris.
Vin_Da_DM: Guardian looks over at Luna and shakes his head, �Be careful what you say, they appear to be a pre-industrial society.�
Vin_Da_DM: Niklas looks at the Guardian confused then shrugs, �Nice armor, sir.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Hey, Katie, you okay?� Syne walks over next to her, �You�re awful quiet.�
Kat|e shuffles along, leaning on Shinta, listening absently.
Luna_Faline bows my head slightly at Guardian and smiles at Niklas� comment.
^Shinta: �You�re awfully quiet...What�s on your mind?�
Kat|e: �I�m fine, Rogue. Guess I�ll have to get used to using your name now, huh?�
Kat|e smiles.
Kat|e turns to Shinta. �Just trying to come to terms with everything that�s happened. I�m still in shock, I guess.� She frowns, �Which reminds me��
Vin_Da_DM: As you pass a couple of large trees and a small stream Niklas cheers, �There�s home. Pirroko Village!� He points to a bunch of wooden buildings built along a some grassy cliff faces. Variously aged elf-ish people are about doing average farm-town chores.
Kat|e: �I think I may owe you a bit of an apology, Froggie. I�may�have been wrong.�
Vin_Da_DM: As you pass under a supported walkway several of the villagers stare at you as Miran leads you up a wooden ramp and past what appears to be the village center with a well and small hut-based shops.
Tewyn stops for a moment, �You owe me nothing of the sort�rather you respect me�You went with what you were feeling or felt�be wise to use that with other things going on, too�For what that�s worth coming from me.� Starts walking with Clarice again.
Tabris: �Looks like we�re gonna be the talk of the town,� Tabris says to Claron as they walk.
Claron nods her head, but is unable to appreciate the beauty of this village at the moment.
Vin_Da_DM: �Not a bad place to live,� Eclipse comments as he watches the villagers watching him.
^Shinta: �Seems so peaceful here...been a long time since I�ve seen a place like this.�
Kat|e ponders Tewyn�s words, and inclines her head toward him, shuffling along.
Clarice listens quietly to Kat|e and Tewyn.
Luna_Faline looks back at the group for a moment then whispurrs to Eclipse, �I think, I have a lot of work to do when we get where we are going.�
Vin_Da_DM: Miran enters into a fairly large home, in comparison to the others, and walks across an open area with crude tables, stools and a counter closing off an area with baskets and jugs. A ramp in the back leads to an area with two beds. �This is our home, and the village tavern. It is not much but please make yourselves comfortable.�
Tewyn takes a seat, �I could use the rest.�
Kat|e eases onto a stool gratefully.
Vin_Da_DM: Niklas waits outside the door as you file in watching Nox as he plods off to join a few other animals like him in a nearby stable.
Claron looks around as they enter Miran�s home...�Tavern you say��
^Shinta takes a seat, �Feels so good to relax.�
Luna_Faline looks around the place and takes off my cloak hanging it on a peg.
Vin_Da_DM: The Guardian looks at Miran who eyes Lilly and nods, �You may use one the beds upstairs for your friend.�
Vin_Da_DM: Guardian walks up the ramp ducking a bit as he reaches the top and lays Lilly carefully on one of the crude beds.
Clarice sits next to Tewyn, �You could use some tending to your wounds, too.�
Tewyn: �The wounds will be fine�Syne patched me up pretty well.�
Luna_Faline follows Guardian up the ramp to check on Lilly. I watch him as he is so gentle with her.
Clarice: �Then I owe Syne thanks.�
Vin_Da_DM: �She�s unconscious but I don�t detect any physical damage,� Guardian looks to Luna after studying Lilly.
^Shinta: �So...Miran was it? What do you have for a relaxing beverage here?�
Luna_Faline nods but runs my paws over her, checking for anything wrong. �Seems to be a lot of that going around.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Don�t mention it,� Syne nods to Clarice and Tewyn, �Just doing my duty.�
Vin_Da_DM: Niklas runs across the tavern before taking a seat on the counter watching everyone again, still fascinated by them.
Tewyn makes a silly face at Niklas, �You�re a curious one, aren�t you?�
Vin_Da_DM: Miran looks at Shinta, �We don�t have much. Water from the local well, berry juice and fermented Yaro milk.�
^Shinta: �I think I�ll try the juice.�
Luna_Faline smoothes the hair back from Lilly�s face then moves away from the bed. Turning to Guardian, �Do you have any idea where we are?�
Claron looks at Miran as she takes a seat, �This fermented Yaro milk�what precisely is that?�
Vin_Da_DM: �You�re like me...but darker. Where are you from?� Niklas questions Tewyn with a giggle at his face.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse takes a seat at one of the tables, letting out a relaxing sigh his spines flatten against his head.
Clarice tries not to laugh, �He is just slightly toasted, that�s all.�
Tewyn: �Yes, I�m something like you�I�m what you call a drow of our kind...but I�m from a very far away land which is to hard to explain the distance away from where we are.�
Vin_Da_DM: Miran grabs one of the jugs from behind the counter and pours a light blue liquid into a clay cup in front of Shinta. She looks at Claron, �Some of the men say, �it puts hair on your chest�. It smells, but most everybody likes it.�
^Shinta looks to Kat|e, �Something to drink? Might help you feel better.�
Kat|e: �If it�s anything remotely resembling alcohol, I�m all for it. My thigh is burning like fire.�
Vin_Da_DM: �I�m not sure...we�ll have to wait until night and hope there is a clear enough sky for me to scan the stars,� Guardian looks at Luna and nods, his eye �blinking�.
^Shinta: �She will have a water, and I�ll anoint it.�
Claron smiles, �Not that I want hair on my chest...but think it may be just what I need right now.�
Claron looks over at Katie, �I�m with you, girlfriend!�
Vin_Da_DM: Miran nods to Claron, grabs two different jugs and places one with a white-ish liquid in it by Claron and the water near Shinta and Katie.
Vin_Da_DM: �What about the others? They look different from you, Mister Drow.� Niklas� gaze shifts to Clarice and the others.
^Shinta takes the water glass saying a small incantation causing his hands to glow around the cup, �Here, maybe this will take some of the sting out�Now, if you excuse me, I�d like to tour this village.�
Claron looks at the jug with the whitish liquid in it, �Umm, do I drink right from the jug?�
Luna_Faline leaves Lilly sleeping and goes back to the main room. I take a seat next to Eclipse. Resting my elbows on the table I fold my paws together and rest my head on them with a sigh.
Tabris: �Try using this, Hun.� Tabris hands Claron one of the clay cups from the center of the table.
Tewyn: �Well, the rest for the most part are a kind called humans, they wear very strange garments at times�like the big guy there, he just loves his armor.�
Kat|e eyes the water.
Vin_Da_DM: Guardian walks down the ramp and nods to Miran, �Thank you for letting us stay here.�
Clarice chuckles, �Could be cause I am not an elf or drow...I am just a human,� as she reaches in her pocket and pulls out a joint and her lighter.
Vin_Da_DM: Niklas hops off the counter and looks at Clarice�s lighter curiously, �What�s that?�
Vin_Da_DM: �You really think you should be smoking that with the kid around?� Syne says to Clarice as he pours a cup full of water for himself.
Claron smiles slightly as she takes one of the clay cups and pours herself a cup full of the white liquid. �You care for some, Tab?�
Kat|e picks it up and sips at it gingerly.
Tabris: �Sure, why not�� Tabris takes a sniff of the jug and cringes for a second, �I�m sure it tastes better than it smells.�
Vin_Da_DM: Miran stands near the tables, �Forgive my asking, but where were you heading before you got lost in our field, travelers?�
Clarice: �This? I�ll show you,� as she places the joint against her lips and then ignites the lighter.
^Shinta exits the tavern and converses with a few of the villagers.
Tewyn smacks Clarice�s hand, �Don�t do that in front of a child.�
Luna_Faline doesn�t look up but says, �I�m more concerned about the lighter than the smoke.�
Vin_Da_DM: Niklas blinks, �It magically creates flame!�
Claron nods her head as she brings the cup to her lips and tries to ignore the smell, �Here goesss�� grabbing her nose with her other hand and pinching it tightly downs the cup full of liquid.
Vin_Da_DM: The villagers who are talking with Shinta regard him carefully, as if unsure of him.
Clarice laughs, �Since when was this forbidden to me?� Lighting the joint and taking a big hit.
Vin_Da_DM: Oddly enough the milk tastes like cr�me liqueur to Claron and Tabris as they drink. Tabris nods, �Not bad��
Tewyn slaps it out of her hand, �ITS A CHILD!! You don�t know what it will do to him�and you�re showing them things they know nothing of.�
Claron: �Reminds me of a White Russian�� then pours herself another one.
Vin_Da_DM: Niklas backs away as Tewyn shouts.
Tewyn stands, �I�m sorry, Niklas, you should talk with the others they have tales of many great adventures they can tell you about�I will give you some of my stories another time,� exiting the tavern.
Vin_Da_DM: An older man looks at Shinta as he approaches him, �So...you�re one of the travelers. What brings you here?�
Luna_Faline raises my head and looks at Tewyn as he leaves. �Well, that was an interesting reaction.�
Clarice looks dumbfounded, �I meant no harm��
Luna_Faline asks Niklas, �Do the men in your village smoke anything?�
Clarice bends down to pick up the lighter.
^Shinta: �Yes, I am with the travelers�we seemed to of lost our way and trying to find out where we are.�
Claron sips the second drink then glances down at Kat|e, memories of a night long ago run through her mind.
Vin_Da_DM: Niklas tilts his head at Tewyn leaves, �He looked angry�� Turning his attention to Luna he raises a brow, �We smoke meat from hunting and fish from the river.�
Luna_Faline shakes my head, �I see,� not wanting to explain smoking to him after all. Hoping that diverting his attention from Clarice will give her time to put the lighter away.
Vin_Da_DM: �Well, this is Pirroko, our village. The surrounding woods go for a quite a distant with roads heading west and north on the other side,� the man says to Shinta, �Don�t get many travelers out here, except for the occasional pilgrim or trader.�
Clarice pockets the lighter and the joint, �Guess I could use some of that liquid then.�
^Shinta nods. �I am also interested in any lore of your village or surroundings. I�m a bit of a curious one myself, like Niklas.�
Tabris passes the jug to Clarice, �Here ya go then.�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder rests his head against the table and continues to think to himself and trying to reach Clarissa telepathically.
Vin_Da_DM: �That Niklas and Miran. Poor kids. Lost their parents a few seasons back with the raid�� The man pauses then looks at Shinta, �Not much to say, really. We�re just a small farming town, making enough to keep us going.�
Claron picks up her cup and two clay cups then looks at Tabris as she stands, �You can either follow me or sit here, but I do believe at this very moment its time I did something I have wanted to do for a long time.�
^Shinta looks curiously, �Tell me more of this raid, if you will, please.�
Kat|e drinks her water, finishing it, listening to the voices around her.
Tabris: �If it�s what I think, I�m not sure this is the best place,� Tabris says to Claron as he stands.
Claron sips on her drink as she moves down by Clarice and Kat|e. Pouring two cups full she hands one to Clarice then Kat|e.
Vin_Da_DM: Miran quiet tends to the rest of the tavern, then lugs a few baskets over to a stone oven hidden behind the counter.
Kat|e accepts the cup with a grin, �Thanks, Claron. Do I need to hold my nose to drink it?�
Claron: �Naw. Well, maybe the first one...although, it tastes a hell of lot better than it smells.�
Kat|e raises the cup to her mouth, cringing at the smell, but takes a long drink, then smiles, �Yummy!�
Vin_Da_DM: �Few seasons back a group of nasty bandits came by and raided our village. Miran and Niklas� folks tried to stop them. Father got killed on the spot and they took his poor wife with them when they left.� The man sighs, �Haven�t had any trouble since then, thankfully.�
Clarice: �Thanks, Sis...I�d shared the joint with ya...but guess it will have to wait�� still perplexed by how strongly Tewyn reacted.
Luna_Faline sits watching the girls for a moment then stands and stretches. �I will be in the woods if anyone has need of me,� taking my cloak off the peg as I walk out the door.
Claron smiles as she sits in between her sister and Kat|e.
Vin_Da_DM: �Want some company?� Eclipse says as he follows Luna outside.
^Shinta: �Hmm, I see...a sad loss but with a happy outcome.�
Claron turns to look at Luna_Faline, �You could join us, ya know�� feeling some effects from the drink.
Vin_Da_DM: The Guardian ducks out as well, giving Luna and Eclipse a nod, �I think I will scout the area out. Too many questions may violate the planetary development laws.�
Luna_Faline pauses just outside the door and looks back, �Sorry, Claron. I have something I need to do. Maybe later.� taking Eclipse�s hand, �I would love some company.�
^Shinta: �Thank you for your time and for feeding an inquiring mind. This is a very tranquil place, I�m hoping to return to a place of my own like this one day.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Not a problem traveler,� the man lugs a few heavy baskets around before looking at Shinta, �Where you folks planning on going next?�
^Shinta offers to carry one of the baskets, �That is what we are trying to figure out.�
Claron shakes her head as she watches Luna_Faline leave then raises her cup in a toast, �To times forgotten...times remembered...to better days,� clinking her clay cup against Kat|e�s and Clarice�s.
Luna_Faline moving into the woods a little ways, �What have we done? Was there something we missed?�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse looks at Luna as they go, �What are you talking about?�
Tabris turns a chair around and sits watching Claron, Clarice and Katie, �Almost like old times��
Luna_Faline stops and leans against a tree looking up at the branches above us, �We lost Clarissa again. It feels like we are moving backwards from our goal.�
Vin_Da_DM: The man hands Shinta a basket filled with turnip-like vegetables, �Well, most traders head on through the forest then east. The few pilgrims talked about something north, not sure what for though.�
Kat|e smiles, �I remember sitting in a bar��Blue� something or other. You and I were ogling guys, weren�t we?�
^Shinta: �Then maybe we shall seek out more information on both directions...Now, how may I assist you in this labor for payment of kindness to talking with this stranger?�
Claron�s eyes light up, �We were indeed. As matter of fact I tried to encourage you to accept the attentions of a certain mousy looking fellow.�
Vin_Da_DM: �I know...it�s hard to know what to do next. We lost whatever plan we had long ago.� Eclipse sighs and leans against a tree opposite Luna.
Vin_Da_DM: �Deliver that to Miran and tell her it�s the fresh harvest,� the man smiles, �I hope you find what you�re looking for, traveler.�
Kat|e nods with a small smile. �Kyo. But I was so wrapped up in trying to get Thomas to notice me. That was�� Her eyes fill with pain, ��before Thomas was killed.�
Tabris: �He�s not the only one we�ve lost over the years,� Tabris grabs a cup and fills it up.
Luna_Faline: �We were supposed to be finding other Warriors like us, and some great weapon to defeat Daegriss.� Reaches up and takes off my amulet, �Instead, it feels like we unleashed a greater evil,� holding the alexandrite in my paw.
^Shinta: �Consider it done...and thank you, again.� Heads back towards the tavern with the basket.
Kat|e sighs, �Bits and pieces come back. But there�s still holes.�
Kat|e: �And yes, we�ve lost quite a few. I keep seeing so much blood and Kyo in a tuxedo. But�I keep feeling like that�s one time I don�t want to remember.
Claron pours more drink in each of their cups. �After Gerald killed himself��
Kat|e: At the mention of Gerald, she flinches. �Yes. Oh, god. So much blood.� Her face goes white.
Vin_Da_DM: �Guess we�ll just have to hope that we find that weapon and the others,� Eclipse shakes his head as a bug tries to land on one of his spines.
^Shinta walks quietly into the tavern, �Ms. Miran, I have the fresh harvest delivery for you.�
Kat|e: �That was it, wasn�t it? The night of the�of the dance. He...Oh, God. That was it, wasn�t it?�
Kat|e starts to tremble.
Vin_Da_DM: Miran looks up from behind the counter and nods, �Thank you...can you bring it over here?�
^Shinta walks over to Miran, �Where shall I place it for you?�
Kat|e looks over at Shinta, her eyes panicked.
Claron: �It was the dance...Kyo went all out to impress you�Gerald, he took his own life that night�you...were the first to find us�I vaguely remember you helping me.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Right there is fine,� Miran grins at Shinta, �Will you travelers be staying until morning?�
^Shinta: �That will be a choice for the others to decide�I cannot speak for them,� looking over to Kat|e, �What�s wrong?�
Kat|e: �My�my beautiful dress. And Kyo�quietly holding my shoulder, letting me lean against him while I held you, holding Gerald. Oh, I do remember that night. I don�t want to, but I do.�
Claron: �Calm down, Kat|e. I told you once before, you need to lighten up. ^Shinta feels for you like Kyo�Hell, you can have �em both, plus the mischievous one�� as she downs the freshly poured drink.
^Shinta eyes Claron, �Excuse me, what do you know of my feelings? Pardon them Ms. Miran they ramble�I hope they will not cause you much trouble,� heading back out the door.
Clarice sips her drink as she listens.
Luna_Faline inhales deeply of the forest air as I rub the stone in my palm.
Claron looks at ^Shinta as he heads for the door, �Its pretty fucking obvious...at least� its always been to me��
Kat|e watches Shinta leave, and takes a deep breath, �It�s just�a bit overwhelming when it comes flooding back in. So many years that were empty before start filling up.� She swallows another slug of her drink.
Kat|e: �Sometimes I don�t think he likes me much.� She pours some more in her cup.
Vin_Da_DM: �He likes you more than you think, Katie,� Syne says as he downs another cup of water.
Claron wraps an arm around Kat|e, �He is in love with you, just like Kyo was�he�s just waiting for you to realize it.�
Claron: �Hell, still is...kinda weird�^Shinta and his over-souls.�
Kat|e: �He�s so�� she blinks, �So�� she giggles, �This stuff is dangerous.� She takes another slug out of her cup.
Luna_Faline pushes away from the tree and moves a little farther into the forest. Finding an open area I sit down and put the amulet back on. I lay back and look up at the sky.
Claron chuckles as she drinks more of hers...wrapping her arm again round Kat|e, �I have missed you.�
Kat|e: �He�s so�� she cocks her head to the side in thought, �He�s just�uptight, sometimes. Reminds me of Kyo, in that respect.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse follows Luna and lays down next to her, �So...I know there�s more on your mind.� Eclipse watches as the sunlight shines on the trees above them.
Claron takes a sip of her drink and damn near sprays it out, �Two peas in a pod, aye?�
Luna_Faline moves closer and cuddles next to Eclipse, �Am I that transparent?� resting my head on his shoulder.
Kat|e laughs, �Indeed. But, he is not without his own charm. Even when he�s pissing me off, he still manages to always be there if I need him. He�s a good man.�
Claron raises her cup in Tab�s direction, �This is good stuff,� giggles.
Tabris leans against the back of the chair as he listens to Claron and Katie, �Haven�t seen you two together like this in a long time��
Vin_Da_DM: �Not really transparent...I just know you,� Eclipse wraps his arm around Luna.
Kat|e closes her eyes, smiling, then opens them and gives Tab and Claron an affectionate look, �I feel more�at home�suddenly, than I have for a long time. I think part of me missed you as keenly as you missed me.�
Claron nods her head, �He is and all he is doing is waiting for you....to remember...to accept� to allow yourself to feel.�
Claron blows Tabris a kiss, then turns back to Kat|e, �You know my sister, Clarice? Nooooo... How could you, even I didn�t know about her back then.�
Kat|e: �The only difference between then and now is�� she lowers her voice to a whisper, �I�m no longer a scared virgin.� She winks.
Claron looks at Kat|e, �So, you remember us now?�
Luna_Faline: �I have so much running thru my mind, I don�t know where to start.� Taking his hand in my paw, �Like where are we? Are Alexei and Ettik alright? How far away are we?�
Claron laughs heartily��That�s right, you were the virgin and I was the newly picked cherry.�
Clarice places a hand on Claron�s shoulder, �I should find Tewyn��
Kat|e laughs, nearly choking on her drink
Kat|e: �Newly picked cherry. You never cease to make me blush.�
Claron stops for a moment, �Wait just a second...what�you no longer a virgin?�
Kat|e takes another large swallow of her drink, then nods.
Vin_Da_DM: �I wish I knew, Luna�� Eclipse watches the clouds in the sky, �I wish I knew��
Tabris chuckles, �And you�re no longer the picked cherry, Mommy.�
Claron: �You could stay and learn some stuff, but go find yer drow. Never thought I�d say this�but he�s a keeper.�
Claron laughs at Tabris comment...�You plucked me good,� as she downs her drink.
Luna_Faline leans over and kisses him purring, �Glad I�m not lost alone.�
Kat|e: �When I first woke up from�whatever it was that nearly killed me�� she frowns, searching for the lost memory, then shakes her head. �I met a very nice man named Daezhel Morlan. He taught me martial arts, and I taught him to laugh again.�
Claron smiles at Kat|e, �I always did speak my mind�used to do more than that...like toss people on their asses when I was mad��
Kat|e: �He was a widower, and we were�comfortable in each other�s company. He soon asked me to marry him. He was my best friend, my mentor.� Her eyes close, �He was attacked one day. I never saw who did it. I just heard the commotion and ran outside our house. He was shredded. He�died in my arms.� Tears pool in her eyes when she opens them again.
Vin_Da_DM: �Nope, we�re officially lost together,� Eclipse looks at Luna after she kisses him with small grin.
Claron�s face pales, �Oh, my�� as she embraces Kat|e, �I know how you must have felt��
Luna_Faline smiles mischievously, �What shall we do now?� I purr innocently.
Kat|e: �I�miss his steady comfort. But he always told me I was his gift, but that he knew he�d only have me for a short time. He knew he was going to die. Sometimes I wish I could find out what really happened, and how he knew it was coming.�
Vin_Da_DM: �A sad thing to happen to ya. But sometimes it�s better not to know, �Syne nods to Katie.
Claron: �Gerald died in my arms...but you know what? Tab, he taught me the true meaning of love.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Find our way again, I suppose,� Eclipse smirks as he touches Luna�s cheek with his hand.
Kat|e shrugs. �But he told me as I held him that day, �My dark angel of fire. Go on and light up the world.� So, I�m determined to do just that. If I can ever get over the sensation of having my life flood me in odd moments.�
Kat|e drinks deeply, �This stuff is gonna have me passed out if I don�t stop.� She drains the cup and pushes it away.
Vin_Da_DM: �Sounded like he was a good man, Claron,� Tabris looks to Claron then smiles at Katie, �That�s usually the point of drinks like this.�
Claron looks at Kat|e, �Somehow I think ^Shinta could help you with that.�
Luna_Faline rubs my cheek against his hand purring loudly. �Where do you want to start?�
Vin_Da_DM: �I�ll leave that up to you,� Eclipse leans in and kisses Luna.
Kat|e: �He wants to help, I know. But I�m afraid. I�ve had a long line of men who abandoned me to the cold arms of death. I don�t want to go through that, again.�
Claron laughs as she sees double, �Don�t change a fucking thing...still lost our daughter...and what happened to Stryder?�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder looks up from his table hearing his name, shaking himself out of his daze, �What? Nothing happened...I�m fine.
Luna_Faline enjoys a long kiss with Eclipse my paws winding around his head I pull him down with me as I lay down.
Claron smiles as she sees her son then looks back at Kat|e, �Lots has changed since then.�
Kat|e laughs again, then leans in to whisper conspiratorially to Claron, �Am I drunk enough to get away with telling you yer son is hot, and if I wasn�t such an old fart, I�d be lusting after him?�
Vin_Da_DM: ~Fine...I�m not fine. I�m far from fine...I�ve lost her and now I�ll have to do the one thing I�ve feared�~ Stryder says to himself mentally as he looks over at Claron.
Luna_Faline growls, �I don�t want to be the leader anymore,� not wanting to break the kiss.
Vin_Da_DM: �I heard that�� Stryder speaks up shifting his gaze to Katie.
Claron smiles brightly, �He is, ain�t he? But...its my daughter...I am worried about,� tears welling back in her eyes.
Kat|e: �Shit. My apologies, laddie. Yer safe. I got one man. I ain�t greedy.� She giggles, blushing.
Claron looks over at Stryder, ~WE lost her!~
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse moves his head a bit, �Well, in that case, I�ll take over.� Moving his hands across Luna�s fur gently he smiles again.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder�s eyes meet Claron for a moment, ~We all lost her...and I lost apart of myself with her...~
Clarice wanders around outside having left Kat|e and Claron, �Dammit it, Drow...I just wanted to get high,� she says in low, sorrowful voice.
Tewyn looks at Clarice from beside the door, �That�s not something you do in front of curious kids.�
Luna_Faline giggles as his gentle touch tickles, �I�ll follow you anywhere.�
Clarice looks sorrowful at Tewyn, �I wasn�t thinking straight...it didn�t occur to me�� trying not to lose composure.
Vin_Da_DM: As the sun sets on the small village of Pirroko the tavern begins to fill up with villagers and the mixed conversations fill the room. The Warriors now find themselves on an unknown planet somewhere in the vast expanse of space�
Vin_Da_DM: Elsewhere, the evil Lady Velarenyssa walks out onto a balcony of the ruined temple, watching with a sly grin as the first of the demon hordes arrives to form her army, �Soon Lord Daegriss will fall and with his army and my power, Aventine shall be mine once and for all��
Vin_Da_DM: $ End