Vin_Da_DM: Previously on Warriors of Destiny: With more challenges completed only a few remained. Tabris� challenge had him faced against his mental instability that caused him much regret and sorrow in his past.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse�s challenge sought to test him about stealing his current body, as it did not belong to him. As well as hinting that there was more to him that he didn�t share with his fellow Warriors. However, Eclipse put an end to his challenge personally.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder touched the rune of his challenge but was sent into an unconscious state by it and Mateus said that his challenge had to take place within him. Meanwhile Lilly faced a challenge similar to Katie�s about accepting the past and not being afraid of the future.
Vin_Da_DM: With Stryder�s test still ongoing and the others completed this left only Shinta and Tewyn, the rune for each humming softly and glowing while they hovered in the air.
Vin_Da_DM: *Time passed: None*
Vin_Da_DM: $ Start
Kat|e stares at her nails, picking at them.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder shifts in his position on the floor, though still unconscious his dream looks to be getting worse.
Tewyn looks to Clarice, �Guess we save the worst for last,� reaching out and touches the rune.
Claron glances up at Tabris as she sits with Stryder cradled in her arms, �I am frightened for him,� she whispers.
^Shinta sits up from his meditation looking at Kat|e, �Glad to see you did well...Lets hope I can do the same.�
Vin_Da_DM: As Tewyn�s hand touches the smooth and cold surface of the rune the room around him fades into darkness. With the flash of a moving torch he finds himself in a familiar place from his past. The shouts of angry people echoing in the distance.
Clarice looks perplexed at Tewyn as he touches his rune, then whispers, �I love you.�
Tabris wraps his arms around Claron, �I know...but I�m not sure what we can do for him except be here.�
Tewyn looks around. �No, not here...not again.�
Kat|e looks up and gives Shinta a reassuring smile.
^Shinta: �Must of been most difficult if its got you all quiet.�
Vin_Da_DM: Tewyn feels a tug on his clothing from behind accompanied by a sweet but worried young voice, �They�ll see you out here, come on.�
Kat|e nods. �The difficult part is outside the challenge,� she says quietly, chewing her lip.
Claron nods her head signaling to Tabris that she is in agreement with him, �I just wish he was through with it.�
Tewyn looks down to the familiar face, �But�you know they will come looking for me, and you....you can get hurt.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Thought provoking mostly...not difficult per-say,� Eclipse looks over to Shinta giving him a reply, then glancing back to Luna.
Vin_Da_DM: �We can hide. I know a spot just outside the village, they won�t find us there.� The girl smiles at Tewyn as she points behind her.
Tewyn gives her a smile. �Then I guess I have no choice...lead the way.�
^Shinta nods, �Then lets hope I�m ready for what�s ahead of me.�
Clarice: �That�s for certain, Eclipse.� The images of all the clones of herself flood her eyes and the words her father spoke echo in her ears.
Vin_Da_DM: The girl turns and starts down the ragged dirt road, veering off it and making her way across a field. Looking behind her occasionally she notes the torches getting closer. �Hurry, Tewyn, this way.�
Tewyn follows behind her thinking to himself. �I can�t let this happen again.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Expect anything and that�ll help,� Syne says from his spot near Lilly, who is resting.
Vin_Da_DM: Ducking under the low hanging branches of a tall willow, the girl scampers across the underbrush heading for a mossy covered boulder deeper into the woods.
Tewyn: �You must have a good hiding spot,� keeping close behind her.
Luna_Faline looks up at Eclipse stepping back from him. I sit down and take my sai out to polish it.
Vin_Da_DM: �I won hide and seek so much the other kids always made me the seeker.� The girl manages a smile on a face that shows worry and concern.
Clarice moves over towards Kat|e and sits quietly beside her as she tries to figure out what Tewyn may have to deal with.
Tewyn: �Then I am in good hands.�
Kat|e reaches out and pats Clarice reassuringly.
Vin_Da_DM: Kneeling down next to Luna Eclipse watches her polish the sai, �Are you sure you�re all right?�
Vin_Da_DM: The girl rounds the side of the boulder disappearing for a moment, then popping back into view as she watches Tewyn. Looking past him her eyes grow wide, �Some of them are coming across the fields.�
Luna_Faline nods, trying to rub a tiny spot off the blade. A single tear slides down my cheek, and I swipe it away with my sleeve.
Tewyn hears the angered mob nearing. �We must hurry!�
Clarice manages a weak smile in return. �He has done so many things, some really bad things even�� whispers softly.
^Shinta turns to Clarice, �He is a tough one though, he has always managed to pull through.�
Clarice: �I will have to hold on to that thought, ^Shinta.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Over here,� the girl motions to Tewyn as she disappears behind the boulder again. On the side facing the forest are several smaller rocks concealing a small stone and dirt room carved out of the boulders below-ground half.
Kat|e nods, �He�s made of some pretty rock-solid stuff. I�m sure he�ll come through just fine.�
Tewyn ducks inside. �This is a good place, I can see why you won so many times,� giving her a smile. �Now, I must know�What is the name of my hero on this night?�
Clarice nods her head, clinging to the encouraging words from ^Shinta and Kat|e.
Vin_Da_DM: �Cara,� she looks at him with a curious look half-visible with the small patch of moonlight shining into the room, �You don�t look like the bad man they said you were.�
Tewyn: �Cara...that is a very beautiful name...but I�m afraid I was that man.�
Tewyn: �They hurt my loved ones and...and I.��
Vin_Da_DM: �You were nice to me, so you can�t be a bad man,� Cara smiles at him then turns as the noises of rustling underbrush sound nearby.
Tewyn: �Guess your niceness rubbed off on me�haven�t met many nice humans.� Ears twitching at the sounds.
Tewyn pulls Cara closer toward him. �I won�t let them hurt you if they try.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Cara! Cara?!� A man�s voice sounds out from somewhere close. Cara looks at Tewyn, �My daddy�s calling for me��
Tewyn whispers, �Of all the things...why did it have to be this night?�
Tewyn gives her a look of grief, �No, you can�t go out there!�
Vin_Da_DM: �But he�ll worry about me,� Cara looks at Tewyn with a frown then moves over to the entrance of the room and glances around.
Tewyn frowns at her, �As any father would, I guess�Then go to him.�
Vin_Da_DM: Cara looks back at Tewyn, �You should stay here, they�re probably still looking.� She gives him a smile the climbs out of the room. Her footsteps sound on the brush for a few paces, enough to be around the boulder, before they stop.
Luna_Faline turns the sai over and continues to polish it.
Vin_Da_DM: �Gotcha!� A deeper man�s voice sounds, clearly not her father. �No! Let go of me!� Cara screams, sounding as if she is struggling against a far stronger person, �Noo! Tewyn! Help!�
Tewyn sits backs tears starting to trickle down his face, �Cara.��
Tewyn ears twitch up as I burst out of the hiding place, �Cara!�
Claron starts rocking back and forth with Stryder still cradled in her arms.
Tewyn: �LET HER GO!�
Vin_Da_DM: As soon as Tewyn clears the hiding place men with torches and weapons surround him. Their robed leader holds Cara around the waist with a dagger at her throat, he grins at Tewyn from under his hood. �I wouldn�t try anything if were you, dark elf.�
Kat|e watches Claron, wincing.
Tewyn growls, his face full of anger, �Unless you want to be like that other hunting party, then you better let her go!�
Vin_Da_DM: �Or what? You�ll butcher us like the monster you are?� The robed man glares at Tewyn, clearing thinking him the devil incarnate. �And this little brat thought to hide you. Such treason is inexcusable.� The man lowers his dagger and cuts Cara�s shoulder.
Tewyn takes a step forward. �You want to see first hand what a monster I can be! You would turn on one of your own...filthy human!�
^Shinta peeks over to Kat|e, �So you said your challenge is harder now its over...how can that be?�
Kat|e sighs.
Vin_Da_DM: With a grin he cuts Cara again then shoves her toward Tewyn, �Then show us the monster you can be and destroy a filthy human.�
Kat|e: �Because, I have to change my whole way of thinking,� she murmurs, closing her eyes.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder shifts again in his dream, then several more times. Grunting under his breath he seems as though he�s fighting something.
Tabris looks down at Stryder and rests a hand on Stryder�s shoulder, �You�ll make it out of this...you�re strong.�
Tewyn kneels down and looks at Cara, �Sorry, kid. Didn�t keep my promise. Looking back at the man, �You would do well to learn from her�you will stay alive longer.�
Vin_Da_DM: Cara looks at Tewyn then at the man, a mixture of crying and scared.
Clarice hears ^Shinta�s question to Kat|e and then Katie�s reply. Slowly nodding her own head while thinking to herself, �Have a feeling you aren�t the only one that will have to do that��
Tewyn makes the ground rumble just slightly, �Or should I just take you out quickly, like you would me!�
Claron watches Tabris� with their son, �He�s been like this an awfully long time��
Vin_Da_DM: �Quickly would be a mercy for you. But seeing as she is young, she deserves the mercy you will not get!� The man lifts a hand and sends a spell-bolt at Cara. It sears against her flesh and she cries out for Tewyn but then falls to the ground, a little tuft of smoke rising from her.
Tewyn: �NOOOO!� looking at Cara�s lifeless body, �You bastard!� Charges through the men and grabs him by his throat.
Vin_Da_DM: �The monster bears his full fangs at last!� The man manages a choked-laugh at Tewyn.
Tewyn: �You would kill the one bit of hope humanity has, one that can show compassion!�
Tewyn: �Monster...yes, we are both monsters�� squeezing his throat harder, �She gave me hope for the rest of you.��
Tewyn: �But, you show the side of humans I despise, and its that side that makes me want to kill you all!� Tears running down his face.
Vin_Da_DM: The man grins at Tewyn, �Then kill us all. Summon all your rage and anger. Wipe us from the stars!�
Tewyn lowers his head and lets go of the man. �I can�t...for all of you I kill...her face and selflessness will never leave me�so for that...for that�I must still believe in her.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Do you truly believe?� The man lowers his head a bit, his face getting lost in the shade from his hood.
Tewyn walks over to Cara and caresses her face, �You were my hero after all. Huh, kid?...just never saw it.�
Tewyn nods, �I have to believe there are more like her out there�there has to be.�
Luna_Faline�s eyes focus on the blood stone in the hilt of the sai.
Tewyn: �I can�t be one of them...and commit genocide��
Vin_Da_DM: �Then you have faith in the better half of man�s heart. Keep this faith and it shall see you through dark times.� Giving Tewyn a nod the man smiles, sincerely this time, �You have done well. Now go.� Lifting a hand Tewyn is surrounded by light before being deposited back in the temple room.
Tewyn slumps down back on the wall in the temple.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse raises a brow as he notices Tewyn reappear, �He�s back and in one piece. That�s a good sign.�
^Shinta: �Guess we are down to one.�
Kat|e sees Tewyn reappear and gasps, �Oh, Froggy.�
^Shinta gently touches Kat|e�s shoulder, �Wish me luck,� touching the rune.
Kat|e gets up and touches Shinta on the sleeve. �Good luck.�
Clarice scrambles up from her sitting position as Tewyn flashes back into the room and races over towards his slumped body. �Tewyn,� she whispers as she kneels down beside him touching his cheek lightly with a fingertip. �Are you alright?�
Tewyn wipes some tears from his eyes.
Vin_Da_DM: �Clarissa!!!� Stryder shouts as he suddenly leans up and breaks from his dream. Stryder flings a hand to the side and a small piece of flooring near Syne explodes sending dust and pebbles into the air.
Tewyn nods, �Yeah...just had to go see a old friend.�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne jumps to his feet and looks over at Stryder, �Holy hells�watch where you�re�eh�blowing things up!�
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder looks at Claron and Tabris with tears streaking from the corners of his eyes, �It was�horrible. It�s over? This is real, isn�t it?� Extending a hand he touches Claron�s cheek with a smile then hugs her deeply.
Clarice feels the wetness on her fingertip from Tewyn�s cheek, �Oh, my�� she whispers softly.
Claron jerks back as Stryder jumps up.
Tewyn: �Yeah, something like that.�
Claron hugs Stryder tightly back, �Oh, son�� A tear slides down her cheek.
Vin_Da_DM: As with the others, Shinta fades away from the room with the touch of his rune. Reappearing in the magical-fog filled landscape of the spirit realm. A black robed Azrael with silver hair looks at him.
^Shinta looks around, �Seems we meet again.�
Kat|e stares at Shinta�s rune and frets.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder grabs Tabris and hugs him as well, then slowly gets to his feet, �I�m...it�s good to be back. Did everyone else pass their tests?�
Tewyn: �There is something I must do...give me a minute,� looking at Clarice.
Claron watches as Stryder embraces his father, �Everyone but ^Shinta, so far.�
Vin_Da_DM: �That we do...but tell me, Shaman. Who are you?� The Azrael moves forward through the fog, the faint flicker of spirits around him as he takes those few steps.
Luna_Faline draws my thoughts back to the present, breaking my gaze on the stone. I put the sai back into it�s holster on my thigh.
Kat|e gets up and wanders over to Mateus locked in ice. She stares long and hard at him, frowning.
Clarice moves slowly back from Tewyn, �Anything I can do?�
^Shinta: �I am Shinta.�
Tewyn shakes his head, �Not this time,� moving toward Claron and Tabris.
Vin_Da_DM: �I see,� Stryder looks past Tabris and Claron at Syne who is glancing at him questioningly. Looking at Claron he cringes, �I didn�t do that, did I?�
Clarice nods her head in acknowledgement as Tewyn moves toward Claron and Tabris.
Claron notices Tewyn moving towards them, �Glad to see you made it back, Tewyn.�
Vin_Da_DM: �I know your name, mortal. You did not answer the question, who are you?� He moves again, the flicker of souls following him again. The very landscape whispering his every word as he speaks causing him to sound ethereal.
Tewyn: �Hate to disturb you...but...I...I wanted to say I�m sorry for your loss...and for any grief I may have caused�Hopefully, one day you will find a way to forgive what I have done.�
Tabris looks at Tewyn and pats him on the shoulder, �You�re forgiven. Except for that incident with the maid�s outfit...never gonna forgive that one!� Tab smirks at Tewyn.
Luna_Faline ears twitch hearing Tewyn apologize for something.
Kat|e turns around, raising an eyebrow.
^Shinta: �Is that not who I am? looking around, �But, I am him and him and him,� pointing to the souls he carries around him.
Tewyn nods, �Thank you.�
Claron�s eyes widen, �Why�thank you, Tewyn.� Moving closer to Tewyn, �I, too, am sorry for all the hurt and ugly things I have said and thought about you. Forgive me, also.�
Clarice feels her heart swelling with pride and her eyes welling up with tears as she hears Tewyn comment to her sister and brother-in-law.
Vin_Da_DM: �Are you?� the Azrael lifts his hand and the three over-souls hover over toward his outstretched hand. Looking at Shinta as the souls hover above his hand he shakes his head, �You are not them. They lived their mortal lives. They exist purely as that which is immortal in all mortals.�
^Shinta: �But, I have to give their life meaning�they came to me because things were left unfinished.�
Tabris: �Yeah, guess I should apologize about anything I said, too.� Tabris moves his hand nodding at Tewyn. Then wraps his other arm around Stryder and rustles his hair.
Tewyn takes a seat back by Clarice, �I�ll have to talk to the others later.�
Kat|e smiles over at Tewyn. �Welcome back, Froggy,� she says warmly.
Tewyn: �Same to you.�
Clarice places her hand on Tewyn�s hand and wonders �what the hell has come over him�.
Luna_Faline glances around at everyone, then extends one silvered claw and scratches Kanji symbols in my arm watching them heal and disappear just as fast as I draw them.
Vin_Da_DM: �Perhaps...but when you have finished what they could not and they are no more,� he turns his hand and the over-souls vanish, �Who are you then?�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse watches Luna with a cringe, �What are you doing?�
^Shinta thinks for a moment watching the spirits vanish. �That I do not know....I�ve lived only to help them and others.�
Claron watches Tewyn go back to Clarice then turns back towards Stryder, �Yes, it appears you did do that,� smiling brightly at him.
Luna_Faline drops my sleeve quickly and shrugs, �I guess a very old habit returned,� sighing.
Vin_Da_DM: �You have lived your life for others and yet you have never lived it for yourself,� the Azrael studies Shinta for a moment with cold and decisive eyes, �Such a simple question and you cannot find an answer.�
^Shinta: �I am Shinta, I have no regrets being the shaman I am...I could not stand by and do nothing. While, yes, I did things to help these souls, they were my actions. I have not given myself the chance to life for myself, for I couldn�t .�
Luna_Faline stands up dusting off my cloak. I look up at Eclipse, �Have you noticed I do not have any scars on my body? Not a single mark.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Self healing. It is not unheard of,� Eclipse glances at Luna questioningly.
Claron smiles happily as she looks at Tabris and Stryder.
^Shinta: �If the time comes when I must, then I hope I will be able to walk my own path...with no regrets...unlike the regrets I carry now.�
Vin_Da_DM: �You walk your own path at this very moment. Several others share the path with you for a while, but such is life.� The Azrael moves again around Shinta.
^Shinta: �I walk this path...but with many others as you say�How am I to know if things I feel are really mine�or those that live through me?�
^Shinta: �Maybe I have put my own life on hold for to long��
Kat|e begins to pace.
Vin_Da_DM: �Others will come and go from the path, but in the end it is yours alone. Every action you take is part of your path, that which you feel is yours,� shifting his stance he looks at Shinta again.
Claron moves quietly away from Stryder and Tabris towards Katie. �Pacing will not return him any quicker to you, Katie.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse moves closer to Luna and extends a hand to her cheek, �Are you sure you�re really okay?�
Kat|e turns to look at Claron, �I know. I�m just�tired of this place. I�m feeling kinda closed in.�
^Shinta struggles at this thought. �I see...SO, you are saying I shouldn�t be afraid of what�s inside or of who I truly am.�
Vin_Da_DM: �We will be leaving as soon as we can,� the Guardian, who had remained quiet for quite sometime finally spoke.
Luna_Faline leans into him and whispurrs, �I don�t know.�
Kat|e groans and returns to pacing, glowering at Mateus now and then.
Claron smiles softly, �I feel the same way,� moving along beside Katie matching her step for step.
Vin_Da_DM: The Azrael nods, �Indeed. Do not fear yourself. Accept it and you shall be the better for it.�
Kat|e stops and laughs.
^Shinta: �Then let it be as such, I will walk my path, and not hold back from fear of not giving my all to those seeking me.�
Claron stops just as quickly, �That�s better!�
Kat|e: �Okay, okay. I�ll sit down and behave, Mother Hen.�
Kat|e grins, hugs Claron and plops back down, winking at Syne.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse hugs Luna and nods softly, �I�m still here for you��
Vin_Da_DM: Syne smirks at Katie then looks back over at Lilly, �I swear...this kid sleeps more than bears in winter.�
Claron returns Kat|e�s hug, smiling softly as Katie plops down to the ground. �The waiting is the hardest part��
Kat|e laughs, a merry, tinkling sound.
Kat|e: �Well, some people just need more rest than others.�
Claron laughs, �Obviously halflings must.�
Vin_Da_DM: The Azrael bows to Shinta, �Then go Shinta. Take another step down the path that lays ahead of you.� The fog-filled landscape fades away and returns Shinta to the temple, where his three over-souls hover in the air around him.
^Shinta looks around the temple and at his over-souls looking over him.
Luna_Faline nods, �I�m here for you too,� purring softly.
Vin_Da_DM: �Well, I�m not going to carry her this time,� Syne huffs as he notices Shinta reappear, �Well, look who decided to come back and join the party.�
Vin_Da_DM: The remaining runes lose their shimmering glow and return to their spots on the wall near Mateus� ice block.
^Shinta: �It is good to be back.�
Claron starts moving back towards Tabris and Stryder when ^Shinta returns, �Welcome back,� she says as she passes by him.
Kat|e smiles as she sees Shinta return.
Kat|e: �Well, you don�t look TOO worse for wear,� she muses.
^Shinta smiles, �Just learnt some things.�
Vin_Da_DM: Mateus shifts inside his ice block, raising his head slightly. �The challenges are completed. Each of you have learned something that will strengthen you for what is coming. You have many questions. Ask and I will answer what I can.�
Claron slips her arm around Tabris waist, �At last, all have completed their challenge,� she whispers softly to him.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne gets a smirk as he thinks about numerous silly questions to ask.
Claron looks at Mateus, �How can you be so certain that we truly learned something valuable?�
Luna_Faline looks at Mateus thoughtfully, then walks over and whispurrs very quietly �Was any of it true? Or was it all said just to make a point?�
^Shinta walks over to Kat|e offering a hand, �Would like it if you helped me along the way.�
Kat|e cocks her head to the side, then takes Shinta�s hand.
Kat|e: �I�ll help you in every way I can.�
^Shinta: �There are things I still need to learn, I was told.�
Kat|e chuckles.
Kat|e: �You and me both, apparently.�
Tewyn stands looking at Mateus, �What is it we are being prepared for?�
^Shinta: �Then I can�t think of anyone better to learn with...maybe we will both learn something then.�
Vin_Da_DM: Mateus shifts in his ice block as he sets about answering questions, �Judgment of truth I leave to you. Seek as much truth in what you learned as you will. And it�s value will show itself in time.�
Clarice stands quietly wondering how much of the challenges was real and how much was illusion.
Kat|e wonders if they will ever see their ship again.
Luna_Faline rubs my stomach as I turn away from Mateus. �He�s just going to spew out more riddles. I�m ready to go.�
Kat|e: With a smile at Shinta, she nods, �I�ve always been proud to fight beside you. Perhaps these two old souls can learn to walk the way they�re supposed to.�
Clarice listens to Mateus as he speaks and realizes his statement doesn�t ease the fear she has if the truth includes being a clone.
Vin_Da_DM: His voice takes a more serious tone, �The Great Battle awaits you, Warriors. I have done my part in preparing you for your roles in it.� Moving a hand a large swirling portal forms in front of the ice block. �This will return you to your vessel. The storm is coming, but you still have time to discover the gifts I have given you.�
^Shinta: �And learn those things we are still trying to find.�
Claron: �What? You aren�t going to even tell us what they are?�
Kat|e snorts, �Are you kidding? I�m still looking for the hairbrush I misplaced months ago!�
^Shinta smiles, �Maybe we will find that, too.�
Kat|e smiles back.
Luna_Faline looks at Eclipse then steps into the portal.
Tewyn: �Gifts...as in powers?�
Kat|e: �I always kinda thought the dog took off with it. Now I guess that rules out THAT theory.� She grins over at Syne.
Vin_Da_DM: �You must discover these gifts on your own. I merely bestowed them upon you, Claron.� Mateus speaks as the portal fluxes. �You must go, Warriors.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse looks at the others then follows Luna into the portal.
Kat|e walks toward the portal.
Claron nods her head ever so slightly.
^Shinta walks with Kat|e.
Tewyn: �Guess we should go.�
Tabris: �Portals...always portals�� Tabris sighs and looks at Claron and Stryder, �Well, let�s go. What�s one more portal ride on the quest to save the universe?�
Clarice moves toward the portal, �Wish I could say its been a real pleasure,� then steps toward the portal.
Vin_Da_DM: �Wonder if I should tell her where that comb is�� Syne snickers as he jumps into the portal.
Claron: �Yes, let�s go... It will be nice to be back aboard Ettik,� moving towards the portal.
Tabris grabs Claron�s hand and walks into the portal with Stryder tagging along behind them.
Claron: �At least its not a white light�� as they enter the portal together.
Clarice grabs Tewyn�s hand as they go through the portal.
Vin_Da_DM: The Guardian watches as the others disappear into the portal and lifts Lilly off the floor. Looking over at Mateus he gives a bow of his head, �Let us hope they truly understood, old friend.�
Vin_Da_DM: Guardian ducks into the portal and it closes. After a moment that seems like forever everyone is deposited on a grassy shoreline, the Ettik sitting on the edge nearby looking out over a massive sun-reflecting ocean.
Kat|e: �Oh, mah Goddess. It�s breathtaking.�
Luna_Faline turns in a slow circle, breathing deeply and taking it all in. �Yes, it is.�
Claron takes a deep breath as she sees the ship near the ocean. �That�s absolutely a breath taking sight,� as she watches the sun reflecting off both the ship and the ocean.
^Shinta: �Been a long time since I�ve been anywhere this nice.�
Kat|e thinks of her childhood, playing at the beach. With a smile at the memory of her parents and brother frolicking with her.
Vin_Da_DM: On top of Ettik�s living hull hanging out over the edge of the cliff is Alexei, standing watching the ocean and the large orange sun as it begins it�s descent to sunset.
Kat|e: �Makes me want to grab my bikini,� she grins and waves to Alexei.
Tabris: �Not bad at all�� Tabris looks at the ocean and the ship.
Clarice: �What a beautiful sight,� squeezing Tewyn�s hand gently.
Tewyn: �That it is.�
Kat|e cocks her head.
Kat|e: �No. This is the most beautiful sight.�
Kat|e smiles.
Kat|e: �Us. All of us. We�re lucky to have one another.�
^Shinta nods, �Have to agree with you there.�
Vin_Da_DM: Alexei turns noticing everyone on the ground below, �Hello! Long time no see down there! Come on up and enjoy the view!� Alexei motions as a ramp slides out from the side of Ettik and lowers, extending from the ground to the top of the hull.
Claron: �That we are, Kat|e.�
Kat|e races for the Ettik. More carefree than she�s been in years, giggling and running pell-mell.
Luna_Faline takes my cloak off and runs up the ramp to join Alexei.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse chases after Luna up the ramp.
Claron smiles at Tabris as they move towards the ship.
Luna_Faline laughs and throws my cloak at Eclipse to slow him down.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder looks out over the ocean and manages a good smile. Looking up at the ship he shimmers himself to the top.
Clarice glances at Tewyn before they start towards the ship.
Tewyn: �I think we�ve earned some rest.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Looks like everyone�s feeling better, eh, robo?� Syne looks at the Guardian with a smirk before running off towards the ramp.
Clarice: �I couldn�t agree with you more.�
^Shinta walks toward the ship, �This has been good for us all.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse chuckles as he grabs the cloak and follows her up reaching the top after Luna.�
Kat|e stops to toss sand at Shinta, �Jeez. Do you EVER play?�
Kat|e takes off running again.
Vin_Da_DM: Alexei looks at everyone with a grin, half hidden by his black hair and scarred face, �So...care to explain where you�ve been for past few months?�
Kat|e arrives to join the others, out of breath and still grinning like a fool.
^Shinta chases Kat|e while laughing.
Claron snuggles in closer to Tabris as they reach the ship.
Luna_Faline reaches Alexei with a smile, �I have no idea really, but I�m glad to see you both.�
Tewyn: �We were just finding ourselves, Alexei...just took a while.�
Clarice: �Did he just say we been gone for months?�
Kat|e flops down, looking out at the waves, relaxed in a way that she didn�t remember ever being.
Clarice lowers her head, �I dunno if I going to really like all that I may have found out,� whispers softly.
Vin_Da_DM: �Well, glad you managed to find your way back,� Alexei nods as he turns towards the ocean, �Ettik likes it here, so we�ll stay a few more days to let you guys get the feel of home again.�
Tewyn: �That would be perfect.�
Kat|e smiles, �Home.�
Claron: �Oh, that would be wonderful. Wouldn�t mind a swim in the ocean myself.�
Kat|e pulls Shinta down beside her. �Have you ever seen such a gorgeous sunset?�
Luna_Faline looks down from the ship to the water, �How deep is it? Looks cold.�
^Shinta: �I have once...just wasn�t sharing it with anyone at the time,� blushing.
Kat|e: �Yeah, well you are, now,� she laughs. �Several someone�s.�
Claron leans her head on Tabris� shoulder, �We all should enjoy this while can��
^Shinta: �You know what I mean.�
Vin_Da_DM: �It�s warmer than it looks and it�s actually fresh water. If you can believe that,� Alexei says as he looks down at the ocean, �You can either use the small beach over there,� He points, �Or jump off from the port-side front fin.�
Tewyn: �So, what shall we do to relax?�
Tabris: �Yes, we should,� Tabris grins at Claron and gives her a wiggle of his eyebrows with the �you thinking what I am� look.
Kat|e stretches her legs out, then lays her head in his lap. �Yeah, I do know.�
Claron smiles, �You know I am,� chuckles softly.
Vin_Da_DM: �Well, I could use a good swim myself,� Eclipse looks at Luna.
Luna_Faline shivers at the thought of jumping into the ocean. �I think I�m hungry. I�m going to see what�s in the galley,� turning to enter the Ettik I hold out my paw to take my cloak from Eclipse. �I�ll take that and put it away.�
Kat|e: �Hmm. A swim DOES sound good.�
^Shinta looks down at her, �There are things I should tell you...I just don�t know when the time is right.�
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse smiles and hands Luna her cloak, �Have fun!� Eclipse turns, sprints and jumps off the edge of the Ettik doing a swan dive toward the water.
Clarice stands quietly beside Tewyn, �Wouldn�t mind smoking that joint now...that�s if its safe to do so.�
Tabris grabs Claron playfully and heads her down the ramp towards the Ettik.
Tewyn: �I think its safe...I�m going to go enjoy that water.�
Kat|e hops up. �Well, when you feel it�s right, I�ll be here,� she smiles. �In the meantime, wanna go get soaking wet with me?�
Luna_Faline smiles as I watch Eclipse take a flying leap. I enter Ettik and head to the galley.
^Shinta: �Sounds like it could be fun�so, sure �
Kat|e grins, �I�ll go put on something better for splashing around in. Meet ya in the water,� she pelts off to change.
Clarice smiles, �I�ll join you in there in just a little bit then,� taking the joint out of her pocket along with the lighter.
^Shinta nods, �I�ll see you there.�
Luna_Faline enters the galley and orders a tray of food and a glass of cold milk. Taking it to a table next to the windows I sit down and watch Eclipse swimming.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne looks over the edge at the ocean below, �Hmm.��
^Shinta walks toward the water and wades in.
Claron smiles happily as her and Tabris board Ettik.
Kat|e changes quickly in her quarters, then runs back up and dives gracefully off, slicing into the water cleanly.
Tewyn heads up the Ettik, �CANNONBALL!� and plunges in.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder lays down on Ettik�s hull and watches the clouds in the sky.
Luna_Faline laughs as Tewyn falls past the window and makes a huge splash.
Claron�s eyes twinkle��Maybe you and I can enjoy the water, later�after the others are done.�
Kat|e: Coming up shaking her long raven hair, which she pulled out of it�s braid, she gasps. �Oh, this water is heavenly.� She swims out to the others.
Tabris: �Sounds like a plan,� Tabris grins at Claron as he opens the door to their quarters, �Ladies first��
^Shinta smiles at Kat|e, �I have missed seeing that smile.�
Clarice sits down on the ground while lighting up her joint and taking a few hits. She smiles as she watches Tewyn in the water.
Vin_Da_DM: Alexei chuckles watching everyone in the water as he walks along the edge of the hull.
Tewyn clothes start to float on the water, �Well, I�m going in my best suit, don�t know bout anyone else.�
Kat|e: �I think I�ve missed smiling like this.� Her eyes suddenly twinkle and she dives under the water, coming up beside him to splash his back playfully.
Claron quickly moves into their room pulling Tabris by the hand in behind her.
^Shinta: �Oh, its going to be like that!� Goes under and picks Kat|e up on his shoulders then dumps her.
Kat|e shrieks and laughs, sputtering as she comes up.
Luna_Faline eats quickly then goes to my room to put up my cloak. I sit on my bed and take off my boots. Then I place my sai on the altar and say a quick prayer. I pull off my dress and leave my room wearing nothing but my amulet and a smile.
Vin_Da_DM: Syne grins and decides to jump off. Midway down he transforms into a small whale-like creature and turns so that his tail creates a giant splash that hits Katie and the others.
Clarice laughs as she watches the others.
Kat|e laughs, �That was cheating, Syne!�
Luna_Faline walks slowly down the ramp to the beach holding a paw up to shade my eyes as I search the water for the others.
^Shinta laughs and dunks Kat|e again, �Ohh, shhhhh.�
Kat|e comes up and shoves Shinta�s head under.
Tewyn floats around, �You just don�t go biting any worms you see down there, Syne.�
Kat|e: �Take that, holy man!�
Vin_Da_DM: Syne chuckles as he dives under and swims around.
Luna_Faline walks to the edge of the water and digs my toes in the sand as the tide laps at my feet.
^Shinta comes back up spurting water like a fountain.
Kat|e ducks, getting a stream in the face. She laughs and swims away.
Vin_Da_DM: Eclipse swims over to the water near Luna and smiles at her, �Enjoying the water?�
Clarice takes a couple more hits off her joint before dousing it out. Placing it in her pocket she stands up and moves closer to the water�s edge.
Luna_Faline nods and walks slowly to him pausing as the water gets to my waist, I shiver and giggle. �It�s a little cold at first.�
Claron backs Tabris up towards the wall next to the door before kissing him hungrily.
Vin_Da_DM: �Best way is to get the cold done with as quick as possible,� Eclipse reaches over and pulls Luna in up to her neck and kisses her deeply.
Luna_Faline gasps at the sudden movement but loses all thought about the cold as his kiss warms me up.
Luna_Faline grabs Eclipse as a wave knocks my feet out from under me, I squeal, �I can�t really swim,� hanging on with my arms wrapped around his neck.
Vin_Da_DM: �Well, we�ve got a few days. Maybe we can work on that,� Eclipse smirks as he takes her further out.
Luna_Faline hangs on for dear life, a feeling of butterflies in my tummy. �Don�t let go.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Never,� Eclipse smiles at Luna as he swims out a little further and points towards the horizon, �Now, that is probably the best sunset I�ve ever seen.�
Clarice watches the others briefly then turns and heads onboard Ettik.
Luna_Faline hugs Eclipse tight and watches the sunset, �Yes.�
Vin_Da_DM: As the blazing colors streak across the sky, leaving the clouds beautiful shades of orange, pink, purple and yellow as the sun slowly sinks into the horizon, it�s massive orange reflection slowly sinks further away.
Vin_Da_DM: Alexei smiles contently as he watches the sunset and the others playing in the water, �I know, I missed them too, Ettik�but they�re home now and the galaxy can wait a few days��
Vin_Da_DM: $ End