Vin_Da_DM: Previously on Warriors of Destiny: As the crew gathered in the medical bay for some important information they learned of the data recorder that Gnomon had found on Midnight�s collar.
Vin_Da_DM: After unlocking the passworded data they found a file containing a holographic message from Gabe. The message informed the Warriors that an associate of Gabe�s had an item that he wanted secured immediately.
Vin_Da_DM: The file contained the co-ordinates and necessary information to contact this person, and it also warned them to not trust anyone beside the courier to give them the message.
Vin_Da_DM: During the message the alien Gnomon had vanished, and a mysterious creature named Leonidas appeared in the cargo bay and began harming Ettik. Fern and Clarissa tried to combine their powers to shield Ettik.
Vin_Da_DM: This shield caused Clarissa�s mind to overflow with thoughts of the past. Meanwhile Eclipse showed a familiarity with Leonidas and telling the others he would handle it they both disappeared into a vortex to the Shadow Realm.
Vin_Da_DM: We rejoin the Warriors only a few moments after these events�
Vin_Da_DM: $ Start
Tabris sets Clarissa down on his bed, brushing some hair out of her face as he looks at her, �Anything you�d like to talk about?�
Claron follows after Tabris and stands quietly at the door as he sets Clarissa down on the bed.
Clarissa looks up at her dad then notices Claron standing at the door, her eyes take on an angry look. �Make her disappear!� points her finger in Claron�s direction.
Luna_Faline sits up on the bed sighs, then goes to the bathroom and washes her face.
Tabris: Lowering Clarissa�s finger, Tabris looks at her thoughtfully, �She�s your mother. You can talk to her about these things, too. She cares about you.�
Clarice watches as Tabris carries Clarissa off, sees Claron head after them and decides to follow them.
Luna_Faline comes back into the room and moves to the closet, reaching back to retrieve a leather bag.
Vin_Da_DM: Walking up next to Clarice Stryder pokes her on the shoulder, �Probably shouldn�t have too much of the family hanging around right now��
Clarissa: �NO! She doesn�t...I know she doesn�t!�
Tabris sits down the bed next to Clarissa and sighs, �How do you know? Have you given her a chance?�
Clarice looks at Stryder, �Something�s about to happen...isn�t it?�
Luna_Faline moves to table and opens the bag taking out a few things from the temple. Placing them on the table, a small statue, a few candles, some herbs.
Vin_Da_DM: Stryder looks into the room with Clarissa and Tabris talking, then nods muttering to himself. �More than you know��
Vin_Da_DM: Luna notices a purple flower in her bag from Selenia�s garden, not having been put in there by her.
Clarissa gets a stern look on her face, �I gave her just as much of chance as she gave us!�
Luna_Faline reaches into the bag and removes the flower, sniffs it for a moment then places it on the makeshift alter.
Claron moves slowly closer towards Clarissa and softly asks, �What is it that I have done to you?�
Tabris: �Then give her another chance,� Tabris looks over at Claron.
Luna_Faline looks in the bag for the matches and anything else I grabbed on my way out.
Clarice nods her head at Stryder, then reaches her hand up and tousles his hair. �Lets go see what we can raid out of the replicator then.� Slipping her arm around Stryder's shoulder, �Wiser than your years, I see.�
Vin_Da_DM: As Clarice and Stryder walk off he nods, �Someone had to be, to get us out of Shaiya�s company alive.�
Vin_Da_DM: Luna notices a small roll of paper wrapped around the stem of the flower slowly unravel as it sits against the altar. The faint scent of Eclipse echoes from it.
Luna_Faline places the matches on the altar and picks up the paper to see what it says, inhaling deeply the remnants of Eclipses scent.
Clarissa gives Claron an evil glance then looks back at Tabris...�Why should I? If she cared so much about us...why�why did she let us go so easily?�
Vin_Da_DM: The writing is small but written with care: �Luna. There may come a time when we cannot be at one another�s side. Take this flower in hand it shall bloom every day until we are together again. Let it be a reminder that my feelings for you bloom at your touch as well. -Eclipse�.
Claron sighs, �Do you have any idea what it is to labor to bring your own flesh and blood into the world, and then within hours have them literally ripped out of your arms?�
Clarissa lowers her gaze and begins to scrape her feet back and forth on the floor, �Of course, I don�t...but is it not true that a mother�s love is so deep, that she�d do anything... everything she could to protect them?�
Luna_Faline lightly runs a finger across the writing then opens an old prayer book and places it flat in between the pages.
Tabris sighs, �We did all that we could�� he looks at Claron then at Clarissa, �Your mother was ready to tear apart the universe to find you. Danger to herself be damned.�
Clarice and Stryder enter the galley, �What sounds good to you, Stryder?�
Vin_Da_DM: �I dunno...anything. All that spooky stuff made me totally forget that I was hungry.� Stryder walks over the replicator and looks over the menu.
Luna_Faline arranges the items on the altar and then strikes a match and lights the candles. I remove the new sai from my boot and lay it on the altar next to the flower. Taking off my amulet I hold it in my paws and begin to pray...
Clarissa shakes her head from side to side, �NO! NO! She didn�t�she didn�t die trying to stop them!�
Vin_Da_DM: �The noodle soup isn�t bad. And that one doesn�t seem to mind whatever he�s eating,� Kuan pipes up from a nearby table, pointing to Midnight scarfing down a bowl of dog-food.
Luna_Faline: �I Beg You, Lady Luna, Diana, Selena...
Luna_Faline: And A Thousand Other Names.�
Luna_Faline: �Goddess of Silver Love,�
Luna_Faline: �Shine Upon Me in Your Fullness.�
Luna_Faline: �Turn my Darkness into Light.�
Tabris: �So that is it�What would it take for you to trust her?� Tabris looks at Clarissa.
Claron kneels down in front of Clarissa, �Is that it? If I had died stopping them, that would show you what? That I wanted you to grow up never knowing a mother�s love? What about your father, he would have died, too. Then what? Believe me, never having known your parents is a far worse evil.�
Luna_Faline: �I Draw you Down�Within...
Luna_Faline: �That I may Share Your Wisdom,�
Luna_Faline: �With my Sisters,�
Luna_Faline: �My Brothers of the earth.�
Vin_Da_DM: Luna�s altar starts to glow dimly with a white light as she prays.
Luna_Faline: �I Offer You My Prisms, My Amulets.�
Luna_Faline: �And I Beseech You,�
Luna_Faline: �Charge Them With Power,�
Luna_Faline: �That Only You Can Emit.�
Luna_Faline: �Hear Me,�
Luna_Faline: �Goddess Of The Moon!�
Clarice: �Okay, the noodle soup it is,� pressing the button on the replicator for two bowls of soup. �Turning to glance at Midnight chowing down, �Clarissa seems quite taken with him.�
Vin_Da_DM: The white glow gathers on the sai and absorbs into the crystal on it�s hilt. It sparkles for a moment then fades, a faint warmth emanating from it.
Luna_Faline: �Reveal to Me the Mysteries,�
Luna_Faline: �Of Starlight and Moonbeams,�
Luna_Faline: �Of Universal Light,�
Luna_Faline: �Of Faeries and Gnomes and Angels,�
Luna_Faline: �This is My Will.�
Luna_Faline: �So Shall It Be Done��
Clarissa looks at her Dad, then back at her Mom, �I suppose her dieing is out of the question?�
Vin_Da_DM: �I guess that�s because Shaiya didn�t give us any pets. It was a rather quick jump from child to the present for us.� Stryder watches Midnight then eyes his soup.
Tabris: �You shouldn�t even be asking that. I wouldn�t let anything happen to either of you, even if it was one against the other.� Tabris glances at Clarissa with a stern look.
Luna_Faline reaches for the sai, holding it up to look at it, �Blessed be my Mistress.�
Vin_Da_DM: �A beautiful prayer,� the Guardian�s cold voice sounds from Luna�s doorway, �It has been quite a while since I�ve heard it. Forgive my interruption, but you haven�t eaten in quite some time, Avatar.�
Clarissa lowers her head, �I suppose.��
Luna_Faline blows the candles out slowly then slips the sai back into my boot. I turn to look at Guardian, �I hadn�t realized my door was open.�
Luna_Faline not waiting for an answer, �Shall you accompany me to the galley then?� as I slip past him into the hall.
Clarice sets the tray down on one of the table, �I�d be interested in knowing about your time with Shaiya that�s if you would like to talk about it.�
Vin_Da_DM: Guardian looks at the altar for a moment, �If that is what you�d like, I would be to happy to.�
Luna_Faline pauses a moment to put the amulet back around my throat. �I seem to lose track of time, my memories of past incarnations are fuzzy at best, nightmares at worst,� I purrumble.
Vin_Da_DM: �Not really...not yet,� Stryder eats a few spoonfuls of soup, blowing on it to cool it, �Let�s just say it isn�t something I�d like to experience again.�
Claron looks at Tabris and smiles, �My dear precious girl, I know what it is like to trust and love someone and to later learn that they have lied to you in a horrible way...I grew up believing my parents were dead. Later I learned that the two people I loved and trusted with all my heart and soul lied to me��
Luna_Faline continues walking toward the galley, �It has disturbed me recently, I had lost my connection with our Mistress.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Such can happen over time with multiple rebirths,� the Guardian adds as they walk, �It is unfortunate that not everyone can remember all the details like us.�
Clarice nods her head at Stryder remembering her own time spent with Shaiya, a cold chill cruises along her spine causing her to shiver. �Neither do I.�
Luna_Faline: �I�m sure there are some memories I am better off not remembering,� with a sigh, �But then I feel no sense of history.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Then may I suggest you start recording them?� The Guardian hits the button for the galley lift, �Having textual reference can make remembering things easier.�
Clarissa looks up at Claron with curiosity in her eyes.
Luna_Faline: �I�m sure it would, but I also tend to lose my possessions with each new life. Those few things on my altar I gather from the temple before we left.�
Tabris shifts himself on the bed closer to Clarissa, wrapping an arm over her shoulder as he listens to Claron.
Vin_Da_DM: �Perhaps you could give someone a copy to give to you in the event of a rebirth?� The Guardian waits as the door into the galley opens, letting Luna exit first.
Claron notices the look in Clarissa�s eyes, �In fact, I was much like you and had a rather difficult time coming to terms with learning that they were in fact alive and that I had a sister...a sister that I never knew existed.�
Vin_Da_DM: �So, what is this...chicken? It doesn�t look like chicken,� Stryder eyes the chunk of meat on his spoon curiously.
Luna_Faline: �Purrhaps, I need to think about that,� stepping off the lift and entering the galley.
Vin_Da_DM: Midnight sits back from his bowl, tilting his head as the bowl is scooped up by a short claw and dematerialized by a beam.
Vin_Da_DM: Guardian ducks slightly exiting the lift, giving a nod to those present in the galley.
Vin_Da_DM: Kuan raises a furry brow, �Chicken?�
Luna_Faline hearing the conversation sniffs the aroma, �Well, it�s not exactly chicken, but close,� moving to the replicator I order a glass of water, a glass of cold milk, and a plate of tuna sandwiches with chips.
Claron feels a sense of security envelope her as Tabris wraps his arm around Clarissa�s shoulder and finds the courage to continue. �I...too�was hurt and angry and couldn�t believe that the ones I loved could hurt me so deeply and cruelly. I didn�t believe it when I heard truth�Just like you don�t believe that by me staying alive for you�was and is the truest and best gift of love I could give you.�
Vin_Da_DM: �Interesting selection. I do not believe I�ve ever seen exactly what you eat,� the Guardian studies Luna�s food and drink.
Luna_Faline takes the tray to the table. I give Guardian an odd look, �Really?�
Clarice chuckles at Stryder then looks over at Luna_Faline not knowing what to say to her.
Vin_Da_DM: �Since I do not �eat, I pay very little attention to it,� the Guardian sits opposite Luna at the table, �With the exception of feasts, where food is made to grab attention.�
Luna_Faline sits down and takes a drink of the milk. Putting it down I nod to Clarice, �Is everything okay?�
Vin_Da_DM: Kuan gets up quietly and disposes of his dishes, giving Midnight an odd look as the dog follows him out of the galley.
Luna_Faline picks up a sandwich and watches Kuan and the dog leave as I take a bite.
Clarissa listens quietly to Claron, her eyes showing both her parents that she is trying to absorb what she is hearing...
Tabris: �And now that you�re back with us, we get a chance to make up all that time we lost with you,� Tabris smiles at Clarissa.
Vin_Da_DM: �Well, whatever it is, it�s not bad,� Stryder finishes the rest of his soup, gets up and gets another bowl full of it.
Claron reaches her hand out towards Clarissa and gently stokes her hair, �That�s all we are asking�give us a chance�� Claron turns and smiles lovingly at Tabris.
Luna_Faline looks at Clarice again, �Is there something on your mind?� Wondering why she is suddenly so quiet.
Vin_Da_DM: Ettik�s engines begin to fire up slowly, the soft hum filling the ship like usual. Alexei�s voice follows on the coms, �We�re on course. We�ll be cruising at sub-light speed until I can get the hyperdrive back online. It should take a few hours. Ettik suggests you all try and get some rest. That is all.�
Clarissa pulls head back slightly as Claron touches her...and with the look that only a child can give, �It...it�s hard to know what is real and true�Is love supposed to hurt?�
Vin_Da_DM: �Hmm? Command to Aunt Clarice, come in!� Stryder waves his hand in front of Clarice�s face briefly.
Luna_Faline smiles at Stryder, �Was the discussion between you private? If so, I can take this to my room��
Vin_Da_DM: �Nah. Aside from this mystery meat, we�re just talking.� Stryder smirks at Luna.
Clarice: �I am not sure. I am worried about Tewyn. He�s been acting strange since we got off that ship, and I hope it�s a good thing that we aren�t hearing any screaming coming from Clarissa at the moment.
Vin_Da_DM: The Guardian rests his arms on the table and leans back studying the group at the table.
Luna_Faline: �Well, honestly, Clarice. Tewyn was acting strange long before he got on that ship. He�s not been himself at all. And as for Clarissa, she�ll settle down eventually,� pauses to sip some milk, �Who is with her now?�
Tabris: �Love can do all sorts of things to you,� Tabris glances at Claron.
Vin_Da_DM: �Mom and Dad,� Stryder adds in as he takes a few more spoonfuls of soup, �Where�d that guy with the ghosts go anyway?�
Claron looks back at Tabris, �That it can.�
Luna_Faline looks at Guardian briefly, �I�m not sure where Shinta is, he seems to come and go out of nowhere.�
Vin_Da_DM: �I believe I saw him return to his quarters,� Guardian shrugs slightly his eye �blinking�, �I haven�t seen him recently.�
Clarissa ponders this for a second then states in a matter of fact voice, �Evil always hurts.�
Luna_Faline: �Maybe they can get thru to her now. I felt a change in her after the fight was over.� Finishes off my sandwich and chasing it with the last of my milk.
Luna_Faline leaves the glass of water on the table but takes my tray back to the counter.
Vin_Da_DM: �I believe they�re close if not already there with my sister,� Stryder looks at Luna.
Luna_Faline sighs, �I hope so for her sake, as well as theirs. Your mother was beside herself and your father tried to be strong and hide it, but I know he was devastated as well when you two were stolen.�
Claron watches Clarissa, �We have given you much to think about, little one,� turning back to Tabris, �Maybe we should give her some time to digest all of this.�
Vin_Da_DM: �And now they are back together, a part of the Warriors,� The Guardian adds, leaning forward slightly, �It was on the sacred altar, so there was no doubt.�
Tabris: �Of course,� Tabris stands and moves over to Claron and holds her hand gently, �Remember, we�re here if you need us, Clarissa.�
Luna_Faline looking at Guardian for a moment, �While I yearn for memories of my past lives�My time in RD�s hell hole is something I long to forget.� Picking up the water glass, �If you will excuse me, I need to take this back to my room.� I bow briefly to Guardian and nod to Clarice and Stryder then turn and head back to my room.
Claron stands up from her kneeling position with the help of Tabris, �Anytime�day or night,� Claron adds as they reach the door of Clarissa�s room.
Vin_Da_DM: Guardian bows his head as Luna leaves, then looks at Clarice and Stryder, �I guess I shall take my leave as well.� He stands and quietly leaves the galley.
Luna_Faline enters my room and closes the door behind me this time. I carry the glass to the alter and place the flower in the water. Closing my eyes for a moment as I hold the flower, �Please, keep him safe, Mistress.�
Clarissa bolts off her bed, �Mom�Dad�� And as if a quick breeze had engulfed Tabris and Claron, they both feel Clarissa�s arms wrap around them in a gentle hug.
Vin_Da_DM: The flower blooms as promised, a soft purple color with flowing ribbons of red on the inside of the petals.
Tabris wraps his arms around both Clarissa and Claron.
Luna_Faline: I watch it and breath a heavy sigh, as I move to the closet and take my boots off and hang up my cloak. Then I lay down on the bed and drift off to sleep watching the flower.
Claron feels a tear slide down her cheek, �I have always loved you, little one.�
Vin_Da_DM: As the Warriors continue their journey through the stars they begin to deal with the recent events. The separation from a loved one, and the renewal of a family bond. But the dark cloud ahead continues to stir and build waiting for battles that are yet to come...
Vin_Da_DM: $ End