Main Site |
* Michelle sits in a chair by the fire, staring into the flames and absently strumming a harp. * Meghan pushes open the door to the house and walks in. She smiles at the familiar feeling of comfort and security that comes with walking through the door * Michelle looks up from the fire at Meghan, "Good evening little sister. How has your day been?" * Meghan smiles at Michelle and goes to sit on the floor near her <Meghan> Michelle you'll never guess who I saw today <Michelle> Who? <Meghan> ::softly:: Sissra <Meghan> Well her spirit anyways * Michelle sits up in her chair and her harp transforms into a guitar. * Michelle quirks an eyebrow at Meghan, "And what did she have to say?" * Michelle settles her guitar on the floor and leans forward to listen to Meghan. <Meghan> She told me that she brought me here. She knew I had psionics and said I would be needed <Meghan> She told me she knew I would be happier here than the world I came from * Michelle smiles at runs her hand across Meghan cheek, "I know whatever you're need for frightens you, but at least now you know why you're here, how it happened, and who did it." <Meghan> She also talked about Vallel. Told me a bunch of things I knew, that I maybe just needed to hear. * Michelle withdraws her hands and nods, "One of the best friends I ever had was so dear to me precisely because she could tell me things I need to hear, in a way that I would actually hear them." <Meghan> she asked me to do something for her too. She says there is a castle north of here. Three weeks travel she said. She asked me to go there and get something magical. She said that we are going to need it soon <Michelle> Three weeks there, a few days to find what you need, and a few days back? ::A concerned look has entered Michelle's eyes.:: <Meghan> She said i should ask Kevil to go with me. That she didn't think I should go alone * Meghan sits up taking Michelle's hands into her own <Meghan> I want you to come too Michelle * Meghan watches her closely * Michelle clasps her hands around Meghan's and closes her eyes, "I don't know if I can." * Meghan s expression falls and she pulls her hands away <Meghan> ::softly:: oh * Michelle pulls Meghan's hands back into her lap and meets Meghan's gaze. "I found out today that someone's tampering with Glossaria's mind. I need to talk to Zoya and Tyl'gainia about it." Michelle sighs "They may need my help." * Meghan s eyes widen at the news. She asks softly "Who?" * Michelle sighs, "I suspect Charoli, but I don't really know. That's why I need to talk to Zoya and Tyl'gainia. They're far more experienced at this sort of thing than I am." * Meghan nods looking over into the fire <Meghan> Do you think that's why she and Vallel have been having problems * Michelle nods, "I know it is. I felt Glossaria's love for Vallel blossoming up, and then something smashed it back into it's cage." * Meghan nods to MIchelle <Meghan> Then it is probably better that you stay. Gloss and the others need you here * Michelle sighs, "Meghan, do you have to make the actual three week journey, or is that simply how long it will take you if you travel conventionally?" * Meghan looks up at Michelle <Meghan> I need to Michelle. I need to go away for a while. Give Gloss and Vallel some time to fix their relationship. <Michelle> You need me too little sister. And while I trust Kevil to keep you entertained on your way, and protect you from the common threats of the trail, quests like this rarely have common threats. I won't be able to sleep at night if someone I know is more capable isn't with you. * Meghan nods at Michelle <Meghan> I'll be honest with you Michelle. I want you ::pauses:: no I need you to come with me. You are the only person I know who understands where I am at right now. * Michelle thinks, "When were you planning on leaving little sister?" <Meghan> Sometime next week <Meghan> I'm going to ask Kevil to come too. There is a reason why Sissra told me to, even if I don;t understand that reason yet * Michelle smiles sadly at Meghan, "If you need me that much then I'll come. Zoya and Tyl'gainia should need me to straighten out one errant student." * Michelle quirks an eyebrow, "What did she say the reason was?" <Meghan> She didn't. She just told me I should ask him to come along too * Michelle shakes her head, "Are you sure bringing me along isn't going to disrupt Sissra's plans?" * Meghan shakes her head. "I need you. I'm sure it would be ok with Sissra, and if not i'm sure she would have let me know * Michelle smiles and taps Meghan's nose, "You're starting to learn." * Meghan smiles up at Michelle <Meghan> Finally * Nacheyla knocks on the door. <Michelle> You've had a lot on your mind, and to be honest, you've handled it far better than most. ::Taps Meghan's chest:: Just remember to listen to this. As an empath it speaks much clearer than this ever will. ::Taps Meghan's forehead.:: * Meghan looks over and quickly kisses Michelle on the cheek before going to the door <Nacheyla> ::there is a cloaked figure standing in the street, hood pulled low over the face, wearing a long robe which actually drags on the ground:: * Meghan pulls open the door <Nacheyla> Evening. It's me, Nacheyla. Can I come in? * Meghan smiles "Yes please come in Nacheyla * Michelle blinks at the apparition in the doorway, "Come in Nacheyla. Can I get you anything?" * Michelle rises out of her chair and gestures for Nacheyla to sit down. * Nacheyla comes in, closes the door behind her, and leans on it. * Meghan looks concerned at Nach <Meghan> Nacheyla are you ok? <Nacheyla> Sorry to be so dramatic and all, but... ::shrugs:: I was lonely and I sort of have to be careful about going out these days. ::begins taking off her cloak and hood:: * Meghan reaches to take Nach's cloak from her and points to a seat for her * Michelle quirks an eyebrow at Nach's latest accessories, "Another run in with the undead, or did Zoya's spell slip up?" * Nacheyla comes out from beneath her hood and flashes a pair of crimson eyes at the two women. Underneath her cloak, she's wearing tight black leather pants and a long black leather tunic. A sleek spaded tail pokes out a small hole in the back of her pants. * Meghan s eyes widen seeing Nach. <Nacheyla> ::sighs and tugs on the end of her braided hair:: Side affect from Zoya. * Nacheyla looks over at Meghan. <Nacheyla> Oh, *here* you are. I'd wondered where you ran off to... * Michelle smiles at Nacheyla and shakes her head, "Please tell me you don't have to attitude to go with that outfit. I already had to fend off two propositions from Glossaria, as well as refuse to pimp Felice and Deanna. I'm not sure if I can handle another hormonal teenager at this point." * Meghan her surprise turns to a smile <Meghan> I'm sorry I have not had much of a chance to let you know what's going on Nach <Nacheyla> Hmmm? ::looks down at her clothing:: Oh. It's comfortable. And a skirt just doesn't ::gestures to the tail:: it likes being out... hiding it just seems to be really nerve wracking. <Nacheyla> ::raises an eyebrow:: Gloss hit you up? * Meghan curls up on the couch near the fire <Meghan> She what? * Michelle sighs and sits down, "If I hadn't known Glossaria since her 'birth', and if I didn't realize that someone was meddling with her mind I would have been rather offended by the abruptness of the offer as well." * Nacheyla picks a floor spot and sits down gracefully. * Meghan look over at Michelle * Michelle shakes her head, "Felice has a similar problem with her tail. Course she lives the stereotype of her appearance so it doesn't bother her." <Meghan> Maybe it would be better if you stayed. If you think it is that bad <Nacheyla> ::shrugs and shifts around until she's lying on her stomach with her chin propped up on her hands:: It's not so bad. I just don't want lots of people to see me. People who wouldn't understand, you know... ::waves one hand vaguely towards outside:: * Michelle looks at Meghan and shakes her head, "No. Zoya should be able to keep an eye on her own apprentice. And Zoya and Tyl'gainia both know more about psionics, and how to combine their mutual powers, than anything I might be able to add. On the other hand, I don't know anyone here whose dealt with anything like your problems, except me." * Meghan nods * Michelle smiles at Nacheyla, "Give all the ruckus over Tyl'gainia's school, that's probably wise." * Nacheyla swings her feet back and forth, looking up at Michelle. <Nacheyla> So, what've I missed? ::sticks the end of her braid in her mouth:: <Meghan> ::smiles down at Nach:: I met Sissra today <Meghan> Well her spirit anyways <Nacheyla> That must have been interesting. I met a spirit earlier this week. ::reaches out and touches the star that revolves around her head with affection:: <Meghan> It was. She asked to me go find something for her. So I'll be gone sometime next week. For a while <Nacheyla> Oh. ::looks at the floor for a moment:: Well, we'll miss you. ::laughs:: Actually, I do already. My house is awfully quiet these days. <Meghan> I'm sure. I'm going to talk to Val about moving back in. I will miss you to ::smiles:: * Michelle shakes her head, "You're welcome to come visit anytime you want Nacheyla. Though Meghan's asked me to accompany her so I'll be gone for a month and half, to two months as well." <Nacheyla> ::pouts:: I get home just in time for everyone to leave! * Michelle giggles, "Course when we get back we might want to all chip in for a bigger house, since Temire should be getting back around then as well." * Michelle giggles at Nacheyla's expression, "It won't kill you Nacheyla." * Nacheyla grins, flicking the end of her braid around. "That might be fun." * Meghan smiles and nods <Nacheyla> Of course ::sniggers:: I don't think it would be good for Vallel to live in a house full of so many women... ::winks:: * Michelle thinks for a moment, "I forget. Do the two of you know about my rather unique...circumstance?" * Nacheyla looks over at Michelle. * Meghan rolls her eyes <Meghan> No it wouldn't * Meghan looks at Michelle <Meghan> No * Michelle snorts, "And I KNOW it wouldn't be good for Temire to live in the same house with any man she isn't a blood relative with." Michelle shakes her head, "That girls in as much of a hurry to grow up as Glossaria." * Michelle sighs and stands up, "Well I'd best get this over with then." * Nacheyla looks curiously at Michelle. * Michelle vanishes from the room. * Meghan watches Michelle curiously * Nacheyla sits up suddenly. <Meghan> ::gasps:: Michelle? * Yohko steps out of the doorway to the kitchen, "Um...The reason no one ever sees us in the same place at the same time, is because we are and aren't the same people." <Nacheyla> ::raises an eyebrow:: Um... I'm confused. * Meghan nods <Meghan> Me as well * Yohko sighs and leans against the door frame, "At some point, that been lost in the muddle since then, a man was born named Brad Johnson." * Yohko steps back into the kitchen disappearing from sight for a moment. * Nacheyla exchanges a look with Meghan. * Meghan looks down at Nach and shrugs * Brad steps out of the kitchen doorway. He's average height, average weight, average complextion, and average everything else, except that his hair, eyes, and cloths are jet black. On his left hip he carries and ebon and obsidian sabre, and on his left hand he wears a ring with a large obsidian orb mounted on it. <Nacheyla> Why do you keep going into the kitchen to do that? * Meghan is somewhat speechless <Brad> I was born on a world very much like the one Meghan and Moon Dancer came from. Then one day, SOMETHING happened and I found myself on a different world. A world were magic existed, were people expected me to be a great champion... * Brad collapses in on himself, as if he was being sucked into a single point and finally vanishes from sight. <Michelle> ...a world were I was a woman. <Michelle> ::to Nach:: To answer your question, we each have a unique ability to shape to the others shapes, but most of those abilities require not being see during the instant of the change. * Meghan just sits on the couch looking at Michelle * Michelle meets Meghan's gaze, "I'm sorry Meghan, I honestly thought I had told you." <Nacheyla> ::looks curious:: How many of you are there? * Meghan shakes her head slightly not saying anything <Michelle> ::to Nach:: Seven at the moment. There were nine of us, but Arthur grew sickly, and then Yamato found a way to conspire with Lan to use Arthur's death to free himself. Lisl, Temire and I were forced to kill them both the night I resurrected Temire. <Nacheyla> You killed part of yourself? That must have taken some courage. * Meghan swings her gaze to the fire her face thoughtful * Michelle takes a tentative step towards Meghan then stops and hangs her head. "I can't even describe what that first world was like. I had spent my entire life, twenty five years of it, as a man, and suddenly I was in a fully developed woman's body. And everyone had such expectations of me. I had to learn how to use my new body, and learn the skills they insisted I needed to know, and learn how to manage the powers I had acquired...." * Nacheyla looks down at her tail suddenly. "Yeah, I can sort of relate to that... not to such a degree, really, but... wow... what an awful lot you must have been through." * Meghan looks back to Michelle <Meghan> ::a look of pain crosses her face and she nods to Michelle:: I think I understand <Michelle> Brad was totally unprepared for any of it. One night, he was gazing at the moon and simply decided to give up. He couldn't deal with it, but somebody had to. I was born that night. I learned how my body worked, I learned to manage the powers I had acquired, I learned to please my masters while I prepared myself to lead my own destiny. * Michelle sighs, "And I was the one who killed my master." * Meghan watches Michelle carefully listening intently <Michelle> Since then we've been travelling from world to world. We can't control the travel ourselves, it happens when it does. Sometimes we acquire new bodies, and with them new personalities, other times just new powers...Sometimes we don't acquire anything at all except the memories of our travels. <Nacheyla> ::shakes her head:: Must make things hard on you, really. Leaving all your friends behind all the time. ::looks into the fire, chewing on her braid:: I keep outliving all of mine, you know. * Michelle shakes her head and wipes a few tears from her eyes, then meets Meghan's gaze, "I'm sorry for keeping this from the two of you. I didn't mean to betray your trust. I revealed all of this after the incident with Jelarthna's arm, and then forgot who had and hadn't heard the tale." <Meghan> You mean you could disappear at any moment. And be gone forever * Michelle sits back down and places her head in her hands, her shoulders shaking slightly, "Yes. I never even got to gaze upon the face of my baby. One moment I had just finished child birth, the next Yohko had been born." * Nacheyla gets up, walks over to Michelle and hugs her. "You poor thing. I... know how you feel. All my children are dead now." * Meghan looks at Michelle pain and confusion evident on her face she suddenly stands and walks quickly out of the room * Michelle hugs Nacheyla fiercely, "At least you got to enjoy them while they lived. I'll never know if my child grew up to tales of how her mother saved the land from demons, or how his mother murdered his father at the altar." * Nacheyla turns and looks after Meghan, concerned. "Did I say something wrong?" * Michelle looks up and watches Meghan leave the room, then collapses back into Nacheyla's embrace, crying even harder. <Nacheyla> Oh... ::pets Michelle's hair awkwardly:: It's all right. Shhhhhh. ::she croons under her breath, murmuring little words of comfort:: <Nacheyla> ::mutters to herself:: I should stop going away. I never know what's going on around here. ::traces her fingers lightly across Michelle's neck and back, trying to help her relax:: * Michelle slowly pulls herself back together, "Don't blame Meghan...She's growing into her empathy...And she tru...She trusted me to help her ::sob:: ...And now...I didn't mean..." * Nacheyla looks at the doorway where Meghan vanished... <Nacheyla> I don't think it was you, really. She's an empath? She's probably feeling... ::bites her lip:: I had thirty six children. They're all dead now. Only one of my grandchildren still lives. Most of my greatgrandchildren have died. I was thinking about that when she fled. <Meghan> ::you suddenly hear a loud bang against the wall:: <Nacheyla> Um... ::looks over, concerned:: Shall we go make sure she doesn't hurt herself? * Michelle shoots up out of her chair and rushes towards the sound. * Nacheyla blinks, finding herself talking to mid-air, then trots after Michelle. <Meghan> ::you will find Meghan standing in the room with her things staring at the wall where she has just thrown her stone necklace. It is now on the floor the stone broken out of the necklace but still in one piece:: <Nacheyla> Hey! ::grabs Meghan's shoulders and pulls her into a rough embrace:: Hey! It's all right.... everything is okay... * Meghan quickly pushes Nach away glaring at her * Michelle stops in the doorway, clearly torn between wanting to comfort Meghan, and feeling as if she's responsible for Meghan's state. <Meghan> ::roughly:: you have no idea * Meghan turns away not looking at Michelle <Michelle> ::In a barely audible whisper:: Please Meghan...forgive me...please? <Nacheyla> Not if you won't tell us... ::gives Meghan a stern look:: <Meghan> :: her fists are clenched and her voice is amazingly soft for her mood at the moment:: All I have ever done is try to fit in here. Not every even knowing why I was here in the first place. And I get taken away and raped to the point of death. And I fall in love with a man who will never return that love. and I finally find a person who seems to be able to understand me ::turns glaring at Michelle:: and it all ends up being a lie.. <Meghan> because at any moment she could disappear and be gone from me forever <Nacheyla> Well ::gestures to the living room:: let's go sit down and talk this out, shall we? ::glances at the stone:: I've lived a long life and I've found very few problems are solved by throwing things. ::smiles a bit:: * Michelle sighs and leans heavily against the doorway, fresh tears tracing down her cheeks, "I'm sorry Meghan, I'm so sorry." <Meghan> I don;t want to talk about it. ::walks over and grabs the stone from the floor and turns grabbing her cloak:: I just want to be left alone ::she walks quickly form the room and out the door letting it slam behind her as she goes:: * Nacheyla follows after Meghan, grabs her arm and pulls her around. <Nacheyla> Let me share another piece of my education with you. Anyone can disappear, at any time, for no reason. Gods know it hurts like hell, but it happens every day. And being angry with Michelle because it might happen to her is no way to act. * Michelle follows Meghan and Nach, concern once more filling her eyes. <Nacheyla> People die. Every single day ::tears fill her own eyes:: Not loving and not caring because you might lose them... it's worse than losing them. <Nacheyla> Because then you are the one who is dead... and we don't want that. You have too much to give to everyone while you're alive... * Meghan glares at Nach the anger in her eyes seeming to reach a breaking point she suddenly crumbles to the ground shaking soundly * Michelle drops to the ground next to Meghan and gathers her up in a hug, crying with Meghan. * Nacheyla stands there, looking down at them, her tail lashing around. * Meghan allows herself to be held she keeps her eyes firmly shut as tears stream down her face gasps of breath shake form her lips <Nacheyla> Why do I never have a handkerchief when I need one? ::wipes her eyes on the back of her hand:: Come on, you two... let's have some tea and get calmed down... ::kneels down and puts her arms around both women:: <Michelle> sob...I'm sorry Meghan...sob...I want to be able to protect you...sob, gasp...but I can't...sob...I just can't... <Nacheyla> Shhhhhh! ::pets Michelle's hair:: You can't protect people... it doesn't work that way. Best you can do is look out for each other. <Michelle> sob...do you forgive me Meghan...sob * Meghan looks up at Michelle and places her hand against her cheek and whispers " I should be the one asking for forgiveness not you" * Michelle smiles and shakes her head, "No. I knew you might not take this well, and didn't find a better way to break it to you." * Nacheyla looks at Meghan looking at Michelle, blinks a few times, then stands up and turns around... <Nacheyla> I think ::her voice thick:: that I left my handkerchief in my cloak... excuse me. I need to blow my nose... ::walks back into the living room:: * Meghan trembles and whispers "I'm so sorry Michelle. that was not all because of you. Please understand" * Michelle watches Nach head down the steps then giggles and kisses Meghan on the forehead, "I'm afraid we already ate the ice cream, but want to see if Nacheyla wants a pajama party. I don't think any of us are going to be getting to sleep anytime soon." * Meghan nods " Let me just go clean myself up and I'll be down in a moment" * Michelle nods and wipes some tears from Meghan's cheeks. "I understand. Remember, I went through this once myself." * Nacheyla starts rummaging around in the kitchen, looking for tea mixings, or maybe some cocoa. * Meghan nods smiling softly at her * Michelle rises and heads into her room to wash up her own face. * Nacheyla starts humming as she mixes up a nice pot of hot chocolate. She pauses for a moment and takes her shoes off and tosses them in a corner, then pours three steaming mugs of chocolate and pours some cream on top. * Meghan walks through the doorway to her room and picks up the other half of her necklace. She holds both pieces to her lips as a few more tears fall down her cheeks. She places both the pieces on her dresser before going and washing her face. * Michelle comes down the stairs and sits at the kitchen table, "Thank you Nacheyla. I don't normally get that upset about my past." * Nacheyla hands Michelle a mug. "Here... have a bit of that... " She peers into another cabinet. * Meghan appears a few minutes later and quietly sits next to Michelle * Michelle sips the mug, "What are you looking for Nacheyla?" <Nacheyla> Popcorn... do you have any? <Michelle> I'm afraid not Nacheyla. The Hall kitchen can make it, but half the time it doesn't even make it here. <Nacheyla> Oh... ::sits down:: ah well. My kids always liked it. Hot chocolate and popcorn. * Meghan pulls a mug to herself and traces her finger around the top staring down into the liquid * Michelle smiles, "My mother just put a splash or two of schnapps in our cocoa." <Nacheyla> Well ::thinking:: except for Leinathan... but he didn't like much of anything normal. Only kid I knew who actually liked brussel sprouts. ::grins mischievously:: actually, I don't care for Brussel sprouts myself much, but somehow, they seem really good for you. <Meghan> ::softly:; Peppermint * Nacheyla sits down, crossing her ankles. She takes her cocoa and sips at it, looking at Michelle over the rim of her cup. * Michelle smiles at Meghan, "That was the flavor of schnapps most likely to be found in the house. My mother only had two recipes that called for schnapps, and my father didn't drink the stuff. One recipe was the hot chocolate, and the other was a desert she made at Christmas." * Michelle sips her cocoa and smiles at Nacheyla, "I honestly can't tell you if it's preferable to be head blind or not. I stopped asking that question awhile ago and simply accepted that I was going to have to deal with my life the way it was." <Nacheyla> ::the gold star that always orbits Nacheyla's head starts bobbing up and down, humming excitedly. It bounces over to Michelle, then to Meghan:: * Meghan looks up at the star somewhat confused <Nacheyla> Don't worry. He likes you. * Meghan smiles and takes another sip of her cocoa <Nacheyla> ::glances at the star:: The spirit of my adopted father is in there. I just found out about it earlier this week. * Michelle giggles at the star then stares in shock at Nacheyla, "I'm sorry, I thought you knew that." Michelle shakes her head. "What else should I have told people that I haven't?" <Nacheyla> Hmmm ::looks thoughtfully at Michelle:: The meaning of life? The secret name of the god of the Wanabis? Who really killed Jayeff Kay? <Michelle> 42, it doesn't matter, the man on the grassy knoll. * Michelle sips her cocoa to hide the smile. * Meghan laughs softly "The meaning of life is 42?" * Michelle looks at Meghan, "You never read the 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy?" * Meghan shakes her head "Heard of it but never read it" * Michelle shakes her head, "I'd loan you a copy, but I'm afraid I never bring books when I'm traveling." * Michelle sips her cocoa. * Meghan finishes her cup and pushes it away <Meghan> I think I need to go to bed. I am suddenly feeling very tired. <Nacheyla> ::nods:: I'll bet you are. ::smiles:: <Michelle> Get some sleep then. Your defenses will be worthless if you're not well rested. * Meghan nods and stands smiling to the both before turning and going back to her room <Nacheyla> Sleep well... ::smiles:: Don't let the bedbugs bite. * Michelle sips her cocoa, "You're welcome to spend the night Nacheyla, but I'm afraid all I can offer you is the old cot Temire used before we bought her a bed." <Nacheyla> That'd be fine... ::smiles:: I'm not picky. * Michelle giggles, "After five hundred years I suppose you've probably see it all." <Nacheyla> ::looks a bit miffed:: I'm only three hundred! ::grins:: * Michelle finishes her cocoa, "Forgive me, you don't look a day over a hundred." Michelle's face is litup by a bright smile. <Nacheyla> ::laughs:: <Michelle> Come on, lets get that cot set up. I'm going to need my sleep as well if I'm going to keep from driving that girl mad. <Nacheyla> She'll be fine... * Nacheyla finishes her cocoa, then gets to her feet. * Michelle nods, "I know. And I know she has to learn to carry these burdens on her own. But I don't particularly want to add to them at the moment." * Nacheyla yawns hugely, then stretches up on her tiptoes, stretching her hands high into the air. <Nacheyla> But, now that you mention it, I'm a bit nipped myself. * Michelle heads up the stairs and into the attic. <Nacheyla> ::looks at her curiously:: So, are you alone in there, or is everyone always talking to you all at once? How do you make love? Must be odd, getting no privacy... <Nacheyla> Forgive me if I'm asking too many personal questions, but I've never met anyone like you before. * Michelle looks off into space for a moment, "Except in our dreams, or a few other altered states, only one of us is conscious at a time. And while we all share the same memories, with the exception of the memories accumulated before my birth, we only truly remember the things we experience. What the others experience you remember the way you would if you had watched them happen, rather than participated in them. * Michelle shakes her head, "It's alright. I've never met anyone like me either, and it's good for me to talk about it, if only to help me understand it all." <Nacheyla> I hope Meghan's not to upset with me. I was a bit harsh... but sometimes harshness is necessary, when dealing with histrionics. * Michelle giggles again, "Sometime when I'm more awake I'll tell you an interesting story about that word. But she's forgiven you." * Nacheyla follows Michelle up into the attic, shaking her head and smiling to herself. Her tail swishes around coyly. <Michelle> ::Fade to black:: |
|
|