[RP]Obake Blade

[Quist]

"Sometimes I have trouble trusting myself, but I sure hope you can trust me," Maggie replied, smiling easily at Kyo. "If Aya and Bob have been traveling with you, then I think I can trust you as well." She stood up and took her walking staff in hand again. "I'd be happy to lead you to the monestary," she said brightly. "We'll have to be careful, though. If what you said about encountering a rock snake is true, then we'll need to tread lightly. They don't like being disturbed, as I'm sure you've probably found out." She cast another glance at Aya's sleeping form. "Poor Aya was probably scared out of her wits and fainted, huh?"

[ForceFightWMe12]

"Something of the sort." Kyo answered, sharing a knowing smile with Tellis. "But I agree. It would be best if we were quiet for the rest of our travel - we've had to fight one and I'm not too keen on having to battle another." His fingers went to the hole in his bracer involuntarily.

 

"C'mon, everyone." the swordsman said, stooping down to pick up Aya's light frame. He shifted her onto his back, her arms draped limply around his neck and his arms securing her legs. "Someone wake up Toa, will you?"

[Rogue Nine]

Tellis stood smoothly and made her way over to where the pyromancer was slumped against a rock. After shaking him a few times, she knelt down next to him and examined his face. "He's out cold," she pronounced. "Unsurprising, since he and Aya share that peculiar bond."

 

Carwyn strode up alongside Tellis with Bob in tow. "You mean we've got two stiffs now?" he asked jokingly. He glanced over at where Kyo had Aya on his back, then back down at Toa. "I know for sure that Toa here isn't hitching a ride on me," he quipped, then looked over at Bob. The pony snorted and rolled his eyes. Carwyn chuckled, then moved to take a few bags from Bob's pack and place them on the ground.

 

"I take it we're going to have to place Toa on Bob's back?" Tellis asked rhetorically as she moved to help the ranger.

 

"Yup, unless you want to lug him around on yours, Tel," Carwyn responded, his eyes dancing with amusement.

 

"I don't think so," Tellis said evenly. Sometimes the ranger's humor rankled.

[Quist]

Maggie knelt down and said a quick prayer to the memory of Sam S'Ornaku. She then moved towards the path down from the peak as the group prepared themselves to leave. Leaning against her staff, she observed them, noting each member in turn.

 

Kyo was obviously their leader; the way he carried himself and how the others responded to his orders were evidence enough of that. From his tone and demeanor, she guessed that he was a no-nonsense type of person. However, the gentle manner with which he picked Aya up told her he probably had a kind heart.

 

Carwyn seemed the easy-going, happy-go-lucky type. His disarming smile and dancing green eyes made him almost instantly likeable. She was usually cautious around strangers, but something about him put her at ease. She smiled as she observed him exchange banter with the dark-haired woman who'd had Aya in her lap...

 

Tellis, she'd said her name was. Tall and lithe, she carried herself with a confident, cool demeanor. Frosty almost, Maggie thought to herself as she remembered how cold Tellis's hand had been when she had shaken it. She seemed affable enough, though, and Kyo and Carwyn seemed to trust her.

 

Akira was the other swordsman, the blunt one. He was younger than Kyo and probably a lot greener, jugding from his behavior. She wasn't quite sure what to make of him just yet, but she'd hoped he'd not turn out as stand-offish as he first appeared.

 

She looked around at the others who had not introduced themselves yet. There was the unconscious man, a mage of some sort judging by his clothing. He probably wasn't going to get to introduce himself anytime soon. A few meters away stood a tall, armor-clad and heavily armed warrior; Maggie thought to herself that she probably wouldn't want to get on his bad side. Standing close to him was were two others, a mother and son, if looks were any indication. They both had hardy, determined demeanors. Maggie settled her eyes on the last member, a thin, curious eye patch-wearing man standing off to the side. He paced back and forth, seemingly deep in thought.

 

Maggie sighed quietly. Aya had certainly chosen an interesting group of people to travel with.

[Grace]

Katsuro's eyes met Maggie's as she looked his direction and his eyes twinkled with amusement. He spoke a few words to his mother in another language and she glanced at Maggie for a moment before replying in the same language. The boy shook his head and said something further. Takara sighed and turned away. Katsuro smirked and ran off ahead of his mother, who followed at a slower pace.

 

Only a few seconds after he'd vanished from his mother's side, he came up to Maggie with a cheerful smile. "Heya," he said brightly. "I'm Katsuro."

[Quist]

"Hello Katsuro, my name is Maggie," she replied to the young boy who had come up to her. He had soft blue eyes and a shock of raven black hair that almost matched his dark accoutrements. She offered him her hand. "It's very nice to meet you," she said, trying to match the brilliance of his smile with her own.

[Jason Skywalker]

(o.O I thought i had put Ryu. Oh well.)

 

"Heh, i wouldn't mind," Akira said, "But i would be carrying him in another way." The swordsman crouched onto Toa, pulled his arm over his neck and shoulder and lifted him up, moving towards Bob.

 

"Something tells me we're going to have a great rest on the monastery," Akira chuckled.

[Rogue Nine]

Carwyn helped Akira and Tellis settle the sleeping Toa on Bob's back, then used rope to secure him. "He's out so cold, I doubt he'd wake up even if he fell off," Carwyn quipped as he tightened the last knot. "But I suppose we should make sure he doesn't."

 

The ranger bent down and hefted a few packs taken down from Bob's back, then threw them over his shoulders. He looked over at Tellis, who had her medicinal kit by both hands. "I'd take that for you, Tel, but I'm kind of laden down at the moment."

 

She shook her head. "No worries. I can hold my own."

 

"Well, we know that," Carwyn commented idly as he moved towards Kyo. "I think we're just about ready," he called out to the tall swordsman. "Just make sure you don't drop your cargo along the way," he added with a wink.

[ForceFightWMe12]

"I think I can handle her," Kyo answered, grinning back at the ranger, "You just make sure not to drop any of those packs off the side of the cliff. There's valuable stuff in there!"

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

 

With Maggie in the lead, the group made their way safely through Rock Snake Canyon, reaching its northern mouth in good time. By sunset, they had reached the Northern Monestary.

 

Saying that the monestary was large was an understatement. Sitting on the crest of a very large hill, the stone outer walls blocked off the yards of green grass that stretched out from the building. The grounds inside the walls were lush with plant life, even though the temperature was quite cold and they lived in the shadow of the three-story castle-like monestary.

 

The main building was immense - within its walls was the monk's entire library of works, their kitchen, larders, greeting hall, and dorms. The monks lived a simple life, however - as their station in life decreed - and while the outside of the building was grand, the inside was simple and sparsly furnished. All furniture was made of wood, the drapes made of simply weaved flax. Despite the modesty, the Northern Monestary was still a place to be wondered at.

 

"It would be best if we hurried," Kyo murmured, Aya still secure across his back, "The temperature is dropping by the minute."

 

Turning to their guide, the swordsman asked, "Will the monks recieve us without worry?"

[Quist]

Maggie had spent most of the trip at the front of the group, leading them out of the Canyon and through to the Monestary. She'd even found a ryebark shrub along the way to gether her tea leaves, though she kicked herself mentally for forgetting to pick some up on top of Dovetail Peak. Brother Hanzo didn't need to know, though.

 

Approaching the monestary proper, Kyo turned to her and asked, "Will the monks receive us without worry?"

 

Maggie glanced at him. "I don't see why not," she replied. "Many a traveler have come to the doors of the monestary and I have not known any of them to be turned away." She looked at Aya, still unconscious across Kyo's back. "Besides, we have an old friend returning, even if she isn't awake at the moment."

 

She turned back towards the door and took hold of the handle and tugged with all her might. Slowly, the huge wooden door creaked open. As soon as it was open wide enough, she stood to the side and gestured them in.

[Rogue Nine]

Carwyn walked through the large stone doorway, Bob at his heels. The entrance hall was large enough to accommodate the pony; the ceiling stretched far, far above their heads. The ground was stone as well, and Carwyn set the bags he'd been carrying onto it. Stretching out his shoulders, he turned back to Bob and moved to where Toa still lay slumped over, strapped to the pony's back. "Hope he hasn't been too heavy for you, boy," Carwyn told Bob as he undid the straps keeping Toa on.

 

Bob gave him a derisive snort, which seemed to translate to "As if."

 

Pulling the last strap off, Carwyn caught the pyromancer as Toa came tumbling down from Bob's back. Easing him to the ground slowly, Carwyn propped Toa's head up on a bedroll, then straightened up again. Catching Maggie's eye, he said, "Hey Maggie, is there anyplace we can have Bob stay? I'm sure he'd love to stay with us in the monastery, but he is just a pony."

 

Bob whickered indignantly and reached over to gently bite Carwyn's ear.

 

"Ow hey," Carwyn exclaimed, looking over at Bob. "A very charming, loyal and smart pony," he added, to Maggie.

 

Bob neighed, sounding somewhat satisfied.

[ForceFightWMe12]

"There is a stables attatched to the back of the main building. We would be happy to allow him to stay there."

 

Kyo looked from Carwyn to where the voice had emmenated. A rather plump monk was coming into the entrance hall from a side door. He wore a simple, uniform-grey habit, his hands tucked into the large sleeves, and his smile was welcoming, his cheeks rosey.

 

"I am Brother Carlisle, Abbot of the Northern Monestary." he introduced himself, his brown eyes scanning each face individually, "And on behalf of my brothers, I bid you welcome."

 

"Thank you, Abbot Carlisle." Kyo said, inclining his head slightly, "My name is Kyo Ruroni, and these are my companions. We are travellers and merchants from Ryuu-Tokai." the swordsman adjusted Aya so that he was holding her in his arms, rather than across his back. "I believe you might know Miss Aya S'Ornaku."

 

"Ah, yes, yes. The S'Ornakus. I was very good friends with Sam...and it is dreadful - simply dreadful what has happened to him. He was a good man." A mournful silence followed the brother's words for several moments before he looked up again. "But that can wait. It would appear that Aya and your other companion are injured. Maggie? Would you mind joining me in leading them to the guest dormitories? I'll make sure Brother Leo takes care of Bob."

[Quist]

"Surely, Brother Carlisle," Maggie replied hastily as she placed her staff back into the rack and hung her cloak back up on a peg. She moved to stand next to Brother Carlisle, then remembered the bag at her side, full with ryebark leaves. "Oh, I need to go make Brother Hanzo some ryebark tea for his arthritis," she said. "It's been nearly the whole day! Once I'm finished, I'll meet you in the guest dormitories." She bowed to Brother Carlisle, then to Kyo and company, then took off down a long stone hallway, her booted feet only making the slightest noise in her hurry.

[ForceFightWMe12]

"Very well, Maggie." Abbot Carlisle said, both he and Kyo nodding in return to her bow. He smiled a bit as she ran off to make the tea. "She is such a good-spirited girl." he sighed, almost to himself, "Always looking out for the good of others, never herself. But anyway. Your companions need their rest."

 

The Abbot led Kyo and the others to a door off to the right of them, closer to the end of the hall. Through the door was a rather wide, turning staircase that led to the upper level. Kyo glanced across the hall and saw an identicle staircase set into the opposite wall.

 

Brother Carlisle led them up this staircase, down a few hallways, and up another until they finally reached a set of hallways lined by doors. With one hallway running lengthwise, the other four ran crosswise. Behind the doors, the swordsman guessed, were the guest dormitories.

 

"For the moment, you are the only travellers to be staying with us." the monk said, leading them down a hallway, "So you can feel free to take any room you would like. I am guessing, however, that you would like to all stay rather near to one another."

 

Choosing a door halfway down the hall, Abbot Carlisle pushed the sturdy wood open, revealing a room with a low bed and a washbasin. The window set into the wall was almost directly across from an identicle one in the room across.

 

"You may lay Miss S'Ornaku here." he said, motioning to the bed as he crossed to the window, pulling down the shade before leaving the room and opening the one across the hall. "And your other companion can rest in here."

 

Kyo complied with the monk's directions, gently setting Aya down on the bed and - though it felt a bit awkward, even to him - pulled the covers up over her before returning to the others outside.

[Rogue Nine]

Tellis moved into the room across from Aya's and indicated for Carwyn to follow her. Carwyn had Toa across his back and had to be very careful not to knock the sleeping pyromancer's head on the doorpost as he strode through. It wasn't easy, as he was a bit taller than the doorway, forcing him to duck, but he managed to make it into the room, both his and Toa's heads intact. "Monks must be really short," he commented as he lay Toa on the bed as carefully as he could.

 

"Either that, or you're just abnormally tall," Tellis said, already checking Toa's eyes, her face hidden from view.

 

Carwyn knew she was grinning, so he stuck his tongue out at her behind her back. "Do you know when our sleeping beauties will wake up?" he asked.

 

"Hard to tell," Tellis replied, straightening up. "They would probably wake up at the same time, since they share a bond, but it is difficult to estimate when." She pursed her lips. "Aya exerted a lot of energy with her last prayer, so there's no telling when she's had enough rest. Her body is in full control of that." She glanced down at Toa. "As for Toa, he probably got recharged like the rest of us, but Aya's subsequent shut down forced him into sleep as well."

 

"So, in other words, you have no idea," Carwyn said.

 

"Yeah, that about sums it up," Tellis nodded as she moved out of the room.

 

"Wonderful," Carwyn muttered as he picked his bows and rucksack up and exited as well. Once outside, he moved over to the door to the right of Aya's room and pushed it open. It was identical to the others, with only the most basic of amenities. To Carwyn, however, it had more than enough, since he was more accustomed to spending his nights outside. Tossing his rucksack and coat onto the bed, he leaned his bows up against the wall next to the door, then exited and closed the door behind him.

[Quist]

"So we have new arrivals?" Brother Hanzo asked as he lifted the cup of steaming tea to his lips.

 

Maggie nodded, setting the teapot down on the nightstand. She had made haste to the kitchen and brewed up a very fast pot of ryebark tea, then come to Brother Hanzo's room to find him still in pain from his arthritis. It seemed to go away when she gave him the first cup, however, and this relieved Maggie to no end. Out of all the kindly monks at the Northern Monastery, Brother Hanzo was the one most like a father to her and she cared for him very much.

 

"And you'll never guess who was along with them, Brother," she said, standing up and moving to the doorway.

 

"Oh?" Brother Hanzo raised a hairy eyebrow at her.

 

"Aya S'Ornaku and Bob," Maggie told him.

 

"Is that so?" he said, taking another sip from his cup. "Well then, I must go greet her soon, it has been far too long since she and Sam last visited."

 

"Don't exert yourself, Brother," Maggie told the monk, reaching a cautioning hand out.

 

Brother Hanzo waved her off. "Of course not, child," he huffed. "I didn't say 'this instant', I said 'soon'."

 

Maggie couldn't help but allow a smile to steal across her face. "My apologies, Brother," she said, bowing. "I must go meet Brother Carlisle and help them get settled in the guest dormitories."

 

The elderly monk nodded. "Go, go," he said, shooing her away with his hand. "I expect to meet her and her companions at dinner, though."

 

"Of course, Brother," Maggie replied, then turned and exited. Once outside, she took off at a run, making her way through the stone hallways. It took her a minute or two to cover the distance from the monks' living quarters to the guest dormitories and as such, she was almost out of breath by the time she came to a halt in the multi-chambered hallway. Spotting Abbott Carlisle about halfway down, she padded her way to him and came to stand next to him.

 

"'m here again, Abbott," she said breathlessly, noting that a few of the travelers had already chosen rooms.

[Jason Skywalker]

Akira walked around. The monestary sure seemed nice. He made his way to the rooms upstairs. It seemed really confortable. Something telled him it was going to be great. Atleast for a while. Akira entered one of the rooms. It was like the inn's rooms but much more chique, yet less chique. Akira took out his cape, opened the drawer, folded it and put it in. He then put all of his weapons on the cupboard. He liked it, yet, it felt familiar.

 

"Anybody up to be my roomie?" Akira shouted out.

[Rexraptor2000]

Toa's mind had been dark, at least until a voice and a bright light had cut through saying "Hey! Wake up kid! Well, not literally wake up. You technically won't really be waking up until your spirit partner does, but you get my meaning."

 

Toa blinked as the light engulfed the darkness and he was in the same place as he was when he had 'died'. Jack, with his bony grin (No pun intended) sat at the table in front of him with a deck of cards. Then Jack chuckled saying "Now that you're 'awake' sleeping beauty, how about we play a game of Skeleton? You can even invite your spirit partner, Aya, to join us, though I don't fancy she'll take to happily on how your spirit, or her spirit, looks like. And if she declines the invitation, well, then it's just us and this game. You still need to learn the names of all the bones anyway. Your mother was a Necromacer, and yet you didn't know a single name? Ah well, we have all the time in the world to teach you."

 

Toa was a bit stunned for a moment, before shaking his head and asking "Wait, what? Am I dead? And how do both our spirits look like? And as for my mother, well, let's leave that topic alone."

 

"No, you're not dead. Playing with you made me realize that even I need to take a break every once in a while. Sure, I had a heart attack when you nearly faded away, but the game was fun overall. So I pulled you from your dream and I got Necro to fill in for me, since that lazy troll hasn't had anything to do for a while. As for how you both look spiritually, you might not want to know." Jack replied evilly, his grin to big for his face. He didn't push the mother subject though.

 

Toa pondered this for a moment before saying "Well, I do want to know what I look like. I suppose we could ask her if she wants to join, since it's not like you'll be forcing her to join us."

 

Jack waved his hand and a mirror appeared on Toa's right side. The image had Toa's mouth drop. Toa's spirit looked like a mixture between himself and Aya, with a slightly more masculine touch. Each trait was mixed, like the eyes for example. They were a strange mixture of red and brown, although the red was a bit more dominant. In all this, he eyes slowly made his way down to his chest, and then he let out a prayer of thanks to the gods.

 

Jack saw this, and then proceeded to laugh so hard that he fell off his chair, nearly dieing of laughter. Then after a few moments of laughing and receiving glares from Toa, he calmed down and said with a reassuring voice "Relax kid, he he, the gods aren't that cruel. They may have a sick sense of humor at times, but they won't find it on people's souls. So, do you want to invite Aya now?"

 

Toa thought for a few moments, throwing glances at the mirror, and replied "Sure. Why not? Maybe we'll get a good show with her reaction."

 

Jack then waved his had again and a letter appeared in his hand before it disappeared as quickly as hit came. Toa stared at him confused and Jack stated "I created the invitation and then sent it. If she's dreaming something that won't allow an invitation in the form of a letter, then her mind chooses the form it come in. Now," Jack said as he shuffled the deck of cards "Let's play some Skeleton."

[Rogue Nine]

"Anybody up to be my roomie?"

 

Carwyn heard Akira's shout from one of the rooms down the hall. Raising an eyebrow, he walked down and stuck his head in the doorway. "Roomie?" he repeated, looking at Akira, then around the room. It was like all the others, with a single bed, dresser and washbasin. "Where do you plan on your roommate sleeping, Akira?" he asked the swordsman, a smirk creeping across his lips. "The floor?"

 

Before Akira could reply, Carwyn laughed and shook his head. "There are more than enough rooms here, from what the good Abbott has shown us. I don't think we'll need to share quarters at all. Though if you get scared at night, you're welcome to continue to try and find one." He winked, then pulled his head out of the doorway and strode back to where Abbott Carlisle, Maggie, Kyo and Tellis were standing.

 

"I do hope everyone gets settled soon," the kindly abbott said. "It's almost time for dinner. And I'm sure that you are all famished, if what Mr. Ruroni says is true."

 

"Kyo tells it like it is, yeah," Carwyn agreed, nodding at the blond swordsman. "And dinner doesn't sound too bad at all, because I'm sure I'm hungry," he added, patting his stomach.

[Grace]

At being offered his choice of rooms, Katsuro began poking his head into various rooms. It wasn't that he was looking for anything specific inside the room; he just wanted to know what sort of views were offered from the window. Takara smiled faintly, watching her son continue on down the hall, looking into the rooms. With a tired sigh, she opened the nearest door and entered, ready to drop her small supply pack and her weapons.

 

Meanwhile, down the hall, Katsuro laid his hand on another doorknob, but this time he was stopped by one of the passing monks. "That room hasn't been available for two months," he warned. "Strange guest, that one."

 

"I thought Brother Carlisle said we were the only guests right now," Katsuro said, puzzled. He reached out with his mind, searching for the unknown guest and was startled to come across a cold void.

 

"This one has been here so long and keeps to her room so much that it's easy to forget she's here," the monk explained. Katsuro frowned. At that moment, the door opened and a woman Katsuro thought looked vaguely familiar stepped out. She was tall and slender, clothed in silver robes with dazzling silver hair and deep blue eyes.

 

"Good evening," she said softly to the monk. Then, she looked down at Katsuro and a flicker of recognition passed through her eyes. It was quickly gone and so was she, striding away down the hall.

 

"Wow..." Katsuro muttered, breathless.

 

"Her name is Kaori," the monk said softly, "but we call her Haruka, for if we ever ask her where she comes from, that is what she says... 'far off'. But as I said, she mostly keeps to her room. This is rare for her to emerge like this."

 

Katsuro stared after the departing woman, shaking his head in silent wonder. Still more, he found himself bothered by the cold void that he suspected was her mind. Why hadn't he been able to enter her mind? Still puzzled, but trying hard to dismiss it, Katsuro continued on down the hall, still looking through the rooms.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

"Abbot Carlisle," the soft, rich voice of the one they called 'Haruka' echoed faintly behind him. He turned to face the approaching woman. In the same soft spoken tone, she said, "a young boy tried to enter my room a few moments ago. Can I have your assurance that the rest of your new guests will not make the same mistake?"

 

"Apologies, Lady Haruka," the abbot answered. "I will do what I can." He paused thoughtfully. "Will you be joining the party for dinner?"

 

Kaori frowned, considering his request. Then, she nodded abruptly. "If at all possible, I should like to sit by the young mother, Takara."

 

"You know her?" the abbot wondered. The woman smiled faintly and nodded.

 

"She is my daughter."

[3yks]

Kai had been apart from the group when they had fought the rock snake, he'd met back up with them though, and had been pacing and upset that he had wandered off when they could have used his help. He had stayed silent through all of their traveling, just walking along his pack thrown over one shoulder. He looked up at the big doors as they entered the monestary. He frowned, something wasn't ... right, he knew this place. But he didn't know why. He reached up rubbing his chin, the few days stuble that grew on it. The others entered before him, and he had no trouble sliping away to the side, and away from the monestary. He moved up into the hills and looked down watching the monestary.

 

He knew he'd been here before, but when? Had he be sent here to kill somebody? He had killed many people in his days, and he didn't ... always remember all of that time of his life. Something told him that if he went in there he'd be in trouble though. So he sighed and quietly set himself up a bit of a camp, a small fire, it might be seen, but he had a feeling whoever came to investigate would be one of his companions, or at least not somebody who was a danger to him.

[Jason Skywalker]

"Ah, Carwyn, i was being sarcastic and seeing if anyone fell for it. And don't worry, i won't, i actually have a gut feeling this will be alright," Akira told him, smiling. He then closed the door and sat the bed. He could smell something delicious. Dinner probably. He felt hungry, but he knew he wasn't. His mind was elsewhere.

 

"Now i know why this is so familiar to me," Akira said.

[Master_Archon]

Xan had been as silent as he usually was, remaining away from the newcomer, he followed the group through the canyon, and to the monestary.

 

He was now in a room, his room, for the moment, as he sat on the bed watching Akkan chew on some dried beef he had bought before the fight. He took out an apple and began to eat it, this was all he would have for awhile, he wouldn't come out of the room until the others were asleep, he needed to be alone, to meditate on his thoughts, but he didn't need to be couped up either.

 

He didn't want the others bothering him while he would pace the halls of the monestary either, that's why he would go when they were asleep. He would have no rest, as is the norm with him.

 

He removed his helmet, rubbing his eyes, he stared saddly out the window, then taking out his bandana he tied it around his eyes and head, and taking out his pan pipes, began playing a soft tune.

******

A small mouse scurried behind the boy as he searched room to room, then he came to one room, and the mouse stood on it's hind legs, it sniffed at the door, moments later a woman came out.

 

The mouse's eyes twinkled, it seemed, at the sight of her, then it scurried out of the way as the woman passed. The mouse began it's following of the boy once more, scurrying around until it caught up with him, and even passed him, sliding under a door, it disapeared from sight.

 

Moments later the door opened, right as the boy came upon it, a man walking out, a very familiar man...a very old, familiar man. It was infact, Old Yuri, the old fellow had his hood up though, and in all respects, he looked like a monk, his garb of similar design and material, the only difference was his long scragly beard, and the old branch which acted as a walking stick.

 

The old man seemed to ignore Katsuro, looking around as if he were trying to find someone, he dropped his bony hand onto the boys head, rubbing his hair.

 

"M'lad, have you seen a young boy, about yor size, bit of a serious fellow, name starts with a 'K', I recall him entering this monestary not too long ago, and I'd dearly like to say..." Old Yuri paused, looking down at the boy for the first time, an enormous smile spreading across his scruffy face. "Hello," he said to Katsuro, chuckling at his own antics.

[Quist]

Maggie couldn't help but be surprised that Lady Haruka had decided to come out of her room; the enigmatic woman had kept mostly to herself for the two months she had stayed at the monestary. Very rarely was she seen out of her room; indeed, this was the first time Maggie had seen her in a few weeks. Nevertheless, Maggie minded her manners and bowed respectfully to Lady Haruka as she passed the older woman, making her way to one of the doors to the side.

 

Pressing her ear up against the worn wood of the door, she listened. The unmistakable sound of a pan flute was muffled somewhat, but it was enough. Hoping she wouldn't regret her actions, she pushed the door open and stuck her head inside. A small white dog looked back at her, a piece of dried beef in its mouth. Next to it sat the quiet warrior from before, still clad in his armor, but with his helmet doffed and a bandana around his eyes. A pan flute was at his lips as he turned to face in the direction of the door.

 

Maggie swallowed. "Is everything all right, m'lord?"

[JasraLantill]

Emerging from her deep sleep, Aya yawned and her eyes slowly fluttered open. She was lying in a comfortable and cozy bed, a blanket tucked up around her neck, her head resting on a soft fluffy feather pillow. She blinked once, then twice, as a face started to come into focus.

 

Without expression, she stared into Carwyn’s green eyes for a moment, then her eyes moved to the left, and then to the right. She wasn’t on Dovetail Peak anymore, she was in a room. Wooden furniture, stone walls, minimalist décor….

 

“I had a strange dream,” she said to Carwyn. “First, I was being kidnapped, thrown over a villian’s back being carried over hills and valleys, and then I was in a garden, laying on the soft grass, when someone came up and gave me an invitation to play a bone game with Toa and some guy named Jack. Or was it a card game? I’m not sure because when I sat up… I was here.”

 

Her stomach growled, and she suddenly remembered that she hadn’t eaten lunch, rather had given Kyo his and then had said her final goodbye to her father. She frowned a bit. “Where am I? And where's Kyo?"