Star Lin

Kestlona has just open up her Chakra (which is kind of interesting since I have her as being unable to sense aether and aetheric teleporting makes her really, really sick) and is about to take a trip to visit her teacher about it (along with finding out why he lied to her about being from Ala Mhigo). I also third about Berrod. I always have a blast when John can get a chance to interact with him.

For me, it's sometime easier to get a forum story started but can't get into game to actually do it because of RL. Also there some stories where I have (NPC) characters involved that I can't have in game because of only having one account. Still, I would like to try to get both John and Kest involved in more in-game RP.

Ala mhigo, so that Kestlona can keep a promise that she will make to Alex.

Ok. Add Kestlona Guhtgeiswyn to the list. Hopefully, work won't get in the way.

'Ok,' he thought. Warren has an idea about pattern in aether which actually means he wouldn't have to go to in depth with that. "I don't see aether, not in the way that everyone else does. For me, aether is vibration and I feel those vibrations with my fingers." He held out his hand, wiggling his fingers a little bit. "Everything has aether that touches it, leaves pattern on it, memories would be the strongest pattern that I can sense, when I'm not wearing gloves." He pulls his hand back, staring at them. "If I don't wear these, I would be awash in those memories and the stronger the emotion attached to the memory the better my brain reads the patterns, and then I'm able to 'see' them." He didn't look up, not wanting to see the horror that his next statement would bring. "It's not just object either. I can 'see' the memory of people as well." He inhale deeply trying to steady himself. "I didn't know what I was doing was wrong not until sister told me. She put the gloves on me, telling me that I had to keep them on." His ten year old fever mind see what she wasn't telling him. That he had been bad for what he had done. "I...haven't taken them off, since that night...eleven years ago." His hands tremble, still remembering that aching flash of pain as Eric die, tearing at him. "I found out something else about my aether." He clutch his hand into a fist, like he was trying to hold onto something. "Eric was dying and I almost had him heal. Just needed a little more time so I grab his aether, trying to hold it here but I couldn't get a good grip because of the gloves and his aether was torn away...some of my aether as well." He could still remember feeling his aether bleeding out from the wound, his mind chanting over and over that Eric was dead. "But his death gave me something to work with on Howl. I could use my aether to hold his steady while the surgery was done, except that the gloves wouldn't let me get a tight enough hold on him. If he died on the table, it would have wound me, maybe even kill me a little while later." He reach for his glove, as if he was about to remove it. "I thought that I could hold his aether better. There problems with that thought, the least being that I would be that if Howl die then I would die instantly as well." "The least..." Sam said, and John turn to find his friend was white as a sheet. "What would have been worst then death?" "Worst, I would have been too lost in Howl's memories to realize what was going on around me," he said. "That meant that I wouldn't have been any help to him at all."

Kestlona is part of the Redwings and doesn't 'have' an excuse to go...except her teacher is on the front lines up there. If he calls, she will go. John has three reason to go. First, he's a healer and he wants to help the people up there. Second, he's gotta a couple of friends that are heading up there themselves and (if he can catch them in game before they leave) he going to let them know that if they need an extra healer to call him. Third, (which might not pan out, depends on if the other two go along with it) might be a plot that could or could not happen.

"Doc, if it's possible for you to fix my leg, you'll be my new best friend," Sam said. "But not right now." His eyes narrow a little bit, filing away what John had said about his leg. "Going have to check some reports later...maybe meet with your Captain when I come in." His eyes caught with Oak, letting him know that there might be more then just a meeting between two units captains. He picks up his beer, eyes glancing side ways at John. He watch John stare at his hands and was tempted to call someone over for another beer. "You know, John, I'm not always going to be here to pull your fluffy tail out of the fire." He took a sip of his beer. "You can't hide this from them forever, John." John choose to ignore Sam's statement. "Wouldn't it be better to hurt then...then to hurt them instead." He didn't want to risk taking what was private and precious...memories of friends and family. And they would never realize that he saw, had taken them from. Yet, as he sat there, he tried to see pass the hurt, both for himself and the fact that end the end, he couldn't help Howl either. Sam was the only one that was left that knew, to maybe let someone else in. 'We have to take the good with the bad,' his sister words. 'I don't know why you always seem to not see the forest because of the trees.' A soft chuckle came from him and he could almost picture Sam's face, the raise eyebrow that was staring at him. "I was thinking of something sister once told me," was John's quiet voice. He reach up, pulling the hood back from his head, and shook his hair back into place. 'Where do I start?' he thinks. "I..." he being, opening up his eyes and look both at Doc Oak and Warren, "want to know. How much do either of you know about aetheric sensing?"

(ooc: Doing a full edit for some plot points that have comeup in "A Captain's shoulder the grief" and not including some other plot element that took place at the Grindstone this past Saturday. All I'll say is, Sei if you see thisthread. I'm sorry I didn't have Johnthank her for not only pointing out the wound that he miss but also the help with the aether.) John sat on the Grindstone, allowing himself the quietmoment to draw. Charcoal press to paperas he let his mind drift back the last few days. The first talk with Howl, finding out thatwould not be able to help his friend because the stone in his left eye was a Soulstone instead of something dealing with the void. Then the kiss that Howl had given him, makinghim remember that it had been 11 years since he had actually touch another person. How much he had wanted to reachout and feel the warmth from Howl's face. After he ran off from Howl, all he could thinkwas how much it hurt, how tired he was from hiding, but that he had too. Then when Sam had found him, having found himby accident, and ask him who had kissed him, in that remember moment of panic, his mind told him that he had to leave Ul'dah. He stop for a moment to rub out a bit charcoal that had smudgeon the face he had just finish, before going back to the drawing. John couldn't help the tiny smile that tug athis lips now that he had gotten a lot of weight off his chest. Warren had known him better than even he didhimself, catching him before he could board the airship. Luck or fate, John didn’t know or care now,because there was more than just Sam that knew. They had listen, letting him pour off his shoulder what he had beencarrying for a long time. Oak, Warren,Sam, and Howl were in that small circle of friends and he hope that it would continue to grow, even if he would never be close with someone, like Sam and Tanya had been and Warren and Sei were now. “I guess I’m finally seeing the forest through the trees, Sister.” And maybe when he was more comfortable, hewould start learning about the ‘Dreaming’ instead of trying to hide from it. John finish up the details of the face, holding off on theeyes so that he could begin work on the body of the person he was drawing. After the two of them left, Sam had stop him,knowing who the notes had really been about. "You can't hide this from Howl, John. You're going have to tell him just like youtold Warren and Doc Oak. Tell him whyyou can’t be close to them. It'll be hisdecision on if he want to have that kind of a relationship with you." He place a hand on John's shoulder. "Just be back at my office by theeleventh bell tomorrow. I'll need yourand Axe help going over some reports." Once he had finish the body of the person, he went back tothe face, doing the eyes last. He had tomake sure to get this part of the drawing right. He had call Howl to the stone and spilleverything about his curse and the way he understood it. About why he had to keep everyone away...andHowl accept him for it, and had told him that no one could live that way. Howl was right, he had only just been, noteven trying to live his life, and in that that moment of courage, he finally did something that he hadn’t done in eleven years. He had remove his gloves and allow himself toreach out to someone and Howl reach out to him. That first moment of touch, of feeling those pattern afterall those years, had overwhelm him, and he fell into Howl’s before he realize what had happen to him. He had warn Howlthat the strongest emotion made the clearest memories, and because if had been so long since he had done this that he forgot that it was in fact Howl’s memories. They had flash by confusing intheir way, many of them not very happy, until those last few, the strongest being the snow cover mountain and the "Master..." he growl, removing the charcoal from the paper and setting it down so that he could stare at it. What was on the paper was huge Highlander, diamond whipraised as if to strike at something off the paper. But the face wasn't looking off at what hemust have been aiming at, it was turn toward John. It was the one memory that he held on tobecause of how different it had been. ‘Thepast is the past, and I can’t change it, no matter what I do, but…’ he thought, staring at the eyes that gleam up at him from the paper. What happen should have happen but memory ofthe Highlander had turn to him, had realize that he was there, when everything he knew about the ‘Dreaming’ scream that it shouldn’t been possible. Then the claws had begun to dig into his mindand he tried to fight it. He was surethat if Kit hadn’t somehow form herself in that memory and attack, the dragon would have gotten him too. Even now, hecould still feel the after effects of the 'claws' that had try to dig their way into his mind. He picks up the paper, foldingit and slipping it into his jacket pocket. He need to speak to Howl, see if it was alright for him to let bothWarren and Sei know what happen. He hadn't been sure what Sei had wanted to speak to himabout. "Do you love,Violet?" He wanted to hate her forusing that name but all he could do was snip that violet wasn't his name, just like Snow wasn't her's name. All thewhile he came to despise the Highlander/dragon more for what he took from them in exchange for the power that they had. Still, he answer her honestly, that he truly didn't know what love feltlike, in the way that she asked him. Only that he wanted to protect him but he wouldn't stop him from goingwith her to war. He then told her why hecare so much for not only Howl but Warren and her as well. "You all have been so kind to me, evenwhen I feel I don't deserve it." Healso told her the truth as well, that even if she was ‘his’ disciple, she was their dragon, and that he wanted them both to return to them. “Sei,” he whisper. Whenthe chef had been injury, she was the one that knew he had miss the wound in her stomach. “Thal’s balls, I didn’teven notice the blade in her stomach.” He knew that she was far better than him…even better than hissister. “I want to be as good as you andHowl.” He stood up from the stone. “Hope I can catch them before they leave forthe North and let them know that if they needed some extra help later, that they would contact him. He also neededto apologies to Sei, for not thanking her for the help and the aether that she had given to him. “I still can’t believeI forgot to do that. She must think I’ma barbarian or something.” He wouldcontact Warren so they could meet up before Howl and Sei left.

A screenshot of an RP session between Howl and John. Where John finally told Howl what he could do and why he wore gloves. Yes, I know that the location wasn't the best spot to get a good screenshot of the two. But at this point, John was so afraid of the fact that he could see memories with his aether and he view it as stealing from the other person. But we now got a little plot going from Howl letting John see several certain memories. Eager to see where it goes from there.

And once again, I almost forget to get screen shot. Low the only one that I took tonight. Yes, it the lady with the frying pan. Wish that could have been there for the whole event but I miss the opening because of work. Also, forgot to screenshot John and Sei talk. I really think she gets a kick out of making John blush.

Maybe it was years on the field of battle or it could have been just the six years he had taken it upon himself to keep an eye out on his girl's brother. He was on his feet, placing himself between John and the stranger, and wishing that he had brought his sword with him. He ignore the tremble of the muscle as it protest the sudden movement. There was something familiar about the patch design on the other's white and red robs. "Sir Oak..." John didn't quite lift his head up. Seeing the look Sam was giving him, "He's part of Captain Erik's unit and he helps out at the Grindstone as well." John push the tankard over the other seat. "You can have mine, sir." "Sorry, Sir. Didn't know you were John's friend as well." He sat down, hand trying to rub out the protesting muscle. "Casualty reports... yeah, still dealing with my unit own reports." He saw John lean down a little, hand glowing a little. "It's already heal, John. Don't think that even you can fix it." He narrow his eyes, "Now are you going to explain about these notes that Warren is talking about?" "He heal it wrong," John said. "Of course it didn't heal right. Black Jack said it was shatter, had to sleep me to try and reset it." "No, I see a couple of clean break but he heal them out of alignment." Sam frown about to ask what he meant, decide that John might try to use this as an out. "John...worry about my leg later." He pointed at John, "All you told me is that you were doing some research for Thomas. I'm getting the feeling that their more to it then that. Explain now, John." John turn to Warren, to Oak, and then to Sam. He couldn't tell them. He couldn't breaks Howl trust in what he been told. (ooc: Would have done more but it's late. Go ahead and post and I'll try to get John talking more in the morning.)

Sam slowly edge over to the other side of John, flanking the miqo'te, though not touching him just yet. 'Not until we actually have him sitting,' he thinks, limping over to the other chair. Taking a moment to pull out some gil, he call the bar keep over. "Three beers...and..." he added an extra 100 gil, "you didn't hear anything at all." He settle down on the chair, missing the larger Roe that had enter the flight deck. Ok, so now that they had him sitting, time to see if they could get him off edge. The beers were place in front of them and Sam took a long pull on his. "Kid, I know that the healers said that I should exercise but I don't think they were planning on me chasing you all over Ul'dah." He look over to Warren. "Names Samuel Robinton, current Captain of Dagger unit, his CO, and acting brother since my girl's death." His eyes glance down at John, glad to see that he hadn't pull in on himself. "So, you're going to official introduce me to Warren, John?" Glove hands reach out, taking hold of the tankard but not lifting it to his lips. "how..." came the broken voice, "how did you know...know I would be here?" He hadn't even thought of just disappearing until Sam had ask him who had kiss him. "eleven years..." came the whisper words. Eleven years since he had touch anyone, the lost of contact eating at his soul, little by little. He thought he could stand it, until Howl made him realize alone he was. 'If I could disappear, I wouldn't hurt them...wouldn't hurt Howl.' Sam frown, 'If he hadn't come in on a returning airship...why was he up here then?' Sam almost miss the words that John had whisper. Had it really been eleven years since the night of the fever, when Tanya found out what exactly John could do.

John lost the tentative hold on the aether the moment that Warren gave him a good rattle. He froze, feeling the highlander's arm around his shoulder, and terror locking up his muscle. "Warren..." he said, shaking badly. He turn to look up at Warren, the hood coming away enough for him to get a good look at the miqo'te's face, the terror alight in purplish eyes, not for himself but for his friend. "You don't know what your doing, putting yourself at risk touching me..." Sam stop as the Highlander grab, was about to approach closer only to get the feeling that he might be consider a threat to John as well. 'Warren...explain why he sort of look familiar,' he thought, remembering the many times that John would talk about the happening at the Stone. Ok, time to see if he could get through John's panic. "Please Sam, you got to make him understand that I can't put them at risk..." Really, if it was Sam choice, he would have probably used a sleep potion at this point. That probably wouldn't have gone over well with Warren. 'Think, Sam. What would Tanya do...' His eyes slid down John's body, alighting on the gloves, knowing now how to work this. "John, you won't hurt them..." "I will," John said. "I'll take and take and take...and I can't stop it..." "John, look at your hands. What do you see?" Look down...glove cover hands trembling. "gloves...but I still..." "Remember what Tanya told you..." Sam said. "That you won't 'see' as long as you wear gloves." "But..." "They'll be fine. I promise, John." He took a caution step forward. "So, let's do as Warren says. Let get something to drink. Been wanting to meet your friends...since that's all you ever talk about." He held his breath, eyes lock on John, and only release it when he saw the faintest of nods. He look over to Warren, letting the other know that for the moment that it seem the panic was under control.

John spun around at that familiar voice. "Sir...Sir Warren," he said, voice sounding heartbroken to his own ears. He back away from Warren, keeping him at a distance. As long as he could keep Warren away from him, he was sure the Highlander would be safe from him. "I...I didn't know...you would be here." He found his back against the railing. "I...I'm suppose to be heading to...Gridania, for conjury..." His eyes widen as he saw Sam was here know. They were both here and then that means that he would hurt Sam. He had to get away, had to protect them, all of them. He blindly reach for the aether, doing a blind teleport. Sam had regain his feet, giving order to the sworn not to let miqo'te out. He slowly came to the highlander. "Thank you for stopping him, sir. He not thinking straight..." his eyes widening as he realize what John. "John, stop. You can't teleport, not in the state your in." (ooc: short. Have to leave for work)

Sam pause just long enough to search the sea of people around the enterance to the Quicksand. No hooded miqo'te so Sam quickly rush through the crowd, touching the aethernet crystal and teleported up to the enterance to the airship deck. He didn't even wait to reorient himself, throwing himself in a stumble up the stairs. He caught himself against the wall as his bad leg try to go out on him. "Did a miqo'te in robs pass by here?" he asked. Seeing the sworn nod. "I need to get up there now. He's trying to go awol." "Of course sir. But it's been a few minutes since he went up the elevator." He understood what the sworn wasn't saying. That Sam may be too late to catch John. 'Yet,' he thought, diving into the elevator, 'that the ship hasn't left.' He didn't wait for the door to open fully, stumbling out just as he hear the ship pulling away. "No, no, no," he whisper. Still he might be able to catch him on the next airship. He rush up the short hall, mind trying to puzzle out why the attendant was staring into a corner. It was only when he came into the main area that he realize why the attendant was staring at and for that moment, Captain Samuel Robinton allow himself to collapse in relief. **** Several minutes earlier John stood for a second, allowing himself to reorient himself, and search his small pouch for the gil he would need for the airship. He ignore the burn in his eyes as new tears threaten to fall. 'It better this way...' he thought to himself, trying to push away the needy ache in his soul, to forget the way Howl's lips had felt on his own. 'I can't help anyone...and I can't allow myself to be a threat to them...' He ran up to the Sworn guarding the gate to the airships, pulling the hood down farther over his face. "I need to get to the airship, now," he said, glad that his voice was at least holding steady even if it still sounded heartbroken. Stepping out of the elevator, he rush up to the counter. "I need a ticket to Grindania..." he said, voice quiet. It would be a moment later that he realize the pro and cons of hooded robs. Yes, the hood hided his face but it also block his side vision as well. So as he waited for the attendant to let him through the gate, he didn't realize that the Arbiter was already there, waiting on him.

(ooc: You know, I was actually planing to post for John. Well this morning Captain Robinton highjack my brain. I'll say this though, Warren, Howl, and Berrod, you can jump into this one if you want. Perhaps stop the kid from making a foolish mistake.) Samuel Robinton limp out of the gate, inhaling the cooling night air. Though his leg would never be completely heal, the healers recommend him to keep exercising it. Well, wasn't going to go against a healer's advice, especially if it meant that the injury wouldn't effect his use of Sword and board. He blink as he drew near the bridge, "Speaking of healers," he mutter, seeing John standing in front of the large stone. He frown, noticing that the boy was in full robs. He remember that John hated robs, complaining many times to him about how the hood made his ears hurt from the wait of the fabric. "John," he said, "what are you doing down here? You should be getting some rest since I'm planning drills in the morning." He watch John turn his head slightly in his direction, which set off the first small warning bell, because John was trying to hide his face. "oh, hi sam..." came the listless voice, which pretty much second louder warning bell go off in his head. He rack his brain, trying to think what could set off this. The only thing that came to mind was Rendel's family showing up to claim his body. He remember the glares that had been shot in the miqo'te's direction. He excuse himself, claiming to work on research for his father. "Look, John, they...they were upset and he was their only son," he said, limping up behind his friend. "I'm sure that Warren and the other won't see any worst for you..." And it look like John wasn't listening. Sam's face took on a puzzle look, as he watch glove fingers trace against the scar at the corner of his mouth. He let a smile grace his lips. "So..." he said, knowing that move. He had done it enough times when Tanya had kissed him. "Who kissed you?" "howl..." was the sad, heartbroken voice, and his fingers jerk ways from his lips like he had been burn. The 3 and 4 bells didn't even go off, going straight to the siren. "Wait if this Howl kiss you why..." he began to ask, reaching out to place a hand on the miqo'te's shoulder, only to have John shield away from his touch. "You didn't..." "He think's I hate him...at least I hope he thinks I hate him," was the quiet reply. "That way, I can't hurt him..." "John," catching the miqo'te by his shoulders, he spins the other around, the hood falling back to reveal tear stain cheeks, "at least explain to him why..." John jerk out from his grip. "NO!" he yelled. "I'm not going to stain them in that manner." "That just it," Sam said. "You worry about what your touch would do to others yet it killing you too." "I'll get over it...so long as there's not a chance of me raping them." He watch John pull the hood back over his head, hiding his face, himself from everyone else. "I'm going to Gridania." "What?" "Please tell Sir Warren, Lady Sei, Sir Berrod, and How...Sir Howl that I need to focus on my conjury studies." He took a couple of steps forward, "So I won't be able to attend any more Grind..." and Sam heard to chocking sob escape from the other before John took off. "Wait....John stop..." Sam yelled, limping as quickly as he could after the miqo'te. "Private Waterstrike, stop this instant." If John got to the airship before he could catch him...Tanya's brother would disappear from his, no, their lives...

Kestlona can't help the grin that tugs at her lips as she watch the chef/showman perform for the crowd and Cliodhna. The food did smell good and crab was one of her favorite food. She sigh, wishing that she had time to try out his cooking. Her eyes scan the crowd, 'Well,' she thought, 'with a crowd this relax, it should loosen some lips up.' True, this wasn't making sure about the loyalty of the Flames but there might be something that she could us as a lead later. She close her eyes, using the scent of food to tell the direction that the wind was blowing. Kest then began to turn, to head for a shadowy corner. Once she could reach the spot, she would let the wind carry any words to her and still enjoy the show. Though once this was over with, she would have to grab something from the Quicksand.

Finally got around to updating John's wiki for his "Dreaming" ability. It's kind of rough right now but I hope to clear/clean it up this weekend.

(ooc: Bonus chapter because of what happen at the Quicksand between Berrod and John. Also this is how I see Thomas way of teaching Thaumaturge and not how it probably plays out in that class quest.) Thomas sigh as his son drop to his knee, panting from burning his aether so quickly. This was not how he had plan for John's first lesson to go. As much as he had wanted the wall that John had built to contain his anger at Tanya's death to come down, it seem that the wall was shattering too quickly...too violently for his liking. "That is enough." "No...no," John panted, a bit of a growl escaping his thought. Anger began to well up, at the Roe that had hit Berrod but most of it was at himself for not doing anything to protect his friend. Using his own staff, he tries to regain his feet, only to find himself eating sand. "Dad..." Thomas slam his staff into the ground. "I am not your Dad on this field. I am Master Waterstrike during these lesson." His eyes harden, "What is the first rule, John Waterstrike?" "To allow anger to fuel the fire." "Yes, fuel but also control. If you add more wood to a fire you waste the wood." He look down at the gloves that he were burnt, knowing that the fingers inside also bare the damage of the last fireball that John had summon. "It is dangerous to let the fire just burn, both literally," he said, his staff coming down to tap at John's heart, and figuratively. Anger is the easiest way for a being of the Void to take control of a person. You must remember this above all else, if you wish to continue researching the Void." He draws his staff up again. "What is the second rule?" "To freeze the fire." "That is where the ice spell comes in. Anger burns both ways. Ice allows you to freeze the anger, giving time for your Aether to recover from the damage that you have done to it." Thomas turn his back to John, making his way over to where Kit's book rested on the Grindstone. "And the third? "To burn the ice enough to strike at the spirit." "That is lightning. Anger burn, ice recovers, but both together allow one to use that to damage another aether, like lightning striking a person, shocking them to their core." He picks up the book, turning to move back to John. "And until you have master ice you have no hope of even coming close to learning to control lightning." He kneels down, place Kit's book back into John's hands. "As of right now, the lesson is over today." "But, Master." He place his own hand over John's glove cover one. "I said the lesson is over. I am you Dad now." His other hand came to rest on John's shoulder. "This is more then just someone striking your friend. You said that others came to his aid and that he was an able fighter." "Dad, she..." "Who is it that you risk your soul? Who is it that you are trying to save, John?" "I can't...I promise him..." John's eyes widen and he clamp his mouth shut. 'Him,' Thomas thought. 'Someone in his unit...or someone from the Grindstone.' He sigh as he realize that he would get nothing more from him. "Call, Kit...allow yourself to regain your Aether back. Then...come home." He stood up, stepping away from his son and began to make his way back to Ul'dah. The sound of a coon made his stop and look back at John, who was running glove fingers through glowing fur. He turn away from the sight, his own soul hurting for his son. Knowing that John would never truly know the actually feeling of Kit's fur, the feeling of leather against fingertips, or what his lover's skin would feel like. "Why, Twelve," he whisper, looking up at the sky. "Why did you place such a curse on my son?" John's ears tilt as the wind brought his dad's words to him. He wait until he was sure that he wouldn't turn back until his figure disappear through the gate. Only then did he allow himself to bury his face into his knees. His dad was right, the 'Dreaming' was a curse...one that he already knew that he would never be rid of. But even though their was no hope for him, he had to hope that he would find a way to at lease free Howl from his own. Kit's cooning only help to remind him that he would still be alone.

*going on about 4 hours of sleep right now* I had fun but I'm sorry I had to bug out when I did. Going to contact Kest's winner after work this afternoon so we can start working out the RP that we'll be doing. If it wasn't for work, I might have even throw John into the mix, even if the poor kid would have been freak out about what Clio had gotten him into.

So, before Kest had to be at the Charity auction, I was on John and got to do some RP with Berrod, pop off at a Brass Blade, and then this happen. A Hellsguard woman came up and then try to remove Berrod's head just using her fist. Well, John rush to his friend side even as Oscare came to help out. John almost got his head taken off when she start trying to kick Berrod after Oscare grab her. Fun times but now my healer is mad not only at the Hellsguard that (to John) unjustly attack Berrod but also at himself because he had been unable to protect his friend.

As always, glad I could help you out Warren. I always have fun at the Grindstone. Some nice development for John (he got chew out by the other healers for not taking care of his injury leg and glare at by Warren) got to have some nice RP with Howl. That was fun time on that one and once again, I forgot to do screenshots of the event. Howl, check your wiki page. New rumor from John seems to be going around. Also, open post for Healer's Heart is up if you want your character to interact with my little healer, especially if anyone happen to be near by and overhear John's promise.

John hates research but at this point, he was ready for it. What he had learn about Howl, true it was much, and still so much that he didn't know. He wonder if Warren knew about Howl's eye, unsure if he would be breaking Howl's trust by going to Warren. He look down at the his glove, "Trust...that he even let me about..." he whisper. He close his hand into a fist. He'll do it, he'll find some way to help his friend. He glance down at his leg, remembering the chewing out he got, and in Warren case a stern glare, from Howl, Oak, and a few of the others. He wait until neither of his parents were at home and raided his dad's books. He pull everything about void, from the "Aether, void, and you" to "Void creatures and curses: How to summon, unsummon, and form them". There had to be something, anything tiny even, that could help Howl. So, now he was at the Grindstone, several books open around him. He already had a small stack of paper off to the side, a small rock sitting on top of them to keep them from blowing away. In his lap, was one open book, quail in hand as he wrote down what he found, before going to another book and flipping several pages, and double checking it. Yet, he still found nothing about the void stone eye. "It has to be here..." he mutter to himself. If he could find even a tiny reference of what it could be he might be able to find a way to cleanse the stone. If that didn't work... "John?" there was the chance that it could be remove. There was risk with that though, his hand moving to another book, flipping back a couple of pages. The lesser risk of Howl being blind... "John!" the greater risk was the eye being tied to Howl's aether. Removing it would risk Howl's very life...something he really, really didn't want to risk at all... "My son..." John blink as he found a large familiar hand close on his right. He look up to find his dad's concern eyes staring at him. "Da...dad?" Thomas look over his son's face. The ears that had been shifting lower as he watch him search through his books. The worry and fear that was flashing across John's face, finally made him step in and stop the young miqo'te. "Who is it?" he ask. "Who has you so concern that you risk tainting yourself with the void?" "I..." John lower his head. "I can't tell you. They put their trust that I won't say anything..." He look back up, face determine. "Yet, I have to help them. I owe them...all of them so much." The highlander remove his hand from his son's own, reaching back to take his own staff in hand. "If you are this determine to do this, I will not stop you." He almost let a smile touch his lips. "When you return my books to there proper place, meet me at the Thaumaturge Guild. I will help you find the knowledge you seek." He turn his back to his son. "But know this, John Waterstrike," he said, "I am a hard taskmaster." He walks back to Ul'dah. He could only sit there, staring at his father until he could no longer see him. He bow his head, taking a deep breath...and then letting it out. To risk his aether, it was a small price to pay, if it would help his friend. "I promise, Sir Howl," he said. "Even if it means my death, I'll heal you so you can be happy again."

John brought his camera and took plenty of Blackmai...I mean nice photos of the event. Clio, expect to get a package from John tomorrow. Just make sure that Erik and Oak don't hurt him too badly.

John may or may not take pictures to show off to Clio. Depends on how relax he becomes around the others.