Star Lin

The old Roe woman move through the market place of Ul'dah, a basket of fruit on her arm to sell to any Brass Blade or Flame that pass by. "So shameful..." she heard off to her side. She glance over at the pair of Seekers that was staring at the poster. "I don't know. If he was Miqo'te, I could have him as our Nunh." She moves over to the pair. "What are you looking at dears?" she ask. The pair spun around to her. "Nothing...nothing at all." The female seeker said, grabbing hold of the other female. "Twelve, first you want a Keeper now you're after a hyur." "But...but..." the other female said as she was drag off by her sister. The old woman watch them with laughing eyes. "Ah, see ya still after the menfolk, Nightingale." The old voice was no longer old, as Kestlona pull back to hood a little on the robe to get a better look on the poster. "My, my, Nathan." Her eyes dance in laughter as she swipe the poster from the board. "Wonder if he wouldn't mind a Seawolf to go along with that pile of Kittens." The next time she saw him, oh the teasing she was planning. Pulling the hood back down, she hides the poster in the basket of fruit, and makes her way out of the marketplace. She should stop by the Hall to see if he was there.

John woke up, the lingering affect of the nightmare fading into the background, and ran his hand down his face. He place his hand on Kit's book, letting his aether to flow into it so she could be calm in sleep. The nightmare made him face some hard truths, ones that he had push aside, or forget. Salacea's control over the dreamscape would affect all of them for a long while. Still, they did have time, to heal and to regroup. 'To keep going on even when we don't have the strength but the will to do so.' It was words that Mick said to Sam and the others before they lost him. 'Maybe it's truly time to start living by those words.' He sat up, looking over the upstairs lounge with a bit of a smirk on his face, as he took in the papers scatter around the couch he had been sleeping on. It pretty much had become his office/sleeping area. He should probably take Titor up on the offer about moving into one of the empty rooms in the hall but that nobility part of himself had turn Titor down. He back was paying for it now, with that ache in his back, but it was quiet and mostly no one seem to really use it for a sitting area. He look down at the papers to his left, wondering what Sir Reiner would say to his determination on research a way to use White Magic. "No, best to keep his out of his line of sight. Bad enough I'm in his sights about the way I heal." He wouldn't go to Khuj'a though, not wanting his 'little brother' to feel he was being used. "I'll do this on my own. I'll need to work on my control of ice element before finally tackling my lack of control on lightning." He then turn to the request he was working on to Titor. A request to speak with 'Raimy's' brother about his research in the dream crystals. "Perhaps we can find a way to safeguard them from a repeat of our situation." Thinking of control made him remember that he needed to speak with Shin. What took place in the dream could very well happen in the waking world. "I hope that his offer for meditation will still stand." He stood up with a groan, stretching his back out, and step over the papers to place his hand on the mantel of the fireplace. It was good that he had been far more concern with healing at the Grindstone then thinking over how afraid he was to even think about touching anyone. The sooner he got this under control, the sooner he could help Raimy with is situation. "I can't keep doing this." 'John," Kit whisper. John smile, placing his hand on Kit's book, rubbing the three aether crystals with his fingers. "Did you sleep better, after Lady Canny apology?" he asks. "I'm sure she understands now why you were so fearful when she did that." 'Yes,' she said, her aether shivering under his touch. 'Thought I was going to lose you.' "She'll make sure she'll ask know before drawing aether from you." He stares into the fire for a long while. "I think it's time..." 'Time?' "Yes," he said. "I've been keeping my 'Dreaming' ability away from the whole group. It's time they knew what I can do...and how to help me if I get into a situation like what Salacea put me through." He brush a stray bit of hair from his eyes. "The sooner they know, the less they will panic if I have to do a 'Dream' or if I'm lost in it, with the way I was when the siren made me 'dream' her memories."

Kit flew back and forth amoung the beds, always greeting those that came in to check on those in the beds. Yet she was right back with John, telling him about she had been doing, and hoping that he would wake up. It did not help her sadness when the package arrive from Jancis. Safire's training was going well as a defender but he had been thinking of training him as a healer. Aetheric tears ran down her face as she wrote out a short note for her as sent a reply in John stead. She only hope that Jancis didn't try to come and help. It was too dangerous, with the way that the Siren was catching everyone. Kit gave the reply to the moogle and then went back to her rounds. Kit had been checking on Rhiawen when she notice Khuj'a come in. She offer up a sad smile through she moved over to Raimy next. She took a moment to move his hair away then check the IV. Once she was sure everyone was as good as they were going to be, she flew back over to John. She had been speaking to her partner, his screams sounding not as loud. Kit fused over his hair but pause as she realize how quiet Titor side of the room had gotten. 'Khuj'a...' she called, flying over to the white hair miqo'te. He look asleep. 'No, no...' she grab his sleeve, pulling with all her might to wake him. 'Not you too...please not you too.' She race over to John's pearl. 'Shin...Shin, it's Khuj'a...' she said, voice breaking. Shin's eyes closed as the linkpearl went off, shoulders slumping. "I am on my way, little one." Coming to his feet, he left his room and hurried for the medbay. At this rate, they would soon run out of beds. Pushing his way into the room, he took only a moment to look around before heading to the white haired form slumped in the chair beside Titor's bed. "Hells.." Kit was beside Khuj'a, hands on his collar to try and shake him awake. 'Came in while checking Rhiawen. Why...why is she doing this to them?' She drop down onto Khuj'a clutch hand, frowning at it, and patting it. 'Khuj'a...wake up. Shin here.' Kneeling, Shin inspected Khuj'a intently, making note of the same signs that the others seemed to show. Distress, whimpering. But unable to wake. Shaking his head, he rose to his feet again before lifting the small form carefully into his arms. "Because that creature is evil, little one. But we will stop her." Shin's gaze drifted to Raimy, brow creasing with pain before he looked away. "...I will find a way." Kit settle onto Khuj'a's shoulder. 'Hate her...trying to take away everyone.' She ran her hand along his ear as Shin move the young miqo'te to another bed. 'Khuj'a holding something. Hand is too tight. Didn't see if he brought in anything.' She was still frowning at the hand. Nodding as he placed Khuj'a in the bed, Shin bent to examine his hand. "Saa, he is holding something." Frowning faintly, he set himself to gently prying the young miqo'te's fingers open in an effort to seize what he was holding. Kit's wings stiffen at the first bit of glow before hissing as she had done before when they remove the same glowing crystal from John. 'It's crystal...why he have crystal? Thought all of them was found?' "They should have been." Scowling, Shin pried the crystal from Khuj'a's fingers. Holding his breath as he snatched the thing up, as if half expecting that he himself should fall into the same state as it touched his skin. Holding it as he might have handled an armed ceruleum charge, he stepped back from the bed. "I must take this to the lab to be contained." 'Be careful...if, if she catches you...' she couldn't finish as she turn to start fusing over Khuj'a. 'John be upset that she hurting everyone.' She flew up, 'I'll watch over them.' She gave Shin a watery smile before she launch herself back to John, burying her face back into his neck. "I will be safe." He had to be. Because if he fell, who would look after all of them? Taking a deep breath, Shin hurried from the medbay, his steps directing him to the lab. He had to contain this last fragment before he did anything else.

(ooc: Joint RP done between Titor, Shin, and Kit/John) Kit voice sounded over the linkpearl. 'Titor...Titor...John call out, he called out to me.' "Yes, yes Kit? What did he say?" 'He said to get him out of there.' She run her arm across her eyes. 'I think he knows he's in a dream now. But he started screaming again.' She felt helpless, hearing him scream and beg and she couldn’t do anything about it. 'He sounded terrified.' "Gah. Are you able to induce a dreamless sleep in any of them? Can you call back to him? Will he hear you?" 'I don't know... will try.' She moves away from the linkpearl, flying up to land on John's chest. She held her hands out, bring aether to her call and try to sleep spell him, hoping it will work. What happen was not what she was expecting. There was a shadow, though no clear shape to it, and she scream as red eyes look at her. She shot away from it, fluttering as it seems to disappear from John's body, a woman’s laugh following in its wake. She flew over to the others but with each of them, there was that same shadow with red eyes. It seems John was screaming even louder. 'It didn't work...shadow with red eyes. It appears on each of them when I try to use sleep.' Titor would hear her calling out to John again, trying to get him to answer. "No..." Titor commented into the pearl, before it went silent for a few moments. "I am going to work on a serum that will greatly reduce brain activity. Just enough to hopefully dampen the dreams a bit. I am not sure if it will stop them entirely but-- hopefully it will give them some rest..." Kit can be heard crying. 'Hope so.' She calls to John again. 'He doesn't want to dream her memories...' her voice trail off in growing horror. 'Titor...she forces him to see her memories.' She reaches a small hand out, feeling his aether because he sounded weak. 'John, we'll get you out, please don't scream anymore.' Each scream seem to make the aether fade a little more. Titor entered into the medbay about fifteen minutes later, holding a large beaker and carrying his medical bag. He looked quite ragged and sleep deprived, however. "...Hello Kit. I got the serum. It should help quite a bit..." he went over to John, approaching him, Kit flew over to drop down at the top of the pillow. 'He been talking and screaming. I don't think he hears me but he's trying to get find way to get information.' She reach over to rub his ear. 'Titor here. He has something to let you rest.' She pauses before she begins to rub his ear again. 'He feels weak...' she said looking up at Titor. Titor took John's arm and cleaned the top of his shoulder slightly, before filling a syringe and injecting it into the Miqo'te. His face was stoical and he made no further motions to express his feelings on the situation. "...That should help, Kit. It will not shut down the dream entirely, most likely, but muffle the thoughts and reduce some of the lucidity of the dream." Kit watch Titor, still running her hand along John's ear. She tilted her head, waiting for the screaming to stop and for John to start resting. 'How long for it to work?' she asks what felt like a minute later. John was still screaming but the 'talking' between had faded to a stop. She keeps her senses turn to John, but also watching Titor. John still felt like he was getting weaker to her with each scream. "Immediately." Titor commented, before moving over to the others. He moved over to Rhiawen next, preparing the serum just as he had for John. However, as soon as he reached out for her, Titor too felt the energy drained from him, as he staggered over to the side, trying to keep conscious, but it was futile as his eyes slipped closed and he fell ungracefully to the floor, the beaker and syringes crashing to the floor and spilling the contents into the ground Immediately didn't seem like what was happening. 'John,' she said, growing more worried. 'But...but he's still screaming and...' she said, turning away from John's ear, in time to see Titor stagger. 'Titor...' taking to her wings. By the time she flew over to him, he had crash to the ground. 'Titor...Titor...wake up...please wake up.' She flew back over to John, hand touch the linkpearl. 'Shin, Kiht'to, someone. Titor sleeping too, can't wake him,' she said, panicking. The pearl lit, drawing his immediate attention. Relaxing from his training kata, Shin reached up to answer the pearl. "Little one?" His brow rose before he wheeled around, bolting for the door to his room, not bothering to answer. Driving his shoulder into the door of the med bay, Shin stumbled in before looking around quickly to try and spot Titor. "What has happened?! Little one?!" She flew over from her place at the linkpearl to where Titor was laying on the floor. 'John call me...talk to be between screaming fits.' She was trying not to cry. 'Titor came in with serum he made, help rest ease nightmares.' She pets Titor’s cheek before grabbing the collar of his shirt, trying to shake him. 'Said it would work immediately but John still scream...still growing weaker. Titor came over to give serum to Rhiawen but saw him stagger and now he's sleeping like John and others.' Kneeling, Shin lifted Titor into his arms and carried him to an empty bed, laying him down. "Chikusho! Why wouldn't he have called for me beforehand?!" His mismatched eyes narrowed before he turned to fetch everything he would need to set up an IV. Grumbling angrily beneath his breath in Doman, he carefully inserted the needle to the bend of Titor's arm and started the drip. "We must stop her soon... Were you able to learn anything from John?" 'Knows he's dreaming. Something about Pick and Howl being with him.' She looks worry as she follows after Shin. 'Couldn't hear me but talk to me between screaming fits. She...she made him 'dream' her.' She looks over at John before touching Titor's face. 'Serum made him stop talking...only screaming now and feel him get weaker with each scream.' "Then we're running out of time." Expression grim, Shin looked among the beds, taking in each victim. "I will do all I can to save them, I swear it to you, little one. I will not let them fall." Kit let herself stop being brave and flew up to cling to Shin's neck. 'Please, can't lose him,' she cries. 'Master gone many, many moons. I don't want to lose another. I don't want to be alone in book again.' Expression softening, Shin reached up to settle a finger gently to Kit's side, afraid of touching her wings. "I promise you, I'll find a way. We won't lose them. Just stay here and watch over everyone. I'll be counting on you." Kit let herself cry a little more, because she would have to be brave again and watch over everyone. She leans into the touch on her side before taking to her wings again. 'Look after everyone...' she said, giving a Flame salute before rubbing her arm across her eyes to wipe away tears. She flutters over to Titor, fusing over the pillow his head was on before flicker off to do the same to the others. Once she was done with her round, she glues herself back to John's neck, her voice soft as she starts talking to him again. 'Shin said we're going to find a way. So...so just wait a little longer.' "I will find a way, Kit. I promise," Shin murmured softly. His gaze moved to the victims once more before he turned to the door. "I will consult the others."

(ooc: a joint RP between Rhaiwen's player and myself for our FC halloween event. Follow up will be in Fighter's soul) John didn't understand it, as whistle for Safire, that sweep of exhaustion that was sapping his strength little by little. It wasn't too bad at first, an yawn here and there as he spoke over the Division Linkpearl. Even Khuj'a had notice and he explain that he suddenly tired but he hadn't done any major healing. He reached for the aether around him, shifting through until he found the Hall's aetherite, and teleported there. The moment he came out of it, there was such a wash of exhaustion that he wasn't sure how he was staying on his feet. Leaning against the door, he gather what energy he had, and began the long climb up the stairs to the upstairs lounge. "khuj'a....remind me to... Titor...about some...thing last night..." He didn't hear the reply as he fell onto the couch, mind already sinking into dreams. Finally. A satisfied smile curled Salacea's thin lips up as the boy finally succumbed to her spells. Holding out her hand, she called his dream to her, peering inside to determine the best course of action to take here. "Hm, sweet little thing.. Show me now. Show me what you fear the most." The dream began to grow dark at her touch as her crimson eyes peered inside intently. What path should she take with this one? Oh, the choices! The dream had started out nice enough...his sister laughing as she lean up against Sam. He was at the fire with Kitten, the plainfolk laughing at her Hellguard husband as he grumble about the Aldgoats. As she reprimand Raging, John stood up, slipping away for the fire, following after Sara. He clutched the flowers in his hand, and going after her. He knew he didn't want to hurt his sister by telling her that he been in love...no had been crushing on Sam. But Sara was kind to him, even with his curse... He stop in his tracks for a moment, wonder why that thought didn't seem right anymore. He couldn't quite make out the face, gold hair and violet eyes but it was gone and he was blinking. "Oh no...I've lost her," he said, running through a desert that was becoming darker by the second. "Sara...Tanya...Rage....Where are you?" Why...why was no one answering him. "They're all gone, sweet little John," Salacea murmured. Laughing, she appeared just off to his left, her crimson eyes glowing brightly. "All gone. You're alone now. They all left you behind." Grinning with malice, she floated slowly closer to him. A desolate feeling closed around him as she neared. "Alone and forgotten. You won't burden them any longer, isn't that wonderful?" John spun around at the voice, stumbling backwards as the creature started moving toward him. "Who are you....what are you...what have you done to my sister and the others." He turn to try and run only to find his feet caught in the growing darkness around him. He fell forward, sinking down, loneliness drowning him. Then something grab hold of his hand, an aether he knew well. 'Remember Johny,' something whisper, no someone that would sit next to him, showing him how to peel an apple. 'no matter what anyone says, you not cursed.' But before he could understand what was going on, Pick had vanish, like a ghost. "You're lying," he said trying to pull free. "Sister would never leave me behind." He finally found himself free, heading back in the direction that his sister and the others where. "Tanya...Sam... somethings after me..." Yet there was nothing. No sound at all. "Please, someone anyone answer me." A clawed hand shot out, snagging a tight hold in John's hair to bring him up short. Leaning over his shoulder, she hissed softly, "You're alone, kitten. Alone and defenseless. No one will come for you here. Why should they?" Jerking him around to face her, she smiled unpleasantly. Her free hand moved, snagging at John's wrist in a punishing grip. A thought was all it took to cause the fabric of his gloves to rot away. "I hope you're ready, boy. I'm going to show you.. so many things." Her crimson eyes boring into his, she forced his hand up to her cheek, reveling in the memories of all the slaughter she had caused over her long lifetime. He cried out has his hair was pulled so hard he almost fell backwards. "Let go..." he began only to find himself jerked around and his hand was caught, the grip grinding the bones in his wrist together. His eyes widen as the gloves rotted off his hands and he began to fight even more. "No, no, no..." he said, fighting to get away from her. "You don't know what you're doing...I'll taint you." Violet eyes again. 'You'll not cursed...you care and been there for me.' And the unknown person was gone but he drew strength...enough to form something in his hand. A blade of healing aether, fire in the center of it, managing to bring the 'dagger' in on her faces before his other hand touch her. He almost smile as the 'blade' hit before his eyes glaze over and his mind was fell into the horror of her memories. In the waking world, his scream ran through the Hall, but only two others hear it yet they were caught by Salacea's web of nightmares as well. The blade struck home just beneath Salacea's left eye, sinking deep into her face. She only gave a gruesome smile, laughing as John began to scream. "That's right. Take it all in. Suffer, trapped inside a never-ending parade of agony." Flitting away from John, she left the dream and settled upon her sofa once more, watching the three nightmares float before her with a satisfied smile. John hit the ground as she left him, not that he was aware of her leaving. Even as his body in the waking world went still, horror covering his face, John in the nightmare continue to scream, the dreamscape reflecting the memories, the dead, blood, and what those caught by her voice did to win her favor. 'Howl...' a small part of himself thought but was lost in a sea of blood.

John drop onto the couch and stretched out on it. Kit came and settle on his chest, grinning down at him. "I'm glad that I don't have to hide my feeling for him." He closed his eyes going back to the party. The party had been good and he still grins at Howl's costume. "A really good Goblin and to think he threw it together at the last minute." Kit giggle again even as John yawn. "Night, Kit. Try and get some rest. Got a busy day at the clinic tomorrow." She flick up from his chest, becoming aether and settling into her book. He removed the pointed hat of the witches costume and drop it in the floor beside him. Once he was settle, thoughts of Howl and the night settling into his dreams. **** John laugh as the breeze blew a mini dust devil across the sand, several seeker kits chasing after it in laughter. Ul'dah shining as always in the foreground. "They seem even more lively then usually," he said to Howl. There was laughter in the violet eyes and John was sure he would happily drown in them. The female miqo'te sit the drink down between them. "Lady Xhosa, I could have gotten those," he said. She only smiles at him as she place her and Howl's drink on the table. He didn't feel sorry for Howl as he probably found himself trap between him and his wife. He glance over, realizing that Khuj'a and his partner had just arrived. He reach a hand up to wave to them when he felt something dark and twisted trying to touch the edge of his aether. "What..." 'John...why won't you... wake up, wake up, WAKE UP....' John step back, seeing the edge the desert becoming a twisted version of itself. "Howl..." he call out, turning to his friend. Horror began to rise up in his throat as he saw a second Howl...no, Ryuuga behind Howl. He tried to move but he found himself sinking into the dark....pain lashed across.... **** ...his nose, and he landed hard on the floor beside the couch. His hand came up trying to make sure that his nose wasn't broken, even as his aether began to stop the blood. "Kit..." he said only to have a neck full of fairy, tiny arms wrap as best they could around his neck. "Kit what happen?" 'You won't wake up. Felt you become scare and called and called.' He could feel her shaking against his neck. 'Something bad...dark...' "I'm ok..." he said, stroking his finger along her head. Yet, he was shaking as well. He look out the window and could just make out the first bit of light. "Come on," he said. "I'm going to change then I better talk to either Raimy or Titor about this." It didn't take him long to change out of the costume. He drop the dream crystal in the small box that he kept his jewelry in and slipping it back into his bag. "Really hope it was just whatever I grab out of the icebox." He shiver even as he went in search of Titor or Raimy.

Sleep was fitful at best in Khuj'a home but not for it being a strange house. John ran his hand down his face, remembering back to the 'fight' they had at the Runestone. Well, it wasn't a fight more a discussion about Khuj'a wanting to teach him offensive magic. At the time, he didn't want to deal with any magic at all, too tied up over the fact that what he had thought was love this time had been a stupid crush again. And it hadn't help his nerves when Khuj'a didn't come out of the teleport at the hall and to get "Sorry Big Brother..." and then static. He hadn't realize that he had fallen asleep on the step until the sound of the door clicking closed woke him up. He did let him know that he had been worried and if he needed time away, he could have just told them where he was going. They ended up going to Ul'dah, with plans to have Khuj'a begin to teach him some offensive spells. John had taken Khuj'a up to where he and his sister would people watch. He laugh and call out to two couples in the court below them as he overheard them talking about the Grindstone, how he looked forward to seeing them in a match and that he hope that they would not be injure and need him for healing. Then he and Khuj'a had talk briefly about their family, Khuj'a lack of siblings, and then he finally asked Khuj'a what was wrong and why he had been distance with all of them. It hurt that Khuj'a thought that they were using him. That he was waiting for them to toss him aside after they had gotten what they wanted out of him. 'Why did I not see this...why did any of us not seen this sooner.' He offered him a deal...why he was in Zero Division, not only for his healing but also for his other 'ability'. They arrived at Khuj'a home, away from unwanted ears listening in on what he was going to say. "I'm placing my life and that of our friends in your hands. I trust you and hope this will show that you can trust me as well," he said. He spoke of the "Dreaming", how it worked, what kind of state it put me in, how he hope to use it to heal, and left it open to what could be down with it if someone found out and wanted to use him. "I want you to teach me but only if you want to. I don't want you to feel like you're being used." John got up from the couch, his aether feeling like he does when he step out onto the Grindstone to heal. No, more like his first fight on the battlefield when he had still been part of Sam's unit. Why, why did he feel like he was in the middle of a fight? He move over to where Khuj'a bedroom was and moving the sliding door to look in on his 'brother'. He couldn't tell if Khuj'a might be having the nightmares he spoke of but allow his aether to flow outward, touching Khuj'a own, and hopefully chase away any nightmares that might want to take hold of the younger miqo'te. "You're not alone little brother. We'll always be there for you." He slides the door close. "I think I might need to speak to Titor or Reimy about this. We have to get Khuj'a to realize that we're not going to throw him away."

Another screenshot dump for John and Kestlona. Please enjoy and mind the spoiler in the first picture as it's from the seasonal event. This little one is exactly how I would picture what John's daughter would look like. *screams at the cuteness* Now I just need to find a miqo'te little boy for what John's son looks like. Khuj'a: Why haven't you been happy, Big Brother. John: *looks away* It's nothing to worry about. I'll be happy again...it'll just take time. I'm glad you came back home, Little Brother. OOC: Little back ground for the pic. The pair had a bit of a fight. Khuj'a offer to teach John offensive magic but because he was still down in the dump about what he saw as Howl and Xhosa being a couple, he didn't want to deal with any magic at the time. John was in a panic over the FC linkpearl when Khuj'a didn't come out of the teleport at the FC house. John ended up going off to sleep on the steps waiting for Khuj'a to come back. These next three are of Kestlona and for Reiner. Promised him that I would show off what a Roe would look like in the Witches' gear for the seasonal event and what a Noble Roe would look like. Kestlona on her broom, working the camera. Kest in the Witches' outfit. Should have pull in closer but oh well. Royal/Noble Kest. Well, using the Wild Rose set, this was the closest I could pull off the noble look for her. Hope you enjoy these Reiner.

Pic from this past week Grindstone and John is happy because Howl is back. Ok, so it's a wide shot and you can't see John's smile but it is there.

John step into the hall, leaning back against the door, and waited for a moment to see if he could hear any voices in the mansion. The house was dark and quiet and lonely, matching his heart. Even Kit's tiny arms around his neck could seem to get rid of the aching in his heart. "It would seem..." he whisper, swallowing hard against the tightness in his throat, "that they make such a nice couple..." It had started at the Flame Festival, watching everything going on off to the side, and as usual keeping out of the way. He had spoke to Private Guhtgeiswyn for a few minutes, him apologies for her having to search Coerthas when Howl had been in Ul'dah, though he didn't go into details on how he was hurt. He had still been in shock over how many pies Jancis had eaten, and happy when Khuj'a had come to watch a little bit of the Joust that took place near the end of the festival. He even arrived at the Grindstone late but it had been worth it. He had been healing for Flower when strong arms wrap about him, causing him to almost jump out of his skin. He had spun around, taking in the sight of Howl as he had been before Ryuuga had taken control of his body. He had thrown his arms around Howl, letting Howl's aether flow over him. Yes, it really was him and he laugh as Howl spun him around. Then he introduce him to her, Xhosa Tauzeh. He realize how pretty she was but didn't notice the touches that Howl and her exchanged with each other because he had been so blinded by his happiness on Howl being back to himself and forever free from Ryuuga. It wasn't until he was back to healing that he truly notice the exchange of touches, the brush of their tails against each other, how she whisper at him, and the blush that stain his cheek. John watch them head back to the stone and he realize that he was always going to remain on the outside, just as he realize with Sam and with Sara. "I'll remain his best friend..." he murmured, stroking Kit's arm. "This stupid crush will fade in time. It won't hurt when it's gone...right, Kit?" He stumble his way up the stair, dreading the letter that Xhosa said that she would send. "To train me... I'll make sure she right for him and then slip off to the side like before." He curl up on the couch in front of the fire. "I'll still have you, right Kit?" he asked, clutching Kit's book to his chest. He let his eyes drift close, those thoughts in his head. ***** John open his eyes, seeing the darken room, the bright sunlight never reaching into the room he stood in. Yet there was light, as he turn, and smile at the small family as he brought a tray of tea over. Two young kits were playing with the small wooden toys and Howl and Xhosa were leaning in close, speaking to each other. He sat the tray down, staying well out of the light that surrounded the family, knowing he would never be a part of it. Words of greetings were exchange, laughter, though strain on his part fill that little bubble of light. He look down at the little ones, seeing a mixture of the dad and mom in them. They were teasures, since they were Howl's children, and he regale them with stories of their dad and their mom, making the couple blush, and the light grew brighter, the slight touch feeling like it burn him. It wasn't long before the little family stood, he follow after them, wanting to be in the light even if it burnt him alive. Howl turn and wave at him and John slam into a barrier, unable to pass out of the room. "No..." he shouted, trying to find an edge to the barrier, and his eyes widen as the family turn away from him. He slam his hand against the barrier. "NO, DON'T LEAVE." He slide down the barrier, "don't leave me alone...." he whisper, even as the darkness of the room closed in and suffocated him. ***** John's eyes flew open, grasping for air, and stared in terror at the darken room. It took him a moment to relax his grip on Kit's book, taken in the dying fire, and letting the room come into focus. He was in the library of the hall. The dream...except it wasn't Howl and Xhosa that had been the couple that had original been in it. Tanya and Sam had been the first and then Pick and Sara. And as much as he remember Howl's words, the dream always reminded him how alone he would always be. He laid in the dark, watching the fire continue die, and he kept repeating to himself, and hoping that he would believe it one day. "It's a stupid crush...get over it John."

So as of right now, I'm on vacation. I'll be there on Kestlona and John (switching between the two, depending on who is on at the time). I was thinking of throwing John at Clio's mercy with the shot competition but he'll be healing at Grindstone later that night so it wouldn't do for him to be drunk/sick.

(ooc: Happens later the night after John and Howl/Ryuuga meet. Titor if you want you're character to overhear John and Kit, go for it. Also, sorry for the bit of colorful language.) Howl stood in front of him...or what look like Howl, only the face was death white, and instead of the blond hue of Howl's hair, it was black as night. The dark aura was suffocating, forcing out every good thought, every good emotion from him. "Howl's dead..." he said, smiling at him. "I felt him die..." John shook his head, not wanting to believe it. Howl couldn't be dead...Ryuuga, the creature had to be lying. "I...I don't believe you." "Ha, so weak...so cursed," Ryuuga laugh. "He knew you were weak that's why he didn't come to you." The other step closer, 'claws' digging into his mind, dragging every dark and sour emotion to the front. Kit was suddenly in front of him, her gold light trying to push back the darkness surrounding him. She screeched as his foot came down on her tail, kick her as she attack him. "STOP IT....LET HER GO!" "So weak...no one would, could ever love you." He release her, only to pull out the puglist weapon and slam it into her, and laugh as John scream. "I have seen you cuddling that white hair boy...stealing those Bronco Grease adds..." the rest of the words lost to him as he saw the darkness swirl around them, revealing Khuj'a, Raimy, Khit'to, Titor, Sam.... everyone he cares for, dead in the nothingness. He try to go to them but he found himself caught fast. "You just want to be love...to have loving caring arms around you..." But it wasn't loving arms that encircle him but darkness. "You're so weak that all you will ever be used for is a good fuck." John was drowning in it, the words that sounded in his head was making it hard to fight. "john..." the voice whisper, light and love so close but no strength to answer. "He didn't come to you because you're weak..." "John...a dream..." "You'll never save anyone." "John...wake up..." "Weak...cursed...no one to love you.... "JOHN!" ***** "NO..." John began to scream, swallowing half of it as he sat in the bed. A second to recognize the Zero Division medbay, waiting to see if Titor had heard him. There was no sound of movement from the other side of the room and John hope that Titor hadn't been in there. He scramble for Kit's book, place on a chair at the side of the bed. "Kit," he whisper, placing his hand on the cover of the book. He felt her, light and love, chasing the last of the darkness of the nightmare from his mind. "You're ok." 'Just a nightmare. Everyone alright. Going punch him in nose next time.' John curled around the book, as if his body could protect it from all harm. "I'm sorry...he step on your tail and kick you..." he whisper. "I didn't do anything to try and stop him." He finger the stone in his hand, unable to make out the detail on it in the dark room. "I'm not a good partner." 'Scare... like I was for you... but now true partners,' Kit said, feeling her light hugging him. "Kit?" he ask. "What is this stone for? Why did it come from your book?" The light just seem to cuddle into his mind more. "Please, Kit, they worried that it might be dangerous. Is it a soulstone, like Lady Maya suggest?" 'It's your...no one else can take it,' she said, much like she had done when Khit'to took the stone from him so they could examine it. 'Bite him next time he tries to take it.' Yeah, just like she had bite him so that he would release her and she could try to get the stone back to him. "How long have we been together...no how long have I had your book? It's been almost 12 years now. Why won't you tell me what this stone is?" The light shook against his mind, so afraid. 'Just want to be partners.' He sigh. "I want to know Kit and so do the others. Please trust them...trust me." He rub his hand over the book, remember how close Howl's weapons came to the book. He was glad for the treatment that Khuj'a had done to it, even if did manage to dodge out of the way from Ryuuga's attack. "Will it hurt any of us?" 'Not dangerous,' she said. 'Sleep now?' "Yeah, sleep now." He uncurl from around the book but kept his hand on it. Still, it was some time before John finally found dreamless sleep.

So, I got lucky and will have the weekend off. I'll have John there to learn more about Seeker/Howl culture and Azeyma, since being the Goddess of inquiry, she would tie into Thaliak. How can you not seek knowledge if you do not inquire about it?

Would love to come to the wedding on Kestlona but I don't get off of work until 8:15 pm. Not sure if I would make it in time for the wedding. If not, I'll be there and on John as well, for the Reception.

Hm, if it goes as usual, I should have Saturday off for the 26 so I might have John there. With John being friends with/having a crush on Howl and knowing very little of not only Keeper but Seeker culture, this would be of great interest for John. Cross your fingers Jancis and hope that I get lucky with Saturday again.

John will be there but how long he stays before he's scare off by the noise and high level of aether vibration that would be surrounding the place is another question.

All I'll say is that I found John's Royalist outfit. Wild Rose armor. It so royal that it just fit how awkward John would feel in it.

John Waterstrike reach up and press his fingers to the Linkpearl. “Titor, I wish to talk to the woman that had been the Siren, if possible?” Titor’s voice came over the line. “You may,” he said, “be sure to keep the guards with you.” “I will, Sir,” he said, teleporting to the mansion. A pair of guards meet me, taking him to the room that she was being held in. Khuj’a voice came over the line. “Has she been sent for trail yet, or is she still recovering in the medbay?” Titor answer, “She is being held in one of our cells. She is still recovering but not in the medbay.” John stood outside the room for a moment, Khuj’a asking, “I see…would it be possible for me to be alerted when the trail takes place?” “Yes, it may take a while for her to recover and us to discern her intent,” Titor said. John remove his fingers from the linkpearl, cutting the connection. He nods to the guards as one of them opens the door. Rhiawen Auryon glances to the door, huddling a little farther into her chosen corner. John looks to the guards at the door. “I’ll be alright for right now.” Rhiawen hugs her knees to her chest and remains silent, listless gaze trailing from the carbuncle, to the boy, and back again. John turns his attention to Rhiawen giving a gentle smile to her. “It’s ok, I’m not going to harm you.” He slowly starts toward her, leaving his hands in plain sight so that she could see that he wasn’t arm. Rhiawen carefully presses a little farther back into her corner away from him. “What do you want?” John sits, still making slow movements, and Kit came up to stand infront of Rhiawen. “I only wish to speak with you. Something is happening with the others since their encounter with ‘you’. I only wish to try and find a way to help them recover.” Rhiawen flinches briefly, glancing off to the side as her ears lower guiltily. “I… don’t know…” Teeth sink into her lower lip a moment before she shakes her head. “I don’t know if I can help.” John inhales slowly, calming his nerves and his worry. “There… there might be a way that you can help.” He’s trying not to look at his hands. “I need your permission from you…” Rhiawen looks at John warily. “My permission for what?” After that, that Au Ra had done earlier, she wasn’t exactly keen on letting anyone too near her. John breathing was slow. “I have an ability… to feel aether with my fingers in a vibration form.” He holds up his glove hands. “I’m able to ‘see’ those vibration… and other things with my hands.” He lowers his hands, looking down at them. “I promise that it won’t hurt you.” Rhiawen regards John quietly, glancing to his hands and back again. “And you think… that will help you find something that will help them?” John nods to her. Rhiawen draws in a deep breath, holding it for a count of ten before letting it out slowly. “…if you think it will help.” John nods. “If it doesn’t, it might give me another angle to look into.” He stands up. “If you would give me a moment to speak with the guards.” He watch her nod at him. John moves over to the guards, speaking to the female Au Ra. “This needs to be private…I’ll call when we are finish.” She looks up at him, uncertain. “I will be fine. I’ll call you when I’m ready to leave.” She whisper something about informing Titor, and the two guards step outside the door. He turns back to Rhiawen, making his way back to her. Rhiawen watches John with a small frown, obviously uneasy. John drops down beside her and removes his glove from his left hand. He thought for a moment, planning to use the same thing that they had use when trying to find Raimy. “I swear, I won’t hurt you.” He steady himself, “I just need you to hold out your hand, ok?” Rhiawen hesitates, her ears low, before carefully extending her right hand toward John. John sighs, readying himself for what’s about to happen. “I need you to try and remember the day that you receive the shell necklace. Hold on to that memory in your mind, alright?” Rhiawen frowns before nodding once. Closing her eyes, she thought back. Just outside the Tempest Gates in La Noscea, she had taken Nerva with her to see the fireworks. They had argued about him wanting to kill a hyur, who had bump into them, before he had given her the necklace. Her ears laid back as she recalled the feeling of vertigo and nausea that had assailed her almost immediately after putting it on. John is still taking slow deep breath…steadying himself. “I need to warn you that what happen at this point isn’t your fault,” he says. “Please don’t panic and don’t let go of my hand until I tell you too, or Kit tries to pull my hand away.” With that, he place his uncover hand on her own, and fell into the memory. His body slumps against her’s, eye open but glaze over, and his hand in shimmering in aether. Rhiawen lets out a soft grasp as he slumps against her, clinging to his hand tightly and supporting him with her other arm. The memory around the necklace seemed to grow fuzzy. After putting it on, she had teleported back home to her cabin. Her brother had put her to bed and force her to drink an antidote, afraid that she had been poisoned. Then the nightmares had started. Screams, overlaid with the scent of saltwater and blood, with someone singing in the background. John stumbles forward a little as the falling feeling stops. Several ‘people’ walk through him as he takes in the memory. “I can see you with someone,” he says to himself and to Rhiawen in the waking world. “You just put the necklace on…” he pauses as he feels the vertigo and nausea wash through him. It caught him offer guard, letting the hold on ‘himself’ slip, the first bit of confusion entering the ‘Dreaming’. “The world is spinning and I… no, you felt sick from it.” He felt himself fall again and now he’s at a cabin. “There’s a cabin and my… no your brother gave you something… an antidote.” John shutters against her. “There so many nightmares… gods, blood and screams…” he says. The first beads of sweat appears on his forehead. “I can smell saltwater… and I hear someone singing.” He swallows, “I…I’ve heard this song before…” he whispers. Rhiawen frowns, doing her best to support John. “That’s right…” Her ears wilted slightly as she looked down. The next morning, things had felt… surreal. Like she wasn’t in control of herself anymore. And she could only watch from inside her own head as she order Nerva to kill someone to please her. John moves toward ‘memory Rhiawen’, only to have her brother pass through him, and his awareness of ‘self’ slip even more. The next moment, he had ‘fallen’ a short bit, and he/she was speaking to another person, the name Nerva on her lips and an order. “You meet with Nerva… but it wasn’t you either and ‘you’ order him to kill.” He felt like he was going to be sick. “I…did, no…no…you didn’t do it…but what has taken control of me….you…us…” Kit was starting to pace in front of the pair. Rhiawen ducks her head slightly, beginning to shiver. The screams rang in her ears, a soft voice laughing over them. The same voice that ordered Nerva to be still so that she could lick the blood from him after he had finish killing the man they had captured together. Eyes that glinted crimson as blood, dark scales reflecting the light dully. John’s breath is coming shorter, his hair is becoming damp with sweat. “The screams… make it stop… I don’t want to kill but I couldn’t stop her and she laughs and laughs.” He/She can taste the blood, feeling ‘her’ thrill. He/She feels the change in his/her body as he/she supper from their pet’s kill. Crimson as staring up at him/her… dark scales appearing on his/her body. Kit moves closer to them but doesn’t yet grab for John’s sleeve. She is afraid he’s losing himself in the memory. Rhiawen hunches her shoulders as the laugh rings louder in her ears, the taste of blood on her tongue nearly choking her. Voice choked, she forces out a name, “Salacia, the temptess…” Kit’s ears perks forward. A name… they had a name for the siren. ‘Enough, John, we have what we need.’ John/Rhiawen doesn’t seem to hear her calling for him/her. He/She too lost in the memory. He/She choking on the blood that ‘She’ is licking off of Nerva and ‘She’ wants more. “No… please no, I don’t want this. Why are you making me do this?” Rhiawen whimpers softly in distress, the taste of copper thick on her tongue. Why wouldn’t he stop her? Didn’t Nerva realize it wasn’t her doing these things? Why wouldn’t he help her stop? Tears ran down her cheeks as she tremble violently, ears pressing back to try and block that chilling laughter. John shaking now, yukata damp with sweat. “Please, Nerva… stop me from doing this… no, please, no, don’t look at me like that. ‘She’s’ making you do this.” He/She can’t escape the laughter and Nerva was looking at him/her with such love, as if he/she was the only one in the world. “You don’t love me,” he/she hissed. “You just want ‘her’… you don’t see me.” Rhiawen shakes violently, a sob leaving her as she clings a little tighter to John, as if that would make it stop. Nerva loved it, the carnage and the blood, thinking that it was her wanting these things. Thrilled that she was reveling in the same things that he enjoyed. “…I don’t want this…Please… Please, someone, help me…” John is shaking as well, tears running down from glaze eyes. “Please… make it stop… make it a nightmare that I can wake from.” Yet, it didn’t stop for him/her, more deaths on himself/herself, drowning in blood, choking on blood… and ‘She’ telling Nerva to bring ‘her’ more. Nerva looking at him/her with such love… even as his/her lips are color with blood. “Please… no more… stop, Nerva… or are you just Pet now…” he whisper faintly. Rhiawen sucks in a ragged breath before shaking her head, trying to clear it. “Stop… Please enough! Stop!” Kit leap forward, even as Rhiawen was calling for John to stop, her teeth grabing hold of the sleeve of his yukata, and trying to pull the two lock hands apart. There is a grasp from John as Kit finally pulls the two hands apart. He completely passes out, breathing ragged, and sweat soaking his clothes and hair. Kit whimpers in fear for him, ‘John’ she says, but there is no movement from him. Rhiawen grasps for air, looking down at John with wide eyes. Swallowing hard, she rubs her eyes on her sleeve before placing a hand on his shoulder gentle. “H-Hello? Are you… alright?” John doesn’t move yet he/she can hear someone calling his/her name. ‘John… it’s not John, it is…’ he/she thinks but a frown appears on John’s face. ‘No, it is John but I was also Rhia…’ “…wen,” he whimpers. He is shaking hard. “I’m sorry… so sorry…” he whimpers again. “Lost myself… should have stop… soon.” Rhiawen reaches down to smooth John’s hair back gently. “Shh… Everything will be alright.” The instinct to help was impossible to ignore. Forcing a weak smile, she shakes her head. “Just… focus on getting better.” John force his eyes open as a hand smooth his hair back. The glaze look that had been in his eyes was gone but was replace with exhaustion. “It… will take… a while… to pro…cess what I… no, you went through.” He force himself up a little before pulling Rhiawen against him. “I experience everything you did… so if you need to cry…” he whisper. “If you don’t… mind crying into… a sweat damp… yukata.” Rhiawen closes her eyes tightly, biting at her lower lip. There were so many emotion still tangled up inside of her that she could barely even begin to sort them out. Bring a hand up, she settles it on John’s arm before lifting her head with a sad smile. “I’ll be alright. My tears won’t change what’s already happened. And the men that died deserve better than my tears.” John shakes his head at her. “I’ll manage… You don’t have to worry about me.” John shakes his head again. “I would disagree… not for them but for yourself.” He brush her hair back. “You beat her by not curling up and wanting to die.” He press his forehead against her’s. “You facing your life… facing what she did while controlling you. You accept that there was nothing you could do then but that you can do something now.” He pulls back from her. “You gave me an idea on how the shell affect us and I thank you for that.” He taps her nose. “You won’t manage this alone.” John gave a tired smile. “I’m a healer so I will be using what I gain from your memories to help you cope as well.” Rhiawen frown briefly, looking away. “That… Au Ra man said the same thing when Titor left him here with me. I… still don’t entirely agree. I can’t fix things if I’m dead either. So…” “But if you saw something what would help your friends… then I’m glad.” Kit came over, cooning up at them both but looking pointedly at John. “Yes, Mom, I will be going straight to bed once I leave here.” She smacks her tail against his knees before cooning something up at Rhiawen. “She said to get some rest well and that she is sorry for not stepping in sooner as well.” He gave a sad smile. “Shin is a wise man. I will speak with Titor first thing in the morning about what I found out.” Rhiawen frown, opting not to elaborate on her feelings regarding Shin. It was hard to feel kindly to someone who stripped you and threw you in a tub of water, after all. “The pair of you should rest.” He lips quirk into a humorless smile. “It’s not like I can do anything else in here.” John slowly stands up, holding onto the wall before bowing to her. “Please, Lady Rhiawen, don’t give up hope yet,” he said. “Rest well.” Rhiawen smiles wearily at John, sinking back into her corner. John slowly and exhaustedly made his way back to the door. “You can come back in now,” he whisper, stepping through. The guards look at each other and at John, taking in the sick look appearing on his face. “Please make sure she is comfortable. She may have nightmares so please wake her if they start.” He way them off. “I… just need so air.” He didn’t wait for them to protest, quickly making his way out and behind the mansion. He empty the contents of his stomach, shaking as his mind was overwhelm by her and ‘her’ memories. “I… don’t think… I’m going to sleep… any tonight, Lady Rhiawen.”

John was curl up on the couch, notes scatter around the area. Kit was curl up against his hip, hmming in her sleep. He reach out an ran his hand down her fur. "If Khuj'a used a mix aether vibration, perhaps that would counter the shell song," he said. He felt Kit stir under his hand. "Wish I could still be on the research for it." 'Too dangerous,' Kit whisper in his head. 'Soul has just heal from your encounter with Fabrellet.' A Siren...that almost took down their whole group. If it hadn't been for Khuj'a battle plans...and him stuffing his and Kit's ears with wax. "It was too close...far to close, Kit." He could also see that the song that the Siren used had effect the group emotion. "It's going to take a while before any of them recover." He look down at his glove hands, "Could my dreaming help off set the effect...or make it worst?" He should talk to Raimy and Titor about it, get there opinions on how to go about helping the others. "She was really pretty, for a monster." 'John,' Kit said, rubbing her head against his side. "She saw me and I couldn't help thinking how pretty she was," he said, "but I saw how the others were reacting." He lean forward and place his head in his hands. "I could have done something...should have done something...knock the others out...attack...attack her." Kit crawl up on his shoulder, cooning in his ear. 'For what it's worth, I'm glad you didn't attack but focus on the others. Looking at her would have gave her more of a chance to influence you more.' "Khuj'a save all of us. I don't want to think what would have happen if he hadn't been there." They all would have become food for the Siren. "I'm glad that we manage to break the shell hold on her...but..." 'She has to pay for the crimes that she done as the Siren. It can't be help.' John stood up, moving over to the fireplace. He slip his hands into the pockets of his robe, staring at it. "It sounded so lonely..." he whisper, his soul ache at the half remember song. He tired hard to remember what it sounded like but it was like it was at the edge of his hearing. Yet if he didn't try, it was there, making his soul ache in loneliness as well. Kit coon in his ear again. 'Don't think about it...please. I felt your aether changing.' He frown at that bit of news. "I remember Khuj'a asking me to listen again...could feel the aether vibration and I couldn't quite make out the song." He force his hearing only to pay attention to the song, feeling tired when he finally could just make it out, and his soul was overwhelm by an aching loneliness, as deep as his bones. "Then I open my eyes with Sir Khit'to over me." 'Don't do it again.' He reach up to rub Kit's head, leaning his own into her movement. "Sorry, but I still would like to find out more about that shell. I'll see if Khuj'a will at least let me sit in on his studies of it. Maybe take notes." And thinking of Khuj'a, there was something he needed to talk to his new little brother about. "I still can't believe he did that. The pain I would have cause him if I had die while he was holding my soul." What was he going to do with him? "Wonder if this is what Tanya went through, worrying about how I would act as a healer." 'We could speak to him...see what he has to say about it.' "You're right, I do need to have a talk with him, if only to understand what he did to both of us. It would come in handed to have two healer that can sync right off." He walk back over to his notes, gathering them up, and packing them away. He then went down stairs to see if Khuj'a was in his office.

John was worried and the crowd that was gathering wasn't helping either. "Sir Khyran and Lady Autumn, perhaps we should find a place...away from the crowd." He looks up as the rain starts to fall. "Also out of this weather. He does not need to get sick on top of whatever injuries he might have." He look at the midlander, wondering if he might be going into shock, but decide that wasn't it. "Is there a room in the Tavern that we can use, so that I can see to his injuries?" he ask, even as he motion to Khyran and Autumn to start moving him in that direction.

Another screenshot dump, mostly of Raising event and Grindstone for John. Screenshot of Yoshi. *grins* Another screenshot from the raising event. IC: John doesn't understand how he got here, why they keep calling him a warrior when he's just a healer, and he wonder if these are the Twelve that created their world...or maybe he hit his head coming down the steps to listen the strange Minstrel that was performing near the elevator. Another screenshot of John and the Minstrel. IC: After John work up he and the strange Minstrel spoke, and to remember those who was lost. IC: John lifted his head and offer up a pray to Thaliak and his sister, Tanya. John dozing on Safire. He might give John a lot of headaches but he is a good chocobo when his Master is still healing from his wounds. Since John was recovering and not healing at the Grindstone, he took plenty of pictures of all the fighters. Near the end of the Runestone event. Got a screenshot in and then my Internet die before the bonus match was over. Bonus pic. Was doing the Raising Event on Kestlona and found an Ilwe'ran on the 18th floor. Unfortuneately, the other screenshot didn't save on my computer. Made sure that it was alright with Ilwe before posting the shot of him.

Kestlona will diffidently be the go between for the group and her teacher, Alex. But things will change once she hits fifty and becomes teacherless so having a player base to help finish her training would be great. John would be interested in it from the chakra connection that might be had for his study in aether. I also will need to find a few teacher to help him with learning to fight with his fist, since he learn the hard way that he needs another field of combat training after Kit's book was thrown off the side of a cliff. Planning on speaking to Raimy and Howl about the training but John will go to Berrod about how to use his aether in attacks.

Kestlona turn a sharp eye on the hyur. "Ah'm ok, kid might have bruise ribs...at least Ah hope it's only bruise ribs." She points at his arm. "Ya on the other hand needs to be seen ta." Really she should call Papa but how in the heck was she going to explain this. 'Found the pair on the side of the road...can Ah keep them.' She felt her lips tug into a smile. "Ya didn't have to get involve. Would have given her to Gil to buy her some food." Maybe point her to her third eldest brother, maybe he would have taken her in as a student in blacksmithing. It was then that she heard the crate of oranges trumble off the cart. "Oi, oi," she said rushing over to jacket incase miqo'te. "Watch yaself, or ya be hurting yaself worst then Ah did." She unwrap the jacket enough to allow the other to get her hands free. It was then that she notice the female was staring at the cook fishes. She reach over, grabbing the plate and shoving it into her hands. "Ya eat while Ah check ya ribs." She grab the other plate, scooting it over to the hyur. "Ya eat too. Going to need ya strength if Ah'm going to get ya both to Wineport and look at by a proper healer."

The dagger plunging into his left arm broke the sleep spell that was over him. He try to scream as thousands of tiny knives lance through his skin, through his soul, only to have his air cut off as he is grab by the throat. The voidsent sneered at him, before laughing. "Yesss, they feed very well on you..." The dagger is pull out of his arm, place back onto the belt. "I...can help...." John force out, reaching up to try and drive the voidsent energy from the soul. His eyes widen as he found no soul there. "What did....you do?" "We feasssted, sssso delicious was his hate..." 'He' smirk at John as anger flash in his eyes. "Yesss, get angry, hate ussss...the better your ssssoul tassste." He could feel the cuts moving across his neck, he could see what he could become if he didn't fight the hatred that was trying to over power everything else. His blood was pounding in his ears even as he was slam into the wall of stone behind him. He saw Titor and Kiht'to coming up the path...try to warm them... It was at that moment that the infection hit his lung and he couldn't hold back the scream of pain. He hung limp even as Khuj'a and Worren appear, barely making out the words, claiming that he was involve in bring his friends here to become food for the void. He remember that clear moment of hate, his hand vibrating with healing aether, but hiding that blade of fire aether within. He is weightless as the creature throws him, even as Worren slams into the creature, and hit smacks into the wall, darkness claiming him as his body falls limp to the ground. ***** A dark tunnel...a bright light far in the distance, feeling the draw of it. For a moment, as he moves toward the light, he wonder were Sara is at, but he had seen no sign of Tanya's path companion. He felt so tired, his soul in pain as he walks forward. He blinks as he felt something stop him, unsure what was going on, even as he sees his sister running toward him. "Sister..." "Oh John, what did he do to you?" she asked, stopping within touching distance. She reach out her hands to him. "Come, the others are waiting..." He stares at her hands but he was rooted to the spot, names whispering through his head. 'Howl, I can't help him if I die. Sei, I promise that I wouldn't leave sis behind. Warren, how can I leave him down a healer for Grindstone? To never see another of Lady Jancis's events...or speak of new healing method. I want to help Titor make Eozera a better place. Cliodhna and Erik wedding....I want to see her smile like Tanya should have with Sam. I could learn even more from Sir Kiht'to...Raimy....Khuj'a...Worren...' He look at her and shook his head. "I can't. I can't come with you." Tanya frown, look him over, her green eyes narrowing in on something behind him. "I understand..." she said, then smile. "Please, keep fighting while I see what I can do to help." Then she was gone, leaving him alone in the dark. He fought the best way he knew how, he reach out for the aether of those around him, and use that the protect what was left of his soul, keeping the void from feed on the rest of himself. He wasn't sure how long he was in that place before there was a sharp flash of something breaking, and then he was falling backwards and into a well of pain. He finally force his eyes open to see a blurr image of Titor above him. Relief flooded through him. "Ti...Titor..." It was turely over...

When she realize that the strange hyur seem to be out, she remove the blades from his arm. Kestlona soak one of the bandages in potion and apply it to the wound. Once that was done she remove the covering that was over the drive seat. She wrap the makeshift blanket around the hyur before going over to the wheel and starting the repairs on it with the tomahawk parts. She had the wheel halfway fix when the smell of the cooking fishes alert her to them being do everything. She stands up to remove them from the stove, hearing the first bit of movement from the miqo'te. She steps away from the miqo'te and moves over to check the hyur. Just as Kestlona reach out to try and shake the other awake, he shoot up and scares few years out of her life. "Am ah alright? Ah should be asking ya that ya fool." She holds a hand over her heart, just gray hairs from watching you try to get yaself killed. Don't ya ever do something that crazy again."