Star Lin

Yep, I was up to 2 am for after event RP. Then was back up at 6 am to get ready for 10 am shift that morning. Yes I'm exhausted but I would do it all again. Jancis, this you'll like this. John and Jancis talking on the bridge. Speaking about his worry over Howl and what he thought was a fight going on between Warren and Howl. Also speaking about Howl letting John use his postcoginitive ability to see his memories and starting the turn from viewing it as a curse but a gift to aide him as a healer. Unknown to the pair, Judge may have overheard that conversation between the two of them. Line up of the Grindstone last night. Will have more pic in the screenshot thread for John's "photo".

Trying to get into game on John but the queue is 322 and seems to skips ever so often. Don't know if it's dropping back into the same queue or not. Edit: Got 2002. Going to try again is a second. Edit 2: Yep, still getting 2002. Not going to be on tonight by the looks of it but I'll still keep trying.

John stare, blink, and stare some more before he finally moved from the chair. He didn't even realize that he had reach out to touch her until his hand passed through her form. He bow his head, fighting back tears. 'I know, John. I want to hug you too but...' "I miss you so much and you're here and I still." "Tanya, why are you here?" Sam asked, looking for all the world like he too wanted to grab her into his are. "Navigator knows, I want you in my arms as well but." 'Always to point, Love.' She reach out, letting her aether push at John's chin, making his had lift up. 'I never wanted you to think that you were cursed, little brother. By the gods that was the last thing I want for you, when you were so sick.' She gave a sad smile. 'And if that healer, Fabrellet, ever shows up at Thal's table, I'm taking my staff and high flying him into the seventh level of hell.' She place a hand over her heart. 'I've always been so very proud of you. Even with my stupid wording, adding hurt on top of what Fabrellet did, you still lived. You have so much courage and courage of the heart is a very rare trait.' "I'm not courageous," he said, shaking his head. 'Yes, you are.' She lean forward, placing a 'kiss' on his forehead. 'Even when you thought no one could love you, face my own death, you still reach out to people. You didn't curl up and die but continue to face life.' She pulled back. 'Please tell your friend, Thank you, for looking out of you.' She tap his chest. 'Also, be honest with him and your own heart. Let him know what you feel for him. Even if he doesn't return your feelings, he will know that Warren and Sei are not to only ones that don't want him to disappear.' She step back. 'I need to speak with Sam.' "You're leaving again...this time for good." He takes a deep breath. "Please come say goodbye to me. I...I didn't get the chance to when you..." She nods and he 'wraps' his arms around her before leaving the pair alone. "I had a feeling there was more to you coming back." Sam came over to her, reaching up to 'touch' her face. "What has made you leave Thal's side?" She lean into his touch, bring her own hand to cover his. "Something big is coming, a great change." She looked at him. "You must be prepare, Sam..." "And does this prepare included Sara finally coming to get me?" 'I don't know. The Future isn't set in stone but...' Sam smile. "But don't be surprise if she does come." He kiss her. "Don't be too upset if I fight tooth and nail." He pull away from her. "I miss you so much, love." She gave a sad smile. 'I wouldn't expect any less from you and I miss you as well, love.' She began to fade even more. 'I push how long I can stay but I want to say Goodbye to John.' "Go on." **** John was just finishing up the letter to Howl when he 'felt' her. The aether closed around him in a hug. Then some of the aether gather at his hand that held the quill. "You want to write something?" The hold tighten a bit before relaxing. And John didn't fight when his aether encase hand dip the quill into ink. He recognize the handwriting has his sister's reading as his sister wrote something to Howl. 'Thank you for being such a good friend to my brother. I want you and Sei to know before I return to Thal's table. As I said to John, Normal is overrated. Something is coming, Ha'uruh Nunh, though if it's good or not is still unclear. Please watch yourself. Tanya Elisabeth Waterstrike' He frown, not knowing who this Ha'uruh Nunh was. "Is he a friend of Snow and Howl?" he asked. Another squeeze and then the aether release his hand, fading. "No," he call out, grabbing the aether and holding onto it. "Please don't go yet." He froze as her voice sang in his soul. RV-Z1YwaOiw Tears well up in John's eyes. First one sob then another...until he let go, his hands covering his face. "I promise, Tanya. I will." He raise his head, tears trailing down his face. "Goodbye, Big Sister..." 'That is all I ask,' she whisper. 'Please keep dancing, no matter what.' There was a kiss, 'Goodbye, Little Brother.' And her aether slip away and he cry, allowing himself to finally let go and heal himself.

Well, like I said, just check my e-mail and there was nothing from the Square store, except that Heavensward being ship out yesterday. I'm going to have to check the store site or wait and see if any e-mail comes in later today with the license code.

Wait, what do you mean by the Heavensward key? I thought we did that when we enter the preorder code. And I didn't receive a e-mail about needing to enter a second code to actually play the game.

John became more nervous as Sam kept staring at him. "You went to Titor?" John nods at the question. "Because he sent you a letter to come by the house." Another nod from John. "And you talk to this Kiht'to about your aether ablities." John nods again, ears falling flat against his head as he watch Sam walk pass him and to the door. "AXE!" "Yeah, Cap?" "I want you to clear the hall. If anyone comes close to the door you have permission to Tomahawk them." Sam slam the door close. "Sit Private." "Sam why..." "I SAID SIT, PRIVATE WATERSTRIKE." Sam watch John drop to the floor and pinch the bridge of his nose. "In a chair." Calm, he needed to be calm. He waited for the miqo'te was actually sitting in a chair. "After everything I did to get you into the unit when you came to me about join the Flames, you go and do this." John lower his head, curling in on himself. "I just was trying to find a way to control this." Sam stared at him. 'Control,' he thought, 'not get rid of but control. What change this?' He came around to sit on the edge of the table. "I want you to start from the beginning about what change your mind." "I didn't try to see how my c...how the side effect could be used in healing. Not until Chachanji's brother. So when I realize that those soulstones were dead I thought maybe that I could..." he said, telling Sam about what he did, how close he came to losing himself in the chaos of Gogonji's mind. He glance at Sam's hands and the wood of the desk creaked from the pressure that was apply to it. Jancis coming into the room right before he was thrown out of the Lalafell's mind. To the letter that arrive from Titor invited him to 'his' home. "I really thought that we were just going to speak about healing and aetheric studies that he has done himself. But Titor wasn't well, which was strange since he seem fine when I meet with him and Sir Raimy for fishing." He held out his hands, "Sir Kiht'to asked if there was anything that he could help with and it wasn't until after that, that I found out the letter was to recruit me..." "That were I have to problem," Sam said. "He recruited you, meaning that he had some idea about what you could do, healing wise. But now that he knows, he can use you military as well." "But heal for Dagger is military already so I don't get why you're upset about..." "That it, you're seeing it from a healers point of view. But I can see how you can be used, a spy, plucking memories and secrets from anyone head." He could see the horror dawning on the miqo'te's face. "But Titor's a healer as well. He'll never make me do that. Just like you won't make me do that." "I won't because I have too much respect for you and too much fear of your father's fireball, let alone Tanya coming back from the grave just to be my head in." He sigh, "Do you want to know why I've refused every patrol route for Northern Thanalan? It's because we still have Garleans still at the Castrum in the area. If it's an emergency, I would have been tying you down in Ul'dah." He stood up, reaching over, and giving John a good shake. "I will die before I let any Garlean get their hands on you." "I...I can take care of my self..." he said. He lower his head. "But I can't just give this up. I'm sure Tanya would agree with me." He look up at Sam. "This might be my chance to be normal." 'Normal is so over rated, little brother.' The two stiffen, staring at each other before turning there head, and staring at the ghostly form of a red head, green eyes dancing in laughter, white robes flowing in a breeze they could not feel. "Tanya!" "Big Sister!"

Kest is running late. Will try to get there as soon as possible.

John slow in his movement, taking the time to cool down before coming to a complete stop. Taking a deep breath, he slowly let it out before sheathing the blades. He was calmer now that he ran through the exercises. “Blade,” he said, turning to look at the hyur, bowing to the other. Blade nods. “You have improve,” he said. “But you still worry.” “I left without word to Warren about being call into Southern.” “He will understand that it was an emergency call in. He will understand that you didn’t have time to contact him.” He put his own daggers away. “You should also write your friend, let him know that you are alright as well.” “I don’t think he wants me to write him back any more.” “And what made you made think this?” John turn away. “He said that it almost like I didn’t want to write to him. And he got mad when I told him that I’m just a healer.” He point at himself. “But I am a healer, it’s all I wanted to be.” Blade look thoughtful at him. “Wanted, but not now?” “No, I want to be a healer…” he said, pacing the ground. “He keeps saying that there is more that I can do but…I don’t what it is that I’m supposed to do.” His ears laid flat, tail lashing in anger. “I don’t know what he wants from me. What is it that he seems to see in me that I’m not seeing?” He began to pace. “If I could just grab a hold of it, shake it lose from where ever it is hiding at.” “He wants you to see your self-worth, just as you want him to see his own.” He held his handout. “Yes, you are a healer, but you are a scout too. You must tell him that as well.” He then pointed at the dagger. “You have found a talent with the dagger, so much so that I’ve been thinking of taking you on as a student.” John stop at stare at him, “You’re joking, right?” “No.” He fold his arms around. “I will need to speak with my brother first as head of the family.” A smile tug at his lips. “You should also tell your friend what you have told me. Perhaps he can give you a clue to what it is that he sees in you.” “I can’t be your student,” John said, ears up in surprise. “I’m not that good with weapons and I don’t want to hurt anyone. I’m a healer not…” and trail off as Blade held up his hand. “Did my word not take hold?” he asked. “A weapon wielder will not hurt his opponent if he does not wish to.” He ticked off the words on his fingers. “Control, mind, heart. You have the control of the blades, the mind to pull back the power, and the heart to not use a killing blow if need be.” He nods to himself and draw his own daggers. “It is time that we see it in full. Come, Eagle, show me your talons.” He came at John full force. It was either long practice, the many nights watching the Grindstone fights, or an underlining instinct, John duck out of the path of the daggers. His own hands closed on his daggers, bring them up to block the next blow that came at him, and catching the blades against his own. “Shun what…” he began only to be thrown back and then rolling out of the way of the dagger that was thrown at him. Sam watch the match from a distant, hand gripping the hilt of his sword. He felt more then saw Axe come up beside of him. “Blade not giving him any quarter.” “Ah,” Axe said. “Should we stop them?” “No,” Sam said. “Blade knows how far to go and John will try his best not to injury.” He tried not to wince at the slice against John’s shoulder. “He has to learn how to fight,” he said. “But have Bandit ready just in case.” He turn from the fight taking place. “Once they are patch up, we’re pulling out and heading home.” “Got it, Cap.” John drop next to Safire, who was asleep himself, and lean against the Chocobo’s body. Bandit had already taken care of the worst of the wounds, now he just wanted to sleep it off. Yet, he still had to write to Howl, hoping the other wasn’t upset over not being written too. Or worst, that John didn’t need his advice any more. Pulling out paper, quill, and ink out, he tried to focus on the letter to Howl, hopefully before he fell asleep where he was sitting. ‘Dear Howl. I’m sorry that I haven’t written to you in a while. Things have been crazy since your last letter arrived. I wasn’t able to help Warren with the last Grindstone, the Amalj’aa decided to try and summon Ifrit again. Dagger unit has been helping to bolster the Flames in Southern Thanalan.’ He yawn before continuing, explaining how the unit had pack up without giving him a chance to let Warren know what was going on. Telling Howl about daggers training with Blade, though he left out the actual fighting part. Howl had enough to worry about and really it was only a few slices that he took and he hadn’t hurt Blade at all. He rub at his eyes, he couldn’t go off to sleep yet. He had to get this out, even if Howl might get mad at first. He wanted him to know why he couldn’t see pass anything but a healer. ‘Blade said that I should also talk to you. Sam has place me in with the scout section of Dagger. Yet that not the only thing Iwish to say. I am a healer, please let me finish before you get mad. I always wanted to be a healer, just like Tanya. I never thought of trying to do anything else. I don’t even know what I should be doing now. I still want to heal but there is more that I can do. I’m not sure what to do, how to go about it, and I’m scare to try and even reach of it. To even reach for whatever it is I’m trying to find. It like a part of me is stuck and I can’t seem to grab it and shake it lose. I feel the same when you put yourself down that you must be feeling about when I do it to myself. How do I follow my heart and also find that part of my soul, the potential to do more?’ John agree with Howl on the fact that Tanya, for all her love, had made mistakes, with this ability but she might have save him as well. There was also Gogonji and trying not to think too much about what had happen in the other’s memories. Something that reminded him too much of fever and nightmares. He was almost finish, his head nodding forward even as he was signing his name at the end of it. There in that one moment between waking and sleep, he wrote something that he probably wouldn’t have if he had been more aware. ‘Of course I want you to keep writing Howl, I’ll always need you. I wonder if Snow is right and I’m in love….’ His handdropping as ink mark down the paper. Nightingale came by a few minutes later, shaking her head at the sleeping Keeper. “Going to have a stiff neck sleeping like that.” She eased him down so that his head rested better against soft feathers. Picking up the letter, she giggled. “In love, hm. Well, better send this off for you. Axe or Slayer will probably load you into the cart before you wake.” Not knowing what she might cause problems for John, she seal the letter, and handed over to the postmoogle. “Make sure that this Howl get it.” The moogle nods and takes off.

Kestlona groan as she came awake the next morning, body still reacting to what happen the day before. “Alex?” she asked, slowly setting up. “Right here, Lass,” Alex said, placing a mug down on the table. “Feel up to breakfast. Nothing too heavy after what you went through.” “Yeah,” she said, getting to her feet and coming over to the table. “What happen to me anyway?” She pick up the mug, the scent of tea hitting her nose. Though not a fan of the drink, it did help settle the last bit of nausea in her stomach. “You said that my body was fighting my will.” “Basically, it was.” Alex took a sip of his own drink. “Since you’re not sensitive to aether, your body has always reacted badly to it, yes?” “Yeah,” Kest said, “I don’t have the reaction when someone heals, which is kind of strange when any other form has always made me sick.” “It’s a heal spell so it also healing your reaction to it also.” He pick up a piece of toasted bread, “At least that’s the theory that I could think off.” He takes a bite, swallowing before he continue. “It won’t be a problem once we get your will stronger than your body.” “Why do I have the feeling that I’m going to be black and blue by the time we’re done?” Alex let a smile tug at his lips, looking just slightly younger than his actual age. “It’ll be nice to have a student again. Don’t think that we’re friends, Lona that I’ll go easy on you.” He took another bite. “But not today. I need to run some of the supplies that you brought up, to the ridge.” “Want me to ride with you?” Kest ask. Alex was about to say no, but his mind drifted back to the encounter last night. “Yeah, that wil lbe fine.” He dish out a bit of stew for both of them. “We won’t be able to go all the way to the ridge, they’ll have someone to meet up to take the supplies on up. If it doesn’t take too long, we’ll try to get some practice in this evening.” It didn’t take long to drop the supplies off at the ridge, passing on information to the people that would take the supplies on up to the ridge proper. “Looks like they got thing in hand,” Kest said. “Have you thought about what I said on the way up?” “For now anyway.” Alex directed the pair of chocobos down to the road. “Once the dragons decide to attack than we’llknow how well they have it in hand.” He gave a sigh. “I’m not sure if it’s a good thing, to go back to Ul’dah, even if your Captain is a good man.” He shake his head "And there are those that would have me death to make sure the order is completely wiped out.” “That just it, Alex,” Kest said. “You’re not the only one.” Alex turn to look sharply at him. “Captain said that there are others, monks that were able to escape from the temple. They in hiding, just like you.” She place a hand on his. “We’re not alone in this, Alex, and I’m sure that one day, we’ll be able to go back to Ala Mihgo.” “They escape?” Alex asked. He bow his head, “There are others?” “Yes,” Kest said. “Captain doesn’t know who there are but there are others, like me that’s been keeping them in hiding.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “So will you come back to Ul’dah?” Alex shook his head. “I am old, Lona,” he said. He held up his hand before she could protest. “I’m also not in the right mind set to help. My will is weak and I don’t know if I can truly get it back.” “Then I guess we both have some work to do.” Kest raise her hand, ticking off what needed to be done. “I need to become stronger in will then my body, you need to regain your will to keep fight, and we need to find a way to contact the others for when we go back to Ala Mihgo.” “We?” “Yes, we.” Kest smiled, “After all, if I’m your student now, that means I’m going to become a monk as well. So I’m going to be by your side when you and the others go back home.” Alex could only shake his head, drawing near to Dragonhead. “Lass, you as stubborn as any monk.” He directed the birds through the gate. “Let’s see if we can get that stubbornness in use to your will.” As the two pass by the latest group of adventures, they didn’t notice the robe figure watching them. Soon, he would kill the traitor, and the student that he had taken in.

Just an update on the offline status. Using cellphone right now to post. So still not going to be in game until Friday. Do know what is wrong with the router. It seems to have reset to the original default setting and my computer doesn't recognize the setting. So I'm probably getting a new router Friday. Going to work on stories so I can C&P them in theirs threads once I'm back online. See everyone in gam Friday.

Hey, just letting everyone know that my router is messed up. So I'm going to be out of game and off line until Friday. Can't get the IT guy out before then because of work. Sorry about misssing the Grindstone last Warren. Howl, promise that John will send an extar long letter when I'm back online Friday.

He fold the letter that he just finish writing the letter to Howl, taking a moment to go over what had taken place this last week. Had it really been a week that his entire view point was turn on it's head. From the large turn out at the Grindstone, meeting Titor in miqo'te form, and then Chachan needing help. It was almost more then he could take in. "Now, this, Kit," he said, running his hand through the 'fur' of Kit's back. To get his head to even think of it as a gift after so long. There was danger so it as well, just like with using his aether to heal. That was something that he would need to know how far he could push himself. The time limit he could stay in the 'Dreaming'. So many questions and so little he didn't understand about it. "I don't even know where to start. It's aether base but why are emotion so tired to it?" The important question was how to even bring the subject up to Titor. Would the other even believe him. He would also need to speak with Warren too. If this could be used as a safer, kind of, way to deal with head trauma, permission from the person, if they were kind of awake. Could it even be used on head trauma? Something else he would have to speak with Titor about as well. "So much to do and I still need to contact Cha and see how his brother is." So much to do and it felt like he had little time to do it in. And the Grindstone was only a couple of days away. He had to see Titor now. He sat Kit on the floor. "Hope he doesn't mine an unexpect guest, Kit."

Ah, Judge doesn't have to worry about John's reaction to him. He's already meet his first Au Ra when he help deliver a baby Au Ra. He also may be meeting his second soon too. He knows Judge, might blink at the horns, and then get upset that Judge might have thought John would treat Judge badly. John Waterstrike: Sir Judge, did you think so little of us, that we would turn away, just because you have horn? That you could not trust us, after all the time that you have help oversee at the Grindstone. And if Judge is off his horse, John would grab Judge around the waist in a hug and tell him that it wasn't fair that Judge had to hide who he was because of the way he looked.

So, got around to doing some screenshots. Most of them are of John, either fooling with his camera, or doing RP session. New avatar pic. I like the Ul'dah soldier uniform without the hat on John. IC the hat was irritating his ears and he sat it off to the side. Messing with the difference between 1st/3rd person pov. IC, John was setting up his camera when he caught this perfect moment between Aaron and his wolf pup. Five minutes before the beginning of Grindstone. IC, John was how the seven hells he was going to remain upright after the healing he was going to have to do. Luck was on their said as extra healers offer their on help to Sir Warren. Screenshot taken during the Aftermath RP, fear Gogonji's stash, it's epic. IC, John is finally telling Jancis what he experience while trying to help Cha's 'comatose' brother, the finally fight that Chachan and the others had against Gogonji.

Oh, got to get Kestlona on this one since Oschon is her Guardian. I'll see about trying to be off of work by 4:30 pm to try and be there. *dash off to put in the time to be off*

Take place directly after this post. The inside of Gogon’s mind is much more turbulent the than his outside visage shows. Memories scream about like the winds of a hurricane. Images flit pass in John’s mind eye – a Sultana not of our time in one, a crowd in front of a stage in another. All giving information, too much information for one person to handle so suddenly. The sights and sounds and everything else overlaps and crashes against each other until it seem like little more than a blur of colors and a cacophony of sound. John Waterstrike walk briefly forward through each memory,the people in each passing through him as if he were a ghost, which he was in a sense. He fell forward a little bit more, trying to find something to focus on, anything that would keep him stable for just a little bit. He covers his ears, trying to close off the sound. His breathing picking up as he fall pass one memory and into another. Yet, he had no direction on where to go, were any of these Gogon’s own. It seem an impossibility, to focus on anything amongst this torrential onslaught of memories. So many, from so many viewpoints, from so many places. It was more than one person should have, much more. And it was all swirling about viciously like a whirlpool – around and around and around. John was caught up in the whirlpool, drowning in it, being pulled under it. He was losing himself in the chaos, losing himself, everything closing in, and passing through him. He was truly terrified, “Chachan…someone…I don’t know, I’m losing my way.” The words coming from John both in the memories and the ‘waking’ world. There was no one there to break contact with Gogon and he continue to drown in the whirlpool of memories. Just as if was about to overwhelm him, everything snap into sharp clarity. He found himself on a burning field, Chachan and the others in front of him. He could feel his own limbs moving outside of his control, words not were not his coming from his mouth. A deep feeling of fear, of anger, of defiance exuded from this memory. It was like a shield, the wall that separate the eye of the storm from the terrible winds outside it. Jancis Milburge opened the door quietly as to not disturb the two resting, her own eyes tired from the day of battle and a stomach full. Her eyes instinctively went to where Gogon lay, expression confused as she noticed John. Quickly she tried to close the distance between them and figure out what the healer was doing. “Master John?” John was caught up in this memory. He couldn’t move, couldn’t find a way to protect the others. Gods, the others were going to be hurt. Warren, Chachan,and everyone. “Don’t do it. Don’t you see who it is?” he asked, reaching and grabbing those emotion inside himself, the fear, the anger, and the defiance. “That’s your brother you’re about to attack,” he yelled, shaking the emotions that he held in his hands. Outwardly, John gives no reaction to Jancis’s question, though his yelling was probably scaring her right about now. She would be able to see as she drew closer that his eyes were glazed over and the hand that is on Gogon’s face is glowing, shimmering differently than the way that he usually heals. Words impose themselves on John’s mind. Not said in the memories, but forced in from whatever lay beyond it. “YOU WILL NOT HAVE ME. I REFUSE TO FALL, I WILL RETURN TO THEM, AS MYSELF AND NO OTHER.” Violet eyes burn into John. See him. KNOW him. And he is forced away. Back through the swirling mass of forceful memories. Out of Gogonji’s mind… and back into his own head. The last thing he sees is a few of the memories starting to turn toward him… and then they are gone. Jancis doubles her efforts to closed the short distance as the man yelled, having enough time to realize it was not the semi-familiar geometrics that archny used. Her hip jarred against the working table as she tried to cut the corner, the table skirting loudly on the wooden floor. Bravely she reaches for the hand that is on Gogon’s face. John doesn’t have time to reason with ‘words’. He blown back and into his body. He jerks up, shaking, and hair soak in sweat from the ordeal. He only has a moment to try and regain himself, remembers himself, but he already sees Jancis’ hand moving to touch his ungloved one. His reaction is instant, catching the woman’s hand with his glove one. “Don’t touch it,” he says, fighting to get his breath back. Jancis is a token resistance, staying put in John’s grip. She looks over his shiny sweat-streaked self. “Pray, explain?” Gogonji shifts in his slumber, but settles down once more. From the outside, one could never tell the effort he’s putting into holding off the torrent of foreign memories that seek to drown him. John looks up, fear starting to form in his eyes. His eyes lock on her hand that he’s still holding and he quickly lets go of it. “I’m sorry… I… didn’t hurt you, Lady Jancis?” He turns as he feels a shift on the bed behind him. He sighed mentally, knowing that there was nothing more he could do for Chachan’s brother. He reach out to pick up the glove that still sat at the head of the bed. Jancis was standing far too close to him to try and flee the room without hurting her in the act. “There is nothing to explain,” he says, struggling to get the glove back on with shaking hands. “What you just said, is nearly what we all called out to him. As if you were there bells ago.” She lean in close to John, her now free hand going to grasp John’s shoulder. “I am unhurt by you, but Thaliak would frown at such a bluff." John finally gets the glove back on, his head jerking up at her words. He brings his glove hand up to his forehead, “So that’s what I saw,” he whisper, trying to shift and settle that memory from all the others that he saw. He bring his hand back down, smiling up at her, and she would see that the fear is growing in his eyes. “I’m glad I didn’t hurt you Lady Jan…” only to trail off at the rest of Jancis words. He turns away from her, “I don’t think that Thaliak would care much for one that is cursed.” Jancis watches his expression steadily, soaking in as much of his nuisance movements as what he says. “Cursed is the man who dies, but the evil done by him survives,” she murmur quietly, a hand going to try and look over the wet locks of dark hair. “I do not believe Gogonji is cursed; a healer must needs be open for anyone to trust with their welfare. Must I ask again?” John looks back up, ears hanging low in exhaustion. “He isn’t, Lady Jancis. He fighting hard to come back to his brother.” He turns to look over at Gogon. “It probably won’t be soon but he is going to come back as himself.” He looks down a this hands again, “I’m the one that is cursed.” He was just too tired to keep everyone away anymore. Jancis had two different large pieces of information to take in. She stood there awkwardly for what felt like several minutes. “Back as himself… the way he spoke before losing consciousness, he did recognize Sir Gegenji… the souls from the stones did not dissipate then… fighting mayhaps… mentally healing…” she thought out loud, murmuring as she brainstormed, “… and this contact caused it? This curse you speak of? Mayhaps I can help.” She still tired from before, but offered nonetheless, and still failed to understand what John meant about the curse he weakly confessed too. John shakes his head no. “I have been cursed for as long as I can remember. I thought…” his hands close into fists, “that maybe, just for once, I could do something good with it.” Jancis looks at the fear mixed with exhaustion. “That is how you saw? The curse is a vision? If you saw what he is thinking, then you have given us a boon to know that those souls still wrack his mind. This knowledge… Thaliak’s grace. What else did you see?” she asks with ferver, awkwardly close still to keep a steadying hand on John’s shoulder and listen. He blinks as Jancis leans closer. “What…” he says in confusion. She wasn’t running away screaming and was in fact asking for more details about what he saw. “Why… why aren’t you running away in terror?” he ask. He mentally ground at the hope that was trying to build. Jancis only gives him a confused look. “This vision that you have. Can it also guide? What if Gogonji needs help?” Shinjo Dawnedge enters the room, standing quietly, listening, his eyes examine those recovering from his postion at attention by the door. “Sister said that what I do is wrong. That seeing memories was invading a person mind. That the memories are private to the person that they belong too.” Again he was in a state of confusion. “I don’t know if I could guide. I can’t touch anything when I’m ‘Dreaming’. Like I’m just a ghost but I can feel the emotion within the memories.” He looks back at Gogon. “I try to get him to see what he was doing but he ‘threw’ me out.” He looks back up at Jancis. “I think he might have realize what was going on… and that I was losing myself in the chaos of his memories.” Jancis look thoughtful at his admission, “If no one else has broken this link, then mayhaps he did realize your presence.” Her curiosity faded away in concern, “It hurt you, though? You look exhausted. Have you felt lost before?” John looked away, “This has been only the second time I’ve done this in eleven years.” His eyes drift closed, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Howl…let me see his memories. I did get a little lost in them… and there was that ‘memory’ that didn’t react like the others do.” A shiver ran through him. “A highlander that ‘saw’ me in that memory.” He look back up at Jancis. “Gogon’s memories though were like a whirlpool. I was drowning in them, and I call out for Chachan or anyone to help me. That’s when I found myself in a ring of fire with Chachan and the others in front of me.” “…were we down the hall as you left. Why did you not say more? Sir Shinjo overheard you say an apology. You should not be alone attempting such.” Her voice grew with concern, giving her words more emphasis and the worry conveying through the squeezing hand on his shoulder. Shingo nodding in agreement at her statement. John looks down. “I was afraid that Chachan would… hate me for invading his brother’s memories,” he said. “I thought about calling Warren, he knows about this, but he also needs to recover too. I just didn’t want you and the others to find out.” He let his eyes close, ears lying flat against his head. “I didn’t want to lose your friendship,” he whisper, finally speaking his biggest fear. Shinjo moves over to the bed, speaking softly, “John, what I have heard you describe is a gift. Use it good and for healing and it is an amazing gift. Imagine the trauma and the mental illnesses you could treat. You must start seeing it as so and it will become so.” He bow his head in apology for interrupting. Jancis widen her eyes, empathy filling her expression. She nods slowly at Shinjo speaks. “A real friend walks in when the rest of the world walks out. Should we had left; we would be no friends from the start.” John blinks, turning first to Shinjo and then to Jancis. His face showing that he never thought about that, never let himself see what was before him. Had he allow himself to be so blind? “I… have seen only the darkness of life… have I really not look at the lights that have been before all along?” A chuckle escapes him, “I have been a fool.” “You’re vision was clouded from early on friend. Allow us to chase the storm away so that you may see the sun.” “From what you said of your sister; she truly worries.” She looks up at Shinjo, smiling at his words. John nods. “The gloves were her idea. It gave me some peace from the memories that I was always sensing but Sam told me that she was trying to find a better way for me to control it. But then we lost her on the Flats and… I gave up my hope with her gone.” Jancis look over at Shingo, “Mayhaps someone else can help you train this ability then. Would not want to find you in such a state again, dare say, or worse.” “Would practicing it in, allow you to gain some measure of control?” John shifts on the bed. “Haven’t even thought about practicing it.” He looks thoughtful. “I wonder if… you think that Titor might be able to help?” he ask. “He invited me to his home when he checks on Sir Toff.” “I think any amount of use of it will assist in learning the limits.” He nods. “Like any skill, I am sure with practice will come competency, and from there great skill.” He looks over to Gogonji. “So, how do we help him?” Jancis steps back, leaning against the wall. “Master Titor is very wise; he has dealt with rareites before. At the very least he can rule out some avenues on your abilities.” “You looked inside Gogonji’s mind then, John?” Shinjo enquires. Jancis looks up at Shinjo. “Well, with what Master John has shared about his internal struggle…forgive me I do not know.” She purses her lips, “Part of me believe with should have Lady Artemis return, and Lady Leanne with those deadened stones. Or create some kind of beacon for him. No, we must needs get Sir Gegenji’s counsel first.” She quiets, letting the two men talk. She then murmurs something about John not eating before and looks for some leftovers to be brought in so that he can recover his strength, and exits. John runs his hand through drying sticky hair. “And I’m really not sure I should try this again very soon.” He still looks exhausted from the ordeal. “He’s fighting right now, which should be a good sign,” he said to Shinjo. “I would like to try again, with Cha’s permission and someone as a second. There might be a chance we could bring him out… or give him a lead back.” Oka knocks at the door. “Um, can someone please open the door? I have some more Doman delight for you guys!” “How would someone second you?” Shingo ask. Oka’s voice calls through the door again. “Alright, I guess no one wants my delicious treats.” John hms to himself. “If I call out to whoever would be my second or if I’m ‘Dreaming’ too long, they would need to break the contact between myself and whoever I was working with.” Shinjo nods, “I will assist however I can, John. One moment.” He moves over and opens to door, allowing Oka to enter the room. She holds a tray of Doman dishes. “Teehee, thought you guys were hunger, so here you go.” "Thanks you, Oka. Just set it on the bench there.” John hadn’t realize that someone had been at the door. At the mention of food though, his stomach growls and a blush stain his face. “Ah, sorry.” Oka nods as she puts the tray on the nearby bench, doing a Doman bow to the people that are present. “Please John, take the time to eat. I believe Jancis will bring a meal a meal in later as well. She went to prepare it. I will wait for her meal. I would not want her to come back for no need.” “Hm, where is Jan-san anyway?” John gives Oka a smile. “Thank you, Lady Oka.” He stands on shakily legs and moves over to the tray of food. “She went to prepare some food and tend some errands.” Shinjo reach up to touch the linkpearl at his ear. “I must respond to an emergency call. Duty calls. I will be back soon and perhaps we can formulate a plan to move forward and help our injured friends.” “Oi, Shinjo-san, want an onigiri before you go?” Shinjo nods. “Thank you, Oka.” He takes on and quickly makes his way out, strapping on his shield and sword as he runs down the hall. John picks up a rice cake, eyes flickering over to Gogonji. “I hope the next time we meet, that it will be with you awake, Sir Gogonji.”

Ok, finally got John's thought done. It's posted in the Bulletin Board if anyone wants to take a look at it. And I'll see you all tonight to knock out that last bit of RP.

As soon as he walk into the Quicksand to get dinner, Momodi caught his attention. When she mention that Chachan might need help, he didn't wait for the details, only asking where the group might be at that moment. When she mention that they were probably at Toll, he didn't wait for the rest, catching aether in the air, and allowing himself to be pull along to the aetherite at Toll. There he waited on the path into town until he saw Sir Cyneler leading the group from Castrum. For one brief moment, seeing the green hair Lalafell being carried, he thought Chachan hand been hurt, but then he saw the rabbit ear helmet and he almost drop to his knees in relief. Yet, sitting at the strange table, soup going cold, John's mind play back what took place in Jancis room. Lady Ann, finally falling to sleep and then dealing with the injuries that Chachan had. Cha had his brother back but not completely. The stones that had been on Gogon, now dead, drain of whatever had made them Soulstones. He stir the soup once more, barely listening to the others talking. The memories had to have went somewhere. Could they now be resting in Gogon's own head? It would explain why he seem to be in a coma, lost in those memories. Could his curse be used to help, even just a little? Risk losing Cha's friendship for tainting his brother. Jancis question startle him out of his thoughts. He told her that he wanted to check on Lady Ann, make sure she was comfortable. He mutter an apology to Cha, slipping out the door and missing the look of confusion on Chachan's face. He enter Jancis' room, moving first to Ann. She was sound asleep, which was good. One less person that may hate him once this was over with. He blush as he remember what she had said earlier. 'Girlfriends? They would run away screaming, if they knew about this curse.' He shook the thought from his head, he knew what his life would be like. He moved over to the bed where Gogon 'slept'. He look so much like Cha. His ears drops a little, knowing that after this, he wouldn't be allow to call Sir Chachanji by that name. Taking a breath, he reach down, removing his glove for only the second time in eleven years. Even as he sat the glove at the head of the bed, he felt Howl's absents more keenly than ever before. 'I wish you were here now, Howl. Or even Warren, to keep watch on me and break contact if I stay in the 'Dreaming' for too long,' he thought. There was no time to call Warren though. He had to do this now before the others in Sir Chachanji's room began to worry. 'I know that you and your brother will hate me after this, Sir Gogonji,' he thinks, even as he reach a trembling hand out to the Lalafell's face. 'But if this means that he gets his brother back, then I'll happily accept it, knowing that he at least will have you back completely with him.' His hand came to rest on Gogon's eyes, John's own glazing over, and his body slumping, even as 'he' fell into the chaos of Gogon's mind.

I had fun, Chachan even if I only got John to help out after the main event was over with. I'll try to get John's thoughts (separate from Healer's Heart) done up around the after event, leading up to where we had to break off for that plot point you were hinting at Cha for John. Hopefully we can get the rest of it knock out of the way Tuesday evening (and give me a good hook for John going to see Titor). I'm eager to see the reactions of everyone when they find out what John was planning on doing.

John is at Toll now but I not sure if the event is going on or not. Try searching for you Chachan but I'm getting a player not found.

Will this also be the meeting place for after event healing RP? Because I'll like to help out for that at least. Good luck to everyone that well be doing the event. I'll be thinking of you guys while I'm at work.

The bump of the wagon startle him back awake. "Sorry," John said, rubbing his eyes. Blade...Shun wave it off, giving him a smile. "No need. You had night patrol and then help us pack before leaving. The story can wait." Before John could ask him to continue the story, a letter drop into his lap. He glance up in time to see the postmoogle flying off in another direction. He pick the letter up, holding it for a few moments. "Howl..." "Open it, Eagle and let's here what your friend has to say." John open it and knew immediately that it wasn't Howl who wrote him. The writing was elegant flowing cursive handwriting. Terror well up in his mind and he knew that this was the letter telling him that Howl was...Howl was... "Read, Eagle, and breath as well," Blade said. He had notice that John seem to think the worst was going to happen. 'Yeah,' John thought to himself. 'Read...it might be from Lady Sno...Sei, it's Sei.' He groan, realizing that Howl had even got him calling her Snow. He took a calming breath. "Dear John. Sorry for writing you so much, hope it ain't annoying you none. It helps out here on the front to get word in from home, makes it feel less lonesome. Hope you ain't lonely too." He closed his eyes, thanking Thaliak for watching over his friend, his own loneliness flashing in his heart. He so wanted them back here, now. Blade shook his head, watching the emotions flash across the miqo'te's face. Too have so many people around him and not being able to connect. No wonder the young eagle hadn't found his will to fly. "John," he said. "Oh, sorry." He glance at the letter, finding the spot he left off at. "I figured you'd want to hear all about the big battle... We took the Fifth's positions back, which is the good news, but at a pretty damn high cost in lives, which is the bad." He smile a little, "They did it but the cost..." "It is a cost that any warrior knows they may have to pay in time." John could only let the grief wash over him, realizing the pain that Howl and must be feeling over lost comrades. He turn his attention back to Howl's letter. "I kinda got in bad news from Warren right before the battle - he wrote Snow and told her that he was disappointed in me not telling him about my promotion. Sometimes I feel like I can't do right by him, you know?" Warren and Howl fighting...no, he had to fix it. He didn't know how but there had to be something he could do to make it better. "So I guess I threw myself into the battle harder than I should've, ended up taking a claw to the stomach at some point. I'm having Snow write this out for me 'cause she won't let me sit up to do it myself." The letter drop from his hand, the words burning into his mind, 'claw to the stomach'. Blade saw the shift in movement, knowing that John try and fly to the other. He was quicker, taking one of his dagger and pining the other's jacket to the floor of the wagon. "You are not going anywhere, Eagle." He handed the letter back. "I'll only let you go if he actually ask for your help." John try to glare but if felt more like a pout. He took the paper, scanning over it before relief flood. "He's ok. A healer already seen to him." Even if he wasn't the one that took care of him, he was glad that Howl was alright. "He said that he got hurt because he let his emotion get in the way of thinking." "And that is why you will remain here," Blade said, pointing to the dagger that pin his coat to the floor. "You rush into battle and you only put yourself into danger." Bandit look back from where he was driving the wagon. "Anything else that he said about the battle?" "It was a victory and they're able to get supplies into the city. Still can't use the airships though." "With Dragon's in the sky," Slayer said, "airships are grounded." His chocobo kept pace with the wagon. "The main knights will be protecting the wards on the bridge. If those go then..." He spread his hands out, letting everyone mind play out to the wholesale slaughter that would take place. "He berated me for just thinking of myself as just a healer," John said, his cheeks reddening. He pull his hat down to hide the blush as some of the others chuckle. "Just a healer my right eye," Axe said from the head of the group. "I rather have just a healer if it means I'm going see the end of a battle." Nightingale laugh, "Need to get you to do that more often, Kid." The Seeker lean in close too John. "My sisters and I have never done it with a Keeper before. What to be our Nunh for tonight?" John frown, looking up at her, realize at that moment her scent was heady in his nose. His face turn even redder as the female lean in closer. "I...I should...I mean write Howl...." Nightingale sat back up, throwing her head back into laughter. "Gods, the look on your face. Whoever beds you is going to have a good laugh?" "Ok, Kids. That's enough picking on the new guy," Sam said. He rod up beside the wagon, place a hand on the miqo'te shoulder. He could feel the muscle tense under his fingers. The ears laid low on his head and the tail wrap around his feet. "She was just teasing, John." 'If not for my curse,' he thought, eyes scanning over the letter, 'I wouldn't mind someone getting a laugh.' He search through his bag. "Howl, wants me to keep writing to him." He pulled out paper and quill and ink. "Then why don't you do so, Eagle, and I'll finish up the story." John frown. "Why do you call me Eagle?" "Because you wish to protect and the eagle has always been a guardian of my family," Blade said. "You write and I'll tell you the story about how the eagle came to guard our family." As he wrote, he listen to the tell of a young boy, just having learn his first weapon, setting out to try and find the siblings taken from him. The eagle that he found, injury by the same bandits that had raided his village and taken his siblings. As the story drone on, the hand slow more, and his head drop closer to his chest. "'And why do you not fly at your enemy?' the Eagle asked. The boy reply, 'I am just a boy and do not have graceful wings, like your.' The eagle snorted at the boy's statement, 'I see your spirit and it is like mine.' He lower himself to allow the boy to climb on. 'I shall be your wings then, young eagle until you remember how to...'" A soft thud sounded and Blade look over to find John had fallen asleep again. "If seems I'll have to finish the story for another time." He frown at the shadows that stole across the miqo'te's face. "What burden weights you so, Eagle, that you have given up the will to fly?" Something heavy press down on him, grounding him into the inky darkness around him. He try to speak, try to call out but nothing came from him. 'Kit' he call in his head and hear her respond. He turn his head a little, and saw 'her'. She was tiny and look hyur...except for the wings on her back. Said wings were trap in that darkness as well, one small hand reaching out for something. He turn his head, eyes widening as he realize what he was seeing. A huge dragon standing in the distance and facing the monster was Warren and two dragons? 'No, no, get away,' he call out, fighting the hold but it only seem to tighten on him. 'Nnnnoooo!!!!" "Nnnnoooo!!!!" John scream, jerking away as hands caught him. It took him a moment to realize where he was at. Blade was looking at him in concern, the rest of the unit also gather around the wagon. "I'm ok...I'm ok," he said, trying to shake off the nightmare. "Sure didn't sound ok, Kid." "Nightmare...that all." He wave them off. "Probably too much talk about dragons." He needed to finish up the letter before they left Black Brush station and make for home.

Shoot sorry if I missed you. Got tangle up in John's story as well after finishing Kestlona. Won't be on John tonight, Kest is going to be at the Bacchus shot event. But Saturday I'll be focusing on getting some RP in with John.

"Ah, come on, Kid," Slayer said, following them into the quarter area of Camp Drybone. "I was only trying to get you to start learning how to handle the blades." John tail was lashing back and forth in anger. Kit herself hiss at the Elezen before following after her partner. "Geeze..." "I would be upset as well, Slayer," Blade said, "if you had try to take my daggers." The Doman look at him as if the other would have found a blade in his heart. "How would you have felt if I took you Lance?" "Oh, no..." he said, waving a finger at the other. "Kid got to learn." Sam pinch the bridge of his nose. "Do I want to know?" "He took Kit's book..." "She bite me when I didn't hand it back fast enough..." "John finally let himself touch a dagger..." The whole group stare at Blade before turning to look at John. "He said to think of it like a big bread knife." Sam look up at the ceiling. "Why do I even lead this lot?" "Because you would be bored out of your mind," Axe said. "Mail came." He held a small stack of envelopes. "Bandit, looks like your girlfriend sent you kisses." "Give me." "Blade, letter from you're brother." "Thank you." He took the letter and open it. "Ah, he and his wife have made it safely to Toll..." A grin appeared. "I'm an uncle. He and his wife had a little girl." Rounds on congratulations sounded from the group. "Can I have time away from the Unit to go and..." "I demand that you take the week," Sam said, smacking Blade's back. "Slayer, letter from your daughter." "Thank you," the Elezen said, a gentle smile grace his lips. "Oh, look at this," Axe said, holding a letter up. "Seem the Kid is getting mail too. Let see the sender's name is How..." a flash of gold and the letter was snatch from his fingers, and the hellsguard chuckle as he watch Kit hop into John's lap, who in turn took the letter and tore it open. "Looks like Kit is eager as well." "Howl sent you a letter?" Sam asked coming over the the miqo'te. "But he'll see you at the Grindstone." "No he and Lady Sei are fighting up North," John muttered, not opening the letter just yet, hands trembling a little. He missed the look that Sam gave Slayer, who's face had harden at John's words. Axe also came over. "Well, go on, open it. I'm sure that it isn't bad news." John open the letter. "Dear John," he began. "I'm sorry for the delay in writing back, things have been kinda crazy of late. Think I told you before how we were spread out on a ridge over Ishgard? Well, now our same milita's spread out over two ridges." John's face began to pale as he kept reading. "The Fifth Regiment of Ishgard's wiped out. Yeah, completely gone. Think some survivors made it out or into the city...but their positions are either full of dragons or full of corpses." His hand was trembling so hard he could barely make out the words. "Peace! Ain't seen a fight that bad in ages, and we were so far away we could do nothing but watch. Was something to see, the cannons lighting up the night sky and the flames from the dragons swooping on down, but the screams... they carry in the night, even for malms." John was sure that he was going to be sick. "Nightingale, do you have maps over the area?" Sam asked, turning to the archer of the group. "Slayer, do you know the ridges that he's talking about?" "When do I not keep a map on me?" "Let me see the map and I'll show them to you." The map was spread out of Coerthas and the Elezen look over it before pointing to the area that Howl had talk about. "It's not good Cap. They're sitting Chocobos if the dragons decide to take the city. And for the group that's on the ridges...I don't hold out much hope unless they're Dragoons." His mouth snap closed at Sam glare and the whole group look over at a still shaking John and a cooning Kit, who was rubbing her head against his glove hand. Blade had move over stand beside the miqo'te. "They were suppose to take the ridge back tomorrow, which mean that they did so yesterday," John said, still staring at the letter. "I want to go to them and help but what if...what if..." "Come with me, John." Blade stood up. "They will be busy for a while as they work out details." He waited a moment before he slip off the chair, following after the Doman. "My name is Shun and I wish to thank you for helping my brother," he said after the pair step outside. "And for accepting my Sister-in-law." "You're..." Shun turn around, holding a pair of daggers out. "Take these." He waited a moment after John shook his head no. "We will not attack anything. You need to relax and practicing movement will do so. They will not hurt someone if you wish them not to." He waited, watching John's face, and the glove hands that finally pick up the blades. "Now," he added, pulling another pair blades out, "watch what I do." He brought the blade up and then back down. "You can copy me when you're ready." Back up and then down, slowly back up and then back down. He did this for several minutes, fighting the tiny smile as John began to follow his movement. He added a swipe outward with the other blade. Up, down, side swipe, up, down, side swipe... "When you feel you are calm, then write to him. Let him know that you are ready to fly, Eagle, when they call for you." Sam came out of the building, looking for John, afraid that the miqo'te had run off. He could only stare at the sight that greeted him. Flashing steel of Blade's daggers dancing in the sun and Kid's own rough and not as fast movement. He stood for a moment watching the pair, the relax posture of both, and no need for the outside world. "Twelve, I have the greatest Unit in the world." He had a letter to write though, especially if John didn't hear back from Howl soon.

That first day with Alex started early, before dawn sun peek over the horizon. She stood in the doorway, watching the latest batch of adventurers, treasurer hunters, and mercs. Kestlona took a slip of the coffee and almost chock on her drink. For a few seconds she thought she had seen the same miqo’te that had been at the auction a few weeks ago. She cough a couple of times and look again. The miqo’te was gone and she shook her head. No, it couldn’t have been the same one. The miqo’te didn’t look like he would have gotten involved in this war. “Lass,” Alex call out, weaving his way through the group. He had one pack on his back and the other he toss to her. “What are you looking at?” He turn to the group,heading out toward Ishgard. “I wouldn’t get too attached to them. Most won’t live to see the next day.” He pointed to a female miqo’te, carrying a lance on her back. “That one…she just might make it out of this war.” He brought over the chocobos that they would be using. “We had south,” he said, “and practice near the river.” She mounted the chocobo, looking back at the group, again thinking that she saw the miqo’te male speaking with the female. Shaking her head, she follow her teacher out of the south gate of Camp Dragonhead. It took little time of them to reach the edge of the river, taking the time to avoid the young wolves in the area. She watch Alex dismount off of the bird and she did the same, sending the pair to settle in the lean of a large rock. Large blankets were pulled out, place over the chocobos to keep them warm, and a small fire was started up to be used by them later. “First in the river loses the match?” “Not this time,” he said. “I wish to see how much you have learn on your own.” The both took position across from each other. “Begin.” Kest launch herself at him, only to find her teacher no longer there. She turn in time bring her arms up to block the round house kick, feeling herself slide backwards. She just had enough time to get her feet under her when his fist connected with her face. She found herself on the ground, stars flashing across her line of sight. Hearing the crunch of snow under boat, she launch her foot out,connecting with Alex stomach. Alex now found himself flat on his back, sitting up, he watch Kest come to her own feet. Matching smile tug at each of their lips, before they launch at each other again. Blow for blow was exchange,the will to try and outdo each other, to bring the other to their knees, was welling up inside of him. When had he fought just for the joy of fighting? Two years no it was more than that, since the rest of the order fell. He was the last only because he ran, seeing no end to the evil of the Mad King. In that flash of anger at himself, for leaving his fellow monks to die, he back all of it into one single punch, and came to himself at the sound of cracking ribs. “Twelve, Lona.” He made his way over to her. “That’s enough for now. We need to see to those ribs.” He froze at the sight before him, red dancing in a halo around her body. Kestlona clutch her side, pretty sure that if it hadn’t been a glancing blow that she would have a couple of ribs in her lungs, if not her heart right now. At Alex’s words she growled, “No, I can keep fighting.” She couldn’t take the time to worry about injuries. “I’ll show you…that will is just as strong as yours…” Everything in sight seem to have taken on a red hue and she move to attack him again, something aetheric welling up around the both of them. The next moment found her on her hands and knees, emptying her stomach of breakfast. She groan as Alex gentle help her to her feet. “Who set off the aether bomb?” she asked. “You did Lass,” he said, grin in pride for a moment. “Though we’ll have to do something about your aetheric sensitive…or lack thereof.” He saw her confusion at his words. “I’ll explain when we get back to Dragonhead.” He waited until she had mounted before doing so as well. That was something that was going to keep her from unlocking her chakra but that would wait until they got Lona seen too. **** He stood next to the door as the healer saw to Kestlona’s ribs. “She will be fine, Turner.” The healer gave him a smile before stand up. “But I suggest she rest the rest of the evening.” He nodded to the blond before heading out of the room. Alex walk over to the bed, sitting down in the chair that the healer had been in. “Sorry, Lass,”he said, rubbing her hair. “Lost my temper at myself.” “This what happen your anger at yourself, don’t want to get on ya bad side,” she said, chuckling and grimaced in pain. “Remind me not to laugh the rest of tonight.” She look at him. “You’re going to tell me what happen?” “Feel up to some food?” he asked. At her nod, he smile. “Be right back.” He stood up, “Once you get some food into you, I’ll explain what happen down at the river.” He left her alone, heading for the kitchen to get some food for both of them. “Thanks,lad,” he said, taking the two plates, he made his way back to his and Kestlona’s room. He frown as a robe figure stood next to the door, smiling as he open it for him. “Thanks,” he said, letting his body open the door the rest of the way. Just as the door was about the close, Alex froze as a voice that he remember from the temple, one that he call brother, hissed, “Traitor…” He spun around but the robe figure was already lost within the crowd of people. He turn back around, seeing Kestlona trying to set up in bed. “Alex,” she said, “you look like you saw a ghost.” “No,” he said, trying to think of a lie. About that time the sound of blast could be heard from Ishgard, causing them both to flinch. “Sorry, just having flash back to the temple.” He handed her the plate. “Eat up,” he said. “We have a lot to talk about.” The order was dead, he had saw the temple destroy from the ridge where he had hidden. He must have just been hearing things.