Welcome to Gaia! ::

*Hikari was doused by the wave of water created by Adhara jumping into the lake. She shook her ears dry and grinned a toothy grin. She continued to bob up and down in the water. It was cool and refreshing and she was tired from her laps.*

Nice to see life hasn't gotten you too down.

*Hikari studied her friend's face for any kind of reaction. Hikari plucked at one of her ears nervously and, because sooner or later, Adhara would have to talk about it, she said more seriously*

So...how have you been fairing? Have you come to terms with yourself yet? I know you hate to talk about it, but, well, You can't just let it loom over you, uncontrolled, forever.

*Hikari was slightly worried that Adhara might bolt, to avoid this topic...she had before. But she knew she was faster and wouldn't let herself be taken by suprise.*

Nicoletta looked back and smirked at Emberis as he was catching up. The lake came into view and she pushed herself harder reaching the sands of the lake.

"Ha! I win." She remarked grinning playfully.

Nicoletta smiled brightly.

"I like that prize," she remarked happily.

*As soon as Adhara bobbed back up to the surface, she was relieved to see she wasn't getting angry. Perhaps she was tired enough to actually listen to her*

I'm not saying go back and life with the clan forever. If you are not comfortable there, then you shouldn't go back. ...OH YEAH, by the way, I made a journey up there just after you left the Pagoda to let your family know you were still alive and well. I had forgotten just how far it was, but I was happy to go -it had been too long since I had seen father. Your grandmother said she is happy to hear something about you and of course, your family misses you. No one brought up you coming back, which kind of suprised me, but I think they feel that they drove you away and they regret that. She just wanted me to pass that along to you.

Anyway, I dont think you have to go home. I just think it would be a wise idea to get some sort of training to control your visions. There are several people here who I think could help you. Cole, one of the owners, is very powerfull with magic and 'seeing'. His fiance Xitha is also very good at magic. And there is Dyanel, the other owner, she would probably be the best I think. If you could control them, they wouldn't take you by suprise and upset you or anything...

Well, I understand about not wanted to ask just anyone about some help if you feel uncomfortable about not knowing them first, but I can tell you, Cole has already helped two people also with 'unique' problems here and they have become much better for it. He is patient, and he never pushes for info you aren't ready to give yet. He is always wishing to help anyone he can, and he just helps as much as you let him and waits for you to be ready to take the next steps.

Sorry, I dont mean to sound too pushy, I just wanted to let you know I would trust Cole with my life if it came to it, even though I have only known him less than a year.

But anyway, I've said my piece, but I should step back now and let you find your own pace.

So, where all have you been traveling. Seen anything interesting?

*Hikari shivered slightly as the sun had been behind the clouds for sometime and the air was cooling off. She looked at her hands and made a face. They were all pruny and wrinkled.*

I think I've swam enough, you want to go get something to eat in the kitchen?

*Hikari hopped out of the lake and pulled on clothes that had been sunning on the grass. As she waited for Adhara, she plopped down on the grass and looked up at the sky, as was a favorite activity of hers when outdoors.*

*Hikari jumps up and brushes the grass off of her clothes and out of her hair. She and Adhara teleport themselves to the kitchen*

Shinta ran rather than teleported down to the lakeside. The last few days had been a strain on the swordsman, first with the revelation of his past identity to many present here, then with the ill-fated battle with the Shadow Clan, the same clan responsible for his beloved Natsuko's death. He needed some time to practice and find his center.

He stopped in a clearing. He could sense others across the lake, but none hostile. Slowly, he drew his sword and began practicing the mediative warm-up exercises, then gradually accelerated to the acrobatic leaps and rapid slashing strokes that were characteristic of his special attacks. Such was his speed that an onlooker would only distinguish him as a red and blue blur. Against tradition, he was utterly silent, a throwback to his days as an assassin. One who saw him then would not doubt what he had once been. He radiated fury, a fury at himself, at the Shadow clan, at Tochi for killing his own brother, and at the injustice of the world that made him. He expressed what he could not bring himself to say through the annihilation of a hundred imaginary opponents. And when he was done, he sat and mediated, trying to regain his calm and once again appear harmless, a regain the mask that comforted others as well as himself.