Aracoun Morion

[Falcon-Prey]

Interesting... Ana thought to herself as she noted her fellow Padawan's choice to practice combat first. While she had gone to what was more familiar to her, and possibly easier, he had chosen what looked like the most difficult. Of course, it could be that combat was easier to him...

 

But for Ana, she felt that the art of combat should be something she learned later, once she had grasped other parts of the Force. With that thought, her mind turned back to what her Master had demonstrated earlier. What should I practice next? She wondered, mentally visualizing the different techniques and skills Skye had showed them. She could, of course, just practice this first skill--levitation--until she had improved in its use. But that was boring, practicing the same thing over and over.

 

Sighing softly to herself, she glanced to Lucious. She hadn't had a chance to talk with him much yet, they had been too busy training. Hoping she wouldn't disturb him by speaking now, she took a step towards him, gesturing to his makeshift training weapon with one hand. "You're pretty good with that. Have you had any training like this before? Force training, I mean..."

[Lucien Draeth]

”œOne, two, three, fo”””œ

 

Lucious almost cut right through his partner when he was blinded by the ecstasy of this entire new concept of learning that was just introduced to him. In mid-swing he slowed the arc just above her head and smiled comically. He'd lower his weapon and extend his arm in complete respect; a simple handshake was all he asked for.

 

”œTraining like this?”

[Falcon-Prey]

Ana took his proffered hand and shook it, returning his smile with a soft one of her own as he spoke. Then, he reached past her shoulder and just as she turned to see what it was he was reaching for, she felt something hit the back of her head.

 

"Hey!" Her head whipped back to face him as he laughed.

 

”œMy studies give somewhat of an advantage though!”

[Skye Organa]

Something was very wrong, Skye found herself sinking to the ground, leaning against one of the struts of her ship. Her knees pulled up, Skye resting her head against them for a time, her arms draped around supporting her head as well. Everything was pointing to the darkside becoming overwhelming... it was wise of her to bring her padawan's here for a time at least, though as Faust knew of this location, she didn't know how safe it would be... or for how long. This particular compound wasn't listed anywhere as anything but a 'normal' home. Nothing to state that it was anything like a base of operations. Nothing to draw attention to it.

 

The Healer was feeling ill... something that was very uncommon for her. She tried to shrug it off, though it was becoming more insistant. She glanced up as the padawan's interacted. She didn't mind that at all. Training was made more interesting when you could share it with another. She pushed herself back to her feet, walking a few paces towards them both.

 

"I'll have I-Nine give both of you access to the training console in the living room of my ship. It has information regarding the various forms for lightsaber combat. You can both study that at your own leisure to choose which one you wish to specialise in. Feel free to spar together, train together. Use the speed and force jump in your combat training. It will make the training more interesting for you. I'll be inside if you need me. Feel free to ask I-Nine for anything you require as well."

 

She gazed over towards the compound not far from them, then back towards them, her eyes glazing over slightly as visions of possible occurances passed through her mind...

 

"This is the home of one of my old Master's. Feel free to explore, though stay on your guard. If you have to, you have my permission to take one of the fightercraft to go where the other Jedi are, or to the Last Call on Coruscant. You can either travel seperately or in Ana's ship if need be. If danger comes here, I want you both to stay safe. You are at a most influencial time of your training, please... both of you be careful..."

 

She had pointed to where Ana's ship had landed not far from her own, Skye still feeling not quite herself. She gave both a quick smile before heading back into her ship. She headed to the Med bay, letting I-Nine run another series of tests, unsure of what was befalling her. Skye took out her comm unit, sending an encrypted message to Ara so she would know where to find her and her padawan's, also for her to let Darla, Fynn and Darex know where she was if they happened to be looking for her.

 

Skye felt fatigue creeping up on her, resting her head back against the pillows of the examination cubicle as I-Nine performed the tests. She felt death, visions of the familiar station blowing up now haunting her... Darla! Concern for her best friend was obvious though Skye wasn't capable of doing anything. Her body was so heavy, not even her eyes would open now... her mind remained active, though her body slipped into an unconcsious state...

 

((ooc: I'll see you guys when I get back... have fun with practice... hopefully Ara, Darla or Darex will show up before too long for you))

[Lucien Draeth]

A more solemn attitude lingered in the atmosphere now. Master Organa had left them to train unaccompanied, and Lucious would make her proud upon her return. He had no such memories to reminisce about though; rather he would make them in a time to come. However, Ana persisted in the completion of training and actually challenged him to a spar.

 

”œSounds fun.”

[Falcon-Prey]

((Hope everything goes well for you, Skye.))

 

The sudden attack from her fellow Padawan caught Ana off guard and it was all she could do to get her makeshift weapon up in time to block his first slashing attacks. How she managed to block the feroucious onslaught of blows, she wasn't sure. Instinct... She thought, pivoting her weapon to block another blow. Then, stepping aside and pivoting, she swung the branch in a side arc towards his knees.

[Lucien Draeth]

Her reaction was unexpected, but Lucious sustained his perseverance. The ground beneath them slowly lifted a rush of gust as footwork was inevitability during his actions; the dirt clung to their clothing undoubtedly, but was the least of their worries as focus was to be found elsewhere. A sweep soon found its way underneath Lucious gradually crossing him unsuccessfully.

 

Noted.

 

As expected, his mind was racing with anticipation, never settling on anything in irrelevance except for the center of attention that was this spar. A true warrior, some would say, but he was too early in his stages for any sort of recognition. Regardless, a sweat beaded down his face, realizing that the attack she had thrown at him could've been used to his advantage in a most discouraging way. If he could time it properly, he would snap that branch in two with the full might of his effective legs; next time.

 

The spur of the moment took the better half of him though, and the look within her eyes was something he could not shatter. If anything, he would lose this spar for a greater achievement. Still, she plagued his mind secretly; with or without her consent he felt a tender sensation whenever he gazed for too long. This was a flaw he had to quickly rid himself of; he disciplined himself to stay focused on the matter at hand.

 

Nonetheless, he broke from the trance that drew on for what seemed ages, but last only milliseconds and eluded the space in which he occupied before Ana. His face twisted with an outburst to attempt and exploit those force support techniques Master Organa had advised them about.

 

Surprisingly the aid came in very short spurts, becoming useless as he swung recklessly in Ana's direction. Slowly, this spar was marking its significance.

[SithAcolyte]

The last time Darla had left this planet she had left in search of Skye Organa and now she came in search of her. So many people had come and gone in her life...But Skye had endured, Skye had been there for her. The idea of anything bad happening to her was too much for Darla to deal with. It didn't take her long to find Serenity and land her shuttle near by.

 

It was only when she landed and rushed down the ships ramp that she realised she had no weapons. All that she had managed to escape from Helix with was the clothes on her back. A sleek black jumpsuit, nothing else. She had given her lightsaber to Fynn, there were no blasters onboard her shuttle that had been inactive on Helix for perhaps years, she wasn't really sure how much time had passed.

 

If anyone had meant her ill, then she was an open target, unarmed and un-armoured. But she didn't feel anyone near-by with ill intent. As she rushed from her ship towards Skye's she noticed Skye's new apprentices, neither of whom she really knew. She didn't stop to talk to them as they practiced, she was too concerned with Skye's well being. Darla all but ran past them, she didn't even stop when the faithful I-Nine greeted her.

 

There she was. Asleep, looking peaceful and beautiful. Darla gently touched her face, as she did reaching out with the Force. Skye seemed very weak, still there, still alive but...withdrawn somehow. Whatever was wrong with her she seemed to have drawn herself in to some kind of trance so that she could heal properly. Darex had done something similar, but his trance/coma had taken place after a great battle. Perhaps Skye's healing trance was part of the aftermath of the great battle that had raged within her soul. Betrayal, the loss of her children, her family, her lover...

 

"Oh Skye..." Darla breathed softly out loud, she knew that her friend couldn't here her.

 

The last thing had done was call out to Darla. Se knew now what she had to do. Make sure her friends body was safe while she healed and look after her new apprentices...

 

Her new family...

 

"Mistress Darla, mistress Darla!" I-Nine called trying to get her attention. She apologised, wiping a stray tear from her cheek and turning to the droid. "As I was trying to tell you, it appears that there is nothing wrong with Mistress Skye. As far as I can tell. But after all I'm just a droid. Maybe you could better explain what happening to her, after-all you are a Jedi Knight."

 

The droid was obviously concerned about Skye. He seemed perplexed that despite all his medical knowledge no explanation for her strange coma could be found in his memory banks.

 

"I think...I think she needs to heal on the inside."

 

"But Mistress Darla, all the readouts show that her insides are perfectly intact."

 

"I-Nine...It's not that simple with humans. We're not just moving parts. There are parts of us, parts inside us that you cant see or examine with machinery."

 

The droid tilted his head for a moment, obviously trying to process this information.

 

"Mistress Darla, I have always found you to be a most peculiar woman, but I know that Mistress Skye regards you very highly. So I shall have to surrender to your knowledge regarding this matter."

 

"I guess you will..." Darla's voice sounded far-away.

 

She sat by Skye's bed for some time and held her hand tightly.

[Falcon-Prey]

The sudden appearance of a ship overhead broke Ana's concentration and Lucious' weapon slipped past her defenses and smacked into her side. It didn't hurt too much, but it knocked her off balance. She stumbled over a rock and fell with a crash.

 

"Ow."

 

((Sorry, kinda lame but I don't have a lot of time to post. *smacks busy summer schedule*))

[SithAcolyte]

((OOC: Moving house 2day and until I get internet connection sorted there I wont really get a chance to post much. So until further notice Darla is just sitting by Skye's bed and watching over her.))

[Skye Organa]

Whatever it was that befell her, Skye could only lay where she was. She did find that she could shift from her body, look down upon it as it rested peacefully under the watchful presence of I-Nine. Her thoughts had been on her friends, her past padawans and her children... especially her children. She knew Krishna was alright, though Morgana and Amon were a different story altogether. A vision came to her of all three of her children standing together, Morgana - 22, Amon - 20 and Krishna - 19. All were grown, not just the eldest and youngest. Her heart had gone out to the three, just how much she loved them obvious in every fiber of her being. Skye loved her children more than anything in the galaxy. Within the vision she had approached the three, embracing them in a 'family hug', their mother looking not that much older than they currently did. Tears of joy had streamed down her face at being with them again.

 

Skye had been watching her padawan's training when she had seen Darla's arrival. Skye's awareness had floated back into the ship, following her friend as she rushed to her bedside. For a long moment in time she just watched on, touched by the emotions across her best friend's face.

 

Thankyou for coming Darla... I have no idea what has happened, why I have entered this state. Maybe it's a side effect from all that has happened... though I am unsure. I feel fine, though as you can see I'm obviously not... Thankyou again for coming... If you could just watch over Ana and Lucious for me... they are promising students and I'm sure will go far with the Force as their ally. I am sure the Force will have an answer for us on why I have come to be like this... sooner or later. It always works in mysterious ways...

[SithAcolyte]

Darla could hear Skye's words come to her through the force. It didnt feel like the words were coming from her inert body but from the room itself. Darla could feel Skye's presence all around her. She guessed that in her comatose state |Skye was able to travel without her body. Darla herself had had similar experiences.

 

She clutched Skye's hand tightly wondering if she could feel it. Darla spoke out loud knowing that skye would hear her.

 

"I think that you need to rest and heal on the inside dear friend. Fate has not been kind to you. That which was dearest to you was taken away. But you know more than anyone what it means to heal, to grow, to repair that which has been damaged and become stronger."

 

A small smile spread across Darla's face.

 

"You'll awaken from this, I know you will...and you'll be stronger than ever."

 

Darla rose to her feet. She was ready and prepared to watch over and protect Skye's apprentices. Whatever she could do to help she would do. The idea of training new apprentices made her think of her own apprentice. Her first apprentice. Her only apprentice. She wondered what had happened to Nivana, would she ever see her again? Was she safe and happy? Where had fate taken her?

 

The Galaxy was infinately vast and easy to become lost in, Darla knew that all too well. She could only hope that the force would return Nivana to her. If she could go searching for her she would, but she couldn't abandon her dearest friend in her time of need. She couldnt let any harm come to Skye.

 

Darla problem was that she wanted to protect everyone that was dear to her, even when she couldnt, even when it wasnt her place, even when she wasnt strong enough. The pain in her chest when she moved reminded her that Nivana had become quite capable of looking after herself. Darla hoped that she had taught Nivana everything she needed to protect herself.

 

My dear lost apprentice. May the force guide you to safety, wherever you may be.

 

Although there were many thing on her mind an odd serenity filled Darla. She thought that perhaps it was Skye's presence filling the room that made her feel calm in the face of her worries. She got the feeling that despite the fact that events had taken a turn for the worse thing were going to work out in the end.

 

Darla decided to stay in the warmth and safety of Skye's presence for a while before appoaching the apprentices. They were already sparring when she had arrived. she would wait until they finished or approached her before she spoke to them.

[Skye Organa]

Skye knew she had to wake up, it was time, but somehow she couldn't. She had spent enough time with her body just lying in state, not moving apart from the exercises that Darla and I-Nine put her limb's through so that they wouldn't lose their movement.

 

If only the way were clear, though it was like moving through a fog everytime Skye attempted to move back into her body. Was this a reaction of transference into the cloned body? Being that she had done so without her original body having died before the transfer? Maybe... maybe not. Maybe she would never know.

 

She did know that she had many reason's to return, many reason's to move back into the body she had left to lay still. Skye needed to train her padawan's... they were getting lax and she really needed to return. She felt so detached from her body though... Ara could help... if she was here...

 

Darla... please ... contact Ara for me... see if she can come, she'll know how to get me out of this... this disembodiment I seem to be in...

 

As well as speaking to Darla, Skye reached out towards Ara, hoping that her friend may feel the urgency behind Skye's request for her to come...

[Ara-Lai Kaipi]

Having taken a few wrong turns somewhere ended up being a blessing in disguise for Ara. She had received Skye's call through her connection with the healer thanks to what Skye had done for her after Faust's torture. She brought her ship down and, reaching for one of her pouches filled with Force gems, jogged lightly down the ship's ramp.

 

A figure that looked like either a very underdeveloped female or a very effeminate male followed closely behind her, long hair shifting hues in all colors of the spectrum. Half of the being's hair was up in two buns, while the rest was left to whip in the wind.

 

"Mother, why are we here?" The figure's voice was also somewhere between male and female--androgynous to a tee.

 

Ara turned to face the figure with a raised eyebrow. "For Skye. You've met her before." She looked the figure up and down; she had met this form of Sanare, her sword, in her mind before, but it was odd to see the sword following her like this in the real world as opposed to the spirit world. "Is there any reason you're in that form, Sanare?"

 

The figure crossed its eyes like a petulant child. "Others freak out when I talk through my real form. Is this not better?"

 

Ara pursed her lips. The form Sanare had taken on seemed solid, but was apparently coming directly from the sword on itself on Ara's hip in a sort of holo-vision effect...except that only Ara could see the "lines" vaguely connecting the sword to the figure behind her. "It's...fine, but you're--" Ara shook her head. "Never mind, just...do as you wish."

 

Sanare blinked at tilted its head to one side before following its "mother" to Skye's ship.

 

"I was called...sort of. Is anyone there?" Ara called out.

[Skye Organa]

Skye felt Ara's approach, her astral form, nearing a visible state now, drifted through her ship to the embarksion ramp... She glanced over at her padawan's, an urgency to be back with them becoming stronger...

 

Come on in... Thankyou for coming Ara... I... seem to be stuck like this. Everytime I try and return to my body I feel the fog rolling in so that I can't find it... it's like I'm being blocked from reaching it... I can see it, be right next to it, but I just can't return for some reason I can't fathom...

 

Skye drifted back towards the med bay, her voice within Ara's mind leading the way to where Darla and I-Nine were either side of her body.

 

Can you help me?

[Ara-Lai Kaipi]

Ara followed the healer's spirit closely, Sanare tagging along behind her. It appeared that Skye's spirit had decided on its own to stay separated from her body, or that there was an outside force working to keep the two separated.

 

"I think I can help. I've had...experience with this before." Her gray eyes twinkled behind her glasses. "More than you would think, oddly enough." Ara sat down next to Skye's body and glanced between the spirit and the body. "Do you suspect someone of blocking you, or is it something within your own body that is doing it?"

[Skye Organa]

Skye was baffled as her spirit looked on as Ara took a seat next to her body.

 

I honestly don't know... I had a few visions, the first being one of my three children all together again... with me. Maybe it is something I've done myself, though I couldn't be sure. I thought it may have been something to do with how my spirit had been transfered to this new body before the old one had been ... destroyed.

 

[Ara-Lai Kaipi]

Ara nodded, taking it all in. "I may be able to guide you back to your body. As I mentioned before, I've had some experience in it, so..." Ara moved to a chair next to Skye's body and settled herself in. "I'd have to do an astral sort of thing myself, and I'll have to warn you, there'll most likely be...two of me, when you see me on the other plane, but from there..."

 

She grinned at Skye. "I should be able to get you back to your body no problem."

[Fuyuto]

Fuyuto's amplifier fell on the ground with a thud, the blue haired psycho pulling out his guitar--seemingly oblivious that he'd wondered in on a ritual. Tuning the strings of the guitar, Fuyuto yawned a few words.

 

"Thought you could use some... Soul reattachment music."

 

Evidently, when Fuyuto had disappeared he had set up camp inside Ara's ship. That, or he was a being from a higher plane of existence, beyond all comprehension, capable of appearing wherever he desired. Both seemed equally probable.

 

His fingers began to move along the strings, his amp blurting out a strange metallic plucky music--odd but vaguely motivational. The only way to truly describe the music he played would have to be 'Soul Reattachment Music.'

 

"Awww... Yeah... Do your thang, Ara-senpai..."

 

((OCC: If this bugs you I'll delete it, I just thought it was an opportune moment to bring him back. ))

[Skye Organa]

((OOC: It's fine, not a problem... ))

 

That would be very welcome Ara, I remember from last time I helped you, of your... other selves...

 

Skye had seen the other versions of Ara along with Sanare when she had helped restore Ara's mind when they had been on Yavin IV last... the last time Skye had been happy, with her three children around her. She sighed and put that to the back of her mind again. She needed to let all that go and move forward. If she was meant to see her children again, it would happen and she would have no say in whether it did or not. Just like her vision had indicated... she had seen herself with her three grown children.

 

Her thoughts were distracted by sound, first a loud thud, then the pulling of strings on the instrument the blue haired being started to play.

 

"Who's this? ... Your padawan Ara?"

 

The spirit form smiled in amusement that if she hadn't of had dealings with teenagers and their music tastes, would have sent her scurrying away from her body, not to it.

 

"I don't think that music's appropriate... though it's nice of you to offer your help young sir..."

 

Seeing him though only made her feel the urgency to be back to normal and to be training her padawan's. Her thoughts had gone towards Fynn again too... sensing his approach as if from afar...

[Ara-Lai Kaipi]

Ara smiled nervously, her cheeks becoming a rosy pink. "I wasn't aware that Fuyuto-kun had...followed me. But yes, he is...sort of my padawan." She glanced at Fuyuto. "I can't recall ever making it official, but, I suppose...in any case..."

 

She coughed into her hand, leaned over and pulled the cord connecting the guitar to the amp. The sound fizzled out quickly, and Ara tossed the cord back to Fuyuto. "Kouhai, first lesson: no music when trying to reattach someone's soul, unless your ability to do so is directly connected to said music. Wakaru?" Sanare added its own small glare at the blue-haired young man.

 

"All right, Skye. I'll go into my...well, whatever you call it, and we'll get this thing started. Ready?"

[Skye Organa]

The spirit again smiled,

 

My padawan's are outside practicing if you'd like to join them... Ana and Lucious...

 

Turning back to Ara she added,

 

I'm ready whenever you are...

[Lucien Draeth]

Ana crashed to the floor without any form of retort, Lucious purely stared down to his challenger with content. Qel-Dromas' makeshift staff swirled within the morose atmosphere, completing another phase in the traditional Lightsaber form. With respect, he inched closer to his collaborator before bowing courteously.

 

It was without certainty, but Lucious could ”˜feel' his Master in the distance; far, distant, but warm the feeling remained. It was a soothing that filled a most dark place in his heart, a place that which struggle and pain is erected, where focus is achieved. To say that place was uncontrollable though was a lie.

 

”œLet's take a break, Ana.”

[Fuyuto]

((OOC: Well, actually... Fuyuto's greater force powers revolve around music, and indeed while he is not yet trained well enough to rock a soul back into it's host, the intention was to play a song that motivated and empowered, though inexplicit means, to get the job done. Like a Force Muse. I figure I'll just roll with it though. Just wait until you see how he slices computers--that's REALLY going to mess with your head.))

 

Fuyuto's entire body froze as she disconnected his guitar from the amp, not even the chord's retracting into his instrument made him move. He stood statuesque, mid-pluck--unmoving, unblinking, his hair didn't even seem to wave in the gentle breeze that made it's way across the planet's surface. As Ara's words penetrated his mind he did not flinch, and it wasn't until after Ara had apprehensively turned her back to him that he resumed normal function--but only to pull down his eyelid and stick out his tongue at Sanare for being such a "Momma's Sword" by giving him such a look. He flopped down on his amp childishly, pursing his lips as he quietly grumbled.

[Darex Trevelian]

If the word tenatively could be used to describe a ship exiting hyperspace, it would apply to the small shuttle that appeared over the planet. The planet was strange in the Force, full of memory and emotions. But as Darex reached out, he also felt several Jedi...Jedi whom he knew.

 

He brought the ship down to a landing pad outside of the building Skye and the others were in. Motioning for Seraphim to follow him, he went up to the front door. The protocol droid let him in, and he immediately spotted I-Nine. "I-Nine!" he called out. "Where is Skye?"

 

The droid pointed him in the right direction, and after wandering the halls a bit, Darex and his apprentice arrived in the room. A sweeping glance took in the scene. Darla, by the body of Skye. Ara-Lai Kaipi, former leader of the Jedi, seeming to speak to thin air. A sullen teenager sitting on an amp. And in the room, he felt Skye's presence.

 

He greeted Ara and Darla with a Jedi bow. "I take it this isn't a good time to speak to Skye?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. His tone clearly was asking what the situation was.

[Falcon-Prey]

Tossing the pole aside, Ana lightly hopped to her feet and brushed her pants off. She smiled softly and nodded to Lucious, "A break sounds like a good idea."

 

While Lucious went to the ship, Ana took some time to observe the changes in her surroundings since she'd been preoccupied sparring with Lucious. Several other ships had arrived, a fact she was surprised she had missed before. Ships could be quite noisy when they landed. Aparently she had spaced out for a while.

 

Shaking her head, she settled into a comfortable sitting position on a soft bed of needles beneath a tree. Right now she was unsure of what she should be doing. Should I go talk to Master Skye? She frowned, then shook her head. No...she probably wants her privacy.

 

((Sorry everyone, I had some RL stuff come up unexpectedly and couldn't get on.))

[Fuyuto]

((OOC: Fuyuto is a Gen'dai, with a lifespan that lasts millennia. He's about 1100 years old. Just thought I should mention that--he's insane because he has no concept of mortality, not because he's a hormonal teen. ))

 

"No..." Fuyuto interjected, with the tone of petulant boredom "Skye isn't here right now, marker your message on her arm--she'll get back to you when her soul is reattached..."

 

The blue haired man collapsed backward, landing with his back to the loading ramp and his eyes to the Stars.

 

"...This planet is weak..."

[Ara-Lai Kaipi]

Ara pursed her lips, and in a flash, a paper fan was in her hand and thwacking Fuyuto over the head. Once, twice, and once more for good measure.

 

"No insulting planets. Or markering your teacher. Not a good idea." She put the fan away and gave Fuyuto a very small smile. "Though it is an amusing one. Now, then." Ara turned back to Skye and took a breath. "To begin the process..."

 

Ara began to hum lowly, concentrating on Skye's spirit and it's location. The humming stopped and Ara's body slumped slightly as she went into her trance.

 

Two Aras, one in a white robe with wings, and the other the normal, bespectacled Ara, appeared before Skye. The normal spirit Ara cracked her neck lightly and took a breath before extending a hand to Skye.

 

"I think I can guide you 'manually' so to speak. I should be able to pull you back in." She looked to her other self, her soul dressed in white. "Or both of us, if need be. Just follow me."

 

At the same time, Sanare was still watching Fuyuto closely. As soon as Ara had gone into her trance, Sanare had mimicked Fuyuto's previous expression, pulling down one of its eyelids and sticking out its tongue at the blue-haired being. "Nyaa. Mother likes me better." Satisfied, Sanare went back to watching its mother do her job.

[Skye Organa]

It was all so surreal, the feelings that she felt while in the spirit realm. Skye was aware of Darex coming in, a smile coming to her face as she noticed him and his padawan enter her ship.

 

... Soon Darex ...

 

Skye's voice filtered through before she concentrated on Ara. She took Ara's extended hand, giving a nod of her head.

 

Ok, lets do this... It's more than time I returned to some form of normality...

 

Skye moved forward then, following Ara back to where they found the fog closing in again, swirling around them.

 

This is what I haven't been able to get past. This fog. The closer I get, the thicker it gets. I know I have to get past it though...

 

The visions of Skye's grown children flashed again, allowing Ara to see them, then they faded into the fog. Then, deep in the fog, another form that Skye hadn't seen before. This one was darker, more foreboding.

[Ara-Lai Kaipi]

Ara pulled Skye through the fog, but stopped when she saw Skye's children appear. She saw Krishna, and couldn't help a small grin. She glanced over at Skye.

 

"I miss him, you know. Kuri-kuri-kun." Ara laughed. "He always made me smile. The goof." Her laughter stopped as cold washed over her two selves.

 

Her other half, whom had long ago been named Shiro, grabbed Skye's other hand and looked from Ara to Skye and back again. "Pardon my asking, but...what is that? Have you seen it before?"