The Haunting Past (Tag Jacob)

[Setsuna Meioh]

The walk from the Galley into the command center was a long one. She was not aware if anyone had followed her. Her attention was on the coin. Gods be damned with with the others thought of her. She didn't want company as she looked over her coin. She never expected to see it again. Was it a sign that he had it? Or was fate just pulling cruel trick on her?

Her feet wondered on their own as her thoughts were consumed by the simple gesture. The captain probably saw it as something as very old which she might like. Old coco-clocks were more of her thing along with a few trinkets of the old world. She did not blame the man for trying. It was a nice gesture, just not one she was expecting.

She would take sips of her wine as she turned the coin over in her hand through the twists and turns of the hallways. The question that seemed to be kept going through her mind was why? It was not as if she had a good answer to that.

She entered into the darkened room, lights flickering to life. Her voice called out, "Off, the display are fine as long as they are dimmed at 35%."

The soft illumination was perfect as she felt tears well up in her eyes. There had been so much that happened, it felt like this was the icing on the cake. She could feel the presence of the others as her cold exterior had thawed out. It was as if various arms wrapped around her as she found a chair.

She took another large swig of wine as she curled into the chair, knees tugged almost under her chin. She placed the mostly empty bottle down as it clattered to its side. She took no notice as her fingers twisted the coin. She blinked several times as memories flooded through her. Ancient ones that she had long since faded from her waking world.

It was hard to think that she, at one time, was young, fresh faced. Her father,Chronos,had thrown a small gathering to announce that his two daughters would take their rightful places. He knew of none better to watch when world had all but forgotten about the Gods. She was proud that her was trusted with the task to guard time while her sister ferried the souls of the dead to their final resting place. Her sister could care less about the ceremony while she did not mind it. She was one for traditions such as this. It also meant for her, the last she was going to be around people for any length of time. Her training had been preparing her for this since her gifts manifested.

The ceremony was grand as everyone dressed in the traditional togas. Each of the gods carried a symbol of what they represented. All eyes looked at Chronos as he gave a grand speech about how their era was close to an end. Humans had fickle minds as they learned that they could provide for themselves. He talked how his daughters would ensure that the balance continued for eons to come. The power each possessed would never be as it was currently. The power would flow through a different force, one that would bring honor to their names.

He called her and her sister up to the front. She walked with her head held up high as she was able to fight through the trial. She would not speak about how she had almost failed. Her father kissed each of them on the cheek as they were led to center stage. He had given them each a coin which he called a Styxian Lure. It was a symbol to each of their duty as well as to honor they bring to their family. She had taken hers with smile as her eyes glistened. She knew it would be one of the last times that she would get to speak with her father.

Time had passed as what her father and the other gods faded as was predicted. She stood at her watch, making sure that none disturbed the flow of time. She had left her post only a handful of times and no longer than necessary. It was when she craved the touch of another, usually after a visit from her sister and husband. During one of the trips, the coin had fallen out of her pocket. She used her gifts to try to locate it. For one reason or another, it eluded her powers. A pang of guilt broke her heart as the lure was the last living memory from her father. The only thing she could think was that she had failed in the last command.

She confessed to her sister who shrugged her shoulders. The advice, all lost things have a way of coming back, such as the souls. It was good advice as who ever had it now, must have need of it. She pushed it from her memory as she had more important things to focus on. It was the first of many reminders that she was not allowed to take liberties that others are allowed.

Now here it was again in her hands. She flipped it over, face streaked with salty trails. How and why seemed to run through her head. She was grateful yet cautious as to the timing. Could this mean there was a change coming? One that not even herself had suspected? She sighed as she was probably over thinking everything again. This could mean a trip to see her sister or just let things naturally take its course. Things would be revealed in time.

[Jacob Marconi]

If this wasn’t a disaster waiting to happen he didn’t know what was and well it could have been her memories just overwhelming her. They shouldn’t leave like that at all. It would set a bad example for the troops. He had Annika locate her and he came into the COC and walked to his office giving her space. When he came back out he took the empty bottle of wine and placed it in the reclamation unit. He placed a glass for her and poured her some amber liquid. Yes he had alcohol in most places he resided. His office and quarters. He poured himself a glass and looked st her. He hadn’t bothered to turn on the lights at all.

“You never did tell me what is bothering you. I know we don’t share our feelings with one another. I’m terrible at it and you don’t at all. It’s just you and me. A man and woman having a conversation. What’s bothering you?”

He figured it was the holiday. He knew the pang of emotion when people you cared for no longer were there to share these times. He had many friends he’d no longer see because well when you were a soldier and mercenary you lost people. It wasn’t the utopia that the Sol System had been before Death Phantom in the places he went because he could settle for a quiet life. He had bled, found battle, knew joy and sorrow, most of all though he had lost good friends and lovers. That was the hardest part dealing with those memories when holidays came around. It was good many didn’t go near cargo bay two. He had it locked because he honored his friends there in a Tabulan Death Ritual once every half cycle( a cycle is a year). One of the women he knew and had been involved with was from a planet called Tabula and she had taught him a great many things about her culture. They didn’t fear death. In fact they said the collector came for them to reward or punish them. She told him one day he would be collected and join her since he had accepted her culture’s ways of life and death.

“You can talk to me about this. I have lost people I cared about. You don’t have to shut me out.”

[Setsuna Meioh]

Her body stayed in the same position as he moved around the center. She placed the glass away from her as her eyes never left the coin. She let the silence fill the air, figuring he would just leave. It was fairly clear she wanted to be left alone, here seemed as good as any.

The sound of his voice caused a small jump. It never failed as he always surprised her in different ways. She held the coin as far away from her body as possible as she turned the chair slowly to face him. Her eyes had a deeply sad look, as there was a slight glisten to them. The strange haunting look as if she had seen more than anyone else was more prominent than normal. She kept curled, as her shoulders drooped down even further. She lower the coin, as she held it between two fingers on the edge of the chair.

She gave a thin, almost forced smile. It was odd, almost sweet that he actually cared about what she was feeling, thinking it was about her friends. This time, it spanned much further back than her friends. She took in a deep breath as she twisted her loose hair up away from her back. She pinched her nose as her eyebrows furrowed together. She did not truly know where to start with feelings, a story of sorts would answer most of the questions.

"A conversation between us? It is a strange concept. I know my behavior has been less than ideal... Even stranger than it usually is."

She took in a shuddering breath, forming the words to explain. She brought the coin out in front of her, twisting it in her fingers once again. "The best place is to start in the beginning, I suppose. This coin is much, much older than you think and not just some random piece of currency. It, at one point, belonged to me.

"Before my father and the others disappeared from a majority of mortal minds, he made two almost identical coins. One was given to me and the other my sister. It was a grand day as we both took on our responsibilities. It was a grand party, one to celebrate an end and a beginning. Father always did like to make time puns.”

She chuckled as her smile relaxed. She and her sister would often roll their eyes. Now a days what she would give for that moment back, to hear his puns or the sage advice. It would mean something for someone to tell her that all of this was not her fault, that it was going to happen one way or another.

She looked at the coin, a distant look in her eyes as she faded into memories, telling the story that she relived once this night. Guilt ate away at her as she went on. Her fingers slowly twisted it around, as she blinked away any wetness that was on the edges.

"It was not long afterwards, the end came for my father and his family. My sister and I were left to keep the mortal realm in one piece, so to speak. I was young and foolish as I left my post a few times to take care of needs....." She paused, unsure if he caught her meaning. "During one of these times, the coin was lost. As hard as I tried, it eluded my sight. I gave up with guilt heavy in my heart. I never left my post. I was embarrassed as my sister was able to keep hers to pass along to her eternal partner." She snorted as she let out a long sigh, "It seems as if fate came full circle. It is a funny how it does that when you least expect it."

She fell silent, unsure of what his reaction. She left out a lot of detail, such as her sister deals with souls. He mostly had a hard time dealing with her powers. She pulled the coin towards her as she tilted her head as if she was debating something. She wiggled her nose, "I believe this is the first time I have talked to you at length....."

She closed her eyes, pushing down the guilt eating at her. An idea struck her next, which might back fire however it seemed apporate at this time. She suddenly uncurled herself form the chair as she made her way over to where he was. She place the coin in his free hand as she curled his fingers around it. The coin was hot as it sat there. Unexpected to herself, she kissed his cheek before she pulled back.

"As you gave me back to something that belong to me, I am free to do what I will with it. For once, don't be a stubborn old man and argue. Give me this with out us diving into a huge argument in which you can't win. It will find a way back to you as it seems it is in better care with you than myself. Think of this as a reward of sorts. Someday, it will keep you safe."

She took a step away, still very close to him. Her arms crossed over her stomach as she stared out into space.

[Jacob Marconi]

Jacob listened to her. He actually listened to while he observed that she was treating the coin like a poisonous object. He didn’t say a word as she spoke.

“It’s is a very odd behavior. I know that we are not the best at speaking to each other.”

Her story sounded like the tales he had heard about the Senshi. They were goddesses given physical form and come to lead humanity into an era of peace. He had bought in for a few hundred years. He left because while it was nice to have peace and grow soft. He wasn’t one of them. He left and when she said she had a sister he looked at her. She was claiming to be a goddess or at the very least the child of a god. Either way it was still something he didn’t believe. Yes he had seen footage of the Senshi in Tokyo and how they had fought the creatures. He wasn’t dense but then again he just couldn’t suspend his disbelief. Now she was giving a story and her melancholy was real. She was telling him about her life. He sat on the console, something he yelled at the kids about, as she rose and approached him he looked at her curiously and yet with an apprehension that he wouldn’t normally feel. When she kissed his cheek he sat there in silent surprise and she closed his hand in the coin. He didn’t argue as she said what she needed about the coin. He just placed it in his pocket. He would realize later the old beat up coin was new looking, right now he was in the moment.

“No arguments. I’ll keep it until you wish for it back.”

He looked at her standing there so forlorn and alone. He rose from where he was sitting on the console walked over to her and took her face in his hands gently. He kissed her forehead with just as much gentleness and then handed her the glass he poured for.

“I know you miss them and with what you’ve told me it’s not a surprise that you feel the way you do at times. Let’s have a drink to absent friends and then I want to show you something. Print pictures of your friends to bring.”

He clinked his glass to hers.

“To absent friends....may we see them again when it’s time. Cheers.”

He drank his bourbon and waited for her to drink hers.

[Setsuna Meioh]

She felt relieved when he took the coin without a word. It would be safer with him. She had proved to herself that she was unable to hold onto it. The was a sudden chill in the air as she shivered slightly. If she had to guess, her action some how caught the attention of her sister and husband. She could only guess at what their thoughts were. Than again, she would most likely not have to guess for very long with them.

Her eyes watched as he got up from his seat. As his calloused hands folded around her cheeks, suddenly she could hear the blood pumping through her ears. It's quick pace was unexpected as his lips touched her forehead. Heat radiated off her cheeks as he pulled away. She tucked stray hairs behind her ear, covering up her reaction.

It is just the wine. Noting more or less. She told herself over and over again. She was caught up in the moment as much as he was. She took her glass as her eyes closed. She calmed her beating heart as she took a sip. She could only hope that the low light helped cover any physical signs he might be able to spot.

She clinked her glass as she took another sip. She swirled the liquid around as he spoke of print pictures. It was a thoughtful idea however they would land in the back of her closet. She got a daily reminder of her friends. She would not refuse a second gift from him tonight.

"To absent friends". She let out a bit of a sigh as curiosity ate at her. "How have you been able to come across such rare items from home? How did you find such a spot out in the middle of no where? I feel as if you owe me a little background after a story such as mine."

It was a stall tactic in hopes he would forget his pictures. She could only hope it would work.

[Jacob Marconi]

He could tell she was trying to get out of going with him. She was melancholy and that was to be expected considering the holidays. That was just how it went sometimes but tonight he was going to show her something. It was a special something that he had never shown anyone else. She had a right to it and he wasn't going to deny her that right.

"Setsuna...there is something I want you to see. It is not something I show people but tonight I can share it with you. Ask Annika to print the pictures for you and come with me. It is important as I have to go there anyways tonight. It is time to visit my honored dead. They deserve a drink with a friend and maybe if you choose add new friends for us to have a drink with every half cycle. Your call."

He waited as he poured them another glass and sipped at his. He wasn't going to force her to do anything she didn't want to do. It was time to accept certain things in life and one of them was that even though he had lived through so many engagements and jobs. There was a round with his name on it. It was one of those things that grew more inevitable as time passed. He looked tired and ready for a rest. A long rest that would only be achieved once he was sure they were ready.

[Setsuna Meioh]

She looked at him as he spoke. It would seem her ploy had been seen through. Well, maybe not fully a ploy as it was a question that entered her mind. Each had their secrets, for now, she would let him keep his. After all, it would not do her much good to get to know him as earthly attachments tend to hinder her.

This request from him felt oddly personal. She watched his moves with great care as she mulled over his words. She lifted her eye brow as he poured more into the cup. She would walk in his footsteps for now. Dionysus would be proud of him, drinking to celebrate, forget, or just because. It might be all three for the captain tonight.

"Visiting your honor dead? What is so special about tonight?"

She paused as she shivered again. The actions with this man seemed to be peeking someone's interest tonight. She glanced out into the dark void as she debated. For her, the pictures might be a little too soon. She would see what this honoring was all about.

Her eyes held a deep, relenting sadness of times long forgotten as she looked at him. She felt for him. A military life was hard, add that on to a mercenary life which made things even worse. Her fingers rested on his arm, "I shall join you in the honoring your fallen. For my lost ones, pictures are not needed when their flesh and blood surround us. Lead the way, Captain."

[Jacob Marconi]

He thought about everything she asked him and decided the truth would be best tonight as it was a holiday and she didn't deserve to hear his terse words about everything and then to have a fight.

"Tonight is also a celebration for Tabulan's. They not only celebrate life but they celebrate their dead. The memories they had with them and what they did in life and how it enriched their lives. I owe my comrade a visitation and to put a glass of that Tabulan rotgut she used to drink with me. Plus I need to tell the stories of the years they have missed. They need it and it gives me a chance to for once not feel the loss of friends."

He shrugged at her objections to placing the pictures of her friends on the alter. It was her choice and one she could make. He did though take the lead and started toward the lift. It wouldn't take them long to get there but the ride was going to odd. Usually they didn't ride the lift together. They usually waited for the lift to return.

[Setsuna Meioh]

She held the glass with great care, the edge balancing on her lip as he spoke. She nodded her head as he talked about the tradition and telling stories his lost friends had missed. She knew that most mortal races felt the need to do such a thing. In a sense, she knew better. The dead were enjoying or regretting the choices they made. It is what happens after the life chain gets cut from the body. She could not recall a time that the dead clearly heard the living unlike the old gods.

"It does your soul good than. I curious as to the stories that you tell."

She followed in the shadow of his footsteps. This night had taken an interesting turn. It was one that she never expected. She entered into the lift after him. She blinked a few times in the bright light. A hand rubbed her eyes in hopes of covering up the tear trails down her cheeks. To show weakness would only be brought up the next time they came head to head.

Silence filled the air as she was unsure about what to talk about. Her eyes stared into the wall, images of her friends seemed to pop out at her. She swore it was the wine that was playing tricks on her. She let out a soft sigh, hoping for this adventure in the lift to end soon.

[Jacob Marconi]

Jacob didn’t notice she had been emotional and if he had he didn’t mention it. He was a hard man to get along with with but he wasn’t insensitive. They rode in silence the few moments it took the lift to take them to the corridor that would take them to the cargo bay. The doors opened soundlessly and he waited for Setsuna to exit. The walk was swift as they got to the cargo bay. He stopped and hit a few buttons on the console.

“Annika open the door. Authorization MarconiOneAlphaAlphaTwo.”

The door opened showing an empty cargo bay except at the back where a lone, but large, stone structure stood. He motioned Setsuna to follow and when they were within viewing distance you could see the candles that littered the alter. There were pictures and strange tunes carved into the stone. Jacob walked to the replicator and spoke and more candles appeared. He took them and lit them placing them on the alter. Pictures of people. Men and women. Human and alien were on the alter. He used the bottle to top off some of the glasses there. The most surprising thing was he said prayers at each one. He stopped at one and said an extra prayer and then placed a small exotic flower before the picture.

“It’s the holidays. You know the one you asked me about. The one I told you about. We celebrated it tonight. I know I’m supposed to be living my life but sometimes that is just the hardest thing to do when you’re missing friends. Tonight though I have a friend who wishes to give you company if she can. Let’s let her have the comfort she can find.”

He said something that was very close to Styxian and then stepped away from the alter. He looked at Setsuna and waited.

[Setsuna Meioh]

She felt grateful when the doors to the lift slid open. It felt like one of the longest rides she had ever taken. She knew the alcohol was causing her head to feel slightly detached from her shoulders. She crossed to the fair side of the hall as she waited for him to lead. She knew the cargo hold that he spoke of, just needed to get her head on a little straighter.

She crossed an arm over her chest as she waited for him to open the door. She was curious and yet wanted this to be over and done with. She wanted to go back to being alone. This night had taken most of her desire to be around people already. She was not sure what to expect from his ritual or the result it would have on her.

Her eyes grew slightly wide as she saw the pictures along the stone structure. She placed her wine on the ground as Jacob headed over to the replicator. He faded from her thoughts as she focused on what was before her. She barely made a sound as her hand trailed over each row of pictures, traced the ruins. It was curious as so many had touched his life as well as the opposite.

She stepped away when her approached the alter himself. She was quiet as she watched him place candles, topped off glasses, and the flower. She did something that was rather unusual for her as her eyes glowed slightly. She watched their friendship and death as the prayers were said. Beneath the hard outer shell, there was a man who cared for others and did what was right by them. It was side that few ever see.

She blinked her eyes a few times as she came back to the here and now. She took in a deep breath as he spoke something close to her native language. Her eyes narrowed as she studied him, as if she was searching for something.

More silence filled the air as she released he was waiting on her. Her forehead farrowed as she stepped up. Unsure of what to do, she bowed to each of them. She spoke in her native tongue, thanking them for their gift of life to help on the current journey as well as that her sister and husband had treated them fairly.

She stepped away as her gaze was full force as she looked at the captain. Questions rose as she had watched him. They were in a period of being civil so some might get answered.

"I think this ritual suits you, captain. It may not be a bad idea to allow the children a way to grieve for their parents. Or at least honor them. What was the last part that you said before I stepped up? It sounded familiar though I could not translate all of it."

[Jacob Marconi]

Jacob had taken a seat after taking care of his friends. He was tired of the struggles of life. He would soldier on though as the adage went and get up. The quiet whispers of the dead were strong here and Setsuna could actually feel her sister and hear them as well. He rose off the floor and finished his drink and looked at Setsuna for her question.

“It’s a Tabulan...I’ve actually learned several galactic languages. That was a prayer for the Soul Taker to allow me the time to finish with the children. After that she is free to take me.”

He always said that because he believed it. Shi’ana had told him the Soul Taker and her husband watched over the land of the dead. They took the good souls to their reward and the bad souls well it was best not to think about it.

“The Soul Taker is the core of their beliefs. She takes them back to their reward. You have to give her something though for the boat ride. I have a silver coin I always carry with me. Gold isn’t something she likes. Silver carried more weight with her. Anyways they say she has a sister. One who controls and bends time.”

He turned smiling at her as she refilled his glass.

“You wouldn’t know anyone like that would you?”

[Setsuna Meioh]

She watched his actions with great care. For her, she had learned to push most of the whispers to the side. Like her sister, Setsuna had a small scope of powers over the dead as her sister with time. Her father had willed it this way. After the ritual, they were much stronger. Her sister was rather interested in this man. She glanced to where she was standing.

She looked at him after a pause in the conversation. She listen with great care. It made sense that a people who worshiped her sister, would have a language close to her native tongue. She heard a chuckle as her eyes glanced to her sister. She would research these people. She was rather interested in learning more about them.

She nodded as he talked about the end. "When it is your time, I know you will be judged fairly. I get the feeling that you still have plenty to do."

Her sister at the center of a people. She gave the faintest of chuckles. If only they knew how right they were with the afterlife.

"The Tabul have most of the story correct as I know who they are talking of. She does not like anything flashy. She also will not put up with any bullshit. When it is your time, just remember that." She raised an eyebrow, "Seeing this ritual, it almost makes me thing you believe in things beyond this world and magic. What makes you hesitant to believe that I control time? Why is it hard to believe there is actual magic in this world?"

[Jacob Marconi]

Him believing in magic was like him believing that the universe had an end. Sure people died and they told stories of the afterlife and how people were at peace there. He believed in this ritual. He spoke the words. Magic wasn’t in his blood. Science was his religion. War his his summer place and most of all the briefing room his pulpit.

“If an afterlife is real I will be very surprised. I have no doubts that either way I’ll get what I deserve. Whether it be good or bad I’ll get what I’m due.”

He finished and turned toward her. He found it interesting that she was speaking of something she knew about and the conviction in her voice said it was true to her.

“You think I don’t believe in things? You’re right I don’t believe in Magic or Time control. If it was true the suffering of individuals wouldn’t be a reality. The peace that Sol enjoyed would have been shared by all. I’ve been to the edge. I’ve fought, bled, watched people I’ve respected and loved die, most of all I’ve never once prayed or even had the errant thought of maybe magic could solve this.”

He walked over to where he had set down the bottle and grabbed it taking another drink off the bottle.

“So demonstrate some magic for me. Take me to when my worthless father left me and my mother on some worthless Moon by ourselves.”

[Setsuna Meioh]

Setsuna's guilt twisted her stomach. Part of her knew that he was not taking a shot at her, while the other felt it was a low blow. She blamed what happened on her lapse in sacred duties. She crossed her arms over her chest as she looked to her sister. The woman shrugged as she faded away. It would seem that she is on her own with the captain, for the moment.

Her eyes flashed over to where the captain stood. A deep breath filled her lungs as she spoke. She knew that she would not completely change his mind, just show that she and the children had gifts beyond what most mortals did.

"Peace had been spreading out before the fateful day. The outer edges might not have seen it just yet. I am only sorry that the queen could not bring it to everyone as was her wish."

Her stance changed as he asked for a demonstration. Her lips curled into a slight smiled as she cleared the space between them. What he would see would not be what he requested. It would not serve her purpose. She placed her hand on his arm as she spoke softly.

"We are not in the right space. It is forbidden for me to travel such as that and you would hardly believe your eyes. You would need a key and a special door. There has only been one to do such a thing. I will not permit another to travel in case someone has an idea to mess with Time."

She let her voice trail off. She had thought about it time and time again. She could fix the mistake that was her fault. The children would be able to grow up with parents. Anytime she has tried, her father's trust in her made her change her mind. She blinked a couple of times, mind focused on the task at hand.

"Annika, be a dear and shut off all power save the life support. Should he ask if you are influencing, please answer honestly. The captain will inform you when to restore power here."

After the A.I. did as she was had asked. Her full attention was on the captain as her deep maroon aura could suddenly be seen. A thick fog rolled into the room as her breath was steady. The smell of condensed water, sand, and decay filled the room, the same smell as was on her skin right after being at the gate. The full power of the Gate of Time flowed through her. Her eyes had a glow as images appeared. She talked in a soft voice, with a slight hint of amusement.

"Dearest captain, it would not due to show you want you wanted. You are a logical man which means something much different for you." The walls of the station would deconstruct than start to decay from disuse, and then again into the past. "There are better ways to demonstrate. As you see, the station fades from the past to the future. In time, our current home will be long forgotten. It is hard to say if it will be used again. As you see", images of possible future tenants added in, "there is a possibility that others might need this place if they are suppressed or on the run."

She had them travel beyond this tiny room, into the Maw itself. As before, it would go between when it was formed to when the system would die out. The station they were on would, eventually, be sucked or rescued. "The past will be fixed while the future is hard to tell. There are many different factors as to what the outcome is. The station is effected by the actions of others. Who knows if it will be discovered after we finally leave. I know it is a closely guarded secret of yours." She spread it a little larger to show the galaxy in where they were. "There are large events in which the future is fixed. Think more that the objects in space, as with most, show the pattern of birth, life, and death. It is different for it is not effect by the actions of others such as you."

The image of space changed as her focused turned to the man beside her. The gray fog swirled around at their feet as the frame of the gate showed. A ribbon of images flowed behind him, showing all of his past life. It showed from this moment the training, the wars, and his birthed. It went on to show the lives of his parents, grandparents, and spreading out into the distant past, stories long forgotten. She wanted him to see where he came from.

"As you see, each of the different members of your heritage made choices that lead to you. Your choices throughout your life have also lead you to this place in which we stand. At the time of these choices, you did not understand what the outcome would have been. How would you suspect that a people worship as you saved a little girl? How you would know that you lead your troops into a trap, barely scrapping a stalemate? Would you have chosen differently if you knew the outcome of each of these?" She turned his attention from the past to future. Different paths with images spread out in an infinite number. "Just like your actions from this moment will determine different paths for you, rippling out to others around you. As others choose as well, it will ripple out. I go through all of these when I hand you my report. I sift through to find the path which is least resistant to you and the children. Maybe next time, you will take it a little more seriously."

She stepped back, letting the images stay for him to look closer should he wish. When he signaled he was done. She let the full power of the gate to leave her being. Her aura faded as her eyes went back to normal. The candles on the alter had the same amount of wax as before, almost as if no time had past. Her breath came out a little heavier as she closed her eyes. It had taken a lot to show him everything and let no time past. She only hoped in the end, he would see there was more to this world then what he knew. He knew that she had a power beyond what he thought.

She chuckled to herself as she repeated words that her father spoke. She had much think on. It was a reminder that she needed.