Reunion of Friends

[Kender Bard]

Luminous nodded. "You two can go," she said. There were so many angels, she doubted they'd get into any trouble. And if the only people here were the Chosen and their families, well, the Forces wouldn't choose bad people, right?

---

"That's fantastic!" Luna enthused with a grin. "Tell me a little about him."

[Northen Light36]

Teardrop smiled back, relaxing a little around her adoptive sister for the first time on the trip. She was always happy to talk about the man she loved and it was hard to feel uncomfortable when Luna seemed interrested in her. Without needing anymore encouragement, she began telling Luna all about Winger and his family, finishing with a quiet, "I wish he'd come with us, but I can't blame him for wanting to stay and help protect his family. I just hope he's safe."

---

The twins watched Dami run off with Alyssa with startled looks. "Forces," Bas remarked. "Was your family force-blessed or something, Lumi? Or did you trade Dami for a well-behaved version instead? I've never heard him ask permission rather then demand something."

"Who's the other kid?" Pas added curiously. "Looks like an older, darker-skinned version of my baby sister."

[Kender Bard]

Luna nodded. By this point they'd picked out a small home that lay empty and walked around in it. It was very bare and plain but it would do. She settled herself at a chair around a round wooden table that seemed to have grown from the floor itself. Nubilous had slipped into another room to poke around a bit more. "I understand how you feel. I wish Xavier was with me now, but he has a duty to Sensatia and to the Master."

---

"That's Alyssa and why Dami is well behaved," Luminous explained. "She's Honored Leader Ann's daughter and has been staying with us for some time. Since this demon problem began roughly. We all thought Talen'sul would be safe from the problems in Naurorod but then a terribly powerful demon showed up and nearly destroyed Skyheort with her own people..." She trailed off, looking sad. It had been hard to know how near that had happened. "But Lady Calder's daughter, Teardrop, came to mother and told her of this Sanctuary. She agreed to bring us with her and now here I am."

[Northen Light36]

Bas and Pas shuddered, thinking of what had nearly happened to their mother and uncle. "That was terrible," Bas murmured softly, stepping forward to give Luminous a tight hug. "I'm glad you and your family are safe."

"And it's quite nice here," Pas added, trying to offer some comfort. "Have you decided where you're staying yet? There's still plenty of room in the Etafian tree, if you want to stay with us. We could keep each other company until this is over and we can go home."

---

Teardrop chose a seat where she could keep an eye on her nephew as he explored. "At least they know they don't have to worry about us. Not much comfort for us, but it'll let them focus on their own safety at least."

[Kender Bard]

"I think that'd be nice, though I do want to look around a bit first," Luminous replied. In particular, she wanted to look at the tree of Soahc. She looked at her friends curiously. "Have you been to Soahc's tree yet?"

[Northen Light36]

Bas shook her head. "We haven't," she replied, gesturing to her twin. "And I don't think Aries has... Have you?" She looked curiously at her brother.

[Kender Bard]

"I poked around it a little but no, not much," Aries said. "I think there's people in there now and I didn't want to intrude."

"Well I may just go say hello later," Luminous said with a smile. "Etaf is nice and all, but my faith lies with Soahc. Still, I may wind up staying here just so I can be with all of you." She gave them each a hug in turn.

[Northen Light36]

"Well, even if you don't choose to stay there, we'll have plenty of time to spend together," Bas pointed out as she hugged her friend back. "Come on. We'll show you around. Don't worry about Dami or his friend. The angels keep an eye on everyone and there's nothing really dangerous here. Unless you count uncle Amaro when someone wakes him up early."

[Kender Bard]

Luminous giggled. "Sure, I'd like that."

Aries stepped up to Luminous's side, taking her hand in his own. "There's a lot to see here, too. And not all of it is... normal. A lot of strange animals and plants that Soahc made."

Luminous beamed wider. "That's even better!"

[Northen Light36]

Pas scowled at his brother and took Luminous' other hand. "Some of Soahc's angels may come and talk to us too," he told her. "Some of them are really friendly."

Bas quietly rolled her eyes at her brothers' antics. Forces, they get stupid over Lumi, she thought. "The Worgian angels are pretty good for sparring with if you ask too," she commented as she led the way back towards the housing area. "I can't beat them, of course, but I'm learning a lot. Come on, let's go get a basket from our tree. Then we can pick berries and stuff for a snack while we show you around."

[Kender Bard]

Luminous couldn't help but smile as Pas took her other hand and she let herself be guided between the two boys. Her smile faded as it reminded of her of some of her other suitors--and friends. "I hope Lucid and Tristan are all right," she murmured.

Tristan was a name familiar to Aries, somewhat. But... "Who's Lucid?"

"Mother Cascata's son," Luminous explained. "I haven't heard any news at all on what's been happening demon-wise on the east side of Naruta. Ronduin has a rough history from the last demon incursion. I hope they're okay." And her father, and her mother... "It's going to be very hard to stay here with so many people I care about still out there. How do you guys manage it?"

[Northen Light36]

Bas swallowed hard, the pleasure of discovering Luminous vanishing like water off the feathers of a duck. "By trying not to think about it," she replied quietly. But now she was thinking of her friends in the guild, and of her parents. "Excuse me," she said quickly, her voice a little choked up. "I'll go find a basket." She darted off, wanting some distance between her and her brothers and friend until she was less close to crying.

[Kender Bard]

"I shouldn't have said anything," Luminous sighed. "It's just weighing on my mind."

Aries pat her hand gently. "No, I don't blame you. I think everyone, even the adults, feel the same way." He let go and went after his sister.

Luminous tilted her head up and noticed an angel watching them curiously. She frowned and the angel quickly flew away. "It must be hard to get privacy here."

[Northen Light36]

"It is a bit," Pas murmured. "But the angels only tend to really pay attention when they're needed or there's a problem. Mostly they mind their own business." He smiled weakly. "And, don't worry about Bas. She'll be okay in a bit." He took a deep breath and said softly, "We just... We lost some friends in Talen'sul. And nearly lost Muma and Aria, our cousin. With Muma and father both away again, we're all a little on edge. And you know Bas, she hates letting people see when she's upset or scared."

Bas bolted into the Etafian house and hid herself behind a chair. Only then did she let the tears fall, covering her face with her hands. She hated being such a crybaby, but she couldn't help being afraid. It had been awhile since they'd heard from Acqua and even longer since anything had been heard from Mat.

[Kender Bard]

"I know, though I wish she didn't feel that way around us," Luminous sighed. "And I'm sorry to hear that about your family, Pas. I'll admit, my stomach is in knots right now too. The last time I saw my father, it was when he was sending me to Talen'sul due to demons being seen in Maelstrom."

Aries searched for his sister, calling out softly, "Bas? Bas where are you?" He strained to hear her and followed his ears.