Welcome to Gaia! ::

*Bart runs his hand through his hair, feeling the tingle of dread on the back of his neck*

He took you? ... a woman? Who?

Karebana Hajime. *Luke had her name in his mind so often, he couldn't believe it was only the second time he'd said it. He looks at Maggie and Bard. It's not just the way they're standing, it's... He feels a swell of hate for the Seraphim all over again. He takes a moment and says.*

He called her out, and he told her to join up with him. But she didn't. She fought him. She took him on. *Luke remembers it with overwhelming clarity, but he looks away from it.* And when she did... he killed her.

*Luke waits for Bard's reaction, feeling the hairs on his arm stand on end.*

*Even though she knew it was coming, Maggie's heart still twists to hear Luke say it aloud -- even more at Bard's reaction. Her eyes fill with tears and she blinks quickly to keep them at bay, resting her hand against Bard's arm to try and brace him, support him, just to do something.*

*Bard lets out a nervous chuckle. He glances at the floor, unwilling to look at Luke or Maggie* I didn't... I didn't really know her. There was that time... we met... she thought I was... I mean...

*he licks his lips* ... and she was right there... she was... hard... li-like a sword... and now...dead...

*He keeps running it through his mind. He killed her. The Seraphim killed her. Just like that. No mercy. No mercy... except...*

*Luke is turning away. Bard reaches out and grabs him and draws into a crushingly tight embrace. Tears begin to well and trickle down his cheeks*

*... Thank God... Oh... Thank God...*

*Luke is pulled into the tight hug, and his breath catches in his throat. Luke stares forward, his mouth hanging open in shock. At first, he doesn't move a muscle. But then, he does his best to return the embrace, giving Bard a solid pat on the back as he does so.*

*His eyebrows pent together, and Luke swallows against his dry throat. The shock helps him hold it together, but his voice shakes when he says.* It's alright.

*It's not. He doesn't know why he ******** says it. Nothing is alright. But he said it, the words came out. And there's nothing he can say to take it back now.*

*Maggie's heart aches all the more as she sees them both pull away and shut down in their own seperate ways. She takes a breath to calm herself, but leaves her tears on her cheeks where they fell*

Bard . .. *she starts, taking a step toward him . . . but then lets her hands drop to her sides, simply nods and says* ... aye.

*Bard clears his throat again and examines the spot*

I think in this case, I'd best talk to Tavin. I'd like to arrange a sort of service. Perhaps we could create a memorial.

*Bard glances over at Maggie, but seeing her in tears makes it difficult for him to suppress his own. He looks away* I don't want to do anything without his say.