Welcome to Gaia! ::

He nodded, he thought school was over, but he wasn’t in school and he knew they ends were staggered for whatever reason, that he would never understand. “I will make sure you get to school on time,” he said softly. It would just mean that he needed to pay attention to the time because he knew if he didn’t he could spend hours upon hours on his wonder.

He shook his head once more, “You know even though the circumstance aren’t the most perfect, they aren’t bad ones to go for. Shangri-la, its like a sanctuary of sorts, so its perfect in a way because you can let it be your sanctuary for a little while. It sort of has a timeless feel to it, you’ll see when you get there. Are you ready?” He gave her hand another squeeze and closed his eyes breathing deeply, calmly before the oath he needed sprung to the forefront of his mind and the words were spoken in assured and steady voice. Once he finished Ida would find herself standing in Shangri-la, grass stretching far, covering most paths, stone pergolas scattered about overgrown with vines and clues that cloth once hung on them. Stone building rose up on out the ground like mountains all over the valley and grand bridges connected one side of the valley to the other with beautiful water falls cascaded over an endless amount of cliffs. It was daylight, bright and warm, not what would be expected of Pluto, but Shang was glad for that. If it was cold, it would likely lose some of its enchantment.

“Welcome to Shangri-la,” he said softly.

Traveling to a wonder was different than traveling to her planet and the eternal realized she’d never actually been to one before. She didn’t really know a lot of knights and none of them had ever taken her… the process was different as Shang spoke an oath and Ida clung to his hand, her fingers wrapped around his. The change in scenery made her blink and her eyes widened as she looked around her, tears suddenly gathering again… but this time in relief. This was not Earth and immediately her tension eased. The negaverse couldn’t reach them here, the stress of life, the troubles that came just with the everyday, couldn’t follow them. Just like on Ida… she was safe. Free.

“Its beautiful, Shang.” She said softly, hearing the roar of water and finding the falls and the bridges to trace with her gaze. This was different from the dry, soft, tame meadows of Ida… the plant life seemed more rampant, more overgrown. She found herself idly wondering if Shangri-la had animals, the way Ida didn’t.

Tilting her head back, the young woman let her eyes close and she took a deep, cleansing breath, tightening her hand around Shang’s as she drew comfort from the wonder, and from him. It was like an energy that seeped up through her feet and through her hand, filling her up and pooling in the deep parts of her like soothing water. This was what she needed… what she had been craving, missing Ida. It wasn’t hers, it lacked that personal connection, but there was a similarity here.

Shang opened his eyes to behold his wonder feeling the warm air tingling his skin, not too hot and not too cold. It was just right and it covered him like a blanket in a way sort of welcoming him, or at least that is how he felt. He eyes traveled to the nearest bridge. It was the largest one and they would need to cross it to get to the fountain which was at the bottom of the valley. Currently he didn’t know any other way to get down there and Silas didn’t seem keen to tell him, saying he needed to figure it out on his own.

He looked to Ida when she spoke, but then just watched her for a second as she began to relax far more than she had been. He smiled glad to see that this was helping. He didn’t think it was good to run from one’s problems, but he found there was something about senshi and even knights he supposed, that needed this sort of thing. It was like natural, like breathing to seek out the connection when they were troubled. He didn’t understand it, but he accepted it.

“I’m glad you like it. Come there is more to see and if we doddle too much I won’t be able to show you. It’s a bit of a walk until we get to the lift, but it doesn’t take too long to get there.” He moved toward one of the closest building, a smaller building connected to a larger one by a bridge, thus far he’d only used the staircase inside it to get to the bridge that lead to the other building, but he would explore the upper levels one day. The building was circular with large winding staircase the lead upward, at the top opened a landing that lead out to a bridge, but you could also continue upward to see what lie above. Shang chose the bridge heading out across into another building and more stairs, hallways with rooms, filled with all manner of things from books, to places to sit and eat, to rooms for sleeping, but he ignored them all continuing up and out onto the large bridge that extended across the valley.

He smiled at Ida, leading the way out onto the bridge, to the middle, right up edge. The bridge was suspended over the valley and from it one could see everything, from the sun over the valley creating shapes from the shades all over, to the waterfalls tumbling down into the rivers below, greenery one most of the surfaces, and every building in the valley.

“Right here is one of my favorite places to be. Its a grander sight than any place I have been on earth, even the grand canyon. Beautiful, like touching the edge of imagination, which is quite wonderful for me, as I have never been the most imaginative person.” He released her hand and leaned on the side of the bridge closing his eyes and listening to the waters rumble. He could stay here forever, or at least he felt he could sometimes.

She followed him in a bit of a haze, her mind whirling, but unable to settle on any one thing. It kept trying to circle back to that night in the warehouse and the time before, to the events that had caused her such pain. She didn’t want to deal with those emotions though, felt like she couldn’t, so her mind kept skittering away, seizing on other things to focus on instead. Little things, like a flower here, a statue there… idle questions about what something was, where it had come from, who had made it…

Rooms passed by as they made their way through the ancient building, Ida’s hand firmly in Shang’s as he led her upwards and through, out towards the bridge that spanned the wide expanse of valley. The view from the center, when she lifted her eyes to it, was stunning and for a long moment all she could do was stare out at it as Shang moved to lean on the railing. She felt a breeze move against her hood and she lifted her face to it, turning from the view to watch the knight watching his wonder. She felt warm, but sad still, drained. He looked at ease here, the way she felt on Ida. And more than that, he looked at peace with himself, a feeling she so desperately wished she had, herself.

Her heart squeezed in her chest and she stepped forward from the middle of the bridge, stepping up beside him and shyly sliding her arms around one of his to hug it against her chest. It was a bold sort of move, for her, but he’d already held her once and there had been such comfort in it. Her shoulders lifted and fell as she sighed softly, resting her cheek against his shoulder and closing her eyes to the beautiful sight of Shangri-la.

“Its beautiful.” She said, repeating her earlier statement. What more was there to say? This place seemed to inspire words from him, but there was still too much weighing on her to find the transcendence he seemed to find here. “Thank you for bringing me.”

He could have fallen asleep right there on the bridge, he didn’t even flinch when Ida wrapped her arms around one of his. She leaned against him and his head moved to lie against her opening his eyes and looking out over the valley once more. “You know Ida, you’re probably the best friend, I have … have ever had. I’m not even sure I would be much of a knight, if I hadn’t met you, even for all Maia’s pushing, her training, the knowledge she has. I mean, I’m not really sure I guess, but I’m really really glad to know you. I hope that you can overcome this hardship because you’re a really amazing person and you deserve better.”

He stood up from where he was leaning on the bridge, “Come on there’s more. Its down.” He pointed down and behind him to the valley that descended a long way. “Just over the bridge there is a path that leads down to a special place. My ancestor built it, he said his friends enjoyed spending time there when they came while they were young. I’ve added to it. I would like to show you if you are okay with that.”

He hoped she was, the fountain was lovely, though many things around it, he simply had not idea where they came from, even the stones used in the fountain didn’t all seem to come for his wonder. There was even a tree with crystal fruit, he left well enough alone. It definitely didn’t come from Shangri-la and Silas kept the details to himself, telling Shang to build his own memories. His uncle was odd like that sometimes, generally helpful, but weird.

He didn’t make to move, he wouldn’t force Ida to go, if she didn’t want to. She seemed comfortable now.

Ida’s eyes opened when Shang began to talk and she looked startled when he called her his best friend. A flush swept over her cheeks and she shifted a little, feeling the weight of his head against hers. This was… so strange. New and different from anything she’d ever had before. She was friends with a lot of people, granted, but there was still something different about this. About him. She felt her chest ache, but was not her troubles from before that were filling her mind now.

“You’re one of my best friends, Shang… I’m… starting to rely on you a lot. Its… nice to know you’re there when I need your support. I just wish… I was worth your regard. I wish I could give you back some of that.” She said softly.

Alois had been childish, teasing, had enjoyed making her uncomfortable and upset. Xander was never anything but supportive, caring, never teased her or said things to put her on edge. He was just quietly there, trustworthy and reliable. She had a lot of friends, a lot of people she cared about, but he was fast making his way to the top of her list. It was weird to have it happen so gradually that she almost hadn’t noticed… even as she realized each time they’d met, events had brought them closer. This soft feeling, she didn’t know what to do with it.

At the mention of another place, she straightened up finally, loosening her hold on his arm. “Yeah, I would like to see it. If its important to you, then its important to me too.”

Shang just smiled and shook his head, “You give back more than you know, its all in perception, and you're more than worthy. Don’t think you aren’t.” He brought his free hand up placing it on her and gently removing her embrace to take her hand once more and start across the bridge. At the end of the bridge he was sure he spotted Silas. Was he waiting, did he want to show him something?

Silas moved and Shang followed him with his eyes quickening his pace a little heading down a path off to the side literally carved into the side of the cliff, it was a wide path, plenty of room, but without a wall of sort or any kind of rail, Shang moved to make sure Ida was on the inside before continuing on following Silas. They went past the lift Shang had intended to use and he was momentarily confused looking back at it for a moment before continuing on, until he saw Silas disappear behind a fall.

He continued on and followed him, finding Silas waiting behind the falls. He gave him a curious glance before his ancestor spoke. “That lift is a thousand year old at least, built to last yes, through many generations, and I know you’ve used it. But better safe,” he said looking at Ida, “than sorry. Can’t be sure with a second person. Flowers are one thing, but …”

Shang nodded looking at his redheaded ancestor, “Yes, thank you.”

Silas nodded and walked off, “there’s a torch, it will light for you, just follow the path down and you’ll get there.”

Shang nodded giving Ida’s hand a light squeeze before grabbing the torch and watching it glow, something he found weird. “Down we go,” he said leading the way, down, down, down. There was nothing much to see, aside from what you normally be in a cave. At the bottom they came out behind the same waterfall where it met the water below and eventually joined with the river.

Coming from behind the falls and heading back to where he thought the lift would have been, until he spotted the tree and the fountain beside it. He smiled seeing it, the fountain itself lined rather sporadically, not that it took away from the beauty, but lined sporadically with rose, lilies and alexanders. A small waterfall tumbled into, though it was likely larger than it had been 1000 years ago. There was a path from the fountain, the only break in the flowers, leading out to the river and places to sit even a pergola off to the side, though Shang liked to sit on the fountain itself.

He smiled at Ida, “Do you like it? I wanted to plant the orchid you gave me, but I wasn’t sure if I could. Honestly I thought I might kill it. I’m actually surprised the rest of the flowers are blooming, my mom like flowers. I didn’t get her talent, still I thought it was something I could add.”

White teeth worried her lip as Shang took her hand, but she followed him without a thought, letting the tug on her arm lead her. He was too sweet… she appreciated the sentiment, even if she could never truly believe such things. The thought was still nice.

As they moved down the path, Ida would have chosen the inner side of the path even if Shang hadn’t put himself on the outside. The roar of the waterfall brought to mind images of deep pools at the bottom and a creeping anxiety made her stray away from the edge as much as she could, preferring solid ground under her boots. It wasn’t the height that bothered her… she had stood on the edge of the balconies of Ida and felt no fear. It was the water at the bottom, no doubt deep enough for her to sink many times her height, that made her lungs squeeze in instinctive terror. No, no, it was better to avoid thinking about that and avoid looking over the edge. Her hand tightened in Shang’s and she clung to him, using the knowledge that he would keep her safe to stamp down some of the old fear.

Passing the lift made her eyebrows raise, but Shang must have known what he was doing… Her surprise came when they passed behind the falls and a man was there, speaking to the knight about another path and why they were avoiding the lift. Ida shifted closer to her friend as she watched the pair with wide eyes. When the man left, she turned at the squeeze on her hand.

“Was that your ancestor?” The young woman said softly. “I’ve never been to a wonder, so I’ve never seen or… met one, I guess.” The trip through the cave was, of course, much like one would expect… but it was easy going, and always, there was Shang’s hand in hers.

Breaking out into the light again was relieving and for a moment Ida was taken away by the sight. It wasn’t as breath taking as the bridge, but the fountain was beautiful… the flowers, the path, the river… everything was tranquil, peaceful… what she imagined Ida would have been, once upon a time. Plant life was more grown here than Ida, though she could hope it was starting to come back.

His question brought out an unexpected laugh from her and she turned a smile back on him. “Of course I like it, Shang. Its beautiful…” The idea of him planting the orchid she gave him here… it made her suddenly feel shy and warm. He wanted a piece of her here, in this special place. After a bit of a thought, she shrugged gently, her smile shy now. “I could help you plant it, if you want. Its not too hard to transplant them, you just have to know the right steps to take. This would be a really sweet place for it.”

Shang looked a little surprised when she asked about his ancestor and nodded, “Yes, that’s Silas. I didn’t know anyone could see him other than me. That’s good to know, bit odd though, I guess he’s more like a ghost or I guess something of an echo. He looks out for me most of the time. Though if you weren’t here he’d have likely made me find the other path myself.”

He gave a laugh before thinking on Silas and how his ancestors echo even came to be. It was a very strange to be able to talk to ones long dead uncle, not that Shang would give it up. He guessed at the moment he couldn’t figure it out, but maybe in the future he would ask.

He shrugged it off breathing in the fresh warm air of his wonder, of the greenery and the flowing waters. He moved over to the path and walked up to the fountain, sitting on the edge and looking into the lightly rippling water. It wasn’t very deep, you could see to the bottom, it was clear, cleaned by Shang himself over visits to his wonder, to the fountain. He patted the smooth stone beside him.

“I would really appreciate it, if you helped me plant it here. I think, it would be a nice addition. I want to see this place back to the glory it once was at least hopefully better. I’d like to find out more about some of the things here. I don’t think, I’m pretty sure not everything here is from here. Like that tree.” He pointed to a tree, which looked completely foreign, with clear crystal fruit, silvery bark that seemed to glow and silver leaves. “It strange and beautiful and curious. Have you ever seen anything like it?”

He turned and dipped his fingers in the cool water before flicking the droplets at Ida with a smile. “I wish it was big enough to swim in. I love the water. Despite all the falls, I haven't found a place to swim, but when I do, it will be even more perfect. Either way hmmmm it’s amazing …”

The young woman trailed behind him as he moved to the stone rim around the fountain, shifting to settle beside him when he patted the stone.

“Senshi don’t have ancestors the way knights do. You are unique like that… I just have memories of a life I used to live. Its confusing sometimes, because there is no one to tell me what is what, just images and feelings, things I feel like I should know, but don’t.” She said softly, watching him point to a strange, but beautiful, tree. Suddenly drops of water were flicked her way and she flinched, lifting a hand to fend off the ‘attack’ as a small smile curved her lips.

“Shang!” She protested, reaching to give his shoulder a small shove. “I’ve never seen trees like that, but its really pretty. Maybe your ancestor will tell you sometime. Maybe it came from another planet, some place your ancestor wanted a memento from. Probably the same way you want to plant that orchid here…”

The young girl made a face at the mention of swimming, but it was only for a moment and then she shrugged, her posture easing. “I hope you find something suitable for swimming, if you like it that much. With all this water around, I’m sure there’s something. I don’t really swim, so I wouldn’t know the best places to look.”

He nodded when she spoke of that big difference between knights and senshi, he knew that, well for the most part. Even being a knight he didn’t fully comprehend how knights worked, but he knew about senshi being reincarnated. Still it was strange to hear someone else talk about it, if senshi and knights told their stories to anyone outside this war, they either have a best seller of teens and young adults or be committed.

“That sounds like it would be very confusing, but also like it might be useful depending entirely on what you remember,” he said before he was shoved, lucky not to hard, if he fell into the fountain even ditching his powered persona wasn’t going to make him completely dry.

“I honestly don’t think he will tell me, but maybe I will find out one day, find out what it meant to him, why it’s here, much like I guess if and when there is ever the next in the line of Shangri-la’s will want know to know about the things I have brought here.”

Shang didn’t notice the face she made when he mentioned swimming, but he did hear what she said and gave a curious glance. “Why don’t you really swim, you just don’t have time? We have a pool, you could come swimming with me sometime. Or do you not like to swim? Or can you not swim? I didn’t really have a choice in the matter, but I really love the water so I’m glad I learned.”

He turned looking into the fountain, “Water amazes me it can take any shape, change forms and be a really beautiful sight,” He said looking up at the small waterfall the fed the fountain. “It can be still, or”, he pointed the the ripples, “have motion. It calms me, being in the water is like letting my worries wash away.”

A small, tired smile curved over Ida’s lips and she lifted one shoulder in a shrug.

“I can’t swim. Truthfully, any water that’s deeper than my knees makes me nervous.” The young woman slanted a glance at her friend as he spoke about how water felt to him, her face relaxing at the view of his. “That’s how being on Ida makes me feel…” She said softly, almost absently, her mind light years away. She remembered laying in the grass, looking up at the blue, blue sky as the strands of green waved and rustled in the breeze. She found such peace in it, like her soul had expanded outside of her body while she looked upwards… That he felt the same way about something was comforting.

Reaching, she gently squeezed his hand, even as she realized she had been doing an awful lot of this recently… reaching out to him. Like she couldn’t stop touching him. Did it make her weak, to want someone’s support? Was it just because she was coming out of a devastating ‘relationship’ that she seemed to be gravitating to him right now? Was that all this was? He deserved better, regardless. But… she wasn’t a strong person. Touching him made her feel better and that was all the justification she could give.

“I hope you can find a place to swim here. I know it would mean a lot to you.”

Shang gave her a sort of half smile, “hmmmm that’s okay. I can understand how water could be frightening. Maybe one day it won’t be so much so and you might learn to swim.” He looked up the valley on both side of them. He mind drifted to the time, not that he knew what time it was, but Ida had said she had school. He didn’t know how long they had been on his wonder, but having gone to the bottom on the valley, it was probably some time. He figured it would likely be best if they went back soon.

A squeeze of his hand drew him out of his thought and he looked to Ida and gave a gentle squeeze back before smiling at her words. “I hope so too. I bet I will.” He stood without releasing her hand and motioned for her to rise as well.

“We’ve been here a while. I don’t really know how long and I know going back isn’t the most calming thought, but we should get back. I don’t want you to be late. I’m glad I was able to show you, hopefully you can come again soon and we can plant the orchid.”

He really really hoped she would be okay. “Are you ready?”

Time to go already? Ida supposed it couldn’t be helped, there was only so much time she could spare for escapism. Real life called, as much as she might struggled against it.

When Shang rose, so did she, curling her fingers in his. “I’m ready, I think. Just call me when you’re ready to plant and I’ll bring the things you need for it. Any time is fine, really… you know I’ll be happy for the distraction.” She offered him a small smile, hoping it would ease his worry a little. The way Shang looked at her… she could almost feel his worry pouring off him in waves and it made her feel bad about it.

“Thanks for bringing me, I’m really glad you did.” Ida said softly, squeezing his hand.

Shang nodded and gave her hand another gentle squeeze. "Things will get better. If you need someone to talk to you have my number, okay? I'll come any time. And don't hesitate to call if you can’t sleep. It's not a good idea to wander around Destiny City, lacking sleep. Or really to wander at all."

His worries weren't eased not even with the smile, but he was a bit of a worry wart for the people he cared about and that certainly extended to Ida. He really wished the war was over, it would be nice if all his friends didn't have to endure the hardships of war. They were all too young for this, though in his opinion there was no good time for experiencing war.

When she thanked him, he shook his head. She didn't need to thank him, he wanted to bring her, "anytime Ida. Anytime."

He took one last look around before he turned on concentrated on going home, closing his eyes in Shangri-la and opening is eyes again on the basketball court back on earth. No one was around thankfully, it might have caused a bit of a commotion for the two of them to appear.

"Come on, I'll take you home."