Welcome to Gaia! ::

Its the day of her graduation and rather than preparing for the ceremony like many of her same year classmates, Charis is in her dorm room. The door is open, as per the school rule for when one has visitors over. For she does. Its her good friend of two years, Ami. The two of them are pouring over one of Ami's text books, the larger girl is frantic, worried about how she is going to get her tests done. Charis, a few inches smaller in stature as well as appearing smaller in spirit is sitting, much more calmly than her friend. Out side of her window the familiar bubbling of the fountain can be heard coming through the window. Its waters catching and reflecting light in such a way that her room has been painted with glistening rainbows. The only thing more tranquil than her world around her, is Charis. She is gently guiding her friend through some difficult problems, her demeanor infinitely patient and helpful. A lie that hides the way her heart beats faster at an loud sound, anxious and nervous during her last day here.

And yet for all of this activity the one place that is most active right now, is right inside the head of that littler girl. Her eye, that highly sophisticated computer is working fast. During its second year at the school, while Charis's mind and body slept it found a way onto the computers. From there it was able to act on its own, like a small invisible captain. Adelaide was learning who was arriving and who was leaving. When her 'partner' as she likes to refer to Charis, woke up to discover what had happened. Well Adelaide's freedom had been greatly reduced. Now, whenever possible or in times of utmost necessity, Adelaide finds her freedom restricted. Her partner discovered that if she keeps the eye covered with a piece of cloth, eye patch specifically, that the computer has no way of contacting anything else. But today it is free. Adelaide is free to learn on her own that Seisuke's arrival is no longer something to plan for but has happened and that a logical assumption would have him looking for Charis. The computer stops for a moment, its lights and actions coming to a complete halt. Out of some piece of pettiness she decides not to inform Charis of this fact.

When he knocks and walks in after his, almost discovery (maybe) in the halls the scene has changed from what it was moments ago. Charis's head is bent over a book while she flips through the pages, a few more open within ease reach of her hand. A breeze travels in from the window and without looking up, she carefully eases the pages down. At first glance nothing about her had changed, she is a bit darker skinned, but not much. Her hair of course has been kept cut and now the longer strands are hiding her eyes. But before he can get a chance to interrupt them Ami looks up.

She had been sitting with her back to the door, Charis's traditional seat, while her friend had been perched on the end of her bed. Not realizing who he is, or who he is to Charis she blinks slowly. Her eyes are black and her skin has a healthy glow, obviously someone who is very active outside. Both of her eyes blink and she frowns only to have her tirade interrupted by Charis. Looking up from the book she points out where Ami has been getting things wrong. Her voice soft but sure when she explains how her friend should be doing things. Seconds later though they're not there.

Ami has snatched the book from Charis and dragged her out into the hall right past Seisuke. There she holds onto Charis's shoulder and is holding her directly before her. "Look.. I should probably be going, you're going to be busy getting ready to go and that big party is being thrown for ya. Just... don't forget me alright?" Inside the room there wouldn't be any sound of a spoken reply. But he could probably hear the book drop to the floor and the rustling of school uniforms. He might even be able to hear Charis whisper a few sentences. Moments later Ami is heard running down the hall.

In the hall Charis smiles softly, watching until she can no longer see her friend of only a few short years leave. With a deep breath a few seconds taken to wipe off her eyes she turns to re-enter her room. That is until a voice in her head halts her progress entirely.

Again he causes her to gasp. Not because the copy disappeared but because she had chosen wrong. The warmth that his copy had generated felt so warm and comforting that she thought for certain, this is her akri. And yet with so casual and simple a gesture he disappears to leave the true Seisuke in its place. Even now after attending such a prestigious school to learn highly sought after skills and knowledge, he is still so far above her. Her thoughts at that moment are simple, she will never be able to be as great as he is, but she can try.

Slowly she opens her eyes, just in time to watch him as he approaches her. Her nervousness and fear once again returning. It was one thing to stand with her back to him, but now there is no running. He would be able to see every feeling she feels, observe her emotions though her eyes. And though he may be filled with pride of her for her accomplishments, it is no more than she is feeling for herself. He does not look disappointed or saddened by what he sees. No, he seems to look glad and perhaps something else as well.

His arms wrap around her and for once she doesn't think. Doesn't ponder over what to do, she simply reacts. Her arms wrapping around his neck. The forehead that he has just kissed now resting on his shoulder as she holds him close. Giving silent thankful prayers to which ever deity has hidden her face for this moment, she begins to cry. Not cold, tormented tears of sadness but ones that would make her eyes shine and warm her cheeks. She is happy. Her voice trembling when she answers him. "Please akri, I am not top honor. They will not start without me, they have asked that I lead the ceremony in song."

Just as she is standing up and turning around, preparing to head for the auditorium as he had suggested, she is surprised by a kiss. One from him, willingly given in a new place than he had put the others. Always in the past he had held her, kissed her cheek or her forehead but never has he initiated a kiss on the lips. The one kiss like that they had shared had been from her to him and it was bestowed in a moment of fleeting courage before they parted. Now there is no fear of parting only one of welcomed rejoining.

"I have always spoken my mind to you akri, what is there that you wanted to talk about?" Although her words are spoken with a bit more courage and less shyness than they might have years ago. Her voice is still soft and at times faltering. But each word is pronounced clear and carefully. "No akri, you said so yourself. It is important but you cannot rush time. What will be will come when its meant to be."

As they walk down the hall she carries her bag before her. Both hands with their fingers curled around the straps. And for once the computer is silent, but this is for a reason which she may or may not reveal later. Normally such a prolonged quiet from her uppity self means that she is planning something. But for now Charis is too content to give it a second thought.

In the whirl wind of chaos that seems to be surrounding the festivities Charis is easily swept up among the preparers. Although badgered on all sides by people who are suggesting that she do something this way or that she declines all suggestions. For her, the song should stand alone, it doesn't need bright lights or any kind of fancy displays. And neither does she. Under her robe is a rather simple one, made of white cotton it has the look of some kind of ancient civilization. Its off the shoulder and covers her to the ground, even hiding her feet.

Above the gathered guests the lights flicker a few times to announce that the ceremony has begun and then nothing. All the lights have gone out, there is only one spot light left and its pointed to an empty spot on the stage. Slowly a melody of flutes is heard around the room. Their voices light and easy, joining in with them would be violins. But their melodies are soft for a figure has stepped into the light. Her body draped, hooded cloak cover her robes. Its true they are here at a school for progress. Where the latest technologies are studied and learned. Where yesterday's genius is gathered to nurture the seeds of tomorrows greatness. But they cannot forget the past.

That is why Charis has requested that this opening display of the schools importance and message be kept simple. In the ring of light she takes a deep breath, praying to her fallen deities for guidance and strength, courage and wisdom to carry her throughout her life. And then she is singing, using the full force of her voice in the large room. Seisuke has heard her sing but not like this. Now she is using every bit of strength that her body contains to project her thoughts into the gathered assembly. While she fills there head with feelings and thoughts of well being, peace and prosperity. The love of family and friends. Joy of good times and success, light has been filling the stage around her. Students from first year who have shown an affinity for song have been asked to stand behind her in a semi circle. Each one of them dressed in a simple white gown, very much like the one that Charis has on and each one of them holds a single candle.

Although singing to the entire room, Charis's eyes seek out Seisuke and when she sees him, she smiles wider in the middle of her song, hoping that he can feel the undercurrents that her magic gives to her voice. Perhaps now he will understand a little more about his long time friend. The song reaches its rise and is now falling. One by one the new students blow out their candles. Diminishing the light around Charis until the only light and the only voice left is her own. Her hands still clasped in front of her, head falling the light about her dims. Its brightness only disappearing when the fine note has finished sounding.

The lights return and there is nothing on the stage. Charis and her chorus have disappeared but in their place is the group of graduating students. A flock of scholars all wearing the same colored gowns, waiting for their diplomas and the right to say that they have succeeded. The dean steps forward to give her grand speech. Something that results in another wave of thunderous applause. Only once the noise has dimmed does she begin the rest of the ceremony. Calling students by name to come and receive their awards.

In the middle of the speech Charis manages to slip back into her seat towards the back. One that she chose herself. That way she won't be drawing too much attention to her reappearance and hopefully no one was looking for her to hard. When her name is announced, sixth in her year with a first place trophy to her name. She stands, walking slowly with more than a bit of nervousness shadowing her steps. Although she desperately wants to run and hide because she can feel everyone staring at her, she can't. Her smile to the dean is soft, but still she takes her diploma, bows as the rest and returns to her seat. There she will sit until the closing ceremonies.