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So many things had changed ever since his mask had been removed. G_E couldn't help but watch his handsome face as he passed a recently washed, very wet plate to her. She took it and dried it automatically, the pair of them very much accustomed to their after-dinner routine.

'He looks so old...'

'And I am, Gee. Remember? Older than you.'

The blonde woman jumped, unused to hearing his voice in her head and clumsily placed the dish she'd been drying on it's place in the cupboard. Months ago, she wouldn't even have batted an eyelash when he's spoken to her... but now... ever since his mask had been removed, Nika had preffered to use words instead of thoughts to communicate.

She smiled at him, wondering why he couldn't have stayed a child for just a little bit longer.

Nika knew about and understood his chosen's longning to keep that old connection between the pair of them. She was the type of woman who enjoyed knowing that she shared something with her loved ones that very few others did and before his mask had been removed, she (and TB) had been the only non-Masques who could hear him. He didn't see any harm in letting her know that he could still hear her thoughts.

"Yes," G_E nodded, "I remember... Mind you, I remember when you couldn't see over top the sink and into that window without having to stand on a chair."

Recalling the days of his present childhood with Gee, he laughed and stole a glance out of said window.

Ashy! Haisyn! An unfamiliar Masque!

He dropped the glass he'd been holding and it fell into the sink. Water splashed over the sides and onto his t-shirt.

He could have sworn that he'd met every child.

"Gee!" he gasped and pointed, "Look!"

She shot Nika a questioning glance before she rose on the tip of her toes to get a better look out the window. Her puzzled expression swiftly turned into joy as she realized who was standing outside.

Equally excited to see their old friends and a new, unfamiliar face, the pair forgot their chore and raced out the back-door towards the group of people.


((I came here, read over the last two pages and discovered that I NEEDED to join. XD))

'O'course we can get you some food! I'm hungry too, come to think of it. We can head back to my place first, it's over thisa way.'

Ash hadn't gotten very far before Haisyn found them again. Looking at the two of them side by side, anyone who didn't know the Masques probably wouldn't realize that Haisyn was the "mother figure". Haisyn looked no more than a year or two older than her charge right now. If Ash grew older again it was going to make things rather akward for her.

"Glad you two didn't run off without me." Haisyn poked Ash in the shoulder. "Sometimes I think you don't love me anymore." Ash made a funny face that was assisted by her hands to reply, and Haisyn joined her in a quick laugh. "Meh, I really needed to take a break, didn't I?"

'Of course. If I didn't run off once in a while you'd probably run yourself into the ground.

Haisyn ran a hand through her hair, mildly embarrassed by the reprimand. "Yeah I suppose I would."

Her stomach rumbled, and when Ash covered her "mouth" and bit off a mental laugh, Haisyn realized where they were going. "Lunch time, huh? I hope my brother hasn't eaten everyth..."

When Hai's sentence trailed off and she started staring ahead of them, Ash had to turn and look. She saw Gee and... 'Nika?!'

Ash hadn't seen Io since before Io got her mask removed, so this was the first time she'd seen one of them without a mask on. It left her at a loss for words after her initial outburst, and that didn't happen often.

SK cocked his head to the side but did not question, " let us away. i assume you wish not to be seen. fallow me and we shall be off," he slipped out of the house and made sure she was fallowing then carefully picked his way out of the groupping of houses glancing back at zahar periodically. it was only a short time before he was sure they were a safly away from any potential conflict. he suddenly heard a russling noise from the right and crouched but relaxed when he saw mavrick skitter out, "ahh me boy thats where you got off to, id been wondering," he looked back to zahar and began walking onward, "do you want me to hunt sometihng when we get to where i will be staying?"

Zahar glaced back at HB through the trees. She was nervously clutching her kit to her. Thank you but I am not so hungry at the moment. I just seem to be running again. I know I will have to face them all sooner or later. I just wish it not to be now. She gulped and looked ahead following him deeper into the trees. I hope Artimis will be all right. I suppose he will Haisyn is really nice and Ashira is a bit odd but friendly.

I do not have a change of clothes, and I am not sure if we could dry them enough before sun fall. I should hardly want to be wandering naked as it is. Will it be all right if we head further south to the fallen tree? Sahar watched him still gripping her tool box tightly. She couldn't worry the fabric of her dress or she would have been doing that. Oh and Kataio and my self have been quite far from each other and still have been able to talk, so long as we focused. I believe there is something blocking our link right now.

Zahar shuddered looking at him with wide eyes. not only had she clutched her tool kit to herself but her cloak as well. She was scared that he would slip or there was something in the water like the night they had gone swimming. Which then reminded her that she hadn't bathed. Her skin deepened again and she looked around this side of the river. I... thank you... I think. Zahar couldn't help but smile a bit when he stuck out his tongue at her.

"ummm.... who's Nika. whats going on? why do you all look like you are surprised or something? i'm... im confused," he shook his head and looked at haisyn and then at ash and said "what is she talking about ash. and what are you talking about. who are you talking about. and what about our masks?"

he hadn't seen nika in the window and was now just confused and wanting to be back among the lone company of SK and Zahar.

Zahar nodded. We still have a bit of time till dark right? we headed off pretty early. Should have arrived at the base about midday? She looked around and followed SK slowly. Do you figure there will be a place for me to sit and do repairs on the clothing I am wearing? Zahar was nervous. She couldn't hear ash anymore so that must mean that she was speaking directly to the people around her. Faintly though she could hear artimis talking about apples of all things.