Welcome to Gaia! ::

Prior to A New Direction:


I'm still dreaming of the hospital, I wake up every night now drench in sweat trying to rip apart the roof of my current room. I take back being bored.. I want to be bored again not have the nightmare of people screaming and pleading as they were stuck two floors above with no way to get down... held up only my by power that if I let go would have killed them, Mara and myself. I want Tri.... I want to hide under his wings like I did before...or just talk to him.

Mara ...she was here now trying to fill me in on what happened at the hospital.. but she wouldn't tell me where Tri was, he would have been there right?

She was interrupted by a nurse...seems the EE member who nearly killed me was waking up ...after Mara had Kage deal with her. Kage... he really did seem to have integrated himself quite quickly if Mara was giving him her trust. Still it make me worry about what Mara would have allowed him to do... I don't have any doubt the EE member likely deserved it but ...memories were what build you. Without those.. was she still the same person who perpetrated those crimes?

Mirabelle was still a little light headed from her escapade the day before. Though, it garnered what she needed. Now, she was focused on finding the meta that Lucian had mentioned. She walked around the ground, stepping carefully along the path, making sure not to trip over anything that might be in her path. She scanned the auras of the metas she passed and could see around her, looking for anything that was off. It's not like she could go off a physical description, she'd have to find the meta by her own means.

Ree sat in a tree limb high above the ground that was getting a bit of sun at this point in the day. It also let him both see the entrance to the administration office and part of the dinning hall. His eyes were closed with a book nearly forgotten in his lap as he tried to rest.. faint shivers of his nerve ending get telling him that he wasn't completely healed as he wished he was.

"Satya, help please." she spoke softly, trying to entice her mane to help her. She had been wandering around the grounds for far too long and was ready to be finished. She could hear her
Mane sigh loudly. "Look up." Mirabelle stopped just before almost running into the tree, placing her hands against as it was already too close for comfort. Another step, and she would have run straight into it. She then shifted to look up, seeing an aura sitting in the tree. "Is this him?" she asked her mane, but there was no answer, now it was Miras turn to sigh.

"Is that him?"

The soft question carried enough voice to reach his ears. He frowned faintly and opened his eyes, the voice was close by almost as if it were under him. Closing the book he tucked it under one arm and looked down meeting.. or actually not meeting the gaze of the meta who was staring up in his direction. Was she looking for him? but then who had she been talking too?

Looking left and right he was unable to see a second person and sighed. "Are you looking for me?" he called down below, reluctant to really leave.

"It depends on what you look like... " she responded as he spoke to her. "Mira is looking for a white haired archangel meta. She desires to talk to him." She explained, keeping a hand on the tree to steady herself as she stared with glassy lifeless eyes up at him.

Ree frowned faintly, didn't they have his name on file? " I am not familiar with any Mira" he said quietly, tired. Wondering if he missed filling out another piece of paper and they had noticed while he was gone. taking a quick lok around again for anyone else he got up and jumped off wings flaring and doing two long downward sweeps before landing down near her. "But I am a white hair archangel meta"


Mira frowned as she forgot new people didn't always understand the way she talked. Pointing to herself, "She is right here..." Then shook her head, not bothering to further explain it. Either he'd catch on or forever be confused. It didn't matter. She moved to a stern look for only a fleeting second before it seemed to drop in defeat, staring at him blankly. "Someone saw you with Melody. Mira wasn't sure whether you saved her or hurt her. Either way, she's still gone." She spoke, getting straight to the point. "Are you with SIU?" she asked with a frown, like it made her sad to even ask the question. "Mira isn't here to fight you... Just ask questions... "

Wings lifted up a bit in surprise before furling in close to allow him ease of movement. "SIU?" he sounded surprised because he was, how did find out so quickly? "No....Which one is Mari. The Mane or the Malice?" his voice has deepen slightly as he watched her... not taking off just yet because he was curious as well. Mira...why did that name sound so famili- as shoot. Spectrum.

She sighed, "Not mane, nor malice. Mira is standing right in front of you." She closed her eyes then thought of the only other way to get the point across, holding out her arms to show the deep etching of her own name up her arms from when she was attack as a child. She opened her eyes and frowned. "Melody is important to her caretakers and is being monitored by Spectrum Research. If you know where..... They... Took her, please tell Mira." She paused, taking another deep breath, "They took mira's dear friend. She just wants to know how to find them again. You seem to be the last person reported seeing them before their disappearance. It looks very suspicious."

Glancing at her arm he looked back at her frowning. So she was Mira...and she spoke in third person? huh. "I said I didn't work for SIU. Not that I didn't work for someone. " interesting, that he was being confronted by one of the two people who had opened the Sanctuary again and the one who seemed to be the most vulnerable as well. Either someone was watching... or they were to trusting. The former seemed to be more likely but he didn't see anyone close by. "Melody and a dear friend..... you know what you are saying pretty much amount to a confirmation that you are in league with the Renegades . Is that something you want to get out? risk what you worked for...even the Sanctuary itself?"

She kept the same sad face, "Mira doesn't like to say it, but Melody *is*property of Spectrum Research. She is allowed to inquire about the child's where abouts and wonder who took her." she paused for a moment, becoming inquisitive. "Mira never implied who the friend was... Interesting that you'd assume it's a renegade member..." she then sighed. "Mira cares very deeply for her,... This dear friend. She is troubled and thus causes trouble. The sanctuary is suppose to be a safe place for those who need it.. Even those who seek a safe place to change themselves for the better. You never know." Mira reached out and softly grabbed onto his hand, looking at him with sorrowful pleading eyes. "Is Andy even still alive?" she asked softly, faltering as she tried to keep calm from her longing for her best friend.

"Again, I never denied I didn't work for someone" he pulled his hand out of her grasp a look of disgust passing along his face as he took one step back to keep at least some personal space between them. Pretty face deadly dagger, even if the dagger were words this time.

" She's not, her poster has been rescind. Perhaps that is for the best, she wouldn't have to see the times we have reached when one meta starts claiming ownership of another. " he could not keep the disgust out of his voice as he lifted his wings. " I wonder what she would have thought if she knew you as the current owner of Spectrum, a rare accomplishment and a footstep for meta survival in a human controlled world, consider another meta under your care property? Slavery has always been only a hazy footstep away, but you don't have to wait for humans to get -that- idea when one of our own is already fomenting it" he tried kept his voice even but anger still seep through, he wanted to circle her.... stalk her like a cat or shadow might its target, but he didn't forcing himself to stay where he was.

He crossed his arms instead as the book he had been reading fell to the ground. He knew she was trying to get as much info from him and so was he from her, but what she had said....he had not expected, was Sanctuary nothing then but a subject gathering site? Or preserve?. Or had she thought talking to him as if he were a human might help her? And even if she didn't... There was obviously no hope in Spectrum or the Sanctuary if their Leaders didn't even notice and had already involved themselves so closely with the renegades as call at least one of the EE friend, one who only a few weeks ago murdered her own human husband.

Mira furrowed her brow in a pained expression, as everything he spoke was absolutely true and she knew that. "You have the wrong idea. Firstly, Andy and Mira never saw eye to eye about humans. Even despite that, Mira would never want to ownership of her own kind." she sighed, drawing back lightly. "Mira only just became the owner of Spectrum. The ownership is not her doing, but she will change away from that. One step at a time. Humans and metas can coexist. Mira knows it. Andy couldn't see that through her anger. Mira wanted to help her.. But.. There's.. No point in that anymore.." she was fighting back tears. Surely Aiden could feel her distress by now. She'd have to either calm down or end the conversation soon before her twin got involved. She sighed heavily, her breath quivering under her anguish.

"Mira wants to help metas. Not hurt them. Not kill them. Not own them. She's sorry she bothered you." she seemed regretful about something, as she closed her eyes for a moment then opened them to look at him, looking through him. "If you come to know where Melody might be, Mira would greatly appreciate to know.. She is very precious to Mira, like a daughter. So please..." she averted her gaze, turning. "Mira will be around. You.. Have a nice day." she spoke, regret growing in her voice as she turned to leave.

Ree wondered if she realized how much she will have to change to access the potential of what she have been forced into. But that wording...she knew.. She knew what she was doing, including mentioning not liking to say it, attempting to get him to defend himself with risk of the law.

Anyone else that cared or was pushing for change would have changed the wording, at least for themselves. Even some other human research centers said subject or patient not..property. Still she said she will change away from that, it was a start. even if it didn't calm the suspicious nature Tri and Mara cultivated in him.

Straightening he watched her turn away and would have been satisfied to leave it like that now that his cover was blown, but the mention of Melody being like her daughter twinge at his conscious in a way the sad blind face didn't when she talked of Andy.

"Melody might not have the same feelings back, she doesn't like being lied to either" he said quietly, his stance stiff now as he remembered what Mara told him about her talks with the child. "We won't touch your sanctuary without just cause, but I suggest you put more of your time into it and dealing with attempting change than ...playing nursemaid to renegades. They won't help your cause, they will just ruin any potential you have of actually allowing coexistence. I assume you saw the news and the hospital?....you should work quickly"

Mira paused as he spoke. Standing still as he made his opinion known. Lies. She turned to look at him, anger in her expression now, an emotion that almost seemed out of place with how she held herself. "You think Mira wants to lie and deceive?!" her tone was harsh like an angered mother scolding a child. "That was never her choice. She does not own this school. Mira does what she can, but tovpush hard is to be like them! Pushing too hard gets you killed ." she was mad, that not only he would garner such an opinion of her but he had the audacity to say something to her about it.

"Call it a foolishly soft heart, but Mira thinks the renegade can change. There doesn't have to be blood or death. Because the only ones who truly get hurt are the ones left standing." she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. 'let it go..' the voice rang out in her mind. "If only Mira had become the owner of Spectrum sooner... She would have just left with Melody. She did not deserve what she had here. Now she's gone." she reflected for a moment then shook the thought. "Mira doesn't want to fight, but the currents of this storm are too strong. Soon it will only be how to survive than how to live." she stared off at nothing at all as she waited for his inevitable retort, expecting more accusations and talk of how what she's doing isn't right. "This is a very dangerous place, but Mira still wants to protect it like it could actually be safe again." she was frustrated, her feelings conflicted, regret starting in again.

"Don't push enough and you become compliant. You haven't found that balance point from what I have seen " he narrowed his eyes taking a step toward her instead of away and stopping. "If you don't think you can manage what is in your hands, transfer it to someone who can. Don't you realize what you are? You are almost like Freya from Guardian Angels in a different sort of way. Get people to advise you..something. Because at the end the only thing that will make a meaningful change will also be filled with risk, including being killed. But I might be wrong....yet nothing that you said have given me a better understanding of your situation other than you seem over your head..and unable to even take the criticism. You don't fight a storm you try to bunker down the best way possible, you build protections for that...you build alliances. So when you're stuck in the middle of one, you neighbor might let you stay with them. " he was calming down even as his retorts turned sharp, moving from angrily pointing out his views to trying to get a better feeling of the current Spectrum head's view and ideas..and personality.

Maybe she was raised up only with the hope that she would fail. "Something you overlooked ...this place was never really safe, not even when it was a school. So you shouldn't be putting a lot of your focus on the renegades, if they wish to change help them but they are not the danger..they are just the electric plod hitting the herd..at some point that herd will turn not only on them but every one of us as well. This won't be a sanctuary then...just a preserve. "

Mirabelle sighed, her face shifting back into sadness, almost in pity. Her voice was soft again, "Mira may be blind to a lot of things... but she sees a lot more than one might think. She may not be the best at dealing with everything that's been thrust upon her, but how can she learn if she does not act. Moving forward, staying determined, but not faltering.

Mira will admit that she lets her personal feelings get in the way, she's even doing it now, and maybe she will regret that later, but her heart is in the right place. We all dance the line of push and pull, even more so with tensions being so high. Mirabelle is not diplomatic. She is smart. She is a scientist. Only now learning how to lead than comply." she paused, her face becoming stern, "But she will not back down. If she has to learn to play the part, she will. And that is none of your business to question." she took a deep breath, her emotions back in control, possibly aided by her mane. Her eyes began to shift into a pink color, "We may not push, but we do not bend. And we certainly will not break." she stood firm, staring directly at Ree. "Don't act so high and mighty, /everyone/ has their faults. So don't go casting your opinions like they were asked for. We only asked if you were with SIU and if you knew where Melody was. So if you have nothing to contribute, we are done." her voice was direct and sharp, changed from the more gentle demeanor she had possessed at the start of the conversation.

Ree smiled but the brightness of it never reached his glowing eyes, making him seem malevolent. He had been listening trying to understand, actually what she said was the most as he could hope and would have said so until the -other- appeared. Mane..must be a mane since she hadn't attacked. "I am not one of your employees...I am not your ally and I never said I was without faults.

I said this because I am a meta and am concern when someone in your station with your supposed values starts throwing around the word property when speaking of her own species. But maybe not that odd, your other self has the makings for cruelty. Do not bend, do not break do not question...is this your answer to everything? " he said sounding almost friendly before shaking his head. "Never mind. As you said we are done. Excuse me" he reached down to pick up the book he had dropped, wanting to leave this place as quickly as possible now.

"We understand your apprehension." she sighed and shook her head. "Look,.." she seemed to strain lightly, "Neither... of us are good with words. We hope that maybe actions can be a better indicator to the vision we seek. We are sorry for the outburst.... it has.. been a rough day." she looked away, letting him do as he pleased, if he wanted to leave, he could. "..she's.. a lot nicer when she doesn't think her best friend is dead." she retorted bluntly, with a flicker of sympathy, hinting that she believed Andy wasn't really dead as she then walked away. She'd need to give her host time to grieve before they could start to make progress on things they had lined up.

Ree said nothing as she walked away, watching her for a moment before taking wing himself. He had left nothing in the room they lent him and even now he just took the keys out and dropped them close to the admin building as he finally flew out of there. Action is better than word, they will all see what she does but he really didn't have much faith. She wasn't the type that inspired confidence in him or gave him a reason that made him want to follow him. No...she just hit on an old fear, property.

"Hello? Kai?" Ree knocked quietly in front of a door in the village of Hinale. He knocked once more a feeling of dread as no one answered until there was a shifting of a lock and a young face looked up at him. "He's not he-....... Ree? Ree!! ........you're bigger again! "

Ree stared down at the younger pure blood angel and made a face. "not -that- big" he muttered looking self-conscious before he felt smaller arms grabbing his arm and pulling him inside. "Kai went to grab some kettlecorn at the market before they closed! Are you going to stay? are you going to get bigger? you'll be an old man before I become a teenage!..hey can you drink now?"

Ree made a face " I -really- hope not to all of them and yes I can drink .. it tastes yucky" he grinned down at younger angel.

"So...no to staying?" there was a sly grin as he watch Ree facepalm. "Yes to staying... hope not to growing older as fast. That would -really- suck " he smiled with a hint of strain as if he hadn't hit upon another fear of his. "nu huh. you can drive now. " watching Ree look surprised, "I ...er... um.. eh. true yea" not realizing he could get a license maybe... he never needed to drive before and cars really were uncomfortable for the winged. "Question. Kai? return?"

"I do hope so since I still live here" an older angel finished opening the door as he gave Ree a intent disapproving glare before recognizing him and smiling. "Ree... not with Tri? " he said as he looked for the other solemn archangel meta.

Ree shook his head "Hiding out... um. there shouldn't be trouble but could I stay here?" wings shifted uncomfortable as Kai gave him an intent look. "shouldn't? " Ree shook his head " Didn't see anyone following me for the past couple of miles and I traveled far" he muttered. Kai watched him closely "It is fine with me... but I think (name) should head back home once we finish the movie " he said looking to the younger angel meta who had sometimes been a playmate for the current meta here when he visited the area with his own father. His sister would be home by then anyways and if there was trouble well ... he didn't want him here.

"movie first! come on Ree! " the younger angel grabbed at the hand and dragged the confused meta with him to watch frozen as Kai looked after them bemused. Shaking his head he started to open the popcorn and pour it into three bowls. Then he will make sure Ree had his phone number before he did any more unannounced visits. He could have set him up elsewhere had he known but not help for that now at least for tonight.

Ashral...Muramasa ...Luz? I learned many things about her while we were recovering...none which I am going to write here other than to say I am going to be thinking pretty hard on them.

She seem to be wanted? I ask if she wanted to be my sister....I guess since it was me asking ...it would have been better to ask if she wanted me to adopt her. Except she is likely a few hundred years older than me and stuck inside the body of a child. There was no good way to pose that question.

Her answer was surprising

Mostly because she seems to be confusing me with her real brother. I am trying to differentiate us in her mind...shouldn't be to hard. Her brother sounded more responsible even if what he did to protect her seem harsh.

Your selling yourself short

Am I? I don't even know what I want

Were I am confused.

At the end we will wait and see..even so she agreed to be my sister. It will be interesting to see when she splits..if she passes the darkness or is pulled by it. It doesn't mean I won't try to help her...I want to help her


Which brings me to love. Romantic love..... I never thought about it much in terms of myself. I really don't want to think about it.

Oh also found an interesting update to one of my powers. It's odd it looks like a cat...I see through it and I think I see ...spirits? some dark some bright some in between.
I wouldn't mind seeing a really bright kind spirit...


On a more heavy topic... still searching for Tri, checked out meeting areas prior to heading to the base but there was no sign of him. Now we have some hint on the renegades, it might take us a while....

A few minutes later Tri lifted up out of the shadow of one of the trees and turned to look at them with a harsh gaze. Eyes flickering between the state of their clothes and the stiffness of the dried blood on it to their faces and finally down toward Hexxis's neck with a flicker of alarm.

Ashral had frowned and just let Ree pace, remaining quiet as she messed with blades of grass, pulling one and trying to make noise with it like her brother had shown her once before, but she didn't remember how to do it anymore. As Tri emerged, it caught her off guard as she tensed and moved her legs back to a low kneeling stance, ready to summon her sword and attack if needed. She narrowed her eyes at Tri, her heart beginning to beat fast again. She looked to Ree with a look of concern, swallowed hard and spoke a very soft and calm tone. "...red.." she waited to meet Ree's gaze before nodding like a signal that she would try, just staying where she was and not moving a muscle as she shifted her gaze to fixate on Tri, like a cat ready to capture prey, watching his every movement with a burning intensity like she was seconds from pouncing.

//Red ...// he turned sharply to look at Ash, his heart pounding as he tried to figure out what set her of- shoot. Moving toward Tri he stopped and look back at Ash, not wanting to send her away but not going to give her the okay to attack. She looked....to be holding herself for the moment but that wouldn't matter if she still wanted to kill him by just seeing him. "Do you want the collar now?" He said calmly moving to the packs and crouching down slowly looking between them

Tri on the other hand held very still, his gaze traveling between Ree and Hex- no Ashral and back. Slowly his shadow lifted up near his feet in the shape of a cougar, a predator, one that hunted woodland areas like these ...one who didn't have to fear the lone wolf. The shadow laid down in front of him and flicked its tail..a distraction but not a provocation. Tri kept his eyes on Ashral as he listened to Ree look through the packs. He was disappointed...he thought Ree would me smarter than to loosen the only thing helping to keep control of Hexxis and the Malice. He wasn't to sure that this wasn't a trap still, no matter how they looked.mSo far the only thing that prevented him from shadowing at that moment was that Ash didn't attack and Ree sounded worried.

Ashral just stared at Tri intently, tensing a bit as a shadow lifted from the ground. She instinctively summoned her sword, and stayed still. Taking one deep and steady breath, she tried to calm her heart. Her hands were shaking, one hand on the hilt but not drawn as she watched the cougar laid down. Ashral could hear Ree rustle through the bag and ask if she wanted the collar. She wanted to prove herself, but that may prove a more difficult task. Her breath was heavy as she closed her eyes for a moment then forced herself to lay her sword down next to her, opening her eyes to continue staring at him. "If I put on the collar... I won't have as much power to stop him. Do you trust this isn't a trap enough for me to put it back on? Because I can't guarantee anything at this point. If he makes a move.. I won't... I can't hold back with him.... I'm sorry, Ree." she spoke calm, like she was desperately trying to fight back her own urges, doing good when Tri didn't move. She stared at Tri, almost not blinking as she focused on only him, and not the cougar at his feet.

Tri continued to hold still even as the cougar stopped moving when she lowered the sword. There was a faint look of confusion on his face as he listened to their interaction and watched the intense look on Ashral's face but said nothing. Getting the feeling everything was barely held together by a string as Ree pulled the collar out of one of the packs.

Ree pulled the collar out and held it against him as he looked between them, gave Ashral's words some thought. Yet the look he gave Tri was one of pain instead of suspicion as he turned away and moved to Ash, wanting to move between them but not sure that won't set her off either. "At some point trust is just that blind leap of faith where you are not sure if what you are throwing yourself at will hold or will fail. Yet you still believe with all your heart that it will hold, sometimes even against all logic." There was a pause as he swallowed "Tri won't do anything without proof... " he didn't look back at Tri, but looked at Ash. "I believe that, I have seen that " his wings lowered to the ground in emotional pain. "I can at least trust that. " he heads up the collar as if waiting for permission. "Thank you for offering me your blade in protection...."

Ashral had been holding focus until Ree began to talk, as he spoke, she blinked and her face seemed to soften as she then looked to Ree, listening to his words. As he finished she nodded, a smile surfacing for a moment as she came to a stand and the sword dispelled. She turned to him as she closed her eyes. "Then I trust it too..." she took a steady breath and stayed still as she waited for him to put it back on her, she assumed by phasing, as she braced for pain if he wasn't exactly accurate about it, but she trust him completely. "...no.. thank you ... for trusting me..." she whispered with a faint smile.

Ashral missed the look of surprise then sadness as he watched her that faded into a smile as he moved the collar against her neck then phased it angling himself so he could see all the way around. Using the tip of his fingers on the outside edge he adjusted it until he got it as close as he could before solidifying with it, eyes wide.

Tri still didn't move watching the whole thing in confusion, wondering how the world went crazy in the past few days. Ashral.... acting so unlike herself. Ree trusting her...and she him.

Ashral held her breath and stayed perfectly still as he phased the collar back onto her, wincing only slightly as it solidified, but it seemed to have worked. She kept her eyes closed.

After a few moments, she opened her eyes and they were red and blue again, her hand reaching up to touch the collar, a sigh of relief escaping her lips as she then slid her eyes to Tri and they widened very slightly. "...Tri..." she whispered, taking in a stifled breath as she slid her foot forward but hesitated seeing the cougar and then realizing that he was probably still on guard from Ashral being there that she didn't want to startle him. Still, in her mind, she wanted to just run to him, hug him even, just know that he was real and affirm that he was alive and okay. She suddenly noticed the bruises on his face and the burn mark on his cheek as a hint of pain in her blank eyes, already questioning what happened to him in her mind.

Ree relaxed when there was no indication of pain. "Good?" He asked watching her touch the collar then look up at Tri...Hexxis.

Looking up at the shadow arc then back he took a step away and let out a breath.

Tri watched them emotionlessly, both the shadow and he tensed when Hexxis took a step toward them. Grateful when Hexxis stopped he didn't have to deal with the confusion of either pulling away from Hexxis or hugging her.

"You let Ashral go....and she let you collar her again .." There was a flicker of confusion on his face, was almost certain Ashral had some control on Ree when he saw her without the collar. "Hexxis? The whole situation ...can you explain it to me. What has happened..what you are feeling? " he glanced up at Ree who looked confused, his black and blue wings lifting then lowering again. A good sign.

Looking back at Hexxis he watched her as the cougar disappeared into the shadows, but made no move to approach them. It hurt deeply having to second guess their words even their intentions but he couldn't assume that it wasn't a plot or plan from either Ashral or Ree..so he asked the only person he knew who was more or less always truthful.

Hexxis watched Tri's confusion on his face, hearing him question Ashral and Ree, knowing exactly what he was thinking. As he asked here to explain, she nodded. "Ree came to SIU to retrieve supplies and did not plan to break us out but decided last minute that he should do so anyway. I did encourage him, however, so I am partly to blame for his reckless behavior on that front. He had explained that parley did not go as planned in the worst scenarios and you all were separated and that he explained he was being framed for the murder of a city leader. I helped break out the other two kids at first. My argument with Ashral led to being shot. She took over and killed to soldiers and maimed another. She also fought against Kae in a sword battle in front of Lieutenant Colonel Asriel." she kept her emotionless gaze on Tri as she spoke, explaining everything she knew up until this point, "Ashral was able to escape with the help of Kae and Zira, although she chose to leave Leukos and Melody behind. Zira had saved Ree from almost dying and being captured himself. We were taken to a safe house which we discovered was a renegade base and found a map with many more like it that I have memorized. During our stay to rest, Ashral and Ree talked a lot. About their pasts and family and the song that Ashral and I sing at times.. mudane things, really. Ree asked Ashral to be his sister, saying that if you could bring me into the family without asking him, that he could too bring in her into the family." she paused for a moment, thinking about other things that had been said.

'Don't you ******** dare, Hexxis. You were supposed to be asleep! You weren't supposed to hear any of that stuff!!'

Hexxis sighed, moving away from the topic of what they talked about after that. "We rested after that and I had... nightmares. In our panicked state, Ree phased the collar off of me. They decided to keep it off for the time being. Ree was cautious enough to keep a tranquilizer on him. In my opinion, it was too much of a risk, but it worked out in their.. our favor. We were attacked by armored units and Ashral maimed yet another soldier. That's how we arrived here, and now they don't know whether you are here as a trap or out of genuine concern for their well being. Trust is... fragile."

"As for how I feel... I am fatigued, but able to continue moving. Mentally, I am apprehensive about their relationship as I feel it is not on equal ground. The metaphor being that one could easily slip on uneven terrain. Though, I am sure they are both aware of that and still continue on regardless."

Ree twitched wings lifting and flaring slightly then lowering at the mention of the two death and the maiming. "Hexxis! ...." He hissed softly but sharply, staring at the other meta in both disbelief and exasperation. She wasn't supposed to blurt -all- of that out, he assumed he had Ashral to thank when she moved away from the topic before touching on the other thing but...raawwrrr!! Really? Tri did not need to know even half of that ..nope.

Tri looked even more confused as Hexxis went on. Confused and exasperated while watching Ree's body language, especially his wings which he had yet to learn to control from showing his emotion. Satisfied he looked back at Hexxis and starting to shake his head in amazement as it lined up with what bit Mara had been able to scrounge up. An truly utter mess and they were both alive only because of Kae and Zira ... That he had to keep in mind. And ..........oh goodness....no.

"You adopted...a malice?!" He blurted and stared at Ree intently, trying to see any hint of pink in that white hair because he was almost certain they were somehow related in stupid situations like this.

Ree turned to him and frowned, wings lifting a bit defensively. "Yes" narrowing his eyes as if daring him to say anything.

"...." Narrows his eyes back. "Later" he warned blinking in confusion at the sudden relief instead of anger...oh.

"I agree with you, Hexxis. I am apprehensive as well... But they seem to have at least have gain some god-only-knows understanding in each other that is making what shouldn't work...work. " and he saw it, he couldn't deny there was a change in Ashral and a confirmation in her hatred for him. "So for the time being, to avoid even more ...misunderstands and deaths " he looked at them both. "You should come with me... It's not a trap. SIU is after all of us since Parley ..." He looked at Hexxis. "And you for stolen property " a grimace since that was the same on his warrant to. "You managed to find the renegade safe houses...I would like a map of that later...am I good in assuming you were hunting for me with them?"

Ree looked flustered then alarmed and finally worried, wings lowering again as he looked at Hexxis. If he left her there they wouldn't be looking ...but it would only have been a small time before Ashral just considered the contract broken and or they did something to them without Mara there. "Looking for you and Mara. I found lightning strikes and glass near the trailer and ozone. I assumed you were captured" his said curiously, eyes moving to the bruise on his face and the burns, but no other indications of damage from the way he carried himself....and the collar was missing...

Tri frown raising his hand up as if to either touch his face or neck but stopped. "They let me go. Mara is back at the base but she is not in charge. She will deal with helping Melody and Leukos escape. Kae is also missing." He took a step toward them now and waited to see their reactions. Their words the exhausted look on their faces combined with the blood on their clothes...He was incline to believe them. Their story was a mess...an utter mess which made him more in line to believe them. Either ways he wanted them with him....he didn't want to have to second guess his family.....he might have even done it even if Ree had purposely killed (Criel) if there was a good enough reason. His family wasn't big but that was what he was most loyal too... Including putting them in the right path if needed.

Hexxis slid her eyes to Ree as he hissed at her, her expression never changing as she blinked, then shifted her gaze back to Tri. He was suggesting they go with him. She didn't even seem phased at the insinuation of her being property, as she was. She nodded as he asked her for a map later of the bases. "I can draw it, or mark it on a map." she commented bluntly. She listened to their exchange, moving her gaze back and forth as she then landed on Ree. "We should go with him, brother. It is advantageous for us to stick together." Without much further explanation, she began to move toward Tri.

Tri watched her and relaxed, holding his hands out slightly if she wanted a hug. It was automatic, because he wanted to hug them, take them both away. Be relieved that they still cared even if that trust had been almost broken moments before.

Ree stared after her, wings shifting uncomfortably agains the ground before he finally moved after her and stuck his young out at her back.

"They let you go and Kae is missing?' He looked up again following Hexxis, "do I have to ask why? " he didn't smirk as he might have any other day, he jus watched him tiredly.

"... I don't know why they did. Zaku is odd...and Mara mentioned Kae's disapperences when she woke up. No one seems to be looking... So we will where we can. She saved you two..the is the least we can do"

Hexxis resisted every urge to start running as he offered a hug, only walking straight into his arms like she wasn't going to stop, wrapping her arms as far as they would go. She closed her eyes, just happy that the physical touch of his jacket seemed to be the only thing that soldified how real he was and that he was okay. She took a few moments before releasing again, her face still expressionless as she turned to look at Ree, her hand reflexively grabbing onto Tri's jacket. "Zaku healed me when I was deceased, and let me go as well. Even suggested he stay with me until SIU arrived to retrieve me. The other members convinced him otherwise.... However, I do feel he is very out of the ordinary." she mentioned to Tri. She nodded as he suggested they still look for Kae or at least keep an eye out for her.

Tri smiled cry faintly and bent over to returned her hug, mantling his wings over her protectively for as long as the hug lasted and pulled them back. Feeling more comfortable as she pulled on his jacket, as it it was right. "Zaku? How do you know that?" He glanced at them both, and the odd look Ree was giving him. He extended his middle wings out to the other meta and waited silently.

Ree took a step forward and brushed wings with him, not jealous of the hug he gave Hexxis. Hugs were just awkward between them. "Ash sent Hexxis the memories she had of that moments. " he said quietly.

Tri frowned faintly "She was dead?..." Something none of them had been able to explain up to then.

Hexxis nodded. "Yes, Ashral was able to pull my soul back with the help of Leukos. Ashral was still able to hear everything that happened during that time. She let me listen to it all in her memories." She explained. "Ree took notes of important key points."

Tri looked down at Hexxis seriously, looking at her duel colored eyes for ..something and not finding it. "... You three go into the metaphysical and lose me there " he shook his head, just glad it worked even if the implications were staggering as well the the shared memory. He wondered if it worked in the opposite way as well....was Ree actually right? Or was Ashral just doing this because of her self bounded contract? She was working along with Hexxis...

Looking at Ree he nodded faintly, brushing wings back "I would also like to see those encase there was anything we missed." before he motioned to the packs and waited. "Ready to port?" He glanced at them both while Ree's packs hovered up to him.

Hexxis gripped his jacket tighter, stepping closer as she looked to Ree then looked to Tri and nodded with a faint smile.

"Yes yes." but there was still a faint smile of relief and worry as he stepped closer. It didn't mean things were finished but at least they had a better ground on which to stand. It was sad to see how fast they could doubt each other....that was something to keep in mind from now on and see what can change it. Moving closer he pulled the packs to them.

Tri smiled faintly and shadow jumps them twice before reaching the hotel room he had rented.

Tri pulled up out of the shadows, headset still on as he reformed and looked around. Blinking in faint surprise as he saw Hex-ash? Resting her head on Ree's lap as Ree would sometimes do with him. "Ree. Hexxis?" He frowned, rethinking this but catching their attention anyways.

Hexxis darted her eyes to Tri who had formed in the room, a small smile on her face as she sat up, "Tri." she came to a stand and move to him, hugging him.

Tri showed a flicker of worry as he leaned down and hugged her. Ree stood up slowly alert as he looked toward the headset. "We're going after her? ...what did they do?" Blue eyes narrowed then soften as Hexxis moved to Tri.

"One of their strongest members hit her somehow....they believed she was dead but wasn't? I want to make sure it stays that way. I don't think they want to kill her ... But Zaku wasn 't in charge of much of what I heard . The others are what I expect of a normal hostage situation. "

Hexxis' smile faded into a deadpan and calculating expression. "Hostage situation. Zaku possible bystander. Rescue mission?" she spoke out to Tri, taking a few steps back and then looking to Ree.

"Yes. A rescue mission. I know where she is held but I didn't fare well the last time I went against the meta that is with her. Michael nor their shadow user Cordellia " he glanced up at Ree. " Added that there is the mercenary ...plus all the other Renegades. Hit and run distractions would suit us best . Enough for me to shadow in grab her and move out "

Hexxis nodded. "Draw them out, play a game of cat and mouse to cause a distraction."

Tri looked back down at Hexxis."I think you should stay here...Ree and I can teleport and we only need a few seconds. If they know your commands you will also be a liability "

Ree frowned faintly "Unless I take off her collar and you stay out of sight. Without it Ash won't be hindered "

Tri glared at him. "...that is a lot more dangerous "

Hexxis remained silent, staring at Tri then Ree. No emotions on her face as she just stared silently, then stared at the floor.

'Let me help.'

Hexxis seemed to narrow her eyes and took a deep breath. Focusing her eyes on Tri, "Let me go. If not to help, but to stay together. If you think it's too dangerous, I can keep my distance and aid if things get too bad." she insisted a determined glimmer in her eye.

Tri looked thoughtful then nodded "That can work, if you stay where I was hiding you can give backup to Ree if he needs it " he looked at Ree carefully and sigh mentally, they still needed more rest but Kae suddenly appearing and being attacked was not something any of them expected. He would have waited until nightfall...maybe even talked to Zaku but he feared that it might be to later. "With the collar on "

Ree shook his head and looked at Hexxis "If she does back me up. It is a big liability and I can't teleport her with me "

Hexxis looked back and forth between them, it seemed Ree was intent on letting Ashral be uncollared, while Tri felt that was too big of a risk, an opinion she shared with him. She tried to think of some compromise but there was hardly one. "I can still run." she retorted. "I am also capable of jumping high. I'm small and dexterous. If I can escape SIU on my own, then I can do this."

Ree turned to her and shook his head. "I am not questioning your abilities...just the commands. Kae had a reason for not shouting out your commands back at the base..but if she had you would have gone to sleep in the middle of a battle..."

"If it was just the Renegades...there would be no problem " he sigh, yea...-just- the Renegades hah.

Hexxis tensed just slightly but relaxed, her cold dead stare at Ree. "Ashral is no different. They have commands for her too." She turned her gaze to Tri, she opened her mouth to speak then hesitated. Shifting her eyes slightly, she then looked at Tri once again. "Do you want me to stay here?"

'What are you doing?!'

Hexxis hummed very lightly, trying to drown on Ashral's voice in her mind, waiting for Tri to answer.

Ree returned it with a hot one of his own "The one for you has been spilled around all over the place " he hissed softly, narrowing his gaze when she looked away.

Tri looked at the interaction between them, his wings and gaze steady. "... I would like you to help him. But to keep the collar on "

Hexxis turned to look at Ree, narrowing her eyes, glints of anger in them.

Tri shook his head "It is a risk but if the mercenary joins in back away with or without Kae. "

"If we are still there when they attack, it has already been to long. Just in and out. Poke the hive and back off Ree. Hexxis..you back him up encase someone jumps out fast and he can't get away. But move them back away from the house. "

Hexxis shifted her gaze to Tri and nodded. "Understood." She glanced over to Ree, a twinge still in her eyes before they softened slightly and she faintly frowned then looked away.

The anger didn't leave Ree's eyes as he looked away and to Tri. "Backing away isn't exactly the easiest thing to do with the cream of the renegades after you pissed off or what ever. Teleporting saved me multiple times at Parley, Hexxis can only run and hide ..and if Blaise I don't know decides to burn half an acre of forest in a flash? Do we go oops then? "

"Yes...Teleporting is also why you are now hunted by every city on Teraterra. Stay or come. Decide. She saved both your lives so I will repay that for you whether you help me or not. What you are suggesting is a massacre by allowing Ash out uncollared. Maybe not of you or them but at least of those she can get close to " he stared at Ree wings lifting slightly in anger.

Hexxis narrowed her eyes while staring at the ground, instead of anger, there was pain. Visible and unguarded. She sighed and walked off to the bathroom and shut the door, locking it and she slid down against it, sitting down as she pulled her legs up to her chest and rested her head on her knees as she wrapped her arms around her legs.

Ree blinked and his wings lowered slightly before lifting again. "I also ....." he turned to watch her head into the bathroom and close it as the lock snapped into place. "....."

Tri narrowed his eyes at Ree angrily. "Seems she decided for you. " he shook his head. "Let's go "

Tri reached for the comms that were charging and tossed one at Ree who caught it silently.

Hexxis just stayed quiet in the bathroom, just trying to think, waiting for them to just leave. She just wanted it to be quiet again.

After a minute or two there was silence.

Training At The Edge of Darkness

Trigger: blood, gore


Road kill

The carcasses of unfortunate animals were not an uncommon sight along one the roads they flew over. So when they had finally stopped for a rest in a secluded clearing he pulled away after their quick snack of granola bars while the other two talked about programming,



"Ree.....What are you doing?"

Wings tensed as he looked back, eyes widening in alarm as he meet Tri's carefully blank look. "......practicing. It was already dead. " he said quickly and got up so he could take a closer look..see it was true. Wanting him to believe it was true..he didn't kill it.

"One of the murder squad members..he had a similiar skill to mine. " he started then frown, wings lifted up defensively.

Tri just looked down at the bloody mess of the carcass and sighed, flickers of regreat hidden as he stared at the remains.He was failing at all this...they weren't supposed to change so much "Something bigger next time, and closer to us for safety." Not sounding like he was against it."We have to move, let's go"