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Once her feet were once more on the ground, Jasper embrased Shadow, hugging him tightly.

"You have to work much harder to scare me off,'' she laughed.

Tuono pranced, nickering with joy and Jasper smiled along with her. It was a very good reunion indeed.

She took his hand, pulling him down on the grass beside her. Jasper tucked her skirt carefully, still unused to wearing a dress.

"I'm sorry I left you without notice, it just was something I had to do alone.'' Jasper gestured in the direction of the village, ''Finisa used to be my home. They cast me out and do not welcome the exiled back. There was one who still shared her hearth with me, a woman called Kita, and we needed her help.''

With a heavy sigh she nuzzled against his shoulder, one hand resting on his leg.

Jasper sighed, "Long story made short...'' she started, ' They were...frightened. Frightened by my power. So instead of accepting everything, they took the easy road and told me to leave.''

Wind whistled through the trees and swirled around them on the grass. It enveloped her for a moment, in a comforting hug, and then carried on its path.

(OOC| sort post razz ))

Jasper leaned into Shadows embrace. She would have happily stayed nestled there all day, had not Tuono come up behind her. The mare nudged her rider impatiently.

"We must keep on going. We have only two days before the gathering starts. It would be wise to arrive before then.'' Jasper said, '' Kita gave me the last of the directions.''

She stood, her skirts blowing in the breeze. Tuono pranced over and Jas mounted, a smile upon her lips, wings upon her soul.

"Lets ride.''

Exclaiming, Jasper kicked Tuono into a run, bending low on the horse's powerful neck.

Proper protocal swam through Jasper's mind. It was something she'd never known, but somehow, it was there.

'I have to find Mother Rhea's representitive' she thought, 'I just can't bring a lullaby to a gathering, after so many centuries, and expect there to be no upheaval'

Tuono's long stride quickly brought her up to Anio, and she fell into pace, in stride. Jasper flashed a grin to Shadow, and took a right in the path.

It wasn't long until the two reached the gathering site. And it was quite a site to see. Hundreds of tents sprawled out, and not one was uncolored. Voices rose and fell in a musical chatter. Flags and banners beat softly against the light wind. To the far side of the vast clearing, a depression, a crater, with the sides lined with seating.

'' So this is it, '' Jasper said to herself, hereyes scanning the crowds for a representitive.

"I must warn you,'' she said over her shoulder to Shadow, '' It has been over a century since a lullaby has been to a gathering. It might be a bit of a shock to them.''

Men! Jasper thought with a shake of her head.

'' I take it this is subtle as I'm going to get you to be isnt it?'' As Jasper spoke she soon realized that finding the representitive wouldn't be too hard. A figure in emerald robes, with the wings of a dragonfly was striding towards them, and she did not look pleased.

"What is the meaning of this! '' she demanded, a voice like an angered thunderstorm. '' How dare you bring a foreigner to a gathering, Jasra Windheart! Decursio tui conscientia! This is a disaster. I know you haven't returned in many years child, but you know the rules! And you know the consecquences.''

Before the representative could start again, Jasper said in a low voice, '' His name is Shadow. And he is the Summer Lullaby''

The look on Rheas rep's face was all the answer she needed. She was no longer Jasper Hawthorne; but Jasra Winderheart. Sprite; woman; and companion to the Summer Lullaby.

''Show them''

The rep was not impressed, "You may be a lullaby, but you are the summer lullaby and this is the winter gathering. And Jasra knows better than to bring an outsider, whomever they may be."

Jas was becoming furious. On the outside she looked cool and bored, but if you glanced into her eyes, you could see that they were a raging storm. Lightening flashed dangerously close above head.

" Excuse me," she said with insolence lacing her voice, " If I wanted to reinstate a bond lost long ago!''

She turned to the gathering crowd below. And they seemed at first mesmerized by her words.

'' Long ago, fellows, we had a bond, a connection with another race. The lullabys. We has power! The Sprites were loved and feared. We were respected. For some reason there was a break in our bond! And we've been seperated for centuries. We could be great again! We could have a mental weaving with the lullabys and each other once more!''

A murmur of discontent and arguments began to grow.

'' Why would you want to taint our souls with power and corruption!''

'' Oh shove off! She's only trying to help our race, even if it is misguided.''

'' Misguided? She knows exactly what she's doing! Look at her up there!''

There was obviously a void in the crowd, and Jasra knew that she was the one to blame. Quarreling was rare amoung the peaceful sprites. And getting the touchy Storm sprites with the headstrong Wilds had always been asking for trouble, it just took her to start it.

'' Stop it!'' Jasra screamed, thunder clapping overhead and the wind carried her words. She was much stronger than anyone had expected, and her fury was growing. ''I brought with me to a sacred gathering an outsider. I except the concequence and I'll face my own end. But as for Shadow, as for the lullabies, Let Rhea decide''

The words spread through the crowd, Let Rhea decide; let Rhea decide

''W-what?! '' the representative stuttered, '' You can not just call Mother Earth down to a gathering! You cannot! And besides, it would have to be after your excecution. A sacrifice is needed.''

'' So be it.''

Jas walked over to Shadow as he spoke.

'' I knew this concequence when I asked you to come. Even that day in the library. I knew even then. '' she said softly to him, ''But its worth it to me. I get to choose my own style of excecution. Quick, Painless. Its nesscessary.''


With a final look into his eyes, she stood on tiptoe and gave Shadow a kiss on the cheek.

'' Remember Me,'' she whispered. It was her greatest unspoken fear; to be forgotten.

With a staight back and proud face; Jasper Hawthorne - Jasra Windheart - walked to Rhea's representative. She nodded once, a finality.

" What is your choice of excecution child? '' the rep sighed. How she hated calling Rhea.

'' Beheading. On her alter.'' Jasra said.

There was a gasp in the crowd. No words were spoken as Jas held her hands over her head. A swirl of leaves and wind surrounded her. When they cleared, they revealed the true Jasra Windheart. A thin sprite, with wild sandy brown hair and a crown of lightening. She wore traditional natural clothing that swayed in the breeze as she walked barefoot to the Alter of Mother Earth. Jeweled dragonfly wings tinkled musically.

It was a sight to behold. Jasper layed on the alter, face up. A gnome with a ruby encrested sword stood above her. A hush fell over the crowd at the same time the sword fell. It was quick alright.

'' Rhea recieve her soul as a traitor but also as a sacrifice. We need your guidance Mother.'' The rep chanted as a warm shower of blood burst from the wound. The body once belonging to Jasra fell limp, one name still on her lips, Shadow.

There was a great thunder and then sudden silence. A Fairy beautiful beyond all words stood where Jasper's body had been. Fire, Water, Wind, Ice, Lightening, Shadows and Stars burst from her in a fury. Her mouth did not move, but everyone heard her words.

What is the meaning of this?! she demanded in a forboding voice, glowing yellow eyes falling on Shadow.

((OOC| I was bored so I sketched Jasra [x]))