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 Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 12:36 pm
Cal sighed. Obviously, the woman did mind. He put the cigarette away. "I'm sorry, I don't think I introduced myself. Cal Morgan, though I suppose you know that already." It seemed strange that he could have had such a lengthy and...crazy... conversation with someone he didn't even know.
His eyes were drawn back to the spear. Somehow, he wanted it. Wanted it very badly. Unusual for him, who put little stock in trinkets and baubles. Perhaps it was his sea roots coming out in him.
Hesitantly, he picked the spear up again. It did nothing this time.
"Tell me more," he asked Ianna. "How...would a child come out?" He still didn't really believe her; his deep-rooted cynicism refused to let him. But it wouldn't hurt to let her talk. He understood there were supposedly "stages;" but how was the whole thing supposed to work?
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 12:39 pm
"Ianna Umbridge," she returned, stroking the white of her now-asleep daughter's hair. She then moved on to answer the man's question.
"When the spirit inside the wand finally gets used to you...It'll emerge in a wisp-like state. It's the spirit essence. Once it feels you've accepted it, it'll grow and become a dense mist. Mostly, people call these 'baby ghosts' because that's what they look like. The final stage comes when they feel it's safe for them to be their full form and then they solidify into infants..."
Ianna shrugged, "The entire process USUALLY takes about a month, from what I've seen but...Sometimes it takes longer. It depends on the guardian."
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 12:42 pm
"I see."
He smiled at little at his inward thought. How "accepted" was this spirit going to feel when he didn't even believe it was there?
"So, you'll keep this place open, right? I can come back again if I have questions?" His eyes fell uncomfortably on the phrase announcing his fatherhood again. But it was alright to take the thing. It wasn't really true...
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 12:47 pm
Ianna nodded, "Yes, but the Headquarters is where you'll meet other guardians. Come with me, I'll show you where it is. I think you'll like it, and you're pretty much welcome there any time."
The woman stood with her sleeping daughter and went towards the door to her right, opening it and stepping through. She simply hoped the other man would follow.
As they entered the main lobby Via the portal connecting the shoppe and the headquarters, the first thing noticable was the vast...largeness...of it. The high ceilings, edged with gold, the large chandeliers dripping with crystals, the smooth white tile-floors, colorful rugs, and beautiful paintings.
To the left was a large recreational area complete with a large flat-screen television, several rows of various games, movies, video game systems and books. There was a basket of toys in the corner, full of plushies, dolls, cards and various other objects which would appeal to most ages. Included in the area were several comfy looking couches and plush chairs just made for sitting, lounging or bouncing in. It seemed to be heaven on a fluffy carpet. It even had a foos-ball table and an air-hockey table....and for the slightly more food-minded GoTP, a mini fridge always full.
To the right was a large elaborate counter, which seemed to have a force-field of some sort around it, keeping anyone who was not Ianna or Matilda from going behind it. On the counter lay a roster with the names of all the Ghostly children and their guardians, and an appointment book.
From there, it branched off into halls with rows and rows of rooms. Some were storage, some were guest rooms, some were bathrooms, and one very large and ornate door to the end of the hall led to the gardens. "Welcome to Headquarters. As I said, you're welcome here any time. Usually other guardians are crawling around the place, but it's been quiet for a bit. Generally when a new guardian comes..."
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Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 12:55 pm
Cal could only stare. His mouth didn't quite hang open - he was far too controlled for that - but inwardly it did.
The "Headquarters," as Ianna had called it, was vast and richly decorated. Even so, it still had an inviting feel to it...and seemed as though whoever owned it often entertained children.
Nothing breakable was on a level low enough to be a danger to a child...or for them to be a danger to it.
"This is incredible," Cal murmured, genuinely appreciative. But 'other guardians'? Surely it wasn't...
He didn't even bother to let his mind finish that sentence. He needed his denial to remain intact.
The spear was cool, despite the warmth from his hand; and he found it soothing. He wondered where the other doors led off to...
"So where...did you find this?" He gestured with the spear.
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Posted: Sat May 13, 2006 5:05 pm
"Nice isn't it? My daughter built it. It's magically enhanced...And you're no longer in Gaia," she grinned a bit at that, "You're in a pocket realm that was also created by my daughter. Matilda, not Coailiann." she paused at the question and sat herself on a stool, cuddling Coailiann to her.
"I found that on an island called Sirenum Scopuli. It's a place thought to be a myth but...Apparently, it isn't, right? I mean, I should have thought as much, after being to Atlantis..."
She trailed off quietly and shrugged.
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Posted: Fri May 19, 2006 4:41 pm
"Sirenum..." Being a sailor, of course he'd read up on the siren legends. And Atlantis? His head literally spun. He heard the words, but it was as if he could not actually take them in. They rolled off him just as the mentions of "pocket realms" and magic did.
He resisted the urge to sit. He didn't want this stranger to see how shaken he truly was. By now, he wanted nothing better than to be back on his ship -- paint repaired or not -- with that salt tang filling his nostrils and the wind cooling his tanned cheeks.
And a cigarette. Yes, definitely that.
"Is there anything else I should know before I go?" His voice was flat, emotionless, as though he were operating his mouth with only half his mind engaged.
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Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 3:01 pm
"No. Just don't break the wand...If you do...It dies," she smiled slightly and gave a small yawn, "In any case, that's all I need to speak with you about. You can leave the same way you entered, if you wish to. I need to do several things around here..."
She paused, "You really are welcome here at any time, Mr. Morgan. Please know that."
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Posted: Fri May 26, 2006 7:25 am
But Cal only nodded politely without answering. Welcome? H e wasn't sure that was entirely comforting, when there was a girl who spoke from nowhere and knew his name without asking.
Feeling as though perhaps there was something else he should say -- and having no idea what that would be -- he moved to the doorway with measured tread, hiding his awkwardness in reticence.
He stepped through the doorway into...nothing? Everything? That's the way it felt. But moments later the same strange little shop lay before him, rows and rows of books and dusty shelves along the walls, still sleepy and quiet in the heat of the day.
Holding the siren's spear loosely in his brown hand, he stepped back into the blinding sun.
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