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Shiva - Her mask was soooo pretty ^^ that was my first impression when I finished her. Originally, that vilot-white wasn't her color. I had done her in a differnet color, then just changed the color scale to fit for a diamond mask.
As a child..... she was the hardest to do >_< Her gaurdian saw her in a kimono, but at the time, I already had a kimono one planned.... and given that the dragon masque are gaurds, she needed armor. So, I spent several days trying to figure out what to do for her till I decided to go with an elven theme for her. Elven stuff is sposta be beautiful and still strong. So, yeah, that was my theme for her child self. There's also a little Sango-ness (from InuYasha) going on with her look, also.
As a teen, I changed the armor, gave her chain mail under it (there's a cloth out fit under that, chain mail would pinch after all) and jeans. While I was doing her, I got the impression of an attitude thing. like she's sweet, kind and all round nice to all those who are her friends and family. But she's also protective of them. You mess w/ them and she's going to hurt you. I also got the impresion she wont back down from helping/trying to protect someone else.

Io headed into the woods, her eyes on the ground, focusing on what looked like footsteps. They were faint, and the grass and vines covering the ground were rapidly recovering. But she was determined to find him. She wanted to know more about the man that clamed to be her aunt's masque.

She took another step, blinking and cursing silently as she realized the trail had gone cold. She looked up, then around, scowling as she realized something.

Io was lost.

Seishuko watched Io from his place in the bushes. Why was it that everyone seemed to get lost in his woods...? Oh well, he couldn't blame them. He had gotten lost several times before, till he finally relearned his way around the place.
He gave a sigh and moved silently more out in the open, sitting on a fallen log, watching and waiting for her to see him.

Io cursed herself, if she hadn't seen him in this time, then he probably wasn't about to come out and say "Hi!" She snickered at the very thought, turning to look and see if anything appeared familiar. Only to blink as she caught sight of Sei sitting on the log.

'I wanted to talk to you.' She said, squaring her jaw. She wouldn't be afraid of him. He was just another masque. Just like her... Just like Lyra. The thought made her hesitate.

He blinked at her. Talking wasn't really his best aspect.... but people seemed to need it. He guessed she needed an explination... he should have know he couldn't have kept his presence a secert forever...

'Come,' Sei spoke ever so softly to Io as he stood up and started to walk deeper into the woods, heading towards his home.

She watched him for a second, then quickly followed, unable to help herself. She usually liked being alone, but in this case something told her she wouldn't have been alone for long. This was Rade territory. She almost stumbled over a rock one time, but kept going, determined she would find out what she wanted to know.

Who was he? Why was he way out here? And if he was TB's masque... did she know?

After some time they came to a small shack of a house. It looked weather with time, though some spots were repaired, and there were vines growing over it. The windows were a little dirty, but whole and there were verious object that he used for working hanging on the pourch. The house faced a small gardan that had started to grow and near there was a well, it's bucket waiting on the side to be used, as well as a smaller shack with wood chopped and pilled up beside it.

Sei lead the girl to his house, slowing his steps so that she could look around, if she wanted too. Once to the door he opened it, stepping in and started to take off his cloak, leaning his staff against the cluttered table that had a tin box half open in the center.

The inside of his house looked worse than the outside. There were more objects cluttered around or hanging on the wall, most of them were tools but some things were furr from animals that he would later used to make something or other.

He gustered to a chair that was at the table, offering her a seat as he went to get a kettle. He wasn't good haveing a guest over.... and he had not had someone come in a very very long time. Making a hot drink was the only thing he could think of doing.

Io sat down, looking around, then watching him as he worked. 'You left pretty fast back there... Didn't you want to see if Aunt Trinity was all right?' She asked, 'Or do you just not care?'

She stopped, wondering if that was the case with some of the other masques. 'They aren't our real parents, after all... In fact, my father--' She stopped, not sure why she was about to tell him something that personal.

Sei paused a moment after hanging the kettle over the fire and looked at her. No, he wasn't worried about his chosen, it was just a bump on the head and she would be fine.

But as for why he didn't want to be there, Sei looked Io in the eyes once more. The image of all those at the camp being around him, and him finding a way to be away from them. Then came the image of him, breathing a sigh of releif once far away from the others.

He left alone the last thing she said. If she wanted to say more on it, should would.

'Yeah... I have that problem sometimes, too.' Io said, relaxing. His explanation worked, she guessed. And she was just so tired of fighting. He hadn't once made an agressive motion, and if he had, she was sure it would have been before putting water to boil...

Somehow she couldn't picture a guy that ran in fright of crowds as being a vicious villain. 'It's not that big a group, you know...' She said half-heartedly. 'Don't you get lonely out here?'

Sei could see her tiredness and just relaxed in his chair, glancing at the kettle now and then. He smiled under the mask, here we go with the lonely issue again, but at least this time is was true concern.

He shrugged and used the image of the young blue Rade that was normally with TB, padding around his home. After another moment he got out of the chair and used a mitt to get the kettle off the hook, setting it on the table. Then went to a shelf on the wall, bringing down two cups that didn't match, checking them to make sure they were clean. Once satisfied, he set them down on the table and reached over to another box, digging into a small pouch, pulling out two more smaller pouches that had a thin fabric on them and a string groming from them. His tea.

Placing one of this small pouches in a cup, he poured in some hot water and gently placed it before Io, making his own before still back and watching her. He gave her the image of her laying down in a bed. His way of asking why she was tired.

Io took the cup, trying to figure out what the image was about. Somehow she didn't think it was sexual. Was he asking-- 'No, I'm fine. I just need some... alone time.' She said, looking down at her drink for a few minutes.

'You... do I know you? I feel like I might, or I should, but...'

Sei watched her still, Io had her eyes. He gave the image of being out in the woods, near a creek. The image was a calming one, to him atleast.

He gave a nod to her and glanced at the tin box that sat on the table, then picked up his tea, sipping it. It still puzzled him as too how the food or drink got into his mouth when there was a mask in the way. It seemed to only work if he wanted it too, for things like dirt or bugs that flew too close to his mouth didn't get in.

But he had come to accept this, as he did other things.

She was uncomfortable with his silent survey, so she stood, taking her tea with her to look around. 'So I know you, I just don't remember you...' She mused, not really expecting a response. The man was certainly quiet.

'Can you at least tell me your name?' She asked, her eye catching on a tin box. It was pretty, with ornate designs on the cover. She reached out, running a finger over it before turning to look at him again.

Sei thought a moment before sending his name over. 'Seishuko' the female voice rang like a musical tone, one filled with care. His sister's voice, as he remembered it. It had been a while since he had head his own name. Well... almost a while anyway.

He then sent the image of Io looking into the box. Stating that she could, if she wanted too, before he went back to his tea.

The voice that he sent made her jerk, going pale beneath her mask. She KNEW that voice, she just couldn't... couldn't place it. It was just at the edge of her mind, making her shiver slightly, as if on the brink of a great discovery.

Then the image of her looking in the box caught her off guard, making her turn and open the latch. She stopped, her heart stopping for a second at the first picture. It was of a pregnant woman, and in her arms--

'Me...' She whispered, her voice catching in her throat as her heart started pounding. 'HOW do you have this? WHY do you have this? Who are you?' She asked, turning on him, the picture in her hand.

Sei looked up at her. Maybe this was a bad idea.... She might not be ready to know... and if she wasn't, with the mask on, he would be in no condition to help her....

'Clam, shhhhh, look more,' his mental voice soothed. But was she ready to look more.....? He watched her worriedly before he took the box, reaching in and pulling out another picture. This one of a boy and a girl with the same hair out in a middow, the girls arms around the boy's neck. He hoped this explained something. His hair, at least, had not changed that much....

Io looked at the picture blankly for a few minutes before handing it to him silently and turning away. Somehow this man had known her mother when they were children. Either friends, or maybe family. The two looked somewhat similar.

That meant there was a good chance she was related to this strange man. She hugged herself, not really having a high opinion of family at the moment. Her father was a child, who didn't even know who she was. Her sister was a-- Well, she didn't want to think of her sister. And Lyra was somewhere around, already starting to cause chaos from the shadows.

'I... I should leave now.' She said simply, taking a step for the door.

Sei blinked at her. Well, that was a better reaction than he had hoped. He watched as she headed for the door, but he was quiet ready for her to leave yet... It had been a long while since he had been able to visit with her.

'Stay,' He asked quietly. 'Talk with me, rest.' He gave her the image of her tea that was still warm. Hopeing she would stay at least as long as a cup of tea. Io looked like she needed some time away from everyone.

That everyone would include him, he knew..... but he didn't care.

'If you're going to give me some long lost family bullshit, don't bother. I've done alright on my own.' She said harshly, still not looking at him. 'And I don't feel much like talking to anyone at the moment. Especially not another masque.' She turned, looking at him then.

'So far all I've seen are oblivious idiots that don't even think about the fact they're still stuck in these damn masks. And you, where were you when we were being attacked? Maybe not for the curse, but lately. I was almost killed the other day. Where were you?'

She stopped, cursing herself for even asking. 'Never mind. I don't want to know.' She turned and headed for the door.

Sei strightened as he stood, thinking carefully about what he should do next. Carefully he sent the images in a flash, one slow enough so that she could comprehind what she saw.

First were images of TB digging, images from when he was in a mask state, them to him hiding from, following her to the camp. then images of the woods, his old house, him rebuidling his old house, mixed in with images of the other's at the camp, and Io as she walked alone. More images of him watching after Trin as she walked through the woods, narrowly advoiding Rade.

Then came the image of the fight she last had with Silva.
'Watched. If..... I felt you could not... handle your self... against him.... would have.. stepped in sooner.' The image shifted, as if the view was about to move forward, only to stop and look as more came. 'Others came then.'

The the female voice, the memory voice, came, '"You know... I can't always be here too look out for you. You're going to have to learn how to protect yourself! But don't worry, when things get really bad for you... I'll come and bail you out, like normal!"' the voice happily as it faded out, though it was obviously going to continue.

Sei reached over for his cloak, starting to put it on. If she was ready to go, then he might as well lead her out safely.

Io stopped, listening to his words, then shrugging. She didn't know if he could have done anything, even if he had been there. She shouldn't care, really. It had happened before, it would probably happen again. This planet wasn't safe. If she couldn't take care of herself then she was out of luck.

She didn't say anything as he grabbed his cape, knowing that she wouldn't be able to find her way home. She merely waited for him to lead the way, not really wanting to go back to the camp, but not wanting to stay. She was confused, and she needed some alone time. To think.

Sei took his walking stick as he headed out the door, waiting for her to step out. Once she did, he closed the door behind him and started to walk in the direction of camp. He kept his pace slow and was purposely taking the long way to camp. He also kept the sounds they made silent, so any passing Rade would not hear them. Rades were, after all, attracted first to sound, then smell.

As they walked, he kept quiet, occasionally glancing at the girl beofre looking back forawrd. She was starting to turn out like her aunt, in many many was. He frowned at that thought. One Lyra was enough as it was.

'I... I'm sorry.' She said quietly, watching the ground. 'I've been having a difficult time lately. But I shouldn't take it out on you. I just... I just don't know who to trust right now. My father doesn't remember me, my sister betrayed me, and my aunt... I don't know what to think of my aunt sometimes.'

She sighed slightly, stopping as she realized they were in territory she knew. 'The only one I trust is my guardian, and she's never home. She's always off trying to save the world, or one of those jester sisters, or fighting or being kidnapped, or--' She stopped, shrugging. 'Being Ice.'

He paused when she stopped, listening to what she had to say. Normally he wouldn't do this. Normally he wouldn't bother taking someone the long way, to let them think then get off of their chest what was bothering them. There were only a small few he would do that with.

Io happened to be one fo them.

Sei gave a nod of understanding before reaching out and nudging her chin up, gently. 'I remember much,' He said to her before bringing his hand away. 'Not fully alone.'

She nodded, looking away from him, her hands shoving into her pockets. 'It gets worse.' She went on, almost dryly. 'I remember some things, but no one else does in the group. I'm so sick of not being able to ask them why they aren't who they used to be. And even if I did they would just look at me like I was crazy...'

Then she blinked, looking at him, unconscious hope in her eyes. 'Come back with me, Seishuko. I need someone around that remembers. That I... that I can talk to.'

Sei could understand why they were not the same as they used to be. They weren't raised the same, after all. He, Lyra and from what it sounded like, Io, all pretty much raised themselves. Io was a little different from what he could remember of her.

His thoughts were suddenly cut off when Io had asked him to come back with her. He simply stared at her, taking a small set back, almost as if he was about to run away. Go back? Where there are others?! Hell no!! Nothing in this world-
Again his thoughts stopped as he saw the hope in her eyes, and he cracked, his shoulders slumping a bit. Io had once more been one of the few he'd do things for. Fate either suddenly decided to stop favoring him or fate had cought up with him. Either way, he was doomed.

Gave her another look, forcing more words to form, 'I have to.. stay long...?' He asked, worriedly. If she wanted to talk to him, she could always enter the woods and call out for him.

'You have to at least talk to Aunt TB. She needs to know she's your guardian, even if it's kind of late in the game.' Io replied, feeling reluctant to push him too far. Who knew better how claustraphobic the camp got then her?

'Then you can leave.' She finished. Sure, she would love to have him around, but he was free... far more free then she was. And she wouldn't take that away from him.

Seishuko nodded. That was about the best he was going to get... and he didn't feel like abandoning her, after all. As long as he was allowed to leave when he wished, he would be fine. Or so he told himself.

He gave a visible sigh and started walking again, his feet dragging a little more. Well, the sooner he got this over with, the better. He wondered how his chosen would react to him.

Sei was taking on of his many walks through his forest, enjoying the quietness of it all. and much more happy now that he's away from that camp place. Too many people for his like...

Lyra was bored. She had planned on watching Scagg work shirtless, but for some reason he hadn't come out. It was no wonder she was sitting in a tree, one leg hanging down, kicking slightly as she admired her fingernails.

Absently she looked down, noticing the man walking through the trees or a second before she realized who he was. 'Well, well, well... I had hoped you were dead by now... Sei.'

Sei twitched lightly, hearing the voice. and his name. he didn't think anyone knew his name...... he visibly sighed and looked up, some how knowing the direction.

'What, not happy to see me?' She asked, a hint of amusement in her voice.

Sei shrugged. wht could he say? though it was interesting to see that she was around...... that could prove to be interetaining.

'Well I can't say that I'm happy to see you, either.' She said, ruffled by his obvious lack of response. That had always gotten under her skin. Especially when she KNEW she looked good. If it were any other male--
'Who brought you back, anyways? I'll be sure to... thank them.'

Sei just looked at her, giving her this "i'm sure..." look that told he knew what she was up too. he gave another shrug and started walking again. he remembered she hated it when he walked off while she was talking.

'Where do you think you're going?!' She demanded, rifting so she was on the ground in front of him.

A hint of amusement jumped in his eyes at this before he quickly hid it. he gave a simple, though soft word to her mind, "home" , before he stepped around her.

yep... he still liked to ruffle her. she still reacted the same.

'You...' She said, her hands turning into fists before she forced herself to calm. 'You always were antisocial. Afraid they'll laugh at you, darling?'

Sei shrugged again before turning and gustering to her. "mute also" he said, though his mental voice was a bit amused. he stood facing her, simply holding his staff, slightly leaning on it as he watched her. it was odd....... now everyone was like him, mute and telepathic.

'...' She stopped, her plot ruined that easily. 'Then why aren't you with the others, darling? I know how you've always wanted to... fit in with those weaklings.'

sei shrugged again. he didn't care. he had to face it alone, except for his sister, they at least had eachother. again, he guestered to her. "adjusted well" she did enjoy hearing her own voice back then.....

'The body more then makes up for the voice.' She said, running a hand down her side, enjoying the firm curves she now possessed. 'I had forgotten how beautiful I was.'

Sei just looked at her a moment, a blank expression in his eyes beofre his body began to shake w/ laughter. leave it to her lyra to think something like that. he didn't even bother to hid the fact he was laughing as he leaned more on his staff. just about the time he thought he recovered, he looked at her again and started to laugh once more*

'...' She gave him a dark look, which was somewhat marred by her mask. 'Of course you don't appreciate true beauty. You always had a thing for tomboys, didn't you.'

Sei shook his head. yes, she was beautiful but her forward personality didn't match. he once more shrugged at her, amusement in his eyes, still. then he thought a moment and gave her mental images, memories, or her flirting w/ one of the old gaurds and being brushed off. time and time again.

Lyra twitched, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at him. 'I don't know why I even bother.'

Sei smirked under his mask. "yes, you do." he said, a cocky sound in his mental voice as he watched her.

She growled, then changed tactics again, not giving up so easily. 'I suppose you're back in that old shack of yours... lonely, isn't it...'

Sei shook his head once, a smile in his eyes informing her that he enjoyed it that way. then he gave her another image, one of her always being around others, then suddenly her image standing alone.

'We could be lonely together...' she said, not bothering to deny his reply. She reached out, to touch his chest. He had a wonderful body... he always had. It was too bad he was such a pain in the a**...

Sei gave her that look agian and started to laugh once more, and gave her a more cartoonish image of her stranglying him. the out come of if she followed him home. he shook his head again, a laugh still in his eyes.

She snorted, not able to hide the flash of amusement that picture brought on. 'You're right, of course. It's really quite too bad. You're such a fine example of manhood. Physically, at least. And such an... intriguing power...'

Sei rolled his eyes at that one. "you hate" he stated plainly. he then smirked again and dragged up an image he had caught on her mind. the image of the one called scagg and placed her image flirting w/ him.

'a girl gets lonely after a hundred years in a mask, darling. Really, of anyone I would think you understood.' She didn't sound self-conscious at all. She DID plan on having Scagg, but in the meantime Sei was just so... convenient.

Sei thought of thise for a moment. was there a time he was lonely...? no, he hated crowds. they made him feel uneasy. but just to make her happy in the sudden.... "concern" she showed for his well being, he showed her the image of a young rade piddling around his house. the one that had been following him around.

'A... cat.' She replied, her expression blank for a second. 'You think a... cat... is company.' She paused, rolling her eyes. 'I should have known you were a virgin.'

Sei shrugged, he didn't care.... .then he got a thought and smirked at her, evilly, giving her that same look and shot an image of him and her in a bed all cuddled up coozy.

She stopped, feeling a little warm. 'You do know how to tease a girl, I'll give you that.'

Sei nodded, this was entertaining. she was always entertaining to him.

'Seeeeiii...' She said, reaching up and touching his mask. 'Just once?'

Sei shock his head, though still grinning.

Besides, he knew just once would be all there is and he could never be interetained by her after that.

'Hmph. See if I offer again.' She said, flipping her hair and turning her nose up at him.

Sei got hit w/ the hair, and was still grinning. then got another idea and reached over to her, gently cupping her chin and turning her to face him. 'oh...?' he asked in an almost... suductive.... voice.

'... yes.' She said, a hint of a pout in her voice. She needed to get her mind off of the image he had sent her. 'I suppose you've been watching our darling nieces?'

Sei quickly tapped her on the nose, like he used to do after teasing her about something and pulled back away from her. he gave her a nod, still smiling under the mask.

'Hmph. Treat me like a child, will you?' She muttered, glaring at him again. 'And my brother? Have you seen him as well?'

Sei nodded again, watching her still.

'I do SO worry about them, you know. Not knowing their family... their positions.' She sighed, looking up at him through her lashes. 'Tell me, are they well?'

Sei just gave her this look. his unbelieve look. the cartoony image of time on the throne and lyra coming up and shoving him off of it and takeing the crown.

he knew what she really wanted..... why couldn't she be happy with what she had...?

'You must not have seen, darling. The throne is cracked and broken. The crown is no more. I'm merely a worried sister and aunt, now.'

He gave her the "uh huh..." look again. he took the image of the throne, the image of it reversing, going back to being whole. his way of telling her what has been done can be undone.

She rolled her eyes, patting him on the cheek. 'Poor little cynic. I'm a changed woman, now. I have no desire for Time's position.' Not now, at least. His power level was laughable, and he was a lowly child with a mother telling him what to do!

Sei patted her back and replayed the words she just spoke to herself. he could hear them, as he could hear every unspoken word. soemthing by which he kept turned off, but when lyra was conscerend... he kept it on.
Frozen Water says:
'Oooh, I knew there was a reason I hated you!' She turned, twirling her finger to start a rift.

Sei sighed and silenced her magic with a thought. sometimes she just needed to listen. he gave her the image of the other's maskless. it's what he wanted. but first they needed time to grow and remember. doing so now would be too much of a shock to their systems and he knew that.

Lyra jerked, suddenly things fell together. 'You... you could take the masks off, couldn't you?' She said, staring at him. She was, sadly to say, so used to him stopping her magic that she didn't even comment on it. 'Take mine off!'

.... he figured she'd think that.... he sighed and leaned his face forward, giving her the image of her pulling his mask. he knew it wouldn't come off, but she could at least try and prove it to herself that not even he could break this spell.

She looked at him, suspecting a trick, but tried it anyways, cursing as the mask didn't budge.

He pulled back, leaning on his staff again, once more watching her.

'what will you do...?' he asked, one of the more complicated things he had asked in a long while. the quesion was followed by the image of her mask falling off.

'Be free of this hideous burdan for one.' She said callously. 'My power is only a portion of what it should be. I want my power back, Sei. And my face... my beautiful face...' She reached up, touching the mask and looking close to tears.

Oh great... she was going to cry now. he hated tears.... and now he was confused. he didn't know how to convay it.... he'd have to speak again............. he had an even more puzzled look on his face and he dried to find the words.
'if.... you could take mask off... now..... bad things....would happen.....' he frowned. that was the best he could do......

'I don't care!' She almost shouted, her sadness turning to anger. 'I want to be ME again, and I WILL be. I will find a cure for this curse, whether you help me or not.'

Oh great, now she was shouting. He winced as the sound we doubled in his mind. On impulse he reached out and held her in a hug.
'you are you now... not you if mask off..... memories bad.... hurt...'

She blinked, shocked by the feel of him hugging her, then she broke, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face in his shoulder. 'Memories are all that I have. Even if they hurt.' She said, not giving in.

Sei frowned and showed her an image of her, the mask of, curled up in a ball and a look on her face, a look that is not intellegent, a look of someone who's gone crazy.

'wait..... learn..... cure will come when ready.... ' or so he believed. he didn't really know, but he did know about memory spells and what the loss, then studden gain of memories can do to a person.

'...' She pulled away. 'You had better be right.'
Sei blinked then smirked. Lyra never did like to have others see her cry. He had, many times. but he let her go, not even trying to stop her.
'i lie?' he asked her, a little playfully.

'You had better not. If you know what's good for you.' She muttered. 'And I'm tired of this conversation. I have more important things to do.'

Sei sighed. She was just going to be irritable now, so he might as well go and let her go...... not before soemthing first. He smiled again and moved to her, holding her againa dn leaning down, looking into her eyes. He sent the image of them both with out a mask, him kissing her, passiontly. he then pulled back, tapping her on the nose lightly as he dropped the silence spell.

He turned quickly, his cape flowing behind him and continued into the woods.

Lyra blinked, then cursed him long and hard, sure that he would hear her. Then she rifted away.

Seishuko walked though the woods, having left his niece back at his cabin to settle in. His wood pile was getting low and it was time for him to start gathering more.

An axe was drapped over his shoulder, replacing the walking stick and he went with out the cloak, revealing a sleeveless shirt that was obviously hand made. The cloak would have gotten in his way as he worked.

Things were going to be a bit different now that his niece was going to be staying with him for a time.

'You've been busy.' The voice came from the trees, where Lyra sat comfortably on one of the limbs, one long, well shaped leg hanging down. 'You bright her here?'

She had grown tired of watching the large man work on the fence for some reason. Even shirtless he had begun to bore her. His thoughts were far too easy to read. The poor boy had a girl somewhere. What a pity.

'Was wondering when you come,' Sei smirked under his mask, looking over his shoulder at her. He was secertly pleased with his slight better talking.

'Io being here bothers?' He asked, continueing on his walk, examing trees as he went, looking for one that was ready to be cut.

'It'll make it a lot harder for us to fool around, if that's what you mean.' She swung her leg slightly, looking him over with a little smirk. 'You're looking good today.' She said, a slight purr in her tone. It was tradition, after all. Try to get Sei in bed.

Too bad it never seemed to work. 'My brother has grown, you know.'

Sei bit back a laugh as he looked a tree over. 'Don't to begin with. Yes, seen him grown. Lanky kid.' As he remembered Nika had been when he was a teen. His memory was still fuzzy in some areas, but the important things, and people, he remembers.

Sei stopped at a tree and looked it over. This one would do. He went over to where Lyra was standing and moved her off to the side so she wouldn't get harmed.

'Io thinks you crazy,' He stated as started to work.

She glared at him, irritated with being moved against her will. 'Io thinks a lot of things.' She said dryly, making herself at home on a rock. 'She's just a child, after all. Still crushing on her first love.'

She was amused with that fact, but a little bitter. It was quite obvious that Io's first love was crushing just as hard. 'My what fools these mortals be...' She quoted, looking towards the cabin. 'Have you told her about us?'

'That we talk? No. letting her settle in first. She'll know soon enough,' he answered, still working. 'Her reigns to tight, is to stressed. Needs break.'

Sei paused in his work and looked at her once more, a slight smirk in his dark eyes. 'Now really no room in house.' His mental voice was joking, teaseing, before he went back to work.

'Darling, there was never room in the house to begin with.' She replied, tossing her hair over her shoulder and watching him work. He wasn't as large as the big man... nor quite as broad, but he was appealing. And the fact that she knew she couldn't have him made it worse.

'It's been so boring lately... I really must look up my darling brother sometime. See how he is. Family loyalties and all that, you know.' She looked at him, a slightly evil smile in her eyes. 'Now that she's here the rest are soon to follow, you know.'

Sei paused in his working. ... Damn... but part of him knew that would happen. He shrugged it off and went back to work.

'Loyalties nothing, loyal to self,' he stated, swinging a few more times before the tree. Sei back away, standing between her and the tree and it fell.

'I never thought I'd hear you say such a thing.' She said, sounding amused. 'Of all people, I would think you'd be the most into family loyalties.'

He grinned at her, takeing a seat facing her on the fallen tree, setting the head of the axe on the ground. He proped his head on his hand that were on the handle of the axe.

'You're family,' He stated. He was glade his sound bubble was up, keeping their converstation privet.

'Loyal to me, are you? I don't see you telling Io that I'm here.' She stopped, letting a pause speak for her before going on. 'Or are you trying to protect her from me?'[/qoute]

It had been a few weeks since finding Nika. Two, to be precise. The odd day or two more or less did not detract from the overall timeframe.

Her mind worked that way recently. Twitchy, Chae called it. Only she hadn't called it that. Shiva had still very little to say to her guardian. Embarrasment post growing had bloomed into outright estrangement once Chae had introduced that rade cub into the mixture.

She hated all things Rade with a passion.

The last time she had been this emotionally spent, she had stumbled across Sei, who had given her some equilibrium. She hadn't seen him since that day...and even though she was sure he was there the day Nika had shed his mask, she had not found him.

Perhaps he would be around this time. She had very little else to turn to. Even if she wasn't sure exactly where he lived, the closeness would be there.

"Do I gotta??" The young Rade looked up at the masked man, then back to the masked woman in the woods. Charlie was growing and strong for a cub that was raised away from his pride, but it was needed, and he knew why.

As for the man, he nodded simply, then walked deeper into the woods he called home. Charlie just knew he was enjoying all of this. Greatly. This man had a very twisted since of humor at times.

He signed and finally padded towards the girl, making as much noise as he could. It would be safe since they weren't in the other Rade's land. "Hey.." He called out, just incase. Last thing he wanted to do was sneek up on the known Rade hater.

The greeting did not fall on deaf ears in the least. Turning quickly, she kept her hands noticably near her weapons. But not on them.

Her eyes narrowed spitefully. Only to those that did not pay attention did Rade look alike. This one she knew.

*What is it?* she said, no trace of friendliness in her tone. Great. She had come for friendship and instead had another Rade shoved under her nose.

The Universe had a sick sense of timing.

"Um.." He started out, then frowned. If she was going to treat him agressivly then he might as well stand his ground, right? He looked back at her, determiation in his gold-green eyes. "Look, I know you don't like me and other Rade.But you also know I'm not your foe. I'm a friend. And you know that I could hurt you, but I don't. Just as I know you can hurt me, but don't." This wasn't going to change a thing, but it felt good to say.

"And anyway, I'm just being suckered into being a erron boy. The old man wants to talk to you." The Rade went on, starting to turn away from her. Yep, showing his back to her, though his ears were turned to listen to her movements.

Friend? only the knowledge of how extremely demeaning to herself it would be...prevented Shi from laughing outright.

*I have no Rade friends.* she answered with a simple grimness. *It is not by my own determination you live. But it will also not be my determination that you die. Such is life. I forget much, but I remember a little more every now and then. And whenever I remember your kind, I remember the pain that has been given.*

That was more than she had meant to say, but it had burst from her at his instigation. His turning his back to her galled her. Gritting her teeth quietly she said *I will follow you back.*

'You shouldn't be so hard on him.' Sei's soft voice told her. He had, of course, been listening. He was waiting for them, leaning against a tree, his staff in hand.

"I hope you're happy. Shi hates Rades, even me. And I did nothing wrong!" He gripped, looking back at her. Then he sighed, walking around the tree Sei was on before taking a seat next to it. On the farest side from Shi.

Shi blinked slightly at the admonishment. Then crossed her arms. *I wasn't trying to be hard on him.* she argued, suddenly argumentative. *But Im not about to offer him a backrub and some kitty chow, okay?*

There was an amused twinkle in Sei's dark eyes. 'Kitty chow..?' He asked, the cartoony image of a kitten Charlie being very happy around a little bowl of what looked like cat food flashed in their minds gently. There were little hearts coming from the cartoon-kitty.

Charlie shot him a dirty look for that. "I don't even know what it is." He muttered.

Shi felt amusement threaten, but refused to give in to it. *Are you okay? Nika was rattled by what happened, but when we found him, you weren't around. It was you that helped him, wasn't it?*

'Might.' He said simply, studying her for a moment before he spoke again. His mental voice was still soft and calm. 'How have you been?'

She shrugged. *I've been keeping busy with things. This and that. Things have been rather quiet lately, so I don't trust it to last.* she matched her own tone to his. He seemed to be acting oddly a bit. And he didn't answer her questions. Not that ... that was new or anything, but it hurt a bit, the nonchalance.

*I just wanted to check on you and see you were okay.* she repeated, a bit inanely.

'I am alright. Could be better, but Lyra is currently mad at me for Nika.' He told her simply, not at all ashamed to be aquantinces with the other masque female that others seemed to dislike. But that was her own doing.

'Had to leave the area before you and the others arrived. Sorry.' He explained a bit lamly.

She hadn't thought of that. She frowned slightly behind her mask, biting her lower lip. Surely a breach of decorum, but noone was there to see it...if even they could.

*We make your head hurt.* she affirmed in understanding, trying not to frown more about his comment on Lyra. He should stay away from that woman...but Seii apparently liked living on the edge...

Scowling, she tried to think about something else. *Can I get you anything? Do you need to sit down a bit?*

His shoulders shook lightly in a silent chuckle before he looked over at her once more. 'I am alright. Yes, others make my head hurt if I am too weak to place sheilds. Shields are in place.' He told her. The last was to let her know he wasn't in a weakened state now.

*Oh.* she said. *that's allright, then.*

She suddenly felt awkward, not knowing what to say. Why was it she was always so tied up in knots these days.

*It was...good for Nika, what you did for him.* she affirmed. *It's too bad that woman is upset. But he deserves to know, since he wanted to. It's his right. In the end, it might perhaps make him happy. I'd like to see that happen.*

She hesitated for a moment, but then *Obviously you didn't do it for my gratitude, but you have it anyway.*
Always the protecter. Always trying to take care of another, but then.. she and the other dragon mask(s) were the last of the gaurds, so he didn't blame her. How could he?

'You are correct. Gratitude is not required, but accepted.' He softly told her. Though there was something else he wanted to say, and he waited abit before speaking again, finding the correct words. 'What has happened to make you so... stiff... to a friend?' He finally asked.

Of course, there was the obvious answer that she was this way to seperate herself from her empathic nature. But he wanted her to say what it was, rather than guess.


It wasn't like it wasn't obvious, but she felt rather deflated to have been pierced so quickly and efficiently.

*Things.* she answered, her own voice rather subdued. *Life, I guess. The easy answers. Im not entirely sure. Things are changing very quickly now, and I'm trying to adapt. But many of the things that change make me very wary. I often feel like I need to be on edge all the time to wait for the traumatic things I think are hovering out of sight, to descend.*

She shrugged. *Sometimes I think I don't fit in my own skin. But I guess that could be normal enough. It seems noone needs me to protect them anymore.*



Sei stood there for a few moments before he started to slide down the tree, taking a seat on the soft moss that grew in the shade. He was mulling over what she had said, working out a reply.

'Some.. believe that our bodies are simply shells for a time, for our souls. Currently, the mask is.. holding us all back. We aren't as we were.'

'You remember your role, yes? Protecter... but we aren't as we were,' He repeated, looking at her. 'Roles have changed. You need a new role, or to realise it.'

'In a twisted way... the accedent came out to be something good, in the end.' He said carefuly, then continued before she could start with how horrible it was for the lose of life. But everyone dies sometime. Some sooner than others. It was callause of him, but wasn't about to do something about it. 'Before, Nika still suffered from the loss of his wife. You were never able to be close to comfort. Now you have that chance, that ability if you choose.'

She shrugged *Old habits die hard.* she said, finding comfort in the platitude. *I still want to protect people. I find myself doing so, regardless of if it is needed or not. I find in most instances, such urges are useless. On a dead world, who needs a protector?* she shrugged again, leaning against the tree.

*There is truth in what you say. Roles have been redefined. And yet...what we had could not have been all bad. But how can one determine that which is fitting and that which should be discarded when memory is like a phantasm? Such things are difficult. I knew my role once. I was good at it, I thought. Not good enough, apparently. I wasn't able to prevent this, but that is a guilt many bear. It is not a useful guilt. It yields nothing constructive that one can learn from.*

Sighing she went to rub her eyes, and then stopped as she touched the cold surface of her mask. *Nika grieved for a long time. I wasn't able to help before. He would let noone near but his children. I do not know what comfort they gave him. But was our relationship built on lies? He has not said. It worries me, that now he recalls his one true love...that a lesser affection has no place.*

Lesser affection. She cared for him with a passion that was far from less. But if she downplayed it...maybe the eventual and feared breakup would not devestate her as much.

There was a faint smirk on his face, not that she could tell. 'Lesser love? No, I think not. My sister was no doubt that, but just because one loves one, and that one has gone over, this doesn't mean he can't love another. He will always have a place in his heart for her, but that doesn't mean there isn't anyroom for anyone else.' He told her seriously.

'And you are protective. It is good, will be good for the children that come.' He added, another twinkle in his dark eyes. 'The world isn't dead. Very much alive, just look around, there is much to do.' He went on, jestering to the woods.


She was shocked into a small chuckle. Nervous almost. Self conscious. *Children? Getting a bit ahead of yourself, aren't you?*

She sobered quickly though. *Dead to us, I mean. Perhaps that is just as well. The other life can thrive now.*

He smiling grinned under his mask, then it faded for her other statement. 'Why do you say it is dead to us? Because it is not as you remember it? I have lived in the woods, even before the accedent.' He said.

*Because it's empty.* she replied simply. *I see crumbling ruins, and they hold little meaning for me. I see faces, and save for brief glimmers of thought, there is no association. This entire planet screams nothingness. The birds, and the plants do not feel this. The ruins do not. The house in the woods does not. It is not something that can be weighed and sounded.*

'Homeless.' He said simply, nodding. His woods were no longer his when he awoke, and he remembered that feeling. Even now he wasn't as attached to things as he had once been. 'I understand the feeling. One day, I will enjoy seeing beyond our world. Return here, for here is..... home. Regaurdless. Your attachments for here are hollow. I have a cabin, with pictures, with ... my old life. Old attachments. But not as strong as once were.' He told her, his voice still soft.

She shrugged. *It has gotten more prevalent as I grow older.* she answered. *Or rather, I become more able to understand the feelings that are there. I used to think that the new could overcome the old...but the old is more powerful in its mystery. I wonder if we are not just the ghosts that haunt this place now.*

Again his shoulders shook in a silent chuckle. 'Then you are suggesting us ghosts should move on to a higher plan?' He asked her, a slight teasing in his soft voice.

She shrugged, a short indication of her own shoulders. *I don't really know what I am saying. Just what is there in my mind. My own efforts never seem enough, perhaps I could be a proper haunt.*

'Relax.' He said, somber and serious once more. Then he sighed, getting back to his feet. 'Come, let me show you something.' He told her, starting to walk deeper into the woods.

Charlie looked up at this and got to his own feet, starting to follow them. Their foots steps were soundless as they walked through the woods.



She unwound herself, and padded after him quietly. *I gather that Im not to know our destination yet?* she asked.

'You who spent your life in the city and the palace, I doubt you would even know where it is we go.' He said ruefully. 'Just a good view. I had wanted to show Lyra, but she wouldn't listen.' The last was more to himself than to her. Ah well.

She frowned at the implication. And additional frustration. *I will have to take your word for that, won't I?* she kicked at a rock at her feet. She didn't intend to sound surly, but she didn't intend alot of things

This time a sigh rang though the telepathic link they were sharing. It was followed by him glancing at her over his shoulder. 'You were too busy, I'm sure. And it this is pretty far for the King to hve roamed. However, I could be wrong.' He said.

'You are greatly wound up, still, Shiva.'



*I probably liked being busy.* she replied, with only faint defensiveness. *And I am, Im sorry.*

'Yes, you worked very hard and now, suddenly, there is nothing to really work hard on, nor have you found something to place that in.' He said, coming into his own conclusions, really. But at least he was being verble in them.

She shrugged, knowing that to be a foregone conclusion, something she had already expressed, just not in the same exact words he used.

*I can't recally, really.* she repeated. *I just feel it sometimes.*

'Feeling is good. Is correct for what I remember..' He said, his voices now turned a bit sad. Then he sighed again. 'The past and memory of it is important to you, isn't it?' he finally asked, leading up up an incline. It wasn't a steep climb, one they could easily make.

*It's mine, whether it is good or bad.* she answered. **you mentioned it yourself, these masks hold us back. They keep things from us, seperate us from what we are. If it were a truly new start...* she said more softly *It might be different...but how can a start be new when all that is there remains? Things sometimes tease me with questions that I cannot answer. One can equate it to living with a limb removed. That limb may have been unhealthy, but it was still a part of you.*

He nodded, being silent still as he lead her up the incline. After a bit of quiet walking, he stopped, looking back at her. 'To first move on, you must look back?' He inquired.


*possibly so.* she conceeded. *But if we cannot make a true choice...knowing it all, is it not just being a victim to our circumstance? Is this in truth freedom?* she tapped her mask. *If it was, why have Io, and Nika chosen to not continue on as we are? Is that a choice any of us can honestly make? To choose to live with only half of ourselves?*

Some things we know have been locked up, not by the curse, but by ourselves. To regain one's fully self is a dangerous thing. Especailly if you are not fully prepared.' He told her in warning. 'As I am, I am limited and I could not help if one remembered something to great for them.'

'Would you be willing to take that chance?'

She stopped in mid step, turning and staring at him for a moment. *Too great?* she inquired. *Is there something you know that I don't?* she kept her eyes locked on him *Or have you chosen to be content with half of yourself?* there was no condemnation in that question, but a sraightforward request for informatiom.

'Content? No. I would like out of the mask as well. But... I have a fear. That all of my memories are not yet back. That I might have an event too great that I have locked up.' He told her. 'There are some events we forget, because we cannot bear it. To have it rush at us can be very bad, mentally. If I were to have that happen.. I do not know what would happen to the rest of you.' He confided in her.

She frowned, digesting that. *would it be better to have others around to help you, in that case?* she answered.

'. . . How would others help me?' He asked her, now wondering this. He was telepathic to begin with... If it was great enough, mere words wouldn't be enough.

Though, he was seriously thinking about taking the risk. After he had a chat with... well either Nika or Lyra.

*How can others that care about not help?* she countered fairly. *If we are going to do some in depth soul searching, let's turn it all ways. You hide out here...whether hiding for or away from something. You like your privacy, but even that can deal with closeness sometimes. right?*

There was another smile spreading on his face. Bout time someone started to trun this around. 'Not a people person. The other gaurds were not... my friends. And I stopped trusting many people around me all at once.' He told her, debating if he should slip into the full details or not. Those weren't good times. 'Your mother taught me how to defend myself, if you recall.'

She frowned. *I...hadn't recalled.* she said tentatively. But now that the words had been spoken, it sparked recollection.

*People can be ignorant.* she just said in response *Not all people are like that. And like you said. Things are different now.*

'Some things scar, even in this life. However, I am slowly recovering.' He said, as if to reassure her that he was fine.

'What do you remember of then?' He then asked, almsot suddenly.

*About you? Just what you've told me. I remember the woods a little...did you ever bring me here?*

she frowned a bit *I remember the night of the ball a bit. That there was noise, and dancing, and that I was somehow not really a part of it. I remember that Lyra had been there...but we sent her off. I remember a bright light.*

The flashes were coming more quickly *I remember my mother's voice, I remember the day she died. I remember how cold it felt, knowing she was dead. I remember the day that the Queen died. And I remember how much Nika mourned thereafter. He changed then...even an outsider could see.*

He nodded solomly, then turned from her, walking forward again and moving aside the brush. Beyond them was the landscape of forests, out in the distance was a medow and a river. But mostly the view was that of one up high on a clift. Which he had lead her too. Just to enjoy the view.

'I don't expect to be remembered.' He said softly.

*That's the point, though.* she answered softly. *I don't remember. Almost anything. Sometimes...when I'm with people, I can see bits and pieces. But others....*

*I want to remember those things.* she felt she had hurt him, and that wounded her as well. *I'm sorry I don't. I try sometimes, but the memories just won't come!*


This time a chuckle was sent. It was only how he had imagened how his chuckle would sound, if he had a voice. 'As I said, I expect no one to remember me. Even Io had trouble remembering me. I'm not hurt by it.' He told her reassuringly.

*But it hurst me.* she objected. *What other things don't I know anymore? What other faces or voices? What other friends...* she shook her head. *if there is pain in memory, is it all just pain and nothing else? Life isn't just one thing or another...it can't be. I want to feel like a whole person again...and I can't as I am.* she shook her head.

*there is no decision in this. It has already been made.*

He was quiet again, going to the open grass and taking a seat, laying his staff down beside him. 'What do you remember... of your mothers death?' He asked finally, not looking at her.

She was startled, although she should not have been. Sitting down she shook her hair away from her face.

*I- not as much as there was...I don't think.* she answered quietly. *I remember that there was a reason I hate the Rade...and that her life and the loss thereof was not the least of it...*

She felt suddenly chilled and hugged
herself.

He simply nodded to this. 'She was a good person.' He said, leaning back on his hands.


she didn't say anything at first, but then her voice came out quietly *Will you leave it at that, then?*

He looked back at her, studying her for a moment. 'You don't want to hear more? Or to even remember?' He asked, gently.


*No.* she shook her head.*For a moment there...I was afraid that was all you would say.* she looked down at her fingers, chilled digits, counting the extra one subconsciously.

'So.. that's a no you don't want to know more?' He asked.

*No.* she clarified *I was afraid you would stop speaking. I do want to know.*

She was very kind, and gental. She started to teach me how to defend myself.' He stared. The words were accompied with small flashes of his memory. The beginning ones were of her mother, her smile, while the last ones were of being surrounded by other boys and fists. It ended quickly.

It was probably odd for others to learn he used to be the kid that got shoved into walls and picked on by other kids. 'But her kindness was match by her strength. She was a very good warrior. You are like her is many ways.'

Shi latched on to the image of her mother's face, matching it to the voice she had already been given. She memorized the eyes, knowing them to be similar to her own. She wished she remembered her name.

She glowered as she realized that Seii had been bullied. *I loathe bullies.* she snarled. *I'm glad she taught you. I hope you wiped the floor with them all.*


'I believe they are gone now. But after I learned, they stopped.' He told her, smirking despite himself. Then he looked at her and reached out with a hand, touching hers. 'Would you like to see more of her?' He asked.

She nodded. *Why can't we remember?* she asked. *What was done to stop us?*

'Part of it is the spell. Then things we enjoyed, the intiment memories we have, our pasts. Another part is trama. The things that have happened to us, such as loss or an event that we could never get over, so our minds locked it away. Removing the curse would allow it all to return. We would undergo everything that happened again.' He told her. These her his own thinkings, and the studies he had made analising the spell on his own mask.

He went quiet a moment, sharing flashes of every memory he had of her mothers and her as he trained.

She let the memories cascade through her, grabbing on to every last one of them and trying to memorize them. There were so few of them. So very few.

Was it selfish? Wanting more? She wanted her mother. All children wanted their mothers. She felt very much a child now.

Chae wasn't her mother.

The thoughts whirled one after another, chasing back and forth in her mind. But she couldn't reconcile them.

*What happened to her?* she finally asked, softly.

'..... She was killed by a Rade attack. I believe it happened as she protected the princesses.' He told her. Frankly his memory was a little shaky on the details. But this would link her to her hate of Rade now.

Charlie stiffened where he was. Oh bloody great..




*It figures.* she merely said, not looking up. She was staring at her fingers, counting them again over and over.


He glanced at her hand, noting the extra finger and smiled. Not that she could see. So that had even carried over here?

"Um." Charlie broke in, walking towards them and keeping his eyes on Shi. "They killed my mom also." He told her softly. But why? Why was he trying so hard to be accepted by her?

She stiffened slightly, not looking up.

*Im sorry.* she answered finally. *I should feel more sympathy, perhaps. But I feel none.*

Her tone was still very quiet. She did not know how the Rade could understand her, but had accepted it. Her fury was old, ancient almost. But even fury would not condone injuring that which posed no threat.

But that did not mean she had to accept and welcome such.

Sei was allowing this trasaction. Normally he didn't do it, but hell, Charlie was a little greatful. Least he understood. "Barron killed my mom. I want to fight him. Once he and his supporters are gone, I can clam leadership and things between our races wont be as they were." He told her calmly. "But I need to be strong..."

* I have no belief in that.* now she did look up at him, eyes remote and chill. *I don't remember much, but such passion is hard to deny.

*I don't trust your kind. And if any of them threaten me or those I protect, I will have no mercy towards them.*

Charlie sighed. "Look I know that already. Bah! This is useless! You a very hardheaded closed minded female, ya know that?" He told her, walking back to his spot, cursing the whole way.

She lowered her eyes to her fingers again, unclenching them. *I'm sorry.* she answered *I guess I am not much like my mother in that regard.*

'You are, and were angrgy.' Sei said, though Charlie visible relaxed at those words.

*To say the least.* she answered. *Like everything else, it's a whisper out of a past that no longer exists for me.*

He went quiet again before he spoke. 'Would you like it back? The past you?' He asked her.

She countered *You say that I am much like my mother now. Was that not true before? Is there something you are trying to shield me from?If so, what?*

'Your mothers death is the thing that worried me. But now that you know, you are prepared, I hope. But if you would like, the mask will be gone.' Then he blinked, remembering something. 'And break them once gone. They are still cursed.' He added.

*Won't that hurt you?* she asked softly.


'A pain that will leave in time. A pain I can bear.' He told her with a shrug, then reached out, one hand on her mask. 'The choice is yours. We wont know, good or bad, what happends. But I feel you are ready.' He told her honestly.

*I have to be.* she answered quietly. *I think we are too far past the time where we can hide behind any type of mask. You called it a curse, not a blessing...therefore it needs to be banished.*

'Our memories are our own, no one elses.' He told her, then moved so both his hands were on her mask. In truth, he didn't want to do this. He didn't want the pain again. But it was that, or let he rlive with only a part of herself. She couldn't move on until she knew.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes starting his own unique magic. Slowly he seperated the spell on the mask from Shi and began to pull the mask off. It faught as it always did. But he continued to silence the spell, Seperating it til the mask was covered in it and he pulled it away from her.



She felt a dim roaring, a ringing in her ears. The pressure around her face tightened, and she struggled to sit still. The noise was getting more insistant, becoming a cacephony of screaming and noise.

Emotions slammed into her, strong. Flashes of images, feelings, sensations. She felt the wind against her lips and opened them to taste the air.

The wind was a lullabye. Something that soothed the angry voices down.

Or perhaps that was her.

Like a feather on the breeze, she slid to the ground, silent and chill.

He tossed the mask to the side and reached down, touching her a moment and fighting against losing his shields again. It would happen though. But he needed to make sure she was alright.

She seemed fine... He'd have to check on her later. With that thought, he too went to the ground. Charlie watched this, uncertian on what to do, but he finally padded over to them both.

He'd have to carry the old man and her home... Great.