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Date: August 22, 2005
Participants: Sei and Nika
Status: Complete
Go here to see where the RP took place.

RP: One Last Good-Bye

A small portal opened near the shack in the woods, sturring up leaves and dust. Out of the portal stepped a tall, sunkissed skinned man with long black hair that was braded in the back. One lock was free of the main brade and in a smaller on that ran down his right side. He was dressed in his usual brown, handman clothing with his cloak flowing in the wind. He smiled at this.

How long had it been since he flet the wind on his face? The gentle brushing of his bangs against his fleash? And how long had it been since he could so easily shut out the minds of others? Far too long. Before, he realized, he never was able to shut them out as well as now. Before, there was a soft hum of the thoughts of others in the background but now there were none. Wonderful silence!

Seishuko sighed and went for his house. There would be packing that needed to be done, if he was going to start in a game of 'cat and mouse'. Lyra was probably else where in space, making her name. But there were things here that still needed to be done. Least, there were for him.

After packing one light bag of things he'd need for the trip (tea being the most important thing of all), he walked around the house with a small, weird stick of what could be mistaken as chalk and wrote odd syombles on the sides of his house, door and shead. He wasn't a good spell-speaker (for given reasons), but he was an exallent spell-marker.

Then he headed for the woods. He would need to find Nika one last time before his trip.

Ever since his mask had been removed Nika had become very fond of spending as much time with nature as was possible. Outside, his face was open to all of the elements and the feel of them against his cheeks was something he held dear.

He'd planned on taking a short walk through the woods and he'd created new paths through the bush, tired of the same old things.

It was under the shade of a huge tree with low-hanging branches that he'd fallen asleep. A small, orange spider tickled a path across his chin and Nika, still deeply slumbering, swatted it away with his hand.

The spider fell to the ground nearby and stalked off in the other direction, miffed that she'd been treated with such disrespect.

Sei had discovered this new path on his way to the camp. It wasn't Rade or animal made, so it interest him for a bit. Least, it was headed for the camp, which was where he was going.

But as he walked, he came across the young man, laying under the tree in slumber. A small, fox-like grin went over his face as he silenced his step and walked over. Once about an arm's length away, he took his walking stick and lightly poked the sleeping man in the side.

Nika had always been a heavy sleeper and when Sei poked him in the side, he mumbled something under his breath and rolled onto his side, intent on sleeping the afternoon away.

A small laugh choked the slient man before he stood and took three paces away from Nika. Then, suddenly, the sound of a bullhorn going off rang in Nika's mind thanks to Sei.

The sound rand in his ears and Nika scrambled to his feet, panting from fright. With wide eyes, he spun around to see who (or what) had caused the noise.

"Sei?" he asked, recalling the look of his friend's face from the past.

Nika took a few moments to regain his composure and then smiled at him, "So, you decided to remove your mask after all? How do you feel?"

'Better.' The other man answered, though his lips didn't move an inch and his voice still went into the mind of others. There was a smile on those lips as well. One that held an air of playfulness to it. 'I can recover faster from unmasking and.... it is easier to find the words I seek to give to others.'

'And you? How have you been?'

"That's good to hear," Nika nodded, "So, will you be removing more masks now that you'll recover faster?"

"I'm worried about Zahar," he sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "I really want to talk to her, but I'm afraid that she'll run away from me. Do you know how she is?"

'Zahar feels.... quiet guilty about what had happened.' Sei answered him carefully and avoided the other question on removing masks. That should be saved for later. 'And she is afriad of being hated for what had happened.'

Nika paused a moment to wonder why Sei'd avoided his first question. Then, he shrugged it off and continued the conversation, knowing that Sei would tell him everything in good time.

"I don't hate her and I hope that the others don't, either."

'She might just need you to talk to her.' Sei offered with a small shrug. 'She was afriad of me when she found out I knew what had happened. Perhaps all she needs to know is that her father - from a life - does care and isn't angry with her?'

Casually he made a motion for Nika to sit before he lowered to the ground to sit as well. This indicated that their talk might be longer than a come-and-go conversation.

"I wish I could hold her like I used to and just make everything go away," Nika sighed, scratching his head and obediantly sat down across from Sei.

So, Sei had more to say? Nika gave the other man a curious look but didn't ask any questions. He was willing to let Sei speak first.

'Children have to grow and weather their own storms. But it's good for them to know you're still around to help out.' Sei told him with another small shrug before he leaded back on one hand. It wasn't as off handed a converstation as he was making it out to be, but... Nika did need to speak with her.

'How is Shiva doing? You are... perhaps the only one I've checked in on, after removing the mask.' He admitted then, having to gail to look slightly sheepish. And for a man that had all of his facal reactions hidden, it might have looked odd.

"I know," Nika sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "But I can't help but want to make her storm dissapear. I'm her father, after all. Its natural for me to want to keep her safe."

"Shi?" he shrugged, "I helped Chae bring her back to camp, but I haven't seen her since she woke up. While she was unconcious... I tried to talk Chae into reconciling with Shi. I'm not sure that it worked."

Sei frown at that news. 'I was worried about that.' He said, then was quite amoment as if thinking of something. 'Shi was... very close to her blood-mother. Perhaps she feels as though she would be betrying her birthmother by accepting Chae as her new mother?' He questioned, looking a Nika, but not expecting any for of answer. It was simply a suggestion.

He considered Sei's words carefully and turned them over and over inside his head.

"I don't believe she ever told me that," Nika sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, "We haven't had much time to talk about our past. Now that we both remember everything it might be easier...but... I'm not sure that she'll want to talk with me about it. Not at first."

He paused for a moment and chewed on his bottom lip, "...and if that is the case, she definately won't tell Chae."

The fact that Nika didn't know this information didn't catch Sei off gaurd. In fact, he expected it really. 'She simply needs to understand that just because Chae took her in as an adoptive mother, does not mean that her real mother will be replaced in her heart, nor betrayed. It simply is that form of a relationship.' His mental voice continued softly.

Now he had remember who's voice he used as his own. It was his father's voice, when he spoke softly. Sei never had a voice, so he mimiced the sound of other voices for his own. His 'main voice' was that of his father, and since he was male, a female voice would simply not do.

'Don't bring it up, though. Less you get tired of trying to nudge it out of her. I don't mind her being mad at me for telling my toughts on it.' He smirked.

"Telling me what Shi needs to understand is easier than tell her that," Nika grumbled and crossed his arms, knowing that mentioning anything about that part of her past would be dangerous. When he'd tried to talk to Chae, he hadn't seen any reason to be afraid of her.

There was reason to be frightened of Shi. How would she react? What would she say? Nika knew that he wouldn't be able to stand her pain or her anger. It would break him to see her that way.

"I'm going to try to be subtle... But, if that doesn't work I've no clue what I could do."

Sei gave a small, airy chuck at that answer. 'Shi will do as she thinks she should, it's a matter all go through. But if you were to say, then it gives her more to think on. But, that is your choice.' He told Nika, his more callous nature sneaking into their conversation.

There was a small moment of hesitation from him for a moment as he thought on what he should say next. 'What do you plan on doing now? Accourding to my Chosen, she, her sister and Io and the rest of that family are moving on to other places.'

"You're right, " Nika sighed, "But saying that I'll talk to her is easier said than done. What can I say?"

Both of their faces had grown used to being hidden behind a wooden shell and even Sei's emotions were easily read by anybody who knew him. Nika wondered if Sei knew that the look on his face screamed hesitation.

"I plan on staying," he nodded and smiled half-heartedly at Sei, "There's so much more that needs to be done."

Then, he sighed and a defeated look passed across his face. For a moment, his true age shown through, "I'll miss Io terribly... Are you going with them?"

'Only for a portion of their trip. Then I'll see things on my own. My last life was spent in the woods.. I'd like to try something new.' Sei answered, now letting it known that he too was leaving. His expression softened now, either unawear or uncareing of how much his face showed. It was simply another way of communicating.

But now he waited for the reaction of his leaving would cause.

It took a few moments for the words to register. Then, Nika gasped and looked at Sei with shock.

"You're leaving?" his eyes were wide with disbelief, "But... That means... What about the others?"

It was all so hard to comprehend. How could he return to camp and tell the others, who still wore masks, that they would never get to feel the heat of the sun against their faces?

Sei lips twiched into a smile before he shifted his posture and sat up strighter, bringing a bag around as he did. Then he reached into the bag, pulling out a small, almost plan looking wooden box. Around the edges were runes of their written spells. He held this box out to his old friend.

'This took some thought in making it right.' He said softly, though his smile was still in place. 'I give it to you to work.' One hand opened the lid and moved a soft red cloth aside. By opening it, a feeling now came from the box, one that was like a void of magic though not a harmful feeling. In the box was a very odd looking crystal. It held many colors and types of stone colors in it, dark and light and slightly shimmering.



Nika watched curiously as Sei lifted the small, wooden box from the bag. He admired the runes on the edges and realized that he already knew the meanings that belonged to most of them.

Once Sei had opened it a revealed the beautiful stone inside, Nika's eyes widened and he gently took it from the other man. The warm, familiar literally magical feeling brought a grin to his lips and it was all Nika could do but stare at the crystal.

"You made this?" he asked, "What does it do?"

He couldn't even begin to imagine.

'This crystal is called a Melody Stone. Lagre ones like this are farely rare, but this one is different from the others. I've charged it with a spell that will silence the curse on the masks and allow you to take them off. However... it comes with warning.' Sei told his old friend and his tone moved to a more serious one, as did his look.

'Do not attempt to use your own magic while holding the stone. It silences spells, as my magic does. Keep in the box after use, the runes will keep and renew the charge on the stone. You'll be able to tell when it's weak and when it's ready by the strength you feel from it. Like right now. It's ready to be used.' He said, then paused as he figured out how to give the last warning. 'And be careful when having someone unmasked. If they are not ready to face whatever demons may lie in their old memories, then the result can be very bad.'

Something about this last gesture was so final. This gift meant that they really were leaving.

He was going to miss Sei. Nika couldn't help but feel close to the other man, even if they'd only ever talked a few times in this life. Sei was like a brother to him.

Nika listened carefully to Sei's words and stored them in his memory, not willing to even consider making a mistake.

"How did you decide? How did you know when I was ready?"

'You told me. It was easier because I knew you, but I question people about their past. Depending on how well and how much they can remember told me that they were... able to become maskless. The more that is remembered, the easier it will be.' Sei told him, wrapping the stone once more in the cloth and closing the box. Once closed, then void feeling left and the box seemed like a normal box. He still held it out for Nika to take.

'I can walk in your mind, so I somewhat cheated. The only one I worry of is Kasai, I beleive he is called. The fire element.' Sei said solomly. 'He has... amesia. He is blocked because of the crack in his mask. You might have to prepare him for what will come. His memories.'

Nika blinked at Sei and took the box from him. It was so difficult to imagine that everybody would want to confide their memories -things that were incredibly private- in him. Wasn't it possible, that somewhere along the road somebody wouldn't want to talk to him?

"Could you tell through my behavior, as well?" he asked.

"Would a trip to the ruins joggle his memory?" his tone wasn't very sympathetic and Nika shrugged, cradling the box in his hand. It had been so long since he'd seen Kasai. Actually, Nika hadn't seen the other boy since he was a child.

Unfortunitly not. It might be best to simply tell him what happened. Then let him come to gribs with that. Just understand he isn't the same person he once was. And if he wishes to forget forever.... Then I'll return to do that for him.' Sei said having no care in his voice about the matter. The only thing that would bug him is the whole having to return thing.

Then he thought about the other question for a moment. Was there a way...? 'Not that I have noticed. Simply talking, bringing up old things and asking what they can remember. They don't have to tell you details. Just that they know them.' He answered with a slight smirk.

'I have also set up my house to survive while I am away. If you go there and enter, please close the door when you leave.' He added lightly. Would he ever return to it? He didn't know... But at least all that hard work wouldn't be rotted away.

"I could do that," Nika sighed, unsure of how he felt towards Kasai. He didn't hate the boy for what had happened. Rather, he was angry at him for how badly he'd hurt Zahar and for trying to take advantage of Io.

"I'll definately try to do that," Nika nodded in Sei's direction, only slightly worried that somebody wouldn't be willing to talk with him whenever they remembered. The prize was far too great to deny.

He laughed at Sei's next words, "I will. Shall I wipe my shoes on the 'welcome' mat too?"

'Naaa, I'm going to leave that in the house. I don't know what the Rade would do to it.' Sei said jokingly, grinning at the other man and remembered why he was his bestfriend.

'I'll write from time to time, and I'll make Io promise to write as well.' He offered, his mental voice going soft again. He was going to miss his home and his old friend.. but there would be so much to see out there.

"Probably feed it to their young," he snorted and grinned at Sei, recalling the days the pair of them had spent together, so many years ago. Even Nika, the Time element, never failed to be stunned by how quickly time passes.

"I'll write too," he nodded and looked at the ground to hide the miserable look on his face, "Promise me you'll take care of her? And yourself, of course."

Sei gave a small snort, both to the joke and to Nika for his concern. There was a smile on his face as well. 'She's with Ice, She'll be fine.'

Then, unexpectantly, the other man lungged forward, wrapping an arm Nika's neck and shoulders and pulling him in for a noogy. It was pay back for all those noogies he was given! 'Don't go making that sad face.'

Nika hoped she would be. He was liable to fly to her aid at any sign of trouble. Io was fully capable of taking care of herself, but he couldn't help feeling the need to protect her and make her safe.

The sad look on his face instantly dissapeared and Nika burst into laughter while he struggled to free himself (and his hair) from Sei's grasp.

"When I gave you those noogies," he gasped inbetween bursts of laughter, "I hadn't counted on you growing bigger than me!"

'Pay back's a b***h, huh?' Sei's mental voice laughed the laugh of his father before he left his friend go. There was a bright grin on his face as well from it. 'You desereved it all.' He added with a smirk.

'One more thing, you wont have to worry about Lyra. She's no longer interested in this planet and has left as well.' Sei continued, then hesitated again. 'All the times she and I spoke, she asked of you and how you were.'

"Maybe I did," Nika chuckled and ran a hand through his hair, trying to tame the blonde locks, "But what did my hair ever do to you?"

Nika's eyebrows rose at the mention of his sister. She'd always been able to confuse and surprise him. This was no exception.

He remained silent, however, unsure of what Sei was getting at. Nika had always known that she'd wanted to ruin him and now, he figured that her leaving was for the best.

Sei smirked, knowing his thoughts and not feeling the least bit guilty from seeing them. 'Harsh, but earned. If she really did want you dead, she had plenty of times to try and kill you.' He said.

"Maybe," Nika shrugged, "But we never... You remember, don't you? We fought all of the time and we never got along."

There had been a time when he wouldn't have put it past her to try and murder him in his sleep. Now, he wasn't so sure.

'Not anymore.' Sei smirked and stood up easily before holding out his hand to his old friend. 'I should be going, however. You take care of things, and yourself, you hear? And tell Shi good bye for me the next time you see her.'

Nika ignored Sei's hand and enveloped the bigger man in a bear hug.

"I will," he said quietly.

Sei returned the friendly embrace before pulling back. 'Good.' He smiled, then turned away, with a small wave. Walking into his woods and vanishing.

One last time.