Welcome to Gaia! ::

Sliding easily through the crowds, the mage made surprisingly easy work for a man who often came across as reasonably incompetent. Weaving in and out of the throngs of people (all nature of species) he had soon created a path to be followed by the others - apparently his urgency had been sensed and respected.

Still, as he approached the building that seemed to thrum with power, he paused at the edge. It was an odd building, seemingly hovering above a large, gaping hole with absolutely no indication of a way to get across. No doubt, so less than intelligent individual would try to leap across, but should he do so he would find he would also be thrown back by a mysterious shield.

...It was true what they said, how the conclave was rather difficult to get into.

Nevertheless, the mage did withdraw a charm from his sleeve and tapped the air delicate a few times until at last a shimmering bridge began to seep across the gap and towards the large archway that led into the heart of the complex and without further delay...he promptly walked across.

The GaiaCom more than the three creatures appreciated the edifice they were approaching, and then entering. She nodded with respect at the magics used for it, seeing that they were different than anything she was familiar with. She shot a sideways glance at the Dark Lord. Myranda of course had a strong distrust & dislike of men, and if she was not worried for Trelweny she would take her home and away from so many of them. The witch GaiaCom was apprehensive about both the strange wizard and the man quickening his pace to follow him. She considered the thief that had befriended the family who disappeared into the crowds before the dance & the winged dancer still youths, and therefore not to be detested. Yet. Wary but impressed, she guided her human with the others.

Trelweny noticed nothing but the feel of her son on her shoulders through the psychic energies Mirror had collected? Released? Her son was a little better, not having blocked his talent yet and being automatically shielded from the brunt of it by his mother. Still, he was too young to be able to really appreciate where they were headed.

Although her feet moved with Myranda's gentle but forceful leading and the Kyunru kept her strait by pressing onto her legs from time to time, the young widow who had hidden her talent for the most part even from herself was subconsciously trying to do more than she had been. She still continued to send reassurances to the Al Sylian dancer but instinct overrode her denying mind to a point where she began "working" on the psychic energy itself. Calming, soothing, rearranging. Only an onlooker into the psychic plane could say how much or how little effect her efforts were having over all. She reached with a heart still loving & longing for her spouse to those spirits that might be attracted to such a thing. She found what she thought was a cable or tether from the dancer to the energy & in the depths of her mind wondered if she dared sever it, only asking Mirror & not knowing if he could answer *should I break this?*

She asked the one it connected to, but her untrained, overly stimulated mind reached out to any with the predisposition to hear the query. Keyna looked at her with her brown doe eyes wide. The Kyunru had no answer for her.

Pudge continued through the large archway and further on into the interior of the Conclave. It appeared the outer walls were only a part of the complex as a large courtyard was revealed. Filled with gardens, green houses and a number of rather curious mages, the pathways all led to one central building which towered above the outer wall.

...No one ever questioned why it couldn't be seen from Durem despite its height.

Nevertheless, choosing to ignore the glances, Pudge continued to lead the group towards the central complex. His wrist was given a flick and the doors opened, revealing a grand hall that could have rivalled the Van Helson twins in grandeur - again, he ignored it...apparently the appearance of a building didn't matter to him that much.

...Then again it mattered to no mage, if the recent stains on the floor were anything to consider.

"In here." He ordered, his tone indicating there was no room for questions as he opened the door to reveal a large study. Inside a number of chairs, a large desk and any number of magical contraptions. Admittedly it wasn't his study, apparently it was open for use by anyone, but they would hardly know that.

Feeling Mirror's reaction Trelweny physically & mentally reeled, her psychic hands dropping the cord as if it were on fire. Theron whimpered softly and wrapped his little hands tightly around his mothers head as he leaned into her. She was purely working on instinct now. Her legs buckled.

The GaiaCom caught her with one arm, the child with the other. She paused long enough to set both down and situate the toddler in his mother's lap before picking the 5'6" woman up. She did not care that it might look odd; she was a GaiaCom and such strength was hers to use when needed.

Though she found a dry humor in the thought that two full grown humanoids had to be carried in. Theron did not count.

Carrying her human friend after the mage Myranda took it all in without so much as a change of expression.

*I'm sorry!* Trelweny's vocal cry strained to reach the Al Sylian's fading mind. She could only work to keep the flow of energy back enough to get him trained help. If only you were trained! The Kyunru's thoughts echoed... not for the last time.

Almost immediately a torn voice shrieked back a hideous-sounding reply.

Oh god, help! I hear you!

The Al Sylian's body seemed to calm its convulsing underneath her touch and his eyes stopped rolling in their sockets as soon as she placed her thumbs over his eyelids. His twitching drool-covered jaw moved slowly and his dusty colored bangs were sticky with sweat. Only once did Mirror's body give a violent twitch and his left leg curled tight as he grimaced. His fingers clenched tight and made funny shapes as they contorted with the strain.

Shhh. Shhhh.

The still serene voice replied to the pleading, the touch remaining very much the same as the priestess kept her grasp upon Mirror's face. She made no further attempts to restrain him and immersed herself more deeply into his mind, the bridging slights developing a brighter glow in the process.

It is alright, little one. You are safe now.

However it was clear he was not. Although the priestess had informed him mentally of his situation her grimaced lips on the exterior said otherwise. She could not inform him that in the given circumstances it was nigh on impossible to aid him in restoring him to full mental capacity. Actually, if she was entirely honest he would need more than just her encouragement and her help.

Rather, he would need himself.

You must listen closely, for what I am about to tell you is of the greatest importance.

Again she paused, shifting her hands over his temples slightly, gently massaging them with the tips. It was her duty to soothe him enough for him to listen but it was clear that he would not be ready to withdraw from this state.

In order to aid you, I must take rather extreme and questionable measures. I have not doubt they will cause disturbances for your companions and yourself...but it is the only way I can offer my assistance. I cannot hold your mind forever, we would both fall into dire straights...

*****

A cowboy hat in Durem?

The mage shook his head as he continued to observe the odd man from his window. Said individual had been leaning against that wall for quite some time and was rather interesting to say the least. If they appearance hadn't been enough to spark interest off...his ability to generate his own clothes was definitely set to do so.

Not exactly the most subtle way to fit in though was it?

...He didn't even look like a mage!

It should therefore have been no surprise that the mage arched a brow and promptly took out a peculiar contraption. It looked like a sling shot but instead of the usual rocks...well, it held something that looked more like a bouncy ball.

No particular reason for it, mages had to entertain themselves somehow and anyway if something interesting happened then he could always claim it was a 'controlled experiment'.

And thus, he took aim and shot the bouncy ball out the window at Durem's first cowboy.

So...

The mage quickly hid the sling shot from view and provided the cowboy with an innocent wave. However, given the twinkle in his eyes and the odd grin on his face it was clear he was amused. Had he not been attempting to feign innocent it could have been assumed that he would have been laughing - alas, this little 'experiment' hadn't gone as he had anticipated.

He had expected a bit more of a reaction...and hadn't really figured out what he was going to do if he was caught which really should have been the obvious outcome. Ah yes, typical mages - they never really thought things through most of the time. Eccentric yes, but they didn't tend to have that much savvy when boredom plagued them.

"Ho there!" He announced finally and shook his head, "I thought you were a bug!" He added.

What?

It was the best excuse he could come up with!

"Don't suppose I can have my bouncy ball back, eh?"

The mage gawked! HE couldn't quite believe the cowboy had the cheek to steal his 'bouncy ball' and to lean against the wall. Granted, he was on the external walls so he was well within his rights to lean on them but most normal people didn't - they avoided the mages like the bloody PLAGUE.

Odd cowboy. Very odd.

"You don't even know what that does!" The mage hollered from the window with a shake of his fist, "For all you know it could explode and take you with it - all I would have to do is click my fingers!" He continued, leaning out the window as he yelled across the gap.

"If you value your life you will return that artefact!"