Welcome to Gaia! ::

*Hikari giggled, happy to see Cole was enjoying himself*

Does that mean I can call you Jii-chan?

*Suddenly, Hikari had a thought...a bold thought...something she would never even have conceived of before, but since she and Cole were on equal footing for a while, she rationalized that she'd never have the opportunity again.

Hikari motioned for Cole to start heading out. As she walked up beside him, she poked him lightly in the ribs several times to see if he was ticklish at all.*

((dont know if you know any Japanese, but in case you dont, 'jii-chan' is like calling someone 'pops' or 'old man' or 'grandpa' It's meant to be very informal because of a close relationship.))

*Hikari eeped and ran out the door into the yard. She heard Cole in hot pursuit and ran towards one of the large trees. She knew she never would have had a chance escaping Cole before, but how well could 'human Cole' climb trees? As she reached the tree, she felt Cole's hand on her shoulder, playfully grabbing at her. She jumped up to the lowest hanging branch and swung herself up, momentarily leaving Cole on the ground. She stuck her tounge out and caught a glimpse of Herul and Illana walking towards them, enjoying the afternoon.*

So, think you can still get me up here?

*Herul and Illana had reached Cole and Hikari and Herul called up to them*

Do you realize that neither of you is a squirrel? If you come down from there, I thought we'd go to a nice secluded swimming hole, the water will only be warm enough for a few more weeks before winter comes.

*Hikari stuck her tounge out at Cole again and nimbly jumped down from the tree. Perhaps it was because she hadn't seen her daughter in almost 10 years and had forgotten how agile Hikari was, but as Hikari lept from the tree branch onto the ground, Illana let out a loud gasp and then a sigh of relief when Hikari touched down safely.

After Cole had joined them, Herul transported them to the swimming hole. It was much smaller than the lake at the Pagoda, but it had the charm of a well-loved and private spot. It was clear and shallow enough that you could see the smooth algae covered stones at the bottom and the tiny fish darting about in the water. It was fed by a small creek that Herul said came from a river several miles away.

Not wasting a moment, Hikari jumped in with a big splash managing to get everyone wet in the process. Hikari thought Cole looked particularly funny with his black hair hangly limply around his face, dripping with water*

Oops, sorry, dont know me'own strength sometimes *she said with a slightly facecious tone*

*That evening, back at the house, Hikari was telling her mother about all the things that had been going on in her life she she left. She had gone from town to town, never really settling down. Kind of like her mother. Finally, worn out from the world's destructiveness, she stumbled upon the Pagoda. Hikari went into huge detail about the lands inside the Pagoda. It was the only other place she'd ever called home besides her home in the mountains. She described how simply beautiful the cherry trees were when they were blossoming and the vastness of the lake with the forest right behind it. And she talked about all the people she had met and about daily life at the Pagoda. And she told her as much as she knew about Cole, which wasn't so much, but that he was really half-inccubus but he had rejected that way of life long ago and built the Pagoda to offer peace to those who sought it. And how he helped anyone that needed it, no matter how difficult or time consuming it was and that is why he was here by the way. And so mother and daughter were all caught up with each other's lives. Herul walked up and addressed Hikari and Cole*

I hope you enjoyed yourselves today. It certainly was my pleasure to show you around. My children have long moved on to their own lives and we dont get many guests so far out from the cities. But I fear our time together is nearing its end. I would love to have you stay for month or more. I could take you into the cities and show you some great things... But it is unhealthy for your bodies to be in this altered state for long. Eventually, your cells would adapt to the shifting and returning to a static state would put a lot of stress on them.

Cole sir, it was indeed an honor to know you. From what Hikari has said, you are far nobler that I even thought at our initial meeting. I am sorry you cannot enjoy your mortality permanently, but may your short experience here bless you forever. Though short, trust me that your expereince here has awakened something in you that can never again sleep.

Hikari, it is harder to let you leave. I never desire to take the place of your father, however, I would be delighted if you thought of me as a guardian at least. We may be on different planes, but I can still see you when you are in the earth realm. And I offer you this. It is a one-way ticket. I know many that would rather live and die a single life in their own home than a thousand somewhere else, but if you ever do tire of earth, you may have a place here. But you will be changed and it cannot be undone so think long and carefully before you decide anything.

Well, I think there is enough time to have a last meal together. Let's make it a good one

*Herul began to set the table with his finest dinnerware and Illana began to prepare dishes that soon had the most wonderfull aroma. Hikari sat down beside Cole*

I would have liked to stay longer too... But I can't begin to repay you for getting me here in the first place. I am in your debt forever

*The meal they sat down to was one Hikari would always remember. Not just because the fare was excellent, but the company was some of the most ecclectic she would ever have again. Though not always by blood, it seemed like they were their own little family if but for a moment. They all spoke casually of the day they had enjoyed and of inconsequential things. It was pleasant and ordinary.

All too soon, it was time for Cole and Hikari to return to the Pagoda.*

Alas, the time comes. At this point, staying any longer would only delay the inevitable. Since you are travelling in the opposite direction this time, I can send you straight back to your Pagoda. It will be a much less interesting journey I'm afraid, but there is no need for anything more.

I'll study as much as I can about astral magic so maybe next time we want to talk, it will not have to be so drastic. There is a large library at the Pagoda as well as several magic users...I'm sure I can make a lot of progress in maybe 5 years or so.