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The key in her hand, she moved towards the door to the building. Her feet barely lifted upwards as she climbed the steps. An exhaustion slipped through her. She'd pushed it going out as she had and her body, well, Eftemie's body still, was telling her that it wasn't going to go much further.

She had wanted to see and she had done so. What she had done was what she wanted to do no matter the cost to herself. Or her host. They'd be fine so long as their body rested. At least it was theirs for now. Soon enough it would be just hers.

In the beginning, Lisana had felt a bit guilty about taking what was not hers. But as she had looked around, she understood she was needed more than Eftemie was. Right now people needed some laughter and fun. It made the other things happening more bearable.

Tempest was going to be a problem though. The more she thought about it, the more she knew he was something she'd be unable to solve. She would have to talk to Eftemie a few more times yet to see exactly how to do this, but it would happen her way. It was already started and she was not about to let it be halted.

But then as she thought about it, Lisana knew that Eftemie would be no help at all. She wanted Tempest. It almost reminded Lisana of something familiar. Something she'd once felt, but the memory of it slipped free of her as she hesitated before the door.

A sudden sigh slipped free of her lips. Another memory that was unclear. Were those memories that eluded her the ones near the end? If so, then had she lost more than she suspected?

She remembered she had been a goddess and was becoming one again. What had her people been like? Why was Yeti the one she really remembered? Where was Yeti for that matter?

A brief memory of casting a spell on him to turn him to stone dropped down on her. Her expression flickered. She'd thought he'd be safe but after all this time, was he truly safe as she had planned? The thought of broken buildings made of stone and wood appeared in front of her. Had he been broken?

Shaking her head to free it of the doubt, Lisana nearly growled in sudden frustration. Surely he was not. She'd meant for him to be protected and until proven otherwise, she needed the thought that he was free and looking for her or at least alive. So little was left of what she had once known that she desperately needed the thought of one of her friends safe and sound.

The key finally turned in the door. She peeked inside before fully entering. Quite certain that they would be upset with her, she simply wanted to avoid a confrontation. Seeing noone there, she entered the living room locking the door behind her.

Joe walked from the kitchen. "Eftemie! I've been worried about you."

Lisana blinked nearly flinching. She didn't want to explain to them and so she took the easy way out. Shoving Eftemie forwards with a smirk, she receded leaving the girl in charge.

Eftemie staggered, blinking in surprise. She glanced at the keys in her hand as well as the bag she held.

"What..? Uncle Joe?" she asked as he grabbed hold of her.

"What have you been doing, child? You are muddy from head to toe." he asked as he stared at her.

"Doing? Muddy..?" she replied looking down over her clothing. Some of the mud was dried, but mostly it was wet and uncomfortable. "I don't know. I don't remember."

"Are you alright?" he asked in concern, ushering her over to sit in a chair.

"I'm fine. I think..." she answered, blinking in confusion as she glanced around the room. A sudden shiver slipped over her and she yawned tiredly. "I think I'm really tired. I need a bath."

The man frowned in concern. "I'll get your robe from upstairs for you." Why did she not remember what she was doing? Her memory was bad but she usually did not look so confused.

Tempest had related what he suspected and Joe had seen the mometary flicker in her eyes as if someone else was looking at him. What was this... goddess doing that she came back this way? Whatever it was, he didn't like it.

"Alright, Uncle Joe." she said softly patting his shoulder as she handed him the bag and the key that matched it. "Just put these on a shelf somewhere in my loft. I'll figure out what it is later. I just want a bath."

Joe frowned as she moved towards the bathroom. He stared at the bag and key she had slipped into his hands. Something seemed to move within, and the key looked the same as the marking on the outside. Whatever it was, she had decided to keep it, so he placed it on the shelf in her room. Then with her robe in his hands, he headed back downstairs.

Knocking at the door, he said, "Efte, it's Uncle Joe. Here's your robe. It's on the doorknob. Are you hungry?"

"Hungry? A little."

Her reply was slow as if she had to think about it and the words received another frown from him. He shut the door moving towards the kitchen. What was wrong with her? Why did she seem so tired? And what had she been doing outside and alone?

Most of the mud had come off in the shower, but she was so tired, she just wanted to sit. Filling the tub with water, she stepped in. The warmth crept into her drawing a sigh as she settled down into it. She stared at her legs and feet for several moments before she frowned. There were changes that were plainly obvious. And the gem in her navel was surrounded by... crystals?

And where were all the bubbles coming from? They continually popped in the air about her and it was beginning to get a bit annoying. What was happening to her?

The stone faintly gleamed again. Her eyes turned downward as she studied it further. With a sigh, she leaned back soaking in the warmth as she thought about what was happening as she closed her eyes.

What was it she had said? She was a goddess from the stone. Her eyes opened and she stared at it again before closing them again.

A violet sparkle refracted in the light as she moved. What other changes would there be? Was she going to sprout horns or feathers next? Or even hooves?

A sudden image of a purple creature slipped down over her. It had four hooves though it walked upright, short violet fur covering it's body with tails and wings covered in white and lavendar feathers. One spiral white horn gleamed from its forehead.

Her eyes suddenly snapped open as she growled.

"Oh! Give me a break! There's no such creature!"

*Are you sure?* came a tired smirk.

For an instant she hesitated.

"Oh shut up..." she muttered.

A slight snicker echoed but whether in the air or her mind, she was unsure. It had been as clear as a bell to her though and she tried to push the thoughts away. They didn't go as easily as they once had, but they finally went and she nearly fell asleep in the water. Her fingers were pruned by the time Joe knocked on the door.

By the time she was dressed and eating, Eftemie had little appetite. She picked at her food before finally pushing it away.

"It's good, Uncle Joe. I'm just tired." she said, getting to her feet. "I'm going to take a nap. Where's Tempest?"

"He went out looking for you." the man stated, frowning as he watched her closely.

She nodded, moving up out of the room and up the staircase to the loft. No sooner had she touched the bed than she was asleep. He followed, tucking her in before sitting down in a chair nearby. She was exhausted which only worried him more than he already was.

Was this... goddess really taking her from them? And if so, then what did they do? How did they stop her?

More importantly, could they stop her at all?

He lay in that hazy state where one was not entirely awake, nor entirely asleep. Vague thoughts caught his attention as they passed by. His arms tightened around her as she lay sleeping there, her head on his shoulder.

The idea of losing her was there but fuzzy as he continued to drift. Tempest didn't want her to know how unhappy he was, but he knew she saw it without saying a word. It was in her touch on his face or her fingers as she brushed his hair back to look into his eyes. It was spoken in every word of silence she laced into her avoidance and in clinging to him when they were alone.

They both knew. It didn't need to be said. They lived it.

What could they do? There was no way to stop this. Was there? Everyone seemed so certain that it could not be. Did he just accept it or fight it or move on?

He didn't want to move on. The girl of his dreams had just been found. And now he was losing her.

His eyes suddenly snapped open and a peevish expression crossed his face. His eyes narrowed as he grit his teeth, clutching her closer.

"What the hell do I do now?" he snarled angrily, not expecting a reply.

She moved, her eyes opening in confusion and surprise. Then they fully opened wide as she stiffened in his arms.

Tempest froze knowing immediately that it was not Eftemie who was there, but Lisana. It took all his will not to move for a moment, but then he shoved her away, getting off the bed.

"I won't apologize." he snapped, disgusted. "You don't belong here."

Lisana stared at him in surprise as she barely caught herself before rolling off the opposite side of the bed.

"Whether I do or not, I'm here." she stated shoving the hair from her eyes sleepily.

Whirling in sudden fury, Tempest glared as he growled, "And taking what is not yours! The gods died long ago. Go back. Why are you here when you are not wanted nor needed?"

For a brief instant, she merely stared at him. "You don't think we are needed with the state of things out there? Once I have more power I can put things to right wherever I am. Destruction is out there and..."

"Destruction?" he interrupted, "Another god? Let me guess..." he folded his arms as he continued. "He's doing all this. Why? Because he has nothing better to do? Whose life did he take? I'm guessing with him here, he's become the excuse for the rest of you to return. Strangely we were doing just fine without gods around all these years."

He laughed angrily, "So we have gods returning, creating trouble that was unnecessary to justify their return and call in more gods. Bah! You had your turn and screwed it up. Otherwise, none of you would have died. This is our chance."

Lisana blinked in surprise at the tirade that spewed from the man's lips. He was furious and in a way, he was right.

"I don't believe that Creation ever left." she stated unsurely. She had no way of knowing, but it was an instinct that he had to have to bring them back. "I have no way of knowing, but the stones containing us could only have been fashioned by he. Only he is in control of what is given life. He is... Destruction... but something must have went wrong. It will take more than I to put his aspect right again."

"Oh great..." Tempest laughed in derision, entirely disgusted. "You've all screwed it up again. My point made exactly."

He stared at her beligerantly. "So if this Creation is fixed, you will all leave?"

"No. We are here to stay. This cannot be regressed." she stated surely. "This host's body will become entirely my own. She is the sacrifice needed to let me live."

"Don't talk about her like that!" he snapped suddenly, his arms unfolding as he clenched his fists in rage. "She's not just your damned host, but a thinking feeling person. Far too good for the likes of you."

Silently Lisana stared at him. Her words soft, she began, "I know you love her. I can feel it."

"Shut up! And stay out of that! It does not belong to you! The only thing you have is my hatred for doing this!" Tempest snarled, turning immediately. A moment more and he was out the door of the apartment.

Lisana stared after him, suddenly sighing as she sat in the center of the bed. To injure him so had not been her intention though som part of her had known he would be. She gave a small very sad laugh.

Ironic. She was Laughter. Not Injury nor Pain. Yet she had given both.

She suddenly knew it would only get worse between them. It was not what she had wanted. Not at all.

"Well, I guess even paradise has its troubles. A snake in the garden, no?" her voice was soft as she whispered to the air her lame joke. Another sad laugh slipped free before she thought about the day ahead.

This was her only chance and she had to make it what it needed to be. There was no other choice for her.

There are poignant moments in one's life that one never wants to forget. And then there are those moments that are no less brilliant that one wishes to go away. When he understood that Eftemie was gone, Tempest had one of the lesser moments. The forgettable ones. There was nothing he could do to stop what was happening, but he couldn't remain to watch either. With his decision made, he began to pack.

Eftemie was nearly gone and even though 'she' still looked similar, the differences were striking. The subtle coloration and crystals creeping over her body, The constant bubbles slipping into the air around her. Other things he had noticed also until he thought she looked very little like the girl he had fallen in love with.

The very worst part of it was that he didn't understand how the gods could give her to him and then immediately take her away. If there was a god of cruelty, then this must certainly be his domain and actions. She was the girl of his dreams and he could not have her. Nothing was crueler than that.

The thought of the others crossed his mind. Joe and Jace would most definitely remain here with her. Joe couldn't do otherwise. The animals he was very unsure of. Moonshadow he knew was remaining. How long or why he was not sure, but he was Eftemie's and he had curled up near the bed in her room. Tempest would miss them, but he and Elana would be better off on their own now.

Packing only what was important to him, the man frowned as he heard a voice.

*Tempest, I'd like to go with you, but Moon is remaining. Sable has asked also. If you do not mind that is. " The tone was tentative and unhappy, but Yuri did not want to remain here though he would return to check on Moonshadow from time to time. Eftemie would want Tempest and Elana safe. With the three aiko, they would be.

He turned around to appraise the feline for an instant. Then he nodded. "Of course, you and Sable are welcome, Yuri. And I knew Moon was remaining."

*Then we leave with you.*

Two days later, Tempest, Elana, Yuri, Sable, and Tor left the apartment. For a long moment Tempest remained staring upwards at it. It was not a place he ever wanted to visit again. His dreams had been destroyed by the one there, but as he did so, his hand slipped into his pocket to touch something there.

He'd seen the masks on the wall from the carnival they had given her. Those only reminded him of the stone and how he had lost her. But as he'd passed by the table in the living room, his eyes had stopped on the bracelet he had given her. The glass beads shined brightly and he was holding it in his hand before he realized he'd even picked it up. He nearly put it back but then knew he needed something to remember the girl he loved so. It went into his pocket instead.

At least he had that and his fingers rubbed the glass gently for a moment.

"Let's go. There's nothing left here for us." Slipping his hat on, he began to move down the street. Hopefully he'd never see this place again.

As the next couple days passed, there were several changes. Some subtle but others very noticeable. The absence of Tempest and those with him was very noticeable, but others were not.

Sonora and Atala were both stardust and they disappeared while Sere, Jerecho, Royale, and Cache remained. They were mostly quiet but aware something was changing. Sere had thought to leave but he'd lost two owners already. It hurt to be alone out there, so rather than face it on his own, he opted to remain.

The nymphs, Catnip, Camphor, and Chloe, were unseen except when one of the stardust approached the garden. It was barely growing at all though it was tended carefully, but when greeted, they would stay for a few moments.

Xerxces, a drake, remained around. His hoard of things he was constantly taking was growing. And so long as noone tried to prevent his taking things, he didn't mind at all what was going on. And Joe knew that if it couldn't be found, to look to the drake's pile of treasure. It would be there.

The one most affected by the disappearance of Eftemie was Ataxis. The draught was constantly creeping up the stairs and slinking around to hide nearby. He was upset by the changes and snapped at anyone who neared him. He knew something was wrong with her, but not what and he simply did not feel at ease by what he sensed more than saw. Several times he would get up on the foot of the bed but the moment she moved, he was gone, moving away to sit and watch from a corner.

Lisana noted it but she said nothing about it. She was unsure what to do about the creature. All she could hope was that Eftemie would eventually tell her what he needed. If she would speak to her again. For now an uneasy truce was maintained by those living together in Eftemie's building and only time would tell if it got better or worse.