Welcome to Gaia! ::

Excellent, Mr. Tomorrow.

Walter called back.

A bit of feed from the Barton Flower Shop made all the difference.

Walter himself held no hard feelings, he simply tended the house, the garden, and the food stuffs.

Very well Madam.

Walter said with a smile.

Is there anything I can get the Madam while she wait? A refreshment of some sort perhaps?

Making ones guests as absolutely comfortable as possible was his job description. He smiled, just before gesturing off to the right to a small grouping of trees.

If it pleases the Madam, there is a small hammock between the apple trees where she can be deposited safely for the remainder of her nap.

Walter was of course referencing Rae. While he didnt know her name, he knew enough to know the truth. Certain souls...especially the divine are very recognizable, but as always Walter stood entirely silent on the matters at hand only doing as he was requested, or told, or felt necessary.

Walter took the womans silence toward his request as a no. Perhaps they simply were not in the mood for refreshments? One can never really say, but ever vigilant he stood nearby. He always close, yet not obtrusive or creepy. He was present, without being overly noticeable. Such was his creed.

It wouldnt be too long, for anyone with an eye for nature the minutes would fly rather easily. Shadow Island's surface was a vast and beautiful garden tended daily by Walter himself. It always had a view, it always smelled beautiful, and despite the temperature or weather outside it was always calm, and temperate within. And Grace and Rae were left to it.

About twenty minutes in another rattle echoed from the door of the windmill as it opened and its springy hinge guided it into a gently close. Out stepped Maximos, his navy blue hair caught in the breeze, his hands moving to fix the grey pinstripe vest he wore. He tugged at its base, and re-rolled both sleeves of the long sleeved black dress shirt he wore beneath the vest. His right arm, as always was covered in white medical bandage, though a few loose splotches of red were clearly visible marring the pure white. Clearly blood, clearly fresh. He had chosen speed over preparation unfortunately, so a few remnants of his work remained.

Despite that he made his way directly to the group.

Hello Ladies!

He said with a smile and a wave, as he got closer he regarded each of them with a warm nod. He knew Tomorrow was there, he knew that the fact that Tomorrow was there was likely why Grace was able to find this place at all. He shot a single glance up at the Aesir, it bore no words, and yet in a subtle way said, "You get one chance, dont fleeb it up...". A sentiment made evident by the fact the stiff wall of nothing holding the man back would fade and he would be able to feel those same soft, gently, guiding winds attempting to tug him forward for a landing the same way Grace and Rae were tugged.

Maximos was expecting, hoping, almost trusting that whatever situation was currently at hand Tomorrow was not at fault, but instead had a purpose in it.

Grace...

He paused for a minute, there was something very wrong with the third one. Using the very magic sight she had taught him he could see that something was not natural about that sleep. Whats more he could see that something was not exactly natural about her, herself. Idly his hand clutched the chain of a pendant beneath his shirt.

...Raven?

Concerned eyes rose from the body, a white pulse could be seen just as it faded from his right eye. But, he was still friendly, still warm, still welcoming, just...a bit worried.

Sorry for the delay, what can I do for you?

I see...Raven had always been much more than she appears..

Maximos said, tapping his chin for a moment. This was a curious situation, growing curiouser and curiouser by the moment. Grace did not know this woman? Then why was she here? And why wasnt Verandi?

Maximos' eyes resumed a watch over Hono's form, and then slowly slid back up to Grace.

Not yet, Ms. Grace, lets wait for Tomorrow to explain. I wouldnt want to step into this blindly.

And he waited.

"Umm... I think you need to invite him in again, he is under the impression that he is not welcome here." sweatdrop Grace wondered about the story behind all that, but she was far too polite to actually ask.

In this, any quarrel between Tomorrow and Maximos would be put aside. Someone was in trouble, someone close to both of them. Though perhaps closer to Maximos what with the way he seemed to keep his right hand just over the pendant beneath his shirt. Something about the brand Raven placed in him placed a warm tingle through his body.

It told him one thing, without a single doubt.

It is her.

He took a step closer, a hand rising to his chin. A white glow enveloping his right eye. He could see the chaos of the void, the order of Hono's aura only...altered. And remnants of magic....lots of magic. Something about her leylines seemed greatly....wrong. He listened as Tomorrow spoke mixing both set of conclusions with facts and research he had compiled on his own. While he was silent, every other sentence or so he gave a small nod to show he was infact listening. And as the Aesir finished, he spoke.

Thats not how the Void works. It does not pollute or corrupt, rather it forms its Chaos to the order in ones mind. If she was there, her memories would be more vivid, not missing.

A leather gloved right hand slipped from his chin, and with a gentle tug at each finger-tip Maximos slipped off his glove and reached out to gently touch Hono's forehead. Just a tap. Just a taste. If she was a new soul, he would be able to feel the ether on her. If she was false, he would be able to sense the emptiness. But if she was real...

As his hand pulled back, he resumed tapping his chin.

The Void also serves as a nexus, a meeting place of all places and times. If she came from there, there is a very good chance that this Hono Raven is not ours at all, but her past, future, or even alternate self.

He leaned back, finally letting his right arm fall back to his side, with a small twitch.

"Short" and "Long" periods of time have no meaning. She may only seem to have been their "long", due to the fact she is from there...

Maximos looked concerned, and yet at the same time relieved. The situation wasnt as bad as it could have been. He would have hated to see Raven fall. Perhaps a Reapers hardest job, is carrying away a friend.

We'll have to take her inside.

He said with a stout nod.

I happen to know one particularly strong memory charm, we can try. If she can regain her memory, she can tell us where, or maybe when, she came from.

His eyes scanned to all three present. Though Raven herself would likely not be able to answer.

Agreeable?

Donner sighed as he scooped Rae up gently, holding her in his arms like one would carry a sleeping child.

"...Ignorance is bliss, Grace...but it can also be lethal. She has a child she cannot remember. She has friends she cannot remember. And, may the gods forbid, but if she has any enemies..."

Which Hono didn't have...Donner hoped. But his point was made.

"If we reclaim her memories, we will have the old Hono back. If she intended for this to happen...then I or...Maximos can always help her wipe the memories again. But there are too many variables to simply let her go on her way."

He smiled down to Grace, his eyes warm. "I think it's the right thing to do."

Maximos simply, stoutly nodded. Tomorrow had just said just plucked the words clear out of his mouth. Once Grace seemed agreeable, he responded, his eyes and smile toward Grace.

Indeed, if she wished to throw away her past, we cannot judge her. But, we owe it to her to at least be sure.

Mismatched eyes looked upwards.

Walter can handle her gentle transport, if you'd both like to come in we can begin preparations. Walter has a few freshly baked snacks if either of you need to "recharge", before the ritual.

With that he made a sort of half step toward the door, waiting to see who followed or if there were any remaining doubts or comments before leading them inside.

Donner shrugged, placing Rae gently back to the grassy ground. He nodded to Walter with a small smile. "Hey Walter...thanks."

It was what the Shadow wanted. It was his house, his rules, and Donner would abide by them. Although normally he'd spare Walter the extra work - Donner didn't really see the point in servants - he'd abide by the Shadow's rules.

Then he'd follow. And feel a little honored. He'd never been in the windmill before. He also looked forward to Walter's snacks. If his baking was as good as his gardening, it would be something to look forward to.

Maximos seemed confident. That made Donner relaxed.