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It had been days since Aurora had last seen Ceres. Aurora hadn't snuck out since that last night, and she was starting to feel that Ceres was hiding from her. Aurora took this as she was giving her space to think. Aurora had made her mind up that the next morning she would break the silence and apologize. She new the best time to catch Ceres before she could hide again was right before breakfast. She always new that Ceres spent at least 30 minutes before getting up. So with her mind made up she set her alarm.

The next morning when the alarm went off Aurora sprung up. Not exactly fully awake she slapped a larger sized paw from the previous days to shut the thing up. However, she didn't notice her paw, or her body as she pass by the mirror. She pushed the door open to Ceres room, and lept up onto the bed. To her dismay she found no Ceres. Saddened she curled into a ball, and tears trickled.

Some short moments later Ceres came into the room holding a breakfast tray with a smile on her face. "I though I'd find you here in my room."

Aurora look up puzzled. "How did she know?" Aurora thought.

As if reading her mind Ceres giggled. "Well I noticed you set your alarm last night. So, I took a guess."

Aurora gave a very large smile as Ceres sat on the bed with the tray. Streatching out she padded over to Ceres, and sat next to her. Aurora said in her more honest voice. "I'm sorry mother, I really am."

Ceres nodded softly looking over. "I know you are. And I'm sorry to. I really shouldn't have kept you locked up."

Aurora shook her head. "You had reason to. Your best intrest lays in your children. I understand that." Aurora placed one of those elarged paws onto Ceres lap. Neither having realizd her growth yet. "How about one of them pan cakes mother."

Ceres feeling the shifted weight of her paw gasped. "You've... You're so pretty!"

Aurora didn't understand, after all, she was just after a pan cake. Now all of a sudden she was pretty. She always new she was pretty, but why the sudden shock. This proved great intrest to Aurora as she left the tray, and Ceres to go to the nearest mirror.

Looking back at herself she was a sleeker form that had lost a lot of baby fat. Her wings were sleeker, and had turned red. They looked more for pretty than to fly. She looked to her face, and saw a red moon to match wtih two stones. Her flower also proved to fit her better now. Shortly after viewing herself, a mouse came running in. He was no longer in his box. Aurora scooped her mouse up into her mouth, friendly like, and hoped onto the bed. "I am pretty Mother! So, is he." She dropped her mouse down.

Ceres smiled brightly. "I'm proud of you both. Now lets eat up before it gets cold."

The three of them had large portions of pan cakes with syrup. The other girls had no woke up yet.

(The next couple posts will be posted in both Rhine and Aurora diaries)

They arrived at the lake making good time, and in under a fourty minute brisk walk for Ceres. Aurora had found herself in trees along the way, while Tinker held onto Rhine who was still a bit sluggish on land. Once they had all gotten a good view of the lake they set up for they planned to spend a good part of the afternoon there before taking Aurora to her requested spot.

Rhine started to squirm. "Down." Rhine demained in his usual grunt.

"That makes four words for Rhine." Tinker said as she made a mental note.

Ceres nodded with a sigh. "I just wish I understood he was so ruff in toungue. Each word sounds more demanding than the next. We haven't even managed a sentence."

Tinker cut in. "I think mom comes first in most instances."

Ceres plopped down onto the blanket with a nod towards Tinker's statement. "Guess I'm not lucky enough yet..." She paused. "To be called mom."

Aurora landed in Ceres lap. "Cheer up mother. All your children were differnt, he's just slightly slower than the rest of us." Aurora purred, although her ears were flat thinking she'd get scolded for saying Rhine was slower.

Rhine didn't move his head at those words. Ceres sighed and stroked Aurora's head. "I know you mean well Aurora."

Tinker looked a Rhine. "Shouldn't that comment have at leased roused him?"

Ceres thought for a moment. "I don't know what to expect anymore at this point."

Tinker, Aurora, and Ceres had sat down to enjoy lunch when they had noticed that Rhine was no longer sun bathing off in the grass near the rock.

Ceres eyes wide with shock, her heart racing looked around. "Where could have he gone. He's not that fast, and we didn't take our eyes off of him for even 2 minutes." Almost in tears.

Tinker tried to calm Ceres down. "Breath" But she her self, could think of nothing else to do or to say.

Aurora however had already scurried off looking around the lake in the near area.



Rhine had not vanished to explore the land, however, the water had gotten the best of him. His entrance into the pond was unheard except to those under the surface as was any disturbance. The water was cool, and slid off his skin rather quickly. Where as the misty likeness in his room set to his skin, and within minutes proved to make him hoter than he liked. His feet where not yet webbed enough so for a couple momments as he tried his best under the surface he more so rolled in one spot than making progress. Rolling found his dizzy, and quickly tanged into some native water plants. The sand felt rough, and he much prefered that he didn't have to tough it. But as he kicked around, it caused a thickened haze in the water. It didn't take long for other creatures to notice.

"Hold on young one." A soft whispy voice came out of no where. "You are new to these parts."

He strained his ears, but it seemed like muffles to him. He thought perhaps it was a land trouble, but it seemed that no even water helped him.

The creature still hidden by the sand cloud said in the same whispy voice. "Can you not hear me young one?"

The creature took his silence to mean yes. For a brief moment the creature made contact with Rhine. This started him a bit as the hand proved slimey, much like what he was stuck in.

"There, There..." The creature chimed.

Shortly their after Rhine could hear the creature humming. It was much like a humans voice, a woman. But why didn't she show herself, or itself he thought darn this sand.

"Can you hear me know?" She asked in a more stern voice.

Rhine nodded softly although no words escaped him. He was glade his ears were finally empty of that nasty air bubble he'd had since he hatched. The bubble had made his hearing nill if nothing at most times.

"I haven't seen you in here before. Are you new?" The creature asked this time in her whispy voice.

Judging from what he'd learned from prevous muffles he shook his head, and looked up.

"You belong up there then?" The creature said, she was starting to finally show now that the sand was setling. "I'll help you back. I hope our next meeting will be a more pleasant one." She smiled.

Rhine coo'd softly as the creature pushed him onto the grassy surface. When he turned his head the creature had gone. He was slightly disapointed, but non the less happy to see the grass again.



As Aurora had come running back she noticed the shining form of Rhine. "Mother look!" Aurora hollard.

Ceres ran to scoop him up. Tinker close by. Rhine simply smiled.

(The next couple posts will be posted in both Rhine and Aurora diaries.)

The reds bleeding into the blues to allow for a purpling sky let Ceres know that it was almost dark as they settled into the out side of the forest.

"We're here." Ceres said followed by a pause waiting for what next.

Aurora had paused a moment, looking back towards the short grasses. Tinker had laid the sleeping form of Rhine down onto a damp cloth. Rhine seemed to be in comfort thanks to the pendant for the friend at the shop.

Tinker seeming to be uneased spoke up before Aurora. "The fogs seeping into the forest this evening. It means the magics thicker than normal. Ceres I'd hate to be in the thick of it when sun sets, expecially if we stumble into the grove."

Aurora however didn't seem to be paying attention to Tinkers feelings and lept into a near by tree. Vanished from eye sight several branches above, she explored.

Ceres hollard up. "Aurora don't stay long, you herd Tinker."

Aurora's ear flattened as she knew that she hadn't been paying attention, but non the less this was her moment. The skys had almost finished purpling but off in the distance the oranges where trying to invade for one last hope of light before giving in.



Ceres looked to Tinker. "I've got your same feeling. And I don't think there is enough will between us all to find the center at this time of day."

Tinker thought for a moment, and then slowly said. "Center you mean Mother Tree?"

Ceres nodded. Rhines eyes opened, as he rolled over spralled onto his back. "Rub" Rhines voice for a change was softer. Tinker and Ceres looked down at the same time.

"This is a very nice change of attitude. Maybe the sun did you some good." Ceres said as they both sat down to rub Rhines belly.

"I wonder what happened to him under the water when he went missing?" Tinker pondered out loud.

"That I guess we will not know until either we read his mind, or he tells us. And I believe we'll be legends before either of those options happens." Ceres siad with a chuckle.

Tinker nodded. Rhine was a peace for once in his short exstance thus far. Rhine was thinking to himself that he for once didn't feel as if his skin was streatched the point of tearing, or having the hideous air bubble in his ears at the moment. His mind drifted to the lake creature who had helped him, and hope that they would meet again. Rhine was almost purring in a dragon toungue. Ceres and Tinker were both lost in thought over Rhine's calmness that they didn't notice that the waring coloring battle in the sky had given in to black, and twinkling stars until an own hooted in the near by branches.



"We better get Aurora." Ceres spoke up breaking the peace.

Tinker nodded. They together called out for Aurora. But to their dismay she didn't come, and the fog seemed to be creeping to the out skirts of the forest quicker than either wanted.

Tinker sighed. "We forgot to warn her to stay on the paths provided."

"Not much good it will do if she is in the trees." Ceres sighed feeling angry with herself that she'd forgotten to warn her.

Tinker noticed the tension. "Don't blame yourself, she'll be back just as soon as she notices the sky."

"Lets hope it is soon." Ceres sighed, as she pulled Rhine onto her lap.

(The next couple posts will be posted in both Rhine and Aurora diaries.)

Connor controlling his thoughts moved quickly through the grove before Rhine had time to think. When the mist became lighter they where in a clearing facing a huge tree.

"Mother Tree I have brought a guest." Connor said softly, knowing this would rouse her from a nap.

Rhine started intently at the area, and especially at the tree. Then he got startled once more as the tree SPOKE!

"At this time of the night. What / Who do I owe such a pleasure?" The voice was old and wise but yet a whisper of wind.

Connor smiled. "As of right now just Rhine; son of Ceres. And soon to come I am sure Ceres her self with her daughters Tinker, and Aurora."

"Well, set the little one down. I want to get a good look at him." Mother Tree smiled

Connor did as requested. Rhine wriggled in the dry leaves and warm dirt before he was whisked up but several soft leafy branches. He left out a soft cry of panic, but was quickly comforted.

"There, there Rhine. I'm your grandmother. I use to be just like your mother. But my will led me down other paths such as this one. This is where I live, and this is how I help to protect the island." Mother tree continued to speak in soft windy tones.

Rhine wondered why she bothered to explain this because he really didn't care. After all his family was ODD enough as is. He looked up into the eyes of Mother Tree, and rubbed again the soft leafy branches.

"But enough of me before I bore you. You are so young, yet so evolved. I know little about dragons, but shouldn't you at least have some form of words by now." Mother Tree smiled. "I have just the thing!"

Her branches gave a firm pinch around him. It only stung for just a moment. "Hows that?" Mother Tree thought to Rhine.

Rhine saw no lips moving, and wondered what she was up to.

"Come on, now I know you can think." Mother tree thought again to Rhine.

The grip was loose now, and he was once again snug. "You smell pretty, and feel soft." He thought to her.

"You are very kind. But why the lack of words. Do you have nothing to say about this life you live?" She thought back to him.

"I have plenty I want to say. But up until today I couldn't hear much of anything. I had this awful bubble in my ears. A mer-thing cleared it up. Now I can hear so many things." Rhine was thinking a mile a minute. He was so excited to finally have contact.

Mother Tree laughed as the thoughts flew from his mind. "Sure enough, just like a kid. Your full of stuff. I soon hope you find your tongue. But until then use this gift." Mother Tree continued to send him messages. "And who gave you such a rickety, but lovely pendant. Well done water spell might I add."

Rhine quickly raced the thoughts of the day at the shop, and the boy who helped him. "And, that is how I get around on land easier. Now I am not so dry all the time."

Mother Tree smiled, she waved a separate leafy branch, and transformed the pendant. Still the same pendent but now stronger, shinier, and more durable. "There, there... That's better." She thought to Rhine.

"Thank You! Your the best." Rhine thought, and then looked to where Connor had once stood.

Catching his thought without him evening thinking it Mother Tree said, "Don't worry, he does that. He knows you are safe. He probably went to help your mother." Mother tree thought to him.

Rhine was happy, safe, and soon found himself yawning.

"Aha, we can nap together then." Mother said with a chuckle. Soon they were both napping and waiting for Ceres' return.

________________________________

Connor showed up off to the right of Ceres and Tinker. "Rhine is with Mother Tree." He siad this is almost a whisper.

Ceres turned having herd him comming. "Thank You!"

"I think I see her" Tinker said, pointing out the flash of the moon symbol.

"Do you need further help Ceres?" Conor asked?

"No thank you, and thank you again. "Ceres said with a smile. Then she turned attention to what Tinker had pointed out.

Connor dissapeared.

"Time to come down, and go home." Ceres said sternly.

A tail droped below the branches, and Aurora's face poked out of the leaves. "Time already?"

Tinker huffed. "Two hours ago."

"Yes little lady, and you've had us worried sick. Couldn't you tell it was dark out side." Ceres voice was almost soft yet still stern.

Knowing she was in troulble she quickly hopped down to hopefully save herself from the worst.

"We can discuss your punishment later." Ceres yawned.

"But before we can go home we need to visit Mother Tree." Tinker added.

Ceres nodded, and led the way. Aurora's ears were flat, and her tail tucked under. She could always tell when the worst was comming.

Ceres had awoken earlier than normal, and had headed down the hall to Aurora's room. Aurora had not been herself since the return from the outing.

Ceres sat on the bed. "Good morning." Ceres said as she petted her on her head.

Aurora purred and stretched. "Morning Mother." It rolled out smoothly, despite how she felt.

"I'm sorry for the other evening. I know you are grown, and I know you have as much right to this island as I do since you are one of my children. But, still I worry. You are young." Ceres paused to let Aurora have a word.

"I'm sorry to. I just wanted to get a better look. But once I was up there the fog was so thick, and I just lost track of time." This was saying something as she was generally always on time.

"If you can promise to be careful you are more than welcome to the island. Although I must warn you..." Ceres paused. "More to remember that this is an island of will." Ceres smiled sternly. "Heavy burden, but once you get the hang of it tons of fun." Ceres ruffled Aurora's fur behind her ear.

"Thank you Mom" Aurora was purring and rubbed again Ceres. "I'll remember to be extra careful."

"If you ever need help have a local animal to the parts your in come for me. Or if closer Mother Tree. She can get a hold of Pavel or Connor. Any of who is closer will come to your aid." Ceres paused a moment followed by a chuckle. "I'm sure if Sky's around, he'll help as well."

Aurora smiled brightly. She was speechless, but felt warm inside knowing that there were people who loved and cared for her.

"Now how about some breakfast." Ceres smiled and got up.

Ceres opened her arms for Aurora to leap into them. Which she did, and soon they were in front of a warm meal and the rest of the family had gathered.

Dear Diary,

There is a Wishling named Rue. He is simular in looks to me, and I very much want to meet him. Mom assured me is not a cat, she says that he is some sort of fox. I've never met another Wishling. Perhaps tomorrow I'll go in personally to see about finding a way to contact his mommy.

Not much else to say, other than Rhine has a hair up his butt lately. I hope my brother straightens out before he gives mom a heart attach. Then again I cannot say much because I went through a simular phase.

- Later