Yuki,+Magical+Girl+of+Love,+&+Wren+Dreamspinner,+Chat+About+MANY+Things+on+the+Eve+of+Myth+Cormranth

Wren sat gracefully along the creek bed of Heroes' Rest, with her legs stretched out, and her bare feet crossed. Her thin, gauzy skirt brushed against her ankles. Her bodice was short, sleeveless, and barely held everything in. She was throwing in the occasional pebble to scatter the fish, and laughing as Inali pounced about with her long, dainty paws in the shallower water, chasing them.

Inali's ears twitched and she looked back over her shoulder. Wren glanced up and smiled as Yuki came into view. She waved to the beautiful priestess and laughed as Inali ran up the bank to greet her, a fish in her mouth.

“WREN!!!!” Yuki called out, waving her whole arm happily! “You’re here too!” Looking down she beamed at the little fox, “Hiyas Inali!” The priestess’s laugh was sweet and musical as she bent down to caress her soft, dark fur. Little brass bells woven into her hair with deep blue ribbons clinked together sweetly as did the brass bracelets tinkling up and down her arms...and the smaller, daintier ones wrapped around her ankles, “What a clever little thing you are! You caught dinner! Wren! She caught her dinner! Isn’t she clever!?” I didn’t even realize this little pool had real fish this big in it! Amazing!” She was wearing a beautiful indigo sari that bared her stomach scandalously and most of her back and shoulders. She filled the bodice beautifully...as if it been designed for her alone. Over it all, she draped a sheer turquoise scarf, intricately worked with turquoise and indigo flowers. Its appearance somehow managed to make the entire ensemble appear more modest and virtuous than her robes suggested on closer inspection. Large beautifully crafted brass earrings dangled from her ears, drawing the eye to her lovely neck and the smooth, pale line of her shoulder.

Inali ran a couple of circles around Yuki, splashing water about from her wet paws, and then back down into the creek, her tail and ears up as she trotted proudly with her catch.

Wren giggled, "Yuki! Did you get Amynta all settled in?"

“OH NO! NOT AT ALL!!!!” cried Yuki as she settled down on the cool, green grass beside her. She leaned her head against the elven woman’s beautiful shoulder and sighed, “...really I don’t think she understands what she’s in for. I had to SNEAK my extra armor into her things AND extra spell scrolls too JUST IN CASE! And when I FINALLY took her into my magic house, she immediately dropped her bags in the middle of my living room and ran off to Dominic’s alchemy lab with a breezy, ‘I’ll just let Him know I’ve arrived!”

Wren laughed softly, nodding, remembering the first night Yuki had spent with them... dropped into that desert, fighting off those massive dog beasts, spending the night in the woods... so many of their companions just... gone. They had all been solemn, simply doing what needed to be done to survive... and poor Yuki, frightened out of her mind after being grabbed by the evil Malice... but she was strong even then... stronger than she realized, Wren was sure. They had all grown so much since then... She smiled a little admirably at the sweet and usually cheerful priestess.

The priestess reached out and plucked a blade of grass from the bank...and another and another, twirling them between her lovely fingertips. “I haven’t seen her since! It...It’s like they’re on a honeymoon or something! And frankly I’m a little worried!”

Wren giggled, "I'm sure she's just excited to not have to sneak out to see her charming alchemist... I'm sure monsters and drow and dangerous things are far from her mind right now. Luckily she has a great friend like you looking out for her."

The priestess quickly sat up and turned, clasping Wren’s hands in hers, “Wren! You know Dominic best! Well...er...besides Erevin I mean! And...ah Shri...I guess. Not that Shri talks to me anymore but... Well! Do you think he loves her?! Dominic I mean...I’ve never seen her like this before! She’s completely and utterly smitten! And he just seems so...so...DOMINIC! Not that I can tell A THING with that scary mask he wears but... Do you think it will be ok?! I mean... Do...Do you think he...cherishes her?”

Wren thought about it... charming, flirty, handsome Dominic... Had he really fallen for the young buxom priestess? Or was he still just having fun? He had been a bit quiet about their relationship... a secret scarf tucked into his clothes... Wren smiled, patting Yuki's hand reassuringly, "They seem very happy in each other's company... and isn't that what love is for? They even went to the Medici and Winterrowd wedding together... ...speaking of which, I seen you dancing with The Harbinger..." of doom almost slipped out of her lips, but she caught herself, and smiled sweetly, feigning excitement, "And you looked awfully friendly with him... You've been keeping secrets! Are you two still seeing each other?" Wren raised a curious eyebrow at her.

Yuki blushed a sudden and beautiful pink and glanced away,“H...H...Have I?” Bending her head down low, her fingers reached out and plucked a small white flower from the pond's bank. "Mmm?"

She bit her lip...

But it was no use.

It was too much!

She couldn’t hold it in a second longer!

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“OH WREN! I’m having the MOST WONDERFUL FUN! Mr. Harbinger took me out again! On our SECOND date!” Yuki’s pretty blue eyes sparkled happily as she threw back her pretty head and laughed with all her heart. "And I'm so glad he did because it was WONDERFUL!!! A museum! A play! And a...a secret!"

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren giggled at Yuki's excitement, happy to see her friend shining with happiness. A secret?

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yuki sighed and smiled warmly, "I'd all but given up his ever asking me out again, you know? But he did! He did...Wren! Ah?!" Her eyes widened and she reached out to touch her friend’s arm, “Wren! You’re not hurt, are you? I...I didn’t mean to keep it from you! I...just...well it’s hard to bring him up when everyone is around.... You know how they are? And...And we’ve been so busy with everything I just...haven’t...been able to...ah... You see...” Yuki settled her skirts and folded her hands in her lap. “It was just after we returned from Valparia...”

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren smiled knowingly, and nodded for her to go on, listening quietly. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The human priestess touched both her palms to her cheeks and smiled. She seemed to shimmer with all kinds of exciting and secret things, “...so many things happened. So many wonderful surprises! He is such...a charming and mysterious man. I’ve never met anyone like him...except...sometimes...he feels...familiar... Like someone else I already know. Mmmm... But anyway!

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Like someone she already knows? A subtle expression of confusion mixed with concern passed over the elven witch's face as she listened. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">First, we visited a museum. I must have passed the building a hundred times since coming to Lyrabar but I had no idea it was such a thing! It held the most amazing treasures. Artifacts of all kinds! Each with a story! It’s run by the dearest old man, Mr. Abernathe! Oh he’s so charming and kind! He gave us our own private tour! And he really did know the most amazing things! Wren, you’d LOVE him! And he, you.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And it was all as wonderful could be until I wandered into one of the rooms and saw a portrait of a woman... A priestess of Sune! And all my happiness turned to amazement! She looked just like me Wren! Mr. Harbinger even said so! Or, rather, I looked like her, for Mr. Abernathe said she was over one hundred years old! The resemblance was so striking I can’t quite get it out of my head that we must be relatives!

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren smiled. Surely it was possible... but Yuki seemed to know her family... wouldn't she know that she had a relative who was a priestess of Sune before her?

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">BUT WREN! That’s not even the BEST part! THEN...Mr. Abernathe told me her name....and it was Arabella, Wren!!! Arabella Valentine! A. V.!!!!! Just like the initials embroidered on my father’s crossdressing mantle of faith! AND THAT RAISED ALL KINDS OF QUESTIONS FOR ME! Mynta and I have searched the Temple’s archives and I could find only 6 names with the initials A.V.! She was one of them! But doesn’t it SEEM like TOO MUCH of a coincidence! She looks exactly like me, Wren! Well...an older me! BUT I’m sure SHE’S “A.V.”!

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren nodded her agreement, "That does sound like a little too coincidental..." Wren frowned in thought, A priestess of Sune... with initials on a mantle in Yuki's father's room... who looks just like Yuki... a hundred years old, with a painting hung in a forgotten museum... who is this woman? <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So didn't that just make me EVEN MORE CONFUSED! ....My dad travelled when he was young! And that had to be twenty-five years ago! Or MORE! SO....THAT would put Priestess Arabella in her 80s!!! WHAT WAS MY DAD DOING SHACKING UP WITH AN 80 YEAR OLD SENIOR CITIZEN?!?!?!?! I just can’t fathom it.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren laughed softly, "Why do you assume that they were lovers?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yuki seemed to find the question funny. “Wren...ennn” And the witch was a little amazed to see a knowing, almost worldly look in the priestess’ eye, “...do many men often keep the lacy belongings of mere friends in their private rooms?” She arched a beautiful eyebrow then laughed again, “I know.. I know... There are many different kinds of relationships...I just find it funny that you seem to think otherwise. ” She leaned back and clasped her lovely hands around her knee, the bangles lining her arms, jingling happily, “But there is something else...I’ve been thinking about. Mr. Abernathe said...she travelled around, spreading Sune’s love everywhere she went...and then...disappeared never to be seen again. Perhaps she wasn’t a senior citizen at all... Perhaps she was....” And Yuki’s eyes sparkled, “... my goddess’ avatar...imbued with her long life and sent to spread Sune’s love to Impiltur! Mm! What a magical, amazing thought!!!

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Her avatar..?. Like Sune, herself, walking the world? or like a really high chosen priestess?" Wren looked at her curiously, "I'm afraid I don't know very much about things like that."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yuki shrugged and thought a moment, running her fingers through her hair, little bells jingling softly, "...I think I mean...someone who...is favoured and blessed by Sune. A chosen person. A good person. A person of faith who Sune has lent a little more of Her power to...to make others happy. To spread beauty and love...more and more. Like that. Yeah!" It was clear to Wren who had worked so hard at her mother's side that this was not deep theology. Could the young priestess must have slept through these classes as well? The human woman seemed to have an almost intuitive approach to the practice of her religion. Worrying less about the hows and whys of church theology and more to the practice...of loving...of praying...of creating...beauty... Of being beautiful... But to get so far...paying so little attention to the details. Either her natural talent or her luck must be exceptional? What a worry she must have been to her teachers...to Axton.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“...but...whatever it is or could be...I really, really need to find a way home to Waterdeep! If I could only talk to my father, I’m sure all these things would be cleared up and all our questions answered...”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The young elf raised a skeptical eyebrow at her. They must have quite the relationship for her father to simply answer all of her questions... so I found this lacy clothing in your old bedroom in a library you used to guard. I did some searching, and she appears to be an old lover of yours... who i happen to look just like... I'll make some tea and cake and we'll all sit down so you can tell us the whole epic story... of your lover... in front of my mother... yeah... I'm sure that's going to go right as planned... all questions answered...

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“...it is quite odd that she would look like you... I think I would like to see this painting... Do you think you would mind taking me there?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“OF COURSE!!! Let’s!” Yuki’s excited face fell a little, “But Wren...do we even have time?” She glanced away, “Erevin... Doesn’t he want to leave soon?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Oh... I didn't mean right NOW... we're already on the ship... I'm sure we don't have time now... but when we get back," Wren nodded, "Let's go see it as soon as we get back to Lyrabar."

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yuki sighed...”BUT before I could ask ANOTHER question, Mr. Harbinger had swept me out the door and down the street to a wonderful, old open air amphitheater."

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"I didn't even know there was an amphitheater in Lyrabar..."

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"It seems we took our seats JUST IN TIME for the play to start. It was such a beautiful night... And the play! The play...was so sad and so happy! Filled with loss but also Love! It was about two sisters, who, through twists of fortune, were torn apart and had to live their lives apart from the other. BUT in the end, Love brought them back together! I cried so much! And he, Mr. Harbinger, was so gallant and offered me his silken handkerchief and said sweetly that wasn’t it a play about both of us... Both Loss and Love... And it was... The most wonderful play about Loss and Love! Wasn’t that the most thoughtful thing?! To bring me to such a thing? I thought he was just so wonderful and considerate!"

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">More coincidences? "Sounds like he is trying hard to win you over," Wren nodded, "It all sounds very romantically thought out... almost as though he already knows what you like." <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She sighed happily and looked at her friend, "He had it all planned out, Wren... Every piece of it...and it was WONDERFUL! Never...have I met...someone so thoughtful and kind. Someone...like him...who makes me feel...so special. He's asked me out again and I've said yes! Once we return from Myth Coramanth, I will see him again."

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"I'm glad to hear that you got to have such a good time," Wren smiled and nodded, "Has he kissed you yet?" Wren winked at her and giggled, "Or... is that the secret?" She grinned, "Or was that something else?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"NOOOOOOOOOOO, HE HASN'T!!!!!" she cried with exasperation before pouting, "...not on my...lips...anyway..." She blushed and threw her head down, the tiny bells woven into her hair jingling sweetly against her knees, "...would I like him to...?" She looked up, searching her friend's eyes, considering only a moment before whispering, "...yes...I think so. ...very much... But..." And she sighed, "He...seems...somehow beyond me, Wren. ...farther than anyone else...farther...and farther... When I'm with him...sometimes? I see glimpses of the shadows of his...secrets...as if...he holds all the keys to all the mysteries I haven't even begun to realize are mysteries yet! I feel toyed with...a little. Like he's teasing me. Or perhaps...treating me gently. Schooling me carefully..." Yuki’s voice was soft as she tilted her head slightly to watch Inali frolick nearby, "Perhaps...he is that kind of man... But I want to rush ahead...and throw back the doors and know...what he knows. Feel...what he feels... I want him...to look at me seriously...to be surprised... I want...to unbalance him...a little..."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"It could do you both good for you to surprise him.... unbalance him just a little... though be careful because you might not get the reaction that you want. And to know what he knows and feel what he feels all at once in a rush... I understand your want for all of that, but Yuki, keep in mind that he is a priest of loss... I know you like to take people as you see them without any labels, and while that's great... there are some things that have meaning. Remember the way you felt when Erevin chose Shri's arms? the rejection you feel when Axton doesn't treat you like a woman... the sadness that aches your heart being so far from your family... and put those all together, multiply that feeling by a thousand times... I mean, priest of loss... sweetie, as much as you push for love and epic romance... if he's anything like that for loss... I'm just saying... be careful what you wish for. He's very different than Lillarthi," Wren laid a gentle hand on her shoulder.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yuki’s clear blue eyes never left the witches' as the elven woman counseled her gently to take more care with the Priest of Loss. But when Wren had finished, she couldn’t help but notice the priestess’ face fall a little as Yuki realized her friend’s true feelings regarding Mr. Harbinger, “...you don't like him either, do you Wren?” And her eyes grew...a little sadder and a little kinder, "Mr. Harbinger, I mean. ...You're just like Erevin and...Azarius...” Yuki exhaled slowly, as if it pained her to see her friends misunderstanding each other, and she glanced away...back to Inali frolicking with yet another fish, murmuring, “...he eases hearts too, y’know... In his own way, he soothes...the hearts of others. I...I’ve seen it. He’s...kind, Wren... He is...so...heart-achingly...kind.” She turned back to her friend, “I...Mm... As my dear friend...may I ask you to...try to understand him...a little more... Just...a little more...k?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren took both of Yuki's hands into her own and gazed into her eyes, "Yuki... if he makes you happy... that's all I could want." She hugged her friend warmly, "If you tell me he's kind, then I believe you. I'm here to listen and support you. I'm glad that he's treating you well. All I meant to say is... try not to rush him." Wren pulled back from the hug and smiled at her beautiful friend.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“...R...ush him...?” Yuki’s voice sounded a little confused as it trailed off thoughtfully. Just...what did Wren...mean by saying “not to rush...him...” She wasn’t entirely certain....but the younger girl nodded nonetheless, grateful that her friend didn’t seem as disapproving of her friend as she had a moment before, “...Mm!” It would be fine... She was certain!

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yuki smiled and shook her head, "But, if it will ease your mind,...there is someone else too... Someone...I have been thinking about...and I feel a little...untrue...but I can't seem to keep him out of my mind...” Yuki laughed, her excitement infectious, “I...met my Quill, Wren...! Can you believe that?! And he doesn't even realize it yet! Finally...something I know that he doesn’t. ...I have met my kindest and dearest Quill and he is nothing like what I imagined and everything...everything I could have hoped for.”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"The Quill from your book?!" Wren blinked at her.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Ah Huh!"

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"...what to do I wonder... It's strange...to say but...the two of them...feel similar somehow. Quill and Mr. Harbinger. Like..mirror images...of the same face. And I want to see them both... Know...them both... I want to know...more and more..."

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Wait... what? ... I'm confused. Are you saying Harbinger is writing to you in your book? but he acts oppositely and uses the name Quill? How and where did you meet this Quill?! How does he not know that you met him?" Wren threw her arms into the air, exasperated.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yuki held a finger up to the elven woman’s lush lips and smiled cutely, “See....cret!” Her eyes sparkled playfully but it was clear to Wren the human woman had no intention of giving whatever it was away. Yuki turned, humming a little to herself, and she stretched out her hands to wrap long, perfect fingers around her knees, “Aww... Wren... Mr. Harbinger is...Mr. Harbinger. And...” She stared out at the pool lapping gently before them and her smile...seemed even more radiant,"Quill...is Quill. Mmmm.... AND what an AMAZING Quill he is! But definitely... DEFINITELY two... VERY DIFFERENT people. One might call them...complete opposites!” Yuki giggled suddenly, “What a thought! Mr. Harbinger writing in my journal. GAH WREN!!!!! I’d be mortified!" Though Yuki couldn’t help but laugh as she tried to imagine what the Priest of Loss’ entries might sound like. It seemed to amuse her to no end and she couldn't quite stop giggling, "No! No...Very different! Very different people.” Yuki’s voice was a little breathless but the giggling had stopped, “ ...but...even...if I say that... I'd also...have to say they're similar too...in the way...some people of a certain class are similar. Like...Mmm... A Light Prince...and a Dark Prince." Yuki smiled, "Make sense? They both have this...feeling about them."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren laughed suddenly and shook her head, nudging Yuki, "What is it with you and princes anyway?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Me?!” Yuki gasps and looks at Wren as if she was CRAZY! “Wren! Don’t you know it’s EVERY girl’s DREAM to marry a PRINCE!” Clasping her hands to her perky bosom, Yuki stared off into the clear blue sky of Hero’s Rest, gushing dreamily, “Handsome and brilliant an...and shining! The kind of man who can do anything!! Who walks with power...and confidence! As radiant as a sun! Who turns to you...and smiles, sweeping you away... On his great charger to a world of wealth and adorable little desserts and you live together happily ever after...surrounded by your beautiful and adorable little children! PRINCES!!! DEFINITELY PRINCES!!!” Wren could practically see the little hearts floating around Yuki’s shimmering, dreamy face. It was a girlish dream. Silly and...superficial... Just what kind of bedtime stories was this girl raised on to feed such a thing. It was...almost criminal! The expectations...they had planted there... “I did mention the cakes, right?! Yup! Every human girl dreams of marrying a prince! And becoming a princess!”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren giggled and just shook her head. Such a strange dream... wealth and little desserts... I bet Annaisaru would add some heavy details on what it's really like to be a princess.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yuki laughed and glanced at her friend slyly, “Mmmm...but if I were to be completely honest... For me...Love is the ultimate dream... A rare and epic Love...with a rare...and precious man. The kind of love that only happens once...in a lifetime... Untouchable... A love to make others happy AND envious...Prince or no...this is what I want...most. My most precious dream...” And her fingers tapped Wren’s hand, “...and you... You have it, Wren...” She smiled happily, “...isn’t that just great?!”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren sighed softly and leaned against her dear friend, "He makes me feel very special, Yuki, and happy. I truly hope you get to find the perfect match for your precious dream... maybe it will even be with one of your dark or light princes..."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She smiled softly, with a more serious look, "Sounds like you have quite the conflict of interests... Does your heart pull you to either of them?"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“...my heart...” Yuki bit her lip and sighed, slumping against her friend’s shoulder, “...I wonder...” And it didn’t seem to Wren like the girl had any answers...

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yuki sat up suddenly, shaking her pretty head, “But there! I have spilled all of my greedy heart to you and you have told me nothing! NOTHING!” She tugged at her friend’s sleeve, “How are you managing it, Wren! Kale...and..” Her eyes widened, “...Voorhi?! ON THE SAME SHIP!! Didn't you become...ah...'close' to the Kithkin in Valparia? How...is...ah...Kale handling it all? And...what about that other thing! Has he...er...uhm" And it seems to the witch that Yuki was just about to ask her if Kale had proposed but, at the last instant, reconsidered...given the glaring It seems as if Yuki is about to ask whether Kale has proposed marriage yet, but at the last moment she seems to reconsider in light of the Winterrowd-Medici wedding reception misfortune... She would have to build up the elf's faith in the wonderfulness of weddings SLOWLY! Carefully! BUT IT COULD BE DONE! SHE JUST KNEW IT!

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The mysterious witch stared at her for a moment and then smiled, "Kale is perfect. Sweet and patient as always. We had a nice long walk on the beach before Erevin set us in motion to return to the elven lands in a hurry. He growled a little when I hugged Vhoori in greeting when we got here, but he always intimidates those who get close," she laughed softly and shook her head, "It will be fine, I'm sure... Vhoori really is great. We did grow close in Valparia. He's curious and warm hearted. I could just listen to him talk for hours. I need to see how he's taking to being on the ship." The kithkin had become precious to her, sharing secrets, showing trust, fighting together...The memory of Vhoori’s kiss on her lips still left her feeling a little confused... that had never happened before... and still... he gave his life to save the man she was in love with. What kind of man does that? Did he do it for her? Did he do it because of love? Because somehow the love he seen between her and Kale reminded him of his own love with the woman that he lost? Wren seemed lost for a moment in her own thoughts, confusion in her eyes.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Mmm... It's good then." The young priestess nodded, if not a little carefully, "That he has a friend like you nearby to ease his journey." It wasn't lost on Yuki that her friend was sharing very little of her heart with her today... She remembered how Wren had cried out when Voorhi had died.... It was not the cry of someone who took relationships with others lightly and surely the two had grown close on Miranda before Wren’s reunion with Kale. Yuki, herself, had mixed feelings on this...but it was never a priestess' job to judge. Only to Love and Love some more. And she loved her friend very much. Uncertain what to say next, an awkward silence seemed to grow between the two friends...each in their own thoughts...and secrets...

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Inali snuck in quietly, neither of the girls noticing her stalking as they were busy in their own silent thoughts. She pounced a grasshopper right in between them, spraying water out from her fur as she landed. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren threw her hands up defensively against the water, "Ohhh Inali!" Inali chittered gleefully and glanced back and forth between them, she gave her fur a good shake, spraying more water over both of them.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren squealed and threw her hands back up giggling, "Stop it!" She was laughing too much to sound like she meant it.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yuki too had thrown up her hands trying to block the mischievous little fox’s water spray! “INALIIIIIIIIIIIII!” She cried, giggling from the suddenness of it all!

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Inali barked at her a couple of times and then grabbed the grasshopper and trotted happily down the bank. It curled around her lip, and bit her nose. She rubbed her nose with her wet paw and sneezed popping into her adorable fox girl form. She ran around in the creek, naked, back to chasing the fish.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren looked over at her about to remind her about clothes, but remembering they were safe in Heroes' Rest with just the three of them, she just laughed calling after her, "You did that on purpose!" Inali looked back over her shoulder and flashed a wide grin at both of them before splashing about again, giggling as she chased the fish.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yuki shook her head and laughed, “...Oh! See if I sneak you any more treats! Aawww! Clever girl. She really is impish isn’t she! I’d forgotten how adorable she looks in girl form.” Yuki’s fingers itched to dress the little fox girl up and take her out to a proper party!. “...what I could do with her hair!”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren laughed softly and laid quietly on her back, putting her hands behind her head, "I hope Vhoori can be happy on the ship, Yuki, I worry for him... He's already had so much hardship in his life... he deserves a place that accepts him. I hope everyone can love him as one of us... if you haven’t spoken with him yet... he has this rumbling purr that just... kind of makes you want to purr back at him." She grinned.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yuki’s eyes widened just a little and she laughed, “Oh Wren! The things you say! Purring?!” But she recalled the Kithkin really did have a charming accent. She could understand a little of what Wren meant.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Oh! but I almost forgot! I found out a secret about my father's line that i knew nothing about... it kind of makes me want to meet him again," Wren glanced around the area and placed a finger to her lips and laughed, "We would never have the relationship that you have with your father, of course, who I can't wait to meet by the way. ...but it would be nice to see him again, I think."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Er! AND Why not!?” Yuki had sat up, cross-legged,, “...I...mean... I know things are...well...complicated with Raven and the coven and everything but...doesn’t he love you? Lots and Lots!! Shouldn’t you...get to talk to him and have all your questions answered! And know lots of things about him because, witchy things aside, isn’t he...an important part of who you are too? AND if you found out something more about him doesn’t that mean you found out something new about YOU too!!!! Ack! I want to know! TEEEELLLL MEEEEEEE!!! What did you learn?! Is it exciting!? It’s not something boring, is it? Oooh! Maybe it’s that all his family are hunted by water too!!! Evil water!”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren burst out laughing at the thought of evil water hunting her family line, "Nooo... no... nothing like that, though that would be very funny to learn..." She giggled again and shook her head. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"I learned that I have a faint bit of dragon in my blood! Isn't that exciting?! And it has to come from my father's side!" Wren grinned excitedly before placing a finger over her lips once more, "but shhh it feels like it should be a secret until I know a little more... but I wanted to tell you and Kale. I love dragons... so fascinating."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yuki’s eyes clouded over with confusion, “...faint...bit...” Then flew open wide, “...OF DRAGON BLOOD?!?! WHA?! DRAGON?!!!!!!! What does...THAT...MEAN?!” Yuki looked at her friend as if she expected her to suddenly sprout wings and scales.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The raven haired witch blinked wide golden eyes of innocence at her.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“WREN! Ah...er... THAT’S MUCH BIGGER THAN BEING HUNTED BY WATER!” She clamped her hands over her mouth, realizing she was speaking way too loud and much too excitedly. “...what...what does that mean? er...I mean...How much is...’a bit’...? And...ah....WHAT KIND OF DRAGON?! Not one of the evil ones, right?! I mean...you’re not going to suddenly start spewing acid like...ah...er...Azarius. Ah! Not that he’s a dragon but! Or! Or! Hoarding treasure like...that one on the pirate island? (You can’t have my diamonds, y’know!) How...? How could you know this?! I mean you don’t look dragonish at all!!! Are you really sure it’s true and someone’s not pulling your leg?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren laughed and shook her head, "Relax... I just found out about it... it doesn't mean that I just obtained it. I'm sure dragon blood didn't just jump inside me. It's been there all along. I'm the same Wren that you already know. It's not like it's going to instantly change me... and he said it was very faint, but there... and it was someone I trust, so I believe him... Apparently I tapped into it with a spell. I didn't really get many answers that day... I don't know what kind or really what it all means... still so much to learn. But it was a little exciting, you know!" She smiled happily and laid back watching the clouds over their heads.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yuki nodded. Throwing herself down on the grass beside her friend, she stared up into the sky, “...Regardless Wren! I love you! Even if you became a scary, acid, lightning-spitting, SCALEY hoarding dragon! We’d still be friends! But...don’t you think this makes an EVEN BIGGER reason for you to...talk to your father? I mean...being...er...”a bit” dragony - WHATEVER THAT MEANS!!!!! - is a really big family revelation! Imagine what else don’t you know?!”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren giggled, "Well IF something crazy like that were to happen... hopefully it would all be a spell and I'd still be me, just larger, scalier, and with a tail and wings... that wouldn't be so bad, right? Your very own best dragon friend... how would that be to intimidate the people that like to bully you?" Wren laughed.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“YEAH!” Yuki thrust both her fists upwards, pumping them into the air, “TAKE THAT AXTON!! HA!"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren laughed, amused that he was the first person that came to Yuki's mind... What about all of those petty priestesses that are so mean to her? He really must be such a tyrant when they're alone.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"er..." The younger woman suddenly glanced a little uncertainly at her friend, "Ah. You WOULD tease Axton for me, wouldn’t you Wren? I mean I WOULDN'T WANT YOU TO HURT HIM OR ANYTHING but....” Yuki’s eyes became dreamier, “Somehow...I’d REEEEEEALLY like to see ‘that guy’ go toe to toe with a dragon... Maybe THAT would finally take him down a notch or two! Yeah!"

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren giggled, "No, of course not... well... not unless he gave me a REAL good reason to." She looked over Yuki, "You don't really want him to go toe to toe with a real dragon, do you? like fight against a mean one? like... the lava dragon?" Wren shuddered as the memory of Kale falling to the ground in a burnt heap vividly flashed in her mind.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yuki stretched her arms out and over her head, murmuring, “...no...of course not...

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">But even as she smiled, the human woman couldn't keep the concern out of her voice. "...y'know...I'm really surprised he's coming with us again...” She murmured softly, “...I was almost certain he'd say no. But... He didn't." She frowned a little, "I wonder...if it will all be...ok...”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Clearly, Yuki was feeling a little uncertain about traveling with her senior again. To say she wasn’t worried would be a lie. The handsome priest had almost died...the last time he’d traveled with all of them... And while each of them had their own share of blame in that, the young priestess of Sune felt especially responsible. Would he have still carried the map back to Lyrabar if ‘she’...hadn’t asked him to? She laid an arm against her eyes, shielding them from the sun... ...of course... What was she thinking... Of course, he would have. Axton was Axton... As much a hero as any one of them or more. AND, her overactive imagination aside, she knew how little she influenced...the decisions he made. Hadn’t he been fated to face that trial...just as he had been destined to survive it. All...under the watchful eye of their blessed goddess... And the chances...of something like that...happening to them all again... No. It would be fine. Her bigger worry was protecting her fake Scroll of Power from Axton’s clever nose! And Amynta. She had to protect Amynta. If the senior priest found out her friend was sneaking out to be with Dominic, what would he do... Turn a blind eye...or punish her soundly. SHE HAD NO IDEA! So! Better to avoid the whole thing COMPLETELY!

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"I'm sure it will all be fine. I don't plan on taking any powerful lich possessions this time... and if there really is some sort of war against the drow, I'm sure that you and Axton and Amynta will be safe inside the city healing." Wren smiled at her reassuringly.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren sighed, "But with the secrets that my mother keeps, who knows what else I could find out... I'm worried about her, you know."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Wren?” Yuki turned to look at her friend, “...you...you were worried? But...you haven’t said... Oh Wren...” And she reached out and took her friend’s hand, squeezing it tightly, “...I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were worrying about your mother AT ALL. B...But! ...this is Raven! She’s...very...ah...Mm...formidable, right?! And scary powerful in her own right. I MEAN SHE TURNED CROWE (!!!!!!) into a SHEEP!!!! Is there really anything that could touch her?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren laughed softly, "She is a woman of wisdom and power... the sheep was nothing really... but something really made her waver... my mother is very calm and controlled... if something is big enough to throw her off... I should be very worried."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">She became a little quieter and thoughtful, staring into the clouds above, "I'd like to take a little time to go to the coven while we're so close... see if there's anything there to tell me where she's gone off to and if she's alright."

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #c27ba0; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Of course, you should!!” Yuki squeezed her hand again, “The coven is YOUR home! YOU HAVE TO! If I was as close to Waterdeep as Myth Coramanth is to your Raven’s Nest, I’d INSIST on GOING HOME TOO! Plus...I really want to see where Wren grew up! I want to meet your family and see your favourite things! AND YOUR ROOM!!! And where you learned all kinds of things! Doesn’t it sound like fun?!” The priestess of Sune chatted along happily, her voice warm and excited, “I really, really want to see the things...that make Wren...’Wren’. SO! You mustn’t sneak off and leave me behind! K?”

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #3d85c6; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wren nodded to her, "I'd love to show you. I know you don't really like the woods... so I don't know that you'd enjoy the coven so much... but I think you'll love the city in the trees. It's quite magical."