Dead - Charlie 7
        by Stormy is Editing  (stormlyht@Writing.Com)
[Introduction] Continued from Dead - Charlie 6
Stormy is Editing    "Well, let's get the one thing we might be able to completely agree with done first then. I don't want Sana coming. I feel that she isn't up to this. I think it's way too much for her and she's unstable right now. I can't even tell her the whole story." He paused to see if Warah would be willing to agree with that at least.


Warah sighed and nodded. "I can understand why you would feel that way. You've already told her she could go, didn't you? She's really worried about you, and she wants you to be safe."

M    "There are a few reasons I think it will be okay so long as you don't keep pressing the topic in front of her. One of them is that I suspect I'll just go, without fully realizing that I am. That is one of the many reasons I don't think I should promise to take you, either. I don't like breaking promises even by mistake."

Stormy is Editing    Warah thought about that for a moment. "Yes, I can see how you would feel badly about that. Do you really think you'll just go without any realization you're doing so? Eos stopped you in the past, do you think he won't do so again?"

M    Charlie shrugged, "I believe he will stop me until he thinks I'm ready enough, or until he gets sick of it."

*Is that accurate?* he asked Eos.

Stormy is Editing    There was a small snicker, *More or less,* Eos said.

"I see, so it's a matter of his judgment," Warah said, smiling slightly. "Well, let's just keep hoping he has good judgment when it comes to this."

M    Charlie nodded, "Judgment or patience I think. Next, I'm starting to suspect that the unicorn dislikes anyone who feels like those who killed her people. They were extremely corrupt, but I think lesser signs disturb her too and I think that in her current state she might lash out at you. From what you've told me I believe that may be what's happened to her former rescuers."

Stormy is Editing    Warah was silent for a few minutes before replying. "I can see that. It would make a certain amount of sense for her to be particularly sensitive to things like that. So you think that it's possible that she might lash out at me simply because of how not innocent I am at this point."

M    Charlie nodded, "It's not personal, but you've lived a long time. The longer you live the less innocent you become. I've actually begun to worry about waiting myself as I happen to know I'm not as innocent today for example as I was the day she first contacted me. On the other side of things I may need trained gifts to help her. So I have to train." He sighed, "Yes, I think it's possible, and Warah," Charlie moved then, so that he could look into Warah's warm eyes, "I'd love to have you come with me. I really would."

Stormy is Editing    Warah smiled, "I believe you." He sighed then, shaking his head. "What I honestly don't understand is how this is going to work out in your favor. Maybe it will simply be that you'll have such strong allies, maybe you won't need them because of your own innocence, and maybe you'll be fine because of your other gifts, I don't know. What I do know is that I'm worried about you going, and I'm afraid you're not going to come back."

M    Charlie nodded, "It isn't as bad for me. I certainly don't want to stop existing, but if I did I suspect I wouldn't know. That's why it's less scary to face alone and more scary with people, but if Sana comes you must as well. Then the two of you can look after each other. I'd be devastated if I lost either one of you."

Stormy is Editing    Warah lightly ran his hand through Charlie's hair and nodded, "Alright, if we both come with you, I'll make sure we're looking out for each other. Honestly I don't want to approve in any way with what you're saying, but I can't see any reason to not agree. If you can take us, you will, and if you don't, you can't and well, I can't expect anything else out of you. Just promise me one thing, alright?" He held Charlie's eyes. "Promise me, no matter what happens, you'll think of yourself before you think of the unicorn."

M    Charlie thought about it, then nodded, "Alright, I promise. I'll think of myself first, then the unicorn."

Stormy is Editing    Warah took a breath and nodded. "Alright, then whatever happens, happens. I just hope you come back to us if you end up going alone."

M    Charlie smiled, "I intend to. In fact, I'll be returning with a traumatized unicorn so you had better be ready for me."

Stormy is Editing    Warah snickered, "I see, the unicorn will be more traumatized than you huh? Well, you're probably right after all."

M    Charlie hugged Warah briefly, then backed away. "Now, who did you loose to the unicorn that was close to you?" he asked softly.

Stormy is Editing    Warah relaxed a bit away from Charlie and looked into the flames. "His name was Eldren, he was working under me. He had heard about the unicorn for years, and he was interested in it. When his animal speech gift grew on him, he was so excited about it because he wanted to meet it and kept hoping it would contact him. He was amazingly bright, and kept everyone moving along at quick paces, kept them happy and motivated. I really liked him," Warah's voice became somewhat distant as he talked.

M    Charlie nodded, watching him. He knew this was hard, but he'd sensed earlier that it was something Warah really needed to talk about.

Stormy is Editing    "He was the one with Pyra," Warah said, somewhat mockingly. He looked at Charlie for a moment, then turned back to the fire. "He really loved to research, he helped me all the time with the projects and such, he always had good input for me. I think that's what is the hardest thing of all, to know that he won't give me any new leads on things I'm working on. He was alive for hundreds of years, and helped me through them all. He wasn't innocent, but I think that was mostly because of things that happened when he was alive, less because of things that happened when he was dead. Although the research didn't help." Warah gave a snort.

M    "Hm, you know, I could be wrong about the innocence. It's just a theory based on the given facts. There's no good way to test it." Charlie sighed and put a hand over one of Warah's. "I'm sorry, I know it must be hard to talk about it, but you've been thinking about him ever since you found out the unicorn had spoken to me, right?"

Stormy is Editing    Warah nodded, sighing. "Yeah, I have been. He was so strong too. I mean that in so many ways, I just don't know what happened to him and it makes me so sad. He was excited about the prospect of helping an endangered species. He wanted to be the first person to bring hope to people when it came to the unicorns. He really, really loved helping people." Warah shook his head then, turning his eyes to Charlie. "I think you are right about the innocence, at least I suspect you're more correct than not. He... had had a lot of things happen to him and he had a temper, red haired people always do, and he could sometimes become violent when it came to his temper. He didn't mean to harm people, but he did some times."

M    Charlie nodded, "I have red hair too you know?" He just felt he ought to point that out. He also liked helping people, but he thought it might be best not to point that out.

Stormy is Editing    Warah grinned at Charlie, "I'd noticed that little fact about you."

M    Charlie tilted his head to the side, "Are you partial to redheads Warah?" he teased and asked at the same time.

Stormy is Editing    Warah winked and nodded, "Indeed I am partial to redheads, how could you tell?"

M    "It could be because I've uncovered two men I believe you've cared very deeply about and they're both redheads. Now my hair, on the other hand, is much closer to orange then red, but in the traditional sense I think I still count. That makes me feel I should get this unicorn rescue done soon, before you get too attached to me." He grinned and winked back, but his heart beat ridiculously fast at the thought of being close to Warah. His mind had some very interesting ideas about the way they ought to get close too. He hadn't meant it that way, but a part of him wanted to know if Warah had been close to them in that way as well.

Stormy is Editing    "I see, you think your hair is orange huh?" Warah took a bunch of it in his fingers and twirled them. "I think you're right, and it doesn't really matter if it's closer to orange than to red." Then he got serious and let go of Charlie's hair. "And I do seem to get attached to people that leave me, you're right."

M    "I think that might just be the nature of the job." Charlie pointed out, "I very much doubt you carry a special curse, or redheads die more often." He put his hand through his own hair. "My mother called it strawberry blond. Does it look like strawberries to you?"

Stormy is Editing    Warah shook his head, "Not at all," he said, grinning a bit. He leaned forward and sniffed at it and then took a few strands in his mouth and nibbled them. "Doesn't smell or taste like strawberries either, in case you were wondering."

M    Charlie laughed, and it felt so good to laugh that he didn't stop for a long while. "That felt good," he said finally, "laughing."

Stormy is Editing    Warah nodded, "Good, I like it when you laugh. Your laughter has a good sound to it. You've been so strung out for so many days that I was beginning to wonder if you were still moving from nervous and hyper energy or because you really wanted to be moving."

M    "Well, I have been hyper focused on unicorn rescue operations. I'm glad we came here Warah. It really feels like a vacation. I even get a fireplace and someone to cuddle with." Charlie moved close enough to cuddle.

Stormy is Editing    Warah laughed and pulled Charlie close in a cuddle, "Like this? Happy?"

M    Charlie nodded against Warah's chest, "Very happy."

Stormy is Editing    Warah laughed again, the rumbling rolling across his body. "Oh good, I'm glad I can be of service." His hand rose to Charlie's hair and he started stroking it softly. "There, relax."

M    It was easy to do, although there was that odd warm tingling in has body again. He felt content. There was an odd desire for something more, but he wasn't certain of exactly what. It really was enough to just be in Warah's arms and feel Warrah's long, nimble fingers running through his hair.

Stormy is Editing    He didn't know when he fell asleep, but after what seemed like no time at all, he felt himself being lifted up and carried up some stairs.

"Where are you going to put me?" he could hear Sana asking.

"You can stay in my bed, I'll sleep on the couch."

"I wish he could have gotten rid of the bats tonight," then a Sana sigh, then, "Oh well, he's not had a really restful night in days, it's no wonder he fell asleep on the couch."

"Go on, use my room. I'll see you in the morning."

Then Charlie was being placed in a bed gently, and covers were pulled up over him. Somehow he had a strand of hair in his hand.

"Let me go Charlie, so I can get some sleep too."

M    "Mm," Charlie protested unreasonably, "stay." He wasn't sure what made him say it, it just sort of fell out of his mouth.

Stormy is Editing    Warah chuckled, "Oh? Becoming demanding of my time Charlie? I shouldn't sleep here you know."

M    Charlie's eyes opened slightly, "No?" He yawned, his eyes falling closed again. He did not release Warah's hair.

Stormy is Editing    Warah chuckled again and lightly ruffled Charlie's hair. "No huh? You really are demanding my time. Why on earth do you want me to remain here?"

M    Charlie sighed and pulled the hair a bit closer, "Warah," he sighed.

Stormy is Editing    Warah decided sighing was acceptable in this situation and he did it himself, pulling a chair over to the bed with his foot. "Honestly Charlie," he said, his lips curved in a smile, "The things I'll do for you."

M    Warah was no longer leaving, that was good. Charlie drifted off to sleep again, feeling very connected to the world at large and not at all alone.

Stormy is Editing    He had a dreamless sleep and woke to the feeling of someone tugging something out of his hand.

M    "Hm?" Charlie released it and looked at Warah, blinking in confusion. "Warah?"

Stormy is Editing    "Yes?" Warah said, a grin curling the edges of his lips. "Go back to sleep, breakfast will be ready in an hour." His hair looked ruffled and one side of his face was a bright red.

M    Charlie blinked at him uncertainly. "Bats?"

*Did Warah sleep in that chair all night?* he asked Janus.

Stormy is Editing    *Yes he did. His head was next to you on the bed the whole time.* Janus crawled up Charlie's body and licked his face. *Morning sunshine.*

"You'll have to take care of them tonight, or they're gone, I don't think Sensana has woken up yet."

M    Charlie blushed, "Sorry, I didn't want you to have to sleep on the couch, but I doubt the chair was any better. You shouldn't have let me do that to you."

*I must have been really tired. It felt nice though.* He shook his head and blushed a bit more deeply.

Stormy is Editing    "It's alright, don't worry about it, I got plenty of sleep. I'll come back when breakfast is ready." Warah smiled and brushed his hair back from his face, slipping out of the room.

*He looks very cute when he sleeps, he really does.*

M    *Does he? I wish I could have seen.* Charlie felt like his innocence was rolling off in sheets these days. He shook his head. *This can't be good for me. My mother would send me to church daily if she was around to see it.*

Stormy is Editing    *Your mother didn't know what was right and wrong Charlie. Don't let her beliefs influence what you think is right.* Janus licked his cheek again and then rubbed his head on Charlie's cheek. *I don't think you're losing your innocence by leaps and bounds.*

M    *No? Are you better at judging this than me? You know I'm starting to have some thoughts about Warah, and I bet you do know some of the ideas that have crossed my mind. They weren't very innocent.

Stormy is Editing    Janus snickered in Charlie's mind. *Well, alright, I admit the kissing and... stuff, isn't so innocent. But I also think that it's normal, so it can't be all bad, right?*

M    Charlie sighed, "I hope we're back to lessons today. I need to finish training and some of it hasn't even begun. I need to finish it before I end up trying to follow up on any of those ideas."

Stormy is Editing    *I'm sure you're back to lessons today, isn't that what they said? Rest for a day, then work the next?* Janus stretched out and yawned. *Besides which, they wouldn't make you wait too long.*

M    Charlie stretched as well, then got up and went to the bathroom for a quick wash and new clothes. Once he was clean and dressed in fresh clean clothes he headed to Sana's room to see if the bats had evacuated it last night as requested, or not.

Stormy is Editing    Most of the bats were gone, there were however, three that remained attached to the ceiling fan. Janus snapped his jaws. *Want me to bite them? They don't look rabid.*

M    *No, I love you too much to risk it.* Charlie reached up and jostled the bats to wake them.

*You have two choices now,* he told them as they woke. *You can leave or move to my room, but tonight you'll have to be on your way and you cannot stay in here.*

Stormy is Editing    One of the bats bared it's teeth. *We have no desire to leave, this is our home. We've been here forever, you have no right to make us leave.*

M    *Well, I could offer to help you with the move, but only if you are nice to me as well. Warah, who is much older than you, has been in this house much longer than you have. I know it has been empty to your memory, but to his it is still his. I will let him deal with you if that's your preference. Everyone else has been much more reasonable, but it's up to you.*

Stormy is Editing    *This is our space, we'll not be moved by mere humans.* One of the other bats flew down and landed on Charlie's head.

*I'll go, where's the other room?*

M    Charlie smiled, *A good choice for a healthy day of rest,* he told the bat. *I'll carry you there. Neither of you want to join us?*

Stormy is Editing    Neither of the other two budged, and the one that had been speaking to Charlie thus far snorted, *I'll cause you problems the whole time you try to force me out.*

M    *I won't try to force you out. That's not what I do. I was trying to prevent anything unpleasant from happening to you.* Charlie left the room, taking the remaining bat to his own room and carefully shutting the blinds and curtains.

*Here you are. Do you need anything? Or is it just time for silence and sleep?*

Stormy is Editing    *Silence, sleep,* the little bat agreed, fluttering off of Charlie's head. It landed somewhere near the ceiling fan and hung, seeming to be content with it's new position. *I'll find the others tonight. I'm sorry for causing trouble.*

M    *It's okay, sleep well.* Charlie smiled and closed the door, leaving the little bat in peace. He headed downstairs to find Warah.

Stormy is Editing    Who was cooking breakfast. The delicious scent of pancakes was coming from the kitchen, and there was bacon and eggs frying in a separate pan. He looked up at Charlie and smiled. "Good morning, how are you feeling?"

M    Charlie breathed in and eyed the bacon. "That smells so good!" Maybe he could eat some bacon. Just one slice? What was the problem with him and meat anyhow? "I'm afraid I'm going to have to leave the two bats left in Sana's room up to you. They are planning to make trouble and don't want to leave for any incentive." He smiled, "I'm the good guy, so I'm afraid you'll have to play bad guy." He sat down to watch Warah.

Stormy is Editing    Warah turned an evil grin at Charlie, which just looked silly on him. "Grrr... I can be bad guy!" Then he returned to his cooking. "I'm glad it smells good, you can eat as much of it as you want."

M    Charlie laughed softly, "I still think you'll do better than Sana, she'd just walk in and scream, slam the door and panic. Could I try a piece of bacon? I mean when the food's ready."

Stormy is Editing    Warah smiled and nodded, "Of course." He flipped a few more pancakes and then started piling them onto a plate. It looked as though there were blueberries in the pancakes. "Here, try a bit," he said as he put the plate of bacon strips on the table. The pancakes followed and so did a plate of scrambled eggs.

M    Charlie reached out and broke a piece of bacon off then he nibbled at it. It was salty and pleasant, just as he remembered it, but as it his his stomach he knew that it was hopeless. He offered the remainder of the piece to Janus.

Stormy is Editing    "No go?" Warah asked, smiling. "Feel free to pile some eggs and pancakes on your plate, I'm going to go wake up Sensana." Warah put a plate, knife and fork in front of Charlie and started out of the room. Janus took the piece and nibbled on it.

*It's wonderful!* Janus said as he took another bite.

M    *Yeah, I love bacon, well, I used to anyhow." Charlie filled his plate and began eating, sharing his meal comfortably with Janus.

Stormy is Editing    Warah was down next. He took the seat next to Charlie and started loading his plate with food. "So, are you ready to go full throttle today?"

M    Charlie nodded, "More than ready. When can we get started?"

Stormy is Editing    Warah chuckled, "When breakfast is done. I thought it would be good for you to see with your magic a person's body."

M    "This is related to healing right?"

Stormy is Editing    Warah nodded. "Yes, you should be able to see how a person's body is from the inside. I'll show it to you and explain how the body works, that way you not only get to see it, you also get to see what makes it."

M    Charlie nodded, he had a feeling Sana was going to be his body of study.

Stormy is Editing    Sana was down a few minutes later, looking awake, dressed and ready to tackle the day. "Good morning!" she said cheerfully to Charlie as she sat down and started putting food on her plate. "How are you feeling this morning?"

M    "Not bad. I should warn you that there are still two stubborn bats in your room and there's a rather nice one in my room. He'll be leaving tonight."

Stormy is Editing    "Oh, excellent," she muttered and sighed as she started eating.

"I get to play bad man and get rid of the ones in your room, so they'll be out by the end of this morning, I promise." Warah grinned at Sensana, who cringed.

"Excellent, I think."

M    Charlie shook his head at Sana's reaction. "It is excellent. They deserve to be ousted in a less than friendly manner."

Stormy is Editing    Sana nodded and sighed again.

When breakfast was over, Sana started on the dishes, and Warah went upstairs, returning in five minutes, a smile on his face.

"Well, they're gone, and I don't think you have to worry about them coming back," he said cheerfully.

M    "What did you do?" Charlie asked, equally cheerful.

Stormy is Editing    Warah grinned madly, "I told them they'd be my next research subjects if they were back tomorrow morning. They took of right away when I released them. Oh, I'd been holding them magically so they couldn't move, that way they knew I could do what I threatened."

Sana giggled, "You didn't!"

"Oh yes," Warah said, "I did!"

M    "Excellent," Charlie was glad it had been so easy and he was certain Warah had enjoyed himself.

Stormy is Editing    The next couple of weeks went by much quicker for Charlie than he expected. From that point on, both Sana and Warah filled his time with lessons on his different gifts. Warah helped Sana with her mindspeech lessons, and Sana helped with healing. Some afternoons Warah would take Charlie out into the forest and have him help the wildlife, and Sana would talk to him from the house at the same time, to extend his gifts. When he was used to working with his animal healing, Warah showed him how to heal plants as well.

It was exhausting, but also very interesting, as he learned to recognize different types of plants just by the feel of their life energy. He learned how to look at each person's magic and see what elements they use. He was beginning to become very familiar with the human body and he knew how to accurately pinpoint a single virus in the bloodstream to eliminate it.

In all this time, he rarely got a chance to read Warah's diary, but when he did, he found that Warah rebuilt the town, overtook the Academy with the people remaining from the village, and they started changing it's rules. That was when he first started working with Loki, who became a friend and strong ally. He also read how Warah continued to learn about his mind healing, and Warah would point out many of the things Charlie had found out in the book, during their lessons.

It was a few days into the third week when Charlie had another dream of the unicorn.

He was standing in a field of flowers, and in the center of them was a small white glow. When Charlie walked closer to it, he saw that it was a tiny horse, possibly just born, the glow a circle around it, as though it's white body was creating the light. An eye opened and blinked up at Charlie. *Hello? Who are you?*

M    *Charlie, it's very nice to meet you. You're tiny right now.* Charlie smiled at the unicorn.

Stormy is Editing    *Am I? I'm just a newborn. I've only been here for a day. It's very bright, but I like the sunshine. What are you doing here?*

M    *I'm not sure, but I think I'm sharing in your memories to be honest. I'll meet you again when you're older. I already have actually, but you wouldn't know about that.* He reached out a hand to the little unicorn.

Stormy is Editing    Cautiously it reached out it's nose and sniffed at Charlie's hand. When nothing happened, it reached forward more and lightly nuzzled him. The fur was soft as silk and light under his fingers. Charlie felt as though everything in the world would be perfect somehow, as though there was nothing evil at all that could harm him. *So this is a memory for you, I'm giving it to you? Why would I do that?*

M    Charlie shook his head, *I don't know. You have been through a lot before I meet you in the future, and you've asked my help. I've been training hard so that I could come and rescue you, but in the meantime, once in a while, I see a bit of your past like this. Right now I'm asleep and this is like a dream to me. You're very soft, like silk.* His voice trailed off as he pet the unicorn gently. *I wish you could stay happy like this forever.*

Stormy is Editing    *Am I no longer happy?* it asked, nuzzling Charlie and whinnying a bit. *That feels nice!*

M    *In this time you seem very happy. I'm glad.* Charlie settled on the ground next to the unicorn and pet it gently.

Stormy is Editing    *You glow, did you know that?* it asked, as it leaned into the petting. *It's like a light silver glow, and it surrounds you, you feel rather warm, and... light. I bet I don't understand what that means yet, and I will some day. I'm excited to learn about things.*

M    *Learn as much as you can and enjoy the company of the other unicorns. Those are very good things for you to do while you're young. You'll see me again someday, and if this is really happening you'll remember it.* It was nice to be there and he didn't really want to leave.

Stormy is Editing    The unicorn's tongue flicked out and ran across Charlie's arm. *I will, I hope I remember this when I meet you again. You've got such a warm glow. It's like being born again.*

M    Charlie smiled, *I don't know, but I think that must be my magic.*

Stormy is Editing    The scene flickered and paused, and Charlie could see it all, even though he was outside of it.

*It has to be you,* it was the same voice, but older, more desperate. *I've been looking for someone with the silver glow forever. It must be you. Why has it taken you so long to return to me? I've been waiting for you for so long, so very, very long.*

M    *Time isn't always linear,* Charlie replied, *it always seems that way of course because that's the only way our minds can cope with it. At least, that's what my science teacher said.*

Stormy is Editing    As the rest of the world surrounding Charlie remained stationary, the voice continued. *So I met you in my future, my past, and yet, it's all your present, and future. Or something like that? Are you really him? Are you really the one I've been waiting for? I don't want to be alone anymore, I'm so tired of being alone.* Now the voice seemed sad, somewhat lost, and not so much desperate, as defeated.

M    *I hope I am, I intend to rescue you and keep you safe until you heal as well as you can. What happened to the others? I know others have come to you.*

Stormy is Editing    *They were bright, but none were bright enough. I called to them, and they tried to come to me, but they never could get close enough. Some were dirty,* the voice got strangled and angry on the word "dirty". *I can't stand dirty.*

M    *But their souls disappeared,* Charlie responded softly, *some of them at any rate. Many people mourned those who never returned. Do you know why they couldn't come back when they failed to reach you?*

Stormy is Editing    *No, they were gone,* sadness etched the words. *They were all weak, soft, yet dark. There was something wrong with them all. I didn't know what had happened to them except that they stopped talking to me. Then there was someone else, and it went on like that. I don't understand, and I feel so lost.* Charlie could hear crying in the voice, the soft tones slowly having made their way to the higher pitched tones of a female. *I hate feeling this way.*

M    *I understand, that's why this needs to be the last time someone comes to you. I have to get you out of there. There are others who want to come with me...* he fell silent, wondering if she would say anything on her own.

Stormy is Editing    *Others? Those who wish to help you, or help me?* she was very edgy, Charlie could tell she didn't want "others" to come with him.

M    *They are worried about me I think, because of the past. I am worried about both you and them.* In the dream he smiled, *it's fine if you don't want them to come, but I don't know if I can fully prevent them.*

Stormy is Editing    *Are they... important to you? Are they more important to you than... me?*

M    *They are important to me, they are not more important to me than you,* Charlie replied calmly. *You aren't doing yourself any good getting all riled up about it either.*

Stormy is Editing    *I'm not riled up!* The voice filled Charlie's mind.

*I'm... not riled up...* it was softer this time, sadder, more confused. *I just want to see the sun again.* Charlie could feel the sadness, the sorrow in the voice. He could see as the forest changed into a translucent version of itself, a darker set of tree's behind it. One pulsed with life, the edges of it silver and shimmering. *I want out.* The silver tree seemed to vibrate with life, pulsing an outline of a human shape, curled up on itself, it's arms wrapped around its legs.

*I'm tired of being alone. I'm tired of living like this. If you aren't the one, somehow I'll start a fire... I won't live like this anymore.*

M    Charlie looked inward to that for Welkin and Eos. *I want to go,* he said firmly, *objections?*

Stormy is Editing    Two figures were suddenly beside him. One was Eos, the same white blonde hair and green eyes he was used to seeing, although this time his robes were dull brown, and the other was green haired, blue eyed, and also wearing dull brown robes.

*We will come with you, we will protect you,* Eos said.

*We won't let harm come to you, we are your spirits,* the other figure, Welkin, said. Eos came closer to Charlie and took one hand, while Welkin took the other.

*You have to create the pathway yourself,* Eos said, nodding at Charlie, *You have it inside of you. It was created when she contacted you the first time.*

*The path will feel familiar, coldly warm, and incredibly sad. This is what she is to you.* Welkin's eyes smiled at him, even though his face did not move. *It's alright to find the path slowly, you have all night.*

*Wait!* came another familiar voice from behind Charlie. *I'm coming too!* The weight of a small body flung onto Charlie's shoulder, and Janus was there as well. *I don't know how much help I can be, but I'm going too!* Janus licked Charlie's cheek and his eyes shone. *I'm not going to let you do this alone.*

M    Tears sprung to Charlie's eyes, *I'm never alone anymore.* His heart was warm with that knowledge. He thought he'd seen the path to the unicorn before. It had been a thin, silvery river.

*I know what it's like to be alone, although I no longer am,* he told the unicorn. *I am ready to come to you now. I won't let you die as you suggest, no matter what.* He'd thought of himself first as he'd promised Warah. It didn't fulfill the spirit of Warah's request, but it fulfilled the words in his promise. Now it was time to think of the unicorn and only the unicorn, and to save her from the lonely darkness.

Stormy is Editing    The river sprang into life in front of him, silvery, like tears flowing from somewhere. Nothing else existed except for that river, and the four men that were together.

*That didn't take long,* Eos said, smirking. "I didn't expect it to, but that was a very quick materialization." His words, that Charlie was still more used to hearing in his head than through his ears, were more than a little impressed, and amused.

"Yes," Welkin's voice was a light sound, flowing through Charlie like a wave of hope. "He has gotten much stronger in the past few weeks than you could have expected. You simply haven't been paying attention."

Eos' hand tightened a bit on Charlie's. "I have been paying attention," he protested, and Welkin smiled slightly.

"Shall we?" he asked Charlie. "I believe we need to follow it to it's source."

M    Charlie nodded and began the walk along the flowing, silvery river. It felt like a river of tears. He followed it at a brisk pace, not wanting to wear himself out, but not wanting to delay either.

Stormy is Editing    The river got smaller as he walked, until it was a very small stream. The surroundings became dry ground, still burned looking tree's dotted the landscape. A small breeze and the scent of decay and waste washed over them.

"Awful," Eos said, looking around.

"The Hilden Forest really became nothing," Welkin agreed. "I didn't think it was this bad."

In the distance, a small clump of tree's came into view. The stream seemed to go right through it.

M    Charlie nodded heading for the clump of trees. *I wish we could do something about it. Surely it should be recovering eventually.* He'd been here before, he tried to keep his stomach in check as he tried not to step on anything other than dirt.

Stormy is Editing    Moss grew around the base of the tree's, small vines of some variety grew up the trunks, and as he followed the trail of the river, it narrowed again, weaving through the ground, until it stopped. It was flowing directly from a tall, wide, silver tree. The leaves sparkled in rainbow colors, and the base of it was like marble, smooth and shiny.

*You've come?* her voice said, and Charlie could feel the heartbeat of the tree pulsing through him.

M    He nodded, *I've come. Do you know how I should retrieve you without harming you?*

It was the final puzzle, and one he'd spent many hours debating. The tree was above the unicorn, was it also part of her? As he waited for her answer, he stretched out his healing to look at the tree and the area below.

Stormy is Editing    *I don't know. I don't understand what happened to me.* Her voice quavered a bit and the leaves on the tree shook in a nonexistent breeze.

The tree, and the area around it, was all one living organism. He could see a small bit that was like the core of the tree, underground, where the river was being created from. The core was gold, and threads of it flowed through the whole tree.

"It's so complex," Eos whispered in amazement. "It's hard to imagine she could have done something like this."

"I believe she is part of the tree, so if you injure it, you injure her." Welkin let go of Charlie and moved around to the other side of the tree. "Interesting, the bark over here is shaped like a horn."

M    Charlie moved to Welkin's side and studied the horn. "She is... all of this?" He sought out the blue field of energy she was wrapped in before being buried.

Stormy is Editing    "She is all of this," Welkin agreed, motioning to the whole area. Charlie found, as he was looking magically, that the blue field of energy was surrounding the whole area.

*Help me,* she said plaintively. *Please!*

"He's working on it, calm down already," Eos snorted out. "She's so impatient."

The horn shape was exactly like that of a unicorn's horn, silver gold and spiraled, about a foot in length. It was as though the bark itself had created the pattern, instead of it being carved or placed there magically.

*Hurry, please! They're coming! I don't want to be here again for it!* her voice was frantic now, frightened and desperate.

M    *Wait, what?* Charlie's mind said to no one in particular.

*What do you mean they're coming again?* Charlie really had no idea what to do with a unicorn that had become a... no, several living things.

Stormy is Editing    *I mean they're coming!* her voice screamed through him, and the forest seemed to reverberate with the scream. *They always come! They always try to stop people from reaching me! Please! Please!* It was as though something ripped through his soul, a wave of anxiety and an image formed in his head.

Black and sharp claws, red eyes, lumbering but quick bodies, blood dripping from sharp toothed mouthes.

The tree pulsed again, and the horn in front of Charlie seemed to be moving in time to a frantic heart beat.



M    Charlie tried not to sigh. It was just like a case, too little information too late. He refused to panic.

*Janus, keep your eyes out for those.* He felt the edges of the energy field.

"What if I were to break the energy field?" He looked back and forth at Eos and Welkin.

Stormy is Editing    Eos shook his head, "No good, if you break it, you'll be destroying the whole atmosphere here."

The horn pulsed, it's glow calling to Charlie.

"Perhaps there's some simple answer here," Welkin said thoughtfully, watching the world around them. "How confident in your animal healing are you?"

*Noo! Please stop them, they'll destroy me too! It's so painful to die by their hands!*

M    *They are not here, I do not see them.* Charlie move forward and lowered his hand onto the horn gently.

Stormy is Editing    *Aaaahhhh!* she screamed, and the horn got incredibly hot under his fingers. The roots from the tree wrapped around him and held him, pulling him towards the tree. It was so quick, Charlie didn't have time to think, to understand what was going on, and he was pushed through the trunk of the tree.

"You got through," came a very shy voice. Charlie was now in a pool of warm, thick goo up to his chest. All around him was dark brown and silver, as though he was in a cave that was alive, little silver lights floating around him. The liquid he was in was incredibly hard to move in, and from the little light, he couldn't see who was talking to him.

"How is it that you, of all the people that have come to help me, managed to find me?" A hand lightly brushed across Charlie's cheek. Charlie could barely see the form of a girl, upper teens, with long platinum hair and minty green eyes through the lights. "You're the Charlie, aren't you? The one from my childhood, the one that warned me away from the creatures when they came to slaughter us."

M    "I... did, but for me that was after I'd met you." He studied her, extending his healing again. Was he technically inside her now?

Stormy is Editing    He could feel cracked, frayed, decayed and incredibly damaged parts floating all around the place he was in. "You... you finally came... came to me..." a hover of sanity, then, "You finally came!" He could feel the tears overflowing. The goo raised up his body, coming dangerously close to his mouth and nose.

M    He reached out with his animal healing, fast.

Stormy is Editing    *

He was looking down at a bright white horse. It was bleeding from a thousand cuts, bruised all over, and it's forehead was gushing blood like nothing he'd ever seen. *I'm the last, aren't I? And I haven't even matured yet.* A self depreciating laugh. Charlie's healing reached out without him even telling it to move. *Ahh.. there's no need for that, I'm going to die anyway, I've been bleeding for far too long. Did you see it? For a long time, it was like there was a bright silver glow, and it warmed my heart for so many years.* A sigh, *but that time is up...* A green eye looked at him, *Wait... you're...?*

M    *I'm Charlie and I will not let you die.* Charlie put all of his determination into his animal healing. He had to save her.

Stormy is Editing    He found that the cuts and bruises healed very quickly, so the majority of her body was gleaming white, while it's forehead continued to bleed. Charlie couldn't find what was wrong with it, it seemed as though there was a hole, but it wouldn't close.

*So warm... you feel so warm to me. You've really done what you said you would do. I'm very happy to have met you again. I don't understand what's wrong with me though. I never matured, so why do I have this pain in my head? There isn't a horn there, right?*

M    *No, but I saw your horn,* at least he'd seen a carving of it.

*Janus, can you hear me? Are you okay?*

Stormy is Editing    *Fine! Charlie, you won't believe what's going on out here! The tree's all grew in together and formed a wall around the main tree. Well, I say tree, but it really isn't anymore, it's just a bright, shining horn. Where the hell are you now?* Janus sounded so excited, it was hard to feel as though he was in a dark and dismal place.

*Charlie, I think that there is some significance to the shape of the horn. Usually a unicorn's horn is a simple spiral of gold. Sometimes, it is silver, but the general shape of it is always the same. For some reason, the horn in front of us now, is more of a twisted braid of silver and gold, well, silver, gold, and every other color. It seems as though the third strand is a mix of each and every other color in the world. Does that make sense?* Eos said.

M    *I hear you Eos, but I have no idea what it means. The thing is, she needs that horn.* Charlie put his arms around the unicorn and looked around him. *Does anyone have any ideas about how to get it on her?*

Stormy is Editing    *I could try to touch it?* Janus suggested.

*No!* came the combined voices of Eos and Welkin.

*Ooohhhkay...* Janus said, his voice sounding rejected. *Well then.*

The unicorn nuzzled Charlie. *What's wrong? You're heart is beating so fast. Are you scared? For me?* The mint met his blue and held them. *I feel as though we are a part of each other somehow. A hole in my heart is being filled. It's so warm.*

M    Charlie smiled fondly at the unicorn, *I'm worried about your horn. I don't understand the nature of this problem.*

*Perhaps if she and I were out there, then the horn would be available so to speak. Is that possible?*

Stormy is Editing    *It is possible, however I'm not sure how you'd get out here. There is no tree anymore, just this glowing space where the horn is floating.* Welkin sounded as though he was trying to figure out some great puzzle.

In his arms, as his animal healing was still spread out through the unicorn's body, he could see it pooling around her forehead. It was as though his magic was bonding with her body somehow.

*Hey, the horn is unraveling!* Eos said in surprise.

A small bit of silver and gold and every color in between started to form around the blood.

M    *I think that's a good thing,* Charlie ventured, glad his magic knew what it was doing at least. Charlie encouraged his magic, nudging it onward.

*How do you feel?* he asked the unicorn.

Stormy is Editing    There was a soft giggle, *Lightheaded. I feel as though something that has been denied to me for so long is finally being granted. Does that make sense?*

*I do too,* Welkin agreed. *It seems to be falling into itself somehow.*

*Yes, as though it was being formed somewhere else. Is she getting her horn?* Eos asked.

As the moments went by, more and more of the horn seemed to be growing from her forehead. It was a spiral, not a braid, but the strands of it was multi-colored.

M    Charlie sent an image to Janus. *She's beautiful, isn't she?*

Stormy is Editing    *Waa! She really is! Really, really!* Janus said excitedly. *She's so beautiful! Do you think this is it? Do you think that the whole thing is as simple as it just being the right person?*

*I don't think so,* Eos said, although there was a hint of happiness to his voice. *If it was that simple, why did the other's become so warped or dead?*

M    *It may be the return that's hard,* Charlie replied, *or the creatures she mentioned.* One thing was certain, he was pouring healing into her, so he was using plenty of his own energy.

Stormy is Editing    It happened much quicker than expected, the completion of the horn. The very tip of it seemed to shine like the sun when it was finished, and Charlie had to blink several times to get the spots out of his eyes.

"Hey, careful there, she's going to get cold," Eos' voice came from next to him. Charlie could still feel the weight of the unicorn on his legs, but now someone was moving it.

"No," a whispered voice, so familiar, yet so new.

"Shhh," he just wants you to be warm," Welkin's voice, on the other side of him.

Hands clutched at Charlie. "No, don't touch me." Charlie's eyes came into focus, and he found that same he had seen just upon entering the tree in his lap, naked and clutching to him as though her life depended on it.

M    "It's okay," Charlie told her, "Eos is only trying to help and you can trust him. I'm right here and I won't leave this place without you."

Stormy is Editing    "I won't touch you," Eos said gently, "But please put something on, you're going to freeze." Charlie realized that the temperature in the area seemed to be going down.

"You... trust this man?" she said, looking up at him, although her arms never loosened around him. "You trust him enough to trust me to him?" Her voice seemed very soft and small.

M    "I trust Eos enough to know he will not harm you, nor will Welkin, nor will Janus. They are all here to help me help you and I trust them completely." He continued to hold her closely, using his abilities to warm the air immediately around her a bit.

Stormy is Editing    Her eyes searched his for a while, then she nodded slowly. "Then I will trust the clothes he has for me." She let go of him and reached for the robe Eos had been trying to put on her. Then she looked at it in confusion, resolving to simply wrap it around herself.

There was a soft snicker from Eos and Welkin shook his head. "Here, will you let me show you?" Welkin asked her. She looked up at him for a moment, then nodded. He reached out a hand and she took it gingerly, allowing him to help her to her feet.

Her standing lasted all of about five seconds, her legs wobbled and collapsed under her, and she started to fall towards Charlie. To help her, Welkin wrapped his arms around her and held her so she wouldn't fall. She looked at him and then slapped him, struggling to get out of his arms. "I said no, don't touch me!" Her voice didn't raise above a whisper, but the air around them all got both icy cold and steaming hot. Welkin let her go, and she fell into Charlie's lap.

"Very well then," Welkin said simply, watching her. She glared up at him and they stared at each other for several minutes.

M    Charlie choked back laughter, mastered it and spoke. "He was only trying to keep you from falling." Then he put his arms around her and lifted her, helping her slip her arms into the robe one at a time. "I think we should go as quickly as possible." He looked at Welkin, "How do we leave exactly?"

Stormy is Editing    Welkin shook his head. "I'm uncertain about that." She tried to walk a step, then wobbled and fell into Charlie.

"This is... unexpectedly difficult," she said, her voice still the same, soft pitch. It was calm, as though nothing in the world could faze her.

"The creatures are banging at the tree's," Eos said, looking out into the distance.

*Charlie!* Janus said, leaping up Charlie's body and landing on his shoulder. *I think I've discovered something important!*

M    "It's alright, take your time," Charlie told her.

*What is it Janus?*

Stormy is Editing    *The creature's are trying to get through the tree's, but they can't!* Janus took several deep breaths, *because they can't get through the barrier that was holding the unicorn! Whatever spell that girl put on her still holds them out.*

"Difficult, patient," she looked up at Charlie. "The Charlie," she said, her lips forming a soft smile.

M    Charlie check to see if they were all within the barrier. *It seems our biggest problem now is how to return.*

He smiled at her, a bit uncertain about her tone. "I don't think this is a physical journey so much as a mental one. I suppose it would help if I had someone to lead me back." He thought for a moment. "Wait, the gift link with Warah!" Charlie hastily sought the link to see if it could be followed.

Stormy is Editing    As soon as he looked for it intentionally, it seemed to spring to life under his searching gaze. A strong and powerful link that led out of there, and off somewhere he couldn't see. But he could hear.

"I don't know where he's gone to Sensana, calm down, I'm sure Charlie is fine!"

"But he just disappeared! And he's been gone for hours! It's past lunch!"

"Sensana! Calm down, stop crying!"

*Yes,* Charlie heard Welkin say. *Yes, that's the road.* He felt hands on his back and arms circled his neck. *Take us home Charlie.*

M    Charlie nodded, holding the unicorn firmly. "Hold on everyone," and he followed the link.

Stormy is Editing    It felt like he was wading through mud. On the plus side, Warah and Sana's voices got louder.

"But I'm soooo worried!"

"Relax Sensana, he wouldn't do anything stupid. You know he's a bright, intelligent, honest, and careful boy. He hasn't done anything to make you feel like he's reckless or dangerous to himself or others, right?"

"No.. he hasn't." She sniffed a few times. "But then where did he go?!!?"

M    Charlie continued following the link. It was slow, but he had no need to rush. He wanted to, but he didn't need to, so slow was good enough.

Stormy is Editing    It was with an almost audible "pop" that Charlie, the unicorn, and his two great Spirits appeared in the living room of the cottage they were staying in. The two spirits remained in their human forms for all of three seconds before becoming a gigantic serpent and dragon which took up most of the space in the room.

*Oh this is just genuine,* Eos said, as he twisted around Welkin's tail, trying to get it off of himself.

*I find it rather close and confined, I can't wait to be attached to Charlie again.*

"Charlie?!" Sana said, her eyes popping out of her head as she looked over at him and around the room at the two large beasts. Warah turned a small smile on him.

"You did it, didn't you?" he said softly. In his arms, the unicorn trembled.

M    Charlie smiled at Warah, "yes." Then he looked at the two spirits.

"I didn't actually summon you but... do I need to, er, unsummon you?" He continued to hold the unicorn and said softly, "It's okay, we're safe for now."

Stormy is Editing    *No,* Eos said, and he untangled himself more from Welkin. *We just need to sort ourselves out.* It was only a moment longer before he disappeared and Charlie could feel his arm almost burn for a moment. Once he was gone, Welkin disappeared himself, and Charlie could feel that warmth across his back. The unicorn trembled more.

"Well done!" Warah said, clapping his hands lightly.

"Charlie!" Sana said in exasperation, "You went without me! I'm so glad you're alive, but that was so dangerous!"

M    Charlie looked at the unicorn, concentrating only on her. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Stormy is Editing    She buried her face in his chest. "T--th--ah--" her cheeks flushed. *They're sooo dirty!* her voice screamed in his mind. *She's a he, and touched by Satan! And he's got countless death's blood on his hands! Are these your friends?*

M    Charlie did not laugh, although it was a bit of a struggle not to.

"Sana, Warah, I'm sorry can you leave us alone for a bit? There wasn't much time and she's uncomfortable. I need to speak with her alone."

*They are, and I will explain. Please give me a chance to explain.*

Stormy is Editing    Sana looked at him concerned, "What's wrong?"

"Comeon," Warah said, grasping her by the arm and starting to tug her out of the room and up the stairs. "I'm sure it has to do with our purity or something. You'll have to keep us informed Charlie, I wish you luck." Warah winked at Charlie as he drug Sana upstairs.

"I don't understand!" Sana cried out, only slightly struggling with Warah.

When they were gone, she shivered less, but continued to hold onto Charlie. *You can explain,* she said softly.

M    *Good, thanks,* he took he to the couch where they could sit together. *How well did you master magic before you lost your people? If I let you see my memories could you page through gently? That would be the quickest solution.*

Stormy is Editing    *Oh? Um...* she sat next to him, keeping herself attached to him as she did so, but she wasn't shaking anymore. *Well, I can but... would you really want me too? I'm not... I never... it's not something I'm really good at.*

M    *Hm, well I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't willing, but if you've never done it before let me try offering the pertinent ones.* Charlie erected a light shield around them. It wasn't meant as a barrier so much as a warning of privacy being desired. He was certain the memories would only be available within it. Then he reviewed for her his memories of meeting and working with Sana and Warah linearly from beginning to present.

Stormy is Editing    She waited patiently through it all and then looked up at him. *So they're... your partner and... desire?* She blinked once after she finished.

M    *Perceptive, but not the whole story. I trust them, they are my friends, not because of what they've done or will do to others but because of how they treat me.*

Stormy is Editing    She became silent again and tucked her feet up under herself, pulling the robe over them. She leaned her head down and sighed. *I can't talk. I don't know how," she said finally. *And I can't trust them yet, they're still frightening.*

M    *That's okay,* he smiled at her, *they won't mind. Warah is very patient and will not harm you, he is primarily a healer, even if he is also a scientist. Sana, she's more worried about being alone than anything else. Your silence will be fine. Just... try to see the good in them if you can.*

Stormy is Editing    She nodded a bit, *How can I communicate? Will you teach me to speak?* She seemed so sad, and lost in that moment. She looked up at him, and her hair parted away from her face, which was why Charlie noticed for the first time the drop of dark red in the middle of her forehead.

M    *I will, although I think you could speak with them as you do me. Can't you? Or is this not exactly mind speech?*

Stormy is Editing    She shook her head, looking down again. *No, not exactly. I'm not speaking to your mind, but your heart. It is a subtle difference, but... I don't think I could communicate with their hearts.*

M    *What about Janus? Can you speak to him?*

Stormy is Editing    She nodded. *Janus is an animal, I can communicate freely with all animals.*

M    *Janus isn't exactly an animal,* Charlie said grinning. *Now let me just make sure you have everything you need to learn speech, like vocal chords and such.* He took a careful look with his healing.

Stormy is Editing    His conclusion was yes, she had everything she needed. It was somewhat underdeveloped, as she had never used her vocal chords, but it was all there, and in good health. It would take her a while to get used to speaking. *What is he then?*

M    "He is a familiar," Charlie said, "or more technically he's an elemental, he's bonded to me like the spirits which accompanied me but in a different way." Charlie sighed, "It's hard to explain."

Stormy is Editing    *Oh, like what I am then?* she asked curiously, looking up at him again.

M    "I don't think so, but I don't know much about unicorns really. Janus, is she like you?" He smiled up at Janus who was still on his shoulder.

Stormy is Editing    Janus licked his cheek, *Sorta. Not exactly, but not not either.* There was a sigh from his tiny body. *She's already bonded with you Charlie, like an elemental, but... it's different. I think it's because she's a real unicorn, but I'm not a real ferret. Since she's already a magical creature, she is outside of the laws that bind me. For instance, if you die, I doubt that she will.* She looked at Janus for a moment and then leaned forward, lightly licking his cheek.

*You're a Janus," she said seriously.

M    "Were you able to here what Janus said?" Charlie asked, grinning.

Stormy is Editing    She nodded, *I heard what the Janus said. I'm the same but different.*

M    "I think the first thing to do is for you to try to listen to talking, so I'll keep talking out loud to you as much as I can. After listening for a while you can try to talk as well. It will be difficult because it's new to you, but over time you'll get better at it." He smiled, "May I invite Sana and Warah back now?"

Stormy is Editing    She shivered lightly, but nodded. *So long as they don't get too close, I think I'll be alright.*

M    Charlie dropped the light shield he'd erected then called upstairs. "You can come down now, sorry."

Stormy is Editing    "It's alright!" Warah said, leading the way back down the stairs. "It's no problem." He smiled at them both and then took a seat in one of the living chairs, Sensana taking another one. She was wringing her hands nervously, and seemed close to tears.

"Well," she said hesitantly, "What happened?"

M    "I went to sleep," Charlie began, then he recounted his dream and his decision to follow the trail to the unicorn.

Stormy is Editing    Warah and Sana listened silently, and when he was done, Sana sat back and breathed. "I see," she said simply, not saying anything else.

"How do you feel?" Warah asked, looking at Charlie magically. "You should be exhausted, tea and some nut bars maybe?"

M    Charlie relaxed and felt a slight headache coming on as he did so. "Yes please," he looked to Sana, "are you upset with me? If the two of you were with me I don't know how I would have gotten back."

Stormy is Editing    "I'm not--!" Sana started, then looked at the small girl who was still clutching onto Charlie. "Of course I'm upset," she said finally. "But I'm not supposed to be upset. I am though, I really am. I was so worried about you, and I was afraid that you wouldn't be alright, that you'd never come back, or you'd come back broken, and that scared me more than anything else in the world." A few tears fell from her eyes. Warah got up, placed a hand on her shoulder for a moment, then walked to the kitchen.

"I know you're really scolding yourself Sensana," Warah said from the other room. "Don't be so hard on yourself, it's love I tell you, love." Sana buried her face in her hands.

M    *I got lost somewhere in the middle of that,* Charlie told Janus, *what's love?*

He studied Sana, baffled.

Stormy is Editing    Janus snickered in his mind. *I think she was worried about you leaving her,* he said, *and she feels guilty because although she was worried that you might get yourself hurt, she was also worried that you wouldn't be around for her anymore.*

*He is so strange,* the unicorn said, blinking at Sana.

M    "I am sorry Sana, I just felt like it was time. I'm back in one piece, so please don't be angry with me," Charlie smiled a bit sheepishly.

*He's been a very good friend to me.*

Stormy is Editing    "I'm not angry with you!" she said emphatically, then cried out in frustration, shaking her head. "I'm really not," she said more softly.

*He's still strange.* The unicorn continued to watch Sana, her eyes not blinking, and her body no longer shaking in the slightest.

M    *He's certainly not typical, but I like that about him. What strikes you as strange?*

Charlie smiled at Sana, "I'm glad."

Stormy is Editing    The unicorn turned her guileless eyes up at Charlie. *He's a he,* she said simply, blinking once. *Why on earth would a guy do that? He's even tucked under, that's just dangerous.*

Sana lifted her eyes to Charlie and wiped a few tears away. "I was so scared though. So many people have died, been injured, and told horror stories about her that... well, about finding her, so I've been sooo scared."

"Tea," Warah said from directly behind Charlie. "And your nut bars."

M    Charlie cast a glance back at Warah, immediately warmed by his nearness. He caught his eyes and held them for a moment.

"Thank you."

Stormy is Editing    Warah smiled, "Of course." He came around the couch and brought over a tray to place the tea and plate on it. "Here you go." He looked at the unicorn for a moment, then gave her a small smile. "What's your name?" he asked.

Next to Charlie, she shivered once and then tried to hold Warah's gaze. It was only a moment before she broke it, looking down in her lap. "Ah.. na.." she shook her head. *I don't have a name," she said to Charlie.

M    *You weren't named at birth?* While he was surprised Charlie had to guess that unicorns had a different idea of naming.

"She says she doesn't have a name," Charlie told Warah as he lifted the teacup and drank half of its contents. "I've promised to teach her how to talk. It will likely take a while." He took another drink then lifted a nut bar taking a small bite.

*Sana identifies best with female humans. He wants to wear their fashions and in order to look like a female he does these things. He enjoys dressing as a female it's like entertainment for him, fun, but it's also how he identifies himself as different. He prefers people to think of him as a she.*

Stormy is Editing    *I've noticed this strange tendency, but I simply don't understand it. And we aren't named until we mature,* she lightly figited with robe, her face flushing slightly.

"Well then," Warah said, smiling at Charlie and her. "Does she want to be named, or does she want to pick her name?"

M    *How does it normally work?*

Stormy is Editing    *Well, when we mature, we are blessed with a name. That's all I remember.* She looked for one moment regal and impressive, then the next, confused and sad. *I've never really been around for the naming ceremony.*

"Somethings wrong, what is it?" Warah asked softly. She shrunk into Charlie.

M    "Normally she would have been named at a special ceremony when she matured," Charlie explained, "but she's never actually seen one." He paused for a moment, then looked at Warah as a thought crossed his mind. "Warah, what ever happened to that agent who fell in love with her unicorn?"

Stormy is Editing    "Hmm..." Warah glanced at Charlie. "Oh, I'm not sure." He looked thoughtful for a few moments.

*There was an agent who fell in love with a unicorn?* she said softly, glancing up at Charlie. *How is that even possible?*

M    "I can't help but think that if the unicorn still survives that makes two where there is one. Also, another unicorn might be able to tell us how the ceremony works. Sana may I have Einstein please? Warah, can you remember the agent's name, or the unicorn's?"

*Is it not possible?*

Stormy is Editing    "Well," Warah blinked, "I can't remember right now, but give me a little while to think on it." He smiled broadly, "It will come to me."

"I'll go get Einstein," Sana said stiffly, wiping at her eyes a bit. "I'll be back."

*Unicorn's are love. It is unconditional. How can one love specifically? That is not possible.* She nibbled her lip. *I don't think.*


((procrastination works best when you have things that are interesting to read and write.))

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