Unexpected Guest

Claire at last found the energy to walk out her front door. She sat on the stoop, looking down over the ferns and grasses, lost in thought. She considered returning to Faerun - going back to her mother and marrying Ruthivan. It wasn't the life she sought for herself, but it wouldn't cause her the pain that seemed to follow her on Cruoris. There she could simply help her own kind, carry on the genetic legacy of Espers, and be at ease. Certainly, it would mean turning her back on her charges in Westbridge - giving up on aiding those that truly needed it - but anything was better than -

The sound of footsteps pulled her from her own mind and Claire looked over to see Gilean approaching. "Hello Claire. I hope I'm not disturbing you." There was nothing to disturb. Claire invited her friend inside and at his questioning, told him what had transpired. She looked down at the pack by her side and pulled out the orchids that had been given to her by Psycho. It was over. As she spoke, she removed the enchantment that kept them beautiful and fresh and tossed them into the fireplace. She hung her head as they rapidly curled and turned to ash.

The conversation quieted and so lost in her thoughts was she that Claire barely registered Gilean's voice, You know... I haven't had a chance to see this new house of yours. Do you feel up for a tour? She found the energy to rise and to show him the rooms of her house, as well as Emalia's grave in the back.

The small cottage did not take long to show. I must admit, I'm a bit jealous, Gilean said once they had finished. The accommodations at the temple aren't nearly so nice. 'If you would like you may stay here,' Claire offered. 'I have the extra room.'

Oh, no... I wouldn't want to impose...

'It would be no imposition. Besides, should I choose to go home, you might be able to purchase it for your own.'

Well, alright then. I will stop looking the gift horse in the mouth and graciously accept your offer.

Claire parted with Gilean, leaving him to move himself into the guest room, and entered the library. She sat there, surrounded by all of Emalia's old healing books, and suddenly had reality hit her. She just gained a roommate. She let out a long sigh and shook her head in spite of herself. Broken hearts were certainly not conducive to clear minds.

White Wolf Decided

I was pulled back into myself today. I cannot claim I was not annoyed by the appearance of the Priest with Sanria and her son - at least at first. It appears she and Colin forgive me. It is kind of them to seek me out to inform me of such a thing, but it does not preclude the fact that I cannot forgive myself. I not only took the life of one of her children, I lost myself in the search for knowledge - obliterating that basic of all rules for those who seek to learn.

The boy was very cute. He smelled like the woods, which seems fitting given that his mother is a sage. It was nice to feel the lightness in her heart at seeing him. Motherhood seems to suit her. I will never taste such things - though I am at ease with that fate. For what little bit of elven ability remains with me, I shall know through her the joys it brings. It feels so much like old times... when Sanria was happy.

The last comfort I am given is that the Priest will most likely not disturb me again. I changed forms for him simply to let him know I was in control of myself. Now? I feel I will finally be able to lose myself. Though it may not be necessary in the eyes of everyone else - it is a fate I have chosen and have no reason to prevent it. In the land of the bipedal animal, there is nothing left for me.

White Wolf Mistakes

The damnable priest again. I knew I shouldn't have done it, but I needed to show him that I would be fine, that living as a wolf would do nothing to impede my quality of life - he just lost himself. I admit, outside of my own kind, I've never met another who was transformed as a white wolf. He had golden eyes that glowed - I knew right away that he was different. One of those that we had left behind in the far reaches of the outer planes.

The way he took off, though - running from himself and his own knowledge. I am ashamed to let on that I enjoyed chasing behind him at breakneck speeds, but when he caught his leg in that trap, I felt all the crushing guilt. It was my fault. It *is* my fault.

I feel that to stay where I can be found is foolish, for he will certainly return to seek out my council. That is, after all, what he came for. To air his aching heart over some girl. He sounded like a child, but for all that I resent when it comes to Lady Sune, I long for that feeling. To be blindly in love, heedless to everything around you, with eyes for the one that makes your heart sing...

Ah, trifles. Mere trifles.

Visiting Kaliadra

Sanria stayed well back from the mouth of the small cave, holding Orn to her protectively as Gilean approached. The last thing she wanted was harm to come to the boy, and she couldn't help but think that if Colin were around, he might not be too happy in that she had taken their child to visit a potentially feral animal. Indeed, no sooner than Kaliadra appeared at the mouth of the cave, than Orn began kicking his legs, squealing excitedly to get at the large white wolf. 'Put him down. Let him come if he wants,' Kaliadra telepathed.

It seemed that Sanria wasn't the only one who disagreed with this suggestion. Gilean looked back at her, shaking his head no. Still, Orn continued squealing with high-pitched frustration. "We... can leave you be," Gilean said.

'PUT HIM DOWN,' Kaliadra telepathed.

Slowly, Sanria let Orn slide down her body and to the ground. As soon as his tiny feet hit the forest floor, he sped toward Kaliadra, latching onto her and gripping her white fur in his tiny hands - all without releasing his stick. 'He is pretty, Sanria. You don't need to be nervous. I can think a little now that he's not squealing.'

"You don't have to give up your life," Gilean said.

'I'm not giving up my life. I'm living it a different way.'

"Kaliadra..." Sanria started. "I'm not mad at you. I don't remember anything so, I can't be."

'I am content with you living your life happily,' Kaliadra telepathed with a chuckle. 'There's a lightness in your heart, that's for certain.'

Sanria held her breath still, nervously watching as Kaliadra winced each time Orn tugged at her hair. The little boy grabbed her muzzle and looked into the blue eyes, and Sanria's stomach clenched. When Kaliadra's paw went around Orn to pull him closer, Sanria fought not to rush forward. 'You should get him a dog,' Kaliadra telepathed.

"I will consider that."

"You could always visit him... if you didn't lose yourself," Gilean said.

At long last, Kaliadra rose and backed away from Orn. Though Kaliadra and Gilean still spoke, Sanria took it as her cue, taking Orn into her arms amidst the kicking and screaming protests the little boy put up. "Are you sure you're happy?" Sanria asked through the screams. "We're not mad at you..."

'I have nothing left for me, Sanria. Nothing but giving you the chance to finally live a life where you aren't... well... where you're like this for a change. I am pleased with that gift.'

"Thank you," Sanria said.

Sanria walked from the cave, sighing relief as Orn settled down and laid his head on her shoulder. She couldn't remember the woman - but it seemed Kaliadra had chosen a path that made her happy and had been pleased with Sanria's development. Whoever she was before, she had to have been miserable. Again, Sanria sighed relief. That part of her past was over. With a quick spell, Gilean sent them home. As she laid Orn in his crib, Sanria had a small smile cross her features. She had peace.