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 Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 12:36 am
It was a sudden and delicious thrill as she ran through the wood, the snap of leaves and branches under her feet, and the fresh earthy smell that rose from below.
She laughed, tossing her head back and leaving what had been awkwardness behind as she fled through the woods.
Action always had been the best answer to what ailed her.
She was so intent on her run that she almost ran headlong in to the duo of fishing enthusiasts.
Pulling up sharply she swerved, giving a slight gasp for her surprise. Then she stared at the two for a moment.
*...Cern!* she gave a sudden, happy exclamation and threw her arms around his neck.
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 6:22 am
Io blinked at the interruption, her dagger jumping to her hand as she turned, then she stopped, her eyes going narrow as she took in Shiva hugging Cern. Slowly she stood, grabbing the fish she had caught earlier. Then she turned, heading back to camp.
I'll just let you two get caught up. She called lightly, already out of sight.
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:12 am
Huh? Confused now, Cern was torn between dealing with the stranger clinging to his neck or talking with Io. He craned his head back in an effort to get a good look at the girl. Something about her was extremely familiar. That mask... Shiva? You grew up?
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 9:23 am
Io's voice brought her up short and she stared. *Io?* her voice was puzzled. What had she done NOW?
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 9:54 am
Nika followed closely behind Shiva as she ran, knowing that trying to pass her was impossible. She was faster then him, even though his legs were longer.
He watched her with an amused twinkle in his eyes. She seemed happy now. It was amazing the way something as simple as running could relax her.
He stopped abruptly when he saw her jump into Cern's arms, his eyes narrowing.
He caught the last few words Io had spoken, he shrugged the strange feelings away and searched for her, eager to see his daughter again, now that he remembered that much.
'Io? Are you there?
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:33 pm
Her hands unclasped from around his neck as the surprised happiness drained from her. *I-I'm sorry.* she apologized softly.
Stepping back, she looked into the woods where Io had gone. She hadn't meant to...interrupt. But she had.
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:40 pm
Astonished, Cern reached out a hand and touched the bare edges of her mask. It is you! You're all grown up! He hugged her then, picking her up and squeezing. Good god, and you got even prettier to boot!
Realizing Io was now actually gone, Cern turned in the direction she took, barely remembering to set Shiva back down. I'm going to have to check on her, make sure she's okay. And that she knows how to cook fish. The second realization, that Shiva had brought company, sank in. Have we met?
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:56 pm
*Yes.* she agreed, to his question about growing up. The compliment made her feel a little better, until he had mentioned Io again. *I'm sorry.* she repeated. *You should go see her. I didn't mean to intrude.*
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 9:11 pm
You weren't intruding. He patted her arm reassuringly. That would imply there was something to be intruded on. And I don't think Io sees it that way. He shook himself. Introduce me to your friend, Shiva. I don't think I know him.
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 9:25 pm
*oh!* she answered, eyes flickering behind. *Nika. Cern. And vice versa.* She smiled brightly *We were on the other side of the lake and were heading back because a strange ship landed. Was that you?(*
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 9:38 pm
Hello Nika. He waved at the young man. Yeah, that was us. Ed let me pilot us this time around. I can show you around it sometime, it's designed to function as a temporary home on hostile planets.
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 10:40 pm
Nika grinned at Cern and held out his hand, glad that he could finally stop watching from the sidelines.
'Hello Cern.' he nodded, realizing that there were so many others around camp he hadn't spoke with yet.
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2004 11:45 pm
*Cern has been away for a while. With EverDark.* Shi explained, realizing she hadn't facilitated this very well. *He left suddenly and without saying good-bye. But it's not like there wasn't a good reason. I think we all would have liked to have responded as quickly if our guardian needed us to.* she turned and smiled at Nika, covering up her emotions more easily now that there were others around.
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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 5:34 pm
He shook Nika's hand firmly and released.I wanted to say goodbye. But you saw the shape I'd been in at that point. Not exactly able to convince ED I had to say my farewells. He sighed. I did a lot of damage by leaving like that. Hopefully, now that I'm home, I'll get a chance to work out some of it. Always hopeful, he gestured towards the path Io took. Shall we make a group of it and head back?
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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2004 8:45 pm
*I wasn't blamin you, Cern.*Shi answered. *But you really should go talk to Io. She's upset now, and that's not what I wanted.* Taking his hand firmly and Nika's as well, she pulled gently *C'mon. Nika, you're starting to shiver, and I don't blame you.*
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