| abstract
| - Cozy Room A small sitting room with a sofa covered with plain brownish fabrics, a central knee-high table and a semicircle of small straightback wooden chairs for the children. A ladder leads up into a loft, while an archway leads into the kitchen. A pot-bellied ceramic fireplace sits on a raised dais in one corner, a black stovepipe jutting up to the ceiling. The room smells of warmth and comfort. Contents: Exits: A brownish sack-like tent is draped over three chairs that have been clumsily arranged into something resembling a circle. Barely seen in the shade of it is the small pudgy form of Danos who's painstakingly doing *something* inside. Gabri has placed all her stuffed animals on the couch and is serving them lunch, which consists of paper cutouts and bits of string. "Oh, I'm so happy you could all join me," she says. A curly black-pated head pokes out from the tent, a grubby finger poked into the cupid-bow little mouth. "Gabi wan' gwapes?" Danos scrambles out, dragging a sorry bunch of plastic grapes that have long since had their day. Gabri takes the offer in stride. "Oh, look, Mister Oogly," she says to a big eyed plushie. "It's the grape man! Say thank you to the grape man!" Danos giggles as he trots over to his sister importantly. "Why Mistah Oogwy so dirty?" he demands, staring at the grubbish plush bear intently. "Bathtime!" Gabri gives the bear a close inspection, then says, "Hey! You're the grape man, not the bath man! You wanna be the bath man now?" Danos jumps up and down, clapping his hands. "Oooh, me bath man!" He giggles, cherubic little face pinkish and smudged. Laron arrives from Kitchen . Laron has arrived. Cimi arrives from Kitchen . Cimi has arrived. Gabri nods, then proceeds as planned. "Hey look! It's the bath man, Mister Oogly!" Laron continues shaking his head as he wanders in, "Nope, I'm not tellin! its a surpise!" Cimi continues tugging on his clothing, "Please? Please?" She whines ingratiatingly. Danos bounces over to the makeshift tent - a brownish piece of material draped over a clumsily arranged circle of three chairs - and dives in. He emerges triumphantly with a large tub almost bigger than him, beaming. "Bathtime bathtime!" he chants. Laron shakes his head turning around, "if I told ya, it wouldn't be a surprise no more!" Cimi pouts and then catches sight of her twin. She gives Laron a quick hug again and bounds over to Danos, "Danos, Danos! It's birthday.." Gabri shakes her finger at the big eyed stuffed animal that must be Mister Oogly. "It's bathtime, Mister Oogly an the bath man is here!" Danos has just set down the large tub when Cimi bounds up. "Bardee!" he giggles and enfolds his twin in a roughish bear hug. "Cimi Fiiiiii-ve! Danos fiii-ve!" Laron steps towards them, "Danos' got a present too." he tells Cimi in a whisper, "But SHHHHHHH" Gabri smiles as she sees her little sister and big brother. "Hi hi!" Cimi claps her hands over her mouth, and giggles, "Shhhhh!" She repeats, and grins up at Laron. Laron giggles conspiratorially then looks up towards Gabri, "What ya doin?" Danos proclaims very solemnly as he pats Cimi's cheek clumsily with a grubby hand, "Me big. Cimi big. No more baby. Wheee!" He then reaches out for the plush toy named Mr. Oogly. "Cimi, gi'bath! Mr. Oogwy bath!" Cimi says, "'Eave oogweylon, Nos. 'Ron oldmai biah seket.." Cimi speaks in Twin...bouncing up and down on her toes. [OOC: Leave Oogwy along, Danos. Laron told me a big secret..] Gabri grins. "Givin dirty ol Mister Oogly a bath." Danos's big blue eyes grow wide. "Oooh. Seket, 'Mi teme-oo. 'Nos'anna noo!" He clutches Mr. Oogly to his chest and dashes off to the tent excitedly, bouncing. [OOC: 'Ooooh. Secret, Cimi tell me, I wanna know.'.] Cimi laughs and darts behind Laron, "Nope!" She says proudly. Danos's little forehead wrinkles. "Nos'anna noo!" he repeats stubbornly, stopping in his tracks and stomping a pudgy foot. His lower lip pouts. Laron turns around in a circle to face Cimi, "What are you two doin'?" he asks. Cimi rises on her tiptoes to whisper to Laron, "Danos wants to know the secret." she confides smiling sweetly. Laron grins and turns on his heels shaking his head, "Nope." Gabri pouts, then says with authority, "They're talkin' that baby talk again." Laron looks towards Gabri and smirks, "That's 'cause they're BABIES!" Laron skips back from where Cimi and Danos are to distance himself from their onslaught. Danos stomps again. "Me wanna kno'!" he repeats for Laron's benefit. His lower lip pouts further. "Mi vaya meeenoooh." He trails over to Gabri, turning his back deliberately on Laron and Cimi, putting the rather squashed Mr. Oogly in the tub. At that, he looks up. "ME NO BABY!" he shouts, stomping and giving chase. [OOC: Cimi tell me I wanna know.] Delar arrives from Loft . Delar has arrived. Laron laughs and runs behind a kitchen chair, "Then why can't you catch me, huh baby?" Delar climbs down the ladder, sure of himself despite the burden of a book tucked beneath his left arm. Laron is standing behind a chair teasing Danos. Cimi looks at Laron, big eyes filling with tears and lower lip trembling as he deserts her. Laron catches a glimpse of Cimi in the midst of his taunting of Danos, "Awww, don' cry Cimi." Gabri walks over to Cimi. "Silly boys. Let's go have lunch with Mister Oogly, Cimi." Danos chases after Laron, his wide blue eyes as teary as his twin sister's. "Me no baby!" he shrieks, fists flailing as he attempts to catch his big brother and pummel him. "Laron vey MEANIE!" Laron's teasing abruptly stops at the sight of his sister's tears. Misha comes in from the kitchen, her curly hair tied high atop her head. In her arms is a very large basket of food which she places on the round table. "Alright now, that will be enough of that. I would hate to leave any of you here." Ephoso arrives from Street . Ephoso has arrived. Cimi sniffles a little and looks at Laron, the comically serious expression of the betrayed on her face. Laron's attention is diverted as Danos begins his pummeling, "Sto'..sto'!" he grabs a hold of Danos's arms turning himself so that he stands behind him, Danos's hands one held in each hand and crossed in front of him, "Sto'!" he repeats before hearing his mothers voice. Ephoso steps into the house. He manages a weak smile at the sight of the bustling children. Laron doesn't let Danos go, instead whispering into his ear. Laron pages: "I sorry Danos..I was just playing, you not a baby.." Laron then releases Danos after whispering, he turns his attention towards Ephoso after a glance at Cimi and runs towards him, "Da'!" Hands on her hips, Mother crosses the room like a drill sergeant. "Alright, who is ready to go and who is not?" Danos pouts just a bit more before his pudgy little face lights up and he giggles. The switch between injured innocence and sweet little boy is almost startling. "Me love Laron-oooh..." he proclaims before darting away and taking Cimi's wrist. A little wrinkle appears on his forehead. "Cimi, ooh no-cwy-meoh?" he coaxes clumsily. [OOC: 'Cimi, don't cry please?'.] Laron begins urgently, "Me an' Eb where ridin' aroun and..and we, we went EVERYWHERE." Ephoso chuckles at Laron. "Yes, so I heard from Edanazzar." He looks to Misha. "The time is right, I think." Gabri beams as she looks down at Cimi. "We're goin' on a tri-ip! Me me me me!" Laron continues, "But..but when we came back the buggy turned." he pouts a bit, "And we weren' strong enough to pick it up." he continues, "no no..I gotta tell you something." Laron says, "And umm......" Cimi bites her lip and then nods, smiling. "..not a baby.." She says firmly. Then kisses Danos's cheek and proves the adage about twins and five year olds being worse than tornadoes and pounce to hug Gabri. "Trip! Trip!" Delar regards his father with the solemnity of his age and worry, a frown playing at his lips. He moves to set his book on the table beside the basket. Misha puts a finger to her chin theatrically. "New let me see... We have the picnic basket. We have the food.... I must be forgetting something" Danos takes Cimi's lead and pounces towards his mother. "Me me me me!" he chants, giggling. Laron gets a look of hard concentration in his eyes and looks up, "And....and someone tol' me I was supposed to tell you somethin'...." he looks down, the lines of hard thought still on his young face, "But...I think I forgot.." he says apologetically looking back up. Ephoso smiles faintly at Laron, then looks to Misha. "We have no shortage of children, so - food, children...hmmm." Laron turns to face Misha and the others, his instructions forgotten, "Something about not forgetting athension I think..." he says to no one in particular. Misha looks around the room, scratching her head. "I just know there was *something*..." Misha glances at the twins. Gabri whirls Cimi around in a dance. "Tri-ip! Tri-ip!" she chants over and over. Ephoso nods slowly, pondering. He strokes his chin. "Baths?" Danos wraps his little arms around Misha's legs. "CIMI FIIIVE! DANOS FIIIVE!" he shrieks, his wide blue eyes sparkling. "Bardee! Cimi, TOYtoytoy!" Misha smiles crookedly. Delar wrinkles his nose, "We'd only get dusty travellin', Da." Ephoso begins patting the jacket he's wearing, which seems somewhat unusually bulky, despite his fireplug shape. He gasps. He reaches under the jacket and pulls out two boxes, wrapped ornately in shiny paper bound with pink and yellow bows. "Ah, now I remember!" Cimi's eyes shine and she gets very very quiet. Danos squeals and dives towards Ephoso as opposed to his twin sister. "TOYS!" He pounces on his father, jumping up and down with excitement. Laron grins as he sees the presents and steps away from Ephoso, giving the twins a chance to pounce him. Misha's eyes turn to Delar, gently reproachful. Quietly, she says, "It IS their birthday." Ephoso holds the presents in each hand, as if weighing them, and then is forced to juggle them as the children begin to dangle from his arms like moss from an oak. "Misha, dear, perhaps we should adjourn to the commons so they might open their gifts?" He chuckles. Cimi remains holding Gabri's hand, eyes getting wider and wider. Danos stops jumping up and down abruptly. Solemnly he fixes Ephoso with big blue eyes. "Da?" he ventures, frowning with comical seriousness. Ephoso glances down at Danos. "Yes, boy?" Danos tilts his head, tousled tight curls awry, one grubby finger poking into his mouth. "Da' don' be sa'?" he says, tugging at Ephoso's pant leg hard. "Cimi an' Danos birt'daaaay." A pause then he tugs again. "Me love da'." Misha bends to heft the large basket of food. "Breathers, everybody." Her fingers graze the book that is also on the table. "What is this you are reading, Delar?" Gabri lightly swings her arms, including the one attached to Cimi. Ephoso manages a warm smile at that, then ruffles Danos' hair. "Just a gloomy day out, lad, is all." He nods to Misha, and tucks one of the presents under an arm so he can don his own breather. "You heard your mother," he says, his voice muffled by the plastic. Delar smiles finally, eyes shifting towards his feet, "/My/ birthday present. The last one." Cimi tugs at Gabri, whispering, "'Ri...that toys for me?" She points toward the package. Gabri nods. "One's for you an one's for Danos." Laron runs off into the kitchen as they all begin donning their breathers. Laron heads into Kitchen . Laron has left. Laron arrives from Kitchen . Laron has arrived. Danos scurries to Delar. "Lar, hel' me get bweather?" he enquires tugging at his oldest brother's leg. Laron returns shortly afterwards at a run, a breather being placed on his face as he runs towards the others. A sad, wistful smile crosses Misha's soft features She nods wordlessly, hoisting the basket up onto her hip. Cimi smiles and giggles. Gabri gently tugs on Cimi, leading her to the basket. She puts Cimi's on first, then her own. Delar ruffles Danos's hair, a bit roughly, "OK." He grabs two breathers, one for himself and one for Danos. He regards his younger brother with a slighted smile, "Can you put it on yourself?" Danos nods solemnly, puffing out his little chest in an imitation of Delar's own. "I big now!" he proclaims, holding his hands out for the breather. Dark eyes somehow distant, Misha watches the exchange between brothers. Ephoso puts an arm around his wife, squeezing her gently. Delar's smile broadens, and he proffers the breather to Danos. "Alright...But I'm still gonna check, OK?" Laron grins watching the two, then looks towards the ladder his eyebrows narrowing for a sec. He takes off for the ladder disappearing upstairs for a moment. Misha allows herself to be guided toward the door. "Cimi, take hold of my skirt, please. Danos, you hold your brother's hand." Cimi moves over to her mother and takes hold of her skirt. "Mama..." she says to herself in a singsong voice. Danos's proud, if cheeky grin appears as he takes the breather and, with some difficulty, eases it onto his face with portentous solemnity. "See!" his muffled voice sounds, the beaming smile visible and triumphant even with the breather. Misha says, "Yes, Dear?" Ephoso yells, "Laron, lad, let's go." From Loft , From Cozy Room , Ephoso yells, "Laron, lad, let's go." Cimi smiles up at her mother, "Nothin'..." She says, and leans against her mother. Laron scrambles down the ladder, "Where's Eb?" he asks jumping down. Gabri watches her little sister take her mother's skirt tail, then looks down at the ground. Ephoso arches his bushy brows. "A good question. Did you tuck him under the sofa again?" Misha pats Cimi on the head, then moves her own breather over her mouth. "Gabri, you come stand on Mommy's other side. We're leaving now." Laron breaks into a grin and shakes his head, "I think he's being a sleepy head. I woke 'em up early." Ephoso chuckles softly. "Ah, for your daredevil spin through town?" Delar leans dawn, checking the breather to make it's secure..."You got it, yeah. Lemme get mine." Carefully, he arranges the breather on his features. Danos grabs Delar's wrist as soon as his oldest brother's done with his breather. "Trip! Trip!" he chants, jumping up and down and swinging the arm that's holding Delar's. Laron grins a bit embarrassed, "We didn't go THAT fast." he lies. Gabri smiles and rushes over to hold the other side of Misha's skirt. Ephoso nods, then opens the door. "Come along, rascals." Delar says, "Take my hand, 'Nos, if you want." Cimi begins to sing happily, her voice clear and sweet.. Misha heads into Street . Misha has left. Gabri heads into Street . Gabri has left. Danos needs no invitation as he promptly slips his fat little hand into Delar's. "Me big!" he says proudly, tugging at his brother. He joins his twin sister singing, his own suspiciously angelic. Cimi heads into Street . Cimi has left. Street Squat houses and shops line the street of the town that has been your home all your life. One of the houses, with whitewashed walls, wood roof and a fenced grassy yard, is the one where you sleep, and where your mother tells bedtime stories, and your laughter echoes in the rafters. The street keeps going toward the commons. Contents: Specialist Cimi Corporal Gabri Citizen Misha Delar arrives from Cozy Room . Delar has arrived. Along the street, several groups of robed figures file toward the commons. Ephoso arrives from Cozy Room . Ephoso has arrived. Danos stops almost at once at the sight of the robed figures. "Lar..." he whispers loudly, pointing. "Who the funny people?" Ephoso steps out of the house, closing the door behind him. He keeps the presents nestled in his arm. He glances toward the street. "The Twin Dragon order, lad." He pats Danos on the shoulder. "Go on, let's follow." Cimi chimes, "Draa-gon Draa-gon," Her voice is somewhat quiet, amusing herself and herself alone with the sound of the word. Misha looks from the young twin to her husband, then lowers her head to walk. "What did you children do with the morning of your birthday?" Gabri quietly says, "Twin, just like Cimi and Danos..." Ephoso keeps in easy pace with his wife. Delar says, through the muffle of his breather, "You heard what Da said, 'Nos...We can see where the Dragons're going, if you want." Misha frees one hand to stroke Gabri's hair encouragingly. "Right, Dear,' she says quietly. Danos skips along. "Woof woof woof!" he giggles. "Mama, Cimi foun' pwetty bird for me!" His expression crumples a little sadly. "Birdie f'y way." Cimi chimes, "But it was pretty. It liked me and wanted to stay...but it got scareded." As the family gets closer to the commons, the sound of warbling pipes and strumming strings can be heard. Misha cocks her head at Danos, "A bird?" Misha says, "There are no birds, my Darling."" Eb arrives from Cozy Room . Eb has arrived. Cimi murmurs, "There was a bird.." She says firmly, eyes alight with conviction. The family is walking casually toward the commons, garbed in breathers. Danos lets go of Delar's hand to imitate something flying. Only for a moment. "Bird!" he says stubbornly, nodding with Cimi. "Pweeeeeetty...Cimi, me-oh bur me nowhy maema saaaaa," he adds, dropping into incomprehensible twin jabber. [OOC: 'It looked like a bird Cimi. But I don't know why Mama is so sad.'.] Delar looks to his parents, then back to Danos..."Where was the bird, 'Nos?" Misha gazes down to the small girl clutching her skirt, her lips pressed tightly together like the jailers of some dangerous utterance. After a pause, she simply nods." Ephoso continues on, stepping into the commons. Ephoso heads into Commons . Ephoso has left. Cimi smiles up at her mother, "'S okay mommy. I didn't try and cage it." She nods gravely. And then, as if the revelations and statements had never occurred, she sings again. Eb reaches up to tug at the side of his mask, his short legs carrying him from the house along the path being trod by the others. In a loping half-walk half-jog he catches up, striding alongside Delar. Danos points towards the house. "Yar', 'Lar. Me an' Cimi chase." He continues skipping along, singing little excerpts of children's rhymes. "Silk an' flow'r pweeeetty, me wanna f'y..." Misha calls back behind her. "Come along and keep up, Eb." Misha moves along. Misha heads into Commons . Misha has left. Gabri heads into Cozy Room . Gabri has left. Eb's strides slow, then quicken again, then slow, his distance from his brother increasing and decreasing constantly. Cimi heads into Commons . Cimi has left. Eb heads into Commons . Eb has left. Delar is tugged along by his brother, peering towards the indicated spot for an instant before looking away. Delar heads into Commons . Delar has left. Commons The street broadens into a brick plaza beneath a scary sky that seems etched in black and gray, whether it is day or night. People in black robes with twin dragons tattooed on their bald heads meditate on one end of the square. Families wearing special breathing devices, filtering out the bad air, roam about as well. Contents: Colonel Delar Corporal Gabri Lt. Colonel Eb Specialist Cimi Citizen Misha Citizen Ephoso Laron arrives from Street . Laron has arrived. Ephoso nods politely to those he recognizes as he works his way toward a hillock bristling with brownish grass. "This will do nicely, I think." Laron comes in running, he stops as he enters the commons his eyes searching for the rest of the family. Gabri looks around with wide eyes at all the robed individuals, still clutching Misha's skirt. Danos goes very still as soon as he and his family enter the plaza called the Commons. His big blue eyes grow very wide and he stiffens, hanging onto Delar's hand tightly, pressing close. Laron finds them on a small hill and runs towards them, when he arrives he is panting and bends to catch his breath. Misha nods reassuringly to Gabri, her voice muffled by the plastic breather. "Don't look so worried, Darling. It's just like at church. Remember that?" Fifes warble on the far end of the commons, with a soft tumult of drums underscoring them. Light chanting can be heard from the black-robed figures gathered there, faint light weakly gleaming off their tattooed, shaved scalps that bear images of twin dragons. Delar stops, looking down at his little brother..."What's wrong, 'Nos...Don't wanna be left behind, doya?" Laron walks up towards Eb whispering in his ear. Laron whispers to Eb. Danos shakes his head vehemently, stubbornly, but his little cupid-bow lips are tightly pressed together. He still keeps close to Delar wide eyes and all. Eb looks to Laron, "Laron!" he calls to him, "Did you tell Da'--" he stops abruptly and shakes his head at his brother's whisperings. Gabri looks up at her mother. "There's a lotta lotta dragons here, Ma." Misha's head jerks to Delar with frank surprise. Within a heartbeat, she recovers herself and her expression becomes calm. Other families can be seen, laying out blankets around the commons, settling down to talk and listen to the music on the chill breeze. Ephoso takes his own blanket, then spreads it out on the hillock. Laron pouts slightly for a moment then his eyes brighten up, "I remember!" he exclaims and runs towards Da, Eb being tugged along as he grabs his hand. Eb's hands waves and sway toward Laron, then toward Ephoso, "The.. the guy.. in the street.. what he said... what he said to tell da'.. he said.. he said.. he said.. hesaid...hesaid..." Eb affixes his father with a ponderous expression, his little nose and eyes scrunching with the effort of trying to remember. "... I forgot." he laments. Misha speaks to Gabri, her eyes still fixed on Delar. "Lotta lotta dragons." Ephoso chuckles at Eb. "It's all right, boy." Delar kneels down beside Danos, suddenly a bit shorter than the five year old..."Whisper it to me, 'Nos...Come on." Cimi lets go of her mother's skirts and begins prancing. Laron stands next to Ephoso but looks at Eb, "he said, he said to remember to come to the ahh...ummm...ceremony, ya! the ceremony...." he pauses for a moment and whispers to Eb loud enough that the others hear, "You remember what ceremony?" Misha drops the basket heavily on one corner of the brightly patterned blanket. The weave of the fabric is a welcome break in the drab surroundings. Ephoso gestures toward the music and the robed dragons. "You mean that, children?" Eb shakes his head rapidly back and forth, fast enough that only the mask's firm grip on his face keeps it from flying away. Danos looks down to Delar, that intent little-boy gaze made even more startling by the utter blueness of his eyes. "Lar no leave 'Nos 'hind?" he says bluntly. "Trip no' leave me 'hind, or Cimi or Eb...or Ma or Da or Gabi or 'Ron?" Eb's head stills as he looks to Ephoso, then to the robed folks. "Was it?" he asks Laron. Laron turns to look where his father points, "What that?" Gabri sits down almost primly in the shadow of the basket. Ephoso chuckles, kneeling beside Laron. "That, boy, is the Twin Dragon Order's Ascension Ceremony. Well, the prelude. A lot of singing and chanting and playing of fifes." He squints his eyes in the shadowy half-light. "Burning quite a few candles as well." Cimi twirls lightly, still dancing. Her steps take her away from Misha.. Delar shakes his head slightly, his eyes narrowed with concern. "Why'd ya think I'd leave you, 'Nos?" Misha begins methodically unpacking the basket, wordlessly placing items of food in the center of the blanket. Laron crinkles his eyebrows together, "Why do thy have an athention ceremony?" Misha looks up from the stack of plates she is unpacking. "Dance back over this way, Cimi, where I can see you." Ephoso settles down on the blanket, his eyes focused on the distant activity. "They think it'll make our world a better place." Danos suddenly throws his chubby little arms around Delar. "Me scared," he whispers and his little body is trembling. "Dwagon meeeeeeean, wanna eat 'Nos an' Cimi." Cimi runs over to her mother and kisses her cheek. "Yes mama.." Laron grins turning towards him, "How can they make it better? We got buggy's and toys!" Gabri is mommy's little helper, as she carefully takes out plates and food as well. Eb's hand reaches over to brush Laron's shoulder, "/That's/ IT!" he states, his head nodding up and down intensely. "The guy.. the guy that flipped over the--" he stops abruptly, falling silent, his head still nodding. In a moment, even that stops. Laron looks over towards Eb and shakes his head, "You got a big mouth Eb. I can't tell you ANY secrets." Ephoso smiles faintly at Laron, then glances toward Delar. "They even hold that the ceremony may allow our kind to travel beyond the mountains, to see what is to be seen." He shrugs. "But, who is to say, yes?" Delar says, "I won't let 'em eat you, 'Nos...Promise." At the touch of her kiss, Misha drops the plates and impulsively grabs Cimi around her small waist and pulls her tight. Her eyes squeezed tightly shut. Eb shakes his head back and forth, "But I didn't /say/ -THAT-" he insists, his toe nudging the earth beneath him. Ephoso sets the presents on the blanket. "Shall we unveil the mysteries before us?" Laron continues to shake his head to Eb, "I won't give you buggy rides no more." Cimi hugs her mother back, and then her eyes widen at the fierceness. She whimpers. "Mama?" Danos releases Delar, his little face suddenly looking serious. "Okay Lar." He glances over to his mother and sister laying the food out. "C'mon!" He tugs. Gabri looks up at Misha, puzzled. "Ma?" Laron glances at Misha and then turns towards Ephoso, "Why Misha sad?" Ephoso ruffles the hair on Laron's head. "A gloomy day, that's all. A gloomy day. Now, sit, and get ready to clap for your siblings." Eb's nudging toe becomes a stomping foot as his voice quivers slightly, "But... but.. but.. Lllaaaaarrrroooooonnnn..." he ceases his whining as Laron turns back to da'. With a plodding thud he sits upon the ground. Delar straightens up, brows knitting together, eyes terribly serious for a child. His gaze slips to his father. "Shouldn't be a gloomy day, Da. It's a birthday." Misha loosens her grip and pulls back from Cimi, still holding her by the waist. With a smile, she brushes the hair from the small girl's forehead and kisses her there. "Dance for me again, will you Darling?" Laron looks towards Delar and nods in agreement as he flops to the ground next to Eb, "Yeah." Laron says, "And birthdays are happy!" Ephoso nods slowly at Delar, then gestures at the clouds. "The skies will clear again, lad. All smiles will return." He nods, seeming to convince himself of something, then lets his eyes drift toward Cimi. "Dance, child." Cimi bites her lip, then smiles bravely, "I'll always dance for you, Mama.." She promises, and then with a giggle and hop begins again, whirling and singing. Eb turns his head to look toward Delar. Finding him more captivating than Laron he nods in agreement with the wise words of his father. "Yea!" Danos tugs Delar on, but perhaps it's something in the air. His gaiety at the beginning of the trek to the commons seems to have subdued. But at his twin sister's beginning to dance, he pulls free of Delar and bounds towards her. "Cimi, Cimi dan'me-oh pweeetty!" he cries, grabbing her hands and hopping around with her, giggling. [OOC: 'Cimi, dance with me, it's so pretty.'] The warbling pipes and thumping drums offer a somber accompaniment to Cimi's dance. Misha's smile does not touch her eyes, but she claps no less enthusiastically. With a sly look toward Gabri, she says, "I remember another dancer I used to have. I hope she hasn't gotten too big to dance." Ephoso claps as Cimi dances. Eb turns his large eyes toward Cimi, watching her dance. Gabri looks up, her amber eyes shining. She leaps up and starts to twirl and dance as well. Laron grins with the gaiety of an 8 year old as he watches his sister dance. Cimi whirls and dances with her brother and sister, young face filled with joy at the simple pleasure of it all. Ephoso lets his eyes drift to Misha, catching her eyes, and pauses in his clapping to place a comforting hand on her shoulder. He leans over and whispers softly to her. Ephoso whispers to Misha. Danos tugs Cimi around, dancing her around and around. Abruptly, he stops, wide eyes and all. "Meah fwightoh, dwaggy AHM me-oh Cimi!" he breathes, suddenly dragging Cimi towards him and looking around at the ominous bald-headed dragon-tattooed strange robed people. "Me big!" he declares after that, defiantly. [OOC: 'I'm frightened, the dragon looks like it wants to eat you and me.'.] Delar watches the dancing, glancing occasionally at his mother and father. His usual reservation has slipped into a sullen quiet. Misha continues to clap, nodding to her husband. Gabri jumps and spins then cough a little. Ephoso resumes clapping. Laron turns to Eb and whispers. As you chase after your dancing sisters, the air starts to burn at the back of your throat. Just a bit at first, but then more. Ephoso stops clapping as he hears the cough. "Are you all right, child?" Laron whispers to Eb. Cimi coughs and touches her throat, eyes widening, "No no..'Nos, s'okay...no dragon eat.." Laron turns to look at Cimi after whispering to Eb. Gabri blinks, coughing a little more, but smiles and continues to dance, wanting to please so badly... Misha frowns. "Cimi, Gabri. That is enough dancing, come over here." One of the robed men breaks away from the group and approaches, somberly, his hands clasped together before himself. He sees Ephoso and bows in greeting. "Brother Ephoso." He looks at the coughing child, then back at the parents. Danos starts coughing, sudden fright touching his big blue eyes. He grabs Cimi clumsily and backs away as the robed man comes over. He's tense, stiff and childishly trying to be brave. Ephoso gets to his feet, nods to Misha, then walks over to the man with the bald head and the dragon tattoo. Cimi's voice is a bit scared, "...it burns.." she says, dragging Danos along as she goes to Misha. Gabri staggers a little as she coughs. "Ma, can I haf som' water?" Laron looks towards Eb and jumps to his feet, "Cimi...don' be scared. You haven't got all your presents yet and is your birthday." Ephoso says, "Father Falos, the fifers are sounding fine this evening." Eb follows Laron in standing and plodding over toward Cimi. Misha nods, taking hold of Cimi's small breather. "I know dear. It is the filter. But you know what? I think that just this once it would be alright to take it off." With that, she pulls the device from over the girl's head. Misha does likewise with Gabri, then pours a cup of water from a brown container. "Drink this, then share." The elder with the tattoo nods, glancing back briefly at the performers. "Our best," he says, looking again to Ephoso. He glances to the clouds, then returns his gaze to the younger man. Softly, he says, "It is time." Danos backs towards Misha, one pudgy hand reaching to clasp his mother's skirts. He coughs again, other hand firmly around Cimi's wrist. "Me no' like!" he says suddenly. Cimi looks to her mother and nods, eyes wide. "'kay mama..." She says softly, and then looks to her siblings. "....Danos?" Laron now stands in front of Cimi, "Ma' can we give Cimi her present?" he asks quietly. Delar moves towards Danos, brows knit. "'Nos?" He looks towards his mother, eyes suddenly demanding, "What's going on?" Misha takes off her own breather and takes a deep, satisfied breath. Laron glances towards Danos as he coughs and frowns, "Why they coughing?" he asks. Ephoso stiffens at the words from the older man, then nods, and removes his breather. Gabri dutifully takes the water and drinks it slowly, then goes to Cimi to help her with her share. Laron looks towards Eb, his eyes beginning to betray fear for a moment before looking back towards Misha and Ephoso, "I thought we weren't allowed to take our breathers off.." he says then looks to Delar, "You sai' we weren't." Eb looks around to watch everyone else removing their breathers, his own hands staying far from his. Misha moves to Laron and Danos, taking hold of Laron's mask, "Because these filters are nearly as poison as the air. It will be alright." Danos's wide blue eyes fix intently on the robed priest, fraught with childish suspicion and fear. "Cimi dwaggy AHM meah no like..." he breathes, backing further into Misha's skirts as his mother moves to take off his mask. [OOC: 'The dragon wants to eat me, and I don't like it.'.] Ephoso drops the breather on the ground, and stares at it, lying there in the dust. He brings his eyes back up to meet those of the Dragon. "Into your hands, we command our fates, Father Falos." Laron frowns as Misha moves to take his off, "Bu' my filter ok!" he proclaims taking a step back. The high priest nods. "All will be well, after our Ascension." Cimi looks from face to face, confused, "Danos?!" She says, voice getting higher pitched. Misha strokes Danos' hair gently. "You can keep the breather if you like it, Dear." Falos smiles broadly. "Padron guide and protect you and yours, my son." Ephoso coughs violently as he draws in a - sobbing? - breath, then he turns to move back to his family. Gabri quietly tries to hold Cimi's hand. "Ma, whas Sentshun?" It might be something in Misha's voice. Or something that just doesn't seem right about Falos, but the five year old Danos suddenly pelts off towards Delar, dragging Cimi with him fiercely. "LAR! Lar!" he wails. Laron looks up towards Ephoso fear continuing to fill his eyes as he looks towards Delar and the other children. Laron grabs Eb by the hand forcefully although he doesn't move. He looks up towards Ephoso and Misha, "I thought you said air was bad." Cimi runs with her brother, hand torn from Gabri's. She stumbles some. Eb looks around, uncertain, the sight of his siblings' actions causing him to want to run away, while still he struggles to remain standing there by Laron. The indecision manifests itself in the sidewards waggling of his body as Laron drags him by the hand. Ephoso settles back down on the blanket. He covers his mouth as he coughs again. His eyes are watering, but it might just be the air. "Come, we will have pastries and celebrate our grand holiday." Delar , his demand ignored, still wearing his breather, kneels beside Danos. "'Nos...You're big now...I want you to hang onto Cimi, OK? You protect her." Gabri coughs some more, her eyes blinking with tears. "Cimi! Danos! Come back!" The exit from the commons is suddenly blocked by a row of men in black robes. Cimi looks up at Delar, starting to cry, "....Mama?" Ephoso looks to Misha. "The pastries." Seeing he is getting no answers from his parents Laron makes his way to Delar, Eb in tow, "What's going on?!" he asks his voice frightened. Eb's unclutched hand reaches up to tug at the side of his mask, his eyes turning first toward Laron, then toward Delar. Then toward Ephoso... deciding to follow his brothers, Eb's hand falls away from the mask. Misha sits at the edge of the blanket. "I thought it was *somebody's* birthday today, she says arranging the pastries on a plate." Ephoso shifts the gift boxes on the blanket. Laron's eyes move towards Cimi, Gabri and Cimi, "Why they crying and coughing? Its their birthday..." he tries to ask and explain as he asks Delar. Ephoso gestures for the children to come closer. "Come, little ones." Cimi looks towards her mother, and manages a soft, "....toys?" Her hand leaves Danos's. Delar shakes his head at Eb, eyes shining with fear, "I don't know, Eb." Misha puts a hand out to Cimi. Danos swallows, pressing towards Delar and still keeping a firm hold on Cimi's wrist. "Me big..." he whispers. He glances back towards his parents and siblings, something akin to fear in his face. As Ephoso calls and the boxes are produced again, he ooohs and tumbles over to Misha. "Cimi, Cimi! Toys!" he shouts. Gabri hacks and coughs as she runs to Cimi and Danos. "Cimi! Danos!" From the blanket, Misha watches Laron. "The air has always been foul, Son. You know that. Breathers are not infallible. I just thought it would be nice to have a day to look at your face in the sunlight." Laron looks towards Ephoso and Misha eyes switching between them and the robed men blocking off all exit. His eyes a mixture of fear and suspicion and his hold on Eb's hand never faltering. Ephoso coughs. "Come, children." He picks up one of the pastries. "We will all share. Then the skies will clear and our world will be new again. The golden rainbow fliers will return." Cimi is dragged back again by her brother, and frowns thunderously, "Danos!" She tears from his grip and stands a few feet away, pouting. She coughs then looks at Ephoso. "Bird...like the bird.." Laron takes a step towards Misha as she speaks, "Why...why they all coughing then?" he asks, worry in his tone. Eb looks to Gabri, his eyes brimming over with the same shining of fear as in Delar's eyes. Darting away, his attention turns to Ma', then to Da'... He stands statuesque, unmoving, still attached to Laron's hand. Misha says, "The long-ago wars made the air poison, Laron. They will stop coughing when they sit and be still for a bit. The dancing made them tired."" Danos stops abruptly as Cimi mentions the bird. "Me wanna f'y..." he chants, stretching his arms out and swooping towards Misha and Ephoso. "F'y...f'y...." By this time he has reached Gabri, grabbing for her hand. "Gabbi come open pwesen!" Ephoso gestures to Eb. "Come, son. Sit." Delar moves towards his mother, kneeling beside her. He asks again, forcing steadiness into his voice, "Mom...What's going on?" Eb takes a slow step toward Da', his arm still attached to Laron. Laron's eyes narrow his grip on Eb's hand tightening as Da' calls for him, his eyes moving towards him. Gabri looks up at Eb, coughing some more. She is then pulled by Danos. "Rainbow Flier!" Laron says sternly, "Eb...No." although the command seems to come with difficulty. Eb finds himself unable to step any further as his attached arm extends as far as it can go, Laron's grip holding firmer than Eb's conviction to step any farther. Laron doesn't take his eyes off his father the entire time, "If...if the air is poison...then....why you want us to breath it?" Misha slides an arm around her son's broadening shoulders, pulling him to her in a hug. Her cheek warmly against his, she coos as she did when he was the baby. Ephoso shakes his head, his eyes sad. "We won't breathe it much longer, child. Not much longer. Soon, the skies will clear. But you must all sit, and eat. We must ascend." Cimi takes a seat by her mother, "...toys?" She says, coughing. She looks over to Laron and Eb. "'Aron? You come give me my present now?" Laron continues to look at his father fearfully not quite understanding. He is distracted by Cimi's request. Laron nods slightly forcing a slight smile, "Ya, Cimi.." Misha whispers to Delar. Danos dances back to Misha with Gabri, giggling and coughing. "F'y...f'y..." he continues chanting. Eb again starts to move forward, then stops resigning himself to his attachment to Laron and waiting for him to move first. Laron steps towards her reaching under his robe for something. From underneath he pulls out a perfectly preserved flower. Gabri plops down next to her younger siblings, coughing and rocking back and forth with Danos' chant. Delar shakes his head emphatically, whispering in return. Eb, his hand still grasped by Laron's, turns his eyes first toward Laron's flower, then toward Cimi. "... it's pwettty... like you..." he says slowly. Delar whispers to Misha. Ephoso holds out a pastry to Eb. "Son, take this, sit, and eat." Cimi's eyes focuses on Laron, and her small mouth opens in an 'o' of pleasure, which is broken by yet another cough and a frown as her throat burns... Laron's hand shakes slightly from fear as he watches her start coughing, he lets Eb's hand go for a moment as he kneels next to her, "Cimi, you ok?" he asks placing the flower in her hair and his hand at her back. Eb, as Ephoso extends the pastry toward him, turns away from Cimi and reaches for the food, then suddenly turns back as she coughs again. Gabri gives Cimi the cup of water that she has been holding. "Here, Cimi." Laron looks towards Ma' and Da', "Lets go home....I don't like it here." Danos ooohs as his eyes track what Eb is giving his twin sister. "Ooooooh pweeetty..." His voice sounds just the slightest bit hoarse. Ephoso reaches out and grabs Eb's wrist, then places the pastry in it. "Eat this, son. Sit." Cimi reaches up to touch the flower delicately, "....'s so pretty 'Aron..." she says, managing a smile for him. Laron looks towards his sister and returns the slight smile before looking back towards his father, his eyes filled with intensity, "PLEEZE da'!" Eb's attention shifts abruptly from his sister to his father to his wrist to the pastry. "Yes, Da'." he says, eyeing the pastry for a long moment before his now-free hand reaches up to tug at the mask. He pauses, looking back toward his older brothers who still have their masks on. Then, his head turns and his eyes gaze into his fathers'. Ephoso shakes his head at Laron. "Come, son, sit. We will all have pastry." Misha sits gazing into Delar's eyes, her fingers beneath his chin. Laron looks at the edge of tears, "I don' want pastry, I wan go home." he responds his eyes shooting to Delar and Eb for a moment before returning to him. Ephoso meets Eb's gaze. He nods solemnly. "No more gloomy days." Delar says, quaveringly. "I want to go home. May I, please?" Ephoso shakes his head. "We are going home." He reaches down, producing another pastry from the plate and offering it to Delar. Cimi drinks the liquid offered by Gabri, fingers still lightly roaming over the flower...reverently and in awe. Eb flops onto the ground, his legs outstretched in front of him. His mask still on his face, his hand still on his mask, he looks at the pastry. His hand begins to pull the mask away from his face as his brothers' please reach his ears. His head turns away from the pastry, looking to them, his hand falls away from the mask again. Ephoso gently reaches for the mask on Eb's face. Laron says fervently, "Then lets go! Lets get out of the poison an' go home." Gabri says, between coughs, "I got you presents, too." She pulls from her robe two brightly colored disks with string strung through them. Laron says, "No!" as Ephoso goes to take the mask off and goes to reach for his dads hand, no sooner has he done this then he pulls his hand away like a child who has gotten caught talking back. Misha looks from Delar across the field to the men in robes. "Later." Laron drops to the ground taking a seat and asks softly, "Please, da'" Danos's wide blue eyes grow even wider as he stiffens, hearing Laron's protests. "Home where?" he demands suddenly with that abruptness of the very young child. "Ma'...Da, why HURRRT?" He whimpers, touching his throat. "Lar...me wan' go way, dwaggy eat me!" Ephoso glances toward the robed figures at the commons entrance, then back to the children. "Eat with us. It is better this way." Laron's keep flashing towards Gabri and the others as they caught. Delar looks at the pastry, then shakes his head. "Not hungry, Da." A single tear manages to slip from his eye before being swiped away by the back of his hand. Cimi claps, "...color.." She reaches for the gifts of Gabri. Misha says, "Sit, Danos. No one has hurt you." Eb turns his head away from observing the exchange of gifts, his brothers, and the rest of the family as his mask is removed from his face. With an abrupt, gasping breath his hands fly to his face, losing the pastry in the process. Ephoso furrows his brow and clenches his jaw. "Delar. If you do not eat with us..." He glances toward the robed figures, then shakes his head. "We do not wish you to suffer." Laron's eyes go to Danos and his eyes become even more fearful. As he does Eb takes his mask off. Gabri hands a disk to each twin as she swallows fiercely. "They're zoo-zoo buttons," she says hoarsely. Ephoso reaches out, putting a hand on Delar's shoulder. "Be my strong son, but lay stubbornness aside for now." Laron's eyes return to Eb as his mask is removed and he eyes him quietly for a moment before his own hand moves to his breather pausing there for a moment. Delar looks back at the robed figures, then shakes his head. "No, Da. I want to know who's on the other side of the mountains." Danos doesn't sit like asked, still brushing his throat clumsily. "Hurt here..." he whimpers softly. "Cimi...meah noo her, anyoo?" [OOC: 'I hurt here, do you?'.] Eb suddenly deems breathing a wise option and brings his hand away from its clamped grasp of his mouth, slowly drawing in shallow, gasping breaths for a few minutes until realizing he can breathe normally. Ephoso nods to Delar, his eyes locked on the other's. "And you will know soon enough." He offers the pastry again. "Take this. It is for the best." Laron removes the breather slowly though his eyes lose none of their fear or suspicion. Cimi looks at Danos. "'it hurts...." she says softly, idly playing with the button. Her eyes darken, uncertain. And she looks to her mother for reassurance. "mama?" Eb looks down to the ground where his dropped pastry lies. His left-hand-fingers move to poke and prod at it. Laron looks up towards Danos, his voice soft, "Come here Danos...an' we'll give you your presen'." Ephoso takes a pastry and offers it to Laron. Delar says, "/Why/? It's just food, and I'm not hungry!" His eyes are wide, confused. Another tear slips from his eye. "What's going on, Da?" Misha sits cross-legged and pulls Cimi up on her lap, wrapping her arms around the child and rocking. "Happy Birthday, she coos. Gabri winces and rubs her throat. "Go get present, Dan." Ephoso lets his eyes return to Delar. "It is Ascension Day." Eb grasps the pastry with both hands, plucking it from the ground and blowing on it to ward away the dirt. He continues to stare at the pastry as he holds it at eye-level just inches from his head. Laron takes the pastry from Ephoso and his eyes flash between Misha and Ephoso as if in sudden understanding. A tear slides down his cheek and he brushes it away roughly. Danos swallows, the mention of presents lightening his face abruptly. "Pwesen! Pwesen!" he shouts, clapping with a slight cough. "Gabbi come too!" He drags at his sister, darting to Laron. Then stops. "Ron...why Ron sa'? 'Nos an' Cimi birt'dee." Cimi hugs her mother, and lays her tiny hand against Misha's chest, "...birthday..birthday.." she sings, voice rough and obviously painful. Her eyes half lid...but she sings on anyway. Misha puts out a hand to Gabri. "Come sit by Mama, Darling" Laron simply shakes his head slightly to Danos as he takes a bite of his pastry, "Come so we can give you your present.." Eb nibbles at the pastry's edge, looking to the others as he does so. Gabri tries to smile through her pain as she scoots over to sit by Misha. Delar shakes his head. His eyes trail to the men in robes. "They're making you do something, aren't they. We can't go home." Ephoso takes a pastry for himself, and watches the children. He nods to Delar. "We are going home." Danos releases Gabri and trots slowly over to Laron, still looking curious. "Pwesen'...?" he ventures, voice hoarser than before. "Ron...why you cwy?" Across the commons, you see families lying down together, serenely. Misha takes a fat glazed pastry from the plate, breaks off a small piece, and holds it to Gabri's mouth. "There's my good girl." Eb, seeing the others all now with their pastry, takes a larger bite, chews much longer than is necessary, then finally swallows. Laron opens his arms for Danos, "Jus' wanna give you your present that's all....come on.." he says tugging him down and brushing another tear from his face rapidly. His eyes catch the other families and his tears seems to come a bit faster as he wipes them away, "For your birthday Eb and me gonna give you ALL the buggy rides you want." Not so far away, you hear someone shout in protest, and running footsteps. Then they cry out in pain as one of the men in robes strikes them with a heavy staff. Delar shakes his head emphatically. "Home is that way." He points towards the line of black robed figures. "I'm not hungry and I want to go home." Cimi placidly eats the piece of pastry. Then blinks at the sound of pain, "Someone fall down?" Ephoso points at the robed men. "They won't let you GO home!" Laron looks up at the man and his grip tightens around Danos. His eyes shoot towards Ma and Da' what might be betrayal appearing for just a moment before he continues his story, "You gonna dri' and do EVERYTHING you wanna do." Danos turns quickly. His eyes, now very wide, find the source of the cry. "You bad!" he shouts, suddenly darting away towards the black robed men and flailing his fist. "You bad king!" Gabri eats the offered pastry, swallows with another wince, then smiles in contentment. "I love you, Ma." Eb jumps to his feet, his eyes darting back and forth in search of the source of the pained cry. Misha rocks again. "Shh.. No, Cimi. It's alright" Misha's eyes shine. "I love you, Darling." Delar takes an involuntary step back from his father, stunned. A few more tears slip from his eyes. Ephoso fixes Delar with a look crowded with sorrow and horror and love and strength and agony. He shakes his head. "We have no choice." He offers the pastry. "Take it." Laron coughs, "Danos, come back! I haven' finish." Eb's lower lip quivers as he plods over toward Laron and Danos, the pastry held just outside of his mouth. He takes another bite and chews, even slower this time than the last. Delar looks at the pastry, then at his father. He shakes his head wordlessly, taking another step back, a few more tears sliding down his cheeks. Cimi buries her head against her mother, "I love you mama..." she blinks slowly, "Danos?" Two of the robed men with dragon tattoos approach. One of them growls, "Why have you not ascended?" Ephoso bows his head. "We will, brothers. Give us more time." Danos is running as fast as his little legs can carry him towards the robed men with staffs, although his coughing has worsened. "YOU BAD!" he shouts again and again, tears starting to well up in his big blue eyes. "YOU BAD!" Eb sniffs through his nose as he takes another bite of the pastry, his eyes traveling from Laron to the approaching robed men. Laron looks up at the robed men and proclaims angrily, "You tole us not to be scared of you!" As Danos runs towards them he stands and runs after Danos. Misha raises her voice. s. Come back to the blanket. One of the men snatches up Danos and brings the child back toward the family. Cimi looks at the robed men, "....you bring toys to?" She says hopefully. The men, armed with heavy staffs, stand silently. Ephoso looks to Delar. "It is time, son." Laron stops as they grab Danos, his eyes never leaving them, they are now filled with anger, "Put my *cough* broder down.." he says shakily. Danos kicks and struggles and shouts, trying to pummel his captor. "Le'GO le' go, you bad man!" he wails. "Lar! Lar! Ma, they BAD king!" Eb watches as Danos is brought back by the tattooed man. Several steps backward bring him back to the others of the family where he flops, again, onto the ground and bites again at the pastry, his lower lip protruding past his upper lip. The priest sets Danos down, but holds him in place. "We will feed them to you, if necessary." Laron reaches out and grabs Danos hand trying to pull him from the man. Cimi's eyes widen, "Danos? They are hurting Danos? Nos!" She struggles out of her mother's embrace. Danos kicks and wriggles and scratches. "LEMME GO!" he howls and tries a very credible attempt to bite. "Cimi goway bad king wanna AHM Cimmy goway!" [OOC: 'Go away, they want to hurt Cimi, go away.'] Ephoso walks over to the priest and shoves him back. "Leave us!" Gabri asks, her voice almost gone, "Can we haf pastry at my birfday?" Eb looks to his now-half-gone pastry and takes another bite from it, his eyes traveling lazily toward his brothers. One of the priest's companions hammer Ephoso with a staff, knocking his breath away and sending him sprawling. The others look to the family. "Eat your pastry. Or we will assist in your ascendance." Laron yells, "No!" he begins crying in earnest and grabs a hold of Danos, struggling to try and take him from the bad man, "You 'tole us we didn't nee' to be scared of you!" Eb stands to his feet swiftly, his half-pastry falling to the ground as he runs toward the man, "DA!" he wails. Laron says, "You lied." Ephoso gets to his knees, then looks to the children and Misha. "I am...fine. Eat...your...pastry." Danos begins to wail and cry, still struggling, still trying to bite his captor. "You bad man you hurt Da'!" he screams and kicks at the robed priest's shin hard. "Lar, Lar! Make bad man go'way!" Ephoso picks his own off the dusty ground. Ephoso grabs Danos away from the priest. Gabri looks to Ephoso and screams as much as her ragged throat can allow. "DA!" Laron struggles to help Danos free himself as his father grabs Danos, his attention immediately shifts to his father and Danos. Ephoso breaks his pastry in half, and offers it to Danos. Misha holds Cimi and Gabri against her, turning their small faces toward her robe Laron watches them then looks towards the men, "You..you wanna ki' us..." he says between his tears, "Danos right, you *are* evil king." Ephoso mutters to the children. "Hush! Eat your pastry!" Eb finds safety behind Laron's shoulder, the ideal vantage point from which to yell at the man about how 'not-nice' he is. As he steps backward away from the priest's gaze he trods over the discarded pastry. Cimi cries for her twin, "Danos! Danos! 'H kared...har aree?" [OOC: I am scared, where are you?] Delar , crying with more force now, hovers a few feet away from the rest of the family, where his backwards steps have carried him. Delar bumps into a pair of priests with staffs. Misha puts a hand out to Danos. "Come, Danos. Comfort your sister." Laron turns and grabs Eb firmly whispering in his ear. Eb whimpers as he looks around to his brothers, his sisters, his parents, his family. He looks to Laron as he whispers. The priests grab hold of Delar and keep him in place. "Son, make this easy on yourself and your family." Laron whispers to Eb. Danos begins crying in earnest as he clings to his father. "Da' bir'dee shoul' be haaappy...." he sobs. "Me no' like..." He answers Cimi, big tears welling down his face. "Meah witda Cimi comee, meah kared...." [OOC: 'I'm with dad, come here, I'm scared.'.] Ephoso takes a bite of his pastry. Eb nods slowly to Laron. Ephoso says, "Come, Danos - do like father. Eat." Eb's nodding picks up speed, he draws a step away, one eye on the priest, the other on Laron. Eb finds it difficult to keep his eyes like that and just stares at the priest. Laron nods and keeps a hold of his hand, "Dis way...we no be scar." he says firmly, his eyes shooting towards the others and tears slide down his face which he quickly brushes away. Gabri sobs. "Where Da? Wha hapn?" Cimi sobs, "...Danos..." Ephoso chews slowly. Eb casts a quick glance to Laron, nods again, looks to Ephoso. Ephoso swallows, closing his eyes. "Come, child." Delar shakes his head emphatically, "Why're you doing this?" He struggles rather ineffectively against the priests' grip on his shoulders. Laron sits down on the ground and leans back onto the grass, still holding Eb's hand. Misha rocks, cooing to the girls. "Shh.. Everything is alright" The priest guards do not answer Delar. "Eat your pastry. Ascend." Danos pulls away from Ephoso and clumsily runs to Cimi, putting his arms around her. "Cimi don'cwy..." he says, sniffling. Eb, attached to the hand Laron clutches, sits again on the ground. After not too long he lies back like Laron, his eyes drifting closed. Laron slowly closes his own eyes although his hand remains clutched to Eb's/ Misha rubs a hand along Danos' back like she did when he was young and could not sleep. Cimi clutches her brother and sniffles, "Danos...kared...I..." Her voice closes around the words and strangles anything else she might say. Delar dissolves into tears, continuing to shake his head wordlessly. His gaze slips to Cimi, and his crying grows stronger. Gabri's sobs lessen as she is rocked in her mother's embrace, though the tears still fall. Laron's hand tightens as Cimi's voice ceases but his eyes remain closed. Danos whimpers softly. Then he brushes his own tears away, arm still around his twin sister, absurdly serious like a grown-up. "Cimi commee, Lar kared." He takes his sister's wrist. "Me big. Me like Lar. Like Da." He turns towards Delar and tugs. "Lego Lar!" he demands of the priest petulantly. "Lar...don'scared, k?" [OOC: 'Cimi come with me, Delar's scared.'] Eb continues to lie there, grasping Laron's hand. Ephoso shouts at the children. "Sit and eat! Or they *will* kill you!" A gunshot rings out on the far side of the commons. Misha pushes Danos gently back down and offers a piece of pastry to his lips. "Taste." Ephoso snaps his head around at the noise, coughing, getting to his feet. He takes another bite of his pastry. "We don't have much time." Eb jumps up, the guise forsaken at the gunshot. He yelps in shock and alarm. His eyes search the ground for his lost pastry. Laron's eyes open and go to Eb, "SHHH we godda preten," he admonishes him. Men in black robes, this time armed with guns, can be seen sweeping through the commons, handguns at the ready. They seem to be shooting people in their sleep. Danos looks up at Misha for a long time. Then slowly he takes the pastry. "Cimi." he offers, breaking off a piece for her. His voice, childish and sad, seems portentous, too old for five years old. "Lar...Lar com' share wit' me." Eb finds the food, not far from where he was laying. Picking it up, he brushes it off, blows on it, looks back to Laron, and takes a large bite. Cimi whimpers softly. Gabri only shudders slightly at the noise, as her heavy eyelids close with sleep. Delar closes his eyes for a moment, then says, tremblingly..."Lemme go. I'll eat." He looks up to the priests. The guards remain where they are, but shove Delar toward the family. Laron looks towards the men who are walking through the commons then towards Eb, "Give..give me a piece Eb..." he says, his eyes wandering to Ma and Da Misha gently strokes Gabri's hair. Eb breaks off half of the remainder of his pastry, dirt falling from it as he hands the broken portion to Laron. Delar tugs off his breather, still streaming tears. He moves towards Danos, flopping heavily onto the ground near him. Quaveringly, he said, "Told you I wouldn't leave you, 'Nos." Laron takes the half of the pastry and glances towards the others one more time before swallowing it in a few bites. Ephoso nods as he glances around at the children. "I love you all. And I am sorry." Eb casts a studious glance around at the others before sitting back down on the ground and gobbling down the rest of the pastry. Danos bites into his pastry slowly. All the time his arm has slipped to Cimi's shoulders. "Cimi weah pway buggy t'mooroo-oh..." He turns his head to look at Delar and holds out his hand. "Nos know Lar pwomise..." he whispers, eyes shining bright. [OOC: 'We'll play buggy tomorrow.'.] Ephoso frowns. "We would have done this at home, if we could have." Cimi whispers, "'m tired." Ephoso nods to Cimi, smiling weakly. "It's okay. Sleep." Misha whispers to Cimi. You whisper, "Cimi eat, Nos eat too." to Cimi. Laron grabs Eb's hand, "You like the buggy?" he asks. Delar says, "Gimme a piece, 'Nos." Eb's head nods slowly. "Yea." he replies, his eyes fixed on Ephoso. Ephoso takes another bit of his pastry. More gunshots ring out across the commons. Ephoso flinches at the sound. Gabri snuggles closer to her mother, not even hearing the gunshots anymore. Laron does likewise, "Da', can we go sit with you?" he asks although the answer seems apparent. Danos breaks off a chunk of pastry and hands it to Delar. "Tomorrow me show Lar bir'..." The gunshots, surprisingly, don't seem to bother him. His childish face looks very sad. "Then we f'y." Ephoso looks to Laron. "You will be with me always." Delar nods a bit, taking the chuck of pastry from 'Nos. "Yeah. I'd like the see the bird." Laron nods and stands walking towards Ephoso and putting his head on his shoulder, he attempts to tug Eb with him." Ephoso gives Laron a hug. "It will be okay. The skies will clear." Danos tugs at Delar's wrist towards Misha, Gabri and Cimi, making room for him. "Pweetty...." he murmurs, swallowing the food. Delar , as though it's some sort of spider, takes a bite of his pastry. As Delar swallows, Misha takes a bite of the glazed pastry, nearly consuming it whole. A bright light grows before your eyes... Almost at once, everyone is suddenly back in the luminescence that enveloped them when the box opened, the old alien once more in front of them and speaking in his sad, weary voice: He continues, fingers laced together, eyes haunted and somber. "Perhaps you suspected we were wrong, when I said we were doomed, yet here stands the High Priest Falos to tell the tale. That would be wise perception on your part. But I did not live because we were wrong. I lived because I was a coward. I stood there, watching the citizens of our village die, the pill in my hand. I could not bring myself to take it. Many have been the nights since then that I have wished my fortitude had been greater. As a result of my cowardice, I lived to learn that we were wrong. We underestimated the self-healing powers of our world. Our world survived, although our people died. We were so sure. So sure." He furrows his brow. "Take from this what you will. Nothing else can I ask." With that, he turns and disappears into the luminescence. As the luminescence disappears, consciousness slowly begins to seep through from the real world: Medical Facility - SCCV VERSAILLES The Versailles' chief medical officer and staff maintain a relatively spotless facility, with exam and operating tables, vital sign monitors and X-ray film displays. Pharmaceuticals are stored in code-sealed lockers. A medical computer provides symptoms and potential diagnoses at the touch of a button. Emblazoned in red on the gunmetal gray aft bulkhead is the double-snake entwined staff known among medical practitioners as the cadeucus. Contents: Lt. Colonel Josiah Specialist Daerius Corporal Starr Colonel Warrick Colonel Cubana 2nd_Lieutenant Deth Deth jumps up as he sees some of the bodies move. The medic steps back as the monitors become normal. Cubana's eyes begin to open slowly Deth looks to the medic, "Doctor, are they moving?" The medic nods. "Looks like it, sir." Daerius's eyes snap open and he gasps in a sharp breath, like a swimmer coming out of water. Cubana lays unmoving her eyes on the roof above her for a moment before looking to the sides and the others officers laying near her. Josiah's hand moves, rising, then waving to the left, then groping toward the right. Sondrix gives a gasp and a shudder, violet eyes opening wide, mouth dropping in a soundless scream that sounds more like a heaving sob. Starr slowly sighs, then begins crying. Deth shakes his head around a bit, as if trying to fight something off, "Looks like they are recovering." Josiah's eyes slowly flutter, then come open, trying to focus on the slight movement of his hand. Cubana asks so soft it may be a whisper, "Did...did that really happen?" Warrick's eyes flicker open as he coughs twice. They then close again, his face screwing up in pain. The instruments monitoring his vital signs bleep progressively faster for a few instants, then settle back to a normal pulsing. Cubana's eyes move from one to the other searching as she slowly moves herself to a sitting position. Words, broken, barely audible, flutter from Sondrix's lips. "...Cimi...Lar..." she whispers, closing her eyes again tightly, wincing as Starr's crying penetrates her consciousness. A tear, unbidden, rolls down her cheek, then another. And another. Then, almost a desolate soft wail, "Davian...Davian..." Starr blinks to see through her tears, views the cadeucus on the wall, then shrieks, cowering against the head of the bed. Deth stands and walks around the beds looking at all of the awakening personnel, "I think they are all up doc." The medic nods, then looks to Cubana. "Colonel...what happened?" Cubana sits up and takes a deep breath, "Re..report." she says somewhat shakily as she tries to get control. The medic jumps at Starr's scream. Daerius closes his eyes again, breathing slowing back to normal, and then slower than normal Deth stumbles and ducks as his hand reflexively goes to his gun at the shriek, "Status?!?" The medic arches his eyebrows at Deth. "Lieutenant, sir, I think Colonel Cubana was asking you the same thing." Cubana takes a deep breath and repeats a bit more forcefully her eyes going towards Deth and the medic, "Re-Port." Warrick's eyes flicker open again. Hoarsely, he says, "I am here, Terestin." Deth looks to the medic before responding to Cubana, "It appears some are still hallucinating... Colonel you and this group have been comatose for around 24 hours." Sondrix doesn't seem to hear the shriek. Not yet, or perhaps it's not even registering. She remains with eyes closed, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Davian..." she whispers again, chest heaving with sobs. Deth still scans the room with his hand unconsciously on his holster after hearing the thoughts. Cubana closes her eyes for a moment and then opens them, fear filling her eyes, "They are not hallucinating." she says simple then looks towards the others in the bed, "What...what happened was real. It is something we must face and move on with. It is a lesson to be learned...and to be shared." Starr is curled up against the headboard of her bed, sobbing. "Cimi dead Danos dead Laron dead Eb dead Dalar dead Ma dead Da dead Tybalt dead..." and she murmurs more names, names of dead Marines, names of family members, perhaps. Warrick's fingers stir to life, pinkies first, then progressively on towards the thumb. Again, his eyes close. Cubana spots Starr and her eyes go to the medic, "Calm her..." she says before adding a, "Please.." The medic nods. "Aye, sir." He takes a sedative injection module and applies it to Starr's right arm with a hiss. Josiah follows Cubana's lead and slowly lumbers himself into something of an upright sitting position. Deth shakes his head and looks at the colonel, "Well Ma'am, physically you were here all day and all night." Starr feels the slight prick of the module. "No...can't sleep." She lets fly with a backfist towards the medic. Cubana looks towards Deth, "Perhaps.." she responds almost hoarsely before moving to sling her legs over the side. Warrick rotates his wrists slightly, grimacing. Abruptly, he sits up, eyes flickering open. Almost abruptly, Sondrix pushes herself into straight sitting position, the tears streaking down her cheeks. With a shaking hand she wipes them away, swings her numb legs to the side of the bed. "How many ccs are you giving her?" she asks, voice a thin husky thread now hoarse. She tries to get down, but staggers, catching at the bedside and falling. The medic has already applied the sedative, but he takes a brutal backhand to the chest and staggers back. Deth hears the dull thud of a chest blow and turns rapidly to the medic and trots over, "Do you need assistance?" Daerius has not moved, arms folded lightly at his sides, breathing slow and even. The medic snaps his eyes to Sondrix, "Doctor, I gave her a minimal dose, just enough to calm her." He rubs his chest. Shaking his head at Deth, the medic says, "No, thank you, I am fine." Cubana steps off the bed, her legs giving out for a moment, but just that. She releases the side of the bed and stands for a moment getting a hold of herself. A single tear winds its way unnoticed from Warrick's eye. He swings his legs over the side of his bed,. Josiah stares ahead, intently contemplating the wall across the room from him. His body moves no more than the slightest rise and fall of his chest as he breathes his light, shallow breaths. Sondrix holds up her hand, signalling for the medic to be quiet. Then, with iron imposed calm she calls, "Starr...it's Sondrix. Shhhh...it's all right..." even as she pushes herself into standing position, one hand gripping the railings of the bed. Deth looks around as all the officers begin getting out of bed, "Sirs, you've been off your feet for over a day now. Don't rush yourselves." The medic smiles faintly, then looks to Deth. "Sir, looks like they're out of harm's way. If it's all the same to you, I've been on watch this whole time. I could use a rest." Cubana's travel from one to the other as if ascertaining their condition as she ignores Deth for the moment. Deth nods to the medic, "You've earned a night's rest." The medic nods. "Thank you, sir." Then he walks toward the door, wearily, and enters the corridor. Starr is still up, for the moment. She rubs her throat, still sobbing. "They /died/. All of them. I couldn't even /cry/ for them. Just stand there with my medal on, while they ate the pastry. Tybalt looked so nice, lying there." Warrick's legs swing experimentally for a few moments. Then, deliberately and slowly, he slides off of the bed. His feet touch firmly at the ground, weight settling slowly onto them. Cubana takes a deep breath. Deth queries with an incredulous look out of the corner of his eye, "Pastry?" Cubana walks towards Daerius, checking on him as she puts a hand on his shoulder. Sondrix's light violet eyes glance up, linger on Daerius, then Josiah, going to Warrick. For a moment she exhales sharply, the brightness of tears shining in her eyes. Then with slow deliberation she moves, painfully, towards Starr. "I know...." she whispers. "All of us...all of them." Daerius is still, but then almost imperceptibly stiffens under the touch. Cubana leans over and whispers. Cubana whispers to Daerius. Warrick , now on his feet, moves, warily, towards Sondrix. Josiah slips from his perch atop the bed and slowly wags his head back and forth. "Ephoso, Misha, Laron, Delar, Gabri, Danos, Cimi..." the names fall from his lips in a rushing tumble of words. "... death.. the pastry.. the pastry brought death... ascension was death..." he wags his head from side to side again as if that would clear the confusion within. Cubana turns her attention from Daerius to Josiah, pausing for a moment. Starr hears Josiah's words and sobs anew. Josiah's eyes meet Cubana's for a moment, then stray to linger on the marines, especially Starr. Deth laughs as he is noticeably the uncomfortable insider, "Pastries bring death?" Sondrix rests against the side of Starr's bed, then, quietly with no fuss, she reaches her arms around Starr and enfolds her in a wordless embrace, holding her close. A tear runs down her cheek. Then yet another one. Daerius says, voice very tight. Almost unrecognizable as his, "Go...I'm fine." His jaw clenches at Deth's words. Cubana turns and looks to Deth the irritation finally breaking through, "Until you figure out what's going on just shut up Lt." Josiah's eyes tear themselves away from Starr, attempting to leave peace and calm in their wake. Warrick , finally, reaches Sondrix, placing a hand on her shoulder. Josiah looks toward the Lieutenant and moves to place his body closer to the victim of his gaze. The usually untouchable Starr simply collapses in Sondrix's arms, crying and wailing. Deth sighs smiling as the colonel orders him, "Apparently we all need a bit of time to ourselves tonight so I'll go aside and clean up the evidence area." Josiah's steps are short and slow, shuffling, plodding, a struggled wandering. Josiah reaches out to place a shaking hand upon the Lieutenant's shoulder. "It's alright..." he says, the words an effort to summon. Cubana tears her eyes angrily away from Deth and towards the others, remaining removed for the moment. Sondrix simply holds Starr, turning her head only to glance at Warrick, violet eyes a plea. She rests her head on Starr's and only the shaking of her shoulders belies the fact that she is weeping too. Deth turns to Josiah as his grasp catches him, "We are all just a bit charged it seems sir. General T'ralthon confirmed that you were trapped in some sort of high dream state." Daerius finally sits up, face utterly expressionless, and only the quick clenching of his hands revealing anything. But then his eyes flicker and he looks up at Cubana, searchingly.. Josiah's free hand reaches out to steady himself. It finds the corner of a table just to his left and leans heavily on it. Deth motions over to a wall of steel cabinets, "The man died of common bone cancer sir and all the rest is still in storage." Warrick places his other hand on Sondrix's other shoulder. "Come," he says, softly. Cubana stands remains where she stands, removed from the others, her eyes on them. Irritation growing as Deth continues speaking. "Lt...please be silent." she says without even moving her gaze, her voice dreadfully quiet and calm. Josiah wags his head slowly from one side to another, "... dream state... or... not.." the words come in a slow trickle, as if the faucet from which the names tumbled so freely before had been almost completely closed and now only allows a small drip to pass, ".. it.. was... was no.. dream..." his eyes gaze beyond the Lieutenant. Josiah, his head turning to survey the table beside him, finds a chair and heaves himself into it, sitting sideways in it and draping an arm over its back. Starr abruptly stops her crying when she hears Warrick's words. She attempts to unravel herself from Sondrix's embrace. Cubana finally shifts her motionless stance her eyes moving away from the crew and towards the actual surroundings. Deth shakes his head after surveying the room full for broken officers and saunters his way over to the evidence lab area. Sondrix raises one hand to stroke down Starr's dishevelled, tangled curly mop of hair and lets go, stepping away. "Sleep now Starr..." she croons through her tears. "I'll be here if you need me..." She takes another step back into towards Warrick, close enough to brush her head against his cheek. She is trembling, still crying. Warrick places an arm around Sondrix's shoulders. Wordlessly, he leads her from the room. Cubana breaks her motionless stance and looks towards Josiah, stepping towards him. Her hand goes to his shoulder. Daerius stands up, dark eyes on Cubana. Then he forces his hands out of fists and closes his eyes again. Deth pulls over his chair and sits himself in front of an open science analysis kit and a molecular analysis array. Starr shudders, then slowly stands upright. And salutes. "Corporal Starr, reporting for duty, sir." Josiah raises his head and shoots a chilled gaze toward Starr. Sondrix instinctively shelters against Warrick, her manner reminiscent of...perhaps even a very young child pressing against its sibling, as she is led out. Josiah uses his arms, putting his weight heavily on them, and hauls himself out of the seat. He slowly makes his way with short, plodding strides toward the Corporal. "How do you fare?" he asks of her, his eyes shifting for only a moment to Daerius, the question extended to him as well. Warrick heads into Corridor - Deck 4 - SCCV VERSAILLES. Warrick has left. Corridor - Deck 3 - SCCV VERSAILLES A thin layer of impact cushion covers the floor of this twelve foot high, eight foot wide corridor. Dividing the ceiling from fore to aft are a series of dim illumination panels. The bulkheads to port and starboard, broken occasionally by doors, also have mounted upon them alert status flashers. Warrick , pale and weary looking, walks through, arm slung around Sondrix's shoulders. Sondrix's face is streaked with tears, her face as pale as Warrick's. "I must go...back...soon enough, Davian..." she murmurs with a visible effort. "Are you all right?" Warrick says, "I will be. But you're not going back yet...You need to sleep." Sondrix forces a wry, shaky laugh. "Not until...I know you're all right..." she murmurs, touching his face regardless of anyone passing. "Are you in pain?" Warrick says, "No more than usual." Sondrix draws Warrick up to the second deck level with a little tug. Warrick says, "Come on, let's get you to bed." Sondrix manages a very determined, "Not unless you rest too..." Carrier Crew Berthing - SCCV VERSAILLES Privacy never seemed to enter the equation when the designers planned this cavernous chamber, with rows of bunks three high and lockers, also stacked in threes, for personal effects. Each bed and each locker has a slot for a removable card with the stenciled name of each crew member assigned berthing here. Privacy only seems to come into play at all are the bathrooms, with enclosed toilets - although the washbasins and showers in the gender-divided facilities are built to contain groups - not individuals - with multiple shower heads dispensing reclaimed water. Sondrix ignores anyone in the crew berthing at this point despite her tear-streaked face. "I need to see to the others, Davian..." she breathes, brushing away her tears. Warrick says, "You need to see to yourself, Terestin." Sondrix turns towards her bunk. A shudder runs through her as she whispers, "They all *died*...none of them deserved it...Oh Cimi, Cimi..." She's on the brink of crying again. Warrick moves to sit beside her, placing a hand on her back..."Yes. Every one...Try not to think about these things yet. You must rest. Sondrix closes her eyes, ignoring the stares, the gapes, the wondering curious eyes. Very softly, firmly, she murmurs, "Kiss me Davian. As if it were the last day we had on earth." Warrick leans down and does just that, public affection be damned. It's a long kiss. Sweet, desperate...and halfway through it, even through her tears, Sondrix's tired, haunted eyes close and she sinks back unconscious on the bed. Worry, fear, empathy...all being too much accumulated. Starr arrives from Corridor - Deck 2 - SCCV VERSAILLES. Starr has arrived. Sondrix is lying on her bunk, face pale, eyes closed, Warrick sitting beside her. Her breathing rises and falls, very slowly. Starr walks into the berthing, obviously very exhausted but fighting it. For once in her life, she does not salute, instead wandering over to her bunk and collapsing on it.
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