Watchers - IC [Closed]

[Charlia]

Void, somewhere in Merlin's mind

Void appeared in front of a door. Taking a breath he opened the door. It was a dark room he walked into, embedded in the back wall, was what looked like a giant purple gem, inside the gem, was a familiar figure. Merlin. His eyes closed, trapped. Void's eyes did not look to him though, he looked to the figure standing in front of the gem.

"Ah, so Void returns.... this time with allies. Don't think I have not felt their presence. Let me guess, you are here to distract me, while those six try and free my toy." the Dream Walker said, "It won't work, I will ---"

"Oh just shut up. I know I can't beat you in a fight, but I know what you like. You like games. So I have come to purpose a game." Void said, Six, I only brought four.... damn those 'gods' they are interfering aren't they.... I'll use this though.

"What sort of game?"

"A simple game. Those six will attempt to free the three parts of Mer's mind that you have locked up. That is their goal. They are my pieces." a table appeared, over it looked like a map. Six pieces appeared on Void's side of the table. Each one was shaped exactly like the six people who came to save Merlin. "My goal is to have my pieces succeed. Your goal is to stop them. The rules are simple. I only get these six pieces, you can send what ever you want to counter them. But what's a game without a wager. If I win, you free Merlin."

"And if I win?"

"You can have Merlin, and my six pieces." Void said and put out his hand.

The Dream Walker smirked, and grabbed Void's hand. "I accept the terms of the game. Let the game begin." with a snap of his fingers, the six would find themselves suddenly at the castle's entrance.

Charlotte was a little bit irritated that Seren had showed up, but the fact that the normally emotionless girl was smiling like there was no tomorrow was... well, frankly it was a little terrifying.

The sudden teleportation was also unsettling, and she had to take a few breaths to calm herself down.

"Let's go," she said abruptly, and entered.

[Luminesa]

A few minutes ago
Liai grinned.
"A priest who can't be everywhere at once is quite useless in my mind."
She placed her hands on their foreheads, and all three of them focused. Thus they broke the first of many requirements of godhood.

Now
With a snap of her fingers, The three suddenly looked into he mind of Merlin - that is, the strange forest.
"Here lies your first task - assist your friends in defeating a Dream Walker."
Liai laughed.
"Not as you are, however."
She took their Watcher canes in hand and closed her eyes. With a flash of light she handed them back.
Matthew inspected the cane. Almost accidentally, he brushed a button at the center. The staff hissed, and identical blades around three feet long slid out from each end. The edges pulsed with a purplish blue glow, and Matthew experimentally slammed it into the dimension matter they stood upon. It sliced right into the fabric of the dimension, standing on its own.
"Raw Essence weapons," Liai spoke gravely, a serious expression on her face.
"Some would say god killers. Though not enough to actually kill a god, raw essence can cut anything except other essence. Use it wisely."
Then with a wave she was gone, and the two Watchers had been transported to the forest.

"Well!" Seren said with an enormous grin. "That was fascinating." She looked like a child who'd just been handed a new toy--or maybe ten new toys. "I'm quite happy with how things are turning out, what about you, Matthew?"

Ichiru saw that Matthew and Seren had arrived, and then the group was teleported to a castle's entrance. He was confused by the sudden changes, but he simply remained focused on the task at hand. Well, that was odd...but regardless, I suppose this is where our journey begins... he thought. Seeing Seren acting as...chipper...as she was, though, definitely caught him off-guard, and he wondered what exactly had happened to her, in Liai's dimension.

[The GAmeTopians]

Matthew closed his eyes, and an identical Matthew appeared next to him. The two both held identical bladed canes, rimmed with Essence.
"Let's do this,"
They spoke in unison.

[Luminesa]

Matthew closed his eyes, and an identical Matthew appeared next to him. The two both held identical bladed canes, rimmed with Essence.
"Let's do this,"
They spoke in unison.

Turning to look at both of them, Ichiru stared from one to the other, and then down at their Essence Weapons. They had an eerie feel to them, and he wondered what exactly Liai had done to Matthew, while he was in her dimension.

[Charlia]

Matthew closed his eyes, and an identical Matthew appeared next to him. The two both held identical bladed canes, rimmed with Essence.
"Let's do this,"
They spoke in unison.

"Showoff," Seren said with a grin, and snapped her fingers, two other versions of herself appearing. "I haven't had this much fun since that time with the Chinese assassins."

Ah, that was enjoyable.

"Shall we continue?" the three said at the same time, before Seren snapped her fingers and the two extraneous disappeared again. "I do believe our resident Naphil will leave us behind if we don't hurry."

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Inside the castle

The castle's entrance hall was old, and dark. Abandoned, dust could be seen floating in the dim sunlight. The red carpet that once was rich and well maintain had fallen poor and raggedy. At the top of the stairs, a little girl stood looking at the six. After a second or two she giggled, as she cocked her head to the left. A strange power emanated from her, but it would not feel evil. It felt strangely warm.

[Charlia]

Inside the castle

The castle's entrance hall was old, and dark. Abandoned, dust could be seen floating in the dim sunlight. The red carpet that once was rich and well maintain had fallen poor and raggedy. At the top of the stairs, a little girl stood looking at the six. After a second or two she giggled, as she cocked her head to the left. A strange power emanated from her, but it would not feel evil. It felt strangely warm.

Charlotte looked around and shivered unconsciously.

Then her eyes locked on the little girl, and without realizing, she took a step closer, and then another.

"Who are you?" she asked, her voice quiet and concerned.

---

Emotional caring worried confused scared trying not to remember

Seren watched the winged girl and the smaller girl with some interest, seeing how the older one reacted to the younger, with compassion and concern.

She's reminded of how young she was when it all started, Seren theorized. She has a special fondness for the young, and their sense of innocence and joy. That's why she worked so hard to keep herself under control while Masaiah was around. She didn't want to ruin the girl's happiness.

How... mawkish.

[True Refuge]

"Showoff," Seren said with a grin, and snapped her fingers, two other versions of herself appearing. "I haven't had this much fun since that time with the Chinese assassins."

Ah, that was enjoyable.

"Shall we continue?" the three said at the same time, before Seren snapped her fingers and the two extraneous disappeared again. "I do believe our resident Naphil will leave us behind if we don't hurry."

Everton chuckled at Seren's own show of her new ability and shook his head dramatically. "Goddamnit, a Seren with even more power, and an inevitably much larger ego. The cries of goldfish will be coming, won't they, Seren? With your new magic, I'm sure you won't be able to resist the urge." He looked out, deep into the forest. "What I'd pay, or even kill to have the Uncivil with me right now. Might make things a little easier. On that matter, I'd like to have Quartz too. Where's he gone?"

The old Rune Master emerged from the side of the small clearing with a treacherous scowl, his trench coat shuffling through the smaller shrubs and bushes. A bit of purplish blood was smeared over the trench coat, somehow not staining the fabric. "Bloody hell," he mused, "I come to Watcher HQ for the first time in forever and everyone decides to go on an adventure without me, and so I couldn't even start in the same area as everyone else." A small bayonet-like knife glinted as it was slid into his right sleeve. It too was covered in the liquid, perhaps even slightly dripping. "Quite a realistic forest, got all the animals and such, even bears, it seems." He glanced around at the group and the member beginning to walk into the distance, before letting his narrowing eyes rest on the two Matthews. He folded his arms.

"Matthew. I see you're here."

The address was as accusing as it was short, and the runesmith quickly turned to Everton. "Suppose we sort the fight out later, right?"
"Of course," Everton replied happily. "I'm not the sort to hold a grudge."
Quartz fished into yet another of the coat's deep pockets, pulling out a deck of elegantly embellished playing cards, and offered them to Everton. "You want these?"
"No thanks," Everton replied and extracted a rather large revolver from beneath his suit jacket, and his Cane too. "Perhaps give them to Kiri?"
"Oh no, these are the stronger variety. They don't just explode."

Everton nodded and checked the revolver's ammunition, and ushered Quartz and Kiri onwards with the group towards the castle.

The castle's entrance hall was old, and dark. Abandoned, dust could be seen floating in the dim sunlight. The red carpet that once was rich and well maintain had fallen poor and raggedy. At the top of the stairs, a little girl stood looking at the six. After a second or two she giggled, as she cocked her head to the left. A strange power emanated from her, but it would not feel evil. It felt strangely warm.

A grand affair it was, pillars of marble, stone and such all around, drowning out any semblance of modern times, leaving them with medieval sentiments oddly clashing with the modern clothing of some of the six. At the sight of the young girl at the top of the steps, he clamped a hand down on Kiri's shoulder, an unspoken warning against running off like she usually did. He and Quartz watched Charlotte's steady advance, remaining silent for the meantime.

[Luminesa]

Inside the castle

The castle's entrance hall was old, and dark. Abandoned, dust could be seen floating in the dim sunlight. The red carpet that once was rich and well maintain had fallen poor and raggedy. At the top of the stairs, a little girl stood looking at the six. After a second or two she giggled, as she cocked her head to the left. A strange power emanated from her, but it would not feel evil. It felt strangely warm.

Ichiru looked around the room, but he was not thoroughly frightened by the castle. In fact, he was more mystified by it than anything. It reminded him of another place...another dark and familiar place.

And then he saw the little girl.

She wore all white and had white hair and pale skin, like him. She also had red eyes, which looked slightly unnerving on the girl. Yet her aura did not seem threatening. If anything, her appearance and her giggle only made her seem curiously innocent. Stepping forward, Ichiru asked, "Who are you? And where are you leading us?"

Of course, as usual, he was ready to fight, and so he kept wary, in case he needed to defend Charlotte, Kiri, or anyone else.

[Charlia]

"Showoff," Seren said with a grin, and snapped her fingers, two other versions of herself appearing. "I haven't had this much fun since that time with the Chinese assassins."

Ah, that was enjoyable.

"Shall we continue?" the three said at the same time, before Seren snapped her fingers and the two extraneous disappeared again. "I do believe our resident Naphil will leave us behind if we don't hurry."

Everton chuckled at Seren's own show of her new ability and shook his head dramatically. "Goddamnit, a Seren with even more power, and an inevitably much larger ego. The cries of goldfish will be coming, won't they, Seren? With your new magic, I'm sure you won't be able to resist the urge." He looked out, deep into the forest. "What I'd pay, or even kill to have the Uncivil with me right now. Might make things a little easier. On that matter, I'd like to have Quartz too. Where's he gone?"

The old Rune Master emerged from the side of the small clearing with a treacherous scowl, his trench coat shuffling through the smaller shrubs and bushes. A bit of purplish blood was smeared over the trench coat, somehow not staining the fabric. "Bloody hell," he mused, "he couldn't have even bothered to put me in the same area as everyone else." A small bayonet-like knife glinted as it was slid into his right sleeve. It too was covered in the liquid, perhaps even slightly dripping. "Quite a realistic forest, got all the animals and such, even bears, it seems." He glanced around at the group and the member beginning to walk into the distance, before letting his narrowing eyes rest on the two Matthews. He folded his arms.

"Matthew. I see you're here."

The address was as accusing as it was short, and the runesmith quickly turned to Everton. "Suppose we sort the fight out later, right?"
"Of course," Everton replied happily. "I'm not the sort to hold a grudge."
Quartz fished into yet another of the coat's deep pockets, pulling out a deck of elegantly embellished playing cards, and offered them to Everton. "You want these?"
"No thanks," Everton replied and extracted a rather large revolver from beneath his suit jacket, and his Cane too. "Perhaps give them to Kiri?"
"Oh no, these are the stronger variety. They don't just explode."

Everton nodded and checked the revolver's ammunition, and ushered Quartz and Kiri onwards with the group towards the castle.

The castle's entrance hall was old, and dark. Abandoned, dust could be seen floating in the dim sunlight. The red carpet that once was rich and well maintain had fallen poor and raggedy. At the top of the stairs, a little girl stood looking at the six. After a second or two she giggled, as she cocked her head to the left. A strange power emanated from her, but it would not feel evil. It felt strangely warm.

A grand affair it was, pillars of marble, stone and such all around, drowning out any semblance of modern times, leaving them with medieval sentiments oddly clashing with the modern clothing of some of the six. At the sight of the young girl at the top of the steps, he clamped a hand down on Kiri's shoulder, an unspoken warning against running off like she usually did. He and Quartz watched Charlotte's steady advance, remaining silent for the meantime.

"It hardly matters," Seren responded with an inward thrill of excitement. This was fascinating. The Dream Walker, her new abilities...

And then there's that overly sentimental Naphil who just can't get over her past or her infatuation with our token legendary figure.

"Do you think," she muttered to Everton, "that her feelings will put this whole thing at risk? I'm not the best with emotions," she admitted.

[True Refuge]

"It hardly matters," Seren responded with an inward thrill of excitement. This was fascinating. The Dream Walker, her new abilities...

And then there's that overly sentimental Naphil who just can't get over her past or her infatuation with our token legendary figure.

"Do you think," she muttered to Everton, "that her feelings will put this whole thing at risk? I'm not the best with emotions," she admitted.

"The great Seren admits a weakness?" Everton replied curiously before snapping back to a straight face. "In all seriousness, this bundle of happiness and excessive joy here," he continued, glancing at Kiri, "is sort of on par with the sort of extreme emotional level that Charlotte's on. By logic, or perhaps my warped version of it that's designed to make you look bad, you think that Kiri's a risk to the mission as well?"

He gestured towards the slowly moving Naphil. "You haven't seen her fight yet, have you? Weren't you the one that provoked her when she released all her memories or whatever? She's had a traumatic past if you were even paying attention. It's not her fault that she's like this. And I'm interested to hear that you do indeed have emotions, perhaps the same as the rest of us."

[Luminesa]

Everton chuckled at Seren's own show of her new ability and shook his head dramatically. "Goddamnit, a Seren with even more power, and an inevitably much larger ego. The cries of goldfish will be coming, won't they, Seren? With your new magic, I'm sure you won't be able to resist the urge." He looked out, deep into the forest. "What I'd pay, or even kill to have the Uncivil with me right now. Might make things a little easier. On that matter, I'd like to have Quartz too. Where's he gone?"

The old Rune Master emerged from the side of the small clearing with a treacherous scowl, his trench coat shuffling through the smaller shrubs and bushes. A bit of purplish blood was smeared over the trench coat, somehow not staining the fabric. "Bloody hell," he mused, "he couldn't have even bothered to put me in the same area as everyone else." A small bayonet-like knife glinted as it was slid into his right sleeve. It too was covered in the liquid, perhaps even slightly dripping. "Quite a realistic forest, got all the animals and such, even bears, it seems." He glanced around at the group and the member beginning to walk into the distance, before letting his narrowing eyes rest on the two Matthews. He folded his arms.

"Matthew. I see you're here."

The address was as accusing as it was short, and the runesmith quickly turned to Everton. "Suppose we sort the fight out later, right?"
"Of course," Everton replied happily. "I'm not the sort to hold a grudge."
Quartz fished into yet another of the coat's deep pockets, pulling out a deck of elegantly embellished playing cards, and offered them to Everton. "You want these?"
"No thanks," Everton replied and extracted a rather large revolver from beneath his suit jacket, and his Cane too. "Perhaps give them to Kiri?"
"Oh no, these are the stronger variety. They don't just explode."

Everton nodded and checked the revolver's ammunition, and ushered Quartz and Kiri onwards with the group towards the castle.


A grand affair it was, pillars of marble, stone and such all around, drowning out any semblance of modern times, leaving them with medieval sentiments oddly clashing with the modern clothing of some of the six. At the sight of the young girl at the top of the steps, he clamped a hand down on Kiri's shoulder, an unspoken warning against running off like she usually did. He and Quartz watched Charlotte's steady advance, remaining silent for the meantime.

"It hardly matters," Seren responded with an inward thrill of excitement. This was fascinating. The Dream Walker, her new abilities...

And then there's that overly sentimental Naphil who just can't get over her past or her infatuation with our token legendary figure.

"Do you think," she muttered to Everton, "that her feelings will put this whole thing at risk? I'm not the best with emotions," she admitted.

"Charlotte is indeed fragile," Ichiru explained, quietly, "but that does not mean she is completely unstable. Besides, she has us with her. As long as she has a group to support her, she will be fine, as will the rest of us. The main thing is that we must stay together."

[Charlia]

"It hardly matters," Seren responded with an inward thrill of excitement. This was fascinating. The Dream Walker, her new abilities...

And then there's that overly sentimental Naphil who just can't get over her past or her infatuation with our token legendary figure.

"Do you think," she muttered to Everton, "that her feelings will put this whole thing at risk? I'm not the best with emotions," she admitted.

"The great Seren admits a weakness?" Everton replied curiously before snapping back to a straight face. "In all seriousness, this bundle of happiness and excessive joy here," he continued, glancing at Kiri, "is on par with the sort of emotional level that Charlotte's on. By logic, or perhaps my warped version of it that's designed to make you look bad, you think that Kiri's a risk to the mission as well?"

He gestured towards the slowly moving Naphil. "You haven't seen her fight yet, have you? Weren't you the one that provoked her when she released all her memories or whatever? She's had a traumatic past if you were even paying attention. It's not her fault that she's like this. And I'm interested to hear that you do indeed have emotions, perhaps the same as the rest of us."

"It hardly matters," Seren responded with an inward thrill of excitement. This was fascinating. The Dream Walker, her new abilities...

And then there's that overly sentimental Naphil who just can't get over her past or her infatuation with our token legendary figure.

"Do you think," she muttered to Everton, "that her feelings will put this whole thing at risk? I'm not the best with emotions," she admitted.

"Charlotte is indeed fragile," Ichiru explained, quietly, "but that does not mean she is completely unstable. Besides, she has us with her. As long as she has a group to support her, she will be fine, as will the rest of us. The main thing is that we must stay together."

"I don't believe this," Seren muttered to herself. "I'm not talking about those sorts of feelings. I'm quite aware of how those affect her. I've seen the results myself. Do you really not see it? It's obvious! Or at least, it should be obvious! Don't tell me you don't see it too..." she moaned, mumbling, "I hate having to explain myself to people."

[Luminesa]

"The great Seren admits a weakness?" Everton replied curiously before snapping back to a straight face. "In all seriousness, this bundle of happiness and excessive joy here," he continued, glancing at Kiri, "is on par with the sort of emotional level that Charlotte's on. By logic, or perhaps my warped version of it that's designed to make you look bad, you think that Kiri's a risk to the mission as well?"

He gestured towards the slowly moving Naphil. "You haven't seen her fight yet, have you? Weren't you the one that provoked her when she released all her memories or whatever? She's had a traumatic past if you were even paying attention. It's not her fault that she's like this. And I'm interested to hear that you do indeed have emotions, perhaps the same as the rest of us."

"Charlotte is indeed fragile," Ichiru explained, quietly, "but that does not mean she is completely unstable. Besides, she has us with her. As long as she has a group to support her, she will be fine, as will the rest of us. The main thing is that we must stay together."

"I don't believe this," Seren muttered to herself. "I'm not talking about those sorts of feelings. I'm quite aware of how those affect her. I've seen the results myself. Do you really not see it? It's obvious! Or at least, it should be obvious! Don't tell me you don't see it too..." she moaned, mumbling, "I hate having to explain myself to people."

"I am aware. Once again, we will keep an eye on everything, and make sure that everyone is aware of the mission and of our objectives," Ichiru responded calmly. In another setting, he would have smiled knowingly, as he understood Seren was talking about Charlotte's feelings for Merlin. Yet the situation was far too grim, and so now he kept to himself.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Little Girl

The girl did not respond to Charlotte or anyone, instead she looked to the door, as if expecting someone or something. She suddenly disappeared.

The door opened and a group of people walked in. Watchers of a time long gone. With them, was him. Merlin. A much younger look in his eyes, but yet still old.

"This is the place? Rather run down." One of them said.

"Shut up and be on alert. We have pushed them into a corner." Another one spoke.

"Ah come on, it's not like they don't already know we are here. Besides, I doubt they have enough to defeat this team."

Then Merlin spoke, "How about we just get this done? We came here to wipe the Shades out, so let's do the job."

With that the group walked up the stairs and disappeared. The little girl returned at the top of the stairs. She looked at the group and then started to walk away.

[Charlia]

"I don't believe this," Seren muttered to herself. "I'm not talking about those sorts of feelings. I'm quite aware of how those affect her. I've seen the results myself. Do you really not see it? It's obvious! Or at least, it should be obvious! Don't tell me you don't see it too..." she moaned, mumbling, "I hate having to explain myself to people."

"I am aware. Once again, we will keep an eye on everything, and make sure that everyone is aware of the mission and of our objectives," Ichiru responded calmly. In another setting, he would have smiled knowingly, as he understood Seren was talking about Charlotte's feelings for Merlin. Yet the situation was far too grim, and so now he kept to himself.

"If anything," Seren said grimly, "she's too aware. Her feelings were dangerous enough before, but now that there's a thick layer of guilt added to it..." She shook her head.

Little Girl

The girl did not respond to Charlotte or anyone, instead she looked to the door, as if expecting someone or something. She suddenly disappeared.

The door opened and a group of people walked in. Watchers of a time long gone. With them, was him. Merlin. A much younger look in his eyes, but yet still old.

"This is the place? Rather run down." One of them said.

"Shut up and be on alert. We have pushed them into a corner." Another one spoke.

"Ah come on, it's not like they don't already know we are here. Besides, I doubt they have enough to defeat this team."

Then Merlin spoke, "How about we just get this done? We came here to wipe the Shades out, so let's do the job."

With that the group walked up the stairs and disappeared. The little girl returned at the top of the stairs. She looked at the group and then started to walk away.

Charlotte stared in horror as her suspicions were confirmed.

No... no... she thought. I can't watch this! I can't watch that little girl die... I can't watch another poor child suffer... I can't...

...I have to, don't I?

I-It's just a memory, Charlotte. You can do this...

Oh, who am I kidding?! Of all people, shouldn't I know how harmful a memory can be?

I have to be able to do this.

I have to save him.

She cautiously followed the girl, forcing herself to keep calm.

[Luminesa]

"I am aware. Once again, we will keep an eye on everything, and make sure that everyone is aware of the mission and of our objectives," Ichiru responded calmly. In another setting, he would have smiled knowingly, as he understood Seren was talking about Charlotte's feelings for Merlin. Yet the situation was far too grim, and so now he kept to himself.

"If anything," Seren said grimly, "she's too aware. Her feelings were dangerous enough before, but now that there's a thick layer of guilt added to it..." She shook her head.

Little Girl

The girl did not respond to Charlotte or anyone, instead she looked to the door, as if expecting someone or something. She suddenly disappeared.

The door opened and a group of people walked in. Watchers of a time long gone. With them, was him. Merlin. A much younger look in his eyes, but yet still old.

"This is the place? Rather run down." One of them said.

"Shut up and be on alert. We have pushed them into a corner." Another one spoke.

"Ah come on, it's not like they don't already know we are here. Besides, I doubt they have enough to defeat this team."

Then Merlin spoke, "How about we just get this done? We came here to wipe the Shades out, so let's do the job."

With that the group walked up the stairs and disappeared. The little girl returned at the top of the stairs. She looked at the group and then started to walk away.

Charlotte stared in horror as her suspicions were confirmed.

No... no... she thought. I can't watch this! I can't watch that little girl die... I can't watch another poor child suffer... I can't...

...I have to, don't I?

I-It's just a memory, Charlotte. You can do this...

Oh, who am I kidding?! Of all people, shouldn't I know how harmful a memory can be?

I have to be able to do this.

I have to save him.

She cautiously followed the girl, forcing herself to keep calm.

Ichiru walked close behind her, watching her closely. While he still resented Seren for her callousness, she had a point. Charlotte was in love with Merlin, and while it was sweet, knowing how fragile Charlotte was only complicated things more. He had to make sure she stayed focused on the mission, above all things. "Remember, Charlotte...all of this is a vision. Just continue walking, and nothing will be able to hurt you..." he told her, quietly.

[True Refuge]

"If anything," Seren said grimly, "she's too aware. Her feelings were dangerous enough before, but now that there's a thick layer of guilt added to it..." She shook her head.

"I have to admit that you're right," Everton mused, "as much as it pains me to say that, but there's nothing you can do about it. Trying to seed doubt within us is only going to turn out worse later on, and whining about it accomplishes very little, especially if you're talking to people who currently support the subject of complaining." He looked outwards and sighed. "There's no one here that could be considered enough of a therapist to help Charlotte fight the guilt. Since that's true, we just have to deal with it, don't we?"

[Charlia]

"If anything," Seren said grimly, "she's too aware. Her feelings were dangerous enough before, but now that there's a thick layer of guilt added to it..." She shook her head.Charlotte stared in horror as her suspicions were confirmed.

No... no... she thought. I can't watch this! I can't watch that little girl die... I can't watch another poor child suffer... I can't...

...I have to, don't I?

I-It's just a memory, Charlotte. You can do this...

Oh, who am I kidding?! Of all people, shouldn't I know how harmful a memory can be?

I have to be able to do this.

I have to save him.

She cautiously followed the girl, forcing herself to keep calm.

Ichiru walked close behind her, watching her closely. While he still resented Seren for her callousness, she had a point. Charlotte was in love with Merlin, and while it was sweet, knowing how fragile Charlotte was only complicated things more. He had to make sure she stayed focused on the mission, above all things. "Remember, Charlotte...all of this is a vision. Just continue walking, and nothing will be able to hurt you..." he told her, quietly.

She turned, her eyes wide and worried.

"I... I'm not worried about me... I know what's going to happen... I know..."

She stared after the little girl, and blinked back a tear.

This isn't even my memory... Why am I so upset?

Because you don't want to watch a child suffer. Because you don't want to watch her die.

Because you're a good person.

For someone to be able to just callously ignore what happens here, they'd have to be either severely misguided, like Seren... or worse.

You know what sort of person I'm talking about.

Yes... I do.

But you're not like that. And that's why this saddens you. Because you're better than that.

...Thank you.

Oh, Charlotte. You don't need to thank me.

I'm just doing what's right.

"If anything," Seren said grimly, "she's too aware. Her feelings were dangerous enough before, but now that there's a thick layer of guilt added to it..." She shook her head.

"I have to admit that you're right," Everton mused, "as much as it pains me to say that, but there's nothing you can do about it. Trying to seed doubt within us is only going to turn out worse later on, and whining about it accomplishes very little, especially if you're talking to people who currently support the subject of complaining." He looked outwards and sighed. "There's no one here that could be considered enough of a therapist to help Charlotte fight the guilt. Since that's true, we just have to deal with it, don't we?"

"It's a bit more than that," Seren mused. "I have no doubt she'd trade all of our lives for his in less time than it would take you to blink. Keep that in mind... it could save your life."

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Void and the Dream Walker

"What do you plan to do by showing them these memories?"

The Dream Walker grinned, "You'll see. But first..."

Back in the castle hallway, the floor suddenly opened up underneath four of the six, and closed just as fast once they fell. Only Charlotte and Ichiru where left in the hall.

Kiri and Everton would find themselves suddenly in a room Kiri may of recognized, since she once had a dream of it. It was a grand room, gold engravings on the walls, but most importantly, everyone was looking to a man in bed.

Seren and Mathew would find themselves on top of a hill. Looking down the hill they'd see what looked to be a stone age settlement.

[Charlia]

Void and the Dream Walker

"What do you plan to do by showing them these memories?"

The Dream Walker grinned, "You'll see. But first..."

Back in the castle hallway, the floor suddenly opened up underneath four of the six, and closed just as fast once they fell. Only Charlotte and Ichiru where left in the hall.

Kiri and Everton would find themselves suddenly in a room Kiri may of recognized, since she once had a dream of it. It was a grand room, gold engravings on the walls, but most importantly, everyone was looking to a man in bed.

Seren and Mathew would find themselves on top of a hill. Looking down the hill they'd see what looked to be a stone age settlement.

"Well, this is interesting," Seren said offhandedly, and began to descend. "Why not take a look?"

---

Charlotte whirled in shock, and stared at where the others had been.

Oh, no.

What's going to happen now?

[Luminesa]

Ichiru walked close behind her, watching her closely. While he still resented Seren for her callousness, she had a point. Charlotte was in love with Merlin, and while it was sweet, knowing how fragile Charlotte was only complicated things more. He had to make sure she stayed focused on the mission, above all things. "Remember, Charlotte...all of this is a vision. Just continue walking, and nothing will be able to hurt you..." he told her, quietly.

She turned, her eyes wide and worried.

"I... I'm not worried about me... I know what's going to happen... I know..."

She stared after the little girl, and blinked back a tear.

This isn't even my memory... Why am I so upset?

Because you don't want to watch a child suffer. Because you don't want to watch her die.

Because you're a good person.

For someone to be able to just callously ignore what happens here, they'd have to be either severely misguided, like Seren... or worse.

You know what sort of person I'm talking about.

Yes... I do.

But you're not like that. And that's why this saddens you. Because you're better than that.

...Thank you.

Oh, Charlotte. You don't need to thank me.

I'm just doing what's right.

"I have to admit that you're right," Everton mused, "as much as it pains me to say that, but there's nothing you can do about it. Trying to seed doubt within us is only going to turn out worse later on, and whining about it accomplishes very little, especially if you're talking to people who currently support the subject of complaining." He looked outwards and sighed. "There's no one here that could be considered enough of a therapist to help Charlotte fight the guilt. Since that's true, we just have to deal with it, don't we?"

"It's a bit more than that," Seren mused. "I have no doubt she'd trade all of our lives for his in less time than it would take you to blink. Keep that in mind... it could save your life."

Ichiru looked toward the girl Charlotte was worrying about, and he nodded. "...I see...I wonder what memories she wants us to see..." he muttered. Yet then he saw Charlotte was tearing, and he stood next to her. "Are you alright?" he asked, kindly.

Void and the Dream Walker

"What do you plan to do by showing them these memories?"

The Dream Walker grinned, "You'll see. But first..."

Back in the castle hallway, the floor suddenly opened up underneath four of the six, and closed just as fast once they fell. Only Charlotte and Ichiru where left in the hall.

Kiri and Everton would find themselves suddenly in a room Kiri may of recognized, since she once had a dream of it. It was a grand room, gold engravings on the walls, but most importantly, everyone was looking to a man in bed.

Seren and Mathew would find themselves on top of a hill. Looking down the hill they'd see what looked to be a stone age settlement.

The floor suddenly opened, and four of the group's members disappeared. To keep Charlotte from falling in, Ichiru grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the hole quickly. In the meantime, he was both shocked and not shocked to see the enormous hole that brought his teammates elsewhere. "...Of course, this dream world could change at any time," he muttered, glumly.

[Charlia]

She turned, her eyes wide and worried.

"I... I'm not worried about me... I know what's going to happen... I know..."

She stared after the little girl, and blinked back a tear.

This isn't even my memory... Why am I so upset?

Because you don't want to watch a child suffer. Because you don't want to watch her die.

Because you're a good person.

For someone to be able to just callously ignore what happens here, they'd have to be either severely misguided, like Seren... or worse.

You know what sort of person I'm talking about.

Yes... I do.

But you're not like that. And that's why this saddens you. Because you're better than that.

...Thank you.

Oh, Charlotte. You don't need to thank me.

I'm just doing what's right."It's a bit more than that," Seren mused. "I have no doubt she'd trade all of our lives for his in less time than it would take you to blink. Keep that in mind... it could save your life."

Ichiru looked toward the girl Charlotte was worrying about, and he nodded. "...I see...I wonder what memories she wants us to see..." he muttered. Yet then he saw Charlotte was tearing, and he stood next to her. "Are you alright?" he asked, kindly.

Void and the Dream Walker

"What do you plan to do by showing them these memories?"

The Dream Walker grinned, "You'll see. But first..."

Back in the castle hallway, the floor suddenly opened up underneath four of the six, and closed just as fast once they fell. Only Charlotte and Ichiru where left in the hall.

Kiri and Everton would find themselves suddenly in a room Kiri may of recognized, since she once had a dream of it. It was a grand room, gold engravings on the walls, but most importantly, everyone was looking to a man in bed.

Seren and Mathew would find themselves on top of a hill. Looking down the hill they'd see what looked to be a stone age settlement.

The floor suddenly opened, and four of the group's members disappeared. To keep Charlotte from falling in, Ichiru grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the hole quickly. In the meantime, he was both shocked and not shocked to see the enormous hole that brought his teammates elsewhere. "...Of course, this dream world could change at any time," he muttered, glumly.

"...No," she said quietly. "I'm not all right."

Then he grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the hole, and she stifled a cry of surprise and fear.

"Stop! Stop! I can't!" she cried, pulling away and covering her face, hiding her terrified eyes. "Please, don't hurt me... Please..."

[Luminesa]

Ichiru looked toward the girl Charlotte was worrying about, and he nodded. "...I see...I wonder what memories she wants us to see..." he muttered. Yet then he saw Charlotte was tearing, and he stood next to her. "Are you alright?" he asked, kindly.



The floor suddenly opened, and four of the group's members disappeared. To keep Charlotte from falling in, Ichiru grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the hole quickly. In the meantime, he was both shocked and not shocked to see the enormous hole that brought his teammates elsewhere. "...Of course, this dream world could change at any time," he muttered, glumly.

"...No," she said quietly. "I'm not all right."

Then he grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the hole, and she stifled a cry of surprise and fear.

"Stop! Stop! I can't!" she cried, pulling away and covering her face, hiding her terrified eyes. "Please, don't hurt me... Please..."

He was slightly confused, wondering what he had done to scare Charlotte. He then thought, Maybe it was the way I pulled her from the hole? Did I jerk her too hard? Yet as he saw her frightened and shivering, he did not want to leave her that way. Walking carefully toward her, this time he gently put a hand on her shoulder. "...I'm not going to hurt you, Charlotte..." he assured her.

[Charlia]

"...No," she said quietly. "I'm not all right."

Then he grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the hole, and she stifled a cry of surprise and fear.

"Stop! Stop! I can't!" she cried, pulling away and covering her face, hiding her terrified eyes. "Please, don't hurt me... Please..."

He was slightly confused, wondering what he had done to scare Charlotte. He then thought, Maybe it was the way I pulled her from the hole? Did I jerk her too hard? Yet as he saw her frightened and shivering, he did not want to leave her that way. Walking carefully toward her, this time he gently put a hand on her shoulder. "...I'm not going to hurt you, Charlotte..." he assured her.

"...Y-you're not?" she queried quietly. "I... I... I'm so confused... everything's spinning, it's like this place is messing with my head... I can't think straight anymore. And I don't know why..."

Why are my emotions so much more overwhelming now?