I8DT - At least the lock was fixed.

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 3:17 am

"Well I don't especially need a temple, and I'm not certain the Morrigan ever did."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 3:24 am

She chuckles faintly. "I didn't think you would. I'm just talking about your goals in general."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 3:31 am

"You know what the funny thing is? I don't know as I have them any more laid out than you, but it doesn't bother me."

"Losing you, what even felt like losing you again even though we averted that... that's what pushed me to the edge. The thought of it all coming horribly true in a new fashion after we'd closed off the old."

"So... accepting that the moment, no matter what it is, somehow is better..."

"...I think I can live with that. I almost don't know if I want to tempt fate."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 3:38 am

"The thing is... I lost the life I had. Twice. I know it sounds crazy to even lament that considering what it was like over there but that's how it is. And it's not fair towards you because that should have given me back hope and direction but since everything came to an end I've been free falling. I gave up the life I had here because I had to and I gave up the one I had there because I didn't want it. And that leaves me with very little..."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 3:40 am

"Very little but the opportunity to make it what you want, even if you don't know what that is yet. You're still the one steering, love."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 3:44 am

"I know that. This isn't some... loss of control thing though I won't deny I probably have issues there as well thanks to... well, you know."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 3:48 am

"I'm sorry. I suppose I'm fumbling in the dark a bit too, trying to help."

"And part of me says I should just read your mind if I want so desperately to know what's troubling you, but I don't know as that's exactly fair to you either."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 3:49 am

"You can take a look but I honestly don't know if it'll do any good."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 3:52 am

"Always felt a bit like cheating, especially with you."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 3:54 am

"If it helps you understand... I know this isn't easy for you either."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 3:59 am

"I'll do it, then. You've enough sources of frustration, and I'd rather not be one of them."

Nailah could feel the wings of the flock brushing against her thoughts.

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 5:07 am

Nailah's mind felt different, but that was to be expected. The flock would be greeted with a thick mist that swirled back and forth, the mental feedback loop of her precognition she has turned into a mental defense. Though she's offering no resistance and Sam's familiarity with Nailah's mind lets her through easily enough.

Beyond it the familiar desert takes shape and nestled next to the river still lies Heliopolis but low-hanging clouds and smoke cover the city of the sun in an eerie twilight. Soot is covering many of the buildings and a fire is burning in front of the temple of Sekhmet, dark smoke billowing forth from it. The temple itself is in ruins, collapsed walls, cracked steps and toppled pillars. Some areas showing the inside. A handful of priests and other denizens of her mindscape have begun to clear the rubble and even repair the temple but most of them are busy elsewhere. Going through the streets and buildings they drag vaguely humanoid shapes from the buildings and shadows towards the temple square in a bizarre procession. Once there they heave them onto the fire which, at closer inspection, is the twisted shape of a massive bird. Black and purple feathers crackle in the flame that almost doesn't seem to be consuming them, instead only spewing more of the choking smoke into the air.

On top of the stairs of the broken temple is Nailah's avatar, watching over the pyre with a stone-faced expression.

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:18 am

Her avatar frowned as she descended, a shiver passing through her physical body as she took in the emotions.

"Oh, love..."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:21 am

"Samantha." she says, her expression mellowing ever so slightly. "I am sorry I have to welcome you with everything in such a state of disarray."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:22 am

"This is her pyre, isn't it?"

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:30 am

"Yes, mainly. But it's slow. There's so much hatred and sorrow. And we keep finding parts of her where they don't belong."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:32 am

"She doesn't belong anywhere... she's dead now."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:38 am

"Of course, but that doesn't mean she or what she did goes forgotten. If we don't send her off and keep watch she will begin to rot and seep into the ground."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:40 am

"Aye, but her soot stains the temple, too..."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:52 am

"Not just hers." she says, nodding at the other shapes being thrown onto the pyre. "But it has to be done."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 10:55 am

"Just don't... don't burn anything you'd rather keep."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:05 am

"Do not worry, the flames won't harm the things they shouldn't."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:08 am

"I'd help if I could but... you're right. Only you can do this."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:11 am

"You're always welcome here but no, this my task and if I let you interfere you will only get bogged down in it. You already picked up some soot." she says, picking a flake off of Sam's shoulder.

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:12 am

"I just want it... restored to splendor."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:18 am

"We're doing the best we can."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:20 am

"Aye. It takes time, I know."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:27 am

"And I feel we did a decent job so far. When you found me in that basement most of it was in ruins."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:30 am

Her avatar quirked a brow.

"...I'm afraid I was on the physical side of things, at the time."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 11:35 am

"And that's probably for the better."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:13 pm

"Not certain how much I was helping things at the time, either."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:20 pm

"Not certain you could have. But maybe it'll leave you feeling better knowing that there has been progress."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:28 pm

"Aye. It may not feel like much, but it does."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:42 pm

"You know how this works. At least you do when you're not this close."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:48 pm

"I can't really be clinical about this. Not with you."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 12:58 pm

"I know. You don't have to be. But stop blaming yourself for not being able to fix this."

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 1:04 pm

"You do know me too well, by now."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 1:10 pm

"Almost inevitable." she smiles.

by **Samantha McManus** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 1:12 pm

"Small wonder I keep bringing up meeting your parents."

by **Nailah Weaver** » Wed Dec 07, 2011 1:18 pm

"Yes that's what shows how serious the two of us are." she says with an amused chuckle.

Who is online