There was an iciness, a sinking and sickening of her heart as soft lashes leapt from their silken bed, unveiling dark liquid pools of emerald which seemed as though they had been ardently awaiting their release from the captive lids. Ciara's body immediately jolted upright, perfectly arched brows knitted across her forehead, inquisitive emeralds giving her chamber a quick sweep for any abnormalities. It wasn't a moment later that she realized it had all been a simple dream; a simple dream that remained vividly lingering in her mind, not a single detail was lost.
At first it seemed as though she lie resting on her back in the center of the universe, those burning emerald flames piercing into the beautiful blackness. The black void of space stretched across the eons, a glittering backdrop of stars brightening the depths. Soft white stars spun in dazzling, chaotic patterns, pulsing together and spinning away. Glimmering jewels set into the velvet blanket of space seemed to pull her very essence towards them, and before those ebon lashes could fall upon silken cheeks she found herself spinning; twisting through the very fabric of space. The glittered tapestry she had once gazed upon turned to a tangle of turmoil, confusion, and pain. Ciara's own pair of emerald jewels reluctantly succumbed to the funneling space as soft lashes fell to veil the illusion.
In what seemed like eons later, Ciara found herself looking down over the vast array of glittering stars, though it appeared strikingly different now. The beautiful tapestry of space seemed on the verge of collapsing beneath the pressure of burning orbs which were arranged into eight separate clusters. She noted that each cluster of stars varied in size and appearance, though one cluster stood out predominantly over the others. The massive body of stars could scarcely be seen, for it was of the deepest ebon, blending into the black curtain of space. The milky white hue of color spinning in soft pirouettes about it's heavenly host was the only attribute presented to reveal it's presence to the focused mind. Upon closer examination, there were other elements that separated these sets of stars. Six clusters were set in an unusual line with every set curiously close to one another, as if they were all trying to serve a common purpose. Each cluster varied in size, though most consisted of dimly lit stars, with only the occasional shining or flickering star in their midst.
As the dream progressed, Ciara began to notice that the ominous ebon globe seemed to be the only cluster moving. Ever so subtly it would pass by each cluster, collecting the brightest stars into its mass. As each burning jewel was brought within its depths, the massive globe would surge with energy, becoming more and more visible, as the lesser clusters now seemed to shrink back into the comforting blackness of space. Ciara's eyes flashed with interest, watching time and time again as the bright stars would be collected. This time, as she watched, she noticed that with every surge of the growing cluster, the very fabric of space would tremble gently, pushing tension between clusters, causing them to inch slowly away from one another.
Twin emerald orbs flashed gently as she was reminded of the smallest cluster, 'er inquisitive gaze immediately rising to see the tiny cluster situated high above the growing tension below. Though each star shone bright as the sun, there was something wrong; a dark crimson haze was cast over the cluster. As curiosity began to rise as to why the haze was there, a deeper trembling made itself felt through the blanket of space; in an instant her eyes locked with a flickering star being collected. The massive ebon globe surged -- and she was awake.
* * * * *
Tendrils of impassive blackness swirled about her face in a cloud of passionate smoke as quick feet carried her down the hall as fast as she could move, something was terribly wrong. A hand stretched out to catch the side of an open doorway, pulling her form completely around and to a halt just inside Aari's chamber. An audible sigh escaped past blood-strained lips, emerald orbs dimmed and shoulders fell as she looked in upon the empty room. Ciara couldn't even entertain the idea that maybe she was just out for a stroll. No, she knew for a fact that her friend had left...for good. A low growl sounded from deep within her throat, silently cursing as a fist was slammed into the wall beside her. Leaning back onto her heel, Ciara started to turn out of the room, a passing glance back suddenly brought her to a realization. A few gentle steps brought her form further within the room, slender fingers trailing over a small table as she came to a halt, twin emeralds sweeping the room.
Mm, someone sure left in hurry...
Aari had left everything. She hadn't even taken her -- nerfbat...a cynical grin had crept upon those crimson tiers as she casually moved to lift the nerfbat from it's place upon her bed.
"Ciara -- what're you doing?" The voice rang into the silence. Slowly, precisely, Ciara turned on her heels to face the door, all trace of humor had fled from her features, haunting emerald orbs of the darkest hue remained staring at the ground for a long moment before ever so slowly moving to lock with the face at the doorway.
"She's gone."
Her sister's face was the one that stared back in unbelief, barely uttering, "A-Aari?" A simple nod was all the response she needed.
* * * *
"Heh, heh, heh, if she decides she needs her things, she can just have a grand ol' time collecting the scattered pieces floating about the universe," Kidouses snickered.
"Or the scattered ashes that will become of this nerfbat," Ciara half-muttered, the deep scowl still etched onto her lips. Giving a brief mental sigh, she raised her gaze to glance briefly about the ship; the Mystics had decided it fitting to release Aari's things out the airlock of Tarentum's VSD, the Corsair. Ciara didn't remember ever being on the ship before, but it didn't seem to matter at the moment. The plan sounded 'mystical' enough to possibly heighten her spirits, and she might get to talk to dear Pelies as well. The Triden's Quaestor was indeed, at one point, aboard the ship, though at the moment he was out flying with his pilots.
The slightest inclination of grin appeared on Ciara's lips as she slowly handed Aari's nerfbat over to the hungry flames. The phyle had set up a rather ceremonious display of concealed fire to properly dispose of the favorite 'weapon' of their dearly departed tyro. The quiet murmurs of the Mystics gently feeding the flames as they picked through Aari's things curiously, wondering when they would have the pleasure of dumping them as well. Kryndath turned a curious eye towards Ciara who now, to anyone else, might seem relaxed, sitting quietly in her chair watching the display with grim interest. A gentle push of her feet against the cool metal in front of her, brought her seat into a slightly reclined position. Emerald orbs staring deep into the depths of the burning fire. Ciara's mind began to wander. Her best friend and tyro had just suddenly up and left them. Well, perhaps suddenly wasn't the word. That sickening feeling began to creep back into her stomach as she thought about how she could've prevented Aari from leaving, but who was she kidding? Taldryan had been trying to recruit both of them, if not the whole phyle, for quite some time now. And she couldn't deny that she had never had the urge to leave as well; she had, many times. Of course, they never out right told them to join or leave their clan, but the reasoning was obvious. Promises could be made, and possibly fulfilled, that wouldn't happen where Aari was then; plus Ciara had a feeling there was...something, going on between Aari and a member of her now favored clan. Shaking her head of these thoughts, her attention was drawn back to the now dying fire. A burning ember had escaped from it's prison, falling safely to the floor, Ciara watched the ember tremble and flicker until it too finally died out, without anything to thrive on. And then it hit her -- the shocking realization, what had awoken her from her dream in the first place. That tiny, flickering ember calling to mind that tiny, flickering star. Without a doubt now, she knew. That star represented Aari. Why else would she have awoken with such a feeling of dread and instinctively run to Aari's room? Though some questions still remained unanswered, why was she represented by a flickering star, there were several in the dream, and why -- Her thoughts were cut into by the sharp beep of her ComlinK. Ciara's eyes narrowed gently as slender digits went to receive the call."Ciara, mind letting a person through?"
"Uhm, listen, I don't know who you are, but -- "
"Hey, can't you let an old Mystic through to even get her stuff?"
Ciara, suddenly reminded of the whole reason for coming out here, dropped her gaze to the pile of Aari's things, a gentle smirk touching her lips as she looked towards the other Mystics who were all eagerly staring out the viewport at a small shuttle. "Ah, Aari... heh, forget your things did you? Sure... come and get them. But you won't find them at the base. We've got them right here and waiting for ya."
* * * *
"You did what to my nerfbat?!" Aari growled, staring at the ashes from the fire.
"Oh, nothing serious. I mean if you still want it, it may not do much, but you could always collect the ashes and -- "
"Kudos! Kryndath! Don't move another thing! That's MY stuff!"
Growling in unison, Kryndath and Kidouses had Aari's things out the airlock and were advancing towards her before she could blink, "Yes, your prunyness."
Everyone felt the growing tension as the remaining inner circle stared coldly into Aari. Though she stood strong, merely glowering back at all of them. With a shake of the head, Ciara reached to grab Aari's arm gently pulling her away, knowing full and well what would happen with all the Mystics facing off against who they say as a traitor.
Ciara signed softly as she leaned back against the cool wall of the room, her inquisitive gaze staring towards Aari intently, obviously awaiting answers to the unspoken questions.
"Ciara, I had to stop letting people tell me what *I* wanted to do, I had to make my own decision."
"Oh yes, that's right. That's why you let their whole clan tell you what you wanted, you know they just wanted to you and others to help their clan that's already full of a lot of talented people. They just greedily want them all, promising everything they can."
"Oh, you don't think they can fulfill them? Besides, that is not why I left."
"Well, maybe they can, maybe they can't. Still, it's messing things up..." Ciara's voice trailed off. She had answered her own questions. The massive ebon globe of stars, the energy surges, the way it made the very thing it rested upon tremble and shake, even the way each surge would push clusters further away..They weren't the only clan doing it, and Aari wasn't the only one being --
"Ciara?!" Aari's voice cut sharply into her thoughts, people seemed to enjoy doing that today.
"Yeah, I'm sorry Aari. I guess we shouldn't have got so upset, but you didn't even say good-bye.."
Aari sighed as she slid down to sit on the floor, leaning back against the wall, "I was tired of it Ciara, I did love the house, that's why you were able to keep me from leaving so many times. Though, no one else seemed to realize how much I cared and wanted to do. And what with the huge change in leadership and all, its overwhelming, I didn't know what would happen..."
"So, let me get this straight, you just kept trying to shine and let people realize you wanted to help us, but it wasn't happening, and it's hard to keep doing everything you can nonstop, so you kinda dim a little bit, have thoughts of leaving, and most of the time you do decide to stay and try even harder than before. But you were confused about stuff, decided to make your own choices and so joined the clan where you thought you could shine the most, right?"
Seeming a bit shocked by Ciara's words, Aari blinked slightly, giving a short nod. All the answer Ciara needed, she was a flickering star, like so many others.
* * * *
The Mystics returned to the Gladius base that night, as Aari returned to her new home, with a pocket full of credits to pay for some new things. Ciara now lie on her bed, a stylus in hand, scribbling away at the notes she had gathered of her dream the other night. What the massive ebon orb represented, why it gathered all the bright stars, and why it caused near everything around it to tremble and rock the very foundation upon which they were set. She had realized through her chat with Aari, why she had awoken so quickly from her slumber, and why several of the stars flickered amongst the clusters. Near every question was answered. Except for one; that tiny little cluster that sat above the rest. Rolling onto her back she sighed, tossing the paper aside. Who knows, maybe the crimson haze meant she wasn't supposed to -- and with that she had slipped into dreamland once again.
* * * *
The giant globe stood front and center, though there was something different about it this time, the milky hue of color that had once spilled through the cluster, had turned to an ivy green, growing and clinging to it's depths. The remaining clusters were encircling the larger cluster, and ever so slowly each cluster began to pick up speed. Swirling in a giant mass of chaos, the green ivy spilled over to crawl throughout, entangling each cluster within it's iron grip until all was still once more.
That is, before everything began to tremble and shake, as if a great war were about to break loose. . .