Ducking out of the way of a low tree branch, Ciara giggled softly as she made her way through the woods, finally entering an area known as Richmon Lake. She had been away from Imythess for many months now, lost in another world which she knew little about, a land of dragons and demons, a place she would never go back to, not by choice at least. Her arms swayed beside her as she walked, her hands wrapped in an odd fashion of scarlet silks, a tiara tightly grasped in her left hand while the other was free to touch the bark and leaves of a near by tree. She had to stop herself as she neared the lake, her breath taken away as she stood in awe, looking over the sparkling waters and then up to the sky where rainbows had formed looking most peaceful. The sounds of the falling waters found her long ears, they perked as her eyes fell upon the many cascading falls.

Ciara gasps a moment, her left hand coming up to her chest as she whispers softly "Im ilue nid dura mia eleea.." her voice trailing off, the thickened elfin accent surfacing as she speaks words of another language. "Can it be, I have returned to Imythess after all this time?" While her voice no longer a whisper, she still speaks softly, to no one but herself as she takes slow and cautious steps forward, looking down at the clearing, stepping softly into the long grasses which sway along a cool breeze. Her eyes once more look about the area, a beaming smile covering her entire face, lighting up her eyes even for more than a few moments. "I am home.." she says, letting out a long breath, her hand falling from her chest, the tiara still clutched in her hand. "Finally, after all this time, I am home..."

Falling to her knees, she appears to be praying, thanking the gods and especially Laoura, she was so excited to be back in Imythess. Her teal eyes filling with tears, hanging her head low as she continues to pray.

Laoura was listening to the prayers of many different people in her temple, as usual as she rested when a startingly familiar presence entered her mind. The prayers were of thanks and Laoura could not help but go and see if it was true with her own eyes.

Travelling beyond the temple was not easy for her during the day when the sun was in power, but the power of Kuya seemed to be weakening as his presence was less and less felt upon this land. She teleported to the place, invisible, nothing more then a cool breeze for the moment.

She walked along the shores, towards the figure. It was indeed her. Laoura smiled to herself and slowly gained a slightly more substantial form. She had forgotten how little power she did have during the day, unable to take a completely solid form beneath such light.

Laoura approached the kneeling woman and laid a hand on her shoulder. "Welcome."

Her prays of thanks halted as Ciara quickly pulled away, pushing her self back from the figure once she was touched upon the shoulder, not realizing she had had company near the lake to begin with. No, they haven't found me, they couldn't have. How could they find me so quickly? It cannot be them, not now. She looked up quickly, her eyes wide with shock, fear hinting in them, the teal now deeper as tears continued to fall. Once she realized that this person did not come to harm her, Ciara was caught once more without breath, unable to find the words now to thank her new companion, Laoura.

Before she could even let herself think on, she gathered to her feet, a wide smile upon her face as she wiped away the happy tears that now streamed from her eyes. Her head shook in disbelief at the sight, bringing her hands and the tiara up toward her face, laughing now as she cried. Bowing deeply for a moment Ciara gathered her emotions, calming herself down before she rose to face Laoura again.

"My Goddess, it has been far too long and I cannot thank you enough. I can only hope that you would forgive me for my long absence as I had very little control over where I was taken and the time I had spent there." Wiping the last few tears from her face and eyes, Ciara looked about the lake and surrounding area, the cool breezes swaying the branches of the trees, the chirping of birds and the beautiful sight in the sky. "I am so happy to see your face again, thank you for such a welcome. You have truly lifted my spirits even higher than they had been moments before." Her smile was beaming, her eyes sparkling again as she clasped her hands in front of her body, giving a quick bow of the head before letting more soft laughter escape her.

Laoura continued to smile greatly at Ciara. "There is nothing to forgive. Things change in life and though some changes we do not enjoy, are necessary. I do not know where you have been or what you have seen, I am only grateful of your safe return."

She too looked around the falls and was surprised to realize it had been ages since she had been there. Many, many years now. Today she wore very little finery, rather then a gown she wore a comfortable pair of cream colored pants and sandals. Her top was a sleeveless one and made from dark red, flowing fabric. Around her waist, in its usual place was The Moonblade.

Laoura was very happy to see Ciara again. It had been a long time and Ciara had always proven to be one of the most reliable of the gods she had chosen from among the mortals.

(Sorry it took so long to reply... The jobs took a lot of time to finish... :) )

Bahamut was watching them, hidin in the trees nearby. He had known Ciara had returned, but now she wasn't a goddess, so he wondered why he was here.

Shaking her head, Ciara let her eyes pull away from the Goddess, her lips turning into a pout of some sort. Giving a long sigh, her eyes filled with tears again, still not dry from the tears only moments go. Thinking again on all that had happen, the torture and pain she had been through in the Other World, she was frightened to even talk of it. Afraid that they might find her again. No details, not now.. Not until I can be sure that I am safe here..

Ciara turned from Laoura, she didn't want her to see the tears that fell now, though she was sure that Laoura would know of her sadness. She brought one of her wrapped hands to her face, using the wrappings to soak up the tears. Her eyes now a dull teal, showing her sadness even if she wanted to hide it all from others. Still shaking her head, she turned back, not being able to help the smile that came.

"You have no idea.. I only wish that here had been a way for me to call for you or anyone there. It was horrible.. just horrible.." Her voice trailed off into a whisper, her eyes averting themselves from Laoura, a hand coming to her mouth as if stopping her from going on. Instead she wiped her face again, ensuring that no tears had been left, the smile growing again as she looked around once more.

"You look well, I hope all has gone along just fine." She gave a sigh, realizing now that she had realized that she couldn't sense the element of air as strongly as when she had so abruptly left, though her smile hadn't faded. For a moment, she began to feel regret, a sense of failure washing over her. In my absence, I failed the people of Imythess, I failed Laoura, how could this of all happened? Her mind raced through many thoughts, most untrue, but nonetheless she couldn't help herself to think and even believe them.

Her hands toyed with the tiara in them, she searched her mind for Alexander as well, though his presence was not felt, his thoughts not seen or heard through her own mind. It only led her to believe that he was long gone by now, most likely driven mad in her absence. More thoughts of failure came, though she did her best to hide such sadness from Laoura, not wanting to trouble her, especially on the day of her return.

He feels sad for her, as she had been somewhat a friend of his. He continues to watch silently from the trees, wondering if Laoura would sense he was there. He hoped not.

Selena ran into the forest as fast as she could. She had to get her mind of things. Do something. Anything. That's why she decided to run. she couldn't stay where she's been. Where she'd lived and felt safe for so long. All those years. Lies. A big heap of lies. Now they were closing in on her. Choking her it seemed. She had to run. She had to. Anywhere. It didn't matter. Nothing mattered to her now. Nothing at all. As the wind danced through her hair while her feet wouldn't rest, her heart felt cold and hollow. Her breath was fast and warm as she tried to ignore the slow sobs her emotions produced. Don't cry. she told herself. Just don't cry. Or you won't be able to stop anymore! She run faster and faster, like fire so very fast. But in the end she couldn't ignore her feelings anymore. She could no longer run away from them. They HAD closed in on her now. They HAD caught her. All kind of dark thoughts whispered to her drowsy mind. She let herself fell near on the sandy land near to the lake. As she sat herself on a cold, grey rock and felt the water lapping, tickling her tired feet, she could control her feelings no more. She cried. Just cried. Feeling as hopeless and betrayed as never before. Lies... Just lies... ALL lies... she whispered softly, tears coming down her face.