Welcome to Gaia! ::

Shia sighs. "I will make one guess, uncle... and it is no false one for my questioning of my mother's people has only reinforced what I suspect may be true." she pauses and gives him a sad smile. "You have already stated that it is not having someone threaten those you love and care for, and yet such a thing is known drive you into a blind rage... And you grow angry when caged or penned... It also disturbs you when things happen over which you have no control, or you are forced into a response you do not wish to make. You could not save your sister, so that event haunts you to this day. When in your younger form and forced by punishments you feel unfair into a corner or similar situation, you strike out... you feel cornered... literally both in mind and soul.... When things do not go your way, you do your best to channel them into the pattern you wish and if that pattern refuses to gel, you again lose control... Perhaps is it being made to feel helpless, to be not in control. Is this what enrages you most?"

Shia smiles and gives him a hug. "Give your bride a hug from me, Uncle. I am sorry I won't be able to be there. Could... cold you send me back now there's so much I need to do... please. I... I don't want to see Ma and Dad... iffin I do, they'll know something's up." There are tears in her eyes but she is smiling. "I've been a part of their lives for so long... and I will only be a part of his for so short a time, it hurts inside. I..." she sighs and shakes her head. "Be good... be gentle.. be strong... for me... for him... for the lives that are to come... and uncle... tell Tam, I know... I know why he didn't come back and I"m happy for him, truly I am."

She kisses his cheek again and waits quietly for him to send her home. Already she is feeling anxious, fearful that even though she's seen what appears to her as the correct path that she must take, it will lead to a loss she has no desire to embrace.

Back in her room, Shia begins to pack away her most precious things, but she knows she'll only be allowed a few. She snatches up her silver pipe, the three books Kerobian has just given her, her journal and a very special doll. She listens to the merriment in the compound. Little Kerobian is chasing his sister around the front room, demanding that she give him back his very special wrap that Rhea has created for the ceremony, while Terran whines about having to wear one. All is as it should be and it makes Shia smile. She places her possessions on the bed and goes out to check her garden, telling the wink bugs she will be gone for a very very long time and receiving their pledge that they will tend to her garden in her absence.

Shia smiles and shakes her head. "No uncle, don't.... I know you mean well... but this is as it should be. What need will I have of all those things when penned in a small dark cave for months on end... and before you object... I really don't mind. He will come to love me, I know, though right now I will seem to be little more than a possession... I care not... Let the young ones have my things. I've really outgrown most of them anyway. If I try to bring too much, even through such a deception, he will know. A simple bag is all I'll need, a few clothes and something to while away the time. Who knows... with the ones you've given me, I may actually learn a thing or two while I wait him out."

She touches his cheek. "You need to get ready, uncle. Don't want to be late for your own wedding now do you?" she whispers gently, then suddenly she remembers something. Going to her desk she picks up a potted plant. "This is for you... as a wedding present... I.. I bred it myself... it is a variation of the sweet pea plant... and has flowers the colors of the rainbow. The red ones taste like cinnamon, the blue ones taste like huckleberries, the pink ones are mints... I'll let you figure the others out when it blooms... just don't... don't eat the green ones... they're rather salty and taste like tears...."

Shia digs out a small overnight bag and packs as though she is going on a short trip, making certain she puts the four books plus her feather pen in the bottom of the bag first, then she adds some clothing, including a very special dress, made of silk and the color of the sky at dusk, pink rippling through purple, then topping off the bag with her doll, the one Kerobian had made especially for her. Closing the bag, she sits on the bed and looks about the room, waiting with her flute in hand...

Shia smiles and stands, tucking the flute into the pocket of her dress. "I was wondering when you would appear." she says in a soft matter of fact voice, reaching for her bag. The figure snatches the bag from her with one hand and holds out the other to her in a mockery of gallantry. Sighing Shia shakes her head. "And if I don't want to go? Will you force me?" she asks softly. The figure merely snatches at her hand as well and drags her behind it into a swirling shadowy vortex.

"Good bye, uncle...." says Shia biting her lip, forcing herself not to cry. "Good bye everyone...."