forum From the Ashes//open//group

Started September 24, 2019 by @StarkSpangledMayflower_Mad_Elder

tune

Katya walked over to the group her eyes red and puffy from crying, “I’m fine now that you guys are here. I, I was trying to leave. Everything was getting to be too much for me.”

"Alright, I say we go back and talk about what we've found." Caleb didn't want to push them too much. It wasn't right for him to do that. Honestly, sometimes he forgot they were still young kids. "I think I might stay behind and look around a bit more. You guys go on ahead, I'll catch up later." He wanted to stay and look at the videos a bit more.

Esmae started sweating from how hot this place was. At this moment she was glad they cut her hair. If she had her long hair still, it would've just been in the way. "I need to look for some water." That was the first thing that needed to be done. This heat, she won't last long in it if she doesn't stay hydrated. The best place to look right now would be the cave, that and it was her only option at the moment. Covering her eyes a bit she made her way to the cave, and although it was still warm, as soon as she stepped foot in the shade she felt a lot better already. "Alright, now what are they planning. I know someone is going to show up sooner or later, since Thalia said I'll be fighting someone.The problem is when and where will they show up." Esmae was extra cautious walking into the cave. It was a tad dark, and who know what or who was in here.

Uriah set Luna down and smiled. "Want to go work out or spar? It will help relieve the stress and we can spend time together." Uriah wanted to do something that they both enjoyed. And he could use a little work out.

"Sounds perfect," Luna grinned up at him. She hadn't sparred with anyone in a while despite still keeping her skills sharp. She hadn't had the time to meet up between the girls, her work, and training.

"Grab the tapes and the video player and let's go back to our treehouse. We need to get somewhere safer before we start discussing all this. We need to tell the others too so I'm thinking we actually head home." Nathan said, scratching his arm

Thalia looked at her boss. "Within the first five minutes, she found the cave and looked for water. Shows she has a good idea of survival priorities. Adding in her opponent." She said, typing a command on her tablet.

It had been a couple days since Esmae's kidnapping and a lot had happened. Each person involved in the situation had somethings hidden from the others. Cyrus and Sparrow hadn't told anyone yet, Nathan and the gang were doing research in the shadows, not telling anyone. Today was the day that they agreed to let everyone know what they learned ar the old guild, which is why everyone was meeting for dinner Cyrus and Sparrow's house.

Cyrus pulled the croissants out of the oven and placed them in a little basket which went on the table. A few people were sitting already, including Vida, who was hungry and also anxious to tell everyone about what they had found out.

Nathan looked over at Vida with a nervous look in his eye then glanced at Cyrus' retreating back. 'I'm nervous' he mouthed.

In the kitchen, Sparrow was humming to herself as she stood on the counter, grabbing plates and other equipment from the cabinets.

Vida nodded and mouthed back, 'We've got this.'
She folded her hands in front of her.

"Why so quiet all of a sudden?" Cyrus asked, "Is everything okay with you, kids?"

"We're justing waiting for the others to arrive. Do you guys need any help? I'm going to end up eating the table cloth if I sit here staring at this stuff for too long."

"Set up the plates and silverware?" Cyrus suggested.
Vida got out of her chair and picked up a stack of spoons to pass out.

Luna had been coddling Katya from the moment she had returned. Silently keeping an eye on her other daughter to not lose her like she did the first. Both her and Katya were ready to go and they were just waiting on Uriah to finish. Katya had been dead silent since her return only speaking if needed after her breakdown at the old guild which she felt embarrassed about now.

Nathan also stood up and grabbed a stack of plates from Sparrow before rushing out and into the dining room.

Sparrow, although surprised by his sudden actions, looked at the two kids very proudly. "I cant believe they haven't noticed." She said, referring to the ring on her finger.

Thalia was also at home after a long day of work. Esmae had defeated the desert enemy, the space enemy, and the jungle enemy. Today she was faced with an underwater enemy but it felt as though she was exhausted from the previous fights because she had blacked out fairly easily. Thalia put her to sleep, monitoring her brain and the dreams she had and reported her findings to the boss. Although she was angry that not further tests were being done in the girl, the boss accepted the fact that it was better to let her rest, lest she collapse and nit wake up later.

"Noticed what? Did you do something new with your hair?" Vida asked, her voice having a slight nervous edge.

Sparrow smiled. "Oh nothing love, once our guests arrive and you talk about whatever it is you want to talk about, we will tell you." She smiled

Vida screamed internally and went back to the table with more silverware, keeping her head down.
Oh no, we're in trouble… we're all in trouble… AHHHH!

Uriah brushed his hair out before heading down stairs. Even if it was Cyrus and Sparrow, it became natural for him to dress up, since he had to do it every day for work. "I'm done. Sorry about that, my leg has been acting up a bit." Was it getting worse, or maybe it was stress, he didn't know, but going to a doctor wasn't a bad idea. "Are you two ready?" He spun his key around his finger and headed for the door

Esmae laid there asleep dreaming about all the test she had done. Honestly she thought it was interesting, the guild never had tests like these, but if they did, then maybe they would have been better. Esmae believes she had gotten better. And the more time she spends here the more herself she feels. As if she had completely forgotten about her assassin side. The dark Gemini's train was more advanced then anyone, and it did it in a way where you don't get to physically hurt. Although your mental exhaustion was bad. She got more used to the lay out, and didn't argue as much. Though she still didn't like Thalia much. Esmae dreamed about each fight and environment, and studied herself. She thought about what she could have done better and what the next one would be like.

Sparrow took out her phones and quickly sent a text to both Luna and Uriah. 'Where are you guys? The kids have been staring at the silverware like they would eat it!' she sent. After a moments thought she took her phone out again and sent another text. 'Are you bringing Caleb? Nathan invited Magnus.'

"It's fine Uriah. We're both ready," Luna told him with a smile following him out the door Katya beside her. She thought for a moment before asking, "If your legs acting up would you like me to drive?"

"No it's okay. I should be fine." Uriah opened the door for them and walked out. Before he got in the car his phone vibrated in his pocket. 'Caleb is driving himself.' That was all Uriah sent as he climbed into the front seat, physical pain written all over his face. Soon he would probably have to stop sparing and working out as much, which sucked since he loved doing that.

Caleb just sat on his couch, debating if he actually wanted to go. Esmae has been gone for a while now, and honestly he was losing hope. Would it be best to just move on? He thought that maybe it would be best for everyone. They all have been so stressed lately, and for all they knew she could be dead. Sighing he stood and headed for his car.

Esmae's eyes slowly opened and a bright light hit them. "Ow. Can't you guys at least put me in my room when I'm done training." The bed they always put her on was uncomfortable, and she never slept well on it. She sat up noticing not many people were in the room. "Where is everyone?" But in the distance sat Nikona. Which it was rare for her to be out from… where she usually is. Nikona waved Esmae over. Esmae was a little hesitant, since this has never happened before. "Yes?" She sat on the bench next to Nikona. She still wore that weird mask of hers. "I have a job for you in about two weeks. But first I think you are ready." Ready. Esmae has heard that a lot. What exactly were they thing she was ready for? "Okay." Nikona pressed a button on her watch calling for Thalia. "I believe your body is in good shape and that we can trust you. Now after the process your body might be a bit sore, but that's why I'm giving you two weeks." Esmae had a vague idea of what they were going to do. Was she really ready? Esmae knew she didn't really have a choice. With the Dark Gemini, no one really had a choice.

Thalia had just gotten into her bed when her phone buzzed. She saw the caller id and cursed before sending a message back and getting into her car. Not 10 minutes later, she arrived at the lab and went into the room. "Boss! You showed her who you are? I thought you didnt want to?" She asked, surprised. "Why did you call me?"