Portal!

[Rashiel]

She shifted a bit uncomfortably at the thought of bringing ANYONE to Vulcania, let alone Brian.

"Ah... That might not happen... Things are not... well... at home. I'll tell you about it later..." She quietly sighed and slightly shook her head.

[Chris Strongheart]

: Brian nodded in understanding, and held her closer. He'd protect her even if it cost him his life.

: Carolinus was silent for a long moment. "Sir Peter has with him two of the gifts you'll need on this quest. The Shield of Saturn formed from mystic dust of Saturn's rings is designed to deflect any dark magic spell, and the Flute of Healing Sleep from the Temple of the Muses that when played would lure the fiercest dragons to sleep."

[Rashiel]

Rashiel looked interested at hearing about the two artifacts. Both sounded like very things to have. Maybe when she returned home she could borrow the flute, if only to make life there a bit more bearable. This thought made her smile a little.

She whispered back to Brian. "Thank you..."

[Chris Strongheart]

: Hopefully, this quest would bring a smile to his lady's eyes. Okay, when did she replace Chris in his heart? Meh. He'd worry about that later. "Do you want to meet my cousin later?" he asked quietly.

[Rashiel]

"That'd be fine. I don't believe I've ever seen her, actually..." She nodded back, and answered in a quiet tone.

[Bloom]

OOC Hope its ok for Bloom to join in.

Bloom walked through the portal and landed on the ground. Kiko hopped onto Blooms back and hopped down beside her. Bloom picked up Kiko and brushed herself off.

She looked around and noticed that no one was there. Kiko tugged her trouser leg and Bloom picked him up.

"Come on," she said "perhaps we can find the others. We cant be that late."

[Chris Strongheart]

: Brian quietly excused himself and Rashiel from the group and lead her upstairs. He pushed open a wooden door and lead her inside.

Christine lay asleep on a bed, her hair framing a pale face. Her hair had outgrown its boy cut and now graced her shoulders. Brian was convinced that by the time they left this realm, her hair would return to the length it had been before Christine cut it - which was the same length as her mother's. Her hands were folded over her chest, covering a finely detailed bodice on the cream colored gown.

[Rashiel]

She peered down at the gentle and now more feminine looking Christine. She could see why Brian had been so protective of her. Rashiel thought that she looked rather fragile.

"She's lovely..." She murmured as she restrained from reaching out and touching Christine's face. She felt as if it might feel like that of a porcelain or glass doll, although she knew that it would not.

[Chris Strongheart]

: "She takes after her mother in looks, her father in temper, and stepfather in upbringing," Brian said quietly. He brushed a lock off his cousin's forehead. "She's always been this delicate - which is why I was bit upset when she announced that she was attending that boy school."

[Rashiel]

"Understandable. I'd be concerned too if I was in your situation." There was a nod and some silence as she looked away. She did feel a little envy over the sleeping Christine. Had their situations been switched, she felt that it'd be very unlikely that so many people would be upset over it. Maybe they'd be sad for a moment, but then they'd immediately move on.

Thinking about it slightly irritated her, and she hoped that it didn't show.

[Chris Strongheart]

: "You seem troubled, want to talk about it?" he asked quietly, moving over to embrace her from behind.

[Rashiel]

"She has everything, doesn't she? A loving family, concerned friends, a home to go to..." Her voice was cold and monotone as she spoke. "Even when in danger, all of those increase..."

She hadn't turned around to look at him. "How is it that someone can be that loved?"

[Chris Strongheart]

: Brian shook his head. "I don't know. Luck I suppose," he said quietly. "I take it that this is why you don't want me to meet your family, am I right?" He pulled her closer and softly kissed Rashiel's neck. "My home is your home for as long as you need," he murmured softly, kissing the length of her neck.

[Rashiel]

That had taken her by surprise. She'd been expecting something violent or angry.

"I... Yes. That's exactly why I'd rather you didn't. I don't think that you'd like my home very much." She sighed and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. "And I think I'll take you up on making your home mine. It's much more pleasant." She smiled and let out a laugh.

[Chris Strongheart]

: Brian grinned. "I'm sure my parents would love you," he said quietly. "Of course, you'll have to ignore Dad. He's still in the dark ages at times."