Lost and Almost Forgotten

[Lilani]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

Wouldn't it have made more sence to use "an" instead of "in" since you intented it to act like "an" anyway?

Sorry, I'm not thinking straight. My homework made me dizzy @.@ 12 pages of revolving circles and wheels @.@

Actually, sorry, I'm not thinking straight @_@ I tend to pronounce "an" like "in" so I read it and it seemed ok.

[Lilani]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

I've done it! The longest chapter since "History in the Making"! Weighing in at 5866 words (including this introduction): "Full Disclosure!" Really, I spent every free moment I had on this. I think I might even have OCD with how many details I adjusted... Oh well, it's worth it :-D Enjoy.

Chapter Eighteen: Full Disclosure

The letter from the Yagudo priest, once again, took two days to get fully processed through Windurst security. In the meantime, Shantotto and Chykisasa had more training sessions out in Sarutabaruta. If Chykisasa wasn’t listening to Shantotto poetically explain how the advanced spells work, she was blasting away at groups of monsters that were being tricked into the rocky area.

Of course, this rigorous training left the two exhausted. They would spend most of the morning out in Sarutabaruta, only to come back in the afternoon for lunch. They would consider going back out for another session, but would agree that it would be best to take a break for the rest of the day.

Shantotto spent her spare time reading up on the notes she took down when first creating Chykisasa’s scrolls. She would have to begin experimenting again, and she wanted to have as much knowledge, if not more, than when she started.

Chykisasa spent her spare time feeding her interest in bards. The very next day after their first session, she stopped by the Optistery in the afternoon. Minister Tosuka-Porika was slightly overwhelmed by her presence, wondering if he should personally see what she wanted or to let her browse alone.

His curiosity overcame, and Tosuka went up to Chykisasa, who was intently staring at a certain section of books. “Aherm!” he coughed, snapping her out of a momentary daze. Her eyes lit up, and she quickly smiled at Tosuka, mouthing the word “Hello.”

“Is there anything I can help you find?” he politely asked, impulsively taking conscious control over his accent. Whenever he got nervous or indecisive, his natural accent and way of speech went out of control.

Chykisasa gestured to the section she was looking at. “Hrm?” Tosuka asked, taking a look at the bindings of the books themselves. “Aha! You are interested in reading about bards!” he exclaimed, however in a whisper in order to respect the other visitors. He carefully slipped one of the books out with his forefinger and showed it to her. “I think this might suit you well, it has a complete history on bards and how they have changed in their use over time.”

Chykisasa took the book into her hands and flipped to the table of contents. Surely enough, one of the chapters was labeled, “The Birth of Combat Bards.” She pointed to it, and after a moment Tosuka-Porika understood.

“Hm, Combat Bards, eh? Letaru us see...” he muttered, quickly glancing over the books once more. Chykisasa searched the books as well, but found what she was looking for first. She pulled the book out and showed it to Tosuka.

“Hrm? Let’s see...’The Basics of the Bard Volume I: Unlocking the Voice of the Soul,’” he paused, not sure what to make of her choice. He was expecting her to want to read a Combat Bard’s battle diary, not a training manual. After a few seconds, he snapped to, “Ah, would you like to check this outaru?” he asked. Chykisasa nodded, and he lead her over to the main desk.

Tosuka-Porika addressed the young Tarutaru standing behind the front desk, “Furakku-Norakku, this young lady-wadie needs a library card. Would you mind helping her set one up?”

After a few seconds, Chykisasa realized the boy was asleep. He was leaning backwards with his eyes closed, arms crossed, and his knees were locked. “Furakku-Norakku,” Tosuka repeated, with a slightly sharper tone in his voice.

The boy awoke startled and flustered, glancing back and forth between Tosuka-Porika and Chykisasa, “M-M-Minister! Eh-erm...what was that?”

“This young lady needs to register-wegister for a library card. Would you mind helping her?”

“On the double, sir!”

Tosuka-Porika nodded and left the building. Furakku-Norakku proceeded to get a form Chykisasa had to fill out in order to register for a library card. At first when she said nothing after he gave her the paper, he thought she was simply a shy person. However, when he saw her name on the form, his eyes widened and he quickly looked over at the books she was going to check out. Furakku stared at them trying to figure out why she would want to read about bards.

His train of thought was interrupted by the shuffling of paper. He turned and saw Chykisasa, smiling, holding the paper out to him. “Wowie, that was fast!” he mused aloud–quickly biting his tongue afterwards while he ducked down and looked under the desk. He soon popped his head back up, and heaved an enormous book up onto the counter: for a Tarutaru, anyway.

He pulled at one of the tabs and revealed the C section of the book. Furakku licked his forefinger and thumb just before rapidly flipping through to the pages. In a few mere seconds, he had the book opened between two other names: Chsiro-Misiro and Ciasisi. “And rightaru in the middle...” he said, cautiously holding the paper over the toothed rings in the book, “Chykisasa!”

Just as Furakku said her name, Chykisasa watched the toothed rings spring to life. They opened, snatched the precut holes on the edge of the paper, and sank back down into the binding. She looked over at Furakku–he didn’t seemed to be startled at all. He simply closed the book, and swiped up a small card that somehow found its way under the biting book.

“And here you are! An official Optistery Library Card!” he proudly stated, holding the card out to Chykisasa. “See those five boxies there? For each of the first books you check out, we’ll punch ‘em out! Once you’ve checked out and turned in five with no problem, you’ll be able to check out books for an entire-wire month!” Chykisasa took the card, and Furakku-Norakku took up her books and began to stamp the cards on the inside of them. “But these books will be due exactly-wactly two weeks from now. Take care, Chykisasa!”

Chykisasa nodded and held out her card to Furakku. “Oh! Of course! The stamp, ehe!” he nervously giggled as he whipped out a special stamp and gave the card two whacks. “There you go!”

Chykisasa couldn’t help but giggle at his apprehensiveness as she took her card and books and left the building.

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Shantotto’s eyebrows raised when she saw the books Chykisasa had gotten. She thought it would be best to make no comment on the content of the books, so she danced around it. “You’ve got some reading material, I see. Do you think you can read in the little time you have free?”

Chykisasa’s head bobbed backward slightly, signifying a cocky “Ha!” Shantotto rolled her eyes and went back to her own note exploration, as Chykisasa went behind her screen to begin her reading.

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Being his younger sister, Minister Apururu knows the quirks and behaviorisms of Minister Ajido-Marujido more than anyone else. Apururu achieved the rank of minister not too long after Ajido-Marujido, and the idea of having two ministers directly related to each other while serving at the same time was controversial. It brought out the possiblility of someone having more diplomatic power than the Star Sibyl. If the two were to agree and conspire to always vote the same way, it would drastically raise the chances of new and controversial laws to pass.

However, anyone who knew the two at all also knew that this would never be a problem–they disagreed on everything. They directly contradicted each other: Ajido-Marujido was obnoxious, outwardly curious, and bold while Apururu was kindly, accepting of what was around her, and fairly quiet. This opposition forced them to disagree with each other's actions nearly more often then they actually looked at one another. About only things they had in common were their parents and their intelligence. The two were equally brilliant–sometimes turning their arguments into battles of wits, rather than their original points.

Somehow, regardless of what they said and disagree on, they always managed to recover like it never happened. It was as if they had a mental link, of sorts, and made a truce without ever really saying a word to one another. Nobody quite understood how and why it happened, but it seemed they were always to be brother and sister.

With all this in mind, the Star Sibyl approved Apururu's new rank–despite the silent criticisms she never heard, but knew were being shared. Apururu could be indecisive, trusting, and perhaps even easily manipulated, but when she had to make a tough decision she chose a side and stuck with it with all of her being. The Sibyl respected this about her.

Apururu entered the Orastery just after classes had dismissed. The only thing going on at the Manustery was routine Mana Orb recharging and replacements. Adventurers went to the Horutoto Ruins to recharge the orbs while her subordinates replaced them, leaving one bored minister.

The students of the Orastery were long gone, and Ajido-Marujido was in his study. He sensed her all too familiar presence as she entered the academy, and stood directly in front of the study's door. Apururu knocked, calling, "Ajido-Marujido? Are you there, Brother?" Ajido did not respond. She opened the door, and shrieked when she saw her brother standing only inches away from her.

"Oh, Ajido-Marujido!" was all she could muster as she tried to recompose herself.

"To what do I owe the honor for such an unexpected visit from my younger half?" he asked. Though he showed it in neither words nor actions, he did care very deeply for his "younger half."

Apururu slightly hushed her voice, "Well...yesterday, in Heavens Tower, you said that ‘every time' you were neary-wear Chykisasa you could sense the magical seal on her arm. I've been that near to her twice, just how many times have you seen her?

Ajido was startled. The last thing he expected was such a sudden blast of perceptiveness from his sister. He blinked, crossed his arms, and asked of her, "Have you ever considered that you might be overanalyzing this? Two words is hardly grounds for such suspicion-wishion."

"I know that you mean everything you say. If this doesn'taru merit suspicion, why do you look so startled?"

"I don't–"

"Brother," Apururu said, "Whataru is going on?"

Ajido-Marujido sighed. "She's notaru giving up easily today...this really-weally concerns her..." he thought. "Fine, come in–but don'taru mess anything up!"

He went back into his study, and Apururu followed. Ajido walked over hid desk and reached into a partially open drawer with a key sticking out of it. He shuffled through the papers and books for a moment before pulling one out. He handed the paper to her.

"Why...this is Chykisasa's handwriting! What is this?" She asked, with a hint of worry in her voice.

"Read it and you mightaru find out." Apururu read what Chykisasa had written about her hiding out in the Orastery when she was young, and didn't quite understand why it was such a secret.

But then she read the next paragraph, which explained how Shantotto created spells that did not have to be chanted aloud. She read the rest of the conversation from Chykisasa's point of view with her mouth agape.

"She can...but...and...you!" was, at first, all Apururu could manage to say. "Chykisasa came here, and you drilled her?"

Ajido-Marujido was shocked again. "My sistaru finds out about groundbreaking magic, and that's all she's worried about?!"

"Apururu, she unlockied the doors after I personally locked them! Then she came in and cast bastonera, accidently hitting me in the process. You can'taru tell me that isn'taru grounds for questioning!"

Apururu had nothing to counter that. "Oh!...Well...just when were you planning on cluing me in on this?! Or even the Star Sibyl, for that matter?!"

"The Star Sibyl does know aboutaru it," Ajido-Marujido calmly responded, trying to show his sister how much she was overreacting. "I told Chykisasa that if she didn'taru tell the Star Sibyl she lied, I would. Surely enough, the next day I got a letter-wetter saying she did."

"And myself?" Apururu repeated.

"I didn'taru think it was any of your business. The Star Sibyl didn't tell anyone else, so thataru is all that matters. Is there anything else you'd like to accuse me of tonightaru, Sister? Robbery? Murder?" Ajido smirked.

Apururu smiled. He wasn't offended at all–he merely wanted the last word. "No, I don'taru think so. Good night, Brother."

"Good night."

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The very next day was rather monotonous all around. Shantotto and Chykisasa trained and read in their spare time, Apururu's curiosity was satisfied, and the Star Sibyl silently prayed for the problem with the Yagudo to end peacefully. Chykisasa wanted to test herself and managed to master Diaga, Poisonga, and Waterga during the next day's afternoon training session.

The people of Windurst were becoming increasingly curious as to what Shantotto and Chykisasa were doing out there in the ever-worsening wasteland of Sarutabaruta. Apururu and Ajido-Marujido caught wind of it through overhearing the conversations of their subordinates. They had their hunches.

Just as the Star Sibyl had sensed, the second day was only the silence before the storm. On the third day, the letter from the Yagudo arrived. Their request to meet with the Star Sibyl and Chykisasa distraught her. The letter never stated why they wanted to talk and what about–it simply requested clearance for a live meeting at a place of their choosing.

The Sibyl told Semih-Lafihna to immediately summon Chykisasa–alone. She wanted to explain the situation without any comment or bias from Shantotto or the other ministers. They would all be clued in soon, of course, but she wanted Chykisasa's honest reaction and opinion.

Shantotto, of course, answered the door when Semih knocked. The two had just finished breakfast and were about to go to Sarutabaruta once more. "Oho! Semih-Lafihna, good day! Just ask and I'll help you in all possible ways!" Semih was flattered and slightly taken aback from Shantotto's kindly greeting. It was a definite turnaround from her previous greetings.

Chykisasa heard the name and put herself closer within earshot. Semih began, "Good day to you as well, Shantotto. Actually, I'm herrre to escort Chykisasa to Heavens Tower. The Star Sibyl wishes to see her at once." Chykisasa's ears perked up with curiosity, and approached the door.

"By ‘escort' you mean ‘without me,' I'm sure. Might I ask whatever for?" Shantotto asked, intrigued and no longer in the mood to be personable.

Semih-Lafihna was not about to be bullied by someone who had a fraction of her diplomatic power, "The Star Sibyl ordered me not to disclose any inforrrmation regarding the summons. However, she did say that you would be informed soon enough. She wants to address Chykisasa first, howeverrr."

Chykisasa was just as curious as Shantotto was, and quickly went with Semih-Lafihna out the door. Shantotto waved goodbye, "Remember your manners, Chykisasa–take care! Whenever you're done, I'll meet you at you-know-where!"

After they were out of sight from Shantotto's house, Semih turned to Chykisasa. "‘You know wherrre?'"

Chykisasa smiled.

[Lilani]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

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Chykisasa was escorted straight into the Vestal Chambers in a hurry. She felt rather flustered when they finally go to the top of the long staircase, trying to catch her breath and keep her composure at the same time. There was no waiting to be introduced–after a few short seconds, Semih took Chykisasa straight to the chambers, where the Star Sibyl stood holding the two letters.

"Chykisasa, I feel I must first apologize for what I have done," the Sibyl began, getting straight to the point. Chykisasa's face showed confusion. "Five days ago, I received this letter from the Yagudo. Please, read it in full."

Chykisasa felt an ill sensation cloak over body, making her throat dry out and her right arm ache. She took the letter, and carefully read every single word. "That is the first letters that have come in," the Sibyl said as Chykisasa lifted her head from the page. "I gathered the ministers three days ago, and we decided that it would have been in the best interest of everyone to keep it hidden from you and Lady Shantotto. We did not want you to become distraught if it could be peacefully and diplomatically resolved. We responded by asking them to tell the truth about what happened, and to come forward with a formal apology."

"However," she continued, "They responded with this letter, that came to my hands just this morning." She handed the second letter to Chykisasa–which was adorned with elaborate designs made of pure, pressed gold dust.

Chykisasa read the words of the Yagudo High Priest–the superior of her jailer–with even more disgust and worry than the previous letter. It stated that, yes, they did try to stage a cover up–but that did not override the fact that Chykisasa was their rightful property–and that they could legally prove it. And when she read the king's request to see Chykisasa in person, her chest constricted while the slits on her arm were emitting a distinct–and all too familiar–burning sensation.

Both the Star Sibyl and Semih could sense what was happening to Chykisasa. Not the pain, but the magic seal that was causing it. Ajido-Marujido was right, and the both of them felt foolish for not sensing it earlier.

Chykisasa wearily gave the letters back to the Sibyl, and Semih-Lafihna walked away for a moment to fetch some papers and a pen.

"Chykisasa...once again, I apologize for not telling you about this earlier. Neither I nor the ministers expected the Yagudo to be so determined to getting you back. That being said, I assure you that we will not let that happen. I don't see any reason or way for them to take you back, and I will do everything in my power to make sure it never happens."

Semih came back with paper, a fountain pen, and a small clipboard–of sorts–for Chykisasa to write on. Chykisasa silently thanked Semih, and began to write her response. A heavy silence filled the room as the Star Sibyl and Semih-Lafihna were outwardly patiently waiting for her to finish. Inwardly, they wished they knew what Chykisasa was thinking about the would-be cover up.

When Chykisasa finished writing, she handed the clipboard to the Star Sibyl. The Sibyl read aloud: "I understand why you kept it a secret, and there's no need to worry, I'm not offended. More than once I've kept some things from Shantotto as well, considering the way she can react to things."

"Thank you for understanding, Chykisasa," the Star Sibyl said. Chykisasa smiled, and she the next paragraph, "The Yagudo forced me to sign their contract in my own blood, binding me to forever be their property until I refuse the servitude verbally, which would instantly void the contract. However, I don't see any reasons for them to go through all this trouble and risk just to get ahold of me."

The Sibyl stared at that last paragraph for a moment in thought before responding, "The contract between yourself and the Yagudo should have already been made void by the pact we made with them not too long after yours. They know the words as well as we: ‘All foreign slaves are to be released from their prisons, contracts, and services, however binding they may be. Furthermore, no new contracts shall be made henceforth.'" She paused for a moment of thought again, handing the clipboard back to Chykisasa in the process. "Chykisasa, is there something to this contract of yours that may allow them to evade this rule? Some force or clause that would complicates or negates this?"

Chykisasa closed her eyes and thought about it for a few moments. She soon began writing, once again triggering several minutes of silence so heavy it nearly felt claustrophobic. She periodically paused to choose her words–or perhaps to recall a memory. But whatever the reason for stopping, she resumed just as quickly each time.

She finally handed the board back to the Star Sibyl, who was very ready to break the silence, "I think I do remember something about the contract that could very well help them evade your treaty, but it is difficult to recall. When they made me sign the contract, I remember them reading it aloud, and repeatedly using the word ‘property' and even ‘object' every once in a while. I remember being offended by them referring to me as their property, as if I wasn't even worth enough to be called a slave. I also remember the oracle who gave me the cursed cuts saying something about them symbolizing them having ownership and control of whatever object they might be on. Perhaps they want to argue that I am not their slave, but a piece of property, and that your treaty did not ask for their property to be turned over."

The Star Sibyl spent a minute of her own thinking, while Semih-Lafihna crossed her arms to do some thinking of her own. The Yagudo were prepared for some sort of agreement much more than the Sibyl could have ever anticipated. Chykisasa was right–the contract did not ask for any property in the form of objects to be handed over to Windurst. The argument that Chykisasa agreed to become a piece of property rather than a slave stood a great chance of ending in the favor of the Yagudo. But if Chykisasa didn't even know why the Yagudo would go through all this trouble to get her back in their possession, just what were their intentions?

The Star Sibyl lifted her head and looked at Chykisasa, "Chykisasa, if you have no objection, I would like to summon the ministers now, so we can discuss where, when, and how we should approach the Yagudo. Would I be correct to assume that you agree there is no other alternative other than to agree to meet face to face with them?" Chykisasa hesitated for a moment, but solemnly nodded. "Alright then. Semih?" she asked, turning to Semih-Lafihna.

"I will gather the ministers right away, ma'am," Semih responded, quickly bowing out of the chambers.

It took only about twenty minutes for Semih to find all the ministers and inform them of yet another gathering at Heavens Tower. Some of them were only on the way to their ministries, and had not made it too far from Heavens Tower anyway.

While they waited, the Star Sibyl explained to Chykisasa how serious gatherings with the Yagudo were. It was impossible to keep them secret, and at least one reporter was always allowed in to not only document what happened, but to keep untrue and twisted rumors from worrying the citizens of Windurst. The main problem here, of course, was that the gathering would make Chykisasa's relationship with the Yagudo public. There was no way to avoid it–backing down from this invitation would not only drastically slow the resolution down, but will make the Yagudo perceive Windurst and its leadership as cowardice and untrusting.

Chykisasa understood and accepted all of this, and only wished that it could all go away. She never meant to cause the leaders of Windurst so much trouble and worry–and made it well known to the Star Sibyl. The Sibyl, of course, assured her that she shouldn't feel that way because she never wished it on them.

"Defending the laws and peoples of Windurst is my duty, and the duty of the ministers," she said. Chykisasa smiled. For the first time in her life, she felt like a person–a citizen of Windurst–rather than the mute girl.

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The ministers were never briefed on why they were being summoned, but they were positive that a response letter had come from the Yagudo, and the Star Sibyl wanted to talk about it. Of course, they were thoroughly surprised when they saw Chykisasa in the room. They were, apparently, in for more than they originally bargained for.

The ministers warmly greeted Chykisasa, with the slightest hint of apprehension in their words. The Star Sibyl greeted the ministers and went straight to business again. "The Yagudo King has responded to us, and in his letter said that he was trying to cover up what really happened–but only in the interest of resolving this as soon as possible.

However, now he is saying that if we are going to stand our ground, he will stand his. He says that he has a way of proving that what happens to Chykisasa and who she belongs to is his decision, and that he can prove it," she paused to gauge reaction. "But that is only the least of our worries, as it seems. The king wishes to meet with myself and Chykisasa, in person. We have agreed this morning that this cannot be avoided. The questions now are where should we meet, when should we meet, and what should we meet about."

A long silence of contemplation. The ministers had been expecting complications, but never in their wildest dreams were they expecting such a situational reverse. They'd gone from not even informing Chykisasa or Shantotto about the negotiations to planning on how to disclose the news to all of Windurst–and eventually Vana'diel. A few glanced over at Chykisasa, wondering how the life of one girl could have wrought such a fuss that the Yagudo would want to take it all back.

Ajido-Marujido, of course, took the floor, "Whataru exactly is this proof they think they have, that would allow them to legitimately evade our agreement?"

The Star Sibyl turned to Chykisasa, "I think Chykisasa's words could explain it better than I could." She read what Chykisasa had written about her theory on the sealed marks.

Another pause, but much shorter than the last. Rukususu commented next, "Yes...zat would certainly explain the energy I can sense zeh room right now."

"Do the Yagudo have direct controly-woll over how much energy radiatarus from the marks, Chykisasa?" Sedal-Godjal, of all people, asked. Chykisasa was a bit startled by the question; the ministers had thought more deeply into the situation than she had expected. The Star Sibyl handed the clipboard to her and she began to write.

As she wrote for the next couple of minutes, the ministers asked the Star Sibyl questions, such as where they should meet with the Yagudo and just how were they to break the story to the public. The Sibyl simply shook her head and stated that she wanted Chykisasa's input before they made any decisions final. According to her brief glaces upward, Chykisasa seemed to be commenting on a couple of the questions as well.

Once the ministers were satisfied for the moment, Chykisasa handed the Star Sibyl the clipboard. She read it aloud: "I know the Yagudo have no direct control over what happens to the marks, but I'm not exactly sure how they work. For a long time I thought that they would hurt me if I broke part of the contract, but it's only started radiating this past week.

About your questions: I have no idea how meetings with the Yagudo work, so I have no idea where safe times and places are. I would not argue with wherever you all deemed the best time and place.

Also, breaking this to the public is something I have never given thought to before. It seemed impossible, something I would never have to do at all in my life. I suppose we have no option now, and I think the best way to release the story would be to use the words and reassurance of someone who the people of Windurst would trust no matter what the circumstances."

The Star Sibyl turned to Chykisasa, "So, you wish to write the story yourself, Chykisasa?"

Chykisasa's eyes widened and her mouth opened. That was not at all what she was implying. She meant that she wanted the Star Sibyl to make the speech, not herself. She glanced over to the ministers, who seemed just as surprised as she. Looking back at the Sibyl, she could see that she had been dead serious. Before she could put her arm out to get the board, back, the Sibyl spoke, "By your expression, I can see that you weren't talking about yourself. Let me explain: I believe that if you yourself write the story, the people would be more apt to believe what is said. They would be more willing to not become angry with the Yagudo and act against them if you plead it yourself. If others are to always speak on your behalf, you will never gain your own, true voice. Do you understand?"

Chykisasa was stunned by the Star Sibyl's insight and wisdom. Her first impressions of her involved apprehension and aloofness, and she herself doubted the Sibyl's readiness to rule a country. What she said that day remained in her memory for the rest of her life, and she never again doubted the decisions of the Star Sibyl.

The Sibyl had to repeat her question to snap Chykisasa out of her daze. Chykisasa nodded and mouthed "Thank you," but was afraid she didn't say it clearly enough. The Sibyl responded with "You're welcome."

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Shantotto had become worried about Chykisasa the moment she closed the door. She tried to keep her mind on other things, but she couldn't help but question the matter. What was so important that the Star Sibyl would want to see Chykisasa first thing in the morning? Why did the Sibyl not want Shantotto to join her? She was, after all, Chykisasa's guardian and main parent figure. Shantotto thought that her relationship with Chykisasa would be more of a reason for the Star Sibyl to clue her in on things, not less.

Her own personality and methods of reaction never came to mind in this self-analysis.

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The Star Sibyl addressed the ministers next, "Now we must choose the proper place and time to host the Yagudo. Our past meetings we have had to host were held at Starfall Hillock. Would anyone object to us gathering there again?"

The ministers glanced at Chykisasa, who didn't seem to object at all. Even though the Star Sibyl asked their opinions, they did not want to make Chykisasa anymore uncomfortable.

No one spoke out, and so the Sibyl continued, this time turning toward Chykisasa, "Chykisasa, the majority of what we will talk about with the Yagudo will have less to do with myself and more to do with you. I would like you to decide when you will be ready to speak with them." The Sibyl handed the board to Chykisasa. She put the tip of the pet to her lips for a moment to ponder on her response. In a moment, she was off writing.

The Star Sibyl thought for a few moments to try and think of a way to fill in the gap of the conversation, but just as she was about to do so, Chykisasa was holding out the clipboard. The Sibyl inadvertently looked into Chykisasa's eyes. It was the first time she had recognized the concern and horror in Chykisasa's eyes. She had done her best not to show it on her face, but her eyes could not hide the truth. Meeting with the Yagudo would require a leap in bravery and forgiveness that she wasn't ready for. It was the first time the Sibyl had seen that much terror in one pair of eyes since the Great War.

The Star Sibyl read: "Postponing the meeting would make the Yagudo perceive me as caught off guard. As much as they have demeaned my image in the past, I will not let it happen again. I think I will be ready in one week, from today."

The Sibyl was taken aback from this burst of confidence was highly contradictory from what she had read in her eyes. It was as if Chykisasa had been hiding things like this her entire life.

The Sibyl realized the silence she had caused, and spoke, "I see no problem with one week from today. Does anyone object?"

Silence. "It is settled then. Chykisasa and I will meet the Yagudo at Starfall Hillock in one week." She turned to Chykisasa, "Chykisasa, I must discuss with the ministers what security measures we must take during our meeting, and the method of which we will share the meeting to the public. You may leave now, I thank you for taking your time to come here. I will summon you again tomorrow at the same time as today to inform you on what we decided here." She handed the clipboard to Chykisasa, "Also, feel free to share what you've heard here with Shantotto. I'm sure she will want to know every excruciating detail." The Sibyl smiled.

Chykisasa smiled back, more fear than ever in her eyes. She wrote a short message before handing the Sibyl both the paper and the pen: "Thank you for all of this, over a month ago I would have never even dreamt of being here in Windurst again. I'll be here tomorrow."

"You're welcome," the Star Sibyl smiled, watching Chykisasa exit the stairs, not speaking again until the heard the chamber doors close.

Chykisasa was not escorted from Heavens Tower to Shantotto's–Semih-Lafihna had stayed behind aid in the security discussion with the Star Sibyl. Old Zayhi-Bauhi was, as usual, preaching to the choir in front of Heavens Tower. This time he was so caught up in his lesson that he didn't even seem to know he was talking to five children, but rather a crowd of ten thousand cheering followers. Chykisasa had no problems getting back to Shantotto's unnoticed.

----------------------------------------------------------

Once again, she knew Shantotto had been waiting at the door even though she denied it. As soon as the door closed behind her, she was pummeled with at least half a dozen perfectly rhymed questions. Chykisasa rolled her eyes and wrote her story on some paper that had been waiting for her on the table.

Shantotto waited for Chykisasa to completely stop writing before commenting. Though as she read, her nose wrinkled and her fists tightened. Her first impulses told her that she should go straight to Castle Oztroja and personally tell the Yagudo to stuff their compromises up their posteriors. However, she reminded herself that it was Chykisasa's battle. As far as the Yagudo were concerned, Shantotto was a mouthy pest that could easily be silenced if their security guards deemed it necessary.

Her response was quite simple: "Whatever the outcome, in the end, we shall win. There is an ultimate punishment for every sin. Now let's get moving and practice some spells outside, I hope you didn't expect this interruption to allow you to hide!"

[Neomage]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

[Ejospike]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

Another great chapter you are really good... do you have a plan on when you are stopping? My own story is just going on and on until i stumble across a point on where it would make a great ending... 181 written pages, but i need to spend more time playing FFXI and getting some background history on it first, must need to ask a few questions for it ^^ and again great job!

[Lilani]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

Another great chapter you are really good... do you have a plan on when you are stopping? My own story is just going on and on until i stumble across a point on where it would make a great ending... 181 written pages, but i need to spend more time playing FFXI and getting some background history on it first, must need to ask a few questions for it ^^ and again great job!

Well, I sort of started with a conceptual beginning and conceptual end. Now I'm just filling in the space between, lol. I'll end when I run out of things I want to add, I suppose. But I shall include an epilogue, of course, to give you a glimpse of the future after the end.

And, under normal circumstances, I would have updated...four, maybe five days ago. But, I got a virus on my computer, tried to clear it myself, and triggered a chain of events that has kept me away from my word processor for the past eight days (I take it in to get it professionally erased, they don't even get to it til Thursday, had to wait over the weekend...but I now have Microsoft Suite [yay!] and will get a RAM upgrade sometime in the future).

So...give me a few more days, people. But I shall be working my butt off to get it out ASAP to make up for time. I'm hoping to follow up on my chapter on the Star Onion Brigade...*hint* *hint*.

Oh, and fear not! I did clear all the files off my computer (and the pros even cleared it to a blank computer to start from scratch) but before any of that happened I put a bunch of things on a flash drive, including this story and like 390 songs. :D

[Lilani]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

Yes, I know it's been more than a few days, but I worked a lot of detail into this

Chapter Nineteen: Just Crazy Enough

The Star Onion Brigade members Pichichi and Kohlo-Lakolo apprehensively approached Lady Shantotto’s residence. They were the only two members of the Brigade who were “able” to come, for each and every one of the other members had “unavoidable” preoccupations.

Kohlo took a deep breath before raising his hand to knock. Just as he formed his hand into a shaking fist, the door opened. Kohlo found himself staring up at an annoyed Shantotto. “Well, well, if it isn’t the leader of the Brigade,” she said through her teeth. “Just what can I do for you today? I’m a bit short on time, so make it quick—and don’t even think of giving me your tricks!”

The two children entered Shantotto’s manor for a second time. Just as before, they analyzed the room and its wonders out of naïve curiosity. Shantotto signaled to Chykisasa that all was well, and she was immediately smiling in front of the children; paper and pen already in hand.

“Uh—oh! Right!” Kohlo-Lakolo began, having only a wit or two about him. “I have an updataru on what the people-weapole of Windurst have been saying about Chykisasa!” He stopped to think for a moment, but his mind went blank. “Em…Pichichi! You tell them what we’ve learnied!”

Pichichi was startled, whispering “M-me?! But, you sthaid you would do all the talking!”

“Shh! Forget whataru I said and tell Lady Shantotto!” Kohlo whispered back, on the verge of panic and only able to focus on Shantotto’s piercing glare.

“Okay…well, lotsth of people have been talking aboutaru you, Miss Chykisasa!” Pichichi said. Chykisasa wanted to take the child seriously, but couldn’t help but crack a smile at the girl’s accent and paramount bravery compared to her “superior.”

“Most of the peoples are wondering what you’re doing waaaaay outaru in the back of Sarutabaruta. They think you’re out doing something…well…bad,” Pichichi wrinkled her nose and narrowed her eyebrows, making another face Chykisasa couldn’t help but silently giggle at. Just as she began to write her response, Pichichi continued, “A-and, nobody-wuddy can figure out why you’ve been with Shantotto thisth whole time—or how, for that mattaru! Sthome say you’ve been somewhere elsey, but the Sthar Sibyl wants to cover it up for sthome reason! But they don’t want to ask why—oh, nosey! I mean, they want to know, but don’taru want to question the Sthar Sibyl!”

Chykisasa understood perfectly, and began writing her response. Kohlo was visibly intimidated by Shantotto—oh, the stories about her his grandfather told him! He was a student under Shantotto, and had entered the Orastery about the same time she did. Shantotto made more changes to policy as minister than all of the other ministers in the century before her—combined. For in that time the Orastery was a madhouse; trying to adjust to the new areas, equipment, and spells they were to use. Shantotto had made a promise that she would bring Windurst’s military into the sixth century, and nobody can deny that she succeeded.

With all this taking its toll on his nerves, Kohlo was almost too petrified to take Chykisasa’s paper when she offered it to him. She had considered giving it to Pichichi, but she wanted to try and induce some confidence and competence into the terminally nervous boy. Kohlo-Lakolo carefully read: “I h-had a feeling thataru the people of Windurst were s-suspicious, but now that I’ve hearied straight from the chocobo’s beak, I feel much more relieved and in the lightaru about the whole situation. But if you don’taru mind, Shantotto and I need to head out into town. Thank very-wery much for stopping by!”

“You’re welcome, Chykisasa! The Star Onion Brigade is always on the side of justice!” Kohlo-Lakolo proudly declared. Chykisasa’s trick worked, reading her words changed his line of focus. Pichichi waved goodbye as well, and Chykisasa looked straight into her eyes silently whispering “Take care.” Pichichi giggled in spite of herself and exited the door Shantotto already had open.

Just as the door closed behind the children, their sighs of relief could be heard on the other side. Shantotto mischievously giggled, and Chykisasa was writing. Shantotto simply stood waiting for Chykisasa, giggling. She thought she knew what Chykisasa was writing, but decided to wait anyway. When the paper was handed to her, she read aloud: “Today is another day, you know, so just how do you know the Star Onion Brigade?”

Shantotto’s smirk only widened, “Oho, this must really concern you, so I’ll tell you in a while. But first you must survive today’s training—think of it as a trial!”

Chykisasa had been both shaken up and empowered by the events of the morning. On the one hand, she was scared to death of facing her terrible past, and was afraid she would somehow end up back in their clutches. On the other hand, she felt a terrible malice towards them, and wanted to prove to them that she was no longer their entertainment and cruel fun.

She dwelled on these things as her and Shantotto made their way out to Sarutabaruta once more, and had quite a bit of energy built up by the first wave of monsters. Chykisasa smirked and saw this as a wonderful advantage. The sheer force and power behind the first round of spells shocked even Shantotto. Chykisasa felt relieved of her malice, but was able to keep the pace the entire afternoon. This was partially because she was curious as to how Shantotto knew about the Star Onion Brigade (and just why it was such a big secret).

Shantotto couldn’t deny that Chykisasa had a very successful day, however couldn’t help but offer some constructive criticism, “Your power was strong, but reckless and overflowing—kept that up for much longer you wouldn’t be able to keep going!”

Chykisasa rolled her eyes and wrote Shantotto to get to her point. Shantotto sighed and took a deep breath, “Alright, alright, I’ll tell you the legend of Shantotto and the Star Onion Brigade! As you can imagine, they are a naïve, onion-favoring crusade. It started many a year ago; when I was only a child, just beginning to grow. My parents were being overbearing, I needed to rebel. And so I hatched a plan, thinking I was so swell!

I wanted to eavesdrop on grown-ups—to spy! Plus my parents hated onions, though I’ve never figured out why. So I gathered some friends, and informed them of my plight. They were all for it, and joined without fight. We spied and learned things many adults didn’t know—and periodically this information we would show. This was not without a price, of course—some things we heard made even myself feel remorse. We eventually learned that knowledge was power, however one thing happened that made the members glower. I was growing older, and not very slowly; the younger members saw grown-ups as lowly. So I passed on the power quite a few years ago. To whom, I’m sure, you’ve already guessed—Ajido-Marujido!”

Shantotto began to laugh with her famous shrill giggles as Chykisasa wrote with a look of indifference in her eyes. Shantotto managed to suppress her giggles long enough to read Chykisasa’s response: “Somehow I am not surprised, is there anything Ajido-Marujido is not involved in?”

Shantotto nodded, “Yes, he seems to enjoy getting involved with everything. Even as a student in the Orastery he was always there, always annoying.”

“If that’s the case, then I think the reason is simple: trouble likes company.”

Chykisasa was summoned to Heavens Tower for the second time that day, escorted by Semih Lafihna. Her meeting with the Star Sibyl was short and concise; it had been a long day for the Sibyl. Many concerned citizens had come forward to share their concerns on many things, the main one being Chykisasa’s regular and persistent outings.

The Star Sibyl did not tell Chykisasa of these things, and first gave her a quick synopsis on the content of the letter she sent to the Yagudo. Chykisasa approved of the content, and the Sibyl went on to her most pressing concern, “Chykisasa, the ministers and I have decided that a personal statement from you would be the best way to break the news to Windurst.” Chykisasa’s face did not change, she expected nothing less. “We have already informed the press about it; however they have agreed to not breathe a word of it to anyone until that day. Will you be able to prepare a statement by that time?”

Chykisasa nodded, more dutifully than anything else. “Alright then. I will not give you any advice on what to write, this is your statement. And, I think you already know all that needs to be said,” the Sibyl attempted to smile. “That is all I have to say, you will be informed when the Yagudo respond. Take care, Chykisasa.”

Chykisasa left the room expressing no emotion. Semih Lafihna noticed, but did not know what to make of it.

“I think…she was covering up some of her more severe feelings towards the Yagudo,” the Star Sibyl absently stated. “She has been conditioned to hide her inner emotions and condense when she is afraid or angry.”

Semih nodded, “Yes…she’s quite the trooperrr.”

Chykisasa entered Shantotto’s in a haze. Shantotto looked up from her papers. She immediately recognized the look as a pang of guilt pricked the pit of her stomach. Chykisasa’s face equally expressed both indifference and defeat, but Shantotto knew which emotion was trying to hide the other. It was a face she commonly wore when the way others treated her went to her head, and made her almost hopelessly depressed. Shantotto wanted to know what the Star Sibyl had said, but put that behind giving her Chyki the space she needed.

Chykisasa extended the screen to completely cover her area and lit a candle with a nearby match. She laid heavily on her bed and grabbed the nearest object in reach for consolation. She breathed deeply into the hard, thick item trying to control her anger and tears. After a moment of this exercise, Chykisasa summoned the strength to look at what she had her arms wrapped around. She read the title of the book slowly, taking in each word. “The Basics of the Bard Volume I: Unlocking the Voice of the Soul.”

Chykisasa’s ears turned upward. She was crying on the answer to her problems. She quickly opened the book and searched for the chapter on how Soul Voice works. She finally found it, and read the introduction to the chapter, “Every style of fighting has an exclusive power. An ability that unlocks the true powers and potential of the ‘job’ that are limited by the simple fact that all of us are imperfect mortals. To a Bard, this ability is called Soul Voice. Soul Voice unleashes the power of one’s soul through the sheer force of mana. This power can be released through both instruments and the voice, depending on what the Bard favors. Soul Voice enhances the power and force of songs manifold levels (the most powerful enhancement on record is about eighty levels, far beyond the level any mortal can achieve).

“The voice of the soul can only be accessed in a moment of dire emotion and need. Technically, anyone of any job can tap into the voice of their soul. However, Bards already have training in singing and utilizing one’s emotions for energizing their abilities, so it comes easiest to them. This chapter will teach you the basics of accessing one’s soul voice—the one thing that separates a minstrel from a Bard.”

The ideas exploded in Chykisasa’s head like Summer Celebration fireworks. In a few mere seconds she had hopped off of her bed and was standing next to Shantotto at her table, pointing at the page.

Shantotto couldn’t figure out if what had just happened was good or bad, so she kept her silence as she read what Chykisasa was zealously signaling toward. She was a fast reader and quickly finished the short paragraphs, but stared at them for a few moments taking it all in.

She breathed in, but slightly hesitated before answering, “So, you want to train as a Bard and find the voice of your soul? Chykisasa…you know very well this will not make you whole.”

Chykisasa understood the metaphor, and gathered a nearby paper and quill to write her response, “I know it will not make me feel better about myself. I was thinking we could put it to a more practical use, such as breaking a contract.”

Shantotto took a deep breath before answering. Giving advice and expressing feelings of support was never quite her thing. She preferred constructive criticism and tough “love.” However Chykisasa made her want to change those natural tendencies of hers, and she had to be careful about her wording in order to not convey the wrong emotion. “Ordinarily, I would tell you that pursuing a life not as a mage would never work. However, I think this time this little plan of yours might just be crazy enough to work. But I tell you now, on the subject of music I am not the one to ask. You’ll have to train yourself for this task!”

Chykisasa expected no less and desired no more. She embraced Shantotto out of pure joy and relief, and began to cry on her shoulder. Shantotto was overcome at first, but began to comfort her, as any other surrogate mother would. “If even this thought of escape puts so much joy in her heart, I wholly hope this plan does not fall apart.”

Chykisasa stayed up into the night until she had read the forty-four page chapter nearly three times over. It consisted of necessary skills and prerequisites for tapping into the Soul Voice, personal accounts from esteemed Combat Bards and even the author himself, and many long, sorry attempts of explanations on what Soul Voice does and just what it enhances. “Ugh, twenty pages could be cut outaru of here if he simply-wimply said, ‘Soul Voice varies among different people.” Chykisasa thought as she yawned and, finally, tucked herself in for the night.

Chykisasa hardly slept at all throughout the night. The mixture of apprehension and empowerment solidified in her stomach when she lied down, causing her to feel claustrophobic under the sheets. It pressed down on her gut and diaphragm, driving the drowsiness away from her body and replacing it with both fear and adrenaline.

Morning finally came, and Chykisasa got dressed in an empty house. Shantotto had gone to her favorite pastime (observing students at the Orastery) leaving Chykisasa with breakfast and solitude. Chykisasa immediately began meditation, which was the first step toward unlocking the voice of her soul. She had to clear her mind of all other concerns, and focus only on that one goal. For half an hour she had much difficulty with this; she was already exhausted and nervous from her sleepless night. But soon she managed to think only of the voice of her soul, and what it might feel like to speak.

Once she completed this task, the next step was to gather as much energy as possible to her lungs. Lungs were the origin of all sung notes, for one needs to breath in order to even summon the energy to sing. She already had training with controlling the flow of her mana to different places in the body, so this was fairly easy for her.

The final step was to use her emotions to aim and release the energy. This step was not well explained in the book. The author said that it was something you had to experience firsthand, and once you knew what it felt like, you would be able to master it. Not enough words existed to explain it any further.

Chykisasa had already set out a training orb and sheet music. The book stated that it was best to practice soul voice with vocal notes before trying to mend them into words and through instruments. Chykisasa played the notes on her flute for a moment to get the sound in her head.

She went a safe distance from the orb, closed her eyes, and took the leash off of her mind. She let herself think about the Yagudo and what they did to her. The tortures, the insults, the darkness…everything came back to her. Her emotions flitted between anger and fear, until finally she couldn’t take it anymore. She had to do something—anything—to end the pain. She opened her eyes, but did not see Shantotto’s manor. She saw the inside of her cell in Castle Oztroja. It was larger than she remembered, and smelled twice as foul.

Just as she got over the smell, Chykisasa became aware of distant laughter. She noticed three, enormous, red-eyed figures standing on the other side of the bars of the cell. They were laughing at her, and poking spears through the bars toward her. The figures seemed so far away, and yet the spear points were a hair’s length away from her fair skin.

Chykisasa completely forgot about the tune of the notes. Fire sprang up around the figures and inside the cell—the figures stopped laughing and seemed to become afraid. Chykisasa opened her mouth and released the fury of her fears and malice. It was a scream—a piercing, penetrating, maddening scream. The sheer power and pitch of the scream frightened Chykisasa even further. The images, the figures, even the air around her began to spiral into a bottomless pit some miles away. Everything was disappearing. Her anger, her fear—all her pent up emotions were being drained from her body. She realized it was not a nightmare, it was not a memory—it was all real. The sound was coming from her own voice—the voice of her soul.

Chykisasa suddenly noticed something was wrong. She was out of breath. She had to stop screaming or she would suffocate. She used whatever strength she had left to clamp her teeth together, and formed her lips into a barely visible line. The vortex dissipated, the house reappeared, and Chykisasa was unconscious.

The Yagudo King received the letter from the Star Sibyl at high noon. When he was done reading, he leaned back in his throne and began to chuckle to himself. The Star Sibyl and, in particular, Chykisasa, were both afraid of the outcome. He simply knew they were apprehensive about the offer of a live meeting, and were so concerned about what he could possibly have on Chykisasa that would automatically allow him to take claim on her again.

The old King chuckled to the scribe, “Kahahaha…they must be over-thinking the whole situation! They’ll be so afraid of our ‘advantage’; Chykisasa will do anything to prevent us from attacking Windurst! Kah...yes…finally, we shall be able to put those insignificant, disgruntled Tarutaru in their place! The Great Race of the Yagudo shall never coincide with such ridiculous creatures!”

Shantotto entered her house just before lunchtime and was appalled at the condition of her home. Any loose papers that she had left behind were now scattered all over the room. Small books and random objects from her shelves had been blown out of their places and were lining the walls and covering the corners of the room.

Just before she was going to call out for Chykisasa, Shantotto saw her lying on the floor. She threw down the concealing cloak and ran to her. She felt Chykisasa’s pulse, found her to be alive, and used all of her strength to lift Chykisasa off the floor. She carried the girl over to her couch. After she set her down, she noticed bright, warm layer of blood on her hand. Shantotto quickly began to examine Chykisasa, and noticed a sliver of black glass imbedded in Chykisasa’s right arm, and black shards and powder in her hair and dusting her clothing.

Shantotto looked across the room and noticed a burn mark on the ground just a few yards away. A ring of shattered glass and pewter black powder surrounded the mark in a perfectly circular pattern. “What, oh what, could have happened here…” she whispered to herself, “And how did Chykisasa shatter that sphere….”

Shantotto sighed, and figured she would be out for a while. As she began to clean Chykisasa up, she couldn’t sense much mana in her body. There was just enough there to keep her alive, but not nearly enough to sustain consciousness. When Chykisasa was bandaged and covered up in the sheets of her own bed, Shantotto began the tedious process of returning a sense of normalcy to the interior of her home.

Chykisasa was floating on a black sea. The water was warm to the touch, and very calming. A light grey sky looked back into her blank stare upwards.

Chykisasa felt at peace with herself, making random observations in her mind. The sound of her inner voice echoed, as if she were speaking into the mouth of a cave. Just as she made a comment, she forgot it, as if her mind did not see any reason for it to remain in her memory. The absence of worry was soothing, and the only thing Chykisasa wanted was to remain on that uncharted sea forever.

After some time, Chykisasa found herself wondering how long she had been floating on her back. She slowly began to remember her thoughts from the past, and the sound of her thoughts began to feel closer to where her head actually was. The echo began to leave; the area around her felt as if it were shrinking. Suddenly, or so it felt, she became aware that her position was uncomfortable. She managed to move her limp limbs around and flipped her body over, putting herself face-down in the opaque—almost metallic—water.

Chykisasa was able to breathe and see down into the water, never taking either as an anomaly. She saw herself sleeping in her bed from a bird’s eye view. She stared straight down through Shantotto’s roof and watched herself sleep for a long time, completely void of thought.

Time passed; it could have very well been days later when something finally happened. The eyes of her sleeping body opened, immediately locking onto the floating body. The floating body was frightened, and began to dread something in the future. The sleeping body sat up, but her eyes never left the floating body’s eyes. Her mouth began to move in slow motion, but nothing happened. As soon as the lips stopped moving, a voice sternly echoed in the floating body’s mind, “You must wake up, your task is finished.”

The floating girl was angered, “But this place is so peaceful! Get out of here, I’ll never leave!”

“Right now, do you feel at peace?” the sleeping body inquired.

The floating body tried to rebel, but the sleeping body was directly in front of her, shaking her shoulder. She was repeating the same phrase again and again. “You have succeeded, you must leave and fulfill your purpose. You have succeeded, you must leave….”

And in the blink of an eye, Chykisasa was wide awake, attempting to comfort the concerned rhymes of Doctor Shantotto.

[Neomage]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

O.o

MOR! MORRRRRR!

[Ejospike]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

AWESOME! that is definately my favorite chapter yet! you are incredible with this, im going to be so sad when you stop writing this, i really will. I told some of my friends about this taht play FFXI and they love it also, you have a real talent for this. I cant wait for the next one chapter!!!!!

[Lilani]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

Thank you very much ^^ I'll try to get it out ASAP, but with my luck I can't make any promises @-@

[Ejospike]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

hmmm... that can be a problem... school has been getting in the way of writing my own, but then again its when i normally do write/type it because i get bored easily.... anyways i somewaht stopped with mine... i read through most of it again and im just making changes in the wording and how i put it, my friends want to read it so i got to go through the tedious task of explaining what the areas and the races look like and ugh, gets so annoying... like i said before, i cant wait for the next chapter. hope your luck changes.

[Ejospike]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

well im done with my story, getting snowed in with no electricity can do wonders for your imagination... now comes the "fun" part of typing it up, im still looking forward to the next chapter ^^

[Lilani]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

Thank you Ejospike :D I'll be reading your story when you get it out too. Good luck!

[Ejospike]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

I really dont think ill post my story on here, when i read over it it sounded similar to yours, although mine does get different later, mine starts out the same so people will probably think that i copied you and i dont want that... so... I dont think i will post it or id have to make many many changes to it so it wouldnt sound like a spinoff or an imitation of Lost and Almost Forgotten

[Lilani]

Re: Lost and Almost Forgotten

Hey, I'll post in the thread you make and say that you didn't copy me, to prove all of the naysayers wrong Just go for it.