As Bernie went for the door, it opened and an elf stood there, apparently surprised someone was on the other side. The elven man, who wore black adventurer's clothes, smiled at Bernie.

"Welcome to the Ravensheart School for the Gifted. I am Briarius Ravensheart, Headmaster. How may I help you today?"

:: It was about the same time this was all going on that she returned... she had a grand day as she moved to the front door not really noticing them as she slowly approached in her own little world her little mind going through her first lesson continueously trying to figure out things....
slowly she walked up the steps to the door yawning just a little as she looked up to the door::

The Headmaster broke into a smile.

"Of course you may use our library. We do ask for some paperwork to be filled out to protect our interests, but it's merely a formality if you don't plan on burning the place down."

He looked Bernie over as if scanning him. His eyes twinkled red for a brief moment.

"Please, let me show you to the library and get you that paperwork."

He walks out the door and towards the center of the campus. He stops and turns.

"Oh...and feel free to bring Mistress Sha'uri with you."

With that, he continued upon his path.

Not stopping, he says loud enough for them to hear.

"I was simply making certain that the school does not get the reputation of 'where bizarre things happen'. It can be bad publicity. Besides, if you are anything like your mother, you don't need anyone's help exposing yourself."

"Hey!"

He backed up, stirring the air with his wrists and then dropping them to his side, after feigning a grumpy expression with a shake of his fists. His toothy smile returned with a small wink for the Lady Sha'Uri, and then he vanished inside with the two-headmaster and mischief makerer.


Looking around he was now bedazzled, the old damp smell of books with curled pages and golden lining high within the shelves, the smell of rain and muddied shoes on leather soles. He stopped and sighed, but a wisp of air. It felt strange to be here, it fatigued him and excited him. He turned to Sha'Uri, as though to be guided onwards, then a look to Briaus.

"Where to, for the book of dreams?"

A dark shade filled his eyes, inquiring and suspicious of both the book and the two-to a degree. The slight grin still perched on his lips, as he caught the sapphire glow of Sha'Uri's gaze. Strangely, he too trusted her word. Stranger he was, and yet welcomed. Like kismet when launching its arrows at a man, it startled him, a feeling that stuck to his bones, right down in the marrow. He looked like a scared man, and indeed he was. Thoughts and cries reverberated with each waking thought, and then only at night was his head empty as he slept.

Here, it was full and ripe with possibility. He offered Sha'Uri a kind, almost grateful smile from behind the hair that canopied his pale scarred face.

"I put a copy of it on the third unit along the wall, second shelf from the floor. Ooops... I forgot to write it in the inventory, Bri. Sorry. It's just that book of dreams from the magic store in town. Cost enough, though."

She glanced at Bernie, that hair hanging in his eyes... it reminded her of her first love, Derokis. His long red hair would just hang there, even when he tried to tuck it behind his ear, it would fall. But the motion.. she found her hand reaching to tuck it back behind Bernie's ear.

"Ya know, there are a ton of books here, Bernie, you could take advantage of it, ... if you wish."

Embarasment washed over her as she realized what she'd just done. She became quiet and stepped to the side. She nodded to Bernie's first question.

"That's the one."

She glanced to Bri, "You know more of what is in here then I do. Most of these are yours. Most of mine are still in Secak."

Lightning flashed outside and steps sounded at the entrance. He turned at both the crash of white light and the young girl at the doorway. He figured that must be Tina, and if not, he had only seen her leaving the Inn earlier that day and never before.

"Is that..?", he gave a sidelong look to Sha'Uri, in question. He made a mental note too, to discuss this 'proctector business further. He didn't feel equipped to manage a child what with his mental state and his slow recovery rom trauma, but selflessness was always a virtue he'd sought...Even as a youth.

Then, to Briarus he turned at hearing his comment. Interested, and dark brow raised, he offered. "I could do inventory sometime, if you wished?"

He hoped he could be tendered for his time, so that he could get his own business running. It could work both ways, so he smiled with a glint in his gray gaze to the Headmaster, standing tall, as he extended a hand.

"I'd like to assist..", he paused, sincerely regarding his own speech, his other hand gestured to the books before his thumb fell back "and this", he gestured to himself as he shrugged a shoulder at the books, "may keep me out of trouble", and a sly grin caught his prune coloured lips in the shadowed room, as his hand fell back to his side and lightning flashed from behind again-throwing light like a nimbus silhouetting some sort of dark angel as he stood tall, gray and kind eyed. If learning couldn't hurt, and he could help, it'd be a darn good deal.

"Congratulations! I hope you enjoy being the Ravensheart School for the Gifted's Master Librarian. Allow me to show you to your quarters."

With that, he walked over to the very large and ornate desk and pulled out a ring of keys. He then proceeded to the back of the library. As he walked, he spoke to Bernie.

"I expect the library to be open all times classes are in session. I give you the ability to hire some librarians to make that happen. I, of course, will have the final approval on the hiring process."

He approached a back door. He used a key to get in and the storage and offices of the library came into view. It was difficult to determine all of the archives and office space there was. Bri then approached a door clear across the back area that seemed more warn and friendly. Past that door was an impressive apartment.

"These are your quarters. You do have a private entrance at the back of the library. I also believe that this door from the library has some illusory magicks so that it merely appears to be a wall when the library is open. For privacy reasons."

"As you wish. Just know that this is for the Master Librarian's use."

The Headmaster holds the keyring out to Bernie.

The Headmaster chuckled.

"I would be glad to. Mistress Tina, did I ever tell you the story of the Pirate Queen?"

As always, it warmed her heart to see Bri with a child. It was one of the things she loved about him so much. He was almost like a child himself, having as much fun telling a story to children as the children usually seemed to have listening to him tell one. He was a story teller...

"Oh you are gonna love that one, Tina. I'm jealous now. You get to hear him tell it!"

She winked a heartfelt thanks to Bri, for more then just taking care of Tina, and bent down to kiss Tina's forehead.

"G'Night sweety. Have fun with Briari's story. I'll check on you when I get back, though it may be late. So, no waiting up for me."

She also watched Briarius and Tina leave, turning to gaze up at Bernie, responding to his comment with softened tones.

"I thought you would figure it out, but I said that mostly for her benefit, to let her know she has another to watch over her besides Icer and Wyheree." Adding with a chuckle, "And, it would be harder for her to sneek down to the Inn by herself. Oh, she's gonna be a handful when she gets older. She's far too quiet and fairly well behaved now as a child. She reminds me of me in a way. You know what they say about the quiet ones..."

She left it at that and glanced sideways at him, grinning devilishly at his comment about the horses. She wondered for a brief moment if there was some double meaning, but his expression, as he started to stare at his boots, caused her to drop the thought in her head and lose the grin from her visage. It appeared he needed a moment and she would respectfully give him that time.

Taking this time to have a better look around the place, she stepped away to be nosey by opening a few cupboards and drawers carefully so as not to disturb the dust too much.

It was in a drawer she found the old dusty visor reminiscent of the wizard's cap sold at the arcane store. She always thought they looked more like a librarian's cap anyway. It was black with blue-grey metalic thread woven in some abstract design flowing around the rim. It was a little dusty, but in good shape, perhaps never having been used. She dusted it off and held it behind her back as she came back to Bernie.

He looked to her as if he had all the time in the world. That in itself was comforting, truly comforting. His eyes were comforting, the kindest she'd ever seen anyone have. And while he expectantly gestured to the door, she was distracted by the way his fingers played with the keys. Annoying or alluring, she couldn't say. Perhaps really both. It was a distraction to say the least.

The warm mischevious smile was back in place as her long fingers reached to play with his, interrupting their play upon the keys while hers beckoned for his to follow into her grasp. She lifted that hand up to between them just about level with his chin. Her other hand brought the hat around to hold up next to his raised hand. She let go of his hand, allowing him to take the prize she found.

"Guess you get to add a hat to your collection. If you're not careful, you'll end up a Jack like me with dozen's of hats you could wear, but that is the hazard of being around so much information... one tends to tangent a lot."

She gave him a moment to do whatever he was going to do with the hat before she slipped her arm with his and guided him gently towards the door.

"I'll help you clean up the place if you'd like. It is a little dusty in there but it can wait. Right now I have to play tour guide."

They stepped outside where she paused and regarded him curiously as lightning lit up the sky and thunder rolled over the area bringing with it a telling wall of wind that rolled over the land. It was going to storm but good. She could hear the rain trailing after the wind. In a matter of seconds, they would be drenched.

A quick glance towards the living quarters revealed Bri and Tina getting into the building. A cat's protesting cry came from the forge area next to the barn and stables. Her glance darted that way to see the little grey tiger cat running from the barn towards the living quarters and beginning to get drenched as the curtain of rain fell on her.

"Oh.. poor Sabre.."

Save the cat and get drenched or run back into the nice warm library apartment and keep dry. She was such a sucker. Her hand reached out and the cat was lifted in the air by some invisible force that swiftly floated the hissing, crying cat to her arms, claws digging into her flesh, just as the heavy curtain of rain blasted down upon them. It was her poor luck, she was wearing her white dress.

"Ahh! Damnit! Who ordered the blasted storm?" it was a painful smirk she held upon that drenched visage.

The painful smirk turned to one of wide eyed wonder as she watched Bernie step out into the rain. Was that really him? The wild joy in his eyes was contagous and addictive. She wanted to see more of that... no feel it. It reminded her of the wild elves on Toril, they knew how to party. She nearly busted out laughing at his comment. It sounded so much like something her grandpa would've said that it took her by surprise.

That and the cold gripped her and Sabre as they were nearly frozen. The two were chattering teeth and shivering, Sabre mewling pathetically, as Bernie walked up and place his coat over her shoulders. Odd that it was, Sabre never hissed, never growled at Bernie. Sabre withdrew her claws from Sha'uri's flesh, quickly relaxed in her arms and even began to purr, despite the rain. Sha'uri relatively did almost the same .... relaxed and felt the warmth seep in despite the heaviness of the wet coat. It was still warm. His touch upon her chin sent a surge of warmth through her, like a bolt of lightning streaking across the sky. She was in awe... staring into his eyes, searching for that crazy guy. She was in awe for about ten seconds until that phrase popped into her head.

"Enjoy the enemy, it'll piss 'em off more?"

And the awe turned to smile, turned to grin with that mischevious glint and finally she busted out laughing, giggling actually, leaning against him for support.

"Oh god, Bernie, my grandpa Woodshadow would've loved you! Come on, take me in an...let's get my poor wet kitty inside to dry before she catches a cold."

And she tugged gently back towards the apartment.

His eyes upon her... kitty, her face grew warm with a blush. She could well understand the look he gave. Well, if he needed help getting the fire started...

She was quick to move and find the fireplace. Thankful the place seemed relatively furnished. Telekinesis moved a few logs quickly inside the hearth and her eyes flashed with sapphire flame, simoultaneously, the logs caught fire. Naturally, Sabre hissed and jumped from her arms. She had to grin.

"That's it.. show your true colors you little cat from hell."

Sabre mewed and walked back towards her, though wouldn't touch her because they were both wet. She kept shaking her foot, as it that would dry it. The cat moved closer to the fire and settled down on the floor to catch its warmth.

Sha'uri conjured up a pot of hot spiced cider, the same as she had earlier for him at the Inn. It appeared upon the coffee table complete with cups. She poured the cider, added some whipcream... also conjured... and brought a cup to Bernie, taking her own cup to stand by the fire, allowing the flames to dry her naturally. She regarded him a little more cautiously, and yet what she really wanted to do was throw caution to the wind and run back outside to play. Her smile was warm and inviting. In that light, she was her father's daughter. Even her words would've been something Pyriathin Arrowny would've said in his daily dealings of information.

"So, what exactly is it that you wish to know? Exactly..."

That first question caught her off guard for a brief moment. She'd been avoiding it all night rather adeptly, but when he looked at her this time and asked about that book it was there as if written all over her face. Somebody wasn't saying something about it ... on purpose. The look of guilt only lasted for a moment and she was thankful he quickly changed the subject to the girl. Apparently, he hadn't even noticed it.

She kept quiet for the longest time, listening to him and sipping her cider ... never mind the cream line along the top of her lip ... or his ... she was debating a million things in her head. Both of them were contemplating deeply.

Could she really trust this guy? Was Bernie even his name? Who was that crazy eyed fun loving guy standing in the rain and loving it just minutes ago? She wanted to know. Or was she rushing into something that would have her tripping over hewr proverbial two left feet and land on her arse as usual? Would she regret it?

Yet, it bothered him, honestly bothered him how Tina was. Here he was some stranger to this place, newly made friend, newly made Librarian, and someone to help guard a child. It was a lot to take in, and he seemed to be stepping nicely into the roles. How could she not trust him? It was probably he who shouldn't trust her ... and there came that guilt again.

She caught her bottom lip between her teeth and set her cup upon the mantle taking two steps to be at his side. She gently took his cup and placed it on the mantle. Then she took him by the hand and led him to the couch to sit down.

"Tina Storms ... she says she was orphaned as a baby in mid winter, just left on the steps. She says that the Master of the orphanage, some guy named Cutter or nicknamed The Cutter, treated her and the children badly, taking whatever he could of theirs, including things left to them when they first arrived, to sell in order to pay his gambling debts. He also sold some of the children. She told me that on the day she ran away from the orphanage, she was being sold and they were on their way to meet the buyer in RhyDin's market place. She managed to escape and Wyheree found her, paid for her room at the Inn for several days because she couldn't take her home. It's where I met Tina. Now, it sounded like the orphanage she was in was the one in RhyDin. I don't know for sure. I don't even know if she is lying, but I wouldn't want to think so. I just haven't had a chance to check out her story, which I should. If she has no one as she says, then I mean to adopt her. I only said something to you earlier because I was hoping you would help protect her should she need it ... that is if you happened to be around then. Wyheree and Icer watch over her while they are around her. I just felt better knowing there were more chances for her to be ... protected."

She paused, that guilty look was back in those big sapphire eyes and that bottom lip was caught for a moment between pearly whites.

"And I haven't been too honest with you about the book."

There she confessed and swallowed noticeably before she continued with the explanation ... the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

"I really am sorry.. .but I wasn't the one who copied it. I haven't really read through the whole thing yet. I just skimmed some of it and handed it over to my scribes on Secak. They did the work. So.. um.. guess if either of us want to know all about it, we'll either have to do it on our own... or together. I don't know everything in it, exactly. Just that there are some divination spells. And you're probably really mad at me right now..."

Her gaze searched his, hoping for forgiveness. Perhaps it wasn't that bad, but maybe it was to him and that is what had her worried.

Relief! The smile was back again while she listened to him.

"Do for me? Well...lemmi think. "

She pondered this a moment while she got up to get their cups of cider and filled the mugs again. It was while she was up that she noticed in the mirror the cream lines along the top of her lip and realized he had the same mark as she sat down with the cups. What a grin!

"Yeah.." the chuckle escaped, threatening to burst into a laugh. "First off, wipe your lip."

She gave him a napkin, and one for herself to wipe it off her own, chuckling as she did. She waited until her chuckles subsided before she spoke again.

"Actually, I'm confused about something. Dream collection? You mean the dreams I have during sleep?" she didn't understand exactly what he was referring to. Exactly.

"Oh is that what you meant... Books. I just never thought of a collection of various magical tomes and theories as being a collection of dreams. That is, I think that's what's in there. I only assumed that's what it was by the titles on the backs of the books and just slipped the book of Dreams where it seemed logical to go."

She watched him dab his lip and smirked at his comment.

"On the contrary, I think it's adorable.... on you."

A quick wink was given.

Her mirthful gaze widened as he leaned forward. She gazed into those smoky depths, thinking how she could easily be lost there. A mental jolt has her visage changing as the thought occured to her, she was falling. So soon? After Jayden's disappearance? What if he returned? Had she learned nothing from her past mistakes?

Indeed she had and it was why she shifted her gaze from Bernie. He was probably married for all she knew, or maybe he was falling for her. It didn't matter. She wasn't ready to jump into anything and pulled the reins on her own emotions. She also didn't want to ruin this relationship. No. It was meant for more then the whim of emotion. She could feel a strong base for friendship, a lasting friendship, developing at the core. At least, she believed so and wasn't going to destroy it.


"Ah, yes. My scribes. You are right that there is a bigger picture. A much larger one. They're back on Exodii planet. Actually, they're on my floating Citadel over the planet. Yeah, much bigger picture over there. It's a long story to explain it, but in quick summary, Exodii is one planet in the Exodii solar system and that is, in theory, what is left of the Realm of Secak where I was born."

A sip of her cider was taken, this time wiping the cream from her lips. She smiled with excitement, happy to explain further.

"It used to be one seemingly endless plane of existence created, in theory, by the clash of two chotic bodies of magic possibly clashing into or around a planet, or a solar system or even something bigger. No one ever knew the truth of it, but I suspect it was something along that line. Either way, there was an explosion and the realm was created long ago and stayed that way until nature's power ripped it back apart, trying to undo what chaos created. Many would've died but.... well, we saved as many as we could. It was something spectacular to see."

She became lost in the memory and her gaze shifted to the side, staring into the fire. A soft smile eased along her lips yet her eyes misted with tears.

With a rhythm of the ocean, time seemed to slow in that place between ebb and flow his hand on her knee, then rubbing her arm, those words of wisdom intensely spoken bringing those misty eyes glazed and fireworks of taupe haze locked for that timeless moment.
The weight of it all was heavy upon her, not just of Secak, but of Kadorasil, Erique and Briarius. So heavy was the weight that she'd swear it was all going to crush her out of existence, obliterate her essence and recycle her as the substance of the Force, spread to all corners of the universes. Bernie's gaze locked upon hers was the cornerstone that held her fast, here.

She felt that understanding and that was all it took for the flow of tears to spill forth, falling over the rim of her lids to slide down her cheeks unchecked. Not even Jayden's offer of a shoulder had produced tears like this. She hadn't been convinced Jay could understand. Bernie clearly could. She needed a good cry. And still she held a sad smile as she simply sank back into the couch with him, cuddling to him like a child would and let the tears flow for a time in that timeless moment ... until the ebb reversed their direction.

"There are things you should know, Bernie, about what happened here."

"There are things you should know, Bernie, about what happened here."

"Sha..", he whispered at her forehead as he leveled himself at her teary gaze.

Her lips trembled as she watched him change, heartbeat quickened at the sound of his shirt ripping. Her breath sucked in as he gasped to life right before her eyes, lonely branches splayed like the mirror of her sorrows and she felt the bonds connect, entwine drawing her closer to this angel. How she wondered at the lack of feathers upon those lonely branches, desire increasing to know ... to fill those branches once more.

"Then..let me in"

The roar of silent thunder between them was deafening, sharp, heart-skippeth it's double beats. It held her speechless in that silence, the pregnant pause as their hearts skipped that beat ... together.

He wanted in and how could she refuse? Not in a million years after gazing into those kind eyes that had been there all along. She would deny him nothing though her heart trembled, partially with fear as it lurched into motion once again, beating strongly causing soft tremors in her chest.

Her left hand rising to caress his cheek, nodding to affirm her answer. And he could see in her mind the flash of memory of a realm torn apart, souls screaming in agony of those who could not be saved. It was her failing, her guilt that so many had perished from Secak, even though many had been saved during that Time of Change.

At the lifting of her hand from his cheek, the memory ceased its play. Her gaze searched hard into his soul, gaging his reaction to the memory parlay. He seemed to be okay, that he could handle it more then adequately. In a way, it made her feel small and that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

Her hand again placed on his cheek, as the other came to rest on the opposite side. And as her forehead was placed to his, more memories came to him of the recent event with Briarius, Eversmart, the closing of Kadorasil and Erique's destruction .... or had he been destroyed?

That question was felt as were the memories that were not her own, feelings for Bri that weren't exactly hers but the memories of her mother, the former wife of the current headmaster. Sorrow so clear Sha'uri was ashamed of what she was, how she was so much that it brought more then tears, sobs wracked her form as she clung to him, hanging onto those bonds with a tenacity as if they defined her, gave her sustenance and clarity. The coolness of his breath eased the hot sting of tears upon her cheeks and just his closeness, his warmth served to ease her, gave her control and eventually lessened the sobs to soft hiccup like tremors.

Her voice trembled, barely a whisper as she spoke, soft breathy tones, though her gaze was filled with wonder. Perhaps it was the trick of light, but she swore she could see some of those feathers ...

"Who are you really?"

It was no trick of light, those feathers she saw, but the telling of past or future, perhaps both. Clearly they were there to her and yet not as the lighting illuminated the present.

She should've known better then to let him see. That symmetry he spoke of was closer then they had foreseen and the hand down her spine as he was heavy in memory, haunted her with tremors down the length of her tall core, that fearful tearful look would not be forgotten etched in her soul for eternity.

It never occured to her and never had been her intent to make him vulnerable ... so vulnerable when she was no different. The taste of his tears still lingered bittersweet on her tongue, her lips. Instinct, compassion urged her on... sought to kiss them away, from his hands, his forehead, face, his lips ... Gentle fingers beckoned to him as her voice was a soft heartfelt plea,

"Forgive me... oh god, Bernie I'm so sorry.. please, don't leave me."

She caught her breath. It hit her hard, it was too late, she'd fallen and it so plain to see.

"Sorry?"

Whatever sorrow she'd felt moments before had been chased away into that proverbial storm by those three words and that kiss... still tingled upon her lips, stretched to mimic his with mirth. Something more, something deeper sparkled in her eyes.

"Liar.."

Softly teased with her sultry whisper, lips taunting him for more as she shifted that long core atop his lap to face him, dress haphazardly coiled round her waist, knees bent and tucked into the cushions beside him.

She kissed him deeply at first until she sensed something of him... something he wasn't, hadn't said and she could only think this was moving too fast. Color rose in her cheeks. It had been an extremely emotional hour, Profound. Perhaps it was just he seemed exhausted .. no, they were both exhausted. She caressed his cheek and laid her head on his shoulder. Both said nothing as they stared into those flames... sense of security, protection, and more fell over her like a blanket that was his arms... until sleep finally overtook her.

She sighed softly in her sleep, now and then a hand would caress him or her feet would sweetly rub one against the other, curled up against Bernie as she was.

Her dreams were of flying, someone held her close and they .. He was flying, wings beating in the air.... Tina 's sweet laughter rang from somewhere, as did Alexander and Bryce's voices chime in, and another voice familiar, yet unknown.. no... changed, morphed slightly.

Bernie's sudden movement as he awoke caused the dream to end and she moaned.... groaned softly to a half conscous state. He was smiling though his eyes were closed when hers eased open and she winced, guarded against the light. Had she known about Sakura, things would be in a different light. But she was oblivious to it as her delicate touch caressed his cheek, his chin and played along the lines of his lips, mirthful smile tugging the corner of her lips as she watched him twitch, twitch, twitch... soft laughter escaped her.