"So," Jeremiah drained his cup and glanced over at his companions, "we are to sit here and share stories for the next couple weeks?"

"I cannot handle your stories for that period of time." Andrew quipped, his eyes moving over to Storm as she was looking over books. She did not hide her smile as she listened to the three men bicker.

Renan and Jeremiah shared a chuckle, "I have a story." The Fire announced, and he obtained Jeremiah and Andrew's attention. Storm was still looking for something. "Devin has stirred up trouble. He burned down someone home. A human's home."

"Not intentionally?" Storm interjected, this time looking over at the trio.

"Oh, I doubt it, but I am not overseeing this. I have others to help handle such situations."

"Kiara?" The Water asked, missing the quick, solemn look that took over Jeremiah's face.

He felt the quick sting from within. Passing memories, some warm but most full of grief. He felt eyes on him, and he looked over to Storm. Despite his ache, he offered a smile. He watched her smirk, and almost instantly felt better. There was something about irking the Air that returned almost all warm feelings.

"No, I have not come around to her yet. She sulks still." Renan continued, acting like he had not felt the chill from the other Guardians.

Andrew however, was oblivious to the tension that had started on his upbringing. "What are you looking for, Storm? Surely not items on the Choosing Ceremony. You know better."

"Does she?" His voice on the edge of a chuckle as attention turned to Storm.

She made a sound, Jeremiah would have sworn it was a 'hmph'. "I might be." Her fingers brushed over a few book's bindings, before moving to her chair and picking up her cloak. "Enjoy your sharing of stories. Let me know when sanity has returned."

Jeremiah watched that satisfied smile return to her features, before she left, more than likely for home. "Well, shall we share stories of brawl, travel and women?"

"We all know all your stories are but myths, lad." Renan retorted, and Jeremiah let out laughter that he had not in months.

?Do you always have a hard time sitting still?? Renan asked as the Air stood up again, watching her stick her hands in her pockets and move towards a window.

Jeremiah snickered, ?Storm has never relaxed in her all of her existence. There was this one time when-?

?I can still here you.? Even though he could only see her back, he knew that she was smirking. Much like teasing siblings, he almost enjoyed getting under her skin.

?Come and sit, you have time still before you have to go home, right??

She was silent, moving her weight between her feet as she looked out the window. ?Yes.?

Andrew sighed deeply and shook his head, ?Let?s discuss who we think will be picked??

?What for? We will not know for another few weeks.?

?Do not like it still??

Jeremiah watched her cross her arms, and knew that she did not enjoy the teasing anymore. None of them enjoyed not knowing what the expectations were, but Storm was the only one whom could not let that go.
?Come tell us about the party you went to.?

?The Hogmanay party?? She looked over her shoulder, ?Why??

?Hogs ?o many??

Laughing softly, Storm moved to recapture her seat. She sent Jeremiah a look, and he smiled gently in return. He could not give her comfort, but he knew how to at least bring a smile to her face. He however, was only counting down the days until the Guardians were once again full.

"By the Goddess," Jeremiah mumbled as he tossed his cards down, "Must I lose every game?"

"If you had some skill, then no." Andrew added with a superior grin as he gathered up the cards to shuffle again. Renan had decided to let the younger Elementals enjoy their friendly competition, and only participated in the game.

As Jeremiah waiting for the cards to be dealt again, his dark eyes roamed to the unopened door. Quirking a brow, he then looked over to the time piece. It was so unlike for Storm to ever be late. He did not let it bother him as cards were dealt, and the game continued.

It was not for another quarter of an hour, before the door opened. Expecting to see Storm, Jeremiah looked over, but only to see Cornelious. Surprised, he recovered with ease and inclined his head, "Good afternoon, Cornelious."

As both Renan and Andrew also exchanged greetings with the Wind Guardian, Jeremiah's curiosity rose as Cornelious remained in the doorway, and turned his attention to Jeremiah, "Would you care to join me?" The offer was more a of command that was meant to be polite.

"Of course." He smiled to Renan and Andrew's curious looks, before joinging Cornelious and shutting the door behind him.

They started to walk in silence, before Cornelious began to speak, "You are going to be conducting the ceremony, and The Words describe you knowing a week in advance of the Choosing Ceremony. For now on, you will prepare with the rest of us."

Jeremiah considered, but knew if The Words were written, that they were to be followed, "Of course." He repeated, before tentatively saying, "I have not seen Storm at all today."

"She will not be coming in today. Or possibly until the ceremony." Cornelious offered no further explanation, and it only made Jeremiah more concerned. It was a rarity for such information to not be exchanged.

"Perhaps I will go and visit her."

Cornelious gave him a very pointed look, "Perhaps you should do more than that." But he did not allow for the conversation to continue as he opened a door to lead to the rest of the Guardians.

With having more questions now than to begin with, Jeremiah had no choice but to continue forward.