Nalea's Haven

[Sean]

Equanimity just sat down and listened to what Loyalty was saying. He didn't blink. He didn't yon at all. HE never even shifted from his seat. Then when she stopped to catch her breath he put his finger to her lips. And gave her a nice smile. "I have never tried to go farther than what we did. I don't think you would have wanted to anyway."

Equanimity looked around. "I like it right here for now. We are alone. Well. . . Not counting our summons." He smiled at Othel. Othel was flying around. He never liked to be on the ground for very long. "And please don't call me that. I have heard of another meaning for that word." Equanimity leaned back and looked at the sky.

"Now that we are here what do you want to do." He gave her a smile that if looked at closely had invention in it. Very Innocent. But an invention none the less.

[Loyal]

Loyalty smiled. "Ha! I'm gonna make a snow angel!" Then she let herself fall backwards, landing in the soft white snow. She put Nalea on her stomach and moved her arms and legs up and down. When she was done, she just lay there, catching the falling flakes on her tongue.

You're too childish, Nalea yawned, speaking in Loyalty's mind as well as Equanimity's. You should act your age.

Oh, and you get controled by an evil fog-frank-spirit, attack a flying squirrel, find a secret grove, and I don't get to relax and make a snow angel?

That sounds about right. Nalea got up and streached, then bounced onto the ground and ran to sit at Equanimity's feet.

Traitor.

[Sean]

All Equanimity could do was laugh. He then looked at Nalea and get her a serious look. "If I started to act my age I would start to disintegrate." He looked over at Loyalty. "I don't think I would look good disintegrating." Othel flew over to Loyalty and landed on her shoulder. His thoughts were for everyone.

Are you serious about that or are you trying a joke? Equanimity thought about that. "Ya I am serious about that. I know that I am older than every human. I don't know about other Immortals though." Othel gave a snort. You see what I have to LIVE with. HE never remembers the little things in life.

Equanimity rolled his eyes. "Don't be a wimp. You remember the day you forgot to eat? You were whining and complaining. You almost bit off my finger!" Then Othel started to make fun of Equanimity. Oh you remembered? I am so amazed! Equanimity glared at him.

[Loyal]

Loyalty thought this was the funniest thing in the world. She was shaking with laughter and she almost fell over. "D-don't foget....That I'm...Im-imortal too!!" She couldn't stop laughing. Even Nalea was smiling.

See? Loyalty can act her age without disintagrating. You should try it, boy. It couldn't hurt. She jumped alway from him, towards her master. Loyalty picked her up and held her at arms lenght, spinning in circles, laughing still.

[Sean]

Equanimity was very confused. But decided not to ruin her fun. Othel flew off of Loyalty's shoulder shortly after she fell over. Be careful! You almost crushed me. He flew to Equanimity's shoulder. Then Equanimity thought about what Nalea said. "I don't know how old I am." He looked to Othel to see if he knew.

Othel shrugged. I have only been with for about 100 years at least. I don't know how long you had been alive before me. So I am no help. Equanimity sighed. Then a question came into mind. "How old are you?" He looked at Loyalty with interest.

[Loyal]

Loyalty stopped spinning and smiled and giggled. "Nalea means act the age you look. See?" she pointed to herself. "I look 13. Thats the age I was when I died, so I act that age. But," she shrugged glancing at Nalea. "I think I'm at least 200 years old. Maybe 150. I'm not very sure."

Nalea nodded. Yes, Loyalty, or her name is Natsuo, is 176 years old. I met her a short while after she died. Then Nalea spoke to Equanimity alone, shutting out Loyalty. Do NOT say anything about her death. She shall tell you about it if you ask her, but watch out. It was a very painful time for her.

[Sean]

Othel then spoke to Nalea alone. He has already seen it. As have I. It is his power to see into the mind of whoever he touches. What is Loyalty's power?

Equanimity then thought about it. "Wow you have traveled for that long alone? Impressive. And if you think that I have traveled alone then you are very wrong. I have been in the company of many humans in my travels." He then looked down at himself. "How old do I look? And how would I act my age?"

[Loyal]

Nalea walked over to the boy's summon. Loyalty's power is to make anyone she talks to instantly loyal to her. Only few people can withstand it. She needs to make sure her friends will never betray her. If the person can resist it, Loyalty shall never talk to them again. equanimity is a first.

Her eyes looked sad for a second. "Yes. All my life, where ever I went, it has only been me and Nalea." Then she walked around Equanimity, and stopped in front of him. "I think you look around 17 or 18, I dunno know. And how you should act, I dunno either. I've never been 17 or 18!" She laughed at her own joke.

This is the first time Loyalty has ever been around someone who has a will of their own.

[Sean]

Othel chuckled. Yes. He is a being of true will. But that is also his weakness. Because of what he is he can't feel emotion. It might look like he is feeling emotions but it is just his body doing natural things. Please don't tell Loyalty. I don't want her to be upset.

Equanimity looked at Loyalty. Then he thought about what she said. "I don't even know how to act any age. I have just been myself for longer than I can remember. And memory's pass through me like the wind in my hair. And I will admit that I have had many women in my life. But you are the first to not only know my name but also for me to know yours."

Equanimity looked at Nalea. Then looked back at Loyalty with all of the things that he has thought of when he met her. He knew that he couldn't love her but he couldn't forget her. "Well if you won't do anything that Nalea won't want you to do then maby I can convince her. . ." To others it would sound like a joke. But there was a very subtle invention in what he said. He hoped that Loyalty heard it.

[Loyal]

Nalea wiped around, teeth bared. Don't even think about it! Loyalty shall never have anyone other than me! I'm dead set against it! If you even TOUCH her one more time I'll rip your throat out! Loyalty sees you more as a brother now. She was talking to Equanimity alone, so Loyalty had heard nothing.

She shook her head. "No, Equanimity. Nalea never changes her mind on these things. I'm just glad to be your friend!" She grinned, then continued. "Anyways, maybe we can travel together! Our weapons ARE the Combo, whatever that means. We could go around defeating angry spirits and ghosts!!" Loyalty made it sound like it was the best thing in the world. "Ya know, I've never had a brother before!"

[Sean]

Equanimity gave a sigh. Othel flew over to his shoulder. I am sorry. Equanimity grunted. Ya. That is why I stopped trying this the slow way. Othel patted him on the back. Well at least you have a sort of sister. Equanimity sighed again. Then looked over at Nalea. Don't think of me as a scoundrel. I know when there is nothing left. He then looked over at Loyalty.

"The world isn't full of evil spirits. There ones of good. Then there are thous evil spirits that do no harm to this world. It takes a true being to know which is which. And I have seen into your mind. You might have some comings of a true being but not enough. So I don't know if you really should come along."

Equanimity gave a large sigh. He hoped that Loyalty didn't take this the wrong way.

[Loyal]

Nalea lifted her head and walked back to her master. Do not even think about it. She jumped up and gracefully landed on Loyalty's shoulder. Her master patted her head. "Good fluffy Nalea!" she giggled, reaching into her pocket. She took out a sunflower seed and gave it to the chinchilla. She squeaked happily and ate it. Thank you, master!

You are very welcome, servant! But despite herself, Loyalty burst out laughing. "That's so cool! You can read my memories! God, now I don't have to explain my past and why I have my power! Awesome!" Her eyes darkened though. "Why can't I come with you? I'm not THAT annoying, am I? and you're the first person I've seen in at least 50 years! I'll do everything you say, and I want ta defeat a evil ghost dude! That would be amazing! Well, for me, at least."

[Sean]

Equanimity gave a frustrated sigh. He ran his hand through his hair. Thinking about what to say. Just tell her how you feel. He looked at Othel. I don't even know if I am feeling anything. Othel gave a light sigh. Your body is feeling emotions that your mind rejects. I don't know if there is anything I can do but I know who can help. Before Othel took off to Nalea he hugged Equanimity's head. Just tell her whats on your mind. Then he took off and nudged Nalea to follow him. I will need your help.

Equanimity looked at Loyalty. "It's not you it's. . ." He didn't know what to say. "I don't think I will be able to keep you out of harms way. From both dangers of the world and your emotions. I can't protect you from harm. I don't have that kind of power. I never will I think. And I can't protect you emotions. Everyones heart is broken every once in a while. No heart is better at taking it than any other."

Equanimity looked up at the sky. "If you still want to follow me then I don't mind. I just want you to know the possible consequentness." Equanimity gave a tired sigh. "You understand?"

[Loyal]

Loyalty stuck her tongue out at him. "Jerk!" But her eyes were playful. :You don't have to explain everything to me like a little kid! I'm 176 years old! I understand," she said calmly, sounding older than she was. "You can't feel emotions; You can't feel love, joy, whatever. But that doesn't matter. I've been alone for so long, and hurt so much," she paused. "That I don't want to see you leave."

Nalea's final words floated through her mind. Othel, where are we going? But Loyalty ignored them. She scowled. "And, thank you very much, I can take care of myself!" She drew her sword in a second flat, twirled it in a circle, and thrust it Equanimity's face a centimeter from his nose. "There! Now do you believe me, Equanimity?"

[Sean]

Othel was starting to get annoyed. Just follow me. He flew behind the rock. Come on. I need your help with Equanimity. He waved for her to follow. I will explain to you what I need when you get over here. Once at first she didn't follow Othel nearly dragged her to where he was. I need you to talk to Equanimity. He needs to have something in this world he can hang on to. And you have that thing. So can you please help?

Equanimity looked at the blade that was inches away from his face. Then in that instant the tables turned. With his hand Equanimity easily batted away the sword from the startled girls hand and at the same time he took out his axe. Luckily Equanimity's axe sheath is made to take the axe out in one movement. With the axe out it went quickly to an inch from Loyalty's neck.

The whole time his expression was empty. "Have you ever been in a life or death fight?" He gave a sigh and move the axe away from her neck. "You need to learn how to defend yourself if you want to follow me. Because I wont stick with you in one. And I can't be looking after both of our backs at the same time. There are many people who would take advantage of you. You are lucky to not have come across one of thous people." He gave a sigh. "I am sorry if I harmed you. But you needed to know."