[h3]Roxan, Daughter of Death
&
Escre, the Great Spirit[/h3]

Roxan ran a thumb along the right horn on Raktavira's head. [color=seagreen]"I would like to show you the village where I grew up-the people who have feared me and my role in the Great Circle. I would show them how to understand how death is to be welcomed, even though it is not wished for."[/color] She looked at him with an almost unreadable look in her mismatched eyes. The gold had become a deep sunset orange, and the silver was now a steel blue-silver. [color=seagreen]"And I would show you Ulhar Island, where Dragons and humans form unbreakable bonds."[/color] She stroked Raktavira's long muzzle.

From beneath its new helmet, Escre paused in its raptured examination of the fortress among the stars and turned its gaze to regard Roxan.  After a moment it resonated, [i][color=C0C0C0]"We are a long way from Galbar, but it can be done.  I may enter the Spirit World from anywhere and return to my position by exiting, and I may take passengers alongside."[/color][/i]

Escre span around and reached out for a door that had appeared in space.  It was aged wood, and the stone that ringed it cracked and weathered.  The Great Spirit pulled open the door and stepped through into the Spirit World, beckoning the demigod to follow.  Once both were within, it gently closed the door, and opened the book kept on its person.  Fluttering as if in a sudden, mad wind, the papers constituting its wings swooped into the tome, and as Escre slammed shut the book, it sat down against a nearby wall as if to fall asleep.  The gorgeous sunlight abetted sleep rather than hindering it, and the breeze when it blew was soporific.  Around the Great Spirit floated mortal souls, and as it began to slumber, its body dissolved.

It reappeared in the Astral Home, back on Galbar.  Roxan soon followed, pushing through the veil of sleep atop Raktavira and emerging from the blood-red core of the planet.  A second later Escre had reformed its wings, and the two made haste, though Escre found the time to speak.  [i][color=C0C0C0]"Welcome death?  I think not.  It is the desire to refute death that enables life to have its purpose.  Though I may be misunderstanding you...you might be referring to helping people understand how death is not to be overly feared.  Regardless, lead me to this village."[/color][/i]

"That I am, Escre. I have been feared so much by everyone, that I want to show them that death is nothing to fear. Why should you," she said as Raktavira flew to Garakai. "When you know that your soul will simply go to the Astral Home, where it belongs once more? I may not know if anything happens after that, but I see no reason to fear it." she paused, allowing herself a small smile. "After all, I've escorted many souls, and many of them have had fairly decent lives."

Raktavira pulled his torso up, banking forwards in the middle of the town, where it was widest. The townspeople gaped, screamed and headed for cover as Raktavira settled onto all fours, and bowed so Roxan could slide off. [color=seagreen][i]Stay here, Rak,[/i][/color] Roxan mind spoke. [color=seagreen][i]I don't want them to have any reason to hurt you.[i][/color] Raktavira nosed her gently and lay down with his head resting on his forelegs. She turned to Escre. [color=seagreen]"Follow me, please."[/color] She led him around the village, pointing out the people she had known in her childhood and early youth. One of the few boys who had talked to her most often came forwards with a small girl on his hip. Roxan smiled and reached for the little girl with her gloved hands.

Escre watched the action of compassion wordlessly.  By now it understood such things fairly well, but if it was to ever truly comprehend and gain an appreciation for good emotions, much first-hand observance was needed.  The Great Spirit didn't dare reach out and touch any of them; if a demigod without insulating gloves could kill via touch, Escre had no clue how its own godly being might affect them.

Behind her was Escre, robed and armored, carrying a book but bereft of wings.  It was wondering what Ull'yang and Eroneus were up to; they'd been rather inactive as of late compared to Roxan.  Surely it was nothing to be concerned about, now that Escre had a better grasp of the notion of worry.

A woman who looked remarkably like Roxan-but without the black fingernails and all-answered the door. Her eyes widened with shock and disbelief. Roxan gave a faint smile. [color=seagreen]"M'ma,"[/color] she said it so quietly it was almost shy sounding. Ryva looked at her daughter, assessing. "Roxan, why are you here?" Roxan gestured towards the dragon in the square.

[color=seagreen]"I wanted to see you once more, m'ma,"[/color] she said, taking Ryva's hand into her gloved one. [color=seagreen]"For I know you are nearly there, to the Astral Home. And I wanted to tell you that I forgive you for all those things you've said and done to me while deep into your cup." [/color]Ryva smiled faintly. For though Roxan had been a strange and powerful girl, she had loved her in her own way. "I cannot take back all of that, Roxan," she said. "But I will rest easy kowing my daughter did not hate me." She paused. "Now get, go do whatever Demi-gods do." Roxan laughed as her mother closed the door and turned to Escre.

[color=seagreen]"That moment was a long time in coming,"[/color] she said.[color=seagreen]"What say you to going back? I believe I've showed you all that I can." [/color]she paused, then said, [color=seagreen]"My friend already and father already knew of my home situation when I was a small girl, but I've needed to show someone else for a long time."[/color]

After waiting for a moment, Escre nodded.  [i][color=C0C0C0]"Very well.  We will return to the stars.  I will catalog this experience as an important one, though I do not yet fully understand it."[/color][/i]

Roxan smiled and bowed slightly.[color=seagreen] "Thank you, Escre."[/color]