Sean frowned at the meager offering. He saw that she did not know what to do so he simply told her what to do.

"Jacquelyn, when I ask for you to serve our guest, I want you to bring a basket with fruit, cheese, bread, the cups go inside the basket and a pot of tea. Add a knife to cut the bread, some butter and napkin to the basket as well... Now please try to serve our guest again." Sean spoke in soft words.

"No no, it's quite alright. I'm fine with tea," Sura interjected, raising the glass. He took a sip of it, then looked into it. "Hmm, where did you get the leaves? I've only had something like this in Gon."

"It was some that I picked up from a traveling merchant that was going out of business. The flavor is good. There is a very hearty blend that is for breakfast that you should try." Sean spoke as he looks into the flames.

"Feel like telling me what you are doing here and why you are seeking me out? I am rarely alone so speak up man."

"Does one have to have a reason to see his longtime friend?" Sura asked, wincing slightly at how close to the truth Sean had come. But it was futile to hide something from Sean, and Sura knew it.

"Sura, my friend, I have very precious few quiet moments and Jacques is seeing to us have a few at the moment. That is why I am pressing you to tell me quickly as to what is going on that I do not know about. I may not be able to find any more for several days. Also remember that Jacquelyn is new to the family." Sean spoke softly as he stared into the fire, sipping his tea.

"Alright," began Sura, his face going from his usual smiling demeanor to a deathly serious one. "It's my mother. I received a letter from home, saying she's on her deathbed. Home, unfortunately, is too far away. I couldn't see her for the last time." He didn't feel better after revealing his innermost thoughts to his old friend.

"Man, that is hard stuff..... What if you were to do virtually? I know of one way that it could possibly done but she has not ever even tried any of her potential ability that she got from granny. One of the reasons why I allowed her to make her wagon. The other two girls can stay out while we try. Not that I am gaurannteeing anything will happen. Just that it is a remote possibility." Sean spoke softly.

Sura smiled a slow, sad smile. "Virtually?" he inquired. "What ability? I don't completely understand what you're saying. Very funny, friend, but now is not the time for humor."

"I am very serious, Sura. Mystique has the same abilities as granny had. A bit eerie ones they are too. I don't say much because I have not encourage her to try these abilities out. According to granny, she can see into the crystal ball. Granny has been gone for a bit but I trust her knowledge." Sean spoke quietly.
"I am willing to allow her to try to contact your mother if you will not spread the word of this information. It is for you to decide."

" . . . " Sura opened his mouth to say something, then closed it. He knew of his old friend's grandmother, and how she seemed to always be conversing with someone that wasn't there. He remembered asking Sean about it, and Sean would avoid his inquiries. Then, when they met at the age of 17, he finally learned that she could see into the afterlife and the future. " . . . Certainly. I would like to see my mother one last time."

"Come with me, Sura. I am sure that Briget can keep Caroline and Jacquelyn busy for a while. I'll need to get the several boxes from storage wagon.
Jacques, did you hear what we were saying by chance?" Sean asked as he stood up.

"But of course. That is why the needed boxes are right here and I have already spoke to Bridget n your behalf. I found Caroline but not Jacquelyn." was the answer.

"Keep looking for Jacquelyn then. Let's get these boxes to the wagon where we left your camels." Sean spoke as he picked up two of the boxes.
"Can you handle that last box, Sura?"

Jacquelyn was wandering around in the city that uncle decided to visit for some reason. She would have stayed, but it was so dreadfully boring there, and she only joined the caravan to see the world. Here the world is, just waiting to be seen. It was absolutely astonishing, with towers that rose up into the clouds, finely carved buildings with depictions of great figures colored into the glass, and people all over the streets, chatting, haggling, and leaving their pockets delightfully unwatched . . .

Noreene had taken a bowl of stew to her wagon for it would be all hers one day. That was another reason why her corner was slightly larger than the other two. Plus she had the keys to two empty closets that she wanted locked. She also knew that she would have her granny's stuff and would need a place to put it. She sat the bowl carefully on her bed next to her and she was reading an old book that she found in a store. She was able to buy a whole box full of books from the old section. Many of the pages were missing in them and were considered unsaleable. Noreene had carefully put the best pages together from several of the same books to make a good book to read for several weeks. She new had 4 perfect books which she would keep and 2 good books to sale if she wanted to.

A knock on the door and Noreene spoke
"Yes?"

"I have a friend that needs your help, Noreene. May we come inside please." Sean spoke in such a respectful voice that she was surprised.

"Yes, father. Please feel free to come inside. I am the only one here at the moment. Caroline needed mother's help and I don't know where Jacquelyn is." she spoke then took a quick bite of stew.

((Sorry that I haven't responded sooner. I had knee surgery and sometimes my knee hurts a bit much. I'd rather wait and give you a good response instead of a crappy one.))

"Is this the mystical afterlife seer you have spoken of?" Sura asked, his smile beginning to return. "Hello, little one. My people call me Sura. What is your name?" he bowed in Noreene's direction.

Mystique swallowed then spoke.

"Father, out of all due respect, are you sure that it is time for me to even try something like a mystical anything? I mean that I have not even seen Granny's items since she died. I never used them...."

"Daughter, don't you think that I already know all of that? And if Bridget should happen get wind of this, she would have my hide.
Tell me right now if you believe what Granny told you and I just before she died?" Sean spoke as he sat the boxes gently on the bed.

"Yes, I believe Granny. I just do not know what to do at all." Mystique protested as she quickly picked up her bowel of stew.

"To open your mind and be able to understand what you see is the first step. Secondly, listen to the client. Thirdly, believe in yourself." Sean began.
"All that I am asking is that you do those three things. If it is time, then the answers will come to you. If the time is not here yet, then you will have to wait. But you will never know if it is time or not until you try."

"Yes, father, I will try. More for your sake and the sake of your friend than my own." Noreene held a sigh in.
"What may I try to do for you?"

"Well, perhaps I should speak to your father first," Sura answered, a bit nervous. He pulled Sean to the side. "Perhaps it is not wise to press a child like this."

"She needs to be pushed because she has no one to guide her. She is the only person that I know of who could take Granny's position. Unless you know of someone else that could help us. This is the only person and the only way that I know how to help you, my friend." Sean spoke softly.
"She is no longer considered a child because she lead a double wedding march. She might be young but she is smart."

Jacquelyn opened her hand to reveal the recently pilfered coins. They made a fun jangling sound as they shifted around in her hand, and glistened in the light. She moved to empty them into her pockets, then stopped. Her dress didn't have pockets. What about the sleeves? Oh wait, the dress didn't have sleeves either. What was she going to do with all these coins? She spotted a temple bowl. 'For the children' it read. She hastily dumped her coins inside, then began walking back to the caravan. The 'children' could thank her later.

Noreene was looking at the items in the box. She found the small crystal ball that she used when Granny was alive. She smiled as she gazed into the ball.

"Oh Granny.... if you can hear me, please show yourself." Noreene spoke.

"Yes, child? How are you doing? Have you mastered many visions yet?" came a soft voice that sounded far away.

"No, I have not Granny. Father just gave my the boxes and that was because of his friend needs help. What shall I do?"" Noreene asked as she gazed into the ball.

"You help the man, of course. Let me talk to that son of mine....." came that voice.

"Yes, Mother?" Sean spoke softly.

"Why did you not give Noreene her boxes on her tenth birthday?" came the voice.

"She did not have any need for the boxes, Mother.' Sean spoke quietly.

"I see.... Let her keep the boxes and allow her to have her own wagon. She should be responsible for her own ways now," came the voice.

"Yes, Mother. Is there any other messages?" Sean asked.

"No child of mine. Not at this time. But I must soon go.'"the voice spoke softly.

"Noreene, my little one. Use this gift for the greater good. DO not ask for money but if you were given a gift for an insight of your gift, it is allowed. Read the Journal that I left for you. You will do will trust me. I must now go, my little love." the voice faded out.

Noreene laid the crystal ball in her lap and simply gazed at it.

Sura looked around, slightly perplexed. He heard the mumbling of a voice, that was most certainly not Sean's or his daughter's. It seemed just at the edge of his hearing, as if he was imagining it.