[center][color=#BFFF00]"Surris of the Searing Light and Vagorrez, King of Obsidian Fangs have been very interested in meeting you, Beatrix."[/color] Caretaker Nirvu was leading her along the Golden Path; a wondrous, intricate work that spread like so many veins through the Crystalline Garden. Beatrix had seen some of its possible paths, but now she tread along one that was rarely traversed...at least according to the Prime Caretaker.

 Hours had passed since her tutoring session, and the Sun had risen high above. [color=FFB6C1][i]It must be somewhere around noon. I wonder what time it is, back home.[/i][/color] Glossy leaves were scattered along their path, shed from strange trees that sprouted from between crystal pillars. Beatrix thought they were beautiful, despite how gnarled they all seemed to be. Red bark made them noticeable, even from afar, while leaves of countless colors made their spread branches twinkle like rainbows of glass. [color=FFB6C1]"The Garden is beautiful, Caretaker Nirvu,"[/color] her eyes greedily fluttered between the sights; the gold, the leaves of myriad hues, the crimson bark, the rows of Semblances. [color=FFB6C1]"I wish I'd been able to see it without so much stress."[/color]

 The Caretaker nodded without turning. [color=#BFFF00]"Few appreciate it. Even my fellow Caretakers become numb to its wonders, after a time."[/color] It folded its arms, letting its sleeves overlap one another. [color=#BFFF00]"Many think that we are timeless, that we were the first to behold the Garden. The Mortals of Irriss have told countless stories of its creation, but few have ever come close to the truth."[/color] Beatrix lengthened her strides to better keep pace, looking at Caretaker Nirvu with open curiosity. It turned its mask back, in return, and she felt a small smile of approval. [color=#BFFF00]"The truth is a complicated thing, Beatrix. I can not adequately explain the Garden's origin in the time it will take us to meet with Surris and Vagorrez. I appreciate your interest, however. Perhaps another time I will tell you how it came to be. How the Semblances came to be."[/color]

 She smiled broadly, bringing a hand to her chin. [color=FFB6C1]"That'd be great! I know, earlier, I was having trouble...but...but now I feel like my mind's clearing up!"[/color] She slowed and stooped to retrieve a leaf; a broad one, bearing veins of gold across its glossy surface of cerulean. [color=FFB6C1]"I think it's something about this place. A-about you."[/color] Beatrix was surprised at the weight of it. [color=FFB6C1][i]It has to be close to three or four pounds. No wonder the trees are so droopy, sometimes![/i][/color] The Caretaker continued to smile at her, bringing a flush to her cheeks when she noticed. Despite the strangeness that had existed during the first few days of her stay, she was now confident in calling Caretaker Nirvu her friend. [color=FFB6C1]"Can I...?"[/color]

 [color=#BFFF00]"Of course, Beatrix,"[/color] the Caretaker unfolded its hands and stopped to retrieve another leaf, this one purple and red, [color=#BFFF00]"the Remembrance Trees are meant to be admired."[/color] It offered the leaf forward, placing it gently into Beatrix's large palm. She had begun working the first leaf into her hair as the Prime Caretaker resumed its stride. [color=#BFFF00]"It is said that every being who comes in contact with one of the leaves fallen from such a tree will be blessed. Pilgrims come from across Irriss to find such a boon. Once they fall, they will never change."[/color] She worked the gift in, opposite the leaf she had chosen, as the Caretaker continued. [color=#BFFF00]"It is said that memories are contained within the leaves, before they fall. That the wind takes those memories to where they belong."[/color]

[color=FFB6C1][i]I wonder what was in them, then, before they fell.[/i][/color] Her eyes drifted ahead, after the second leaf was secure. It made her head feel heavy, but Beatrix planned to keep them there as long as she could. Ahead she could see a small gathering. They stood in a large clearing, a place where the Golden Path ended one of its branches.

 [color=FFB6C1][i]Maybe they held the memories of the Fallen that became a Semblance.[/i][/color]

 Despite her earlier inability to understand, several things had been made clear to her by Caretaker Nirvu. The haze of her nerves had been slowed, almost entirely dispersed. Now the basics were known to her. [color=FFB6C1][i]Enlightened are the servants of the Enlightened One. They're made of metal, but are just as alive as me or Caretaker Nirvu. They represent order within Irriss.[/i][/color] Beatrix smiled, slightly impressed with herself. [color=FFB6C1][i]The Unfettered are more chaotic, even though they have the Unfettered Lords to guide them. They're made of flesh, for the most part. Caretaker Nirvu said that I shouldn't be fooled by their appearances, though. Them or the Enlightened! They're just like me! Uh...kind of, anyway![/i][/color]

 She understood that she would be meeting with [i]Surris of the Searing Light[/i], the Saint-Knight; the foremost servant of the Veiled Council. [i]Vagorrez, King of Obsidian Fangs[/i] was the most prolific of the Unfettered Lords' envoy. Beatrix didn't know much about either of them, but Caretaker Nirvu had made it clear that she was there by their request; and they had come here at its request. [color=FFB6C1][i]It told me that they had wanted to meet somewhere else, but that wasn't going to happen.[/i][/color] At first she had wondered [i]why[/i] exactly the Crystalline Garden had been chosen. Now, seeing their forms in the distance she thought she understood.

 [color=FFB6C1][i]Caretaker Nirvu doesn't want me to get hurt![/i][/color]

 That thought put a larger smile on her face, and made her feel warm. She rarely considered dangers, when in Lightbridge, but here it had been a nagging thing that ruined her otherwise sunny disposition. Irriss, as she had been told several times, was a place of many dangers. Dangers, Caretaker Nirvu had said, that she would eventually have to face. [color=FFB6C1][i]But...I don't really want to leave this place. Unless it's to go home.[/i][/color] She often felt a pang of sadness when Caretaker Nirvu mentioned her inevitable departure from this place. [color=FFB6C1][i]I...I might end up missing it...[/i][/color]

 As the pair drew closer, Surris and Vagorrez both lowered themselves to a knee; kneeling to show their respect. Caretaker Nirvu motioned for them to rise immediately and the two did as bid. Beatrix wasn't sure how to respond. Beatrix had never bowed or knelt to her friend, and had never been asked to. It was strange how she felt like her treatment within the Garden was different from others. It was an uncomfortable distinction.

[color=FFB6C1][i]I don't deserve to be treated any differently...I...I'm just...[/i][/color]

 [color=#8040BF]"This is the Aberrant Mortal?"[/color] Surris spoke with a voice clear and strong; a warrior's words coming from her sleek shell. Beatrix felt her face color, again, but for a much different reason. Surris was shorter than she was, something the Lightbridge girl hadn't expected. In the Sun she shimmered and glittered, but that paled in comparison to the indigo glow that came from her eyes and back. [color=FFB6C1][i]Wings...she has beautiful wings...[/i][/color] Beatrix stared, and started to force words from her depths. [color=#8040BF]"She has the aura of an Enlightened. Why is this so, Caretaker?"[/color]

 Vagorrez, all scales and muscle, shook his broad, spined head and folded massive arms across his chest. [color=#FF0040]"You're mad, Surris. The girl smells like an Unfettered."[/color] [color=FFB6C1][i]I...I...I what?![/i][/color] He was easily a foot taller than her, and broader by thrice. His eyes were smoldering pits of yellow, slit pupils of umbral depthlessness bored into her. Beatrix flinched, a little, after making eye contact and stepped to place herself behind Caretaker Nirvu. 

[color=#BFFF00]"I had thought the two of you would find her interesting,"[/color] the Caretaker turned to let its gaze linger briefly on Beatrix before motioning her forward. She did as bid, her hands laced together in front of her; cheeks flushed and unable to lift her eyes. Instead, she watched the feet of the Enlightened and Unfettered. Surris wore pointed greaves, where Vagorezz only had thick rings of metal around his ankles. [color=#BFFF00]"Beatrix Ashworth is the name of this Mortal. You may speak to her freely. I will remain here to observe."[/color]

[color=FFB6C1][i]N-no! Wait! Please, Caretaker Nirvu! I-I-I don't know what to say, I don't know what to do![/i][/color]

[color=#8040BF]"Greetings, then, Beatrix Ashworth. I am Surris of the Searing Light, Saint-Knight of the Veiled Council,"[/color] Surris stepped forward with a fluidity that revealed the truth of her form. Curvaceous and proud, Beatrix wondered at her beauty. [color=#8040BF]"I have many questions for you."[/color] A sword hung at her hip, locked in place by a small mechanism that Beatrix couldn't hope to comprehend; intricate as it was. The blade, its self, was golden...a stark contrast to the silver that seemed to compose Surris' entirety.

 Vagorrez stepped forward, sending a rolling vibration up to Beatrix's knees. [color=FFB6C1][i]H-he's heavy![/i][/color] [color=#FF0040]"I am Vagorrez, King of Obsidian Fangs; envoy of the Unfettered Lords. No need to call me by title. Takes too long. I've got questions, as well."[/color] He leaned forward, letting slitted nostrils flare as he took measure of her. [color=#FF0040]"She's definitely Unfettered."[/color] Surris turned her head and affixed a glare on the behemoth.

 Beatrix wasn't sure what to do, but found herself speaking.

 [color=FFB6C1]"I, uhm, I'm just a Mortal,"[/color] she lightly drug her heel, back and forth, finally bringing herself to look at the two, [color=FFB6C1]"but I'll...I'll answer your questions the best I can!"[/color][/center]