[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=sienna]Gilbert[/color] & [color=indianred]James[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]http://www.hauntedhouses.com/photos/la-destrehan-6147.jpg[/img][hr][b][color=dimgray]Location:[/color][/b] Ville au Camp (Main House -> Room 206)  
[b][color=sienna]Skills:[/color][/b] N/A 
[b][color=indianred]Skills:[/color][/b] N/A [hr][/center]

	Too much was happening too fast. Change, ironically, was the only constant in the life of an Emendator, and today was an example of a whole lot of it coming down upon them at once. Evelina, the Paradoxes, the Carney Folk showing up, and now Alicia. Gilbert had an idea as to what the situation was with the young woman, but he wanted to see the scene just to make sure, with his own eyes. Additionally, it might give him an opportunity to divest himself of some of this hardware before rejoining the people near the Carnival. Unless, of course, the situation is less stable than he figured.  

	James was also feeling the pressure, though the reasons for it were more personal. If something bad had happened to Alicia, then this would make it the second time that he had lost his friend - the same friend - right in front of him. This time was surprising. The first time, the one in his original timeline, was bloody. It was an awful way to go. She was torn and chewed to death by an army of animated corpses while he was powerless to even ease her passing by putting a bullet in her skull. Then again, if she had just manifested some new ability, that would be just fine. 

	The pair entered the eastern passage of the Plantation House, Gilbert followed by James, and immediately hit the stairs. The tromping sounds of two pair of boots drummed irregularly upon the wooden steps, becoming more hurried the closer they came to the top. There was the slightest pause as they came to the door, still slightly ajar from earlier. [color=sienna]"I'll go in first, if you like."[/color] Gil didn't really wait around for an answer, quietly slipping inside the giving the place a look. This was remarkably fine with James. He recalled some book or another that warned against meddling in the affairs of wizards. Or in this instance, [i]discretion[/i] was the better part of valor. Both seemed to fit in their own strange ways. For a moment as Gilbert did his thing in the room, James envisioned him bedecked in a pointed hat an crappy blue robes with wide star and moon patterns, suitable for third-rate Shakespearean butchery. Maybe it was his subconscious making a joke to diffuse a tense situation, or maybe James was just a little cracked. 

	[color=sienna]"It is safe. You may come in."[/color] The sound of Gilbert's voice was surprising. Sorrowful, with a twinge of hope. James said nothing, but came inside the room. He saw Gilbert, still holding the rifle from earlier, but also Alicia's pendant of Santa Muerte. He looked at it for a while before holding it out to James. 

	[color=sienna]"Alicia..."[/color] began Gilbert, unsure of how to explain this to so young of a Paradox, [color=sienna]"...she has gone where I cannot follow. She has been taken up."[/color] 

		The look of confusion was apparent upon the face of the hogshifting blackneck. [color=indianred]"You gonna have to try that one again, okay?"[/color] said James, choosing to use his words slowly and decisively. 

	[color=sienna]"She has been taken up. Moved on. Found peace, in her own way. If I am correct, Alicia has moved on to true rest from the tedium of the living world. It happens with Paradoxes. She may have accepted something core about herself, or performed a service that put her at peace. Or she merely let go. I can see much of what happens in the world; the actions of humanity. But I cannot look into the mind and soul of another. Her reasons are her own. She is gone, James. Free."[/color] 

		Numbly, James took the pendant. Santa Muerte. The Mexican folk saint of Death. His head hung low. [color=indianred]"They named the baby after me, Mr. Hat, sir. But you know, 'cause you know damn near ever'thang. Imma say it anyway. Last thing she done, give me a picture of the baby, tell me his name. They named him after me. Now she gone again. I dunno what to say."[/color]

	[color=sienna]"Do you need a minute?"[/color]

		[color=indianred]"Yeah, uh huh."[/color] 

	[color=sienna]"We will talk later. I am returning to the Gate to see why these people were able to recognize an Ascension by secondhand description. James? This happened because she allowed it to. On some level, she needed this. It really is okay. We will miss her."[/color] Unless he was wrong, of course. The timing was very close to other unexpected events. For now, Gilbert kept his opinion to himself and quietly left the room. James remained, giving thought to his departed friend.