Darkness of Emotion

Gwawr's Cough

"Ah, hello, my dear wishes." Synkinisi said. "It's been a while since I have seen any of you."

We were sitting in Synkinisi's parlor drinking tea. She was currently in a form that we could see and was human-looking. Rossane was off somewhere "taking care of some chores". Synkinisi had taken us out of our room in the dungeons and had given us a luxurious room complete with soft beds. She had also dressed us in soft evening gowns. Well, all but Rain. He was dressed in nice pants and shirts. After the getup, he looked a bit like George Washington. Anyway we were all dressed in our ancient getup and were sipping tea. I felt little weird doing so. I was almost done with my tea when Rossane came in, looking like a complete mess. Her red t-shirt was toen in places and she panting.

Looking at her Synkinisi frowned. "Rossane, did I not tell you to avoid interrupting our tea?"

"My apologies, My Lady," Rossane said. "But the rooms are ready. Gwawr said that if the water is not used quickly, it will turn into mud."

"I am fairly sure that I asked Gwawr not to use that kind of liquid." Synkinisi sighed. "I suppose it cannot be altered now. No use crying over spilled milk. You may escort my company to their quarters." She turned to us. "Do excuse the bathing liquid. I must say, that room you have there was used by some of the best Wishes that visited me."

We were escorted to our rooms. It was a long way; I was tripping every few steps. After we reached there, Rossane left me with something like regret in her eyes. I wonder what she was thinking of.

When I got into the bath, I immediately relaxed. True, the liquid was turning into mud and it was starting to stick to me. Yet, it was the most relaxing activity I had done in ages, other than the piano the other night.

"Owww....." Rain and Scarlet moaned when I got out.

"Please be quiet, both of you. I think I am almost there." Wendy said. "Oh, hi Skyler. I'm just trying to get Mom to talk to me. Go sit by Rain and Scarlet."

"Hey," I said after I was next to my friends. They were playing a game of Atlas. "Mind if I join?"

"Not at all," said Scarlet. "In fact, I was just about to call another game, since Rain seems to know what I am thinking and says it always."

"It's not my fault Wendy taught me how to use Mom's gift to me." Rain said, mock offended. We laughed. It seemed so wired to be laughing like normal people while we were doing something that had not been done in a very long time. Not to mention being on a dangerous quest that could very well determine the fate of the Universe.

We finished laughing and were taking deep breaths to calm ourselves when all of our eyes met. Then we had another laughing fit. I sneaked a glance at Wendy and saw she was shaking her head at us, with a small playing at her lips.

Anyway, Gwawr had come in now and was sweeping the fireplace. Wendy had gone into the bath. I assumed she needed some relaxation. After all, she was the one who had worked the hardest during out journey. We had resumed our game; it felt good to do something different. Gwawr had finished her fireplace business and was redoing the beds. The poor girl looked no older than me.

I invited her to a piece of cake with my friends. She nodded and sat at the corner of the bed. Rossane had come and dropped in the cake with some uniforms for who-knows-what.

"So, Gwawr," Rain began. "How are you?"

Gwawr had a pained expression on her face and opened her mouth and pointed inside it.

"Not to be rude, but are you mute?" asked Scarlet.

She nodded.

"Oh," I said. "Anyway, this is Scarlet, and the idiot there is Rain."

Gwawr laughed; and suddenly choked. We ran to her and clapped her back.

Wendy ran out of the bathroom, I'm sure because of the coughing fit. Gwawr had now passed out and was lying on the armchair by the fire, courtesy of Scarlet.

"Oh," Wendy said. "What happened?"

Rain began to explain what had happened to Gwawr when Rossane burst in.

"Please," she said. "Don't try to heal her."

Wendy, who was now perched next to Gwawr, all ready to heal, looked at her suspiciously. "And why should we believe you?" Wendy asked.

"Because," Rossane said. "One, I know what's wrong with her. Two, I am almost done with my Qualification in the Healing Arts. Three, I swear on myself that I come in peace."

Wendy hesitated. Then, "Fine. But we deserve an explanation. Why did you leave Wish Island? Why are you sided with Emo-"

"Later. Now move aside and allow me."

She came near the armchair and Rain, Scarlet, and I stood making a shield in front of Gwawr.

Rossane gave an exasperated sigh. "Wendy, tell them that I am trustable."

Wendy nodded. "Guys, she swore on herself. She means business."

The three of us exchanged a look and moved away.

Rossane started her job. She said something in the language that Wendy used to put the Silencing spell on us the other day. After about three minutes, her palms started glowing yellow. Then she straightened up and grinned. That grin was extremely sinister-looking.

"Done," she said. "Gwawr will be fine in a couple hours. Shock to the body. Now, explanations. I'm not sure I'll be able to finish it all before curfew, but it will be a start."

"Come on, then," said Scarlet. "We're all ears."

"As you say." Rossane sighed. "It all began waaaaay before any of us were even born. Even before Wish Island was made. Have any of you heard of yin and yang?"

We nodded.

"Good. That should help you understand the logistics." She got up as she heard a bell ring.

"Oh, dear," Rossane said. "Sinkinisi will be looking for me. Do tell Gwawr that she should avoid making any sounds for a while." And with that, she left. Wendy got up and ran to her. They whispered something to Rossane. Then she came in with an overly fake smile.

"Let's get some sleep. We have a busy day ahead of us."

The way that was said did not make me look forward to the next day. So instead of protesting, I just got into the bed with Scarlet and Rain, and had a good night's sleep. Later, and I thought this was our imagination, I saw Rossane and Wendy talking by the window, their faces pale in the moonlight.

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