Destination Unknown

Looking to the Past

Mara P.O.V.
For the first time in a long time, I wasn't met with a wandering soul in my dreamscape. Though just one night could never make up for the thousands of years worth of inadequate sleeping. I turn over and look at Cassie's nearly still form, her chest barely rising and falling with her breath. Today is going to be a day full of awkward meetings and tense conversations. I don't even know who to start with. I look over at the digital clock on the nightstand and see that it's still too early for anything. I sit on the edge of the bed, and rub my eyes to try and wake myself up just a bit more. I stretch out my back, throwing my arms out behind me. I stand from the bed and pad softly over to the portal Alastair set up. Dhara and I are the only ones able to see the portal, but it makes it so much easier for us to cross over and back without having to use technology portals. I step through the portal, which leads right into Alastair's personal quarters in his realm. It's modeled much like an apartment, and I walked into the kitchen and living room. Dhara is curled up in an armchair, with what I suspect to be an herbal tea in a coffee mug clasped in her hands. She looks up at my entrance and smiles sleepily.

"What are you doing awake Dhara? It's five in the morning." I curl up in the other arm chair, and yawns at my statement. She snaps and a mug of tea appears in my hands, warm enough to keep some of the creeping chill away. The chairs are facing towards a massive wall of windows, which today the scenery outside is snow-capped mountains, a crystal clear sky everywhere around them. The single moment of peace I allow myself looking at the mountains, makes me sad, just because I know how fleeting the moment of peace will be. We sip our tea, both being comfortable just sitting there in silence. Alastair eventually walks out from a connecting room, and blinks in surprise at Dhara and I relaxing in his living room.

"Mara, when did you arrive?" I look at him, and see that he's probably been awake for much longer than the rest of us. His hair is slicked back with water, and the smell of aftershave fills the air.

"Not too long ago. I don't sleep much." He smiles as he takes a seat on the couch.

"None of us sleep very much dear." Dhara snaps in some tea for him too, and he joins us in sipping in silence. Dhara and I both finish our tea quickly, and another snap from Dhara makes the cups disappear. I stretch out in the chair, slouching into a horrible posture. Even though if one were to look at the three of us, they would all think we were the same age. Even though Dhara alone is much, much older than me, she is still close to a million years younger than Alastair. Since we are all time jumpers, and world jumpers, we have the luxury of going from universe to universe, or planet to planet when one is no longer viable. Freya has been there since the beginning of time, some would even say she's the one who created everything, the universe, all the different worlds and realities. All of it, part of Freya's creation. All of this makes me feel so small and insignificant, but I'm brought a modicum of comfort by the fact that I have a part to play in the latest mission, to get Freya back. She may not be my mother, but she is important for the survival of everything and everyone. Alastair must have noticed that I was lost in my own thoughts, and when I snap out of them, I see him smiling soberly at me. I sigh, realizing that our moment of peace is coming to an end.

"I don't even know where to start today. I don't even know where Father stands right now. I can't even remember which siblings arrived yesterday." Dhara curls a leg up under her, and spreads out a the long skirt on her lap. Her skirt is similar to the one she wore yesterday, but the colors are less earthy toned, and have more vibrancy. It contrasts well with her dark complexion. It only fits that the Protector of the Earth has sun-kissed skin, and dresses in a way that reminds you of the scenery around you.

"In an hour or so, Father will be meeting us here with his list of the kids, and his initial impressions of which siblings will be on which side. He was keeping track of more than just who was arriving yesterday." I nod, impressed.