The Mystics. *Private Arani and QOPR*

[AdAstrα]

Hofu looked up as he heard Hatari approach. "Good morning, Hatari." he said, smiling. "Beautiful day, isn't it?" he added.

[Arani]

"Yes, quite." She said. "A new day to start fresh." She lapped up some water, then sat beside him. "How are you feeling?" She asked him.

[AdAstrα]

"Fine, thank you." he said, beaming, "I'm still a little tired, but I'm feeling a lot better than yesterday." he paused, wondering whether or not he should continue or simply drop the subject right there, however, it occured to him that if there was anyone who understood how he was feeling, it was Hatari. "I don't remember anything, though." he therefore added, "About the attacks and all that..it's all blank. I know it sounds completely insane but..I kind of wish I could remember at least something. It's..scary. Not knowing.."

[Arani]

Hatari looked at him, her smile fading as he talked. When he had finished, she started to make a comment, but quickly drew it back. She looked into the water at their reflections. "Sometimes it's better to forget." She said quietly. A fog jumped into the water, making their reflections ripple. "Sometimes you just need to forget and move on. You can't change the past, so why not look to the future?" She looked up and smiled at him again. "Ayria taught me that lesson. Ya, she left years ago, but she came back and is looking forward to her future here as far as I can tell." She chuckled.

[AdAstrα]

Hofu smiled as he looked up at Hatari again. "Yeah, I guess you're right. I need to learn how to let go of the past and move on. I've always found that difficult, I guess.."
He couldn't help but notice how beautiful her name sounded as Hatari mentioned her. Ayira... He gazed back at Pride Rock, almost expecting to see her appear on the path behind them, but she was evidently still asleep. Perhaps it was still a bit too early for her.

[Arani]

Hatari looked from Hofu to Pride rock, then back to Hofu. She chuckled. "Ah, young love. I so miss the first time I saw Tahi give me the dreamy-eyes." She looked back at Hofu. "Well, she's probably awake by now, go talk to her! You used to be the flirtter, remember?"

[AdAstrα]

"I did, didn't I?" Hofu said, giggling. "All right, I'll talk to her, whenever she...oh." He fell silent quite abruptly; Ayira had, indeed, come out of the den and was walking right towards them, but he could tell straight away that there was something very wrong. There were tears in the corners of her eyes and her teeth were bared. She looked absolutely furious.
"A-Ayira? What's the matter?" He said gently, standing up. She stopped walking, but did not look at him or Hatari. She seemed to be on the verge of tears.

[Arani]

Hatari stood. "Ayria?" She asked her. She went to her side and gave her a brief nuzzle. "Ayria, what hapened? What's wrong?" She was getting very concerned.

[AdAstrα]

Ayira seemed unable to speak for a few seconds, and when she finally did, it was with a quivering voice.
"Vitani." she growled, shaking her head, "I k-knew she wasn't t-telling the truth! My mother isn't dead, she's s-still alive! That's why I can't hear her! And she's out there somewhere, because she went to look for me! Ages ago..and Vitani...she's just been lying to me all along.."

[Arani]

Hatari gasped. She was now the one that was unable to speak. Even she had failed to see this "Ayria, I..." What could she say that would make her feel better? "I..." She sighed. "Well if that's the case, maybe she'll come back some day. No, I'm sure she'll come back some day." She smiled encouragingly.