Nelanna looked over Cecil and Mirannda, mouth agape. Cecil raised his head and blinked his eyes open, but he didn’t look completely awake. In fact, he looked absolutely exhausted. He was struggling to hold his head up, his eyes open. He couldn’t even speak properly when he tried giving her an explanation. She didn’t know if he was just too tired to realize just what position he was in, or if he wasn’t worried that she would think something else was going on. Perhaps it was both. She released a heavy sigh and shook her head, brow furrowing with slight worry. If he wasn’t worried then he must have no reason to. In other words, it really wasn’t what it looked like.

“Ah, you’re home,” Kohaku’s voice came as he made his way down the stairs in his robe. He stopped at the bottom step, blinking at the scene before him as if he too was surprised by Cecil laying with the other champion. Nelanna said nothing, only raised a brow at him while crossing her arms. Clearly, she wanted and explanation. Kohaku caved and released a light sigh of his own, continuing on his way over to the sofa. “Cecil found her out in the forest in pain before she passed out. I tried examining her and couldn’t find anything, so I decided to wait for her to wake. I assume she may have been put under a curse, but I can’t know for sure until I hear from her.” He paused to glance down at Cecil and Mirannda, “In the meantime, her body was freezing cold, so we needed a way to bring her temperature up. Blankets weren’t working, so I suggested…well, this.”

Nelanna took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, closing her eyes as she did so as if she was trying to keep her temper under control. “So you suggested that Cecil, my boyfriend, lie with her? Naked?!” Kohaku’s gaze lingered on the white haired elf, considering telling the truth that Cecil was the one that decided he do it instead of Kohaku. But, for some reason the thought made him feel guilty. That may be taking the joke too far. So, he decided to go with something else. “I did,” he replied, tilted his head with a light shrug. “If it makes you feel any better, they aren’t completely naked. Cecil loves you. He wouldn’t do that to you.”

Nelanna glared at him in silence for a moment, then she let out one last sigh. She turned to Cecil with a soft smile and tenderly caressed his cheek. “I am grateful to you for helping her,” she said soothingly. “You’re absolutely exhausted. You can go rest rest now. I’ll watch over her in your stead.”

One thing he could comprehend in this state was the lack of response from his beloved. Instead, she sighed. Cecil opened his eyes to see her frowning. Before he could say anything, though he wasn't sure what, Kohaku came down the stairs. In fact, she now looked quite… agitated? It was concerning to see her that way. But he would have to deal with that in the morning. The fox gave the story in his own words, and his eyes snapped back open at her words in retaliation.

Cecil withdrew a hand from beneath the warm blankets and reached for Nelanna. Once more, before he could say anything, his fingers brushing against hers, Kohaku lied. "Nelanna…" Then there were words spilling from the fox he would not have expected so soon. Kohaku was trying to reassure her of Cecil's love and intent. Finally he had her attention as Nelanna turned toward him, that tender sweetness back in full force. Cecil smiled at her, pressing a tired cheek into her hand. "You would o' done it." He caught her hand and pressed his lips into her knuckles.

She smelled like the wind, and tasted sweet.

"As you wish." The words were whispered into her hand as Kohaku and Nelanna came to help Cecil. The unknown woman was lifted almost effortlessly by the fox, wrapped as she was in the blanket, instantly chilling Cecil with her removal. Nelanna assisted Cecil, helping him stand. With one arm around her shoulder, he lifted a hand and cupped her cheek, pressing his lips into her forehead to reassure himself that this was still not a dream, that she was truly alive, and truly home. Up the stairs the four went, Kohaku branching into Nelanna's room while the lovers went one floor up. Once Cecil was tucked into bed, she and Kohaku traded places. The fox returned to his usual spot, but Cecil was already unconscious to protest sleeping arrangements.

At some point in the night, Calcifer was pleased to see that Mirannda was becoming stronger. He wasn't working quite as hard, and she was staying warmer without his assistance. By the time everyone else woke up, the phoenix was able to maintain her own warmth, and she was no longer quite so pale. Periodically, someone would check in on her, but she slumbered on without any awareness to their comings and goings. The sun was beginning to set, the day nearly over when Mirannda became conscious of anything.

First came the senses, the sounds of voices drifting up to her, creatures outside making their noises either before bed or just waking up. She felt quite warm, snuggled deep beneath blankets in a soft bed. Scents were unfamiliar, including that of the bed of which she occupied. Opening her eyes, and blinking to straighten her vision could not help her identify her location. For a long, quiet moment, the phoenix contemplated staying in bed and just going back to sleep. Surely, if she was snuggled warmly in a bed, and no harm had befallen her since falling in that person's arms, she was safe.

Who was it that had found her? All she remembered was the feel of the shirt, and the definite masculine scent. "Jaliza! Where are you?" Mirannda groaned as she begrudgingly sat up, extracting herself from the blankets. At the foot of the bed, a set of clean clothing was laid out for her, clothing she was wearing the night before. Had someone washed and dried them already? "Jaliza!"" "Ya, ya, stop shouting. I'm here," the phoenix mumbled to herself as she carefully pulled on her pants, and then her shirt.

There was a glass of water on the table, of which she gratefully drained. "Oh, thank good the heavens. I'm coming." Mirannda stood, and shivered slightly, causing her to grab a blanket and wrap it around her shoulders. Her footsteps were light as she began making her way to the door, catching her reflection as she did so. She groaned as she saw herself as… herself. That stupid crop where she cut her own hair to escape the grasp of that stupid wolf, dark and uneven. Her longer than normal elves ears, those pale eyes like looking into a clear stream. However, there was no sense in fixing her appearance, to make herself look more human, the to become who she was for Revaliir.

To top it all, her hair was a mess! Bedhead was the proper description for her. Ah, fenehdis, they've already seen her at her worst, what's to hurt a bit more time as such? Mirannda made it out of the room, and carefully began to walk down the stairs, taking it one step at a time while leaning heavily on the wall. She did not trust herself yet, not to walk without assistance, or magic. Upon taking the last step, the phoenix looked up and froze. That red hair was difficult to miss, and her face was immediately recognized. Somehow, someway, Mirannda had found herself in the home of the Warden of the Wilds.

Nelanna had a lot to think about that night. She was exhausted from her venture in the mines, her body begging for sleep. But her mind was wide awake, thinking over everything that’s happened thus far since her return. Kohaku had summarized the explanation, but questions still rose. Why was the Champion of death and desire in such a poor state? The cause for her sudden drastic change had even baffled Kohaku, making him ask what had happened as well. To Nelanna, it seemed that it was the doing of magic. No other explanation made any sense, and even magic didn’t explain everything. Not yet, anyhow.

She was also still quite upset about Kohaku making Cecil lie down with the Champion. Nelanna understood that Cecil was only trying to help the woman; his intentions were pure and selfless. However, Kohaku was fully capable of doing it instead. No matter how much she trusted Cecil and knew that he would never cheat on her, she couldn’t help but feel something when seeing him next to Mirannda. And, let’s admit it, no one would feel joy at that sight. Or perhaps that wasn’t the real reason. Jealousy could certainly explain the way she feels. For so long she’s wanted to be the one lying next to him, snuggling, cuddling, with his arms holding her tight. But some other woman got it first. Before she knew it she was pursing her lips, pouting like a child that didn’t get what they wanted. How foolish it was for her to be so upset.

She sighed heavily and went to bed, making sure to offer her body warmth to her fellow Champion as Cecil had been. She was so cold. But even so, her eyes drifted closed, and she fell into a dreamless sleep.

By the time Nelanna had prepared herself for the day Mirannda still had not awoken. Briefly she checked the woman’s temperature, making sure she hadn’t froze during the night. Instead, she was pleased to feel warmth from the tough. Nelanna smiled softly and left the room as quietly as she could. Kohaku had already been downstairs whipping up breakfast, making sure to cook extras in case Mirannda woke suddenly. Nothing was said between the two, and Kohaku could feel that Nelanna was still upset with him. The day continued like this, a brooding silence standing between them like and invisible wall. They did their chores as usual. Kohaku tended to the gardens while Nelanna focused on cleaning inside the cottage. Every now and again they would take turns checking up on Mirannda, setting out fresh glasses of water whenever one grew too warm. Her own clothes had been removed and replaced with Nelanna’s, washed then set out for the Champion. But she still never woke. She didn’t even stir in her sleep.

Finally, the day was reaching its end as the sun started to set. Nelanna was preparing dinner, accepting any help from Cecil should he offer aid. Kohaku had been upstairs doing who knows what when their guest/patient woke. It was when he was on his way back down the stairs that he noticed her. Without hesitation he gently placed his hands on her shoulders for support, seeing how she had been struggling down the steps. “Don’t strain yourself,” she suggested, using a soft tone while he moved himself so that he could look at her face. Briefly he placed his palm on her forehead. “Your body is finally heated up some I see. How do you feel?” His eyes gazed upon her face so tenderly as if his very eyes could break her.

Soft his voice may have been, it didn’t fail to reach Nelanna’s ears. She turned to look towards the stairs and immediately stopped what she was doing and rushed over to Mirannda. “You’re awake,” she said with wide eyes and a large smile of relief.

From thin air, or so it felt, came gentle support from behind. It startled her, causing a light jump as she turned to see the same fox-like gentleman that had accompanied Nelanna to Lokir’s fort. What was his name again? Her natural foggy steel blue eyes followed his hand as it lifted to her forehead, as a parent checking a child's temperature. A blush heated her cheeks, realizing it was the first time anyone has done anything remotely similar in a long time. River might, given the opportunity, but he was far from her thoughts right now. This man's voice was like silk, soft and smooth, and sent shivers down her spine, which was thankfully suppressed.

The way he looked at her, so tenderly, brought her thought process to a grinding halt, much faster than the realization of whose house she had stumbled upon. ”Fine, thank you.” Her voice was very soft, she was surprised she even heard it. Then Nelanna broke whatever mesmerizing spell that rooted Mirannda’s eyes to the alluring man. She blinked, appearing somewhat dazed as she gazed at the fiery red hair that matched her own alias. The elf seemed quite hyper, or at the very least, ecstatic over Mirannda’s recovery. Nodding with a thankful half smile was her only response, suddenly feeling like a turtle wanting to disappear in its shell.

Her eyes wandered the small little cottage, finding only one other body in the room. If she was in any other state of mind, Mirannda would have taken time to admire the snowy hair, the striking gemlike sapphire eyes gazing worriedly upon her, that lean yet toned body. But, she wasn’t looking for anyone or anything except her familiar. ”Where’s Cal?” Mirannda whispered, mostly to herself, not really intending to be rude to her guardians. Upon seeing Nelanna and the fox once more, which caused her blush to renew, the champion gave a sheepish smile.

”Thank you, for watching over me.” Yet her eyes downcast to the floor with shame. She was the champion of death, and she was weak as a lamb. Was she failing her goddess at her lowest? ”May I have some more water, please?” The question was used as a distraction for them, to keep her thoughts to herself. Mirannda was not quite ready to share with people the greatest weakness to Dalanesca’s Champion. She knew she would at some point in her duration at this champion’s house, but she wanted to take a moment to compose herself first.

Something about the Champion had changed, Kohaku observed, and not just her appearance. Where had her confidence gone? Where did the seductive woman he’d witnessed at Lokir’s fort go? She seemed so shy, nervous, and fragile. Perhaps whatever magic changed her looks also had some impact on her personality. His hands did not leave her shoulders as he felt she still was not steady enough to walk on her own. His eyes briefly glanced up as Nelanna approached them, watching in silence as she blinked with confusion at the woman’s question. “Who is Cal?” She asked, tilting her head. Kohaku narrowed his eyes slightly. He recalled the flame creature from their fireplace the night before that had entered Mirannda’s body. That thing was the closest to another person he could think of.

Mirannda suddenly thanked them, and Nelanna smiled. “Of course. Though it is Cecil you should really be thanking. He brought you here and kept you warm until I got home,” her eyes met Kohaku’s for a moment, and he had to resist the urge to groan at the disapproval coming from their connection. But no such feelings showed on her features, a kind smile still visible as she looked back at her fellow Champion. “All Kohaku and I did was check on you every once in a while.” The frail woman then asked for a glass of water. “Oh, yes. Of course.” Said Nelanna. In a heartbeat she went off to the kitchen and took a glass from the cabinets. While she prepared the drink, Kohaku gently guided Mirannda to their living room, still keeping himself against her for her to lean on. “Come, take a seat,” he offered, helping her get comfortable on their sofa should she require it.

Nelanna returned with a glass of cold water and handed it to Mirannda just as Kohaku began laying a soft blanket over her. “Cal is your familiar I presume,” Kohaku said. “I saw him last night. He said he would “keep your connection to the Mother Flame alive”.” His eyes then met hers, searching for any hints as to what that meant. Nelanna took a seat next to her fellow Champion, trying to keep close in case the blanket didn’t offer enough warmth.

”Calicer.” This was her response to Nelanna’s question, no further explanation given. Yet she sounded as if she was miles away. The Warden of the Wilds laid to bare the noble actions of Cecil. As her gaze lifted to the snowy elf, she was shocked to see he had approached and was holding a hand out in greeting. Mirannda blinked and lightly grasped it. ”Cecil Elinid, a thousand pleasures to make your acquaintance. Nelanna has told me all about meeting you. I am glad to have been of service. You had us worried there.”

His sapphire eyes seemed to dance, and Mirannda hastily withdrew her hand. This must have been the one she stumbled upon the night before. Cecil would have kissed the back of Mirannda's hand had she let him, but the phoenix was a bit too quick. With Kohaku’s help, she was guided to the couch. Wile his assistance was greatly appreciated, she wondered how weak she appeared to them now. As Mirannda settled on the sofa, a blanket over her lap, cool water in hand, and Cecil providing a bowl of vegetable soup they had been making, her eyes widened at Kohaku.

She was floored. Calcifer had made the decision to take a major task without any goading? The sprite was young but has displayed such bravery. ”He said that? Keep the connection to Mother Flame?” Tears welled up in her eyes. Just as he had merged with her the night before, Calcifer extracted himself, standing before her in the same fiery form. Mirannda gaped at him as he reached out and wiped the tears away. ”Don’t act so surprised, you fool. You needed it and I’d do anything for you… Master.” ”Cal…” Calcifer placed a kiss on Mirannda’s forehead, straightened up and turned to Kohaku.

All the sprite did was give a nod, before heading to the fireplace. From there, he turned into his small fireball self and settled into the flames already blazing. Even with three sets of eyes on her, Mirannda couldn’t stop the flowing of her tears to fully feel the loyalty and adoration he felt for her through their connection. At the window, Elata was gazing in. ”I found ya, Miss Soggy Mess.” However, Mirannda was not in the mood to even shoot her cousin an annoyed look. When she finally calmed down, and after a long drag on the water glass, Mirannda gazed at her hands in her lap. ”The Mother Flame is… what allows phoenixes the ability of rebirth. Without it, I won’t… come back.”

Calcifer. So that was his full name, Kohaku thought. And it appeared as though the flaming creature was Cal just as the fox suspected. His brow raised when the Champion suddenly displayed tears at his words, her small voice repeating them as though in disbelief. He was more confused than anything, leaving Nelanna to be the one to show concern. Gently she placed her hand on the shoulder of her fellow Champion, her brow furrowed with worry. “Mirannda…” she spoke softly, hoping to bring the woman some comfort. But she did not know what to say.

Suddenly a being of flame emerged from the woman. Nelanna’s eyes widened at the sight, yet she refrained from speaking. His actions towards Mirannda were gentle and loving, bringing a small smile to her face as her heart warmed at his words. A kiss placed on the lady’s forehead, and then he became a ball of flame in her fireplace. Nelanna put two and two together. Obviously Cal was a very loyal familiar, and though she didn’t quite understand it, he appeared to have done something grand to draw tears from his Master. The elf maiden glanced at Kohaku, knowing full well that he would do the same for her. His eyes were watching Mirannda intently yet intensely. Suddenly his ears raised, standing on end and swerving as his eyes glanced elsewhere. He noticed something.

But before Nelanna could think to ask him anything, Mirannda spoke again. She offered a brief explanation as to what the Mother Flame was. Nelanna blinked. She recalled hearing that the Champion could not completely die, except by the hands of her own patron deity. Now that she knew how her power worked, Nelanna’s smile saddened. She wasn’t sure why, but she had a feeling that it was a sacrificial act that Calcifer had performed. Perhaps it was his Master’s tears that made her feel that way.

“Can you tell us what’s happened to you?” Kohaku asked rather firmly, reminding Nelanna of the mystery among them. “What does this Mother Flame have to do with your…transformation?”

Mirannda folded her hands in her lap and stared at the scars that she had forgotten had run down them. "First, please understand, I won't tell you some information. Not to deceive you, but to protect us all from a dangerous possibility." It was bad enough she was revealing her origins to them. If he found out her weakness, no doubt he would find a way to exploit it to his advantage. "Know that this is my true face. When I first found myself in Revaliir, there was a major misunderstanding. Accused of murder I did not commit, I altered my appearance as I was trained to do. It was the man who trained me that makes me keep the redhead you know."

Collecting her thoughts, the phoenix took another drink of her water. "So, you're not going to tell them that Mirannda Sinopa is not your given name?" "No, now shush you. No more commentary from the avian gallery." Calcifer snickered in his fire. Of course, Mirannda smiled as she glanced out the window before returning her attention back to her audience in a much more somber mood. "The Mother Flame is the rebirthing powers that connects every phoenix. You have one here, don't you, Nelanna?"

She could sense them through her connection, her kinsmen. It was as a spark of the flame burning bright nearby. "As for what happened… I am still trying to piece that together. What I do know is I nearly died several days after hatching. My mother sealed my form and left me to be raised by others. Don't ask, Nelanna. I don't know why. But ever since, I grow weak and nearly die. At first, it was only during eclipses. Now…" She fell silent, staring at the fire. "I guess… my illusion fell as my magic waned." Thoughts of fear consumed her. Sin could return at any time. The real question would be how strong he would be when he did. Mirannda had no doubt that if he caught wind of her existence here, Sin would not stop until he had her in his possession once more. Already, the information she had learned would be invaluable to him. The phoenix shuddered suddenly, pulling the blanket tighter around herself.

Nelanna leaned in slightly, eyes large and attentive as Mirannda began speaking. Even Kohaku was intrigued by this new information. Whether it was because he was more curious to learn about the odd occurrence with her magic, or to know the truth about her past, Nelanna couldn’t decipher. She didn’t mind not knowing the full truth, though. Especially if it was for protection. Everyone had their reasons for hiding things about themselves. Personally, Nelanna is rather open with her feelings and her past, but she still had things she would prefer not to talk about. One quick glance at Kohaku as she wondered if he, too, was the same, for his past is the one thing he had never spoke of. But that was for another time.

She was slightly taken aback when Mirannda revealed that this was her true face, eyes glancing up and down at her ‘new’ appearance. Kohaku simply raised a brow, nothing more. There was the sound of another voice speaking briefly, however, it did not catch her attention fast enough to know what it said. Mirannda disregarded it, smiling at the window before going on. Nelanna perked up at the mention of her Phoenixes, eyes blinking at the new information. “Yes, I do. Two actually.” She smiled almost proudly while lifting two fingers. Sol and Mordred weren’t ever around too often, but they normally stopped by for attention or food. Clearly they had returned this time without her knowing that Mirannda could feel them.

She continued once more. Nelanna’s smile faltered into a slight frown at the story of her birth. A question raised, but Mirannda shot it down before it could be asked. Slight movement almost drew her eyes to Kohaku, but they remained rooted on her fellow Champion with a creased brow. She couldn’t make sense of the source of Mirannda’s waning magic, but she supposed she knew all she could for the time being. “I see,” she muttered half to herself as she leaned back on the sofa. Kohaku was watching Mirannda intensely, his hand cupping his chin. Nelanna could tell something was on his mind, but whatever it was, he wasn’t spilling.

She looked back at Mirannda. “Well, you are welcome to stay here for as long as you need. I know that weakened magic can put one in a very tight spot, so you will be safe here if you wish to stay in our care until you can get back on your feet again.” She paused to point at Kohaku and Cecil. “You two can sleep on the top floor just as last night, if you don’t mind. Mirannda can stay with me in my room.”