A single eyebrow rose. How was she different than others, besides the fact that she had not asked anything of him? No, this is what he wanted. Logan was trying to wiggle his way into her mind, make her doubt herself, and make Mirannda easy to fall prey to whatever dastardly plan he had for her. For some reason, he seemed to thrive on her squirming inside. The knowledge of her distrust of vampires was something for him to exploit.

"I could have taken care of them myself," she said confidently. Mirannda was barely able to withstand actually saying something positive about the experience. Still, she became red in the f`ace as he decided important to bring up how they met, and the circumstances surrounded her need for his assistance. River spoke up before she could have a chance, and she was pleased to have opened herself up to him. It was this man who seemed worthy to be truly called friend.

With a dangerous smile, Mirannda started cooly. "Honestly, Logan, I'd hate to see River in a fight. However amusing that may be, let us not think about that tonight. This is supposed to be a celebration. Go find yourself a partner and dance, enjoy yourself, but not at my expense." Linking her arm in River's, she turned to leave, waving at Logan over her shoulder. "Nice catching up with you, Logan."

They had made their positions clear, and yet the vampire hesitated.  River clenched a fist, getting ready to throw it.  But Mirannda took him by the arm and started to move away.  He admired her for that.  She could have continued the verbal sparring, but chose to instead leave the situation behind and enjoy the night.  Then suddenly the vampire raised his hands and took a step back.  While he still didn't trust this Logan or his intentions, River could see that he was finally backing down.  "Fine.  I leave you two to enjoy these festivities.  May you two always have interesting times," Logan finally said, offering them a final bow before turning and walking away.  There was anger in his footsteps, but River had a feeling they would not be seeing him again tonight.

The music was slow enough he felt confident enough to dance, and he led Mirannda in the waltz around the edges so they could still talk quietly without anyone really overhearing.  "So before my curiosity overwhelms me, just what was all that about?  You don't have to tell me if you don't want to.  But you're my friend, and I do worry about you," River said in a quiet voice.  He did hope that he would get an answer of some kind, but if Mirannda didn't want to tell him, he wouldn't pry.

At least, the despicable vampire was gone, having admitted defeat. While Mirannda prayed they would not be bothered by him again tonight, she feared that her next encounter with him would bear the consequences of tonight. The phoenix allowed River to lead her through the waltz, trying to loose herself in the music. Yet Logan had won. Despite everything, he was still on the edges of her mind, taunting her, demanding attention.

Mirannda blinked at River's voice, being drawn back to the reality of the dance. Her cheeks turned red from embarrassment for having spaced out on him. "When I entered this land, I was mistaken as the one who slaughtered a bunch of men in uniform. A bounty was placed on my head. Naturally, bounty hunters thought they would have an easy score, and Logan decided to help me out. As I said, I never asked, I just didn't deny, something I deeply regret." As she spoke, she sounded defeated, as if there was no escaping her predicament.

"I'll have to face him eventually. I honestly wonder what he's after." At this time, a small child, maybe about five years old, in a cute pink dress with white hair and golden eyes ran up to them. She had eyes specifically for River. For such a young thing, she was quite serious. After a long, uncomfortable moment, the child finally spoke. "Akira see them too." With that, she darted off back into the throng of dancers. "Um… What was that about? Your ghosts?"

The explanation was simply enough, he could see it happening.  His friend had simply been convenient.  It was a misfortune series of events, it would seem.  "So, more or less, a pair of coincidences lined up that led to that meeting.  Your being framed, and that vampire being in the right place at the right time.  Perhaps it wasn't for the worst reason to accept his aid, depending on how determined those bounty hunters were.  But that is a judgement only you can make.  It's a balance between fighting them off and it possibly having gone badly, or accepting Logan's aid.  At least you are somewhat prepared for the next meeting," River said, carefully selecting his words.  He wanted to reassure Mirannda she hadn't made the worst choice in the world, but time would tell how much she accepted his view of the situation.

Then the child ran up to them.  He had never seen her before, but something told River that he knew her in a way.  His mouth dropped open a little when she spoke, and he almost missed what Mirannda said.  "Hm?  I think so… lets find out," River said, setting off after the girl, certain that Mirannda would follow him.  Was the girl a ghost too?  Or simply one of the residents who had a connection to the spirit realm as he did?  There was only one way to find out.

Carefully weaving through the crowd, River did his best to follow the girl.  But he lost her around a corner.  He paused, listening for footsteps.  But it was hard to hear, given the music and dancing.  Then an idea came to mind.  Murmuring a short incantation, he summoned Spyros to his side.  The ghost pup danced around his feet in circles for a few moments before looking to the crowd.  "Not now, little friend.  I'm seeking a child.  Can you find her?" he asked.  The pup barked, then started sniffing around, he just hoped his idea would work.

River summed it up splendidly, yet making her feel better somewhat. It was an odd feeling to finally have someone who honestly took her word as truth without effort. While she had the freedom to be vague and spare him some gore-ific details, it was still refreshing to have someone she could be completely honest with. He was so kind and understanding. A warm feeling settled over her by the time the child ran up.

Mirannda followed him, gracefully skirting around dancers. Yet, the child was far more nimble and small, easily loosing them in the crowd and ducked around a corner. When all seemed hopeless, the spirit bender formulated a plan, enlisting the help of his ghost dog, the same dog that invited her to the ball in the first place. She giggled as she watched the pup scamper off, nose glued to the ground.

The pair followed the pup, until they found a group of children. They danced in pairs and groups, or huddled around to play little games. Off to the side, however, was the same little girl in white, looking longingly at them, yet fearful at the same time. When Spyros came into view, she perked up, knelt down and started playing with the pup. Her smile instantly brightened her whole demeanor, giggling as he bounced around her. Yet he still had a job, and returned to River to report a successful endeavor.

She looked up at the pair with an innocent smile. "Rumors of you. Call you Release. Say you trust… trust…" the word stumbled upon her tongue as she frowned. "Trust-worfy?" Carefully, Mirannda knelt before the child. Evidence of seeing the ghosts was clear. "Akira was it?" The child nodded, playing with the ghost pup again. "Some not nice, just like live ones. Sad ones look for Release."

The ball and the vampire were now in the back of his mind as River followed the child, then his companion.  Spyros kept proving his worth, and he was quite glad the pup had chosen to stay with him.  He knelt down before the child as she spoke so he was on the same eye level and listened to every word.  Nodding, at what she said, he was certain that he could help the situation.  "Well, Akira.  They are right.  I release those who cannot move on themselves.  My name is River, you can call me that," he said, offering the child a warm smile.  The bridge created by Spyros kept her attention, and River let her play for a few moments before continuing the conversation. 

"Is there someone here who needs release?  I can teach you how, if you would like, Akira," River asked carefully.  The girl's reaction would tell him quite a lot, and he had already gotten a couple of ideas as to just what might be going on with her ghost.  The girl hadn't shown much fear, just curiosity.  So it was likely not an angry ghost.  Given their surroundings, that didn't surprise him.  The Zets'Ki Cradle was not known for being a place of violence, just a place where spirits could linger.  And she perked up, it seemed that the idea of learning appealed to Akira.  "This way.  Come!" she said before darting off again.  Spyros darted after her, followed by the two adults.

She led them around a few corridors with some twists and turns, until Akira showed them a door that led into a dusty chapel.  It was clear the small room had not been used in quite some time, and River glanced around for a few moments, wondering why it had been lost.  Then he heard the weeping.  There was the ghostly form of a woman, kneeling at a ruined altar.  Spyros left the young girl and approached cautiously, followed by River.  "My lady, what makes you weep?" he asked carefully.  The ghost seemed startled at being addressed, but a smile brightened her translucent face when she saw River.  "I've been so lost…  My Lady fell.  She was forgotten.  And I cannot leave this place.  She was forgotten.  And so was I," she whispered.  It took him a few moments to put the pieces together, but he remembered where they were.  A land of fallen and forgotten gods.  "I think I know how I can help you.  What was your Lady's name?" he asked, looking around the tiny chapel.  The Lady couldn't have been well known before the Tree here fell, and she would have been quickly lost.  "Marzena, she guided the dreamers to safety," came the whisper.  River picked up a necklace, the symbol on it was a closed eye ringed with clouds.  He knew it to be a holy symbol.  "Take that, and remember her," the ghost whispered, looking at River, then Mirannda. 

While the woman remained nameless for now, the man named himself River. He seemed really nice and warm. The spirits were right about him. There was even the suggestion of possibly learning how to do what he does! Excitement seemed to radiate off of Akira as she ran down some halls. Her mothers have given her the freedom to go where she pleased inside of the temple, and she had explored quite a bit.

Both phoenix and child watched River as he approached the woman, making inquiries to the ghost. They listened, and Mirannda was confused as to why the ghost was looking at her. She was new to the lands and knew nothing about anything. Akira, however, padded over to River and reached for the symbol. Surely, with her age, she knew nothing as well, right? After studying the symbol, she smiled.

”Come sleepy one, rest your head.
Close your eyes, and drift to sleep.
Come sleepy one, rest your head.
Dance and play with Mayzera.”

She sang it softly. It was a lovely little lullabye, one Mirannda never heard before. ”Kind woman in Vilpo sang to Akira, giving Akira safe place sleep through storm. Akira no like thunder. Maybe, song about Marzena? Name lost in time?” The facts seemed to fit, and Mirannda gave an apologetic smile. ”While it sounds plausible, I’m afraid I have nothing to offer. I’m not from Revaliir.”

The child kept surprising him, and River found himself smiling despite the ghost's sad situation.  But she would be released soon, he only had to find the key.  And again, Akira surprised him with the song.  The ghost brightened again, her voice just a touch stronger.  It was something he had seen before when people interacted positively with spirits.  Most reacted badly to the unquiet dead, but many meant no harm.  "That is part of a hymn we would sing to the children.  So my lady is remembered!  Oh, I'm glad.  Thank you," she said, before looking again to River.  And he knew what the final step was to release her.  "Tell me where your bones rest, my lady.  And I will set you free," he said, offering her a bow. 

The ghost led them to an alcove to the side of the chapel, where nothing remained of her mortal form but a pile of bones loosely wrapped in tattered sky blue silk.  "I… I took a coward's way out.  I took too large a draught of dreamwine, and never woke up.  Goddess forgive me, but I was alone," she whispered, staring at her bones.  But she set her shoulders, looked to River, and nodded firmly.  She was ready.  "Akira, come here.  I will show you something," River said, speaking gently.  He showed her the contents of a pouch he kept on him at all times, even to a fancy ball.  "Salt is very important.  It helps to cleanse anything bad away.  And it will help her go home.  Here, take a handful, and draw it in a circle around her bones.  Don't worry, they won't harm you," he said.  River kept his voice even and calm, hoping to teach the girl.  Spiritbinders were rare, but she had all the signs.  And to his relief, Akira did as he asked, without even a hint of squeamishness or hesitation. 

Once the circle of salt had been completed, River withdrew the other thing he always kept with him.  The tinderbox was made of silver and engraved with a rose, a very thoughtful gift from Bryony.  His mentor didn't always understand his work, but she had always been supportive.  "My lady, I am sending you back to the Soulstream.  May your rest be blessed, and your dreams be calm," he said, before setting the bones aflame.  The ghost smiled as her mortal remains dissipated into ash, and faded with a wave to the group.  "Well, Akira, what do you think of your first time releasing a ghost?" he asked with a calm smile.  The girl had done well, there were times adults didn't even handle situations that well.

The young child beamed up at the ghost, clapping her hands excitedly. All the while, Mirannda felt more like a third wheel. Still, even the phoenix paid close attention to the teachings of River. His knowledge may be useful one day. Akira padded close upon instruction, ears quivering slightly.

Key number one: cleanse with salt. Dutifully, with steady and precise movements, the child made the circle. She did so without hesitation, quite serious for a youngling of her age. Akira held no bounds of surprises for them. Both phoenix and foxling watched with wide eyes as the bones were then set on fire.

First Akira looked up to where the ghost was, then back to the pile of ash. Curiously, she reached out and touched the pile, only to inspect the ash coated fingers. It felt soft, her fingers gliding over each other smoothly. Her large eyes lifted to River, full of amazement. ”Salt clean, fire release. Easy as one, two, three.” She stood and threw her arms around River. ”Thanks for showing Akira. But Akira need find Mommies now.”

Just like that, after a wavfe, the child darted off once more. Mirannda found herself chuckling. ”Well, she is energetic. Her parents must have a difficult time keeping up with her.” The woman sobered a moment and looked genuinely at her friend. ”That was a nice thing to do, teaching Akira like that. You’re a nice guy, River.” Before she knew it, Mirannda found her lips pressing softly into his own. The kiss, while an interesting surprise, was nice and brief.

Embarrassed, Mirannda broke off, mummbled an apology and began to walk away. Her mind was swirling. What was she doing? River was a friend. She did not want to drive off the one and only genuine thing in her life.

He was proud of the girl, it was rare for one so young to so quickly take to the serious side of being a spiritbinder.  But she had the talent, and he returned the hug with a grin.  "You did a very good job.  And I wish you luck on your travels, little one.  Write to me, or have someone help you.  If you send the letter to Sularia with my name on it, it will find me.  And be safe Akira," he said, watching the child as she ran off.  He hope she would write him, it would be good to have someone to teach, even if it would be a few years before she would truly understand what all the path would require of her.  But knowing the basics was never a bad thing.

River smiled at Mirannda, but before he could say anything, she was kissing him.  It came as a surprise, but he couldn't help himself as he returned the the kiss.  She was a kind soul, and they trusted each other.  And he couldn't say that he wasn't interested in pursuing something more with her.  But River had found himself restrained for the time being, he did not wish to drag her into the tangled web of a spiritbinder's life.  In the moment though, it was rather difficult to bring up those concerns.  "Please don't leave, Mirannda.  I would be… dishonest with myself if I had to tell you that I wasn't perhaps planning to do the same thing tonight," he said, offering her a smile once she turned to face him again.  River hoped that she would not leave, he would feel a bit foolish for baring his heart if she did.