(Untitled)

[depthundersands]

[The journal is lay open, with a full view of a kitchen. Who knows what old dead grandfather turned the thing on but, you can see Alia moving around the kitchen humming to herself as she wrapped up the last basket of cookies, so they could be delivered to a certain little boy he knew.}Next time I start to think baking is a wonderful idea you had

Comments

[depthundersands]

[his response made all the hope that was building in her chest, escape as if she had been punched in the gut. She now knew what she would have to do once she was alone, the Baron knew too, so instead of going on, when Leto swatted at him and smiled deviously and the faded away, for the moment. Alia was shocked speechless.]

Leto...

[In a moment of weakness, she held his hand tighter and bowed her head.]

I lost my brother, so you could live. Do not leave me alone for my own sake... I beg you.

[goldenpathredux]

Sweet aunt...[In a moment of mercy, he squeezed her hand back. A small part of him holds out hope that even if he is dead or incapacitated, she can pass her trial of abomination this time.] I am a rock in the qanat*. I can only divert the stream, not stop it. When...if the time comes...And even I don't know when that is...You will only have to make your way to the desert to find me. A pearl of myself will remain within each maker**.

Which is why I want you to make more friends. [Especially the ones I have researched, who can detect an abomination...]

[OOC:

*aquaduct or canal carrying water

**sandworm]

[depthundersands]

[oh, to be as others were- blind in that safest of all blindness, living only the hypnoidal half-life into which birth-shock precipitated most human. But no! She had been worn an Atreides, victim of the eons-deep awareness inflicted by her mother's spice affliction.
Now she was given the choice, the choice to live half blind. To Give up the power, to live the life the she chose for herself, instead of the life Paul had left her.
And all at the sacrifice of his son.]

Leto I-

[Alia let's go of Leto's hand, and stand up. The soft fabric of her long skirt rustling drying. Walking away, she rubbed her temple with her finger- the way her brother had for years. In her mind a million shouts of a million different lives where swarming, calling out to her, trying to give advice, or get her to choose the path they wanted.
Instead of the Baron, she heard her mother's voice, calm and clear, as she had in the womb. There where no words, only love. Alia screamed and threw her arms up as is she where being attacked.]No! No! These are my choice to

[goldenpathredux]

[And there her internal struggle came to the fore. To tell the truth, he wanted to give her a hug and steady her. That, however, wouldn't be helpful in the long term. If he made her dependant on him, the next time they would come back stronger, and she would be the weaker. Leto was conscious of the crysknife he'd reclaimed which sat at his waist. He sat abruptly into the lotus position.]

You are a reverend mother, are you not? [He summons up as much of the voice of command as he knows. It was enough at least to match grandmother.]

Sit down!

Now review your basics. I must not fear. Fear is the mind killer. Fear is the thousand little deaths that bring total obliteration. I will face my fear, I will let it pass through me. I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where it was, only I will remain.

[depthundersands]

[With out knowing it, Alia sat down, right then and there, on the concrete floor. Her hands still over her ears. But as his words went on she clung to them, holding onto this words with all her might and pulling herself out of the ocean of her mind until her lips where moving with this voice, and she could feel their power.]

...

[Panting a little, Alia rested her head on her knees.]

It's not my fault I'm like this. You look at me as if I where a monster. It's is our family... not me, that caused this. Mother's selfish want to live up to a prophecy that she did not believe was real. No one knew she was pregnant but my brother, neither of them knew what would happen, but still- it went on.

[She looked at him, eyes glowing brightly the same shade as the feathers in her tiny useless wings. Her look that one of loss, and confusion.]

I need to see Kotaro.

[Rising slowly, Alia locked her gaze with his, word unspoken poured from her expression. Alia knew she would understand. This boy could be her brother any time he please, he would