h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Thanks...

*Lumien accepts Syian's help, and scoots up the shore a little more.*

You said they were trying to get back into life... what would happen if they succeeded? I mean, not /all/ the dead are bad. My parents...

*Lumien looks distressed.*

I don't know. Maybe I was hoping I could see them again, just one last time. I don't want to remember them the way they died.

You are right, not all the dead are bad

*an odd 'closed' expression appears on her face*

How did they die, your parents?

It's a bit of a long story...

When I was little, I was betrothed to Orbric. My parents didn't know any better at the time. They thought he was merely a nobleman's son. I knew it was wrong, and so after a series of arguments, I ran away. That's when I spent some time as a thief, in... various places.

I gave up my ways after I fell in with the wood elves. They taught me many things, one of which was using my dreams to, well, predict the future is the wrong term, because no one can really do that, no one that I know of, anyway. It was more like a glimpse into what may be.

One night, I got the premonition that my old hometown was being attacked. I left immediately to stop it, and when I got there, I found that the leader of the raiding party was none other than my former fiancee. He was harassing my family to try and find out where I was, which of course they didn't know.

*Lumien's eyes fill with tears.* I tried to stop him, really, I did! But...

*She lowers her head.* They died trying to save me.

*her face seems set and her eyes are determined*

Hold onto me, I can't hold you as I need my hand for the bells

*Lumien puts her hand on Syian's shoulder.*

Are you sure you want to do this? I don't want you to put yourself in danger when you don't have to on my account.

You have to hold tight and not let go, do everything I tell you to

*she unstraps the bandolier and takes out a tiny bell, her hand is shaking as she raises it and then rings it, the sound is deafening and stones fall from the ceiling before they are whisked into death*

*It is not merely a copy of the room they are in this time, the wir is freezing and breathing itself takes effort. The dead are everywhere, bigger and more menacing than above, the rooms are without dimension seeming both huge and tiny at once.*

*Syian walks resolutely forwards, the dead are calling her name but she ignores them, she can feel Lumien's hands shaking on her shoulders*

*the deeper they go the colderit gets and the harder to walk, the darkness is now complete and Lumien can't even see Syian, she stops suddenly*

*a ringing of a bell sounds, soft and low, it brings a little light and suddenly two people are stood in front of them, Lumien's parents..they smile at her*

*Syian turns to face Lumien*

Don't let go of me, whatever you do...speak to them but be brief

*Still holding on to Syian's shoulder, Lumien takes a few steps towards her parents.*

Mom? Dad?

[Lumien's Father] Lumien...

I love you... I miss you... all that time I was gone.

[Mother] We love you too, Lumien.

I wanted to make sure you were okay.

[Father] Lumien, we have to tell you... *looks down* ...we are not your real parents...

What? *At that, Lumien's hand begins to slip from Syian's shoulder, but there is enough time to stop it.*

*Syian misses Lumien's hand but before it has fully slipped she grabs her hair and holds it tightly*

Talk fast...

[Mother] That doesn't change that we love you. We always have. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner.

*Syian now notices that Lumien and her parents look nothing alike.*

I love you too...

*steps forward still keeping hold of Lumien's hair, she leans and whispers something in Lumien's mother's ear, her face contorts with anger and she grips Syian round the neck fiercely*

*Syian doesn't struggle but she calls to Lumien*

Grab hold of me, I need my hand for the bells

*Lumien grabs on to Syian's shoulder, scared out of her wits.*

Mom...?

*Syian releases her grip on Lumien's hair and reaches for her bandolier, Lumien looks over her shoulder and sees the dead closing in*

*she turns back suddenly when she hears a powerful ringing, she instinctively walks further into death but the ringing stops and Syian grabs her*

*Syian begins to run through death, carring Lumien over her shoulder...Lumien can see the dead gaining on them, swords drawn and ready*

*one lunges at them, she hears a scream and...*

*...they are back on the shore, Syian has her back to Lumien and seems to be sobbing*

Syian...? Wha- what happened?

*She crawls toward her, her energy nearly spent.*

*Syian turns to face her, she is not sobbing...just shaking badly, her stomach is bleeding freely from what looks like a stab wound*

*she crawls to Lumien and stands slowly and painfully*

You need rest, death is not kind to the living intruders

*Lumien smiles weakly.*

Thank you.

*With the last bit of her energy, she applies a healing spell to Syian, which should take care of her wound. Lumien then passes into a deep sleep.*

*Syian sighs heavily and looks at Lumien as she sleeps, she will take her to the healing hall when she has gathered enough strength.*

*Was it wise to bring her new friend to such dangers? She should have known it was a foolish thing to do, she didn't even give her a bell to guard herself with*

*having gathered her strength Syian hoists Lumien onto her shoulder and leaves*

http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/F1785334?thread=428114&post=5491766#p5491766 >

*finding no one interesting to talk to, Degrom walks to the nearest Tower*