A Spiritual Awakening.[Private w/ Samira]

Nearly everyone in the guild had noticed a certain Lamia had gone missing without a word for the day. That included Samira herself when word of it reached her. It was unlike Hebisha to leave town, alone, and without a word to anyone. At least, as far as the summoner knew. She wasn't as close to the fellow guild member as some others. They had only been alone one time to get to know each other: an outing to the Clover Town Zoo. The what should have been fun filled and relaxing trip was anything but. However, that is a story for another day. For now, Samira felt it was her responsibility not only as an Ace of the guild, but as someone that wanted to be a friend, to check in on Hebisha now that she had returned. There was also a little bit of a selfish curiosity developing if she were forced to admit it.

Naturally the first place to look for the Lamia was her normal spot where most could find her. Once she had made it there Samira could only blink, amazed at how easy that actually was. "Huh." There was the slight expectation that it would be a more difficult task. That was how things usually went for her.

Samira wanted to call out to get the Lamia's attention. What stopped her from doing so was the fact she took notice that Hebisha seemed to be in some form of prayer or meditation. Interrupting would be quite rude, and so she chose not to do so. She was patient enough to wait until she was done... unless it took hours. Fortunately, it seemed Samira would not have to actually wonder how long she would have to awkwardly stand there. In the middle of Hebisha's prayer, the urns before her had begun to glow. The incense smoke then changed color and grew in size and shape; taking on the form of different humanoid beings.

The green eyes of the summoner narrowed slightly as she tried to decipher if they were friend or foe. She could feel their energy and equated it to be similar to that of spirits, but there was also something different about them. Clearly they were not exactly the same as her own. Their words didn't seem to have any ill intent, nor did she get any sense of evil from them. Not that she really specialized in that area, but her own spirits were not raising the alarms. There was also some words reflecting that they knew Hebisha, but at the same time did not. Interesting. Her gaze lowered slightly and fell back onto Hebisha, who was still in prayer and had not noticed the voices of the new arrivals at all or even seemed to sense them.

Samira took several steps forward and made her way over towards the Lamia and urn spirits without any sort of caution within her movement whatsoever. She didn't feel the need for it. "Hebisha," the summoner spoke in a kind voice, although still with a stern enough tone to hopefully snap her out of her prayer. If it worked, Samira would look up at the spirits that rose from the smoke before looking back down at Hebisha. "Where exactly did you get these urns? They seem to be... unique." She did not go into detail as to why. Surely the spirits would speak for themselves to give that away.

Her words had broken Hebisha's prayer and concentration just as she had intended. The offered seat on the lamia's tail was taken, although if the summoner had to admit it was strange using her as a sort of living bench. Still, it was a nice gesture that made her appreciate it. She remained silent, waiting for the answer to her question so she could piece a few things together for herself while also readying even more questions to ask. Although, with the silence before Hebisha's answer, Samira could clearly hear a few comments made from the smoke-like spirits of the urns. From her species, clothes, all the way to what conditioner she used for her long green locks of hair. The summoner could only smile nervously at that, being embarrassed while at the same time wondering why on Earthland would spirits be concerned or even curious with such a thing.

There was the expectation that the lamia would have noticed their voices by then. After all, she could hear them, so it should have been possible for Hebisha to as well. She was blind, not deaf. However, when Hebisha spoke once more it was not towards the spirits making the random comments. They were not even acknowledged. Her own expression returned to the neutral yet serious state it was a moment ago while she waited for Hebisha to finish speaking. There was a sense of pain within the Lamia, not that Samira was overly sensitive and could magically read the emotions of others, but she had seen the same expression on another member of the guild that the two knew well.

In the end the summoner was not told of where they came from. That was left to be rather vague, and instead it was explained that their power was what made them special. Although, Samira arched a brow at the explanation. Looking up towards the spirits above them once more, it was clear even Hebisha did not know everything there was about the urns. One of the spirits even seemed less than displeased with the Lamia's words, but was held back from reacting by the others.

Before she could comment on it, the fellow Lamia Scale member reached out and hugged her. The action would have surprised her if not for Hebisha doing it once before already. Samira's expression softened, and she wrapped her arms around the lamia to return the hug, taking note of the slight trembling of the other's body. She had no idea what had happened while she was gone, but it must have been quite the experience for her. "Hebisha," Samira began to say softly as she pulled away from the embrace. "You do not have to apologize. We were all worried about you, but it is not what you would call a sin to leave as you did. I am sure you had your own reasons for it that were more important than I could imagine. Just be sure to leave a note the next time if you do not want to see any of us face to face before you take off." Her lips had formed into a small kindly smile, almost motherly, and it was a shame the lamia herself could not see it or know of it. Perhaps her words would give that sort of indication. For now, the summoner would stand from the lamia bench and return the topic to the urns.

Samira herself could hear the comments of her own spirits. Many of them laughed at the fact the spirits of the urns were demoted to a label as nothing more than incense holders. Others were actually annoyed, thinking they would flip out themselves if their keys were labeled as nothing more than a tool to start up some magic vehicle or unlock a closet. They all agreed on one thing though, the urns were connected to Hebisha, and she needed some sort of guidance to even acknowledge their existence.

"These urns," Samira started as she stepped forward towards one of them. "They are not merely incense holders, Hebisha, although I do appreciate the thought of you wanting to bring a new scent to the guild hall that isn't the ocean waters." A small chuckle was allowed to escape at the thought. "You have said they will react to a prayer you have to do. However, they are already reacting without you knowing. Try concentrating on them again. Do you sense anything coming from them?"

Hebisha had taken the small piece of advise and returned to her prayers. As the lamia continued to do so everything became quite still and a golden fog began to cover the area. Even more alarming were the sigils and images that surrounded her. Samira remained calm though. As did her spirits. Well most of them. The quirky ones would always be so. In a way it reminded her of how her spirits had contacted her whenever she was ready to take control of their power. Although for her they always used dream sequences for it and no others were present. The prayer, whatever it was, had a much different power. Stronger even if it was capable of bringing along someone that was not tied to the urns.

The mist had eventually settled and no longer were the pair of mages within the surroundings of the guild. Instead it was a new area the summoner had never seen before. It felt... different. There were also sounds of gongs in the background but that was not the most interesting thing about the new location. That label went to the thrones the spirits now sat upon. Her theory had been right in a sense. The prayer had been connected to them and now she was in a location that they controlled. Samira said nothing of this. She considered it unwise to speak first and demand anything of them. They were not there for her but for Hebisha, the one who had claimed their urns and summoned them even if she had not known it.

The orange spirit spoke first, but not to the lamia. The intimidating spirit spoke to her instead. She took some offense to the words, but held her tongue even if her expression changed slightly to indicate her dislike for his chosen words. "Very well," she said, keeping her voice calm sounding to cover up the stabbed pride of hers. Her feet took her to the chair that had been created just for her. If nothing else he at least made it comfy.

'Oi! You're going to just sit there in that overly fancy chair instead of telling him off?!'
'That was the plan,' Samira replied to the spirit copy of Susano. She was sure to catch herself and kept it mental so as to not interrupt the spirits that had a connection to Hebisha. 'I am unsure as to why I was brought along for this, but do keep in mind that they have control here. I would rather not anger them because of something that actually is true. You are all copies. To debate it would be ridiculous.'
'Well... yeah. But he doesn't have to say it...'
'Being called a copy is an upgrade. Do you recall the goddess we met before?'
Pretty much every spirit in Samira's mind agreed after that was brought up. Being called a copy was actually the least offensive thing that could be said about them.

Samira continued watching and listening silently as the spirits made their introductions. The one called Mu looked at her, to which the summoner just stared back curiously. The eyes in that one were intense and she could not fathom why. Then came the infamous orange one, who introduced himself as Huo. Or that was what she got before she nearly became deaf from the volume he used to speak. She cringed heavily at that, and thanked the gods that made her spirits that she would never have one that thought he needed massive volume to seem more important or intimidating. Or so she thought, but that was another tale.

Her hands had gone up to cover her ears during his introduction, but upon seeing it was safe to do so she lowered them. Now she would speak. Mainly because when she looked over at Hebisha the lamia only looked back. Was she still unsure on what she was supposed to do? Well, that was understandable. The six spirits did not do more than introduce themselves. "Excuse me," Samira began to say as she raised her arm up to get attention as if she were in a classroom. "Firstly, can you please keep the volume of your voice down? There is no reason to shout. This request is of course for the one called Huo." She lowered the arm and pointed a finger at the spirit she was referring to. Then she moved on. "Secondly, you have introduced yourselves by name, but did not add in anything else. Are you going to go into more detail as to what you are and your connection with Hebisha? Detailing where we are and why we were brought here would also be appreciated." Perhaps it was a bit too bold to interfere in something such as the scene she was currently witnessing. She had only moments ago ensured she would not be offensive because of it. Unfortunately Hebisha was ill prepared for whatever this was and Samira had to take the risk in order to get some real answers.

Samira cared not Huo's glare at her. He looked angry, but then, she would have been a bit foolish for expecting him not to be. Funny how just a moment ago she had just stated she did not desire to anger any of them because they had the control and power while in that realm, and had then proceeded to forget that and say something she knew would be offensive. The safety of her ears demanded it! The safety of everything else was just slightly overlooked. But, it worked out in the end. The other spirits calmed the one of fire, and the one of water took over.

Hebisha's agitated and distraught state could be seen clearly, and though the summoner desired to help and comfort her she remained in the comfy chair. Something was being recalled in the lamia's mind if she had to guess and interfering too early would not be one of her brightest ideas. That and this whole scenario had to do with spirits, or at least something very similar. Her own would have been very offended if someone had interfered when their time came. Mu's smile brought some reassurance that her leaving the lamia be was the right call. Hebisha's reaction had been expected and intended. The surroundings became very quiet, eerily so as even the sounds of the gongs ceased to be. Then there was finally a sound. Hebisha reacted by looking up as if the sound was the very symbol of her coming to a realization. Based on what was said next there were memories. Things of what had been seen. Hebisha was blind though. Were they the memories of someone else?

Hai continued speaking even as Hebisha turned away. Nu Wa had been mentioned, with the clarity of them all representing her elements. Given what she knew of Hebisha's magic it made sense that there was more to it than she was aware of originally. Ting also chimed in, explaining why she was also there for the meeting. She was there as a friend and to help the lamia as she recalled what memories had previously been lost. Finally, Hai ended the meeting with a few more things that needed to be said... such as the grand idea of her getting out of the chair. Too slow was she to react as the mist instantly vanished, the chair going along with it. Samira's comfy seat turned into hard and uncomfortable ground as she fell. "If it is not my own spirits giving me trouble it is someone else's," Samira muttered to herself as she stood up and rubbed her now aching bottom.

Her feet started to carry her over towards the coiled up lamia, who seemed to be overwhelmed by the memories, information, and confusion, and was attempting to seek comfort by hiding herself. Samira did not agree with that. Each and every time she unlocked a new set of spirits it was usually during some life or death situation. Never was she given the option to hide or even be confused. Hebisha would not either. Whatever trauma there was, and whatever memories were hidden had to be faced if the lamia was ever to move on and fulfill whatever destiny she was meant to have. The first step to that was... um... what the hell was it even? What were they supposed to do so that Hebisha could use their power? Even her spirits were at a loss. The map was not clear at all. The only thing they all agreed on was that Hebisha was the key. Whatever they were supposed to do and help her with was in her mind somewhere. She just needed to recall it.

"Hebisha?" Samira spoke gently as she neared her friend and placed a hand upon the coils of her lower half. "You do not intend to stay like this forever, do you?" The summoner would sigh and then put herself into a more stern mode. She could be understanding, but there was only so much one could do by being constantly gentle. "The spirits of those urns you brought back expect me to help you use their power. I admit I am conflicted with this. My own spirits were very clear with what they wanted of me when the time came. Your own were not. I am left to assume that, that knowledge lies with you somewhere, or that each one will give you a sign of some sort. You told my Nu Wa spirit before that you considered yourself a disappointment because you had stopped using the power you were taught and had forgotten it for selfish reasons. Are you going to make a habit of repeating this?" Samira would pause her words and remain silent for a few moments. If there was no response at all, or one that she was not satisfied at all with she would continue. "I cannot and will not help someone that continues to hide and chooses to remain confused instead of doing what is required to find the answers. The spirits of the urns can tell you much and aid you in ways no one here can, but you first need to prove yourself to them and learn how to use their power." Samira would then start slowly walking away. Perhaps the lamia would stop her after having come to her senses, perhaps she wouldn't. "This is a critical stepping stone in your life, Hebisha, and it should not go ignored."