The Quest is BACK ON! DisreputableCharles and Hikaruchan

She took a seat on a stool, nodding, though however she was hesitant to accept Shane's curt response. After all, Riker may
have seemed to be pleased, but the two had seperated ways after apparently dealing with the situation.
"How exact-" Miyoko looked up, and seeing her expression, changed her question, "And what happened with the mater of Lydia?"
 
Pushing back her silver locks, Shane turned slightly to Miyoko at the mention of the Healer.
"Not an issue." If there was anything in particular she did not care to elaborate on, it was that subject. Things had turned out alright, but Shane still was not happy with the entire scenario and she knew that there would be one last examination before they finally left. Given, she could probably perform the diagnosis, but it would leave the worst of impressions if they were to take off without any notice.​
 
Miyoko still remained doubtful of the aura of calm and impassive-ness she had displayed, but from experience, this sort of Shane was not exactly compliant. She jumped off the stool, shaking the dust off her hands.
"Well then, if everything is alright. let's meet up with Soren and Riker. They'll probably be at the Healers to get the boy's things."
 
"That everything, then?" Soren raised an eyebrow as the boy stuffed the last of his tunics into a rucksack. He had begun to wonder whether they should leave now or await the Healer's coming; either way seemed to have its downsides. Sighing, the Immortal ran a hand through his hair and pondered whence they should proceed from there.


With a nod Shane assented and they continued back to the Healer's. As much as she disliked the notion of returning there once again, Shane took comfort in the knowledge that they would be leaving soon. As she and Miyoko entered the room, she was strikingly aware of Riker's gaze upon her, but it was no longer painful or awkward. Shane looked back at him with a hint of a smile dancing through her eyes.​
 
It was as if seeing the sort of happy expression on Shane erased any of his doubts or worries or qualms. The air was breathable and they held a kind gaze with one another and the smile...
Gods, he was too infatuated for his own good, wasn't he? Nonetheless, Riker couldn't help but flash a quick grin at her in response
He let the knapsack hang over his right shoulder, gesturing towards the door.
"Shall we?"


The change in the Shane she had spoken too moments ago was obvious, reinforcing what she had know about the way they acted with each other. Sometimes, it was is if those two thought themselves in their own world.
Miyoko stepped out the door, only to run into the red-haired annoyance.
 
"Apologies, this is rather sudden," said Soren, taking on the sort of cool tone that he always used when communicating with those outside his party, "but Riker's sorted himself out and so we really must be on our way." To prevent her from saying anything, he added quickly, "Thank you for all your work, though we've got tasks what need doing." He reached into his cloak for currency and pulled out a small pouch, handing it to her and saying, "That should be enough."


Following Soren's lead, Shane went out the door behind the others. The Healer seemed to give her a particular sort of look, and so as they passed through the doorway Shane reached for Riker's hand and linked their fingers together. It may have surprised him, but she kept her gaze forward until they were out of the girl's sight.​
 
They walked past the currently silenced healer, Shane's hand in his, and perhaps he was focused just a bit too much on that latter fact. The warmth, the soft feel of her skin, how it very much gave him a euphoric sense. He didn't dare discontinue the action.
Was this going to be how it was between them now? That they could indeed make small hints of affection without much cause?

In the stable house, where the two horses they had remained, the group gathered inside the unusually large building. Shane and the boy were at the opposite end, tending to their animal, while she and Soren packed a few neccasary items in the saddle bags.
She did however spot the two's hands linked. As such, she pointed it out to Soren.
 
"Ah," said Soren in acknowledgement, exhaling sharply as he put his hand on the saddle and leaned towards the animal. "Well," he said, breaking out of his thoughts and continuing to tack the horse, "not any less that we'd expect, eh?" With a glance backward the Immortal added, "She's taking the lead, obviously. For all his good qualities, Riker's conviction is a bit weak at times."


As they ventured out, Shane felt Riker's hand tighten around hers; obviously the action was something far deeper for him. She felt suddenly wary of her own impulse and disentangled their fingers, at which he looked to her with a hint of disappointment in his eyes. Shane didn't like to be the cause of that expression, so she returned it with one of apology and put a finger to her lips, then ducking behind their horse to equip the saddle.​
 
He couldn't help but be confused by her response, or maybe that was just him overthinking. Honestly, when it came to Shane, he couldn't seem to find up from down. Shaking his head, Riker took the reins and led the horse back to the others.

"Well, I suppose he is a bit..emotional at times, but apparently she doesn't seem to mind." she let out a sigh, even with all that seemed somewhat good, still it plauged her. That sacrifice Mirelle had spoken of, what exactly laid ahead for any of them. The uncertainty of it all left her mind wandering.
However, any questions she would ask Soren would be interrupted as Shane and Riker approached them.
"So, where do we go now?"
 
Before responding, Soren turned his gaze to the skies: dawn was approaching. A good time to set out, he thought.
"Directly to the west of here is a stretch of plains before the Hall. If we leave now..." He paused in thought, then replied, "We should arrive there before nightfall."


"Obvious, then, isn't it?" Shane shrugged and took the reins from Riker's hands. "We ride on."​
 
They had left at nightfall and it had not been until the moon was out again did they arrive. Well, according to the stone tablet in a plain of nothing.Miyoko turned to Soren out of her a confusion, a question rising in her visage as the wind began to sweep past her feet. She turned against the air, finding herself looking at the impossible.


Riker walked closely behind Shane as they set out to examine the area. However, she came to a sudden halt, leading him to bump into her.
"Sorry."
There was no response, an uneasy, utter silence. Ahead, Riker could see the hall, but the others continued frozen in place, perhaps in shock or what, he did not know.
"Shane, can you hear me?"
There was no response besides a gentle shove away, as if she was hardly conscious of the action. A glassy haze covered her eyes, but she still seemed to be looking at something. All of them did, and they're gaze was towards the Hall. It was as if they were statues, frozen by whatever they saw. Whatever Riker couldn't see.
 
All the ancient texts, every piece of history he had studied, every long year of his life; how had Soren not anticipated this? The Hall was guarded by many things, to ensure that only the ones truly Chosen would pass, but he had forgotten this particular defense. He was no longer before the archway. He was in an underground cavern, a cool reservoir beneath a stretch of desert, and beside him...
No.
It wasn't possible.


What new sorcery is this?
Shane's thoughts quickly unraveled as she was instantaneously (or so it seemed to her) was swept away from The Hall. When she opened her eyes, she was at the edge of the trees of Mengar, exactly where she had departed from the very night she left on this mission. She turned. Behind her there was not her family, nor anyone she remembered from her life in the forests...but the one who had just been at her side.
...Why?​
 
The look of nothing upon Shane's face frightened him so deeply, because he knew that there was a deep seated problem, that Shane was in danger, that the everything was wrong.
And that one phrase just reverberates through him, Shane was in danger.
It jump starts a whole set of gears in his mind, Riker felt desperation that lurked in his mind, but how the hell was he going to do this? He wasn't Soren or Miyoko, he couldn't be wise and intelligent. Considering the nature of his fellows, he was meek and mundane.
But that doesn't change the fact that somehow, the one he loves is in danger. He has to do something to break her out of this trance.
And then Riker remembered what happened when that force pulled him in and how he got out. He heard Shane's voice, her soft desperate plea. It was...shocking.
But would it work on her? He didn't have telepathic power to reach into her mind, but still there had to be something. Anything.
He felt alone, desperate, afraid of losing her.
"Shane, c'mon snap out of this, please. Please for me?" And he pressed his lips to hers.


It's not possible. It's all these lives meshed together, a thousand hopes and dreams invading her mind. But then, with no warning it stops. Miyoko doesn't hear them anymore, doesn't hear the voices calling. It's quiet.

 
No, thought Soren furiously.This is not real. The Reality is all of us back at the Hall.
It was no sooner this had gone through his head than he found himself back at the entryway. Soren shook his head slightly to set things straight, but then was greeted by a sight that he supposed would have been more appropriate in privacy.


Disoriented as the vision made her, Shane was immediately brought back to reality. She made a small noise of surprise and started a little when she realized what had shaken her, but soon closed her eyes, obviously forgetting where they were.​
 
http://www.gifsoup.com/view/435312/amy-kisses-the-doctor.html
(This is how I imagine Riker's reaction every time Shane kisses him, without the rejection. More like, what the hell do I do with my arms should I just flail them?)

No sooner than the trance breaking did Shane begin to press her lips back at him, a bit forceful. Riker, more shocked than anything else, stood there, not knowing what to do in the first few moments. But after the initial surprise, he wraps his arms around her, knowing that there wasn't a better feeling than this. That's what his love did to him, he never had control over anything anymore, did he?
In between kisses, he murmurs to her, "Are you alright?"


How do I get out?
But some part of her wants to stay, enjoy the peace, the calm, that a being such as herself can't enjoy. Here, she is truly independant.
A few moments can't hurt..
 
Soren's initial reaction was to shake his head somewhat bemusedly. Really, here? At least they'd come to some sort of accord with each other.
Then it occurred to him: if the three of them were free of the visions...then what of Miyoko?
The Immortal instantly turned to his companion. She was staring, glassy-eyed, at the slab of stone, which made it obvious that the trance still ensnared her. Soren only wished he knew what she was seeing, for that might lend him some idea as to how to free her.


"Couldn't be better," said Shane, slipping her arms around his neck. Then it hit her like a punch in the face:
What the hell was she doing?
They were at the Hall of Prophecy. The destination of their Quest, at last, and she was...snogging. Feeling violently embarrassed (though it would never show), Shane withdrew and turned to the others, surprised at what she saw.​
 
It's the first time Riker has kissed Shane. But it isn't the first time she has pulled away, though it still stings.
That is until he sees Soren looking at them and he can feel the rush of blood to his face. Hadn't Shane not wanted Miyoko and the immortal to know about them. Whatever they were, the relationship seemed to consist of arguments and resolving them with, well, snogging.
But Riker couldn't exactly bring himself to argue with the elf.

She know's she shouldn't stay here. It's not right or fair to to the rest of them. But the rest of them have no idea the things that whisper in her ears when she let's down her guard.
But I can't stay here. This place isn't real.
And just like that, she let's go. The first thing she sees when opening her eyes is the slight concerned face of Soren before her legs gave way. And the murmurs are back. Soft and indiscernible, but still there.
 
"Miyoko?" Soren said, worry minutely evident in his tone. He knelt and took her by the shoulders, saying, "Miyoko, get a hold of yourself. That place wasn't real. It was a test. The reality is here and now." He frowned in concern and repeated, "Miyoko. Say something."


Letting her arms fall from around his neck, Shane pushed back her silver locks from a face that had grown hot with embarrassment. Still, though she had relinquished contact with Riker, some part of her felt the urge to reach for his hand, to hold onto him somehow. She couldn't explain it, even to herself, but it felt as though something bad were coming.​
 
She breathed, "Yes, I know. But I wanted it to be real." She can't hide the utter disappointment in her voice and visage. Miyoko attempted to avert her, she didn't want Soren to see that desperation that she couldn't hold in. How she wasn't strong, like the rest of them who were so easily able to resist the temptation.

He stayed close to Shane as they both walked toward the rest of their fellows. He had never seen Miyoko in such a distraught state. A part of him wonders what she saw. He wonders what all of them saw.
"So, what exactly was that?"
 
Lowering his voice so that only the Aquarian could hear, Soren replied,
"We all did."
Suddenly aware of Riker, he stood and replied,
"A test. From the Hall itself. Made to try the convictions of those who seek to enter. And it would seem that, for the most part," he said, glancing around at his comrades, "we passed."


"But I saw..." Shane broke off almost immediately after she began speaking; the visions, she decided, were better left unspoken. What then would they think of her? Still, she felt curious to know what the others had seen, especially Riker...but that, she supposed, was an act of hypocrisy in itself. Regaining her composure, Shane continued,
"If everyone has passed the test...shall we move forward?"​