Happy Reunions [plot/Lexi]

Ari smiled as she heard a knock at the door to her inn room. She had sent a messenger for Lexiara the night before to summon the other woman to her room. Onyx was looking much better after the healing and some food and was sitting in a chair, anxiously awaiting the arrival of his sister. Barely able to contain her excitement, she flung the door open and bounced in place.

"Hey Lexi! I have a surprise for you and I really hope you like it, cause it was very difficult to obtain..."

She waved the young woman into the room with a broad grin, chuckling at the look of confusion on Lexi's face before the freckled woman spotted her brother and promptly fainted at Ari's feet.

"Well, that was... unexpected!"

Lexi hummed with every step as she walked toward Remano, eager to see what Ari had found out. When the woman greeted her at the door, practically exploding with excitement, she was confused but smiled along with the other woman. When Ari mentioned a surprise, she glanced around, not expecting to see the midnight hair and wolf ears perched atop Onyx' head. The relief at him being alive was too much and she promptly fainted.

When she came to, Onyx was leaning over her on the floor, chuckling with a raspy voice that sounded like it was dragging over gravel. Squealing with delight, she flung her arms around her older brother and squeezed tightly, not loosening her grip until she heard him wince in pain. Quickly releasing him, she immediately began searching him over for injury. It seemed like he had none, but she could tell by the way he held himself that there were parts of him at least in the process of healing that she could not see.

"Onyx, oh my goodness, I am so happy to see you! Are you okay? Are mom and dad with you? Did they hurt you?"

Her questions came out rapid fire to her lost brother and she tried to slow down. It was only when she saw his face sober that she realized not all was well.

"What, what happened?"

Onyx' head drooped and his shoulders fell, his voice cracking out.

"Mom and Dad didn't make it, Lexi. The slavers... they... they didn't survive the trip across the sea."

Lexi hugged him again, gently this time, as he collapsed in tears, as though finally being able to tell her was both the greatest weight lifted from him and the most terrible thing he could ever do.

Ari stood back and let them have their reunion in peace, especially when Onyx broke the news that their parents were dead. She could not imagine what it would be like to lose a parent, especially since it seemed they were a very tight knit family. As the two rapidly caught up, talking so fast, she was certain they had come down to barks, yips and meows. While they talked, she wandered around the room, gathering up items for the both of them. She had packed some clothes for them, as well as some valuable items in case they were in need of emergency funds. In a small pouch, she put several handfuls of gold coins, it wasn't like she couldn't spare the money. She just wanted to make sure the two had everything they would need for whatever they chose to do from here.

The two finally calmed down a bit and Lexi stood to approach her, embracing her tightly. She returned the hug and handed the leopard-skinned woman the bags with a bright smile, holding up a hand to stop any arguments.

"Please, it is the least I could do."

Lexi broke out in a fresh round of tears as Ariella handed her bags of supplies and money, gracious that someone would go through the effort the magician had to reunite her and Onyx. When she was beginning to think she would never find her brother again, the magician brought them back together, at great personal risk and asked for nothing in return.

She could not even begin to imagine how to begin to repay Ari for all she had done before her eyes fell to the bracelet the orphans had given her. Carefully, she removed the magic tool from her wrist and held it out for Ari, holding up a hand for silence.

"Some orphans in Heliohapt gave this to me, when I helped them out. And now I am passing it on to you, as a thank you for helping me out. Maybe one day, you can pass it on to someone that helps you. And since I won't really be needing these, either, take them. I really don't need them, we are going back to the plains and all I need there is my bow, my brother and Leo."

Lexi handed Ari the bracelet and then pulled free her pouch of throwing knives. She was never really comfortable with the weapons, but had wanted to try and enhance her combat skills. But with her return to the plains with her brother, all she would need is her bow for hunting and defense. She smiled at the tearful grin Ari gave her before looking to Onyx. Her brother had approached as she was saying her good bye to the magician. They would both be forever grateful to the woman, but it was time to go home.

"Ariella, thank you again, so much, for rescuing me and reuniting us. If you ever find yourself in the Great Plains, look for the Ookami tribe. Hopefully more of us survived."

He shook the magician's hand before he and Lexi headed out the door, reverting back to their babbling as they caught up some more.

[exit]