Reunion

[cosmicbreaker]

Cid sighed. "Bah... I guess I can put it on Auto-Pilot... I was really looking forword to taking the Highwind III for a spin..." His finger scattered on the command panel, and the controls started moving on their own. 'DESTINATION CONFIRMED. PREPARE FOR LIFT OFF'.' The airship lifted itself steadily, and shot in the direction needed.

Sephiroth chuckled to himself. "I'd forgotten how much you like to pilot..."

[Ellie]

Nina looked at Cid. "So did I. Couldnt you pilot on the way back?", she asked him. She raised her eyes brows and went to where Sky was sitting. "Whered Kyo go?", she asked.

"Hes gone and stalked off again. I dont know what his problem is...", Sky said softly. She seemed concerned. Nina shook her head and went back to where Cid was. "How long untill we get there?"

[cosmicbreaker]

Cid pressed several keys, and the estimated time came up on screen. He glanced up, then turned back to Nina. "About fifteen minutes. It won't take any longer than that."

Cloud grunted. "That Kyo kid... He really bugs me." He propped his head with his hand. "He's such a brat..."

Alex turned to him angerly. "You're wrong. Sometimes Kyo can be a pain, but he doesn't really mean it. Just mind your own business..." he said, grunting back. Cloud was surprised.

[Ellie]

"Alright.", Nina said happily she was glad it wouldnt take that long. Nina looked at Alex quite funny as he spoke so nicely of Kyo. Shed would have never expected it. But she smiled. "Just relax Cloud.", she muttered as she crossed her arms and leaned against the wall.

[cosmicbreaker]

Cloud ignored Nina, and sat back in a chair. He was a little tired, and wanted to fall asleep. But alas, they'd be there soon, so there'd be no point.

Vivi explored the airship, and all of it's rooms and compartments. He was curious of open spaces, and he'd like to take all of the features of the ship in.

[Ellie]

It wasnt long before the group reached a small shadey town. The majority of the town was built on bridges over errie water. It was cloudy and grey. And extreamly cold. It looked like it was about to poor any moment. Nina grabbed a coat as did Sky. They headed outside. Soon they saw Pheonix, CenTara, and Saint. They were standing infront of a small dumpy shop. Above it was a rotted sign that said "Alveinas House Of Magic's and Potions"

"This is it.", she muttered as Kyo walked up behind them. He was in a tee shirt but didnt seem the least bit cold. In his human arm was the hoddie Ellie bought for him.

[cosmicbreaker]

Cid hopped out of the seat, and pressed the button to disembark. "Alright, let's get this over with, then." He adjusted his scarf, and fixed his greying hair. By now, it was a faint blounde, but just a tad of grey tint was showing.

Alex jumped down the bridge's stairs. He'd left his coat at Nina's, and was left without his Shippu. He didn't seem to care though. Sephiroth and Cloud followed close by.

[Ellie]

The group entered the cramped little shop. The looked around at the brilliant glow that came from the colored flames. Skys looked around in awe at all the magic potions and staves. Though none were quite like her. WHich made her smile.

"So where is this person we're supposed to see?", Kyo said impatiently. Some of the shelves rusteled from behind the desk. They moved aside without warning. The room suddenly filled with some sort of mysical presence. A tall blonde woman dressed in an exocitic outfit revealed her self. Her entire top half (including the breasts) was covered in a thin gold belly shirt covered in different gemstones. And they didnt look fake either. She had a marvolus layered skirt on. It was colored in Maroon and gold. She had a vail on also but it didnt cover her face. Her face was breath takeing and her blonde hair was in curls. The odd, yet beautiful woman danced over to the group. he eyes were wide.

"I am Alveina.", she stated firmly. SHe had somewhat of a mysterious tone. "How may I be of--", she stopped speaking and looked around. Her outfit jingeled and sparkeled. She looked at the odd group. "This is not of a normal visit. You bring an old friend with you.", she said vividly. She pushed the group aside. They revealed Pheonix. Alveina's eyes lit up. "Ahhhh.", she said in an all knowing tone.

[cosmicbreaker]

Alex looked around the room, and then at Alevina. "Wait, you know Pheonix?" Her accent seemed to have a slight hint of Russian in it. She sounded as if she had ancient knowledge about her; her shop seemed stacked with all kinds of different books and potions.

[Ellie]

"Yes.", she said without a hint of waver in her voice. Each time she spoke it was like a song. "Pheonix should not be here. Not how she has appeared to me." She took Pheonix out of the machiene.

"What the hell do you think your doing?!", Nina said angerily. "She'll die without that!!!"

Alveina looked slightly offened but ignored Ninas outburst. "You are the Aunt?", she said stroking Pheonix. "It has been a long time oh mystical one. You have changed quite a bit. You should not be in this state."

[cosmicbreaker]

Sephiroth took a closer look at Pheonix. "What do you intend to do with Pheonix? If you hadn't noticed, she's not fairing too well." He kept on his hand close to his sword, so that he could be ready incase this was a trap.

A White-haired man browsed books and potions in the corner of the shop. He listned to their conversation closely.

[Ellie]

"There wont be a need for that.", she said coldly. "When I was in a younger state, Miss Pheonix was brought to me.", she said aloud. "A time when what was left of the good Elders.", her words were akward, but her voice was soft. "They brought her here suspecting the corruption in the village." Nina knew exactly what she was talking about, as did Kyo and Sky. In other words Pheonix was brought to the shop when the good Elders were still in control. "The had me....clip one of her claws. They had me clip the claw, knowing that this day would come. Then, though she was in a much larger state. And might I add...even weaker then she is now. She was near death. And I do believe you all know how the story goes after that.", she muttered the end of her sentence. She was examining the expression on Ninas face.

"You....you were the one who sealed Pheonix into Ellie?", she said in disbeliefe. "But the Elders always claimed they were the ones who did it!!!", she protested.

"THEY ARE LIERS!", she retorted. Not yelling. But her words were harsh.

"Were....", Kyo muttered. Alveinas eyes lit up.

"Ahhh si you have disposed of them...finally.", she said walking over to him. She placed her hand on his cheek. She smiled.

"What?", Kyo said as his eyes narrowed.

"A story for another time.", she suttered takeing her hand off of his cheek. She shifted under the wait of Pheonix. "Little one. You were not supposed to be released yet..."

[cosmicbreaker]

Alex felt his stomach. Pheonix's case was simualar to his and Kalad's. He could feel Kalad listening to this woman as well. But, he decieded to get back on task, and left his and to his side. "Lady, can you help Pheonix to be united with Ellie?" His voice trailed off; getting weaker as he finished his sentence.

"If we bring her here, let alone finding her. Don't forget, Ellie has her own demon now." Cloud said, fixing his hair. His glass was always half-empty.

[Ellie]

Alveina looked at Cloud curiously. But turned her attention to Alex, "Al-Vee-enna-ha.", she said correcting the Lady statement. "Of course I can unite Pheonix and Ellie again...", she said quite mysteriously. She went to the back room. Strange sounds came from the back. She finally emerged with a gold sealed box. She tapped it once, and it opened. It revealed single Dragons claw. At the tip it was red. As if stained with blood. "This. This is Peonixs claw. From 15 years ago. Im sure you know what you have to do with it if you are here?"

"Yeah...", Nina muttered. She had a bit of a pout face.

"Dont worry. Once you stab it though her heart, bring her here. I give you my word she will be alright."

She directed her attention back to Cloud. "You have a knack to look at things of the dismal side. Its very unbecomming.", she put in slyly. "The view is always brighter on the Optimistic side.", she finished.

[cosmicbreaker]

Cloud's eyes shifted to the ceiling. "Whatever. As long as we have the claw, we can get Ellie back to normal. Thanks, I guess." He shifted his gaze towards the ceiling slightly.

Alex looked at the claw closely. It had some sort of aura to it, as if it were enchanted somehow. "Thanks a lot, er, Alveennaha. We're one step closer to saving Pheonix and Ellie both, now." He smiled at the tall woman thankfully.