stykera | The Eidelon Temple

While Aeryn's baby was planning its entrance into the world and fortifications to the temple were being made, Stark had been consulting with Muoma and the other Eidelons. After Aeryn threatened Crichton's life, Crichton went looking for the Banik.

"How's it going?"

"I'll explain the process as best I understand it," Stark said eagerly. Getting all of this out of his head was an extremely pleasant prospect, and the fact that he was helping by doing so only made it more so. "When they finish meditating..."

"We are ready," Muoma interrupted, looking up from where she sat with the other Eidelons in the temple.

Still eager to have this other with, but taking it all very seriously as he well ought to, Stark hurried over and knelt down beside Muoma. "High Priestess," he said respectfully. "Prepare yourself." He removed his mask carefully as Muoma opened her face to expose that strange Eidelon gland on which all hopes for peace now rested.

The light from Stark's face, normally golden, was tinted purple now from what Yondalao had entrusted to him. It fell upon the exposed inner gland in Muoma's head and then, almost as had happened when Yondalao crossed over, seemed to fly out in a burst. Muoma gasped and then the transfer was complete. It was different than any sharing of thoughts with others Stark had ever done before. Those had been, for the most part, quiet peaceful and everything he had shared at those times had still remained with him. This was unlike anything he had ever experienced and once it was over, Yondalao's knowledge was completely gone from his head. There was a curious emptiness then. He had almost grown used to his head feeling so full it might burst and now it was suddenly as quiet within him as it ever was.

"The legends are true," Muoma said softly, wonderingly. "Our heritage, Yondalao's knowledge, lies within me."

Stark smiled at her briefly then frowned. His head felt so strange now. Everything felt strange. He stood up, backing away carefully from Muoma as he spoke. "It has left me completely. Will you be able to educate the others?"

"Of course," Muoma confirmed.

"And make peace?" Crichton prompted.

"OUr numbers are too few," Muoma answered. "Many more are necessary to make a lasting contribution."

Crichton frowned and turned away, calling for Jothee on comms. He was answered, unexpectedly, by Noranti. The old woman was leading a band of over 100 Eidelons to what was hopefully safety.

"We can get you a hundred," Crichton said, turning back to Muoma. Stark was carefully buckling his mask back into place, still feeling extremely odd.

"If we were all to be reunited," Muoma told him, "peace is possible."

"Just keep doing your thing. We'll get you there," Crichton told her before turning to Stark. He smiled at the Banik, putting a hand to the back of his head and pulling him forward to touch foreheads in a gesture reminiscent of Zhaan and Unity. "Fantastic job," he told Stark. "You're the Johnny Appleseed of detente."

Stark looked extremely pleased at both his efforts and the praise (something he heard so rarely, even from his friends). "Thank you, thank you" he said before his expression turned puzzle and his voice grew soft. "Johnny Appleseed?" he asked softly, but there was no longer anyone close enough to hear.

[Two posts in a row! My goodness, am I spamming the flist? Yes. Yes I am. There may even be another! Almost done! And I just love the Johnny Appleseed bit. Always have.]