In dreams (cont)....

Astra looked up as her heart felt the presences reach out and embrace her. She felt like she couldn't breath as her hear filled with love...love for her. Seven of the presences had the feel of newness and innocence one could only have.....newly born (or unborn). The seven didn't even have names yet, because she hadn't named them yet, but her children knew her. Her children......were sending waves and waves of love and concern for their mother, who they had felt her sadness. Their love was an uncompromised thing, free of qualifications and conditions that seems to be the wont of most of those of older age. The eighth presence had a familiar feel to it.

"Fred," Astra whispered, in awe at what she saw.

Fred's spirit appeared to Astra as a perfect version of his mortal form, and Astra as in awe at.....how beautiful he appeared (for lack of a better word).

The children appeared as seven points of bright light, filled with flashes of mischief.

Astra's form appeared to others as the perfect version of her mortal form, with her long red hair flying about and glowing like it WAS made of flame.

Fred's spirit was laid bare to her, as was any who saw others in this realm where truth could not be hidden. Fred's soul was a noble thing, ready to again and again do the RIGHT and honorable thing, no matter how hard it was. Fred wasn't perfect, and sometimes his sense of honor and fair play clouded his view on things. Sometimes, he did things or said things that shouldn't be said. Sometimes, he was forthright and honest when the situation called for a bit of tact and cunning. Thus was a key part to their current dilemma, for Fred had blurted out about the Crystallic during that first night out from Wallants with Rift and Tarin.

Still, Astra admitted to herself that perhaps they should have seized the Crystallic when they'd had the chance, instead of letting it lay about while they discussed issues on what to do next.....after they'd regained their human forms. That was another key to their current problems with Rifts, who'd grabbed the Gem and retaken them captive......

Then, all this inanity about who is responsible for what is swept aside.....

What was undeniably apparent was.....that Fred was in love with her. Her and her children. Without conscious thought, Astra reached out and "hugged" the presences as she felt her heart melt.

"No matter what," Fred whispered fiercely. "No matter what, I'll do right by you and the children.....lovely Astra.....I'll make it work....." He also had been overwhelmed with the properties of this realm, but instead of being faced with.....distasteful truths like Astra, Fred had been awed by the fact.....that he'd fallen in love with Astra somewhere along this journey together. Then, the consciousness of his children had mobbed him, giggling and laughing. Fred had fallen instantly in love with them, and thus they eight of them had come to Astra when they'd felt the waves of sadness emanating from her.

1. Astra "shivered" as she "hugged" her children and Fred closer to herself. Then, somebody else spoke.....

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