The party makes their way to the intersection of 23rd Avenue and Cullen Street, where AXEM last saw Ella. The neighborhood definitely appears to be ghetto-fied, but there doesn't seem to be a single person anywhere. The van continues on to the address of Dorinda, the person who revived AXEM.
The house at the address appeared similar to the others on the block... kinda old and delapidated. The van pulls up to the curb and the party climbs out and, led by TRITHAL and THRAX, make their way to the front door. TRITHAL knocks on the door and says, "Ms. Dorinda? Are you home?"
Just then, the front door opens to reveal no one on the other side. Remembering what happened at the Duke's residence, the party cautiously enters the house and steps into the entry way. Once the whole group is inside, the door gently closes behind them.
TRITHAL: "We beg your pardon, ma'am, but we need to ask you some questions..."
Suddenly, in front of the party a white glowing figure appears. It appears to be a tall, young woman wearing white robes. While the whole group is awestruck by the sight of this person, TRITHAL seems to be the most shocked at her appearance.
woman: "Welcome to my home, travelers. I am Dorinda. What can I do for you fine people today?"
TRITHAL, being in a state of total shock and almost unable to form words, says "Aren't you Shirotama the White Angel?"
The woman, intrigued that TRITHAL called her by that name, replies with a sentence in the Macha language, then says in English "How long has it been since we last met? Five hundred years or so?"
TRITHAL, still barely able to form words, falls to his knees in shock and replies, "Yeah, I think so..."
Dorinda approaches TRITHAL where he sits on his knees and places her hand on his head. A second later, TRITHAL's blue energy emanates from his body and combines with Dorinda's white energy.
Dorinda: "You surely have been on a long journey these past five centuries." (to party) "Please come in and make yourselves at home."
Inside Dorinda's house, there's a large den with chairs and a huge sectional sofa. THRAX and CHRIS help the still out-of-it TRITHAL onto one of the chairs. The rest of the party find places to sit as well. Dorinda takes a chair facing the party.
Dorinda: "I know you're all wanting to ask, so I'll tell you anyway. You could say that I taught Macha-Rei all he knows about spirituality. As you probably guessed, I myself was once called by a macha name... Macha-Kai. About 800 years ago I assimilated a female elf who was strong in spirit and mind. I managed to nurture and enhance my abilities to where I became the being you see today. I'm not really macha... nor am I really an elf anymore. Someone called me a 'white angel' once, and the name stuck. So then, now that you know about me and how I know Macha-Rei, tell me a little about yourselves and what I can do for you."
THRAX: "Well, we're on a mission to clear our friend's name. You see, two years ago someone kidnapped Ella of the Light..."
Dorinda interrupts, "Yeah I remember that. It was all over the news."
THRAX continues, "... Yeah. Anyway, a friend of ours named Axem the Stone Pillar... or Miah Thorpatrick... was the last person known to be with her before she disappeared. According to some information he just now decided to share with us, they were just around the block from here when she was kidnapped by this guy called Red Phile. The reason why we came to you today was because our friend Axem says you were the one who revived him after the attack."
Dorinda thinks for a moment, then says, "Oh yeah! I remember him now! I remember hearing shouts in the night and went to investigate. By the time I got there the Akuhitos were bolting down Cullen Street toward the shore and your friend was lying unconscious on the sidewalk. I revived him then went after the Akuhitos. I lost them just before they made it to the docks... and I didn't want to draw attention to myself out there so I came back here."
Palledoris: "Do you remember seeing if they had a girl with them?"
Dorinda: "Yeah, I think the lead one had a girl flopped over his shoulder. She appeared to be unconscious."
CHRIS: "So why did you revive Axem, but not go after Ella?"
Dorinda: "You have to understand that this kind of violent crime is common-place in this part of town... or it used to be until recently. Most people just look the other way when jerk-offs like the Akuhitos pull shit like that. As I've taught Macha-Rei, and everyone else who has sought my teachings, it's quite pointless to try to alter the outcome of events in this world. What's truly meant to happen will happen, no matter what anyone tries to do to stop it. It's like trying to stop a freight train by standing in the middle of the tracks... you're just gonna get run over."
Alys: "That makes sense..."
TRITHAL, now with his composure somewhat regained, says "Shirotama, what can you tell us about Red Phile and the Akuhito? Would you have any idea what they could have done with Ella?"
Dorinda: "Well, I do know that their main hideout was in a warehouse on the docks, near where Cullen Street ends. I'd probably recommend you start looking there."
THRAX: "Ok. Let's go then!"
Dorinda: "Hold on a minute! Keep in mind that the area you're going to is quite dangerous. No one knows if the Akuhitos are hiding out there or if the place is empty. Everyone's been too scared to investigate. Make sure you're prepared to encounter the worst before you go there."
The party thanks Dorinda for the information, then gets up to leave. While they are exiting her home, Dorinda stops TRITHAL and says, "Macha-Rei, Take this." Dorinda hands TRITHAL what appears to be a small red crystal of some kind.
TRITHAL: "What's this?"
Dorinda: "I have a feeling you're gonna need it real soon."
TRITHAL: "But, what do I do with it?"
Dorinda: "Just hang on to it for now."
TRITHAL. who trusts Dorinda (or Shirotama) more than anyone, agrees to keep the item and stores it in his pack. Afterward, the party loads up in William's van and heads down Cullen Street toward the docks.
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