::The nymph slows once she arrives at this expansive, beautiful lake. She pauses at the edge and peers in at the fish gently coasting through the water, and smiles appreciatively.::

"Shh..."

::Her voice carried across the breeze to Windy, who should be catching up any time now...::

:: Bursting out of the undergrowth, Windy sees the large expanse of the lake in front of him. ::

(Wow! No one said anything about a lake being here! This is amazing! It's... It's beautiful!)

:: Hearing the Nymph's voice on the wind as a slight breeze flows in WIndy's direction, Windy walks quietly down towards the edge of the lake and stood next to where the Nymph stands. ::

:: Looking into the clear crystal waters, Windy cannot hold back his smile as he sees this natural beauty... all around him. ::

::Bouncing onto her hands and knees - you keep at a distance you horny bastard! - the nymph peers into the clear water of the lake.::

"What have you for us today?"

::She sings, her eyes steady and unblinking.::

:: Seeing the Nymph bouncing on her hands and knees, Windy scratches his head in confusion. ::

(Okay... What the...)

:: Taking a step back from the waters, Windy sits down as the Nymph sings. ::

::As a small object begins to rise from the depths, the Nymph smiles and reaches into the glassy water, before bringing her hand back out clutching a golden amulet on a chain.::

"Bless the goddess."

::She whispers, before standing up and placing the amulet into Windy's hands. Smiling warmly at him, she skips behind him and disappears into the forest, obscured from sight and gone with the wind...::

:: As the Nymph puts the golden amulet on a chain in his hands and skipped away into the forest behind him, Windy turns around to look for the Nymph, but already gone back into the forest, Windy turns back to the Lake as a soft breeze blows through the trees and across the peace of the lake. ::

(Bless the goddess.)

:: Kneeling in front of the lake at the edge of the waters, Windy held the amulet within both hands and mutter a prayer of thanks for the goddess of the lake. ::

"Bless be all."

(Thank you Nymph. I wonder what this does?)

:: Putting the amulet on around his neck and let the chain hang the amulet on his chest, Windy tucks it away safely and hides it with his clothes so no one can see it. ::

:: Walking towards the place where the Nymph disappeared, Windy walks back into the Forest. But stopping before at the edge of the Forest to turn abck once at the Lake. Smiling and fully happy that nature had blessed him, he regrets that he had to leave. ::

(I don't have to leave... I don't have to... I might not find this place again. But if I should have faith, then I shall find this Lake again and the Nymph too, and so I can thank her properly.)

:: Windy walks away from the Lake feelign refreshed and happy from his visit and makes his way back to the Forest. ::

::Paz comes across the lake after much wondering and gazes out at the waters surface::

(My god, it's beautiful)

::He walks to the edge of the lake and kneels, putting his hand into the cool water::

(Somewhere calm and non-magical..it's getting mad with all the witches and the ghosts and stuff)

::Paz sits at the edge of the lake and looks out on the water, thinking about what will happen next::

::OMG ITZ A MNSTR!!!11!1??!1::

"Grahhhhh!"

::A huge hulking mass of a meanie bursts out of the lake, spraying Paz with a sheet of slime from it's shiny skin as water slips onto the grass.::

"Grahhhhh... again!"

::It reaches down, swiping a tremendous fist at the witch, a fist as big as Paz's torso, and delivers a smashing blow to him which tosses him right across the ground.::

::Paz doesn't have time to react before he is flung though the air, landing on the ground with a thud. He feels the air knocked out of him and tries to get up, he stumbles and falls to the ground. His eyes widen as he sees the monster clearly and his powers activate, filling the air with a blinding light::

"Shit!"

(run!)

::Blinded by the white light...er, the monster's hands flail up towards its eyes and covers them as it screams in pain.::

"Blehblehhhhhhhhhhahhhhahahahahah!"

::Uh oh. You're really for it now, Paz.::

::Paz takes this oportunity to run, scared by the monster::

(Run!)

::Not really looking where he is going he runs smack bang into a tree, sending him flying backwards. He sprawls onto the floor, and puts his hand up to his head.::

"Oww"

::He looks at his hand to see blood::

"I'm so dying."

::Although the monster has stretched all the way over to where Paz lies, its body is still in the water. Yes, it's a rather large monster. With another roar, it grabs his foot and begins dragging him towards the water, still blinking from the flash of light.::

::Paz shouts out in fear when the monster grabs him and starts to pull him back into the water::

"Help! For fuck sake! HELP!"

::He desperatley tries to grab at something to prevent him from being pulled into the water, succesfully grabbing on a small sapling. It breaks and Paz continues to be dragged towards the water::

"HELP!"

::Paz rolls on his back whilst still in the monsters grasp and motions with his hands causing a mighty flash of light to be produced::

(Please work!)

[OMBFG, looks like Paz has had a power upgrade! Instead of a flash of light, a powerful, white-hot beam emits his fingers, striking the monster in the face! Who'd have thought lasers would get involved? Congratulations Paz, your power has grown into an offensive power!]

::With a mighty roar at Paz's attack, the monster screams in pain and recede back towards the lake, having let go if its victim. It sinks under the water, air bubbling to the top, and does not reappear.::

::Paz is stunned by the progression of his power and stares at his hands for a while whilst the monster vanishes into the depths::

"Whoa! That was me?"

(Was it?)

::Fearfull that the monster will return Paz quickly gathers his senses and stumbles to his feet, running from the lake side into the dark forest::

:: Prieto shimmers in and stands still for a moment to observe the beautiful...place ::

(Neat. But too Monet'ish. No wonder this place isn't easy to find)

:: She walks towards the lake but trips over a well-planted stone. Ys its on the ground. ::

(Damn. Who the hell would place a stone there? Stupid architects...)

:: Since that wasnt funny, Prieto sits on the ground rubbing her hurt toe. But not for long. She gets over it and walks towards the lake whistling a little melodi to herself ::

(After this I might go to...some demonic place. I will have to work on my inner demon sooner or later.)

:: When reaching the lake, Prieto stares at the water, hypnotized by its beauty ::

::Piper, strawberry juice dribbling down her chin, finishes off the last of her current strawberry and puts the rest in her pocket. She wipes her mouth then and makes her way over to the lake. She claps her hands happily and runs over to the shore, looking for shells. With a shriek of delight she runs away from a wave of water and then spots some ducks. Another, even louder, shriek of delight erupts from her mouth and she runs over to them, waving her hands::

"Duck! DUCKIE DUCKIE! COME HERE!"

::As the ducks take flight and land a few metres offshore Piper reaches the edge of the lake and stamps her foot. A mischevious grin covers her face and she flourishes her arms at the water. Immediately a patch of water stops moving. She steps onto it and then waves her hands again. Another patch of water freezes and she jumps onto that, getting closer and closer to the ducks.

"Duckies, come here, I want to give you strawberries!"

::Piper takes out a strawberry and throws it at the ducks. Unfortunately it hits one on the head and they both fly away to the island in the middle of the lake, quacking wildly. She pouts and freezes her way across the lake to the island, still following the ducks::

:: Prieto is awakened by a loud shriek and someone screaming "Duckie" . She looks around and see's a young Piper, freezing her way across the lake ::

(Holy shit! Miniature Jesus? It walks on water!)

:: She see's the direction little Piper is heading to and shimmers to The Island ::

::Carys sits down on the shore by the lake and watches the ducks::

(Ew...ducks.)

::Looking across the lake, she sees a small island::

(I wonder how you get over there...it looks like a nice little place to relax. But I'll relax right here.)

::Carys lays back and closes her eyes, thinking deep thoughts about the life and such::

::Carys also begins to get sprayed with a light rain. Which gets very, very heavy in a matter of seconds.::

::Carys sits up very suddenly, immediately soaked to the skin::

"Holy..."

(Shit! Where'd this come from?)

::She stands up slowly::

(No point in hurrying to shelter...look at the state of my clothes...)

::Carys surveys her clothing in distaste, trying to peel it away from her body::

(Damn.)

::With a long sigh, she turns back to the forest and walks through it to CW Apartments::

::Phoebe arrives with Petunius, trying to fight back the tears from Cole's, what she thinks, infidelity.::

(I should've known that man was bad news. Prue said it, Paige always says it, heck, even Petunius who doesn't even know him said it.)

::Miserably, she looks at Petunius.::

(I'm sorry... these probably aren't the kind of thoughts you'd like to be hearing right now...)

::She takes a deep breath and tries to clarify her thoughts.::

"Right. Let's just... focus..."

::Paige orbs in with Vince in tow. She lingers on him for a moment, before letting go.::

"What's the news?"

(Touching my thingy? How... maybe later. Quiet thoughts. Company. Quiet thoughts. Company. Shhh)

"What are you doing at a-"

::Vince pauses and looks around, then back to Phoebe::

"-a lake?"

(Okay that is so not what I want to be hearing...)

"We're here because Cole's an asshole."

::She pauses.::

"Oh yeah, and Petunius and I were sent a sign to come here."

::Petunius grips Phoebe's hand reassuringly, letting her know that he was there for her. He then turns to Vince and Paige, looking at them expectantly.::

"I take it you got nada on the success front as well."

::He examines his surroundings, then looks back at the other three.::

"Okay, so if we're meant to be here, what are we meant to be looking for?"

::Paige squints her eyes, wannabe-prue-style, and spots the island on the lake.::

(Hey isn't that a-)

"Isn't that a kid on the island out there?"

::Phoebe follows Paige's gaze and spots little Piper. A flicker of recognition tries to fight its way into her mind, but doesn't quite strike yet.::

"I think it is... Paige, orb us over there, we better see if she's okay."

::Sighs.::

"All aboard AirPaigeExpress."

::She grabs everybody and orbs them over to the island.::

(It seems I was correct)

::Moving out of the forest, Demerous walks to the edge of the lake and peers in.::

(Ugh, is this water ‘mobile’?!)

::Squatting down, he runs his fingers through the cool water.::

”Maybe I should just go and ask the demon what the hell he is talking about…!”

(No… I’d rather keep a little dignity)

::With a sigh, Demerous continues to monitor the water for anything unusual… or mobile about it.::

(Bah…)

::Realizing the water is nothing special, Demerous begins to walk back through the forest until he spots a cabin.::

(I haven’t got anything else on… why not?)

::Demerous makes his way to the Log Cabin.::

:: Limping his way through the bushes and trees, Shinji sees the sparkling waters of a calm lake ahead. ::

(A lake! Oh wow! A lake in a forest! This is a larger forest that I thought. It's beautiful.)

:: Making his way over to the shore of the lake, Shinji falls to his knees and splash water all over his face and body. ::

(As if I'm not wet enough... The water's so cool, feel so much better now.)

:: His body aching all over, Shinji rests along the shore, taking in steady breaths. Not knowing what the do next. ::

(I would need a place to stay sooner or later. But I'll have to get into the city first... I wonder how... Anyway... I best be off. The Lake was good, but I'll need to drag myself into action.)

:: Getting up from the water, Shinji washes the tattered shirt as much as he can before placing it around his waist again. ::

"Right, time to go. Had enough rest. Felt better, yes. Should go."

:: Getting up, Shinji makes his way over back through the undergrowth and back into the Forest itself. ::

::Lee walks closer to the water and then bends over slowly, listening to all the sounds. He stares at his reflection a minute and then soaks his hands in the water, relieving the stinging. He pulls his knees against his chest and starts to think.::

(This is a lot to take in. I have powers. I can control volume of sound...)

::He looks over to a bird chirping and smiles.::

"Okay...let's try this."

::Lee concentrates on amplifying the sound of the bird's singing. It slowly starts to get louder and louder until the chirping is booming. He brings it back to normal and inhales slowly.::

"I did it."

::He stands up wanders to, unknowingly the Ritual Stone.::

::He walks over to the tranquil lake and slumps on the grass.::

::Laura comes to the lake, not seeing Paz already there. She sits next to the water and stares down into it, her reflection rippling in tiny waves. She frowns, then lays back and stares at the big fluffy clouds as they float by in the sky::

(Wouldn't that be strange if clouds were shaped like dicks? Weird that...heh)

::Paz notices Laura approach the lake and lie down, shifting on the spot he watches her.::

(Great. Is there no where to go without people?)

::Not quite sure of what to do, he clears his throat.::

::Laura starts at the noise. She looks over and sees Paz watching her::

"Um, hi. Sorry, I didn't see you at first...."

(Awkward.)

::Laura's muscles tense at his presence. She stares particularly hard at a cloud, eyeing Paz inconspicuously every couple seconds::

(Stop staring at me with those shifty eyes.)

"Erm...it's ok."