2: Dream of Warning
Darkness surrounded him. It was peaceful, calm, but there was something that didn't feel right. A figure materialized in the blackness in front of him. He could barely make them out, but he could tell that this figure was female. She was crouched low, and didn't seem quite human, as she had short fur and a thin tail.
'You're... a guardian aren't you?' Eriol said, and he sounded uncertain, even to his own ears.
*Greetings, sorcerer. Indeed, I am a guardian.* Said the figure. It was most definitely female, there was no doubt in Eriol's mind about that. She also spoke with a strange voice... telepathy, Eriol realized.
'Who is your master?' Eriol demanded, sounding less hesitant.
*Why does it matter, for I am here merely to give you a warning. I've seen how events will come to pass, and you must heed my warning, or you will surely be fated to an end worse than death. A nightmare approaches from the Realm of Dreams, and is coming to where it is not welcome. You must refrain, sorcerer, from any magic that would draw it's attention. I can only stay briefly, as my own magic warns it of my presence here.*
'Do I know your master? Is that why you're here? I know there aren't many people who would protect me...'
*I know. Your past holds many foes, as does my masters. Yes, you are connected, but in a way you couldn't guess.* The figure paused and seemed to be listening for something. *I don't have much longer. There is something else that you must know of. Figures of your past will return. Some you will fight, others... not... but in the end, they all will be there... when Chaos erupts...* She gasped almost inaudibly. *You must wake up. Now.*
A sudden barrage of images showered into Eriol's mind... Scenes of the past, and even some that had not yet taken place. But none of them were pleasant, and all of them were red...
'Eriol!'
He woke with a start and gasped. He sat bolt upright, shaking a little and breathing hard.
'You okay?'
It took Eriol's stunned senses a moment to register his surroundings. He had... a dream? No, it had to be a nightmare. Either way, he couldn't remember it anymore.
Sakura leaned in closer. 'Eriol? What was it?' Sakura knew it had to be a dream, and seeing as Eriol was who he was, it had to be prophetic.
'Eriol shook his head. 'I know what you're thinking Sakura, and I'm certain you're not far from the truth, but. it's gone, whatever it was. I don't think I'll be able to remember it.' He gave Syaoran a strange look. 'Thank you, by the way.'
Syaoran looked at him, suspiciously questioning, but Eriol said nothing else on the subject. Eriol spent a few moments regaining his composure, though. He ran his fingers through his somewhat messy hair and took a few deep breaths.
'You okay, now?' Sakura asked with concern.
Eriol smiled in reply. 'I'm much better. Now, on to what I brought...'
Sakura looked at Eriol's small suitcase, and at the package. 'What did you bring, anyway?'
'Well. This one' -He held out the slightly soggy package- 'is for you, Sakura. It definitely caught my eye and screamed "Sakura!" so I just had to get it.'
Sakura untied the string carefully and slid the paper off the package. Once she saw it in full light, her eyes widened and she gasped. 'Eriol, it's gorgeous!'
It was a fair sized crystal globe about as big as a grapefruit. It was perfectly clear, but was tinted a pale blue. It was set into a silver stand with engravings of angel wings lightly etched into the metal. It was fairly heavy, as both globe and stand were hollow. She touched the globe and she thought she saw something move inside.
'That's all celestite, except for the base. I figured that you will need to learn how to use magic other than that of the Cards. That's a divination kit, by Psion-Night, I believe.'
'What's Psion-Night?' Syaoran asked, growing mildly possessive. He, of course, was still jealous of Eriol, and especially now that he's buying Sakura things that look like they cost him a lot.
'It's a division of the Pure Psionics company. Of course, they don't have anything to do with real psionics, it's just a catchy little thing. Real psionics is actually quite a rare thing.' Eriol stated matter-of-factly.
'I'm still not quite clear on this.' Syaoran said with a dead-pan look.
Eriol smiled. 'There's business in magic, you know. Of course, it's small, but that's good, because nothing is made on an assembly line. It's all hand- made. That's partly what gives it the magic, you know. Anyway, this comes with the gazing ball in your hands, some celestine salt, and this crazy wand thing.' He finished as he pulled a long, thin... well, Sakura had to admit, it was a stick, but it was a cool stick. It was smooth, and it wasn't perfectly straight, but nor was it warped and bent. It was an even mahogany, and looked like it had been treated.
Eriol flicked it around almost carelessly. 'Useless to you, of course. Your magic would fry it. Here, Syaoran.' Eriol said with a wry smile.
'Where would you find something like this?' Sakura asked, still staring with awe into the globe.
'I know a little place. Been there for years. It's just down the street from my house. I'll show you, if you ever get a chance to come to England for a while.'
'It must have cost a fortune!'
'Well, regular currency isn't a problem for me, it can be easily duplicated, and it won't even be counterfeit. Honest to goodness hard- earned cash can be willed into existence quite easily, actually. I know a few dishonorable sorcerers who flaunt this fact, but I'm not going to name names. In stores like that magic shop I went to, heilins are what you need.' Eriol dug into his pocket and revealed several multi colour gems, similar in likeness to marbles cut in half. 'These can't be duplicated by magical means. Don't get me wrong, though. I'm not anywhere near short of these.'
Syaoran scowled ever so slightly as he watched Sakura run her hands over the globe. He really did not want Eriol around. He had, after all, just gotten back, and he had a few things of his own to present to Sakura.
'And you, Syaoran.'
'What?' Syaoran demanded.
'I got something for you, too. From the same store, actually.' Eriol rose slowly, making sure he had recovered his balance after his magic had faded. He went over to his suitcase, and brought it over to the couch, sitting down again. 'I wanted something original for you. Mind you, just about everything in that store is unique, seeing as they're all hand-made, but I wanted to get something for you that I myself have wanted.'
Eriol opened the suitcase and handed Syaoran a shoebox sized package. Hesitantly Syaoran took it. He knew Eriol's ways, but had not expected Eriol to ever give him anything other than one of his signature smiles. Syaoran lifted it closer to an ear.
'It doesn't talk, but if you intend to shake it, I ask that you don't.' Eriol hazarded.
Syaoran looked at him, and back to the box, setting it on the coffee table to unwrap it. Once he lifted the lid of the box, which was stamped with "Solace Gifts" and an address Syaoran noted, he had to remove several layers of tissue to reveal what in the world Eriol would have given to Syaoran if he himself wanted it.
At first, it looked like a strangely shaped bowl. It was small, but wide and shallow, and the sides were straight and sloped inwards slightly. The outside of it looked something like dark marble, but the inside was covered with small, lavender crystals clustered together like the inside of a geode. Every few square inches there were three or four clusters of some particularly iridescent needle-thin crystals that were arranged in a fan- like arrays.
'A clairsentience bowl?' Syaoran muttered aloud.
'I'm a little surprised that you know that. I suppose you also know what it's for?'
'Yeah, for stuff like seeing through walls and hearing anything in a certain radius.'
'Also, it has some empathic magic worked in there too.' Eriol leaned over to Syaoran and smiled. 'It's special edition.'
The tips if the needle clusters flushed red, glowing faintly.
'Now, see there. You're already getting the hang of it,' Eriol laughed. 'It knows all your secrets,' Eriol smiled brightly at Sakura. 'I've got something for Tomoyo, too, as well as... Yukito...' Sakura knew that Eriol really meant Yue. 'But those I think I'll save for later. I believe you need some privacy. I guess I'll start home, then.'
'Wait a sec. I'll lend you a Card or two so you don't have to use up so much of your magic, this time. I think Fly and Dash will do it.'
'Combinations. You learn more for every day that passes. Thank you, very much. I'd really appreciate that.'
Sakura set the globe on the coffee table and gave Eriol a tight hug. 'Just so I know you'll come back. You definitely have to come back when you return them. I don't think mail is a good idea.'
'Yes, thank you again.'
'No, thank you. This thing is amazing, Eriol.' Sakura beamed.
'Well, there's instructions in the box, I'm pretty sure, and I know Kero or Yue will show you how to use it properly. I never trust the instructions. It's never worded right.' Eriol paused a moment, smile gone from his face. In fact, on his lips were the hints of a frown. Suddenly he felt that there was a path to devastation, and he was on it. He shook off the feeling as best he could, and forced a smile. 'Just in case, here's my number. I'll see you around.'
----------
Oooh... freaky stuff, but I think the presents are cool. Eriol is so cool. Don't worry, at some point during this story, Sakura and Eriol will get together. Syaoran's going to take it either really well, or really horribly. What do you think?
Darkness surrounded him. It was peaceful, calm, but there was something that didn't feel right. A figure materialized in the blackness in front of him. He could barely make them out, but he could tell that this figure was female. She was crouched low, and didn't seem quite human, as she had short fur and a thin tail.
'You're... a guardian aren't you?' Eriol said, and he sounded uncertain, even to his own ears.
*Greetings, sorcerer. Indeed, I am a guardian.* Said the figure. It was most definitely female, there was no doubt in Eriol's mind about that. She also spoke with a strange voice... telepathy, Eriol realized.
'Who is your master?' Eriol demanded, sounding less hesitant.
*Why does it matter, for I am here merely to give you a warning. I've seen how events will come to pass, and you must heed my warning, or you will surely be fated to an end worse than death. A nightmare approaches from the Realm of Dreams, and is coming to where it is not welcome. You must refrain, sorcerer, from any magic that would draw it's attention. I can only stay briefly, as my own magic warns it of my presence here.*
'Do I know your master? Is that why you're here? I know there aren't many people who would protect me...'
*I know. Your past holds many foes, as does my masters. Yes, you are connected, but in a way you couldn't guess.* The figure paused and seemed to be listening for something. *I don't have much longer. There is something else that you must know of. Figures of your past will return. Some you will fight, others... not... but in the end, they all will be there... when Chaos erupts...* She gasped almost inaudibly. *You must wake up. Now.*
A sudden barrage of images showered into Eriol's mind... Scenes of the past, and even some that had not yet taken place. But none of them were pleasant, and all of them were red...
'Eriol!'
He woke with a start and gasped. He sat bolt upright, shaking a little and breathing hard.
'You okay?'
It took Eriol's stunned senses a moment to register his surroundings. He had... a dream? No, it had to be a nightmare. Either way, he couldn't remember it anymore.
Sakura leaned in closer. 'Eriol? What was it?' Sakura knew it had to be a dream, and seeing as Eriol was who he was, it had to be prophetic.
'Eriol shook his head. 'I know what you're thinking Sakura, and I'm certain you're not far from the truth, but. it's gone, whatever it was. I don't think I'll be able to remember it.' He gave Syaoran a strange look. 'Thank you, by the way.'
Syaoran looked at him, suspiciously questioning, but Eriol said nothing else on the subject. Eriol spent a few moments regaining his composure, though. He ran his fingers through his somewhat messy hair and took a few deep breaths.
'You okay, now?' Sakura asked with concern.
Eriol smiled in reply. 'I'm much better. Now, on to what I brought...'
Sakura looked at Eriol's small suitcase, and at the package. 'What did you bring, anyway?'
'Well. This one' -He held out the slightly soggy package- 'is for you, Sakura. It definitely caught my eye and screamed "Sakura!" so I just had to get it.'
Sakura untied the string carefully and slid the paper off the package. Once she saw it in full light, her eyes widened and she gasped. 'Eriol, it's gorgeous!'
It was a fair sized crystal globe about as big as a grapefruit. It was perfectly clear, but was tinted a pale blue. It was set into a silver stand with engravings of angel wings lightly etched into the metal. It was fairly heavy, as both globe and stand were hollow. She touched the globe and she thought she saw something move inside.
'That's all celestite, except for the base. I figured that you will need to learn how to use magic other than that of the Cards. That's a divination kit, by Psion-Night, I believe.'
'What's Psion-Night?' Syaoran asked, growing mildly possessive. He, of course, was still jealous of Eriol, and especially now that he's buying Sakura things that look like they cost him a lot.
'It's a division of the Pure Psionics company. Of course, they don't have anything to do with real psionics, it's just a catchy little thing. Real psionics is actually quite a rare thing.' Eriol stated matter-of-factly.
'I'm still not quite clear on this.' Syaoran said with a dead-pan look.
Eriol smiled. 'There's business in magic, you know. Of course, it's small, but that's good, because nothing is made on an assembly line. It's all hand- made. That's partly what gives it the magic, you know. Anyway, this comes with the gazing ball in your hands, some celestine salt, and this crazy wand thing.' He finished as he pulled a long, thin... well, Sakura had to admit, it was a stick, but it was a cool stick. It was smooth, and it wasn't perfectly straight, but nor was it warped and bent. It was an even mahogany, and looked like it had been treated.
Eriol flicked it around almost carelessly. 'Useless to you, of course. Your magic would fry it. Here, Syaoran.' Eriol said with a wry smile.
'Where would you find something like this?' Sakura asked, still staring with awe into the globe.
'I know a little place. Been there for years. It's just down the street from my house. I'll show you, if you ever get a chance to come to England for a while.'
'It must have cost a fortune!'
'Well, regular currency isn't a problem for me, it can be easily duplicated, and it won't even be counterfeit. Honest to goodness hard- earned cash can be willed into existence quite easily, actually. I know a few dishonorable sorcerers who flaunt this fact, but I'm not going to name names. In stores like that magic shop I went to, heilins are what you need.' Eriol dug into his pocket and revealed several multi colour gems, similar in likeness to marbles cut in half. 'These can't be duplicated by magical means. Don't get me wrong, though. I'm not anywhere near short of these.'
Syaoran scowled ever so slightly as he watched Sakura run her hands over the globe. He really did not want Eriol around. He had, after all, just gotten back, and he had a few things of his own to present to Sakura.
'And you, Syaoran.'
'What?' Syaoran demanded.
'I got something for you, too. From the same store, actually.' Eriol rose slowly, making sure he had recovered his balance after his magic had faded. He went over to his suitcase, and brought it over to the couch, sitting down again. 'I wanted something original for you. Mind you, just about everything in that store is unique, seeing as they're all hand-made, but I wanted to get something for you that I myself have wanted.'
Eriol opened the suitcase and handed Syaoran a shoebox sized package. Hesitantly Syaoran took it. He knew Eriol's ways, but had not expected Eriol to ever give him anything other than one of his signature smiles. Syaoran lifted it closer to an ear.
'It doesn't talk, but if you intend to shake it, I ask that you don't.' Eriol hazarded.
Syaoran looked at him, and back to the box, setting it on the coffee table to unwrap it. Once he lifted the lid of the box, which was stamped with "Solace Gifts" and an address Syaoran noted, he had to remove several layers of tissue to reveal what in the world Eriol would have given to Syaoran if he himself wanted it.
At first, it looked like a strangely shaped bowl. It was small, but wide and shallow, and the sides were straight and sloped inwards slightly. The outside of it looked something like dark marble, but the inside was covered with small, lavender crystals clustered together like the inside of a geode. Every few square inches there were three or four clusters of some particularly iridescent needle-thin crystals that were arranged in a fan- like arrays.
'A clairsentience bowl?' Syaoran muttered aloud.
'I'm a little surprised that you know that. I suppose you also know what it's for?'
'Yeah, for stuff like seeing through walls and hearing anything in a certain radius.'
'Also, it has some empathic magic worked in there too.' Eriol leaned over to Syaoran and smiled. 'It's special edition.'
The tips if the needle clusters flushed red, glowing faintly.
'Now, see there. You're already getting the hang of it,' Eriol laughed. 'It knows all your secrets,' Eriol smiled brightly at Sakura. 'I've got something for Tomoyo, too, as well as... Yukito...' Sakura knew that Eriol really meant Yue. 'But those I think I'll save for later. I believe you need some privacy. I guess I'll start home, then.'
'Wait a sec. I'll lend you a Card or two so you don't have to use up so much of your magic, this time. I think Fly and Dash will do it.'
'Combinations. You learn more for every day that passes. Thank you, very much. I'd really appreciate that.'
Sakura set the globe on the coffee table and gave Eriol a tight hug. 'Just so I know you'll come back. You definitely have to come back when you return them. I don't think mail is a good idea.'
'Yes, thank you again.'
'No, thank you. This thing is amazing, Eriol.' Sakura beamed.
'Well, there's instructions in the box, I'm pretty sure, and I know Kero or Yue will show you how to use it properly. I never trust the instructions. It's never worded right.' Eriol paused a moment, smile gone from his face. In fact, on his lips were the hints of a frown. Suddenly he felt that there was a path to devastation, and he was on it. He shook off the feeling as best he could, and forced a smile. 'Just in case, here's my number. I'll see you around.'
----------
Oooh... freaky stuff, but I think the presents are cool. Eriol is so cool. Don't worry, at some point during this story, Sakura and Eriol will get together. Syaoran's going to take it either really well, or really horribly. What do you think?