Yay for character introductions. These are real names of adventures I've come across in my journeys. Unfortunately, I haven't talked to the majority of these people for quiet some time. The drama all starts here. Please forgive hideous misspellings. For some reason my spell check isn't working. Enjoy it all the same and as always R&R!

Chapter 2

Raining Pearls

"Ouch!" Thora cried as the Bumblebee took one last Final Sting before it fell to the ground lifeless. She tucked her dagger away and wiped the sweat off her brow. She looked at Kenshin hopefully.

"Nuh-uh, not this time. I won't always be here to help you. You've got to do it yourself this time." Kenshin shook his head as she examined her cuts and bruses. "Okay, I'll talk you through it again. First you have to kneel in a comfortable position." Thora got down on one knee with the other slightly bent. She looked up at Kenshin. He nodded. "Are you comfortable?"

"Yes"

"Alright now pray to the Goddesss Altana for healing." He instructed.

"Okay, here goes nothing." Thora put her hands together and bowed her head. She took one last look at the particualrly large purpleish bruise on her knee before closing her eyes to pray.

"Goddess Altana, you who brought the five races into the world, I need your help. Please grant me the power to fight what is evil and the ablity to help those who are good." Thora felt a light warmth over her skin. She continued "Please help mend my wounds so I can once again arm myself and fight in your honor." Her aches were soothed with a gentle warmth and started to fade. "Help me fight another day to serve you better. Blessed be Altana."

Thora opened her eyes to see that her bruises were now gone and her scratches had healed over. She stood up feeling refreshed and looked at Kenshin. "It's a lot faststerrr when you do it." She stuck out her tounge. How much she had changed since their meeting a few hours ago. She was so shy and quiet now she was teasing again and smiling. There was something in fighting that put life into her.

"You're doing well, that was only a short prayer. The better you become, the worse injuries you'll get, the longer you'll need to pray." Thora nodded in understanding but thinking she could not pray that long.

"I can't thank you enough forrr the help you've given me today." Thora smiled appriciatively.

"I just hope I didn't forget anything. I've marked on your map a few places. You know the different areas of Windurst and basics of fighting. You know how to use the Auction House and where your Mog House is. Your Moogle will explain everything to you in there. Umm. . ." he seemed lost in though for a moment. I have a feeling I'm forgetting something. He stared off for a moment. "Well, it was wonderful meeting you Thora." Kenshin gave a deep bow. Thora blushed then returned the bow.

"It was equally nice meeting you. I would be lost without you. Really." She smiled up at him then her face suddenly saddened.

"What is it?"

"Will I ever see you again Kenshin? I know I can't do much but maybe I could return the kindness one day."

"I don't know how often I would be able to see you but we can talk when . . . Oh thank Altana I remembered." Kenshin playfully smacked himself in the forehead. "Nava, I just met a new adventurer. She's pretty cool but might need some help. Can I give her a pearl?" Kenshin motioned with his hands but not to her. He looked off into the distance and seemed to be talking to an invisable person. She followed his gaze and squinted into the distance but saw only tall Sarutabatuta grass and taller trees.

"No not that much" He spoke again. There was a pause. "Sure, thanks Nava." Kenshin looked down at Thora and smiled. He put his hand in his pocket to pull out a river blue pouch. He pulled the strings loose at the top and tilted it over to empty a small matching blue pearl out. He handed it over to her. Thora didn't think she could be more confused than she was a few minutes ago. She was wrong.

He smiled comically at her and handed her the pearl. "This is called a Link Pearl. It lets groups of people you meet on your journey keep in touch. This Linkshell, that is the group of friends, was started by an Elvaan named Navagorn. Our Linkshell is called Rain. Go ahead say hello." He grinned brightly. Thora hesitently looked down at the pearl in her palm. The blue shown brightly when the sun hit it just right. She looked up at Kenshin who looked excited for her. Then she cleared her throat and looked back down at the pearl.

"Umm, Hello." She said to the pearl. A burst of laughter erupted from beside her. Kenshin was shaking with laughter.

"Oh Altana help me" he laughed through tears. "The pearl is worn on your ear." He turned his head sideways so she could see a bright blue circle softly glowing by his cartalige.

"Oh . . . " She said in less than a whisper. She hung her head in embarassment and reached her hand up to her left ear. She felt her way up to the pointed tip where it twitched from reflex. She touched the pearl to the inside and let go. The pearl held itself in place.

"I promise I'll give them back" a young male voice pleaded.

"I still don't have my mist silk cape back yet, why should I lend you my astral ring?" A young smooth young male voice fussed.

"But I'm still using it. I promise I'll give it back when I get my own." The first voice begged.

"Altana knows when that will be." The second voice shot back.

"Astran, you can borrow my astral rings but I'll need them back tomarrow. Yashamaru, I'll lend you my cape untill you get yours back." A cool deep voice spoke.

"Thanks!" both youths shouted at the latter.

"Now finally we can get some peace in this linkshell." A small voice pitched in. "Thanks Nava."

"I'm glad to help" The deep voice replied.

A breif scilence followed. Thora looked up at Kenshin bewildered. Kenshin smirked and nodded.

"Hey guys, I'd like to introduce you to our newest member, Thora." Kenshin anncounced.

"Hey."

"Hiya."

"Welcome."

"Hello."

Thora blinked in confusion. "Umm . . . H-hello. It's rrreally n-nice to meet all of you." Thora stammered.

"Go Kenshin! You found yourself a girlfriend!" a young voice shouted. Thora giggled as Kenshin blushed for the first time.

"Welcome to Rain Thora. I hope you are well." The sooth deep voice calmed her. "My name is Navagorn, I am the leader of this Linkshell."

"Thank you so much for inviting me, Navagorrrn." Thora said.

"I'm Astran." The young cocky voice called out.

"And I am Yashamaru." The young smooth voice spoke. "Take my advice and don't lend Astran anything you would want to see again."

"Hey!" Astran yelled defensively.

"Not again." The tiny voice sighed. "If you can put up with them then you're already a great adventurer. It's a pleasure to meet you Thora. I'm Crysis."

"It's grrreat to meet you all." Thora told them.

"BCNM time! BCNM time!" Astran shouted.

"Fine. Only because of the possibility you may get an astral ring so you can leave me alone." Yashamaru teased. "It was great meeting you Thora."

"It was nice meeting you too." Thora replied.

"Later" Astran called.

The scilence was welcomed to the remaining Linkshell members. Thora looked up in time to see the last remains of the Vana'diel sun sink behind the mountains. "What a day." Thora thought. Shimmering stars appeared above her.

"Well, I'm going to rent-a-room and call it a night." Kenshin said to both Thora and the Linkshell.

"Goodnight."

"Nighty-night, sleep tight."

"Talk to you tomarrow. Goodnight" Kenshin replied then took the pearl out from his ear.

"I'm gonna head out also. It's been a long day." Thora told them.

"I can't blame you. You had to put up with Yash and Astran on your first day. I hope you sleep well Thora." Navagorn said softly.

"Goodnight" Crysis called.

"Goodnight" Thora responded before she took the pearl out of her ear.

Kenshin smiled at her. "I'll let you come with me to the Mog Houses so you won't be up all night trying to find your way."

"Heh. Thanks Kenshin." She smiled warmly back at him. "For everything."