"I think it is very beautiful.  I think I'l put it somewhere where someone can see it when I get home." she said with a smile.

"I like that idea. It would be nice to see it every morning," Ece said, climbing down to get a better look, "It reminds me of Mom for some reason."

"Did you all used to live in a Willow tree?" she asked.

"Yes, yes we did. I'm glad that red is no longer around, he took so much away from me," Ece said, her voice growing soft as her frills flattened, "I wish they could have gotten a proper burial, but there's only memories and my pearl left."

"Would it be OK if I asked what happened," Tina asked, sensing Ece's dismal mood, "It must have been something terrible."

"Her parents and sister were eaten by another dragon that used to live in this cave.  He didn't live much longer after I caught him trying to eat Ece." she stated simply.

"Oh..... I'm sorry I asked," Tina said, looking down, "I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's fine, the past is permenant and can be changed," Ece said, curling up on Goldenscale's back, "There is nothing that can be done short of erasing my memories, but I don't want to forget them. Memories and this pearl are all that's left of them."

"Everyone has their good times and their bad times.  I remember many of my bad times, but it was what made me who I am.  I might not have gotten rid of Red or gotten to meet Ece if that hadn't happened." she said with a smile.

"As I see it, everything happens for ouyr better good, even if it hurts us. If things didn't happen like they did, i would still be living in a willow, secluded away from any near by species," Ece said, "I would rather have this life where there is a whole society I can be in."

"I can understand that way of thinking," Dains said, looking over to see Mayumi holding a small crystal ball with a light in the middle.

"I would say the same for myself.  Had I not looked around for my 'parents' the day I hatched, I wouldn't have found all of my families or this society." she said as she looked over to Mayumi.  "What's that?" she asked.

"This, it's just a soul marker. When a flarion's soul leaves the body for the first time, it creates one of these. It serves as the soul's resting place until a new body becons it. This one is Chiei's, and it lets my soul rest seeing the light inside. It means she is free from any snare and awaiting a time to be called on," Mayumi said, rolling the ball around and watching the light flicker inside, "Once the soul leaves the crystal for a body, the crystal fades away until it is needed again. It is Kelan's way of giving us an afterlife."

"It is a neat way of staying close to family or nature." she said, looking at the crystal.

""It is, but it doesn't always work. Under certain conditions, the soul may become lost like my fauther's did, or the soul may find a way to b ind itself to the world like my mother did.  At least now I know they are both safe in a new life," Mayumi said, placing the crystal on one of the higher shelves, "Fost's soul will gain its own soul marker when she passes on, but I do hope that will not be soon. I will do everything I can to let her live as long as possible."

"Well, it's starting to get late. We'd best start home before mom gets mad," Dains said,looking back in from outside the door, "We wish the best for all of you."

"Alright.  I'll take you two home." she said with a smile as she went over to the door.

"We can find our way home from here. We'vve done so for quite some time before you got here," Tina said, "Besides, I'd think you would have wanted to spend as much time with your family before you leave."

"Alright.  Be safe then." she said to the two.