[AnimeTheia]

Seishin had been about to ask what Demeter could possibly need protecting from (after all she was so very large and powerful looking), when Dr. Ptolemy interrupted and his mind was brought back to focus on the task at hand - namely earning a bit of money. He helped Keeki put on the harness that the Dr had thoughtfully provided for her before collecting his own box. Making sure he had a secure and safe grip on it he followed the Dr and Demeter. Keeki kept pace next to him, no longer feeling the need to be constantly hidden from Dr. Ptolemy - the harness had really impressed her and she felt very proud to be helping Seishin to earn money as she had only planned on accompanying him - but obviously still not completely cured of her shyness.

A while later Seishin recalled that he had been about to ask Demeter something, but for the life of him he couldn't remember what Oh well, I'm sure it will come to me sooner or later he thought to himself.

[endermage]

The walk through the Holy City was quite enjoyable. Ptolemy began to relax a little and began to spout of the random facts he knew about different landmarks they passed on their way. Making reference to the Great Spire and the Grand Fountain. However, Demeter was very interested in the "Fountain of the Eternal Goddess".The small fountain, found in a shrine near the Grand Fountain, was not often visited as it was not as well known. The massive Grand Fountain could be seen on the horizon, spiting huge amounts of water against the late day sun.
"Well, if we have time," said Ptolemy kindly,"We can stop by the fountain and do a little sight seeing, does that sound good to you guys?" he smiled, which seemed to be the first time it was genuine.

"Oh please?" said Demeter, carefully hovering to protect her parcel,"I so want to see the fountain!"

[54]

[AnimeTheia]

Keeki looked up at Dr. Ptolemy, before nodding quickly. "Sure, we could probably do with a little break anyway" Seishin replied with a grin. Keeki was clearly a lot more interested in seeing this fountain than her shy nod had indicated, she started wriggling with excitement as they headed towards it, so much so that Seishin was starting to worry that she would forget the precious cargo she was carrying and accidentally break it, he moved to intercept her and remind her to be careful laying one of his tails on her head to get her attention.

[endermage]

As they approached the Grand Fountain, the crowds of tourists became plainly obvious. The snaps of camera flashes were everywhere. Ptolemy felt a bit nervous, with so many people, he did not want to lose Demeter in the crowd. They took a small detour before approaching the fountain, and veered hard to the left towards a small, lonely looking temple. They walked in through the front door, it was fairly clean from the outside, but inside it was quite dusty. The small fountain was still very beautiful. The soft gurgling noises seemed to calm Demeter and she floated down and laid her head on the the bowl of the fountain, listening.
[55]

[AnimeTheia]

Keeki picked her way carefully over to the fountain, trying not to get too dusty, she couldn't quite reach the rim and with her cargo was unable to jump up to get a proper look at the fountain so Seishin relieved her of her burden temporarily and lifted her up onto bowl edge near Demeter. Once there Keeki lay down with her tails hanging down on the outside of the bowl and her head peering over the inside of the bowl at the water, she pulled faces at her reflection for a while before gazing around at the rest of the temple.

Seishin had noted Dr. Ptolemy's behaviour near the Grand Fountain and it had reminded him of the question he had been going to ask Demeter earlier, seeing her looking so relaxed though he decided to wait until they left again rather than interupting her quiet enjoyment of the temple.

[endermage]

Demeter nuzzled her head up against Keeki, in a gentle and maternal manner. Demeter looked at the fountain with a sort of nostalgic expression on her face. Demeter had mentioned that she had never seen the Fountain of the Eternal Goddess, and in fact this was her first time in the Holy City so it seemed odd that she looked so reminiscent.
"Do you know the myth that this shrine is supposed to retell?" Ptolemy asked the other members of the group.
[56]

[AnimeTheia]

Keeki purred as Demeter rubbed up against her, enjoying the feel of Demeter's soft fur and feeling fully relaxed and safe. Setting her own head down she closed her eyes and listened to the tinkling of the fountain and the sound of Dr. Ptolemy's voice.

Seishin was himself quite fascinated by the old temple and it's fountain, he was relatively new to the area and loved learning new facts and histories, "No, i've never heard of this place before, please do tell it all sounds very interesting".

[endermage]

Ptolemy closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The exhaled air startled, but did not extinguish, the flames of the shrine's candles.

"When the world was not yet born the Goddess lived alone in the void. Drowning in her loneliness the Goddess forged life from light and water in the void. Her eyes grew bright and joyful as life dawned and bloomed. Once life had taken hold of the world the Goddess descended to earth to be among her creations. Captivated by her beauty and power they adored her. However this did not last long. For some of her creations their love had become obsession. They wished to possess the Goddess instead of adoring her and keep her for themselves alone. They tricked the Goddess with a beautiful gift, a bracelet. The bracelet, once placed on her wrist became a shackle, chaining her to Earth. She ran from them, and not sure who to trust she hid on Earth, once again sad and alone. They seek her still, and she still runs."

Demeter looked into the fountain, tears streaming down her face.

[57]

[AnimeTheia]

Seishin sat down as Dr. Ptolemy finished his story, "Wow! That is one sad Myth, though a beautiful idea at the same time, if not for the ending..." he trailed off looking slightly saddened, he studied his feet for a while aware of the tears that trickled silently from Demeter's eyes but not wishing to cause her any more discomfort by staring or asking questions that would most likely turn out to be the wrong ones to ask.

Keeki felt her fur slowly becoming wetter and startled slightly from her doze, she had heard the story and it had fused with her dreams causing vibrant bright images of a beautiful world and a mysterious Goddess, looking around to find the source of the wetness (and half expecting to have been splashed by the fountain) she was surprised to notice that Demeter was the source, getting up Keeki rubbed her body up against Demeter's face soaking up her tears with her soft fur and trying to console her at the same time. Back and forth she went rubbing herself slowly and gently and purring quietly to let Demeter know that she was there for her.

[endermage]

Demeter looked with kind eyes at her small companion. She shook herself out of her stupor and smiled. "Enough talk of things we can do nothing about...." said Demeter, "We should probably get going. We don't want to dilly dally too much."

"You're right Demeter," said the Doctor looking at her with concern,"These planes of glass need to be delivered. I hope you have enjoyed our little excursion everyone."

[58]

[AnimeTheia]

Keeki nodded meekly at the Doctor, then jumped lightly down from the fountain edge where Seishin re-attached her harness with it's fragile cargo. "It's been a fun little break, i'm glad we met you, we would never have known about this place otherwise" Seishin said picking up his own box of glass.

Keeki stuck close to Demeter, not wanting her new giant friend to be lonely, she wanted to get her attention off the story that seemed to sadden her so much, but she couldn't think of anything to say, she couldn't even prance around to amuse Demeter due to the glass.

Seishin began to walk back out of the temple, checking back over his shoulder to make sure everyone else was ready and following.

[endermage]

The walk to the drop off point was done silently by Demeter and Ptolemy, their somber expressions tainting the journey in melancholy colors. Demeter did however smile at the little one, her playful and joyful attitude creating a sunny spot in her mood. Ptolemy was focused at finishing the task at hand, his eyes darting about, looking for something unseen.
"Keeki," said Demeter," You are much stronger than you know... Your happiness is so great, I doubt anything could stop you. However you are still lucky to have Seishin. He is a very kind soul as well."

[59]

[AnimeTheia]

Keeki smiled up at Demeter, pleased by her kind words. She even threw a quick shy smile at the Doctor, she was starting to like him a little bit and was becoming less afraid of him, if only because he was Demeter's friend and she trusted Demeter.

Seishin trailed along quietly, he wore a troubled look on his face and seemed deep in thought. After they had been walking for a bit, he finally decided to speak up, "Dr. Ptolemy... I hope you don't mind but i've been wondering something for a while now... You mentioned something about protecting Demeter earlier? and you seem quite anxious when we are out in the open... I suppose i'm just being curious, you don't have to answer if you don't want to, we can just finish our job and go our seperate ways if you wish, but I felt the need to ask". He looked genuinely concerned about the pair, he didn't know what in Evelon could possibly be a threat to such a nice creature as Demeter, it seemed wrong for the pair to have to live in fear.

[endermage]

"Look", said the Doctor rubbing his temples, "It's not something that is easily explained, it's too complicated and too dangerous. To be honest, it's best if you stay out of it. It would only bring more danger to Demeter and yourself."

Demeter, heard Ptolemy talking to the Lucain and made her way over to butt in. "Look Ptolemy, I can't avoid making friends and we have to be honest with them. If we are going to be around other people they have to know what's happening."

"Fine." Ptolemy said, "But I still believe this is a mistake. Demeter is the result of a series of unethical and cruel experiments done by a corrupt corporation that is seeking to recapture her and use her as a weapon. Happy now."

[60]

[AnimeTheia]

Keeki stayed ahead of the others as they had their conversation, she remained oblivious to everything they were saying; which was fortunate, for had she heard them she would have been distraught despite not understanding all the big adult words.

Seishin's jaw dropped as he began to comprehend the terse explanation the Doctor gave him, he was seriously shocked and had not expected such an extreme situation to be presented to him. He opened and closed his mouth wordlessly, trying hard to think of something to say, but nothing would come to him so in the end he could only offer his sympathies. "I'm so sorry Demeter, I... I really don't know what to say, I didn't even know such companies existed. If you and the Doctor here ever need help or somewhere to safe to lay low for a while then don't hesitate to get in contact, I will do all I can to help" Seishin didn't think twice about offering his help in the future, he already had Keeki under his wing and he also cared for a certain special female Lucain back at the Zoo whom he loved dearly but who was far too quiet, kind and trusting for her own good. The situation was indeed surprising and somewhat scary to imagine, but Seishin did not regret having asked, his heart went out to the unusual pair and he hoped one day they would be able to be free of their fear.