It took a few moments for any thoughts to register for Steve when he opened his eyes. He recognized the inside of a quarantine bubble, that was for sure, but it took him longer to recognize the medical equipment hooked up to him, an IV in his arm and bandages wrapped around his bare shoulder and in a few other spots.

It didn't take long to recognize the feeling of having been run over by a truck, either. Every bone in his body ached, and even the slightest movement made him want to groan. It felt like he'd been asleep for a month-- a dreamless sleep, preceded by blurry, disconnected memories of what felt like a dream.

Memories of something he desperately, desperately hoped was just a dream. He had a sinking feeling it wasn't and part of him knew it to be the truth. But desperately hoping was the only way he could keep himself from screaming, which would hurt, so he'd keep on with that desperate hope anyway.

Steve lay awake and stared at the ceiling. Maybe if he stayed quiet they'd think he was still asleep, and he could put the truth and all the fear and sorrow that came with it off a while longer.

Katara had thought about having the two of them meditate in the desert Sietch she found most profound, but decided it would make more sense if Billy learned through her native element. As a result, they were not in the desert but in fact the Northern Water Tribe's most sacred place: the Spirit Oasis. Unlike the rest of the Northern Water Tribe, this was a tropical place where green was lush and the spirit world coincided with the mortal world. The guardians of the moon and ocean dwelled here, a black and white Koi fish respectively Tui and La. Here, Katara settled herself on the one of the small cross bridges overlooking the guardian spirit's pool, waiting for Billy to come.

She was dressed in her white underclothes now, as if wanting to be as comfortable as possible.

Rein was feeling a little down and cramped. So what she liked to do other than eat during times of stress was to play music.

Heading to the sensoriums, she pulled up a garage band as she picked up a guitar and strummed it after sizing up. It was a good sound and she strummed it experimentally.

"Mmm, seems good to me," remarked Rein as the other instruments started to pick up a little and she strummed it, summoning a microphone.

( And here she started to play, just belting out lyrics. )

Title: Paths of Redemption
Location: Stacy; The Command Center




Recovery had been slower than he'd liked but it had come. Having gone through the Trances more than once, Renne had been able to mend most of the damage to his body and keep a watch on his Lifestone. With the thing entrusted to Jamie, questions had risen in his mind -- How would it react? What would it do?

The questions had turned seamlessly into thoughts of his Bondeds.

A song had begun to take shape in his head and he crawled, then slowly walked without really thinking of which route he was following until he'd reached the place. And he hadn't dared go too close to the building that to him, was the holiest of them all.


Thus, on his knees he now sits with both paws raised in the air, his head bowed and his voice singing a soft song of worship to a trapped wizard he sees as a god.

Nathan was exiting his office, clearly troubled as he walked along. Sometimes he unconsciously rubbed his neck, as if to make sure there was no scar or blood. He glanced at some of the recent reports after the matter of Steve was straightened out. There were some still in Contagion, and they couldn't quite lock down everyone from being attacked. Locked down for their own good. How bitter it was that he realized what a truly poor decision that was, especially to have the effort spearheaded by someone who not only doesn't have abilities but opposes them to the point of wanting to wipe them out. Danko was a mistake, and he took Noah's warning too late. And because of those mistakes, Sylar got that stronger and took him down. He just prayed Stacy didn't pick that psychopath as one of her 'Chosen.' At least he now knew his brother was one of them even if he's been sent back to the pods.

It put a new perspective on some recent developments around the ship to think about those given abilities. He can't do that again with limiting or promoting fear. It's not us vs. them, or it shouldn't be. Pity it took a second death to truly accept what he was. His steps took him into the city again, and he glanced up in the air. He itched for some true flying again, but not right now. So he continued to walk through the city instead.