Xena’s
return to life “pure” at the end of the Season Five opener FALLEN ANGEL forces
her and others to grapple with personal issues beyond their mission to prevent
the war gods Ares and Kal from getting their hands on the “light” chakram in
the follow-up episode. This story also
makes reference to the later SEEDS OF FAITH.
July 2008
Gabrielle: Xena, what is wrong with you? It’s not your
memory. It’s like you’ve lost –.
Amarice: Your fire, your edge.
Joxer: Marbles.
Gabrielle: Your self. Don’t you feel that?
Xena:
I feel … empty.
--
From the beginning of CHAKRAM
Xena sat with her knees drawn up, absently
monitoring the meat browning over their campfire. Amarice had snared a couple rabbits, pleasantly surprised at how
easily Xena caught two more, surprisingly impatient when Xena hesitated killing
them. Even Xena thought that odd,
though not sure why. She let out a long
breath. So much seemed odd since Eli
brought her and Gabrielle back from the dead.
Her friends’ behavior and furtive glances suggested everything out of
place … wrong … centered on her.
She gazed at the stars as though they could shed
light on the darkness around her death.
She’d learned they’d been crucified.
Shuddering, she wondered what deed could have earned such cruel
punishment. Why her main association
with it was lying in Gabrielle’s arms, drawing sustenance from each other as if
the only people on earth and requiring nothing more. Of Gabrielle smiling and murmuring, “I love you,” before
experiencing a tremendous lightness, suddenly transported to a place of
tranquility and transcendent winged spirits.
Her last recollection before gasping air back on
earth was staring into the face of an unfortunate soul who’d fallen, being
overwhelmed with thankfulness she’d been able to lend a hand. Even once in her body – sitting upright
stunned, cold and stiff – she’d felt touched by something … warm. Comforting.
Was it an illusion? Her mind’s
way of transforming horrors she couldn’t grasp? To ease her passage back to the flesh? Substitute for whatever she’d lost, misplaced or had to leave
behind that rendered her not quite … whole?
Her companions said she was missing a part of herself that made her
“Xena.” Somehow “good” in a not so good
way. Or maybe “bad” in a way that
wasn’t so bad? Whatever, regardless of
the defect they wanted fixed, it seemed for now they needed her as she was.
She reached for a twig, mainly as an excuse to
check on Joxer and Amarice. They were
gesticulating as if comparing fighting techniques. When she stoked the fire, she peered over at Gabrielle, deep in
quiet conversation with Eli. Xena
surmised they shared a common topic.
Tomorrow. The “light” chakram
sought by the war gods Kal and Ares, but which only someone “pure” could
retrieve. A monk had recently died
trying. She had promised to attempt it
anyway – apparently to both save the world and restore the woman everyone else
seemed to know better than herself.
Another oddity – her companions. Talk about a motley crew. Three carried weapons. The fourth would rather die than harm a
flea. All claimed to have witnessed her
in battle with foes from mortals to supernatural creatures. Is that what they had in common? How they had hooked up? A mission to right some wrong? Also odd, considering her initial
impressions of them. She grinned,
picturing Gabrielle in a peasant dress, huffily giving some brute the what’s
what for interrupting a village gathering.
Joxer, clanking around in that silly get-up, posturing like some tough
guy. Amarice in an equally silly outfit
and needing a scolding for bad manners.
Eli, performing magic tricks one minute and curing illnesses the
next.
In her flashbacks she saw herself enjoying their
company. As an equal. Someone they even looked up to. Whatever had changed, it was as serious as a
house on fire. And when she caught her
friends’ eyes, she saw herself as the spark.
Oh, they obviously still cared for her, were willing to give their lives
for her. If only their disappointment
in her shortcomings didn’t blind them to her better qualities – her quick
thinking, humor, willingness to listen and go along with their wishes. Joxer could barely look at her. Amarice often treated her with scorn. Eli’s empathy bordered on pity. And Gabrielle …. Gabrielle wanted her best friend to be somebody else.
Xena shrugged.
Dwelling on such thoughts wouldn’t solve anything. She focused instead on the bond they shared
regardless of the problems. Evidently
it was strong enough to face the challenge of tomorrow. She bit her lip, now considering a positive
side to being the center of their concern.
They were together because of her.
At least on this particular journey.
Their courage and success depended upon her. On the innocence and selflessness they believed made her “the
one.” Yes! All she had to do was stay true to the person they wanted to go
away. And after tomorrow? She smiled to herself. Everything would be okay. Like they said, she didn’t know any better.
“Hey, you guys.
Get off those duffs.” Xena waved
a spitted rabbit. “Nothing like a good
meal to chase the gloom of night away.”
*****
“Not bad, huh?”
Xena beamed at her companions.
They’d eaten in relative silence, which their cook decided to take as a
compliment.
“I’ve had worse,” Joxer muttered, not daring to
look at Gabrielle.
“I gave it the special treatment.” Xena winked at Gabrielle. “My mom’s secret blend of herbs and
spices.”
“Mmhm.
You’ve been holding out on me, O Chef of Many Skills.”
“I have?”
Xena frowned. “But I’ve known
about those seasonings since ….
Oh. You mean … before.”
“It’s okay.
You were usually busy – .”
“Hunting and killing?” Amarice noted Gabrielle’s disapproving scowl. “Um … you know …. Game and fish.”
“In other words, you did your share.” Gabrielle smirked. “But this seasoning stuff?
Definitely something I’d like to see more of after …. When ….”
“If she remembers she fights not cooks?”
Gabrielle again cut her eyes at Amarice. “Xena’s always done well at whatever she
tries. When she wants to.” She gave her soulmate a playful smile. “I doubt that’ll ever change.”
“Thank you.”
Xena turned her nose up at Amarice.
“Nice to know someone appreciates me.” She smiled fondly at Gabrielle.
“Something else that hasn’t changed.”
“It was delicious, Xena.” Eli rubbed his stomach.
“Feeding the spirit is important.
I forget sometimes how good it can be to feed the flesh.”
“My pleasure.”
Xena began cleaning up. “Hey, I
smelled berries when we passed through the woods. I’m thinking of picking a few for breakfast. Anybody wanna come with me?”
The others’ heads jerked up. “Now?” they asked in unison.
“Why not?
It’ll save us some time in the morning.”
“It’s so dark,” Gabrielle observed reasonably. “Besides, we need to turn in early. Get up and hit the road at sunrise.”
“Yeah, can’t waste time searching for
berries.” Amarice snorted. “Or you.”
“You afraid I’ll get lost? Didn’t you hear what Eli said?” Xena puffed up. “I’m a ‘good tracker.’”
“What she means, Xena, is that we don’t know who
else might be out there.”
“Gabby’s right.
Remember those warriors we ran into?” Joxer warned Xena, as one might a
child about to play with knives.
“They’re bad. Verrrry bad. They want to hurt you.”
“And you can’t protect yourself. We could, but why do it, if we don’t have
to?”
Gabrielle scowled at Joxer and Amarice. “I’m sure Xena gets the point. It’s probably best we all stay close to
camp.” She looked to Xena for
agreement.
Xena did understand. Kal and his men might be lurking about. And once again her friends were acting as though she had no
sense. “It was just a thought. I’ll try to be more careful.” She took a deep breath and focused on making
herself useful. “You were fixing your
weapons before dinner. And
strategizing. Why don’t you go back to that?
I’ll finish up here.”
Gabrielle studied Xena a moment, not for the first
time disconcerted by how much harder it was now to read the woman she’d come to
know better than herself. “You
sure? I can help you – .”
“Yep. That
other stuff’s more important. I’ll get
wood for tonight. Some extra for in the
morning. Just over there,” Xena hastily
added, pointing to an area close by.
“Now shoo!”
The others congregated at Gabrielle’s bedroll. They soon had their heads together, keeping
their voices low as if not to disturb their lone companion. Xena busied herself with her chores. She glanced at her friends occasionally,
admittedly feeling a bit left out.
Regretful she wasn’t more like them, but accepting this as just the way
it was.
*****
“Well, I guess we’ve covered all the angles. Except Ares.” Gabrielle’s jaw tightened.
“He never gives up trying to manipulate Xena. Even in her present state.”
“Are you concerned he’ll succeed?”
Gabrielle considered Eli’s question. “She understands what she has to do. The importance of it. Not so much for herself. To prevent more violence and others getting
hurt. Her sense of duty hasn’t
changed. I believe she’ll be okay.”
“So do I.”
Eli smiled. “Especially with you
as her guide. If she gets confused,
she’ll listen to you.”
“Joxer?
Amarice?” Gabrielle inquired at their silence and downcast eyes. “If you have doubts, let’s hear them. Tomorrow may be too late.”
“It’s funny.”
“Funny?!”
“Not ‘ha ha’ funny. Weird funny.” Joxer drew
his knees up and rested his chin on them.
“I always imagined Gabrielle yelling, ‘Joxer! Help Xena!’ You know,
really being treated as a warrior. A
worthy sidekick like Gabby.”
“You are. There’s no one we trust more at our backs.”
“Yeah.
Well, the other day? When I
finally heard it? I didn’t feel proud,
like I thought.” Joxer clenched his
eyes against the image of Xena surrounded by Kal’s warriors, not raising a hand
in her defense, struck down by a blow and rubbing her cheek like a kid shocked
anyone could be so mean. How she’d
reminded him of the criticisms he dismissed or hated about himself –
“clueless,” “bumbling,” “nuisance.”
The hero he patterned himself after, reduced to a joke no better than
him. “That wasn’t the Warrior Princess
I rescued. Not the ‘real’ one. She coulda been anybody.” He snorted.
“Except for a bunch of gods after her.”
Gabrielle smiled knowingly. “Xena saw beyond that pointy hat of yours –
a big heart, loyalty, courage to do the right thing no matter what. Are you saying you can’t see that in her
now? Just because she’s softer on the
outside?”
“She was kinda bummed. Worried about being a burden.
You know – me havin’ to protect her and all.” Joxer ducked his head. “I
felt sorry for her. Told her people
sometimes figured I wasn’t tough enough either. How I overcame that, to be a warrior like Xena …um … her.”
Amarice perked up.
“Did it ring a bell? Put a spark
in `er?”
“She, uh, took it wrong. Asked if I saw any worth in her.
If she was useless the way she was.”
Gabrielle swallowed, afraid to ask, but needing to
know. “What did you say?”
Joxer shrugged.
“What she always told me. That
the mushy stuff she saw in me was just as important. Made me ‘tough’ in a good way, when it counted.”
Gabrielle smiled her approval. “And she was right. I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
“Humph.
Wish I could see it like that,” Amarice mumbled. “It was stupid putting herself between me
and that goon’s sword. Sure, it took
guts and all. I know it’s not her fault
she’s missing her … whatever. It’s just
….”
“What?” Eli probed quietly.
Amarice fingered Xena’s broken chakram, secured at
her waist. “The lock of hair I cut off
her body? It was supposed to inspire me
to be as wise and brave. Follow in her
footsteps. Pay tribute to the Xena I
thought dead.” She snorted. “Next thing, she’s alive again. Except, when I look at her ….” She ground her teeth, silently admitting
this version of the Warrior Princess reminded her way too much of the fears she
disguised by pretending to be an Amazon – of helplessness, naiveté, not
belonging. Nothing like the compass to
a tougher self she’d found in the Xena she admired.
“This … half … Xena? She’s like a cheat of the real thing. A betrayal.” Amarice glared defiantly at the others. “Maybe you can find the good in that, but I
can’t. So telling her she’s okay makes
her feel better. How can you depend on
that in the middle of battle?
Sandwiched between two gods of war?”
“Hey – like you said – she saved your butt,
didn’t she?”
“She didn’t have to.” Amarice glowered at Joxer. “So what if that guy killed me? I’m a warrior. Prepared to die like one.”
“Yes, much too quickly, for Xena’s tastes. Have you forgotten her lectures about
that? Even this Xena should’ve taught
you a thing or two about tempering violence with patience and quick thinking.”
“Riiiight.”
Amarice smirked at Gabrielle.
“Lucky the real Warrior Princess didn’t need you for that, huh?”
“Lucky she didn’t need me where you were
concerned. I saw a hotheaded
nuisance. She had faith enough in you
for both of us. You want to honor the ‘real’ Xena? Try being as tolerant as she was when we met you.”
Amarice gaped at Gabrielle, struck by the bluntness
as well as the truth in her words. “I
know what we have to do. I’ll play my
part to see she’s on her game tomorrow.”
She sucked in her cheeks.
“Whatever that is.”
“Good.
Let’s go over the plan one more time before we turn in.”
*****
An angel observed the five companions, her soft
brown eyes reflecting joy with tinge of sadness. The spirit of the “unfortunate soul” salvaged from Hell by Xena’s
mercy, she had in turn served as vessel for Gabrielle’s cleansing in
Heaven. On earth, Joxer and Amarice had
protected their friends’ remains from the Romans. Such love and courage had touched the angel, as had Eli’s pain
that his faith seemed insufficient against the cruelties of the world. Their need drew her to them, uniting the
realms and channeling through Eli the power to restore his friends’ mortality.
The angel remembered little of her own afterlife
experience, except the lingering touch of a finger to her chest. It seemed the one tie between her previous
condition and sudden transformation to a state gloriously free in one way,
bound by compassion in another. She
learned from the archangel Michael she’d died filled with vengeance,
responsible for terrible crimes against countless innocents. That Xena shared the blame and she herself
had killed Gabrielle’s husband in retribution.
She honestly couldn’t conceive any of it until Gabrielle’s confirmation
and forgiveness in Heaven.
Looking upon Xena now, she felt a special kinship
with this rare mortal clean of dark thoughts or memories. Both had to trust the word of others who
knew them as once very different. Who
reminded them of the costs and obligations of their newfound serenity. But whereas her own ascension had been at
her journey’s end and would be eternal, Xena was still in transition – her
purity possibly cut short if she successfully completed tomorrow’s mission.
The angel held up her hand, studying it for
reassurance, recalling its touch to Xena’s shoulder after her dark-haired
savior had returned to her body.
Whatever happened in the next few days, Xena would soon discover she
carried within her a pure life for the future.
A child whom the angel prayed would prolong Xena’s happiness. Give it form and solidity, if Xena remained
unable to fully appreciate its preciousness amidst the pain and hate she
couldn’t understand. Give it endurance,
should Xena regain awareness of the darkness within that made her question
being “whole” again.
“You seem troubled.” Michael appeared beside the angel and brushed her hand. “You conceived a wonderful gift. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
The angel smiled.
“Oh, yes. The child will be
another chance. Just as Xena gave
me. She deserves that.” She sighed.
“I can feel her peace. If only
it could last forever, like mine.”
Michael glanced at the campsite with a neutral
expression. “Xena’s had more chances
than most. Including you. You wouldn’t be here with me, if not for her
act of mercy none of us foresaw.”
“She gave me her light – and with it, the chance
for ultimate peace. What she has now
….” The angel’s forehead creased. “It seems more a means for use – and
possible sacrifice – in acquiring a weapon.
Is it truly ‘pure,’ if bestowed for such an earthly purpose? Truly … hers?”
Michael turned the angel to face him. “Our justice isn’t always perfect. Every soul is different, depending a lot on
their human nature and will. Xena is
capable of enormous evil as well as great good. We regard her role and responsibility with equal magnitude. She used the ‘dark’ chakram to excess in the
past, but managed to control and redirect its consequences. What other pure soul could take possession
of the ‘light’ chakram and potentially have the right instincts for handling
it?”
The angel nodded, accepting Michael’s wisdom. “Forgive me. I’m still learning. It
seems I am not entirely cleansed of selfishness.”
“Selfishness?
No, you’re doing fine. These
matters can be quite complicated. Especially with someone like Xena. That’s why it’s left up to us archangels to
– .”
“I meant, wanting for her what I have. I should care more about what’s best for
her, like Gabrielle. She believes Xena
needs what might trouble both of them.
That Xena cannot be her best if it’s missing.” The angel clasped her hands.
“They believe the ‘light’ chakram may somehow lead to feeling herself
again. Is that so?” she asked
hopefully.
Michael looked away. “What happens is up to her.”
“It is not desired?”
“It’s not the primary goal. More a … chance … we’ll have to take.”
The angel bowed her head. “Oh.”
Michael lifted her chin. “Your compassion is admirable.
It will not go unrecognized or be wasted.”
The angel brightened. “Oh?”
“Whatever happens, there’s the child. Perhaps she will retain some of the
innocence you and Xena lost so young.”
Michael smiled. “Perhaps by
receiving a spirit as pure as yours.”
The angel’s eyes widened. “You mean …. I … her baby ….”
“That’s up to Xena too. When it is time, she will know you as her child’s
inspiration. She will be offered your
spirit’s reincarnation through the child.
If she accepts, it will be another chance for both of you – to redeem a
past life, to create a new one – through each other.”
Michael watched the soft brown eyes before him fill
with gratitude. Such irony. Two women who had caused each other so much
suffering. Neither of whom could
remember how the worst in them had been defined by the other. Whose mutual forgiveness might ultimately
complete them in a way they never imagined.
“Thank you, Michael. Whatever they need in the days ahead, I will be there for them
however I can.”
Michael put his arm around her shoulders. “I can’t think of a better guardian. Your destinies are intertwined. None of them would be quite the same without
Callisto.”
*****
Xena hummed as she gathered wood. Her ever-sensitive ears picked up
footsteps. She turned to see Eli
approaching.
“May I join you?”
“To help?”
Xena smirked. “Or keep track of
me.”
Eli chuckled.
“How about both?” He picked up
some wood Xena had already stacked and carried it to the fire. Before returning, he spread a blanket
sufficiently out of earshot of the others.
“I made us some tea. Feel like chatting awhile when we’re done?”
“Sure.”
Xena checked on her friends bedding down for the night. “Suppose I should be tired, but I’m not.”
“Same here.
Meditation isn’t calming my mind like usual. Seems to happen when I’m around you.”
“Huh. Must
be Gabrielle.” Xena chuckled. “I’m about as exciting as this
kindling. If you don’t mind fetching
that last pile, I think our work here is done.”
The two deposited the wood. They bid goodnight to their friends, got
their tea and made themselves comfortable on the blanket.
“You seemed in a good mood.” At Xena’s blank expression, Eli explained,
“I heard you humming.”
“Oh.
Yes. Kinda my form of
meditation. Didn’t work for me either.”
“Thinking
about tomorrow?”
Xena propped her chin on her fists. “Mm, more about yesterday. How all this came about. Me.
Everyone else. It’s still so
fuzzy.” She glanced around the
camp. “I’m glad I’m with everyone. It feels right, but … odd. Some pieces fit. So many are … missing.”
“It makes sense sometimes and doesn’t sometimes?”
“Yes! You
understand?”
“As much as I can.” Eli sat his cup down and leaned forward. “Xena, what troubles you most?”
Xena shook her head. “That’s it.
Nothing.” She shivered. “Well, maybe the dying part. Otherwise, I see me and my brothers
playing. Helping Mom. Going on adventures with my comrades over
there. Sometimes meeting more folks
along the way. They say that’s
wrong. I should remember times when I
wasn’t happy. When I caused unhappiness
for people I love. And strangers. That I won’t really be ‘me’ until I feel
troubled. Am trouble.” She rubbed her forehead. “And that’ll make them happier? How could that be right? Especially to Gabrielle?”
Eli nodded.
“You remember her differently, don’t you?”
“Oh, yes!”
Xena wrapped her arms around herself, face glowing. “Such fun! Always laughing. Telling stories. Being
kind to everyone. We talked for hours
about wanting the best for each other.
Now she’s a warrior and says I have to be one too. To defend the best in me.” She gasped and brought her hands to her
mouth. “Wait! Could that be it? Because
Gabrielle’s changed? And Joxer and
Amarice? Maybe they see themselves in
me? Why they want me to be
different? More like them?”
“Mm. Partly
perhaps. Except they wanted to be more
like you.”
Xena snorted.
“I don’t think so.”
Eli chuckled.
“Okay, the ‘real’ you.”
Xena toyed with one of the ornamental strands
dangling from her hair. “Gabrielle
admits I’ve become exactly what she dreamed.
You’d think that’d be a good thing, huh? Sure, she says without my ‘dark’ side I’m … off kilter.
I do kinda feel that way. But
isn’t it better than somebody who kills?
Somebody Amarice called a … a ‘real terror’? Who maybe deserves punishment?”
She shook her head. “Why would
Gabrielle prefer such a person? It’s
like that god said – Ares. When did she
become so hard? Why?”
Eli gazed at his hands. “I didn’t see it at first either. She talked about the peace she felt with others you met on your
travels. Understood immediately the
power of forgiveness. The Way of Love
seemed so right for her.”
“But she couldn’t?
Because of me?” Xena
swallowed. “Wanting to be like … like
that ‘other’ me?”
“You mustn’t blame yourself. She’s a warrior, Xena. Not in her blood, the way you are …
were. Her instinct is to fight first
from her heart, her mind. But her spirit won’t allow injustice or pain, if she
can help it. Now that she’s learned
another way to defend against it, she’ll use violence if she has to.” Eli smiled wryly. “Especially when the threat is against you.”
“This dress is pleasing, isn’t it?” Xena asked,
caressing the fabric covering her legs.
“So it’s not practical for camping or fighting. Ares didn’t seem bothered by that. He’s the one everybody warns me
against. They say he helped make that
‘other’ me.” Her brow raised with a
hint of challenge. “The only one who
accepts me as I am. ‘Open, free from
old wounds and grudges,’ he said. He
questioned Gabrielle for wishing that on me again. Don’t you find it strange?
This god of war talking like she used to, and her acting more like him?”
“He’s very deceptive. He means to use you.
Wants you ‘pure’ only long enough to get that chakram. If he can also have you as you were, and
under his influence, even better. It’s
all about him, Xena. Gabrielle loves
you enough to be or do what’s right for you. To accept what you need to be your ‘true’ self. Even if it goes against the best in her and
her dreams.”
“Mm. He
told me I’m destined to be with him.”
Xena studied Gabrielle’s fur-wrapped form. “I do know that’s wrong.
Whatever else I may have forgotten, everything left in me says my place
is with Gabrielle.”
“It’s the truth in your soul, Xena.” Eli grasped her hand. “Can you trust it? Despite everything?”
Xena sighed.
“I can’t trust what I hear or see anymore. Even what I feel. My soul
is all I really have to go on, isn’t it?”
She gazed at Eli with uncertainty.
“But if everyone is right, it’s the soul of someone I can’t fathom. Can’t exactly … trust. It’s hard understanding why I’d to
know her, let alone my friends. Maybe
this ‘hero’ they’ve told me about is wishful thinking.” She snorted. “More like a fantasy of what they want for themselves or the
world.”
“Well, my friend, I know at least two gods who
believe that hero is real. As you were,
you wielded the ‘dark’ chakram for good.
As you are, you may do some good with the ‘light’ chakram. Either way,” Eli said, stretching, “I can
sleep better with our fate in your hands.”
Xena’s eyes filled. “Really?”
“Count on it.”
“Ya got my vote.”
“Yeah, yeah, mine too. Now will you two quit yakking and go to sleep?”
Xena and Eli gaped at the three lumps that had
suddenly piped up, then with sheepishness at each other, before bursting into
laughter.
“Thanks, everybody.” Xena leaned across to hug Eli.
“I’ll sleep better too,” she whispered.
“Maybe all I needed was a good pep talk.”
Eli held Xena’s eyes, his own serious. “Love is the way, Xena. You needn’t hear the words to have
confidence it is with you always. It
brought you back to us. It will get you
through tomorrow. And after.”
Xena nodded.
“My friends. I’d be lost without
them. Whatever I may be missing couldn’t possibly compare.”
“It’s greater than even that.” Eli lifted his head to the heavens. “I had a vision. Her voice inspired me when I doubted my faith. I felt her in the hands I lay on your
bodies.”
“You mean … like a spirit?”
“An angel.”
Eli smiled. “A guardian angel.”
“For me?
Because I’m … ‘pure?’ So I can
get that chakram?”
“Because of her compassion. Maybe for all of us. But I believe its center is you. Not your perfection or flaws. You, however you are.”
Xena rubbed her shoulder. “You know, I felt something too.
Right after you resurrected us.
Think it was her? Maybe
welcoming me back?”
Eli shrugged.
“I’m still getting used to all this myself. She came in answer to my prayers. Blessed us with what was missing from our lives – you, Gabrielle
and so much more. What I felt …. What I did ….” He swallowed. “It was a
miracle, Xena. I don’t know about the
rest of you, but I’ll never be the same.”
He squeezed Xena’s shoulder and left for his bedroll.
Once again Xena gazed at the sky, like the darkness
obscuring so many of her memories, yet absent from the soul where night was
supposed to be more natural than day.
She imagined the spaces within her filled and surrounded by love that,
like stars, might light her way to a Xena right and true. Finally allowed the possibility she could be
the female warrior in that vision she’d had when she touched an image of the
chakram in Kal’s temple.
“Oh well,” she murmured, picturing herself in brown
leather battle clothes, rather than the fragile garment she wore now. “Might not be so bad.” She chuckled wryly. “At least I wouldn’t have to worry about
getting dirty anymore.”
“It’s fascinating how much
we affect each other…. How much are we truly ourselves and how much are we
little bits of everyone we’ve ever encountered? Because we share everything – our personality, our lives.”
– Hudson Leick in her DVD
commentary about SEEDS OF FAITH
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