Shooting Stars

Outside the dusty climate of Amh Araeng a pair of golden eyes were fixated on the stars above.  His long silver whispy locks of hair were gently lifted off his face by the faintest warm breeze.  His long dark brown robes were held down by the weight of several tassels.  As the wind picked up dust was blown against his sandals making his feet itch, but he had no time to bend down and brush away the dust from his feet.  There was a disturbance in the constellations and Urianger needed to find out what it was.  His brow furrowed as he focussed hard, and then there it was.  His eyes opened wide with a gasp as he watched a bright light appear within one of the constellations and form into a new star.

Behind him heavy footsteps came from a nearby stone building.  He already knew who those footsteps belonged to without averting his gaze from the stars.  "Are you going to spend all night gawping at the sky?" a man's voice spoke from behind him.  The man was Thancred.  He wore heavy dark steel boots and a black outfit underneath his long white coat.  His short white hair adorned his stern looking face.  Slouching forward he looked up at the sky hoping to see whatever it was Urianger was looking for.  "So, what is it you're so damned determined to hope to see?" he asked.
Urianger pointed up at the new star.  "See yonder the newest star within the constellation of Azeyma?"

Thancred looked up at the new star with a surprised look.  "Well I'll be, when did that happen?"

Urianger lowered his hand "Just a few moments ago.  It appeared as a bright light that formed into the new star you see now.  At the same time I doth felt an unusual sensation, as if one t'were lifted a veil from mine eyes and revealeth unto me that time itself hath been halted."

Thancred looked at Urianger in shock.  "You felt it too?  I thought I was going crazy when I thought about it just a moment ago.  All these years we've travelled together and despite everything we've done the people themselves haven't changed at all.  Take Ryne for instance, when I first met her she was but a child, and whilst she has grown up a lot she still remains in physical form a child yet she should be a young adult by now.  Strangely enough it never even occurred to me that something was amiss until now."  Thancred stared up at the new star in the sky.  "And you think that this star has something to do with this?"
"Indeed" Urianger nodded slowly.  "I too hath felt mine own contradictions based on myself and those I've walked with and that whilst events hath proceeded forth our own physical appearances hath remained the same."

A ringing tone was heard coming from a small pearl clipped to their ears.  Thancred quickly reached up and tapped the pearl against his ear.  "Thancred, I hope I've not caught you at a bad time?" the Exarch's voice came from the pearl.
"Not at all" Thancred responded.  "It's been a while.  Is something the matter?"
"Perhaps" the Exarch replied through the pearl.  "Our friend M'leineya has asked that I arrange for a meeting at the Ocular tomorrow noon, she said that it's urgent."
"Oh, is that so?" Thancred replied.
"There's more" the Exarch continued.  "Earlier today she collapsed whilst visiting the Ocular.  She's fine now, although since her collapse she's not acting like herself."
Thancred's face began to twist with concern.  "Perhaps her collapse has left her a bit out of sorts.  Since one of us has to remain here then I propose to be the one to attend the meeting."
"I was hoping you would say that.  I'll see you tomorrow" the Exarch replied.  A click was heard as the Exarch switched off his linkpearl.  "Well then, guess I'd best get some sleep.  You should probably stop staring at the sky and get some rest too since you'll be taking over tomorrow watching her" he said nodding towards the stone building behind them.  Inside a young girl with dark hair, heavy black makeup and black attire could be seen lying on a bed as if soundlessly sleeping.  Urianger nodded and followed Thancred into another nearby stone building and closed the door behind them.