---

Calysta stands before you, basically absorbed in her own world.
Green eyes peer out from behind bronze sun streaked hair,
there is hint of an old soul about her,
and you notice she seems to be looking right through you
with a slight grin on her face.



To be the gleam in my father's eye,
everything my mother ever hoped for,
to grow and be self-reliant and strong,
but leave room for others in my heart.
To have a loyal nature but not to tolerate _anyone_
who would harm me, or those I care for.
To do what I want, learn to be responsible...
but never be held responsible
by anyone who does not agree with me.
To walk a path few would ever be able to follow,
and have the sun shine down on me as if I owned it.




It had been raining most of the night
and it pounded against the roof
like it was never going to stop.
Her grip on the bedclothes loosened
as the contraction finally ended.
She knew she didn't have long.
She thought back to the birth of her son,
everything had gone smoothly,
this child would be much more difficult.
The rain ceased all at once and the pain continued to grow.
The time had come;
she sat forward in the bed and inhaled deeply.
The pain ebbed and instinct took over,
her whole life seemed to be for this moment.
She looked towards her husband,
his stern face softened into a smile,
it was the kind of happiness she never wanted to let go.
Emotions flowed, and as the sun came up and the day began,
so would a new life.