The room was once again filled with the unusual company of The Meek. It was getting towards a late hour, but for most of them, the time of day meant little. Moria had napped, and no one argued against her right to rest. She was the oldest of those gathered, and very well could hold the record next to Lilith. A little down time was more than acceptable.

Lilith looked a bit more relaxed than she had earlier. She said nothing about her conversation with Moria, and in turn the manticore said nary a word for her part. It was understood that there was something in the future that was best left unsaid, especially in mixed company

“Everyone, thank you for coming. I know that you do not enjoy these trips, and I do try to keep them to a minimum. While I normally come to you when I need your assistance, this was a necessary exception, and I appreciate all your effort in coming here."

Maggie made a motion. Lilith noted it immediately.

“Yes dear?"

“So you knew all along we would be here?"

“I knew you would arrive eventually. Thankfully, you arrived just about when I expected you to."

Edward motioned to her as well.

“And you saw all this with your vision?"

“Vision? No son, you can't seem to get it through your head that I have often been by your side."

“Ok, ok. But the guy who let us in here said you hadn't been out of your rooms for a long time. Explain that, for now that I think on it, he didn't seem like he was lying. I mean, his demeanor was an act, but I believe that he believed that you hadn't been out of your rooms in a very long time."

“Did I fail to account for that? The better question is do I need to? With wings, I only need a window for my freedom. Did I not say that before?"

“I don't know, maybe you did. My head is still feeling a little messed up."

“It should clear eventually. You are resilient. A little headache shouldn't be enough to slow you down. Now, if you will be so kind, can you hold your questions for the time being?"

“Uh, sure."

“Good. Now, I think that all formalities can be removed. You may talk amongst yourselves as you wish, and if you do not wish to participate, then you know where to find your beds. I will keep no one here who wishes not to stay."

Leo stood.

“Then I for one will retire. I know everyone here well enough, and they know me. I do not believe I have anything valid to offer anyone at the moment, and I would like to return to Rome as soon as is possible."

“Then go old friend. May you rest well."

“I believe that I shall madam. Good night."

And with that he was gone.

Maggie looked at Lilith.

“He seems a little put out."

“He'll get over it."

“Does he really hate this other fellow so sharply?"

“He does. I had hoped there might be conciliation in their future, but I see I was wrong."

“And that's the end of it?"

“For now. I can change a person's mind without them knowing it, but to what end? People must make up their own minds. Which brings me to you, young lady."

“Me?!"

“Yes. I wish to talk with you privately, though I think your husband should sit in on this as well. You may wish to consult with him in this matter, for it will impact him in ways he will not readily see."

Edward sat up a little straighter.

“Me?"

“Is there an echo in here," she said with a touch of humor.

“No. Sorry. I just don't know what you could want!"

“Then I would suggest you come and listen. There is as much to be gained from using your ears as there is from trying to use your foresight."

“I think my ears work better."

“We'll find out." She turned to the room. “Does anyone have any questions for the couple, or might I steal them away for a while?"

It was said with authority, and no one deemed it proper to say anything back.

“Well then, enjoy the company of your companions as best you can. If we do not return, then I will see you all in the morning. After that, I think that I will be off for a while. It has been suggested that I get out and enjoy myself for a bit. I think I will do just that. I have yet to decide where I will go, but rest assured it will be somewhere where I will not easily be found."

No one argued. There was no point.

“Well then. That's settled. Good night one and all and may you rest well within these walls. Maggie; Edward, follow me please."

The three stood and left the room, heading back towards Lilith's private chambers. Anticipation was thick in the air, but neither one felt bold enough to ask what her purpose was for taking them into private. She sat in her chair and made a sweeping motion with her arm.

“Chose any piece of furniture you think suits you and have a seat. We may be talking for a little while."

They sat down next to each other and held hands. This was the scariest moment that had yet had since coming to the castle.

“Oh do relax you two. This isn't anything bad. In fact, it might be considered an honor, since I have not offered what I am offering in a very long time."

“Uh,ok," said Maggie with some trepidation.

“You two are very important to me, and I hope that by now you understand that. I expect nothing more from you than what I know you can deliver. Do not take to heart your mistakes, for if you have learned from them, then they have done you a service. You will make more of them in the future, for even I am not immune from my own culpability. I have made errors that I have long regretted, even though I knew there was nothing I could do to correct them. What I do now, I feel is the right thing to do. I wish to offer something to you young lady that is a magnificent gift, but one that comes with great responsibility."

“A gift that's a curse?" asked Maggie with seemingly mock horror. The fact was, she was terrified.

“It may seem a curse. That is why you must decide carefully if you will choose to accept it. It has been turned down before. Only a select few have managed to keep it."

“A gift that slips away? That sounds a little odd to me. This isn't some sort of animal is it?"

“It is not living, if that is your thought. Not in that manner at least. What is it that I value most?"

There was a pause before she answered.

“I'm not sure I know you well enough to say."

“And I'm sure you do."

“Oh, alright then. Knowledge?"

“Yes! Precisely! There is nothing greater in the whole world, except for perhaps love. But even then, I often prefer knowledge to the rigors of emotion. This may have been yet another mistake of mine; one I will soon be correcting if I have anything to say about it."

Edward's face showed his confusion.

“So what does that mean? Do you have some great library that she's going to preside over? That hardly sounds like what you have planned for us."

“Your description is closer than you think son. She will be presiding over a great store of knowledge, one that has been garnered over the course of thousands of years. It has with it all of the visions; the smells, the sensations that living for a hundred thousand years has attached to it."

Maggie eyes grew large.

“I think I see what you're saying. Is it possible?"

“Yes dear. Like your husband here, I too can absorb souls. I can borrow information, store it and retrieve it at will. And just as I can take it, so can I give it. There is more perspective inside of me than I let onto."

Edward jerked in his seat.

“You can absorb others as well? How do you deal with it? And for that matter, can I actually put a whole someone back into their body?"

“Now, now, we are not here for you. You'll just have to wait your turn son."

“But…"

“No. Maggie is my present priority."

“But if you leave, how will I ever get the answers I need?"

Maggie punched his arm lightly.

“If I accept her gift, I'll have all the answers stupid. Now shut up and let her talk."

He groaned at his own stupidity. But then he reconsidered.

“Are you actually going to take her up on it?"

“I don't know yet. I think she has more to say but someone keeps opening his mouth. Maybe if he could possibly restraint himself long enough for her to finish, I might know what I need to know before making a decision."

“Sorry."

She leaned over and kissed him.

“Just clam up for while stupid."

“I'll try."

“Continue please Lady Lily."

“You are learning how to deal with your husband. That is good." 

Maggie sat a little straighter in her chair.

“What I am offering to you is my life; everything I have seen, done, read, lived, breathed – right down to the last detail that is within my memories. It is going to be overwhelming. You will see people you do not recognize in your inner vision, and yet you will know them by name; Winston Churchill, Julius Caesar, Pablo Picasso; thousands upon thousands of faces that have made their mark on my life and your history. You will see them, not as they are portrayed by modern historians, but rather as I saw and knew them. You will see them through my eyes."

Maggie shivered.

“Will I get lost in all of that? How will I know what is mine and what is yours?"

“There will be times when you will not be able to differentiate between the two. It will take practice for you to wrest control over such a mass of information. It is no light thing to accept."

“I believe you wholeheartedly.  As awesome as that sounds, I can see where someone would be a little timid in accepting it. Once you have it, you're stuck with it."

“Well, that's not always true. Not every mind can hold into it. Some reject it; others have gone mad. Only a handful have ever awoken from the transfer and managed to retain it all."

“I see. Is it possible something bad could happen if I say yes?"

“Of course something bad could happen. You have had many bad things happen to you prior to arriving here. Life has no promises in it. Even with this, I cannot offer you a definite answer. But you are resilient. You remind me a lot of myself. I think you have what it takes to be me."

“To be you?"

“Yes. I try every couple of generations or so to give this gift, just in case something were to happen to me. I'm not suicidal mind you, leastwise not at the moment, but you never know when something could happen that might end my life altogether. If this were to happen, then everything I know will be lost. And while mankind would not know of their loss, I would. Once dead, I would not care. But while I live, I have feelings and opinions and one of them is that my legacy should live on."

“Shit…"

It was Edward.

“Really son. I have no objection to vulgar words, but I think you could be a little more descriptive in what it is you're tying to say."

“Sorry. I was just thinking what a mother lode that would be. You probably have answers to ten thousand questions inside your head."

“Millions upon millions of them son. Many of the questions I have answers for have never been and will never be asked. Do you know what a mastodon tastes like?"

“No."

“I do. I led the tribes of my people from the region you call Siberia over to the continent you live on a very long time ago, just to give them a chance at creating a new life for themselves. It was all ice and snow back then. And they prospered. And then others of my children came over and wrecked everything. And yet, you might ask, why didn't I stop them?"

“OK. Why didn't you?"

“Progress. I often will not interfere in matters because there is always pain in growing up. This is as true in an individual as it is in a society. Wars are terrible, but they weed out the weak. I'm sorry if my words fall harshly on your ears, but life is never pretty. Look at it now; full of complacency, arrogance and stupidity. Look to those who would be your leaders. Do you think they will ever compare to some of those who have lead your country in the past?"

“No."

“Correct. When an obvious fact is overlooked because it is not palatable, it is more than a simple mistake. It is a crime. Your country is young and impudent; once strong in many ways and deserving or respect. But just like Rome, it has fallen; its foundation eroded by greed and vice and…"

She was about to continue when a quiet voice said;

“Yes."

“What's that dear?" asked Lilith.

“I'll accept it."

“Isn't that rather brash?"

Somehow she didn't sound disappointed.

“Maybe. But if you offer it to me, and then something does happen to you, I'll never be able to ask for it again.

“You are gaining wisdom beyond your years dear. You are correct. There is always the chance that I may never make myself know to you again at any point in the future. Therefore, it is often best to take what you can when you can. I will not say that I would never offer this to you again, but your chances are pretty good right now of getting it."

“I know."

She turned to Edward.

“What do you think? Should I take it?"

He shrugged.

“I think you just made that decision. Why ask me?"

“Because what it is she is going to give me is going to change me. Everything we experience together is part of our lives; this will affect only me. I don't know what that will do to me."

“Neither do I. But if you really want my opinion…"

“I do."

“Then I say go for it. Whatever happens, I'll still love you. Changes and all if that's the case."

“That's easy for you to say. You don't know what those might be."

“And neither do you. Who was it who stuck by me after I took a bullet to the brain? Who followed me across Russia? Who is it who has put up with my rather, uhm, lascivious behavior?"

“That's what a wife does."

“And then, by the same token, this is what a husband does. If you want this thing, then anything else concerning it is between you and Lilith."

“Are you sure?"

“No. I'm trying to see what the outcome is in my head, but everything is garbled, like something's missing that I'm not getting. So, if I didn't have this stupid ability, I would say your best bet would be to try it. I trust Lilith enough to know she isn't going to put you in harm's way. I get that her good intentions aren't a surefire guarantee. Something could go wrong. But every day of our lives, something could go wrong. I won't live out my life waiting for bad things to happen."

“Ten Points for Gryffindor!"  remarked Lilith with a touch of wryness.

“What?"

“Son, you two are coming along nicely. You are right. You must not live your life simply waiting. Get out there, do things. Reconnect with your family now that you know some of the motives behind their actions. You are not perfect, anymore than I am. No one is. What you must do is be who you want to be. Only then will you reach the culmination of your destiny."

“Destiny?"

“Oh, maybe that's the wrong word for it. But you know what I mean. To be yourself, just be yourself."

“That's not very profound."

Lilith smiled.

“It's more profound than you think it is. How many times have you questioned what you are? Don't answer it out loud. Just be yourself. It's the best thing you can be."

He felt a little annoyed.

“This coming from someone who  impersonates others?"

“I assume their appearance it is true, but only rarely do I assume their role completely. I only do that when I feel the need is great."

“So you acting like Corrine?..."

“Son, that was all me. Just because I threw a different name on my persona didn't change who I was. I was Lilith then, just as I am now. Just because you have trouble distinguishing between names isn't my fault. What is Maggie's last name?"

“What? It's Peterson."

“Or is it McGill? Or is it Leeds?  Or Nicholson. You see, you feel comfortable naming things, and sometimes the name you give them is wrong, or at the very least, impertinent. “

“Fine. You've made your point."

“I very much doubt that. You are full of questions. I will give you your turn to ask them, but only after Maggie and I are finished."

“How long will this take?"

“Take? I can't say. It often takes days. This isn't a matter of popping a floppy disc into a computer."

“Floppy disc? Isn't that a little dared?"

“When compared to the age of my wisdom son, a floppy disc is as new to me as the advent of the automobile."

“Yeah, I suppose it is."

“I am well aware of things like encryption, gigabytes, malware and a host of other such terminology. My point was more that this isn't a tiny amount of data. It is a tremendous download, if you will use that term, and as such it will take a long time to transfer it."

“So how will ithis work?" asked Maggie.

“You will need to be put to sleep. It will be a very deep sleep, for you will not desire to be awake during the process. It is painless, but the random images that will be flashing across your mind will prove disruptive. Once the information is in place, you will then rest as long as it takes for you to assimilate it all. That amount of time varies per person."

She turned to Edward.

“You will have to wait it out. However, you and I can have some of those conversations you have been so desirous of. While she will have all that I know inside her, it will not always readily manifest itself. Pathways need to be formed linking that which is mine to her consciousness. For some time, most everything I put in there will not make itself know. She will have to try very hard to find it. This will not always be the case, for random bits may come along and throw off her; what would you call it? Off of her groove I think is the right term."

There was silence so she continued.

“So you see, it is a great gift, but one that comes with responsibilities and a certain amount of limitations. However, I feel that you are clever enough to figure these out. And since you both have a lot of time to work out the kinks, I don't see where that should be a problem."

“Can we get started?" asked Maggie. “I want to get moving before I chicken out."

“No. Tomorrow will be soon enough. I promised my guests I would be there for the morning meal, and I will not break my word. Many of them will be leaving and I will not see them for some time. After that, we will have the undisturbed stretch of time needed for the transfer. I would suggest you sleep on it and if you've changed your mind come morning,I will think nothing less of you for changing it."

Edward looked lost in thought.

“How can you talk to me and transfer your information at the same time?"

“Simple son. I am Lilith. I am woman, hear me roar."

“Isn't that from a song?"

“Yes it is. A favorite of mine as a matter of fact."

He paused.

“You weren't the one who sang it, were you?"

“Son, a woman has a right to keep whatever secrets she wants to. Now off to bed with you both."