Kellus smiles hopefully as Arkain's magic goes to work and Lily's coloration visibly improves, but her expression shifts to concern and very nearly to horror as the effects abruptly end, leaving her worse off than before.  About to go to her aid, Captain Valerian's sudden outburst catches her by surprise.  However, much like Tamara her demeanor quickly darkens, her eyes betraying her emotions as they go from cool blue to an almost-glowing fiery red.<br/><br/>"Were you not so obviously motivated to protect and help her in whatever way you could, I would have taken you for an arrogant fool.  When we are almost certainly the last chance the young lady has, one should not be so quick to demand us to leave, because we just might have taken you up on that offer."  Watching as Jaku gingerly takes her into his arms, she takes a deep breath to calm herself before continuing.  "That being said, you and I have more in common then you could ever know.  I've already gone through what you're experiencing now, but in my case, I had to watch the person I cared about most pass on due to my inability to protect her from something that only I could have.  That burden is one that nobody should have to bear, and I will do whatever must be done to prevent others from following in my footsteps."<br/><br/>Moving over to Lily, Kellus gently places one hand against her chest and bows her head.  Whispering something in an unknown language, only the last part is intelligible as she switches back to English.  "This I give willingly and freely unto you."  Her entire body shudders and her tattoos briefly flare with brilliant light, and while there isn't any obvious exchange of energy, everyone in the room can tell that something just passed between the two.  In it's wake, Kellus straightens, but seems almost palpably diminished somehow; her skin just a little more pale and her plumage slightly less vibrant.  Turning back to the Captain, she carefully wipes away a trickle of blood from her nose as she faces him.  "While I may not be as proficient a healer as Arkain, as you said the problem is one of time.<span style="font-style: italic">That</span>is something that I have much more control over...especially my own.  Ten years of my span, that she might have one more.  If we cannot cure her, I can at least give her that much."<br/><br/>As Arkain voices a possible solution, Kellus slowly nods as she considers it.  "That will work, except for one issue.  While I can indeed partially transfer an individual's spirit from their body without complication as you've seen, the same is not true if it is completely severed from their body.  If I do that, it will be immediately and irrevocably bound to my own until she is reformed, which I will have to do myself.  In the meantime, I'll need your help to ensure that the disease is not passed on.  I realize the risk I will be taking, but between your healing abilities and my ability to strengthen my own spirit, I still think it's the safest choice."<br/><br/>"Of course, this is still ultimately Lily's decision.  I think we've all talked more than enough on her behalf; it's time she had her say."