Flashbacks, trippy...

One might think we would have gotten farther, but we didn't. The group continued to a building near the Jade Pleasure Dome for the meeting with Sol and Luna. And the entrance, Xian had a brief back-and-forth with another Sidereal (Kejop?) before going in. Then he asked for the group's trust in using a charm to cause them to re-experience their lives backwards (in seeming real time, but only 6 seconds in actuality), "seeing things clearly" as a measure to make sure the group was free of any mental influences and such so they wouldn't sabotage their own meeting.
Alexi is, perhaps, a little too trusting. She feels Xian Aki is worthy of it, though. Others were willing to accept with different degrees of trust of their own. Vee, however, refused. Of course, simple refusal would have been one thing, but somehow a majority of the session degenerated into Vee refusing and people discussing the option.
In the end, everyone else underwent it. Alexi sorcerer-sighted Vee afterward to at least make sure there was no obvious controlling effects in place, and the group is ready to go on into the meeting itself.
Seriously... this summary is about as long as all that should have taken, rather than the hours it actually did. >.>

Alexandra's reflections:
I never would have thought a lifetime could be experienced in a few seconds. So much has gone by, so many things forgotten, so many details overlooked. Xian Aki sought to remove from us any magical influence others may have placed. He seems to have done more.
I was taken in by the Cult of the Illuminated. I was taught that I was among the Shining Ones who would overthrow the Realm and bring forth a new era of prosperity. I have stood before a group of mortals and read, as instructed, a welcoming into the Cult and demand for obedience. These things I have done, and they were simply the way.
Now, however, I see things I did not. Purposeful ritual. Drugged food. Careful words. I see the Cult full of these subtle manipulations at the hands of the Maidens' Chosen who lead the Cult. They portray themselves as guides and aids, but act more as handlers of creatures incapable of true understanding. I do not think they lied about their purpose, but their methods left no room for questioning. We must seem a threat to them, for them to conceal so much. And what I have learned since going to find one manse on the borders of Creation indicates they have concealed a great many things of import.
When I saw this, I wanted to weep or cry out in anger against them. Why perpetrate such manipulations when they are not necessary? I wish to help people just the same. And yet, I can understand their pragmatism. I can understand, but I don't agree.
Creation and its inhabitants are wonders. Mankind, in particular, is set apart by its ability to think and act freely. Free will is not something that should be rent aside so readily. And yet, everyone seems willing to do it. The Autochthonians are so strict in their ways that I find it difficult to see how they can choose that. In fact, we have seen some in Gem who fell out of their traditions. As useful as order like that may be, is not a certain amount of entropy healthy? Without it, there is no change, no growth, only stagnation.
And so, I find myself turning away from the Cult, just as I have left other parts of my life behind. To trust what Xian has shown me over what I grew up with feels odd, but I don't sense any deception in this, so I must follow my heart. I will not intentionally make enemies of the Cult - though they may take unkindly to our dance-based conflict with those who seemed to be their agents - but I cannot accept those methods as ones to embrace. Hopefully, we can forge a better future that isn't based on strict control.
Yet... Even as I tell myself there are better ways to embrace and prepare to stand before the Unconquered Sun himself, I feel a hint of doubt. Is it possible to restore Creation to its former glory without resorting to such measure?