Falling White

[Michihito Sakutarou]

Michihito turned to Aeolian as she spoke to him. He saw the feelings he felt in her kind eyes. Somehow he knew those eyes had been through something similar, although he didn't know how. Of course his senses could be wrong, but he didn't think so. "Aeolian there is no need to repay me. As a pledged member to the Goddess of the Wind, Airos, I have taken it upon myself to help my people if they are ever in need. It was something I did as much for myself as you. Helping people is what I live for, it makes me feel better about myself. As I see it, everyone longs to make a difference, whether or not they choose to is their own decision. I am not the most skilled fighter, or the smartest person in our world, however, helping people is something I am good at. I do not expect you to fully understand, but that is how I feel."

He looked at her, and took in her full appearance. Oh how he longed for friendship! But he knew who he was, and the consequences of becoming friends with someone. It was a difficult, and emotionally straining life he led, but he had no choice but to live it. No one wanted to befriend a half angel, half uncontrolled demon, whether or not he locked himself away during his demonic period. That was the truth, and no matter how hard it was and always would be, he had to learn not to expect anything else.

Michihito connected his eyes with hers. "Do not mind me for saying so, Aeolian, but in your eyes...in your eyes I see similarity between us. What exactly is so similar, I do not know, but that it what I see. I...." And his voice trailed of course. His senses beating and pulsing. He wasn't sure, but something seemed different.

Michihito turned his head toward the canopy of willow branches, and his eyes laid upon a stranger. His first instinct was to stand up, and he followed it. He kicked dirt upon the fire near him, and then stood in front of Aeolian. He pulled out a blade from his sleeve, all within two seconds. Then, bracing himself, he spoke to the stranger. "Who are you, and whom are you pledged dedication to?" He spread his wings wide, depicting who his support was for, with pride. "I am pledged to Airos, Goddess of Wind."

In Michihito's haste, he did not see the wings of this creature, until just then. He lowered his weapon slightly. "Are you also of wind?"

[Lady Aeolian Kilith]

Disrupting the flow of conversation, the crashing of a body through the forest before them distracted both bodies from speech. Eyes looked to see danger. Aeolian feared the worst now that she knew the truth about their world, and yet a part of her wanted to believe nothing would happen to them if they didn't seek to fight. Michihito jumped to his feet before she could lay eyes upon their visitor and demaded he identify himself.

"Who are you, and whom are you pledged dedication to?" Aeolian found herself stuggling to her feet, using the tree for balance in the rush of movement. She missed Michihito's next words as pain seared in her wing; it would not be ready to be moved in at least another two-day. Biting through the pain, she made herself stand tall behind Michihito, look strong. You are what you pretend to be. She looked out past his shoulder, his wings, to see another expanse of feathers. Another...? The rushing sight and sound of Michihito spreding his wings wide, forced Aeolian back. The glimur of steel and the sound of his voice worried her heart. "Are you also of wind?"

Her stomach fell away, partly in relief at the easier tone to his voice, partly with surprise and fear at another member of the wing clan standing in their presence. Another? How many of them are there? How come... Questions flooded into her consciousness. She had seen wings, large and black as night. Beautiful, preened black wings quite unlike her bloody dissheveled white ones.

Curiosity and recklessness stirred her bare feet and from behind her protector Aeolian emerged. White hair settled softly around wide eyes of silver grey, light sparkling off the cerulean blue flecks in her eyes. A scrape on her cheek made her look the victum; the tears in her shirt made her look the fighter; the frayed pants made her look the ruffian. But her eyes retained their mysical ignorance as she stared at the new comer. The feathers of her good wing, pulled tightly behind her, shifted slightly. A breeze seemed to push her forward as though trying to tell her something. She barely felt the throbbing coarsing up her, once again, bloodied wing as it instinctively tried to right itself. The activity had reopened her wound letting blood restain pink feathers, but Aeolian still stared.

"You--" Her voice caught, dryer than expected, when she sought to speak. Swallowing hard, she diverted her gaze only to look back more mystified than before. Mist floating on the edges of her vision, making her eyes look clouded to her company. "You are of the wind." She sounded more --and at the same time less-- like herself as she stood between the stranger and Michihito. "Put your weapon away, Michihito. You will need it not." Even though her wing bled, she pulled it in so that it stood just as proudly behind her. Blinking away that mist in her vision, Aeolian looked back over her shoulder and let a small smile come across her lips as she whispered back to him. "He is no enemy of ours."

Turning back to the new face, Aeolian smiled through the pricks of pain that were returning along with her proper vision. Although her eyes seemed much bluer than before, the silver slowly returned to its previous passive glory in her eyes. The stranger was taller than her, and by all means stronger, but she was held a grace unsurpassable as she stood there, so broken and yet so willing to still stand in danger. "My name is Aeolian. This is my friend, Michihito." Her shoulders relaxed; the wind pushed at her from another directions, pulling the air out of her eyes and face. "You look lost; I wish I could help you find your way, but I am lost as well."

[black]

Sairo was not surprised by the male's reaction, but the smoky haze that soon filled the close confines was not apreciated. The smothered fire argued maliciously as its flames were douse by releasing it's noxious cloud of smoky grey phumes up into the air. Of course, the simple grey smokescreen was not poisonous, but the acrid taste of burnt wood filled his mouth and nose and the memory once again filled his mind--a painful night forever imprinted. A sour expression filled his visage at that moment, but as the smoke died away so did the contortion, and Sairo's placid appearance returned in time to watch as the white winged male took a stance before the injured woman with a weapon draw. Youthful pride flared as Sairo observed and listened to the man's demands, but he pushed it aside and decided that the unknown Michito had such right to beg for such answers.

Of course Sairo did not wish for conflict, so as he watched the winged assailent relax, the violet eyed intruder relaxed as well, opening his mouth to speak in apology. However, it was then that the young woman stepped forth and presented herself--no thought to Sairo's own hostilities. Indeed, Sairo was not out to harm anyone. This meeting was purely accidental, and the rage that Sairo was capable of reflecting was only aroused by certain aspects of a situation that were currently absent here. Don't get me wrong, if provoked, Sairo was not incapable of reckless behavior, but he was not prone to it like some raging humanoids.

Her words came out to him softly, but Sairo did not move, nor did his blank expression flux. She easily seemed to discern him as fried not foe, and though she was totally right... even Sairo wondered if she was wise to think so highly of a stranger.
Nonetheless, Sairo looked to this... Michito--as she called him--and wondered if the attentive airial being would comply. Sairo himself had no weapon, and his stance was only slightly tense as was the situation.

He paused to observe her, and an awkward silence filtered in between them all. He knew not replying would put suspicion in their hearts, but he just needed to think first, and consider what was before him. The night covered them all, making it difficult to see since the moonlight was stopped by the inpenetrable bush above them. However, some light did manage to filter through and illuminate some portions of their scene: the glint of silver from the drawn Michito's blade, the white outline of their pearly wings, the contours of their clothes clothes and faces, and the last few dying embers of the smothered blaze. In the dark Sairo's wings had become nearly none existant, his hair reflected grey in the dim light, but his eyes seemed to reflect with their own inner flourescence, the stunning shade of deep purple still noticable, though dulled by lack of substantial lighting.
He looked at her, seeing her disheveled appearance made him wonder at her story. He glanced at Michito, but the way she spoke to that one made Sairo acknowledge that he was not the cause of her distress. Dark stains marred the outlined contours of her wings and one seemed to shift at a slightly awkward angle--though Sairo could tell, she tried to draw it tall and proud alongside the opposite wing. She seemed fragile to him, small and unprotected, yet bold and brave to come out so forward. Her stance seemed proud and she held herself well, even for such an unruly and injured look. When she first stepped forward, he'd believed he'd seen that haunted glaze look of pain and discomfort fill her eyes, but now... as their ocular vision connected, they were bright and clear... light and beautiful in the nightly visionary. Her words were so innocent, and he believe it was time to cut the silence that had descended.

Turning to Michito, he first addressed, "I am of Wind."
Suttly, he turned his head, and his voice continued in a smooth and easy transition, "But I cannot say I'm truly lost, misguided perhaps, but not lost. I am Sairo."

His voice was deep, ominous, but not dangerously so. It's tone was tenor, and warm, but foreboding in certain aspects. Such a voice proved he was not completely innocent or immune to the persecutions of the world, and overall he was not openly friendly or very open at all. His personality had evolved over the years, and the lonely deep resonant vocals revealed his secluded persona. However, he was not really dark or impolite so he quickly added, "I am sorry to have disturbed you, I was unaware that there was company in this dark forsaken ground."

There was a touch of irritability added to the end of his sentence as he reminded himself of his cut off from the nightly sky. He hated this goddam forest, but it was his own fault for not taking to the heaven's when he had the opportunity.





ooc: -barf- ick, its like I had muse and at the same time I didn't. my first impression while I was typing it was kinda blah, but hopefully overall it ain't to sucky

[Michihito Sakutarou]

Michihito took down his weapon. "I am sorry for having misjudged you." And with this statement, he bowed his head, and then looked at Aeolian. "I was only taking a precaution." he stoutly, sank down cross legged and leaned against the tree. Always in his life, no matter what he did, it was wrong. Always wrong. And it sucked being wrong all the time. He tilted his head toward the stranger. "Don't worry about it. Sit down, if you'd like." The wind was getting colder, and he felt his little toes losing feeling in the cold. He leaned forward and grabbed to of the sticks from the fire he had just put out, for nothing. Again, wrong. He rubbed the sticks together fast, letting all of his built up distress and anger at always being wrong, flow out of his fingertips. He rubbed them faster still, and just when he thought he had no more anger, the fire ignited, as if all the energy of his anger had lit the flame itself. He added more twigs and broken sticks until he had the fire going. He let his body relax as his eyes stared straight into the glowing embers. He let the smoke sting his eyes until he couldn't take it anymore, and snapped them shut. I guess it's good this guy showed up because I almost told her. And then she would have left. Everyone leaves. Everyone leaves because everything is wrong. He sometimes thought that if he let himself go, and just ended it all, he would be better, but he knew that wasn't true. He knew that wasn't the right answer to his questions. "If you'll just excuse me, I need to go for a walk." Michihito opened his eyes and stood up. He then swept a bunch of branches out of his way as he walked out from under the willow tree.

He walked down to the stream where he had caught their fish. He squatted down straining on his hams, and then finally collapsed onto his knees. He looked down at the slowly flowing water. He listened to the soft tinkling sound. It was calming. And he felt a need to sing. Singing was what he did when he was distressed and felt as if he needed a friend. Singing was his only friend, and that in itself made him need. What he needed, he wasn't sure, but something was missing in his life. Singing was something he would always have, because no matter how many people walked out of his life, singing never did. He hummed a soft lulling tune as he watched the leaves chase each other in the wind. He felt sad. Sad was the feeling he hated most. It overwhelmed him and swallowed him whole. He felt his soul pouring out of his mouth, lingering on his lips as he began singing words.

Silently they fall
snowflakes one and all
Drifting to the ground
Winter all around

Branches reaching high
Touching Frozen Sky
Earth lies cold asleep
In Deceomber's keep.

Still Still
Silent white
On this
Winter night

Branches reaching high
touching frozen sky
Earth lies cold asleep
In December's Keep

Michihito let the last sad note linger a little longer, and then cut it off with a closing off his lips. He tilted his head down to stare at the bleak stream below him. He was tired of being wrong.

[Lady Aeolian Kilith]

"Sairo..." She listened as Sairo revealed the tenor of his voice, captivated now by his eyes and voice. It was warm, almost friendly in his omnnipotent depths; quite unlike Michihito's. While the boy had befriended her with his gracious hand, Sairo's words, however formal and cold, would have instantly won her over lest she was not so overly cautious of the people living in the world around her. Foul experiences had left her tentative to cross paths people; Michihitos tale of Algaesia made her even more wary of revealing her trusting nature to strangers. Still, the warmth of this stranger's voice reached an alien part of her and she could not ignore it.

Michihito's voice took her from the feeling and she turned to see his outline sitting before the fire he had kicked dirt over. She smiled softly at the sound of dry wood grating upon themselves. Leaving Michhito to his thoughts and his practices, Aeolian turned her gaze back to their new company. "You haven't cause us any harm, Sairo. No need to apologize for something you have not done. Come," She shifted to the side, letting the new warming glow of the firelight behind her spill more fully over the face of the black-winged man. The sight of his face, more visible now, startled her slightly. His clothes were expensive, if not regal, in appearance. He looked quite the opposite of her in her beaten and stained ensemble. His wings, as well, hung majestically behind his shoulders. Stoping staring! Aeolian felt her cheeks warm as she turned away with a shy smile --You're such a nit wit[/color]-- and led him toward Michihito staring into the licking flames she now knew belonged to Pyran. "My turn to apologize; I had no meant to stare."

Aeolian move dto take a seat near Michihito, for she still trusted him more than Sairo. Her wingtips brushed the ground, but her white wings were so soiled and abused the dusty stain could not be seen. In the firelight, bloody stains could be seen more visibly on her feathery appendages. They looked violent to others, but Aeolian thought naught of her hurts as she did her best to settle the injured wing.

"If you'll just excuse me, I need to go for a walk." Aeolian turned to see Michihito already on his feet and escaping the circle of firelight. "Michihito?" But her words did not reach him andhe disappeared from their alcove beneath the willow tree. A frown of worry creased her brow, but she settled back not wanting to be rude to Sairo and knowing that she would want the space if she had departed so suddenly; although, she did send one of the threads of breeze tugging on her clothes after him. "Keep him safe," she whispered as it swirled around her one last time, "and call if I am needed, but no sooner." A bright smile spread across her face at the feel of the breezlet combing through her hair before it departed.

She knew her firelight company may have heard her mumbling to herself, but the fact that he was of wind --had wings, was so much like her-- she did not fear the normal rebuttle of comments she woul dhave recieved in the village. Turning her attention back to him, she feared not laughter, criticism, or an accusing eye, but maybe an inquiry. Aeolian never had liked explaining herself, but she was prepared with an explination should he seek one when she finished speaking. "I do not know what drove Michihito to leave, but I am sure it was not you." Aeolian gathered her knees up her chest enjoying the warmth of the fire, but not the loss of even one of her winds. "You see, we have only just met as well. And yet..." A melody floated to her on the wind she had sent after Michihito and Aeolian lost her gaze in the beacon at their feet.

Mind lost in lyrics, eyes focused on the fire, heart content in the warmth of the fire, Aeolian did not notice the white fog creeping into the edges of her vision. Only when the fire itself became fogged and she noticed the world turning to a rather solid white expanse did fear sprint up her spine. A comfort touched her shoulder as though a motherly hand had laid itself upon her, but the sensation of the supernatural only raised bumps on her arms. Michihito, was her first thought, to find him for he would surely help her as he had before, but she only found the clear violet eyes of the new stranger across the fire when she looked up.

Fear shined in her eyes; Sairo could see cerulean blue bleeding into the silver of her eyes and the white cloud that fogged only her sights. "Sairo!" Aeolian grappled at the air to him in panic; she leaned forward without thought and placed her hand in the flame, felt the heat of the fire and drew back in pain. The pain cleared the white film in her vision and eyes that shined like the clear blue of the sky looked from her hand --burning with heat from the fire, but not marked thanks to its thickness-- to Sairo and his strong face. What...?

All the breezes that could had filtered through the trees to where Aeolian sat. Buffeted by the winds, everything loose on her being --hair, the remains of clothes, and feathers, bloody or not-- moved in a calming dance, quite unlike the look in her eye. "Where is Michihito?" Her voice quivered ever so slightly, for she was trying to hold strong, but her wing hurt. In her fear she had jarred the broken length, pulling it as close as she could as if to protect herself. As she waited a response, she tried to calm the winds before they tore away the canopy above and hurt Michihito or Sairo.
[/size]

[Michihito Sakutarou]

Michihito’s eyes began to glaze as white fog entered through his peripheral vision. The mist danced its way into his vision and his head steadied and pushed hard against the ground with his right hand for balance. The whistling and ringing grew louder in his ears, louder and louder until the sound was piercing. But as much as he wanted to, he could neither cringe, nor flinch. It was as if his body was frozen, as if time was stopping. He couldn’t even think thoughts of movement for the ringing had grown so loudly that his head seared with pain. And then his steadying hand slipped slitting a deep cut in his hand. The ringing died, the fog had lifted from his vision, and his head lessened in pain. He had placed his hand on the very sharp edge of a rock. The slit was fine in width but deep. At first he felt no pain, and gripped his head as the dizziness and slight aching began to recede. He thought he was going crazy, or worse yet he was changing to his form. He pulled off a cloth tied to his right arm, with his left hand. He counted the marks he had made on the cloth. He hadn’t marked today yet, but marking that mentally for now, he had two days until transformation. And besides he only changed at noon. He reattached the cloth, and then shifted his legs so the weight leaned on the opposite as before. He put his hands on his face. I’m not crazy. He told himself. I’m not. He tried to reassure himself. I’m not. And with this last one his voice was stern. He removed his hands from his face and felt something sticky along his right cheek. He brushed his face gently with his left fingers, and feeling the sticky liquid on his fingertips, touched one finger lightly to the tip of his tongue. Blood. Within seconds of the taste of iron in his mouth, his hand writhed and pulsed in pain. He lifted his right hand close to his face, supporting it with his left hand. He held it up slightly to the moon, almost as if it was a sacrifice, and he saw indeed that blood was seeping out through a slit in his hand. It throbbed. “Ah!” He moaned suddenly, the nerves burning with pain. He crawled closer to the water and dipped it into the stream. The cold of the water eased the pain slightly, barely putting the fire out. He raised it out of the water, let three drops drip off the tips of his fingers and then he cradled it closed to his body, using his left arm. He sat in the cradling position for a few minutes, until he held it on his own, and he ripped another shred off his shirt with his left hand. He rose and began walking steadily back to where Aeolian was, knowing that who he originally thought was a man, would now be disintegrated.

ooc- sorry this took soo incredibly long. Forgive me?

[Lady Aeolian Kilith]

"Where is Michihito?" She repeated more firmly after no answer had come. Still the shape she knew as Sairo didn't speak. He remained eerily still, unmoving in all ways. His clothes, elegantly draped over his shoulders, continued to make him look as regal as the immortal ones.

Aeolian shifted uncomfortably. He didn't look like he was breathing at times and yet he sat there, calm and collected as if the winds beating at them weren't there. The firelight struggled to survive in the torrent of wind throwing patches and patterns of transitory darkness over the makeshift campsite. Shadowless...? Aeolian thought barely noticing the drop in the air's temperature. The chill bit her lungs and clouds drifted from her lips. She blinked, breathing deep, and swept her gaze over Sairo's face. "Why aren't there shadows, Sairo?" But he would fail respond to any of her inquiries.

Looking at him, an overwhemling pressure began to build in her chest. At first it mirrored the forbiding one feels when they grey clouds of a storm roll over the skies. But the longer she looked at Sairo's shadowless face the more discomforted she became, the greater the pressure on her body. What ailments wreaked upon her body before fell to the background of the compression forcing itself up on her chest and shoulders. She thought not of her wing, but of breathing --Keep breathing, Aeolian. Think --what could be happening?-- and breathe.

--What of Michihito?! With a sharp breath full of worry and piercing with the air's chill, her head snapped up to search for her companion, unaware it had fallen. Her hair floated an extra second in the air currents whirpooling around her.

[glow=lightblue,2,300]"WORRY NOT CHILD." [/glow]

Fear held Aeolian's breath. The voice seemed to fill ever crevice the world could possibly hide a living creature. Eyes opened, Aeolian waited on her hands and knees with jointes locked and muscles tensed for the voice to come again. To tell her why she shouldn't worry. When she had resorted to all fours to keep her composure, Aeolian could not recall, but slowly, she pushed herself back onto her knees, determined to look strong under the pressure threatening to crush her to the ground she always wishes to escape.

[glow=lightblue,2,300]"MICHIHITO REMAINS UNAFFECTED." [/glow]

Frantic, only now did Aeolian noticed the absence of the violet eyed stranger that once occupied the seat across from her fire. The fire too, she noticed, had been banished from existance. It no longer brought the light to the area. In fact, the light seemed white, glowing from...everywhere. Gelidity paired with the panic rising in her throat made it hard to speak the concerns rising in her throat for both Michihito and the missing Sairo.

[glow=lightblue,2,300]"HE FEELS NOTHING. I HAVE STOPPED TIME IN THIS CORNER OF HEISEPH'S FOREST. HE CANNOT CROSS THE BORDER." [/glow]

"S-s-sairo." Was all Aeolian could get out. Fractures periled every bone in her body stealing her focus. The weight, the unseen weight of something greater than gravity pressed her hard, but she strugged to remain erect in her posture. The last thing she wanted was to be caught off guard by this omnipotent voice.

She closed her eyes and concentrated on the whisp of air filling her lungs. She could feel the breezes most familiar to her circling her in the fervor that already tore branches from limbs, extinguished her fire, and continued to toss her hair across her face and pull at her clothes. If she stopped time... why do the winds continue to move?

At the thought, the tornado dispersed outward with Aeolian at the center, but Aeolian could still feel their presence encircling her, only at a distance. They felt... excited as they lofted in what seemed to be a moving wall. She called one to her --for all winds had moved to make this wall, even her own-- but they refused to move. They have... other orders? From someone... more powerful?

Aeolian would, find when she opened clear cerulean blue eyes to the world around her, a world full of light, as clear as day at noontime. The green of the leaves were bright with life; the ground, a loving brown; and the sky, oh the blue of the sky filtering between those leaves and branches. It called to Aeolian, welcoming her, wishing she could join it's glory above the trees that caged her.

[glow=lightblue,2,300]"BECAUSE..."[/glow]

The Sky! Aeolian rose to her feet with no effort and threw her wings wide. The sky had been speaking. She could not say how. She could not even begin to imagine what powers were granting it this ability, but she sprang into the air to greet it. Aeolian exploded from the forest canopy in a flurry of leaves, white hair, and angelic feathers. Looking back, she noticed the leaves remained suspended in the air above the treetops. Time had truly been stopped.

Olly after two powerful rythmic beats of her white wings did she realize no pain seared her back, no pressure held her down, no ice pricked her lungs. Wonder stole thought from her and she was propelled forward by a joyful Southern Wind that smelled of sulpher, magma, and power until she stopped to hover, marveling at the circle of excuisitely bright sky she hung in the center of. She could see to all ends of the earth it seemed, but no where else did this unearthly blue cut-out of sky exist. Surely, those looking in could see Aeolian's hovering form and the pillar of glowing land. She wondered right then if anyone else had heard the voice as she had, but a force told her, No. Only she could, but they could see the light, they could see her.

[glow=lightblue,2,300]"YOU ARE THE ONE AIROS HAS CHOSEN TO FULFILL HER LEGACY." [/glow]

Aeolian, startled from her ponderous thoughts, immediately turned around trying to find the source of the voice. A wry smile came to her face as that warm feeling from before returned --the feeling of a mother laying a warm hand on her shoulder-- and she looked up. "You are the Goddess then. Airos." She smiled at the sky, head tipped back.

No response came from the Sky, but Aeolian could not shake the thought that the Goddess was speaking directly with her. Aeolian looked back down at the ground only half noticing the matching circle of light on the treetops below. Her thoughts were elsewhere. A moment ago she had been terrified some powerful foe had come to take her life. Now... now she felt safe. Nothing could touch her, it seemed, as long as the Goddess's presence remained a soft touch on her shoulder.

"Where is Sairo?" The winged-girl suddenly turned on the Sky. "What happened to him?"

[glow=lightblue,2,300]"YOU CARE MORE FOR HIM THAN ABOUT WHAT I HAVE JUST TOLD YOU?" [/glow]

"Yes. And no." Aeolian repaired. She sighed gathering her explination. "I dont know what to believe of you. I have known nothing of you my whole life."

[glow=lightblue,2,300]"THE SAME COULD BE SAID OF THIS SAIRO."[/glow]

"Yes... But he isn't... a God." The Sky remained silent. "Who's watching out for him?"

[glow=lightblue,2,300]"YOU WILL DO WELL, LADY OF THE WIND." [/glow]
Silence. Aeolian pumped her wings awaiting an answer to the location of her friend.

[glow=lightblue,2,300]"HE WAS NEVER OF YOUR REALM. SAIRO WAS A BREEZE SET OUT TO LOCATE YOU."[/glow]

The warm touch began to receed and the light began to fade before Aeolian could even begin to understand the meaning behind the words referring to Sairo.

"Wait! What does that mean? Lady of the Wind?" It didn't make sense. None of it meant anything to Aeolian. According to Michihito, she had grown up in the wrong place. She'd been taught by no one, cared for by no one. No one had told her anything of Airos and yet she was sure that was who had been speaking.

[glow=lightblue,2,300]"YOU. YOU ARE THE ONE AIROS HAS CHOSEN TO FULFILL HER LEGACY..."[/glow]

And the voice faded away from Aeolian, disappearing completely as the light returned to normal, leaving the white haired girl, with her tattered, mismatched clothes, to contemplate exactly what had happened. Lady of the Wind?
[/color]

[Michihito Sakutarou]

Michihito was meandering his way back to where he had left Aeolian, when a blinding light flashed in his eyes. He stopped and took one step backward. He blinked slowly, and yet when he reopened his eyes the set their sights on the normal landscape. Nothing looked different to Michihito, yet everything felt different. He couldn't put his finger on it, but something was different.

His feet paced, gradually quickening their steps. His hand began to throb, reminding him of why he was looking for Aeolian. He needed her to help him wrap up his hand in this scrap of cloth. He spread his wings, suddenly feeling somewhat joyful, and wanting to fly. He stretched them out behind him, and allowed his feet and all of his body weight, to leave the ground. He drifted slightly upward until he reached where he had left Aeolian. The willow looked the same.

As he had suspected, Sairo was no longer here. Michihito wondered where he had gone and why he had left. Did I do something offensive? Maybe he took my walking a way for a time as rude. Michihito pondered reasons why the stranger would have left so soon. Something about Sairo, though, had been strange and eery. He seemed unreal and somewhat holligraphic. Michihito shrugged these thoughts away and shifted his gaze so that his eyes could find Aeolian's flecked gray and blue ones.

[Lady Aeolian Kilith]

"Michihito?" She pulled his gaze skyward as she slipped toes first through an opening in the leafy canpoy created by the winds swirling her body. Aeolian could feel them, the breezes, threading around her being, constantly moving from her ankles to shoulders, back, waist, and wrists. Between her feathers they wound themselves as though to dangle her from invisible strights and gently allow her feet to touch the forest floor. The decent held more grace, more peace and softness, than any winged creature could hope to aquire.

For a moment, Aeolian stood just outside the curtain of willow branches marvelng down at herself. This is...what is this feeling? Long lengths of white hair floated just off her shoulders in constant fluffs and whisps that made her feel... unearthly. Her clothes too were restless. She could feel them, the winds that stirred her stationary self, but they did not pressure her to move. They moved because... They're... happy. Aeolian absently looked at her hand smiled in disbelief. It was still her hand as she had always remembered it and yet she felt so extrodinarily different than the last time she had stood on solid ground.

Noise reminded her that she was not alone and she raised her eyes-- cerulean blue with chips of grey-- to meet the gaze of Michihito. A part of her heart sighed at the boy's familiar face. A part of her sighed and another part of her didn't know what had just happened. For all of the serenity that surrounded her, that she embodied, her insides were scrambled again. What to think, what to do, where to go, what to say --her mouth failed to form questions for him; her eyes could do no more than stare at him; her mind continued to buzz.

With everything running through her mind, Aeolian could feel her eyes watering and quickly kicked herself. Your doing it again, Aeolian! Stop it already! You're running away crying from what you dont understand. The girl shut her eyes from Michihito and forced herself to breathe. What she hadn't noticed was her emotions had provoked her winds. They had begun to grow more feverent in their motions. Leaves had started to stirr from the forest floor. Breathe...slowly...

Slowly the wind receeded and the serenity resumed, but what to tell the boy standing in her presence. She could still hear that voice, though, the one that had echoed in her bones with such resigned power as she hung above the land in that column of light. It had called named her something and it--Its name was, or is, Airos... Im sure of it. The wind goddess that Michihito told me about. But why would it come to me? Why did it keep calling me...

Opening her eyes to the sight of her feet, her insides feared moving toward him so she whispered the one questions that beat at the inside of her head. "Who is the Lady of the Wind?"

[Michihito Sakutarou]

Michihito's gaze jumped upward as Aeolian came into view. He studied her expression, trying hard to read it. She slowly came down, carried by the winds and when she landed, she landed elegantly with such ease and grace that it was almost dance like. His eyes felt tired and almost sore from the flash of bright light. With his right hand, he rubbed his eyes, then blinking, looked back at Aeolian. The winds were wrapping themselves around her, gently playing with strands of her silky white hair. He watched Aeolian as she studied herself, and then shifted his weight. She glanced up at him for a moment, and then shut her eyes and the winds picked up a little, seemingly more protective over her. Debris on the ground stirred from the winds. He didn't know what to say. He just stood there feeling like he had missed something vitally important by taking his walk. He pulled out his wings, feeling more uneasy by the second. Did I do something? What happened? Is she okay? These and a million other questions sprinted through his mind as he wondered what could be troubling Aeolian. Slowly a placid feeling of peacefulness returned as the winds settled. Still, Michihito felt confused, although his face did not reveal that. He looked down at the ground, waiting. Finally, she whispered one question. "Who is the Lady of the Wind?" He glanced up, taken aback by the unexpected question. Something in his mind registered with his observations. He couldn't help but answering with a question of his own. "It's you isn't it?" He tilted up his gaze to look at her again.

[Lady Aeolian Kilith]

"It's you isn't it?" The response, one could say, was not the one Aeolian expected to hear from her sole companion. The possibility hadn't even entered her thoughts and there he was suggesting the nigh impossible as though it were completely feasible. The possible and impossible, however, had different definitions within Aeolian's mind.

"But..." The soft response trailed off and Aeolian stood there staring for merely half a moment until she could not take his silence any longer. Upon first instict, Aeolian threw her arms wide called out the many contradictions to the suggested fact. For not a breath did her stream of consciousness pass through her mind before it found voice on her lips.

"There's just no way, Michihito! I can't-- I can't be the Lady of the Wind! I dont know any thing about this world. I didn't even know who Airos was until I met you. I dont even know if that really was Airos talking. That couldn't be what she meant when she said I was the one chosen to fulfill her legacy. It just can't be. There's no way. I--I ki--Beth isn't--I couldn't be--"

Somewhere in Aeolian's response to Michihito she started talking to herself, to the winds that interwove complicated patterns around her. Tears bubbled into her eyes and spilled over the edges, sweeping riverbeds down her cheeks. The sight of Beth has reemerged, a little girl barely nine haphazardly laying in a bed of clovers and staring at something beyond the stars. The voice echoed over the memory of her fingers just missing... just missing...

I killed her... so why? --why would the Goddess name Aeolian, a misfit, a nobody, a murder, an heir to one of the most powerful beings to have ever existed? It didn't make sense, no sense at all. At least not to Aeolian.

Her knees gave way, but she did not crash to the forest floor. Instead, the riled winds, sweeping in arching patterns all throughout the small section of N' Ädinel Forest, came together to catch her, cradle her so she would not bruise her knees upon the hard earth. If the wind hadn't continued to steady their Lady, Aeolian would have crumpled instantly. The winds seemed to be waiting, waiting for Michihito to come take her as she cried over all that had happened in too short a time frame.

Silent streams of never ending tears dripped from her chin and slid down her neck. Her head tipped back as she cried, her eyes barely seeing the perfect blue sky between the leaves of the trees. Her hair floated as if suspended in water about her face and at times the wind maintaining Aeolian's position held up a tear or two creating glittering diamonds that more resembled bubbles. In that respect, Aeolian looked as though she were drowning in a sea of leaves and shadows, soul begging for the air and sky with majestic wings dragging in the confining earth behind her.

The remembrance of the glimmur leaving Beth's eyes haunted the crying woman.
The memory of the town's people attempting to deplume her sealed her lips.
The 'what if' wouldn't leave her alone.

Three words formed on her lips over and over, but no sound came as she fought for air in her hysteria. "I can't be... I can't be..."
[/color]

[Michihito Sakutarou]

Michihito's persona turned from shocked to worried, as Aeolian confirmed his suspicions. I dont even know if that really was Airos talking. That couldn't be what she meant when she said I was the one chosen to fulfill her legacy. It just can't be. Michihito felt positive that it was. She was. Aeolian was. Michito stood and watched as slowly Aeolian fell apart. Her tears dripped from her eyes down to her chin, and soon they became thicker, falling faster as he watched. Michihito stood, shell shocked and unsure of what to do as Aeolian's body slowly collapsed as she began plunging knees down to the ground. He leaned forward as if to catch her, but the winds saved her first.

Upon instinct, Michihito swooped down, and gently grabbed the young lady. He pulled her sobbing body cradled into his chest. He held her crying face against his shoulder. Her light weight body felt frail and vulnerable to him. He held her tighter as her sobs continued. He ran one hand down her hair gently, attempting to comfort her.

Slowly Michihito made his way back under the willow tree. He leaned on the trunk as he continued to hold the tortured woman. He stroked her soft hair continuously, and then stopped to hold her body tighter to his. He wanted her to feel protected. No thoughts churned inside Michihito's mind, only concerns rolled around, none coherent. Michihito bent his head down so that his lips were close to her ear. "I'm here". he whispered.

And he would be, as long as she needed him.

[Lady Aeolian Kilith]

Warmth and a pair of wings. That was all Aeolian could detect and understand when Michihito took charge of her. She let him tip her head to his shoulder and wrap his arms about her because she could think of nothing else. No will remained inside to push him away --if she even wanted to-- as he swept his arm beneath her knees and cradled her as a father might do a daughter, a brother might do a sister, as man might cradle a woman in need.

Movement she understood, but only barely as the tips of her wings dragged along the earthy ground. His body, she could feel the muscles tensing beneath his clothes as he reclaimed their place beneath the willow tree; the weeping leaves parted by an act of the breezes surrounding their Lady. Soon the motion of walking stopped, but the soundless tears continued as the tight-lipped Aeolian felt the ground brush her bare toes.

Warm. He's very warm...

All the while he ran his hand over her head, coaxing her to cease the tears. The monotonous motion of his hand on her hair calmed her in time. A heavy sigh escaped her lips and while the tears had ceased, the smallest thing could trigger them once more.

Fragile could be used to describe Aeolian. Yes, it could, but as she lay in his arm and he leaned forward to whisper his words of resassurance, her mind slowly began turning once more. She recognized his speech, his desire to help her. The beating of his heart pounded in his chest. His chest rose and fell with each breath his body took as its own.

And she realized, no one had ever held her like this. No one had ever attempted to soothe her inner storm, make her feel safe when she had no control, or comfort her when her heart leaked from her eyes. No arms other than her wings had felt the leathery flesh she knew as normal. She had never heart a heartbeat, never felt someone else's breath upon her. Never known how warm people were.

Closing blue eyes, Aeolian rested her mind more than her body, but Michihito could no doubt feel the calmer pace of her breathing. Aeolian let herself think of nothing and she sunk into Michihito's fierce hold as her muscles relaxed. With the promise of safety from him, she used the moment to let her next move simply float to her in the abyss of black behind her eyelids.

If she was important to Airos, truly this Lady of the Wind, she would need to go somewhere... To the wind region, at least. I need to go there. Maybe the capitol, if it has one. Maybe someone there can tell me more... If. [/i][/color] Opening her eyes again, a question more pressing to her stability pushed its way through her lips.

"Do you think...?" The sentence faded away on a damsel's whisper. He knew what she asked of him; she did not think the words need be spoken when she could barely think them. Aeolian left her head where it lay on his shoulder, grey eyes looking past his chin and body to where the idling winds upturn one leaf, then another as they meandered mollifying circles around the pair.
[/size][/color]

[Michihito Sakutarou]

Michihito stood stroking her soft hair, soothing her to the best of his abilities. He wasn't a pusher, but rather he wanted her to know he would listen when and if she felt like talking. If she didnt want to talk, he just wanted her to know that he was there. Michihito knew what it felt like to be alone, and to be lonely. I am here for her. She isn't alone.Michihito's mind pulsed as he pulled tighter to Aeolian, wanting to make sure she knew these things. As she soothed, the winds became more at ease around them, and soon a soft whisper of words were in his ear.

Aeolian did not move as she said those three words and she also didnt give a complete thought. But Michihito knew. He knew what she was asking, and also what he had to do. He leaned in close to her ear again and spoke softly. "I can take you to the wind city."

Michihito had always loved the city. He grew up there. But the city too held painful memories of his past, ones he desperately wished not to relive. He had changed. He understood now what he was and how to deal with it. But yet, even though he was careful and nothing had happened since then, no one ever stuck around once they knew the truth. 2 more days. And with that thought, his mind tore back to earlier that night, and with the triggered memory, he felt his hand begin to pulse once more.

Michihito shrugged off the slight throbs. He knew that if he wasn't thinking about it, he wouldn't feel it. He straightened slightly and then said "Aeolian, are you feeling up to flying? Because if you are not feeling up to it I insist that you allow me to carry you."

[Lady Aeolian Kilith]

Aeolian nodded resolutely to Michihito's final inquiry and fell back to sitting on her heels, spreading wings of white to their fullest extent. The meeting with Airos had healed her wounds, replaced missing feathers, and granted a start-dust glow to her feather. "I am well enough to fly." She eyed Michihito a moment before she rose to her feet, following her gaze to the sky.

At Michihito's first response, Aeolian's insides revolted. I can't be the leader of an entire nation! Let alone one I know close to nothing about. Why--? The single word question threaded her thoughts together, always asking why Airos had chosen her, as her mind jumped from one thought to the next.

While Michihito swam in memories of the Wind city, Aeolian clamped her eyes shut, willing her thoughts to calm. The pictured each question streaking past on a hurricane breeze and snagged them one by one to tame each. Eventually she calmed her thought, each one bridled, floating in wait until she called up on them; some sould forever remain tethered, but emotions sometimes break those bonds. Still, that is something only the future may decide and at that very moment, one thought continued to tug to be released.

I have to do this. The declaration startled her into wakefulness in time to hear Michihito's question. And there she stood, cerulean-flecked grey eyes fized up on the blue between the leaves. I was chosen. No one else can do this... can they? Aeolian's mind was always prone to doubt, she would not be Aeolian without some small bit of unease nagging at her thoughts.

"If I am to do this, Michithio," Again with that strange bit of confidence in her voice, "I would like you to tell me all you can during our flight." Her eyes found him again and for a fleeting second a hidden strength reflecting in them before melting away into the gaze of the broken girl he'd first happened upon. "It seems I'm going to need your help a little longer, my friend."

[sky]

Soaring high above Algaesia through clear blue skies, his large draconic form traveled with a speed only attained through trained stamina by one accustomed to his large muscular body. His heart raced. His mind raced. Steadily with the beat of feathered wings, the dragon put ground behind him. Meanwhile, his mind unfortunately acquired new burdening weights. Apprehension heightens as Wind’s boundary falls further behind his tail and his nose dives deeper into Water’s lands. Worry mixed with his excitement. Scared for the new lady’s safety and about the affects of a feathered dragon’s presence in Water during unstable peaceable times Caelum continued with sapphire eyes search beyond the leafy canopy below him for any sign of Airos’ blessed lady. Another minute passed on the wing before he reached the area which he had seen moments before consumed by a divine light.

Soon enough with the aid of some circling above, he found them. Both possessed the gift of wings and a relieved sigh escaped his maw at the realization they were alone. Slowly lowering his dragon to hover just above the canopy without conjuring up to large a torrent of wind Caelum peered through the treetops with one glistening sapphire eye.

Gently his mind reached out embracing theirs. He held back much of his force so as to not scare but comfort the young ones beneath the forest cover.

I hope you both are in good health, young ones. Please, allow me to escort you and your friend home to Denenvera, my Lady.

His instinct took over identifying the one to whom he had devoted his immortal life. He recognized Aeolian, knew her as Airos’s blessed. In this moment, he relived his oath repeating it in his head reminding himself of his duty to her though he needed not to be reminded to his duty to his nation. As he watched, however, he wished he could have come closer. Unfortunately, Water’s forest was too thick for one of Airos’s blessed dragons though the forest is perfect for her sister’s elves, Heiseph’s blessed.

Please allow me to escort you home and protect you, young Lady. If you require, there is a clearing ahead of you now where I believe I can land. Or we can embark towards home from here.

His voice remained calm, soothing though perhaps booming. Caelum’s heart jumped; he felt as if tears would be shed out of sheer happiness and relief.

Suddenly, he remembered a notion which had only surfaced a moment earlier. Leathery skin scarcely painted with turquoise felt warm after absorbing the sun’s radiating heat during his journey. Silver-blue fur tracing his extended spine and whiskers under his nose flowed in the wind both wing- and natural-made.

Excuse me again. His voice came hesitant and surprisingly timid considering his size, strong character, and confidence. He feared rebuke from his new lady not yet knowing her as well as her predecessor. I was hoping it would not be any trouble if I asked to fly with my Lady alone. I mean no offense, friend; you may follow if you wish. For bonding purpose’s sake, I wish to get to know her one on one.

Caelum hoped the accompanying man would understand and give consent to his request. Even more so, his heart hoped beyond hope that his Lady would take no offense. A bad first impression can become insurmountably damaging to one’s reputation especially for those immortal such as the draconic race let alone a bad impression between a pledged dragon and his Lady of the Wind.

[Lady Aeolian Kilith]

At the finish of her words, Aeolian's attempt at an encouraging smile quickly disappeared into a discomforted frown. Perpetual circles of air danglilng from her wrists, spinning about her ankles, rang with the excited hailing of an approaching Wind Dragon. Aeolian knew not how she understood that another was coming, nor had she ever heard of a Wind Dragon and yet an image of the magestic creature, teal in tint with a trail of fur down its spine, twisted through the air in a vision floating before her eyes. Instinct --or maybe it was her newly awakened powers as this Lady of the Wind-- that told her that this was a Wind Dragon; That this creature came for her. A shake of her head dispelled the image and Aeolian wondered if she'd imagined it or conjured it on the winds. Worry creased her brow.

Unknowlingly she ignored any of Michihito's comments as she turned her visage skyward in an attempt to discern truth from an overly active imagination.
Keep calm. Even if it is your powers --which you might not even have-- getting worked up now wont help.
Aeolian forced herself to scan the sky, but at first glimpse of the massive body skimming the treetops, Aeolian backed into the nearest tree, folding white wings around her. The dragon hadn't been nearly so large in the vision! And yet, all she'd had to compare it to then were clouds.
The branches and leaves roared with the dragon's arrival, rustling and threatening to snap. Aeolian's need for order, her fear for the unknown, ushered the winds to reign and soon, the air sang more than roared for the dragon's arrival.
If Michihito reacted, Aeolian did not notice. She had eyes only for glittering sapphire eye fixed in the dragon's powerful head. She could feel fear coalescing into a lump in her throat --what if it ate her? The natural winds dove to her as if to surround her in protective barriers.

What does it want with me?
At the very thought a gentle urging, a cautious presence stepped in on her consciousness. Aeolian's silver-grey eyes grew wide when she realized what was happening --the dragon was in her head. But while she feared an attack, only a voice came, a voice offering only kind words.
I hope you both are in good health, young ones. Please, allow me to escort you and your friend home to Denenvera, my Lady. Please allow me to escort you home and protect you, young Lady. If you require, there is a clearing ahead of you now where I believe I can land. Or we can embark towards home from here
Denenvera? Lady? ...He knows I'm Lady of the Wind?

Silently Aeolian was glad for the tree behind her, taking the weight her legs seemed to refusing to hold up. Her mind analyzed what was happening nearly as fast as the wristlets spun at the grat dragon's presence.
He was revered to the winds, that much she could tell with or without these extra powers everyone seemed to say she had; Never before had the breezes been this excited, this... happy. Surely, they wouldnt be happy if he was going to eat her. She didnt want to believe a voice that kind could kill either.
He did say he would protect me...
She pushed herself away from the tree and tried to let her mind feel this presence within her own, as if to tentativly inspect it instead of recoiling each time it spoke. Something in that single blue eye made Aeolian want to understand. A sparkle, maybe, something human that she wasnt sure how to place. She'd never come across a look like that before, at least, not one directed at her.

Excuse me again.
This time Aeolian was surprised to find the voice just as tentative as she was with the dragon's presence, especially when he held so much poise and grace hovering silently above the treeline. She waited, trying to relay an acceptance, but she ended up frowning instead, unsure if her willing had worked. Still, the mighty dragon spoke, and Aeolian wondered, for the first time, if Michihito could hear him too.
I was hoping it would not be any trouble if I asked to fly with my Lady alone. I mean no offense, friend; you may follow if you wish. For bonding purpose’s sake, I wish to get to know her one on one.

"You..."
Her voice didnt sound quite as strong as she would have liked, but she forced herself to continue after chancing a glimpse at Michihito.
"...are here to take me to Denenvera."
More assurance filled her voice. With each word, her wind jewels seemed to express encouragement, as if she were doing the right thing. He seemed kind enough and if her judgement was wrong --as it had been so many times before-- she had these supposed powers to fend him off, didn't she? Too liable to trust sometimes...

Before sharing another word with the anonymous Wind Dragon, Aeolian turned to Michihito, silver eyes streaked with a bright blue searchig his face for... approval? She hoped he would not walk away with a helplessness or abandonment, but hurt feelings seemed inevitable.
"They tell me to go with him..."
She started tentatively, afraid her first ally would not believe or trust her. Her words were spoken softly to keep some privacy between the two, but she wasn't sure how well the dragon's hearing could prove. The winds responded by quieting themselves about Aeolian and Michihito, drifting back and forth as if to deliver her words in a soft caress.
They, of course, were the winds, the breezes, the small trickles of air she didnt think he could even notice. All of them, tugged her toward the skies. They never steered her wrong before, so she had no reason to trust them now.
"...and I would like to get to know him should I be working closely with him."
A sad smile came to her face; parting was always a painful process, but Aeolian never had someone come even as close as Michihito did in this past day. Wings spread wide, to their full glory, she whispered a few parting words to her friend, afraid of the sound of her voice:
"I hope you come visit some day."

Aeolian half turned before springing upward and pounding her wings. She darted with a graceful agility from the forest brush to the skies, brushing no feather with the leafy green canopy. In fact, no dirt stirried at her feet and the leaves did not chatter in angry protest, instead they parted silently as if to allow the Lady to pass. In truth she didnt want Michihito to see the pools filling her eyes. Blinking them back she came to a halt just past the dragon's head.
"I am not so incapapble as to not fly myself."
Aeolian surrised herself with the confidence in her voice, especially when she pulled up her chin and found herself once again entranced by the sapphire eye. She could not waver before that eye and yet she feared it and forced herself to swallow the growing lump. It could still devour her if it wanted. It could still judge her.

What have I gotten myself into?



[-ooc- A little change in format, hope no one minds. And sorry, Michi, for having to jump ahead, but I cant let the plot rest any longer -]

[sky]

Scolding himself for scaring her so, Caelum watched as she seemed to regain composure. Their minds danced within their personal mutual experience; both exploring and both searching to know the other. He was happy that, though the connection had been weak, she was able to convey the sense of accepting. She was one possessed of a strong personality and unique character, characteristics all the blessed embraced; he was sure that was what he felt behind her young mind. Nodding softly, the dragon confirmed her statement of him taking, as she had put it, her to Denenvera.

He watched the two below the forest canopy in silence. They tell me to go with him… She must have been speaking of the winds. Caelum remembered fondly of the nights he spent sitting with Aeolian’s predecessor. Often times, he would listen to her whispering to the night sky. She had told him it was the winds with whom she spoke. Even as one of Airos’s precious dragons, he knew not of the experience of conversing with the winds; he often understood them, but could never truly understand her speaking with them. His Lady attempted to reason with her companion, more likely also reasoning with herself; her apprehension itself reasonable. Her companion, the unnamed winged man, stood hidden from the large sapphire eye; his face at least masked by low branches. Unfortunately, the noble beast was unable to discern the man’s reaction and response if not spoken. Aeolian turned saying her good-bye.

Caelum lifted away from the tree-tops to allow his Lady the room to pass. Hovering above his monstrous form, she pronounced herself able. He gave her a subtle, but contented, draconic grin. A fright from sheer size was one thing; from a razor-edged smile another he would rather spare her from currently.

Of course, came his agreement upon seeing her ascent.

Shall we go, then? After nodding his farewell to the young man below them, dragon body circled to face their route home. His head took its place beside Aeolian’s figure as to not overwhelm her too much with his body’s massive size. Sapphire eye gazed upon the woman before him. He could not help but be filled with intense joy as well as sheer relief.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Once again, his conspicuous body soared above Water’s nation on his round trip. He felt simply overwhelmed with a heightened sense of freedom and renewed hope flying with their Lady and leader. With minutes past and miles behind, the dragon felt to introduce himself now, informally at least. Above the roar of the winds of flight, his voice drifted again touching her mind.

My name is Caelum Gladius, my Lady. I am truly honored to soar with you.

They crossed into Wind’s territory…

ooc: to be continued in Their Lady’s Return