Running on Empty. Praying to stay that way.

[Redshi]

God. Gods. Why? WHY? I don't understand. Guess I never truly can. Why would they allow one such as myself to be created? Why, when I am a punishment to all of their other living creatures? Perhaps, without noticing it, I'm attracted to the bad kind.

The only way to figure out if that were true or not, would be for me to meet a couple. Become friends or at least good aqaintances. But, I know what would happen.

An innocent girl walks down towards me. "Oh, wow! A RED unicorn! How cool!" She charges, blam. I've stabbed her in the heart. Then I can walk on to another day. Another place. Another victim. There was supposedly once a breed of humans like me. They were called...vampires. But, they chose who they could attack. And apparently, they could play with their 'prey' first. Not I. Once again. The Gods must hate me, why else would they curse me so. But, why don't they go ahead and kill me?

I get it. They give me this curse. They give me a soft heart. Then, they force me to live. I must have done something terrible to them in a past life. I know my personal god. It must be the one of the Earth. Borran. Why? Because I admire the way the Earth takes a beating from everything. Yet, it remains strong, and sometimes cold. But, maybe that's what keeps it alive. If my heart could be made of stone, or at least cold. I'd never have troubles again.

I stopped walking, looking up to see marshes and stretches of eerie looking water far ahead of me. I was hungry. I needed blood. I knew this was where I was meant to be. No warm blooded creatures would dare come here. Perhaps I could provoke an alligator into biting my head off. Or, at the very least, my horn. My front right leg itched. I bent my head down to scratch it, making sure not to use my horn in case it made me feel tingly again. I don't know if that apendage sends messages to my brain that it's nearby meat, but that's what happens. Warm skin, warm fur, anything warm, sometimes even myself, and this object of fate goes beserk.

I lifted my head, only to see that the sun was beginning to set, nothing blocked it's travel down the horizon today. It must like the marshes too. No trees needed burning down. Nothing. Suddenly, I noticed the clouds that had followed me. Of course, they probably didn't, but, with my nature, I have a very easily set paranoia. They were low, omniscient, and a dull gray. A chill breeze sprung up opposite of the marsh. What should have been a humid, annoying evening at the marsh, quickly turned thin waters into small ice. This was interesting. Normally marhses did not see winter. Winter must be angry.

Either way, I found a small cove near some scrubs and lay down, bracing myself for more hunger, and bitter cold. Maybe now, I could confront the Gods on their creation.

[Mae Ri Ella Maquis]

The Silver City had done the little Mae Ri good. The elves had taught her a great deal in a short ammount of time --the sky and earth had been explained, emotions named, histories retold, powers molded. The common no longer taunted the frail blonde girl with mystery. She understood them now, just as well as any other thirteen-year old might.

But while the world now made sense in a falsely inherant way, much of it was still foreign to the girl. Sadly her memories continued to elude her. She had to have come from somewhere --a given that would have bothered any other senitent being robbed of their past. Mae Ri, however, retained her naiievete even through her extensive lessons: The Gods and Goddesses has designed the world to be as it was; they designed and designated each being to a Nation and as deities squabbled among each other the Nations waged war on their creation.

Algaësia was no more. Alraënia reigned.

The world she lived in may be falling to turmoil, but she did not believe, despite the water-superior teachings of her Elven tutors, that those of Fire, Earth, or Wind were cruel by nature. Demitrius had been of Wind ane he had opened all of the door before her by simply depositing her at the Water capitol.

Training as far complete as water bending should allow, her mentors granted Mae Ri leave to explore the world to satisfy her unending stream of questions. Curiosity, it seemed, was a part of the girl untainted by the amnesia. Her promise to stay within Water borders did not last; the venture of something new pulled the blue-eyed blonde away from the territory sacred to Heiseph to the regions unclaimed by any deity: Tthe Uncharted Territories. The Neutral Territories. Surely these were just as safe...

Some travel --how much the girl did not take note-- led Mae Ri to the Cursed Waters, a vast expanse of marsh, lake, river, and creek, a place she only heard of in her books, never seen. Wandering along the edges, bright blue eyes roved the weaving of land and water, admiring the complex assimilation of land and water, the solid and flowing. She stepped deftly around a piece of false ground --moss covered water-- without looking; her affinity for water warning her where the land could not hold her bare-footed weight. Wind pushed at her straw blonde hair and the light, blue dress ending just before her ankles.

Pushing the hair from her eyes with thin fingers, she spied a patch of red amidst the shades green and blue. She quirked her head to the side, much like a bird, and wandered forth without a second thought. Creeping around the shrubbery with little intent at subtlety, Mae Ri found herself face to face with a red unicorn seemingly huddled down for the night. Mae stood there childishly observing the creature and tilted her head to the other side, as if to see if it should change with a different angle. She said nothing until she crouched down, folding her skirts beneath her knees as she sat on her heels. She smiled.

"Hello."

[Redshi]

I gazed across the murky waters, reveling in the barren lands.The breezes made me shiver in happiness as I thought that perhaps I could not hurt anybody else.

"Hello?"

Oh no. A voice, a small voice that I could understand to e a living creature, something that could compell me to great measures.

I could not think of what to do. To not look at her would be impolite. But truthfully, would one care about politeness if it would kill them? Heh, life was far too complicated. I could look and attempt to resist, in which one of three things must happen. One, I would see her and kill her. Two, I would see her and be able to resist, and we could go our seperate ways. Three, I could resist, like my second option, and maybe she will understand, and be able to help me. Not likely, but, the third would be the best option.

Oy, here goes. I turned my enormous cranium and gazed at the girl. She was quite pretty, blonde haired and blue eyed, she seemed to be about half of my own age. "Hello. Can I help you?"

My voice seemed strong, like normal, but bored, as though I could wish her to leave.Though, really, I was torn. I'd never had company before, I mean, thinking about who I am...it would be hard. Company seems like something that the rest of the world loved, but for me, I have walked the land of Alraenia alone. Yet, I could not wish to risk myself to the torture of living with a truly living being. I suddenly thought of a rumor of beings that maybe the girl could help me with. I would wait to ask her until she had asked me.



OOC: Bleh- sorry about short post... ;/

[Mae Ri Ella Maquis]

"Hello. Can I help you?"

Mae Ri blinked. The voice clearly wasn't hers so presumably it belonged to someone else. After all, the voice did come from... somewhere. Maybe it belonged to the red and white creature before her. But it hadn't moved its lips in speech... had it? At least, she didnt think she'd seen it speak in the same manner she had.

Still, Mae got the distinct feeling the horned horse didn't much desire her company. Her voice --for the voice had been distinctly feminine even through its coarse boredom-- had reminded Mae Ri of her teachers when they could not stand the jibbering and jabbering of some of the others present. Mae Ri, in turn, had become one not especially inclined to speaking. At the same time, Mae's vocabulary was limited to that of a child until her lessons began to include reading and writing --but the details of Mae Ri's education did not concern either her or her quadrupedal company during their meeting in the swamp.

Mae Ri watched the unicorn a little longer, with her head tipped to the side, before resting her chin on her knees. "I dont know." Came her simple reply, void of much expression. Mae simply seemed to observe the unicorn with an innocent curiosity. She stretched her toes, curling and uncurling them as she remained on the fringes of the unicorn's resting place. "Are you supposed to?"

The blonde girl's mind was a simple thing that didn't filter what she said. It sought knowledge, answers to the questions she couldn't answer and turned them back at those around her. She meant no harm by them, but everyone seemed to make the world more complicated than it was. Or so it seemed.

[-ooc- likewise]

[Redshi]

Redshi sighed. Great, now it seemed as though she is scared of me. The unicorn continued to gaze at the girl. She seemed confused, as though she understood only little about what was going on. And not simply about Redshi, anyone would be confused about the unicorn. But the girl seemed confused abou life and the world in general. "I don't know." The girl spoke. Yes, she was very confused, and Redshi was compelled to help the girl more than to survive. This was strange. "Are you supposed to?" She asked, curling up and wiggling her toes.

Redshi paused, struck by a small revelation. "No. I think we might have to help each other. Such as, you seem slightly confused, and I am angry at myself."

The femme looked at her curled up leg. Boy, didn't that last one sound like a pity party? Red orbs gazed at the one thing she hated most, other than the thing that seperated her from horses and made her a unicorn. Redshi was not one for suicide, she was hardly even mean in any way, but there was still one thing in her life that she could do without. 'If I could simply kill my body, or even just this curse, I would be the happiest unicorn in Alraenia.'


Suddenly my mind wonders back to my first thoughts. Before the girl had arrived. Vampires. They lived, probably not by choice. But me, it was more like I never needed to eat, drink, and sometimes sleep. But, I had a leech on my head. One that didn't take from me, rather, it took from everyone around me.

I needed to become cold. I had to be more like Borran, more like the dirt and soil, rocks, mountains. Sleet, rain, snow, they could all beat on it as they wished, but the dirt was still there, hard and uncaring as ever when the rain washed away, the snow melted.

I would have said that this was my chance. I could be mean to this girl. I could ask her to help me, that, if I ever felt soft, then she was to tell me. But, a thought lingered in my head over that plan. I could never hurt this girl intentionally. I could never hurt anyone. One should think that, since the moment I was born, both my parents were dead, and that everyone who comes close suddenly dies, wouldn't I be cold enough? No, instead, I'm sad that I can't talk to anyone but myself. Nobody but this little girl, and I don't know why I'm not attacking.

The wind suddenly picked up, howling through the swamps. Many of the creatures hid in the water from it as big gray storm clouds began to roll in. Redshi's multi-colored mane flipped over, tendrils whipping slightly at her neck. The mare looked at the girl. "Yes. We must help each other, if you don't mind being around a beast."


OOC: Much better, I think. Again- sorry about that forever wait. ;] You can kill me now ;]

[Mae Ri Ella Maquis]

Mae Ri listened as the unicorn replied with the idea of helping one anther, but she could not help wondering how the unicorn was talking at all. The elves had taught her of the different breeds of creatures roaming the lands of Alraënia --for it was Alraënia now, not Algaësia-- and Mae did not remember the lessons inndicating unicorns could speak. The unicorn puzzled out that Mae looked confused and revealing herself to be angry in the same way that Mae Ri puzzled out that there must be too many creatures for the elves to keep record of. Still, a talking unicorn fascinated Mae Ri and the gazed at the red and white patches in awe.

"Im not confused," Mae Ri said suddenly, completely disregarding the unicorn's appeal for mutual help. The blonde girl unfolded from her squat, sprawling long slender legs out before her and leaning back on the palms of her hands; Mae Ri didn't look like she was going anywhere fast, but nor was she really hearing the unicorn's fateful conversation. Bright blue eyes found her company's gaze. "And you're not a beast. You're a unicorn. Seeing one is supposed to be lucky."

The on-coming stormy weather pushed at her blonde hair, but Mae made no attempt to restrain it or remove it from her face; the wind would have just pushed it right back in her face. Confidence echoed in her voice as she stated the facts, a confidence that sounded more arrogant as she pointed out the truth than youthful and simple. Everyone seemed to mix up what was real with what they thought. They really needed to pay more attention sometimes.

"Who are you?" Again with the abrupt comments --Mae Ri never did learn ...tact. She usually sat and listened, but when her curiosity peaked, there wasn't much that could keep the questions on her tongue from voice. Inquiry left as it was, Mae blinked, patiently and silently waiting, for the unicorn to answer.

[ -ooc- I wont kill you, I'd get too bored xD ]

[Redshi]

Redshi took her own turn to simply gaze at the girl. The blue eyes made her face almost too stunning, and the red beast could see the potential in her future as a very pretty woman with a very lucky man. Thankfully, Redshi thought, I am imagining her future. I still do not yet understand why she is not dead, and lying in a bloodless heap. The wind snagged the girl's blonde hair, tossing it at her face, almost echoing what the red and white hairs of the unicorns mane had done. Something strong was working, of that, Redshi was sure. Yet she had no idea, nor why or how.

"I'm not confused." She said.The girl paused, likely thinking. "And you're not a beast.You're a unicorn. Seeing one is supposed to be lucky."

Redshi seperated her phrases to think them out individually. Okay, maybe confused had been a word chosen badly, but lost would not have sounded much better. Redshi could say nothing objective to that, but the next two should be easy.

Not a beast. Quite possibly, but this girl must ascertain things much differently from many humans. Most humans tend to believe that anything not human or sub human was a beast. Whether they were intelligent or not was a different matter, but, all were beasts.

As for Unicorns being lucky. Indeed. It must be that belief that had saved this girls life. Redshi was not a lucky unicorn in any way. Rather, she tested one's luck, if you lived, you are lucky. If not, you are dead. This girl was the one carrying the luck. Besides, most unicorns looked more like horses, not red and white patched things.

Redshi whipped her attention back on the girl as she began to speak again. "Who are you?"

Redshi paused. "Before I answer that last, let me clear some things up. I don't know who has taught you what you know, but they have skipped out on one important lesson in life. Alraënia is an ever-changing land. New species, new breeds, new magics, and new thing are made or born each day. Never categorize by what you see. First of all. I am quite a beast. I walk on four legs and can not make tools, therefore, by common human and sub-human standards, I am merely an intelligent beast, but a beast none-the-less. Also, I am not a normal unicorn. First of all, I was not even born. I was made by killing the two who should have been called my parents. I am not lucky in any sort of way. Rather, you are lucky, for anything living and full of blood that wanders near me, or I, it, will perish by the tip of what makes my a Unicorn. I live on Blood and nothing else, and I don't know how many times I have wanted to die for that." Redshi paused, letting it all sink in for the girl. "Now, my name is Redshi. It is a pleasure for me to meet you, first livving being to have survived with me."

[Mae Ri Ella Maquis]

Mae Ri frowned ever so slightly at the unicorn's response. As the unicorn spoke, she seemed... upset with Mae, which was not the girl's intention in the slightest. Mae had merely been curious, maybe overly so, but she had thought the question had been simple enough to keep her company engaged. All she wanted was to learn so, whether this speech was merited or not, Mae Ri kept her silence and listened to each and every word, as defensive and preechey as they were. There was always some knowledge to be gained when another spoke.

In the end, the unicorn revealed who she was with permission of her name: Redshi. But that was not before she provided Mae Ri with a miniature lesson about the land they wandered. "Never categorize by what you see." That made sense. After all, it seemed Redshi was not merely a unicorn. Redshi also gave more of a glimpse into her psyche that she probably had meant to allow. Still, Mae Ri shifted through the information provided to her wtih an eagerness of a sponge absorbing water.

When Redshi gave her name a smile burst out across Mae's face, glad to have had her question answered. "Redshi." Mae seemed to taste the word as she said it, nodding once in affirmation before changing her position yet again. She scooped her knees under her and crawled forward until she sat just beyond the mare's velvet muzzle.

"Mae Ri is Mae Ri and Mae Ri is glad to have met you, Redshi," The blonde girl pointed to her own face as she mentioned her name and shook her blonde locks as she went on, "but she did not mean to make you upset. Mae did not think it was bad to ask who you are."

She smiled sideways. The expression actually looked a little bit silly with her eyebrows raised and the side of her mouth looking more crooked than anything. Mae was not sorry, persay --she could not be sorry so long as she had learned something-- but she was aware of the mare's disgruntled and discomforted front.

"Mae Ri just wanted to know who you are." She sounded like a child apologizing to a parent for ask a question about something children shouldn't know. "Everyone has a different who and a different what, but Mae doesnt know her what so she likes to know who's instead." The hope smile that peeled across her face lit up her face. She had little concept of what she should and should not do, and she tried her best and wanted to please.

"Can Mae Ri touch you, Redshi?" Like a bird eyeing offered bread crumbs, she quirked her head to the side as she had before, blonde lengths falling to the side. Not one blink of her blue eyes seemed to fear the horn that hovered so close at hand. She had the naiieve, invincible air of a child.

[Redshi]

OOC: good lord you make this so complicated...lol, jk. Thanks though, it should help this post be longer. ;]

BIC:

I gazed at the girl as she seemed slightly scared, as though she had offended me. Which, she hadn't, of course, I merely wanted her to understand that she could die at any point of time. Though truthfully, the blonde haired girl baffled me. Yes, I really had NOT met anyone living besides my dead quarry. Of course, they were no longer living. But I would have expected anyone to run from who I was, from what I was. Yet, she sat there, explaining herself.

She acted as though she liked me, as though I needed comfort. As though everything would be alright. I stood, preparing to walk away from the girl that seemed confused, but interested, and not at all scared for her life. I stopped dead in my tracks as she shifted and said something that would have given me a heart attack, If I'd had a heart. "Can Mae Ri touch you, Redshi?" It had annoyed me, the whole, her speaking third person, it made me feel stupid. But now, now I felt extremely stupid. I turned my head around to look at her, her head cocked to the side, her hair falling slantways. "Can I touch you? Redshi?... Can Mae Ri touch you?....Redshi?...." Her voice echoed in my head. Spereate parts, changing words, confusing my brain. My tail, the closest thing to her, swished at a mosquito that tried to steal what life I had left in me.

Mosquitos were normally a nuisance to most, but to me, a walking holding tank of blood, the little buggars were severely threatening pests. "Can Mae Ri touch you, Redshi?" Was she really that ready for death, danger, adventure? Would she really be so....idiotic, so as to stretch out that fragile hand and touch the thing that had killed so many living beings. She knew what she was risking. But, did I? Well, I didn't think it really mattered. If I hadn't attacked her yet, I don't think I ever will. I had only one response to what the girl asked. But I didn't think I could I could even let her understand it, much less utter, or even speak that one fateful word of 'Yes'. I could only gaze at her, frozen solid. If she assumed no, then all the better. But if she could see the answer in my eyes, if could move, and do what she wished. I could be saved, and I could pray that her touch would not reawaken a stronger hunger.

[Mae Ri Ella Maquis]

The silence seemed to stretch on forever as the unicorn that called herself a beast stared at Mae Ri, who just sat --silently, patiently, smilingly-- awaiting a response. Her eyes glittered; her hair shifted. Redshi swatted at a mosquito attempting to roost on her haunch. The grey clouds rolled by while distant skies rumbled warning of rain and thunder, a clash of gods in the heavens. And still Redshi did not respond. She just looked at Mae Ri and Mae Ri just looked back.

And then Mae Ri moved. Not toward or away from the standing unicorn, but up, to her own feet. The process actually looked rather awkward, not at all graceful like the beautiful elfin child she could have been. She scooped her feet under her and, balancing herself with her hands on the grass, let her legs extend to their full lengths before straightening herself at the waist. She looked so much like a young humanoid that had only just learned this art of walking. In truth, Mae Ri had could only remember the most basic of things and, while she could walk, standing up hadn't yet become the most graceful of acts.

Once on her feet, she raised her eyes expectantly back to Redshi. "Mae Ri was told always ask first especially when she only just met her friend." Hands clasped behind her small form, Mae wandered sideways around Redshi, so the horse wouldn't have to look backward at her, all the while, holding her company's tourmented gaze.

When they finally stood face to face, Mae Ri smiled and giggled a little as she looked up at Redshi. "Redshi's tall when she stands up." She smiled something sweet then and brought her hands out from behind her back. Small, delicate, umblemished arms stretched out, collapsing space between the girl and the unicorn's muzzle.

But Mae Ri did not go so far as to touch Redshi without spoken permission. She could see the longing in the unicorn's eyes, but she could not identify the emotion; Mae Ri only had the most basic of understandings, after all. The curious child's mind thought it would be wonderful to touch the mare --and she didn't think Redshi would mind at all-- but the elves had tried teaching her manners and they were stickler's for personal space and rules. Mae Ri did not have permission to touch Redshi, so she would not touch Redshi.

So she reached out her hand, palm to the sky, just far enough so that she could feel Redshi's rough, warm breath tickle her hand. Again, Mae Ri giggled: she was very close to Redshi, but she hadn't broken the rules. She was still being a good girl.

[Redshi]

Redshi gazed on continuously. The girl stood, and slowly walked over, placing her hand under her muzzle. Redshi first felt her own breath, warm, living. Soon, she caught the sweet scent of her skin. At first, it was merely like a temptation, a mere quiver for Redshi to take the life that was so close, so warm. Full of energy.

I pushed the thoughts away, realising where they would lead me. As I shooed them from my mind, the pain and desire ceased. Yet, when I took my next breath, I leaped back in alarm. Making sure to get away from the girl before rearing in a frenzy. Suddenly, it was like my mind and body were seperated. My body frenzied, wanting everything that the girl offered. Yet, my mind fought. I refused to touch the girl in any dangerous ways. She might be doing something, walking, talking, soothing, anything. All I knew, was I was struggling vainly to keep her bright blonde hair out of my vision. Forefeet kicking as vainly as it seemed possible, tail whipping, head rolling around, I could not control myself. I told myself to breath, but that was a mistake. I settled down for one second, in front of the girl, but, my horn was leveling itself to her heart. Big mistake. Before I could charge, it was like someone tripped my legs, but I had merely locked my knees. Thankfully, my body stil responded to my brain. My feet scrambled themselves under me, hoisting my body up. I turned until the girl was directly behind me and shook the dust of me. I refused to look at her, rather, I took three steps forward and lay down, closing my eyes, but leaving my ears perked. Silently, I prayed that she would be terrified and run, but something told me that she would not.

The gathering storm suddenly let out all of it's water, and suddenly, Redshi's red pelt turned dull brown, the fiery blood in her cooling as it began to run thin. The unicorn was starving, but happily so. Perhaps this would be her last night, hopefully, it would be.

[Kaitou Haru]

There was something not right about that animal. Its physique was of proper balance and proportions, but the color was off. From the tip of its nose, past the whiskers, and through its body to the end of its slender tail and to the ground where its paws and claws rested- a pale silver coated every inch of fur it had. Eyes not of yellow, but of blue were focused on nothing in front of it. Step after step this feline moved with no destination in mind. There was no need for a destination, only the need for motivation. It’s paws sank in the soft, soaked flesh of the earth slightly. Footprints decided to follow the body of this massive cat. The creature did not decide to walk plain in the open dirt- but instead to weave through the shrubbery and plant life. Its color should not be silver, but should be black- that of a panther. It must be fun to have to hide because of your color deficiency.

Oh what a lovely helping of unnecessary sarcasm.

To the left: grassy shrubs
To the right: more grassy shrubs
Above: the tops of the reeds, and grassy shrubs.
It was like that for only a few minutes since the beginning of the walk through this area. Prior to now he had stood on two feet, walking at a slow pace with a bowed head. But he realized the coast was clear- that his powers could be used in complete secrecy and comfort. No feelings of relief or success came over the creature when it learned it could be comfortable. No self-noticed smile, no twinkle in the eye. Nothing. The silence was preferred over everything with the only parker to be the song of nature’s life echoing in his ears, and lets not forget the slight “Squish” sound the mud made under the great cats paws.

But there was a pause. The panther stopped in its tracks with his eyes slowly closing. Ears twitched, picking up soft sounds. A voice. No, two of them. They were of the same pitch- feminine voices. But one was higher than the other- not really higher. One of the voices, the one the beat couldn’t understand was of a softer tone, gentle and innocent. The other, still unable to comprehend, sounded more mature- more experienced in the cruel ways that life can spit on you. It caused its head to turn, to see something through the greenery. They weren't so visible due to the plants sway and the distance he had- but he could make out general colors. One thing was red, the other had a majority of yellow. He peeked his head through the bushes to see a beast of wonder. A unicorn. Its color was red and white, but this unicorn was acting strange. It was hesitant to move, its eyes full of hidden thoughts. The mouth moved, speaking words that he could only hear as muffled sounds. The cat then looked in the direction the mythical mare was speaking- that’s when the pupils of the blue eyed panther widened.

A girl, with blonde hair. She stood close, her arms outstretched towards the mythical horse. Her arms were inviting, gentle, kind. She who had a body that was frail in appearance but showed confidence in the bones. Eyes that were full of curiosity and blissful happiness. An aura flowed through her veins.
Purity

Haru’s heart stopped for a second. Everything stopped, just a body frozen in shock. The girl, that creature, sparked the memory engraved into his mind. This girl looked so similar. The chances were astronomically small, but really, what were the chances of ever meeting someone looking that similar to a lost kin of his past? Almost zero.
But the sudden movement of the mare shook Haru’s mind free of the awestruck look that was set so well on his muzzle. The large horn waved its way in the air along with the movement of the unicorns front legs and hooves. The horse had some look of anger, a thirst for damage. Blood. Its mane swirled about with the motion
Danger. It was danger to that girl to stand so close. Kin or not, she will be caught in the action if she did not move backwards.

Swift movement came over Haru’s body. His paws carried him forward in a heavy sprint, dashing to the source of purity. He let out a low roar from his vocal chords: a signal to pay attention. As hooves along with the forelegs of the mare were coming crashing down to the ground- along with a horn pointed towards her vital, Haru’s pace quickened. The distance that felt so much larger than it really was shrank in size as the feline emerged from the bushes, wanting to put itself between the girl and the creature as its legs buckled beneath it. As the horse gained its posture again and began to turn was when Haru showed up as his panther form. He stood between the girl and the blood-colored mare. He looked at the mare from the corner of his eye- watching it carefully to see if it would lunge at him as well. His head turned and looked up at the girl who was being caught at such a sudden outburst of energy between two animals. Another low growl, one of warning, came from Haru’s throat. He took half a step towards her, his head beckoning her away from him and the other form of life that was not “human.”

Back away, back away!
The phrase rang in Haru’s head over and over. His desire to be in the form the girl took was exceedingly high- he wished to speak with her, to hear the voice again without this small amount of chaos. He finished the step that was half way in the making, head bowed. Haru’s fur softly touched the girls left shin, gently nudging it in the direction away from them. But something else moved again-something other than Haru's body or the song of nature that used to be the only sound he could hear. His ears twitched at the sound of what was behind him, then what was above. He turned fast, then slowed. The blood colored creature took steps away from them suddenly, resting its body on the patch of dirt that was dusty and dry from before. Looking behind him now, Haru noticed his footprints stopped chasing his seemingly non-existent progress in the attempt to find someone lost to him.

The sky. It was roaring louder than he ever could when the water hit his fur, dampening and darkening everything around the three. His fur was matted flat, the silver becoming more of a grey- bringing out the essence in the blue hue to his eyes- however the blue became more icy, more cold, just like how he presented himself.
The girl....she’ll get wet.
Haru once again looked up at the girl- unsure of her reaction to the sudden intrusion of his person , along with the combination of the storms water release and the mares sudden reaction to everything that Haru honestly wasn’t so sure why she was provoked to do so.
.....Understand...understand me.
He walked around her in circles twice, and once again gently nudged her, begging her for some distance between the creatures or the rain- or even both.
....Please...!
His eyes showed the sense of desperate action- but he was unsure if the girl would be able to read such emotion that was rarley seen.

[Mae Ri Ella Maquis]

How it happened and what had happened, Mae Ri couldn't tell you. It came, unexpected and all at once, and she must have looked dumb having stood for so long, but she did not and could not believe that Redshi would shove that spiraling spear through her chest. Redshi was her friend, Mae Ri's new friend. The only friend she had a chance to make since Demetrius. So why, why was her friend bucking and rearing, throwing her hooves in her face and--

Mae Ri's confused, frozen position was broken by the feel of fur, and pressure, on her hip. Almost stupidly, she dug her heels into the ground as her hands rose into the air, a gesture strangely resembling an adult that didn't know what to do with a child shoving at her knees. But Mae Ri was no adult and the new presence was no child. A panther, a shockingly sheek silver of fur, pushed her backward as Redshi scrambled and gathered her crumpled forelegs beneath her to stand again.

"Redshi!" Mae Ri called and reached forward, trying push past the panther to help her friend, but her frail form could not contest with the rippling muscles of the cat and she staggered backward instead of forward. "No!" Anger, stubborn futile anger. She swatted at the cat --what did it know? It was trying to keep her away from her friend and her friend needed help. Mae Ri wanted to help. Like Demitrius had helped her.

But Redshi was turning away and going away. Tears swelled up in her eyes and Mae Ri looked fervrently between the silver panther and unicorn; one she knew, one trying --supposedly-- to protect her. "Please," Mae Ri pleaded with the cat, gestures emphasizing her eyes, "Mae Ri must help Redshi." She pointed to the unicorn walking away. Her eyes followed her gesture as Redshi stopped her departure and fell to rest.

Mae's eyes then moved to the sky, following the source of the dark patterns appearing on Redshi's coat. Rain. She blinked at the sky as water fell on her face, big drops that slid down her cheeks. She liked the feel of it as it dampened her hair. Water always made her feel clean, even if it tingled and tickeled. Mae Ri closed her clear blue eyes to the sky and took a deep breath. It helped her think, calmed her. It helped things grow, the elves had said, and so it helped her grow.

Her peace of mind was interrupted by the cat again, shoving gently at her thigh. Droplets scattered from her bangs as she watched him pace around her. He was a beautiful creature and she wanted to pet him as well, but Redshi first. She had to help Redshi. The cat, however, did not seem to want her to go closer to the unicorn.

Mae Ri's shoulders fell. What could she do now? The cat had her prisioner. He ceased his pacing and Mae Ri frowned down at him and his insisting ways. "I already told you, No." A child scolding the parent with a rather silly looking wag of her finger. But that was that, and Mae turned to Redshi without paying any more mind to the cat.

Raising her palms to Redshi, she spread her fingers, thumbs and forefingers touching, and swallowed a breath. Slowly she curved her hands until her littlest fingers touched. The raindrops above Redshi seemed to shift ever so slightly when they came came within four feet of the unicorn. In one long breath Mae Ri's breath came out as her hands move down and outward. The direction of the rain mirrored her hands. Against all push or shove of the wind and grumbling skies, the rain slid at conical angles around Redshi's shape.

Mae Ri had created something of an invisible, cone-shaped umbrella for her unicorn friend while she stood soaked to the skin in the middle of the thunderstorm. Water plastered her hair to her face and ran off her clothes --an elven shift of a yellow paler than her hair-- without so much as dampening a ruffle. It dripped from her hands as she repeated the same movements every few minutes to keep the umbrella up. It The feats of magic large and small.

[Redshi]

OOC: Yay ;] Okay, just so ya'll know, school starts for me tomorow, and, well, I'm a junior in high school now, so, ya, it's gonna be hectic. Just so you know, in case my replies take longer han usual ;]

BIC: Redshi wondered if her horn would break off easily, and, would it hurt if she did. Suddenly, a growling silver cat paced in between Redshi and Mae Ri. Thank the gods. Someone to save the poor girl. Redshi wondered, if I can get it lodged in the ground, well, will it work? Can I shove fast enough for it to snap? The red unicorn sighed as she lay down, ignoring the rain that seemed to put the rest of her fire out. She should be under the Fire god, not Earth. At least, with Fire, many people are forgiven or called normal for being angry and killing all the time. But, instead, she was stuck with Earth. Well, it wasn't that bad. If she could be a strong and unforgiving as the Earth was.

Just as suddenly as the rain had started, Redshi no longer felt the pitter patter on her pelt. It still rained, just not on her. She turned her head around, looking at the girl as she performed intricate hand signs, supposedly causing the rain to flow away from Redshi. The cat stood next to her.

I felt no reason to stay there anymore, I had a few things to say before I tried to go die one last time. I stood, shaking whatever water had not drained off me yet. Walking forward, I first went to the big cat. "Thank you, friend. I did not wish to kill this girl. I would love to say that I owed you, but, I'm afraid I can't let my life go on much longer now." I walked a little more towards Mae Ri, stopping within arms length. "Thank you, as well, Mae Ri. I can hold myself for a few more minutes, if you would like to touch me, then please, do so quickly. Afterwards, we should part ways."

OOC: Oooh, I had good idea... wanna hear? Of course ya do... lol
The antidote to Redshi's lust for any one being's blood, should be for them to touch them. So, once Mae Ri touches Redshi, Redshi should become her protector, no? I like it ;] Lol, save all our charries from impending doom. ;]

[Kaitou Haru]

Being swatted at by the innocent girl was not a part of Haru’s plan. Didn’t she understand that she was in danger, no matter what the bond between her and the beast was? As Haru’s blue eyes kept in contact with the girl, words escaped her lips that due to his own deficiencies, did not understand. They sounded frustrated and sad at the same time- likewise for what thoughts were running through Haru’s mind. He still held his ground, his paws barely sinking into the earth anymore. His strength was far superior to hers, but then in all attempts he suddenly ceased at the sight of tears in her eyes. Silver ears drooped in the slightest, and the tense muscles eased. When he paced, all he could think about was getting her safe. Then, when she so innocently wagged her finger at him, Haru finally complied. He didn’t move as the girl walked right by him- determined to make her way to the unicorn.

The panther remained where it stood, the fur matted to the body. Water droplets held onto the tips of his whiskers, only to fall when he shook his body of the absorbed water. He was behind her now, watching intently as she used her abilities to move the raindrops around this creature. No names, he knew no names. He couldn’t call the girl anything else but “The girl” and the unicorn anything else besides “The mare, beast, creature,” or “unicorn.” The names weren’t necessarily needed, however they would help. The girl still kept Haru’s mind busy about his past and his journey to find his sister- or at least to find if she was alive.

His train of thought was cut short as the mare stood up and approached him. Words of gratitude were given, but again were not understood. However by the look in the creatures eyes showed some form of that thanks. Haru as a panther merely nodded his head. He watched the red unicorn how approach the girl in an arms distance. Her hair was soaked, so was any exposed skin. A wonder: isn’t she cold? Or is her innocence too superior to her natural perspectives? As the horse spoke to her, Haru backed away quietly. Despite how this all had happened so fast, Haru’s time was going to be cut short again. He would turn back to his human appearance, no matter how hard he tried not to.

Step by step he prowled in reverse, sinking behind the girls vision and avoiding drawing any attention from the red beast. He suddenly stopped in his tracks when his tail began to brush up against the reeds. Now either he could make a ruckus while trying to weave his way into the plant life, or he could just do it there, despite having two possible observers.

As the choice was made, the fur on Haru’s body began to grow thin. Simotaniously, his tail was shortening and fading away into nothing along with his ears changing their shape into those of a humans. His joints bent and contorted to a new shape- the fur on his head growing longer and forming into hair of the same silver hue. The snout and whiskers left, leaving a nose and a mouth. All of this happening at once, Haru started to stand on two feet, black cloth shrouding him. All of this was concealed by the naked eye by having a white aura surround him- not glowing and blinding- but enough to prevent the sight of his transformation. As it faded, a person stood in the panthers place. He was tall and such, pale with the same silver hair and piercing blue eyes. Poised and such, and clothed with black attire. Haru made his way back to where the girl and the creature stood, not knowing if they saw that scenario or not. As he came closer, the unicorns words made sense: her allowing to be....touched? And then words implying a farewell.
Farewell...

It clicked in Haru’s mind as he now stood behind the girl, bearing left. Her innocence might not be able to apprehend what is going to happen to this creature. If she were to run after this beast, Redshi, she might not appreciate such a thing. Haru was tempted to speak for once- but something held him back, and that was the lack of information he possessed. Would this beast really die?
Suicide...?

Would the girl try to stop the mare despite its wills? Haru had no say in the matter. It was not his life and it was something he could not control or protect when it came down to it.

[Redshi]

OOC: Just letting you two know, I will likely be away for some amount of time, hopefully no more than a week. School is starting and life will be getting hectic. I will post asap, loves. ;] !Redshi/Talon

[Mae Ri Ella Maquis]

It took a great deal of Mae's concentration to keep the spell working, and truth be told it was no simple task, to control water in motion. The pattern to wipe away the droplets was simple enough, created on the spot out of a child's whim, but the sheer number of falling drops would soon tire even the most practiced of water affiliates. Little wonder why she had yet come upon a spell to dispell the rain in such a fashion; she was learning the lesson the hard way, but then, she was also learning the feat was not impossible, merely little more than futile. But Redshi, it seemed, would not have Mae Ri exhaust herself shielding her from the rain. Once the unicorn stood, Mae could not contain her within her umbrealla without recreating the spell to encompass a larger area. Even so, to shield a moving target would have been insurmountably harder for the novice manipulator.

The consequeneces of magic, however, were not at all on Mae Ri's mind. The moment Redshi had stood, her hands had slowed and eventually ceased their repetitious motions, as the unicorn came closer. And just like that the pair was facing each other once more. Some might have eyed the horn nervously, expecting another swap of personality, but Mae Ri did not give the spiral appendage a second thought. She bit her tongue to keep back her words. Mae Ri looked ready for a scolding. Even though her features suggested she preferred watching her toe scurl into the softening earth, her blue eyes peeked up at Redshi.

Redshi was all that mattered then; the lovely red and white mare that had been the second she might call 'friend' instead of 'teacher', but now, now Mae had done something wrong. What had she done to make her friend dislike and mistrust her so? Tears welled up in her eyes at the thought, but the rain hid even those misgivings. Had she forgotten some rule? Had she been wrong to think Redshi wanted her company?

"Thank you, friend. I did not wish to kill this girl. I would love to say that I owed you, but, I'm afraid I can't let my life go on much longer now." Out of some child's instinct, Mae closed her eyes to the first sound of Redshi's voice, expecting the words to be harsh. Instead they came as calm and directed not at Mae, but at someone else. And then Mae remembered the silver panther that had come between her and her friend. She opened a single eye, squinting against the rain and still expecting the worst, but she could not deny the tugging curiosity about who Redshi had been speaking to.

Just as she began to unfur, Redshi caught her and she shrunk with the attention. Redshi's words, however, were not harsh toward Mae either and she came out of her turtle shelled shoulders quicker once she realized the unicorn did not mean to punish her. For an instant Mae smiled at the thank you, glad to have done something right on her own, but that ray of hope disappeared from her face just as the sun had disappeared behind the thunderclouds.

Her smile fell as Redshi spoke of departing touches and Mae Ri found herself shaking her blonde head vigorougly. "No!" She stamped at Redshi's final word to a peal of thunder, small fingers curling to fists; the curious third party completely forgotten. They had only just met! Mae Ri threw the rules out the window and, regardless of Redshi's permission or not, threw her arms around the mare's muzzle. Water sparkled everywhere, flying at right angles to the rain as she pressed her face to Redshi's dampened head.

"Mae Ri does not want Redshi to go yet." She squeezed her friend ever so slightly, a sign of her reluctance to be parted. "Redshi said we needed each other. Mae Ri cannot help if Redshi leaves... please don't go." Sorrow. Mae Ri had learned that when she had parted from Demitrius. He still had not come back, but she could not forget those soft black wings...

[Redshi]

Redshi looked at the girl as she made a face ready for a scolding. What would there have been to scold? Only the unicorn should be scolded by the person she had just attempted to murder. And suddenly, a small splat of mud as the girl stomped her foot, an act of rage and disagreement, but, before the unicorn could even figure out why, she heard a restraining word placed on her. "No!" A sudden small grip, like a muzzle being placed over her snout. It was a slight muzzle, one Redshi could break by yawning, but she felt that if she even tried, she would break much more. Sudden feelings welled from inside the mutated horse.

I couldn't even describe these feelings. It was simply as though everything I believed in and wanted simply died for whatever this girl wanted. I vaguely remembered the silver panther, but now, where he had simply phased back into the background, there now emerged a human of silver hair. The same being, likely, I thought, but, he didn't seem to want anyone to notice. Ah well, I would let him believe I did not recognize him. My mind was brought back to the squeeze again, it was no longer so much a restraint for me to follow my will, but, more so, a hold that wouldn't break even if the girl let go. I suddenly understood that no matter my nature, this girl and her protector, that who had saved her from myself, the silver being, must never be harmed. Not if I were around to help it.

If the red and white unicorn had even slightly understood this, she would have touched as many living beings as possible. But, of course, it could be that a being must touch her, not she touch it. They may and probably will have opposite effects. The mare began to feel as if the girl had saved all their lives by figureing out unintentionally, one simple thing. The unicorn sighed, and muttered gently so the girl could hear her, "Do not worry, Mae Ri. Redshi will remain with you for a while longer. I will go only when you want me to or when it is most dire." The mare hoped the man would hear her as well, noticing that she would no longer cause a harm. Magic was a weird thing indeed. And the mare suddenly realised that the panther and male human must believe, or must simply have a feeling of relationship to this girl. She wondered what it was, but ignored it for the most part.

[Kaitou Haru]

Slowly did eyes watch the little girl’s hands. They moved this way and that- a brisk pace that Haru took note of once they began to slow with their patterns. Still he did not move- just observing and standing there soaked in the rain. Behind the girl, as if he was a silhouette, Haru decided to hold out on speaking once again. His interruption might cause a rift in this girls mind: Where did he come from? Where did the panther go?

Mud squelched quietly as the weight in Haru’s body was shifted from the right leg to the left. Words of gratitude were said and were surprisingly in his direction. His eyes perked along with his head- both looking and facing the mare.
Names. Information.
They were exposed and released into the area around them. This great creature of power and grace was dubbed Redshi. The fragile and innocent girl, Mae Ri. Sadly, the name did not send off any alarms in Haru’s mind. He was so sure for a few moments that he had come closer to finding his sister. This girl was unlike any other and had similar abilities when it came to elements- clearly she was pledged to the same goddess as he. Her hair, her eyes, her posture, voice, and innocence- they all felt so familiar to him.

His thoughts were cut short again- Redshi had told Haru he had not intended to kill this girl. As deep blue eyes locked with red a nod was sent as a response that the words were heard. However, Haru had little or no belief that Mae Ri was safe near this creature. His long lost sister or not- she was still in danger and so was he. Yet still this young girl was determined to keep Redshi alive. Haru on the other hand had little to no say or concern in the matter. It was not his life. If that life decided to die, so be it.
Why is she bothering? Does she not realize her life is still in danger near Redshi?
It was probably something a girl of her youth could not understand.

“No!”
It echoed despite the rain and it pierced the sound of the pitter patter on the softening soil. “Kersplort” went five toes into the mud. A stomp of the foot in frustration? Haru’s interest in the behavior between the girl and creature grew all the more. Signs to observe was that Mae Ri obviously didn’t know better than to beg someone to live when they wished to die, and that her life became all the more in danger while taking steps closer and embracing the muzzle of the unicorn; with its horn that can pierce her like a hot knife through butter. Words of soothing comfort came from the unicorn- assuring Mae Ri she will be protected.

...Get away. Get away from Mae Ri. Don’t touch her...I don’t want Redshi to touch her.
Now he moved. Haru took steps towards the two. Gloved hands extended out into the rain, and gently but firmly rested on the girls shoulders- giving a slight pull away from Redshi. His eyes were still affixed on the eyes of the horse. His sudden presence would probably confuse Mae Ri seeing that as far as he knew she only saw the panther. None the less, words were exchanged silently between Haru and Redshi- if she were to understand him. Again, that famous facade was worn on Haru’s face. No smile, no frown- just a blank face. It was all in the eyes- the message of wanting to consult with the girl out of hearing range. Within the next instant, vision still with the unicorn, he spoke to Mae Ri.
“Let me speak with Redshi.”

His voice was meloncholy. It's tone was depressing if you heard enough to be able to analyze it. There was no happiness by the way he moved his lips.
Nothing. Not even sorrow.
No, there was sorrow. It was all hidden beneith the facade he wore. Discouraging, depressing, negative, and most of all low and quiet- Haru's voice barely maxed out the volume of a murmer or a mutter, let alone the volume of the rain and thunder around the three presences.

Haru removed his hands from the small girl’s shoulders that were almost glued to Redshi. He looked at the earth and took a step around her and now stood more to the side of Redshi than where he stood moments ago behind Mae Ri. He felt something brush against his arm that favored less distance between himself and Redshi- but took little to no note of it. Little did Haru really know that could change the tide of the situation.

[Mae Ri Ella Maquis]

When Redshi spoke her words of remission, Mae Ri's tiny grip became ever so much more fragile. All at once all the sadness, all the fear rushed up to her throat and made it impossible to talk. Redshi hadn't pushed her away, said no, tried to hurt her. She had said she would stay, a notion that made Mae Ri ...exhausted. She wanted to stay there for a very long time just holding her friend. Water caressed her head and back as if to sooth her, but the streams sliding down her cheeks were not kin with the rain.

The hand to her shoulder she did not expect. She jumped and her grip tightened at the stern touch. As far as she could remember, she had crossed paths with no other human. There had been Redshi and the panther which had slunk off when she wasn't looking, but this man she peeked at from behind blonde lock... this man with his placid face she did not remember. She shimmied ever so slightly around Redshi's muzzle, as if to put the unicorn between herself and the intruder, but the man gave a tug strong enough to unlock Mae's arms from their hold and she jerked away.

Eyes wide with fear of what he would do next, Mae froze, arms half bent, fingertips slowly curling away from their reach to Redshi. But the new face didn't have eyes for Mae Ri. She followed his stare to Redshi before quickly flicking back to his when he spoke.“Let me speak with Redshi.” The intensity of those eyes unnerved her. What did he want with Redshi? Was he going to yell at her? Hurt her? If he wanted to hurt Redshi why did they look like he hurt? She couldnt understand them, those eyes; so much flowed through them that she could not see on his face. She brought her arms to herself as he let go, but she would not --or could not-- let his demands go.

"Why?" Her voice was small, mousey. Afraid. She watched him step around her to side with Redshi. Mae didn't like this. She didnt like his stone face, his mechanical movements. Redshi seemed non-pulsed by his actions --at least at the moment-- but that could be because Mae couldn't pick up on equine emotions as well as she could human ones... or the lack thereof.

"Who are you?" His hair looked familiar, the silver color, but she didnt know why. "What do you want with Redshi?" Thunder pealed, reminding the small group they stood in the middle of a thunderstorm. Mae Ri shreiked and shrunk down into a ball, hands over her ears, blonde hair falling limply around her face. This man, whoever he was with whatever he wanted, he scared her. More than anything else ever had, he scared her. Him and his lack of a heart.

[Redshi]

OOC: Sorry this one will be crappy but don't have much time.

Redshi gazed ahead steadily as the man now approached. He seemed to be conflicting within himself, wanting something, but not used to anything good. Or that could simply be the conflicting body language. A confident stride and serene face were never the best combinations.

As the mare watched, he laid a hand on Mae Ri and ugged slightly, though the girl jumped as though she were pulled roughly, and words entered Redshi's cranium. Redshi suddenly understood the male, his eyes betrayed his feelings, and he did feel a relation to this girl, and he did not trust Redshi's own change of attitude.

As soon as Mae Ri protested, Redshi dipped her head lightly, "It is okay Mae Ri. He can not harm me, and I will not harm him. You forget you are speaking to a fighting immortal, it is very difficult for any of my kind, however strange I am, to die." Her voice came as silky and smooth as a ribbon, twisting around o appease the ears as though happiness was contained in all of he mare's thoughts, not suicidal depression that constantly watered the weed garden within her skull.

Redshi was now not certain if Mae Ri would obey, for such a small, vulnerable girl, she was very strong and could easily test the will of someone, if not their brute or magical strength. Yet, something told Redshi that they could not continue unless Redshi and the male human spoke, and that was seemingly a need. "Perhaps providing your name will relax her." Redshi spoke, providing an idea to make the man seem more normal to Mae, and maybe it would help, and maybe it would not.

[Kaitou Haru]

When Mae Ri had jumped to the stern grip, Haru felt something tug at his insides. The face that had peeked around the muzzle to meet his gaze was small and confused- on top of that: Scared. He had clearly shaken this girl, who’s eyes were running with the rain. From the corner of his eye he saw her eyes widen with fear- Does she think he will hurt her or Redshi? He did not feel complied to ask. The answer would come to him eventually.

Still this girl watching him plagued his mind with vivid and horrific memories. Losing his sister, watching her be taken from him, parents falling before his very own eyes. He remained still as he now stood beside Redshi, eyes looking forward at nothing- just avoiding the girl’s vision. He was hurting inside. Fear was inside his eyes and chest, wondering if this girl was just a look-alike. Someone who happened to hold the same hair and eyes as the sister he searched for so long for. He wanted to reach out and touch her hair, her face, feeling the softness through his leather gloves he was always dawned with. He wanted to remember.

His request was questioned by the girl who was a handful of years younger than he. Her voice was small and mousey, Haru being just able to hear her over the rain. Reluctantly he turned his head, being able to make eye contact with her in the slightest. His response was again stated through a toneless voice that betrayed his mind and heart.
“It won’t take long.”
He was not going to give her a clear answer. It was too complex and too distraught for him to even speak it. The girl, Mae Ri, who stood nearby him-her mind was too innocent for him to plague with the possibility of them being related. A man with such a stone-like and placid face with eyes that scream his heart out being related to a girl of curiosity and purity? She might not understand and Haru did not wish to confuse her any further. He sufficed to answer her question on who he was-
“I am the panther.”

But Redshi said something to her to not worry. Haru looked at the mare, then at the girl. He wouldn’t hurt her? That might not be the case if she decides to run ramped on a mood swing again. However his safety was guaranteed by the unicorn, therefore to break such a promise in front of Mae Ri might send her head spinning. Haru did want something though- He wanted Mae Ri’s safety guaranteed. He wished to find out if she was really who he thought she was. His mind yearned for Redshi to never come near her or him again. A threat, a possible threat to her safety- it made his mind numb, the blue in his eyes becoming hard and cruel.

Thoughts were pierced as Redshi brought up the idea of speaking his name to her. He did not wish to listen- but he did. Nodding to Redshi, he turned and faced the girl who was asking why he wished to speak with Redshi and who he was.
If you knew who I was...you wouldn’t be asking...
He locked eyes with her, and was about to speak her name until a crash of lightning smacked the dark sky with bright color for a split second- immediately after the thunders roar.

Haru’s deep blue eyes watched Mae Ri shriek and shrink into herself. She was crouched as a sphere on the earth- hands over her ears. Yet, as soon as the thunder and lightning finished their reminder to the group they were now soaked to the bone, Haru was now beside the scared Mae Ri. His left arm was held above him as he was in the stance with one knee on the ground. His hand was bare with no glove to cover it- he was crouched in front of her, a half dome of ice surrounding Mae Ri like a small shelter. He wasn’t so sure how it happened, but he wound up there with his abilities exposed to the two of them. It turns out as soon as the thunder began to roar, he saw Mae Ri begin to contain herself and shriek in fear. Almost as if instinct, Haru swiftly left his original position. As he stepped he tore the glove from his hand, letting the heavy rain it the soft, pale yet creamy colored skin. The drops froze on contact, giving him leeway to his abilities. Controlling the ice he had, he made a small fan. The rain that was making contact with the ice caused the abundance to grow. He shaped it to house Mae Ri from the rain- a translucent shield tinted with grey from the clouds harsh reflection.

Concealing his hand in the glove again, he lowered his arm, now extending it to Mae Ri- who was in a state of fear. He knew she feared him. It was imaginable anyway. His cold face and appearance that was nearly unreadable, his mind an heart that was locked away from the world. Contradicting to everything, he was exposing himself to Mae Ri- the real Haru. Because of the rains interruption he never spoke his name- perhaps he’d speak it later. Outside of the small dome he made to shield Mae Ri, water ran down his hair and face. He slowly extended his arm out to her, wishing that she’d take it. His eyes came across softer at this moment, along with his voice.
“Don’t be scared.”
He implied for the weather, as well as his person.
The voice was so soft and serenely gentle, barely audible. Despite how he did not smile, his face looked softer, lacking the emotional facade he always wore.
He opened the palm of his hand and extended his fingers, a hand of safety. As if the frosting on the cake, he repeated what he said- adding his name this time but only speaking loud enough only Mae Ri could hear his real name, not his alias.
“Don’t be scared of Haru.”

[Mae Ri Ella Maquis]

All the voices of supposed comfort --the dont-worry's and it-won't-take-long's matched with a soft smile and serious eyes-- disappeared from thought with the startle of thunder. In most cases, Mae Ri would never have been afraid of the thunderstorm. In fact, she had been overly comfortable only moments before in the same storm and as she knelt there with her knees to her chest, it was Haru's cold eyes lit with the flash of lightning that shook her bones. He had looked... like a bad person, one that might do wrong to her or to Redshi, but while she wanted to protect her new friend, Mae Ri was still just a girl. All her little fears came rushing back. Curiosity gone, she was no longer the indestructible child, but a glass doll ready to break.

As the thunder subsided, the cracks broke more as she realized her rain was gone. Her eyes snapped open and she sucked in breath at how close Haru was. She watched his every movement like a scared animal ready to bolt, but as he reached his hand forward, she shuffled back only to realize she was... contained. She almost wimprered as she squeezed her knees and flattened herself against the icy wall, eyes fixated on Haru's face. Cold. So cold.

He tried words of comfort, but Mae would not believe them, not when he had caged her, cut her off from the rain. Not with eyes so solid as the ice. But slowly, he softened. His voice became gentler, the ice melting away from his face as sheets of rain slid down him. The curiosity came back to Mae and she stopped huddling so far away from him, but she still clung to the fear of what he might do.

She tried to throw a glance to Redshi, to be reassured, but she could see no more of the horse from her ice cavern than her forelocks unless she lower her muzzle. Even if Redshi did attempt to peer in at Mae Ri, Mae's eyes were back on Haru, still wide and watchful. "Mae wants Redshi," Her voice broke ever so slightly, "and the rain. Mae wants the rain back." She hugged herself now, more than scuttling away from the silver-haired boy. She peered up at him, hoping he would concede. She was not willing to take his hand, not just yet, but, in her own childish way, she was admitting she had to listen to him if she wanted out of the dead water. "The ice ...is sad. It wants to be water again."

[Redshi]

Thunder pealed a long, ringing note, this one sounded twice as distant as the ones before. The mare gazed upwards quickly enough to see another jagged bolt of lightning crackle in the horizon, and the resulting thunder took many more seconds than before.

The red mare gazed forward again to see Haru remove his glove, and she continued to watch in wonder as his skin turned the rain into dripping eyes, forming on itself, continuing, growing, like a lovely child. Ever so slowly, as though it would kill him to do so, Haru's very face did the opposite of the rain near him. Melting away like a sad kid that discovers presents on their birthday, Haru's face becamo almost warm, almost readable.

Yet there seemed a force to keep him back, to keep his coldness there, though it was obvious to any that he was trying. And why should he try for a little girl he did not even know? What was the point in...Redshi paused, and saw the building of an icy house, a clear sheet protecting Mae Ri from the harmful rain, or, harmful to Fire. Rain only helped Redshi and Mae, and supposedly helped Haru as well. Yet it seemed as though his coldness went past his features, and instead merely lived within him. Was it even possible to have the powers that you are not? If one had the spirit of a fire, surely they would not have the ability to bend water.

But then, did this mean, however, that an ability made your personality? Or was once Haru warm and friendly and kind, with only rain abilities? Did he, and therefore they, become ice? What had happened, and how did it work?

Redshi felt a gaze try to find her, and the mare looked down under the cave, lowering her muzzle in case Mae needed more comfort.

'Don't be scared.' Haru paused, and continued, 'Don't be scared of Haru.'

It was quite obvious that Mae Ri was scared, more scared than she was with Redshi. The back of Redshi's mind told her to try the cold look thing if anyone else wanted to be her friend. The mare shoved the thought away, more worried about Mae's happiness now, since she was clearly safe.

Redshi caught Mae's last words, 'The ice ...is sad. It wants to be water again.' Good, Redshi had just been about to warn Haru to back off, but he would surely do so now, knowing that he had taken Mae's only comfort from her. If he did not abolish the ice, or at least step back, Redshi would definitely intervene. And it might not be pretty if she did.

"Mae. It is okay, trust Haru. I'll always be here for you if you need me." The mare's lips spoke, moving strangely around the words that she was sure Haru would understand as a threat, while Mae would take it as comfort. Hopefully.

[Talon]

I'm so sick,
Infected with where I live
Let me live without this
Empty bliss,
Selfishness
I'm so sick
I'm so sick

Blue green wings folded themselves in as the massive creature landed. He was nearby water, and it was a bad storm ahead, he would have had to have landed somewhere, and he was thirsty. Perfect combination, thirst and rain.

Sometimes life seems too quiet
Into paralyzing silence
Like the moonless dark
Meant to make me strong

Talon pranced towards the water and growled menacingly at the creatures in the water who then quickly left him alone. Ears pricked suddenly, hearing voices, and the bird-like creature turned his massive head to look over. His sharp eagle-like vision quickly caught the form of familiar Haru. What was he doing here? Talon had merely just left where they were. Well, actually, it was about four days ago, but one did not notice when one did not wish to notice.

This fire rising through my being
Burning I'm not used to seeing you

The lion and bird claws and paws padded heavily on their way to the creature he had met before. Now there was an ice cave that Haru ducked into with what seemed like a scared human inside. Outside was a massive red mare. A red mare...with a horn There's never been a red unicorn, especially around more than one person, if ever caught by one at first. Was this one unique? Was she...like Talon...was she the only one of her kind, different, lonely, sad? Perhaps...no. 'I mustn't get my hopes up too fast. If anything, I'll get nauseated.' The gryphyn told himself.

Sick of circling the same road
Sick of bearing the guilt
So open the windows to cool off
And heat pours in instead

Despite Talon's earlier shock at spotting Haru again, he felt as though if he stared at the mare long enough, he would know everything about her. What was she? Could she help him? Or was she already helping Haru? Or, could she help two people at once? Feeling a stab within Talon's heart, he noticed how much attention the unicorn payed to the little girl. No, nobody could ever help Talon. As for Haru, he seemed better now, with this girl. Perhaps this was his sister.

I'm so sick,
Infected with where I live
Let me live without this
Empty bliss,
Selfishness
I'm so sick
I'm so sick

[Disclaimer: Songs by Flyleaf. Includes: I'm So Sick, Sorrow, All Around Me, Perfect, I'm So Sick[Repeat]]

[Kaitou Haru]

All that Haru’s mind was affixed on at the moment was little Mae Ri. He thought she was scared of the thunder, but then all he did now was push her further from him. No thoughts of hurting either Mae or Redshi had even crossed his mind- all he wanted was answers. All he wanted was to find his sister. Had he come close, but not known that people could look similar? The fingers in the hand he had held out to her slowly curled back, away, in shame. There was nothing he might do, nothing to try. He wouldn't hurt her- but he did not want to force her to comply to anything.
A fragile creature....who I will not break.

The small silence that followed the thunder and lighting was interrupted by the small, breaking voice. It was like being shot. To want protection from someone he wanted to protect her from. Haru wanted to say no, to not let her near that beast that could possibly swing back to old intentions. But to gain Mae Ri’s trust, he had to do something. Then Redshi’s voice came into context. To trust him, and that everything would be alright since.....Redshi would always be there?

That sentence did not make the right message. Something wasn’t right.
The ice that shrouded her, the “cage” that surrounded her, slowly morphed its shape around her. The ice divided into thousands of small beads and began slowly moving away from their original structure. From the top to the bottom, they slowly floated towards Haru- following the arm he had drawn for Mae Ri that was coming back to him. The beads rolled over one another to make their way to Haru- now they slowly crawled their way into the air.

To his displeasure, Haru took his eyes off of Mae Ri for once. He was trying to get his ice to melt. The beads eventually left the comfort of another vanish, and soon the beads hovered about, the rain slowly melting them into water again. The cold water mixed with the frost-bitten water drenched Haru further, and possibly Mae Ri- at this moment he could not tell what beads were near him or her, let alone anyone else. It rained harder for only a few split seconds, then the original storm took its fixed position. He then looked at little Mae Ri, his face still on the warmer side.
"...Is the water...happy again?"

The ice was water again. What else did she want from him?

There was not enough time for Mae Ri to sqeeze in a response to his question-because Redshi made Haru very uncomfortable. He stood and looked at the red mare with a hard gaze to match her threatening tongue. That comforting face that was showing signs of warmth and life had left Haru’s pallet- his cold facade mask reattaching itself to his persona. Nobody, nobody was going to touch Mae Ri. Nobody was going to separate him from her. He would not let anything as a threat come near her- yet right now at that moment he was failing. Still, he had to speak with Redshi.

Standing on two feet again, leaving Mae Ri to do as she desired- he did not look at her any longer, his placid blue eyes were focused on the mare again- he approached her slowly. Back to the location he was before the lightning whipped the sky, he was adjacent to Redshi’s muzzle. His locked vision soon gazed forward to nothing- his lips moving for Redshi’s ears as thunder rolled in the sky.
“Why do you want to protect her?”
The voice was low, with no threatening additives to it.

Nobody....nobody should be near her...
Then again, he thought again- that is wrong. To separate a little girl from the wonders of life. A life that could shape her to be a wonderful young lady when she comes of age, that can give her the motivation to thrive and prosper, that can return her memory- No. The only thing that life did was torment Haru’s childhood, plague him with negativity, deprive him of any signs of happiness. The only thing it did was make him miserable. And it was because of other people- other creatures trying to leave an impression on Haru’s life.

Upon waiting for an answer, a third party voice penetrated the rain. Haru’s head quickly turned in the direction it came from. It sounded familiar, and it made him feel uneasy at first. So far on his journeys only two knew his real name and they were Redshi (to his displeasure) and Mae Ri. At the sight of the third party- the great winged beast whom he had encountered before, his pupils widened and the depth of his blue eyes decreased to a screaming sky blue color. The beast, with its mighty wings and blueish-green hues struck a chord in Haru’s memory, just like how simultaneously the lighting smacked the sky with white.
Talon....

The beast that he had encountered days ago had returned to his life? This was bad- for Talon did not know Haru’s true name. He was referred to as Kaitou by this unique creature when they first encountered each other in the Valley of Stones- Haru being half alive because of freezing conditions (except now he had made almost a full recovery). But his name: If his real name would slip the tongues of Mae and Redshi, there would be a small problem, and Haru would need to flee. There was only one reason why he spoke his true name to the girl: to try to jog her memory. Clearly his tactic did not work, and clearly his voice was just a smidge too loud-causing Redshi to learn his name as well.

One thing was left unclear to Haru- he and Mae Ri did not look very similar. How can people think their siblings? Even Mae Ri could not see that- The only clues were their skin tones, except his was paler from being previously ill. Discarding the start of a long train of thoughts- His eyes left Redshi and Mae Ri in the dust- now focused on the winged beast. His face was wary yet cautioned.
Don’t come closer...

Instead of speaking his desires- Haru took a step away from Redshi, away from Mae Ri. He bit a small part of his lower lip in frustration and uncertain fear. He had never been around so many creatures- creatures that were very aware of his existence. Even if it meant his chances of seeing her again were slim- he might have to somehow leave. As he stood there, a little on the uneasy side- his blue eyes quickly darted from Talon, to Mae Ri, to Redshi, and back to Mae Ri again for a split second each.

What now? What would he do if his name slipped to Talon? He could feel his actions becoming readable, and his emotions become more visible with each second- the seconds that were filled with rain that caused him now to be soaked to the bone.
Don’t come closer....

((I had a muse explosion...yay))

[Mae Ri Ella Maquis]

Mae Ri... didn't know what was happening. Eyes darting left and right, she kept her knees to her chest wanting nothing more than the peace that was Demitrius. He would know what to do. He would know what to say as, all at once, everything seemed to happen. Redshi seemed to nuzzle close, reassuring her with that strong, familiar voice, that she had no need to be afraid of the boy named Haru.

And indeed, Haru seemed true to his word. He worked his skills, the magic ability some of the elves also possessed over ice. He shattered the dome around her, the whole of it popping with the sound of rain into millions of ceads of ice. Haru called to the beads --Mae Ri could feel it as she could feel the magic in the water-- and they responded by streaming back to him in a mass of flowing rounds. As he reclaimed them, he asked if the water was happy again.

But Mae had no chance to answer. Haru had stood before she could blink her large blue eyes and moved aside to speak with Redshi. That left Mae alone in a circle of mud, but glad to have the wash of rain over her head and back. Freedom, it breathed to her skin.

The escape did not last long. Her eyes slipped open to another shape standing further off in the veil of rain. The creature was unlike anything Mae had even read about in her lessons. It walked like a cat, but it had wings like a bird, and feathers and a beak. Curisoity sprouted and she peeked a look back at Redshi and Haru having their conversation. They wouldn't miss her for a moment, would they?

She tipped forward, onto her hands and knees, intent on meeting this interesting creature, spared another glance back at the preoccupied duo, and scampered to her feet to meet their newest company. Mae approached curiously and cautiously with her head tipped to the side and eyes wide as she slid her bare feet throught the mud. Eventually Mae Ri found herself standing face-to-face with the lion-bird with no where else for the pair to go unless they should walk past one another. But there was no one behind the gryphon and only the odd pair behind a good distane off behind Mae. So the rain fell with a wall of patting noise between the groups.

"Hi." Mae Ri's voice sparkled as she greeted the new face.

[Redshi]

The red mare was simply thinking, watching Haru, and watching Mae Ri at the same time. She'd always been a horrible multi-tasker, but this time, her mistake may very well have proved fateful. The crimson unicorn watched the girl from the corner of her eye, but when she looked back at her, she realised that she had stood and was moving away from her.

The rain was pounding both heavily and gently over the girl as she stood and walked toward a figure in the distance. "Ummm." The mare hesitated as she noticed that Haru seemed to have the glint of recognition on his face. "Do you know his being?" Unknown as to why she asked a question and didn't stay for the response, the mare trotted next to the girl towards the new beast.

She approached warily, but Mae Ri seemed completely confident, especially as she heard the girl's voice squeak with a simple 'Hi'.

If the mare could growl, she'd be doing such a thing now, but instead, she merely rested her glare at the blue and green beast in warning. She wanted to speak words to it, but she did not dare to offset Mae's intentions by a warning. If anything, the crimson unicorn did not know if the beast could even speak the language they were all speaking.

[Talon]

Talon looked up as a girl and red unicorn, strange red, approached him. The girl seemed unbothered by the cold rain and rather excited by Talon's appearance. The unicorn, however, was giving Talon a glare quite meaningful. In the background, Haru remained there, unmoving, though Talon was sure that he would approach soon. He wasn't the type to speak randomnly to people, he often had reasons for doing so.

The giant bird-feline cross watched the two approaching warily. As the girl came upon him and spoke with Hi, he flapped his wings urgently and took a few paces back. He knew this language already from his previous encounter with Haru. It seemed that the girl intended no harm, but the massive bodygaurd of the unicorn spoke otherwise.

His beak opened as his eyes flared, his body taking a few more paces back. He'd not epected anyone to invade his 'space' and was rather startled by the unprecedented approach. As he had backed away far enough now, the gryphyn shook his head and wings roughly, clearing his fur and feather mix of droplets, even though it was becoming too cold and wet to fly anytime soon anyways.