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((Copied from IMs))

Rpness

Umi sat now on an EXTREMELY high branch in one of hte TALLEST trees in the forest outside the tower. Her arms were wrapped around the trunk as tightly as she could, considering her hands couldn't touch. She whined, "Selece this is all your fault!" Screaming at what would appear to be nothing. "Help?" She called out meekly to the emptiness around here.

Fieron walks outside, wandering calmly, then looks up, surprised. "Hello...?" He calls out, curious as to who had yelled for help. His blue feathers rustled in the wind.

Umi blinked as she thought she caught the faint sound of a voice, "Yes HELLO? Is anyone there?" She sounded a little on the desperate side. She was so afraid to look down as her eyes closed tightly. Taking in a deep breath, she glanced down to through winced eyes and thought she saw a figure. "HELLO? Up here!"

Fieron looks up, and sees the girl. He frowns, and spreads his wings, and leaps into the air, flying up to see her. "Hello... are you ok?"

Umi's face was streaked with old tears that had stained her skin but she had been far too scared of falling to let go of the tree to wipe her face clean. "I.. don't know how to fly. Can you help me get down from here?" Her dragon wings twitched lightly but they were useless to someone who couldn't use them.

Fieron blinks, studying the girls wings. "You... don't? Well then... what I think we need to do is have you spread those wings of yours, and then I'll take your hands, and guide you down. The wings will help balance us."

Umi gasped and held tighter to the tree. "Gah! I wouldn't even be in this situation if it wasn't for Selece." He could see tears welding up into her eyes. Taking in a deep breath she looked over at him. "How can these stupid things help me at all? Last time I came down from a height THIS big, I landed face first in the dirt!"

Fieron blinks at her, looking at her wings. "Same way mine help me, they help me fly. You need to learn how, Miss. Now please do as I say?" He holds out his hands.

Umi looked at him angerily at first. That was how she got up here in the first place was by listening to someone! But.. She sighed and slowly reached out with one hand, still hugging to the tree with the other. "Alright.. I'll try.. but if I slam into the ground, I'm going to be very angry with you.."

Feiron blinks. "Miss, I'll do my best to prevent that." He takes her hand, and holds his out for the other one. "You need to let go to get down. Wings spread please."

Umi looked so young when she was scared. Her wings openned as her other hand let go and she literally pushed off the branch, sliding off with such a powerful push forward to him, her other hand reaching out for this. Her heart stopped as her breath held and her eyes closed.

He grabs hers, the weight almost pulling them down, but he snaps his wings wide, so that both of their pairs of wings together slowed the descent, causing them to glide down.

Umi gasped as she felt her wings catch the air, eyes flashing open. "Ano.. are.. we.. gliding?"

Fieron nods. "Yes, and it will lead us to the ground, safely, Miss."

At this close of range, he could see the blue-haired girl twitched slightly. "Please.. call me Umi.."

Fieron nods, as they touch down. "And I am Fieron, Umi."

Upon touchdown, she came to rest quietly and sighed with relief. She smiled, releasing him, bowing to him in an oriental fashion. "Arigatou, Fieron-san, for all of your help." She tried her best to bite back her japanese flare from her tongue it was hard when she was so happy to be away from that height.

Fieron blinks, then smiles. "A pleasure, Umi-San. I am always willing to help a lady in distress."

Umi giggled and smiled to him. It was a nice attempt. "Please, call me Umi-chan." She seemed so different when she wasn't frightened.

Feiron smiles at her. "A pleasure, Umi-Chan." He offers her his hand to shake.

Umi blinked. She had heard of this strange custom from her father's associations outside of Japan. Slowly, her hands reached out to take his. She believed this part was right..

Fieron shakes her hand, smiling. "So what are you doing here?"

Umi released his hand and shrugged. "Wish I knew. One day I was visiting Selece for the last time, he flashes and then the next thing I know, I wake up here with a tail and wings."

"Flashes?" He looks confused. "Selece?" He clearly had no clue what all this means.

Umi slapped her forehead lightly. "Aiiya I keep forgetting this place has no idea of Cephiro." Umi then glanced up at the sky, one arm holding her elbow as her other hand touched her cheek lightly. "Let's see.. how to explain.. OH! I know!" She smiled. "Ever seen a real dragon before? Not a half human like here but a full blood dragon?"

Feiron blinks at the word "Cephiro", but listens. "Ummm.... No. Only things I've seen are the ones here, though I heard there are real dragons and Drakes in the woods, and not all that nice either."

"Well, in the land of Cephiro, there are three gods. The water dragon, Selece, the fire lion/dog thing, Rayearth, and the wind pheonix, Windam. There were three warrior princesses of the land who protected it from invaders and evil that corrupted the world's balance. Well I was one of them.. until.." Her eyes saddened as she looked at the ground. "Selece.. sent me away.. here.."

Feiron blinks. "Why did Selece do that?" He finally asks, trying to process this.

Her arms wrapped around herself. "I.. don't know.. " Her eyes began to fill with tears. "I was supposed to go home.. back to Tokyo to see my mom and dad and my friends again. But he said he needed to talk to me.. and thats when.." Her eyes closed and she turned away tears falling quietly.

Feiron looks worried and puts his hand on her arm, pulling her into a hug. "Don't cry, miss! It'll be ok! We'll find you a way home!"

Umi let herself be hugged as tears fell down her face. "I don't understand what I did to make Selece send me away. I was human before I came here and now, I'm in a land where I have no friends, this girl Leena claims she'll be my family.. I just.. don't know what to do anymore."

Feiron ponders, hugging her. "I've noticed a lot of confused people from disparate other worlds seem to end up here... Maybe you are all needed for something, and Selece knew, so he sent you?"

Umi sighed. "I couldn't begin to tell you. I'm the closest magic knight to their rune god and yet Selece still doesn't tell me everything." Her hand reached up and wiped away her own tears. "I'm.. sorry to be such an inconvience, Feiron-san."

Feiron hugs her more. "No, it's ok, Umi-Chan. You didn't mean to. Come on, let's get you inside and cleaned up."

Umi just sniffled and nodded. "Arigatou, Feiron-san." She allowed him to lead her whereever he wanted, still doing the best she could to wipe away the tears from her face and her shame.

Feiron takes her to the kitchen and gets a washcloth, and puts warm water on it, then washes her face gently. "Of course, Umi-Chan. And please, just Feiron is fine."

Umi just stared at the ground. "Gomenisai.. Feiron." She was trying her best to fit in. If he could respect her wishes to be called in a much more familiar version to her, then she could respect his wishes too. "I take it you've been here for a long time?"

Feiron shrugs. "A while, I've lost track... long enough to see two generations of kids born and grow within my home."

"You hardly look that old!" She could be rather blunt.

Feiron shrugs. "Once people hit adult here, we seem to age much slower."

Umi blinked. "You mean.. I'm going to be 16 for the rest of my life?!"

Feiron shrugs. "I think... you'll APPEAR sixteen.... not be it."

Umi looked even paler then usual. She then sighed and shook her head. "I guess I'll never be like that middle-aged old hag.. so in a way thats good.. but.. to look this way forever?"

Feiron shrugs. "It wont kill you... You look nicce."

((Copied from IMs))

Rpness

Umi was sitting outside by the banks of the lake. She was humming a song only heard to her and those who lived or visited Cephiro. Her hand was pressed against the gem that was in the center of her top. Eyes were closed as if she were focused.

Fieron wanders towards the lake, and notices the girl, Umi, sitting there. He approached slowly, smiling. "Hello...?" He murmurs softly


Her blue eyes partly openned, and she glanced over with her eyes only moving. She smiled as her hums ended and she turned to face him completely. "Konbonwa, Fieron-san."

"Please, just Fieron." He smiles and sits down near her. "How are you this day, Umi?" He smiles gently.

Umi smiled bowing her head. "Gomenisai, Fieron. I am well and yourself?" Her eyes openned fully not staring at him curiously.

He looks comfortable as he settles down. "I am well, Umi-Chan. Been enjoying a walk in the gardens, seeing the signs of the coming spring."
"Spring." Umi smiled as she turned to look out at the lake. "I suppose they don't have any.." She stopped, thinking of the english phrase for a moment, "Ch-erry blossumu trees around here do they?" She didn't know all the english there was but she tried.

Feiron smiles. "Looking for the Sakura are you?" He nods. "We do have some. The United States was given about 100 Sakura by the Japanese Emperor a while back and since then they have spread. We have a small orchard."

Umi blinked. "You know them by my term?" She shook her head. "I never knew about that!" She smiled. "Do you think we can find some around here!? Oh I hope they're going to bloom soon!"

Feiron smiles and stands. "Come, I will show you where the Sakura are. I know of the term, yes. I know a few small phrases, but not many, in Japanese, Umi-Chan."

Umi leaped to her feet and was immediately at Fieron's side, tail swaying in delight. She smiled. Excitement was written all over her.

He smiles, and begins to lead her to the gardens. "This way, Umi-Chan. I'll show you. I can't wait for spring, for the blossoms. They look so lovely."

Oh, if only she could fly! She would fly there faster! Umi beamed with joy. She couldn't wait to see them. "Do you think it will be a good bloom this year? I haven't been here long enough to know what the weather has been like!"

"I don't know, I don't recall last year's blooming. I hope so, it's like looking at pink snow all around, without the cold."

Umi nodded with enjoyment on her face and glanced around. Where were those trees!? She couldn't wait much longer to see them!

He leads her around a corner to where they were, still looking winter-ish but the buds showing that spring was on its way. "Here we go, Umi-Chan."

Umi gasped and ran ahead, twirling around this way and that to examine them. Her hands reached up, her two fingertips touching the light water mocules in the air making them solid enough. SHe cried out as a whirlwind came between her hands, "Sapphire Whirlwind!" And aimed beneath her. She used it to help her propel to the trees, her eyes widdening as she stared up close at them. She giggled and smiled back to Fieron. "Look!"

Fieron laughs, softly, pleased to see her so happy. "I'm glad this makes you joyful, Umi-Chan." He walks to her, his wings half open, smiling.


Her hand reached down to him as it looking to take hold of him. An invitation to join her. The whirlwind extended, moving like a stepping stone for him to join the Magic Knight by her side if he chose.

He blinks and takes her hand, stepping up curiously, his eyebrows raised. This was different, certainly.

It felt as mere chilly wind but once he came up with her, Umi beamed like it was nothing unusual at all. She then released his hand and pointed to the blossoms budding. "Isn't it great?"

Fieron nods, smiling. "The blooms will be here soon, it's lovely." He sounded happy, as he looked at the small copse of trees.

Umi then took in a deep breath, and Fieron could feel the wind slowly setting himself and see Umi's wind setting her down on the ground safely. She breathed out lightly and beamed. "Arigatou, Fieron!"

Fieron gives her a quick hug. "Of course, Umi. It was a pleasure to see you looking so happy."

Umi blinked, seeming completely taken back by the hug before she hugged him back and smiled up at him, giggling lightly. "You're rather nice to me, Fieron! Are you nice like this to all the new anthros?" She then moved away from him, not knowing if he would answer or not, her blue eyes turning to look up at the young flowers reading to grow."

"I try to be nice to young ladies I find lost and in distress, miss Umi-Chan. I dislike seeing people unhappy. And I find you nice, so I am enjoying your company."

Umi laughed. "I better be nice! I have to be very good you know." She smiled playfully. "After all I used to be the daughter of Japan's ambassador, so it would look very awful if I was anything but nice."

"Ahhh. I didn't know. I don't know much about who is who in Japan these days, or anything. But I do like new friends." He smiles warmly at the girl.


Her eyes blinked as she glanced over at him, her blue hair flowing lightly as she turned, "You.. think of me as a friend?" It seemed to matter quite a bit to her.

He blinks, and nods. "This does not bother you, does it?" He looks concerned, given her strong reaction.

Her lips curved into a smile and her eyes appeared as though they would water once more with tears. "No.. it makes me very happy.. To know I have someone here to call my friend."

He smiles, pleased, at this. "I am pleased to have you as a friend, Umi-Chan."

Umi smiled and came over to him, hugging him and smiling. "Arigatou, Fieron-kun!" then releasing him, the young girl blinked as she noticed the time. "Do you always stay out so late, Fieron-kun?""

Fieron shrugs. "Time of day matters little to me, I prefer to worry about what I will see. Sometimes night can be so lovely, with the stars out."

Umi then nodded to him. "So you're out alot this late aren't you?"

Fieron shrugs. "Some days. Some days I like to stretch my wings in the sun."

Umi shook her head. "Night time I can talk to Selece the best. Or rather, I used to. Now all I have to speak to are the water sprites and nymphs around here. They tell me some rather interesting things about this place and the anthros here."

Fieron hugs her gently. "Well I enjoy the night as well. But the sun sometimes is a lovely thing, that one should not ignore, for he gives us, and the plants and animals, life."

Umi blushed a bit at his hug and she smiled lightly. "Its not that I ignore it." Then her eyes blinked. "He? How do you know its a guy?"

Fieron shrugs. "I see the Sun as a male, the Father... and the Moon as a Mother, female... The father is strong in the day, toiling to grow the wheat in the fields, the Moon our mother, soothing our night time fears of the dark."

Umi giggled and smiled to Fieron, winking. "I think Hikaru-chan might disagree with you for calling her a man but that's a rather acurate picture of her. As for me, I don't know if I would really say I can soothe any.." She stopped and sighed. "Gomenisai, Fieron-kun. I forgot I'm not in Cephiro anymore and do not rule that anymore."

Fieron blinks slowly. "I do not think Hikaru-Chan is the Sun power in this world, Umi-Chan. I think it's a little different here. And that is just how I see our sun."

Umi turned, her face filling red with embarrassment. "Go..Gomen.. Gomenisai.." Umi's eyes were staring at the ground. "I've watched over the night while Hikaru governed the day and Fuu over the land.. for so long.. its hard to leave it behind.. as a memory only.."

Fieron blinks, then hugs her again, comfortingly, trying to make her feel better. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way, Umi-Chan... Shh... I'm sorry."

Umi looked over at him and put on a weak smile but it was obvious that the thought was heavy on her mind and her heart. "Its.. okay Fieron-kun.. you were just.. being honest. I have to get over the fact that without me in Cephiro, there will no longer be anyone to watch over the night. They will probably.. find another.. magic knight of water. And I must accept that.." Her eyes closed. "No matter how hard it is. This is now my home. Where my powers are merely tricks."

Fieron hugs her still. "You have powers I don't understand, and you are still special, unique, interesting. So while you may not be the guardian of the knight, you are not pointless or worthless, and you, I hope, will be happy here."

Umi sighed as she stared at the ground. "I guess.. I can be happy anywhere.. but I doubt I will be seen as anything more then usual here. There must be other dragon girls here, right? And I couldn't be the only one with powers over water."

"There ARE other dragon girls, yes. But I've not met anyone with water powers. You're unique, Umi-Chan. You've a unique, lovely face, and are not like any of the others I've met, my friend."

Umi scoffed. "I'm sure there are other girls here who have pretty faces." But she sighed and smiled to him, hugging Fieron back. "Arigatou.." was all she could whisper

"Trust me, you're unique, Umi-Chan. Please? I've met lots of people... And you're some one different. I'm honored to make such a friend."

Her blue eyes looked up at Fieron but her true emotion laid within her. She felt as if she had bene shot all over again through her side with merely his statement. "I trust you and believe you Fieron-kun."

Fieron studies her, and smiles. "I hope so, Umi, I want to see my friend happy. Not worried, not lonely. Happy."

Umi turned and just merely stared. "I better get going." She moved away from him, bowing very much in an oriental fashion. "Good night, Fieron-kun."

Fieron blinks, and sighs. "All right, Umi... Have a good night, my good friend." He turned away, feeling bad, worried he had hurt her.

As Umi turned away, her tears fell down, thudding as they hit the ground. They had become small pearls, as the mermaid legend revealed. She did not head home but rather back towards the lake.

Fieron looks back, and sees the falling pearls. He bites his lip, collecting the ones nearby, and silently follows her. He didn't know what to do, but he wanted her to feel better.

Umi moved towarsd the lake, not stopping as she stared out. Her eyes closed as her hand reached out touching her gem. A light glowed from it and she transformed, the outfit disappearing for a moment before reforming to be a bathing suit. She moved into the lake and continued to move under the water until her head was completely covered by the water.

Fieron blinks, eyes wide and curious, watching her go.

Nothing could be seen on the surface of the water. No air-bubbles, no ripples of the water. Nothing. Then, from the bottom of the lake, several pearls floated up, before a faint blue light began to glow.

He watched them, unable to collect them, for the water and a Pheonix did not mix well, on that level.

Finally he could see, there in the center of the lake, floated umi on her back in the water, face up at the sky. She looked so peaceful. So serene.

He smiled a little, pleased to see her looking relaxed. He moved to sit in a tree, watching her, thinking she looked lovely.