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Aziraphael being almost oblivious, nearly swung too far... (Or perhaps it was too hard for the small adult) But she let out a squawk for she had almost side-swiped Charon.

"Sss-so sorry!" She hissed hastily. Azira had dropped the weapon on her foot and flashed it up again.

"Its for training, right? This is the fairy's training grounds so we should practice," She supplied her answer. She thrusted with gusto into an empy space, and lost her balance.

Fwump!

How embarrassing! Her cheeck scales were tinged with blush as she scrabbled.

She nodded understanding a little sheepishly at Charon's comment and then a light clicked on inside her head...

"Perhaps its for our companions?" She asked as her head cocked to the side. She peered up at him a little. Aziraphael hated being short, but short with unbridled quickness was a plus if she could ever harness her gift of windy speed.

"I doubt they've heard the whispers though..." she added in a whisper, "The cave was really scary, I didn't want to go in even though they said to!" She shook all over for a moment. Hoping that Ginger didn't go in that cave. Aziraphael could see much better in darkness than her friend but not at all in complete darkness.

Aziraphael 'harrumphed' through her nose. It sounded like a laugh stopped short. It would have been rude to laugh at someone without even really knowing them.

"Ginger isn't that bad," She said as she looked across the way she had come. She still hoped that things would be alright. Perhaps she should have left something to indicate to come here?

Aziraphael shook herself, but this time a bit more naturally and moved her wings into a more relaxed position. She twirled the branch in her claws looking Charon over a bit.

"So, uh... speaking of, er 'unbridled power...?' " she started hestitantly, "Are you gifted with anything? I mean magick wise? Will you study with the fairy?"

Marlowe saw Korrit fly in and land next to him. He smiled and moved in closer, just in case something happened. "So this is the hidden campsite I've heard of...it's quite spooky right now, but I'm glad you're here." He nuzzled Korrit gently before wandering off to a table.

He blinked as he saw a wooden sword laying there and grabbed one. He'd never used a weapon before, but it seemed easy enough to use. The blade wasn't sharp, but it would still deal some damage if swung hard enough. Marlowe thought of his water tome as well. He had that in his cave. Even so, he didn't even know how to use it. Best to stick with an easy to use melee weapon.

I picked up a tome as well... Air? You must be quite confident about your flying then. Mine is fire.

*Charon felt more at ease discussing magical studies- after all, it was something he was most interested in. He paused for a moment, lifting a claw to his chin in consideration of her point of view regarding the side they both chose.*

...I trust myself to choose what is right for me. Though... I do not know if what I choose will be right for others.

*He said at length, nodding slowly.*

His wings beating silently against the gentle blue sky, Akimitzu noticed a gathering of Painters a few hundred yards ahead of him. "They look agitated and worried... he thought to himself as he began his descent into the makeshift camp.

Ran continued to watch silently, now a bit further away since more painters had joined the others. She didn't like crowded areas and felt much like leaving, but curiosity held firm and she remained. Overhearing some of them speaking of magic, and began to ponder on if she'd ever decide on some for herself. So far she was close to choosing earth, but had a strong urge for something else she had in mind that she hadn't heard of being learn-able magic yet. Perhaps she'd ask Kitxoone if such a magic existed later on.

(Ok, I think we have enough people here to get started! biggrin )

Kitxoone sighs as the others arrive, watching over them all. Green and wet behind the frills, the lot of them. If a full out war broke out, he was going to have his hands full just trying to keep them from falling on their own swords, "OK! Listen up!"

The fairy stomps his pronged spear's butt into the ground, causing a loud crack that radiated through the gathering of Sandpainters, "I'm sure that most of you have heard the voices of the shadows and the earth, and are coming here because you want it to stop... Or maybe you just lucked out and decided to swing by my camp just randomly."

He runs a hand through his spikey green hair, resting his spear on his shoulder, "We're going to need to split into teams, soon, since we've got two problems to deal with. FIRSTLY, The Great Mother of you Sandpainters getting pretty damn pissed off. We have an annual Ceremony of Fire and Earth to appease her, but it looks like we'll have to do it early this year. Unfortunately, that means a trip to the Western Island."

He turns away from the main group, looking up the rocky ledge leading up to Crater lake, then returns to face them, "The other problem is The Dark One. He's the one angering Kahlidah from her home in the belly of the Earth, and he's twisting minds to gain escape from his prison... Anyone foolish enough to fall for his seduction will be a betrayer to his kind, and will only parish into the gut of their master when he is freed."

He shakes his head, "Some of you have loved ones there. We may not be able to save them, just hope that they change their minds before things get really ugly." Walking into the group, Kitxoone raises his voice, "However, before you could even stand a chance, to be able to protect yourselves.. Your going to need to learn to fight, and your going to need to learn how to shield your mind from the voice of Darkness."

Reaching the back of the group, Kitxoone walks up to a thick tree. He bangs on the trunk with one hand and a hidden door pops open, revieling a closet filled with heavy wooden swords, "Now, I know what your thinking, but your going to need to learn how to handle a sword before you actually get one. They have been enchanted to have the same weight and feel as a real sword.. And they can be used to cast magic through."

He claps his hand "You, my friends, are going to become War-Mages. Everyone get a sword."