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Date: 10.27.04
Location: The Throne Room of Castellum Umbra in Tir Nan Og
Synopsis: Averno, having been trapped for almost 2 weeks in the Fey Realm, overhears an odd riddle before sneaking back to Gaia.
Participants: Averno, Majestrix Nox, and Sajhiri.
The Scene:

Dancing shards of orange and crimson glinted across the polished black marble floor of the Throne Room of Castellum Umbra, and yellow highlights flashed where the flames of the large iron braziers struck the silver veins of the marble. It was almost hypnotic to the eyes, but it went utterly unnoticed by the two occupants of the Great Hall.

Majestrix Nox sat upon her throne of scorched and petrified Fey bones, staring intently at the brittle and age-yellowed pages of a large tome. Jewels bedecked the leathery cover, and the pages were scribed in a thick-looking ink of deepest red. Blood. it was blood.

Averno realized what the "ink" consisted of as she stared down at it from one of the sweeping arches above the throne. Her face was contorted in a sharp scowl, her eyes narrowed in frustration. It had been nearly two weeks since she had once again smuggled herself to Tir Nan Og in Sajhiri's pack. She had been so busy exploring the depths and reaches of the dark castle that her bond had crossed back over to Gaia without her. She was trapped! She tried to cross through the mushroom ring on her own, but was met with nothing but the smell of the fragrant meadow wildflowers of the strange and exotic fey realm.

Now as she perched above the fairie woman who might pose the biggest threat to her continued use of her bond, she felt confident that Sajhiri would be back soon. The book the Majestrix was scouring was proof enough of that.

The tome appeared to be tribal records of the Moon Court...lineages and family trees over millenia of history. Nox was focused on one set of records in particular, those marked strangely. They ended at a single adult fairy with no offspring or bloodlines continuing, ancient even at the time of the curse. "Spina"...the latin name for "thorn", was emblazoned at the top of the page. Below it was a portrait of a grown fey woman, dark of hair and bright of eye, with one very distinctive feature. Her wings were a tattered mess, the membranes hanging from the boney structures in painful-looking shreds. The Thorn of the Moon Court was earth-bound, unable to fly, but according to the writing upon the page, she had sacrificed her gift of flight for one far greater.

Spina was an Oracle, able to forsee future events by gazing into bodies of water and receiving riddles back to her. She was also the author of the tome of lineages in Nox's hands. According to the last notes of the book, she was planning to employ highest sorceries to prevent her own crossing over or merging with her totem. She would set herself into a state of suspended animation, sleeping hidden somewhere within the depths of the castle, until she was re-awakened by her moon court kin. She left a single riddle to help others locate her.

"Where ne're I am found found I shall be, ungrowing 'spite the blood of growth surrounding me. My final flight from Umbra's crest to rest whereto only my wings may lift. Pregnant shall Luna kiss my brow, when her winter dance reaches it's highest pitch, but through the glass her lips shall pale, nigh unto darkness. Call not, for mine ears shall not hear thee. Let Mundanity breathe deep and be swift to waken me, lest it join me in eternal sleep. When Mundanity's kiss doth touch upon my lips, so shall I rise again."

Averno had memorized the words, though the riddle meant nothing to her, nor did she care if it were ever resovled. Nox, however, was raging against the locked secret, her anger palpable throughout the castle, as her demanding screams for the answer only resulted in the halls echoing her cries.

Averno had watched the night before as the wild fey woman performed her spell of summoning, to draw Sajhiri back to Tir Nan Og. And even now she could feel that her bond was not far, and en route to this place. Relief washed over the Feien as the familiar tread of Jihaar's footsteps reached her ears.

Moments later, the earth-bound angel stepped into the throne room and strode across the firelit marble chamber, to kneel at the feet of the frustrated ruler. "Majestrix, I felt your summons. Jihaar's light has been contained and I am ready to do your bidding."

A pale hand stroked through Sajhiri's long locks as Nox gazed down upon her with a malicious grin. "Excellent, my pet. I have much work for you to do. I mean to awaken one of the ancestors who may yet be within Tir Nan Og. But I know not where to find her. I need your aid and your wits to decipher the riddle of her resting place and the mystery of her awakening." With greatest care the Night fey passed the ancient book to Sajhiri, who took it in hand.

"By your will Mistress, so shall it be done," the dark angel replied. "I shall return to Gaia after I dine and begin this work within this shell's subconscious. As Mundanity seems to be a key, I think it best that I puzzle it out away from this magical land."

As Nox and Sajhiri continued their conversation, Averno launched herself into the air in the shadows of the rafters and made her hasty way to Sajhiri's castle chamber. She knew she had to secret herself into her bond's pack to be sure not to miss her way home again. She would have to reflect on the things she learned of this land in her journal once she was home. She fervently hoped her beloved guardian flytrap had not starved while she was away. Hopefully Cervus had half a brain in his Kingly head and had fed her. She would know soon enough, for now her concentration had to be on sneaking herself home.

From the Pages of Averno's Diary...

10.27.04 - What a dreadful experience! Two weeks trapped in that wretched mundanity of gloom and darkness known as Tir Nan Og! How could I have been so foolish as to not keep an eye on that infuriating bond of mine! I let her slip back to Gaia without me, and I was unable to cross back over on my own.

I spent the last few weeks exploring the castle she always comes to. It's dusty, musty, smelly, dark, dank, and gruesome. Not that all of that is bad, but there is little in the way of luxuries that I could find. I slept in a cupboard in an empty and mostly unused kitchen. I was almost eaten by a spider! And a rat nearly killed me!

Thankfully I had my rapier hand and I skewered both those vermin. It was not easy though...and I had a few scrapes and bruises from the tussles. I'm going to make sure Sajhiri is suitably chastised, even though I can't explain to her why. She thinks I'm just mad at her for going on that silly trip of hers to Barton Town. Idiot.

I plan to stop by the Feien shop Sajhiri told me of to see if I can track down Corvus. I haven't seen him in some time and I'm worried with my being trapped in that cursed fey realm that he might think I abandoned his tuteledge. I desperately need to learn from him. And he's not too hard on the eyes either. But such girlish silliness is beneath me, so I'll wrap this up and go train for a while. That rat nearly took my wrist off and I have to better defend myself with this blade.

[ Message temporarily off-line ]

Date: 11.15.04
Location: Em's home and the Feien Shop
Synopsis: Averno gathers her courage and crosses the portal outside the shop to look for Corvus and begin training. The return to the shop finds a brawl going on.
Participants: Averno, Corvus, Fifth, Banana Tango, Aquaphina and Shalafi.
The Scene:

Corvus was sitting on the banister of the stairs leading off the back porch when he felt it. It was unmistakable, of course, and not wholly unfamiliar, so he immediately decided to investigate. Slipping off the weather-worn wood, he zoomed past the holly bushes that lined the side of the house and made a beeline for the front. Just in time, too, for a moment more and the little feien before him might have had the chance to knock on the front door, or worse, ring the bell to summon Julius. As it was, he slid between her and any discernable targets quickly and easily and came to a sudden stop.

Averno skiddd to a halt en route to ringing the bell and she blinked up at Corvus in mingled surprise and confusion. "Master Corvus! Just who I was hoping to find!" She looked a bit shaken as she glanced back towards the spot she appeaedr in. "I do hope I'm not imposing. I wouldn't have come, as I quite dislike portals, but I hadn't heard from you in some time and I was beginning to get nervous." She offered a faint smile towards the Feien with the massive wings, one hand clasping the hilt of her rapier to keep her hands from trembling in the wake of her trip.

At that, Corvus crossed his arms and allowed himself a smirk. "Nervous? On my behalf?" Just what his bloated ego needed: fanning. "Well, as you can see, I am in good health. And yourself?"

"I'm most relieved to see you well. I am fine, for the most part, other than a disturbing discovery that my bond has been having part of her personality subverted by someone in another dimension, the one your bond travelled to in fact. I'm a touch uneasy that perhaps this side of her personality might abandon me." She frowned slightly. "Not that life wouldn't be better without the inconveniences she causes me, but if I am to understand correctly, without a bond, I would cease to exist?"

"Whuh--!?" Corvus's eyes bulged. He had been expected the typical pointless banter of conversation, perhaps a mention of the weather, idle chatter over the status of their human bonds. Not... that.

In the course of his surprise, Corvus had lost his composure and ended up hanging rather limply in the air. He quickly gathered himself together. The appearance of competence was everything. "Without a bond you would die, yes, but you're still a juvenile. You could just find another," he said.

Averno looked relieved. "That is good to know. Her behaviors have been dreadfully erratic. One moment she is peppering me with praise and gifts, the next she is abandoning me for weeks or being cold and distant." The feien girl rubbed her chin. "I have been endeavoring to make myself as self sufficient as possible as she cannot be relied on in any matters until I find a means to break the hold this Nox person has over her."

That actually sounded quite miserable and Corvus frowned with concern. "It's really not supposed to be that way. If your bond's not taking care of you, we can find you another. It's very disappointing to hear that a human is not taking care of their feien, but I suppose in light of the recent gemstone acquisitions, it's not unheard of."

Averno grimaced and rubbed at her forehead. "I don't think it's her fault really. I spied on the woman pulling her strings. She's been ensorcelled from what I can tell, and even her ancestor, Cervus, agrees that something has control of her. Normally she is a nurturing, caring, and almost overly attentive bond. I was hoping, perhaps, you might have some advice on how I can undo the magics she is under. If she has fallen, your bond could also fall prey to this Majestrix of the Moon Court as she is called."

"Pfft, I wouldn't worry about that," scoffed Corvus. "Emperial can take care of herself. As to disenchanting your bond, I'm afraid I haven't a clue what might be done to do that. I don't suppose it's any sort of feien magic, which is really my specialty. You'd need to find an expert on whatever type of magic you're dealing with. They all have underlying similarities, of course, but it's the subtle nuances that make crossing types of magic so dangerous..." He trailed off into idle musing, gazing over at the Japanese maple on the front lawn. About half of its leaves still remained, yellows and reds that lit up when the sunlight hit them. Soon it would be winter and the leaves would be gone.

Averno did her best to hide her disappointment. "Of course. I'll consult with Cervus and his brood then. He isn't quite aware of why she is acting that way. I've held off on telling him because he's a bit of an insufferable sort. But I no longer have much choice." She dusted off her hands as if to wash them clean of the situation. "So that leaves me to ask how your tuteledge will proceed? If you are still willing to teach me of course, Master Corvus."

"Certainly," said Corvus, snapping back to attention. "Is that why you came today?" He was far too acutely aware of the bell at his back.

The Feien girl's head dipped in a nod, one hand brushing back an errant curl which fell across her eyes. "Indeed. As well as to check on your well being, and since the latter has proven all right, I can attend to the former now."

Corvus puzzled over that statement a moment, trying to decide if he liked Averno's vaguely convoluted manner of speaking or not, and inquired lightly, "Have you uncovered any spells or abilities on your own?"

She shook her head, a bit of embarassment tinting her cheeks. "I'm afraid I've been so absorbed with investigating my bond's behaviors I haven't had a chance. I actually was trapped in Tir Nan Og for several weeks after following her through to that place. Which is why I was hesitant to pass through your portal before now."

"No trap here." Corvus settled back against his wings. It was starting to get bitterly cold out at this time of year and he was still getting used to the sensation. "You're darkness, like myself, so it shouldn't be too hard to teach you, provided you tell me what it is you'd like to learn."

Averno grinned. "Would everything be too much to ask? I suppose it would be this early. But for starters I'd like to learn a method to protect myself, and one to inflict harm or inconvenience on someone that might seek to do me harm." She paused then added, " To use for defense of course."

This had the immediate effect of causing in Corvus the mild feeling of an oncoming migraine. "Everything?" he said. Just what had he stumbled into? "That might be a bit much. Perhaps we should start with what you are presently capable of and continue from there."

Averno tempered her expression to a calm one and folded her hands in front of her primly. "Of course. Thus far I'm able to see quite capably in the dark, and I've called upon magic to make my flying more acrobatic.." She declined to mention she'd been using the former to spy and the latter to try and unsuccessfully impress Silva.

"That's a good start," said Corvus, falling into deep contemplation. "Have you had the chance to familiarize yourself with the spells for your element yet?"

Averno blushed to the roots of her hair. "I fear I've been most lax in that, Master Corvus. I've only paid one visit to the shop, and I haven't interacted with many other Feien. I've spent an inordinate amount of time learning to use this..." she gestured to the rapier at her hip. "You see I had an unpleasant encounter some time ago with another Feien who seemed intent to do me bodily harm. So physical defense became my first course of study."

Once again, Averno's words threw Corvus completely off-guard. "Physical harm? Who?" Corvus was quite under the impression that the only feien in existence willing to cause physical harm to another was himself, and that was directed firmly towards Aileron.

The dark-haired youth's head shook in the negative. "I'm uncertain of his name. He had red and yellow markings, dreadlocks, dark skin, insectoid wings, and an extremely aggressive disposition. He was young like myself, but in the tavern he grabbed me by the hair and threatened me, so I dumped hot tea in his lap. He was furious, but the pain was enough to send him away. I fear he may track me down again at some point."

"Have you seen him since, or inquired as to his identity?" asked Corvus.

"Fortunately I have not seen him again. I asked a few others if they could identify him, but that was unsuccessful." Averno tucked an errant lock of hair behind her head. "I just wish to be prepared in the event he DOES resurface and intends me malice."

"What about that thing?" Corvus flicked a hand towards her rapier.

Averno's lips curved into a smile as she stroked the hilt with affection. "A gift from my bond from the shop. I borrowed some of her books on the old fencing masters, like Saviolo and DiGrassi, and of course Capo Ferro. I am self taught, but I hope I am somewhat skilled now."

"Ah, that's good," remarked Corvus, and wondered how such skill would fare against his considerable magic prowess. He knew the answer already, and it only made his response that much easier: "If anyone gives you trouble, you are welcome to find me, as there is no feien I am incapable of dealing with myself."

Averno smiled. "Thank you, Master Corvus. I will do so if I find myself again threatened. This is just to keep me safe in the moment, until I am stronger in magics than I am currently." She patted the purple plastic cocktail rapier on her hip.

"How quaint," smirked Corvus. "If you like, we could go by the shop and look over the spells there. You could decide what spells you might be interested in pursuing immediately and as long-term goals."

Averno didn't take long to debate that. It was more than apparent that she was experiencing the anxiety of getting trapped away from "home" through a portal again. "That sounds like a splendid idea. Do I just...er...pass back through?"

"Indeed," smiled Corvus, looking at her with clearly disdainful amusement.

Averno swallowed uneasily and nodded her head. Then the composed young Feien turned and flew back through the portal. With a good deal of trepidation she drew in a breath, held it for a few minutes, and cross the threshold back to the shop.

Corvus hung back a moment, just long enough to watch Averno's departure with great interest, and then followed, still smirking after her. Behind him, a single maple leaf fell from the tree.

-----

Corvus filtered through the portal and glanced about to ensure Averno had not gone far.

Averno seemed to be looking about the area with a great deal of relief at recognizing it as the spot she left from. She regathered her composure and offered Corvus a faint smile, waiting for him to lead on.

Corvus did so with great gusto. "There is a great deal of information in the shop," he remarked as he floated along just ahead of her, "if one but takes the time to read it. There are, for example, several darkness spells, of interest to you and I, and several spells which are available to all feien." He wasn't really talking to her, it seemed, but more to the universe at large.

Averno followed a step behind Corvus and to his left, her face tilted up to regard him as he spoke, eagerly hanging on his every word. The younger Darkness Feien seemed to absorb each tidbit of information with relish. "I regret having only visited it once then, Master Corvus. I wish I had not been so distracted prior."

Corvus scarcely seemed to notice that she had spoken. "Most people underestimate the non-elemental spells, choosing instead to focus on weak elements and trivialities. The non-elementals are in fact the strongest spells in our arsenal, particularly for weaker feien such a--!!" Rounding the corner Corvus stumbled into the scene unfolding near the windowsill. Two unfamiliar feien and-- "FIFTH!"

Fifth looked up from his battle just long enough to realize this was Not Good. Still, it was fun, so he shoved the tips of his horns at Aquaphina before releasing her and leaping backwards.

Seeing Fifth turn on her savior, Banana's wings buzzed faster as she dove down through the air to meet him half way. She was hurt but that was no reason to let someone else get hurt either. This Fifth seemed like a bully in need of a lesson.

aquaphina yelped- the horns nearing her torso- she looked down at the feien who backed off a bit and sighed- she then turned to look for the yellow one to see if she was alright "Yellowfeien?areyouhurt?" she scanned the room back and forth- the two dark feien standing there and the young one who was trying to attack with all his might- but where had the yellow one gone?

Averno nearly stumbled into Corvus, pulling aside just in time to avoid a collision, and she blinked at the scene within the shop. "What on Gaia is going on in there?"

Whatever Fifth was intending to say in reply to Corvus's entrance was cut short when Banana's tiny form went barreling into him. He went directly horizontal across the windowsill and nearly hit the frame, but he hit something two inches away from the frame instead.

"WHAT the HELL do you children think you are DOING!?" came the irascible shout. Corvus was holding his arm out, and whatever he had done, it had stopped Fifth just short of smacking into the wall. He flew over to the two juveniles with a furious expression on his face.

aqua yelped as corvus stepped forword- not saying anything.... she looked at the two and then back at corvus- stepping backwards and hoping not to be yelled at

"A bunch of bloody BRATS, that's what!" Corvus snarled, grabbing them both by the arms and pulling them apart. He made the unfortunate mistake of grabbing Banana's already agitated arm but made no notice of this fact. "Both of you, what do you think you're doing?" he demanded again. His grip on Fifth was particularly tight.

"She started it," said Fifth, smirking since he knew Banana could not make an argument without her precious quills and paper.

Averno hung back in the corner of the windowsill and watch Corvus' handling of the matter. Her eyes scanned over the warring Feien with curiosity, committing their faces to memory.

"she cant....shes mute" aquaphina panted- her tone of voice slowed by her concentration to her own breath "she....didnt scream" aquaphina whiped some sweat off her head and looked back at the yellow feien "i watched it all...."

"A mute?" At that, Corvus released Banana, to focus more intently on Fifth. "Am I to believe some idiot mute decided to attack you?"

"I guess she was jealous that I'm not afraid to talk," remarked Fifth lazily.

aquaphina turned to the smaller yellow feien and smiled "gladyour alright" her tone of voice returning as she turned and flew out the window twords home

A triumphant grin on her face, Banana and Fifth tumble along the sill. Blinking as they came to a halt in..mid air? She didn't have long to reflect on this as she was yanked up into the air. Sucking in a breath of air through clenched teeth.

She tried to claw her way free of his hand due to the pain, she shot Fifth a cold stare. She shook her head up at Corvus pleadingly pawing at his hand.

Moving through the portal several minutes after Corvus and Averno made their way through, Shalafi paused just near the circle of stones, thinking quietly to himself. Everything made a bit more sense now.... but he had so many other questions as well. Sighing, he moved to fly off towards home, then winced when he heard the shouting from inside the shop. Was that Corvus?? He'd never heard the summoner that angry before...

Flying to the doorway, he paused, hovering there and listening.

The smaller darkness Feien began to let her eyes roam over the rest of the shop as the matter seemed to be well in hand. Averno squinted to try and determine where the spells Corvus had been speaking of were kept.

Watching the pink haired feien leave she waved after her vaguely ...wait a moment Idiot?? Banana stared a bit dumbfounded at Corvus then back at Fifth in disbelief.

Mute? Shalafi didn't know there was a mute Feien.

Idiot, even if she signed at you, you can't exactly see it.

Winging his way intot he shop then, Shalafi moved to the counter and landed there, keeping a bit of distance from the fracas, but still close enough that he could tell what was going on.


Apparently Corvus did not see fit to engage the "idiot mute" any further. "Where's Kabuto?" he demanded of Fifth. "Who let you out here?"

Fifth pouted a moment, then reached up to grab the arm around his neck and squirmed around. Confused, Corvus's arm fell downwards and suddenly Fifth had gotten it into his mouth, and then--

"GYAH!" howled Corvus, throwing Fifth down against the windowsill as hard as he could and darting up into the air. "You little fecking brat! You BIT me!"

Fifth dashed for the nearest shelter -- which happened to be Shalafi.

Jumping at the loud howl of pain, Bana brought up her hands in defense, moving out of the way so she doesn't get hit watching him fly into the air.

At the very least, she didn't feel bad that this feien got under just her skin.

Shalafi had no clue anything was coming until it was nearly there. "Mr. Corvus?? Are you alrig-- YIIIIIIIII!" He nearly jumped a foot into the air as something zinged past him and took refuge.

Corvus' cry dragged Averno's eyes back there and his words made her mouth fall open. "He bites?" She asked as if in disbelief. Hair pulling Feien were bad enough, a biting one was enough to make her finger the hilt of her cocktail rapier.

Corvus rubbed at the mark on his arm. Two perfect little rows of teeth. That was going to bruise. "Biting is the least of what he does," the summoner snarled.

Fifth just stuck out his tongue. "You tried to kill Aileron, so you can't talk!"

Stepping aside, Shalafi moved away from Fifth, leaving him in the open. He knew a bit about THAT particular incident, and refrained form speaking of it. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he looked towards the rather abrasive voice. "And who are you?"

"That depends," said Fifth, narrowing his eyes at Shalafi. "Who are you?"

Looking back in Corvus' direction, Shalafi sighed. "Are there mockingbird Feien that I wasn't aware of?"

Averno sidled in a wide berth around Fifth and Shalfi to move nearer to the protective vicinity of Corvus. "Well I don't care to see what else he does."

Corvus just dashed forward, grabbed Fifth again and said, "That's enough of that. I'm taking you home." Without even bothering to apologize to Averno, he stormed out, Fifth in tow.

Averno watched Corvus depart and she sighed. "Well I suppose that is my cue to head home myself."

Slinking backwards toward the opening of the window, Banana figured that now was a s good as any to make with a quick get away.

Shalafi sighed then, hearing htem go and shaking his head. "This place is strange at times," he muttered, moving to fly off of the countertop.

Date: 12.13.04
Location: Averno's Room in the Silva Regia Tower.
Synopsis: Cervus comes to Averno with concerns over Sajhiri being missing again. The two decide to Christmas shop for their guardian.
Participants: Averno and Cervus.
The Scene:

Averno sat at her dressing table, the overturned business card box with a polished gear mirror suiting her tiny form well. She pulled a comb Sajhiri had crafted from part of an eyelash seperator through her long curled locks and gazed at herself with a frown.

"She's been gone for almost a week again..." a deep voice emerged from the gap the portcullis chain ran through in the floor of Averno's living quarters.

The young Feien's head snapped towards the sound and she nodded slowly towards Cervus. "Yes, she has. You'd think someone royal would at least have the manners to announce themselves before entering." She huffed a little bit at the last, her expression indignant.

Cervus chuckled softly. "Well, if you had a door upon your chambers, Lady Averno, I'd have knocked. But as you do not, and as you don't seem to be of a mind to wear clothing anyway, I didn't think I would see anything untoward if I entered. I apologize though. Perhaps I can bring you a strand of bells to hang from the chain, which can be rung to announce a visitor?"

Averno was about to berate him further, but the bells offer truly appealed. It would grant her a few moments warning at the least, should she be plotting against someone or doing something particularly wicked. "That would be most kind of you, Your Majesty," she intoned.

Cervus crossed over to sit on a thread spool used as a stool. "Have you any idea where Sajhiri may be? I'm becoming very worried. I cannot sense where she is, once more. I am guessing she is either masking her presence or she is not upon this plane of existence. I don't think she would leave without giving notice. Not after the last time, do you?"

Averno forced herself not to smile, as she was completely aware of where Sajhiri was. She had watched her bond, red eyed under the control of Majestrix Nox, cross over into Tir Nan Og nearly a week ago. She still was not quite ready to share that information with the King of the Sun Court, however.

"I'm afraid not, Cervus. Though I'm a bit worried to. She seems to be making a habit of deserting us. But perhaps she is off buying us all presents for that human holiday she seems so fond of. Christmas, is it? She seems to attest that there is an element of surprise and secrecy as to the gifts bestowed. Let's just hope she isn't off buying more plushies in our likeness." She finished combing out her hair and rose to cross the room and sit across her makeshift table from the larger Fey.

Cervus groaned softly. "Yes, let us hope just that. I suppose that in keeping with her holiday traditions we should purchase gifts for her as well?" he queried softly.

Averno pondered that for a long moment. "I suppose so. Although I've not much idea of the things she would like or enjoy. Do you?"

The Fey King smiled and folded his hands on the table. "Well, she loves artwork of all sorts, and cute or pretty things, especially those of an angellic nature. Perhaps we can take a trip to Barton Town or Gambino Island and shop for her together?"

Averno blinked as that almost sounded like a come on, but then she noted the elaborate gold wedding band now upon the man's finger. She coughed lightly. "Are you sure your queen would approve, Cervus?" She cooed slyly.

Cervus' cheeks colored. "Of course she would approve. Why wouldn't she? You didn't think I was asking you for a reason other than surprising Sajhiri, did you?" He blinked a few times in confusion and surprise at the Feien. "I'm quite devoted to Lilium, I assure you, Lady Averno."

Averno laughed musically. "Oh of course. I was just kidding with you. If you'll give me a few moments, I'll finish getting ready and we can go finding something for Sajhiri." The youth waved a hand at Cervus dismissively and returned to sit down at her dressing table.

Cervus dipped his head in acknowledgement and strode out down the chain to the floor below.

Date: 12.31.04
Location: Feien Fairy Shop.
Synopsis: Averno meets Ryuusei and the two try to figure out what her element is.
Participants: Averno and Ryuusei.
The Scene:

The sound of leathery wings could be discerned near the window of the shop. Moments later, the diminutive form of Averno alighted on the sill and perched on it's edge. She leaned over to give the shop a good look-see, her violet eyes narrowing as she tried to discern if there was anything other than her moving in it's confines. Satisfied that she was alone, she launched into the air and drifted in lazy circles down to the bulletin board.

With her hands planted on her hips, she peered at the notices posted there with idle curiosity and muttered, "Peace and quiet at last. If I had to spend one more minute in that tower with Sajhiri's circus I'd have released my sanity to the wind."


"...There's the shop." A female voice let out, her valid eye peeking sideway into the collar of her jacket. You just stay here until I have to go back, okay ? If something happen, just hide somewhere. With that cold..."

"Don't worry !" Ryuusei answered back. "Just let me know when you'lld be back."

The feien emerged from the collar then, scarf safely around her neck, and flew to the frosted window. Man, it WAS really cold. She took a peek inside. There didn't seem to be anyone... And Zero was allready gone. Man.

Slowly, she managed to push open and slid into the shop, and it was only then that she noticed Averno. She remained sillent, trough, deciding it might be safer to let the other feien do the first moves if she felt like talking. After all, there was no one else in there... Maybe she wanted to be alone.

Her attention drifted to the notice board then, as she fluttered off to read it.


At the sound of an approach, Averno tensed, her hand sliding to the hilt of the plastic cocktail rapier thrust through the string tied around her waist. She relaxed as the other juvenille became discernible, however, and even offered a half-hearted smile. The hand remained where it was, though.

"Hello. My bond would insist I add 'Happy Holidays' to that, but I'm still not sure what this whole holiday thing is about."


Ryuusei turned at the sound of her voice, her line of sight going from the rapier to the other feien's face, visibely unsure weither or not she was safe or not.

"...As far as I can understand, its a period to give presents to your family and pass time, trough im starting to hope ill't be over soon. Everyone is just too busy." She shrugged. "...But then I emerged in the middle of it. Talk about timing. My name is Ryuusei..."


Averno's eyes swept over the brightly colored fairy and she inclined her head politely. "I'm Averno. I've been out of the bloom a bit longer, but you still seem to have a better grasp on it than I." She finally removed her hand from the plastic weapon and leaned against the wall, crossing her feet at the ankles and folding her arms over her chest. Her wings forced her to bow her back a bit more than would seem comfortable, but she proved determined to hold the casual pose.

"So what brings you to the shop? Looking to buy some items? Find someone? Learn some spells?" she queried.


Ryuusei decided to simplely stand here for a moment, twirling a braid around her finger.

"Well, as I said I've emerged fairely recently, maybe... two weeks ago ? Im mostly trying to get my baring straight at the moment, and maybe get to know some other feien. Holidays and the cold kept me from coming before, my house is fairly far, and my bond is afraid ill get sick if I traveled by flight. I just now managed to be ready at the same time she was to go out. I think she allready ordered me things, but im not sure..."


Averno made a soft sound that could be either understanding or derision. Hard to say as her expression was masked by a sudden fall of curls as her head dipped. "I see. Well, two weeks isn't too bad. My bond didn't even tell me this place existed for ages. I've not been here much myself, but it's a lot quieter than my bond's home at the moment."

She moved to sit on the floor cross-legged, resting her hands on her knees. It took her a moment or two to adjust the rapier so the hilt quit poking her in the stomach or thigh, but she finally settled in. "If you have any questions I might be able to answer them, but I might not. I haven't been out much myself. My bond runs a tavern though, where all Feien are welcome, so you might want to stop by there sometime and visit. The tea is rather nice."


Ryuusei visibely decided it was better to nevermind the sound, as she sat as well, throwing the ends of her scarf behind her back, one eyebrow rising with piqued interest. A tavern ? Zero havn't told her about this one...

"I might, when its less cold and my deplacements are less limited..." She mused. "Zero passes in front of the shop alot, so its easier for me to come here for now... Questions, uh ? Well... You said something about spells before ? I don't think I know any..."


Averno made a small noise of surprise. "You know none yet? Well, you shall have to find yourself a teacher then. My teacher is a bit...erm...well he's a very busy fellow so I haven't learned much yet, but I'm sure I will eventually."

She gestured to the information posted about the shop. "There are lists of spells here in the shop. Some depend on your element though. I'm attuned to Darkness...I don't think you are, are you?" Her coloration looked rather bright for a darkness Feien, but Averno had learned not to judge a book by its cover, or a Feien by its color either.


"My bond havn't told me anything about that.. She might just have been pretty busy. She's a little scatterbrained." Ryuusei giggeled a little. "...Hm. I don't think so... I don't mind the dark, but that's mostly because that's when the stars are out." Her hand returned to twirling around a blue braid. "I have a fan, trough. My bond said I loved having wind around me as a bloom, and ill admit I still like it. Maybe my element would be something about the wind ? Air, maybe... ?"


"Interesting," Averno murmured as she rubbed a hand along her jaw. "An affinity for air would probably be pretty helpful. Why don't we go see if we can find the spell information for air spells?" She pushed herself up off the floor and moved to where Corvus had shown her the lists of spells prior. Her hand traced down the pages and she made quiet noises as she read.

"Let's see...Darkness - that's mine - earth, light, water... ah! There's Air! But," she paused and looked further down the lists. "I see sky too. Maybe you're a sky Feien?" She looked back over her shoulder at the yellow marked youth.


Ryuusei simpely nodded and followed, blinking as Averno announced her find.

"...Well, I don't know... If there a way to know for sure ?" She tried to think which one she could prefer, but they both seemed similiar in her mind. "I really have no clue... They seem pretty similar to me."


A frown painted Averno's lips; she hated not knowing the answers. "I'm not sure, but if anyone would know, Corvus would. He's a Summoner and my teacher." The frown deepened as she turned back towards Ryuusei.

"I haven't seen him in a while though. Like I said, he's a pretty busy fellow. Maybe some of the other Feien would know? Maybe some of the other adults? I met one named Sunil, but I haven't seen her in a long time either." She shrugged slightly, dissatisfied with her own answers.


"Well, maybe... Show me the list of the spells ? Maybe something from one list will feel more... familiar to me ? Ill'd hate to have to bother your teacher for something like this, so if we can figure it out on our owns, I think it would be better..."

Well, it was worth a try, no ?


The youth's dark-maned head dipped in agreement and she beckoned the other girl over. "Here. Come look for yourself," she called.

"There's one called 'Extended Breath', and one to purify the air under the Air spells." She bit her tongue to prevent herself from making a snarky comment about how useful the latter would be around her bond's smelly pets.

"And under Sky I see things to forecast the weather?" Well that actually made her nose wrinkle in disappointment. "I guess that could keep you from getting rained on or something..." she added to try and make the spells sound worthwhile.


Ryuusei came closer, and her orange eyes began to study the two lists, her eyebrow raising again as she mentionned the weather spells.

"...But then, you can just check on the tv or the internet. That's kinda silly..." She blinked, then shrugged, her attention returning to the list. "Why does the first spells of each list have a 0 ? Shouldn't it start at 1 ?"


Averno pondered the question a long moment, and tried to formulate a reason that would sound...well...reasonable. "Maybe to indicate that any novice to magic should be able to learn it on their own?"

It was a guess, but to her it sounded plausible at least.


"Sounds possible..." Ryuusei read over the two again. "...Then maybe whichever of the two I can do on my own will let us know what element I am for sure ?" The yellow feien was sure that she looked extremely stupid right now, but everyone had to go trough that phaze, right ?


Averno's shoulders lifted in yet another shrug. Her pecs were going to be fabulously developed at this rate. "Sounds like a plan to me. Why don't you read them over and give one of them a try?"

She took a few steps back, then a few more, just in case the juvenille managed to create some sort of magical catastrophe in the attempt.


She simpely nodded in answer, reading over the first spell of each list. Air's looked like the easiest to figure out, so she decided to try that first. That, and she had no idea how one would have a go at guessing the weather.

She made sure she was sitting in a decent position, then she closed her eyes, concentring on holding her breath for as long as she could manage to.


Averno glanced up at the clock in the shop, marking the time the girl began holding her breath. "Course, I've never exactly timed a Feien holding their breath before. Don't have much of a baseline to go by," she muttered quietly.

She patiently sat back to watch and document, however. She idly wondered if the girl would pass out before she gave up and breathed. Now THAT might be interesting.


She simpely nodded at that, having never tought of timing that before, either. Trough it did seem she should have taken a breath by now, she thought. She held it on for another few seconds before opening her eyes again and letting go.


Averno rattled off the time. "Well then, why don't you time me holding my breath and we'll see if it's a significant difference?" The darkness Feien flopped down on the floor again to sit comfortable, stretching her wings to get the kinks out of them.

She glanced at the clock and then inhaled deeply, watching the seconds tick by with a curious expression.


"Sounds good." She nodded, getting up and turning to stare at the clock, counting the seconds in her head, her feathered wings twitching a little.


After a time, Averno's face grew reddish in hue, and with a gasp she released her breathing, sucking air back into her lungs and grimacing at the slightly dizzy sensation. "Well _I'M_ certainly not an air Feien, on that we can be sure," she quipped.


"You're okay ?!" Ryuu turned at her gasp, visbely worried. "Well, I think I might just be... It did seem long for me, anyway."


Averno smiled faintly. "Perhaps, but it might be easiest to find out if we find another Air Feien and ask them? I'm sure they would know." She continued to pant a bit as her lungs demanded compensation for the prior deprivation.

"In the meantime though, I need to get back to the tower. My bond gets twitchy if I'm gone for very long. Good luck in finding out about your element, Ryuusei."

With that, Averno leapt into the air and winged her way to the window, and outside, mentally marking the new feien as susceptible to suggestion.


"Okay... Ill try to find one." She said, waving her hand at the departing feien. "See you around !"

She still wasn't sure, the fact she seemed quite ready to attack her at the start lingered in her mind... But everyone deserved the benefice of doubt, right ? Maybe Averno was just a little twitchy...

With a shrug, she turned back to the spell list, keeping her mind occuped until either another feien came, or her bond returned.

From the Pages of Averno's Diary...

01.11.05 -Remind me to hide anytime one of these human holiday customs is approaching again. As if Christmas wasn't bad enough, when I was expected to lavish the cretins I can barely tolerate with gifts, then came New Year's Eve.

Christmas at least had an upside. I received gifts from the rest of the menagerie, even that hapless fey twit, Cervus. Apparently he married some white-haired tart from Tir Nan Og recently. Not that I expected him to have good taste, mind you, but I've seen Lilium flitting about the tower. She's as vapid as they come. Anyway, I digress.

New Year's was pointless hoo hah over seemingly nothing. People put up a new calendar and throw a party over it. Insane if you ask me. Not only that, but there were no presents involved. What kind of holiday is THAT!? Sajhiri had tons of food and this stuff called champagne. That actually wasn't so bad, but I don't remember overly much of the night after I drank some.

I woke up sprawled out in the chandelier over the great hall of the tower with a horrendous headache and a napkin for a blanket. How degrading! I won't be drinking that vile stuff again any time soon. I'll stick to tea and cider, those I enjoy. I vaguely remember something about midnight and kissing, but not a who or what it involved.

Corvus has gone walkabout on me again it would seem. I've not heard from him in some time. My studies are going staggeringly slow without his presence. I hope I did not choose poorly, but he seems to be the most powerful Feien I've met. So I shall have to hone my patience. Perhaps I will travel through that portal again to seek him. I still hate portals, but if he's gone much longer I'll have no other choice.