Welcome to Gaia! ::

[ My name is Michael J. Caboose..and I hate babies! Lol, ok enough of that. xD I'm sorry I haven't posted in a bit, but your entries made me happy to see. heart ]

Only just reaching the top of the flight of stairs, the abrupt and awful sound of a great structure falling to the ground clanged through Garren's ears. Not any such sound was familiar to him in awhile, unless it was one of attack. Turning swiftly, the man drew his elegant blade and darted down the steps in the manner of a great defender. And soon, the bumbling intruder met with the cool tip of a blade against the back of his neck.

"Halt. Did the village send you? We have told them countless times before that we mean no harm to anyone, and only wish to live here in peace. They have no reason to create such onslaught against us!"

His teeth were clenched and his tone angered with the grip on his blade. No matter what the circumstance, even with the newest faces in years present, he would not tolerate the neighboring town's or anyone's threat to abolish the unnatural peculiarity of his sister and self. But Isarelle who had heard through him the newcomer's last mutterings, and was naively never quick to judge and assume, remained composed and soothed her brother inwardly.

"Garren, stop! He is not from the town- he mentioned one of my spirits and therefore must have followed it here. He is one of us, so calm down and quit scaring him!"

Remaining at cool attention, Garren's hand nor eyes yet wavered and he muttered an outward reply under his breath.

"It could be a ploy. They...they could have seen one of your lights come from the house and this be a trap. Why else would he break down our door? Our huge, crushing weight of a door he seemed to tip over so easily?"

Becoming agitated, his sister huffed.

"Put down the Tryst! Let him at least explain himself, I mean look at him- he seems good-natured to me!"

Garren's eye twitched in a sneering way as he continued to appearingly talk to himself.

"You think everyone's good-natured."

Thusly annoyed, Isarelle defiantly seized control of her brother's hand and made himself smack his face. Stumbling back a bit, he glared at the idle hand.

"Don't you even think of doing that, Isa."

"Then shield your weapon."

"Fine."

Sheathing his blade, Garren crossed his arms and eyed Cerdik in a way trying to regain back some of his stone-like dignity.

"Stranger, what is your intent upon my household? Do you come in peace or not?"

((Yayness, I have finally finished my profile. Sorry, it is incredibly long... but you said detail on the curse, and I just kind of got carried away with the history. What can I say? I love to write. -sheepish grin- Note that I DID cut it down from the original. A little. xd ))

Gaian Username: Immortal Goldfish

Name: Aranai Aiolos

Age: 22

Curse: Aranai's curse is to forever be alone. Her skin will badly burn all who touch it directly. It affects any living thing, animal or human or plant, but wearing a layer of cloth will block the heat, though not entirely. If you held your hand on her arm too long, the heat would eventually sink through, though it would not burn as badly as direct contact. It is not like a fire, so the warmth will not spread beyond her touch or become a flame.
The second part of her curse happens directly after sunset. As soon as the sun is gone, Aranai transforms into a firebird. Likewise, as soon as sunrise begins, she changes back to a woman. One feather could light a room as clear as day, and it is as if the sun has not really set after all. When she cries, her tears turn to pearls. When she flies golden dust falls from her wings. When she sings, strange things happen, such as: items turning to gold, objects setting on fire, or causing a burning sensation in a living creature's heart (not pleasant). Because of this uncertainty to the tunes she sings, she rarely makes a sound when in her firebird body. Since her curse, she has experimented with songs, but is not confident in what they will do. She can still talk and retain all human thought when in this form. She cannot control the transformation, or any magical elements of her being.

Weapon(s): A burning touch, talons (firebird), song (unpredictable and dangerous to allies)

Appearance: Human – As a woman, Aranai is a normal height, with a slim and curving figure. Her hair reaches the middle of her back, naturally curly and shining with darker red and orange and golden hues. Pine green eyes stare out from golden bronze skin, which seems to glow with an internal light. She wears a black floor length skirt, and a black and green fitted long sleeve top. An ordinary brown coat that is too bid goes over top, with a wide and high collar, and wide cuffs. With boots and slim gloves, she ensures that most of her skin is covered at all times.
Firebird – As a bird, she slightly bigger than a peacock. She has a long, flowing tail, and willowy crest on her head. Her beak is curved like an eagle but longer, and her talons are strong. Though her plumage does not actually burn with fire, it glows with light like one. If you were to stare at her, you would see that her colors seem to vary between red, orange, and gold, shining like coals. Her eyes remain green.

History: Lady Rahda was known for her great breauty and elegance, and married into a noble family. She had five daughters, four took on the grace and allure of their mother, but one did not. The third daughter, Aranai, never grew out of her plain face and awkward figure, and she hated it. Her years growing up were spent in the presence of absolute charm and attraction, yet she felt so distant from it.
As she grew up, she became obsessed with becoming beautiful. She incessantly bothered a sorceress – Dareara - who was the only one within miles of her city who could possibly do the job. Aranai begged and pleaded and demanded – offering large amounts of money and fame if only the sorceress would take away her homely looks and make her more lovely than her sisters. Everytime, however, Dareara shut the door in her face and said the words: “Beauty is a dangerous thing.” Still the girl, now eighteen, kept asking and asking and asking. Dareara had finally had enough one afternoon as the girl banged on her door. She agreed to make her beautiful. She did not tell her, however, that there was a catch.
Dareara did indeed make Aranai beautiful, but when she ran home to tell her family, horror took the place of victory. Her mother came forward to hug her, and recoiled in pain as huge blistering burns formed on her skin from contact with her daughter. Aranai was terrified. Running back to the home of the sorceress, she demanded the curse be lifted, but Dareara only laughed and closed the door once again. As she did this, the last rays of the sun left the sky, and darkness came. Aranai screamed as her body became surrounded in flames and she found herself streaking into the sky, wings glowing like fire as she flew. She left a trail of golden dust and pearls behind.
After that night Aranai did not return to her family's manor, but went somewhere she could do no harm. Sought after by many men who heard of her beauty and the wealth of the firebird, she continually moved about to avoid them. A few found her and tried to capture her. Everytime she had managed to escape, convinced that a life of bondage was worse than lonliness. She was beautiful, yes, but dangerous. And she would forever be alone.

Strengths: Flight, warm all types of weather – never cold even in freezing temperatures, a source of light in darkness (when a firebird)

Weaknesses: No control over tranformation or burning touch. Her songs have many negative effects, and it is difficult for her to keep the tune steady. Always changes at twilight – inconvenient. Useless for tasks requiring hands when a firebird. Also, unless she is covered, she shines at night – which makes sleeping hard for some and hiding her is even more difficult.

Quirks: Aranai carries with her a large and heavily woven black blanket which she hides beneath at night when she transforms. Even though she has her dream of beauty, she constantly downplays it and tries not to draw attention to the fact. She gets extremely uncomfortable and irritable in the presence of men, from the experience of being plain and never looked at to becoming quite attrative.

[ You're in. Feel free to throw in your pretty a** at anytime. ;P ]

Attentively hearing his story, Garren raised a brow. Milady? ...Had he somehow been able to hear Isarelle's voice in his head? Couldn't be, and his suspicion was confirmed as Adencia stepped closer with soothing tones. She could perhaps afford to be diplomatic, but several terrible encounters before had made him paranoid and especially for something as unprecedented as the felling of their manor's door. To assure the quaking and stuttering fellow, Garren let his arms at ease.

"All right. And don't worry, I'm not gonna kill you..."

And from within his mind, the young and fascinated Isarelle observed Cerdik's movements and her presence sparkled at his mention of magic.

"Oh! He mentioned magic, brother! He must be a sorcerer as well...well, probably better than me- he did topple a door after all! I'll have to ask him to teach me what he knows, he seems magnificent..."

To the comment, Garren whispered as lowly as he could. If Cerdik had not picked up on him appearing crazy moments ago, he would save the impression for a later time.

"Magnificent indeed. Didn't you hear him say 'accident'? Anyway, you'll have to wait until my hour's done if you have anything to say to him..."

Briefly, Garren eyed the watch at his side.

"And I still have time left."

((... thanks. xp ))

The village lay behind her, growing smaller as her feet fought their way down the road. It had been a long day, and she hadn't had much sleep. Of course night would not bring it. She rarely slept after sunset. Scuffing her toes in the dust, Aranai let her mind drift into nothing, trying not to think about twlight and the long night ahead of her.

A long, self-pitying sigh and a sulky scowl mirrored her everyday life. Misery and loneliness. Funny how nothing had seemed to change... even after she had received her heart's deepest longing - her obsession. If not for that sorceress' curse, she would be sitting with her sisters, sharing the latest news and the gossip of the men that had caught their eye. Another sigh.

Even with her head hung low and her hair in her eyes, she saw the light before it was very close. She seemed much more aware of light now, and distanced from darkness. A small orb, silvery white, spun in the air towards her in a languid and entrancing dance. Fascinating, she thought, as she reached out to touch the light. It's beautiful...

Inevitably, it jolted away from her hand and floated away. She was overcome by the need to keep it in her sight. Don't go little light! So she followed it, unable to catch it, not even noticing as it led her off the beaten road into the trees and brush. Her entire attention was enraptured by this tiny lamp, and she thought of little else. Until shouts and screams rang in her head like a off-tune note interrupting a perfect symphony. Aranai started and the light was gone.

"It figures..." she muttered, but was distracted by the noise. Any thoughts of the light did not linger very long, for a stately manor now stood before her. Much like her own home, save for a punched in doorway.

The shouting had quelled to almost civilized speech. Still... She shuddered and pulled the collar of her coat higher to hide as much of her face as she could. It didn't really work. Though her instincts told her otherwise, she was compelled to speak with these people. Before her senses could prevail, her feet were already moving. Sleepy condition pushed away, she focused on this odd sensation that she needed to be here. That was silly though... wasn't it?

She did not pause until she reached the bottom of the stairs, staring up with some hesitation and not a little apprehension. Aranai stopped, her hands nervously clutched at the collar of her coat.

"Pardon me..." Formalities! What do you call them? "Lords and lady. What... I don't know why this... I'm here." she managed to get it all out. The words had started strong, to get attention, but she tapered off to a scratchy whisper by the end. Painfully aware that she did not know anything at all, Aranai bowed her head in respect and let her hair fall infront of her downcast eyes.

((oh boy... first post = also long. I'll try not to be so eloquent in future? Eheh. Oh, and I was wondering what time of day it is. Roughly... since she changes with the sun. Dang it, this might be harder than I thought. whee ))

Cerdik smiled wanely, his arms holding the leather-bound book tightly against his chest. It was a comforting pressure to him, despite the chills running over his body. He nodded first to Garren. "Thanks to you, sir," then he nodded toward Isarelle. "And to you, ma'am." Then his gaze turned up to Khnui, whom was naturally taller than Cerdik. Again, he nodded. "O' course... I just be easily a-frightened. I be not a-fearing now." Khnui's hand was rather warm upon his little shoulder and it was comforting despite the fact that this man was a stranger.

Living his life surrounded by people taller than himself, Cerdik had indeed been convinced that he was still childish in mind as well as body even though he was already nineteen. Sometimes it just took him some reminding that he was a full-fledged adult, whether he looked it or not.

"And I be no lesser," he mumbled to himself, staring at the floor while his thoughts trailed off. And then he looked up suddenly to see the new woman that had just walked through the open door which he had so rudely knocked down.

"Such a bumbler," he said, again mumbling to himself. However, Cerdik hardly even noticed he had said it. His focus was on Aranai. He could sense her heat even from several paces away. He had a rather strong urge to rush over and cling tightly to her, but rejected it. It was childish. "And I be not a child..."

So, in rejecting his own urges, he turned his eyes to the stone floor again and began counting the stone squares (That is, if I'm right in assuming it's stone. If not, ignore that piece).

((Shweet. I look forward to it. ninja ))

The urge to turn and run from this gathering of too many people nearly overcame her. She had no idea as to who - or what - they really were, and could have walked in upon a very precarious situation. Obviously it was, judging by the state of the entry hall and the expressions of those standing in it.

The thin one on the floor mumbled, but it was his attention that caught her. She fidgeted, knowing they could feel the warmth she seemed to eminate continually, and that made her too uncomfortable. Her face hardened, and she lifted her head, tall and proud like the nobility she was supposed to be. Even so, her eyes faltered, and the apprehension in her gaze gave away the farce. She was no noblewoman now. She was an untouchable.

The thoughts of self-pity lasted only till another spoke. She studied him, green eyes narrowed slightly, and listened to his words. Honestly she was surprised at the question. How does he know about the light? It disappeared so quickly... they mustn't have seen it.

"Yes..." she answered cautiously, perhaps just as wary of him as he was of her. "Though I'm curious as to why I'm here. Actually, I'd rather not be."

A long glance at the sun told her all she needed to know. It was late evening, it would be setting soon.

Then she added, a little more quietly, "The sun is soon to fade..."

As soon as it did so, she would be gone. This exchange was simply... curiousity.

Nothing more.

Adencia listened with interest at Cerdik’s story of coming to be at the manor. She was still much intrigued with Isarelle’s magic and would have to later ask her about it. Then yet another visitor came. This time it was a rather beautiful woman who looked to be much older than her. She was almost relieved to be in the presence of another woman but was quite unsure. She always had better luck befriending men because of her crude ways of a trapper and hunter. She was not sure if she would fit to the tastes of this woman. She had called her a Lady, so Adencia assumed she might have had a more proper upbringing. She then decided that her mannerisms definitely wouldn’t be to the liking of the newcomer.

Adencia could feel a strong heat emanating off of the woman and was quite curious as to why. Could this be the woman’s curse? She was yet again unsure about this one. Her feelings of uncertainty were soon replaced by a different yet well known feeling in the pit of her stomach and the center of her chest. A transformation was coming on, she just new it. Adencia took several steps back from the group trying to contain her curse, trying to fight it, but this animal was strong. With her abilities to control her transformation repressed to only two animals the creature within her pushed forward with each heart beat.

Adencia held her sides in the pain of her concentration, trying to hold herself back but the task began to get harder with every breath. She looked up to the door dizzily and it seemed to fall farther and farther away from her. Her knees buckled and she collapsed onto them, seeking her inner power to stop the transformation.

“Uh-oh.” She gasped.