Welcome to Gaia! ::

Serena looked down at Ziren, for she still believed him to be that man, and smiled softly. She rolled her eyes at the comment about being able to move his lips. "I meant can you move bodily." She frowned as she heard the coughing sound, which she knew was not normal. She looked him over again, still frowning. Odd how even such a concerned and disturbed look could evidently not mar this young woman's beauty. She was radiant, even if she did not truly look like the star she was. Only her shimmering gown seemed to fit the idea of what one might believe a star to look like.

"I don't think it wise for you to get up. You took quite a fall, as despite what you may have endured in your past, it may be wise to rest just a moment longer." She said this partially because she truly did not believe him well enough yet to try moving, and partially because she was dreading having to stand herself. Her ankle still pained her, though she was ignoring it for the time being. However, should she try to stand, it was likely that she would take another tumble.

Serena huffed and placed her hands on her hips, looking at Ziren in a rather offended manner. Clearly she did not like what he had said about assuming her to have unlimited knowledge. It was clear to her that he believed her to not be what he had expected, and that it was likely he thought her to be, in her eyes, dumb. "I beg your pardon, sir, but stars have a great deal more knowledge than any one human could hold in a lifetime." She spoke in a rather dignified manner, as though she were going to prove him wrong.

Her eyes widened momentarily at the mention of a previous star's death. Sadness claimed her features and she dropped her gaze. It was hard to imagine that something so pure could have been slain for something so meaningless. For of course, to a star, power was not important. Nay, knowledge was more important than power. A single tear slid down her cheek, and then she seemed to remember something. She brought a delicate hand up to brush against the chain that rested around her neck, a white gold chain that glimmered in the light. She pulled it up to reveal the gem that rested at the bottom, the sapphire that shone almost as bright as the woman's eyes. She held it in her hand and looked at it, her features hardening as she did. "How could they?" She asked, not truly directing it, but more of a rhetorical question. Anger flashed through her eyes, and she looked ready to leap up and hunt down those who had killed one of her kin.

Finally Serena shifted her gaze back to the man before her, and the look of anger subsided. She still held the sapphire pendant in her hand, though her thoughts were now on the man. She looked down to his hand, then back up to his face. "I suppose, it would be best to leave this place." She looked around her, and a slight grin crossed her face. "Though, I doubt very much that even a witch as powerful as the head of the coven could take me in such a place." As if on queue, a multitude of noises seem to spring to life. They were unnatural noises, as if created by some strange creatures who were reacting to this woman's words. She looked back to Ziren and smiled sweetly, looking rather innocent, saving for that knowing glint in her eyes. She took his hand and gently began to pull him up, while simultaneously moving her other hand, dropping the pendant, to slip it behind his back and push him up. This would allow him to move into a sitting position with minimal pain.

The pegasus could tell that this was a horse of pride and strength, and he admired that. He continued to watch the horse as she turned her gaze from him, to her master. He followed her gaze, seeing the man. He also saw the star, the woman he had come to help. He had been drawn to her, like a moth to the flame. There was something about that woman the seemed to attract magical creatures. He could hear the noises around them, the other 'mythical' creatures that had been forced to hide in the forest, lest they be used as unintelligent beasts of burden, rather than the intellectualy beings they were. He snorted again, watching as the woman, whom he knew to be injured, attempted to help the man up. It was like the blind leading the blind, which amused him greatly. He shifted for a moment, rustling his wings, then began to move forward. He stopped only when he had reached the two, and imposing figure looming above them. He would lend his help to this strange woman for as long as she needed it, he felt obligated.

Serena, as old as she may be, was still very naive. She had no idea that she was so very close to this man, and that perhaps it would make him uncomfortable. No, she simply continued to try and help as best she could, without causing herself too much more pain.

"I know that you mean no disrespect, its just..." She trailed off, unable to truly think of what she meant to say. She frowned for a moment, then looked to Ziren and smiled. "Nay, do not fret over it. Stars cannot know everything, of that I am sure, though most of us may claim otherwise. There is far too much knowledge spread out over time for any one being to hold it all." She smiled at him in a rather child like manner, hoping he would realize that she understood he had meant no offense by his comment, and showing that she took none by it.

She felt a little put off by the great forest, feeling that something unwelcome had entered it. It was not so much a realization of a new presence, as it was a sense of disturbance amongst the creatures of the forest. She could feel their angst and unease as if it were her own. As if sensing her thoughts, the great winged horse stomped a hoof and snorted loudly. This was enough to urge her to move.

She was about to attempt to help Ziren up, when he seemed to do it on his own, with a bit of aid from his horse, of course. She watched him with concern filling those sapphire eyes. It wasn't until the Pegasus nudged her with his nose that she even realized she had been staring. She blushed slightly, ashamed at having been so rude in her stare, and grasped the horses mane. He lifted his head, pulling her to her feet. So long as she was leaning against something, she could stand just fine, even walk a little. But she could put no weight on her injured ankle. It would be at least a day before she could truly walk on it again, and even then it would be slow.

She used her arms, which were stronger than they appeared, to heave herself up onto the steed's back. Once she was perched on the great horse's back, she sat up straight, taking on that regal appearance once more. While on the ground, she had looked almost human. As innocent and weak as any young maiden. However, on top of such a noble creature, its white coat almost casting an eerie glow, she seemed to looke much more powerful.

Her long hair fell about her body, as if hiding her slim frame from others, protecting her. She smiled at Ziren, though she could not wipe the concern from her eyes. "I will follow you, if you think it best." She bowed her head respectfully, speaking in that mature manner that she seemed to take now and then. She was far more aware now than she had seemed moments ago.

Fox watched Majxn approach the horse curiously. He was sure that Angel was doing a much more subtle job of the same thing behind him, and was grateful for it. Angel often noticed things the heir didn't. "Please Sir Majxn, don't feel as though you need be so polite," Fox said, grinning. In truth, he didn't think it was manners that were keeping Majxn off the horse at all, but he would keep that quiet for now.

Angel whispered something in his ear, and Fox tilted his head slightly to the side. You may be right, Angel, he thought, looking at Majxn. "Besides, we've already arranged ourselves so that both you and Lady Matari might ride. Switching everything back now would be a dreadful waste of effort," the grey-haired boy continued with a light, playful wave of the hand.

Angel continued to just watch Majxn through his eyelashes, not letting on that he was paying any attention at all. Yet another trick a servant learned, if they were to be any good at their job. There were a lot of those, all of them more useful than one might suspect...

The Pegasus, though unhappy with following instead of leading, moved in behind the man's horse, but not without a quick glance back at Serena. The woman returned the animal's stare, and it was as though they exchanged thoughts. Both of them were not so easily fooled, however Serena did not speak her mind on the matter. She figured that this man had no idea where he was going, but she didn't truly care. She was simply happy to be on the move once more. She wasn't going to find a way home by just sitting in that forest.

She rested her hands before her, stroking the great horse's mane and staring forward, not really at Ziren, but more through him. "I will trust you to lead me to safety." She said in a rather reassuring manner, so that he would know she was fine with whichever path he chose. She looked behind her for a brief moment, feeling a chill run down her spine. She didn't want to make Ziren fret, but she was sure that darkness headed now towards the crater, and at a great speed. Such an evil touch about that creature, she didn't want to be around when whoever it was got to that place where she had fallen. The Pegasus rustled his wings, moving them over Serena's legs as if to calm her, and to protect her.

As Ziren told her she would be in good hands, she looked at him curiously. "You don't suppose we will find much trouble on our way, do you?" Once again that innocent and naive look took her over. She could hold much knowledge of the world, but still she had no practical application. She had seen such horrid things as she sat in the skies, helpless to change things. Now she was on the grounds, where she could make a difference, yet she didn't truly know how.

She frowned at the man's question, not because she was offended but because she had to think about it. "To tell you the truth, I don't really know. You see, since my fall from the sky, the glow that normally hold tight to my body has diminished into nothing. I no longer glow like I would in the sky. The best explanation I can give is that I can only truly shine bright when I am at my happiness. Only then can I eliminate the darkness of the witches. Otherwise, I can no more than hold them back, for a time." Clearly she was unhappy with this answer, but she had no other to give him. She stared at him with a frown over her youthful features. "Unfortunately, this is all in theory. I know not what the practical application would be like, as I have never even heard of a star being put in such a situation."

Her thoughts trailed to the star that had gone missing four hundred years before. These theories had been put into practical application, but the witness had died, she had been murdered. Serena hoped never to have to go through that.

Well, it seemed like she was fine with him leading, it seemed that his words proved useful enough. Although... he was kind of amazed that she bit into that he knew where he was going. Then again... she was new to this Earth, and so she had no clue where he was going either. The blind leading the blind, only in this case, it was blind leading the blind down a few dozen staircases. One false step and it would lead them to their doom.

Every once in a while Reinhert, felt the strong sensation of dread lead ove3r his body, how could something hold so much power, nay, so much evil, that it could effect a person far away? It was quite the pain, but he had his star with him right? The thing that could fend off the darkness? Well... it seemed like there were a few errors to his thinking as she went on. Apparently she did not hold the powers that he thought she might have. After speaking, he felt a little sadden that he asked the question, perhaps it added more worry and doubt to the girl? That was the last thing he had intended.

Before he continued his thoughts anymore, Kia instinctively started to pick up the pace into a nice canter, thus if any creatures were out there, they'd have the pace to push into a gallop, but they also had the leisurely feel of a trot so that they wouldn't pick up any unwanted attention. "Serena," he was going to turn his body to look at her, but a stiff pain said, 'lets-keep-looking-forward..for-potential-danger' and so he obeyed. His eyes stirred off over yonder, while he spoke out to her. "There's always danger out there, but the thing to remember is that there is always hope as well. So even if you don't have your bright shine now, you will one day, you'll be happy and won't ever have to deal with these witches."

Foliage crunched under Kia's hoof, every step was the melody of joy, for it meant another step further out of the forest, at least he hoped, and then he realized something, there were not as many trees as he had first saw, that meant only one thing, civilization. Of course it could easily be another hours ride before they met it, but they were indeed going in a right direction. Just before he shouted off the great find, he decided to bite his tongue. What if he said the town laid ahead, and it instead took them a few days to even find anything. Well perhaps it wouldn't take a few days, but he was unsure of the size of the forest, so who knows how long it could take. Sad thing was that he could not even say his observation, because it would lead her to believe he did not know where he was going. How awkward would that be, telling her she was in safe hands, and while they ventured off he'd shout, 'hey it looks like we're going the right way'. He inwardly shook his head. If they were anywhere but in this forest, he'd have the sense in him to get to the right way no matter what... but nope it had to be 'this' forest. Well perhaps what his father said could be put to use here... a smile brightened on him.

"Haha, I just realized something," he paused, "I remember how way back when, when I was a kid, my father always told me that if I was ever lost, just follow the brightest star. The one who took so much strength to shine its best even during the darkest night, because even if it was the wrong path, at least it was beautiful to stare at," with this, he actually made it an effort to turn his body and look at her with that grinning smile.

The pounding of hooves and the rush of wind were all that seemed to fill Carmen's ears as she moved swiftly through the forest on her black steed. His ears were back as he galloped, looking terrifying yet thrilled at the hunt that he clearly knew was taking place. Carmen's eyes were wickedly joyful, she knew they were close now. Any second now they would find the crater, and thus the star would fall into her posession. She would, of course, lavish the star and treat it with care and kindness. She knew she would be able to hide her true nature long enough to get the star to its fullest strength and power.

As they ran through the forest, memories of the almost forgotten past floated to the surface of her mind. They were memories over four hundred year prior, when the last star had been knocked from the heavens. The witches had disguised themselves as kind women, simply there to help the young star find its way back home. They had lavished the young woman and treated her with care and kindness, until she was as content as could be. The star had shone so bright in those moments, just before the witches had cut out her heart. Her power had been great, but Carmen craved something even more powerful. Only a truly important star could bring the power she sought.

It had taken years of planning, but finally Carmen had succeeded, and she could almost feel the star's beating heart in her hand, could almost feel the power that would come to her once she devoured the heart. Her steed began to slow and she looked before her, staring through the trees. There, just before her, she could make out the edge of the crater. Her eyes widened with joy as they approached, her black mount slowing until he stopped, right on the edge. With glee and excitement Carmen looked down, then her eyes widened even more, this time with horror and anger.

Gone! The star she had worked so hard to bring down was gone. Anger and rage filled her ever being, and even her cruel mount seemed frightened of her. Her eyes looked as though they darkened, narrowing almost to slits, and her fist clenched about the leather reins. She could only begin to imagine the horrors that would face the one who had taken this powerful creature from her.

She began to look around, using her own powers to seek out the fading traces of the star's power. Carmen knew that the woman's power and bright shine would fade into nothing unless she was kept completely happy. She knew that only when the young woman was truly happy, without stress or doubt, would her power truly show. She couldn't risk the cruelties of society to taint that pure power, for it would likely weaken the star's potency, and thus would do Carmen no good.

Finally she locked on the trail, however faint it was, and she forced her horse in that direction. She kicked her heels into the creatures sides and off they took. She would follow that trail until it ran cold, and then she would tear down everything in her path until she found what she sought.

Serena looked up to Ziren, staring in silence for a few moments. She had wanted to protest to riding with him, he was in pain and she did not want to put that kind of weight on his horse. However, at the mention of him joggin she simply sighed and shook her head. "I suppose you have left me with no choice, sir." She looked stirn for a moment, as if unhappy at having her decision forced, yet the sparkle in her eye showed she bore no grudge or anger.

She looked to his hand as he offered it, then back up to his face, staring deep into his eyes. She didn't need to be able to read his mind to see that he was in pain. She smiled up at him as she stepped forward, discarding the walking stick as she placed her hands on Kia's back. She hoisted herself with ease, sliding her legs to one side of the saddle. She would have preferred to ride with her legs to either side, but unfortunately her clothing would not allow such riding. Without being able to steady herself with her legs, she was forced to steady herself using Ziren. She placed her hands gently on his shoulder, only for a moment, to make sure she was comfortable and secure. She then dropped her hands away.

She couldn't deny how thankful she was to have the weight off of her sore ankle, but she could not keep happy for long. She felt that darkness fast approaching, and she could tell that Kia felt it too. She knew that with the two of them on one steed, they were no match to outrun whatever approached.

Serena glanced back to look at the Pegasus. He had stayed to see that she was safely on her way. Knowing that she was in good hands, and would soon be on her way, he spread his wings and leapt into the sky. He gave a great neigh as he flew off, heading back the way they had come. Serena knew what he intended to do, he would buy them as much time as he could.

Serena turned her head back and leaned forward slightly to speak into Ziren's ear. "Well, I think that my former mount has gone to see that nothing will follow us, perhaps we should be on our way." She gave a friendly pat to Kia's back, a quick thanks to the creature for taking the extra burden.