Welcome to Gaia! ::

Zell winced then went perfectly still at the knock. He recognized the voice -something evident in the quick flame of protective fire in his hazel-blue eyes. There was not surprise though... just disappointment. Afterall... the prince had told him as much. Still there was pain in his eyes at Maryline's words of truth. The SeeD nodded, forcing the motion. He knew she was right. Then one quick motion and Zell hugged her close, somehow being careful of her dress. "I don't trust him. Be safe. Give room for Aki to follow you, please 'Line. Bill'll disapparate us once you're out so he doesn't hear the pop." Very lightly he kissed in front of her ear, whispering softly. "I love you."

With that he stepped back silently, only stirring Maryline's skirts to shift with his movement as he went to Bill and was covered with the wizard's invisibility cloak.

((I'll regrab Anon's next))

Despite how often Jyn would put these kinds of stunts with her, Cala was nevertheless trusting so when he approached she just looked up at him curiously. Her eyes widened as the back of her knees were struck, giving gravity full reign of her body until Jyn interfered and picked her up bridal style. She made a face though as her back rested on his arm. Jyn could feel the warmth of the body from her back's scourging. However, she was trying to put on a brave face for him, but her eyes remained winced. She felt the pain ripping across her flesh now that she was no longer fighting her sister. But she looked up at him and offered a force smile. "We talked about you of course." She rested her head against his shoulder and placed a small kiss on his neck. "I promise I didn't say anything bad about you. I don' think I could even if I tried anymore." She smiled.

Dark eyes frowned into the cold air through his glasses. Below them, worried utterances muttered through thin, pressed lips. The wizard nearly tossed the bag down in his exasperation. Of course the powder would not work! Even if all the magic users and not just the two sets of annoying twin brothers he was now saddled with had made the magical tracking powder it would not work. She had flown... and the powder was for ground treks. Nevermind that both anthro and Talaye Fred and George had insisted that they had fixed it for fliers -'Rather dolt of us NOT to, with so many winged' the two sets of twins had joked jovially- even so the trail was five days old. Even HAD the magic been able to pick anything up in all this cold...

Folding his wings Percy Weasley landed ungracefully, still quite awkward with his owl wings. When he thought about them. He was actually pretty decent with them when he let his body's instincts take over -not that that happened often. He thought too much for that.

What's her ruddy PROBLEM? The wizard fumed to himself, angry with his worry. When Anon had not shown for that ridiculous game session Percy had for one moment been almost relieved. ... Before the worry of how she had left combined with the dark winged angel not showing to turn Percy's relief at not having to play the silly game into acute anxiety over all the gazillion-million bad things that could have happened to her. All of which the straight-laced wizard accounted as his own personal fault somehow -for was it not his fault she had fled their house that day?

Still he had not gone in search of her, guilt laden though he was. It was not like Percy to actually DO something. Besides... he still had to be on call in case someone needed transportation, right? Right. As if. When Ginny cornered him a few days later over where his 'date' was and he gave her that answer for why he had not gone to look after her once calls to Solstice's Cottage told Anon had not been there either his baby sister had chewed him out to Heaven and Hell and back again, furiously launching bat bogey hexes as he dodged and tried to flee her fiery temper. Everything she said was true too -that was the worst of it. How they had plenty of wizards and other 'porters even without going to the other species for help where there were even more & how even so Bill was always free trying to fill up his time being busy and remotely curious in the odd old-fashioned muggle proceedings tying up Zell and his princess. How it was horrid to not go after his friend when she left because of him somehow, even if it did not make any sense, and even more horrid for Anon's roommates already worrying about Maryline -even if that was supposedly safe & settled now no one was fully content with the odd lovers' situation until they were out of Drea and married and safe from that king & his son- and now worrying about Anon too. On and on she went, all of the household finding safe havens away from her path -it was better to let Ginny have it out once she started or it only fanned the flames of her temper higher. Even the twins had not laughed -at least not right then, though good guess when they were safely away they had a good row about it- offering to help out once Ginny had worn herself out and the boys were out of earshot from their hot-tempered sister.

It was dark now. Percy found that surprisingly he could see rather well in the dark. Almost better than he did in the day, though he still needed his glasses. It nearly made him roll his eyes. The owl. He realized, his right ear tuft twitching at the realization. So there was more to it than just the wings and ear tufts. Well at least he had not gained the creatures' eating habits. The thought of eating mouse or rat or bat was still revolting.

Mightily his wings beat the cold winter winds, searching for any sign. He was nearly to the place where that sorceress brought them back. The tower or shop or whatever it was -depending on who you asked it seemed it changed. Whatever -it was the place the woman Dji had brought them all here. Again... Percy had misgivings about the pros and cons of the whole thing. Maybe I should consider like the others how good it is that Fred and George are both whole and well. Mum would like that... and that we're all together... It was still hard... remembering that other world... that other life. Worse... was remembering how he had come to his family's aid almost at the last minute... only to have his brother Fred die almost the next instant before his eyes. According to the years they should all be older here but it was like they had missed a few. Not really a big deal in the scope of things.

Easier thinking about these things than Anon. Each time he thought on her... each time he reviewed that day... Percy still could not understand what had happened. What had he done that was so ruddy awful that she had fled like that? It was like he was some kind of leper or something. It made no sense, after she had been all landing on him and stuff just before they got there. So what was the deal?

Sighing Percy decided he had better land soon. Rest for a few hours at least. He certainly could not go home ---Ginny would hex him for sure. Slowly he lowered, aiming to land near the shop. Maybe he could beg a room for the remainder of the night. A few hours at least.

Slowing the heavy beat of his wings and gliding... then he heard it. Soft singing. Who would be singing out here? He wondered. It was still a fair distance to the shop... but maybe... maybe the singer had seen Anon. Or maybe she was in trouble herself. It did sound quite mournful. Though it was faint Percy could almost swear the tune was familiar. The singing voice was not. Not yet certainly and not so quietly. oh... it was gone again. He must have been right upon whomever was singing. That must be why he had caught the hint of the tune. Percy banked and turned around, lowering and landing when he could hear the slight tune again. Closer now, on the ground and without wind noise, he could hear the tune better. No wonder he knew it -Trelweny sang it all the time. It had not seemed the same, for the widow-bard more often than not sang it in laughter -seeing the humor of the banter of the piece. This singer... was sad beyond sad. He knew that sound too, also hearing Trel though on other songs.

He listened in silence for a moment, not moving. Then he stepped towards the singer, his steps apparent through the crunch of dotted snow and the frost-crisp grass and twigs whether he wanted to be silent or not. Better he did not startle by being too quiet -not that he could be quieter on his steps. Percy was not exactly good with stealth. "Hello?" He called softly, nervously stiff. "Sorry to intrude but I was wondering if I could ask you something..."

Since singing voices did not always sound like speaking voices and Percy was expert at neither he had not made a connection on who was really singing.

Zell did not like it, but he bore it -watching Maryline leave the room from the cover of Bill Weasley's invisibility cloak. So much for a little alone time before supper. the fistfighter mused wistfully. Both SeeD and Wizard were perfectly still -half a miracle on Zell's part- until Maryline (and Aki) were through the big door and it was shut behind them. Bill then shifted a hand, offering Zell an Extendable Ear to which Zell silently shook his spiky blonde head no. He could hear in the silence -barely- the footsteps walking away. Or he imagined he did, preferring not to think of the odious conversation Prince Mika was suffering his beloved Maryline. Better get used to it, Dincht. Not outta the gauntlet yet. Nu-uh. All those times fidgeting in class or drill or stuff's catchin' up to ya. Time to suck it in, dude.

Sucking in his breath slowly when the voices were out of earshot Zell nodded. "Let's go. Seif's gonna kill me." Whether or not he would, it made Bill chuckle softly as he disapparated the both of them from Maryline's quarters. The wizard hoped Zell's cheery disposition would be enough to make it through what was likely to be one heck of a series of trying times for all.

He wondered how Relm made it look so easy. This was bound to cut into concert time with her dog-anthro friend.

>>Slowly, painfully, the fallen angel forced herself to continue. It was the only way to banish the silence around her, and keep her mind from growing numb<< Tell him to make me...a cambric shirt...parsley, sage...rosemary and thyme... >>She wasn't even eating anymore, looking sadly at her rabbit remains as the mournful tune fell from soft lips. It was so cold<< which bears no seam...nor needle...work... >>A soft sound brought the song to an abrupt halt. Fear. Her heart tightened to the point of pain as she tried to hunch back further in her tree. She'd know that voice even if he had only uttered one word. For the first three days she feared he would be the one to find her. By the fourth she'd accepted she'd be left alone. But wait...he didn't know it was her? Mind racing on her possible options, she slowly positioned herself to shoot out of the tree trunk. It would be painful but...but what if he caught her? The same, agonizing flashback. Torvil reaching, grabbing, throwing her to the ground. Holding her down. Tight. So tight. So cold<< So tell me what you want, what you really really want? >>She sang in sudden sharp contrast, lively and almost accusing. Sassy to having been disturbed. It was a song from her childhood music group, Spice Girls. Maybe he wouldn't notice. Maybe he wouldn't see<<

>>Smoothly he offered the princess his arm, flashing what he believed was a charming smile. He had to win her over<< Your beauty it seems, is only surpassed by your wit M'lady. >>He started to lead her down the hallway, noting slightly of how gently her arm rested ontop of his, fingers lightly wisping upon the back of his hand. So graceful. So gentle. She was a woman of much higher class then the royals he had met before as prospect wives. Every word thought out before spoken, every movement precise with purpose<< Over the generations the previous kings tried to keep the castle as close to what it was when first built. However, after a few wars and the factor of age...I am not certain of how close it stands now. Nothing is the same. >>She spoke without hesitation. Ever since she had been forced to lay her arm ontop his, she had been avoiding eye contact with the man at all cost. Dispite the show of coldness, it was nothing he could outright call her out for<< Stairways which once were no longer stand. Lights are kept with bright electricity. The garden holds flowers never known in my time. Only the room I was led to holds any semblance of what was. As I thought. >>Her tone had traces of distaste, though try as she had to sound offhand. A commoner would be fooled, but not him. It was his job to pick out hidden undertones<< It must have been difficult for you to adjust in the new world. >>She let the silence grow slightly, pondering her response. She could easily let the conversation drop, since he did not directly ask her a question. But it would be awkward if he was forced to ask to keep the conversation active. She chose silence<< >>A flicker of irritation. He knew since the first moment she walked in that she didn't like him or his Father. It was to be expected. But at every turn she was sure to remind him of her distaste<< What was it like to awake in a new environment? >>He did end up asking her. She repressed a sigh as her feet glided along the ground<< As expected. Frightening, and saddening. My duty towards Dreia however was vastly superior to my own emotions. >>Seemingly fragile, but inwardly steel. An amazing woman. And he was going to marry and bed her<<

I'll eat some jerky. >>He was quick to assure, for the first time looking down at his...his...what to place her? His grip on her subconciously turned protective as she leaned slightly towards him. He quickened his pace. She needed to be cleaned, stitched, and put to rest. His eyes focused on camp as they entered his clearing. The genet cat immediatly laid the female down on his one remaining bear skinned blankets<< I'll be right back Cala. So don't fall asleep in the meantime, got it? >>His arms felt slick, as did his bare chest. He tried not to think about it as he bent down and gingerly kissed her lips<< And no moving. >>With that, he quickly strided over to one of his three storage trees. He'd clean her up later. Right now, disinfecting and sewing were main priorities. She was going to bleed to death otherwise<<

((rofl -so do I, Leena-chan! lol Gosh... memories. *giggles* That song came out around Freshman/Sophomore in college for me. I know it was 1996... just forget when exactly that year it started. *giggles* Played forever though. *cringes a bit at that memory of it too*))

The uptight wizard nearly tripped and fell backwards as the song shifted abruptly. Strike that... after pinwheeling his arms and nearly keeping his precarious balance Percy Ignacius Weasley gave an unmanly 'wah!' of surprise and tumbled onto his posterior on the snow dappled ground. That song... it was everywhere when he went on errands where muggles were the year of the Tri-Wizard tournament and afterward, when he was doing the most menial errands when he was trying to make up the shame of Mister Crouch's fall to rise again in the Ministry of Magic. There was... much shame now associated with that time and that song being so popular with the muggles and so often in the background there really struck Percy with a tsunami of pain and guilt. Not like he had not heard the song since ... but it was almost humorous hearing the Audio Rikku and the Feather Tailed Cat Relm sing it in laughter while joking about having fallen in love with their best friends -both oddly enough Naruto of their respective species. Another might have wondered if their Relm would join in if her friendship with the dog-anthro musician progressed to romance, but not Percy. That would take more understanding of people and their feelings than he had. Besides... he was a little otherwise distracted right now.

"Bah! Ruddy snow!" The surprised exclamation muttered from his lips was not at full volume but probably easily carried as Percy tried to shift his wings to get up and nearly slipped and fell again getting tangled in the now awkward appendages. The sound of wings and wizard robes rustling could be easily heard along with Percy's vocal complaints about his wings and mutterings at this new difficulty, mixed with a slight flavor to his voice of the shame now cloaking him from the memories this song was invoking. After a while the wizard managed to stand and the sounds and utterances he made stilled as frowning Percy brushed the snow & dirt from his robes.

"Look... I'm looking for a girl who's gone missing. No one's seen or heard from her in almost a week." The male's sigh was heavy and hung with guilt. Except for the corncob figuratively somewhere uncomfortable he likely would be hunkered over from the weight of it. If he were standing straight yet. Percy was still trying to straighten his clothes -and wings- from his fall and was not looking in the direction of the voice. "She's not been to her home and there's a lot of people worried about her -she wasn't dressed for this weather and something could happen and..." There was another exhale of breath as Percy heaved a heavy sigh. His voice sounded tired and the self blame in it was thick. Standing unmoving the wizard kept his gaze down and off to his right -not even looking towards the source of the voice. Wracked with guilt. "The thing is... she may not want to see me, but we're worried... and we just want to see her safe at home..."

He was rambling. Rambling to a voice of which he had not even seen the speaker. Great. Just great. He had not even given Anon's description. "If... if you've seen a young lady... with brown hair and black feathered wings probably wearing just a slip of a white dress in this ruddy awful weather... I'd be grateful to know. Or... if you haven't... and could keep an eye out for her... maybe ask her to go home..." The male's voice winced, thinking about how Solstice would be if he had to face her.

~~

There was a pop of a Wizard apparating into the room as Seifer shook his head to the side to get the rest of the water from his ear while toweling off his short blonde hair. Standing barefoot and bare chested in only his black pants as he opened one blue eyes and arched his brow in the direction of the sound. "Well?" he snidely asked the invisible ones, waiting.

Bill pulled back the robe with a light chuckle to reveal a sheepish Zell, hand on the back of his head. "eeeh... Dinner will be soon?" The new prince offered with his youthful, boyish grin.

Seifer rolled his eyes, then his shoulders, neck, and head as he straightened and reached for his shirt -shaking it out with a sharp snap of fabric before shrugging it over his head. "Better fix your hair then, Highness." The gunblader said with a hidden smirk though the tone was in his voice. The red-headed wizard behind Zell nearly chocked on his own laughter as the fistfighter made a noise and his hands went to his head. Bill could feel his earring hit the side of his ear as he shook with silent laughter pulling the cloak safely back around him while watching the short blonde put his hands to his spiked hair and realize he had smushed it back from when he had lain his head against Maryline's bathroom door. As Zell dashed for a mirror, pulling gel and comb from a pocket on the way and jabbering in his special way in the process Seifer snorted and sat heavily on the bed to pull on socks and boots, his towel draped around his shoulders. The smirking face lifted up halfway through pulling on a boot to look at Bill Weasley's hidden face. "Fill me in later."

Behind his cowl Bill's smile dropped. Seifer should probably know before dinner... if the security officer was to have all the information he might need. At the same time... how could either he or Zell tell him in time, much less without the gunblader going off? *We'll handle it* came the voice of the Merge in their minds, reaching out to calm Seifer even as they gave him the fast-forwarded and only the parts he would need to know of what had transpired in the princess' room. Bill could tell what the Merge was doing as he watched Seifer's scowl deepen and his fists clench. *That's enough* Seifer told the Merge, the echo touching the others they connected with its harsh control. *I'm under control. Dincht's safe. Save your strength* The undercurrent of protectiveness and love directed at his girl -his emotions clearly spanning the distance between them to say especially her be careful, mentally hugging her and the precious lives she carried inside her. It ached even letting that tenuous and imagined hug go but Seifer rose after tying his boots and snapped on his coat, grabbing Hyperion and leaning against the wall watching the door -to wait. Sometimes, his cold eyes flicked to the still yammering princeling sideways before rolling. This could almost be fun... if so much was not at stake.

The moment those words came through those teeth, Cala' sears flicked. She recognized by now when he was speaking through them. Her eyes opened slowly. 'Sorry' was her last thought before her gloved hands clenched into fists. What she was about to do, Jyn would kill her later for, but she didn't care. Those wounds on her back had finally been clotting. Her long red hair had acted like a mini barrier between the blood flow and the bear skin; however some of it had touched it and was clotting against both her hair and the animal pelt. She knew this was bad. Right now, she needed to make sure the genet was okay. She took in a few deep breaths before she intook the last breath sharply and pulled herself up. The blanket she was laying on pulled at her flesh and ripped at the clotting wounds that had touched it. She had undone the mall healing that had been already occuring, and left her mouth hanging open for a moment as pain rampaged across her back. Carefully, Calanthia struggled for a moment to stand. Tired violet eyes glanced around as fresh crimson droplets were peeking through dried stains. Spotting the male she cared for so deeply, she made her way over, each step weighed down by her weakened state. "You should rest, Jyn. I need to make sure your ankle's okay. Won't you please sit? I'm fine, see? So please sit." Her hand motioned over to the log for him to rest on. The other arm was holding across her stomach.

>>As he turned to flounder back to cala, what he saw was not what he wanted to. He struggled to maintain his speed, his stomach writhing as anger began to creep into his conciousness<< Cala, if I lose my foot, I will lose my livelihood. If you lose too much blood, you lose your life. So sit back down on the fur before I force you to. >>He walked right past her to dump the medical supplies onto the ground beside the bear skin. He turned to stare at her<< You have ten seconds.

>>She jumped at the dull 'thump' against her tree, her heart skipping a beat. He was...right...there. A shaking took hold of her body, her heart beginning to ache. He was in pain from this. She was hurting him. But she was just so afraid. He was going to find her any moment, and she'd have to explain herself. He'd be blocking the exit. She would have to explain. She would have to. Crossing her arms across her chest, she dug hard into her flesh with her fingernails<< Don't bolt. Don't bolt. Don't bolt. Don't bolt. You're almost there. He's about to leave. Don't bolt. Oh Gods Percy I'm so sorry!! >>She howled just before her feet pushed against the back of the tree, shooting the female out of the trunk an instant before expaning her wings to catch her. Powerfully she beat her wings to lift herself into the sky, her heart racing. She had to go somewhere, anywhere, but there. A place he wasn't at. The fallen angel soared as fast as her wings could carry away, oblivious to the ache in her wings from the harsh exit, or the blood dripping from her arms over her previous infected scabs<<