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 Posted: Tue May 24, 2016 12:29 pm
A beautiful day was blessed upon the capital of Sero. The sun sat in the one o'clock position in the sky that was bright blue with speckling clouds. It was perfect weather, if not just a bit warm for this time of year. Little did they know what the waves had just pulled into port. A weary ship had taken up dock and brought with it refugees that sought just a moment's rest... or so they would claim. It was only true for one of its logged guests.
This last venture on the open ocean had been one to test a human's endurance, even one that had lived on the seas as long as Orynoko had. Fourteen months without rest of looting, plunder, and mischief all around Fourteen months of taking on new jobs and navigating through some of the most treacherous waterways he had ever seen. In that whole timespan, the only rest they received on land was just another pit stop of playtime. It was only after promising to make it worth the Captain's best interest, his pocket, did the vessel finally dock for more than a day and no one was more eager to jump onto that bit of soil than Orynoko.
The wavy long midnight locks caught the wind, lifting just slightly off from his neck as he bolted as fast as he could to his targeted destination. The crew had agreed to follow his lead and he would not steer them wrong: Sero was the name of the town he was aiming for and one particular place: The Bazaar. See, along the ventures had, this man had come to learn of powerful scrolls. He knew he could get a great price no matter what those scrolls held, be they maps for new adventures, or letters for later blackmail or targets. While he had the scent of the ocean tainting his clothing, it didn't take much to get lost in the bustling crowds of this giant outdoor market.
It was ripe and prime for a five-finger discount. His bright green eyes scoured over the many booths that lined the streets. Care was given to move with the ebe and flow of the traffic of people who made their way, but he ensured to stick to the largest groups he could find. This made it MUCH easier for a lone silly little orange to just 'happen to roll away'. Despite his height of six foot three inches, it was far too easy for Orynoko to ease his thin form in between each body to weave in and out unnoticed. No one seemed to mind the few coins here and there that just preferred his company to their homes in the pockets of who have more than enough to spare.
Finally he found a few good stalls he was looking for. The vast stalls of scrolls. However, he understood these merchants would be far more leery of one that appeared in such attire as he was dressed in. This would require some finesse and spotting a large wealthy man holding a few previously purchased scrolls was the answer to such a challenge. Orynoko introduced himself with gentile fashion, bowing deeply to the man offering to lend his service to carry his purchases. Such charms helped put the stranger at ease with the unfamiliar man, and helped to blind the buyer from the shackles around his new friend's wrists at first.
With his new friend, Orynoko had no troubles following after the man, taking up the scrolls he purchased while one or two just accidentally fell into his vests. After all, that gentleman meant to get those too! He just.. forgot to pay for them and tell the merchant. Oh what a prosperous day it was for the weary navigator! Not only was he getting all he could have ever dreamed for, but his word would be kept for a change to the Captain! At this rate he would be able to actually get a pretty penny for Kidev and even get a haul just for himself to enjoy. Today was a good day. What could possibly go wrong with such a perfect day?
A bow was given to the clueless man after all the scrolls were loaded up into a satchel that rested on a horse that had been tied up and waiting for its master's return. Such a lovely creature caused a flash of wonder in how his own bonded creature was doing, waiting for Orynoko's return? To keep that creature pure, Caelum had to be safely hidden away while such adventures took place and watching the man pat his horse left the human longing a bit. It was just a brief second before his smile flashed once more and he bid farewell to his unknowing accomplice. It was only as Orynoko turned back towards the bazaar did the gentleman notice the glimmer of the shackles and it caused him to double-take. Was there really such a thing on such a nice young man?! Perhaps it was his imagination in this warm sun?
Orynoko could feel the gaze on his back and this feeling was enough encouragement for him to slip away into the crowd. He had so many more pockets to pick, food to borrow, and scrolls to snatch. After all, this was his day, or so it felt like to him.WC: 896
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Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 2:32 pm
 Sonnerie had been gone from his Astral for a while. Many days and nights. He had never really been one to keep track of things, so much as he was one to do what he wasa tasked with, no matter the time it took. The raven still had a good sense of what direction his Astral was, as the crow flies, or so it is said. Sonnerie had never understood why his Astral's companion insisted on saying it, though. He was obviously a raven, not a crow. Well, he wasn't reallt a raven anymore than his Astral was a horse. They were both created from stardust, so if they were anything, that's what they were. Though, he didn't really expect his Astral's companion to understand that. He was too much of this world.
As was the place Sonnerie found himself today. Sero, they called it, and it made him grateful that he had wings. It was crowded with so many different races, Sonnerie was surprised that nothing bad had happened yet because of it. Or, maybe it already had, he just hadn't been around to witness it. The whole of Sero had a strange feel to it. It made him want to put this place behind in and never return.
However, this was where his Astral had asked him to go, to see if the Man was there, selling scrolls. Or stealing them. Sonnerie knew his Astral was determined to find his brother or the scroll that was his brother, but he also knew that his Astral wanted to stay near his companion. This was why Sonnerie did the looking for him. It was easier for him to travel and observe things unnoticed then it would be for a fully grown Caelestis. And, if his Astral was to start looking on his own, he would have to explain it to his companion, which he had not yet done. Sonnerie didn't understand why, but he figured his Astral had a good reason to keep it to himself.
Still, it was in this Sero that he hoped to find something. He was getting tired of searching all the time. Sonnerie knew it was important, or his Astral woud not have asked, but flying with no direction, no clue to what he was really searching for, was tiresome. If he knew where the Man was, or even had a clear description of what he looked like, it would be so much easier to find him. He had honestly thought that he would never find him, relying on luck and chance to guide him. But that might just have changed.
He was perched on one of the flag poles in the Sero's busiest place. The words drifting up from the ground below made him want to call the place 'Bizarre', and whle it certainly was such to him, something made him doubt he was hearing the words right. There were many things in the world he was sure he misunderstood, but he knew his Astral would know what he meant, it if ever came to him reporting back to the Caelestis. Which might be closer to happening than he thought.
There were other birds around, some ravens, some crows, and some gray birds he didn't know but found annoying. But they were all there, and that made it so Sonnerie would not stand out. Not unless someone was really looking for the slight trail of stardust that surrounded the tips of his wings and the end of his tail. Today, it was something he was grateful for.
Sonnerie spotted the human when he entered the marketplace, watched him steal an orange with ease. It was more than that, though, that capured his attention. It was just the way he moved, the things he wore, perhaps the way he had his hair, but it didn't matter what it was so much as that is was. Usually, when someone attracted his attention, they either had and Astral with them, or nearby, and they were usually in trouble, or about to cause some.
Sonnerie was leaning toward the latter option in regards to this man. So he kept an eye on the man, while still trying to observe the places that had the Scolls that vibrated with energy, or so it seemed to him. The man made that a lot simpler when he approached that stall, in the company of another man who seemed to just be giving the man scrolls.
That was when Sonnerie started to suspect that this might be the Man, not just a man. He hopped a little bit further down the flag pole to get a better look at him, trying to commit as much of him to memory as he could for when he reached his Astral.
Sonnerie watched him until he left the man who had been helping him steal or buy scrolls, and slipped away into the crowd. He wasted no more time than that, fairly sure that the Man wouldn't be around for long and there was quiet a distance between him and his Astral right them. As he took to the skies, leaving a faint trail of stardust in his wake, he hoped he would be fast enough.
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Nearly twelve hours later, gone midnight.
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Vaixen wasn't asleep, not yet. There was a sense of anticipation in the air, even with it as late as it was and how far they currently were from anywhere. After their last job, Arecio and he had decided to take a break from the constant cycle of finding, finishing, and then looking for a job. Sometimes. they just needed to be on their own, just to relax a bit.
That's all they had been doing for a few days, and Vaix was feeling mostly rested and ready to get back to moving about and finding work, but Arecio seemed to want to stay at this spot for a bit longer, and Vaixen didn't have it in him to argue. They had made camp a few days ride southeast of Sero, on the banks of a large lake. While they'd had issues with camping near lakes and storms before, they pair of them were fairly sure they weren't going to be driven to find real shelter by the weather. The skies were clear, the sun was warm when it was out, and the moon was bright. Vaixen was currently lazing on the bank, close enough to the water to stetch out and touch it if he wanted to.
He had left his leather armor further up the bank, along with his glaive and knife. He had stripped down to just his pant and his short sword, because he really couldn't go anywhere unarmed, and just layed out in the sand, still warm from the sun..
Vaixen didn't actually know what Arecio was thinking, but he was fairly sure it was something humorous about it, so he just closed his eyes and hoped to fall asleep.
But something stirred, and he felt Arecio's excitement as his own a second before Vaix opened his eyes and saw Arecio's familair lit up by the moon. The raven was still a ways off, but by Arecio's sudden presense at his side, Vaix was sure they were already communicating.
 Arecio was restless. Normally, on the rare occasion that they took these little sabaticals, it was Vaix who was tightly strung and Arecio who would relax in the shallows, or sleep the day away while Vaix tried to work out his restlessness by pushing his body to it's limits. Arecio wondered if there was any benefit to that, since his companion never really seemed to calm down. But maybe it would help him. A flight around the lake or something. Not that that would be taxing. Arecio would have to fly all the way to Sero and back to start feeling that he was pushing his limits.
And that wasn't something he was really eager to do. He wasn't fond of Sero, though he had directed his familiar there for his most recent search for Amante or the man who had stolen him. Something about the city just set his nerves alight. Vaixen had a home there, and some place where people could seek his services, but they rarely stayed for more than a day or two. Part of that was Vaixen's own issues with remaining in one place to long but the rest was that Arecio and Sonnerie could always feel something off about that city. Maybe it was just how crowded it was, or all the different peoples who lived there, or maybe it was something else. He didn't know. Didn't really care to know, either. Figured it would cause more trouble than not if he tried to figure it out.
Arecio knew they would make their way back to the city soon, though, taking two or three days to make journey. There was normally no rush to get back to the city, so they would meander, stopping to explore anything that cought their attention. If there was an urgency, though, Vaixen would ride, and they would either get there in just under a full day and night, ot Arecio would take them to the air, and get them there in half that time. Of course, Vaixen hated to fly, and it was extremely tiresome, spending the energy to try and keep himself, his companion, and thie packs aloft. It was something only to be done in emergencies.
The Caelesti shook himself from nose to tail, trying to let some of this restless energy out. He honesly had no idea why he was wound so tight while Vaixen was half asleep on the bank.
But it obviously had something to do with his familiar.
Well, it was obvious now at anyrate. HIs head snapped up and looked off into the darkness toward Sero. Or where he assumed the city was, it was hard to tell. Arecio could look up and see where he was more accurately, but he was distracted by the excitement he could feel from his familiar. He saw Vaixen look up too, eyes focused on the flying spec that was his raven. They weren't close enough to communicate, yet, but Arecio didn't think it would be long. He danced on his hooves, getting closer to to his companion, and stamping firmly down on the urge to take to the skies and go meet the raven so he could find out what had him so exicted.
Arecion thought there could only be one reason for it. Sonnerie either had found Amante or the man who had stolen them both. That was the only reason the raven could be returning so soon after being sent out, and so quickly.
"Is that Sonnerie?"
Arecio looked down at his Vaix, who was still laying by the water, down to only his pants, looking more asleep than anything else. That might be a problem if Sonnerie reported what the Caelestis thought he was going to. Getting Vaixen up and ready without telling him what was really going on wasn't going to easy. And, while Arecio wanted to explain, he felt the urgency that swirled around with the excitement, and knew there wouldn't be time. The halfbreed would just have to trust him.
Yes. You might want to get dressed. He's almost close enough to tell me what he knows, and we might need to leave quickly. Arecio paced a few feet away, unable to stay still. He knew that his companion had questions, could pracically him hold them back as Vaix got up with a grunt and startd dusting himself off. It wasn't quite the hurried manner he was hoping for, but at least he was moving.
He didn't have any more time to worry about it, though, because just then his familiar crossed the invisible threshold that out him close enough that they could communicate.
My Astral, My Astral, I have found the Man! I have found him!
Arecio tried very hard not to snarl, which wouldn't be easy in this form. If that was true, then Arecio was so much closer to finding his brother. Or at the very least, punishing the man who had stolen them and caused them to be seperated.
Are you sure, Sonnerie? Are you sure it's him? He really wanted to be sure before he dragged Vaixen into his mess. His companion had enough going on that Arcio hadn't wanted to add to his burden by sharing what had happened to him, and to his brother. He had evaded the questions that Vaixen asked, about where he kept sending Sonnerie and about how he had already come out of his scroll before Vaixen had found him. If what Sonnrie said was true, he would have to let his compnaion get involved.
Vaixen moved a lot more slowly then he normally would as he watched his Astral. He and his raven were already talking, so the Caelesti probably didn't notice, but Vaix felt like something was going to happen, and that something was not going to be good. He eased his sword out of the way and took another moment to make sure he was as free of sand and dirt as possible before dragging on his undershirt and picking up the leather armor that wrapped around his one leg.
Yes. The Man stealing scrolls in the bizarre in the Sero!
When? Arecio was finally getting excited, moving back and forth until Sonnerie was close enough to land on one of his own stretched wings. The raven was breathing hard. Luckily, he didn't need air to communicate.
High Sun! Yes. The Man is in Sero! Stole more scrolls! Hurry! Hurry hurry! Sonnerie jumped up and down on his Astral's wing.
The weight of the raven was enough that his wing bobbed up and down, but Arecio barely noticed, turning instead to look at his companion. Vaixen was going through the motions of getting ready, but taking his sweet time with it, dragging out fastening his armor. Arecio flicked his tail, annoyed. H'd seen his companion go from naked to fully armed and armored in only a few mintues. Arecio didn't want to have to worry about lighting a fire under him. HIs hooves itched to be on the move, either in the air or on the ground, just something.
Stop dragging your feet. We need to get to Sero. Now.
Vaixen stopped fiddling with the straps on his armor, letting his hands fall a bit to his sides as he fixed his Astral with a look. If they were going to be running back to Sero, and by the look of Arecion, he doubted highly that they would be doing anything but running, Vaix wanted to know why. So, he stopped and tilted his head, and waited for his Astral to catch his hint.
Arecio half reared in his irritation. He knew how stubborn Vaix could be when he wanted to, and it really looked like he wanted to. But there just wasn't time! The man had at least a twelve hour lead on them, and it was going to be at least anothr twleve hours before they could make it to Sero. And that was only if Arecio could fly straight through. He wasn't sure he could, or would. If he did manage it, he would be to exhausted to do anything when they got to Sero. And every moment they weren't moving was another moment that the man gained on them.
There isn't time. Please, Vaixen, trust me. I will explain later. This is too important. Arcio thought he saw his companion waver a little. Please.
Vaixen stared at his Astral for just another moment, feeling the same sense of urgency, now, that he was sure both of them were already feeling.
Still, he wanted his answers, and he hated going into a situation blind. But...
Answers before we get there. I don't want to be blindsided by something I know nothing about. Vaixen waited for Arecio to nod before he really set in and started gathering their things as quickly and neatly as he could manage.
Arecio was glad that his companion wasn't going to make him explain, not quite yet anyway. It would take to long, and he didn't want to deal with it right now. The Astral would do his best to explain while they were traveling, but he wasn't sure how well he would be able to communicate with the pace he was planning to set. He would try, though. Walking in blind would just put them both in danger.
He paced restlessly for the few minutes it took for Vaixen to gather up their things and walk back over to him. They always kept their belongings together in case they needed to get gone fast, and Arecio was grateful for that as Vaixen fixed the pack to his own back, before climbing up onto Arecio, sitting behind his wings.
Arecio didn't wait any longer than that before he shook Sonnerie off his wing and lauched himself skyward, ignoring the sudden pull to his main and the loud cursing that meant Vaixen was holding on for dear life. The companion really did hate to fly, but it was faster than running, and so much time had passed already. Arecio wanted to be in Sero by no later than noon, and he would have to push himself as much as he could to make that deadline.
WC: 2, 918
Leena-chan Please quote my main account, or tag me in thread, because I won't be signing into this mule unless I am going to rp him. <3333
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Posted: Sun May 29, 2016 7:12 pm
What a beautiful prosperous day it had been indeed! High swung the man's spirits as a chipper whistle was his only expression of thrill to accompany that bounce of his worn boots. While his frame was almost lanky to one's eye, his torso was incredibly thicker than upon his entry into the marketplace, as were his billowing poet's sleeves beyond the shackles. Tiya was not something he really possessed in nature in bulk, but with so many scrolls that seemed to beam with energy within, he was practically a beacon walking. Orynoko found himself thinking back to that fateful raid.
It felt like a lifetime ago but in reality it had been not that long at all. It had been merely four months since that night. His crew had descended upon an innocent town to fulfill their mission. It had been an agreement arranged by Captain Kidev and a mysterious man that no shipmate had ever laid eye on before. The task was simple: terrorize the families, take their treasures, and leave no piece of parchment. It seemed odd to the men, but the gold was pure and true. No further information was necessary as payment was received in advance. All that was asked was for every single written scroll to be turned over to their provider. The darkness casted down upon the poor town seemed perpetual to the inhabitants who watched so many be injured or beaten, and some so damaged that they refused to ever speak of the ill that befell them. However, among the screams and cries of the night, Orynoko found his way into all the homes to search out the requested scrolls. He was more than ready to turn over every single one he found to his Captain since none appeared to be a map or letter of any importance to him. However, this one had stopped him in his tracks. His very heart stopped for a moment, as time almost felt like it froze. Gloves were slowly removed and his bare fingers took hold of this one parchment that almost seemed to call out to him.
Never in his lifetime had Orynoko felt anything quite like this before. It was as if every moment of his journey had led to this very scroll. The instant his fingertips touched the rolled paper, all of his entire being seemed to awaken. It was only in this moment had the man decided to betray his Captain, the only soul he ever held dear on that wretched ship. Loyalty was rare in Orynoko for everyone but the Captain. However, this scroll meant more to him in that moment than any other in the world. After the crew returned to the ship with the spoils of their venture, it was in secret upon the crows nest that the man and the Astral had come to know each other quietly each night at first in secret. On a vessel so small though no secret lasts long and the Captain was none too pleased to find his young lad had gone against orders and captured such a beautiful creature for himself. There was nothing that could be done though; not one soul could dare get between the two. All attempts ended with a strange light blinding the offender alone and Orynoko running off with the tiri in toe. Special permission was granted to the human but a debt was gained in return. The darkness that surrounded their bond caused Orynoko to snap back to his walk. It was just on the outskirts that he had last left the companion in mind and right there among the bushes slept the beautiful creature.In no way shape, or form did this tiri care at all for the profession of the one whom he was bonded to. Upon his awakening, Caelum felt the soul of a bonafide man, a heart of gold and a vision true whom shared his love of the world's possibilities. Imagine the confusion the little one had when meeting a pirate human named Orynoko. This man showered him in affection and care, held him dear, and treated him so kindly. The others around him? Never had such villainy been a comprehension to the young soul! The worst moment was seeing his human among them, part of all the revelry and crime, causing pain and leading the charge upon innocent souls. This pirate.. was not his. At least, that was what he tried to tell himself, but deep down Caelum knew he was lying to himself. In doing so, perhaps that tainted soul was leaking into him. One thing was certain: this human needed him and he could save him. That soul that drew him forth was there. It just required a bit of digging.
There had been agreement made between the two: Orynoko would always be true with Caelum, and as long as he didn't have to be involved with such dastardly deeds, the tiri would turn a blind eye as long as no one was harmed. Often this meant a nice nap was in store for him while the human created his mischief. Today was no different. Their souls joined in bond helped to tell him he better hide and rest while the human had his 'fun'. However, he slowly rose from his slumber as Orynoko pulled back the brush. A weary yawn slipped free and a flat tone was given. "Did you finish your little game? Can we please get back to the ship now?"As the human climbing into the shrubbery to sit down beside the creature the answer seemed quite obvious that there was no intention of following the wishes of the tiri. "Well, the Captain did give us a mission you know."There was an instant frown and disapproving tone. "Orynoko.. You said this would be quick. Its already after sunset and you seem..." His green eyes surveyed over the appearance of his companion. "More than properly stocked and ready to go back to the ship. We're done here." His hoof struck at the ground to be dramatic and show how serious he was. It was very apparent this was not the first nor the last time this kind of conversation was to be had between the two."Now hold on Caelum, listen. I walked the streets today and did the first half of what the order was. We still have a second half to do. Just be a little patient with me alright?" And so the rest of the evening was spent laying out his entire scheme to his dear Astral. While they spent the evening resting up, by morning's light a new stall had been established just outside the area of wall of scrolls. It was there that Orynoko was cloaked, with a hood hiding his face from passerby wandering eyes. The stall was awful small and only a few scrolls at a time were displayed before the humble merchant. He had a 'pile of fabrics' resting behind him in the shade. His voice was low but enticing to any who dare to stop, "In search of a rare scroll? Best prices in town. No questions asked."WC: 1194DarkenWoodWolf Got it 3nodding Thankies for quoting me when this was ready <3
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Posted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 1:21 pm
Vaixen clung to his Astral for dear life as the Caelestis ran, full tilt, hooves pounding over the ground. They had only landed a little while ago, with the only explanation given that Arecio wanted to conserve his strength. For what, well, at least Vaix actually knew what it was his Astral had been doing, why he had been sending his familiar off into the world in search of something that he would never speak about.
To say that it had been frustrating, not knowing, was an understatement, but he'd let it slide, because it didn't really seem to affect much. The only benefit was that the raven wasn't around to wake everyone at down with his screeching. But now that he knew... Vaix wasn't sure what to think.
The halfbreed knew that his Astral was special, but he'd always thought Arecio had been bonded before, and that it was something he didn't want to talk about, the death of his first companion. And Vaix could understand that, hell, he knew if he had lost someone that he was that connected with, it wouldn't be something he would want to share. With anyone, not even his Astral. Probably.
But this, this was something entirely different and he could feel a slow simmering anger deep in the recesses of his mind.
Shifting himself around, so he could get a better grip on Arecio's mane and balance the raven on his lap, Vaixen glared at the back of his Astral's head. Sonnerie chirped up at him. They had been moving too fast for the familiar to keep up, so in Vaix's lap it was. Not for the first time, he was grateful he couldn't understand the bird. He was pretty sure he wouldn't like anything Sonnerie had to say.
Arecio had pulled himself out of the scroll, without the help of a companion, so that he could fight of someone who had stolen him. Vaixen didn't even know it was possible for that to happen, but it explained how they found each other, why he could bond with the Astral so freely. Simple, Arecio must have been desperate. Without someone to share their energy, Astrals could not stay on this plane. So, the war-minded Caelestis probably would have bonded with anyone who came along, just to continue the search for this thief.
Sonnerie chirped at him again, and there was a definite note of disapproval in it. But Vaixen didn't care. His mood had been darkening ever since the familiar had shown up the night before, and they had taken off like hell itself was on their heels. Now? Now, he felt mired in anger, pain, distrust. He couldn't seem to lift himself out of it, and wondered why the hell he should bother. Vaix felt used, just a pawn in his Astral's vendetta against a man who stole him, probably keeping him from who he was really supposed to be with. Vaixen's mood turned black, and not even his Astral would be able to reach him, not for a while.
Arecio could keep the pace he was going for another few hours, but he could already see Sero on the horizon. It wouldn't be long now. Soon, he would know what happened to his brother, what happened after he had emerged from his scroll. The excitement of being on the brink of battle surged though him, making him move faster, faster, faster. It was almost like flying, his hooves only touching the ground long enough to propel him forward.
The only thing weighing him down, both figuratively and literally, was Vaixen's hunched form on his back, his tight grip in his mane, and the black silence that Arecio could feel pulsing along their bond. His companion wouldn't respond to anything he said, and Arecio had stopped trying a while ago, but he kept his mind turned toward his companion, trying to suss out exactly what it was that had him so angry.
As Arecio had been explaining, he had felt Vaix's mood turn stormy. It was that reason he had decided to hold back on telling his companion about his brother, thinking it might just be too much for him to handle on their flight to the city.
He is Mad. Sonnerie said with his normal, yet strange inflection. Arecio sighed, or tried to, at any rate. He was breathing so hard from this run that he couldn't really tell.
I know. But it had to be done. Hopefully he will understand. And that was all Arecio could do, hope that Vaixen would understand why he had kept it a secret, why he was still keeping it a secret. He knew that Vaix didn't have good experience with family, and maybe wouldn't understand. But he hadn't expected this. Yelling, he'd expected, being hit a few times, within his rights, but this silence was unnerving, and Arecio was beginning to believe there was something in his actions that he missed, something that was hurting his companion beyond what words could express.
But there wasn't time to worry about that now, they were on the eve of a battle, and they both had to be read.
Sonnerie! Arecio called and the raven wiggled his way out of Vaix's hold and into the air, taking a few wing beats to catch up. Find him and call. Sonnerie's particular cry could be heard across the din of battle, and would let Arecio pinpoint where he was anywhere in the city. The raven flew off and Arecio slowed, muscles shaking with the effort it had taken to get them there.
With the City of Sero in front of them, Arecio felt his companion slide off his back, stretching himself out and adjusting his weapons, Arecio was sure he would fight, probably for all the wrong reasons, but the halfbreed would fight for him, for this. Arecio just hoped that this fight, the heavy secret that still lay between them, wouldn't be enough to break them.
Sonnerie took to the air, putting the darkness he could feel from his Astral's Companion far behind him. Something was very wrong there, and with each flap of his wings, he felt better.
Still he didn't have to go far. Sonnerie found himself back in the Bizarre, the strange place where the people sold and bought. It was almost like he was drawn there, sharp eyes roving over the ground, the buildings, the people, until he saw what he was looking for. The Man was cloaked and hooded, but it did nothing to disguise him from Sonnerie's eyes.
With a few powerful beats of his wings, he rose higher and opened his mouth to let out a keen cry, like bells slamming together. A sound to wake the dead and stop the living. A sound to signal the hunt.
Arecio's head snapped up first, followed closely by Vaixen. He could feel the bond smooth out into determination, and the Caelestis was glad. At least this was something they could agree on, no matter what else. Everything could wait, there was a battle on the horizon.
At Sonnerie's second cry, they moved, together, into the city, heading for the bazaar. It wouldn't be long now. The hunt had begun.WC:1207
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