Welcome to Gaia! ::

Shanuh stared down at his emerald fingernails, studying the way the flourescent light made the painted-protein sparkle and shine. A funny thing, nailpolish. Nikel lived off of the stuff, and had forced Shanuh to partake in something called a "manicure". Some woman with squinty eyes had chattered nonsensically while dipping his fingertips into various liquids. The entire 'adventure' had been impractical, but what was done was done.

His nails were shinier than usual, and according to Nikel looked absolutely precious! To Shanuh, he could have done without the manicure. It was an experience the man, to say the least, didn't particularly want to experience again.

"You look lovely, darling!" Nikel crooned, gathering up his violet and cold studded purse. Glancing over his shoulder, the long-haired death-shepard winked at Shanuh, delighted by his peers disgrunteled appearance. "Nothing spells sexy like beautiful nails."

And that was all Shanuh needed, wasn't it? To feel sexy. Perhaps the shop manager's fatalistic attitude would change if he thought differently about the world. So stuffy, so work-orientated, Nikel made it a point to aggravate his fellow contemporary everyday. Eventually, something would happen, something would change.

Shanuh wasn't completely heartless.



Shanuh snorted, brushing off Nikel's comments with a dismissive wave. "Go on, get out of here. Suppose we get a few customers in the shop? I can't have them thinking the place is abandoned."

Not that Shanuh cared, one way or another. Customers were the least of the man's worries. The only reason he liked customers was because humans were worth one of two things. Potential companions for his precious flock of birds that gathered on the roof, and, if they were unworthy, than his next meal. Besides that, Shanuh needed no other service from the creatures, and cared to be around them as short amount a time as possible.

As Nikel left to tend the front of the store, Shanuh seated himself at the front of the room. There were various chairs scattered before him, in complete disarray. The room was small and fairly empty besides. Various cages were set along the walls - some covered with blankets, while others had their contents displayed.

From the looks of things, it appeared that mice were to be the days subject of choice.

All Shanuh had to do now, was wait for those who were interested to arrive. He wasn't make the days lesson mandatory - those who felt the desire to learn how to use their abilities would come. Others, who had 'better' things to do wouldn't.

Xaxis had been at the shop all morning. Lucien had to work, as usual, and the little raven was accostomed to taking care of himself. Usually, he entertained himself at home, or went with the blond-haired runaway to the shop. Xaxis liked Shanuh, and Nikel and Jojo were just as fun.

The shop was his home-away-from-home, and that was just how things went. At least today, he thought, today would be different. Today, Shanuh had something planned. An event. A cool event that had to do with magic!

Xaxis was excited about it. Sniffling as he opened the door to the shop, the bird reached up to wipe his runny nose with his bony hands. Ah-ha! He wasn't alone - already Rascir was there.

But what - what was he doing? Singing again? Xaxis inwardly rolled his eyes, slightly amused by the other boys antics. He was weird, in a . . . weird . . . way. The bright coloured bunting just seemed to walk to the tune of a different drum, but that was alright.

Xaxis didn't mind, he just didn't always know how to handle Rascir's . . . oddeties.

"Hey, Rascir," Xaxis murmured with a sore and scratchy voice, greeting his fellow Guardian. What was he singing today? Wherever he came up with those silly songs, Xaxis hadn't a clue! He probably made most of them up.

Xaxis jumped a foot in the air when Iamel screeched Shanuh's name. The raven, who had been quietly watching Rascir and his . . . .strange . . . . ways, hadn't expected quite a vocal entrance. Wings spread fully in defense, eyes as wide as plates, the sickly raven lost a plethora of feathers in his excitement.

Heart racing, it took him but a moment to realize who it was. Yes, he'd heard someone enter the shop, but he hadn't payed them much heed. "Hey, Iamel," Xaxis stammered, trying to pick up the pieces of his pride before looking dismally down at his lost feathers.

Ugh.

Reaching down, he picked one up, rubbing it lightly against his cheek. Molting. He was always molting.

He wouldn't bother Iamel quite yet - it seemed he wanted to bond with Shanuh first. That was fine with Xaxis - he could get his hello's in shortly. After Iamel's energy died down a bit, and after Xaxis' heart stopped racing.



Shanuh looked down at the little bird who clung to him. Already, Iamel's mouth was running a million miles per hour, but the shopkeep didn't mind. Shanuh had a soft spot for each of his charges, and he 'loved' each one differently. They were once his to care of, once his to protect - and even age wouldn't stop the bond. Even if they turned on him, even if they abandoned him and thought nothing of him, Shanuh couldn't ever let them go completely.

He'd looked after them for so long . . .

They were the only beings he truly felt or cared for.

"Well that's wonderful, Iamel! You're almost an adult, you are - and growing already, I see!" Shanuh speant a few moments to dote upon the boy, petting his hair, sizing him up. "So much responsibility - but I'm sure you'll manage!"

Of course he would. If Shanuh found out differently, or caught wind of the boy struggling because of a fools insensetivity. . . . well . . . .
Hmph.

Shanuh wasn't pleased with Patrick's disappearance, but so long he returned and didn't abandon him like others. No no - Shanuh wasn't going THINK about them. It would only induce anger - and Shanuh did NOT want to show that emotion in front of the children.

Savius did not take defeat well. Not well at all. In fact, he was prone to kicking, screaming and otherwise throwing hissy fits when he didn't get his way. This often resulted in being locked in the room. And after he nearly got himself killed trying to go out the window of their top story apartment, the room had gained bars.

Stupid room.

He had decided, today, not to risk the room. And with Lithle all stressed over the zombie, it was highly likely that such a punishment would be exactly what he'd get for his refusal to obey.

Which was why he was here. Because somehow she'd found out about the lessons and she'd decided that he should go. She said that he needed to have perfect use of every ability at his disposal. She said if he didn't go, she'd take his gun away.

She said, she said, she said!

He didn't need this. Didn't need stupid lessons in stupid death. He was death. Death was him. It was natural. It was like taking lessons in how to ******** breathe.

And he could figure it out by himself!

So it was that Savius slunk into the room, ignoring Iamel, Shanuh, Rascir and even Xaxis. He crossed his arms and glowered, in no way his usual laid back, smiling self.

Torn gray tanktop, torn black pants with straps and patches carefully sewn on.

Tattoo on his arm that he currently wanted to find a knife and scrape off. But wouldn't. Because she needed the reminded, his b***h of a father.

Finding a spot not too close to anyone, he crossed his arms and waited.

She could make him go, but she couldn't make him happy about it.

Iamel knew that Shanuh had to 'spread the love', so to speak, especially when it came t his children that had been born in the pet shop. Sharing didn'tbother him so much anymore - he WAS important and that's all that mattered.

"Catbitch says I'm a godsend, but he's just weird," The child purred at the petting, wriggling closer and very nearly preening at the attention. Shanuh was another sort of Shiniee... The kind that didn't leave. That? It earned him attention. "And Dax is CRAZY, Shanuh. He still tries to sit on my head. I have to kick him sometimes."

Xaxis was spotted and given a friendly little wave, and a grin. The raven was quieter then most of his friends but! A friend none the less! ...taller then him still but ah well!! AH WELL! Shanuh was vacated and then - ho'snap!

Diacyn!
SAvius!
Savius AND Diacyn!

The little woodpecker, having seen savius first, bounced over to his friend and grabbed him around hte waist. He beamed up at him, bouncing a little. "HI Savius! It's you and me and Diacyn and Xaxis and it's going to be FUN! We get to kill things! Right Shanuh? HI DIACYN!" Still latched onto Savius, he waved at Diacyn, grinning. THIS was teh energetic woodpecker that had been missing.

Rascir's hair had been growing, and Jenys didn't want to cut it. He liked it, it's bright vivid colors were the only thing that brought light into an otherwise grim world and existance. Rascir didn't mind often being mistaken for a girl, he thought it was funny how little things like hair made people think you were one thing or the other.

Today he wore a sleeve-less bright red cotton shirt beneath an oversized rock band shirt that was Jenys'. Rascir liked wearing old things that belonged to Jenys, it made him feel more secure knowing that he could have something of Jenys around him always. He perched himself on top of a table and let his legs dangle. His jeans had sewn, mistmatched denim patches at the knees and one of this sneakers needed retying. He was a brightly festive little raggamuffin and he didn't care.

Without thinking, he took out his plastic recorder and started to play.This was often how he spent his time waiting for something to happen.

Usually, Savius was quite the fan of Iamel. There was an affection there, for all his kindred, but the woodpecker in particular felt like a brother to him. Felt like family, and sometimes he had the feeling that he was very much missing a much bigger part of him that might be family. Iamel brought some of it back.

Usually.

Today, as he stood with gritted teeth, it took all his strength not to physically latch out at the one he called 'bro'. Instead, he carefully, delicately uncrossed his arms, and put one hand on Iamel's wrist, tugging at it in an indication that he wished, very much wished, to be freed. "Bro?" And the endearment was ground out, rock becoming gravel as he forced himself gentle. "Diacyn's here."

And that was so clear, so obvious, that one might wonder why he said it until he gave the woodpecker a gentle push in that direction. Iamel could latch onto that predator and they'd both be safe.

Xaxis, he noticed, had approached, and he managed the most forced of grins for him. Friend, more than brother, and the bond there was different, though simular. Again, the strange feeling. The need to protect the sickly bird so in conflict with his current anger he couldn't think.

He didn't want to be here.

"Xaxis."

And that was all he managed before walking away from the group. The bright one, the one he'd met before, was playing some kind of instrument. And that was almost soothing. Besides. He couldn't remember him ever expecting much in the way of conversation.

Quickly, he closed the distance between them, and settled there. Listening, and watching as well. Pretty and bright and different.

Something strange to focus on, instead of simmering over the absolute stupidity of the thing.

He'd kill Lithle.

He really would.

Some day.

Xaxis wasn't entirely surprised to see Savius distance himself. The group had inadvertantly surrounded the stormy kestrel and it appeared that Savius had no inclination to be social.

Well, be that as it may. Hopefully, though, they'd get their friend back by the days end. Maybe some magic and death of babies could cheer him up? Turning his attention back to Diacyn and Iamel, Xaxis gave a little giggle. "Bugs are all right," he sniffled, reaching a bony wrist up to wipe his nose. "When there's not a lot to eat - but squirrels are mighty tasty! They're best on hot summer days, when the road cooks 'em and makes 'em warm. Made me pretend they weren't so dead." Being born and bred a raven, Xaxis had never enjoyed the thrill of the hunt. He could eat bugs, sure, but the majority of his diet came from roadkill and abandoned carcasses.

Unlike Diacyn, Xaxis hadn't the talons or the size to hunt. Now grown, the sickly one lookd forward to the day he could kill without eating the remains of the larger predators. He was a predator now, just like they all would be.



Shanuh watched, giving Savius a sidelong look as he detached himself. Such anger, such annoyance - so terrible he was now off and away with Rascir! Well that was unusual, especially with the colourful bunting playing music for the group.

Such is that of a songbird.

"All right gang, why don't you gather round and take a seat." He indicated the chairs scattered before him. When it came to magic, there wasn't a whole helluvalot of paper or book work to accomplish. Magic was something innate, something they all had the power to possess. The difficult trick would be that, with every bird, exactly how they controlled their magic was entirely unique to the person.

Some might do best under pressure, others under anger and annoyance. Some might need to be calm with complete focus, while others might be so saturated with magic that it leaked out of them subconsciously.

Thankfully, though, they were too young to do any serious damage to themselves or one another.

((Just to move things along, I'm going to start the lesson - give the kids things to mull over. Yay for lecture. =.=; ))

As the children settled, Shanuh took a seat on the desk before them. He looked at each of his wards, and couldn't help but proud of them. Today they would be taking their first steps to accomplish their missions, their goals. Today would be their first steps into a much bigger world.

"Tell me, class - who wants to kill things today? Is there anyone here who doesn't want to suck the soul out of a living being? Is there anyone here who doesn't want to savor the sweetness of personally inflicting death?" His eyes traveled over each as he spoke - Rascir, Iamel, Xaxis, Savius, Diacyn. He wanted to judge their reaction, wanted to see who perked up at the idea and who appeared more reserved. Death wasn't necessarily for everyone. Certainly this was their lot in life, but Shanuh wasn't so heartless as to push them into something they didn't desire.

"Before I truly begin, tell me - who here has used their magic?" His eyes wandered over the class, checking out who responded and who didn't. "Now tell me this - who here has used their magic and had successful results?"

Yes, there was a lot of chatter at the beginning of the lessons, but it would take awhile before they could truly learn to control it. Shanuh expected his class to be hands on with a lot of demonstratio, a lot of in-class practice, and a few outside assignments. They would be jumping into practice shortly - the only way to learn was to try.

Xaxis had, along with his classmates, taken a seat at the front of class. He watched Shanuh, pleased that they would get to learn magic. Maybe he could make things sick! Maybe he could get animals to sneeze, or have them catch common colds. Maybe he would get better the more magic he used?

So exciting! The aloof raven, so usually quiet, felt incredibly happy this afternoon. They would get to kill things today! What a blessed day it would be!

Listening to him speak, Xaxis couldn't help but quirk a questionable eye at the proposition that maybe someone didn't WANT to use magic or kill. The raven had a difficult time grasping the concept - death was natural for them, death was fun to watch, fun to see, and had to be even MORE fun to commit! If there was any who didn't want to kill . . . well. . . ******** that.

They were just stupid if they didn't want to kill.

As Shanuh's speech continued, the raven raised his hand when asked if he'd used his abilities. Of course he had! The sickly one's hand did slide down, almost embarressedly, when Shanuh then asked for success stories. Xaxis really hadn't had a lot of success with his abilitites, which was why he was here in the first place!

Casting a magenta eye on his peers, the raven was curious to see if he was alone in his weakness.