NationStates Jolt Archive

Orbis Animi

Cycle of Souls
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“In this land, time moves very slowly. People, nature, everything.

And many good things, and bad things, get woven together and repeated.”
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“Up on the moon, there is a deserted shrine that no one knows about. Everything started here…”

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RULES & GUIDELINES

1. This RP is CLOSED. Closed as in no one can simply enter randomly in the middle of the RP. The exception is if he/she is invited by a current RPer, or posts an application to join in the OOC thread:"Destiny/OOC Thread" (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=429785).

2. Please keep all OOC comments and discussions in the "Destiny/OOC Thread" (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=429785).

3. In order to keep the quality of this RP, please refrain from posting "one-liner" replies. Posting quality replies will insure that this RP will survive and continue being interesting for both the RPers and forum readers.

4. Follow and enforce Rules 1 through 3.

5. Enjoy this RP. Remember that this RP, and the basis of all RPs are for the enjoyment of both the RPers and the readers. Please avoid ruining this RP for everyone.

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Information

- Original Story Concept (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9328436&postcount=107)

- Cycle Information FAQ (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showpost.php?p=9343332&postcount=127)

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News

7/30/05 - RP open for invites and applications. Apply in "Destiny/OOC Thread" (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=429785).

“Morning!” exclaimed a young girl as she crawled out of a poorly propped up tent. Wearing only an old stained oversized tunic that she substituted for a nightgown, she stretched out her arms to get rid of any kinks from her sleep, and inhaled the fresh morning air. Stillness ensued as if the forest were startled into silence by the high pitched greeting. The silence continued for several, almost awkward moments. Slowly the sounds of the forest came back to life and continued on peacefully. The girl stood up and blinked several times as she adjusted herself to the bright morning sun that came through the opening in the forest canopy. In the center of the dirt clearing in front of her were the smoldering remains of a large bonfire and the forgotten refuse from last night’s dinner. A dented pot still hung from its wooden perch above the center of the extinguished bonfire. Surrounding it were small and large plots of flattened grass, tell tale signs of the tents that were pitched there the night before. All around the area, there were a myriad of foot prints in the dirt and wet grass. Crisscrossing the area were the depressions of wagon wheels on the ground, many of these trails weaved around or through the tent imprints and toward the trail that disappeared into an opening in the forest.

---

Faylin was the only daughter of wealthy, well traveled, and extraordinary noble family that had lasted for a thousand years. Brought up in a childhood that consisted up of frequent journeys to new and exotic lands, the family sojourned only long enough to absorb almost every bit of the area’s culture. This was a simple enough task for parents who took in information, knowledge, and customs like a sponge, and also their daughter who inherited their unique set of genes. The parents would travel from land to land, stopping everywhere to take in the local flora and fauna and record their findings in journals that kept filling up one wagon to another, at one point requiring themselves and their traveling entourage to walk for several days to reach a town to purchase several more wagons. Their entries varied from very useful, as in which plants could be used in ointments and potions to heal an untold number of ailments, some complex spell that will render the user invisible, to something simple as directions; to very useless and random entries, such as the number of teeth a certain animal has. Her parents were extraordinarily eccentric, considering their social status.

For at least sixteen years, Faylin traveled with her family and learned what they had learned. As she grew intellectually, she also grew physically. She was svelte, graceful and elegant, with smooth blond hair that reached the floor. Her light sky blue eyes were bright and seemed to mesmerize anyone who looked did little but take a glance at her. She had almost a snow white complexion that was offset by a pinkish tinge from her constant travels. She had a cheerful and carefree demeanor, and from her smile sprang such enchantment as to bedazzle and set any man, woman, or child at ease. In addition to her grace, she had her own cute perks that ranged from an almost complete childlike attitude to that of a bookworm, all of which simply added to her allure that fascinated the people around her.

A perfect person with the extremity of summer, elegance of autumn, nobility of winter, and kindness of spring.

This young girl lived a peaceful life, filled with joy and laughter. Her life could be said to be as near as can be to perfection. Until one morning she woke from a long nights sleep. Faylin flinched as a pain erupted from her legs and joints as she got up from the ragged bed she lay on. Finding the door to the small shack, she walked outside and found herself at the foot of a mountain. Her mind panicked when it recalled that her last location was sleeping in her carriage outside a small village she and her parents had stopped by. Faylin’s mind continued to race as she frantically looked around at her surroundings, desperately muttering the names of her parents under her breath. She ran around the area, looking for any sign of her parents, their caravan, any sign of life. Exhausted, Faylin walked back into the ramshackle little structure. She fell on her knees and rested her head on her folded arms the side of the bed. A silent sob had welled up inside of her. It was there resting on the bed, she thought to herself that and reassured herself that she would and will be ready to face whatever new reality she had found herself in. This was the beginning of her new life.

---

“Jeez…” she scratched the back of her head as she looked around at the empty campsite. “Not again…They left me.” Faylin looked down forlorn at the ground, as she turned around and crawled back into her tent to fetch her stuff.

Now wearing a simple light brown collared shirt and a dark brown dress all underneath a cloak that appears to have been comprised up of a series of patched up rags, with all her stuff packed and her old hand-me-down tent bundled up, she walked toward the forest trail and turned around to look back at the camp site. Shielding her eyes from the bright late morning sun, she looked around again at the deserted campsite, the only signs of movement in the clearing were two crows that were tearing at some animal remains, but were quickly scared off by the cry of a hawk overhead.

“At least you didn’t leave me alone,” she said softly, as a the golden brown and red bird landed on Faylin’s outstretched arm. “You wouldn’t leave little ol’ Fay alone would you?” she said softly to the bird. “Okay, just lead the way. There’s a town close by here I think.” Faylin said, as she stroked the back of the hawk, which then flew from her arm and into the sky ahead of her.

After a couple of minutes walking through the woods, following the series of cries issued from her hawk above her, she exited the forest and entered into a green field outside a small town. Even from a distance, shouts and other commotion could be heard coming from the town. As she walked forward, the grass seemed to bend down around her, as if wind were blowing from all around her causing the tall grass to fall back away from the girl. Her long blond hair shimmered behind her as she walked closer to the edge of the town. Barely a quarter of a mile away, Faylin’s acute hearing had already focused itself on deciphering the sounds of the tiny town. She could hear someone selling fruit and vegetables, the bark of a pack of dogs, the piano playing in the local tavern, to the rickety sound of worn wagon wheels as they rolled over a cobblestone road.

It was about noon Faylin thought to herself as she neared the final stretch toward the town. Her stomach grumbled impatiently at not having eaten anything that resembled food since lunch time yesterday. She had been forced to prepare the food for her companions’ dinner then ordered to clean the dishes but was forbidden to eat anything but scraps and anything the gluttons’ stomachs could not handle, which was little if not nothing. Fretting a little at her scant condition, she continued approaching the town. Cradling her empty stomach while reducing her pace to a mere crawl, her senses were quickly alerted at the distinct sound of screaming and yelling emitting from the town, then the faint sound of arrows whistling through the air. Then she heard the clash of swords, and what surprised her the most was the sound of explosions and thunder. Magic, she quickly thought to herself. The young girl quickly coerced the demands of hunger out of her mind and replaced it with her childlike curiosity. “Look’s like there’s something interesting going on there,” Faylin said, as the hawk took its place again on the girl’s arm. “Let’s take a look-see.” The hawk shook its head back and forth. “Oh, don’t worry. We’re just going to take a peek.”

Quote:
Originally Posted by Staggering drunks
After taking his loose linen shirt off and leaving it hanging on a branch outside, he turned on the cold water hose and let the freezing water wash over him. It felt good on his twisted wing and he closed his eyes in relaxation. At least it wouldn't reduce his flying capability he thought with a bitter twist of the mouth. Since he had none to begin with. Eventually after he felt the swelling reduce he turned the water off and pulled his shirt back on.
'Well that was fun' He rubbed the back of his neck and went back around the front of the building to look for the others. End Quote

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Karasu noticed she was healing faster than usual, even though she healed faster than usual because she was a dragon. Someone aside from Aramil gave me energy. I think the only one who could have done that was Angelus. She sighed, knowing Angelus had some issues to work on. He wouldn't accept himself. He was so kind and giving and wouldn't accept being only half angel. I want to help him with that.

Angelus came around to the front of the building looking bitter as usual. Karasu walked up to him.

"Angelus, I know it was you who gave me that extra energy and I thank you very much. That was very kind of you." She looked at him. "You gave me more than your body could handle. I appreciate it, but please don't put yourself in harms way again. What you did is wonderful, but I don't want to see you suffer." Karasu took her sunglasses off and her eyes radiated gold. She smiled at him and gave him a hug. She wanted so badly for him to accept that he was a worthy angel and should be proud of himself.

"Angelus... ummm... If you ever need or want someone to talk to, I am here for you." Karasu lowered her head and put her sunglasses back on. She looked back up at him. "I know you're seething about your situation. I'm here if you want to talk." She sighed. She wanted him to be happy.

"I need to go and get some rest... But Angelus... Be pround of who you are. You are worthy." Those were Karasu's last words before she left to go lie down.
__________________
~First, Last, and Always~

Just... just... just... Bring it! Bow down! Bow down! One! Two! Three! ... SUCK IT UP!

"Hmmm...The commotion's all stopped," Faylin said to herself. Her smile faded slightly. "Aww...I was hoping to get there before it ended. This stinks.”

The sun continued to make its way towards the west. But the sun was far from setting. Faylin continued her slow walk toward the town. Now her arm seemed to have permanently melded with her stomach as she held her arm around her thin waist. She had begun to regret not having accepted the loaf of bread a passing farmer had offered her, seeing her condition and tattered clothes. But even as she walked, she managed to stand up straight and prevent showing her pain. She was able to continue radiating a cheerful aura around herself that even made people walking past her stop and turn to look and smile.

Her demeanor had remained almost unchanged by the time she reached the town. Near the town gate, she passed by a small cottage and outside was a mother and her two children who were playing with a ball in the yard. One of the children, the small girl, walked up to the fence to retrieve the ball that had rolled at Faylin’s feet. The child smiled at her as Faylin knelt down picked up the ball and handed it to the young child. The smaller of the children, a boy, walked up and tugged at the shirt of his older sister. Faylin could not help but stop and beam at the two smiling and laughing children in front of her.

“Come, come play with us!” asked the girl as she pulled at the end of Faylin’s old cloak.

“Oh, but I have to go. I’m sorry,” said Faylin as she laid her hand on the girl’s head. She continued to smile.

“P…Please!” exclaimed the little boy. “Let’s play catch!”

“My, my…They sure have taken a liking for you,” said the children’s mother. “They rarely get out and play with new people. You see there aren’t a lot of children their age in this area.” The woman wore an apron over a simple dress that had nothing spectacular to note about. In her hands were a needle and thread and a pair of torn pants she was mending. She was not necessarily middle-age or in plain terms, old. “Please stay for a while. We haven’t had any visitors for a long time. And you look like you haven’t eaten for days.”

She was right, was the thought that flew through Faylin’s head. But she quickly dismissed it. “Oh, but I couldn’t. I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“Rubbish, I’m inviting you. Now please, I can hear your stomach rumbling. Plus I just got some candies from the market,” the women persisted.

“That…That must be the wind you’re hearing. Haha.” At the same time an unexpected growl sounded from Faylin’s stomach.

“See.”

Faylin’s youthful face turned a shade of scarlet as she blushed in embarrassment. She was dumbstruck for words. All that managed to come out of her mouth was a series of “Uh’s,” “Um’s,” and “I’s.”

“Now, come on,” said the mother as she grabbed Faylin by the arm and led her over to the house. “You’re not from around here are you?”

“No, ma’am…” said Faylin. She had lost the battle, so she had no choice but to submit and follow the children’s mother into the house.

“No need for ‘ma’am’ young one…My name is Nina.”

“Nice to meet you Mrs. Nina…My name is Faylin.”

“Oh, no need for the ‘Mrs.’ it makes me sound old. Just Nina is fine,” laughed Nina. “I don’t look that old, do I?”

---

The man stood and watched Aramil land in front of him and unleashed his fireball and lightning attack at him. Lighting, so amateurish. He quickly held up the orb he was holding high above his head. With his other hand, griping his cloak deflected the three fireballs as if he were swatting flies. And he did not as much as flinch as the lightning attack was absorbed into the dark object.

"You haven't learned one bit." groaned the man as his cloak bellowed in the wake of the attack. The dark figure turned to Aramil and smiled and gave him one of his coldest stares that would have unsettled anyone weaker. "You should have attacked me by now instead of standing there like a statue watching me deflecting your attacks. Haven't you learned anything from the academy?" He laughed. "Wait...You didn't stick around long enough to start advanced melee combat and strategy class."

"Is that Aramil?" said the voice in the orb.

"Yes, sir, it is. He's being foolish again."

"I see. If he resists, you know what to do.

"Affirmative," he said as he put the orb back into his robe. "Aramil, Aramil, Aramil," he repeated as he approached the man, but stopped as Aramil clenched his shield tighter. "Settle down. If you can't remember, who's the senior mage here? And then who's the one who failed to enter into the academy after graduating from the Collegiate Arcane back in Caladonn? I suggest you stop here and do not interfere with official business."

The man approached Aramil, regardless if Aramil was beginning to let his guard down or not, and placed his arm on Aramil's shoulder. "I don't want to hurt my old friend. I swore that I would protect you when you first came to me for help, and I am a man that keeps his word. I did not break that promise when you left suddenly from the academy."

Gripping harder, he leaned forward and spoke into Aramil's ear, "leave now, and I will dismiss your attempt to interfere with my mission. Stay here, against the wishes of the high council, and I will have to dissolve that promise."

Releasing his death grip on Aramil, the man turned around and began to walk away.

“Azazel…” said a whispered a weak voice.

“Aramil,” muttered Azazel man under his breath. A dark aura began to grow around the man as he walked away from the warrior. “Choose your fate. Join me or die. You wouldn’t want to fight your old partner, would you?”

Azazel turned around and for the first time grinned, revealing a pair of white fangs. “I doubt it…Now come and follow me. We’ll do great things together just like in the good old days.”

---

“Ah…That was great!” exclaimed a now energetic Faylin. An empty plate sat in front of her on top of the house’s small dining table. “Is there any way I can repay you?”

“Oh, no dear, just playing with the children is payment enough. They’ve been bugging me to play with them, but I’m busy with chores and other tedious things around the house. My husband gets home really late from work.”

“I insist. Anything,” continued Faylin.

“No, and that’s final. And if you continue even more, I’ll force you to eat more food,” laughed the Nina, as she took Faylin’s empty plate to refill it.

“There’s no stopping you is there?” laughed Faylin. “Oh, did you hear all that noise coming from town earlier? Like around noon?”

“Noise? I heard there was fight in the street, magic users and such. Heard one person was killed,” said Nina as she scooped some chopped vegetables and meat into Faylin’s plate. "I'm not sure of the details."

“Oh…That’s what happened.”

The young girl stared off into space, trying to imagine the fight. “What could have happened? It sounded so exciting.” She thought out loud in a curious dreamlike voice.

“I don’t think you’d want to know. They’d just cause you trouble.”

“Well…I like trouble. Adds flavor to a person’s life. And I’ve probably had worse than what I might get into next.” Faylin brushed aside some of the golden strands of hair that fell on her face. Suddenly a strange nostalgic but painful and distressing feeling urged up from the depths of her soul. It seemed to strangle whatever spirit she had gained. Her face drained of all color and was pale as death. Was this some kind of omen?

“Watch what you say, Faylin. It might come back to haunt you.” A plate of meat and vegetable stew was placed right in front of Faylin. “Eat up before it gets cold." Nina ran over to Faylin's side and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Faylin, what's wrong?"

Karasu noticed she was healing faster than usual, even though she healed faster than usual because she was a dragon. Someone aside from Aramil gave me energy. I think the only one who could have done that was Angelus. She sighed, knowing Angelus had some issues to work on. He wouldn't accept himself. He was so kind and giving and wouldn't accept being only half angel. I want to help him with that.

Angelus came around to the front of the building looking bitter as usual. Karasu walked up to him.

"Angelus, I know it was you who gave me that extra energy and I thank you very much. That was very kind of you." She looked at him. "You gave me more than your body could handle. I appreciate it, but please don't put yourself in harms way again. What you did is wonderful, but I don't want to see you suffer." Karasu took her sunglasses off and her eyes radiated gold. She smiled at him and gave him a hug. She wanted so badly for him to accept that he was a worthy angel and should be proud of himself.

"Angelus... ummm... If you ever need or want someone to talk to, I am here for you." Karasu lowered her head and put her sunglasses back on. She looked back up at him. "I know you're seething about your situation. I'm here if you want to talk." She sighed. She wanted him to be happy.

"I need to go and get some rest... But Angelus... Be pround of who you are. You are worthy." Those were Karasu's last words before she left to go lie down.

"I...." He was a little taken aback at the sudden show of emotion from Karasu, he felt himelf untense a little in her arms for the first time in a long while. After she had walked off with him staring at her retreating back he thought about what she had said
...I'm here if you want to talk....
...Be proud of who you are....
...You are worthy....
He suddenly shook his head to clear it and he blushed angrily. She couldn't know what it was like to be half of somthing, to never be accepted on any side. To angels he was half human, to humans he was half angel. He had only healed her because anels disliked life to be thrown away.
"Yes, all life is precious. I was under obligation." He reassured himself

Karasu had been feeling an ominous aura since she awakened. The being who directed my assassination. She could feel Aramil's aura near the evil aura. Time for a change.

Karasu ran off to her treeless area in the woods and with a flash of rainbow colored crystals, turned into the black and gold dragon. She feared for Aramil. His aura was too close to the evil aura. Soon she was airborn, quite high and following the auras. From her height she could see Aramil speaking with a man in black. They seemed to be fighting, to some extent. The other mage had a horrible aura about him. She could feel her eyes turning solid red with anger.

Karasu swooped down and breathed gold dust onto Aramil, and sparks of fire onto the one with the evil aura. She had made her presence known. She wanted the evil mage to know he wasn't up against Aramil only.

She then flew straight up above the clouds, and departed, eventually landing in her usual place and changing back to her human form. She then walked back to the village.

She saw Angelus, and confronted him regarding what he had said earlier. "Angelus!" She yelled angrily. "You don't think I heard you when I was walking away. I DID!"

Karasu made sure to put on her sunglasses because her eyecolor was probably spinning from color to color. "Don't feel OBLIGATED to help me in any way, ever! I'd rather die than have someone help me because they're being forced!"

She glared at him, but he couldn't tell throught the glasses. It's likely he guessed. "You've made it very clear that you are bitter and pity yourself because you're 'only' half angel... and half human, not fitting in either world... Did it ever occur to you that makes you acceptable to angels AND humans? Not 'neither'?"

Karasu stomped off worrying about Aramil. If he did not return shortly, she would go after him, perhaps with Khevit. As a human, Karasu was not a magic user.

Khevit had gone searching for any number of people and come up empty. With a shrug of his shoulders and a twitch of his ears, he headed back to the village. As he passed through a forest to found a tree full of apples, being in a hungry mood, he sliced off a branch containing a large number of the fruit and while eating some raced back to the town.

"Pity myself?" He threw back his head and laughed
"I pity the entire human race!" He spread his wings and his arms for effect as he was still laughing. He walked away, and then when he thought she was not looking he collapsed onto one knee. He should not have done that, his wing still burned with the heat of the wound.
"I've had enough of you" He gritted his teeth, grabbed the feathery appendage and twisted slightly. He screwed his eyes up in pain as he heard a click when it popped back into place. He tried moving it experimentally.
"Ahhh, much better." He sat down leaning against a tree breathing heavily for a few moments for the world to stop spinning, then he got up and went back to his room to get his coat. When he had put it back on to cover his wings he went out looking for Amaril and Khevit, he didn't feel like talking to humans right now.

"You can't change it!" Karasu retorted. "You're PART of that human race you so despise!" Karasu was angry. She was half-and-half as well and had learned to get along with both sides. "By the way, your laughing is so transparently phony; you might as well not bother." She could feel her eyes turning red. She did pity him. She pitied him for not seeing the joy in being able to understand two races. She pitied him for his anger. His anger made her angry.

Angelus did not think she saw him collapse and do something with his wing. Then he stomped off. She watched him as he walked out with his coat looking all pissed off. It was time for the black and gold dragon to pay him a visit. Most likely, he would not understand that either, but Karasu thought she would give it a try.

As usual, she walked to her large hidden area in the forest. Being such a large dragon was a bit difficult logistically at times. In a flash of colored crystal, she became the black and gold dragon. Karasu decided to take a short flight before she reached Angelus. I don't want to get pissed off and fry him! She laughed to herself.

After being airborne a sufficient amount of time, seeing Angelus the entire time, she decided to pay him a visit. She didn't know what she would do, but she knew she would fly low. He was walking on a road with fields on each side. Perhaps she would even land. Karasu began to descend so that he would easily see her. The brilliant gold on her body glistened. In fact, it was gold. Somehow, it became part of her body. She was a different dragon, likely because she was not so much half-and-half. The difference between herself and Angelus is that she had full human powers and full dragon powers depending on which form she took.

However, being thousands of years old, she understood Angelus. She wasn't so much angry, as she wanted him to see his self worth. That's just the way Karasu was. She would get angry, VERY angry sometimes, but she was always a protector. Helping people... even if it was a personal problem, was what she liked to do best. Karasu had such deep empathy she could feel Angelus' pain. Moreover, he didn't realize how valuable he was. He was lying to himself when he said he didn't pity himself, and he knew it. I think it made him even angrier that his laughter and nonchalance was so transparent. Karasu felt that underneath it all, what he really wanted to do was cry. She wanted to give him the opportunity to talk, and to help him accept that he was special because he WAS half-and-half.

The shining dragon began to descend further from behind Angelus. She was so large that her shadow really DID envelope half a village. She did a slow pass over Angelus... not more than forty feet above him. The shadow and wind enveloped him for quite some time. Karasu didn't want to get too close. Forty feet was low enough to cause quite a wind. Any lower, and the wind would knock him over. She soared so as not to flap her wings and knock him over. There was no possible way he could miss her.

Now what should I do? I don't know why, but I think I will land, turn, and block his path... drop some gold and silver dust on him... to symbolize his duality. As she passed him, she exhaled shimmering gold and silver dust on him. Knowing him, he'll probably complain about getting 'gunk' in his hair. she thought wryly.

When she was far enough away, she landed. She turned around and began walking towards Angelus. He probably wasn't aware of it, but any contact, even just seeing the black and gold dragon, was supposed to be a positive omen.

Unfortunately, Karasu's walking shook the ground and the trees and everything around her. She was hoping not to knock Angelus over. Most people did fall when she walked near. Thankfully as she got closer, he did not fall. She finally reached him. They were facing each other in the road.

Karasu looked down on Angelus. She could feel his angry and resentful aura. She lowered her head so he could see her eyes. They began changing color, like a wheel spinning, every shade, and hue. One of the restrictions of being human and dragon, was that she could not speak. She could only roar. It was awful. It sounded like a million T-Rex's... there was no way to describe it. It knocked over people and buildings sometimes, and was unbearably loud. Therefore, she couldn't speak to Angelus. And there was NO WAY he could get around her.

All she could do was project her positive aura, no matter how brief, like she did with the kids, and try to give some sign that things will be OK.

That was one of her best abilities as a dragon, in her opinion... the ability to take away one's pain, doubt, fear, anger, sadness... all the things that hurt, and allow the person to feel hope, happiness and clarity. It was very brief, but it was enough for the children to reach some sort of acceptance and peace.

That's what she wanted for Angelus. Peace. Moreover, she could take away all the anger, pity, hate, disgust, resentment, and inability to accept himself, and trade it in for acceptance, happiness, hope, a purpose, a feeling of being lucky to be what he is, love, contentment and peace. As brief as that period was, maybe a minute, many times it was enough for someone to realize what could be.

For the moment, she just blocked his path and Karasu's eyes changed in a very different way. One eye was gold, like gold metal, the other silver, like the metal, silver. She looked into his eyes. Feeling his aura made her hurt, but this was her duty. Now was the time for him to lose his pain for one minute. She hoped it would help as it did with the kids.

Karasu prepared to take in his pain for a minute... offer a moment of clarity. She looked at him and breathed silver and gold dust over him and took his pain and all the other negative vibes from him, so he did not have the ability to feel anything but positive feelings and clarity. One minute.

She saw something change in his face, and she felt all his emotions as she took them in. The poor guy is living with all of this. And its so unnecessary. It hurt Karasu to feel it, but it was only for a minute.

When the minute was up, she turned around and walked far enough away to become airborne again. She breathed silver and gold dust on him as she passed him.

Karasu decided she had better get back to the village, so she went to her landing spot and became human again. She made her way back to the village to see if anyone was around.

"You can't change it!" Karasu retorted. "You're PART of that human race you so despise!" Karasu was angry. She was half-and-half as well and had learned to get along with both sides. "By the way, your laughing is so transparently phony; you might as well not bother." She could feel her eyes turning red. She did pity him. She pitied him for not seeing the joy in being able to understand two races. She pitied him for his anger. His anger made her angry.

Angelus did not think she saw him collapse and do something with his wing. Then he stomped off. She watched him as he walked out with his coat looking all pissed off. It was time for the black and gold dragon to pay him a visit. Most likely, he would not understand that either, but Karasu thought she would give it a try.

As usual, she walked to her large hidden area in the forest. Being such a large dragon was a bit difficult logistically at times. In a flash of colored crystal, she became the black and gold dragon. Karasu decided to take a short flight before she reached Angelus. I don't want to get pissed off and fry him! She laughed to herself.

After being airborne a sufficient amount of time, seeing Angelus the entire time, she decided to pay him a visit. She didn't know what she would do, but she knew she would fly low. He was walking on a road with fields on each side. Perhaps she would even land. Karasu began to descend so that he would easily see her. The brilliant gold on her body glistened. In fact, it was gold. Somehow, it became part of her body. She was a different dragon, likely because she was not so much half-and-half. The difference between herself and Angelus is that she had full human powers and full dragon powers depending on which form she took.

However, being thousands of years old, she understood Angelus. She wasn't so much angry, as she wanted him to see his self worth. That's just the way Karasu was. She would get angry, VERY angry sometimes, but she was always a protector. Helping people... even if it was a personal problem, was what she liked to do best. Karasu had such deep empathy she could feel Angelus' pain. Moreover, he didn't realize how valuable he was. He was lying to himself when he said he didn't pity himself, and he knew it. I think it made him even angrier that his laughter and nonchalance was so transparent. Karasu felt that underneath it all, what he really wanted to do was cry. She wanted to give him the opportunity to talk, and to help him accept that he was special because he WAS half-and-half.

The shining dragon began to descend further from behind Angelus. She was so large that her shadow really DID envelope half a village. She did a slow pass over Angelus... not more than forty feet above him. The shadow and wind enveloped him for quite some time. Karasu didn't want to get too close. Forty feet was low enough to cause quite a wind. Any lower, and the wind would knock him over. She soared so as not to flap her wings and knock him over. There was no possible way he could miss her.

Now what should I do? I don't know why, but I think I will land, turn, and block his path... drop some gold and silver dust on him... to symbolize his duality. As she passed him, she exhaled shimmering gold and silver dust on him. Knowing him, he'll probably complain about getting 'gunk' in his hair. she thought wryly.

When she was far enough away, she landed. She turned around and began walking towards Angelus. He probably wasn't aware of it, but any contact, even just seeing the black and gold dragon, was supposed to be a positive omen.

Unfortunately, Karasu's walking shook the ground and the trees and everything around her. She was hoping not to knock Angelus over. Most people did fall when she walked near. Thankfully as she got closer, he did not fall. She finally reached him. They were facing each other in the road.

Karasu looked down on Angelus. She could feel his angry and resentful aura. She lowered her head so he could see her eyes. They began changing color, like a wheel spinning, every shade, and hue. One of the restrictions of being human and dragon, was that she could not speak. She could only roar. It was awful. It sounded like a million T-Rex's... there was no way to describe it. It knocked over people and buildings sometimes, and was unbearably loud. Therefore, she couldn't speak to Angelus. And there was NO WAY he could get around her.

All she could do was project her positive aura, no matter how brief, like she did with the kids, and try to give some sign that things will be OK.

That was one of her best abilities as a dragon, in her opinion... the ability to take away one's pain, doubt, fear, anger, sadness... all the things that hurt, and allow the person to feel hope, happiness and clarity. It was very brief, but it was enough for the children to reach some sort of acceptance and peace.

That's what she wanted for Angelus. Peace. Moreover, she could take away all the anger, pity, hate, disgust, resentment, and inability to accept himself, and trade it in for acceptance, happiness, hope, a purpose, a feeling of being lucky to be what he is, love, contentment and peace. As brief as that period was, maybe a minute, many times it was enough for someone to realize what could be.

For the moment, she just blocked his path and Karasu's eyes changed in a very different way. One eye was gold, like gold metal, the other silver, like the metal, silver. She looked into his eyes. Feeling his aura made her hurt, but this was her duty. Now was the time for him to lose his pain for one minute. She hoped it would help as it did with the kids.

Karasu prepared to take in his pain for a minute... offer a moment of clarity. She looked at him and breathed silver and gold dust over him and took his pain and all the other negative vibes from him, so he did not have the ability to feel anything but positive feelings and clarity. One minute.

She saw something change in his face, and she felt all his emotions as she took them in. The poor guy is living with all of this. And its so unnecessary. It hurt Karasu to feel it, but it was only for a minute.

When the minute was up, she turned around and walked far enough away to become airborne again. She breathed silver and gold dust on him as she passed him.

Karasu decided she had better get back to the village, so she went to her landing spot and became human again. She made her way back to the village to see if anyone was around.

Angelus raised an eyebrow as the beat beloowed at him, he was more interested at why such a creature was here than terrified at it's strange behaviour. Just then he felt a tendril of energy creeping into his aura, he grew slightly shocked and froze the tendril in place
NOONE interferes with me without concent! He thought indignantly. But then he realised that it was not a malignant energy....it was more empathic...
He let it enter further into him, wary of it but curious about what it would do.
After short while of feeling a strange warmth in him, his world was suddenly blown away from him, the trees around him, the ground beneath his feet, it was a stripped away in a maelstrom of white. The breath was stolen from his lungs, but..
He didn't need to breathe...He looked around him, and as far as the eye could see, there was nothing. Just pure unsullied white.
"Angelus"
He spun around at the sound of the voice, and there was a man standing there smiling with an inner pride at somthing. He had no rich clothing, he was not wearing the armour of a warrior, yet he knew that here was a great man...but there was somthing else too.
"Who...who are you?" He demanded of the man. The man simply smiled and faded away
"Wait!" But the man was already gone by the time the words passed his lips.
"Do you know who that man was?" Came another voice, again from behind him, but this voice was more easily recognisable. He turned slowly to face the woman
"M...mother?"
"Hello Mapete" The woman used an old elvish name given to cherished children, she had called Angelus that when he was young much to his slight annoyance, but now the name gave him only warmth and peace. She had the long sleek wings of the angels, her's were golden in the light, unlke Angelus's pure white ones, and she was young enough to look like his sister. But not the eyes, the eyes held such motherly care it was impossible to mistake her for anything but Angelus's mother.
He stood there for a second unsure about what to say, then he rushed to her with a tear in his eyes and hugged her tightly
"Shhhh, it's ok now...shhh" She stroked his hair soothingly and wiped his tear away on a golden feather. Angelus sniffed back a tear, he had not seen her for so long, not since he was young
"Why are you here?" He asked still choking back tears of happiness
"I am here, because you my child cannot accept yourself" He looked into his eyes with pride and tenderness
"W...what?"
"You are a half breed, yes, but why do you think it makes you half of a person? Two halves make a whole" She clasped his hands in hers
"But why? Why did you ever choose a..a human?"
"I chose him because he gave me two things angels cannot have. One was love. Did you know angels cannot love? It's true they love all life yes, but the love for one person over any other, they never experience this. Your father showed me how to love, a human taught an angel somthing. I was quite amazed at the time" She smiled a radient smile
"But he gave me somthing else your father...." She took her head in her hands
"He gave me you. Angels cannot bear children, you were a miracle of life. For that I owe your father for everything. Humans have alot to teach us angels, thier emotion can be thier weakness, but it can be such a strength mapete....and you have it, inside you" She put his hand on his heart
"Accept it. Your father was a great man, never forget that" She embraced him again, closing his eyes. Everything, all his cares and worries, all his fears and prejudice, just melted away in her arms. And when he opened them, he was back in the forest, the black and gold dragon gone.
Never forget that mapete
The half angel Angelus stood up a new man. He had the same grace of the celestial beings, but his movements were reinforced with the vigor of the human race. When he moved his hand cautiously up to his face, his fingers encountered a rough stubble of facial hair. before now he had always shaved his face carefully, believing that a beard marked him too clearly as a half breed for his liking, but now he felt it fitted.
He bowed his head for a moment and muttered a prayer, then a short thanks to someone he now held in his heart
"Thank you father" And Angelus the half angel walked back to town where his companions were waiting.

Khevit could smell the dragon and Angelus had been here as he continued on his path throught the forest, the large appletree branch still in one hand, while he kept eating some of them.

"I wonder what they were doing together." He commented to himself as he finished one of the apples, without even leaving a core as he ran.

"Faylin, snap out of it!" yelled Nina. Faylin's body had gone pale limp and was only supported by Nina's grasp. Her face was contorted into the expression of immense terror.

"Faylin! FAYLIN!"

A feeling of sadness, depression, and death filled the entire home.

---

The setting sun in the west covered the small town in a vermillion hue. Many villagers were busy finishing up their day's business and returning to their homes. Shopkeepers where pulling down the various stalls and signs outside their stores. Families could be heard laughing from the confines of their homes as they sat down to a nice warm supper. The beggars who had taken refuge in the alleyways by day were starting to make their way out into the empty market place. Many searched for that left over pieces of bread that were thrown away at the local cafes and restaurants. These vagabonds were promptly cleared away by a local policeman on horseback. Weary farmers could be seen with their empty or half empty ox drawn carts as they made their way back to their farms with their day's earnings. All the while a young girl about the age of 16 or 17 wandered the streets unnoticed.

A cold and depressing air surrounded the girl. Her appearance even made the local tramps look somewhat well off, dressed up in old and tattered clothes in addition to the dead atmosphere around her. So much so the policemen she passed did not attempt to reprimand her or even approach her. Despite having a face that would have made an angel jealous, she seemed to drain the life and energy of everything around her. Her emotional aura made people around her feel sad and yearn to die. People sitting in front of their dinner tables dropped whatever they were eating and regurgitated what they had swallowed. Storekeepers immediately abandoned what they were doing and ran inside their stores. Wild dogs stopped in their tracks and howled a haunting death cry. Oxen and horses went mad, toppling the carts they pulled or tossing their riders. She could have been called the closest thing to the living dead.

This continued going on until the girl turned a corner and stopped at a bright and lively tavern.

The girl stretched out her hand to open the large oaken door. The frail hand looked as if it would have bent and broken at the sheer size and weight of the tavern door. Her hand touched the door and amazingly the door swept open as swiftly as if it were a piece of paper in the wind. Immediately the entire tavern was silenced. The last notes of from the piano playing in the background were abruptly hushed. The clink of glasses and bottles ceased. The creaking of the worn and torn wood floor underneath people’s feet vanished. All faces turned toward, all staring at the small figure standing at the doorway.

“Faylin! What the hell are you doing away from the camp site?” yelled one patron at the back of the tavern. The one who yelled was a large man who sat at one of the many of the tavern’s more private stalls. He was seated with two men who were being served by several bar girls. The seemingly large man pushed his way out of the small stall and stood up by the table. “Faylin, get your filthy little excuse for a girl back to the camp site right this minute!”

His beady little eyes scanned the entire tavern until it came to a stop at his target. Smoothing out a black mustache underneath his large nose, he stomped his way to the girl at the door. This bald headed, overweight, man was Zachs Horester. Known as the best salesman the finest junk in the entire land, he had made a reputation as a thief, black market runner, smuggler, loan shark, and “junk” connoisseur. He was the man you went to for rare items, potions, weapons, loans, animals, junk, and other questionable merchandise you want, but all for a price. Zachs traveled all throughout the lands, buying and selling, collecting and stealing, and running away from the local authorities. At sometime in his travels he ran across a literally the largest information mine, or abandoned caravan, in the entire history of man, and with it this young girl that was standing in front of him.

“Mister Zachs…I’m hungry,” said Faylin in a weak voice. Her eyes continued to be glued to the floor, where Zachs’ muddy boots had come to occupy.

“Ridiculous! You should be gracious we fed you last week. Now I want you turn around and march back to that camp and stay there!” Zachs ordered in a booming voice that seemed to wake everyone in the tavern from their trance. “I said now! Or it’s the cage for you until we get to the next town.”

“But…” the meek voice continued.

“Now!”

The young girl stood her ground, but dared not make eye contact with the man. Zachs, now enraged, waved over to her two companions who marched promptly next to their boss. By now, everyone in the entire tavern was whispering at the scene in front of them.

“Guys, show her a lesson and get her out of my sight!” said Zachs. The two men cracked their knuckles in acknowledgement. Zachs then turned around and walked back to his stall and his interrupted dinner.

In weak and almost subtle whispers, both men could be heard to have apologized as they approached the girl, and for a moment, it appeared that the girl nodded her head just so slightly that it would have taken a very keen eye to register the minute movement. Deep in their hearts they sympathized with the girl and would never even think of injuring her, but their minds were clouded with the lure of their paychecks and the fear of punishment.

It was for a split second, but as Faylin stood her ground and stared down at the floor, she saw the fist that smashed into her stomach. Faylin buckled forward, her arms clutching her stomach, as another fist impacted her lifeless face. The force of the blow flung her body around twice as her feet lost balance. Her young body landed on the floor with a thud, but slowly, her thin arms managed to lift herself up. She stood there, now looking into the eyes of the person who had just hit her. Her eyes were not full of malice and anger, but full of tremendous sadness and pain. The heavily muscled man her gaze had locked onto took a step back. His hairs rose on their ends, and his blank thuggish face twisted into that of fear. It was soft, but a whimper had begun to escape from the thug’s mouth. His partner, who was not under direct attack from the girl’s gaze, took the initiative. He drew back his leg and kicked as if he were kicking a ball. His kick landed on the girl’s crotch and caused her to finally double over. There were no more further attempts from the now expressionless girl. The man slapped his dazed partner over the back of the head and continued their assault. The girl’s shut eyes seemed to be brimming with tears as her faced mixed with the blood she had coughed out. The crowd that had formed around the scene had begun to murmur but none made a move to stop this cruel and inhumane assault against a young child. They all feared what had happened to a man who tried to interfere but was then rebuked with an uppercut to the stomach and a roundhouse kick to the head. The two men finally stopped and picked the bloodied girl up carefully, and to the mischievous grin of their boss, who stood at the back of the crowd, carried her out of the tavern.

Faylin’s mind was darkness. She repeated the images of her beating over and over in her mind. Her soul wept, not for herself, but for her punishers and both their families. She knew each one of them personally. Their wives had taken care of her when she was first added to Zachs’ collection of ‘junk.’ They had fed her and dressed her as best they could. Faylin helped them around the caravan and helped prepare meals for the rest of Zachs’ circus of a business. She played with their kids and immersed them in the love and happiness that were reflected from faint lost memories of a happier time that resided in her heart. Faylin also knew the strain of her punisher’s families as being towed along with Zachs’ circus of a business. But all her thoughts faded as a white light shredded the darkness.

---

“I think her eyes are opening…” said a voice. Slowly a blurred image of a man slowly came to view. Next to him was an image of a woman.

“Faylin, are you okay?” said the woman.

“Ugh…Where am I?” asked the Faylin. “Who are you? What happened?”

“You’re in my house, remember? I’m Nina,” said the woman, “and this is my husband Taylor.”

Faylin propped herself up on the bed she was stretched out on. She looked curiously at the two people standing beside her. She recognized the woman as the mother of the two children, but did not fully recognize the man next to her save for his eyes, which reminded her of the boy.

“You fainted,” said Nina in a soothing voice as she knelt down and wiped Faylin’s brow with a moist towel.

“Oh…”

“I didn’t know what to do. I thought you had died because your faces had become so pale and that I couldn’t feel a pulse. But luckily my husband arrived from town just when I was about to grab my coat to fetch the doctor,” said Nina as she looked up to the man standing next to her and motioned with her chin. “Taylor has better hearing than I do and wasn’t panicked as much. He did some things and said that you were barely alive.”

“All I did was notice that she was breathing a little,” said Taylor as he crossed his arms. “Dear, all you had to do was place your face near her mouth and listening for any breathing. Simple as that.”

“Well…I was panicking. Plus I didn’t feel any pulse.”

“Um…” said Faylin, looking up at the couple who appeared to get into an argument out of the insignificant subject that was under discussion.

---

Azazel’s senses went alert as he felt a discharge of power and energy coming from high in the sky. He reached again into his dark robes and pulled out the dark orb.

“A dragon…” muttered the man as he gazed into the dark swirling fog of the orb. The image of a black and gold dragon could be seen flying through the white clouds that appeared against the thick black fog of the orb. He quickly pocketed the orb and turned around to face Aramil.

“I’ll leave the choice up to you,” he said and disappeared in a black cloud right before the dragon’s fireball erupted on the rooftop.

After Angelus was sure the girl was away safely, he jumped down onto the ground near the strange merchants shop.
"Hello sir! I have a very interesting business proposition for you!" He smiled with his arms open and he could tell the man was interested
"Today i am offering one of the most precious of all thing! A lesson" The mans expressions darkened and made for his club
"Oh no I don't think you'll need that" Angelus picked him up with no apparent effort
"You see, beating up any little girl is somthing we call immoral. What is it?"
"Immoral" Whimpered the merchant
"Thats right. You see young girls need love and nutritious meals, not, and I stress this, not a cage and regular beatings" For a moment Angelus lost his composure, but then it was back.
"Learning by example is always a fine method don't you think? Here" He tossed the merchant in the cage
"Now, sit in there and think about what you've done . Oh, more students eager for knowledge! How wonderful" He saw the other two running towards them, and laid them out swiftly with two sharp uppercuts before they could land a punch. After putting them in the cage too, he rolled it out to the centre of the town
"Here this! These peddlars of pitiless trinkets were today beating a girl black and blue as I'm sure you saw. I do not know the laws of your town but" He gave a twisted smile
"I'll let you deal with the fine detail." He looked inside the cage at the men
"Don't think of it as mob rule, think of it as....democratic justice" As he was leaving he could hear several things being thrown at the cage already.

Karasu reached the village and Aramil, Khevit, and Angelus were still gone.

She decided to take some time to work on some of her more gymnastic moves. Things like triple flips from a second floor to the ground, and a back flip from the ground to the roof, landing silently. Graceful as a ballerina. She needed to keep limber in order to defend the village the best she could. Aside from that, she loved it.

Karasu practiced these moves w/a wakizashi in each hand... these were custom swords... blades on both sides. She had some wicked moves that could wipe out a lot of targets in just one shot... like her double spinning flips done with the two wakizashis. She practiced this jumping off the roof. She had the luxury of doing this layout style since she was up against no opponant, otherwise she could get a leg cut. She was really enjoying herself.

The truth was, she was trying not to think about the aura of a particular man. She believed he was the one who killed her assassin. His aura was horrible. What disturbed Karasu most, was that Aramil's aura was near this man's.

Karasu continued enjoying her fun in the air with her blades, trying not to think of those two auras, and wondering if her encounter with Angelus had any impact.

Khevit arrived and noted Karasu was bouncing around. With a grin, he stuck the large branch into the ground and watched.

Once she'd stopped for a second, he called out 'So Karasu, what's up?"

Khevit arrived and noted Karasu was bouncing around. With a grin, he stuck the large branch into the ground and watched.

Once she'd stopped for a second, he called out 'So Karasu, what's up?"

"Hi Khevit! ME!" She yelled down to Khevit from a second story building and flipped her way down so she was standing right in front of him.

"Where have you been? Everyone's been gone today. Do you know where any of the others are? I wouldn't want them to miss dinner."

Villagers were starting to set out place settings for everyone.

"Come to think of it, I think I need to freshen up before dinner. If you'll excuse me Khevit, I can't go to dinner like this. I'll be back in a bit." Karasu then went to her home for a bath.

"No I don't know where the others are, but Angelus was talking to the black/gold dragon that's been coming around recently. Oh and I brought part of an apple tree with me," He gestured to the large apple filled branch.

Angelus talking to the dragon. I hope it helped his outlook. Karasu was quite curious about this.

"I think I will have an apple Khevit, thank you." She took a bite. "Good!" She paused and looked around. "I think I'm going to take a short walk. I'll be back very soon."

Karasu wanted to think and to focus. Something was not right. No, more than one thing was not right. Someone tried to kill me today. The evil aura next to Aramil.

She wanted to confront him with it... somehow. This aura that was near Aramil was so dark. It had been hundreds of years since she had felt an aura that dark and strong. She had battled a similar aura eons ago, and thankfully prevailed, however, it was most disconcerting to feel it again. And to know it had something to do with Aramil.

Karasu just walked down the road the opposite direction of the awful aura, being that was the man who directed the other to kill her.

As she was walking, she heard Jenis, a young dragon speak to her telpathically. 'Karasu, there seems to be multiple dark auras all over.'

Yes, I feel them too Jenis. Karasu replied. Have the others noticed? she asked.

'Yes, they have. We must remain vigilant. Something is way off.' Jenis stated.

I know. Someone tried to assassinate me today and when the man failed he was turned to ash. Karasu continued walking and stopped. Jenis landed next to her. "Jenis, we're going to have to have a meeting regarding this and get as much info from all of our clan as we possibly can."

"I agree. When you figure out when and where, let me know, Karasu." Jenis began her ascent.

I'll let you know the particulars as soon as I can. And thanks for the info Jenis.

'Glad to be of service, my Queen.' ... her last words to Karasu.

What the hell is going on? Karasu figured out it was another lunatic wanting to 'take over the world' or some trash. But these lunatics were not easily defeated all the time.

Karasu turned around and walked back down the road toward the village. She was lucky to have been born with a permanent mind block. Her mind could be read by no one. Good thing, or just putting up the block constantly would wear her out. *sigh Why can't it just be bandits?

Behind a shop Angelus was pressing his back to all wall and trying to calm himself down. He had accepted his human side now, but what was that?! When that man had started beating up that innocent girl, he had wanted to kill every damn one of them so they couldn't do it again. He had wanted to personally take each one of thier necks in his hand and squeeze ......
He buried his head in is hands. How could humans live like this, every damn night and day with emotions like that running like fire in thier blood. The angel side of him was shocked at this and was quietly trying to calm his emotions, but his human side...
It wanted revenge for that little girl still.
"NO!" He shouted, he would NOT spill blood simply because he was feeling angry at the men. But such anger...
His hands were shaking, so he slumped down and hugged his knees like a child.
"Whats happening, I don't want all this" He blinked away a tear, there were so many things his body was telling him to do. Shout to everyone demanding an answer to what was happening, or curl up never to face the world again

As Karasu walked back to the village, she saw Angelus curled up against a building obviously very stressed and upset. He must have felt his human side.

She walked up to him. He was crying. Human emotions are painful. He probably never felt them before. She sat down next to him and gave him a hug. He seemed so angry and confused.

"Angelus, human emotions can be very painful. Things that humans do can be very painful and make no sense. Humans hurt each other. Not all of them, but they aren't like Angels, where they feel only a love toward all things. To be human is to feel the other side. Humans can be viscious, however, we can't be vigilantes and get rid of all the scum."

Karasu looked at him. "You see, some people have dark hearts and are evil. That's why I was hired to protect that village. Because there are people who are immoral and unethical and don't care who they hurt. I am a shinobi/assassin and I protect those people from those who may kill them or destroy their village."

She wiped a tear from his face. "Angelus, the worthwhile part, is that the majority of humans are good people who help each other and are moral, ethical, decent, and loving. You will see this in time. You will feel the other side... joy and happiness, maybe even love. You will learn to understand that being human is a double edged sword, however it is worth going through the pain to experience the happiness, joy, and pleasure."

Karasu was trying to explain this as best as she could. "Angelus, you'll find that there are simple pleasures you can get just from helping someone. Even in a minor way. Helping someone carry a box... whatever.

It will take a while to get used to, I'm sure. And you're likely going to be inundated with emotions that are going to be mixed up for a while, until you get used to it. You'll get it. And you're lucky because you also have the perspective of an Angel and humans don't have that. You have the luxury of seeing things from two perspectives." She smiled at him and gave him a hug.

"You'll be OK. I'm sure." Karasu stood up and held out her hand to Angelus. "Why don't we go to the dinner tables?" She gave him an understanding smile. "And the offer still stands. If you need someone to talk to, I'll always be here for you."

He stood up and she gave him a hug. "I'm glad you are making peace with your other half. You'll find it is worth the pain." Karasu smiled. "Why don't we join the others, if they're back?"

As Karasu walked back to the village, she saw Angelus curled up against a building obviously very stressed and upset. He must have felt his human side.

She walked up to him. He was crying. Human emotions are painful. He probably never felt them before. She sat down next to him and gave him a hug. He seemed so angry and confused.

"Angelus, human emotions can be very painful. Things that humans do can be very painful and make no sense. Humans hurt each other. Not all of them, but they aren't like Angels, where they feel only a love toward all things. To be human is to feel the other side. Humans can be viscious, however, we can't be vigilantes and get rid of all the scum."

Karasu looked at him. "You see, some people have dark hearts and are evil. That's why I was hired to protect that village. Because there are people who are immoral and unethical and don't care who they hurt. I am a shinobi/assassin and I protect those people from those who may kill them or destroy their village."

She wiped a tear from his face. "Angelus, the worthwhile part, is that the majority of humans are good people who help each other and are moral, ethical, decent, and loving. You will see this in time. You will feel the other side... joy and happiness, maybe even love. You will learn to understand that being human is a double edged sword, however it is worth going through the pain to experience the happiness, joy, and pleasure."

Karasu was trying to explain this as best as she could. "Angelus, you'll find that there are simple pleasures you can get just from helping someone. Even in a minor way. Helping someone carry a box... whatever.

It will take a while to get used to, I'm sure. And you're likely going to be inundated with emotions that are going to be mixed up for a while, until you get used to it. You'll get it. And you're lucky because you also have the perspective of an Angel and humans don't have that. You have the luxury of seeing things from two perspectives." She smiled at him and gave him a hug.

"You'll be OK. I'm sure." Karasu stood up and held out her hand to Angelus. "Why don't we go to the dinner tables?" She gave him an understanding smile. "And the offer still stands. If you need someone to talk to, I'll always be here for you."

He stood up and she gave him a hug. "I'm glad you are making peace with your other half. You'll find it is worth the pain." Karasu smiled. "Why don't we join the others, if they're back?"

He swallowed and buried his face in her shoulder, then a few tears ran down it.
"But how can you live with all these emotions in everything you do. Saving the girl was the right thing to do but I still felt angry. How can you live when everything is tainted like that?" He still felt like he did before, but another emotion was creeping in alongside it as he was in her arms. He hadn't ever felt this one before, but then again alot of this was new.
"You've had emotions all your life, it's easy for you. But I don't want them, I thought accepting being half human was just accepting myself, not all these" His wings moved around her to cover them both as if he was trying to shut the world off

He swallowed and buried his face in her shoulder, then a few tears ran down it.
"But how can you live with all these emotions in everything you do. Saving the girl was the right thing to do but I still felt angry. How can you live when everything is tainted like that?" He still felt like he did before, but another emotion was creeping in alongside it as he was in her arms. He hadn't ever felt this one before, but then again alot of this was new.
"You've had emotions all your life, it's easy for you. But I don't want them, I thought accepting being half human was just accepting myself, not all these" His wings moved around her to cover them both as if he was trying to shut the world off

"I promise you'll get used to it. Anger is perfectly normal in certain situations. You learn ways to deal with it. And not everything is tainted. Although I've had emotions all my life, it isn't any easier for me... or any other human for that matter."

Karasu stroked his head. "It's going to be alright, and most of it isn't painful. How do you know joy if you haven't experienced pain?"

It seemed to Karasu that he was nearly in shock... at least unprepared for what he would feel. "Angelus, you're going to do just fine. It doesn't hurt most the time, but there are situations that will hurt, make you furious, frustrated. This is all going to be new for you. Just be prepared for the unknown feelings. Understand that you will feel things you don't understand." She smiled. "Well that sounded stupid, didn't it," she chuckled.

Karasu had never been held by an angel. This is so nice, she thought at the softness of feathers. Moreover, it makes me feel safe somehow. Being held by an angel. That is something not too many people would experience.

"Angelus, if I may be so forward... I've never been held by an angel before. It's wonderful. I feel so safe. Soft feathers... And it means a lot that you are confiding in me. I feel privileged somehow. You are really special. And facing your other side is very brave of you. I'm glad to see you have accepted yourself fully. I know this is very difficult for you. But as I said, I am always here for you to talk to. You're going to handle this just fine and you'll get used to it."

Karasu felt she could stay there with the feathers around her forever. It was then that she realized, that in the span of only one day, she seemed to be develping feelings for Angelus... as more than a friend.

"I promise you'll get used to it. Anger is perfectly normal in certain situations. You learn ways to deal with it. And not everything is tainted. Although I've had emotions all my life, it isn't any easier for me... or any other human for that matter."

Karasu stroked his head. "It's going to be alright, and most of it isn't painful. How do you know joy if you haven't experienced pain?"

It seemed to Karasu that he was nearly in shock... at least unprepared for what he would feel. "Angelus, you're going to do just fine. It doesn't hurt most the time, but there are situations that will hurt, make you furious, frustrated. This is all going to be new for you. Just be prepared for the unknown feelings. Understand that you will feel things you don't understand." She smiled. "Well that sounded stupid, didn't it," she chuckled.

Karasu had never been held by an angel. This is so nice, she thought at the softness of feathers. Moreover, it makes me feel safe somehow. Being held by an angel. That is something not too many people would experience.

"Angelus, if I may be so forward... I've never been held by an angel before. It's wonderful. I feel so safe. Soft feathers... And it means a lot that you are confiding in me. I feel privileged somehow. You are really special. And facing your other side is very brave of you. I'm glad to see you have accepted yourself fully. I know this is very difficult for you. But as I said, I am always here for you to talk to. You're going to handle this just fine and you'll get used to it."

Karasu felt she could stay there with the feathers around her forever. It was then that she realized, that in the span of only one day, she seemed to be develping feelings for Angelus... as more than a friend.

He calmed down a little and lifted his head from his shoulder. he smiled and shook his head gently
"No. Not an angel. Just a half angel." He ran a thumb along his new stubble
"And I think thats ok. My mother...she showed me my father. The human who sired me. I never met him exept for those brief moments, but I could tell he was a great man. One I hope I can live up to. I don't know how it happened but my mother and father have shown me what I am and it wasn't as horrible as I believed it to be." He slipped a hand down her thigh to one of her blades and drew it smoothly. He held it up to thier eyes and let it catch the light
"Alloys are stronger. I am the alloy of heaven and earth. Alot is new...but I hope I will find the teachers." He was about to turn away, but somthing in him was telling him somthing that he needed to do.
He lent over a little and pressed his lips to hers lightly. As he drew away he looked puzzled and he tilted his head sideways
Why did I do that?...And what is this new feeling?...

Khevit could smell that Angelus and Karasu were near each other. As he neared, almost rounding the corner he could smell an additional aroma. He pulled back and almost burst out laughing. "Those two, getting together, touching but very funny. Who'd a thought of those two being interested in each other, and the funny thing is they don't really know it themselves." He thought, a grin stretching across his face. He headed to the tree in the village square, leaned down and began laughing.

He calmed down a little and lifted his head from his shoulder. he smiled and shook his head gently
"No. Not an angel. Just a half angel." He ran a thumb along his new stubble
"And I think thats ok. My mother...she showed me my father. The human who sired me. I never met him exept for those brief moments, but I could tell he was a great man. One I hope I can live up to. I don't know how it happened but my mother and father have shown me what I am and it wasn't as horrible as I believed it to be." He slipped a hand down her thigh to one of her blades and drew it smoothly. He held it up to thier eyes and let it catch the light
"Alloys are stronger. I am the alloy of heaven and earth. Alot is new...but I hope I will find the teachers." He was about to turn away, but somthing in him was telling him somthing that he needed to do.
He lent over a little and pressed his lips to hers lightly. As he drew away he looked puzzled and he tilted his head sideways
Why did I do that?...And what is this new feeling?...

"See... you're BOTH. You have capacites of both. You've never been horrible." Karasu smiled. "Alloy of Heaven and Earth. That is very well put. Everyone around you will have something to teach you, whether it's something you like, or something you despise. Your conscience will guide you, and being half angel, yours will be better than most people's."

Karasu was thrilled that Angelus finely found his value and accepted it. I'm glad my interference was the right decision. I'm very thankful for that.

"I understand the alloy concept better than you know." Karasu smiled, thinking about her own duality.

As they were about to leave, Angelus leaned over and kissed her. I wasn't expecting that! But it was very nice! She could tell she had a shocked look on her face. Karasu smiled at Angelus. That kiss stirred feelings in her. He must feel the same way, whether he knows it or not.

"See... you're BOTH. You have capacites of both. You've never been horrible." Karasu smiled. "Alloy of Heaven and Earth. That is very well put. Everyone around you will have something to teach you, whether it's something you like, or something you despise. Your conscience will guide you, and being half angel, yours will be better than most people's."

Karasu was thrilled that Angelus finely found his value and accepted it. I'm glad my interference was the right decision. I'm very thankful for that.

"I understand the alloy concept better than you know." Karasu smiled, thinking about her own duality.

As they were about to leave, Angelus leaned over and kissed her. I wasn't expecting that! But it was very nice! She could tell she had a shocked look on her face. Karasu smiled at Angelus. That kiss stirred feelings in her. He must feel the same way, whether he knows it or not.

"Why did I do that to you? I wasn't going to but somthing told me I should, what is it?" He was suddenly more aware of her as not just as a person he had met and talked to, but as a woman he was now holding in his arms.
"Why did I feel slightly queazy and extatic at the same time?" He tried to sort things out in his slightly fogged mind. But here was the first new stronger emotion he had felt...that he didn't want to push away and suppress. He blushed and looked away
"I'm er, sorry. I'm a little confused right now, I don't know why I did that"

Angelus was so confused. "Angelus, I'm glad you did that." Karasu smiled. "You don't need to appologize or be embarrassed. You'll figure out why you did it in time." She whispered to him.

Karasu smiled at him. "It makes me happy that you kissed me. It's called a kiss, in case you don't know." She layed her head on his shoulder. "You will figure it out. I think it will make you happy too. I understand that you feel mixed up, but this is something I do know plenty about, and what you did makes me feel very good." She looked at him and smiled. "You'll figure it out and you will understand, and if it progresses, it is the most wonderful human emotion there is."

Karasu was looking at Angelus' confused face. "We should get to the tables for dinner, I think." She smiled at him and kissed him before they turned to leave. He had that quizzical look on his face... trying to figure things out.

"Angelus, I hope you felt something when I kissed you. Something nice." She smiled sweetly at him.

Angelus was so confused. "Angelus, I'm glad you did that." Karasu smiled. "You don't need to appologize or be embarrassed. You'll figure out why you did it in time." She whispered to him.

Karasu smiled at him. "It makes me happy that you kissed me. It's called a kiss, in case you don't know." She layed her head on his shoulder. "You will figure it out. I think it will make you happy too. I understand that you feel mixed up, but this is something I do know plenty about, and what you did makes me feel very good." She looked at him and smiled. "You'll figure it out and you will understand, and if it progresses, it is the most wonderful human emotion there is."

Karasu was looking at Angelus' confused face. "We should get to the tables for dinner, I think." She smiled at him and kissed him before they turned to leave. He had that quizzical look on his face... trying to figure things out.

"Angelus, I hope you felt something when I kissed you. Something nice." She smiled sweetly at him.

He raised his hand slowly to his lips where she had kissed his and touched the lingering feeling of her on them.
"Yes, I did" He frowned as realisation dawned on him
"Is this why humans cherish thier emotions? Because of this feeling?" His voice was slightly quiet
"I can see how they can live with all the anger. People would do anything for this feeling." He swallowed nervously
"I hope you could teach me a little about it. I finally understand why my mother chose my father as her life partner" He walked along beside her not looking at her face, but he did walk close enough to her so that thier shoulder were touching slightly.

Aramil leaned on his staff, his shield still up. He shook his head sadly at Azazel. "You know, at one point I respected you. At first, as a mentor, and later, as a friend. But you have changed since then. And so have I." He smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "You have sunk too far to be redeemed, and your offer is an insult to the intelligence of us both. I do not need the Council. I trusted them once, as I did you. But they have betrayed me, they have betrayed the mages of the world. Only corrupt fools follow them now." Even as he talked, he tensed himself for attack, but was interrupted by... a dragon. A shower of gold sparks fell on him, and he felt rejuvenated. He was confident.

This is how it begins, master against student. I have learned since we last met, more than you know, he thought. Then, Azazel walked away. Aramil let him go, only waving his hand as he left, a tiny spark quickly embedding itself in his armour. A minor charm, no doubt Azazel would discover it... but he would play right into Aramil's hands.

Aramil turned, and strode to the edge of the roof, where he disappeared.

He reappeared in an embarrassing location. Planning to land in an unprepossessing area of the village, it was in point of fact right at the end of the alley where Karasu and Angelus were... kissing.

He immediately shielded himself in the strongest nondetection magic, and left. That was food for though. So, Angelus has no doubt realised his human side. And, he and Karasu appear to have found much in common. I'm happy for them, he though. Perhaps Karasu needs more to her life than defending a village, and Angelus more than rebuffing his human heritage.

But he shook his head, and concentrated on the task at hand- Azazel, his former teacher, had betrayed the good of mages everywhere, and was on a dark plot.[/i]

Aramil found an out of the way location in the village, and began meditating. He rose of the ground, contemplating the recent developments.

He raised his hand slowly to his lips where she had kissed his and touched the lingering feeling of her on them.
"Yes, I did" He frowned as realisation dawned on him
"Is this why humans cherish thier emotions? Because of this feeling?" His voice was slightly quiet
"I can see how they can live with all the anger. People would do anything for this feeling." He swallowed nervously
"I hope you could teach me a little about it. I finally understand why my mother chose my father as her life partner" He walked along beside her not looking at her face, but he did walk close enough to her so that thier shoulder were touching slightly.

"Humans cherish emotions for many feelings. This is one. It isn't something that can be 'taught' per se, but you'll figure it out." Karasu walked with Angelus to dinner, a smile on her face. How nice that he's feeling something he likes so soon after accepting himself.

"Humans cherish emotions for many feelings. This is one. It isn't something that can be 'taught' per se, but you'll figure it out." Karasu walked with Angelus to dinner, a smile on her face. How nice that he's feeling something he likes so soon after accepting himself.

"Yes......" He raised a hand and then looked at her
"Theres somthing I have to do first. I'll be there soon" Angelus walked back through the town letting his feelings guide him towards what he was looking for like a compass. After a short walk he found he was in a tavern and he spotted her
"Hello Faylin" He smiled and sat down beside her
"You...probably have no idea who I am. I saw those men beating you up, I don't think they'll be doing it again. I took care of it. Did those people you were left in the care of treat you well?" He gestured for a glass of water and he sipped it delicatley
"I don't think you should be going back to them. They mistreat you, to mistreat a youngling is a most heinous crime. I'm sure there are lots of people who would take you in." He thought for a second
"If not......" He reached down to his belt and pulled up a decent sized pouch. He laid it infront of her with a clink of gold
"There is enough in there to keep you living quite comfortably for a while. If you would need anymore you can simply ask." He got up to get her a drink and a small smile crept onto his face
"Just call me...your guardian angel" He bowed and chuckled

Aramil awoke from his trance considerably refreshed, his spellcasting restored, and his mind clear. I only have one course of action to take with Azazel- I must defend Karasu and go against the wishes of the council. It seems that she has no magical defenses, so I must provide them.

However, he put this off, thinking of the glimpse of her and Angelus together. It would be more awkward if he saw them again. Better to get something to eat, he thought.

He strode through town, questing for a respectable locale for a meal, at least respectable for rural humans. Although he could magically create food, some real stuff did the trick better after a long meditation.

He finally settled on a not-too-dingy establishment, and walked to the door, he opened it, surveying the occupants.

Khevit had finished his laughing at the situation Karasu and Angelus had found themselves in. He looked at the villiagers who had been looking at him funny, shrugged and set out to a nearby tavern to get something to eat.

“Thanks again!” exclaimed Faylin, as she waved back at Nina, Taylor, and their two children from the road. Her usual bright smile returned to her as if nothing had happened.

“Anytime, and make sure to visit again soon!” replied Nina.

It was evening. The sun had begun end its journey across the sky, turning the land into a red vermillion color. The small town with its many of the townsfolk started their treks home. Shopkeepers retreated back into their shops, picking up signs and produce racks. Many began to return to their homes, the many thatched cottages and small apartments that littered the skyline. Farmers packed their unsold wares into their carts and began to find their way through the narrow streets and back onto the wide open road in the countryside. Fathers arrived home after a long day’s work. Children were being ushered off of the streets and back into their homes by their mothers. Families found their way to the dinner tables and beheld evening supper that ranged from simple to extravagant. At the same time, taverns were lighting up their usual evening happy hour fanfare. Pianos, live bands, laughter, and drunkenness induced singing could be heard from the bars. On the streets, street workers roamed the streets lighting up the streetlamps and cleaning up the day’s mess and trash. Policemen were keeping watch over the various streets and town entrances. Everything was peaceful, a complete opposite of what had happened earlier in the day.

Faylin walked the dark streets of the small town, trying to look for the site of the fight. Taylor, who had been in the town, had seen the fight. He didn’t know the exact details, but it seemed that everyone had forgotten the exact details of the fight. They would remember that there was a fight and then it was blank. People found themselves standing right where they were or paused in the middle of their work and from there the day continued like normal.

Finally, after passing several shops and asking for directions, and the supposed scene of the fight, she was directed to a small tavern, brimming with life like the many other taverns. Pushing open the door, she walked over to an empty stall at the back of the tavern where it was a lot quieter.

"Phew...Today was a long day." She rested her head on her folded arms as she slumped over on the table.

"Miss. Excuse me," said a waitress who happened to walk by. "Do you want anything to drink?"

"Maybe later." Faylin stared off into the distance, her eyes were glazed over and a dreamlike sensation swept over her. This place reminds me of something, she thought silently. Her eyes scanned the small stall. Observing the details of the oak table and the patterned leather seats. Her gaze then moved towards the bar and the main area of the tavern. She scanned the various customers and waiter and waitresses. The smell of freshly cooked food from the kitchen mingled with the smell of smoke, occasional fumes of perfume and the ever present alcohol and liquor. Nostalgia filled her mind, entrancing her with a flowing stream of memories. Vague glimpses of a past life swept by and was abruptly halted with a sharp pang of pain that pierced her heart. Her dreamy appearance diminished as pain and agony from sad and sorrowful memories began flooding in. She clutched her chest with her hand in an attempt to relinquish the pain that had engulfed her heart. The entire tavern continued as loud and free flowing as usual, all without noticing the soft thud as Faylin fell face forward on the table in front of her.

Aramil had sat down in the bar and was enjoying some simple fare, when suddenly out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a human girl who had walked into the tavern. His eyes widened in disbelief, a goblet half way to his lips.

Where have I seen her before? he wondered.

Cenad Beach, A Short Distance From Tor Caladonn, Caladonn

A young elven boy, not more than 25, played on the beach. He dashed along next to the waves, hopping back as soon as they tickled his toes, laughing to his companion, a human girl. They continued along the beach, eventually settling down to make a sand castle, magnificent in its tiers of battlements and towers. Then, the girl mentioned something, and they both broke into huge grins. Aramil swiftly covered Faylin's legs with sand, cupping it in his tiny hands. Soon, Faylin was covered, except for her head. They laughed at each other.

Soon, however, their expressions turned to ones of dread. A huge wave came in from the shore, many times taller than the ones before it. It smashed upon the beach, climbing at a ferocious rate, until it was only a few feet from Faylin and Aramil.

Faylin screamed and cried, but could not escape her sandy bonds. Aramil looked around, stricken, but then dashed in front of Faylin. The wave broke upon them, but around them a silvery cocoon held back the water. The wave receded after smashing on the rocks far behind them, and they were safe.

Aramil quickly scooped the sand off Faylin as the water receded, and they walked back to the city, none the wiser of what had taken place.

Unthinkingly, a tendril of Aramil's magic reached out and caught the girl as she fell, even as Aramil sat, as if in a trance. He woke up, startled, and helped the girl to his table. Too preoccupied to order food, he created some for her, and then set down to thinking through what had happened until she awoke.

Well, I guess no one is going to eat with the villagers at the village table other than me. Karasu wondered where everyone was. She decided that since everyone was out, she'd go hit a pub. She wasn't very hungry anyway. Not since she felt that evil presence next to Aramil. She was hoping Aramil would come back for dinner so they could talk, but he didn't.

Karasu looked around and spoke to a few of the villagers and they assured her they were OK. Karasu also telepathically spoke with a dragon friend of hers, who wasn't too far away. She asked him to contact her should anything happen while she was away and that she was going out for some ale.

"Damn Karasu, you being half human, you get to drink this 'ale' stuff that humans love so much, and it tastes horrible and has no effect on us full dragons. Lucky you! Best of both worlds"

I suppose that is true, she said telepathicaly, grinning. I do like Ale. Thanks for watching over the village for me.

Karasu wasn't sure where to go. She really was in the mood for company, but she didn't want to turn dragon, as the desire for ale won out.

She walked by a pub she didn't recall ever seeing before. "The Raven".

Interesting. Karasu was Japanese for Raven.

She walked in and it was quite dark even for a pub at night. Karasu fit in perfectly, dressed in all black.

She sat down at a booth in the far corner. She had this habit of always facing the door. A good habit to be in. Karasu just thought about the day, and smiled thinking about Angelus finally accepting himself.

A waitress came over. "A pint of your best ale please."

Karasu wondered where everyone went. She had thought everyone was going to eat with all the villagers again. I suppose not. She especially wanted to see Aramil.

The waitress brought her a pint.

"Thank you. May I run a tab?" Karasu asked.

"Sure, no problem." The waitress replied.

Sometimes drinking alone can be such a drag. Karasu had always been a people person/dragon, and preferred company most the time. Especially at a pub. She decided to use this time to meditate and go over the day's events and also wondered where everyone was. She was kind of hoping they would show up here and join her. Oh well. I guess everyone needs some alone time.

Well, I guess no one is going to eat with the villagers at the village table other than me. Karasu wondered where everyone was. She decided that since everyone was out, she'd go hit a pub. She wasn't very hungry anyway. Not since she felt that evil presence next to Aramil. She was hoping Aramil would come back for dinner so they could talk, but he didn't.

Karasu looked around and spoke to a few of the villagers and they assured her they were OK. Karasu also telepathically spoke with a dragon friend of hers, who wasn't too far away. She asked him to contact her should anything happen while she was away and that she was going out for some ale.

"Damn Karasu, you being half human, you get to drink this 'ale' stuff that humans love so much, and it tastes horrible and has no effect on us full dragons. Lucky you! Best of both worlds"

I suppose that is true, she said telepathicaly, grinning. I do like Ale. Thanks for watching over the village for me.

Karasu wasn't sure where to go. She really was in the mood for company, but she didn't want to turn dragon, as the desire for ale won out.

She walked by a pub she didn't recall ever seeing before. "The Raven".

Interesting. Karasu was Japanese for Raven.

She walked in and it was quite dark even for a pub at night. Karasu fit in perfectly, dressed in all black.

She sat down at a booth in the far corner. She had this habit of always facing the door. A good habit to be in. Karasu just thought about the day, and smiled thinking about Angelus finally accepting himself.

A waitress came over. "A pint of your best ale please."

Karasu wondered where everyone went. She had thought everyone was going to eat with all the villagers again. I suppose not. She especially wanted to see Aramil.

The waitress brought her a pint.

"Thank you. May I run a tab?" Karasu asked.

"Sure, no problem." The waitress replied.

Sometimes drinking alone can be such a drag. Karasu had always been a people person/dragon, and preferred company most the time. Especially at a pub. She decided to use this time to meditate and go over the day's events and also wondered where everyone was. She was kind of hoping they would show up here and join her. Oh well. I guess everyone needs some alone time.

Angelus tapped her on the shoulder and smoothly walked around to the other side of the table
"You looked lonely" He smiled and gestured for the waitress
"Water please" He sat down then took his water graciously
"We angels er...have a problem with....we can't hold our drink very well" For a while he did nothing but stare into his glass, then he looked up with questioning eyes
"Why do I have these feelings for you and you only? I do not get the same feeling when I look at any other woman. If it is for you and you alone, then why is it for you and you alone? Why not anyone else? And.....and why do I keep getting the feeling that we are more alike than I would know?" He sighed

Aramil, although deep in thought, recognized Karasu as she came through the pub's door. Although he had still not fully sorted through his thoughts, he decided to go over to her. She needed to know abou the threat Azazel posed.

He stood up, and, with a flick of his hand, the still unconcious Faylin floated behind him. He walked over to Karasu's table and sat down, noting Angelus' presence also. Faylin floated into a seat beside him.

"Hello. I'm sorry, if you're having a private conversation, I won't but in," he said, thinking about how he saw Angelus and Karasu earlier.

Aramil, although deep in thought, recognized Karasu as she came through the pub's door. Although he had still not fully sorted through his thoughts, he decided to go over to her. She needed to know abou the threat Azazel posed.

He stood up, and, with a flick of his hand, the still unconcious Faylin floated behind him. He walked over to Karasu's table and sat down, noting Angelus' presence also. Faylin floated into a seat beside him.

"Hello. I'm sorry, if you're having a private conversation, I won't but in," he said, thinking about how he saw Angelus and Karasu earlier.

Angelus stared blankly at Faylin
"There is a floating unconscious girl who just sat down in that seat" He shrugged then focused on his celestial vision, tendrils of magic were all over the girl.
"Ah. Never mind." He frowned and laid a hand delicatley on her forehead
"Is she ok?" He closed his eyes and let his mind feel inside her bloodstream and flesh to check for injury. But there was nothing. It was a matter for the mind not the body, and much as he was inclined to help with the girls inner mind, his newfound humanity was telling him invading somone's mind without conscent was not a good thing to do.

Karasu was sipping her ale, when she felt a tap on the shoulder. It was Angelus. She smiled brightly. "Hello there! I was beginning to think I'd be here by myself all night."

Angelus started asking her questions which she found both sweet and amusing in their naivete.

"Angelus, I don't know why specifically me, but I have the same feelings for you. It's a human emotion. If it evolves completely, it becomes love." Karasu was a little embarrassed explaining this to him.

"As far as the feeling that we are more alike than you know. That is true. I have never told a soul. I do have a secret, and when I am ready to reveal it, you'll be the first one I tell. There is a little more to me than meets the eye, you could say." She continued sipping her ale. "I'm really glad you showed up." She smiled.

"Oh look... it's Aramil, and some floating girl? I didn't even notice he was here."

Aramil and the floating girl approached the booth. "Hello Aramil... Is that girl OK?"

Aramil explained.

"I see."

Aramil began to leave. "Aramil, later on, or tomorrow, when you have time, I need to speak with you about something." Karasu told him. She was beginning to feel unsettled again. She reached for Angelus' hand on the table and held it. It made her feel better, but she thought it startled Angelus.

Karasu told Angelus of the evil aura she felt next to Aramil earlier, and that she wanted to talk to Aramil about it.

"Angelus, it was so evil." She tried not to tremble when telling him about it.
"I think I need another pint."

Karasu was sipping her ale, when she felt a tap on the shoulder. It was Angelus. She smiled brightly. "Hello there! I was beginning to think I'd be here by myself all night."

Angelus started asking her questions which she found both sweet and amusing in their naivete.

"Angelus, I don't know why specifically me, but I have the same feelings for you. It's a human emotion. If it evolves completely, it becomes love." Karasu was a little embarrassed explaining this to him.

"As far as the feeling that we are more alike than you know. That is true. I have never told a soul. I do have a secret, and when I am ready to reveal it, you'll be the first one I tell. There is a little more to me than meets the eye, you could say." She continued sipping her ale. "I'm really glad you showed up." She smiled.

"Oh look... it's Aramil, and some floating girl? I didn't even notice he was here."

Aramil and the floating girl approached the booth. "Hello Aramil... Is that girl OK?"

Aramil explained.

"I see."

Aramil began to leave. "Aramil, later on, or tomorrow, when you have time, I need to speak with you about something." Karasu told him. She was beginning to feel unsettled again. She reached for Angelus' hand on the table and held it. It made her feel better, but she thought it startled Angelus.

Karasu told Angelus of the evil aura she felt next to Aramil earlier, and that she wanted to talk to Aramil about it.

"Angelus, it was so evil." She tried not to tremble when telling him about it.
"I think I need another pint."

His wings burst outwards in an impressive, if a little shocked, display. He calmed down a big and folded them up behind his back again
"Sorry, but we do not use....that word, very lightly. It is less a word and more of an identification for us.
If it evolves completely it becomes love
"Love..." He finally had a word to represent all the feelings he had suddenly been bestowed with.
"So...I love you?" He looked at her into her eyes, that always seemed to promise more depth than he could imagine, and he had a good imagination.
"Yes. I love you" His words came without the awkwardness most humans had when saying that to women, since he had been raised to conceal very little.
He placed a hand ontop of her shaking one and closed his eyes
"Arman sur fresen, kilik arlwi senta
Lissa ulren marten tensai friea
Armon richlen wistla
Qail qua hassen ushta linka, sur fent kinti" He smiled
"It's an old verse told to children, it means; Soon the light of the sun shall shine over the horizen that you fear. You shall not fear the world as it is in day, so do not fear it in darkness."

"Yes, I found her, and I am waiting for her to wake up. I think I have known her somewhere..." Aramil shook his head, to clear his mind. "Well, Karasu, I believe I know what you want to talk about, and it is indeed of some urgency. As soon as you are done, I will be in your house. There are things we must discuss. Well, I will leave you two to it," he said, and stood up. Gesturing for the floating girl to follow, he led her back to Karasu's house, where he began meditating. There was much he had to think about.

Khevit had decide to go into the forest to meditate. He left a message, saying where he was, pinned to a tree, in traditional form so everyone who walked by the main square would see it. He then took off into the woods. He took a seat in the middle of a open meadow.

He began letting his consiousness drift as he thought about the evilish smelling person that had been around Aramil, the fact that Karasu and Angelus were in love, even if they didn't fully know it, and other discrepencies.

He was sat so still that a bird had perched on his head, a rabbit had fallen asleep in his lap, and a young doe was grazing nearby. To someone observing, he would have the appearence of a petrified individual, yet he was fully aware of his surroundings. "Times like these help keep the blood from welling up." He thought as he relaxed.

Azazel reclined on top of a large cliff over looking a bustling harbor city. In the distance, the sun set silently behind the ocean’s wide horizon, covering the city in an orange glow. The outlines of various ships coming to port sailed silently, trailing before them long ghostly shadows. Warships littered the harbor and the hundreds of docks. These tall majestic vessels, with their towering masts, dominated the coastal skyline. At the far side of the harbor stood a massive building surrounded in large stone battlements, a maze of wooden stockades, and a plethora of heavily guarded towers. This dark building had become a terrifyingly haunting sight as the setting rays of the sun cast blood red streaks along the massive building and the pointed fortifications. Even from Azazel’s far distance from the building itself, the overbearing sight of the building would send shivers down any mortal’s spine.

Azazel sighed loudly as his gaze moved from the large building across the harbor to the yellow-orange sky above him. But in an instant the entire scene in front of him vanished, replaced by the sight of a large dark swirling orb. Instead of a grass covered field atop a cliff, Azazel now reclined on top of a large stone gate overlooking an infinitely deep abyss. Surrounding the cliff were other similar gates, each inscribed with ancient runes and other intangible markings.

(Introduction of other bad guy characters go here)

His wings burst outwards in an impressive, if a little shocked, display. He calmed down a big and folded them up behind his back again
"Sorry, but we do not use....that word, very lightly. It is less a word and more of an identification for us.
If it evolves completely it becomes love
"Love..." He finally had a word to represent all the feelings he had suddenly been bestowed with.
"So...I love you?" He looked at her into her eyes, that always seemed to promise more depth than he could imagine, and he had a good imagination.
"Yes. I love you" His words came without the awkwardness most humans had when saying that to women, since he had been raised to conceal very little.
He placed a hand ontop of her shaking one and closed his eyes
"Arman sur fresen, kilik arlwi senta
Lissa ulren marten tensai friea
Armon richlen wistla
Qail qua hassen ushta linka, sur fent kinti" He smiled
"It's an old verse told to children, it means; Soon the light of the sun shall shine over the horizen that you fear. You shall not fear the world as it is in day, so do not fear it in darkness."

Karasu was shocked, since she had not known Angelus long. "You...love... me?" Karasu asked, feeling strange at how easily he had stated it. She started to turn red. "It isn't as easy for us humans to put ourselves on the line and risk rejection like you angels can. We don't use the word lightly either. I bet you never feel rejection. My guess is that it is something angels don't experience perhaps?"

Karasu was actually elated and despite her embarrassment, it showed. She could not hide the smile on her face and the look in her eyes when she looked into Angelus' eyes. In love with an angel. How amazing. And HE loves ME! I am the luckiest person... wait, I have to tell him the rest, and see if he still loves me, since I am the one who confronted him, and made him see his mother and father. He may resent me for interfering. Oh God, I hope not. Because I love him too. So much.

"Your wings are beautiful." She started to avoid the subject. "Angelus, I have been hiding something from you. Not just you, but everyone.

You see, I love you too, I really do, and it's only right that you know a very important secret about me." Karasu sighed and looked into Angelus' eyes. "I've never told anyone this in my entire life." Karasu felt like she had to stall... "Please let me hold both your hands... I... hope this doesn't change the way you feel about me."

Karasu was so nervous and afraid his feelings would change when he knew the truth. Moreover, he would be the only one to know.

"Angelus, first you must promise not to ever speak of this to anyone." She grabbed both his hands and looked into his eyes. "I've never told a soul about this, but considering the way I feel about you, I must tell you." Karasu began sweating. "This is difficult. I am far older than you think I am. You are, I believe, immortal. I am... I'm thousands of years old." She looked to see if there was a change in his eyes.

"Back when you said you thought there was more in common between us than you could figure out, you were correct." Oh my God, I'm telling someone this for the first time! "I am not only human. Please come towards me so I may whisper, and I need your promise not to ever tell anyone.

Angelus, I am thousands of years old," she whispered in his ear, while holding his hands. "I am... half human, and half... this is so hard… dragon." She looked down as if she had been living a lie all her life, which was not the truth... she needed to be incognito in order to be effective. "Angelus, I am the... the... Black and Gold Dragon. I am half human and half dragon."

Tears came to her eyes. "I hope this doesn't change things between us. As a half dragon and the leader of my clan, just as my duty as a human, my duty as a dragon is to protect...and help clarify..."

Karasu was nearly hyperventilating. "I've never told a soul. Please, regardless of your feelings for me now, don't tell anyone."

At this point, she turned her head to the side. She was in shock that she told anyone about this and terrified that Angelus would change his feelings toward her. "I understand if you no longer care for me the way you did. This is a rather large and important part of me. You're the only one I've told, ever..."

Karasu was quite afraid. After the way Angelus professed his love to her, he may very well change his mind after that confession. I have never told anyone! She wondered if he could accept her half-and-half the way she accepted his. She thought he could, as he was an angel, however, she was the one who gave him the clarity and he may resent her interference. She had no idea.

On top of that, she knew that Aramil knew what they had to discuss.

“Angelus, on top of all of this, I believe myself to be in great danger. I have been shot today, and thank you so much for giving me so much life force. I cannot thank you enough. Please don’t ever put yourself in danger for my sake Angelus.” She looked into his eyes, which seemed to be processing everything.

“I felt a great evil aura near Aramil earlier today. I am sure it is the same evil, which sent the assassin after me and then burned him to ashes. Aramil is somehow connected to this evil aura, and that is why he is waiting for me at my home.” Karasu felt as if she was overwhelming Angelus.

“Angelus, will you come with me to speak to Aramil? I would like for you to know what is happening as well.” Karasu sighed. “I know this is a hell of a lot of information to process at one time, but if you do still care, please come with me? If you don’t, I will understand.” Karasu’s eyes began to tear up. “Either way, I have to find out what danger I am in and why. And Arimil knows.”

She sat there a while to let Angelus take all of this in hoping he would accept all of this, but understanding if he did not. It would break her heart, but she would understand.

“So…Will you come with me Angelus? Do you accept me as I am?”

Angelus looked a bit stunned. "Why don't I go talk to Aramil and you can be alone to think for a while." Karasu smiled and got up. "I'll see you back at home."

Karasu hoped Angelus would be OK with everything, but she thought he might need to think this over. Aside from that, she needed to talk to Aramil.

Eventually she approached her home and went inside. Aramil was waiting. "Aramil I need to discuss something with you. It's about this afternoon." Suddenly she realized the floating girl wasn't there.

"Where's the floating girl?" Karasu asked Aramil.

"She is in bed. I hope you don't mind if I took the liberty of comandeering the room next to mine for the purpose," Aramil said.

He closed the door behind her, and spread his hands. A wave of light flashed around the room, sinking into the walls. "This will keep us from being overheard."

Aramil turned back to Karasu. His face, although calm, showed signs of strain from the events of the day. he spoke, barely above a whisper despite the protective magic, "Karasu, you are in grave danger. As you may well have sensed, there was an evil mage near me earlier." He took a deep breath. "He... was my teacher. I learned much from him, and admired him for many years. I joined the navy, and we fell apart. Today was the first time I have seen him in two centuries.

Karasu, he tried to have you assassinated. When that failed, he used powerful magic to desintigrate his minion. When I confronted him, he tryed to get me to join him.

All these things show that he has become evil. Perhaps not ultimately irredeemably, but enough to kill his own and turn on his pupil. He is a powerful mage, as powerful as I am. I have gained much strength since I saw him last, and yet he batted away my attacks easily.

He says he is in the employment of the High Council. If this is true, it makes the situation much, much worse. The High Council was once a great instrument of good, the leading light of the greatest wizards. If they have now become unscrupulous and corrupt, I fear not only for the mages of the world, but for all.

Why they have chosen you is not clear. What is clear, however, is that they will go to any lengths to kill you. Their motives may be mysterious and their methods covert, but they are ruthlessly efficient.

I have now rejected them, and thus am in as much danger as you are. I will do my utmost to protect you, and the one thing I have going for me is that they will most likely underestimate my abilities.

Nonetheless, our lives are at stake. If you have any knowledge of why they might want to kill you, it may be of the utmost importance."

"Aramil, this is exactly what I was going to ask you about. As you know, my only real non-human ability is to sense auras, and I sensed a horrible presence with you. It was my guess that he was the one who disintigrated the man who failed to kill me."

ooc: Cal... see ooc board.

"I have no idea why they want me dead." They don't know I'm a dragon, so it has to be for some other reason.

"Perhaps by guarding this village I am guarding someone else they want dead?" Karasu was just guessing. She had no idea. Unless they could sense 'something' about her, not knowing what.

"I don't see what they would need me out of the way for in the first place... or anyone for that matter... unless they are planning something."

"Aramil, if you know anything regarding what may be going on here, please inform me." Karasu was pacing back and forth.

She grabbed Aramil by the shoulders and looked him in the eyes, "Aramil, thank you for your decision not to join with your mentor, and to spare my life. But I can tell from your aura, you are not an evil man. It must have taken a lot of guts to defy your teacher and I am truly thankful."

Karasu turned around, as she was getting a bit teary eyed.

Aramil began pacing also. "I truly have no idea why they want you dead. However, there is something... special... about you, Karasu. If I can sense it, perhaps they can too. However, this certainly is no ground for an assassination. They must be planning something. The High Council must have changed in many ways, to be plotting these vile schemes." For a moment, Aramil's face twisted into a mask of sorrow, but he regained his composure. "I... I knew these people, Karasu," he said, his voice shaking slightly. "They were the wisest mages in all of Caladonn, thousands of years old, their sense of good and magic unmatched. I looked to them, even more than Azazel, for guidance. Now both have failed me."

He shook his head, and continued, "However, despite their covert alignment change, I suspect that little else has changed within the High Council. They are exceedingly intelligent and wise, arcane masters. They have millenia of experience, and the ability to call up thousands of mages to their service, many who most likely do not know of their treachery. If we are up against them, it is indeed grave."

When Karasu grabbed him, he did not turn away. "I could have done nothing else. My allegiance to Azazel, the High Council, to Caladonn, is nothing compared to my loyalty to good. I would revoke everything, be branded as a traitor, if they turned their backs on altruism. And now they have," he said bitterly.

"I am very sorry this has happened Aramil." She understood what he was going through in a way. She could imagine how horrid it would be if her dragon clan turned evil after thousands and thousands of years. Whatever this was about, Karasu did have them as well. And she knew they would back her, whatever this is about. Thankfully my Dragon Clan is at least as old and exceedingly intelligent as well. And they truly are still good. Unfortunately, I sense a war coming on. A war in which my clan has no business being in, but will likely be forced into. Karasu sighed.

"I wonder how such a thing happened. All these good mages becoming evil over time. What could have caused this?" She couldn't understand this.

"Again Aramil, thank you for following your good heart, regardless of what the rest are doing. I know this is the difficult option for you, and that makes it even more special. I am sorry that it is me that is putting your life in danger. If you feel safer leaving the village, I will understand. Perhaps it would be for the best, and keep you safer. What do you think?

"I truly have no idea how this could have happened," he said. "If they can turn evil, anyone can."

When she asked if he wanted to go home, he drew himself up to his full height- 6'5". "I would not dream of it," he said. "I must attone for my fellows' mistakes, and I will do so willingly. I will stay and protect you and your village. You have claimed you have no magical powers, and although I doubt that, I also, with all modesty, doubt you are as experienced in magic as I am. I believe my services are needed, and I will willingly provide them."

"I truly have no idea how this could have happened," he said. "If they can turn evil, anyone can."

When she asked if he wanted to go home, he drew himself up to his full height- 6'5". "I would not dream of it," he said. "I must attone for my fellows' mistakes, and I will do so willingly. I will stay and protect you and your village. You have claimed you have no magical powers, and although I doubt that, I also, with all modesty, doubt you are as experienced in magic as I am. I believe my services are needed, and I will willingly provide them."


"Thank you Aramil. However, there is one thing you have mistaken." Karasu looked at Aramil. "Aramil, it is NEVER up to you to atone for evils done by someone else, regardless as to how you were or are affiliated with them. It is not up to you to atone for THEM. Don't ever feel that it is. Don't ever feel this is a task put upon your back and don't ever feel guilt over something someone else has done, no matter how you are related."

Karasu sat down. "I am experienced in magic, however it isn't anything like the magic you and the other mages use. It's completely different, and I don't know if it's relavent. I suppose this depends on what their ulterior motive is. This is something I would very much like to know." She furrowed her brow trying to come up with a motive, but could not come up with one. If this becomes big, my secret will have to be told eventually... at least to my friends. I hope it doesn't come to that.

"Thanks again Aramil." Karasu looked around. "Khevit isn't back yet? hmmm... He must really meditate. I hope he's OK."

Karasu was also concerned about what Angelus' feelings would be after thinking things over.

As Khevit was meditating when he noted a rare, but familiar feeling. He could feel himself drifting off.

He could see a fire, and shadowy figures but nothing else.
"The bitch lives."
"Is the assassin dead?"
"Yes."
"We should target another one of them."
"Who?"
"I shall find the weakest, possibly the girl."
"Do not touch Khevit." One of the voices said, one that Khevit knew well. "He's mine."

Khevit's vision faded, and his eyes snapped open. He got up and headed back to the village.

"Thank you Aramil. However, there is one thing you have mistaken." Karasu looked at Aramil. "Aramil, it is NEVER up to you to atone for evils done by someone else, regardless as to how you were or are affiliated with them. It is not up to you to atone for THEM. Don't ever feel that it is. Don't ever feel this is a task put upon your back and don't ever feel guilt over something someone else has done, no matter how you are related."

Karasu sat down. "I am experienced in magic, however it isn't anything like the magic you and the other mages use. It's completely different, and I don't know if it's relavent. I suppose this depends on what their ulterior motive is. This is something I would very much like to know." She furrowed her brow trying to come up with a motive, but could not come up with one. If this becomes big, my secret will have to be told eventually... at least to my friends. I hope it doesn't come to that.

"Thanks again Aramil." Karasu looked around. "Khevit isn't back yet? hmmm... He must really meditate. I hope he's OK."

Karasu was also concerned about what Angelus' feelings would be after thinking things over.
"I understand." he said. "I'm sorry, my feelings are muddled, it is hard when everyone you ever believed in turns out to have turned their back on you. It is not your fault."


"I understand. I don't mean to pry, but I wish to protect you, and knowing about your magic might help me find out why they want to kill you. However, if this is too personal, I understand."

"I understand." he said. "I'm sorry, my feelings are muddled, it is hard when everyone you ever believed in turns out to have turned their back on you. It is not your fault."


"I understand. I don't mean to pry, but I wish to protect you, and knowing about your magic might help me find out why they want to kill you. However, if this is too personal, I understand."

"Actually, the magic is quite personal, and I believe completely irrelavent, as there is no way they could be aware of it anyway. I have a feeling that we are ALL at risk here." Karasu gave Aramil a weary look. *sigh

Tell any other RPrs from any other RPs any of you are in with me that I'm gone now. Have fun.

Buona Fortuna Sempre,

KHJ, EE, Hype, VX
PS. My nations are dying. I can't be reached by TG.

I don't know what happened but I swear I havn't done any of that. I don't know how to block people on MSN. I never called you a 'bitch' or anyother insults.

What? Why? Ugh...was it because this RP is moving too slowly? Is it because I haven't done anything even though I kept stressing to post? WHY???

ooc: Just a head's up. Because of a variety of reasons, primarily a great deal of personal attacking, KHJ has left NS for good.

OOC: Noooooooooooooooooo!

How can we continue? Karasu was central to Aramil and even more Angelus and the whole plot in general! :(

ooc: True, but them's the brakes. Someone could possibly take over Karasu, or if you send me a message, I could forward it to KHJ, but she's told me she's not coming back.