A Message

[»Míríel«]

A breeze tumbled through the air, its chilly wings opened wide. It seemed to weave and sway through the trees, feather sweeping the treetops and talons coming the grown beneath. Despite its rough demeanor it had a kind side, its breath seemed to breathe out refreshment on the inhabitants below. The bite in the air never left this place, it was unthinkable that it might ever happen. Inhabitants of this place learned to love it and greeted stinging noses and pink cheeks with joy. People always said that the wind always made them feel alive, renewed. They were free here.

At this time of the year the weather was perfect, the sun was warm and welcoming, but just as you might think a drop of sweat was ready to roll forward, the wind would force it back. The result was a perfect mixture of heat and cold, it was the haven of rivals.

Miriel found herself walking among the forests that cascaded from the peaks and pooled beneath, mimicking the water itself. Her porcelain skin was flushed from the wind's touch, giving her green eyes even more energy than before. Those eyes fluttered downward as she glanced at her outfit for the day and a smile rose to her delicate lips. It had been a careful choice, one that she had thought over a long time. The occasion? Miriel had received a letter from Damion to come here, it was a date. Today Miriel had picked one of Damion's favorites. It was a gown made of a soft pale green and accented by soft blues and silver embroidery around the neckline and edged of the sleeves. The dress itself was form fitting, it seemed to fit her like a glove around the torso and waist, showing off her elegant features. The skirt contrasted the bodice's tightness by flowing out like water which swayed with every movement. She wore a traveling robe over top, to banish the bite of the wind from her form. It too nothing away from her form, and it's deep green color accented the dress like the glossy leaves of rose accents the flower. Miriel's glossy hair was pulled up into an elegant, but loose bun. The pins were few and if one was pulled the whole thing would come tumbling down.

Miriel inhaled the sweet smelling air around her. Wood was so fragrant here, it instantly produced a feeling of welcome. Her emerald eyes peered forward in anticipation, she was almost there. It only took a could more steps and the pines parted like a curtain being drawn open. Before her was a sight that she would remember for the rest of her life. The waterfall, instead of charging forward, eager to start the journey to the sea, was frozen. It looked like a fountain of diamonds, and as the light was hitting it, it sparkled like them as well. To see such a raging thing calm was breathtaking. Miriel stepped from the audience of stoic trees to get a better look at the marvel. Bringing her hand up to her lips she stood in awe of the sigh. "How beautiful." A smile came to her lips,.

[saerwen]

Damion was standing under the waterfall, slightly marveling at his own work. He was having to work pretty hard to make sure that it all stayed frozen and that the rest of his plan stayed where it was supposed to, but he was not going to let that show. He had something really special planned and if everything went like he dreamed, by the end of today, he would be the happiest man on Earth. But he couldn't get too excited just yet. Even now a part of him was worried that the same thing that happened with his previous lover was going to happen again. He didn't want to come home one day and find that it had all been a dream. He didn't think that he could bear it happening one more time, but if it did...He would have to accept that.

He walked over the rock hard icy of the water that had been gathering around him. Large splashes of frozen water stood around him, creating a sort of maze that he had to pick his way through. It was so much easier in human form than his true form. Grace and poise might not come naturally, but they came easily. He glanced above his head to make sure that his rather precarious dam up there was holding everything in. He then turned his attention back to the woods where Miriel would be arriving from. He gasped when he saw that she was already there. He had not expected her yet, but when he looked up in the sky and saw the suns position he figured that it was about right. He then smiled and walked over to Miriel, his feet naturally accustomed to the slippery ice beneath them.

When he could finally see Miriel a little better he couldn't help but let a huge grin light up his face. She looked absolutely stunning. That was his favorite dress that she wore. It complemented her so perfectly. As though she couldn't get any more stunning that she already was, that dress brought out her natural beauty even more. Damion found that he was having a slight bit of trouble breathing he was so enraptured with her. His blue eyes never left her figure as he came closer and closer.

"So, what do you think? Is this an acceptable location for our date?" he asked her with happy blue eyes. They were glowing slightly because of the power that he was using to keep the ice frozen, but he was hiding the amount of effort it was taking very well other than that. "I knew that after letting you down so terribly that day in the lagoon, I had to do something extra special. Is this worthy of atoning for my heinous crime, my dear?"

[»Míríel«]

Something moved across the ice. Miriel's eyes strained to see, but it was hard against all the white. Who was it, who was there? Slowly the form approached, but long before all the features came clear she knew who it was. Damion. She could tell him apart from anyone. It was as if she memorized his step, the way he carried himself. Everything about him was unique, and she was learning another little trait of his everyday.

His gaze caused a blush to deepen the rosy color that was already on her cheeks. It was strange, with Damion no matter how many times she saw him, she always felt the same way. It was like seeing him for the first time. Her stomach clenched, blood rose to her cheeks, and she felt shy. Damion's gaze this time had a certain intensity about it, but it it wasn't uncomfortable. Her gaze lifted from the shy position it had been and rested on his. His eyes were like pools that she never wanted to leave, such calm and peace, such beauty.

Miriel laughed and walked to meet him. "It's perfect Damion." She slipped her hand into his and drew close to him. "It's beautiful." She laughed again as he mentioned his crime. Looking back at the waterfall she frowned slightly, "Hmm... now that you mention it... It does look a little lopsided..." She couldn't hold her disapproving visage, and a smile broke through. Still holding his hand she stepped away and faced him at arms length. "It really is perfect. Perhaps if I was a better actor I would be able to get away with something, but you have out done yourself Damion." Miriel turned and looked at it. "I never knew water could look so...stunning."

[saerwen]

Damion was glad that Miriel was pleased with his handiwork. He had thought about all of things that he could do to make it a memorable occasion. He had first thought of taking her somewhere that was both really warm and really beautiful and preparing her a gorgeous meal, but he had realized that warm was not something that he did very well. In fact, he could barely survive in the sun. Taking her somewhere that was naturally warm would have been hazardous to him especially since he was just now recovering from a serious burn. The scar still rested over his heart. So, when that idea had been blown away, he had decided that he would do something that was of his own nature, but also something that Miriel would appreciate. He had gone through a few ideas, but had landed on a rather homely one and mixed it with his rather grand one. He would show Miriel the best day that he could with the power that he had. Since Miriel appreciated beauty, he had chosen this path.

As she tried to fake disappointment Damion just raised an eyebrow at her before breaking out into another smile. He knew that she was just joking. Damion agreed that it was slightly lopsided, but that was the way that the water naturally fell. He had had to freeze it mid-air and hadn't really been able to do anything about the imbalance. Besides, it was best not to try and improve upon nature too much.

He grinned proudly when she said that he had outdone himself. His heart swelled a little, knowing how much she liked it now. With his heart full of joy and his ego completely satisfied, it was time to get busy. He was going to teach Miriel something new today. He turned to Miriel and pulled her a little closer. Looking her straight in the eye he asked, "Miriel, how much do you trust me? I mean, are you sure that you trust me implicitly?" He then slowly began to lead her towards the ice, walking backwards the whole way so that he could keep eye contact.

[»Míríel«]

Miriel allowed herself to get pulled close to Damion. When he looked her in the eyes she wasn't sure she liked what she saw. What was he trying to do? The words that followed weren't reassuring. "Yes Damion. I trust you. You know that." She tilted her head slightly as curiosity grew in her eyes. Something was up. What was going on in his mind? Right now she wished she possessed Jaedon's talent of reading minds.

Her feet moved backwards across the land and she found herself drawing closer to Damion. While she had been in the forest the trees had protected her from the wind, but now she was noticing that the trees were retreating, farther and farther away. Here was the wind's resting place, and the prowled around blowing and rushing. Her robe blocked most of it. Thankfully, and still it didn't hold that bad of a bite. "I'm not going to trip am I?" She let her gaze grow playful as they continued to walk backward. It was obvious he was taking her somewhere, and wanted it to be a secret. The curiosity within her was growing and burning. she wanted to look away but his eyes, the glowing depths of the blue, the kindness within, she couldn't draw away from him. It was as if she was stuck in a spell, a spell of love. "Damion..." Her voice was like a whisper, "Where are you taking me?"

[saerwen]

Damion looked at her skeptically for a moment before finally giving up. He would find out soon enough how much she rusted. He looked behind him to make usre that he was heading in the right direction. Yes, there they were. He smiled inwardly and it began to show in his eyes. He was thoroughly excited. He hoped that Miriel would trust him enough to go along with his crazy plan. He continued to lead her, answering her only with, "You'll see soon enough." It wasn't long before they were at the edge of where the ice began. He stopped for a moment with his heels right at the edge of the ice.

"Do you trust me, Miriel?" he took one step back onto the ice. "Do you trust my magic enough to let it hold you up?" he took another step back. "Do you trust that I will never let you fall through?" and one more step back. Miriel would have been on the ice with him if she had continued to follow him. His eyes were glistening, his magic showing through a bit more.

He then turned around and picked up something that was behind him. When he turned back to face Miriel, holding a pair of ice skates in his hands. He had already made sure that they would be Miriel's size. "I figured it was too early for swimming, so this was second best. Would you like to learn how to move around on the ice, my dear?" He then looked at the ice that stretched out for quite a ways. "If you trust that I won't let you fall, then please say yes." He gave her a very pleading look. Ice skating was one of the funnest things that you could do on ice, and if Miriel was truly going to get used to water, she would have to get comfortable with the frozen form before she could get used to the liquid form.

[»Míríel«]

A crooked smile came to Miriel's lips as he continued to keep her in suspense. What a wicked thing to do. She laughed inwardly. When he asked her if she trusted him again confusion flashed across her face. Was he doubting her? What was going on? Something within her started to twist into a knot. Something was off. Still a smile froze on her face as she watched him take a step backward. She turned to face him and what she saw caused her hand to slip from his in shock. Before her was a pool of water, its waters frozen. It looked like some sort of fogged mirror, it beckoned.

Her eyes widened for a moment as she stared at the ice in horror. Cold. The air was very cold now. It chilled her to the bone. The wind seemed to be swirling around her, biting and clawing at her slender form. Ice. Water. They were enemies and had been for years. Here it was right before her, mocking her, yet she couldn't move. She couldn't breathe. What had Damion done?! He knew she was scared of water, he knew it! Why had he brought her here, in the cold? What was he doing? Her eyes shut as her breathing became shallower and quicker. The image of a phoenix flashed before her minds eye. It's feathers were ice and it's eyes were a deep deep blue. Then she saw blue and red interlocked as they fell like teardrops from the sky. The smooth surface was rippling. Then it was smooth and only one form arose from it.
The Phoenix's flame
Will shine again
Birthed in ashes
It will rise with the sun
And bathe in the light

The Water's kiss
Will smother the life
The the flame will fade
Never to light another day


"Water's Kiss... Will smother the life... smother..life." Her mind was racing, darting, grasping at something, anything to stop this decent. Suddenly she found something, she found a foothold and it came in the form of a voice. Damion. Damion. His voice was like an arrow through her mind, it called out to her, warmed her.

Lifting her eyes she let them trace over his features slowly as he spoke. What he said was so innocent, so gentle. Did she trust him? He pressed the question again, begged her to say yes. Unconsciously her face might seem distrustful, confused, and angry, but really she was just frightened. It would have looked like a bewildered child. She wanted to bury her face in Damion's chest and close out the feeling of water, but the water was between them, the ice. She let her eyes drift over him. Damion was ice, she was fire. He was so different from any other ice substance that she had been around, so very different. He wouldn't betray her. It became apparent to her as she looked at him. He loved her just like she loved him. He knew her fear and he was trying to make her face it, for she was going to if this relationship was going to continue. This was something she would have to settle, she would have to be strong. Still she would need him.

A sigh came from her as her face smoothed out. Her gaze drifted to the skates he had in his hand, " I trust you Damion." She whispered and let her eyes go back to his. They were wider with fright and glossy with a thin layer of tears getting ready to tumble. Her mouth was set in a firm line, " I trust you." Lifting her foot she put it on the ice and froze. Then lifting the other she put it down also. Even though land was only a couple inched away it felt like miles. "Damion!" She reached out to him.

[saerwen]

Damion saw the mixed emotions running through Miriel. He had known that this would be hard for her, since she was nothing but pure fire. THe only way that anything would go wrong was if she turned into her phoenix form. The ice would melt because he knew that he couldn't hold of it and rebuild what she burned at the same time. But he knew that Miriel would be sensible about that. And besides, if that did happen, he would forcefully fly into her to make sure that she was off the ice and out of the way of the water when he lost control. He didn't mind getting burned if it protected Miriel.

He waited patiently, all the while, hoping that she would give in and try to get rid of her fear. However, he was not going to press the issue. If she didn't want to try it just yet, then he would move to plan b. Miriel was going to have a fun time today, he was determined.

No words could really describe how proud he was of Miriel for her strength as she took one tiny step onto the ice. She really did trust him. She trusted him enough to push past her fears. This encouraged Damion and gave him the will to make the ice even thicker. He almost laughed at her when she squealed after barely getting on the ice. However, he held his laughter back and simply grabbed her hands, using his own very stable balance to steady her. He smiled down at her.

"That's my girl." He then looked away for a moment, his eyes glowing intensely and he released one of her hands for a short second to create a small block of ice right next to Miriel. He then took her hands again and looked back at Miriel. "Let's get these on you and perhaps it won't be so hard for you to stand up." He kept hold of her hands tightly and guided her over to his makeshift stool.

[»Míríel«]

As soon and Damion's hands closed around hers Miriel felt more secure. She gripped on tightly and looked up at him. Just looking into his eyes calmed her.

"That's my girl."

A blush came to her face and she looked down. The words were so warming that she almost didn't noticed that he had let go. As he guided her over to the stool she felt her feet slip some and slide. Still she just grasped tighter onto his hands and drew closer to him. It was like she was a baby learning to walk again, between her fear and the new surface it wasn't to far from the truth. Sitting down on the stool she sighed and sighed. Eying the ice skates with suspicion. "Won' those...cut through the ice?" It was a legit concern for her. She had never seen such devices before. Attaching a blade to the bottom of a shoe and walking around on ice didn't seem like the best idea to her.

[saerwen]

Damion knelt down and began to put the skates onto Miriel's feet. He looked up slightly shocked at her question. It caused him to pause for a moment. Miriel had never been around much ice unless it was an attack being directed straight at her. She had probably never seen ice skates, let alone seen anyone skating before. That was why she thought that it might have cut through the ice.

Damion smiled at her as he continued his work, "No, they won't cut it. They aren't that sharp. The blades are just sharp enough to give you a steady balance on the ice and no more. You would have to work really hard to make them cut anything."

He was soon finished and he stood up. Offering his hands to Miriel again, he asked, "Shall we give this a try?" He gave her a reassuring look. He knew that everyone had a little trouble the first time that they went skating, but he also knew that Miriel was pretty good at adapting her surroundings and she was very poised. Being poised was the most important thing. Ice was kind so long as you took your time getting to know it, and then learned to enjoy it to the fullest. That is what Damion had done in order to learn his magic. Now he hoped that Miriel would be able to do the same. He would keep her close to make sure that she didn't fall. Only if she became more comfortable on the ice, would he give her a little more distance so that she could try it on her own. But then again, he might just keep her close for his own selfish reasons. THere was nothing wrong with that, right?

[»Míríel«]

Miriel felt her feet glide into the sturdy and structured skates. Her toes wriggled within, they were comfortable enough, but it felt strange. Her feet, now both shoed and on the ground, felt alien. She was standing on something, but it wasn't the ground. How strange.

As she listened to Damion explain she just shook her head. Who had thought of such a thing, how strange. Still she had to trust him, and she did. As he was finished and Damion offered her his hand she stared at them for a moment. Was she actually going to do this? "Hopefully we will be a little more successful than that." She smiled bravely and grasped his hands.

As she raised herself up her feet wanted to slid out from under her. It was as if they had gone rebel on her. One wanted to dash ahead, while the other wanted to slip behind. Somehow she managed to stay upright and by locking her knees she just stood there, hunched over slightly. She stayed like this for a moment, waiting. Then standing up she smiled at him, "Well that wasn't so ba-" With that she tried to take a step forward, slipped and fell against him. Her eyes were wide as she gripped tighter onto his hands. A blush glowed on her face, why did she suddenly feel like a child?

[saerwen]

Damion made sure that he kept a firm hold on Miriel. She was wobbling all over the place. He realized that it was more of her lack of confidence than her lack of balance. He was going to try to get her bent over posture straightened out as soon as possible because leaning was no good when someone was ice skating. It just made it easier for gravity to win. Just as soon as he had thought that, Miriel stumbled forward a bit. Yes, that is going to be remedied right away. He put his arm around Miriel's waist, holding his arm out in front of her so that she could use it to steady herself.

"Easy, Miriel. You are just learning. Don't expect to start walking right away." He made sure that his grip on her waist was quite firm before continuing on. "The first thing you need to do is straighten up. I know it feels like leaning forward makes it better, but it is the surest way to fall." He pulled his arm a little closer to her to force her to come closer to him, and in turn straighten her spine out. "It's only as hard as you imagine it to be. So, just imagine it to be as easy as flying," he whispered in her ear. "Once you are straight, then you can take a step forward. Don't try to push off too hard, just step very lightly. Ice has to be dealt with gently and carefully. Just feel your way across it. I will be here the whole time to make sure that you don't fall." He gave her a reassuring smile and then left it up to her to decide when she was ready to try taking a step.

[»Míríel«]

Damion's arm wrapped around Miriel's waist gently. Miriel nodded in agreement to Damion's words. It was hard to gain control of her body. Not only was the new surface a trial, but her very muscles were trembling from the thought of gliding above a great depth of water. She was trying to hide it from Damion. She wanted to be strong, peaceful. He had this date all planned out and she wouldn't let anything ruin it, besides a nervous breakdown. It couldn't, no, it wouldn't, happen. If it did she would never be able to forgive herself.

Straightening up she allowed her back to fall into the usual regal place. Her carriage was tall, strong. She just thought of Damion, and his arm around her waist. It gave her strength. Don't let go Damion...Don't let go. Her mind was quietly repeating this over and over until she silenced it and set her jaw into a determined position. Damion would not let go until he thought her ready. She was sure of it.

Taking a deep breath she lifted her foot, and wobbled slightly. gripping onto Damion she straightened herself and closed her eyes. She had to get the water out of her mind. Gently carefully, just like flying. You can do this Miriel. You can do this. Putting her foot forward she pushed off gently and began to glide.

[saerwen]

Damion almost felt like clapping when Miriel took her first successful step. This was already going much better than the last time he had tried to teach someone to ice skate. He had tried to teach Edward how to ice skate. The man had been so stubborn that he wouldn't let Damion help him so Damion had just watched as Edward struggled for an hour simply to learn to stand up without falling, and then another hour trying to learn how to actually move. Damion had given instructions from the sideline, but Edward hadn't really paid attention. Damion was glad that Miriel was not the same way. She was hot, but not hot-headed.

Damion was still holding tightly to Miriels waist and hand. Now he had to show Miriel how to keep herself moving. This was the harder part to teach because people often thought of skating as walking where you just took little staccato steps all in a row. That kind of stuff was for professionals that knew their way around ice. Instead of taking small fragile steps, you had to force yourself to fly. Long strides were key, and Miriel probably would hesitate at the idea.

"You're doing wonderful already." he told her gently. "Now, try it again, accept take a bit larger of a step and keep going. You have to think of it as flying, and your legs are your wings. In order for you to keep going, you have to keep them working together. Instead of them beating at the same time, all they have to do it alternate. Left to right, and then back onto your left. Every time you push of with one leg, you are moving yourself a little more, and depending on how hard you push, a little faster. Don't walk timidly, but confidently. Take longer strides, give a little more speed, and allow your body to compensate for the slightly strange feeling." He then gave her a slightly mischievous look, "And moving your hips a little more helps also."

[»Míríel«]

Miriel's eyes opened as she felt herself glide across the ice. It was a freeing sort of feeling, so smooth and peaceful. It was over all to soon. Damion's words were so encouraging that she opened her eyes and looked at him. Little did she realize that the creases of worry were now smoothing from her face. There was still a sense of hesitancy, but it was apparent that it would soon fade with her success. She struck out again, moving her hip only slightly as she analyzed how her movements effected the flow of the ice and her skates. Her face contorted into concentration as she pushed forward again and again. It could be misinterpreted as still being scared. Even with that look on her face, her eyes still blazed with the firelight of success.

When Damion mentioned her hips she gave him a look of playfulness, "Oh I see, so that's why you want me on this pit of evil, just to see my hip sway." She narrowed her eyes, " You sir, are terrible." She then laughed at him and slapped him playfully on the shoulder. The sudden movement caused her to almost fall, but she caught onto his arm and stabilized herself. Catching her breath she looked up at him and laughed, "I'm helpless against your mischief aren't I? I believe Neron has rubbed off on you a bit, or Cecily" She teased him gently.

As soon as she had regained her balance she looked before her steadily. Flying, this was like flying. It made sense, the ice was smooth and caused the wind to whip around you and if you closed your eyes, like she had, you almost forgot that you were on the ground. Miriel nodded at Damion and pushed forward, gently, but it had force behind it. Then similar to the beat of her wings, she struck out with her other foot. It was a bit rough, but she continued forward. Her face grew full of light in a moment at her success.

Miriel was a quick learner, she always had been, not to mention her knack for agility. Birds were beings of grace and freedom, they longed for the flight and dared to dive from great heights and light upon a single branch amidst trees. When she was younger she used to tumble, and dive, trying to get as close as she could to the ground, getting hairbreadths between a safe landing and death. It was the rush of learning something new, of trying something and succeeding that kept her alive. Every day was full of new opportunity and new life. This thought is what kept Miriel's spirits high.

"Well Damion, you may want to prepare yourself. For the sight you are about to see." Damion's little spark of mischief had reawakened the fire within her. It had come apparent to her that the ice was stable, and could endure much pressure, but you had to ease into it smoothly and gently. Once you were in, it didn't mind what you did to it. Plus if one turned the feet out slightly, working each stride with a swaying motion instead of going straight like walking, it seemed to go smoother. Though she hated to admit it, moving the hips did help, one had to rotate and slide them around. There was a balance, a fine tuning, and Miriel think she figured out some of the formula. It was time to test it, and so she did. Pushing forward she found herself gliding, then she brought her other leg into it. It didn't take long for her to get a steady rhythm up, and held. Her grip loosened slightly on Damion as confidence grew within her. Sure Miriel wasn't a professional, and she still had the marks of a beginner, but she was learning, and the thought of being above water was slowly fading to the back of her mind.