Irony, is this what it feels like?

[Aori Houou]

The place was aptly named, purgatory, a place where there was neither hope nor dispair, just nothing, atleast that was how it felt to her. It felt like Isolation, as she stared at the way this level of Haven was set. She didn't really have the will for a home, so instead she just spent the days here, in a cloak that she had stolen from the fires that took the old place. She had lost it all, her clothing, her books, her passport, her ID, everything, it all had went up in a blaze of fire and destruction. She was, as always, alone, as she was still too shy, though she hadn't been alone that long ago, she had an empty sake bottle next to her. Though she had been drinking many hours ago, she could only guess that she flew back here in phoenix form, drank the rest of it, and fell into a drunken sleep. Her blue black hair was greatly matted as a result of sleeping against something other than a pillow, and her eyes showed that desolation that happeneds when you have hit rock bottom, with out the motivation or understanding to bring yourself back from the deep end. Her last pleasant memory, was getting drunk though, as it was the day that she went to that cafe, she had met many people that day, but she couldn't bring herself to seek them out.

She sighed, as she got up, and used her hands to quickly fix her "Skins" hair, as she didn't want to look totally unacceptable, though she was wearing her Yukata under the Cloak, it had been what she was wearing when the destruction took place. She noticed the light, and realized, it was probably too early for her to technically be awake, as the sun was just starting to rise over the horizon, it wasn't quite morning yet. She could only continue to try to figure out what she would do today. She felt stuck, no way of going back to her family in Japan, she had followed the rest of the people from Chimera Academy, but she was scared. She was always scared of one thing or another, such as the Principle of the school. His magic had almost sucked her through a portal once, and allowed everyone to see how scared she was. It didn't help that any intense emotion got rid of her Human form like a vacuum on dust. She missed her books.

She continued to look over the area, as she started to wander, if nothing else, she had been trying to become more athletic, and less clumsy on her feet, she still couldn't do anything to break away from the problems of walking compared to flying, but she was keeping fit, for having a mostly scraps and booze diet. The cloak prevented her from gaining too much sun, and her body was strong, if not as strong as most people. She bathed as often as she could, to keep herself from smelling. She had that habit of being clean, and wanting to be clean. Though it took a little bit to heat up the water enough that it didnt' hurt her. She had to think through everything she did, if only to make sure it was as comfortable, as it could be for someone who had hobo level written on her life. She could only sigh sadly.

"Shikata ganai, gaijin, Shikata ganai" It was like her chant, she would always say in japanese that it cannot be helped, and gaijin, the word for foreignor, was used to referance herself, as she was a foreignor to the academy, whether that applied here or not, she didn't know, she didn't stay sober enough around most people when she does get up the courage to be in the presense of others to speak, to ask. Nope, her entire situation and circumstances seemed like a self made exile infact. She just didn't know what today would bring, but could only hope that it involved some food, and something better than being stuck in the weather. She didn't know how that wish worked, but she would learn soon enough, that wishes sometimes come true, even if in unexpected ways.

[Ωᴚԑɲ]

Tucking his wings in tight Kendryek landed on the loamy earth. He chuckled to himself as he imagined what would happen if someone saw him here in this form. First they would probably shout, “WHAT THE HECK??” and then think, “HOLY CARP! THAT’S A GIANT DRAGON!!!” Then there would be those fortunate enough to have seen Kendryek is his largest form and actually realize who it was. There were few enough of those people as it was, though, that he rarely stayed in this form for long. In fact, if he thought about it there were only two people on the entire island that had seen his true form: Le Cyll and Chasity.

Chasity was the only one who actually realized the significance of Kendryek showing people his true self. He rarely did it and only when he wished to make a bond with the creature. It wasn’t always that way but many times it was. Him showing Le Cyll had been a mistake on his part, but that misjudgment couldn’t be taken back. The damage was done and the Kludde would have to learn that Kendryek meant him no harm. In fact, it would do the animal good to realize that not everyone who was powerful was out to get him.

Taking slow steps around the wooded area, he allowed his eyes to scan the brush. No one was within sight… He supposed that was a good thing. He didn’t want to frighten anyone but being in this form was refreshing. His tongue flicked our and then back in just as fast as a snake’s tongue would. It also served the same purpose: tasting the air. So… there was someone nearby, just not close enough to be able to see him. But wait… he recognized this scent. His eyes shot wide and he jumped over the hill in front of him, bounding until he reached where he knew Aori was. The second he landed he turned into his human form and ran the hundred feet across the bridge between himself and the phoenix.

He looked at her, confused. Why was she here? And why did she look like that!? She looked homeless and hungry… What had happened to her after the attack on the school?

”Aori-chan, daijobuka…?”

[Aori Houou]

The phoenix didn't know what was happening, when she heard large foot steps coming from behing her, though they were soft enough that she thought they were close by. Didn't even bother looking back though, as she was still focused on trying to make herself look decent. She didn't want anyone seeing her looking like a hobo. Even if it was true... She just continued to use her fingers to try to clear the tangles out of her hair, if only because it was one of the few thigns that people would see of her. She had made sure to wear this cloak almost anywhere, and everwhere, she didn't want the yukata underneath to get dirty.

Then a voice called to her. It was a familiar voice, though it had only been after hearing someone running up to her, had she noticed that there was a precense besides the foot steps that she could have sworn was either her imagination, or just quiet steps. She shook her head, as she placed her hands on the sides of her human guised face. "Iie, iie, iie Kendryek-sama" She started, thinking it was possibly just some illusion created by her mind."nannari-san datte Kendryek-sama" She pleaded, hoping that it was a figment of her imagination, and that when she would look, no one would be there.

She looked, and then covered her face in the shadow of her hair. "Naze, Naze wa Kendryek-sama koredo?" She asked, wondering why he was there. "Iie, watashi no baka, rosuto Aori-baka ne." she replied, saying that she was stupid, and that she was lost, though her stress on that word suggested more than just searching for something. It had a meaning to her heart, she was lost, and not just physically, but mentally, and emotionally. She didn't want to reveal to the dragon, the ancient one who was infront of her, but she knew he could probably get it out of her. She respected him, she sought his kindness most, but most of all, she wanted to seem equal to him, but knew she couldn't. "Omae-san wakarimasen, Mina, Aori rosuto mina!" she sounded hurt, as she thought about it, trying to express just how much she had lost. She finally sighed, and started in english.

"You don't know, do you, the attack on the school, I lost everything in it, my passport, my ID, my diary, my clothing, my money, my books, my home...everything..." she started tearing up, trying to control her emotions, for fear of breaking out and transforming. She took a deep breath, looked at the empty sake bottle, and then bowed. "Gomenasai, Aori no baka" she spoke this time more calmly. "You were the last person I wanted to see me like this, lowered to the state of a homeless drunk, but even knowing this, you still ended up coming face to face with me, Kendryek-sama." she seemed like she had lost a lot of her normal confidence in speaking to him, and even more of her clarity, as it seemed like she hadn't been sleeping well either. The truth was, she only slept a few hours each night, from when she got knocked out from intoxication, to when the sun rose.

She stayed prostrated before him. Her cloak covering the Yukata she was wearing, a simple white yukata with a blue obi, and a flower print. It was the only good clothing she had, and really, besides the cloak and undergarments, the only thing she had. She just remained there, trying to figure out a way to avoid making herself look more like a fool, but it was seemingly impossible at the moment. She was infront of him, and she was still a child, in some countries not even an adult, and probably no where near an adult when it came to phoenix and dragon nations. Yet she had gone into drinking, for the sake of not being shy, and not being so emotional. A crutch, but the only thing she had left, atleast to her. She didn't even know if Kendryek would even be able to stay calm near her right now. She didn't know what he thought of her so far from what he saw, but she did just yell at him. She could only hope for mercy.

[Ωᴚԑɲ]

Kendryek placed a hand gently onto Aori's shoulder. She wasn't the only one in this state. Many, many people and creatures were picking up what little they had and trying to start new lives. Even more were like Aori and had lost everything. She seemed to fear his disapproval or his disappointment, but more than anything he was dissapointed in himself. He'd been innactive in the lives of those he cared about. First Le Cyll, and now her. They were both lost in their own way and when they needed someone he wasn't there when he could have, should have, been. She had made her own choices, and if she had been set on doing what he’d seen her do then he couldn’t have stopped her, but he knew he could have prevented a little more of what went on.

"Aori, Aori, dear, it’s alright,” he told her softly. Her tears were flowing and he could only look at her in concern. When she looked off the the side he folowed her eyes to the empty bottle. She had fallen so far… and he had done absolutely nothing to stop it. Just looking at the bottle he could tell it was from White. That darn vampire… Kendyrek didn’t hate him, no, that was too strong a word to describe his natural dislike of the creature. There was, though, a strong desire to stay away from White. He wasn’t an evil man, but neither was he good. Even giving Aori the means to become this desperate wasn’t enough to pin him on Kendyrek’s ‘Enemy’ list. White was too valuable to be put there. Sadly.

Giving her a quick hug, he said ”Come back with me, to my home, alright?” he waited for her answer, a nodd or anything that would signify that she had heard him.

((so, I've been really busy lately so I haven't been posting. When I came back here to finish out my post I couldn't remember what I was going to write, so I guess this is it.))

[Aori Houou]

She was surprised to feel a hand on her shoulder, and even more so, at what was said. He said it was alright, but it wasn't, back when he had talked with her, she was atleast just a clumsy young Chick of a Phoenix, who happened to be trying to find a way to control herself, now she was no longer trying to just control her emotions, but she wanted to get out of the situation she was in now. He was a good person though, and she couldn't fault him for it. Instead she just continued to wait there, trying to dry her tears, she didn't want to look weak. She was a Phoenix, and Immortal being known as a peace bringer in ancient times to the emperors. Her father and mother, though technically only called that because of the genders they chose, and not because one was actually male and the other actually female, had both been around long enough, to have seen several dynasties in China and Japan. They still got angry, last she heard, from people calling Japan "Japan" Instead of Yamato, or Nihon.

Then he said something that surprised her even more. "Y-y-your home? I-I-I'm not worthy of such honor or allowance, Kendryek-sama" she spoke, sounding as surprised as she was happy to hear such a thing. Though she didn't know if he was serious in his suggestion, or if he was just trying to get her to not be so sad. She didn't think it was the second one, but so much time had passed, for all she knew, he was just an illusion that had been brought on by the dawn, and her own lack of fully restful sleep. She had to hope that he was real though, hope that he was sincere, if only because she had nothing else to hold onto in this world right now.

She stood up slowly, as she looked him in the eyes, as well as she could anyways, being he stood taller than her. "I-If you are truly sincere about allowing me to come to your home...then I will be honored to accept." she spoke, as she bowed. She wanted him to understand she hadn't lost any of her heritage, even if she had fallen to the level of drunk. She could only think about how kind he looked still. It was one of the things that had gotten her to gather up the courage to meet him in the first place, on that soccer field, the first day she had been to Chimera Academy, and it still kept her looking up to the Old Dragon. Though young looking, he was old, she had learned. He was old, wise, and knowledgeable.

All things she was not. She was young, only really just around what her physical age looked in her human disguise, and though immortal, wisdom and power came through time and practice, and she barely had any, though she did have that ability to feel magic. She wasn't really certain where that ranked on a Phoenix's list of abilities thought, as she could only try to imagine what Kendryek knew. She wondered, just what his thoughts were, and why such a wise being, possibly once an envoy of the gods, was thinking, when he had invited her. She just knew though, that it was the best fortune she had ever been given in a while. She hoped she wasn't being too childish.

[Ωᴚԑɲ]

Kendryek couldn’t believe his ears. What was this girl talking about? Honor? Allowance? In going to someone’s house, especially his? There was nothing special about his cave… at least… he didn’t think there was. It was… cold, damp, rocky, and… just like any other cave out there… Though… she didn’t know where he lived. Maybe she was hesitant because… oh, that would make sense. Then again, no it wouldn’t. He wasn’t any better than her, so why shouldn’t she be allowed to his home?

He looked her over again as she stood. She really looked terrible, as did most people he had met that had come from the school. Hm… maybe he should offer her a permanent spot at the cave… She was sure to need it and if she refused he’d make her an area all the same if she ever needed it.

”Yes, my home. It’s a cave, near Razorfin Lagoon. You want to fly or would you like to ride?” He held out his hand. “Ikko!” (let’s go!)

He smiled to himself. Soon they would be at his house! He could give her a new set of clothes and she could wash up. Then, and only then, he would ask about her liquor problem. Things like that tended to need a certain amount of delicacy and a Phoenix was probably no different. Also, he’d have to address the whole over-exalting complex she seemed to have…

((I apologize for the short length, but I couldn’t think of much more and I have some good plans for the flight to the lagoon! Speaking of which, we’ll have to change threads when they arrive.))

[Aori Houou]

A cave was better than anything she had of her own. It was better than anything she had seen since the destruction of the school. She couldn't imagine how the dragon had came to the conclusion or the ability to take a cave, since most caves she had seen had been occupied with people that didn't want her sharing their space, since they wanted privacy and or to have the space to themselves. She didn't know why, but it seemed like the perfect place for her, even if she wasn't exactly a normal person. She looked at Kendryek, and wondered how he had known what to say though?

He looked like he had been having time to think, and time to be alone. He also seemed like he regretted something, but she didn't know what, it wasn't how she was to understand such things, being a naive and rather pitiful. She didn't know whether to laugh of cry at the thought that he cared. He was showing compassion for such a young being of immortal standing, something that wouldn't have nearly as much experience or time as he had, for about a million years. She wouldn't even be fully grown for another hundred, if she was correct.

On the offer to fly on his back, or to transform and fly next to him, she had to think for a moment, before taking his hand, blushing. "To fly beside you, or to ride on your back would be an honor either way, but if you would allow me to share the sky with you, Kendryek-sama, then I will fly myself." she said, as she turned and carefully started transforming, disrobing in the process, before picking up her clothing and carefully folding it, before taking off. She didn't have the ability to transform her clothing yet, and she wanted to take good care of them, as they were the only things besides Sake that she had.

She could only marvel at the Dragon's true form. He was many times larger than her in her true form, and much more majestic, even if she had sapphire colors, his colors out matched her's by multitudes. He was almost pure white, and had Kirin horns. Though he looked like the usual Asian dragon, he had large wings that seemed to spread out amongst the sky, that dwarfed her entire body. She knew if she wasn't careful, he could easily knock her out of the sky, but couldn't help but feel in awe of him.

She let out a Bird song like noise as she tried to avoid getting hit by the wings, while flying, deciding to fly under his belly might be safest, as to not get in his way.

[Ωᴚԑɲ]

For the first few seconds of flight he was in his largest form, his most natural form, but after seeing Ari try to avoid him…. He smiled to himself and a soft purr came from his chest as a chuckle.

Would you like it more if I was at your level?

Without waiting for her answer, he switched down to a smaller size. He was now about five feet long. He could only imagine her surprise at the sudden change. She had never seen him do that. In fact, most people hadn’t. Come to think of it, Argus was the only one that had. No one else knew of his new little skill...

He swooped closer to her, the sparkle in his eye clear. You like it? I perfected this not too long ago! He pulled away from her again and shot forward, twisting to where he was flying upside down. After a second he straightened and, finding himself quite a bit lower than he had been, pumped his wings hard to reach where Aori still was. Alright, enough play, time to go.

Come on! The lagoon is this way!

As they flew he wondered how long she would be able to fly. Birds had a tendency to wear out rather quickly. Phoenixes weren't normal so some of them didn't need a lot of energy to be fine but others needed ample food. Hm he'd keep an eye on her...

[Aori Houou]

She was surprised when the dragon suddenly shrunk to around her size. It was almost unsettling and at the same time, it brought a feeling of awe to her. The small blue firebird could only think that the dragon was lucky to be such a physical thing with such powers and prowess. She could only blink at that. She also noticed he could speak in that form, she could only speak in the language of birds and phoenixes.

She then noticed how happy he seemed, as he seemed to push himself into flying tricks. She could only give a chirp of indignation before doing a barrel roll and then an upwards flight, before swooping past him. She gave a series of chirps and bird songs similar to laughter, as she then did a flip in the air. She wanted to show that she wasn't unfamiliar with the skies.

She then nodded, when he told her that the lagoon was in a direction, and followed him. She could only imagine what the cave would be like. She was good at flight, like most phoenixes, but unlike a lot of them, she had consisted mainly on scraps and a liquid diet. She would start to droop a little, and find flapping harder, as they flew through the air, over water, and over land.

She was losing altitude, finding it harder to keep herself on the Thermal, She needed to glide more than flap, but that wasn't helping her tenancies to fly low, as she hadn't done long distance flight in a while. This was starting to wear on her, she hadn't even had a drank this morning. She started to get closer to the scape beneath them..feeling a darkness with in, as she felt as a failure of a Phoenix.