Into the Open and the Unknown

[Fringe]

An eerie silence filled the area. The dense fog could very well be the culprit, hungrily eating any noise. This wasn't the case, though, because a clear and muffled /trop..trop..trop/ sound filled the area behind the shipyard. It was the sound of hooves treading carefully through the area.
Though the Kirin-Faun was at home in any forest, every Treefolk knows that a silent forest is one to fear. His vibrant gaze looked at the trees and the bobbing things in the distance. The air was moist and much to cold of most of the flowers that littered his body to bloom. Theo, himself, hoped the air would warm, just like the flowers which had spun up into themselves or resorted back to their infantile buds.
He swung his tail in an annoyed manner as he reached the edge of the trail. The last thing he wanted to do was to leave the woods, no matter how silent they were. Before him were vessels he had only seen in pictures, and they were made more ominous with a think fog.
It made his scales crawl and Theo took a few more steps off the trail, ears flicking in distinct distaste. With staff in hand he leaned against it. The glowing of the runes broke the mist around him slightly, giving him a few more inches of better vision. Past that, the weather suited the area's title well.
For several moments, he considered this trip not worth leaving the forest. There were humans there and not only that, but the danger of the unknown. Theo had been very precise in choosing his route to this point, sticking to forest lands or tall grasslands that have no known mortal inhabitants for miles. Now one might ask how in the world would something so tall, walk so fluidly through the forest? Well, if you are polite and share the forest kinship, trees will move, on their own accord, out of the way. This benefited the Kirin-Faun with the 3 foot leafy appendage. These trees were no different. They were a bit noisier then others he knew of, but Theo suspected that it was because of the salinity of the air. After all, ships stood before him.
From his books, he learned docks and shipyards did indeed mean people. Whether these people were mortal or human was another thing completely.
On a branch, above his head, Paschi took form on its own. He shifted on the branch and Theo clicked his his tongue against the roof of his mouth and the owl silently took flight. It flew between the trees with ease for its great size and perched on a branch hanging precariously towards the boardwalk.
Its huge luminous eyes pierced more of the mist then Theo's was able to. His head turned jaggedly before sweeping back to where it began. Nothing could be seen, but both master and owl stayed quiet.
Creeping closer, Theo narrowed his eyes, trying to see farther. It didn't work and Theo was left to stand, chest against the cool trunk, against the tree Paschi perched on.
Past conversations taking place in the shipyards was whispered by these trees and Theo got lost in the sounds and closed his eyes for a moment as his own tree spoke with the elders around them.

[Señor Sunday Friday]

There was the sound of a creature moving through the water and a massive head rose up from the edge of the docks and brown murky eyes looked towards the kirin-faun, yawning to reveal several rows of razored teeth and there were long spiraling horns on it's skull. It pulled a clawed paw up onto the wooden planks and then pulled itself further up till the massive beast rested on the docks, dripping water from it's ocean hued scales, "And you are the faun?" It spoke without speaking, the words forming into existance without any physical indication and it seemed as if the creature was a presence of demanding power as the long tendrils like whiskers on his snout came to a slow settling on the ground, It was a dragon of the orient and a rather powerful one if this whole thing was anything to go off of.

[Fringe]

The teeth, oh my those teeth. Theo's face scrunched at the sight of this dragon. Though dragons were not uncommon, in Theo's cramped forested home, they did not get this big. Paschi took to the air and landed on the docks before the dragon. The owl inspected him as Theo crept from the woods.
It took him several moments, downward facing ears suddenly raising like a hare's as he peeked around either side of him. It was as if he expected a beast to snatch him up. In truth, Theo expected just that. He even jumped once his hooves make a sound on the wooden docks. He then snorted and grunted like a horse.
For the first several steps, Theo's tail twitched, every one of them sounding a million times louder then the first. However, by the fifth step he was standing straighter and without a second glance.
"Aye, that I am. " He replied. Paschi returned to his staff, which the Faun was holding horizontally until he reached the Dragon. There was still apprehension and Theo stayed several feet away from the other.

[Señor Sunday Friday]

The dragon's head turned to the side slightly, "There's no need for so much worry, little one." There was an amused chuckle and the dragon shook his head, "I'm not here as an opponent." and with that the skin and flesh of the dragon fell down in water between the wooden slats and standing there instead was a man with bloody red hair falling over his brown eyes that remained the same muddy hue. He was clad in simple, well fashioned clothing and his arms were crossed over his chest, "My name is Makashi." His teeth were still somewhat pointed and so his slight smile wasn't at all reassuring but as a person he was rather short of stature and his eyes were distinctively eastern in appearance, his pupils slitted and sharp as he looked towards the Kirin-Faun that was indeed taller than he himself.

"I am here to escort you to Twilight Moon Academy." He spoke in a calm voice but there was a feeling about him that was enough to put someone on edge, as if his calm and kind demeanor was possible of falling away in any moment with the slightest shift in the wind. He was quiet for now but perhaps there was more of the ocean in this dragon Makashi than previously concieved. He blinked his eyes as he turned his gaze towards the waters heading towards Twilight Moon Academy, a bit of a smile on his face as he let some thought or other wander into his mind, "I'm sure you will find it to be an enjoyable enough of a place."


An old man ran past the group, seemingly completely at random and he was clothed in red robes and carried a staff with him, "Haha! Freedom at last!" He shouted in a victorious, if not rhasped and old voice.

"Satonaro!" A being shouted, covered in a heavy cloth cloak and there was the sound of clinking armor underneath. His eyes were double lidded, with a horizontal and vertical pair of eyelids and his hair was snow white, a pair of spiraling horns growing out of his skull and yellow eyes looked out of blue scaled skin. There was a frown on his expression and a snarl somewhat present.

[Fringe]

As the Dragon spoke and turned into a man, Theo straightened. This behavior was usual for his species and to be called right now hurt his pride a little. His ears flicked in annoyance and looked away for a moment. Though his face was turned, his eyes panned back to look at the figure, not wanting to look away. His severe calmness had indeed infected him with worry, yet again and Theo once more had started to rethink his stay.
Theo perked a brow towards the comment and silently watched the, now, man. He still hadn't moved however and didn't have any plans to. "We shall see.." He stated calmly. The air Theo brought, was of something much more mature then his age. Scratching at his ear and leaning against his staff, Theo proceeded to stare, unmoved. Theo's pseudo-glow eyes moved along Makashi's body, taking in the hair and teeth.
They turned to slits and he shifted on his feet. "Theocritus Iorwerth, but I'm sure you know this." His voice was frigid and he seemed to stay like this until the interruption. Theo then jumped and moved closer to the other, staring at the old man and then the one in a heavy cloak.
His tail flicked nervously and again came a horse like grunt as he watched the horned figure with unease. Armored men brought discomfort to his homeland and this brought a sharp glare to the new comer.

[Señor Sunday Friday]

"Indeed, the waves whisper many things, perhaps a bit too much at times- they're an old, trusted friend but they sure enjoy ruining suprises." Makashi shrugged as if he wasn't speaking of something that was utterly, endlessly unusual. He walked calmly down the docks, "We'll be on our way... I just have to find the path..." He thought aloud, speaking between his teeth, "Of all the things to lose track o- ah!" he smiled and clapped his hands together with a mild eccentricity and headed towards the edge of the wooden planking where there was a painted line of white. "Very nice!" He smiled towards Theocritus, "And then we'll get started on your schedule."

[Fringe]

"Wait.. What?" He hardly understood the other and concluded that no matter where you were, the Dragons would always be weird. Therefore, Theo stood there and stared at him. His brow was perked and eyes narrowed, with a hand resting on his hip. To twist the Cross-Dressing Wolf's line in the lovely story of Little Red seems appropriate here: All to seem more feminine for you, my dear.
He listened to him ramble on and on to himself. Theo didn't bother making sense of it until he said your schedule. Taking in a deep breath, Theo moved over to the other. He looked for the two that had appeared moments ago, as he moved towards the Dragon. However, if they were still here, the fog had swallowed them up.
A sharp pain then ran through the Kirin-Faun's leg. Where the meat met the toe-nail like covering of his hoof, a nail broke. It must of been sticking out of the dock and stayed there, for when he lifted his hoof both the nail and some of his silvery muted green blood fled from his foot. Hissing in pain and with incredible flexibility, Theo balanced upon the other foot and staff to examine the wound. It was small and shallow. It was obvious it had not gone deep, but it hurt. Oh did it hurt.
"One moment." He stated and took a bud from his long, tufted, tail. He squished it then spread the oils from it onto the wound. It would kill any entity that had it out for him. However, it quickly healed over thanks to is Luk. Shaking his head and tail in unison, Theo moved towards Makashi.
"Now then.. you were saying?"

[Señor Sunday Friday]

"Music, History, or Potionry class is your first choice, shouldn't be too terribly hard." He smiled, a foot going out over the air past the white mark and he stepped forward, standing on the empty space, a smile on his face, very happy that he had found the walkway. "If you need any explanations, feel free to ask- but I'd prefer if we got going as fast as possible." He didn't start going yet, he was waiting for his student, not wanting Theo to end up falling off the invisible walkway, something to best be avoided.

[Fringe]

Theo stepped right behind him. He didn't look at the ground, however. The Kirin didn't want to see the fact nothing truly solid was below. "History." He said right away. Something with books, musty books. He loved that smell. His 'tree house' had smelled like that.
His tail flicked back and forth, the longest tendrils of moss ridden hair floated over and off, then back onto the invisible platform that had them suspended, over what, Theo didn't want to see.
"Then start moving.." Snorting softly, he scuffed his hoof on the step. If this was to get done and over with, then let it continue.

[Señor Sunday Friday]

Makashi didn't need any further persuasion and he set off on a brisk pace, "Holy, Flare, or Summoning?" he smiled as he headed off, he rather hoped this wouldn't be far too long as since he could rather easily tell that his studentwas less than amiable or some thing of sorts. He closed his eyes a moment as he walked, thinking quietly as he lead the way then pausing a moment he looked back towards his student with a curious expression before opening his mouth with an intake of air as if about to inquire something but thinking better of it he continued on his way.

[Fringe]

"Summoning..." He responded, yet again, quickly. The youth hardly seemed the type of person to roll the candy on his tongue, taking in the taste, and examining the flavors. In his element, Theo might of acted a little differently. However, he was no longer cloaked in the trees and comfort he loved.
He wanted to get where they were going, simply because he didn't like being out in the open. Though Makashi seemed sweet enough, kind enough, but Theo didn't trust him enough. He was starting to become uncomfortable and wanted to sit in solitude a moment. However, he was happy for someone quite. Theo would probably just break down right there if it had been a loud-mouth or someone who had to constantly talk.
"What?" He questioned as the other opened and then turned away. He put a hand through his tree, did he have a bird there? No. Then what did the other want to say. "What is it you wanted to say?"

[Señor Sunday Friday]

"Your next classes are Samurai, Dragoon, or Thievery." He stated, brushing off the asking of what his question had been, deeming it either unimportant, or too important to mention to a student. He seemed to rather wish that they could get to the school grounds soon enough, though the trips back and forth were never quite as quick anymore due to the fact that he no longer gave his students flights, not after that one earth elemental child a while back fell into the water. It had been a grave and terrible accident, but it was in the past and in the present they had to walk, and so walking was what they did.

[Fringe]

Now came the thought. Samurai, Dragoon, or Thievery... "Um.." Theo blinked several times. Thievery was disgraceful but the other two he had never heard of. "Exactly, what is Samurai and Dragoon?" He questioned.
Theo would of declined the offer to fly, period, happy to stay on the ground. After all, he had walked everywhere back home. Whether it be gathering food or going to town, Theo walked. Flying would of just terrified him more.
He also didn't press the matter of what the other wanted to say earlier. If he had truly wanted to say it, he would have responded when the Kirin asked, and Makashi didn't not.
"All I know is that Thievery is out of the question.. so what are the other two, exactly?"

[Señor Sunday Friday]

"Samurai teaches you how to correctly weild swords and how to use your opponent's strengths against them, it's a battle oriented class. Dragoon on the other hand is the act of..." there was a slight faltering, "Dragon riding." he hinted a bit of disdain in his voice at the matter, though he had to admit, the dragons had chosen the kind of life they had and allowed to students to ride them here and about but Makashi didn't understand why a dragon would even want to put themselves through something like that. It simply didn't make sense to him at all.

[Fringe]

It didn't make sense to Theo either. He found it, in all honesty, rather disturbing, disgusting, and distasteful. "It seems I will have to choose Samurai.. I have a distaste for all three classes, but I must choose one.." He signed, ears flicking.
Theocritus shook his head in an annoyed manner. He had to take a fighting class. Well, he supposed it was for a the best, but he hated swords. Still, the Kirin refused to touch Thievery and riding a /Dragon/. No.. Maybe if it was ground based, but still, it would make Theo sick. They were beings just like he was, not some pack animal like the humans bred for their own sick needs. His stomach turned at the thought. "Well.. we all have to make our choices.. be it what we want or not.." He commented softly, first words he said without any need.