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Post by authorlady on Sept 30, 2008 18:09:33 GMT -5
Keelyn walked slowly on the boardwalk, eyes scanning the environment around her. Goosebumps were forming on her arms due to the cold but she barely paid them any mind. She was too wound up to worry about the temperature right now.
She was really here. This was the place where she'd meet whoever took her to Twilight Moon Academy. She had to admit, it was disconcerting to have to meet everyone in a creepy place like this. Surely, there had to be other places one could have a meeting for crying out loud. But she supposed, she really couldn't be too picky, could she?
Eventually, Keelyn stopped walking and just stood there in the middle of the boardwalk, waiting and watching. This whole area gave her bad vibes. She hoped whoever came for her would get here soon. Before something happened. If something happened.
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on Sept 30, 2008 21:19:59 GMT -5
A shuffling sound wove through the fog, followed by crisp clacks of footsteps, slightly muffled by the dampness of the wood. It was the size of a child, only three or four feet in height, but there was something horribly fascinating about his frame that implied this was no human youth. It was difficult to discern exactly what made it seem wrong, with its body swathed in dozens of layers of roughly woven pieces of cloth, all of them shades of brown, worn ripped from use and years.
A cowl of the same ragged cloth came low across the face, leaving it lost in shadow, but two pricks of red could be seen alight with an alien interest. Beneath a cloak of weary sand colored burlap, what looked like slender claws grasped a hilt of some weapon. Its legs were the most disturbing, just visible, were sheathed in some grayish plate armor and didn't appear to have feet. They ended like curved blades on the soggy planks, constantly in motion.
Whatever the creature was, it never seemed to stop moving. Little things, like edging from one foot to another and sharp movements of the head as it reguaged its surroundings, before returning its attention to her.
"Greetings," it managed to say, though there was a lot more click and hiss to the words than a normal race might apply.
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Post by authorlady on Oct 1, 2008 17:55:27 GMT -5
Keelyn immediately went rigid at the sound of the upcoming footsteps. If she was anxious before, it was nothing compared to the feelings the girl had now! It took all of her will power not to bolt because she really wanted to.
Biting the inside of her cheek, Keelyn ground her feet into the dirt. She had to calm down. She had to remember why she was here. There was someone she was supposed to meet. Her master... or someone like that, right? This was probably that person coming to meet her. Yeah, that was it.
Her eyes were closed tight as the footsteps grew closer. She supposed she should turn around and face what was coming. Who was coming. Taking a breath, the girl made herself turn around in time to hear the being speak to her. Because that's the best way she could see herself describing this person. A being. Because he didn't look like anything she'd ever seen before.
"Um... hello." Keelyn began, instantly feeling like a ninny for the lame response. "Are you... here to take me to Twilight Moon?"
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on Oct 1, 2008 19:55:58 GMT -5
It paused, seeming to consider it. Finally, it replied, "The school.... yes. You are not silver..." There was a faint tone of betrayal in its voice at being deceived. "But few others have wings..."
"I am Kuzuku," it said, jerking its head forward in a nod. "I will be your Master Teacher. You will learn, much. Can the wings lift you?"
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Post by authorlady on Oct 2, 2008 10:29:44 GMT -5
Keelyn stood silently as the being paused in front of her, as though thinking of something. A slight frown appeared on her face when she heard the tone of voice and it made her feel a little bad. She could tell this person must have been expecting something else. Maybe someone else. But at least it seemed to take things relatively well. She didn't get turned away.
The girl nodded in response to its introduction--Kuzuku, it called itself-- and also to the question asked.
"Yes." Keelyn told the being. To show that fact, she took to the air but only to float around the person.
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on Oct 3, 2008 19:35:22 GMT -5
"Then you will fly, over the water. Boats are... hazardous. There are monsters below that consider soft flesh a treat worthy of murdering. You will be more safe in the air, much." It had never stopped its compulsive fidgeting during any part of the conversation, but now it moved with a purpose, onto the sand and then onto the water.
"Follow!" Kuzuku called in its thin, scratchy voice, apparently a proficient swimmer. The gray waters were choppy with unpredictable lashings that seemed to have more to do with what was under the water than above.
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Post by authorlady on Oct 4, 2008 15:49:02 GMT -5
Keelyn nodded again, blanching a little at the thought of the monsters in the water. Good thing she could fly! She had no idea what she'd do if she was in a boat and something bad happened! The girl watched Kuzuku head toward the water and for a moment, she stared in horror. The water?! Was it nuts?! Did it just warn her about the monsters and it was going in there?!
She wanted to call out. Protest. Ask Kuzuku what the bloody hell it was thinking. But she never got the chance, for the being ordered her to follow... and started moving. Keelyn remained in her spot for a few moments before shaking it off, taking a calming breath and taking flight, keeping her eyes open so she wouldn't lose sight of the being ahead of her.
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on Oct 4, 2008 21:30:36 GMT -5
The shore receded into a wall of mist as they progressed steadily forward, and slowly the waters calmed until they were as flat as a mirror, though one unforgivably murky. The roaring of the waves and wind dulled into a whispering silence, all cottoned with white fog.
"For what reason did you come here?" Kuzuku asked, swimming easily. Though it was hard to sound friendly with such an off kind of voice, one could get the feeling it was trying.
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Post by authorlady on Oct 6, 2008 10:23:22 GMT -5
Keelyn was observing her surroundings with a bit of amazement and awe. Now that they'd left land, the current suddenly grew very calm! As a result, she wasn't so nervous anymore. Not that the scenery looked any more pleasant... But it was also the glying as well. Being in the air was always a calming influence for her.
"Hm?" Keelyn responded to Kuzuku's question. "Oh, um... I wanted to learn more about myself... and my species." She paused. "For a long time now... I never knew what I was or what I could do."
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on Oct 6, 2008 20:53:12 GMT -5
"It is strange to me, but I can see how that is so. You are all so alike... Yes, you have wings, but you look like those who don't have wings. Some have pointed ears. Some have horns, beast-ears, fur, or tails." It glanced up at her curiously.
"But all of you look the same to me. Enough to be the same species, if you tried, but..." It paused for a long time, thinking of the words. "It is not my place to teach you things you know, should already. But to be seperate from your people, it is a thing I cannot imagine. Your pain must be great. I will see if I can find for you, soon."
"For your self, it will not have difficulty. This school teaches as much as the teacher. Your self will not be hard to find."
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Post by authorlady on Oct 7, 2008 17:34:23 GMT -5
Keelyn briefly pondered over Kuzuku's words. Perhaps she should allow herself to be a little offended but for some reason, she didn't see the need for it. Maybe it was because she thought it'd be true. When she met her birth mother for the first time, she would never have known the woman was a fairy had she not been told and shown the abilities she had.
She thought over what the being was saying and slowly frowned. The pain of being separated from her people? Keelyn never really thought about it, not even after she met her real mother. Maybe it was because her human mother made a wonderful substitute. Briefly, she wondered about telling her human mom about what she truly was... but that time wouldn't come for a while.
"Thank you..." Keelyn responded to Kuzuku, smiling.
It meant something to her for this being to care at least a little.
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on Oct 8, 2008 19:56:28 GMT -5
The water slowly lightened until Kuzuku reached sand, and he propelled himself rapidly onto the beach from there. It was as if it was skating across it. Once it was sure its student had also reached the safety of the beach, it murmured a few words to release the spell, and the lake surged once again, free to create waves.
Kuzuku's clothes were soaked and hung more limply on its odd frame, and its cowl now clung and revealed more. Its face was a pale thing with the likeness of a skull, no skin and separated almost like a close helmet. Those small red eyes gazed out under the pale bone-like substance, lost in the blackness between the two plates of it, and the shadowed crack continued down where the human nose would be before separating again to form the frowning mouth and jaw parts.
"Your classes, they are Magic, Weaponry, Beastry, and Master," it said softly, since the quiet still pervaded the air. In contrast to her teacher's appearance, the scene behind him was one of beauty, the browns and grays of the massive academy complex on the orangey emerald of its lawn, lit by the light of countless windows. A winding rock rimmed path stopped at the impressive doors. "Then you will break and eat, if that is what you want."
"The other classes you have choice in, some. From Music, History, and Potionry, you must choose, one. You must take another from what they call 'Flare', 'Holy', and Summoning. Dragoon, Samurai, and Thievery are what you must choose from the next period, and finally you must decide between Puppetmaster and Survival. I will inform them on your choices."
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Post by authorlady on Oct 9, 2008 11:45:22 GMT -5
It seemed like Keelyn was flying forever and if her wings were the type that flapped, she was sure she'd be exhausted by now. As it was, Keelyn had at least 2 more hours worth of flying energy left over. But it was getting boring. Kinda like driving to another place and passing nothing but miles and miles of wildnerness. So the girl was more than happy when she saw Kuzuku finally hit some shore.
Quickly, she followed him down and landed on the moist sand, relieved to be down for a while. Upon scanning the scenery, Keelyn let out a sigh filled with awe. So this was where she'd be? She had to admit, it added a little more anticipation to her thoughts.
When they first met, Kuzuku was pretty much concealed from view. Now due to the water, Keelyn could see him clearly for the first time. To her credit, she reacted little, only widening her eyes to the size of saucers and making an inaudible squeak. Were circumstances different... there was a very good chance she would have screamed. But she knew him now. Kuzuku. She decided to refer to him as a male because it would make things easier.
She listened as he told her of the classes she'd take. The Mandatory ones that she needed apparently. There were four in total and they didn't sound that bad... though she wondered what Master was supposed to be. The last 3 classes were limited to 3 choices per category and she took a moment to decide.
"I will choose Music... Flare... Dragoon and... Survival." Keelyn said eventually.
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Post by Ladd Russo of the Russo Family on Oct 9, 2008 18:57:53 GMT -5
"Very well," said Kuzuku while writing her answers on a slip of paper. The thin stick of charcoal was held very delicately in his claws, so as not to break it. "Does this cause you bafflement, any? I will explain, anything. And, this object is for you." Now done his writing, he shuffled about his rags to conjure a small orb. He had to entangle carefully in his claws so that he could hand it to her, since the sharp appendages had no traction on the smooth object.
"It will assist you if you have need, some."
***Keelyn received Desert Orb*** It looks like there's a sandstorm inside, and it's warm to the touch... This orb can summon up a Lydisn Ryi, also known as the Cactus Cat. This familiar has the shape of a feline, but its 'fur' is really thousands and thousands of fine, needle-like spines, which it can puff out at will. While those it accepts can touch and pet it without harm, all others will find it as pleasant as petting a cactus, thus its namesake. The Lydisn Ryi will protect the owner of its orb in battle, being speedy and agile in combat. Warning: Summoning can be tiring. Beginners should not attempt to summon without at least one practice, or the following exhaustion may lead to the loss of a fight.
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Post by authorlady on Oct 10, 2008 15:44:07 GMT -5
Keelyn stood there, balancing back and forth on her heels with her hands behind her back and watching Kuzuku write what she said on the paper. She'd have opted to try and read over his shoulder as it was a habit she was used to. But she didn't want to offend the being. He was probably a very private person.
After she received her orb, Keelyn stared at it for a while, a curious expression on her face. Then the girl remembered that Kuzuku had asked if she had any questions. Well, now that she thought about it.
"About my class, Flare... what is it? Or will I learn when I get there?"
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