First Steps (Alastin)

[Ziare]

It was not somewhere she really wanted to be. Really what she wanted more than anything was to get the shopping trip done so she could go back into the safety of the academy but more importantly the safety of her tower room. She had long since let go of Alastin's hand she wasn't ready for that kind of thing. She had barely let Jyo hold her hand she wasn't going to let Alastin. So unless she really needed his comfort which wouldn't shock her before the trip was over she wasn't intending to hold his hand.

They walked through the academy and she kept her head down. She was rather well known in the school and she half waved to people that recognized her. They all whispered about her hair because it was no longer reaching down to her calves but instead it just crested her hips. She liked it. It was really easy to deal with though it was weird not having to brush so much hair. Her hair was very thick and the weight that had been lost was immense.

Outside the sun hit her and she smiled softly. It felt a bit good for a moment to be outside where there was a fresh breeze and the soft warmth of the sun. They went into the city and she stuck close to Alastin as there were tons of MEN in the city and she was not prepared to talk to any of them. Muchless have them touch her. She began to look for the store she knew was here. She had thought a long time ago about taking up some kind of beading but now with jewelry making as her new intrigue she needed to find the store again so she could blow her added up allowances on her supplies.

[Alastin]

Alastin hummed softly as he walked beside Ziare reveling in the warm sunlight almost. This was his first time in Babylos City and he wanted to make the most of it even though the person he was with wasn't overly thrilled. He shot a sympathetic smile at Ziare and gave a sigh seeing her kind of pulling away from all the greetings that were being given her and saw her half-heartedly returning some. He knew that it was wrong what he just thought and had his hands in his pockets his satchel bouncing against his hip lightly as he hummed softly. He had money to spend and he was certainly looking forward to what the city had to offer. There had been so many friendly sounding people in the academy and he made a mental note to go explore back there when he had the time. There was just so much that he wanted to do he had a child-like excitement in his eyes.

"It's sooooo beautiful," Alastin whispered as he walked beside her gazing around at the city. Magic openly displayed as a pyromancer was showing off his skills to the awe and cheer of the crowd. Magical devices being marketed at a cart the owner even giving an open demonstration by shooting off a firework from one of the wands.

Where to go what to do...this place is huge...there's no way I'll be able to explore it in one day.

"Sooooooooooooo where we going first?" Alastin asked since he was more or less following Ziare at the moment.

[Ziare]

Ziare looked around the city and tried not to make eye contact with anyone. Perhaps it would be better if she just went back to the academy. She chewed on her lower lip her hands clenched into fists in the pockets of her jeans. If she ever saw anyone that looked like Thalo she would probably lose all control so except for looking up every once in a while she looked up rarely.

The city wasn't too busy as it was the afternoon of a weekday but even then it was still a bustling magical city. She had loved this city from the moment she got here and now she seemed to shiver at every dark alley way and when a male looked at her just right she found herself shaking. It wouldn't be noticed as much by the boy next to her as she had her hands in her pockets but she was trembling.

She heard his question and she looked over at him with her frightened eyes. She didn't speak she just nodded down the street saying they were going to turn left here. And as soon as she got to the street she did just that. It wasn't long before she found the store again a lot of custom jewelry hung in the windows. She nodded towards it and entered the building.

Inside a blast of cold air hit them from the AC. Baskets of beads, gems, clasps, facets, chains, links, charms, etc were lay out in rainbow fashion. This allowed you to see all the colors that were available. A woman greeted them and Ziare nodded with a fake smile as she grabbed a hand basket and began walking around. The first thing she grabbed was some tools. A beading board and all the pliers and wire tools that she would need to create some unique peices.

[Alastin]

Alastin hummed softly but, sensed her edginess and fear of the area around them for a moment and looked up at her knowing that he wasn't going to keep her out long. As is Ziare was seriously on edge from all of this and nearly jumping at anything that seemed to move even if it was only a mouse. The poor thing. Alastin sighed softly to himself figuring that she used to be a very out-going sort of girl that always did things with a happy sort of flare but, whoever ruined her had did a thorough job. Taking her down from a happy-go-lucky sort of girl to someone who was afraid of what went bump in the dark. Yet there was some sort of finality that he could sense and that worried him. As if she had ended something forcefully and ensured that it would never happen again. A kind of black taint to it that made him frown in worry but, he didn't show it on his face he just walked beside her.

Maybe if I channel the heaven fire for a brave memory and not just a happy one I can give her a bit more reserve. The poor girl looks like she's about to jump and yelp in terror. It's sad that people can be cruel enough to do this to other people.

Alastin entered the jewelry store with her humming softly as he smiled warmly at the attendent at the shelf but, already he had concluded on what he could do. The soft white flames formed on his palm and he stood behind Ziare and slipped a hug around her from behind as he let the comforting warmth work her to calm her down. Lightly he nuzzled Ziare's neck they out of sight from anyone for the moment.

"Hey, it's ok I'm right here with you and I'm not going to let anyone hurt you they'll have to go through me first," he said very softly and reassuringly to her as he ran his fingers through her hair for a moment and then step-backed as he looked around for something to catch his eye.

~That was nice of you.~

She was unbalanced...

[Ziare]

Ziare felt Alastin's arms move around her while she was picking out some lobster clasps from a basket. She closed her eyes feeling this warmth that only he seemed to have. She let him speak his words as he stroked her hair she felt a bit.. braver now somehow. As if it was okay to be in the city and that not every dark shadow meant Thalo had come back.

She smiled as he let go and she did feel better. A smile on her face her eyes weren't as hollowed as they were before as she went around picking out some beads and matching the colors so that she could make a whole set to go together. She hummed softly to herself as she picked out all the things she would need.

"Alastin, tell me about your past." she said softly as she moved about the baskets picking things out and putting them in her own basket.

[Alastin]

Alastin saw the braver smile and her eyes not looking so hollow feeling that he guessed just right and almost wanted to jump for joy at her progress. He finally let her go as he studied a small craft sculpture for a moment as he let Ziare pick out materials that he needed. He heard her humming as he studied the beautiful sculpture for a moment and was about to reach out to check the price tag. That is until Ziare asked him about his past and he blinked for a moment as he turned to face her. That's right they really hadn't any time to introduce themselves it was always he busy trying to give her the will to face life.

"Well, I was born after two older siblings my father a medical doctor and my mother a psychologist. The town was in Iceland a good-sized town but, a town isn't a city so you could thoroughly explore it given enough time. Mostly it was one of those university towns with a farming community so the high school classes were usually small. Anyways I was raised with my older brother and sister they looking out for me since well I'm naive. REALLY naive. My brother once said I was gullible enough to help someone even if they were only doing it so they could take blatant advantage of me..."

He blushed slightly at the rememberence of that phrase. It was true he was always the gullible one out of the three and he gave a small sigh rubbing the back of his head. He leaned back against the shelf for a moment gazing at the ceiling.

"Well after I got bullied too often my mother took me aside and began to teach my basic psychology my father having already taught all of us first aide. I was well thunderstruck. Simple words and behavior can change how people react to you it left me stupified that me acting innocent left me vulnerable..."

He sighed and shook his head.

"Sorry I didn't mean to break off there. I had a pretty good childhood I didn't discover Misae till I was sixteen. I more or less experimented with magic under her instruction until the Academy caught me and here I am today," he said with a smile.

[Ziare]

Ziare put several more beads into her basket before she moved on to the chains and charms. She wanted to make sure that she had everything so that she didn't have to come back for a while. She grabbed several spools of the fine wire she could twist and bend to make jewelry.

Grabbing some of the other things she listened carefully to what Alastin had to say. She didn't want to miss anything as she began going through the charms and picking out the ones she wanted to take with her. This was actually proving to be fun. She was getting all sorts of ideas in her mind for the things she wanted to make by just looking at what was offered.

"You just have to be careful who you trust." she said softly as she tucked her hair behind her ears.

There was a wall of already made jewelry as well as long strings of beads you could wear or use for your designs. Some of the most beautiful beads in the world hung there and she began to take down strands of them finding that she loved them. She smiled softly as she ran her fingers over the glass beads.

"How did you get Misae?" she asked softly as she continued taking beads down and putting them in her almost full basket.

[Alastin]

That's on the dot I just wish I could ask questions...

~Be patient healer you need to be fair about all of this.~

True. Though I still wish it was easier.

~Human thinking always wanting things easier.~

Thanks for being so supportive...

Alastin watched Ziare gazing at the glass beads as he heard her comment on being careful who he trusted. That was a given there was no doubt about that since he seemed to get taken advantage of left and right when he was younger and it drove him nuts. Still Alastin finally saw a couple things that might she might like and he carefully pulled them off the wall and discretely palmed them for now so Ziare wouldn't see what he had gotten. He saw her attentionw as on the glass beads at the moment and he gave a gentle smile but, heard her next question and blinked for a moment. Humming for a moment he gave a smile.

"Well like I said I was rather naive and I was rather lonely at times I was kind of being really sad and to the point of crying. I mean all people used me for was an answer key back during my senior year of high school since I was a smart kid. There was just so much pressure with exams coming. Eventually I don't know what it was it must have been desperation for a companion that I could confide in..."

He said softly as he gazed at the beads and lightly touched them his fingers near hers.

"Misae was dormant in that lake at that time and she began prodding me mentally and began to talk to me sensing my magic and wanting to be free once more...she's always been able to tap into my magic so she sort of summoned herself. So well Misae has been with me ever since then."

[Ziare]

Ziare looked up when he came over and began running his hands over the beads she currently had in her hand. She smiled softly at the story his was so much different than hers that she thought about how unique they both were. She hadn't known all the different ways you could find your first summon like that.

"That is so nice. That you finally found someone to confide in. My family is really large so I never was alone." she said letting a bit of her own information go.

She placed the beads into the basket and walked to the wall where he had been looking not too long ago and looked around at the beads that were not the ones he had already picked up. She already had all kinds of things in her basket but she wanted to make sure she got a full selection of things because she wasn't going to make Alastin come to the city often and as she was now she didn't think she could come alone.

Finished with the beads she began to look at the gems. They were more expensive but she found two that she would get. One was a ruby with a gold dragon inlay and the other was a dragon shaped ruby charm. Both she got and one piece of pearlesent shell with the Japanese symbol for fire on it. She ran her had over the engraving surrounded by a dragon. Digging deep she found one last thing and threw it at the bottom of her basket so a certain buddy couldn't see it.

"Are you close to your family?" she asked as she put her basket on the check out register and the woman began ringing things up.

[Alastin]

Alastin smiled at her when she asked him about the confiding well that wasn't totally true. With his normal problems he was able to confide in with others especially his mother who always knew EXACTLY what to say to bring his spirts back up and he always liked that. Still he didn't miss her stating a bit of her own information and he gave a smile about that it was something to make a mental note himself for when she opened more. For now though he would have to be content with the little bits and pieces that she was sharing as he watched her go through more of the selection and hummed softly. It was rather nice going into town with a friend especially because he wanted to go and didn't just want to sit aside and do nothing. He touched something that caught his attention that he didn't expect in here.

A focus?!

~That's what I sense as well.~

Alastin touched the crystalline cross and lightly his magic ignited through it and he gave a broad smile as he took the cross gently and added that to his small cache of items to buy. Finally they were walking to the front again and he heard Ziare's question on whether or not he was close to his family. He gave a bright smile and a nod at her.

"Yes I am I've always been close to my older siblings and being a healer I've been able to always connect with my parents. In fact alot of my skills that I've learned outside of magic I learned from my parents," he said happily as he let the woman on the other counter ring up his items which he paid for them having them put in the bag so Ziare wouldn't see everything that he got as he paid for it. He had always been keen on saving and spoiling himself every once in awhile.

"In fact I just sent them a letter though I kind of have to fib and called the Academy more of a university since I haven't told them that I can use magic," he said with a small blush himself.

[Ziare]

Ziare paid for her things nearly wiping herself out but she would be fine. It was a rather large bag they gave her back with all the things that she had gotten and picked out. She was set to get her newest hobby started and she smiled softly. It was kinda like starting a new life and she was excited about that. Having something to look forward to.

She noticed that Alastin was free with a lot of information and she liked learning about him. Though he didn't ask any questions about her she figured that when he wanted to know then he would ask. Until then she would just tell him little things. With bag in hand she stepped back out into the city and looked around.

"Is there a place you would like to go?" she asked softly looking over at him and doing her best to keep herself calm.

[Alastin]

Alastin hummed softly as he almost chuckled at the large bag that she had and took his own small bag and put it in his satchel having a good time himself. He considered it for a moment as he took her arm gently and began to walk with her. They were walking down a street as he considered it for a moment and gave a nod.

"Actually I do need to make a stop and check the medical supplies that are available here, I can't rely on my magic all the time. In the mean time would you be willing to tell me how you acquired Armenius? You don't have to I'm just curious," he said with a smile at her as he began to walk down a street paying attention to the sides and where he wanted to go.

~Mighty question...~

HUSH!

Alastin paused for a moment as if thinking about something and looking up at her he gave a small gentle smile.

"Maybe we could hit an ice cream stand after that? I'm afraid it's a huge weakness for me and I haven't had any in AGES with my dad a doctor always insisting on healthy stuff," he said with a secretive smile.

[Ziare]

Ziare smiled as he took her arm and looped his with hers as they went down the street. He told her that he wanted to stop for medical supplies and she nodded. She could understand that. She personally had probably used quite a lot of them while she was a frequent visitor in his room and in his life.

He asked about Armenius and her eyes lit up at the thought of talking about her bond summon. She looked up in the sky for a moment.

Oh come now you know you want to tell.

I was planning to.

Oh I know that, you can't resist talking about me.

Drop it.

You love me.

You wish.

You're right.

"Armenius came to save me actually. I was hunting with my sister gathering herbs for my mothers kitchen. We came across a bear cave and apparently they had small cubs and the bears were guarding it. They attacked us. Rearing up they were made to attack and so instinctivly I put my arm up and out to protect myself. The next thing I knew the bears were running from a huge red dragon that had suddenly appeared. He saved us and from then I really knew about him but he's told me he was there my whole life. That he had helped guide me and so forth." she said with a soft smile.

[Alastin]

"Wow," Alastin said softly as he looked up at her rather comfortable with his arm looped around hers. In fact he enjoyed the closeness of her touch having not expected it but, it was a pleasent surprise and it helped keep her calm. He didn't miss the way her eyes lit up when he asked about Armenius and knew that Armenius was definantly a big piece of her life and he couldn't help but, smile even more. Misae was the same way with him now he couldn't imagine a day without her comments around to keep him company so he wasn't alone.

~Awwww you're so sweet to me.~

I could take that back.

~You wish, you love me so.~

You're impossible.

Alastin chuckled softly at Misae's little internal smirk and reached the shop that he wanted with Ziare and walked inside the shop with her. It was beautiful and he looked around almost in awe at the amount of supplies they had even texts that he desperatly wanted. Like a child at a toy store he browsed carefully plucking a pair of texts off the shelf one that dealt with magical healing the other non-magical. Humming he put them in a basket he had picked up and as he began to browse he looked at her.

"How did you get Kaladra? I mean I'm kind of envious that you have your very own phoenix," he said with a smile as he carefully got fresh bandages testing the fibers.

[Ziare]

As they entered the next shop she let go of his arm and looked around. She really didn't have much interest here but she wasn't going to say anything after all he had gone to the bead store with her and so she was just going to be quiet and let him spend as much time in here as he wanted. She looked through the pictures in some of the books before she heard his question.

"Well it was a long trek of sorts. Firstly I received a notice and a red feather that told me to go on this day to this location and follow the red ribbons. I could bring the person I trusted most. So I took Jyo. And we went. The first night we were tired and a man came telling us where to go the next day. When we got there he was there waiting for us and he told Jyo that he had to fight him but he wouldn't let go of me. The only way to kill the man was to stab him right through the heart." she said softly.

"So Jyo after I told him I trusted him stabbed the man but stabbed him through me and into the man behind me. He ended up transforming into a phoenix that flew off. Jyo used a spell and healed my wound. Well that night Kaladra came and asked me to show her the bruise that was left from the stab. She pierced my heart anew and then cried in the wound much like you but on a bigger scale. So it healed and I have a tattoo there now. After that she was able to speak to me and is bonded to me for life."

"However, Jyo took it hard because of all the pain I had to go through in the trial. I didn't mind but he still I don't think has ever forgiven Kaladra for the trial she made me go through." she said with a shrug.

Ziare looked over at him and lay her head on his shoulder for a moment letting him look while she rested against him.