rise again, lost soul

His hands had been behind his back, his head glancing from left to right periodically. It wasn’t often anymore that he ran into new worlds. It had been so long since he had been taught how to create portals to other worlds. It was just common knowledge to him now. Just when it seemed like he would never see anything new, he stumbled upon a place like this. Ray certainly wasn’t complaining, he was always up for seeing new things. It brought a sense of adventure to his usually mundane life.

Athanaesia's eyes widened slightly at that. That sounded more than a little familiar; while traveling, she had come across a nest, the air around it so hot as though she were standing near a fire, and there were a few fissures in the Brisban Wilds... creatures of fire that had come from them, that needed only oxygen to live.

And the mention of immortality... Zhaitan came to mind. Zhaitan, and his legions of undead, from all races (sans the sylvari) alike. The undead rose and rose again, thanks to Zhaitan's corruption...

"Iblis sounds like a destroyer," she said suddenly, voice now uncharacteristically serious. "They're little creatures made of rock and fire, and some can even fly. They summon flames like Elementalists can, burning the ground and those standing on it."

By now, she had finished drawing the symbol on the ground; standing up, she made an exaggerated gesture with her hands, small black and green clouds surrounding her hands--

--and then a golem made of flesh and bone was assembled, barely recognizable as any sort of life form at all; no doubt it would look suspicious, but that didn't register at all in the girl's head. It was perfectly normal to her! Besides, it was better to be safe out here; there were always surprises to be found.

Her words did bring a wider, more comfortable smile out of him. To know there was no danger, especially after that sudden attack from the other day, it made things much easier for him. That, and pirates reminded him of movies.]

I-I’m okay! Just a little nervous ‘cause I don’t know where I am. I think you met a different me. From what I hear, there are more than one. Something about alternate dimensions.

[He shrugged. He was still getting used to the concept.]

But still, to meet a different Ray? That was an odd concept! But Athanaesia had seen so many odd things that meeting a different version of the same person wasn't very strange anymore. The other seemed honest, after all...

It didn’t change the fact that he was a little nervous. Ray wasn’t the greatest at being in a place he didn’t know all by himself. Now would have been a really great time for his guardian angel to swoop down and take him home! Such wasn’t the case, and didn’t look like it was ever going to be the case. He would have to settle for a voice that was calling his name.]

I-I think you have me confused with someone else…

[His voice was quiet as he fidgeted with his hands just a bit, but he was smiling.]

"Oh-- thank you!" At the compliment, her cheeks became tinged with a hint of gold; it wasn't often she was complimented like that! "My name's Athanaesia. I'm sorry for startling you! You just look so much like someone I met earlier; he claimed to know the future!"

…Ah.

…She bumped into someone.

The little hedgehog stumbles back, rubbing her forehead.]

"Oh, no worries! I'm perfectly fine, blossom!" She gave a smile, dusting off her skirt idly. She'd sure been running into a lot of creatures who looked like this little girl, hadn't she? "I don't often see travelers so close to the Grove! Are you here to visit the Pale Tree?"

"Athanaesia.." He repeated. "What a unique name." He commented. "It’s very pretty."  

He blinked at her question. “Oh, well. A chao is… ah.. hnn.” Well this was strange. He never had to explain what a chao was before. “Ah, chao are little floating creatures, with these little wings. They usually chirp.” He said. “They’re also on the round side.”

What an odd sounding creature! Though, that would make things easier, wouldn't it? Simply look for the one thing that didn't quite belong!

"He sounds like a cutie!" She said as she led him deeper into the heart of the market, glancing around. It seemed Widd's experiments hadn't gotten loose again; the small market was calm yet bustling with crafting at work, the ringing of hammer landing against metal sounding through the air, along with many other things, though she gently shook her head; focus, focus.