#alliray

"You can't be serious," his expression showing just as much confusion and disbelief as his voice conveyed. "That's why you have been avoiding me." He reached up lightly touching the black fluff that covered the ear he had positioned on the top of his head, tail flicking in irritation. 

Thaide frowned and ducked his head, the curls that didn't make it in to his messy braid dropping in front of his face. He scuffed his foot on the ground causing little puffs of dust to billow and settle as he moved a hand to rub at the X shaped scar above his right eye.

"It's stupid I know I'm a quantra (coward)" Thaide couldn't help but feel like he had just betrayed his best friend and had no doubt Risten would want nothing to do with him now that he knew. Ardren was going to get an earful for this she had no business sticking her nose in his friendships. Even if she did have a friend crush on Risten.

Risten moved forward snatching Thaides hand from his face and brushing curls from his eyes. Feeling the slight flinch made him stop and step back, but he refused to let his hand drop. It hurt him to feel his friend flinch away from him but he refused to dwell on it. The scent of fear was slipping his over Thaides dark skin and twisting off through the air, stronger then usual but it was not uncommon even if fear was not the most pleasant thing for Ristens sensitive nose to pick up. It was something the pale boy was use too from the other.

"Look you maybe scared of a lot but that doesn't make you a quantra, not to me." Smiling softly he raised the hand he held to is lips kissing the knuckles softly. "I promise I'm not mad, just why didn't you tell me?"

"How can we be friends if I'm scared of you just for being an evidea (part animal with the ability to morph in to different stages of said animal)?" Tears glistened causing the blue flecks in his black eyes to shine even more then normal. Risten frowned at him and squeezed the hand he still would not let go of, causing Thaide to look at him.

"It just means I have to help you get over your fear." He beamed as the dark skin on the other across from him brightened. His ears perked up as Thaide laughed at his determination. Risten winked pushing black hair out of his eyes.

"Okay."

"Hurry up or we'll be late." Tugging on the hand he held he began to drag him towards the school building. He chuckled.

"What?"

"You're afraid of cats? Really?" 

"Hey they have claws and teeth."

"Ugh, you're being stubborn again." She sighed and put a hand on her hip after letting the stack of papers she had been carrying in to the office land with a loud thud on the dark wood desk. This conversation was starting to happen more and more frequently.

"He is dangers. We aren't debating this Slates" Skip growled from behind her already large stacks of papers not even bothering to look up a her girlfriend. Slates rolled her eyes stepping around the desk to tilt the over worked Rosat's (mayor) chin up. Her own dark olive skin looking almost light compared to Skips dark tone. Her tone was soft as she spoke stroking Skips cheek with her thumb.

"He's a child. He's scared." 

"Being a child doesn't make him any less of a threat." Her blue eyes narrowed as she pulled back refusing to give in. She was not going back her decision just because Slate's was batting her indigo eyes at her, it wasn't going to work, not this time. 

"He came to you for protection. He wants' help. Think about that." Leaning down letting her thin lips leave a soft kiss above Skips brow, before turning. She knew that Skips mind was firmly made up having just made he choice, but planting the seed of doubt early was her job, it always worked that way when their Rosat made a rash decision. She did it for the good of Saabrin, she tried her best but always needed a little help along the way. She paused part way through the room to glance back.

"You can be as stubborn as you want but I know some one that can be even more so." She smirked. Skip paused startled looking up from her work before letting her eyes narrow a glare. Something was up.

"Slate's?" Her voice was questioning and weary.

"Good luck getting the kid from Vilthe's practice." She winked as she opened one of he large intricate double doors. Skip stood knocking of a cup of pens and nearly knocking over her chair. Slates didn't stick around.

The frozen landscape sprawled out in every direction only small thistles, nys (ice) weed and nys radishes managed to grow this far up. The air was crisper now that cool summer was leading in to fall, nipping at lungs with every breath. The last few runs of ships would be coming in to port in the next couple months before it would get cold enough for he ice to thicken to the point even nys breakers would be unable to make it.

Merkera sat along the docks chewing on dried salted fish watching people unload the food that would last the community all winter and in to the end of the storm season. The docks not exactly being what you would expect as wood was hard to come by unless you felt like walking eos(2)sere(days) ire (south) and even then finding much wasn't easy. They liked helping out but once it came to the heavy things there wasn't much they could do. They snuggled farther in to their jacket, slipping mittens back on their now colder then normal fingers after swallowing the last bite. 

Hopping up Ker scurried back up on deck slipping under people, their height, or lack there of, making it fairly effortless. Small puffs of air curling behind them like a little dragons nys flames swirling until they noticed something, or someone and skidded to a stop.

"Aren't you cold?" The little voice caused the other to stop before slipping below deck.

"Not really. Should I be?" They smiled flicking their ponytail over their shoulder and rubbing at the lack of hair on the side of their head. The skin was cool but the work was keeping them warm along with being a warm blood to begin with.

"But all you have is a scarf." Ker wandered over looking the stranger over. Their arms were wrapped but there shirt didn't really have sleeves. Dark skin was exposed to the elements and there was only hair down the middle of their head a light brown red colour. 

"Aes (yes) but it's a big fluffy scarf." 

"I guess." Ker was still sceptical. "I'm Merkera but most just all me Ker*" The stranger regard the white haired kid with a grin kneeling down slightly.

"I'm Mytra, Mytra Agantis. It's nice to meet you Ker." Mytra frowned slightly before gesturing to Ker's right ear that was rounded and not pointed as it should be. "What happened?"

"Frost bite duh. It's cold here and I have really cold blood." Mytra laughed a little startled. 

"That would do it I guess." They paused straightening up and glancing down at Ker who's eyes were still fixed on them. The thought occurred to them that you could probably lose this kid in the snow with how pale they were they were pretty cute though "Hey Ker do you know of a place I could stay while I'm here?" 

"Huh. Sure you can stay at my place my mesma (mother) and Kosir (father) will get you a coat too. Just find me when you're done kay?" Mytra smiled and nodded. Thinking about it this kid wasn't probably to much younger then them. 

"Sure. I should get back to work then." Ker just nodded. People where always coming to the community but they were never prepared. Merkera waved as the orange blooded stranger headed below deck to continue helping.

"Warm bloods are weird." Shaking their head Ker turned to go back to looking for there kosir after all they needed to let them know they would be having someone staying with them, again. Mytra seemed pretty cool though and they sure looked forward to hanging out with them.

Vilthe silently slipped in to he dark room trying to stay as quiet as possible as he shut the door behind him. The click of the latch echoing louder then he would have liked it too but that wasn't something that could be helped. The creaks in the old wood floor made him wince internally, the dorm was old and in need of some good repair but he knew the funding wasn't really there. It was the only reason his family had been able to afford to send him and his esyki (female twin) to second set boarding school at all. It wasn't the best but the teachers here were good and determined to teach well. He shook his head he wasn't going to think about Mel it would just upset him and Chevaw did not need that from him right then. 

Standing in the center of the room he glanced at the dark lump curled up on the opposite bed from his own. The brunettes headaches were getting worse as of late and Vilthe felt useless to be of any help even with all his knowledge of medicine and herbology. There had to be a way to help him so as Chev's potential grew he wouldn't have to suffer so much. He wouldn't wish being born a natural iteraen (can read emotion varies for all) on anyone after seeing how much his friend suffered.

"Chev?" He kept his voice hushed as he stepped closer avoiding the soft spot in the floor. The only response he received was a soft pained grown. He took of his red frames off and set them on the desk closing his left eye to get a better idea of just how much pain his friend really was in. It was dark but the dark mist around the top of the curled up lump was still visible. Seeing pain was not something the green blood liked but it sure did help sometimes. The blond sighed rubbing his eye and moving next to the little bed.

Chev turned over to look at the shorter eva, (equivalent to male) tears threatening to spill from his slowly yellowing irises. He smirked slightly, it was amusing to look at Vilthe in the dark, two little green eyes one lighter then the other and blond hair while the rest of him came close to disappearing in to he darkness. He reached out a tanned hand to pull Vilthe on to the bed.

"I promise I'll find a way to stop all your headaches so you can be around people and not hurt." Vilthe's voice was soft as he leaned back against the wall letting Chev's head rest in his lap.

"I know you will. You're going to be he best healer ever." Chev shut his eyes wincing a the sound of his own voice in his head. Vilthe smiled to himself knowing Chev could tell how nice those words made him feel. He tried to keep his emotions pleasant and even, for the other eva. Gently he let his fingers run through darker hair that sprawled over his lap messaging Chevs scalp soothingly. He watched as the dark mist around his head dissipated only slightly but sill hopefully enough to help a little.

The rain poured drenching all that were caught out in it not that Emilod minded, in fact he was enjoying it.The rainy season was his favorite season while he was on land. The cool water slipping over his dark skin as he continued on he dirt, now mud path that was meant to lead him to his next destination. Hopefully this one would provide more profit then the last. The wrapping he had around his arms and sides was thankfully holding up though he did wish he could loosen it the more wet he got. 

Rounding a group of trees he froze, the wall that was a little ways ahead of him loomed above. He had never seen a kingdom with such a large wall surrounding it, he wasn't even aware of a kingdom that even needed one as large as this. He swallowed hard taking the band of his wrist and tying back his now soggy dreads. Shifting his large back pack on his shoulders he began to walk forward. He was hungry and had been traveling a long time, his lack of emmer (money) was something he couldn't ignore anymore either. Determined he made his way to the front gate he wan't one to run from a challenge anyway.

Cavren stayed hunkered in the small pocket at the side of the gate to stay dry. The rainy season was a nice time as not to many wandered this way and he was able to take a bit of a break from the excitement that would start up when the summer officially started. He sighed as his eyes caught someone wandering around the trees, he took note that they did not looked dressed for this weather, though people that wandered this way weren't often ready for much. He stood stretching lightly before grabbing his cloak and putting up his hood. He chuckled glancing out the window, they always stopped no one expected the wall and it never ceased to amuse him. Sweeping up his bow and quiver he stepped out in to the rain and waited.

Noticing how tall the figure that had appeared by the gate was almost caused Em to pause once more but he forced himself to continue. He stopped a couple feet away from the cloaked figure.

"Hi." He paused. "So what does a person have to do to get in."

"I only need a couple minutes of your time to answer a couple questions." Cavren kept his hood over his face, he wasn't a fan of water in his eyes. He watched as the stranger looked a little startled. Even with the rain washing everything away he could smell nervousness coming from him he also had a slightly fishy smell.

"Em, Emilod Certia." He bowed slightly as he spoke. He had been startled by the guards voice it was a lot more intimidating then even he had expected but still very polite sounding. Cavren nodded mildly amused by the bow.

"What is your purpose here and how long do you expect to be staying?" 

"Well, I'm a mechanic and I was hopping to find work, so I would like to stay as long a there is work to be done."

"Oh" Cavren glanced up a little farther to take a better look at the eva (male) in front of him. It wasn't often people came to find work it was a nice change. "Alright. First thing you will need to do is check in at the main hall. You'll be directed where you will be able to stay after that. I will be informing them you're coming so cami (please) don't skip that. It's wet and I don't want to have to hunt you down." 

Emilod just nodded he hadn't been prepared for the eyes that looked at him. Deep red irises with an orange rim around them and a strong jaw that no doubt hid fangs. There were not to many kingdoms excepting viatzezil (blood sucker) in them let alone giving them a position of power such as guarding a gate. He wouldn't be a fan of being hunted down by him either. He now understood why he hadn't looked at him directly at first but he was in no place to judge as he hid things about himself too. He ran his tongue softly over the the back of his own teeth.

Cavren stepped aside for the overall clad, now not so much of a stranger, to step by him and through the opening in to the kingdom beyond. He watched Emilod look him up and down before smiling softly and stepping past

"Thanks"

"You're welcome. Also should you be interested there is a nice pound in the main park. It's deep and and there are a good number of fish." He winked at him. Em froze and turned back just in time to catch the friendly gesture. He smiled wide showing his sharp pointed teeth before turning back and heading on his way. Cavren chuckled softly before slipping back in to his warm little hole in the wall to fill out the paperwork on the new person to enter.

Colours blurred by in every direction, people shouting and different music in played at every point. The summer festival was in full swing people from all over the kingdom and outside of it were crowded on to the grounds. The air was hot and the people made it hard to breath in certain parts but the excitement made Ardren forget all that. She wandered through fair past the games and little booths selling shiny trinkets and paused at the fortune tellers booth briefly chuckling at people slipping in and out of it.

She enjoyed the fair for all the trouble she could get in to, she meant fun, all the fun. Chuckling she wandered of in the direction she wanted, cause really if she was going to be honest with herself there was only one reason she was here this year. That one reason was going to be on the stage in a few minutes and she wanted the best seat. Reaching the stage she squeezed her way to the front, she had been waiting since the new years festival and wasn't about to break a promise.

Sula stepped on stage the fabric of her skirt twisting around her legs as she moved, her motion causing the jewelry she wore to emit a soft tinkling sound. Her skin was pale and softly freckled with teal  over her shoulders and cheeks. Brown hair reached just past her collar bones, and Ardren was still amazed at how she could look prettier every time she saw her.

The music started and Sula began to dance her movements soft and fluid like a quite stream slipping around stones. Slowly it became faster the colours she wore spinning her motions like a torrent of rain the type that chills you to the bone. The crowed was silent entranced by her movements until the music stopped and her movements along with it. No one really knew how long they had been watching.The crowed cheered and Ardren grinned slipping a around the throng of people to the side of the stage sweeping up Sula and hugging her tight.

"I told you I would be here the first day you came back." Sula slipped her pale fingers through the mess of dark tight frizzy curls. Slipping her fingers over her dark cheek.

"I never doubted you for a second." She leaned forward placing her lips softly on the others. "I missed you." Ardren blushed and laughed.

Risten sat on the floor avoiding the burn marks and stains on the carpet. He knew that they were safe and any acid that had caused them had long since been neutralized, but he still didn't feel like testing it. The breeze that blew in from the open window he sat under was nice, the fresh air helping him stand the chemical smells that bombarded his nose every time he was here. 

"Hey so did we want this colourful?" Ardren's voice broke the silence that had only been filled with clanking glass and chirping from passing fala (birds). Risten's ears twitched and he opened his eyes, he hadn't realized he had started to doze until that moment.

"You know my answer to that is always aes (yes)." There was humor in his voice. Ardren turned and grinned back at him, of course she knew his answer. Standing and leaving the comfort of his little window he wandered over to were his closest friend sat, a three year age gap didn't mean anything for them. At a table covered in lab equipment  Risten stopped and leaned against her chair, tail swaying softly. He srunched his nose at the scents still lingering.

"So then why bother asking?" He poked her dark cheek amused. She swatted at his hand chuckling but making sure to not actually touch him.

"You know why." He smiled glancing at the orn (four) little balls sitting on her desk, Thaide would like that number. She only started talking when all chemicals were stable and she didn't need to concentrate on measurements, her way of saying that it was okay for him to come close again.

She slipped of her gloves and dropped them in a garbage bin, the one Risten had painted a chemical  hazard sign on a few months back to avoid a certain mishap from happening, again. She pushed her chair back causing him to stumble back a couple steps. She laughed slipping the little orbs in to a small pouch. Frowning he came around to look.

"This will get us in so much shit." Ardren smiled at him as she spoke.

"Only if we get caught."

"Who else in that school can pull this off?" He laughed at the look she gave him, he knew she was the only one with the chemistry knowledge to make things like this, they both knew it and so did everyone else in that school.

She sat on the bench waiting, watching as people walked by busying themselves with work and where they needed to be. Nervously she pushed back her long dark hair from her face with a pale hand. This was the day she would actually say hello, finally. Looking over she took note of the small little bouquet of dhello(yellow) and Prallen (purple) asith* that sat next to her and smiled.

Nepoled kept her head down as she walked trying to avoid people on her way back from school. The walk took about 45 min to and back from school and she couldn't wait to get home, well she could but at least the number of people at home was something she didn't mind as much, they were neloth (family) after all.

Mali's calico cat ears twitched as she listened to the sounds around her, her tail swaying more the more nervous she got. The thought crossed her mind that what she was doing may seem a bit creepy but she really wanted to just this once. She jumped a little when she noticed the person she had been waiting for, the familiar tan vest and skirt, white t-shirt and knee high socks. The uniform from the school a few blocks away from her own. She stood up scrambling to scoop up her bag and the flowers to fallow after the other esa (female equivalent)

"Excuse me. S'cuse me. Sorry." Mali called after the brunette that was walking rather quickly, twice. Nepoled paused and turned to look unsure of whether that was directed at her. She looked surprised when she realized it was.

"C-Can I help you?" Nepoled blushed slightly as she looked at the tall Jaedha (cat) esa in front of her. Pale skin dark hair, full lips and just a little bit of prallen (purple) in her ranas (eyes). She looked like those models she saw on posters and in magazines.

"Aes (yes). Well you see we always seem to walk the same way home and I just wanted to say I think you're really pretty." She held out the flowers to her blushing a little herself. Nepoled's ranas (eyes) went even wider.

"Oh." Slowly she took them, her look of supprise changing to skepticism. 

"Look I know it's weird and I'm really not trying to be a creeper and if you really never want me to come near you again I won't. I'm Mali." She smiled.

"Nepoled." Mali beamed getting a response and brushed her hair back as the breeze pushed it in her face. It had worked the cute shorter esa was talking to her and didn't seem to hate her, at least not overly. Nepoled's looked didn't change as she watched the other.

"Well Napoled it's nice to meet you. I guess I should be on my way. See you tomorrow?" Her voice was hopeful as she began to walk backwards hoping for another response. She just nodded and watched as Mali turned waving and running off through the park.

Nepoled frowned looking down at the flowers she still held and brought them to her nose. They smelled sweet and calming, blushing she hid a small smile behind them. Se couldn't believe she had noticed her too. Mali, that was a nice name.