Lost Paradise

[Fayne]

Fayne wandered up to Kelsey, slightly shoving Ray out of the way, and put a hand on her bruise. He looked away, running his hand up her ribcage, putting pressure on it with his fist. He could tell she was wincing in pain, he hadn't intended to be rough. "Its not a break", he assured her, "Shorty here needs to learn how to tell apart injuries. Its only a bruise, you'll be fine, just dont go all girly on us." He turned and walked back to Ayric. "Think you can carry all five, Ayric? The boy is small enough that he wont pose an issue, but the girl, I'm not sure." Fayne crouched down on the hillside, his version of sitting. He could feel anger emanating from Ray, and could sense a fight possibly arising. This one should be fun, he mentally giggled and stood back up. "So, what will it be?"

((Ayric))

She stood thoughtfully, calculating everyone's mass and how she would carry everyone. She sighed briefly, that would be hard.

Ayric caught Fayne's eye. "I think we should walk. I can't guarantee a smooth ride and it might injure her further. I could change into a human for shot periods of time. I'm pretty strong in that form so I could carry her. Or I could just get her on my back now but either way and strenuous activity will make the bruise more difficult to heal. " She decided.

He nodded. Ayric looked everyone over; Tom, Fayne, Ray, and Kelsey. She could have carried all four on her back but she was tired and didn't want Kelsey hurt further.

"I can walk." Kelsey offered.

Ayric swiveled her head to look at Kelsey, "You will not, whether you can or not. Now get on, it'll only take an hour or so to walk to Tolleto."

Kelsey sighed and heaved herself onto Ayric's back. Ayric adjusted to the weight and motioned to the boys with her head. "Let's get moving."

Kelsey

"It's just a bruise really." I said. "Ray might be more hurt than I am." I added.

Ray snorted. "Yeah, well I wasn't the one who appeared out of nowhere and went rib first at about 20 miles per hour towards a large thick branch, so I think I'm ok."

"I'm fine really, it's not like I can't... walk." I said.

"Like I said I don't want you walking even if you can or can't."

I shook my head slowly.

Tom

"I..." Tom hesitated and wetted his lips with the tip of his tongue, suddenly nervous. He wetted his very full, plump lips.

"What is it, Babe?" Fayne asked, walking swiftly and silently ahead of Tom who was pleased that he had no difficulty in keeping up and he lost his track of thoughts for a moment as he considered his wonderful stealth. Wow... one track mind. Bad for concentration... uh...

"I was just thinking... I'm a cleric so maybe I can help?" The group halted, all looking at Tom in surprise.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Ray asked.

"I've just started out so I forgot," Tom replied with a shrug.

"Don't get your hopes up. If his magic's as bad as his fighting, he won't be much help," Fayne said with a grin. Tom felt his temper rise and glared at Fayne but somehow managed to look more sexy than anger which brought laughter from the others.

"Fine. I don't have to help if I'm not needed," Tom sulked.

"Don't be silly," Ayric scolded. "Come on, have a go. If nothing else it will give you some much needed experience."

"And what if he does something wrong? I'm fine, really," Kelsey insisted. Tom scowled a little longer and then sighed and softened.

"It's okay, I'm sure this character has a little skill. I've just got to get used to thinking of this body as mine..." He approached the injured girl and then raised his hands a little, feeling stupid. "Uh..." Tom searched the character's mind, finding her knowledge of magic and was amazed at how smoothly the power flowed through his veins. "There how's that? All better now?" Tom grinned. "Look who's good with spells."

Kelsey

I ran my fingers over my ribs, there was no more pain but the bruise was still there. Tom frowned.

"I can't feel the pain, thank you." I smiled.

"Hey at least I tried." He glared.

"Yes, and thank you." I smiled again. "I guess I'm just left with a battle scar."

((Ayric))

Sighing Ayric ruffled her feathers. "Now that Kelsey seems to be all right I will fly everyone to Tolleto but remember, I am not a pack animal. Only will I fly and carry you places when you are injured or when there is an urgency to a situation."

Everyone nodded. "How is this going to happen?" Tom asked, arms crossed. Ayric smirked, he wasn't going to get far as a girl. He was always using a flirting tone, unintentionally of course but it was still amusing.

"I will carry you, Kelsey, and Ray on my back." She looked at Fayne. "Fayne, you will have to settle for me carrying you."

Ayric lowered herself so she was laying down. "Get up." She instructed the three she was carrying. Ray was the first to accept; he gripped the scruff of Ayric's neck and gracefully hauled himself up and between her shoulders and wings. Kelsey and Tom came next and sat behind her wings. Ayric shifted and stood with effort. She spread her wings and eyed Fayne.

"Run off a bit. I'll tell you when to stop." Fayne nodded and took off. He was three quarters away from the edge of the field when Ayric let out a hawk-like screech. Fayne slowed and stood facing the trees.

"Hold on."

Kelsey grunted stubbornly. It sounded like maybe Tom's skills weren't as precise as he wanted them to be. They'd work on that when they got to the town. Ayric shifted once again and coiled her muscles. Quickly Ayric let her muscles go as she shot towards Fayne. She could feel the others holding onto her back tightly. Ayric jumped mid-run and closed the distance between herself and Fayne. Her talons gripped Fayne's shoulders and her wings strained to pull up and clear the trees.

Narrowly Fayne's swinging feet missed the enormous pine trees. Ayric flapped strongly so her speed would quickly take them to Tolleto.

-----

"We're landing! Everyone hold on tight!" After a good half an hour everyone had safely made it.

Ayric flapped harder, keeping them from crashing. Fayne wriggled out of her grip and ran away so she could light down. Ayric collapsed with a thud, Tom, Kelsey and Ray fell off. Tom quickly recovered and flipped backwards and out of the way. Kelsey and Ray helped each other up, brushing the dust off themselves.

Throbbing coming from Ayric's heart and wings kept her on the ground, panting heavily. Aversely Ayric pushed against the ground but only made it into a sitting position.

Tom rushed back over, looking Ayric over. "Can I try to heal you?" he asked.

Ayric sighed, looking herself over. "If you want to. I'd really like to be in human form now so do it quickly."

Tom nodded. He ran his hand along her wings. "These are hot. Too hot for them to be healthy." He seemed to be concentrating as Ayric's pain receded. Tom's magic moved to her heart, slowing it to normal. A rush of air seemed to fill her body.

Ayric nodded approvingly, "You're remembering, just like I said. Thank you."

Tom grinned, "It's wonderful!"

Ayric groaned softly as she started to shift into human form. Her bones compacted and crunched into the limited space they had. When the painful event had finished Ayric sat on the ground, a heavy brown cloak covered most of her body, save her head and forearms. Ayric pushed her chocolate colored hair behind her ears, revealing the point of a morpher.

Ayric smiled up at her comrades, "Are we ready to go find an inn?"

Kelsey

"Are you alright?" I asked.

I smiled, "Yeah, I'll be... ok."

"Are you sure?" Ray asked.

She nodded. "Who's ready to find an inn?" She asked.

Tom and Ray nodded, I didn't. I was a bit distracked by nothing, how weird.

"Kelsey?" Ray asked.

I snapped out of it. "Ah, yeah, sure whatever you guys want to do."

[Fayne]

Fayne sat down with his legs stretched out and his back against a building. How will I tell them that I dont sleep inside? He shook his head. "You all find the inn, I'll wander. We can meet up later after everyone has rested." He stood up and brushed the dirt off his pants, wandering slowly down a large market street.
The sun was beating down on Fayne's black clothed body, making the heat almost unbearable. He kept walking down the merchant street, studying each booth, trying to detect who was friendly and who could possibly pose danger.This is all too real...He thought to himself, sticking a hand under his hood and scratching his head. Well, at least I'm out of that nuisance of an origin point, even if I'm stuck with another shape changer and some weird cross dresser. Looking down, he continued straight, not watching where he was going. He suddenly came to a halt when he ran in to someone. He looked up, the boy was about his height with short black hair and green eyes. Fayne sensed anger within the boy, and had a feeling that this may not turn out very well. He reached behind his back for one of his blades, and felt nothing. What...oh no, I left them back with Babe, to take to the inn...think, Fayne, think!

Jason

His eyes narrowed on the Drow. He wasn't who Jason had been looking for, but a monster would do just fine. He needed to kill something. Of course, weapons like his were discouraged in Tolleto, but he still had his sword.

He reached back and drew it quickly, dropping into a crouch, "I'm surprised you managed to get past the guards, Drow. You won't get past me, though."

His enemy took a step back, raising his hands. Jason grinned almost savagely, "Someone should've told you your kind wasn't welcome here."

[Fayne]

I wont be able to escape this one without a fight... Fayne thought to himself. I'll have to move quickly, dodge his atta- wait, how did he know I was a Drow? He put a hand on his head, feeling his hood knocked off. Fayne barely had time to dodge as his opponent swung at him. He jumped aside but couldn't get a grip on the stone ground, and fell onto his back. He quickly maneuvered himself back up onto his feet and jumped backwards, dodging more swings from his attacker. Now would be the perfect time for one of those fools to decide to follow me! Ah, where are the guards?! Fayne moved quickly and stealth fully, using the obstacles around him to dodge attacks. His opponent slammed him in the stomach with the hilt of the blade, knocking Fayne off his feet and sliding across the ground. Fayne struggled to get up, coughing up small droplets of blood. Putting up a hand, he balanced himself on his knees and other elbow. "W-wait..." He said, out of breath. "I-I'm not evil..I'm on your s-" Fayne rolled on to his back as he began coughing more. He looked up, his opponent standing over him with his blade ready to pierce Fayne's chest.

Azrayel-

Ray turned the corner and saw Fayne in a fight with another player. Growling he drew his scimitars and pointed one at the attackers blade. It froze instantly, the ice was brittle, if the player tried to use it the whole sword would shatter.

He strode towards the pair.and looked at the dark haired boy. "Idiot. Don't you know that guards will let players in no matter what they look like. You want a rep as a player killer when you've only just started the game?" The other boy flushed with embarassment.

"But he's a drow." He muttered under his breath.

Smiling wryly Ray told the boy. "And I'm a half-elf. That doesn't mean I like singing and dancing and worshipping the sun and moon. if he's a player his personality is the same as it is in the real world. Why don't you come to the inn and we can talk."

Now Ray turned to Fayne, his eyes dancing with amusement. "Looks like you're not as strong as you thought scrawny."

Jason

He was confused, to say the least. A player who was a Drow? And a friend of the Drow who didn't seem able to decide whose side he was on? Jason shook his head - this was not a good session for him. He looked down at his frozen sword, then up at the half-elf, "Alright, we can talk. You two seem interesting enough for that, but could you unfreeze my sword now?"

The Drow seemed to start, and Jason shook his head at him, "Don't worry, I'm not gonna kill you. I thought you were a monster before, but now I know you're a player, and I've got the fighting out of my system for now, I'm fine to talk." He looked back to the half-elf, "Which way's the inn?"

((Ayric))

"It's this way." Ayric responded to Jason, hovering behind him. Of course Fayne had to go and get himself into trouble, it must be the way things work.

Jason whipped around, dragging his sword after him with effort. Ayric chuckled, it wasn't fully unfrozen. "More friends?" Jason asked.

Ray smiled and nodded, he seemed to be amused. "Of course. Ayric, where'd you leave Tom and Kelsey?"

"Safely in the inn. We've already got a room if you want to join us."

Fayne swayed slightly, not wanting to go for a reason. He sighed. "I'll go but I'm not sleeping in there."

"Fair enough." Ray responded. His gaze shifted back to the sword. Water dripped off of it as it finished melting. "Now, where's this inn?"

Jason straightened and put his blade away. Ayric smiled, "It's actually right behind our little friend here." The men turned. "I was quite partial to the name; The Golden Gryphon. They have very nice rooms so it looks like I chose well." Ayric's grin widened, pleased with herself.

Fayne raised and eyebrow at her, "Would you like a round of applause?" He asked mockingly.

Ayric scowled and started walking. She assumed everyone had followed as she opened the large wooden door of The Golden Gryphon. Warmth rushed over Ayric as she walked over the cobble floors. She waved to the barkeep, Daisy. Daisy returned the wave half-heartedly, she didn't like overly friendly customers.

Ayric pounded up the large staircase, footsteps behind her, to a larger door. She extracted her key and opened their room. She smiled at the large room, she could be a gryphon in here, a plus.

Jason was the last one in, he closed the door behind him. Ray and Fayne looked around. "Do we really need this big of a room?" Ray asked.

Ayric didn't answer because she was already shifting. The complete opposite happened when she was becoming human. When she was shifting into a gryphon the tension was released and the process was fast and painless.

When she was done Ayric flicked her wings and swished her tail, making sure everything worked.

"Great. First a Drow then a Gryphon. Wonderful!" Jason commented, throwing his hands into the air.

Ayric extended her wing and clipped Jason in the head. He stumbled, surprised.

"I thought you just wanted to talk." Ayric said innocently.

Tom

"Who's your new friend, Fayne?" Tom asked as the unfamiliar, dark haired boy entered along with the others, dragging a weapon behind him that appeared to be... half encased in ice? Fayne scowled as a mocking smile flitted across Ray's face but then he shrugged and approached the bed where Tom was sitting, holding the two katanas.

"Another lost little puppy to tag along with the group," Fayne sneered as he flopped down, taking the katanas from Tom and returning them to his belt with a flourish.

"I'm Jason," the boy said. "And I'm not here to be insulted."

"Ignore him, his pride's just a little hurt," Ayric snorted. "Allow me to introduce Kelsey and Tom."

"Tom... is that short for anything? Something a little more..." Jason hesitated.

"Feminine?" Fayne suggested. "If it's any easier, you can call him Babe." Tom ignored this and crossed the room stealthily, not quite realising just how flirtatious his strut and swaying hips were. Then, in his sultry voice, he said: "Hey, I'm Tom, short for Thomas. Some... colleagues of mine created this character. I guess they thought it would be funny."

[Fayne]

Fayne squinted, holding his stomach, trying to hide the pain. He hit me hard... He thought to himself. None of this should be real..if I hadn't...oh well, no time for regrets, its too late now. Ayric eyed him. She could tell he was in pain of some sort.

"Fayne, whats wrong with-" He stood up and walked slowly to the door, leaving the room. Fayne walked outside of the hotel, sliding to the ground with his back against the wall. He closed his eyes.



(WRITERS BLOCK!!!! )