Feeling the Breeze (NPC requested =3)

[Deleted]

Large oval like eyes peaked out from behind the trees just outside of the practice yard. Powerful shoulders shifted as a large snout sniffed the air. Cloaked in invisibility and the cover of darkness she padded across the empty grounds. Aria was completely transformed into a large tiger, a form which she had learned from her feline friend Senrai years ago. Useful for prowling around when one didn’t want to be seen. One of her first things to do out of the temple was to find some normal clothes; pants to be specific. Core had mentioned the barracks that usually housed the army had cloths to supply there men. So it seemed like a good place to start.



So up she went, her ears peeled out for any signs of movement. She was careful to move silently, although she was invisible she wasn’t taking chances. It was late as well; many would be asleep still. So slipping into the barracks was not as hard as one would think. It wasn’t long until she was quietly padding along the halls….her next task was finding the room in which they kept the spare clothes.

[Mysteria]

A black dagger suddenly flew past Aria with tremendous speed. In a matter of seconds the blade had barely brushed past Aria and then firmly planted it self straight into the wall of the turn point within building just a few feet away from where the Tigress was heading. Behind the female tiger a few ways back, a tall, heavily cloaked man stood. The only thing visible would be his jaw line and a crooked smile.

" Sneaking into a place like this would get you killed, Tigress..." The man spoke, his tone rather annoyed at first, but towards the end when he had said 'Tigress' he seemed to shift to sounding more relieved. To the Tiger, his attire would scream Novian Guard. Especially with the Royal guard crest penned to the front of his cloak, holding it shut in the front.

" What are you doing here?"

He demanded as if expecting an answer from a full grown tiger.

[Deleted]

Her tail and fur shot strait up into the air as a dagger flew past ‘HOLY SHIT’, the large tiger jumped like a frightened house cat as she shimmered into view. How the hell was she spotted! The large tiger jumped around eyes opened wide, its nose suddenly sniffing the air. Its ears jerked forward and if possible her eyes opened wider. The form of the tiger began to morph, weird ass clothes or not, she knew that voice and she knew that smell anywhere! Suddenly the petite red head tackled the large guard in a tight hug, remembering at the last second to keep her elated voice down.

”Garrett!!”

Now usually the red head for the sake of her good friend would tackle and let go; and certainly in the past he was safe from hugs especially right after she transformed into a human form. But the very naked female at that point was clinging and snuggling her head against his chest; the cat like behaviors were always one of the last things to return to normal. With the fact core was gone from this world, Garrett was the last person she thought she’d see again and this wasn’t some other world Garrett it was her Garrett!
Aria looked up; there was a large grin planted on her scarred face. At least from this angle she could see his face from underneath his hood….helped to be short sometimes.

”When I snuck in here I didn’t think people would spot an invisible tiger…how’d you do that anyways? Did I know you could do that….and I could very well ask what the hell you’re doing here to! A guard no less…though spiffy jacket”

Aria finally released Garrett and stepped back; her bright blue green eyes scanning the hall before walking over to the dagger that was embedded into the floor. She yanked it out and tossed it in the air before she snatched it back. The grin still evident on her face; felt good to have a familiar weapon in hand.

”As for why I’m here in this building, I need clothes….. can’t exactly be walking around like this through the city now can I? Plus its winter…I’m freezing my tits off right now…should we have this conversation somewhere else oh noble guard?”

[Mysteria]

Garrett was frozen, petrified in fact! The thick hood slid back when Aria transformed and threw herself upon the now statuefied king's guard. Jet black hair bushed out in a matted mess when the hood fell back onto his shoulders. Revealing a very shocked looking gentleman with almost a stunned, nearly horrified expression. Garrett's arms admitally began to flail as he tried to find a 'SAFE' place to put his hands to pull the now latched Aria.

" Oh for the love of Ai, put some clothes on woman! " Garrett steamed, his face flush as a tomato fresh from the vine. " Where in the blazes are your clothes anyway?! An will you get off me?!" he tried so hard to be quiet, keeping his voice to a low scold. A vessel popping up under the skin around his temple as he stared at the now rambling and as always questioning Aria. When she finally released him however, Garrett seemed to perform an awkward scuttle to turn around. Finally he was un-petrifed and free. His back now facing Aria as he took off his cloak and handed it back to her.

" Will you be quiet. This isn't a place to be asking questions. I'll explain more later, okay. "

Garrett nodded, waving his hand to gesture Aria to follow. " Stay close behind me. I'll take you to where you can get some clothes. Oh and I will need that back." He pointed to the dagger in Aria's hand. Glancing back for only a second to see if she had to cloak around her or not.

[Deleted]

The frozen Garrett was much to be expected; and hysterical as always. She had always wondered if she could get him to faint by doing this…seems like it wasn’t going to happen. Aria calmly watched his arms flail around….unsure of what to do with them. Amusement was clearly dancing in the depths of her eyes as she turned to stare up at the Garrett who was a red that rivaled her hair.

”Most people would wrap their arms around and return the hug; and you can’t claim you don’t know how….you have a very tight grip especially when your sleeping”

Her voice held a slight teasing tune to it, and a grin played on her lips. A quiet chuckle escaping her lips when he used Grannys name. However when he asked her where her clothes was she gave him a quizzical expression.

”You know my clothes don’t transform with me when I transform….That’s the difficult thing about it…I do try to only pop back up like this in front of people I trust….how ever Granny, and Ven cured me of what modesty I had…they don’t like to wear clothes either, so it’s not really as difficult as before.”

It seemed there first greetings were always met with a scolding for her; at it Aria could only smile. She held the cloak when it was handed to her however did not put it on. When he turned back around to look she handed it back to him.

”I have a better idea”

There was a cracking of bones and flutter of feathers as Arias form took to a small red barn owl. All but her face and belly were the deep red of her hair, her ghost like face and belly a pure snowy white. Her ever present amulet still strung around her neck. With a quiet flap of her wings she scooped up the dagger in one claw and fluttered onto Garretts shoulder. That was one of the reasons she collected this form, the way a barn owls feathers were designed was especially for silent flight. She wiggled for a second getting a good perch, a bit difficult when one talon was full. This form was smaller, and less conspicuous then a naked female fallowing him through the barracks.

She chortled and looked at Garrett with wide silly eyes; giving him probably the goofiest face an owl could muster. It would be hard to stay mad at anything with that face. After a moment of an attempt to lighten the mood, Aria got to work on the matted mess that was Garrets hair. Gently tugging out the knots with her beak….

[Mysteria]

" Aria please... " Garrett started to scorn, however was cut short when Aria handed back his cloak. His eye widen as his cheeks burst into a bright crimson. " What are you doing woman?" He nearly yelled out, however when her bones began to crack and her body transformed before his eyes. He was frozen in a speechless stare for a few moments; long enough for the small owlish Aria could perch on his shoulder.

" You know that is slightly creepy."

Garrett sighed, a small exhausted smile appearing on his pale features. As she make herself comfortable on his shoulder, Garrett reclaimed his dagger and tucked it back into it's proper holder. His posture straitening as he instantly glanced around the hall. No one in sight. Good, best to not alarm the Royal guard about a possible break in to the derricks by a small red headed shapeshifter that is naked as a new born babe. Within the dark halls of the Guard's living quarters, Garrett moved swiftly and silently. His one good eye staring straight ahead at all times.

" So you were 'Fated' here as well. " Garrett whispered, while walking up to a plain wooden door. He Jiggled the handle once to see if It was locked. When the door didn't turn all the way, Garrett's face soured. "Damnit. Just perfect...." Garrett frowned, his hand moving down to pull out set of small picks he had stashed within his pants pocket. He stuck the pins within the lock's key hole. His fingers moving swiftly and in a matter of seconds, the door was open and Garrett was slowly making his way in.

The room was a basic storage closet. With a rack of clothes in different sizes. Uniforms of course, but some were different styled. Beside the clothes on the other wall was four large chests that were stacked side by side. " There are some clothes hanging there you can choose from. Inside the chests are shoe, and I know in one there are some weapons." Garrett pointed out to Aria, closing the door behind him.

[Deleted]

It was cute watching him get all flustered; she hadn’t known him to be thrown off balance before. Aria chortled and nuzzled his cheek for a second in response for her transformation being ‘slightly creepy’ and then went back to working out the knots in his hair. Really he should see it when she deliberately makes it slow….or when she’s growing into something bigger. THEN it’s downright creepy. She was quiet for the ride up to where ever Garrett was taking her. When they got to the door her head tilted to the side, she watched him make quick work of the locks. Soon as the door was clothed Aria hopped off his shoulder, transforming as she did so. A few blood red feathers hung from her form, she shook them off and they drifted to the floor.

”Problem with feathers….they don’t transform back as easy as fur…. Itches like hell”

She scratched the back of her neck as she walked over to one of the chests. A slight frown on her face as she looked back at him.

”Yes that green eyed devil brought me here to…Soon as I find him I’m giving him a book beating to make daddy proud….then I’ll find out why the hell we’re here. Did you try poking the glowey crystal yet?”

She tried the chest and that to was locked; she walked over to Garrett and without a worked plucked out his lock picks and went back over to the chest. While she used to be able to do this with magic she had the wisdom to learn to do it by hand first. She bent down to the chest and went to work, not as quick as Garrett, but quick enough to have it opened in a short time. This one had weapons…she moved on to the next and found some undergarments. She pulled out some and donned them quickly. Aria then walked over to the racks and pulled out plain linen oversized shirt, and breeches that were big. If anyone noticed this stuff was missing, they wouldn’t be looking for someone her size. She slipped them on and went back to the weapons. She pulled out a long sword, she tested the swing of it a couple of times and shook her head….just didn’t feel right.

”…Is it bad that I dislike using weapons I’m not familiar with….I can use them but the balance is all off….”

She placed the sword back quietly and shut the lid, making sure that the lock was secure again. She did the same with the others that she had opened.

”I can make do without any shoes; less I take the better…plus they shouldn’t be looking for summer garments yet and its not the first time I’ve dealt with the cold…now is this a good enough place to talk as any? Or do we need to move somewhere else? Do you have a room here? Why are you living here? How on earth did you becom….I’m rambling again… When did you get fated anyways? Could have swor…damn it”

She walked up and replaced the lock picks; the linen slightly itchy on her skin. She rolled up the sleeves to her elbows; the black dagger tattoo more than evident. She was obviously TRYING to hold back a fairly large flood of questions.

[Mysteria]

Garrett didn't turn around the moment Aria left his shoulders. His eye closed and his body facing the door. Garrett even remained motionless when Aria came up behind him and stole his lock picks off him. However he did open the only good eye he had. His gaze never leaving the wooden surface of the smaller storage room door. " So Fate did bring you here... I should of guessed that the moment I saw you creep over the wall. I wasn't sure at first...It's been a while after all. An no, I didn't touch 'Fate's Shard'. Mysteria guided me to the castle..." He sighed, listening as Aria opened the chests and rummaged through their contents. Only turning around when he could make out the sound of clothes being put on.

A brief moment of courage and Garrett turned his head. His blue eye resting on the baggy dressed girl with a 'really' expression on his stone like features. " Your toes are going to freeze off if you go outside the city...Or stay out side too long for that matter." Garrett spoke softly, shaking his head as he crossed his arms.

" It's fine to talk quietly here, however staying here for too long might be a bad idea. Yes, I do have a room here after all it is the barracks and training grounds."

Garrett nodded, moving a little closer to the door. " I was fated two months ago... An I am the Captain of the Royal Guard, here so please for the love of god sakes stay out of trouble. This isn't the world you know or think it is and I don't want to see you get hurt here." Garrett answered, his eye trailing down to the dagger tattoo on her arm. A brow raised. " You still have that?" he asked some what surprised.

[Deleted]

”Damn freakin time witch, she didn’t get the chance to guide me…she was interrupted or should I say hijacked if my guess is right…by the way how DID you see me, I was invisible… I made sure of it. ”

She was slightly sore that she was spotted; she was careful about it to. When he turned around Aria grinned and wiggled her bare toes.

”I’m already living outside; I still have my control over fire enough to charm it around myself to lock in heat. It gets tiring but then I just grow my own fur coat. Plus ...after a while you can’t feel it...it’s not like I grew up with shoes anyways. When we first met in the sewers when I dropped down on you I didn’t have any. ”

Aria looked around at the room with a small frown. If he said it was safe then it was, but she still missed her room at the Mary…or even his more secluded room in the basement.

”I miss the ability to make listening wards….sound cancelers….and such….makes one feel that much more secure. Especially when old Nokys running the city……So unsettling to have your plant fertilizer up and about again.”

Aria looked up at him with shock and a bit of fear; captain? Aria closed the gap between them quickly standing on her tip toes and pulling down the collar of his shirt. Her eyes sharp and concerned….

”You’re not collared are you? Does he know anything about the past you? And I’m not just talking about the king thing Mistero….Are you ok? I mean…dear lord..”

She bit her lip; why on earth did Mysteria lead him to the castle of all things. She step backed as sighed running a hand through her hair, slightly agitated. She returned his gaze with a slightly guilty look.

”I can’t Garrett….I’m already more screwed then YOU even realize. But for your sake I don’t think you want to know.”

She looked back down at her arm when he seemed surprised that she still had the knife. Aria looked up with a raised eyebrow.

”Of course I do, you gave it to me…..I never under stood why you gave it to me though, but it meant something to me none the less. I can’t get it out of my damn arm since coming here…..that and another annoying thing that’s stuck in my back”

[Mysteria]

" It's Fate's power that is bringing the Fate'd here… Mysteria just acts as a greeter to some who cross. An if you really must know. Lets just say I see magic… One of the only abilities that crossed over with me. " Garrett sighed, shaking his head at the silly girl.

She hadn't changed one bit. Such a stubborn brat. Garrett raised a brow, a grin pressed on his lips. " You should find a place to stay kid… There is always the Bloody Mary, the owner there will give you a place to crash for a day or so." he nodded, feeling some what responsible to at least find some where for Aria to rest or at least hide. The bloody Mary was friendly to Fate'd people. She could find shelter there for at least a few days there free before the Owner would force her into work. Garrett thought, his attention being brought back to Aria when she started to rant about her missing her abilities and first calling Noku - Noky - which kinda made his right eyebrow twitch.

However when she grabbed his neck collar, he jumped slightly.

" Aria please! " He pulled back, adjusting his cloak once more and posturing himself in a more militarily stance. " No Aria I'm not Collared… No he doesn't know who I am. So relax." Garrett confirmed, his features some what turning somber as if in a slowly cascading - depressing thought. It was weird. This Noku had no idea who he was. In fact, he wasn't even his son in this world. For this version of the man he once called father was not married to Vannessa or free of a cruse. No This was far past his knowledge of the world. The past before of his birth and place in time.

So all this was new, a fresh start.

" Silly girl. " Garrett sighed, looking at the dagger tattoo a little more. " I guess you don't possess the capabilities to get that out huh? " He asked, more curious than anything.

[Deleted]

”Hm? Oh I know it’s the green eyed bastards fault; he is the one I believe ended up greeting me…. I’m just convinced every time I see the time witch my life gets ten times harder….I am beginning to know what other people feel like around me…no wonder I’m not very well liked.”

Aria sighed epiphany aside it would seem she just learned something new about Garrett.

”So sorta like I smell it…Is that how you were able to see I was a piece of the center before Daddy took it out of me….and that’s probably why the creepy guy in the sewers took your eye? Well there’s two old questions answered…”

Her mood slightly dropped when Garrett told her to go to the Mary. Aria shook her head, really she had a hard enough time returning to her own after eight years on the glade. Her eyes held a deep sadness, confusion, and anger all at the same time. She still didn’t know how she felt about her father’s role in all of this.

”I can’t; it doesn’t feel right…not since Daddy killed Creo…It was one thing when I owned it…but otherwise, I think it would be insulting her memory if the child of the man who killed her goes waltzing on in there…if you’re really worried about me sleeping outside I can roost with you in my owl form I don’t take up much room.”

There was small wave of relief when Garret told her he wasn’t collared…and she didn’t see any when she peeked. This wave of relief was replaced with a quirked eyebrow.

”Really Garrett; why so jumpy, I was just looking at your neck it’s not like I haven’t seen you in less and visa versa…”

Her tone was teasing, but she relented when his expression sobered….she didn’t want to make him sad. But she could guess where his thoughts had gone, she was sort of in the same boat with her Dad…and Grandpa….and Granny….and Ven….maybe not so bad with Zeppy…well there was a bright side.

”Well your safe for now…but you didn’t answer my other question…are you ok? And I just don’t mean physically….are you happy? Well happier then what you were.”

Arias nose scrunched up when yet again he referred to her as girl.

”Child, and girl….I’m perpetually stuck as a youth in the eyes of my peers. I’m twenty four, a spinster by society standards.”

She sighed and looked at the dagger In her arm.

”As of right now no, but I should be able to figure it out sooner or later….what really bugs me is with your dagger I put a fail safe trigger word that would get it out or so that you could use the spell….but for the life of me I can’t remember it.”

[Garrett Blade]

Garrett sighed as Aria talked and carried on. He had to admit he did miss seeing her. Though not so much in the nude, but still glad to see a familiar face from a time that seemed so alien from this. It had been a really challenging few months sense he had been Fate'd into this world. Even more so to be greeted by a Young Mysteria and to find out a Demi-God from this world had found a way to take people from other worlds. However, never did he imaging people from his own time to be sent here as well. It was heart warming, even with her problems and constant teasing.

However when she had asked to stay with him his face quickly turned to being stern and serious. " Aria that is absolutely crazy. If my recruits see me bunking with a woman, let alone with a pet then I would be breaking the rules... " Garrett sighed, shaking his head, the serious look in his face gone once again. He then fully turned around and approached Aria. Once he was standing before her, he extended his arms and placed a hand on each of her shoulders.

" I will be happy when the ones I wronged and done justice. I'm jumpy because it's different being on the other side of the bars you know what I mean?"

Garrett removed his hands from Aria's shoulders and stepped a few feet back before returning to the door.

" Sense when did you start caring what people think about you? Child, girl, or a woman. Would you like for me to start calling you Ma'am from now on instead? " Garrett asked, his brow quirked up as if he was amused. It was interesting to hear Aria complain about being called a child, or girl. Maybe her ovaries were finally starting to act up and his mother and grandmother had corrupted her.

However when she started talking about her arm and the dagger she had in her arm he scratched the back of his head. " Yeah that happens, its a common thing so it seems. Everyone loosing most of their abilities and some times memories." He sighed.

[Deleted]

Aria raised an eyebrow when he went all serious on her; also when wasn’t she crazy….that was kinda normal accusation. Really he shouldn’t be to thrown off by that.

”One I didn’t think you’d be too comfortable on the girl thing; It was awkward enough the first time when you woke up with me in your bed. Which is why I suggested the owl thing; and don’t some knights and such carry messenger birds? I can sense palace hounds from here….It would only take me a while to see if I can change my skin into one of those. It would not be that odd for you to keep a pet. Being a bird would just give me the freedom to come and go as I please….that and beg scraps off people. Mice get really old after a while….If there is really a rule then may I make the suggestion of making such a section; adding falconry and training your men in that would only be beneficial….But I guess that settles it, I’ll remain outside in the woods…..I’ll only come knocking if an animal killer cold comes up…then again the sewers are always shielded from that…”

He did surprise her when he actually came up and touched her. She jumped a little, not really expecting it from him. Yes she tackled him more often than not, but this was the first time he actually willingly touched her. Aria looked up into his eye, a soft if not slightly pained smile coming on her face as she patted on of his hands with her own.

”Well…then seeing how I don’t have your winter harvest gift with me …and if my guess of who I am here to replace is right, I think I have the power to do this….Garrett I release you from the Thieves of Nova; you are free to do as you will. Let this truly be a fresh start for you and move forward with my blessing.”

Her voice lost all sense of teasing as she spoke. If he wanted to be on the other side of the bars, then seeing how she was host for the true king of thieves of this time then this would be the best thing she would be able to do for him. It would at least relieve him of the burden of knowing what he was wouldn’t carry over to here.

”Though even if I’m releasing you, you won’t be rid of me that easily. I shall always find you….even if you do cross world it seems.”

The teasing tone was back, and serious moment was gone. When he suggested he start calling her ma’m her nose wrinkled up in disgust.

”You make me sound married off and widowed….But your right….I usually don’t give a two shits worth of what people think. I still don’t for the most part, I’m just saying it would be nice to be viewed as adult by at least some people. I mean being viewed as a child has more than enough uses, people relax there guard with me because of it…and share more than they mean to. I also seem to gain allies in the most unlikely places…people generally want to care for the young. That and I am the last person people ever suspect of being up to real trouble. It just gets frustrating at times…especially when Granny and Ven start teasing…..{/b]

A pout formed on her face as she crossed her arms across her chest. But slowly a thoughtful look came upon her face as she opened her arms in a shrug.

”But then again I haven’t even figured out what I am supposed to represent….I am a demi goddess without a purpose…suppose it’s only right that I’m stuck in perpetual childom…say do you know what you represent and how the hell did you find out”

Aria’s eyebrows shot up in surprised at the thought of losing memories as well as powers.

”Well that would explain the not being able to remember the word….though it shouldn’t take me long regain the abilities I lost. I just need to be able to study the magic flow in this time line.”

[Garrett Blade]

"That...that's for the best, I'm sure." Garrett felt relieved, but sad. It would be a conflict of interest for him in this new profession, and he was glad to hold Aria's favor. It amused him to listen to her ponder on herself as a child; she really was child-like, though full woman now at 24.

"Aria, you cannot sleep in the barracks tonight." His voice was serious, and resolute, though his expression softened a little when he said it. "There is a belfry in the tower at the South end of the grounds; you will not be disturbed there. You must be hungry, would you like to grab some food at Gallow's Inn?"

He advanced toward Aria, showing a little of the familiarity of their youth. He realized now, that he was hopeful she would accept, and confident, reading her demeanor effortlessly, though he knew she would press him about sleeping together. It was against the base regulations to bed with a woman, and also against base regulations to keep an animal. The hounds were property of the grounds, and provided for by a special set of by-laws, though that shape might work for her....that is, until the other dogs begin reacting to a newcomer. "THAT won't draw any attention..." He mused to himself, beset by the problem of how she planned to "come and go as she pleased" without drawing ANY attention, and he realized, too, that it would not be the case. Eventually, she would be noticed.

[Deleted]

Arias nose wrinkled up in slight disgust at the thought of the belfry; cold drafty….and loud. She thought for a while then sighed.

”…I miss the basement of doom, it was so much easier to crash there, only complication was getting in and out of the door unnoticed….but in the belfry my hearing would be blown the first sound of the bell; I wouldn’t be able to fly straight….horrible idea.

She poked his forehead and grinned.

”Like I said I will be fine outside.”

When he mentioned getting food her grin grew, he definitely knew her.

”Garrett when am I NOT hungry; it’s a yes”

At that note Aria made sure to gather the shed feathers that had fell off during her transformation. She would leave not evidence that she was here to begin with. She twirled one around in her fingers; it was the same dark red as her hair. She chuckled at the idea of her not drawing attention.

”That would be the point Garrett; if I want to come and go as I please I will have to make my-self noticed in an obvious but believable way….I just have to wait for the opportunity to come along. However when it comes to dogs you forget, I can talk to them as I talk to you. When you explain things properly to animals you’d be amazed at how many are willing to play along. When you start planting more human like thoughts in their minds it’s even more interesting; it’s why Thorne and Briar were always so smart.”

She did notice he avoided her question on how he found out what he was supposed to represent as a demi god….she was hoping to at least weasel some information out of him on that. He WAS after all the only other demi left from their time line. Least one she knew about…..