Bird's Eye View [Ethan]

[Kendall Saarinen]

Kendall felt a little better when Ethan pulled his tunic over his head. He was a little embarrassed that he was so shy about Ethan's nudity due to the fact the kelvic was so open about it. A light blush colored his cheeks when Ethan pointed out that he could look at him. "Sorry, I don't want to offend you. I just never know how people feel about their… you know… nudity." He had been quite scared about his own for a while. In fact the only people who he had allowed to see him naked were Hadrian and Cathan. He was sure others had seen his body in the Soothing Waters. It was inevitable that they would. Now more comfortable, Kendall looked at Ethan with less nervous eyes. "That is very interesting Ethan. I am quite new to magic as well." He knew that he should have been more well learned at his age but sadly, his father had not allowed him to learn about the arcane. "He taught me auristics and a bit of shielding. I was never allowed to practice magic when I was home. My dad was not a supporter of the arcane." He did not like to talk about his father. It was a sore subject for him. It was uncertain if Layton or his father had pushed him to the point of Ivak attention. It could have even been his mother. Still, he was not fond of looking back. Right now he wanted to look forward to what lied ahead. Being at Hadrian's side, getting back to his correct body, and most of all, somehow getting to go home. "Hadrian really is a good teacher though. Is it hard for you to learn magic? I heard that Kelvics have a hard time with the arcane." He worried that his words came out a bit rude. It could have sounded like he was calling the kelvic dumb but that was not his intention. He was merely curious about how the kelvic mind worked. He was surprised that he thought so deeply about it. Normally he would have only thought his deeply about writing or poetry but lately he had felt a new kindling for learning. "Don't worry about it Ethan. At times deceptions are vital for survival." The statement was a little odd but it made sense to him. He deceived people daily. He was even deceiving Ethan right now. "So, how did you and Hadrian meet?"

[Ethan]

Ethan shot Kendall a polite but stern look. He didn't like the idea of someone questioning his mind because of his race. Although, he kept his words polite, and didn't blame the man at all. In fact he was a little annoyed at his race for having such a low reputation. “Naturally Kelvic's, are little more than common beasts. But they have far greater potential when they put their minds to it. It's their choice to be less than other races, and behave like animals all their lives. My old master made sure I became more than an average Kelvic. And I believe I have” Ethan kept his tone polite but could tell his anger was starting to rise.. He knew it was best to avoid any hurt feelings and just move on. “I'm sure you didn't mean anything by it though. Your much too sweet for that.” His smile was forced but done so with ease. He always had an easy time mimicking people's emotions. “Now, I don't have a problem with the magic itself, I picked up on that well enough. It's the emotions and Aura's I'm new too. Hadrian hasn't had the time to really teach me what emotions mean what. Perhaps you could...?” The more Ethan talked the quicker his tone became light and friendly. The past already forgotten for the sake of future conversation. “And if you want I can perhaps help you with your art.” Ethan sat on the bench and motioned for the other to do the same. “I'm not much of an artist but I loved your drawing. And we could practice our magic together! You can teach me more about your Pyromancy and how it works. ” Ethan looked happy and excited, eager to learn and have a day of fun with a new acquaintance. Perhaps even another person to take him under their wing and help with his study of magic. Kendall did seem to know more of the proper terms that Ethan lacked. The possibilities and use of a learning partner were already filtering threw his head. .

[Kendall Saarinen]

Kendall let his auristic vision fill his vision as he looked at the man before him. Streams of red seemed to work their way into the light that encircled him, showing a hint of annoyance. Kendall blushed a bit as the man spoke. He did not mean to make the man think that he thought he was stupid. "I'm really sorry Ethan. I did not mean to make you seem incompetent." He bit his lip as he looked at the stony floor under his feet. "I guess that came out wrong." He felt terrible as he tried to think of something to say to the Kelvic to remedy the situation. "No… I would never try to say you were unintelligent. You actually seem very smart." The blond hoped that Ethan would accept his apology. A misunderstanding like this was not how he wanted to start what he hoped would become a friendship with the Kelvic. When Ethan talked about emotions Kendall saw a chance to redeem himself. "Yeah, I'd be happy to help you with that!" He spoke almost a little too excitedly. He really just wanted to show the Kelvic that he was not a bad person. "I don't know as much about Auristics as Hadrian but I supposed I know enough about emotion." He clearly knew a lot about emotion with how much he tended to get anxiety and bouts of depression. The pyromancer could admit that he was becoming happier though. He was making new friends and getting closer to Hadrian and that made him feel content. "Oh, no Ethan. You are a great bird." Kendall might not have been able to tell Ethan was Kelvic without the help of Auristics anyways. "You were really nice company and a great model." He blushed a bit as he thought of how badly he had portrayed the handsome bird. "When I get better at art I would like to try drawing you again." The blond blushed a bit deeper. "Um… sorry. That sounded a little creepy." His mismatched eyes darted from the man to the ground as he tried to hide his embarrassment. "If you don't want to model again I understand." With a deep breath he looked at Ethan. "Um… so what do you want to know about emotion?"

[Ethan]

This man seemed to be truly embarrassed as he spoke. Was he always this shy and nervous or was it because of Ethan's ill tempered words? Most men weren't so keen to emotion and especially when Ethan was trying to hide it? In fact as a boy he always practiced his faces in the mirror his master put in his room. So he was very confident in his ability. "Oh, no Ethan. You are a great bird." He smiled at the others compliment, but he knew otherwise. He was awful at acting like a bird for some reason. It should of come natural but he just didn't get it right somehow. He never got to observe another Lammergeier or its traits. He stopped fussing over Kendall's curious behavior all together and just listened to the man. "When I get better at art I would like to try drawing you again." He was about to say that was a fantastic idea! Friendships should always have a good give and take relationship to keep it from going one sided. He could posed and Kendall could show his emotions. That is until Kendall blushed and started looking away again. "Um… sorry. That sounded a little creepy." Ethan was pulled right back into his thoughts about the others behavior. This wouldn't be a major thing for most people but Ethan thought about everything, a lot. Often to the point where he got headaches. Also for the life of him. He couldn't get ride of the thought that something was just odd. He had met plenty of cravens before but they always acted shy and nervous all the time? Kendall just got that way after he thought he offended Ethan. He had seen a lot of things but a man caring this much about his actions? "Um… so what do you want to know about emotion?" The young Kelvic almost felt bad for Kendall being so self concious. He laughed, patting the other mans shoulder in friendly affection. ”You need to stop worrying or you will grow white. I don't think bad of you. It was a silly misunderstanding that's all. And your art is more than I could do and I like it a lot. I would be honored to pose and help you build your skill. And your not creepy at all. Any friend of Hadrian's is a dear friend of mine. Especially how he talks about you. I couldn't think wrong of you if I wanted.” At this point the Kelvic had a friendly arm around Kendall's shoulder. ”You worry more than Hadrian! Haha, that is a great accomplishment but around me I will have none of it. Just like I tell Hadrian. I am a bird of happiness and intrigue. I've already had a life of worrying and sadness. I can't stomach it anymore.” Ethan let go of Kendall and sat on the sat on the bench. ”Sit sit, I'm taking you up on that offer to help me with Emotions. Gods know I need help with the real thing. Hadrian is so hard to read!”. He patted the bench eagerly.

[Kendall Saarinen]

The blush that seemed to have permanent residence on Kendall's face burned a little darker when Ethan spoke up. He stayed quiet through the torrent of words that seemed to be streaming from the Kelvic's mouth. His mismatched eyes widened in surprised when the man put his arm around him. "Thank you." He was not a fan of people touching him. He never cared before but since his accident and his meeting with Ageru he had been hesitant to have others making physical contact with him. He had to admit though. The openness of the Kelvic helped him to calm down. The comment about Hadrian made Kendall smile shyly but brightly. "He talks about me?" He was a little relieved about the fact. The blond talked about Hadrian a bit to others and he often worried that it was a bit inappropriate. He listened to the Kelvic talk and he felt his bashfulness wane a bit. The way the man talked was so happy and free. Kendall watched his aura with curious eyes. It was bright and colorful. The blond could not help but feel a bit of excitement about working with the Kelvic. He claimed to not know a lot about emotion but he seemed to be alight with it. With a small chuckle Kendall sat down next to Ethan. "I know what you mean. Hadrian is a bit of a mystery at times." Kendall's face lit up with a smile as he spoke about the mage. He needed to focus though. Mismatched eyes looked up at Ethan. "Okay, I don't know a lot about teaching auristics but I'm going to try my best." He shifted his body so it was facing Ethan and closed his eyes. "I want you to name things, anything, and watch my aura. It should change from topic to topic." He breathed out, trying to get his mind calmed enough to be open to the emotions that each word would bring about. He would have never thought about meditation if it was not for Hadrian. Now that he was doing it every once in a while he found that he liked it. It was calming and it helped to rid his mind of his anxiety. "I'll give you an example. Watch my aura." He breathed in slowly. "Zeltiva." The name of his home filled his body with a sense of peace and happiness. "How do I feel?" One eye opened giving the blond the illusion of having green eyes. Breathing out again he closed his eyes. "Your turn. Say words and watch my aura."

[Ethan]

"Okay, I don't know a lot about teaching auristics but I'm going to try my best." Ethan breathed deep and tried to calm down a bit so he could concentrate, and give his full attention while Kendall explained. It was a simple but effective practice game. Ethan would examine Kendall as he thought of different things that gave an emotional reaction. It was a good hands on approach to learning emotions. He held out his left hand and slowly concentrated on the part of his soul containing his senses. Ready for Kendall's reaction and his chance to analyze. "I'll give you an example. Watch my aura." A slow breath settled Kendall into a meditation like state. ”Zelvita” The second the word came out Ethan let his Auristics take hold. Always careful with his magical usage. Ethan limited the Aura to his hand. First he felt the vibrations of Kendall's heart beat and then the Aura along with it. He ignored the heart's Aura and paid attention to the emotions the bodies Aura gave off. He could feel how strong the emotions were. White's and teal swirled together emanating off Kendall. The soul like mist brushing against Ethan's hand gave him a slight feeling of being weightless and submerged in millions of bubbles. It was such a... wonderful thing to feel. It was unmistakable for some type of peace and happiness. He had felt it many times before on Hadrian and others around Syliras. How does it feel? Ethan opened his eyes for a moment to look at the man. ”Zelvita must be a special place... I felt a sense of joy or possibly peace of mind. It's hard to decipher between the two.” Kendall seemed to take note of that and steadied his breathing again. He asked for a word to think on, this time from Ethan. The Kelvic closed his eyes and started to think. A word that would excite emotion? There was plenty of things he could say to do that but it must be meaningful as well. To get that true emotion out of someone. Something personal to them. Also he needed emotions he had never felt before. New things to record and analyze... But what? His mind back tracked to what Kendall had said before. He talks about me? What a strange thing to wonder about? Weren't they friends already? It should be expected after a while. “Hadrian” He said deeply curious.

[Kendall Saarinen]

Kendall smiled lightly. "It is very special Ethan." Just the mention of the city made the blond feel a surge of joy. "It's my home. Have you ever been there?" If Ethan was anything like Cathan was, he would have been well traveled. "I feel joy and peace so you are completely right." A hand slipped up Kendall's sleeve, fingers wrapping around the flames on his wrist. Zeltiva held a lot of warm and peaceful feelings but there were some dark feelings lingering in his heart about the city. "It is the most beautiful place in the world. At least in my opinion." Kendall's mismatched eyes closed again so he could focus on clearing his mind. He thought of fire racing through his thoughts and cleaning out all of the clutter to make room for emotion. When Ethan uttered the word Hadrian Kendall felt a wave of shock rip through him. His eyes opened slightly in surprise, showing a glimpse of the green and blue that hid behind his eyelids. A light blush colored his cheeks as he closed his eyes. He was scared about what Ethan would see in his emotions. The blond truly fancied Hadrian. "Everything will be okay, just let your emotions flow. Ethan would have found out eventually." With a breath in Kendall let his emotions loose in his mind. He felt happy, almost euphoric. The blond felt the craving for Hadrian's lips to be on his own. To have the hydromancer's cool touch run across his skin and press against his body. Kendall felt peace. Complete and total peace when he thought about Hadrian. An almost feminine smile came to the blond's lips as he thought of the mage. If Ethan was really looking he might have even seen small hints of something stronger. Seeds of passion, maybe even the beginnings of love. "Emotions are tricky things Ethan. Just because you can see them it doesn't mean that they are yours to share. Remember that. Sometimes they are intimate and personal and at those times it is best to let those who have those emotions share them before you do." Kendall's eyes opened to look at the Kelvic. A small smirk played on his lips as he looked at Ethan. "What did you see that time? I'm actually really interested to know."

[Ethan]

Kendall's sudden shock felt like a quick short burst of fire over Ethan's skin. That cooled off instantly. The color from the Aura was an almost unreal misty blue. He took note that some emotions. You didn't want to feel without being prepared. Then after the initial shock there was something else. White and maroon swirls of soul mist touched his hand. Causing his body to feel weightless but in a good way. While the maroon was a much more intimate feeling. Like a warm invisible hand slowly stroking his chest. The way a lover that hasn't seen you in a long time would. With a sense of urgency. A slow smile spread across his lips. The feeling made him want to take a woman. It made him long for companionship, the heat of a body against his. Even though the feeling was pleasurable. He had to concentrate a little more, Because he felt like he was missing something. Something deeper inside the man. He couldn't feel the color of the Aura nor could he see it with his minds eye. It was still there though. Like a sound of distant rain. The feeling of laying in warm grass in the summer.. It was a wonderful feeling that made his smile wide. He let go of the Aura as Kendall spoke. "Emotions are tricky things Ethan. Just because you can see them it doesn't mean that they are yours to share. Remember that. Sometimes they are intimate and personal and at those times it is best to let those who have those emotions share them before you do." Ethan watched him with a coy smile as the other man opened his eyes. "What did you see that time? I'm actually really interested to know." ”I never knew their was a rule amongst Aurists. Does Hadrian know you feel for him that way?” His smile was coy but Ethan felt a little empty on the inside. He knew what a lover meant. Their was little room for a Kelvic if his master already had love. At least not room for happiness and care as Ethan had hoped for. He had already dealt with an unloving master and wouldn't step into another bond so lightly. His small hopes for a life in Syliras seemed a little dimmer. Zelvita, Riverfall and all the other port cities seemed a little closer than they did before. ”I felt like my whole body burst into flame for a second when you were surprised.” He kept talking to keep from dwelling on his thoughts. ”That wasn't the best feeling and I'm sorry to surprise you.” He laughed but his mirth was a little toned down than before. ”But after that I felt... weightless. Almost like I was being held up by air but with a more secure feeling.” He blushed a little when he spoke next. ”I also felt a warm hand rubbing my chest. Like a tender woman trying to get you back into bed. It was a wonderful feelinh...” He paused for a moment. Trying to think about the last thing he felt before he pulled his Aura away, but his head was a little fuzzy with the effort of Auristics. ”I felt something else but it was deep inside you. I couldn't even feel the color. It was just... Almost like laying in warm grass. Do you know what I mean? A very good feeling.”

[Kendall Saarinen]

Kendall shrugged slightly. "There are no rules against sharing what you learn but we are friends right? It is more so that if you respect someone's emotion you should let them share it, even if you know what they are through auristics." The blond looked over the Kelvic, watching him with his own auristic vision. He wanted to make sure that his words had not bothered Ethan. Kendall blushed a bit as Ethan spoke up. "Yes, he knows." He was not sure how much Hadrian had said about what was going on between them so he kept silent past his quick answer. The way Ethan described emotion was so natural and animalistic. He compared things to elements and nature and Kendall found it unbelievably intriguing. He knew animals could feel emotion, at least to some except. Anger, sadness, happiness, lust. He found it to be quite endearing to hear the Kelvic talk of emotions in such a natural way. Kendall listened quietly to the man talk. So far everything he has said had been spot on. It made Kendall wonder how much Hadrian had taught him, or more so, how much he studied on his own. The comment about the flames also made Kendall wonder. Was it his fear that was fiery or was it his mark trying to defend his emotions? Ethan had claimed that the feeling was not comfortable and at the moment it happened he did not want Ethan feeling his emotions. He smiled lightly at the thought before speaking up. "Or in my case, a man." A nervous smile twitched on the blond's lips. He hoped that the bird was open minded enough to not take offense to his comment. If the Kelvic was going to be traveling with them he would have to get used to male on male romance. "I think that feeling is…" Kendall thought on what he wanted to say. What was the feeling? Was it love? It couldn't be! "I think it is the feeling of being content." The blond smiled as he looked down at the stones surrounding them. "The feeling of being happy and worry-free." It was a wonderful feeling. One that Kendall had felt since he was a girl. He had been scared and anxious but after meeting Hadrian and getting closer to him he felt much more calm and happy. "It is very nice." "Ethan, may I try a word on you?" Kendall closed his eyes and tried to think of something to say to Ethan. He was a bird even if he looked like a human at the moment. "Sky."

[Ethan]

"Or in my case, a man." The uneasy grin from Kendall made the Kelvic regret his words instantly. He never really talked to a gay person before? Was he offended when someone didn't include the idea that men could be with other men? Wait, did Ethan care about men being with men? The idea of Kendall and Hadrian together brought pain to his heart, but what about the idea in general? He let the other speak while he thought on this. Kendall explained his feelings and Ethan listened the best he could. Recording the ideas for his mental bank of emotions and feelings. Whatever Kendall had in his heart. It wasn't “being content”. It felt way too good for that. His mind was mostly taken up with the idea of “gay” people. On realistic terms he never got it. Men and Men couldn't have babies right? At least he never heard otherwise? On a more opinion based terms. He had mixed feelings about it. Without mating and the general attraction two people give off. What was the point? Although at one point he loved his old master deeply. Wanted to be more than just a servant, but he had loved that man a long time for that to happen. Hadrian was a great man and teacher. There was an admiration that would explain his slight feelings for him. More like a willingness to hear the idea out if he proposed they have sex, but being attracted to any man was another story. "Ethan, may I try a word on you?" He paused for a moment and said the one thing Ethan couldn't love more if he tried. ”Sky.” One word that made Ethan whistle with a kind of glee. He closed his eyes and thought on the word. Thought about the moment you broke threw a cloud and the mist clung to your feathers. Or the adrenaline rush you get as you dived. The fear and adventure of battling the winds and knowing nothing kept you up but your wings and will power. He gave a large happy sign and stretched his arms out slowly. Resting them behind his head. ”It feels like freedom Kendall. Nothing else can describe it. One moment your sailing threw the sky. Relaxed and you feel completely safe in the emptiness. Nothing can harm you up there.” He put his hands back on his lap. ”The next moment the winds pick up and you are racing threw the clouds. Every second the air is changing and your body needs to change with it. Other wise your can be snapped back harshly by the stronger winds.” He used his hands to kinda demonstrate the flight. ”It is almost like swimming. Nothing is holding you up but yourself and your the only thing keeping you from dying. Its amazing to fly and I wish I could take you sometime. But alas I am only a bird.” Ethan smiled wide and looked off. His mind slowly going back to the idea of being lovers with a ma, and the complications Hadrian and Kendall presented. ”And I am fine about you being with another man. I don't understand the want to. Because there are no babies in the end, but I have no problems with it.” Ethan smiled again shyly, trying to figure how he would ask his next questions politely. ”Animals never really hate after all. So it would be difficult for the human side of me to hate either. There is no point to it. But... I kinda don't, you know.... Get how it works?” He gave a nervous laugh as he realized how dumb he must sound. ”I mean I have done things with other men but only small things. But the major things. How does it work? Also whats the point if you can't have children out of it. Don't get me wrong I love how sex feels and it is all pleasurable enough, but in the end you want kids right?... Forgive me. I'm sounding ignorant.” He said laughing as he felt his face heat up.