Fall 8, 511 AV Aello strode through the alleyways of Ravok, crossing over narrow bridges that led over the lake, and through slender paths overrun by the city's many citizens. She was looking for a quiet place. A place in which she may clear her mind, and check over her belongings, just to be certain that everything was in order. As she made her way through everything, Aello had the perfect place in mind. A street buried in the center of the city, between two narrow strips of water. The only way onto and away from the narrow street she had in mind, was a small, rickety bridge, to the south end of it. As she pushed through the throngs of people, everything seemed to lessen after a time. The width of the streets, the noise, the amount of people that surrounded her, until she was met with nothingness. With only the path set before her two feet. Instead of making Aello anxious, this served to calm her, for it meant that she would have a bit of privacy. Yet, even so, the girl tightened her grip upon her father's old bow, which she kept in her left hand. This seemed to be more out of habit, than anything else. Yune rested atop her left shoulder, as Aello strolled through the city in silence, until she reached the rickety old wooden bridge, and crossed it, stepping down on the road at the other side. It surprised her that the creaking boards failed to rouse whoever sat in the center of the street in the lotus position. Surprised her even more than finding another living person in this portion of the city. Instinctually, Aello called her magic forth, so that she may peer into the man's aura, and see if he was a threat. She could hear birds calling off in the distance to each other. Cawing really, like crows. She could make out the sound of the wind whistling, softly, tossing something around. Something that produced a low hissing noise, like sand. Although, Aello couldn't make out the sound of water too, which she was certain, should accompany the sand. This finding, or lack thereof, confused her, as she felt the heat of the sun warm her face. Make it feel as though it were sizzling. Aello could just make out a series of black feathers, producing something along the lines of a halo around the man. They were transparent though, and allowed the girl to take in the dark waters of the lake, behind him. He comes from a place of immense heat, Aello's mind whispered, as she simply stared, stupidly, her pupils dilating. He is calm, and should not pose a threat to you, unless you provoke him. Aello nodded, as she willed her magic away, and inched closer to the man, as silently as she could. As she neared, she could just begin to make out his features. His copper skin, his large hands, which rested upon his knees, palms facing up towards the sky, as though he were in meditation. His jet-black hair tumbled down the length of his form, until it settled in the center of his back. A single white feather, was beaded into place. Aello hadn't seen anything like him before, and thoroughly, wondered who and what this mysterious man was. She crept closer, raising her legs high, before placing them down, to lessen any sound she would make as she approached. Yet, despite her being relatively quiet, the man opened his right eye, revealing a single, black orb. Dark as night. Taken aback, Aello took a half a step away. The man smiled knowingly. "What are you doing here little one?" he asked. "I might ask you the same question," Aello replied. The man's smile widened. "Meditating." "Meditating on what?" Aello asked. "You seem to be at great peace, and I would like to know what brings it to you." "I am meditating on the sight of a majestic crow," the man answered. "A crow? Majestic? But where I come from, they are always seen as pests. Ugly things, how have you come to find the crow so beautiful? So calming in their caws?" Aello asked. "Where are you from?" the stranger inquired. "Not around here, really. I grew up in Zeltiva," Aello responded. The man nodded. "That explains a lot." Aello's brow furrowed. "What is that supposed to mean?" The man closed his eye. "Nothing," was all he said. |