Nostalgia

[Arumi]

Nothing.

Rubble, dirt, and the low growth of young new life where once had stood his home. Something large had burrowed into the pile, presumably taking advantage of the instant, underground nest provided by the caved in home.

With the corpses of previous residents included.

Arumi had been sitting on a boulder before the ruins for countless hours, knees drawn up and his chin rested on his arms. He felt hollow coming here. Empty and wretched, devoid of purpose. But really, he was. His grandfather on one side had been a man feared by the general populous, the other a demon intent on the destruction of the realm, and his father the appointed saviour to overcome the hatred and shadow in the world. Arumi had scoffed at that thought. What a failure his father had been, and a menace his father before that. It was much better to have no expectations on his shoulders. As pointless as life seemed without purpose or push, it was simpler and freer.

Once... once, he had dedicated his life to protecting his sisters. Or trying to, at least. He'd failed at that. And here was the proof before him. Part of the demon wanted to scrabble at the dirt, dig it away and find their bodies; give them a proper burial. But that was a part of him that simply remembered himself as being an angel. Just a memory, and not actually who he was now. The real Arumi was content to sit and sulk, basking in the glory that fueled his lack of confidence, and that shroud in his mind that was more demon and took pleasure in the misfortune of others. Arumi already knew that given the right fuel and circumstances, he would one day probably be overwhelmed and give in to the rage of his new race. For now, though, he would remain with his inhibitions and morals.

[Alaska]

Alaska strolled through the forest, taking note of how beautiful everything seemed here. She did not know where she was, for she had just stumbled upon this forest during her random venturing through the Realm. Alaska's short brown hair moved with the breeze, and she tugged at it restlessly as she walked. She was quite short and easily overwhelmed by her surroundings. Her short dress danced around her thighs as she moved, and her bare feet seemed immune to the rough terrain beneath them. She found herself completely lost in the beauty of the world around her.

However, the further she walked, the more sparse the woods became. Her visage become more depressed as the land grew more barren, for she thrived where life was most abundant. However, she continued to stroll forward, allowing her sense of adventure to outweigh her spirits. Something about this place compelled her to continue on her journey, and she was apt to follow her whims. As she gazed rose to the heavens above, she was hardly aware of the fact that she had moved into an opening. She tripped over a rock and hit the ground with muffled, "Hmph."

She groaned as she sat there, not willing to get up, for she saw no reason to. Why not just take a break from roaming? This was when she noticed that this clearing was occupied by both the ruins of a house and what seemed to the ruins of a person. He seemed so sad sitting by himself on that boulder, but Alaska knew better than to approach a stranger, especially one who seemed slightly distressed. Instead, she just sat there in a heap on the ground, looking at him with questioning eyes.

[Arumi]

The sky refused to immitate Arumi's gray mood, the sun shining clear above, scattered clouds providing drifting shadows that moved over the earth like living creatures. Of course, the demon knew better - many shadows were creatures, some even with minds of their own. How odd, that darkness could be produced by something so clean as floating water obscuring the warm spring sun. As it reached its peak, Arumi shifted for the first time since first sitting down, becoming aware of the hunger growing in the pit of his stomach. He had brought nothing with him, having recently used the last of his travel supplies, and mentally sighed at the trouble he would have to go through to hunt for his meal.

His broodings and considerations of a meal plan were cut short by a sound, though, and Arumi's neck cricked as he abruptly turned to stare at the little woman piled on the ground a few strides away. He remained unmoving and unblinking for a full minute, then tilted his head ever so slightly, lifting his chin a little in the process, and narrowed his eyes a fraction. Still he said nothing, scrutinizing the shen that had stumbled on this place. His old home had once been surrounded by mage barriers so no one from the outside could find it unless they had been before. This one had not. Not that it mattered anymore.

"You can get up, you know," he eventually muttered, turning back to his contemplation of the rubble, but still keeping an eye on the brown haired woman.

[Alaska]

Alaska glared at the Demon, slightly offended that he felt it was his place to order her to rise. However, despite her mildly insulted pride, she arose and brushed herself off rather indignantly. She tugged at her dress and fidgeted with her belt for a moment, trying to come up with something to say. Her spirit was not at its heights, but she found it hard to just ignore this gloomy being, no matter how rude he had seemed to her.

Alaska's temper was often quick to boil, but quicker to settle. She quietly approached the Demon, thinking of something to say to break the silence. "Are you okay?" finally slipped out. Her eyes had a genuinely worried gleam to them, showing the general disposition of her nature. She knew to be wary of Demons, but she could not neglected the saddened. It was possibly her greatest attribute, as well as her greatest downfall. She flashed him a smile, though it was a rather awkward one, before sinking back a few steps from him. She fiddled with the grass with her toes, staring at the ground rather than the Demon. She was known for making really great decisions when it came to her well-being and defense.

[Arumi]

He ignored her little act of straightening herself out. She was obviously not injured, and had she needed to adjust any articles of clothing in specific regions he was happy to leave her to it.

Arumi's attention turned slowly back to the woman when she approached him, and he took in her full countenance. She was little, her brown hair unusually short compared most females. The demon was struck with a sense of empathy from her eyes, though, which ruled the features of her face.

"I'm fine." He studied her fidgety smile for a moment, then turned again to the ruined home. Arumi was silent again for a long moment, until that silence was broken by a grumble of protest from his stomach. His lips twisted in a partial grimace and he heaved a sigh for sliding off the face of the boulder used as his perch. No sense in letting someone intrude on his need to eat.

Resting a hand on his hip, the demon ran his tongue over his canines. "You're wary of me, aren't you?" It wasn't so much a question as a statement of fact. As an angel, it had been easy to be trusted and likable when he felt the desire for social interaction. Since turning, though, everyone immediately mistrusted him and looked as though they expected to pounce on them any given moment.

[Alaska]

Alaska glanced up from the ground when he spoke. Her eyes were alight with intelligence and a bit of naivety. They were a kaleidoscope of colors, fading from a brilliant gold in the center to a gray ring before a navy outline. They studied him inquisitively as she shot him a hesitant smile, which ended in her softly biting her lip. She silently scolded herself for being so awkward, but she was not really sure how to handle the situation now. Had she of just left him alone in the first place, she would not now be faced with the complexity of conversation.

The grumble of his stomach brought her some peace of mind. Alaska tended to forget that everyone was not completely superior to her, and that others felt the same urges she did. Unwillingly, she let out a soft giggle before realizing that the Demon was now upon his feet and licking his teeth. There was a large part of Alaska's mind that screamed at her to retreat, for she was small and he was not. However, she did not particularly like that side of her brain, so she instead retorted to his comment, "No. Why would I be?"

Alaska's left hand moved to rest on her hip while her right one tugged at a strand of hair. Resting most of her weight on one leg made it easier for her to graze her foot across the tufts of grass, an action which she obviously partook in often. She looked the Demon straight in the eyes, making her seem much more confident than she was. Alaska liked to think of herself as someone who demanded respect, but, in the end, she was just a tiny Fae in a world of much larger, much more hostile beings.

[Arumi]

Her response was somewhat unexpected, considering all the body language she had been conveying up to that point. Arumi looked to the little woman with a renewed interest.

"Oh."

Was she trying to fool him? Arumi knew as well as anyone that it wasn't uncommon for shen to try and shield against any fear they felt - to refuse to admit something or someone made them uncomfortable in case it meant their weakness was taken advantage of. But she seemed genuinely unconcerned now. Of course, that in itself could be an act, but he could read nothing in her eyes, which were most often a give-away of emotion.

A slow, cautious, almost juvenile smile caught at the corners of the demon's mouth. She wasn't frightened of him. At least not outwardly. "It is normal. That is why I assume it." Despite becoming withdrawn and generally surly, Arumi had not lost the entirety of his charm, and certainly not his manners when in the correct mood to use them. Sweeping his wings out, he gave a small, cursory bow. "I apologize, miss, for my previous mood." Drawing up once more, he glanced at the ruins a final time before turning his back to them, using his wings to block the sad pile from his peripheral vision.

((I would have him say more, but it's not in his character. Sorry! xD ))

[Alaska]

His apology was all Alaska needed to completely abandon all previous notions of him being dangerous or threatening whatsoever. A fool she may have been, but she was not one to judge a book by its cover nor a being by his outer appearance. Ever the idealist, she took his comment to mean that she was welcome--and perhaps even wanted--in this place.

A jubilant smile played across her face, and an electrifying light dazzled in her eyes. She was but a child in so many senses despite her many years. Her love for and connection with nature kept her so easily amazed by all things that she rarely went long without some reason to smile. Her emotions were always at some extreme, and his slight willingness to engage her brought her spirits to a soaring height. "Oh, no need to apologize," she cooed, all awkwardness fading from her countenance as she silently rejoiced in what she perceived to be a new-found friend.

Her joy flowed in conjunction with her I Quen magic, causing the grass around her bare feet to brighten a bit as a new bit of life flowed into it. Alaska seemed completely oblivious to this happening, for it was a frequent occurrence that her emotions would overflow through her magic, effecting the things around her. A bird in a neighboring tree began to sing his song, and the small Fae swayed slightly as though moved by his melody.

Her body language did not change, save a slight relaxation of her muscles, but now her confidence was not feigned. "I'm Alaska," she introduced herself with a warm smile, displaying her nearly perfect teeth.

((Tis okay. Alaska can talk to a wall. She takes after me. ))

[Arumi]

Her sudden lift of demeanor was even more surprising than her apparent lack of consideration of his wretch-proving race. He watched silently as the subtle changes happened around her, aware of what they proved about her - he would always recognize I Quen magic. The chatter of a sparrow arose, and Arumi wasn't sure if it was annoying or beautiful.

His smile had faded by now, not sure how to take Alaska's mood. He wasn't used to being around happy shen - really, he wasn't used to being in social contact with shen at all. He hadn't changed much since childhood in that respect. As long as he wasn't needed, he wasn't bothered to interfere in the affairs of others.

"I'm Arumi." He studied the woman for a moment, flickering his eyes over her small body, then back up to her face. "Are you a human?"

[Alaska]

Alaska gave him a mildly insulted look as he posed his question. A human? she thought bitterly. Do I really look like a human? She squinted slightly as though she had asked this question aloud and was expecting a response.

A rustling noise arose from behind her, and her face contorted into a horrified grimace of pain, but only for a mere fraction of a second. Her bent forward a bit as though preparing for some massive weight to be placed upon her tiny shoulders. There was another sound of movement from behind her, but this time is was much louder and longer. Within the space of about half a minute, massive translucent white wings erupted from her shoulder blades through slits in the back of her clothes.

Time had taught her how to control their growth so that they would not rip her clothes every time she produced them. Her wings were feathered, yet they almost seemed see through. If one evaluated them long enough, he would be able to see the bone structure beneath the eerily translucent feathers and skin.

Alaska gave him a bit of a cocky grin, and said, "Do I look like a human to you?"

She giggle quietly, and her wings fluttered slightly behind her. Despite their gargantuan size, they seemed fitting for the little Fae. It was as though they matched her somewhat overwhelming, constantly changing, incomprehensible personality. They hovered slightly away from her body, obviously assisting in keeping her balance as she moved to stand straight up once again.

"I'm a Fae," she said, as she tilted her head to the side slightly as she awaited his response.

[Arumi]

He found her expression disconcerting. She was obviously offended by his question, and yet what reason did he have to think otherwise? She bore no tapered ears or angled eyes, no horns or fins or wings. To anyone she appeared to assume the role of a simple, small human, despite her kaleidoscope eyes. Or at least, what Arumi knew of humans. He couldn't recall ever having met one before.

Being one to maintain awareness of his surroundings, Alaska's unexplained actions and the sound that had no apparent source apart from the woman herself caused some surprise and distress in Arumi. Demon he may be, with some sadistic tendencies, but he wasn't about to stand around and do nothing while someone was being hurt, even if he didn't know the cause.

"Alaska?" The concern was obvious in his otherwise fluxless voice as he took a step toward her, his wings partially spread as if ready to leap into either flight or action. "What is wrong?" His mismatched eyes held twin concern, but it was washed away with a start as something began to press from Alaska's back like the eruption of some see-through insect. He stepped back as her wings unfurled and she spoke.

He shook his head. No. She certainly didn't look like a human anymore. Her wings looked as though they belonged to some ethereal creature of lore, giving her a new radiance.

A fae? "But... you are not..." He held his index finger and thumb apart in a 'C' shape. "...tiny."

[Alaska]

Alaska giggled at Arumi's concerned then surprised expression, She leaned back a little and forth a bit as her delight overwhelmed her before she eased her weight mostly to her left foot. A slight look of disgust flew across hastily across her face as he mentioned her size, but it was quickly replaced again with her look of deep-rooted joy; she was in no mood to be angry.

"We are not all little," she informed him in a rather feisty tone as she leaned a bit closer to him, both hands placed on her hips. "Not all of us are strange."

The words seemed a bit ironic coming from the lips of this rather eccentric being. Her eyes gleamed brilliantly, and she obviously was taking more pleasure in his surprise than the average person would have. As the breeze infiltrated the clearing, her short green dress danced around her thighs, and her hair teased her face, whipping again her cheek bones. She reached out to push his hand down from that mocking gesture, her smile still gracing her face.

"I mean, I'm not sitting her questioning what you are just because you don't have horns sprouting from your head or fire in the place of hair." Alaska was on a roll now, but obviously it was all in play. No one who was really angry could exude such joy as she was now.

[Arumi]

He blinked in comprehesion, showing no feeling of immaturity or hurt at the reprimand. It had been a simple misunderstanding, and that was all. No reason to get upset. "Oh. I had simply thought, from the stories..." Stories of tiny winged humanoids that lived in flowers and trees. Of course there would be variation in the faes, just as there was variation in any of the other races.

He pulled his hand back when she touched him, slightly ashamed of having not retreated from the gesture earlier. He stepped back, finding Alaska to be somewhat intruding upon his space, and folding his wings.

Arumi frowned, placing his hands in his pockets. "Do you not know what I am?" He would have thought it was obvious - of course, she may simply be using what she said in reference to herself more than suggesting he himself needing more prominent features to assure his race.

While her palpable joy might have spread to anyone else, the young demon seemed immune to it, as though he had a barrier that prevented anyone else's positive emotions from affecting him. Or if he was taken in by emotion, it was a slow process - Arumi rarely hastened in anything, apart from retreat. He didn't enjoy confrontation, and would sooner flee and slip into either the shadows or one of the many swathes of flame within the Wicked City, given the choice.

[Alaska]

Alaska rose back up to her full height as he jerked away from her touch. The simple movement was enough for her to retreat back into her shell a bit. She had been too forward and offended him, she thought. She had to struggle against the urge to completely withdraw and reminded herself that she should really learn to balance her emotions, that she was not going to be so fragile any more. It's time to face the world outside the forests, she thought, And sometimes people get offended, but there's no need to just turn around and run away. She obviously had not spent much time beyond the walls of the distant forests, where she lurked and played with others of her race. This world was so strange, but she just had to be brave she told herself.

His question took her back somewhat. Not know what he was? Of course she knew what he was. What else had back wings and lived in what she perceived to be an impenetrable fortress of depression? Enough Demons had passed through her forest that she knew what they felt like. They upset the creatures and the forests, just like he was doing right now, though obviously he would not know that. However, what if she was wrong? She was not necessarily well-rounded in interactions with other beings, so she could be mistaken, couldn't she?

"A Demon, of course," she said, trying to hide the hint of a question that had eased its way into her mind. She did not want to make a fool of herself, but what else could he be? Her eyes eased away from his face and back to the ground, where they studied the grass quite intently.

[Arumi]

She certainly was jumpy, changing abruptly from one reaction to another, like a flash of lightning in a storm darkened sky. He felt it difficult to guess how she might take any of his words or actions, and that caused some discomfort in his mind. Of course, he had already decided she was not the sort to get truly angry, so she did not pose a danger to him.

Alaska looked confused at his question. Why, he couldn't be sure. It wasn't as though he had asked something obscure. Folding his wings a little more comfortably, he patiently awaited her answer.

"Of course." Arumi's voice was soft.

He was silent for several moments, gazing off at the not-so-distant forest. Alaska was obviously uncomfortable, and he didn't know how to remedy that. Nor did he really care to. It had never been his place to provide comfort to other shen.

A little wry smile twitched at one corner of the demon's lips. "What makes me a demon, Alaska?"