Author: Akira, Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2019 3:52 PM, Post Subject: Friends Forever? [P]

Akira hummed in response to the way he restated her statement in a question with a nod. Yet, the next questions threw her into silence as she slowed her walking. She thought about the way she liked Shiloh and the guild, Lewis and her mothers. Even her father held a soft spot in her heart. Neera and the countless others she had met on her travels. Each one she like a little differently, but they all held one thing in similarity.

”Akira like someone who make Akira smile…” she started slowly, hoping she could word this right for him to understand. ”Or someone who nice, or help Akira… Friend Akira call brother and sister are friend Akira depend on.” A ghost of a smile spread on her lips as she thought about how Shiloh protected her from the group of mean boys. ”When Akira see them… Make Akira feel warm and safe.”

Now came the hardest to explain. Why was he her favorite? ”Lewis Akira’s favorite… Because I like you best.” It was the simplest way she could say it, but she continued. ”Not as brother. More than friend. Akira feel Lewis is… Safe.” Akira pulled him to a stop as she smiled up at her friend. ”But more than that. Lewis… Is hard explain, but you make Akira smile biggest.” She wrapped her arm around him, burying her face in his shirt as she hugged him.

”Akira do something stupid, Lewis…” It was for the good of the guild she had done something so dangerous. Akira hugged him tighter as she fought to keep her tears from falling. ”Went to zig-rat, Akira ran trials.” She shuddered as she recalled the way she got slapped into a wall, the way her skull cracked against it. ”But Akira no get treasure for guild. All Akira got is broken ribs.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Tue Dec 3, 2019 5:58 PM, Post Subject: Friends Forever? [P]

Lewis could tell that Akira was hiding her pain as she tried to smile through it all. A part of him wanted to logically call her out on her bluff, but something akin to a conscious told him it would be a bad idea to hurt her pride like that. This was a strange thing for Lewis, who had up until meeting Akira, had been cool and calculating with everything and everyone. Well, except for Xeik, but that was different.

Or was it? The whole relationship that Xeik, Akira, and even Danwe had with him was something new and different that brought about a lot of complicated emotions that he had not felt before, and it made him uncomfortable. Perhaps, because he knew that these emotions clouded his overall thinking.

He paused that thought process though as Akira started speaking again, stating how he was her favorite of the Guild. ‘I’m…your favorite?” What did that mean? Did this have anything to do with the emotions that he felt for her and Xeik, or did it mean something else?

“Akira,” he asked. “What does it mean to like someone?” Lewis had an idea about the feeling. But he was unsure that it was the right one. After all, humans held a wide variety of emotions and experienced them all in different ways. Xeik abhorred violence, while Lewis almost relished in it. Was the like he got from tracking a prey different from liking someone?

“What do you mean ‘favorite’?” he asked.

Author: Akira, Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2019 12:32 PM, Post Subject: Friends Forever? [P]

Gratefully, Akira took Lewis's hand as she pulled herself up with his counterweight. "Most are Akira. But Reika is Celeste companion. Raised from cub. Larka gave Celeste cub in dark time." She went to Reika and pulled her face towards the tiger's own, pressing her forehead against the soft fur of the skull. "See? Akira fine now." The tiger stood and rubbed against the child affectionately.

She turned toward Lewis with a pained smile, trying to hide the throbbing of both her head and her ribs, taking the packages back from him. "Yup. Akira fox, so Akira hear them… Most animal more smart than people think." A free hand was slipped into Lewis's own, leading him through the grass toward the house. Reika kept pace next to Akira as she fell into an awkward silence.

What does one speak about when she's trying to hide her own pain? He was trying to make more guild bases to help the other orphans, but guild politics shouldn't be the only thing they had in common. No, there was so much more to them than just the guild. Both were orphans, their parents most likely being dead. Akira looked up at him with a wide smile. "Did Lewis know you Akira favorite friend in all guild?"

Author: Dusk, Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2019 6:40 PM, Post Subject: Friends Forever? [P]

It took a lot from Lewis not to immediately try to kill the tiger that had playfully ‘attacked’ Akira. When Akira had thrown the packages at the boy, he had been thrown off, but was more than ready to fight if he had to. No package was worth Akira’s life. However, even as the tiger pounced, Lewis felt no killing intent behind the whole ordeal. Akira was in pain, though, and that was something that the boy felt anger over.

“Back off…” he said, glaring at the tiger. “You’re hurting her.” The tiger seemed guilty enough over the pounce, but the ever cheerful Akira was made of stronger stuff than she appeared, and merely said it was nothing more than an accident.

“Here, let me help you,” he said, shifting the packages to one arm with careful balance. He extended his other hand. “Give me your hand.”

“You seem to know a lot of animals,” Lewis noted. “It seems as though they understand you, and you them.”

Author: Akira, Posted: Tue Jan 1, 2019 9:13 PM, Post Subject: Friends Forever? [P]

Akira smiled shyly when he said he’d be there for her. She remembered well what he had done for her up until this point. His presence stuck out more in her time with the boys than anyone else. It was he she would primarily look forward to seeing each visit to Hoja Mesto. ”Oh, this maze only enchanted never die. Akira go through maze many time since Akira adopted here.” One more right, two lefts and a final right.

They exited upon a sprawling field with grass almost chest high to Akira. In the distance, the lake glittered with a beautiful clock tower standing in the center. She excitedly pointed to the left of the lake. ”We live there. See house? Behind, Akira has place for lots of pets. Always growing. Akira keep find new pets.” Almost as quickly as her excitement grew, it faded fast. ”Lewis, back.”

Akira pressed her packages in Lewis’s arms while placing herself before him protectively. Her ears swiveled, listening as she peered into the grass. Something was tracking them, of this was she was sure. It wasn’t long at all before the distinct roar of a tiger sounded, and a tiger uncoiled itself as it sprang its attack. ”REIKA!” The child screamed as she fell under the weight of the feline.

As Reika purred, rubbing her face against Akira’s own, the foxling groaned as she curled up into a ball. There were no claw marks upon her or her clothing, no blood. Just a face scrunched in pain as she held her chest. The tiger peeled itself off of the child and sat nearby, somehow managing to look remorseful with its head hung low. She slowly began to push herself up, still clutching the healing ribs. To make matters worse, her head throbbed slightly. ”No, no, Reika. You fine. Accident. Akira be fine.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Tue Nov 6, 2018 8:33 AM, Post Subject: Friends Forever? [P]

As they traveled through the maze, Lewis made a note to memorize the route they had taken. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Akira, it was that he was prepared for anything and everything to go wrong at any moment. That was how a thief had to live, after all. Still, he did take the time to admire the craftsmanship of the maze and it’s elaborate centerpiece. The mother and child centerpiece was expertly sculpted to form, with a beautiful arrangement of flowers circling the fountain. Tranquil sounds of running water and blissfully unaware innocents filled the air. Ignorance was something that Lewis envied in others. They didn’t have to worry where their next meal came from, or if they’d survive the night.

“Being older doesn’t change the fact that I’m still here for you, if you need,” Lewis replied as they continued through the maze. “You seem to know your way through this pretty well,” the would be assassin said as she lead him through. “There’s a rule for getting through most normal mazes. Always turn right. It may take longer, but it’s a surefire way to never get lost.” He smirked. “Of course, enchanted mazes are another thing entirely.” He wondered if he would ever run into one during his lifetime. A strange thing to think about during his conversation with Akira.

“Lead the way,” Lewis said as they exited the maze.

Author: Akira, Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2018 2:52 PM, Post Subject: Friends Forever? [P]

”Not me. Mommies. They mercenaries. Fight keep all safe. Guard on travels. Celeste also healer and hunter. They has big name here, since they base here.” It is through them that she is known much at all. Even though she has a friend or two in the castles, of which district she has long since forgotten, nobody knew who the lone child was. Yet, after Celeste had toiled hard to recover from her harsh ordeals, she and Larka took in the child.

The change from the shopkeepers was almost instantaneous. No longer would they complain of her appearance, nor make any connections about her previous means of survival. ”Not in Sularia. Orphans here too well off. But other places… Lots of kids need help, Lewis. Seen so many die… Akira want help Lewis in make more guilds.” Akira’s steps slowed as they neared the center of the maze. While the myriad of blooming rose hedges lined the walkway was breathtaking in itself, the center was a marvel to behold.

The luxurious garden sprawled before them, with more verdure than Akira had ever seen in one place lining every flower bed. A large fountain of mother and child stood in the center, with several stone benches at the base to allow for relaxation as one took in the beauty. She liked the colors here, the sound of falling water mingling with children’s laughter. Akira nodded as he explained once more what had happened to him and Xeik.

She smiled sadly up at Lewis, a knowing smile that held a twinge of regret. ”Akira know Lewis is friend. Friends forever, yes? But, Akira don’t have many friend my age. Most, now you too, are older. I liked having friend same age.” In fact, Lewis and the guild were almost definitely the first set of friends she had who were not adults. ”Almost out of maze. Then large field between us and lake. Mommies live closer to the water.”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2018 9:21 AM, Post Subject: Friends Forever? [P]

It was interesting watching Akira struggle with using proper language. The entire time she had been with the guild, she had not tried to correct her speech patterns. Now that she was back home in Sularia, though, she was making a concentrated effort. Perhaps it had something to do with her mothers.

Lewis did catch Akira holding her chest, and had noticed that she seemed almost flustered by it, but before he had any opportunity to ask what had happened, he was being dragged through the streets. It wasn’t long before Akira was called, though, by what Lewis assumed was an herbalist of some sort.

“You seem popular, Akira,” he said. He had not yet answered the question she had asked about the other children. “Well…in Hoja Mesto, we banded together to create a guild. I was wondering if I could do something similar in other cities. But it seems like I don’t need to.” It was a good feeling to know that in at least some places the homeless problem was being addressed. He sighed, though, wondering if it would stay like that.

“I’m sorry,” Lewis replied as she noted her dislike of his new age. “It wasn’t really my choice. I just…happened Xeik took the brunt of it. I already told you, right? He ended up as a girl for awhile. That was…er…a rough patch for us.” Indeed it was. Xeik, or Aaya as he had to be called during that time, had been panicked about possibly never being able to turn back. Luckily, the issue had been resolved…

“Anyway, it’s not like it changes too much. I’m still your friend.”

Author: Akira, Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2018 12:09 PM, Post Subject: Friends Forever? [P]

Akira tilted her head. ”You’ll be?” She liked his smile, and he seemed eager to meet her mothers. Excitedly, she threw her arms up in the air as she jumped with glee, only to land and hold her chest once more with a slight frown. ”Akira sure mommies will like Lewis. Wait… I am sure… my mothers… will like you.” She smiled up at him, proud of her proper sentence.

As she took his hand, trying not to drag compared to lead him through the streets, Akira contemplated his question. ”Kids here are better than most places. They are cared for. It against law to hurt child here. More fights over men than children. Why Lewis ask?” Someone called Akira’s name, causing the child to pause. ”Akira! Could you do me a favor? Celeste’s order finally came in. Would you be a doll and deliver it for me?”

The herbalist had a small paper package, not much bigger than Larka’s chocolates. ”Okay, Lewis and Akira was just going home now.” With both packages in one arm, Akira took Lewis’s hand once more and continued on her path through the streets of Sularia. ”Akira met Larka in scary forest one day, while she look for wife. Met again much later here in Sularia. Wife was found, and they gave Akira lots of gifts. While eating lunch, Larka and Celeste ask Akira to adopt. But Akira not home much. They try, but understand.”

There were so many people in her life. Her favorites were her mothers, Lewis, and her father. Even River, a spiritbinder who happened to live in Sularia as well, was some of her closest friends. Most of them were all much older than she was. ”Lewis, Akira don’t like you older. All Akira friends are older except guild…” They exited the purple district of the city, and she confidently began to pick her way through the Kirika maze.

Author: Dusk, Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 7:37 AM, Post Subject: Friends Forever? [P]

It was definitely Akira. Lewis smiled. It was good to see her again. She was safe, and that was what mattered. Though, her patterns were different. Something must have happened on her way back. The thief wouldn’t press her for information; if she wanted to tell him, she would. Instead, though, he focused his hazel eyes on the faerie dragons. They seemed to be protecting her, and unsure of Lewis. He couldn’t blame them. He was, after all, not a good person. At least, he didn’t think so.

Akira was suddenly barraging him with questions, which caused him to take a step back and hold up his hands. “Sure, sure…we can go meet your parents,” Lewis said. He was worried though. Xeik had warned him that she was the daughter of a God. How much of that they believed was up in the air, but it was still something to keep in consideration. But if it were true…

Lewis cleared his throat as Akira started to walk around him. As she took his hand to compare to her own, he smiled again. “It’s…been a bit difficult. My mind and body don’t always match up, but the aging effects of the potion are slowly changing that.” Not that his maturity had been too much of an issue to start. Having to kill or be killed tended to rush a mental age.

“The adjustment took a few days, but now I’m stronger and faster. Once my mind catches up, I’ll be….” He smirked. I’ll be able to protect the guild. “Well…anyway. Let’s go ahead and meet your parents.” While I’m here, I should look into what it would take to create a branch here. Though…I haven’t seen to many abandoned children in Sularia. I wonder if it has something to do with the ruling families here.

He had done some minor research into Sularia before arriving. After all, he had to know how best to fit in.

“Say, Akira…how are the kids here? I don’t see too many who are like us…er….like the boys at Heaven’s Dawn.”

Author: Akira, Posted: Wed Aug 8, 2018 11:24 AM, Post Subject: Friends Forever? [P]

He knew her name, which confused her, but not as much as him claiming to be Lewis. She cocked her head to the side, studying his face. There was so much familiarity in his face, those hazel eyes, even his hair. Akira giggled at the thought of Xeik being a girl, banishing all doubts of Lewis’s identity. ”Akira good. Um, what bring Lewis to Sularia?”

Her eyes grew wide as possibilities came to mind. ”Do you want meet mommies!? And Poppy, and Ruby. Amber and Akira just got home, so Akira need introduce her to family too.” Alyssa and Elvina perched on either shoulder, wrapping their tails around her arms. ”Ya, Lewis is friend. He my favorite friend.” She giggled and shook her head. ”Go home, Akira be there soon.”

While they seemed reluctant, the fairy dragons took to the air, fluttering away into the sky. Yet, Akira couldn’t keep her eyes from her changed friend. ”You tall now.” She walked a couple of circles around him with a huge smile. ”Do you like it? Being big?” Akira took his hand, comparing it to her own. Never before had someone aged so quickly, to skip years in the span of weeks. It was truly remarkable to see the difference.

Author: Dusk, Posted: Wed Aug 8, 2018 6:59 AM, Post Subject: Friends Forever? [P]

It was uncommon for Lewis to not be on guard, but perhaps because he was now taller, he still had not fully adjusted to the thought that there were now people who were shorter than he was. So when he bumped into someone half his size, he was a tad shocked and thrown off guard. As he looked down, he saw a flash of silver hair, but it was immediately interrupted by an angry faerie dragon in his face.

There was an apology from the child he had run into, and while the voice was familiar, he couldn’t entirely place it. There was a part of him that wanted to swat the dragona side, but he held his cool. It was his fault, after all, and it would bring attention to him otherwise. He sighed with relief, though, as the faerie dragon backed off.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bump into…” He looked down. “Akira?” It was strange, seeing her so….short. But that was how it was. He was taller now. The potion had messed with a lot of things. Yet there she was, the adorable child he had befriended not long ago, alive and well. “It’s me…Lewis. I…” He paused. How to explain what happened. He lowered the sash to reveal his full face.

“Xeik and I got into a bit of a mess, and I ended up like this. Xeik…well….he got turned into a girl for awhile. And he got a bit younger…” He smirked. “I made out a lot better than he did.” He was happy though. He had found Akira again.

“How have you been?”

Author: Akira, Posted: Mon Aug 6, 2018 11:09 AM, Post Subject: Friends Forever? [P]

”Welcome back, Akira! What will it be today? Something for your friends?” Akira had arrived at the stall containing sweets of all sorts, ran by a sweet old man. The child blinked and turned around, only to giggle. ”Alyssa? Elvina, what are you two here? Where Kaia?” They darted in and allowed her to pull them into a hug. ”Yes, please. For them and Mommy Larka?” ”None for yourself?” ”No thanks. Akira fine.”

He put some chocolate covered berries in a tidy paper package, tied with string. For the fair dragons, he handed each a chewy caramel. Akira passed over the coins, waved, and continued on her way with treats in hand. The fairy dragons continued their flight around Akira, happy with their treats. Contemplating what she should get Celeste, the child was not quite paying attention to where she was going, her gaze glued to different wares.

This was when she bumped into someone… Again. While normally, she wouldn’t have fallen, Akira had this time. She was shocked, holding her chest, as dull pain raced across her ribs, something she had thought was already healed. Alyssa chattered angrily in the stranger’s face while Elvina landed before Akira, making worried noises. ”Akira fine, Elvina.” Akira looked up at the stranger and the other fairy dragon as she stood back up. ”Alyssa, leave him alone. Was accident. No, he no hurt Akira. Yes, Akira sure. Find Larka’s chocolate?” Alyssa had been glancing between the stranger and Akira throughout the entire seemingly one-sided conversation.

”Akira sorry, mister.” Upon taking the height and stature of the person before her, Akira wouldn’t put him to be old enough to be considered an adult yet. However, he wasn’t a kid either. She was still holding her chest as Alyssa put a small package in her hands. ”Thanks Alyssa..” Akira looked up at the guy once more. ”You new in Sularia? Not seen you before?” A confused look was covering her face, feeling a strange sense of familiarity. That hair… Those eyes… ”Akira know you?”

Author: Dusk, Posted: Mon Aug 6, 2018 6:22 AM, Post Subject: Friends Forever? [P]

It had been some time since Akira had left Hoja and the Heaven’s Dawn. While the boys had been sad, it wasn’t long before work the work had them too busy to really feel the loss. Things were moving again in Hoja, and Xeik and Danwe had found themselves in a set of trouble. Also, due to a recent alchemical mishap involving an unknown potion, Lewis found himself older. It had taken some time to learn about his new body, but now that he was no longer considered a child, it opened up some new possibilities. For one, his physical attributes had increased dramatically, and second, he could now travel without questions

With this newfound freedom, Lewis was tasked with tracking a particularly nasty individual across the globe. Masquerading as a healer, this man was giving out false information about diseases and tonics to heal said diseases. Some of the tonics, if mixed, would even end up poisoning or crippling the individual upon consumption.

As Lewis traveled, he found himself learning just how large the world was. There were sights he never could have imagined existed, as well as atrocities that were worse than what happened at home in Hoja. The world was indeed something to be in awe of, both in respect and fear.

It was in Sularia that Lewis caught up to the merchant of death, the healer who made false claims. It was little effort to assassinate the man without being seen. He would simply tell Xeik that it had been dealt with, and there would be no questions after that. His leader did not need to know the details. But now that he was in Sularia, he wondered if he should check in on Akira.

As he wandered the vibrant streets, he pulled the sash he had purchased recently to cover the lower part of his face. For some reason, it made him feel more comfortable. At current, he had decided to wear his sleeveless, dark blue shirt out due to the heat. He secretly wished he had something lighter to wear, and made a note to look for something later.

While he had tracked the healer with no issue, he found himself vaguely lost in Sularia without a real goal. He knew Akira lived here, but he wasn’t exactly sure where. Had she said something? I can’t remember… He frowned. It was a curious sensation that he was feeling. Sadness? Fear? It was new.

“I don’t like it,” he muttered.

Author: Akira, Posted: Thu Aug 2, 2018 4:27 PM, Post Subject: Friends Forever? [P]

Akira was almost regretful about leaving Heaven's Dawn, but it had been so long since she had visited with her mothers. With the promise she would be back, the kitsune gathered Neera and Amber, and left. It was hard, for she quite enjoyed her time with the boys. Never before had she been in a group of so many around her age, and not a single one was mean to her. No one pulled her tail, or poked fun at her. They laughed with her, made her smile, and accepted her into their fold effortlessly.

She made what was supposed to have been a quick stop in the highlands to take care of a rumored haunted cabin. If she could cleanse it, then River would be so pleased with her. Didn’t he say that he lived in Sularia too? When her business there was concluded, Akira hastened her trip to skip the desert with a small looking glass. At present, it seemed that no one was aware of her presence or were not home. Either way, perhaps this was an opportunity to get them something nice!

After dropping her pack off, Akira changed into fresh clothing. It was an easy to slip on robe-like dress with tapered sleeves. The two tones of blue was like the lake they lived by, with golden threads decorating around the collar and her sleeves. It hid her tail, which she didn’t mind, cause this prevented anyone from yanking on it. She pulled her hair back with a bright blue ribbon.

On her way into town, a pair of miniature fairy dragons flew behind her, flying in happy patterns. She went to the market and began to contemplate what she should get her family. Idly, she browsed the different stalls, still blissfully unaware of the fairy dragons behind, or at times above her.