User blog:Roseann Shadowflame/Black Circus Chapter 1

Many things in life are unfair. Many things in life are frightening, many things are sad; yet we, my species, go on. Unlike humans, who are so fragile that if they are unpleasant or hurt for even the smallest amount of time, they break. Which is why we have always been, are, and will be stronger. Stronger than them, stronger than everything.

A black carriage rolled down the streets of London. It shook a bit on the Cobblestones, and made a little bit of a racket, but all carriages did. On the doors was white trim in the shape of a cross with a sword over it. There was also white trim on the corners, bottoms, and tops of the carriage.

While the carriage itself looked unusual, what was inside was even more strange. Two girls, both with laced sunhats on, sat on opposite sides of the carriage, looking out the window. But instead of looking similar, they looked different. Very, very different.

One of the girls had a bright and gentle smile on her face, and wore a beautiful lacy light blue dress with a pink ribbon on the back and the neckline. She had honey-colored hair that rolled in perfect waves down her neck and to her elbows, and beautiful crimson eyes.

But the other girl was the exact opposite. With a tight frown on her face and narrowed eyes, she sat in the seat with her legs crossed and her head in her hand. She wore a dark blue dress with black trim, and her face was framed by a dark brown-red mess of hair.

"Oh, Emmy! Look!" said the blond-haired girl, pressing her face and hands against the glass. "Look at them all! The humans! And the small ones, the babies! Oh, they're so cute!"

The brown haired girl made a small noise and turned to the blond haired girl, narrowed eyes with a tight frown. "My name is Emmerlessa. Please don't call me Emmy here."

"Alright," the blond girl said, sighing. "But still, look outside... aren't the buildings quaint? They're different from anything on our world!"

"They aren't quaint, they're... appalling," Emmerlessa said, furrowing her eyebrows and looking at the blond haired girl with a strange expression. "How do you find them to be 'quaint', Ralizan?"

Ralizan turned to Emmerlessa and narrowed her eyes, then blew a strand of hair from her face. "They're small and lovely; they look cozy. And there aren't thousands of passageways to get lost in, either." Then she smiled. "It would be nice to have everything in arms reach."

"I'd rather have the room to store useful things," Emmerlessa said, turning away from Ralizan. She looked outside of the window for a second, then sighed and grabbed the curtain, drawing it. "I can't stand to look out there. It almost physically hurts."

"Why are you so mean?" Ralizan said, sighing and pouting her lips. "The humans are very lovely; they're advanced! Especially for the fact they don't have magic or anything of the sort."

"Why would they deserve magic? They're pathetic creatures," Emmerlessa replied.

"But you barely know anything about them! Why would you say that?" Ralizan asked, looking at Emmerlessa sadly. Though Emmerlessa didn't turn around.

"I don't need to know. I have eyes, I can see. I have ears, and I can hear. And because of that, I hear and see their stupidity which somehow passes on from day to day. Now will you leave me alone?" Emmerlessa answered curtly.

Ralizan looked to her brown-red haired companion and sighed, turning away. "Alright..."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">I have to make you smile again.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"But look!" Ralizan perked up, pointing out the window. "There are animals, Emmy! And butterflies!" She smiled and turned to Emmerlessa, but her smile faded when she saw that the girl had not turned to her.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"That's nice."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Ralizan sighed and turned away again. "I'm sorry..."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Emmerlessa seemed to gasp for air a bit, to Ralizan's ear, but when she looked at her, she hadn't moved from her spot at all.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"You... don't need to apologize. You have your opinions and I have mine," Emmerlessa said. She slowly turned her head and smiled at her sister, eyes narrowed. "Though, mine are the correct ones."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Ralizan's mouth opened and shut multiple times. "I-I can't even..."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">_____________________________________________________________________________

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">The two had been sitting in the carriage for what had seemed like a while, but it slowly came to a stop. Emmerlessa grasped the edges of the black cloth curtain and pulled them away from each other, looking out the window.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"We've arrived," she said, grabbed the latch on the door and pulled it away. She pushed the door open and it swung against the carriage, making a clanging sound. Ralizan cringed as it hit.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"You could have been a bit more quiet," Ralizan said softly, following as her sister stepped out of the carriage. She curled her fingers around the fabric folds of her skirts and lifted it up, light pink shoes visible as she stepped onto the ground.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"There was no reason to. It was efficient. It doesn't matter what it sounds like," Emmerlessa said, slamming the door after Ralizan was out. Ralizan cringed.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"But-"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"It doesn't matter. Come on," Emmerlessa cut her off, making a motion with her hand. She turned and walked through the open gate and onto a small path, then stepped onto the porch and knocked on the black door.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">She waited for a second before she turned back to look at the street. She glared for a second before it changed to a smirk.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Dear sister," she said, without looking at the girl beside her, "do look at the street, will you?"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Why?" Ralizan asked, turning to Emmerlessa. Emmerlessa just smiled.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Trust me."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Ralizan looked at the street, and when she did, her eyes widened. A light blush dusted her cheeks and she stepped back, smiling in an embarrassed manner when she noticed the boys that were staring at her from the street. Some of them were leaning on the fence to see her closer.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Um... how do you know they aren't looking at you, Emmy?" Ralizan asked softly, turning away before her face filled with the color red.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Simple. Their pathetic eyes are trained in your direction. And," Emmerlessa said, shooting a glare at one of the boys who was looking in a rather improper place, "I can tell by the way I hear them whispering 'The blond girl is a beauty, for sure!'"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Ralizan blushed even more, if that was possible. "E-Emmy!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Humans are pathetic," Emmerlessa hissed. Just as she did so, the handle on the door turned, and it slowly squeaked open.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">As it was pulled open, a tall man came into view, and smiled slightly at the two. He had light brown hair that was tied in a low ponytail, and it fell to his waist. His eyes were a light blue, and he wore a set of glasses over them. It didn't stop the light from shining against his eyes and making them seemingly glow, however. He wore black pants and a light blue shirt, with black ruffles aligned on the collar.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">But upon closer inspection of the two, his smile brightened a bit. "Emmerlessa? Ralizan?" he asked, tilting his head ever-so-slightly.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Greetings, Master Kaddith," Emmerlessa said, smiling slightly at the man in front of her.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Hello, Master Kaddith!" Ralizan said cheerfully, smiling up at the man, Kaddith. He smiled back gently and laughed, closing his eyes.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"You two appear quite happy today?"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Yes, I am! Though for her, it really depends on your definition of happy," Ralizan muttered, turning to look at Emmerlessa before turning back to Kaddith and smiling. "How are you?"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"I'm fine. How are you both?" he asked.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"I'm fine, and she's fine, no matter what she says," Ralizan said, giggling a bit at the end of her sentence. She stopped and smiled up at him. "She's just being a bit grumpy."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Ah," Kaddith said, stepping back. "Well, come in! It's a bit warm out there, don't you think?"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Yes," Emmerlessa said, stepping in past him and brushing her shoulder against his lightly. In the split second she did so, her eyes shifted to meet his own. But she quickly looked back in the direction she was walking.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Oh, thank you, Master Kaddith!" Ralizan smiled, stepping in lightly and looking up at Kaddith. He smiled back down at her and shut the door when she was clear of it.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">The hall they stood in was barely lit at all; four doorways, one on either side, allowed natural light from the windows in those rooms in. If you walked directly forward, there was a staircase the branched on either side and presumably led to the upper level.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Come into the parlor," Kaddith said, stepping past the two and going into the first room on the left. Emmerlessa stepped in after him, as did Ralizan. The room was small, but it wasn't cramped. It was about thirty feet in width and length, with two brown couches in the middle and a rug underneath them. The rest of the floors were a dark cherry color, while the walls were cream. Various paintings hung on a wall, and a fire burned in the fireplace. A few gentle rays of light shined in through the thin curtains.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Please, sit down," he said, motioning towards the couch. Emmerlessa nodded her head and turned to Ralizan.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Ralizan... can you go outside for a little? Just onto the porch, is all. I need to talk to Master Kaddith about something," Emmerlessa said. Ralizan looked at Emmerlessa with her eyebrows up a bit, and slightly wide and curious eyes, but Emmerlessa narrowed her eyes at her.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Out. Now."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Kaddith glanced at Emmerlessa with a small frown on his face, and turned to Ralizan as she looked down at her feet.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"A-alright..." Ralizan said, a light blush covering her face. She quickly turned and stepped out of the parlor a bit faster than was needed, and went to the front. The sound of a door opening and shutting rang into the room.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">As soon as it did, Emmerlessa let out a breath that Kaddith didn't know she was holding. She looked up at Kaddith with a slightly different expression than she had before.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Master Kaddith, I'm sorry for intruding upon you," she began, starting to fiddle with her thumbs. "I know it's very rude, but it really is urgent. Or maybe it's just my imagination. But either way, I do need your advice- err, help."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Kaddith tilted his head at her and motioned to her so she'd sit on the couch. She nodded her head and muttered her thanks before sitting down and putting her elbows on her knees. She put her head in her hands afterwards.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"What is it that has made you so wary?" he asked simply, moving to stand in front of her. With barely a foot in-between them, he knelt down and gently touched her arm. She looked up at him, eyes somehow both heavy and alert at the same time.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"About a week ago," she began, sighing, "Commander Xelius came to the manor. Apparently, they had intercepted a letter addressed to Ralizan. It didn't say who it was from. All it had written on the envelope was 'Ralizan Tantibus, Erestale, Umelawyn'. So he gave it to me and I opened it."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"And?" Kaddith asked softly, moving his hand away from her arm.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"It had four words written on it. In the middle of the paper, in very intricate handwriting." Emmerlessa shuddered momentarily before she continued. " 'I'm coming for you' is what it had written."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Kaddith tensed for a moment, looking down at the ground. He looked up a few seconds later and stood, about to speak. But he was cut off before he could even start.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"But you see, the handwriting wasn't just handwriting," Emmerlessa said, her hands twitching a bit. "It was beautiful. It was easily intelligable, but it was so intricate and amazingly done that anyone who saw it would probably be in shock. But I've seen it before."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Kaddith stood there for a second, looking down at her. She had her head lowered again, looking at her feet. Kaddith sighed and moved to walk behind the couch and look out of the window.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"But he is dead."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Yes, I know," Emmerlessa hissed, turning her head up abruptly and glaring at Kaddith. "That's why I'm confused! If he wasn't I would be able to get guards, I could do anything to keep him away, he wouldn't be able to defeat all of them. But he's dead, Master Kaddith! Dead!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Kaddith turned his head to look at her, eyes narrowed slightly. His lips were set in a tight frown.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"What about his son?"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"That's what I was considering, but..." Emmerlessa turned back to look at the table in-between the couches. She reached over and shifted a book so that she could see a map clearer. "It wouldn't make sense. Why would he want her? Why would he send that threatening note, if he was the one who protected her?"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Time changes people," Kaddith replied, almost immediately. He turned back to the window and parted the curtains. "It could have changed him as well."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"I never liked him, but... no, Master Kaddith, it's impossible. He wouldn't hurt her, I know."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Kaddith nodded his head, though he knew she couldn't see.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Why are you so sure of that?" he asked.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"It doesn't matter, it just can't be him!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Are you denying that because he was the one who supposedly killed his father?" Kaddith asked, turning to glance at Emmerlessa. She tensed a bit, then relaxed. She turned to look at him and glared.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"No."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Yes, yes you are. You're afraid that if he would send a threatening letter, it's possible that he didn't kill his father and instead let him live. You're afraid that his father is still alive."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"But he isn't! I saw him die! I saw his eyes close and-"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Did you ever feel his pulse? If you did, was it gone?"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Stop it!" Emmerlessa hissed, turning to Kaddith. "You weren't there! He was dead, there is no doubt. His skin was paler than normal and his eyes were closed. He was limp. He wasn't moving. His chest wasn't rising or falling. He. was. dead!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Kaddith looked at Emmerlessa with narrowed eyes, but he slowly relaxed his features. He sighed. "Alright. I'm sorry if that was rude. I was trying to see-"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"-how I would react," Emmerlessa finished for him. He looked at her with a sad frown, and then looked down.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Yes, that is what I was doing. It was a test. And if you're unhappy about that, then fine, go ahead. But you can't rule his son out yet, in any case."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Emmerlessa sighed. "Why not?"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Because you don't have assurance that it's not him. You came for me to help, did you not?" Kaddith inquired.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Silence came from where Emmerlessa was sitting.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Precisely."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">There was silence for a few moments, but Kaddith laughed softly while looking out the window. Emmerlessa turned out and looked up at him curiously.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"What is it?" she asked.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Come over and see."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">_____________________________________________________________________________

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Outside of the house, Ralizan sat on a small stone bench in front of Kaddith's house. She smiled and looked up at the sky, closing her eyes in happiness as the wind blew lightly against her skin. Luckily, the hat stopped the sun from getting to her face, so she wasn't hurt by it.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">She heard a bit of soft laughs and opened her eyes, looking over at where she heard them come from. She saw a group of five boys talking to each other, one of them blushing like mad. She smiled softly and waved at them. One of the boys waved back, which brought the others' attention to her. They waved to her and smiled.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Mwao~

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Ralizan jumped in surprise and looked down at her side, only to see a small white kitten standing there, tail wrapped around it's paws while looking up at her. It had beautiful sapphire eyes and a cute look on it's face, which made her think it was smiling at her.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Hello," she said, putting her palms on the bench so she could get closer to the kitten. "You're so cute!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">The kitten looked at her for a second before walking over and crawling onto her lap. Ralizan smiled and giggled, picking it up and moving it over a bit so both she and the kitten would be more comfortable. The kitten purred and snuggled against her, laying it's head down on one of her legs. She smiled and rubbed it's head.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"You remind me of someone," she said, looking down at the kitten. "Someone I saw a while ago. You look kinda like them."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">The kitten moved it's legs up a bit, making it's shoulder blades go up for a second.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Her eyes widen.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">The cat just shrugged.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Ralizan giggled and covered her mouth, closing her eyes. "You're a smart kitty, aren't you, little one?"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">The kitten meowed in reply and rubbed it's head against her hand. She opened her eyes again and shifted once more.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Well, do you live here? Do you belong to Master Kaddith?" she asked, tilting herself to the side so she could try to look better at the kitten. Her hair fell to the side as she did.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">The kitten meowed and appeared to shake it's head, then looked up at her with an expression she couldn't place. She knew that people said cats only had one face, but it really wasn't true. You could tell if they were happy or sad or angry, all by simply looking at their eyes. She was glad she knew how because this way, whenever she was with an animals, she could tell if they liked her or not.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">She flinched when a ray of the sunlight hit her neck, and sat back up straight. "Alright, then. I should give you a name, in that case. How about... wait, what gender are you?"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">The kitten meowed at her. She flinched and blushed then slowly picked the kitten up from behind it's legs. "I'll look then.."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">It was a girl, thankfully. She sighed and set the kitten back down. "Anyway, for the name, how about... Euthalia?"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">The kitten meowed and started purring. Ralizan smiled. "Alright! If I'm correct, that's a human's... err, greek name for... blooming flower. No, wait, it means flourishing or blooming. And you remind me of a blooming flower, because you're little and pretty!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">The kitten nodded it's head again.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Okay then!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Um.. e-excuse me..."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Ralizan looked up, but quickly shut her eyes because of the sun somehow getting in them. She cracked one open and smiled, looking up at a brown haired boy in front of her. He was the boy who was with the group, and had been blushing.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Hello!" she said cheerfully, scratching the kitten on her neck.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">The boy turned even more red than before. "U-UH, HELLO! My-my name's Edward, what's yours?" he asked, a little bit hurried. Okay, that's a lie, Ralizan had to take a second to try to figure out what he said.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Ralizan," she said, smiling. The boy smiled back.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"U-um, my friends and I, w-we just wanted to say that you're really... reallyreallyreally pretty," he said, voice fading to a whisper as he looked down in an embarrassed manner.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Ralizan blushed, but smiled. "Aww, thank you! You're very handsome!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"A-AH! T-THANK YOU!" Edward yelled. Ralizan looked at him in a confused manner before he shook his head.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"I-I'm sorry..."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"There's nothing to be sorry for, it's fine!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">There was a bit of silence.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Um, do you mind if I sit here?" Edward asked.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Oh, I don't mind at all! But Master Kaddith-"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Professor Kaddith?" the boy inquired, not realizing he had cut her off.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Oh, yes, I mean Professor Kaddith."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"What were you about to say? I just realized I cut you off, I-I'm so sorry!" he stuttered, scratching his head and looking down.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"It's alright! He's probably fine with you sitting here. He's really nice!" Ralizan smiled at Edward.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Okay, thank you," Edward said, sitting down beside Ralizan on the stone bench.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"How do you know Professor Kaddith?" Ralizan asked Edward, turning to look at him. Edward smiled at her.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Oh, he teaches at the school I go to. It's an all boys school, though, and I've never seen you here before... how do you know him? I mean, if it's alright for me to ask," Edward inquired, blushing more.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"He's an old friend of my father. I'm here with my sister! We're here to ask him for help."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"With what?" Edward asked. "I mean, if you don't mind!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"I honestly don't know," Ralizan said, sighing, looking down at her lap. "My sister wouldn't tell me. Every time I asked, she just told me that I didn't need to know and I shouldn't worry myself with it. I wish she'd trust me more..."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Edward pursed his lips. "She should tell you, I agree! It's mean that she doesn't!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Sometimes I think that, but... I know she only does it because she wants me to be safe, and not scared, or something like that. But it only makes me more upset when I know something's wrong and she has to bare the stress alone... she almost never smiles sincerely," Ralizan said, rubbing Euthalia's back. She had fallen asleep already.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">She needs to let me carry some of her burden. It's not fair that she's the only one who has to worry so much.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">____________﻿____________﻿____________﻿____________﻿____________﻿____________﻿_____

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Emmerlessa hissed and turned abruptly, walking away from the window. "That stupid human! How dare he talk so carelessly to her?! And why does she talk so carelessly to him?!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Calm down, Emmerlessa," Kaddith said, narrowing his eyes and frowning at her. "Neither are doing anything wrong."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"She is above him!" Emmerlessa growled, turning to glare at Kaddith. "She should not speak with someone who is so far below her as he is!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"It doesn't matter what rank he is," Kaddith replied, starting to walk towards Emmerlessa. "They can talk if they want to. Edward is a nice boy. If he was one of us, would you dislike her talking to him?"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Emmerlessa glared at him more, then turned away and continued walking towards the door.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Emmerlessa!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"SHUT UP!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Emmerlessa grabbed a vase from the table beside her and spun around, throwing it towards the wall. Kaddith turned abruptly to the wall she had thrown it towards, watching as it fell to the ground and shattered. He turned and ran towards her before she could reach the door, and quickly locked it and pulled the key from the handle.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Give me the key!" she hissed, turning to look at him, her cheeks hot.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"If you go outside now, you might kill someone!" Kaddith yelled, holding the key back from Emmerlessa as she tried to reach for it. "When you calm down, I'll let you go out!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"You aren't my father!" she yelled, grabbing onto his arm and trying to take the key from his hand. "Give it to me!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"No! Are you a child?! I told you that if you calm down, I'll unlock it!" Kaddith said, spinning around so Emmerlessa almost rammed herself into a wall. She growled and clenched her fists, glaring at the ground.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"I'm. perfectly. calm." She spoke through gritted teeth.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">Kaddith waited for a few minutes before he saw her actually start to relax. When she did, he walked over to the door and put the key in, turning it. "You can go out now. Come here."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">After pulling the door open, Emmerlessa stalked over and stepped into the hallway. She walked towards the door and grabbed the handle, swinging it open. She swiftly walked down the steps of the small stone porch and walked towards Ralizan. Upon reaching her, she grabbed her arm and pulled her off of the bench, making the cat jump off of Ralizan, as well as stopping her in the middle of her sentence.

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"E-emmy, what are you doing?!"

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">"Come on," she hissed at Ralizan, then glared at Edward. She turned back towards the house. "We're going back inside."

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">

<p align="justify" style="color:rgb(44,54,53);font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;font-size:13px;line-height:19.5px;">''I posted this here because some people probably can only read it here, freaks. :P If you don't like it, go away. xD :P''