Quattuor - Uno gradu propius737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡykJVjrJAoL
(One Step Closer)737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpool9mjPei
“Your home is beautiful Vee,” I complimented as I lightly brushed my fingers over the grand cobble stone. “Is it only you that lives here?”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvxeB3fGXS
“No,” She replied leading us into the sitting room where we sat on a tree branch that had soft cotton for cushions. “My parents are both on the air gifted council for Pryst Mountain, although, they are hardly ever here because of it.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlxAlfq4oeT
“Even if it's only the three of you, this place is still incredible.” Blaze commented and I noticed that he didn't say it in a sarcastic manner or was he rude. In fact, he sounded like a respectful man! Was it only me he was so rude towards?737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBKnWsoA0zM
“Oh, excuse my manners,” Vee said suddenly standing. “You all must be famished, may I get you some food?”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPvDmmXOb3
But she didn't even wait to hear our responses before she zoomed upwards towards what I assume to be the kitchen. Not even a minute later, she flew back down to us and handed each of us a tray containing a pitcher of water, sandwiches and soup.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG7mE0C005x
My stomach instantly started growling when the delicious scent made it's way into my nostrils. I haven't eaten a decent meal since I got here.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFEj141Vrk
“Thank you so much Vee,” I said sincerely to her before taking a big bite out of my sandwich. I had no idea what it was but it was darn good!737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyHRIeBJFP
“It's the least I can do for you, your majesty,” She said bowing her head.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTdgr9Txbb
“It's ok for you to call me Tai,” I gave her smile. “Peri and Blaze-well...Peri calls me Tai all the time.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSiSYiCu0I
Blaze snorted obnoxiously but he took a bite of his sandwich instead of remarking.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQKcOBa8SQ
“You three are more than welcome to spend the night if you want,” Vee said as she floated to her feet. “I have two guest rooms that you can stay in.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uvn3nWU41
“We don't want to intrude,” Peri said frowning slightly.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjnLpr5Bes1
“It's no problem at all, when your done eating I can show you to the guest rooms are.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsqchzDJUT
But we'd already finished our tray of food and I don't know about Peri and Blaze but I was still hungry. Judging by their ravenous expressions, I would say that they still were as well.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xyfAZpupB
“Maybe some more food then we'll head to bed,” Vee chuckled as her gray as danced in amusement.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUeGIwvt7F
...737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAC9CzK3Eo
“Ah, being clean never felt so good.” Peri said as she flopped onto her side of the bed. She shaked her still wet head, making water fly everywhere.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FjAshNPYc
“Hey,” I said shielding myself from the drops. “At least braid your hair so it doesn't drip everywhere.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleLf47Baus
“It's too short to braid.” She said running her fingers through her short, sunny curls. I guess that was true, Peri's hair was only about an inch long.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX3EoZsevEb
“I'm done in the bath by the way.” She said playing with the belt of the lovely robes that Vee had set out for each of us.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Pd2NW1xiz
Peri and I shared a room while Blaze took the other for himself. Vee has to be one of the most hospitable person that I've ever met. We are complete strangers to her yet she gave us food, clothes and a place to spend the night. It's rare to find people like that in reality or Aralia.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAVi74unrx1
I gathered my clean clothes and made my way into the bathroom. But I stood frozen in my tracks when I caught sight of my reflection.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDI6jSLYfz
I looked absolutely horrendous! I was wearing the same over sized shirt and basketball shorts since the first time I came here. My long black curls were knotted and frizzy, as if I'd been electrocuted. Dirt and grime covered my face and clothes. How did that Alvez guy even find me attractive? He must've been desperate.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcvvnSoszaD
"Gosh, no wonder Blaze insults me 24/7," I muttered to myself before turning on the hot water in the pond-like bath. I swear this bathtub is bigger than my actual bathroom back at home.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrrRHHJnZKJ
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Home.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgbje3yX4cJ
I've been in Aralia for about three days now. But it felt like so much longer. I wonder what happened to my body. When that Alyza lady sent me here, I saw my body lying against some boxes unmoving. Could someone have found my body? They might've thought I was dead! My parents must be worried sick about me! What if I go back to reality and find out that I've been buried because they had thought that I was dead?737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77PFNJM6Vs
"Calm down Tai, that wouldn't happen," I reassured myself as I stepped into the warm relaxing water. This felt absolutely amazing!737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuhnXend4a
I quickly scrubbed all of the dirt and grime off of my body before I laid back and relaxed in the beautiful bath. Who knows when I'll be able to have another one.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMmFYC5wzK8
About fifteen minutes later, i finally decided to get out of the bath; only because the water was getting cold.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv2c86U4uN
Peri was already asleep by the time I got back into the bedroom. I quickly braided my hair and crawled over to my side of the bed before slipping into a dreamless reverie.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXd2HQcT4s5
...737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzeD4laBBn
"Thank you so much!" Peri's melodic voice said waking me.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PLfRH1S6p
My eyes slowly opened and I blinked rapidly as I tried to clear my vision. Peri sat next to me on the bed, holding out a tray of food and clean clothes.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2K41klNDI
"Vee sent these for you," She said handing them to me.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwLCOBUA8w
I unrolled to clothes to see a pair of silver pants made of a stretchy material and a soft white cotton shirt. She was kind enough to even add in a pair of slip-on shoes and undergarments.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZCK3HQhe0
"Where is she?" I asked stuffing a piece of the soft, fluffy bread into my mouth.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGtibtuUtU
"She said that she will be outside and that we can join her when we are done getting dressed and eating breakfast."737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbFPPsptlkl
"I think I'm going to take another bath before I go outside. It was very lovely." I admitted.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjc81sst2SN
"I'm way ahead of you on that one!"737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHKllel0gK
...737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LwdqhYEzm
"Don't you think that this is too form fitting?" I asked Peri as we made our way to Vee's back terrace.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYLURPZwgK
"I think it fits you perfectly," Peri said spinning me to observe. “Who knew you were so voluptuous!”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuK7PPs1m5
My face immediately turned scarlet and I unconsciously placed my hand on my backside. “Stop it Peri you’re embarrassing me!”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06zFoOtOsK
“But it’s true,” She giggled. “With your wearing those baggy clothes, you could have never tell!”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwoStJdJtWa
I had been called “curvy” before, but it was only by my aunt at a party one time; and I knew she only said it to avoid telling me that I looked like a whale in my Christmas dress. 737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISucioZ4v8
“I-It, just makes me uncomfortable ok,” I said letting my hair fall into my face.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXAHM5BMMKa
She frowned at me but thankfully decided to leave it alone; sensing that it was a “touchy” subject.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4FBBgDaQ5
“Vee’s home really is extravagant,” I complimented as we neared the door to the back terrace.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx0zhV3GRcS
“Everything’s extravagant if you come from a high ranking family,” Peri said pushing open the door. But we were astonished at what we saw.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2MRranx7U
Winds were whipping our hair all around us and the scorching heat of fire could be felt. Vee and Blaze were engaged in a heated battle!737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQg4fpitlaV
“Hey, what’s going on you two?” Peri said running towards them. “Why are you fighting?”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEPYDuO8Zld
Vee was at least 10ft in the air, sending harsh wind slices down to Blaze, and it looked like he was having a hard time blocking them. At least until Peri’s interruption became apparent to Vee, making her lose focus, and Blaze knocked her out of the sky with a powerful fire blast.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cc2zf1OHm
“BLAZE! WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?” Peri shouted at him.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ02qTcSaBE
“Calm down sis, we were just engaged in a friendly battle.” He smirked while offering a hand to a scowling Vee. “Which I won!”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjTT5d36Rjb
Friendly? He nearly set her on fire!737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmjp49qBPM
“No fair, if Peri hadn’t interrupted, I would’ve gotten you.” She brushed away his hand and tried to stand on her own, but a painful looking burn was scarred on her alabaster skin.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuN6fot29y
“Stay still Vee I’ll heal you,” Peri said resting her hands on the burn and the familiar light green glow emitted from her hands before the burn was completely gone.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0UDKA2yoa
“I must admit Vee, you surprised me,” Blaze admitted. “I wouldn’t have expected someone your age to be as strong as you are.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8csmWmJVT
“It’s because I practice everyday,” She said. “It’s mainly me here all the time so I have lots of time to practice with my gift.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp65UHfpUbc
“If you keep it up, you’ll definitely be a powerful Air Gifted,” Blaze complimented.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5GkDNo84wd
“Thanks,” She smiled before looking over at me and grin widened even more. “Tai you look beautiful, those clothes look wonderful on you.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7GSiiBgVP
Please don’t bring that up while I’m in front of Blaze. “Thanks.” I gave her a tight closed lipped smile.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtux19xjZLV
I watched as Blaze’s burnt orange eyes flicker over to me and he continuously eyed me from head to toe. I was so shocked and embarrassed that I didn’t even make a comment on it, that is until his eyes locked with mine and he realized what he was doing.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCsoFCjT0W
“SHUT UP!” He barked out before storming off, setting the grass beneath his feet on fire.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBvNHI2m4e
“I DIDN’T EVEN SAY ANYTHING YOU PRICK!” I angrily shouted after him. The nerve of that guy. What is his problem?737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF0fvw42mgH
“BLAZE COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW AND APOLOGIZE TO TAI!737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5nxTM5W9FM
Peri shouted while running after his form.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEhSqt2qB6
“Why do I feel like this happens a lot?” Vee asked me amused as we slowly walked back towards the house.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt0Ydgs4qhn
“You have no idea” I mumbled.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡizD5kvj6xT
...
“You want me to accompany you?” Vee asked shocked as we sat in her sitting room.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjoKJTzVy5
“You don’t have to if you don’t want you,” I quickly added before she felt as if we were forcing her. “It’s just that we need an Air Gifted and you’re really powerful and really nice and since you said that you were always here by yourself I figured that you wouldn’t mind coming with us and exploring the world and-”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjCAA4uPxaV
“I would love to!” She said excitedly before flying up to retrieve something.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9zUJgWdCI
“Are you sure?” I called after her. “We don’t want to force you,”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAiig1kD1A
“She already agreed idiot, are you trying to get to change her mind?” Blaze growled at me.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0CPB1jULG
“Will you shut up?” I rolled my eyes at him.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLvVQlTwnG
“Are you kidding?” She said while furiously scribbling on a piece of paper. “Of course I’ll go with you! Like you said, it’s only me here most of the time and now I have the opportunity to travel with three new friends!”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnoIzayP50U
“Thank you Vee, you have no idea how much this means to us,” I said sincerely. “But I have to warn you, this isn’t just some petty criminal that we’re trying to stop, we’re talking about Izeel, the most ruthless man known to Aralia.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZAYlmBVxHB
“I know,” She said as her silver streaked eyes shone with determination. “He has done so much harm to this world and feel as if it is my destiny to help you stop him. It’s the least I can do for my home world.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDz32O4DXq
She neatly rolled up the little paper she was writing on before tying it and resting it onto a table. “This is a letter to my family so they know where I went. Not like they’ll care anyway. They probably won’t even notice that I’m gone.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrGb26zsTp
My heart tugged as I sympathized with her. I know what it’s like to not have your family care about you. Even when my parents were together, my father rarely spoke to me. Tessa was always the over-achiever in the family and accomplished every goal she planned with grace; and for that, she was always my father’s favorite child.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeZoU18AmdW
Similarly, my brother Tevin is so mischievous and devious that my parents always had to keep their eyes on him, leaving them with no time to check on my well-being. Even now, I hadn’t spoken to my father in nearly two months but he always sends me money. I wonder if he even knew what had happened to me?737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJc2Yjfo01g
“You may have felt that you didn’t have a family before,” Peri said rubbing Vee’s shoulder reassuringly. “But I promise you that you have one now.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaE4pSYZ2lR
Vee’s eyes lit up with glee before she gave Peri a huge hug. “Come on you guys, get in on the love!”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIX00OEVyry
Peri and Vee tugged Blaze and I in the hug and I was shocked when he didn’t respond immaturely to touching me.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeMCuf0n90
“I’ll go pack my things and resources for us to have,” Vee said before zooming up above her.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzFe6krbJO9
“One step closer Tai,” Peri grinned as she stood beside me.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hlstS7EFz
One step closer.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVqmJpKF20X
...
“Whoa check out this carriage!” Vee excitedly said as she flew up onto the seat. “What do you use for fuel?”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XRV8iCCvi
Blaze lit his fit a flame and shot a blast of fire into the engine, making the carriage “come to life”.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxP7eFOHDet
“Well that’s convenient,” She grinned. “As long as Blaze is around, we’ll never run out of fuel.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHElfRL2YY9
It was a long and tiresome journey down Pryst Mountain. Blaze was able to get us to the top but he couldn’t get us down, but thankfully, we have a very generous Air Gifted friend who was able to assist us. Though it tired her out immensely to carry three people at one time, Vee used her winds to gently float us, and herself, down the mountain. I knew she was absolutely exhausted but she wouldn’t admit it to us. I’m surprised she can still float!737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOvVmlDxsd
“Come on Tai, what are you waiting for?” She smiled as she offered me a hand.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQlL9qeobwg
A grateful smile etched itself on my face as I took her hand. I felt the air lift beneath me and I gently landed next to her in the carriage.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFYMZzPmim
“Vee, please don’t overexert yourself” I frowned.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsQ3bzxZuV5
“I’ll be fine, it’s you who needs to relax.” She said nonchalantly. But I could see the tiny beads of sweat forming on her forehead.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDRrczGlNz0
“What’s the next stop?” Blaze asked folding his tan arms.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29FXYKOkHR
“Well,” Vee started. “There is a place called the Ironvale Canyon. Powerful Earth gifted are known to live there.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ954px6sjQ4
“Well then I guess that’s the next stop.” Peri said. “Set the course Blaze!”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYwwRGMMaF2
He took control of the carriage and we set off While he at Peri sat at the front conversing, Vee sat at the rear, solemnly looking back at her home.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH2mrcYeZkp
“You’re going to miss it there aren’t you?” I asked as I gently sat next to her.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmjdLrhDgs
“I think it’s just because it’s the only place I’ve ever known, I’ve lived there all my life.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeV3VOMieD
“You’ll go back one day,” I softly smiled at her.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSj30NxT0q
“Thanks Tai,” She smiled. “I just hope when I come back, my parents will actually miss me.”737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFNFxIoZEj
“I’m sure they will,” I wrapped my arm around her.737Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHnLOxOjfA
But I realized wasn’t just talking about Vee, I was also referring to myself. I hope that if I do ever return to reality, my family would’ve actually missed me.M
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