Quattuor - Uno gradu propius802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0auSppklIg
(One Step Closer)802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bMEtP9gNK
“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?”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV9NulOXPEv
“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.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkEup5yYeT
“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?802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhZpBqs1cP
“Oh, excuse my manners,” Vee said suddenly standing. “You all must be famished, may I get you some food?”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsv3fmK4tvf
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBmOFNEJhy
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKddJSEqF6B
“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!802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7yZR2qXmy
“It's the least I can do for you, your majesty,” She said bowing her head.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7TFgZrlBE
“It's ok for you to call me Tai,” I gave her smile. “Peri and Blaze-well...Peri calls me Tai all the time.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtlKiqALPqN
Blaze snorted obnoxiously but he took a bite of his sandwich instead of remarking.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGt22v3RBi
“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.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxVlBhh7QY
“We don't want to intrude,” Peri said frowning slightly.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpCang97ac
“It's no problem at all, when your done eating I can show you to the guest rooms are.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBG7REfdyw3
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfUqAubidY
“Maybe some more food then we'll head to bed,” Vee chuckled as her gray as danced in amusement.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6EGto1vxMj
...802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCaWSuEb318
“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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUn4O7Q5TBJ
“Hey,” I said shielding myself from the drops. “At least braid your hair so it doesn't drip everywhere.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6pVs4XJz9
“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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZ21k9Ed9g
“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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8DHuv2dIXo
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbfdFAWxJC
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIVY2o65pmw
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBQNL2iTXf
"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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniVfrlbqxU
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Home.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuscsy6WDJh
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?802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lRTcauE0o
"Calm down Tai, that wouldn't happen," I reassured myself as I stepped into the warm relaxing water. This felt absolutely amazing!802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKZFn8FvUKe
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXQrJxMsBO4
About fifteen minutes later, i finally decided to get out of the bath; only because the water was getting cold.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr16IXJ6gAy
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuvFfE5fDT
...802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3nrAahzR5f
"Thank you so much!" Peri's melodic voice said waking me.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKLgcZ7luM
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15DH1cRSJg
"Vee sent these for you," She said handing them to me.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dVvxUUVPe
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpFmlZZLFu
"Where is she?" I asked stuffing a piece of the soft, fluffy bread into my mouth.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj28Dt6m4E7
"She said that she will be outside and that we can join her when we are done getting dressed and eating breakfast."802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXjeD8UiKjI
"I think I'm going to take another bath before I go outside. It was very lovely." I admitted.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZRNaRKUR6
"I'm way ahead of you on that one!"802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAK4CWrpMpc
...802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJ7e54lwOt
"Don't you think that this is too form fitting?" I asked Peri as we made our way to Vee's back terrace.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpy67KQqHXo
"I think it fits you perfectly," Peri said spinning me to observe. “Who knew you were so voluptuous!”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6H9Rl3CRf3
My face immediately turned scarlet and I unconsciously placed my hand on my backside. “Stop it Peri you’re embarrassing me!”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeIobpQ0QN
“But it’s true,” She giggled. “With your wearing those baggy clothes, you could have never tell!”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ46i4jc352n
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. 802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ18pmMD7oix
“I-It, just makes me uncomfortable ok,” I said letting my hair fall into my face.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgj5uwVaIg
She frowned at me but thankfully decided to leave it alone; sensing that it was a “touchy” subject.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0oxfDUzt4
“Vee’s home really is extravagant,” I complimented as we neared the door to the back terrace.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHkMcdTGJGc
“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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1q8541AMs
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!802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqxjN2AxZCU
“Hey, what’s going on you two?” Peri said running towards them. “Why are you fighting?”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMz1JlijaZ
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTKKIedyJFy
“BLAZE! WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?” Peri shouted at him.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoze0XImPRZ
“Calm down sis, we were just engaged in a friendly battle.” He smirked while offering a hand to a scowling Vee. “Which I won!”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcxKbXHd5RU
Friendly? He nearly set her on fire!802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUjFOhK94Kj
“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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCsxqcjQ91l
“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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQRkIsfYCn
“I must admit Vee, you surprised me,” Blaze admitted. “I wouldn’t have expected someone your age to be as strong as you are.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5Nl8g6e2l
“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.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyfpuR60HjH
“If you keep it up, you’ll definitely be a powerful Air Gifted,” Blaze complimented.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkwNOFXIR4z
“Thanks,” She smiled before looking over at me and grin widened even more. “Tai you look beautiful, those clothes look wonderful on you.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhgwPjJG1y
Please don’t bring that up while I’m in front of Blaze. “Thanks.” I gave her a tight closed lipped smile.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmRI8MWKhS
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjOy2KoehV
“SHUT UP!” He barked out before storming off, setting the grass beneath his feet on fire.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCm41T9uCjn
“I DIDN’T EVEN SAY ANYTHING YOU PRICK!” I angrily shouted after him. The nerve of that guy. What is his problem?802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR2cGejX8c4
“BLAZE COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW AND APOLOGIZE TO TAI!802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0JqbYmZMM
Peri shouted while running after his form.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXpxGVF85cv
“Why do I feel like this happens a lot?” Vee asked me amused as we slowly walked back towards the house.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡff9Ey8NeiP
“You have no idea” I mumbled.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6i5vRzIdJ
...
“You want me to accompany you?” Vee asked shocked as we sat in her sitting room.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1Ub5HyOIW
“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-”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvdlbqufUM
“I would love to!” She said excitedly before flying up to retrieve something.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhejy3RDGz0
“Are you sure?” I called after her. “We don’t want to force you,”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzCFxsva28
“She already agreed idiot, are you trying to get to change her mind?” Blaze growled at me.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRKLD29rFo
“Will you shut up?” I rolled my eyes at him.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBUEjbGBuk
“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!”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGCAVD5bKk
“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.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TG4VNiZYN
“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.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDeWCUVX2Jx
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.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEuYUMHm7K
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeC6AsvuOcR
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?802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtOS78Y1xDf
“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.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPofoIGWPdg
Vee’s eyes lit up with glee before she gave Peri a huge hug. “Come on you guys, get in on the love!”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorAuhB6tGx
Peri and Vee tugged Blaze and I in the hug and I was shocked when he didn’t respond immaturely to touching me.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lnTHAYs3f
“I’ll go pack my things and resources for us to have,” Vee said before zooming up above her.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOjrpTIyLw
“One step closer Tai,” Peri grinned as she stood beside me.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6mkoGeXAU
One step closer.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IfK6QpCVO
...
“Whoa check out this carriage!” Vee excitedly said as she flew up onto the seat. “What do you use for fuel?”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jeGzs01Hb
Blaze lit his fit a flame and shot a blast of fire into the engine, making the carriage “come to life”.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3y4KXnayKA
“Well that’s convenient,” She grinned. “As long as Blaze is around, we’ll never run out of fuel.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKxmcUdTXUo
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!802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFrvznvlXV
“Come on Tai, what are you waiting for?” She smiled as she offered me a hand.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡts72V9sh5A
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv2NluccK87
“Vee, please don’t overexert yourself” I frowned.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGKkqKHwoaj
“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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00sN1PVjKY
“What’s the next stop?” Blaze asked folding his tan arms.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFGRD8S1T6h
“Well,” Vee started. “There is a place called the Ironvale Canyon. Powerful Earth gifted are known to live there.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaJBU5ceEo
“Well then I guess that’s the next stop.” Peri said. “Set the course Blaze!”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhiHRiuB598
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.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ34LI4BmhBG
“You’re going to miss it there aren’t you?” I asked as I gently sat next to her.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5AJXDLsqo
“I think it’s just because it’s the only place I’ve ever known, I’ve lived there all my life.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2st2YYt1eT
“You’ll go back one day,” I softly smiled at her.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO9BzNUODW
“Thanks Tai,” She smiled. “I just hope when I come back, my parents will actually miss me.”802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLYZzS3psO
“I’m sure they will,” I wrapped my arm around her.802Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3LA0sVZPN
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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