Quattuor - Uno gradu propius745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOvSRm1Ddo
(One Step Closer)745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bN59DB4Y3
“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?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEjhJaTo2UF
“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.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStH4zvZcAU
“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?745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7f81Cbl9r6
“Oh, excuse my manners,” Vee said suddenly standing. “You all must be famished, may I get you some food?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKW20NpzlKQ
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvvwBI6p36i
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK3KM2qy8KB
“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!745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fZ0eoLRdp
“It's the least I can do for you, your majesty,” She said bowing her head.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp7UWgmlszv
“It's ok for you to call me Tai,” I gave her smile. “Peri and Blaze-well...Peri calls me Tai all the time.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSK5oLzw3z
Blaze snorted obnoxiously but he took a bite of his sandwich instead of remarking.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgp2NIZk7FU
“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.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmfbGEvmIH
“We don't want to intrude,” Peri said frowning slightly.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw2VDWD85oS
“It's no problem at all, when your done eating I can show you to the guest rooms are.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdArcBkGfmw
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZVboDt8esC
“Maybe some more food then we'll head to bed,” Vee chuckled as her gray as danced in amusement.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKNIQGJLIS
...745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZ5FmsmjWe
“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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwwXnm9MFs
“Hey,” I said shielding myself from the drops. “At least braid your hair so it doesn't drip everywhere.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpudcKw5GCR
“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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV8Y6BnQjc
“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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvMhveqo4n
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAt7sTTW2as
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqJu976CxtQ
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDrOQmkKjTa
"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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyTpzyJfl73
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Home.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssNtoh5zHC
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?745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpzKyqjC5pp
"Calm down Tai, that wouldn't happen," I reassured myself as I stepped into the warm relaxing water. This felt absolutely amazing!745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlCBAFHump
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBrqWWHdzE
About fifteen minutes later, i finally decided to get out of the bath; only because the water was getting cold.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAA6AobaH2
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTlh61wJIfH
...745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡETM5G4dOUl
"Thank you so much!" Peri's melodic voice said waking me.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJp16vBUVe
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthVNhyx4UW
"Vee sent these for you," She said handing them to me.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15TKiTWouu
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8CF4u5LjG
"Where is she?" I asked stuffing a piece of the soft, fluffy bread into my mouth.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6hxgd0GAx
"She said that she will be outside and that we can join her when we are done getting dressed and eating breakfast."745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqjJTj1xld
"I think I'm going to take another bath before I go outside. It was very lovely." I admitted.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvz8uaKoXvd
"I'm way ahead of you on that one!"745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcy3XMBcvX
...745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIcUoQFOnK
"Don't you think that this is too form fitting?" I asked Peri as we made our way to Vee's back terrace.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl0kanvHvv
"I think it fits you perfectly," Peri said spinning me to observe. “Who knew you were so voluptuous!”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxU171Y4y3
My face immediately turned scarlet and I unconsciously placed my hand on my backside. “Stop it Peri you’re embarrassing me!”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgnJOZhQpG
“But it’s true,” She giggled. “With your wearing those baggy clothes, you could have never tell!”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtNbZzdmcu
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. 745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5s3mvWaLfe
“I-It, just makes me uncomfortable ok,” I said letting my hair fall into my face.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXiruDEKNLe
She frowned at me but thankfully decided to leave it alone; sensing that it was a “touchy” subject.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KvVStFaU2
“Vee’s home really is extravagant,” I complimented as we neared the door to the back terrace.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGgtPmoWbG
“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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyKlgWik7i
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!745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92f49N0ZrA
“Hey, what’s going on you two?” Peri said running towards them. “Why are you fighting?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiFAeXI45z
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR9KrZEENU7
“BLAZE! WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?” Peri shouted at him.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIhtDMpFuS
“Calm down sis, we were just engaged in a friendly battle.” He smirked while offering a hand to a scowling Vee. “Which I won!”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaPp0DmeUiU
Friendly? He nearly set her on fire!745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK6eqMJ8pta
“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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvSe0K5iHg
“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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFPcFD4IcH
“I must admit Vee, you surprised me,” Blaze admitted. “I wouldn’t have expected someone your age to be as strong as you are.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLQ7OoZCtq
“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.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwlsXpZIB0
“If you keep it up, you’ll definitely be a powerful Air Gifted,” Blaze complimented.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWQc2HdIN3D
“Thanks,” She smiled before looking over at me and grin widened even more. “Tai you look beautiful, those clothes look wonderful on you.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWSJbYmGySc
Please don’t bring that up while I’m in front of Blaze. “Thanks.” I gave her a tight closed lipped smile.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXwY832Tt4
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIam3SrV3b
“SHUT UP!” He barked out before storming off, setting the grass beneath his feet on fire.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡosIaZSwqN3
“I DIDN’T EVEN SAY ANYTHING YOU PRICK!” I angrily shouted after him. The nerve of that guy. What is his problem?745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3J35Chgw5m
“BLAZE COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW AND APOLOGIZE TO TAI!745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfGisVcsxJc
Peri shouted while running after his form.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWXfaamDKUL
“Why do I feel like this happens a lot?” Vee asked me amused as we slowly walked back towards the house.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYOVJU8IFl
“You have no idea” I mumbled.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ljF3I9Jgk
...
“You want me to accompany you?” Vee asked shocked as we sat in her sitting room.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8B818fMjQ
“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-”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBDixfJ4cqa
“I would love to!” She said excitedly before flying up to retrieve something.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Dpl9N2DXs
“Are you sure?” I called after her. “We don’t want to force you,”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2x1xTaEZq0
“She already agreed idiot, are you trying to get to change her mind?” Blaze growled at me.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGD2g07uOQx
“Will you shut up?” I rolled my eyes at him.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR45hYqVFhB
“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!”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdDr4RG5Fx
“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.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Tr56np3m4
“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.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhqrMVvmRr
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.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRU9CdFdGA0
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt3Ibtuf3Bo
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?745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMk53NFUFqk
“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.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsWEnkSxtDJ
Vee’s eyes lit up with glee before she gave Peri a huge hug. “Come on you guys, get in on the love!”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBvG3ADhYuM
Peri and Vee tugged Blaze and I in the hug and I was shocked when he didn’t respond immaturely to touching me.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrIcSbdD8vJ
“I’ll go pack my things and resources for us to have,” Vee said before zooming up above her.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvevtTwLWp
“One step closer Tai,” Peri grinned as she stood beside me.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhOzZW7puU
One step closer.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUviQkDS0YB
...
“Whoa check out this carriage!” Vee excitedly said as she flew up onto the seat. “What do you use for fuel?”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeT4bJ1dyJR
Blaze lit his fit a flame and shot a blast of fire into the engine, making the carriage “come to life”.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU0CTqnpK9
“Well that’s convenient,” She grinned. “As long as Blaze is around, we’ll never run out of fuel.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfbGKI7WgF5
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!745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7r8tro7tp7
“Come on Tai, what are you waiting for?” She smiled as she offered me a hand.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bKMoZOBtE
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAaSkq7onu
“Vee, please don’t overexert yourself” I frowned.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9m7v4EvBim
“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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCBo508Fwz
“What’s the next stop?” Blaze asked folding his tan arms.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZX4ncbMupg
“Well,” Vee started. “There is a place called the Ironvale Canyon. Powerful Earth gifted are known to live there.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVuGCSudQy
“Well then I guess that’s the next stop.” Peri said. “Set the course Blaze!”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEzjZZZJ1R
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.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHZgvWn8FGa
“You’re going to miss it there aren’t you?” I asked as I gently sat next to her.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCPj6PLnqr
“I think it’s just because it’s the only place I’ve ever known, I’ve lived there all my life.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdG4BXtkwam
“You’ll go back one day,” I softly smiled at her.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIVZsXlvxM
“Thanks Tai,” She smiled. “I just hope when I come back, my parents will actually miss me.”745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLZ4AGQc5xM
“I’m sure they will,” I wrapped my arm around her.745Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqQWaScop17
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
