Quattuor - Uno gradu propius765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNsy1SqjvwQ
(One Step Closer)765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnavIxmLcc
“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?”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0IwtW1Lj80
“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.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebLnmYdzdO
“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?765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHd57RriVM
“Oh, excuse my manners,” Vee said suddenly standing. “You all must be famished, may I get you some food?”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLMhVWjodfg
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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡukhTUIfB3j
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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKZbt4qvSh
“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!765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtriCVYcIB
“It's the least I can do for you, your majesty,” She said bowing her head.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqnEKMdS2U
“It's ok for you to call me Tai,” I gave her smile. “Peri and Blaze-well...Peri calls me Tai all the time.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLxWPsj46nP
Blaze snorted obnoxiously but he took a bite of his sandwich instead of remarking.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2HWpgE7eUs
“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.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡafTBIrHREm
“We don't want to intrude,” Peri said frowning slightly.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU0epdXztGm
“It's no problem at all, when your done eating I can show you to the guest rooms are.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpVkWOY0msv
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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPs9NOLpMV5
“Maybe some more food then we'll head to bed,” Vee chuckled as her gray as danced in amusement.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfAngCVA2yR
...765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHT5ZVja0Y1
“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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8aMNRUP7qk
“Hey,” I said shielding myself from the drops. “At least braid your hair so it doesn't drip everywhere.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIG9xNnksrn
“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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFXQnr9dPTn
“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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwHWdDcl4f
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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fEbiuZEfC
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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2pQa2MFzpc
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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLeIjZI7Q0
"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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQipVyRgpiJ
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Home.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIb3p4DBQZ
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?765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q3UFmncFm
"Calm down Tai, that wouldn't happen," I reassured myself as I stepped into the warm relaxing water. This felt absolutely amazing!765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh4kZEVHKp
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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdvLlQHJpWS
About fifteen minutes later, i finally decided to get out of the bath; only because the water was getting cold.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡog3nsioCA9
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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSa2INkTOGu
...765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMcOw9FyF3T
"Thank you so much!" Peri's melodic voice said waking me.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMvDGKk3nR
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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoz3vpnY9jF
"Vee sent these for you," She said handing them to me.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1FmGTBc9y
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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3CFekSeOkQ
"Where is she?" I asked stuffing a piece of the soft, fluffy bread into my mouth.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59IeYRbh64
"She said that she will be outside and that we can join her when we are done getting dressed and eating breakfast."765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5ZumscULwD
"I think I'm going to take another bath before I go outside. It was very lovely." I admitted.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayvEi7HtUO
"I'm way ahead of you on that one!"765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2fvMigsI2u
...765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHCCmUDWkZ
"Don't you think that this is too form fitting?" I asked Peri as we made our way to Vee's back terrace.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrP0BkdNLIx
"I think it fits you perfectly," Peri said spinning me to observe. “Who knew you were so voluptuous!”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8rGwIPO9Fb
My face immediately turned scarlet and I unconsciously placed my hand on my backside. “Stop it Peri you’re embarrassing me!”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEBiO1CMqa
“But it’s true,” She giggled. “With your wearing those baggy clothes, you could have never tell!”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQUvtGZYwht
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. 765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNurHz6rGo
“I-It, just makes me uncomfortable ok,” I said letting my hair fall into my face.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7xxFNgqR18
She frowned at me but thankfully decided to leave it alone; sensing that it was a “touchy” subject.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlehgKazhcX
“Vee’s home really is extravagant,” I complimented as we neared the door to the back terrace.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBmWUVLzTR
“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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyeSQOqTlBF
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!765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZlLnz5MAs
“Hey, what’s going on you two?” Peri said running towards them. “Why are you fighting?”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQGq7H59va
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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuEYvsH7EN
“BLAZE! WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?” Peri shouted at him.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1nCYa8AllQ
“Calm down sis, we were just engaged in a friendly battle.” He smirked while offering a hand to a scowling Vee. “Which I won!”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1NQZxWeVwk
Friendly? He nearly set her on fire!765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0A0c13Vfm
“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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLM2UvtN0h
“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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwUls6hCpOm
“I must admit Vee, you surprised me,” Blaze admitted. “I wouldn’t have expected someone your age to be as strong as you are.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANbcfSGC1K
“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.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisH3oI57YZ
“If you keep it up, you’ll definitely be a powerful Air Gifted,” Blaze complimented.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVErDNh99Ad
“Thanks,” She smiled before looking over at me and grin widened even more. “Tai you look beautiful, those clothes look wonderful on you.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftCwRwwT9Q
Please don’t bring that up while I’m in front of Blaze. “Thanks.” I gave her a tight closed lipped smile.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRCCTyPkNl
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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJ5j2XOrtp
“SHUT UP!” He barked out before storming off, setting the grass beneath his feet on fire.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2g60aauRb
“I DIDN’T EVEN SAY ANYTHING YOU PRICK!” I angrily shouted after him. The nerve of that guy. What is his problem?765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVa70iPYoZG
“BLAZE COME BACK HERE RIGHT NOW AND APOLOGIZE TO TAI!765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8GcATClx2i
Peri shouted while running after his form.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9FRweEKiw
“Why do I feel like this happens a lot?” Vee asked me amused as we slowly walked back towards the house.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTP8nDw0NIN
“You have no idea” I mumbled.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4U0NM4Xt6
...
“You want me to accompany you?” Vee asked shocked as we sat in her sitting room.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmShiqsKMNB
“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-”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHl4n6pbnoY
“I would love to!” She said excitedly before flying up to retrieve something.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡouApK2d731
“Are you sure?” I called after her. “We don’t want to force you,”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Sv7e7vYuZ
“She already agreed idiot, are you trying to get to change her mind?” Blaze growled at me.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I8fuRohIL
“Will you shut up?” I rolled my eyes at him.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKtbKympVMI
“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!”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezamudFcvp
“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.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnXWAANQ4cI
“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.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4WhddKk4E
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.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs5uOtlf0yD
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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8k8MZbhy0z
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?765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4SGHIrZwQS
“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.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhOiOsHLZG
Vee’s eyes lit up with glee before she gave Peri a huge hug. “Come on you guys, get in on the love!”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCb2V2GWsK
Peri and Vee tugged Blaze and I in the hug and I was shocked when he didn’t respond immaturely to touching me.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡck9hHLi9df
“I’ll go pack my things and resources for us to have,” Vee said before zooming up above her.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ82Xmf3pVqd
“One step closer Tai,” Peri grinned as she stood beside me.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqW5UQc9vJJ
One step closer.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEsoeWJzWU8
...
“Whoa check out this carriage!” Vee excitedly said as she flew up onto the seat. “What do you use for fuel?”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡegFlOe5gIm
Blaze lit his fit a flame and shot a blast of fire into the engine, making the carriage “come to life”.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3YG455WfeI
“Well that’s convenient,” She grinned. “As long as Blaze is around, we’ll never run out of fuel.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWLMT2cSwM
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!765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yXgpsmsiq
“Come on Tai, what are you waiting for?” She smiled as she offered me a hand.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLytjhogOIJ
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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBcyrCEgCG
“Vee, please don’t overexert yourself” I frowned.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfle6CHUWw
“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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaViNh8CO7V
“What’s the next stop?” Blaze asked folding his tan arms.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkqJ0QrulB
“Well,” Vee started. “There is a place called the Ironvale Canyon. Powerful Earth gifted are known to live there.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbQ6sfvOQKB
“Well then I guess that’s the next stop.” Peri said. “Set the course Blaze!”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlKRBlETGi
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.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XY1dlVmQ0
“You’re going to miss it there aren’t you?” I asked as I gently sat next to her.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIJegEmnMM
“I think it’s just because it’s the only place I’ve ever known, I’ve lived there all my life.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsvK1H1y4b
“You’ll go back one day,” I softly smiled at her.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDdbBhYPQN4
“Thanks Tai,” She smiled. “I just hope when I come back, my parents will actually miss me.”765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8Ur40EwPO
“I’m sure they will,” I wrapped my arm around her.765Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPBz1bui7x
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
