Visit to Nede

Noah was inside some sort of building .. No one would really visit here, but he didn't mind. Picking up a metal stick, he hooked it in with his belt, to the right. Noah hadn't visit this place for months .. and look at the mess. Shaking his head, he slipped quietly out of the abandoned warehouse. He remembered this place well. It used to be the meeting place for a former group. The leader of such a group had assisted him in a time of need. Now Noah comes back every once in awhile to check out this abandoned headquarters of the clan.

He was back at where he last saw Endellion, and lifted a gloved-hand to his eyes, protecting his optics from the sun's bright rays. His dark hues scanned the area, searching for her. Where could she be? Then his eyes lifted to the sky. Maybe she transformed into a bird. What did she mention before? A gull? Noah felt the wind whip at his hair, and continued searching with his eyes. Where is she? Maybe she went off exploring. She did say that she likes thrill.

-She blinked as she swooped low threw the streets feathers tilting as she saw where she was to land. Endellion had after a few minutes taken flight in the form of a raven, a big bird but it was one that couldn't be hunted by falcons and the like, although she could have chosen such a form. The wind moved differently than what she was used to but she found she liked it. As she slowed wings closed as to not hit against the man she now knew as Noah. Although as she moved to land on his shoulder she did let out a nice loud 'Caaaw!'

She had seen him searching for what she could only assume was herself in the sky, unfortionatly for him it was in the wrong direction, of course this amused her, mostly she was wanting to see his reaction when eight strong 'toes' clamped down on his shoulder.-

Noah was turning in a circle, then heard a noise. A sensation was felt on his shoulders, and his hand snapped down for his weapon. Now that he has his weapon, he doesn't jump so much anymore .. He just gets ready to slash things apart. Anyhow, seeing that it was a raven, Noah assumed that it was Endellion, "Are you hungry?" It seemed strange, mostly to others and abit to himself, that he would be talking to a raven. But oh well. He felt the eyes of many upon him, and he felt that some of them recognized him. Noah removed his hand from his weapon, and felt the sun warm his face.

Where to first? If she's hungry, they can go get something to eat. If not, he can always bring her about, explore. Noah wondered just how many things about this place has changed. He hoped not much, or else he might not know where is where. The sunlight gleamed off his hair, which was white. Maybe that was why so many people stared at him .. because he had weird hair. Anyways, Noah turned his attention back to the question at hand: Where to, first?

Her mismatched orbs were focused upon him, the blue and brown hues ever curious looking as she considered the question asked and as though to give her answer she lept forwards off of his shoulder, her form shimmering as the feathers were replaced by her clothing and her black hair, As her boots touched the street she turned to him and smiled nodding some "No use going anywhere on an empty stomach!" in the back of her mind she added that there was no use trying to shape shift on an empty stomach either and considered what new things she could try. She would be tired by the time her dark locks touched a pillow and those mismatched hues were closed for sleep, that was for sure.

She did not seem to even pay attention to those that had seen her change forms, she was tempted to ask him how long it had been since he had been here but she did not instead she spoke something else "This place looks fun from up there." she nodded upwards and stepped backwards "I'm going to have fun here, it looked like an near endless amount of things to do, but I am still looking forward the most towards one thing!"

Noah felt the inhabitants of Nede give way once the raven leapt off his shoulder, and was replaced by a girl with dark hair. A few turned to stare, then continued on with their merry business. Though some of the people here lacked skills in magic, many of them were accustomed to it. They had to. The doctor here, from what Noah could remember, had some sort of magical powers. Then there's Noah, who used his own powers to guard the town. Though few would recognize him, for he fought the battle in secret, with only a few who heard the story, and even fewer who watched. Some still had a prejudice against magic .. but it was proven that its advantages far outweighed its disadvantages.

Noah felt his lips curling up slightly, in the faintest of smiles, "The lions?" Noah, too, was looking forward to the adventure. Flame-breathing lions? Then there's the two owners of the farm, with their bizarre skills and mannerisms. Aenied is filled with such interesting, almost strange, people.

"Lets try the food in the streets." Noah once walked by a street with both sides lined with food stands. He made a note to himself to find someone who's able to cook well, to start a food restaurant in Aenied. That would be grand, indeed. Noah glanced around. Most of the shop owners here were brought to Nede by Noah himself, giving them a place to stay and work. Though he doubts most of them would remember him now. His hair had long lost its dark hue, and his physique had gotten bulkier over time.. It would be hard to recognize Noah now.

Endellion nodded to his words, smiling as she spoke "Yes. Of course." She didn't know anything of the owners of the farm, she hadn't thought of the owners as being anything particularly frightening. Of course to tame such as flame-breathing lions they would have to be very skilled people, but she wasn't thinking of this. She followed him curiously, she would allow for him to choose where to try some food from, although that did not stop her from looking to the stands curiously. It would have almost been just as good for her being a bird and simply perching on his shoulder, that way she wouldn't have had to control her legs.

She enjoyed the scents, and although she had never known it because it had always been as such her sense of smell was greater than most humans, even her eyesight in the dark was sharper and her hearing was exceptional. She simply never had realized this being a shape shifter from birth, nor had she understood when others couldn't see well in the pitch black of night, thinking much of the time that the person in question was simply getting old, or had very poor senses.

"So what do you know of that is good?"Endellion asked Noah and turned her gaze to him as she walked, eyebrows risen as she waited for a reply.

Noah thought of the owners, and remembered their matching clothing, and personalites .. He also remembered how they behaved when they were "high". Noah, though he was an official of the council of Aenied, sometimes diverts his eyes to what need not be seen. Marijuana was sold at the farm, and though it isn't illegal in Aenied, the owners often give some to the tea-shop owner of Nede secretly. The secrecy would be a suspicion in itself. Sometimes it is wise to turn away from what need not be seen, Noah believed.

"Do you like spicy food? What do you like?" Noah lifted his brows, and there was a youthful excitement in his eyes. For a moment, he almost resembled the young man he was, instead of seeming like the stern man that he often came out as. There was a brightness in his dark hues, and he ran down the street. People called out to him, asking him what he wanted to try. Reaching into a pocket, he held a handful of golden coins that glinted from the sun's light on 'em.

Endellion listened to the question and of what all she did like, she truly did seem to enjoy a bit of everything "Spicy food is good, although you almost don't look like one for it." She smiled as she spoke, thinking of how how he had been earlier and then said "Well I've liked just about anything I've tried so far." As she took note of his eyes and all about him, he simply did not seem as severe as before. This she felt was a good thing, as he had surprised her in the tavern, after having seemed nice then changing personalities so seemingly quickly.

She knew well enough to keep up with him as he went down the street, at one point she considered trying to slow the fast paced man although she had no doubts even if she did so he would pick it back up quickly. This trip, no, she told herself, this adventure had been turning out to be something she had a feeling she would remember, along with her new 'friend' although she dare not call him that yet, for she felt he likely would have denied such a thing and put it off as his duty.

He turned to face her, stepping lightly on his leather-soled boots, "What do I look like I'd like?" He didn't know that one could actually tell if someone liked a type of food based on their appearance. But perhaps she wasn't just talking about tastes in food. From what Noah learnt as an experienced traveler: never judge a book by its cover. Even he dared not judge someone so quickly. It proved that if someone indeed would, their judgement's usually wrong.

He stopped by a stand, and tucked a gold coin into the owner's hand. Noah picked up a paper plate and chopsticks, holding it out to Endellion, "Serve yourself. Remember, I'm not a butler, or a tour guide." He often had a sharp tongue. Perhaps he may not even realize how some of the things he says come out rude.

Noah glanced over to the row of different sushi's lined up on the table that the owner made. He hadn't had these in awhile. Now that he think about it more, maybe he does seem abit like a tour-guide, with how he brings people around Aenied to get them situated. Though, certainly, Noah isn't a butler.

Endellion Paused as he turned to her and she smiled "I am not sure, although you say you like thrill you almost seem more reserved than to enjoy that too! Of course it could be my imagination." She lifted one finger and tapped her temple. "Of course I know better than to make such assumptions so why I might do so subconsciously I am still not sure.." She seemed curious about him now, watching curiously much of the time but having looked away when she saw the row of sushi's with an expression of slight confusion, the food looked fairly simple but she would have never thought to roll up such things. As she turned to him she saw he was holding out a plate and two sticks. She took these and looked down to the sticks with what would have been a complete look of non-understanding. "Yes I know your not. How could I forget? You keep reminding me..." She spoke and came to frown staring down at the sticks.

She paused and opened her mouth to ask about them but then closed it and looked to the table. Endellion quickly began thinking, and as she did so one nail came to tap on the paper plate. And when she finally figured she should ask she realized she could just watch him and find out what he does and mimic him. Simple! No snapping at her about not being a butler or a tour-guide or whatever he could come up with and no feeling like an idiot when it turned out to likely be the most simple of reasons for the sticks. She considered it could be to spear the round rolls with like a grilling ka-bob.

He observed her quietly, with lifted brows. She seems pretty talkative. Or maybe Noah was just abit reserved and silent. The strong, silent type, he definitely is. He had an almost amused expression on his face as Endellion frowned down at the chop-sticks. Perhaps she doesn't know how to use them. How strange. Noah thought most people would know. Then she opened her mouth and closed it soon after. He had to resist the urge to grin as he peered at her through keen eyes.

Turning to the sushi's, he picked up one with the chopsticks, using around the ends of it to pick it up. Dipping the sushi in green wasabi and soy sauce until the whole thing was practically covered in the green wasabi, he put it on her plate.

"Try."

Noah tried his best to keep his face composed. He had dipped too much green sauce on it .. it'd be likely to bring tears to her eyes once she tasted it. But hey, it'd be a sight to see, indeed.

As glanced up to him she could see what could have easily been amusement. Her eyebrows lifted slightly as though to question his expression although by that point he had turned to the sushi, She drew close to him to better see what he was doing with the chopsticks and dipping it in a green sauce that looked good. His next move surprised her as he put the little green sushi on her plate. Her curious, if mismatched, eyes turned down on it to look at it on the plate. She looked at him with those raised eyebrows as he told her to try it. It was more of a command really.. But she was not going to complain.

She shifted one of the sticks to her other hand after trying to hold them like him and it not working and simply speared it on the end of the one she was left holding. She put the entire thing in her mouth after considering it would fall apart if she nibbled on it much.

Mistake. Her cheeks went pink as she chewed, tears formed at the corners of her eyes and indeed a few slipped past as she swallowed it. She held her breath for a particularly extended period of time after swallowing it, only adding to the pink spreading across her face. When she finally drew in breath she spoke to him "I-I-I..." She paused "That was spicy." She admitted and rose one hand to brush away the still although slowly flowing tears.

Noah noticed her wariness at his expression, so his face quickly reverted back to the blank composure he usually had. As she speared through the sushi with one of the chop-sticks, his brows lifted. Then he was right. Endellion doesn't know how to use chopsticks. How peculiar. What does she normally eat? Most people he's met have been able to use sushi. Perhaps she likes other types of food, and plus, she can transform herself. Maybe she'd take the form of a dove, and eat .. whatever a dove would eat. Animals need less food, usually, to satisfy their appetite. Maybe that was what she did?

At her tears and flushing cheeks, Noah's lips curled upwards into a grin. It was one of those grins that happened when he could hardly control himself. Those who have seen him smile [most haven't] described his smile as beautiful, or similar to a moviestar's. Noah considered laughing, then restrained and bit his lips to stop his grinning.

"Do you like it?"

His voice almost shook with the desire to laugh, but he stayed calm. Maybe if he doesn't give it away, she won't suspect that he had pranked her. He suspected that if she knew that he had purposely do that, he'd .. better start running, or something of the like. Though Noah often had a stern appearance, and his way of thinking was very realistic, he still had a mischievous, playful side on him of which rarely showed.

As she saw his grin she couldent help her cheeks turning redder, he knew that would happen! He had to with that expression. She diddent say anything, mouth still on fire, or at least it felt like it was, then he had asked is question, she then waved the clean chopstick at him "You! You did that on purpose!" She then jabbed him in the chest with the thin wooden stick. "Oh! I should have known better!" "I should have known YOU-" She jabbed him again with the stick, although with a little less enthusiasim as the first time."- would do something like that. How could I have missed it!?" She jabbed at him again, just for the fact that she could.

The signs had been there and plain as could be but she had not thought he would also be a trickster. Oh but she would get him back for it she decided as she asked "Oooh..! How do you hold those things?!" the red was leaving her cheeks thankfully. And she was trying to decide just what she would do, it would have to be good indeed, and she had a feeling it would happen when they went to the farm he spoke of that was guarded by fire breathing lions.

At her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of red, he smiled briefly again. When she waved the single chop-stick at him, he blinked. As Endellion jabbed at him, he had to bite his lips to abstain from the urge to grin. She'd probably get even angrier if he grinned, or did something to manifest his amusement. Alas, Noah's hand snapped out swiftly, digits curling around the chop-stick, and he tugged it easily out of her hand.

Rolling his eyes, he tossed her chop-stick away and picked up his hold, tucking them into her hand. Putting Endellion's index, middle, and thumb on the upper-chopstick, he carefully positioned the other chop-stick between the bottom of her thumb and the tip of her ring finger. Noah let go of her hand, "Move the top chop-stick when you try to pick up food."

He pointed to the rows of sushi's remaining, and folded his arms over his chest.

She narrowed her eyes as he bit his lips, was he trying to keep from smiling or something? She peeped as he took the chopstick turned poking stick. "A-ah! Hey!?" Mismatched eyes watched him intently as he rolled his eyes and her cheeks remained flushed, the red color deep and likely one would have thought she had been crying if they didn't see her expression. An expression soon to change as he tucked the chopsticks in her hand.

"Nn...?" She examined the hold he had her hand in, curious although as he let go of her hand she looked at him with a half surprised expression. Tilting her head to look at the sushi she nodded some "Alright.." she spoke, not so sure but it couldn't be too hard could it, after all they were just two sticks, what could be so complicated!? As she did as he said she maneuvered the ends of the chopsticks around the sushi and as she went to make the hold a bit firmer she succeeded in turning the sushi on its side. Frowning she bit her bottom lip between her front teeth and tried once more, it again ended up getting flipped onto its top. "Goodness!"

It was about two more tries later when she got it dipped in one of the sauces and to the plate, certain she would end up dropping it if she didn't set it down. It took another two attempts to get it to her own mouth but it was rewarding, as this was not spicy. she had decided it was the green stuff that looked so good that was so deciveing.

Noah watched her intently as Endellion tried to manuever with the chop-sticks. Her attempts reminded him of a baby trying to walk, falling, and then getting back up again. Alas, the baby would be able to stand on its own feet. That was Noah's code of conduct: Let others learn on their own, for those lessons are often the ones that stay with them forever. He isn't here to baby-sit, so letting them puzzle things out is the best way to go.

"You haven't been around humans much, have you?" Noah blinked, which caused his curly eyelashes to bat together, but he didn't notice. It seems as if Endellion was unaccustomed to human behaviors and food. Perhaps she usually got her food as an animal. That would make sense, of course. But trying some human food is a good idea. One of the reasons Noah liked to travel is because it gave him the chance to experience. Humans exist solely to experience their experiences.

Noah flicked his eyes about, wondering where to take her next. Is she still hungry? There's plenty to try here. That is why Noah visits this place whenever he can. Someone once described Nede as the place where you can find everything ... Well, maybe you can't find everything. But it's adequate. Noah thought once again that if Nede was spelt backwards, it'd be Eden, which is this land's former name. Perhaps the original starters of this town wanted to honour the old land. Who knows?

She was particually pleased once she got the hang of using the chopsticks but paused for a moment in her usage of them as he spoke. Listening to his question she thought on her answer, she had been around humans, although she had not been a favorite among others her age when she was younger, often because when she got upset from being teased or picked on she didn't hesitate to change forms and deliver a swift kick as a foal. "I am human aren't I?" She answered the question with a question, not a very good thing to do she realized and then spoke "I normally prefer to stick to just being around myself, it keeps things from getting too messy..." It was now that she considered the fact that she was around alot more people than she was used to.

It suddenly seemed rather unnerving, but exciting all the same she realized before she shifted to stand with most her weight upon her left leg. "Like I said before.. Most people where I came from do not really like magic, in fact most dislike it, alot. Being as I am a shape shifter and its use of magic I fell into that category of dislike. The feeling was mutual." Her eyes narrowed slightly as she considered it, they were likely realizing she wasn't just gone in the forest for a time but actually gone, and many were likely pleased by this.

At her question, Noah tilted his head. Yes, she is human. Just a human with supernatural abilities, like himself. There's nothing wrong with that. He heard the rest of her words, and lifted a broad-shaped brow, "You would like it here in Nede, then." A huge reason why Noah likes this town so much is because of the accepting inhabitants. They understood the advantages and disadvantages of possessing and using magic powers.

"If you have the power to make a difference, you should put it to good use, should you not?" Though Noah speaks little in most cases, when he does, his words make much sense. As a public speaker, and Executive leader of one of the branches of the council, he needed those skills to influence people to do as he says. Other than being haughty and rude, most would describe Noah as a strong-willed, determined man.

"If you agree with my previous statement, you would like it here in Nede. It can even be your new home." Noah said this calmly, and a spark of kindness appeared on his handsome face. If Noah's responsibilties to Aenied didn't exist, he would most likely make Nede his home. Most of those he considered friends lives here. But then again, Noah enjoys the responsibilities. That is rather difficult to explain ... but indeed, Noah does want to do what he can for this land and its people.

She smiled some to that and thought a moment, did she like this place? It was an interesting place and so far she had liked it of course even being able to become a bird and navigate she would likely have been next to lost in this place, being so much bigger than what she was used to. She considered his words and nodded a bit "Of course.." She thought about it, she didn't see any way her ability's could help anyone save for herself, and help her they did, from travel to finding, or rather hunting for her own food.

She did not mind hunting and found it quite fun, it was a thrilling thing to chase down your own prey be it a doe or a rabbit, it was well worth the effort. She thought about the idea of making this place her home, it would be a very different thing for her. She would easily be able to adapt she knew, for that was simply her nature. She was not able to fight, at least she had never tried, nor was she anything too incredible, but her power, odd as it was, did grant her the ability to adapt to any surrounding, be it a frozen tundra, a desert, and even a city like this. "I will consider that, at least for a time anyways, I can't say I wont wish to travel again... For when I was before it was enjoyable."

Noah walked down the street, waving his hands in a gesture for her to look around them, "There are so many different shops and people in Nede. These people make this place as diverse as possible." Noah thought of the pot farm to the east, the Meeting Houses north and south of here, Sukoyaka Myou which is the teashop, and Valle Delle Rotture Dell'Angelo, which is quite far away. He only visited Valle Delle Rotture Dell'Angelo once, but it had been beautiful and grand, indeed.

"What would you contribute?" Noah turned his eyes to Endellion, eyeing her curiously. She could start a farm of sorts. He had almost no doubt that she has skills with animals. What other skills does she have that she would be able to offer to Nede? Stuffing a coin into a man's hand, Noah held up a plate with a sandwhich on it to Endellion. The vegetables and meat on the sandwhich was steaming, proof of how hot it is.

-She looked to him as he asked his question and the spoke "I am a good hunter, I of course can provide skin's that otherwise are difficult to obtain." She knew well enough that thick bear skins were one of the more difficult ones to get ahold of due to not so many hunters being willing to go out and kill such dangerous creatures. "I can also offer services as a guard, Although I am not a fighter, I have the element of surprise on my side as I can become whatever I wish, and thusly go just about anywhere." She smiled to him as she considered it, she did have many skills that were useful, she was excellent at leather crafting but she had left all of her tools behind when she left that small village. As he held up the steaming sandwich she blinked, she could smell the scents of the meat and vegetables and it seemed to catch her interest, she took half of the sandwich cautious of the heat it held. having no wanting to be burnt "Thank you.." as she took a bite she thought about the fact that her being able to go places unseen and where others could not gave her an advantage, a great advantage in the less honorable lines of work if she ever needed to. "This is good. What is it?" -

Noah considered this for a moment. Indeed, thick bear skins would be efficient during the winter season in Aenied. The winters can be deadly at times, or when one goes into battle .. some fur to keep them warm is necessary. There would be profit for that, if Endellion is to use that as business. Then her second statement reached Noah's ears, and the possibilities bounced around his head in a wild frenzy. Yes, she could be a guard. Perhaps as a raven to perch on a person's shoulder, becoming another creature instantly in protection. Noah almost wished he could do that. It would be such a huge asset to his abilities.

"It's called a sandwhich, with vegetables, like tomatoes, lettuce, pickles, and others inside, with either beef or chicken between two slices of bread. .. Maybe something else." The thought of something else being in that sandwhich made Noah abit anxious, so he quickly shoved the thought away. "I'd think that you wouldn't eat meat, considering that you take the form of the animals at times." A hand lifted, scratching his head questioningly.

She couldn't help but give the slightest laugh "I know its a sandwich, I meant what was inside it! I know the more obvious vegetables, and its not chicken, thats for sure. Very likely beef, Doesn't taste like venison and I should think thats a little bit harder to get so close to a city. I was afraid you might say it could be something else." She rose her eyebrows at the thought "I do eat meat.. erm.. Just not every type.. Farm animals are fine.. I can eat them without much care..I can eat venison too.. but.. Well I prefer not to if I can.. After you've been the animal its harder. Much harder. Of course some people like horse meat.. I think I would almost have to starve first with as much time as I've spent in such a form, But all those thoughts are gone when I become something like a wolf, or even a scavenger type.. I think I might not ever change back if I were to become something like a sheep... They are very dull minded things, about like fish.

Noah blinked. It is a surprise. He thought that she rarely entered cities, so her knowing what a sandwhich is, is indeed a shock. Scratching his head again with his slender fingertips, Noah brushed the hair from his eyes, "Have you ever became a butterfly?" For some unexplainable reason, Noah had an obsession with butterflies. It's one of the only animals that he actually likes, and believes is pretty. Noah thinks something is pretty? Wow. Noah himself has never tasted horse meat. Actually, he's not tasted much of anything except the usual meat and chick before. He's not one to like to search out unusual or delicious foods. Food is food. It's purpose is to fill the belly and restore the body.

Leading Endellion down the street, Noah would turn, so that he was walking backwards. Keeping himself turned to her, his dark eyes stared at her intently, considering. She does seem a tad talkative when she warms up to someone. Most people are like that.