Forest of Pages

[Oren]

Kendryek scanned the shelves carefully, taking special note of those with old bindings and unnoticeable lettering. The older the book the better it was. That was actually far from the truth, but he tried his best to keep to the older books. They were more fact than fancy even though they were more exaggeration than fact.

Looking out one of the large windows, he smiled slightly at the rain that pelted the glass. It was a good day to be inside. Then again, no one would be outside. That would give him sufficient cover to actually stretch out... but he'd do that later. He was already in the library, he might as well stay.

Taking a deep breath, he turned away from the window and walked down another isle. It was only nine in the morning but the sky was still very dull. Somehow the rain clouds intensified their sun-blocking ability when over the academy. Maybe it was because they were in Washington. Maybe Crane had placed some spell. Maybe someone else had placed a spell that Crane couldn't break.

Now that was a scary thought.

Shaking off the bad feeling, he picked up three books from the shelves, one brown, one hunter green, and one light tan. Walking to a window seat he had seen a few isles back, he sat down, moving the pillows until he was comfortable. It was so convenient that these were here. They eliminated the need for a couch and provided better reading areas than wooden table and chair. Of course, the stuffing and materials used for the window seat had to be repaired, and the design wasn't always... agreeable, but they worked just the same.

Reading the title of the tan book first, he opened to the first pages and started reading. "Isles of Massacre" it read. He only vaguely registered it as he began to read the first few lines. It would be an interesting read, if not appealing. And it seemed to be just that. It couldn't hold his attention. Setting it aside, he picked up the brown one. "Holy Peace". He hesitated before setting it aside as well. It had looked interesting at first, but now he had changed his mind. He would read the green one. It had the title "The Fire in Arailia" and as he completed the first few pages, he knew it would be a good read. It was completely fictional, he noticed, but he would enjoy it all the same.

[Julias]

Ezekiel passed through the hallways of the main building, the speed from his walk making the papers taped to the wall flutter upward from his back wind. His face was serious and almost somber, he passed classes with students inside of them.


He looked at none of them as his armor clinked and clanked as he moved, he knew he was going to have to find something else to wear as he walked around. He thought he could just put something over it and stop most of the sound, he passed the doors to the library and stopped. A young man sat at a table near the window reading a green book, Ezekiel noticed the other two books on the table and seen one he had skimmed through once before. He passed under the threshold of the library doors and over to the window a few paces from the young man, he put his hands behind his back and crossed them neatly as he stopped and looked out at the world outside.


He stood for a moment, then turned and looked at the young man. He was of a sturdy build, he seemed very focused on his book and almost lost in its words. Ezekiel pulled the tan book from the table and looked it over, he tossed it down at the boys feet and spoke.


"Humans have such a bad habit of exaggerating things." His stone gaze locked onto the boys, he spoke in an even tone to him


"My name is Ezekiel, what do they call you?" His accent resounded out again, the old world talk had made his voice seem almost other worldly as he spoke. He made no sign of this and continued to look at the young man, he couldn't help but think that the boy had a special quality he couldn't put his finger on.

[Oren]

Kendryek noticed the man at the door before he walked over. He seemed to be wearing armor underneath his clothes. That was... odd. Didn't he have anything else to wear? Hm... if not, he couldn't let that slip by. He'd have to offer him something.

Completely ignoring the man for a few more moments he finished the page and watched as the tan book was picked up off the table. Kendryek looked up, more out of being polite than curiosity. Their eyes met as the man spoke. Voice was even and seemed slightly flat. That Kendryek would also have to fix. Some might take it as unfriendliness and this man didn't seem the unfriendly type.

"Yes..." he mused, smiling a little. This one was going to be interesting.

The man spoke with an older speech pattern, causing Kendryek to adapt one as well. He added life and plenty of friendliness to his voice along with a smidgen of humbleness. "Well met, Ezekiel. Others call me Kendryek and if you see fit you may refer to me as such."

He smiled and bowed his head ever so slightly. Ezekiel was older than Kendryek. It was a new idea for him, but it was true. He wondered if Ezekiel would catch his words... maybe, maybe not. No one ever did unless he said it bluntly.

Standing he picked up all three books and looked the man from head to toe. He really needed to do something about that wardrobe.

Facing the window and looking at Ezekiel from the corner of his eye, he said, "Is that the only thing you have to wear?" His hand unconsciously moved to the invisible bags at his side. Most never took him up on his offer of extra clothes, but he figured he'd try anyway. It was the polite thing to do no matter what. "I could lend you something if you'd like."

[Julias]

Ezekiel listened to the boy only for a moment, he caught his name 'Kendryek' He wondered why his Father and Mother had named him that. He shrugged off the thought and watched him with slight interest as Kendryek nodded to him and spoke in an speech much like his own. He couldn't help but be amused at the boy and his choice of approach to him, he spoke flatly to him at his introduction.


"Well met Kendryek." He offered him a small nod in return, keeping his gaze stern and his face unreadable. He watched the boy stand and look him over, he pondered the young mans offer for clothes. He declined respectfully and spoke truthfully


"Tis unnecessary Kendryek, I will find something else to clothe myself with in due time." He waved a hand Kendryek's direction, he knew he would have to find something to himself a little more inconspicuous. Shiny gold armor clanking around as he walked attracted far to much attention, the white t-tunic he had slid over his armor did nothing for the sound.


You could also tell the plate of metal was there as flashes of gold shined through some of the openings in the shirt, the leather pelt he lined his groin and thighs with flapped aimlessly around as he moved. He made a face then, one of a slight discomfort as he compared his clothes to Kendryeks. He seemed much more at ease in his attire than he was, he shrugged and spoke to the him


"What is it your searching for Kendryek?" He asked in his dry and slightly monotone voice, he wasn't all that curious but still he knew silence for humans was awkward and made them feel out of place. He could tell the boy was young, he knew that from his first look at him, he could tell that he wanted to learn more about the world. Something about the boy stood out, he couldn't place it then still. He looked out he window, taking his eyes from the boy. He watched the rain mist over the window and leave small spots of water that trickled down the paneled glass, his eyes didn't move as he spoke

"You choose old books, why?" his eyes didn't leave the rain outside, he made no move to do much of anything besides stand and talk to the young man named Kendryek. His stone gaze stayed put, he gave nothing away as he watched the rain.

[cassiel]

Time stopped as Cassiel and Ezekiel changed their places, Ezekiel was sent back to heaven in a flash of light. Kendryek sat where he was unmoving, Cassiel took Ezekiel's body over then. Time continued then, Cassiel stood before Kendryek in his all white wardrobe. His white t-shirt hung loosely around him, his white pants were made of cotton.


He shoved his hands into his pocket after the light died away, he knew Kendryek would wonder what had happened. Cassiel stood with an eyebrow arched at the young boy, his white eyes stood out from his body. He smiled once at the young man and waited for his questions to come, Cassiel would keep nothing from the young man. He was under orders to stay at the school as a student of sorts and keep an eye on things just as Ezekiel did, his features were soft but still had the look of stone to them.


He wondered if he should just put the young man to sleep and walk away, he knew that would be the wrong choice in this situation and stood fast as he waited for the questions. He knew the only thing Kendreyk saw was a bright flash and him standing where Ezekiel was, he had kept Ezekiel's human form but had rid himself of the armor and sword and soldier like clothes. He didn't need them in his human form, his eyes looked at Kendryek's with a piercing gaze. He said nothing, his eyebrow arched and a small smile played at his lips.

[Oren]

They always, always denied the offer to borrow clothes. Why? He wasn't sure. It was reasonable enough, and if it provided more comfort, there was no reason not to. A little effort was always required to gain comfort. Because of that many people did without, but it was a waste really. Many things didn't take that long. Like borrowing clothes. He couldn't even remember the last time someone had actually said yes to his offer. Actually, that was a lie. Soga had been that last person, but that had been years ago when the young griffin had just been kicked out of his home.

He faced Ezekiel, eyebrows raised. "Looking for? Just a good read, really. And about the old books... will..." Just then light engulfed Ezekiel for just a second. It was gone as soon as it came. But Ezekiel was different. The armor was gone. And he was... just different. Their eyes met and Kendryek knew. The eyes were different, not in color or appearance, but in interest and sincerity. This wasn't Ezekiel anymore.

Chuckling, he said, "Either you have two personalities or you aren't Ezekial anymore. If you didn't catch it, I'm Kendyrek." He pushed in one of the chairs and then met the man's eyes again. The smiled at the expectant look and said, "I'm sorry to dissapoint you, but I'm not one for questions. If you would like to elaborate and explain, I am all ears and eager to listen. Otherwise," he held up the green book, "this one is very good if you'd like to read it once i'm done."

He smiled, wondering what exactly the man now in front of him was thinking.

[cassiel]

Cassiel stood and watched Kendryek he spoke simply his voice level and his face still a stone of unreadable emotion

"Asking no questions leads to no answers, and no Ezekiel is no longer with us here." A small smile pulled up at the corners of his mouth, he didn't need to tell the young man anything that was good. He wasn't in the mood to tell the whole story nor was he going to, he turned then as took a seat opposite of Kendryek. He sat down with a sigh and folded his hands in his lap setting his right ankle on his left knee, his eyes scanned over the books and he spoke again

"There is no need to read something I've read once before, the stories quite out of context anyways." He made a soft shrug and turned his head to the window, he stared outside for a moment with no expression on his face as usual. He turned and looked at Kendryek with a serious expression, he spoke flatly

"My name is Cassiel, it's an honor to meet you Kendreyek." He sent a slight nod in his direction, and turned back out to the window. He wasnt one for small talk, and neither did it seem that Kendryek was also not one for idle small talk. He liked that about him, he could tell the young man was more focused on getting to the point than anything else.

He examined his aura from his peripheral vision, he wasn't evil in any aspect, he may have sinned like so many others but small things like that had no meaning to him. He stared out the window, looking off into the sky and the heaven he knew was above. He wished that he knew more about what he was doing here instead of just sitting and waiting for orders, he dropped his thought knowing that it was borderline insubordination. He kept his eyes on the sky out the window and the rain that pelted the clear glass, he didn't speak as he sat as listened to the seconds go by.