The Rarest Flower (Job w/ Kyran)

It hadn't been too terribly long since Gaia had entered the Sabertooth guild. She muses softly to herself about how she felt this place was lively while she shuffled her tarot cards. On occasion, she'd do a reading for a member around the guild. She felt refreshed when others came to her out of curiosity and were pleased with her work. Reading only for herself got quite boring after a while. Right now, Gaia was still trying to learn her magic, but she was slowly getting the hang of it, and the guild members were helping her out a bit too. Noya let up a squeak from around her masters neck before she hopped off and ran straight for the job board. Gaia chuckles and gets up after packing away her cards.

"Okay, okay. I'm here." She says as she stands behind the creature sniffing up at the board. She stays still while the snowy ferret scurries back up her body to get back around her neck while Gaia's finger trailed down the board, searching for a job. Her hand stopped a bit as she read one of the jobs, and taps her finger a bit. "I... wonder if Kyran would be comfortable helping me out with this...?" She mumbles to herself before she goes off to send him a letter. She would have to get an iLac eventually, but she needed to save her money for it. Noya chirped in her ear, poking her nose with her snout as she wanted Gaia to tell her the job. "Oh? Its a request to go get a flower that's supposedly in the spooky forest. It's a small reward, but it's better than nothing though." She nods to her and takes a deep breath.

Spooky forest didn't sound too eventful to go into alone, and she wasn't too adept in magic yet either. Would Kyran be better suited to work with her on this? She hoped so. A blush ran across her cheeks as she covered under her nose with the paper as she remembered how she met him the first time back in Peace Village. She quickly shakes her head. "No. No. No... Think straight! He's not the focus right now, the job is." She hisses to herself before she sends off the letter to request for his help on this job. She then prepares herself to go out and travels to Magnolia to speak to the owner of the medicinal shop whom requested the help. She asked Kyran to meet her there so they can find out any extra information, and travel to the Spooky Forest, with her. She would be sitting on a bench out front of the shop in her usual attire, grey turtleneck sweater, green skirt, pantyhose (ones that wore like leggings this time), her boots, and her cloak. Noya was playing in her lap in front of her, getting her white fur all over the pantyhose while Gaia softly chuckles and runs a hand through her short hair.

Words: 502

Kyran was excited to get the letter from the little bookworm he had met back in Peace Village. He hadn't been able to get her out of his mind. Ugh you need to get laid. Stop being such a scaredy cat and go get some ass. Malinda moaned inside his head. She had been complaining almost none stop since he met Gaia. The other demons had as well. Gaia had some strange effect on all of them. One that gave him peace and quiet. Maybe he should try to get out there again. Claudia couldn't be like all the girls. Yet Ada had been fairly similar, beating him down in an emotional way. He couldn't be too careful. Oh go get Glasses already. I challenge you to. Bet you can't pick her up at all. Medea said curled in the corner of his mind. Her claws flexed and Kyran hissed in pain. Alright already! He would try to get back onto the dating scene. His weapons were grabbed and out the door he went.

It wasn't hard to find the medicinal shop Gaia had asked Kyran to meet her at. He spotted her playing with her ferret on a bench in front of the shop. He glanced at the books he had brought her. Was that weird? They were going on a job together. This wasn't a date. Stop doubting Host. Just do. Be sure to flip that skirt up again and get some pictures this time. Kyran raised an eyebrow at Erebus' comment. The mischievous demon didn't usually care about perverted tricks. He just liked mischief in general. Kyran snuck up behind Gaia. His head was level with her ear when he spoke. "Didja miss me? Or just my reading suggestions?" He watched for her possibly hitting him, getting a hand in the way to stop it if she tried to hit him. Kyran's face was split into a wide grin. "Hi. Not sure if you want these or if I should give them to someone else now." He held up the three books he had brought along with him. "This is the first trilogy of the Dark Phoenix series. I'm not sure if you've heard about that series or not..." Kyran frowned. Perhaps he should have asked what her reading tastes were before bringing the gift.

WC: 388

Gaia didn't think it would take Kyran too long to find her. She was humming softly to herself when Noya stops her playing to look at him when he was over her shoulder. The mage in training was confused by her ferrets reaction so suddenly, and turns her head a bit to see what it was. She didn't turn her head much, as Kyran's voice ran in her ear. She let up a yelp and jumped forward, grabbing hold of Noya as she had jumped off the bench, but ended standing on her knees as she turns to look at him. She pouts a little while her cheeks were a rosy color from seeing it was just Kyran. "You enjoy scaring me... don't you?" She questions as she stands up. She looks down to her knees to see that the pantyhose were ripped where her knees hit the ground, and she had a small cut on her knees. Good thing they were in front of a medicinal shop.

As he presented her the books, her jaw drops a bit. Noya scrambled onto her shoulders and settles there while the girl oogles the books. She then kicks her cheek a bit. The kick made Gaia come back down to earth, and shake her head a bit to prove it. "Isn't the Dark Phoenix impossible to get? As well as a romance novel? How did you manage to get it?" She asks as she bit her bottom lip. Honestly, she preferred adventure books with little romance, or with a heroine for the protagonist, but she was open to reading other books as well. She nods her head and walks around the bench to grab the books from him, longing to read them just this minute. She was clearly excited to be able to read these books. "I can't believe you have these books... You didn't steal them, did you?" She quickly looks up to him worriedly while she held the books to her chest. She ten glances over to the shop, that was right behind him. Right! Job! They had a job they were going to do. "S-so since you're here, I assume you're wanting to help me? Should... um... should we go in and get information on this flower? I wouldn't want to keep the client waiting." Her cheeks were a light pink as she glances down from Kyran, and to the books again.

Noya, like she quite often loved to do, jumped off of Gaia, and begun running to the shop before Kyran could answer. She gave him an apologetic look as she quickly goes after her, and opens the door to the shop when the ferret refused to let her pick her up. There was a middle aged man behind the counter, with a couple younger employees organizing things in the shop. "How may I help you?" "Um, hi, er... We're here to help find the flower?" She questions him. The man's eyes brightened up. "The mages! Yes! Thank you for accepting! Come in! Come here! I'll show you the flower." He says as he is quickly rummaging through a drawer by the register. Gaia walks up to him and smiles softly as he pulls out a picture of a flower. "This is the Ghost Flower. It's very important, and very rare. I need you to get it to help me out. My strongest medicine requires it, and it's important to me." He says as he hands the picture to Gaia, who smiles and nods to him after receiving it. "We'll take care of it." She tells him. The man then looks over to Kyran. "Please, be careful of the flower. Its fragile, and poisonous to animals if they ingest it raw." His eyes glance to Noya, in which Gaia put a hand on her pets head. She then nods, and looks over to Kyran herself while she held the picture. She starts heading out of the store, with a brief wave to the owner, and waits for Kyran outside so they could head to the forest.

She had gotten them tickets for the train, till as far as they could go, and while they were on the train, she was reading the books, semi using her glasses to read faster, but not to the glasses full potential. She wanted to savor the books. As she read the books, she had curled up on the chair she was sitting in, absorbed in them. She would need Kyran to tell her when they're at the last stop they needed to get to, before they could take a carriage the rest of the way. She curled up on the bench again to finish reading the books. As they arrived at Spooky forest, Gaia looks around curiously. Noya curled up quietly on her masters shoulders, a bit unsure of the area herself.

Words: 810
Total: 1312

Kyran's grin faded when he saw the jump had hurt Gaia. That hadn't been his intention at all. "You do have the cutest little reactions, Gaia. I can't help myself. I'll stop if you want me to." Kyran leaned against the edge of the bench, looking Gaia over slowly. He was looking for any other injuries but at the same time, he couldn't help admiring her beauty. It wasn't like she flaunted it either which only enhanced that natural beauty. The blush in her cheeks made a soft smile spread across his lips. She looked even more stunning with that touch of red across her cheeks.

It was hard to be sure what to make of Gaia's reaction when he revealed his gift. She hit herself. Was that a good sign? Or a bad one? Maybe she was punishing herself for something. Kyran didn't know what to make of it all. His smile was back in full force when she asked about the books. The biting of her bottom lip was endearing and Kyran held the books out to her. "Dark Phoenix one through six are hard to get, yes. There were a limited amount printed for those six. These are first editions of Dark Flame, Darker Passion, and Darkest Combustion. Not to mention they're signed by the author so they're even harder to get a hold of." He watched her face, hoping the demons wouldn't ruin this moment in any way. That would really piss him off. However, they still seemed to be docile. "They might fall under the romance genre as well but they aren't just romance. They mix in bits from other genre, namely adventure so readers don't get mired down in only the romance aspect. The author also creates equally compelling male and female main characters...." Kyran realized he was babbling and he shut his mouth. He wanted to purposefully avoid her last question on how he managed to acquire them. However, when she asked if he had stolen them, Kyran had to break his silence. It would just have to be creative. "No, Gaia, I didn't steal them. I happen to know the author personally and asked for them. He signed them for me, addressed to you." He put a hand to his chest. "I'm hurt that you would think so little of me, Gaia. Do I appear to be a thief to you?" Kyran tried to put a hurt expression onto his face but just ended up pouting. He never had been all too good with expressions.

Kyran smiled as he nodded in relation to her next question. He took up a position just behind her right shoulder as they entered the store. He tried to do his best not to seem too intimidating to the owner. Most people found him a bit too intense for their liking. Intense is good, pet. Women love intense. Most will simply never admit to such a flaw. Give the intense to Gaia. I bet that sweet body will-- Kyran cut Malinda off, clearing his throat loudly. Apparently the demons were done being docile now. Or something about the shop let them shake it off. It didn't matter. Kyran stood silently, listening carefully to the shopkeeper. Looking over the picture, Kyran was surprised to see a new flower. That old excitement over new things began to roil within his stomach. He was going on another adventure. One that would bring him to the edge of his known horizon and beyond. Kyran looked up at the shopkeeper. "Don't worry. We'll get it to you as soon as we can." Kyran bowed before stepping back and allowing Gaia to exit the shop. He had been learning a few manners from watching the more sophisticated members around the West Fiore Trading Company.

When Gaia produced the tickets, Kyran frowned. He didn't like that she had bought tickets for the both of them. He tried to hand her the jewels for his ticket before they boarded. Kyran was happy to see that Gaia was absorbed in the books as soon as they boarded the train. He felt as if he had gotten the right gift for her. While she read, Kyran watched the country fly by. There was an ache in his bones to see it all. An ache to go on an adventure that took him to not oft seen places. His fingers itched for a moment as well when he turned to look at Gaia reading. Lock her in chains. Bet she's a screamer. I wanna-- Kyran shut the snake demon down harshly. There would be none of that while they traveled. When the Spooky Forest drew near, Kyran reached over to poke Gaia out of her reading stupor. The train hit a bump at just the right moment to send Kyran tumbling into Gaia's lap. It took a moment for him to realize his face was pressed into her stomach. Leaping away, Kyran tried to stammer an apology. His face was beet red, his head almost emitting steam from his embarrassment. Why did things like this always happen to him?

WC: 851
Total: 1,239

At Kyrans mention that she has the cutest reactions, her cheeks flared up and she looks away from them. "I-It's not that it upsets me... I'm just easily startled sometimes..." She murmurs quietly. As he explained the books to her, her eyes grew wide. 'First editions' as well as 'signed by the author' had her near bug eyed with her jaw hanging slack. She was seeming more and more excited for the book the more he went on about it. A huge grin was forming on her face as she looked to the books more. She was stunned as he said he knew the author personally, and quickly opened the book to read the authors signature and notes to her. Gaia's jaw hung slack a bit as she had a small blush, and smile, on her face. She had checked each of the books, and the blush got deeper. "I feel like the authors slightly flirting with me with these notes... but they're adorable at the same time." She softly chuckles as she gingerly closed the last book. The notes were about her seeming intelligent and adorable.

As Kyran pouts to her as he questions if she thought he was a thief, she pouts back up to him as she looks a bit ashamed of herself. "Sorry, I know some people go extremes sometimes... You really don't look like a thief, but you do look quite daring... maybe an angel." She winks as she jabs a thumb to her back, kind of where his tattoos were. She had stuck her tongue out slightly before Noya had run off on her.

Gaia refused to be paid back for buying Kyran a ticket, saying she insisted since he got her books to read. As she read, her expressions changed from excitement, to sadness, to worry, to eagerness, the whole nine yards as she was loving the writing and how the story was going so far. She was nearly done with the first book when the train hit the bump, and Kyran was in her stomach. She looked under her book at him with wide eyes as she sat there, completely shocked and unsure how to respond. Noya on the other hand, had jumped onto breasts and gave a small growl to him. The next thing that happened, Gaia was laughing about what happened. Noya was confused as she looked back up to her master. "I don't think anyone's ever fallen into me on accident before. Sorry for being so into my book that you had to resort to doing that to get my attention." She giggles and looks away as her cheeks were actually red.

She had read the books quicker on the carriage when they got onto it, and whines as she was unable to read anymore. She had begun asking Kyran his opinion on the books and his favorite parts about it. She was wanting him to babble about the books more, as she herself was babbling about her favorite scenes. She seemed to shine nearly with how excited she was talking about the books.

In the Spooky Forest, Gaia walked forward hesitantly while stuffing the books in her bag with her cards. She puts a hand on her shoulder, where Noya's neck was, and held the picture out with one hand. "I'm... kinda getting an uneasy feeling about this place... no wonder the shop employees didn't want to come here to get the flower themselves..." She looks back to Kyran as she bit the inside of her left cheek. "I wonder what's in the forest though... I've never been here." Throughout the forest, the two would hear growling and cackling of the animals about, and she grips the paper a bit as she was trying to not seem scared of what may be out there, and be stronger to face it. She walks on as she keeps her eye out for the flower.

Words: 654
Total: 1966

Kyran debated telling Gaia that he was Anon, the author of the Dark Phoenix series. However, he wasn't sure how she would take it. Anon was his pseudonym to keep too much of the fame from the series off of him. Gaia had the potential to wreck all of that if he revealed his secret. Kyran decided to bide his time for now and reveal the truth at a later date. "Anon likes to personalize his notes. That's why he doesn't do too many signings. Those are a little too impersonal for his liking." Kyran explained when Gaia pointed out the flirtiness of the notes. He hadn't meant to make them as such but as Anon, he could be himself: A hopeless romantic. Gaia wouldn't ever fall for him. He was too damaged. Show her what's in your pants, big boy. That might change her mind. Malinda hissed, slithering across his mind. Kyran was reminded of yet another reason why Gaia wouldn't fall for him. His damn demons.

Kyran's cheeks went red when Gaia flirted with him, reminding him that she had seen him shirtless. He opened his mouth to say something but Noya ran away with her master close behind. Kyran decided to leave it at that. He wasn't happy that she refused his attempt to repay the ticket. It hardened his resolve to get her more books. Gaia appreciated them in a way few others did. It wasn't too much trouble to help her build a library all of her own. He had more jewels than he knew what to do with anyway. It wasn't too much trouble to do that for this beautiful bookworm.

When he fell onto her, Kyran wasn't sure which surprised him more: Noya's reaction or Gaia's. He hadn't expected the other mage to burst out laughing as a result of his blunder. He also hadn't expected Noya to be so protective of her master. Kyran couldn't help grinning about it in the light of Gaia's laughter. His cheeks were still red however. "I shall endeavor to get your attention in extravagant ways then, Gaia. Perhaps I'll fall into your lap next time." He tried to pat Noya's head. His hand was extended cautiously, allowing Noya all the time she needed to back away if she wanted. "Your ferret is very protective of you. It's cute and it warms my heart that she is there for you. You two are quite the pair." He smiled, looking up as the train ground to a halt. Time for the next stage in their journey.

It made Kyran feel pretty good about himself when Gaia whined about not being able to read anymore. He indulged her need to babble about her favorite scenes, saying just the right things to try and prompt more out of her. In turn, Kyran happily discussed his favorite scenes without trying to give anything from the next trilogy away. The entire series revolved around the last family of dark phoenixes, a group of six trying to find their parents and any clue to why there were no others. The six got separated, each going on their own adventures. Each adventure was unique while being irrevocably intertwined with the others. Kyran had planned out six trilogies with a final seventh wrapping everything up neatly. At the moment, he had written five of the seven. He had also written around four side trilogies that focused on secondary characters he had really enjoyed writing. Those were considered an integral part of the Dark Phoenix series for some reason by the readers. Kyran explained all this to Gaia without ever giving away the fact that he was Anon. Before he knew it, they were sitting in front of the Spooky Forest. It was time to get to work.

Kyran was unlimbering Calamity and stringing it when Gaia walked ahead of him. He hurried to finish before racing after her. "Let me go first." Kyran said watching the trees. Yeah! Let her know whose boss! Kyran grit his teeth against Medea's words and tried to focus. "Not trying to say males are better than females. You said you don't have a handle on your magic yet. We don't know what's in here. Since I can use my magic...semi-decently, I'll go first. Keep your eyes open for the flower and any potential danger." He stalked into the forest. Kyran nearly became one with the trees as he moved forward. It might have appeared to Gaia as if a panther had slipped under Kyran's skin. His entire body demeanor was different than it had been a second ago. This was a true hunter.

WC: 775
Total: 2,014

She smiles amused by the information of the author of the books liking to personalize his notes, and nods to him. "I think I'm glad you're friends with an author... means you have great connections." She muses quietly to him. "I wish I had connections like that, to be able to see a story being written in the process. I've tried and failed at making a story before, I always lost my muse and just stuck to reading." She had chuckled.

At his comment of trying 'to get her attention in extravagant ways', she begun to blush a bit. "Oh r-really? I'd like to see you try." Noya had given Kyran a quick growl before she allowed him to pet her head, pushing her head into his hand and rubbing it against it before she went back on Gaia's neck and rested there. Gaia blushes to Kyrans comment, and slightly shrugs her shoulders. "I... I guess... I kinda did save her before back... home." She falters in her smile as she goes to grab Noya and hug her like a child would a teddy bear. "I saved her from being kicked around by some kids who thought it'd be funny to hurt her as a game... So now she doesn't play when she thinks others are doing the same to me... Wish I met her sooner though." She gingerly placed a kiss on the ferrets head, in which the ferret seemed to make a soft, and happy, growl to the notion.

Gaia was happily chatting about the parts of the book she loved, and was quick to jump on new topics in the book when he started to bring up other stuff slightly. She was even going back through the books again and rereading a bit of it aloud to share why she liked it. The passion in her voice as she read it aloud was rather intense. She had even voiced her want to read the rest of the books and that she now had a goal to get the rest of the series, as well as the side books. The whole time Noya was just sitting on Gaia's shoulders, snoozing away as she wasn't the kind to be bothered with her masters gibber jabber about books, especially ones she just read.

When Kyran came up to her, Gaia gave him a nervous smile. "T-that's fine... I honestly asked you to help me on this because I figured you had a better handle of your magic over me. That... and I don't think I could make it into the forest on my own, even with just Noya." She blushes to him while rubbing the back of her head before he went into the forest. She was aware of where he was, but she felt a bit unnerved that he nearly blended in really well. She didn't know what to make of how he seemed to change before her eyes, but she guessed having some sense of seriousness while on a job would be helpful. She takes a deep breath before Noya starts to growl over Gaia's should to whatever was behind her.

The short, black haired girl blinks and turns her head to look over to what could be behind her, and gasps at a pair of large yellow eyes in the forest before a wolf jumped out with a growl. Gaia let up a scream as she quickly jumps out of the way, while Noya decided to jump at the beast's side and managed to cling onto the wolf with her claws. She was trying to bite him, but his fur was getting in her way. "Noya!" Gaia had yelled out before the wolf managed to swipe her off of himself and smack her into a tree rather hard. "Noya!" Her voice now shrieked as the wolf turned on her. Gaia quickly looks around for something. The closest she got, was a relatively thick branch. She grabbed hold of it and managed to smack the wolf's head as it jumped at her, making it whine that she it hit.

That hit with the branch wasn't much as the wolf turned on Gaia again and went to jump at her again. She held up the branch to try and block the wolf with it, but it snapped the branch in half and managed to get it's paws on her shoulders to shove her down on the ground. "Kyraaaan!" Gaia's voice rang out as she tried to knee the wild dog off of her while quickly attempting to search for Noya at the same time. She wasn't even paying attention to the dog as she was more worried over Noya and her health, so she didn't see that it was going down to bite at her till it just had it's jaws on her neck, in which she let up another scream and was focusing on the dog on her and trying to shove it off of her with tears in her eyes.

Words: 833
Total: 2799

Stats:

"Unfortunately, Anon is very secretive about his writing process so I haven't ever actually seen him writing the book." Kyran said carefully, skirting the edge of the truth. He couldn't see himself writing after all. He hadn't ever really thought about his process either. The stories simply flowed from him in a river. "Perhaps you simply lacked the material to spark your muse." He said softly in response to her comment about being unable to write. "Maybe this job will provide you with the material you need to really write something." His cheeks were stained with a bit of color as he turned away from Gaia. Malinda hissed with pleasure. Lay it on like that, and miss innocent won't be able to resist dropping those panties. Kyran stifled a sigh at the demon's words. Why would Gaia ever consider him when he had four extra passengers in his head?

Kyran's lips pulled back over his teeth in a silent growl when he heard what Noya had been rescued from. "I hate people that needlessly hurt other living things." He turned toward the window until he managed to get his face to relax again. Stories about this girl and her pet were already filling his mind. Kyran pulled out a pad few seldom saw, beginning to jot down the ideas. He was deep into his notes before he realized that Gaia would see the pad. A sheepish grin crossed his face. Did he really care if she noticed? She liked writers and books. Her outer demeanor and appearance reminded him of one of his characters. Regina. The main female of the fourth trilogy in the Dark Phoenix series, Regina had been a gentle soul. Or so everyone thought. Underneath, Regina had burned with a fiery passion, a iron hardened soul beneath a soft visage. It had been a joy to write her story and watch that gentle woman entice the scarred phoenix Riker from his shell. Kyran wondered if Gaia would be the same. Did she burn underneath that soft exterior? Could she entice Kyran from the shell he had built around himself?

Kyran was a fair distance away when he heard Gaia cry out. He had been tracking a few wolves making sure they stayed away from Gaia. Her cry brought their heads up but something made them turn away. A wolf was attacking the other mage then. Could he get there in time? Yes if he pulled upon his demons. There was no choice even if it drove Gaia away. Shadows broke through his skin within seconds of him beginning to run. They were most noticeable on his hands which had turned completely black. It made those parts of him appear wispy as if insubstantial. Behind him was the visage of wispy black bat wings and a lizard's tail. Kyran didn't need a mirror to know his eyes had also changed. They would be a deep green now, the pupil that of a toad. The forest blurred around him as Kyran raced back in Gaia's direction. He put Calamity onto his back. There was an urgent feeling he wouldn't need it. When he arrived, the first thing he noticed was Noya laying at the base of a tree. Kyran carefully picked the ferret up, tucking her into his arm. His vision went red when he saw Gaia struggling with a large grey wolf.

It was pure instinct. Kyran drove his fingers into the neck of the beast causing it to yelp. The muscles of his arm bulged as he lifted it off Gaia. Shadows enhanced his face, made his teeth sharper, made him almost appear featureless except for his mouth and eyes. And Kyran roared. The wolf cowered before his might, trying desperately to escape his grasp. It yelped when he slammed it into the ground. A slash from his blade opened a line across its throat. Kyran took a deep breath to try and calm himself. Carefully he approached Gaia. The shadows peeled back again leaving only his hands and his eyes changed. He didn't look at the other mage as he handed Noya back to her. He couldn't look at her. What must she think of him now? He was a monster. Why did things always go this way with him? "There are wolves everywhere. Lets find the flower quickly" Kyran said gruffly. He kept his back to her. There wasn't a desire to see the horror on her face. He hated that look. The one that tried to figure out if he was the same person. If he was even human.

Kyran tried to fight the tears in his eyes. He stepped toward the forest intent on fading into the shadows once again. This time he would stay close to Gaia, keeping her safe. Afterwards... Afterwards, you cut all ties with her cause you're a monster and prrrretty things don't belong with you. Yes we know. Its the same old song and dance. Why don't you give this one a chance? Medea said sounding exasperated. Kyran was surprised. That might have been the nicest thing the demon had ever said to him. It didn't change anything though. Gaia wouldn't want to be with a man like him.

WC: 872
Total: 2,886

The tarot reader nods as she wasn't too surprised that Anon was secretive about the writing he's done. As Kyran brought up her lacking material to spark her own muse and that she might get something from the job, Gaia just simply chuckled and nervously smiled. She wasn't so sure she would be able to still. She got sucked into books and distracted by those over her own story. His comment about hating people that needlessly hurt others, made her nod. She did as well, which is why she was somewhat attached to Noya and wouldn't know what to do when she was no longer with her. She gave Noya another kiss on her head before she noticed the notepad. She watches Kyran for a moment, softly smiling. "You like writing as well? Have you published anything?" She asks and smiles softly.

As the wolf was on her, Gaia had turned her head just in time to see Kyran picking up Noya, and she tried to wriggle out from under the wolf. Her eyes were blurred though as she was trying to not let the tears fall from the pain in her shoulder to get to her. She grunts some as there was slight pressure put on her from the wolf being pushed down, before it was ripped off of her, in which she quickly turned around and scrambled to her feet. Her cloak had been over her side, so she only half hoped that her skirt didn't flip up this time as she went a few feet away as Kyran took care of the wolf and she sat on her legs. Her opposite hand was on her shoulder, holding it as she was bleeding from the bite a bit. Her grey sweater was slightly stained red on the left side from where she had been bit. As she was a distance away, Gaia got to look at Kyran good finally. She noticed the difference in his eyes right away. And the shadows on his hands? Besides being shocked by it, those looked rather interesting to her as well. Was this his magic? She wanted to know about it some.

She looked up to Kyran as he came up to her, and gasped at Noya. She quickly scrambles to her feet and grabs her precious companion, snuggling her and trying to wake her. The ferret grunted in annoyance, and Gaia kissed her head before she quickly went to hug Kyran. She purposely put her head near his chest and looks up at him intently with her brownish-redish eyes. "Thank you. I'm sorry for not sticking as close to you..." She slowly let him go. "Y-you didn't get hurt either, did you?" She questions quietly. A small smile grew on her face as she looks to him and held one hand behind her back while the other scratched her head. "See? I was right to pick you to come with. You're like my knight a little bit. An angel indeed." She looks to Noya, who had opened an eye sleepily, before rolling it and closing her eye to go back to sleep on her masters shoulders.

Gaia saw Kyran turn his back to her, and frowns a bit. Noya perks her head up finally, and growls a little at Kyran, but the growl ended with a whimper. Noya never really did that unless someone was sad. Gaia quickly moved to be in front of him and saw his tears in his eyes. Without seeming to think, Gaia threw herself into Kyran and was hugging his torso to her, smushing herself to him a bit. "It's not your fault! You don't have to feel bad for me being hurt. I'm fine! Just a quick patch up should be fine. My arm still works." She buried her face in his chest and takes a deep breath as she felt bad that he was crying over her, or she thought he was starting to cry over her being injured. "Don't cry, please...?" She was shaking. Gaia was panicking that he felt at fault, and over the fact she shoved herself out of her bubble so quickly to comfort him. She slowly turns her head a bit, and slumps her shoulders while lifting her head off of his chest. She then glances up to Kyran, and then back to where she was looking. She had spotted the flower. It was literally in a hollow of a tree, safe from dangers and surrounded by a ray of light from a hole up at the top of the tree.

"Well..." She slowly pulls herself off of Kyran as she was blushing, and slowly went to go get the flower. The hollow opening was rather small actually, enough that only a fox or bunny could really get in with no issue. Gaia removed her cloak, and set it on the ground next to her while she sat gingerly on her knees before she lightly wiggled herself into the tree to get the flower, leaning over on her elbows to be able to get closer to the flower. "Noya... go check on Kyran." She murmurs as she works on getting the flower out carefully. She tries to flatten herself as much as she could to let her pet run up her back and be perched on her lower back to allow Noya to get out of the hole. In truth, she was heading the medicinal shop owners words on not letting any pets near it. She slowly gets the flower out of the dirt, keeping most of the roots in tact, and smiles to herself. "I'm coming out." She says as she reaches a hand back and hold her skirt down while she starts to slowly back up. She was fearing she might get stuck in the hole, but Gaia luckily was able to get out without a hitch.

Sitting up on her knees, she shows Kyran the flower with a grin before she grabbed a spare tarot bag and placed the flower in it. "W-we should get going... before another wolf comes..." She mumbles and gets to her feet, nearly forgetting about her cloak before she grabs that and holds it over her other arm. She looks down to herself, and laughs a little. "This is the first time I've actually gotten this dirty on my own accord." She couldn't help but muse aloud to him. She scratches the back of her head as she gingerly puts her pouch back in her bag on top of everything to not crush it. She looks up to Kyran and again and gives him a small smile before she goes close to him and lets him lead the way back to the carriage to get back to Magnolia.

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Kyran was in the middle of writing something when Gaia asked about the pad. "Hmm? Oh this? I just give Anon ideas sometimes." He answered absentmindedly. That skirted the line of the truth a little too much for his liking. However, Kyran didn't want the fame of Anon overshadowing Gaia's opinion of him. That was why he had created the pseudonym in the first place. Any fame Anon gained wouldn't change the way people looked at him. "I guess I write a little but I'm not published or anything. I'm a little too busy with my work for WFTC. Not to mention, I don't want the fame that would come with writing." That at least was closer to the truth. He didn't know if he would ever tell her that he was Anon though. Probably not unless they got very close.

Kyran was too surprised by the first hug to really respond to anything that Gaia said. He did manage to shake his head when she asked if he was hurt. When she says angel, she means demon, boy. You're no knight, nor will you ever be. Malinda hissed in his ear while Gaia shyly looked up at him. That was what had him turn his back initially. When Gaia rushed to hug him again, Kyran nearly toppled over in disbelief. Why was she hugging him again? Had she lost her mind? Had she been insane to begin with? Whatever the reason, Kyran felt his arms wrap around her petite form. His hand cupped the back of her head. Something inside him, moved as a result. Impossible. Gaia had made the wall around his heart nearly jump out of the way. Just who was this girl? "I'm sorry. Its not you. Its me." Kyran brushed his lips against her hair. "Most people run away when they see this." Kyran gestured to his form. "They know its not magic." He hesitantly ran his hand up and down her back. Malinda hissed happily as the action caused something to move. Only this time it wasn't inside him. "The thought of you being scared of me or running away from me made me really sad. I want to see you again, want to get to know you better. Maybe even get to know what life can really be like." Kyran brushed her hair away from her face when she moved away. "Life was grayscale, lifeless until the day you walked into my life, Gaia" He whispered, unsure of if she heard him. Kyran kind of hoped she hadn't. He didn't want her to think he was a sappy romantic.

Kyran didn't know what to do when Gaia went to retrieve the flower. On the one hand, he didn't want to seem like a perv. On the other, he didn't want her to be completely defenseless while he was looking the other way. Malinda chuckled as he stood helpless watching her crawl into the hollow of the tree. Noya coming over helped solve the dilemma. He placed the ferret on his shoulder. "You look that way so your master doesn't think I was watching her butt. I'll look this way and keep watch." Kyran said turning his back on Gaia. Malinda sighed heavily but Kyran knew he was doing the right thing. And that was all that mattered. Kyran counted to ten before he turned around when Gaia announced she was coming out. Though she had mentioned it earlier, Kyran only then noticed her wound. "Hold still" He ordered before going about wrapping her arm up. "I'm sorry I didn't notice this before. I would have tended to it immediately. I have a problem with getting lost inside my own head." He bit his lip at her final remark. Dirt looked good on her. Malinda cackled as if she had just conquered the world.  

When they started back for the carriage, Kyran swept Gaia up into his arms. His face was pink as he strode through the forest. "Last time I let you outta my sight, you got attacked. This way I know for sure you won't be. At least not unless something goes through me." Kyran held on despite any protests, only letting go when they had reached the carriage. On the way back, Kyran asked which series Gaia had read that were her favorite. He had been searching for a good series for a long time and he hoped she would have a good answer for him. The entire carriage ride back and the whole train ride too if she didn't get too immersed in the books again, Kyran discussed books with Gaia. He quite enjoyed himself too.

Within a few short weeks of that job with Gaia, a new book by Anon was published. This one stepped away from the Dark Phoenix series and its universe. It was a much needed break, the author said. This new book focused upon a young mage and her pet ferret. They battled through terrible dangers to break a curse. A curse that had been laid upon the man of her dreams. Kyran wouldn't admit it to anyone but the Curse of the Demon King was a fantasy of what might happen between him and Gaia. He could only hope it went quite so well in the real world.

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Gaia squeezed Kyran a bit as he hugged her back. It felt good to have someone hug her. She seemed to relax a bit under his hands, but she shivered as his hand rubbed her back. She was glad she had three layers of clothes on there. She glances up at him as he talks about his form and it not being magic. "W-well... it is a bit scary when you're not expecting it..." She couldn't help but admit. "But you're still Kyran, right? You still saved me from the wolf." She tells him. As he pushed her hair away, Gaia blushed to him till she pull away completely. She actually did hear him whisper, but she couldn't make it out though. She had just looked back to see if he would repeat it or not.

Noya seemed to get herself comfortable when Kyran allowed her on his shoulder. She softly purred, but seemed sluggish from her hit to the tree. She kept a good watch on her master while she waited for her to come out of the tree, and as soon as she was, she was out, Noya started to make her way down Kyran's arm, till he went to patching her up. Gaia blinks to him as she wasn't expecting him to start fixing her shoulder, allowing him to stretch the clothing, but not let him see her back. "Thank you... I was just going to pack it with gauze or something and have the client patch it up..." She murmurs as she glances away from him with a soft blush on her cheeks.

Gaia had only taken a couple steps towards where they were to go before he scooped her up in his arms. Her own cheeks were a bright red as she covered her face. She was also trying to not giggle in embarrassment as well. Noya slid down from Kyrans' shoulder and onto Gaia's stomach, making herself comfortable while he walked with her master in his arms. "Y-yeah..." She mumbles as she just let him hold her. She didn't want him to drop her, and she felt kind of comfortable in his arms too. Either that, or she lost just enough blood she was tired from it all. When she was finally in the carriage, Gaia slightly laid against the window of the carriage, but kept on getting smacked on the side of the head when they hit a bump. She told him her favorite types of stories and the ones she's already finished and loved the most. Most of them were ones of heroines who were originally in terrible spots in the beginning of their stories, and went on an adventure and became well known through their deeds. Though her shoulder wasn't broken or anything, it still did hurt from time to time with how the ride went. She had expressed that she left most of her books back at her parents place, and felt bad she didn't have them anymore, but she at least planned on finding them all once she got her own place. Arriving back at Magnolia, Gaia returned the flower to the shop owner, and he paid them in kind.

Gaia saw news about Anon's new book through town, and smiles to herself as she decided she wanted to try to get her hands on it. Surprisingly, she did managed to get a copy and happily read it to herself, not using her Gale glasses for it. A smile was on her face as she couldn't help but enjoy the writing of her new favorite author. She had a goal to complete her collection now.

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