Finding the right path ( Lepa)

[Yuki]

Young Toshiro slept in rather late despite how going to bed in a middle of the day yesterday. The stress of using so much magic, and then getting attacked not only once but twice in the same day has just been to much for the young half breed. It was the sound of his phone the awoke him, Toshiro slowly opened his eyes and slowly got up. His phone was in his coat pocket and he went to reach for it only to noticed instead of a hand he reached out with a paw. Toshiro stared at his paw for a minute before looking over at a body length mirror he had in his room. Yep he had turned into a fox while sleeping... " Great..." Toshiro thought to himself. This just kept getting better and better! He had no idea how long this was going to last. Doing his best Toshiro got his cellphone out and managed to answer the it, It was Mrs. Harris his secretary however he was noy able to speak to her so he would have to do his best to text her back.. "Mr. Reizo, how are you feeling? Are you coming in today?" She asked, knowing what had happened yesterday and had a feeling the young Mayor would most likely stay home. Toshiro sighed shaking his head as his ears drooped and texted back. " No... I wont be.. I.. I'm stuck in my fox form and I don't know how long this will last." he replied.



Mrs. Harris simply nodded, " I see, do you want me to handle everything till you are ready to return?" She asked. "Please.." Toshiro replied.
The secretary nodded in understanding, she did not wish to cause the young Mayor anymore stress and would be happy to handle everything for him. " Ok, you just take care of yourself ok?" She said. Toshiro gave a weak smile, "Thank you... And I will." he replied and turned off his cellphone. With a sigh Toshiro then looked through his pockets for the rune stone that Esme had given him. He then picked it up with his mouth before jumping off his bed and walked over to a small satchel on the floor that was just the right size for his fox form. Toshiro then placed the Rune stone in the satchel and looped it over his head. He then walked over another rune, it was a portal rune, his Mother helped him make it for times like this. Toshiro said the magic word to activate it and a portal appeared and on the other side was the forest. With a sigh Toshiro stepped though and was instantly in the forest and the portal closed behind him.

Toshiro looked around at the familiar forest, he would come here with his Mother whenever he got stuck in this form.. But now this time he was alone.. But he also had a mission to find the tower where Esme's teacher lived.. Someone who may be able to teach him more about magic. Toshiro then took off, however he had forgotten where Esme said he would be able to find the tower.. So all he could do was look everywhere till he found it.

[Lepa]

Anya was hungry. And when she was hungry, she wasn't picky.

The hawk had set her eyes on the little fox that seemed to wander aimlessly throughout the forest down below. She'd been circling the sky, watching his movements carefully. She figured she could probably take him out by herself, but why put in all the effort when that man with the bow could do it? Taking note of Toshiro's location, she sailed away for a moment, hoping to gain her personal servant's attention.

"...Hm?"

Not too far off, Kross noted the descending hawk in his peripheral vision. "Hey there, your highness," he greeted the bird casually as she perched on a nearby branch. The hunter himself was seated on a rock, fiddling with some arrows. "Lemme guess: you found some game?"

The hawk merely tilted her head, cocking it aside in the direction she'd come from. Kross only smiled as he got to his feet.

"All right, all right, I get it," he sighed playfully, picking up his gear. "Lead the way, then!"

She didn't need to be told twice. With a flap of her wings, the bird took to the skies again. Kross followed her from a safe distance for a bit. When he saw her begin to circle above, he turned his attention back to ground level. He was a good distance away, but just managed to make out the small canine figure wandering about.

Too small to be a wolf, Kross thought to himself as he peeked through the bushes. He stared for a moment longer. A wolf cub, maybe? No, it reminded him more of a cat... Wait. Is that... a fox? He squinted. He wasn't used to seeing black foxes around here, though he supposed they weren't out of the question... Still, Kross frowned. He'd feel bad about taking down a fox with such an uncommon coloration. He thought it seemed a bit on the small side, too... Maybe it was like his own comrade, Khion - a strange wolf with some magic to it.

As Kross assessed the fox, his hawk companion grew impatient. Anya had brought him to hunt, not observe! Her hunger had her growing more agitated by the minute, and at this point she couldn't take anymore. Readying her hooked talons, Anya angled her wings and sharply dove down at Toshiro with all intent to kill.

When he saw this, Kross suddenly sat up from the bushes, cursing to himself. Damnit, Anya!

[Yuki]

It had never occurred to Toshiro to ever worry about being haunted as a fox. So he was not on alert as he walked. He was focused on his goal of finding the hidden tower.. Now he wished he would have asked Esme more about it.. Or even asked her to take him there... But he was so tried and emotionally wrecked from yesterday's events he just wanted to sleep. As he sighed to himself his ears suddenly picked up the sounds of flapping wings. Toshiro blinked and looked up to see a hawk and it suddenly started to dive right for him. "HUH? Toshiro thought to himself as he then started to run. "Dammit! Leave me alone!" Toshiro barked at the hawk, as grass then suddenly shot up at the hawk as if trying to slow the bird down.

[Lepa]

"Anya!" Kross sharply barked as the hawk made its dive towards the fox. He wasn't set on killing the thing, but he'd already had an arrow nocked on his bow, the Windrune. With another swear under his breath, he did all he could do and fired his shot. The arrow then sailed through the air towards the two creatures, and Kross hoped it would be enough to deter the hawk.

Unfortunately, Kross couldn't have predicted what happened next. Blades of grass shot into the air, and the hawk's wings fluttered and sputtered about as she tried to readjust herself to the sudden obstacle. She let out a short but loud screech - almost like a death metal scream, iconic to her breed.

Damnit! Kross inwardly swore. Anya had been stopped, but the arrow hadn't and continued on its path towards the small fox.

[Yuki]

Everything was happening so fast that no one had time to really think. Toshiro had used what little magic he had to try and defend himself and was trying to run for cover to get away from the hungry hawk. On top of that it seemed someone else was there to and the sound of a arrow flying through the air was heard. Once again Toshiro found himself most likely at deaths door. When suddenly the sound of running hooves could be heard and then a cry of pain. Toshiro had stopped and closed his eyes tightly as he panicked and slowly opened them just to see a white unicorn standing next to him. " Huh... What..." Toshiro said breathlessly.

Atalanta stood there between the hunter and the half breed. The Arrow was in her front right leg and blood was running down it. The unicorn winced in pain as she then gave a stern look at Kross. " This is no game you hunt hunter! He is a kitsune, a fae. I will not let you harm him." She said in a stern tone that command authority.


Mean while in the pushes is where Nareen was hiding, she had screamed when Atalanta had been shot and dashed out. Doing her best to ignore the man that was near them she went to Atalanta's side. "L-Lani! No Lani!" she cried as she then sent a quick glare at Kross before looking back at Atalanta's wound. She was not sure how to pull it out without furthering harming Atalanta. "I.. I don't know how to pull it out.. I..." Nareen said in a panicked voice as color drained from her face and her body trembled.

[Lepa]

Kross couldn't believe his eyes. As if things couldn't get anymore unpredictable, a unicorn showed up?! A genuine, bonafide unicorn?! And then it - no, she - spoke to him?!

"He is a kitsune, a fae. I will not let you harm him."

He could barely process the fact that his hunch was right about the fox. All he could do was stare in disbelief - or perhaps awe. In all the time he'd spent living in the forest, he'd never seen this before. "Holy sh*t." Was all he could utter, still dazed at the sighting. It took the panicked voice of a young woman to snap him out of it.

"L-Lani! No Lani!"

Kross frowned when she shot him a glare, though his frown grew deeper once she started to panic over the arrow.

"I.. I don't know how to pull it out.. I..."

The man stayed put, but squinted his eyes in an attempt at getting a better look at the wound. He then let out a small, frustrated sigh. All he wanted to do was stop his hawk companion (if he could call her that right now) from preemptively attacking the dang kitsune, and now he was definitely in a pickle. Maybe not the mother of all pickles (as that title went to the incident with the Chimera), but this one was definitely up there. Kross didn't know what exactly a unicorn was capable of, and he wasn't too keen on finding out - even if it was wounded.

"...Don't touch it. It might make it worse," he frowned, eying the arrow. They had no reason to trust him, but the least he could do was try to instruct the woman. "If ya can apply pressure around the wound, all the better, but..." He tried to take a cautious step forward. "Until she stops bleeding, it's best to leave it in, if only 'cause the broadhead might make it easier for the blood to clot..."

[Yuki]

Toshiro stayed where he was as he collected his thoughts, he was just saved by a unicorn.. A UNICORN. However she had gotten hurt doing so.. The young half blood now felt really guilty. He then moved so he could see Atalanta's wound and winced when he saw it, it looked bad... "I... I'm sorry... This happened because of me.." Toshiro said with tears in his eyes. Though all Kross would hear was a fox barking.

Atalanta looked down at Toshiro giving a soft smile through the pain. " No little one you are Ahh.. N-not at fault here." she said trying to hide the pain in her voice.


When Kross started to give advice on how to deal with the arrow, Nareen gave him the side eye while still glaring at him. But she nodded and looked at the arrow, she then tried to follow what he had said but.. Her hands where shaking to much. "I... I can't.. My.. My hands are shaking..." Nareen said tearfully. Atalanta looked at Nareen and then back at Kross. "Nareen... Step back and let him try to help. He is not a bad man, I think we can trust him." Atalanta said in a soft voice.


Nareen stood there clinching her fists before backing away. "I...If.. Y...You hurt her.. I..I'll hurt you..." Nareen threatened but it was clear a small woman like her would not be able to hurt a large man like Kross.

[Lepa]

Kross let out a small sigh of relief once the unicorn gave her approval. As he relaxed a bit and approached her, he briefly nodded at the woman's likely empty threat before kneeling down to get a better look at the unicorn's leg. He grimaced (mostly out of guilt) as he examined the wound.

"...Sorry 'bout this," he apologized to her, though he also glanced Toshrio's way. He then rummaged around at one of the many pouches on his belt, eventually pulling out some binding to stabilize the wound. "I was tryin' to stop the bird," he offered his feeble explanation as he worked. "Thought I could scare her away with this thing, but, uh... shootin' an arrow at something ain't exactly the best way to protect it," he said sheepishly. "...I didn't have a lotta time to think."

After dressing the wound, the bleeding eventually stabilized, but the arrow remained embedded in her leg. "It should be good... for now, at least." Kross stood up, scratching at his head. "Not too keen on trying to pull it out just yet, but... if it's really bad, I think I know some other folks who could help ya out better than I can." He looked up. "If you're willin'." He glanced in the young woman's direction. "They specialize in nature magic... stuff. It's just a bit of ways from here, but..."

Kross trailed off as he looked back at the wound. It really wasn't too far, but with a wound like that, the walk would probably feel like forever. "...I could also just bring one of 'em here?" He offered.

[Yuki]

Atalanta winced in pain as Kross worked on the wound and gave explanation as to why he did what he did. Ahh.... So it was the bird then that was trying to harm the kitsune.. Atalanta nodded when Kross admitted that shooting a arrow may not have been the best of ideas to try and save the fox. But then again jumping right in front of a arrow was not the best of ideas ether.. But it was better her then a small kitsune that it could have killed. Atalanta then listened as he said it was best not to pull out the arrow and he knew of some people that could help that specialized in earth magic. " Ah... You speak of the Druids.. I know of them. Ok.. Lets go to them. However I don't think it wise to walk like this.. It could further damage my leg. You... You are going to have to carry me." Atalanta said as magic then started to swirl around Atalanta and when it faded away she had turned into her human form. She has long white hair, fair skin and big blue eyes. she was very slender and had a mark on her forehead where the horn would have been. She was also in a white long dress. Now however the arrow was in her arm.

Atalanta was in excruciating pain but she was doing all she could to remind calm, Nareen was already having a panic attack.. The poor Kitsune would feel worse then he already was and Kross was already feeling guilty. So Atalanta kept a poker face in her human form showing no sign of pain. How long she could keep that up however, was anyone's guess.

[Lepa]

"Ah... You speak of the Druids.. I know of them."

Do they already know each other...? Kross wondered to himself. He knew the Hollowed Oak was rather secretive towards outsiders like him, so he wouldn't be surprised if that was the case - they wouldn't want news of a unicorn getting out to a hunter like him for this exact reason! Oooh, waltzing into their grove with a wounded creature like her was not a good look... especially given his history where he once selfishly killed for glory.

"Ok.. Lets go to them. However I don't think it wise to walk like this.. It could further damage my leg. You... You are going to have to carry me."

"...Wait, what?" Kross stepped back, a bit startled by the proposal. "H-Hey, look, I am pretty strong, but I don't think..." He'd started to say, but cut himself off once her magic took hold. The hunter blinked in disbelief, his mouth agape for a few moments before he finally recollected himself. "...Right." He brought a clenched hand to his mouth and cleared his throat. "...Right! Okay! I can manage... that." He nodded, then approached the unicorn-turned-woman. "Okay, brace yourself," he warned, counted down and then lifted her up in his arms.

For Kross, the trek to the grove wasn't normally too bad, but today he had to tread carefully. Not only did he have to take care not to jostle his passenger, but... seeing his arrow wound on a woman made it that much worse for him. Once they'd gotten close to a particularly gnarled tree, the hunter steeled his expression.

"Farren!" He called out. "Or anyone else who can hear me! Get me Farren!"

A shimmering veil of illusionary magic seemed to pull apart the space in front of them, much like a curtain. A quick glance inside revealed it to be much more green and vivid, though two figures were stationed on each side of this entrance. Kross was normally met with disdain or disinterest with whoever was on guard, but when they saw Atalanta, even they seemed to understand. One shook their head at the sight of the arrow in her arm, quickly putting two and two together. Kross merely deepened his brow and repeated himself.

"Get me Farren. Now." He demanded. His tone was intimidating, but he had to be if he wanted their help. Thankfully, the woman's wound had already convinced them, and one scurried off to fetch this so-called Farren. It would only be a minute before they would return.

Trailing behind the guard was a young man in an elaborately dressed robe adorned with some furs and feathers. He looked serious if not stoic, though his expression lit up with surprise once he drew close enough. Seeing the arrow, he quickly stepped past the guards and motioned for them to close the veil.

"Leave us be," He commanded the pair and watched the veil go up once more. After a moment, the formality in his voice lessened a bit as he turned to face the hunter. "...Kross, what did you do?!" He scolded him, though it was as a friend rather than an authority figure. The larger man gave a weak smile.

"I'm an archer. I shoot arrows," Kross tried to lighten the mood, gently lowering the woman's feet to the ground. "...And I shot wrong."

"You sure did," Farren grimaced as he stared at the arrow. Kross sighed.

"The bleeding's stopped, but..."

"I understand," Farren nodded, a strange translucent magical orb already forming between his hands. He finally addressed Atalanta herself. "...I'm sorry. Please, just... give me a second," He tried to regain some semblance of formality in his tone, though things seemed to be hectic enough for him already.

The orb between his hands morphed into the shape of a lotus flower. Then, like a dandelion seed in the wind, it hovered towards the woman's arm, leaving a faint trail of magic in its wake. As it sunk gently into the wound, it released a soft warmth, mending the flesh. The arrow was eventually pushed out on its own, harmlessly falling to the ground. Kross let out a sigh of relief, while Farren let out one that sounded like he'd been holding his breath.

"...It should be completely healed now," Farren said, leaning over and picking up the arrow. With the urgency now gone, he only just noticed the other woman and a small fox accompanying Atalanta. He blinked, cleared his throat, and once more tried to return to formality. "...Apologies. Please forgive my insensitivity, but... might I ask who you all are?"

[Yuki]

"Okay, brace yourself,"

The hunter would say after Atalanta turned into a woman, she nodded as she braced herself and was now in the hunter arms. Atalanta bit her lip trying to stop herself from making any sound. She then would hide her face under her long hair as tears now started to form. Ooh this hurt.. It really hurt... But she could not cry.. That would just make everyone all the more anxious. She just needed to hold out till they got to the Druids.


Mean while even though he was free to go his own Toshiro was closely following behind. Lani may have said it was not his fault she had gotten shot but he still felt bad, and wanted to make sure she would be alight before leaving. Nareen mean while followed at a distance glaring daggers at Kross, she did not trust him at all... But she no choice but to trust Lani to him because she chose to trust him. She felt so helpless... Lani had done so much for her yet... When she needed help the most she was powerless to do anything.


When they came to the vail Kross started to shout for someone called Farren and soon enough the man appeared, Atalanta lifted her head to look at him tears had formed by this time and where running down her cheeks. After a brief exchange Kross set Atalanta down on her feet, again she bit her lip trying to keep herself from making any sound.

"...I'm sorry. Please, just... give me a second," the man called Farren as he started to preform a healing spell. Atalanta nodded and stayed as still as she could as Farren went to work to heal and remove the arrow. As soon as the spell touched her the pain started to fade away and soon the arrow fell out and the pain was gone. Atalanta gave a relieved smiled and wiped away her tears.

" Thank you." She said

"...Apologies. Please forgive my insensitivity, but... might I ask who you all are?"

Atalanta nodded, yes he had every right to ask that.. three strangers coming to his home looking for help.


She then stepped away from Kross and magic once again swirled around Atalanta and when it faded she back in her true form. " You may call me Lani, and the woman over there is my ward. Nareen." She said and then looked at Toshiro.

Toshiro tensed up a bit when it was his turn to introduce himself.. Not that he could directly speak to Farren.. So he would have to count on Lani to tell the man what he was saying.

" My name is Toshiro Reizo." He said, and Atalanta repeated that to Farren.

[Lepa]

Farren gawked at the unicorn that now stood before him, though he quickly tried to recompose himself. He couldn't help but glance aside at Kross, who only returned his gaze with a sheepish expression and a knowing shrug. He couldn't believe that his friend would purposefully fire an arrow at a unicorn, but... he supposed the story would have to wait until later.

"You may call me Lani, and the woman over there is my ward. Nareen."

Farren nodded in understanding, though his attention was mostly on Lani. A unicorn, in these forests? How long had she been around here...? He'd patrolled around the woods nearly every day, so how did he not know? Perhaps she was new around here...? Then again, he did mostly stick to the territory claimed by his clan, and Kross was quick to alert him to sightings of new animals or creatures in the area... There were still many questions unanswered, and until he learned more about Lani and her companions, Farren found himself reluctant to disclose any details beyond his name.

His train of thought stopped when Lani introduced the young kitsune.

"...Reizo..." Farren squinted in thought. The name sounded familiar... more so in relation to kitsunes. He made a small hum in thought before it hit him - the former mayor's wife. She'd been a frequent visitor to the forests, to the point where even his clan accepted her presence. Since she'd passed away however, then this kitsune must've been...

Farren stepped forward, raising his brows in concern.

"...Mayor?"

[Yuki]

Toshiro blinked a few times in shock when Farren asked if he was the mayor. How did he even guess that? Well... He was pretty sure the attack at the park was been everywhere on the news.. But this guy lived in the forest so unless he was just at the city recently.. No wait.... His Mother often came where without him.. She even told him about the Druids but advised him to never go into their territory without permission. But not to be scared if he ever met them, Toshiro then met Farren's gaze and nodded.


Atalanta now remined silent though looked back at Nareen who was standing back.
The poor girl wanted nothing more then to run up to Atalanta and hug her now that she had been healed.. But the two men... She just couldn't get to the nerve to come any closer.

[Lepa]

"I see..." So, Farren was right. It really was Aster City's mayor. He still wasn't sure about Lani and Nareen, but he figured he could at least trust Toshiro. It wouldn't hurt to have the ear of the mayor, after all - even if it was just for the moment.

"...My name is Farren Feine." He properly introduced himself. "I am the leader of the druids who call themselves the Hollowed Oak," He explained, glancing over his shoulder at the space where the magical veil was. "And as Archdruid, it is my responsibility to protect the traditions and secrecy of the grove. However..." He looked back at Toshiro. "I believe I can make some exceptions for other leaders. For the sake of strengthening alliances, that is."

While Farren spoke, Kross had turned aside. He'd closed his eyes and pressed a clenched fist to his mouth. He didn't visit the city if he didn't have to, but he'd learn bits and pieces of news from small talk with Farren, and it was from him that he'd heard the news of the original mayor passing. If this small fox really was that man's son, then... Kross would've made news himself if his arrow had struck true! He couldn't believe he almost killed the city's new mayor! Ooh, he knew something seemed different about the fox... He knew his gut was right. He'd have a stern talk with Anya later...

"...Sorry. I'm getting ahead of myself," Farren spoke without formality for a brief moment and looked aside awkwardly. He cleared his throat. "May I ask what brings you to the forest? ...In your current form?" He added, looking over Toshiro's small form once more. His eyes then moved upward to Lani. "And... you as well? Wound aside, of course." He clarified. "I prowl the forests daily, but I don't recall ever seeing you before..."

[Yuki]

Toshiro listened as Farren introduced himself, ah so he was the leader of the Druids. The young half blood nodded as he listened

"I believe I can make some exceptions for other leaders. For the sake of strengthening alliances, that is."

At the word "leaders" Toshiro flinched a little and looked away. Leader... That word was a heavy burden for the young half blood, he had no idea what he was doing and was very unsure of himself. And very worried about making huge mistakes that could be bad for the people of Aster..

But before he could answer Farren went on to ask what brought him here and why he was in his current form. Toshiro sighed though still did not look at Farren. "I was attacked twice yesterday Once by a street thug trying to harass a woman I was talking to.. I.. Umm.. Rather not talk about the second time.. But because of those two events I overexerted myself and I am now stuck like this.. I don't know how long it will last... As for why I am here.. Someone who helped me yesterday told me of a Elven sorceress that currently stays in the forest in a invisible magic tower. I.. I was hoping to find her and ask if she could help me learn more magic." Toshiro said slowly looking back at Farren.


Then it was Atalanta turn to be questioned, she first repeated what Toshiro had said then she started to answer Farren's question of her.

" I am only seen when I want to be, its a skill that has come very handy in when I first came to this world. I have been here for two years and have known Nareen for one year. I have been watching the going on in this forest and I have known about you and your people for some time. As well as you Hunter." Atalanta said and turned her head to look at Kross before looking back at Farren. " I have seen many more too... A young boy that often comes to the forest lake just to relax or to be alone to cry. Taylor is his name, he is friends with Fane who is ally of mine. She visits me whenever she can. And others I have met, Derek who is a half fairy, Lucy who is a half elf. And Mona and Krea who are human. And I have seen a little girl who likes to draw the wild life in the area. And a young white wolf pup that has been living here alone. Also there is a woman that now lives on the forest's edge, she has a wonderful singing voice and I like to listen to the stories she sings about. "


Toshiro perked up when she said Taylor's name. Was.. was it the Taylor he knew? " Does this Taylor have blond hair and blue eyes? Always wears a hoodie?" Toshiro could not help but ask. How he missed his friend.. Perhaps he could find him here at some point?


Atalanta looked at Toshiro and nodded, "Yes." she replied.


Toshiro smiled and waged his two tails. "It is him then.. I hope he is doing well.. I have not seen him since..." Toshiro fell silent not wanting to say ever since his parents died.