Astalder raced along the dusty roads that led into the Debon planes. He was running faster than he had ever ran before, due to his new knowledge of Haste. Dust clouds appeared behind his trail as he kicked up dirt and sand. The cool air blew in his face and his long golden hair whipped behind him. His wings were tucked on his back, but the white/blue feathers made flapping sounds as the wind past between them.

Astalder stopped abruptly and put his hands on his knees. His breaths were heavy and long. He stood up straight and put his hands behind his head. He breathed deeply and slowly, trying to calm his heartbeat and breathes. He smiled and spoke to himself.

"Ah, a new record. The Coast to the Debon Plains in less than 10 minutes. I believe that deserves a reward." Astalder walked over to a leafy tree on top of a small hill and reached up. He pulled down an apple and observed it. It was a mix of green and red and didn't show any signs of holes. He crunched into it, letting some juices escape down the cornors of his mouth. He sat down, his back against the tree's trunk. He spread out his wings, stretching them to their full span. Their was an itch right between his shoulder blade and left wing. He ignored knowing he would never be able to scratch. He couln't even get that spot before, even without the wings.

Astalder looked up from the apple, past the gryphon infested trees, along the lightly rolling hills, at the bright pink skies. The sun was beggining to set and it added a pink color to the cloud spotted sky. He smiled to himself as a feeling of complete safety came over him. He bit into his apple again and hlf closed his eyes.

It had been some time since Lilith had last been to the Debon Plains. She knew it was the only place in Imythess where a special herb grew. The herb she wanted was a remedy to most poisons. The temperature began to drop as the horizon turned a lazy pink. Lilith had been sweating for most of the day due to the high temperatures while the sun was high in the sky. But her body was now beginning to cool off and she was getting slightly lightheaded from the change. She decided to take a rest near a stream so she could fix herself some dinner.

The little faerie pulled out her trusty pot and some bread. The bread was beginning to stale but she was too hungry to care. She figured she would cook some herb soup since she was too tired to hunt for meat. She knew she needed protein but would have to settle for some nice herbal tea and soup. Getting up, she walked to the small stream and dipped her pot in it. When she had filled it nearly to the brim and walked back to her camp site, she dropped a variety of herbs into the pot. She had already placed a few twigs in the center of a circle of rocks. She picked up two rocks and began rubbing them together until they sparked and soon she had a nice little fire roaring.

After the soup was cooked and eaten, Lilith relaxed with a cup of hot tea. It soothed her body and her eyelids slowly drooped downwards. She leaned back against a tree and the last site she saw was a gorgeous array of colors painted across the sky.

Astalder stood up and looked up at the sky. The setting had not changed a bit. He smiled and spread out his wings. He took off into the sky flapping his wings every once in awhile, so he didn't fall down. The wind was against him as he flew where ever he pleased. He flipped and spun and maneuvered all sorts of ariel tricks with hearty chuckles. It felt good to finally fly. Then off in the distance he saw a stream of thick black smoke. Astalder dived down towards what caused the smoke and landed on his feet. He ran towards the smoke and noticed a fire raging along the yellowish grass. The fire circled him making it impossible to escape. The smoke got so think that if he tryed to fly up he would be instantly suffucated. He went into a coughing fit and squinted his eyes. On the other side of the ring of fire he saw someone sleeping as if their was no fire. He was afraid that they would would be burned to ashes if he didn't do something. He turned around to try and find an exit but a burning tree was falling towards him. Astalder let out a loud scream and it was over, he was...

Awake. Astalder awoke with a gasp and a cold sweat. He looked around to see that the sun was beggining to set. He had only been sleeping for about thirty minutes. He wiped his forehead and spoke it a lazy voice,

"That must have been a dream... I can't fly at all yet..." The first thing Astalder noticed when he stood up was the smell of smoke off in the distance. He squinted his eyes and saw a small bon-fire smoke elevating to the sky. Something didn't smell right though. It didn't smell like food was cooking, but something else. He ran over to where the smoke was coming from... odly like his dream.

When he got their he saw an old freind sleeping on an old tree. It was Lilith, but she was all healed and looked just as vibrant. Then he saw the bon-fire with a pot over it. A small blaze had let itself out and onto the grass. It could not harm anything yet, but if it got worse it could light this whole place on fire.

Astalder began running around the fire, making a fan effect. Soon enough the fire was out, including the one that was heating the pot. Astalder knelt down and took two stones and rubbed them until sparks spat onto the remaining twigs and they lit a small fire. He ran to a tree and picked some twigs off. He threw them in the fire and the fire grew. He put the pot back onto the fire and let it cook.

Astalder then looked back at Lilith to she if she was awake, she wasn't. He gave a small smile and walked over to her. He sat down beside her, not wanting to wake her up. He was still going to keep an eye on the fire, so it wouldn't ignite the ground again. He looked up at the sunsetting, then back down at Lilith and smiled. Even if she was sleeping and possibly didn't feel the way he did about her, he still found this very romantic. He looked back down at the fire, and made sure it stayed within its limits.

The aroma of smoke slowly woke Lilith up. Her eyelids fluttered open and she frantically tried to remember where she was. Once she remembered, she smiled and rolled over. A yelp escaped her lips as she saw a figure sitting next to her. When her eyes adjusted, she realized it was an old friend. "Astalder, is that you?" The corners of her mouth lifted into a smile. She sat up and placed her hand on top of his. “It has been a while since I saw you last. Ever since that night at the bar…” She didn’t want to remind him of how he had fled the scene just as everyone needed him the most. “Oh forgive me! I haven’t even asked if you’re hungry! You look starved! I can see your bones mister.”

She hid her face while she fidgeted with her bag looking for something to cook. “Well I hope you like herbal soup. It seems like I am short on cheese and bread.” She sprinkled herbs into the pot and whispered the words to create water. Once the water was boiling, she turned her eyes back to him. “What have you been doing with yourself? I am out here looking for a special herb. You know me and my little adventures.” It was then that she noticed his wings. *Strange, I haven’t seen those before. I wonder what has happened…* She was afraid of intruding on his privacy so she kept silent.

(OOC:I'm enjoying your long posts. When I get some inspiration, mine will be equally as long. :) )

((OOC: Tehe, my posts have definatly lengthened since your absence =P Your posts are fine))

Astalder's gaze was still on the fire as Lilith woke up from her slumber. He smiled down at her.

"Yes, yes, it is me. Nice to see you again Lilith," He said embracing his old freind. Then Astalder's smile was turned into a frown as she mentioned the bar. That day was not one of his best and he just wanted to forget it. He wondered if Kli was ok but he didn't want that subject to be engaged in conversation. He listened to her next question and smiled once again.

"Indeed, I'm very hungry." He laughed as Lilith made a joke about his slimness. "Too bad it's just soup. Perhaps if it were five course of roast duck, I would actually look like I was living, other than walking skin and bones." Astalder let out another chuckle. "Soup is just fine."

"Hmm, what have I been doing? Well lately," Astalder gestured to the line of ashes that led out of the circle of stones. ", I've been fighting some fires." He said with a little chuckle. "Other than that, I've met many new people and became a Storm Kindler. Special herb you say? As long as it isn't hidden amognst a vast feild of grass, I'm up for one of your adventures," Astalder said jokingly. He then heard a her voice but it seemed to echo itself. "Erm, you haven't seen what before? What happened?" Astalder turned around wondering if the scenery has changed. It hadn't so he turned back towards her with a very confused look on his face.

((OOC: I know Lilith didn't say that but Astalder is just discovering he has Telepathy ;) )

(OOC: Thank you for telling me!)

Lilith stared at him. *How did he just hear me? Did I say that out loud?* She was just as confused as him. She cleared her throat. “Uh nothing, I didn’t say anything.” She quickly turned back to her soup and realized she had almost over cooked it. She took it off and put it in front of him. “So you say you are a storm kindler? I have heard of those although I have not yet met one. But I guess I have now! Tell me, what special things can you do?” *He looks so beautiful tonight. Oh how I have missed him so. Perhaps one day, we shall spend the rest of our lives together…* She shook her head and forced a smile. “Also, I would love for you to come along and help find this herb.”

She pulled out a small, hard piece of bread and set it next to the pot. She dug back into her bag and produced a small, wooden cup. She whispered the words to create water and soon the cup was full of the cool liquid. She also set it down and stared off into the woods wondering how different things would be if she were to marry. It would cost her a life of adventure and travel. And yet it had been something she had yearned for her whole life. She secretly wanted to wake up every dawn to someone she loved. She tried to shake these thoughts out of her mind but the picture of Astalder beside her everything morning left her blushing.

((OOC: No problem! Heh heh.))

"I'm pretty sure you said it aloud, er I think. I must be hearing things, I'm sorry." Astalder said not quite sure what was going on. Had he just read some one's thoughts? No, must have just been his imagination playing tricks on him.

"What can a Storm Kindler do you say?" Astalder said about to answer her question. "Well don't let this frighten you but..." Astalder stood up and chanted some words. Soon enough their were great big, grey clouds covering the beautiful sunset. He thrust out his arms and great winds picked up, almost unroot one of the trees. He chanted some more words and a great storm andvanced towards them. "That's about it for now!" Astalder yelled over the winds. "I'm far from mastering it!" He then whispered a single word and before the storm could hit them, it was over and the sky could be seen again, not a drop of rain hit them.

Astalder's back was still turned when he heard that echoed voice, so he couldn't tell if Lilith had actually said something or not. Astalder didn't know why her voice sometimes seemed echoed but maybe it was just his ears. He only caught one part though. Astalder felt his cheecks get hot as he tried to reply.

"Well,uh, I haven't had anyone say that to me out loud before, heh. Thank you very much. You look..." Astalder choked nervously. He took a deep breathe and continued naturally ", you look like a Godess tonight, Lilith." He finally said with a smile turning back to her. It felt so good to get that off his chest and hopefully Lilith would get the idea that he was in love. He sat next to her and picked up the wooden cup. He dipped some bread into the soup and ate it.

"So tell me Lilith, how is your leg? And where were you? I have so much questions for you." He gulped down the rest of the soup and noticed he had made a huge mistake a bit too late. He could actually feel steam come out of his nose.

"Ooooaaah!" Astalder yelled covering his mouth with his hand and his eyes teared. The soup was still scorching hot. "Need...cold...water..." Astalder managed to muster. After this whole episode was done, Astalder would look back and laugh at it.

Lilith quickly grabbed the glass by Astalder and shoved it in his hands. She was still getting over the shock of the storm and the fact that he was some how hearing her thoughts. She had heard of telepathy before and was not aware that Astalder had it. She didn't think it was fair for someone to be able to read her most private thoughts. But at the moment she was busy trying to calm her nerves and help the careless man out. "There, just drink that down and you'll be okay. You should know better than to gulp hot soup! You always sip it." She shook her head. She couldn't hold the laughter in any longer. She burst out laughing and grabbed her stomach while rolling around. The look on Astalder's face was just too much. "I'm sorry, I can't help it!" She hoped she wasn't being too rude about the whole situation. She didn't want him to be angry with her. She finally was able to calm down and her cheeks turned a deep red.

Astalder took the glass and turned it completely upside down. The water ran straight of the cup and into his mouth. Some splashed and some dripped down the sides of his cheeks. For the majority of it though, it was drank. Astalder exhaled violently and his mouth was finally cooled down. He wiped the cornors of his eyes and looked down to see Lilith in an uncontrolable laughing fit. At first it started out as a little chuckle, but the continueos laughter of Lilith sent him sprawling on the round as well, clutching his stomach because of the burning sensation that resulted in it. He was not laughing so hard he could feel tears in his eyes. As soon as they were both calm he wiped them off and spoke:

"Oooh, wow. That was incredibly funny. It's fine, it's fine, that was my fault. You just make a wonderful herbal soup. I'll try to be more careful next time," he said with one last chuckle. He looked at Lilith's rosey cheeks. Out of instict, Astalder felt his cheeks heat up as well. He stared deep into Lilith's eyes and wondered. Wow, I can't believe it's her. I can't believe how much she hasn't changed, how her beauty is still beyond any other's I've seen. She is just so perfect... Astalder smiled dreamily, but soon it vanished as he realized he was looking right at her. He shook his head and looked back at the sunset.

"Wow, that's a beautiful sunset." Astalder sighed happily. "I'm glad I'm sharing it with you." He looked down at his feet as though he was a little embarassed to say this. As he spoke his voice was soft and musical. "You know, this may sound stupid but sunsets have always represented something to me. They've always represented peace before darkness. Like, before you fall asleep, you feel relaxed and peaceful. Just like a sunset. Right before the darkness, a sign of peacefulness. That sign is the sunset, the most beautiful part of day." Astalder stopped and shook his. "I know that sounds really dumb." Astalder looked at Lilith hoping she understood what he was saying.

Lilith wondered what Astalder was thinking as he stared at her. He turned a deep red and it made her believe it was something concerning how he felt about her. From the look in his eyes, he seemed to really like her. She also looked away from him as she tried to sort out her own feelings towards him. Her eyes drifted to the sunset as Astalder spoke so fondly of it. She thought his words were beautiful and without realizing it, she had slowly moved her hand on top of his. Her eyes turned to their hands but she didn't remove hers. "The reflection of the sunset in your eyes is hard to turn away from. I would not be happy with anyone else at this moment. A moment of perfection." She tilted his head towards her with the hand that wasn't on his, and looked deeply into his eyes. She never took her eyes off of him as she leaned in for a sweet kiss upon his lips.

Astalder felt Lilith's small hand on his. He looked from their hands together to Lilith's eyes. Their seemed to be something magnetic between them that forbade him from looking away. He felt her other hand on his face and he recited what she had said to him just moments ago.

"A moment of perfection..." He barely whispered, and their lips met each other. He picked up his free hand and slowly ran it through her hair. It was just as soft as her lips, her voice, and her kiss. The moment seemed to stretch out forever. What was only about a minute, semmed to be an eternity.

Astalder finally pulled away and gave Lilith a warm smile.

"I love you, Lilith," He said just barely over a whisper. He put the hand that hand passed through her hair around her left arm and pulled her close to him. His right hand was still laced with her hand though. He looked off into the horizon as the orange sphere dipped under the rolling hills. That was surely a kiss to remember.

Three simple words had alighted Lilith’s heart. The kiss was beyond incredible, unlike anything she had felt before. She sat there, without responding for some time. Her hand never left his, and her eyes never broke free of the array of colors in the sky. Finally, she mustered up the courage to respond. “My heart beats a little faster whenever you are near. My body shivers whenever you brush by me. And I grow sad whenever you leave me. Surely this is love. I can return your feelings Astalder, in hopes that it will take us to new levels.” Her little fairy wings were fluttering behind her nervously. Will this mean the end of my adventures? She turned to look at him and wondered what was going through his mind.

Astalder's heart seemed to skip several beats as he heard Lilith's words. She felt the same way. A feeling of overwhelming joy came over. As she spoke Astalder watched her look at the sunset. When she was done he heard the same echoed voice only cleary this time.

Will this mean the end of my adventures? it said. But something was different. Lilith's mouth never moved when she said this. It was then that he realized that he had read her mind... He was a mind reader... This came to such a shock to him that he was left speechless. He couldn't shake the feeling, though, that if he had never read her mind before, that things would have turned out different. Astalder rubbed Lilith's arm and spoke.

"Your adventures will continue as they always had Lilith. I wouldn't want to stop you from something you loved. This shouldn't stop you from doing what you want. But I suppose we will be seeing each other more often and I'll be extremely jealous of any guy you meet," he said humorously with a smile on his face. "But you can do what ever you want. You can risk your for some one else. That's one of the reasons I'm in love with you Lilith. You seem to put other peoples problems in front of yours. Your life shouldn't change because of me." Astalder smiled down at her and spread a wing across her back. "Speaking of adventure, what do you say we go find that herb of yours?"

Lilith didn't find it amusing that Astalder was reading her thoughts. She believed highly in privacy. The only thing from keeping her from slapping him, was the thought that he may not actually know he was doing it. "I wish you wouldn't invade my privacy so. You've got to learn to control it." She was turning red because she realized he had been reading her the whole time. "As for the herb, I am very ready to go out and find it. But it is getting dark and we shall wait till morn'. I expect you will sleep on your side and I shall sleep on mine." She didn't want to admit it but she felt flustered that everything was happening so fast. She wasn't use to the type of attention she was getting at that moment. And she still didn't know how to handle her feelings. In all 121 years she had lived, she'd never explored her feelings of love. She had once been in love with the fire God, Bahamut, but he had turned evil and she could no longer feel the same for him. She missed him dearly but she had forced herself to move on. "Well I'm going to go to sleep. Do what you wish." She put out the fire, packed the things in her bag, and found a comfortable place to sleep.

The ends of Astalder's eyebrows lowered as he heard Lilith's words. But she was right, even though she had been the first person he had ever read thoughts. Astalder needed to find away to control this.

"I'm sorry, Lilith. I had never realized I was psycic. I didn't mean to invade or intrude, but I suppose it is too late for that. Have a nice rest." He finished and helped her pack her pots and pans. He never thought that emotions go change so quickly. At first they were have a freindly conversation, then they were both rolling on the floor laughing, then they were admitting their love, and now they seemed to be very far apart from each other. Astalder sighed and moved in her opposite direction, but not too far.

Astalder found a nice tree trunk and laid his back on it. Just then he saw a dog passing by, not to far from him. He turned around to see Lilith was already sprawled on the ground sleeping. Astalder whistled a few times and gestured for the dog to come over to him. The dog's head popped up and his ears pointed upwards. He snarled a bit at Astalder but found that he meant no harm. He trotted playfully over. He lapped at his face and Astalder chuckled.

"Ok, ok," He said in a hushed voice, ",listen up boy, I'm gonna need your help. You see that woman over yonder." Astalder pointed to the sleeping figure, not to far in the distance. "I love her very much, but I did something that upset her. I accidentally invaded her privacy and now I'm going to try and make up to her. Will you help me out?" Astalder asked the dog. He was rewarded with a series of licks. "Ha ha, ok ok boy. Let's get started."

Astalder held the dog by its neck and looked straight into his eyes.

Hi, hiya! Hi mister, what are you doing out here in the Canine Canyons? Huh huh?! Hey hey! Wanna play throw the stick?! It's easy, you have to find a stick, and you throw it. Then I go after it and we do it all over again. It's fun fun fun!!...

Astalder shook his head. He had enough of that. This dog seemed to be much to enthusiastic.

"This will be harder than I thought..." Astalder said and continued his training.

Lilith laid there for awhile not moving. She supposed she appeared to be asleep but she was actually deep in thought. Love was a powerful thing and if it wasn’t dealt with properly, it could turn into disaster. Eventually she did drift off.

There was fire as far as the eye could see. Lilith was screaming, pleading for help but her voice wouldn’t work. Through the fire she saw a figure. It began to drift closer then it was suddenly right in front of her but somehow out of reach. Astalder lingered there trying to tell her something. There was something she needed to know. He was failing his arms around, pointing at something. Lilith looked down at herself to where he was pointing and saw that she was on fire. Searing pain left Lilith shrieking although her voice could not be heard. Tears streamed down her face as she took one last look at Astalder…

Lilith awoke inhaling deeply. She looked down at herself and realized it had just been a dream. The ghost pain lingered and it left Lilith with a familiar feeling. She couldn’t quite grasp what was happening to herself, but she knew she was sweating heavily. It was then that she noticed Astalder chatting with an animal. On a closer inspection, she saw it was a dog. Furrowing her brow, she slowly pushed herself up and began to walk soundlessly over to a small stream nearby.

Once she arrived at her destination, she knelt by the water and splashed the cool liquid on her hot face. She shivered all over as if she had a sunburn. Trying to shake the feeling, she curled herself into a ball and stared off into the darkened woods.

Astalder stared straight into the dogs eyes. He heard such a small voice, it wasn't even audiable. It was the familiar voice of the ever hyper dog. The only difference was it seemed one million miles away. Astalder gave a weary and lazy smile down at the dog who had seemed to call himself Mirthe. He ruffled the dogs mane and went over to a tree. He tore off a small branch that seemed to suit this game the dog had made up many many hours ago. Astalder pulled back and flung the stick as far as he could. The stick spun and spiraled, but Mirthe was hot on its trail. He jumped up and caught the stick in his mouth. He trotted over happily and dropped the stick in front of Astalder.

He repeated this process until his arm tingled like sand was being poured onto it.

"I'm sorry Mirthe but I can no longer play this game. My hand is tired and so is my mind. Thank you for your... help I suppose. You must be off now though. I've held you captive for too long. Go on now." Mirthe gave him a few more licks and ran off into the ominous woods.

Astalder stood up with half drooping eyes. It was approaching dawn but still very dark outside. He rubbed his temples thoroughly. He had a terrible migrane headache. All the mind reading was enough to make him vomit. He needed some rest. He turned around to see if Lilith was ok but nticed she wasn't wear she was before. Panic raced through Astalder as he frantically searched with his eyes where she could be. He ran up to the place where he swore Lilith was sleeping and looked around. Off in the distance was a stream of water and a lump on the ground. He thought if he could stand on that rock, he might be able to have a better few.

He disappeared and reappeared next to what he thought was a rock. He noticed it was Lilith staring out into the dark cluster of trees. He smiled wearily and sat with a thump and wrapped his arms round his legs.

He spoke with a tired, yet soft voice. "Hey, what are you doing up?" he said. His gave of a twinkle, despite the intense dark.

Lilith turned at the sound of Astalder’s sensual voice. She glanced into his eyes for split second, and then turned her eyes back to the darkness. “I needed some fresh air. I was getting hot out here and thought it would be nice to splash in some water. Besides, I had a bad dream.”

She wanted to ask him why he was speaking with a dog, but she believed she already knew. She’d never personally had any experience with telepathy, but if she did just suddenly had it, she’d be talking to things not normally spoken with.

Her thoughts lingered on the nightmare she’d experienced. She didn’t know what it was supposed to mean, but it felt familiar. She shrugged it off as a past life and decided to find out what it was like to have telepathy.

“So did you enjoy your little chat with the puppy? I must admit, I have wondered what it would be like to hear what others were thinking. But it does have a dark side. Some things are not meant to be known by any other person besides themselves. If you always know what another person thinks of you, you won’t try to change that opinion in a good or bad way. Also, you will hear secrets you will wish you had not heard. I ask of you, be careful with this precious gift.”

She wasn’t going to directly say it, but she just didn’t want him to know of her past. What if she happened to be thinking of the horrible things she had done, and he caught wind of it? She wanted her secrets to die with her.

Astalder smiled tenderly at her.

"Well, their's nothing to worry about. Dreams aren't real." Astalder's smile vanished when he remembered that he had a dream their was a fire here in the Debon Plains the morning before. Indeed when he awoke, a small blaze had escaped Lilith's bonfire.

"Oh, no. The talk with the dog was anything but enjoyable. He just kept going on... and on... and on..." Astalder shut his eyes tightly as the horrid pain of the migrane passed through one temple and out his other. He shook his head slightly and looked back up. "And I wasn't really chatting. I felt guilty for intruding on your privacy. So I stayed up most of the night trying to control how I read thoughts. It was only a few seconds ago that I finally mastered it. You can think freely and not have to worry about me sticking my nose in it... Then again all you have is my word for it. But if you want to test it go ahead and think of any word or anything."

Astalder smiled down at her to prove that he was telling the truth. He focused on all the training he and Mirthe went through. Without knowing it, everytime Astalder tried to ignore someone's mind, his eyes turned a light gray color.

(um, Lilith told me to post here, so here i go)

Bahamut was wandering the Debon Plains, clawed feet leaving tracks in the soft ground. His saw-toothed glaive was on his back, two air swords belted at his waist. The red gem around his neck was under his shirt, as was the crystal. He was extremely bored, as he had seen no signs of wildlife.

He continues to walk, until he sees two figures in the distance. He smiles slightly, then walks towards them, until he can see them, from about twenty yards away. It was Lilith and someone else. He was interested. He didn't know exactly what his feelings for Lilith were, but he figured she liked this guy. He looked like an elf, or something of the kind.

He smiles wickedly, then turns into a ten footsnake, and slithers towards them, slowly, but surely. He wanted to scare the both of them, as he liked to scare people. Once he reaches them, he hisses, baring his fangs.

Astalder's concetration was broken when something brushed agaisnt his hand. At first he thought it was Mirthe, but the, he didn't hear the panting of his breathe and it didn't feel fury. It felt more like...

... A snake. A snake was staring right into Astalder's eyes, hissing and baring venomous fangs. He was about ten feet in length and didn't look too happy. Normally people would run in fear of such a large snake but Astalder didn't something different. He smiled. It was more of a smirk, mixed with a smile, but the point was he didn't go running for his life. Astalder NEVER saw snakes around the Plains, especially anaconda's. He figured this must be a shapeshifter or some one of the reptile race. Plus, he know he could be quicker than any snake he met. He's done it before, anyway.

He stood up and put the tip of his lightning bolt shaped blade into the ground and rested his hands on it. He thought he'd play along with the snake, but in a different way of his.

"Well hello their big guy. I don't remember seeing snakes around these parts, though I could be wrong. Have you travelled all the way from the Istan Desert to greet me?" He jokingly said, with a smile.

Bahamut curses to himself, remembering now that snakes don't live around the Debon Plains. He uses Telepathy to speak with the strange person. No, you fool. I came here because I saw you and Lilith together, and I was very curious. But, as the old saying goes, curiousity killed the cat.

He turns back to his normal form now, green scaled, with different colored eyes, and clawed hands and feet."So then, you're an intelligent little elf, aren't you, boy....."He smiles slightly, wickedly, then looks at Lilith."Hello."

(jeez, I usually suck at posting.......)

((OOC: Lol, I'm just THAT inspirational.))

Astalder found someone in his voice speaking to him. He smiled as he heard the words. He then looked the snake in the eyes and used his Telepathy.

Well their are no cats here, nor will their be any deaths. I hope we have that clear.

Now, Astalder found himself staring at a large, green scaled creature. He could only guess that this was the snake's true form. The only thing that stopped him from looking like a bigger snake, was the clawed hands and menacing clawed feet. His eyes made him very noticable in the dark night air, but dawn was being to creep upon them. Astalder twisted his face in anguish for a few seconds as another shot of pain jolted in and out of his head.

I need some rest... He thought to himself.

"I suppose you could say I was a little intelligent, but wise was a bit more what I had in mind." Considering his age far surpassed that of a humans. Then Astalder quirked an eyebrow as the man spoke to Lilith so casually.

"I take it you two know each other perhaps?" And he let out a small chuckle inspite of himself as he remembered what he had said to Lilith earlier.

"...and I'll be extremely jealous of any guy you meet," he thought to himself with an inner laugh.

He smirks, listening to the elf."You become wise with experience, and age. And, why would you be jealous? There's no stopping her from meeting new people. Anyways, you both are young, to me. Of course, that's because I'm almost eight-hundred and two years old. And I wasn't always like this, either.....Anyways, how do you two know each other?"

(sorry for short post, I havent been feeling good past few days)

(Jesus! Let me post please! <_< )

Lilith stared speachless at Bahamut. She had been frightened of the snake at first until Astalder began talking to it calmly. She trusted his judgement and didn't move. When he shifted to his normal appearance, Lilith just couldn't help but stare. How did he get here? Why is he here? Thoughts poured through her mind and she began to sweat. "Well, Bahamut, I uh, it's uh, nice to uh...so why are you here?" She couldn't help but stutter. Now that her past love and her new love were in the same place, at the same time, she had no words to speak. Never in her wildest imagination did she believe this moment would ever happen. What would she tell Astalder? What would Bahamut do when he found out the news? She tried to force a smile and found it to be impossible. So she continued to stare blankly, back and forth, to each man.

Bahamut looks at her, smirking yet again."I would think you wouldn't be at all happy to see me, after our last meeting."He remembered that, it had not been at all great. He carefully, yet skillfully, kept his mind blank of all thoughts, a skill he had developed a few hundred years ago.

"So then, elf, I am Bahamut. Former eidolon, God of Fire, Lord of the Demons of the Abyss. Whom might you be?"He was curious about this elf, wondering how and why he knew Lilith, and was here with her.

Astalder quirked a brow. Why would the man tell them his age. Astalder found that that could be dangerous in most cases. He supposed that the man was a lot more open about things than meets the eye.

"That was just a joke I had added in a conversation with Lilith. Just something I found funny inspite of myself." He looked over to Lilith when she started speaking. She looked so nervous around who she was calling Bahamut, yet Astalder couldn't find why. Bahamut didn't seem to mean any harm.

Then Astalder felt the pain in his head once again. He had to squint is eyes when he spoke to Bahamut.

"We met on... We had met on the Coast which was my first time here in Imy-" Astalder coudln't go on anymore. His headache was so bad he couldn't even see right. He falt tiny beads of sweat on his forehead and brows. He dug his fingers into his skull to try and stop the pain but it was working.

"I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well. I have a terrible headache that just won't stop haunting me. Perhaps Lilith will tell you who I am. I need rest. If you need me just wake me, I apologize for the abrupt absence... Besides, it looks like you two need to catch up on things?" And with that Astalder headed off for the nearest tree. His vision was blurred and he seemed to stumble as he walked. He needed to get control of this Telepthy thing...

He rested his back on the nearest tree he could find and rubbed his eyes and pressed on his temples. He layed his head back on the tree and shut his. He doubted he would even get any rest what so ever... and preobably just over hear everything that Bahamut and Lilith were talking about... But he was out in a matter of seconds, his arms laying loosely at his sides.

Lilith wanted to beg Astalder not to go. But she didn't say a word. Her eyes turned to Bahamut. "It has been a long time." She had gotten control of her emotions which allowed her to talk. "I met Astalder on the Coast as he said." She glanced at him and noticed he was fast asleep. He really shouldn't have stayed up all night just so he could control his telepathy. I hope he didn't do that because of me. She concentrated back on Bahamut. "He had just come to Imy, in fact I was the first person he met." She gave a little chuckle remembering how the met through music. "He helped me when I was helpless. But enough of that talk, how are you doing? Have you murdered any innocents lately?" Her breath caught in her throat as she realized she had just spoken the last sentence out loud. She had meant to think it. She turned crimson. "That was rude of me. I apologize to a degree."

(ok, i think we should have posting order:Astalder, Lilith, Bahamut)

Bahamut watches Astalder go over to the tree. He wondered why the elf had a headache, but decided not to bug him."Yes, it has been a while. And no, the city guard always manages to catch me before I can kill the civilian. Anyways, it's okay. I don't mind people talking to me rudely. I kind of prefer it, actually."

"Anyways, what's with you two? You act very strange around each other. It's almost like you two are embarassed with each other."

"Now that's not really any of your buisness anymore now is it?"

She was beginning to turn crimson because Bahamut was making her angry. He shouldn't have shown up out of nowhere just to cause her problems.

"What do you want Bahamut? You knew this wasn't going to be like old times. I'm not going to just open my arms and welcome you. Once you recongized me, you should have just looked the other way and kept going. There's nothing between us anymore and that's not my fault. You turned into the evil being you are now. I've found a kind, handsome, and good man. Something you can never be again."

She abruptly turned and walked back to the campsite. She was tired of looking at Bahamut's hideous face.

(Astalder will join us in 4-5 posts)

He frowns, watching the tiny fairy go back to the campsite, wondering what was with her. But then again, not all people were like him. Come to think of it, no one was like him. He follows her for a while, then sits down about 10 yards from their campsite, and makes his own. He made sure his fire wouldn't start a field fire, as he knew much about fire, then sits down, staring at it, thinking.

((OOC: Seems like a good time to wake up. Plus it was four posts since Astalder fell asleep.))

Astalder was walking in a black and white, spiraling void. Meera floated by him randomly and Mith(falcotank, not the dog) had grown horns and was casting 'Power Word Die' on angelic beings. Everything was so twisted and mixed up. It made no sense. Ciara was destroying Air Elementals with odd powers no one has ever seen.

Astalder had no wings and his hair was short and black. His ears were almost two feet long and his tunic was a blend of colors. He walked past all the people and their in the distance was... well some one who resembled Lilith, just deformed and their was Bahamut, with and enormously large head and a tiny body. The dream was so crazy and mixed up that Astalder couldn't help but laugh, until...

... Lilith moved closer to Bahamut and he did the same and they started kissing. Astalder shook his head and took backwards steps, feeling for a wall, hoping he could could slide down it and sit down. Suddenly, Astalder was on fire, his entire body had combusted, but the flames didn't hurt him.

He fell to his knees and screamed into the air, what would be 'No' but his voice wasn't audiable. What was his dream telling him? Why was he having it? What did ALL of his dreams mean??

And Astalder woke up to the sun in his eyes. The sun and broke, just over the horizon and was burning right in front of him. Astalder sheilded his eyes and stood up. His head wasn't throbbing anymore and he could see perfectly again. He looked at where Lilith and Bahamut were last, but they weren't there anymore. Astalder turned around to see where they could be and saw Lilith at her campsite, and Bahamut at a new campsite, obviously one he had made.

Astalder had only been asleep for about an hour and a half. He wondered what had gone on between those two, and if the same thing in his dream had come true in reality. He figured he should find out about Bahamut. He started of towards Lilith to try and make sense of what was going on between the two of them.

"Hey... I'd just like to know what I missed during my sleep. Is everything ok? You allright?" He said looking at Bahamut with a confused look on his face. He seemed very mysterious.

Lilith turned at the sound of Astalder's sweet and caring voice. He seemed a lot better and refreshed. "Everything's fine. It's just..." Lilith wasn't sure if she should tell him about her and Bahamut. But she knew it would eventually come out.

"I used to be in love with that hideous creature over there. Back then, he was an honorable man, a God. He was literally the God of Fire. He was well respected by all of his followers and his eyes fell upon one woman, whom he loved. That woman was me. We didn't get to spend much time together, what with his pressing matters of being a God and my adventures. But he would somehow always show up when I needed someone the most."

Shadows passed over Lilith's eyes as clouds covered the sun. "But something happened to him. Something horrible. He went to the dark side...and never came back." A tear rolled down her cheek. She felt stupid about feeling the way she did. She knew that deep down she was still in love with Bahamut. But the man she once loved, no longer existed in his body. He was gone forever...her first true love...

Astalder's eyes widened every word Lilith spoke. Even though her words seemed so unreal, they made a lot of sense. That explains why she was so nervous around Bahamut and why she seemed so defensive about her past thoughts. Astalder smiled an understanding smile and wiped the tear that was falling down Lilith's cheek with his thumb.

"Well that was certainly a wake up call. But he's not a hideous creature. And if his heart was once good, that doesn't mean it is completely black now..." Astalder couldn't believe what he was about to say. It was as if he was tearing his heart into pieces as small as dust, but he said it with a calm collected voice. "... You should think, that if he does still have some good in his heart, he might still care about you... And if you feel the same, go to him. Don't let some one like me hold you back to some one who you had loved before me." He put his hand behind his back, hidden from sight, because he could feel it shaking a little. He looked from Bahamut to Lilith, wondering what her response would be, but locking his Telepathy so that he didn't hear anything he didn't want to.

Lilith looked deeply into Astalder's eyes. She knew it was hurting him so to say these words. She pushed into his mind with her voice and hoped it worked. "You are the only one I want. I can not love that...thing ever again. You are what I want." She put her hand on his soft cheek and leaned up. She kissed him lightly on the lips and smiled. "Now, what should we do about breakfast?" She turned, looked at Bahamut, and yelled, "You hungry?" She jumped to her feet and looked around for her bag. After retrieving it, she pulled out some bread and her favorite pot. Glancing at Astalder she said, "I don't think we'll be having herb soup again..."

As Lilith kissed him on the lips he wasn't quite sure what had happened. He didn't know if it was a kiss good-bye or a kiss that she still loved him. He had blocked all thoughts from other people. It possible that she could have tried to tell him something telepathically. He had a confused look on his face and needed to know what the answer was.

"He spoke in a hushed voice. I'm afraid I didn't catch your answer. I blocked all thoughts anyone could be thinking..." His hand began to shake a little more and he had to scratch the grass to keep it calm.

Bahamut looked up as he hears Lilith yell to him, then got up and walked over to the two of them, mind blank,eyes dull. He had decided finally he wasn't going to bother with Lilith, if she didn't love him. And why should she? He had turned into a demon. He didn't mind it though.

He sits down across from them, silent, not wanting to bug them.

(sorry for short post, i just woke up,, am a little woozy headed)

Astalder cursed himself for his stubborness and the irony he had just faced. He would just have to find out what the answer later. The time for that was lost and it was his fault. Now it was breakfast time, and Bahamut had come over to join him. Oddly enough he hadn't said a word during his trip to their campsite, which made Astalder think.

Off in the distance he saw a large peach tree. The peaches seemed to be ripe and next to that tree was a maple tree. Astalder smiled and licked his lips. His favorite food to eat was peaches and syrup. It might sound odd to some but the taste was incredible.

"I'll be right back, I've found some food that looks fitting," he said in a bit of a hungry tone. He disappeared, and reappeared next to the peach tree and a swift flash of white light appeared in front of him. A branch from the tree fell, and he caught it in his hand. He picked six peaches from the branch that looked ripe and stared at them as a whole.

He didn't pick up any voices from the peaches, so he supposed their were no worms or any kind of insects inside the peaches. He then cut off another branch and widdled around with it. He then cast a weak version of Summon Lightning, and a thin blue bolt of lightning hit the carved piece of wood and put a deep hole in it. It didn't go through the wood completely. He blew some ashes out of the wood, and their it was, a homemade cup. Astalder chuckled at his craftsmanship and walked over to the maple tree.

He shoved his sword deep into the maple tree and retrieved his sword. Half of his sword was covered in a thick, golden brown substance. He wiped of the syrup from his blade ad held his wooden cup under the hole in the trunk. Slowly but surely, the sappy substance drained itself from the tree and into the cup. When the syrup reached a suitable amount in the cup, he took it away and walked back over to Bahamut nad Lilith.

"Hope you guys like peaches and syrup," Astalder said with a smile. "And if not, I hope you like peaches... or syrup." He took out his harp and cut off one of it's think metalic strings. It made a strange twange sound andcurled up. Astalder wasn't worried about cutting off a string from his own harp, for he had a spare or each note.

He began slicing crescent shaped pieces off the peaches with the string. When he was down with all his peaches he gathered them up and asked Lilith:

"May I borrow a pot?" he said kindly.

"That's a wonderful idea!" Lilith scrambled around to get her bag and pulled out the pot. "Here you are. I love peaches." She handed him the pot with a hungry look in her eyes. She once again tried to reach into his thoughts. She didn't want to say something that could stir the demon up inside Bahamut. Staring into Astalder's eyes, she whispered into his mind, "Stay with me..forever. I love you, Astalder." Tears welled up in her eyes so she looked away quickly. She hoped Bahamut wouldn't catch on.

(Sorry it took me awhile and it's so short. Having real life boy trouble.)

((OOC: Well... Bahamut hasn't been on for awhile now soooo... so much for the order thing heh))

Astalder grinned, finally some one who actually shared the same enjoyment of food as he. Lilith was very unique and had much in common with him than he thought. He supposed this was another reason he had falen for her. He felt her soft eyes meet his heard the tiniest whisper, smaller than a mouse's scurry aross a wooden floor. I love you, Astalder... it said to him. He saw water well up in Lilith's eyes right before she turned away. Astalder's face never lost the same grin he had on from the beggining. His expression never changed, but his emotions had. He had heard her.

Astalder dumped some of the peaches into the pot, but notall of them, in case Bahamut didn't like them like that. He poured some of the syrup into the pot but not all of it, in case Bahamut just liked syrup alone. He put the pot over the burning fire and awaited until the sticky substance on the peaches to begin bubbling.

Astalder sat their with blank thoughts. He could tell Bahamut was much stronger than him, and could easily kill him, so he decided it was best to keep his thoughts dormant and undetected, he figured out long ago that Bahamut was Telepathic.

The sound of bubbling syrup broke Astalder's concentration on... not concentrating? He poured out the peaches into two bowls for him and Lilith and set the dry peaches and rest of the syrup by Bahamut. In case he wanted the same thing they were having, he made sure their was some left over.