New York || Day 1

[imaginationswoes]

[Running is the current plan but it isn't going well. She's constantly getting lost and she's reminded again and again that she's never been out of her small town alone. She misses her family and her friends but more than that she is really missing a warm bed. Her feet continue forward, the tall buildings towering on either side of her. It's impressive, as far as cities go, but its to close together.

To much can go wrong.

She must of made a wrong turn because Airy finds herself walking along a very shady part of town. Winter is setting in but she thinks of warmth and she manages to keep herself heated. She has a backpack around her shoulders and it looks like she's wearing a uniform: white button down, green pleated skirt, black jacket and a matching tie. It's most definitely giving some of the people here the wrong idea.]

Shit.

[Airy whispers softly under her breath, a puff of white leaving her warm lips. When she spots two men pointing towards her she runs. Her feet fly across the street and she's about 75% sure they weren't following her. Mist descends on the area and Airy one again curses under her breath. She's only getting more lost at this rate and running around New York after midnight isn't on her to do list.]

Comments

[charitaslamia]

[He offers her a gentle nod of his head.] Yes. I didn't properly introduce myself. [And some manners die harder than others.]

[He inclines his head as he speaks.] It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Airy. [A very familiar sound catches his ear, though, and his concerned frown returns.] You're hungry.

[imaginationswoes]

Yeah, pleasures all mine... but you know people don't usually introduce themselves when they meet in a dark alley in the middle of the night. [Books have told her that those are usually creepy stuff or awkward staring. Now she's going to stare awkwardly.]

[The moment only lasts a second because his last comment makes Airy's bright green eyes widened.

How does he know that?

She doesn't remember her stomach grumbling or any other strange noises coming from her abdomen. Her palm lightly presses against her stomach and she cringed.]

It's that obvious?

[charitaslamia]

I chased off the muggers. Do you think I was only eliminating my competition?

[He smirks, just trying to breeze over his misstep.]

I know an all-night diner not far from here, though not a part of this neighborhood.

[imaginationswoes]

[Airy's mouth opens and then promptly closes it. He could have wanted to eliminate the competition that way but she has nothing of value on her and she's spent the last few minutes talking with him.

She lets out a slow breath noticeably relaxing at his offer.]

I really want to. [As if to confirm this her stomach rumbles.] I just... um.. can't be around people. I might hurt them or scare them.

Sorry... maybe if you can give me a map and circle the do not go here area's?

[charitaslamia]

[His frown of concern only deepens.]

Take-out, then. You need to eat, and I have nothing to fear from phantom panthers.

[imaginationswoes]

[Airy really wants to laugh at the phantom panthers bit but she figures that she might need to explain a little bit more since he's being nice and offering to feed her.]

That sounds like a good plan... if you pick it up and... well...

[She really needs to stop pausing between each word.]

It isn't just panthers. [Airy rises her hand up and as if by magic there is suddenly sparkling little pieces of light in her palm. She can't control it except for small things like this. The dim spots of light gather on her palm and then create a constellation of a butterfly which flutters towards Antonio before vanishing.

Before he can comment she holds up her hands.] Don't ask me how I do that cuz I don't know.

[charitaslamia]

[His dark eyes follow the constellation with keen interest before it disappears, and he smiles as he looks back to her.]

Magic, I would guess. A very rare gift, these days. Known truly to very few, even the gypsies.

[He shakes his head.] But I can tell you more once you've eaten. Come.

[He turns toward a different street. He has a ride, but not one he'd leave in this neighborhood. They had some walking to do.]

[imaginationswoes]

[For a half second Airy hesitated. Should she follow a complete stranger? Sure! Why not? It's not like anything worse could happen than what he prevented... right?

She follows behind trying to keep her mind from wandering. At one point they pass a painting on one of the building walls and Airy knows after seeing it that it was somehow her fault. It smells like fresh paint and it looks like a scene from a dream with winding stair cases and endless falls.]

Where? or how far are we going? [Because she's been walking all night.]

[charitaslamia]

[The scent of wet paint was sudden, and just as suddenly gone. This girl, Airy her name was, was truly a wonder.]

Not too far. Six blocks. No one parks their car in this neighborhood if they hope for it to stay whole.

[He decides, then, that a distraction from the walk may be in order.]

May I ask you a question?

[imaginationswoes]

[Airy's really doesn't know if she's up for that long of a walk but she doesn't see a way around that so... at least for now... she'll keep her complaints to herself. Her head falls forward and she goes back to trying to think of nothing, which, is really hard.]

Mmm? Yeah. What's up?

[She jogs a little to walk next to him instead of behind him. Her fingers are wrapped around the straps of her backpack. It helps her focus on keeping her backpack in place which manages to distract her for a measurable length of time.]

[charitaslamia]

[Antonio wasn't sure if the girl would be willing to share, but her abilities has piqued his interest beyond a deep concern for her comfort. Once he fixated on something, it was often difficult to divert his attention.]

Is this an ability you inherited, or a spontaneous manifestation?

[imaginationswoes]

[She doesn't really mind answering questions. She's always been open when it comes to things like that but when he finally asks his question she pauses. Airy has absolutely no idea what the answer to that question is.

She pauses and looks up at Antonio with a blank stare.]

I am not really sure. I thought it was spontaneous... not that it's happened to a lot of people but it has to a few in my town and... well... bad stuff happened to most of them. I was able to keep mine hidden for a while but since bad stuff was happening I left. [Hoping it'd protect her family and friends.]

It might be something about my town though or some great great great great relative. I haven't really thought about it.

[It's a little sad to dwell on and Airy isn't used to loss.]

[charitaslamia]

[Curiouser and curiouser. His steps slowed, though he didn't come to a stop.]

You say this power has been manifesting in others from your hometown? The same power?

[imaginationswoes]

[Airy shrugs.]

I don't know. Like I said... strange happenings and then people disappear... [The truth is most were killed but she really doesn't know that for sure. It's the rumors that were going around the town and a lot of people openly suggested to hunt those who were like Airy.]

I knew of 3 besides me and when you live in a town with like a thousand people in it... that's a lot.

[charitaslamia]

[He's had his experiences with small towns and the dangers they pose to people who are different.]

I understand. [There was a weight to his voice that suggested he understood even more than he was saying.]

And where are you from?

[imaginationswoes]

[There is no indication that she detects the depth to his understanding.]

Island Falls, Maine.

[It's a small town which most people don't know about. It's nice though and it had been Airy's home. She knows she can't go back their now and she has no plans too, least she get those she cares about hurt.]

Ever been up that way?

[charitaslamia]

[He gave a gentle shake of his head.] I don't travel often, unless under necessity. [Traveling far and avoiding the sun were difficult.]

Did you come all this way alone?

[imaginationswoes]

Yeah. It's a lot of walking.

[She doesn't really have a destination in mind. Right now she's just walking along the east coast and it's taken weeks to get this far.

She's tried to hold jobs but if her mind wanders... accidents happen. It's hard for Airy to be discrete.]

I've made it this far so I don't think I'm doing to bad.

[charitaslamia]

You've traveled all this way on foot? [His concern is back.] You must be exhausted.

[imaginationswoes]

Yeah. A bit.

[It's really not that big of a deal. The weird part is that it gets warmer as she walks south and then the bouts of cold that come with strange areas. She's already sold her jacket though.]

It's not all that bad.

[charitaslamia]

Don't underestimate the value of a place to call home. [There's a weight to his words, as though he knows very well that meaning.] New ones can be made.

[imaginationswoes]

[Airy suddenly feels a mixture of emotions: nervousness, hope, fear, worry, sadness.]

I can't... it isn't safe... For anyone.

[Her eyes find a spot on the ground to stare at and the grip on her backpack tightens.]

[charitaslamia]

Your panther brought no harm to me.

[He wondered if this belief was born more out of fear than anything.]

Have your creations ever hurt anyone?

[imaginationswoes]

[Airy is about to answer but as she steps down her foot slides away from her. Her torso falls forward and she has to catch herself on her palms before hitting the ground. Beneath them had turned into a thick layer of ice that circle them for about 3 yards.

With a grunt she brings herself to her knees trying not to fall on the slippery surface. In her annoyance she forgets to answer his question.]

Then there is finding people who can put up with this mess. [As determined as Airy is; she really hates the idea of living alone.]

[charitaslamia]

[The sudden loss of traction would have sent Antonio tumbling as well, if he were human. Instinct had him spread his feet in a wider stand and bend his knees to steady himself before that could happen, then he looked to her, frowning.]

This isn't so bad, really. You certainly don't lack for interest. Are you alright?