Once upon a time (OPEN)

[Deleted]

Aiko's expression was full of grief today. It has been that way since she had left school. She hadn't lost anyone who was close to her or even a teacher. She just came here to grieve over herself. Yes this may sound selfish, but she wasn't only grieving she was also praying. Praying to whoever was willing to lend her an ear. Her head she walked through the grave yard her hands connected together in the front of her so she couldn't be grabbed freely like she had been in the past. The trees themselves looked as if they were shivering from the mood which had already been set, they moved with the wind which seemed to be whispering her name. In the past she had had a similar situation like this happen to her, but she wasn't there for herself at the time, it had been for her dad. Since he was never around to listen, or even care for her she had made many prays that he would come back and notice, if possible acknowledge her physical existence. Alast nothing had happened in the end.

Today was rare, there was a summer cold front which had moved in, bringing dark clouds along with it. The clouds fit right in with the graveyard. Aiko never did like to put sympathy upon herself, but it never hurt anyone to think of all the bad in the world since that made up her life right? Reaching a white-ish gray-ish stone bench she carefully sat down on it, feeling the cold stone against her. A shiver came up her spine causing her to show a hint of a chill before she crossed her arms, showing no mercy to the cold. Once again she was telling herself to not be bothered by such a thing. 

Her eyes scanned the gloomy surrounds and she was reminded of her childhood when she used to tell her mother, "mommy! Mommy! Let's go visit grandma in the cemetery!" At the time Aiko had believed that her dear grandma had just been taking a nap along with other people. When she had found out she was atcully dead, she was devistated. Hearing a quick snap of a branch, Aiko spun around feeling alert but still kept a strong yet gentle expression. She looked around the old yard and felt her heart beat quicken as fear crept through her body, she had remembered being told that the darkness liked this place and would often visit here. Carefully she lit a flame in her hand. It was a small flame but she hoped it would be big enough to at least scare whoever was out there off.

Words: 451 -- Tags: OPEN -- Notes:

[Skye Jones]

I was walking through the graveyard with a bouquet of fresh, colourful flowers for a certain someone when I stepped on a stick and the crack of it as it broke in two caused me to jump. I was quite paranoid and I didn't know why, but it was causing me to jump at the littlest things. I lifted my foot and continued walking down the path before stopping in front of a headstone. "Hey there Alaina, how you been?" I ask keeping my face a mask of indifference. "I brought you some more flowers." I move the day old flowers to the side and set the new bouquet down. "I just wanted to tell you that I miss you. Oh and I met some new people. Can you imagine that? I made some friends." I whisper quietly, stroking the tombstones carved lettering. "I wanted to let you know that I love you and I wish you were here with me." I lay down on the grave and curl up next to the tombstone as tears begin streaming down my face. "I'm here Alaina, I won't leave you. I'm here for you." I mumble into my arms as I close my eyes.

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As Aiko stated down at her hands that were rested of her lap she heard the slight sound of crying. It was sound which she was able to make out from a far away distance since she spent so much of her younger life doing it. She felt sympathetic towards the person who was crying, since this was a graveyard she figured that this person had lost someone they cared for because unlike her people actually needed other people. She heard a girls soft voice which seemed to be speaking a to a person. Although by the way she spoke she guessed it was her lost one. It made her feel even worse now, she thought that she could get some alone time away from people, but lucky her another one had just showed up. 

Deciding to show kindness, she rose to her feet and walked over to the girl who had just replaced flowers on a grave. Her expression was as gentle and sympathetic as she thought she could get. She almost looked as if all her troubles were gone. She was good at making people believe that so they wouldn't worry. Placing her hand gently on the other girls shoulder and tilted her head speaking in her high pitched voice, "Are you okay?" Her light pink hair blew in the breeze as silence once again coated the cemetery. She then carefully removed here hand once again clasping her hands together in the front of her. Leaning over slightly she ask the girl, a curious look on her face, "Is this your friend?" Aiko wanted to make sure that she didn't offend the girl, she knew how sensitive some people could be when they had just lost a loved one. 

She moved down to her level leaning back on her legs, her hands rested on her lap and back straight. She was very proper indeed. Since she was in her Chaser school uniform she was wearing a skirt and a shirt with a tie which was gently tucked into her shirt. As she scanned the other girls outfit she noted how she was much more casual and figured that she attended a public school. Maybe she's just a normal human, she's very lucky Although Aiko did not envy her. It was strictly not in her vocabulary and she attended to never make it so.

 Words: 403 -- Tags: Skye Jones -- Notes:

[Skye Jones]

I heard a voice and then a gentle hand settled itself on my shoulder. Sitting up I wipe the tears from my face as the hand slips away and I look up. "Oh hello, yeah it's my girlfriend." I brush my hair back from my face and tuck it behind my ear, adjusting the patch over my eye and tightening the strings. I smile at the girl taking in her pink hair, red ayes, and Chaser Academy uniform. "My name's Skye, what's yours?" I sit up and fiddle with my ponytail while I wait for an answer. God, I need to start checking for other people before I come here, it's getting kinda embarrassing having so many people finding me crying at Alaina's grave. I stand up and search her face for hostility, finding none, I relax. The red of my visible eye deepens slightly with my calmness.

[Deleted]

Aiko's eyes grew soft and she gave her a small but meaningful smile which she hoped would cheer her up. To avoid conflict which might grow if she were to say the wrong thing, she simply said, "I see." Friends are something that you find once in a lifetime, but for Aiko they were something which had never come. She had grown up in a family that didn't believe in making allias. She had been taught to grow strong without friends by your side to support you, they told her someday that even they would leave her. Aiko of course being the stubborn person she was would disagree and had times when she would cry herself to sleep. Deciding to cheer the both of them up she added, "I'm sure she'll never forget about you." Wherever her friend was she hoped that she was happy and watching the girl who was crying by her grave. If Aiko ever died, she was sure to watch over even the people she hated with a smile.

She watched as she adjusted her eye patch and tilted her head to the side. She wondered what had happened but figured now was not the time nor place. As She listened to Skye introduce herself, Aiko bowed politely and said in a formal tone, "I am Matsui Aoki, It's nice to meet you." She didn't know whether or not this girl was japanese or not, but she decided to stay to the formal greeting which she had done her whole life instead of greeting her in a casual way. This was the first time they were meeting eachother after all. She then got a great idea. Quickly she turned, her hair following her making it move like wind, asking her, "Is it alright if I call you Skye-chan?" This was a moment for Aiko. An opportunity. She had a chance to make a friend, she wasn't going to miss it. Chan was normally used to call a person who you deeply care for and are a close friend, using this to Skye's name might sound a bit pushy but Aiko didn't care at the moment.

She then figured that it would be alright to ask about the eye patch since Skye-chan didn't seem like a shy person since she had already introduced herself. Lifting her finger she carefully pointed at her eye patch from a far away distance, asking with curiosity, "Why do you wear that?" It wasn't everyday you saw someone wear an eye patch so she was indeed quite curious. 

Words: 428 -- tags: Skye Jones -- Notes:

[Skye Jones]

"Yeah, i'm sure she won't forget." I smile at you genuinely "It's nice to meet you Aoki" After listening to the girl's peculiar question I thought for a moment. "Yeah, that'd be nice. You can call me what you want." I reach up and touch my patch again. "Well um. It's not something I usually talk about." I slowly reach back and untie the strings holding the patch to my face. "Please don't freak out." I pull the patch away from my eye and the bright golden color shines, seeming to brighten the place for a moment before changing colors, again, and again. Gold, Red, Green, Blue, Purple, Orange, Black. I quickly put the patch back on and retie the strings. "I dunno why, but it does that any time I take the patch off. It tends to scare people, so I keep it covered." A strained smile appears on my face. "Are you gonna run away now, like the rest?" I look down sadly and pick at the dust on my black skinny jeans.

"I wouldn't blame you if you did. It's what most people do." I subconsciously run my finger lightly over the scar on my right eye. "It's so nice to meet new people and I don't make friends very easily, so if you could keep this between the two of us?" I brush my hair in front of the patch and look you in the eye. "Please?"

[Deleted]

Aiko smiled as Skye-chan agreed with her. Hopefully she wouldn't be sad and dread on the fact that her friend was gone, although it was normal to grieve but she just thought it was pointless to do for a long time. "I'm glad to see you're feeling better Skye-chan!" She exclaimed as she saw her smile as well. The wind began to pick up again, Aiko felt her hair brushing up against her face and shut one eye quickly to resist the force which was being put upon her. She took her hand and fixed her hair with a gentle touch before turning back to her and resting her hands once again on her lap. 

As soon as the had introduced each other thoroughly, she melt her muscles begin to relax and she took a deep breath to let her heart get to a steady pace since she had been a little nervous at first. Quietly she closed her eyes and smiled sweetly, "I'm glad!" She didn't understand why she was talking in such a high pitched and softer voice to her, she guessed it had something to do with the fact that she didn't want to ruin Skye-chan either.

Aiko nodded with a little bit of excitement as she said that she would remove the eye patch. Since she had already seen death before her eyes, she was sure that it wouldn't even compare. She shifted closer to her to get a closer look, watching her every move as she removed it. She felt her jaw almost drop to the ground as she saw the beautiful view which was her eye. It shimmered in the dim light of the day, it almost made Aiko lost just looking into it. As it changed colors so quickly she wondered if that was human like or not. She had never seen anything like it, not even in Chaser school. At the mention of running away she shook her head, her pink ponytails swishing back and forth, "No, I would miss this." 

Watching Skye-chan's expression turn from happy to depressed was hard on Aiko. This was one of the first times that she had the urge to hug someone. It was no her fault that she was born with that wonderful eye which was enchanting. "I won't tell a soul. But it really is amazing. I'm glad you showed me!" She smiled once again before taking a deep breath and told her, "Actually I have something strange that I can show you." Aiko carefully lit a small flame in the palm of her hand and showed her. It flickered against the wind and almost seemed as if the flame was going to run away

Words: 453 -- Tags: Skye Jones -- Notes:  

[Skye Jones]

I look up and smile at your response. "Thank you, you don't know how good it feels to know that someones not afraid." I look closely at you. "Oh what is it you want to show me?" Suddenly a movement causes me to glance at your hand and gasp as the flame appears "It's beautiful." I whisper scooting closer. My eyes are transfixed on the flame dancing in your palm and I don't realize how close I've gotten till my hand slips and I fall over, landing on you and extinguishing the flame. 

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" I quickly sit up pull you back up. " I didn't mean to,I was just so focused on the fire and I wanted to get a closer look." I shut my mouth quickly, realizing that I'd been rambling. I blush and hide my face in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I ruined the nice moment we had.We were talking, and getting along, and I was making a new friend. Really I honestly am sorry."

[Deleted]

Aiko shook her head and replied, "It's no problem, I really think it's a gift you have." She sure was lucky to have an ability that wasn't as powerful and rare as she had. Controlling elements was not something she ever wanted, she wanted to be a normal high school girl who could make friends and be free. 

Watching as Skye-chan was so interested in the flame she let out a small giggle. It was odd, she would have never expected to see someone who liked her gift. She almost felt like saying: You want to switch abilities? She would have gladly accepted it in trade for hers. "Thank you, that's also the first time someone has ever said something like that to me too!" The flame wanted to grow stronger, she could clearly see that, but she wouldn't allow it. Since she was getting closer to it would become dangerous if was to grow any further. Although it took a lot of her concentration she was still able to do so without wasting too much energy.

Aiko watched as Skye-chan slipped and quickly felt herself hurrying to help, but it was no use. Before she knew it she was on top of her. Feeling a bit of pain on her upper back and elbow she winched as she tried to get up. She was glad that it had been her on the bottom, she was trained to handle pain in big amounts. She shook her head, trying to hide her shock of pain and said her voice a little out of breath, "No it's fine! I'm fine really!" She rose to her feet and offered Skye-chan her hand, she could tell she felt bad so it was the least she could do. 

She saw her trying to hide her blush and worried for her. She was speaking unreasonably and quickly. Trying to calm her down she said with a gentle tone like silk, "Who said we're no longer getting along? You see I'm fine. This is just a little bump in the road." This was the first time that Aiko had ever tried to comfort someone, she had admit it was embarrassing, yet it felt good to see a person feeling better after the stumble a little. She then looked up at the cloudy sky which was promising rain and said, "You know, you're the first person I've talked to like this. I don't have any friends." She tried to smile but failed. Saying those words made her realize the complete truth. She truly was pathetic.

Words: 430 -- Tags: Skye Jones -- Notes: 

[Skye Jones]

Aiko's words made me feel better about falling on her and I allowed her to help me up. After standing she told me that she never really had any friends which made my heart ache for her. "Well then consider me your first." I say smiling.  She looks so sad. I wish there was something I could do to make her feel better. I gently lay my hand on her shoulder and pull her head up gently. "Please don't be sad." I let my hands drop to my sides, unsure of what to do next ,I take a small step back and think before an idea hits me. 

"I know what'll make you feel better. There's something I wanna show you." I take another step back, looking side to side to make sure I have enough room and gently let my wings out. "What do you think?" I ask hoping I'm not being too forward. I flap my wings slightly, creating a small breeze that lifts your hair a bit. I turn around and slip off my jacket, allowing you to get a better look at the feathery appendages sprouting from my back. Oh what am I doing. This was stupid. My wings droop slightly and I look down at the ground, scuffing my boots in the dirt I use my telekinesis to brush the dirt off my clothes and I continue to stand there awkwardly awaiting a response or the sound of departing footsteps.

[Deleted]

Aiko's eyes got soft as she spoke the words, consider me your first then. Her first friend. She liked the feeling of this friendship thing and didn't understand why she had never wanted a friend in the first place anymore, she didn't want to go back. Suddenly she felt water falling from her eyes. Placing a hand on her cheek she wiped away the water which she didn't quite understand. She wasn't sad or even in pain anymore. No these were tears of joy. A big smile came across her face and for the first time in years she said truly happy, "Thank you, I hope I can be the best of friend!" That was when the dam broke. Tears started rushing down her face as if they were a waterfall. She had forgotten all about the school, her parents, and the darkness, all that mattered was that she found joy.

Aiko stopped crying as she noticed that her sadness was rubbing off on Skye-chan. This was one thing for sure she didn't want to happen. Feeling bad she shook head and smiled sniffling a little, "I'm happy. I'm glad that I finally have a friend, you don't have to worry about me." It was nice to have someone there to put their hand on her shoulder, it felt comforting and made her feel safe. 

Her eyes widened as she watched wings shot out from behind her back. This was indeed unexpected. Although now that she thought about it she had heard of people who could do things like this. The wings were so elegant, even though they were a dark black, they still had a beautiful and bird like look to them. "You're wings are beautiful, you have an amazing ability Skye-chan!" Her voice was once again back to it's quiet and high pitch which felt normal for her, she liked to keep it that way. 

Aiko realized that she had more than one ability, wings, telekinesis, her eye. Although she could use multiple elements it was only considered one ability, she truly was special. Aiko then regained her gentle look and said, her eyes narrowing in thought, "I wonder why you haven't been told you're going to Chaser yet." She didn't know if Skye-chan knew the reason what Chaser was for or not.

Words: 387 -- Tags: Skye Jones -- Notes: I'll be gone for a little! 

[Skye Jones]

I smile at her reaction, glad she liked my little surprise. "Th-thank you." I stammer. No ones ever called them beautiful before. This is new. I like it. "What abilities do you have?" I  ask curiously I tried not to sound rude or overwhelming. I fold my wings in and walk back over to you. I wince and reach into my boot, pulling out a dagger and putting the leather sheath back on before putting it away again. "Sorry 'bout that. The sheath came off." I grab my jacket off the ground and brush the dirt off. (Sorry it's short I don't have many ideas right now cause I didn't sleep last night.)

[Deleted]

Aiko listened as she stammered. She seemed surprised that she had liked her wings. Honestly they weren't that hard to like, they were almost memorizing with the way the black feathers blew in the cool summer breeze. It was actually odd, the way she had many abilities. Not many people could say that they had more than two even. It was sad to think, but Aiko was more than certain that a Chaser searched would come looking for her new friend. If this was the case, she would have to protect her new and only friend. "No problem! I am surprised though that you have some many abilities, I feel bad for you." She knew that if she came to her hated school that Syke-chan would be put throw so much, she didn't want that to happen.

At the mention of her own abilities she let out a small sigh. Unfortunately she had been taught a way to fully explain her ability by using her ability. Aiko shut her eyes and allowed her thoughts to only focus on her. She could almost feel the world around her being muted. Even how much she hated to do this, it was for a friend. As soon as it seemed she had shit her eyes, she re opened them quickly and then created elements before her. There was a mini, hand sized tornado on the far left which symbolized wind, a bubble of water which symbolized water, a small flame - fire, a hand sized snowflake - ice, and finally a leaf - Earth. Taking a deep breathe, she narrowed her eyes, struggling to keep all of the five elements out at one time. This had taken her many weeks to master, those weeks had been the hardest of her life. She turned back to Skye-chan, although still keeping one eye on her elements and began, "These are the five main elements which I have already mastered - Fire, water, wind, ice, and earth. Although currently I'm working on electricity and shadow, but that's a long way from today." She then let out a final sigh making the elements disappear into thin air.

Now that she had fully explained her whole ability she was able to turn her attention back her friend. Quickly she began to feel embarrassed, averting her eyes saying, "Although I can control the elements it's still only considered one ability unlike yours is." She hoped that she hadn't found this too overwhelming, at times she confused herself.

[Skye Jones]

"Having many abilities isn't bad, but it's not that fun either. It can be hard to hide them sometimes but, there's no reason to feel bad for me. I'll be fine." I smile and watch as she closes her eyes, suddenly she opens them and several elements surround her, in small controlled forms. I watch in wonder as she summons a mini tornado, a small fire, a snowflake, a leaf, and a small amount of water. "Oh wow, my abilities are even near as cool as yours are. And don't worry having one is probably better than three. Easier to hide. Now these wings? Not exactly small.  It can be a pain to go out sometimes, quite literally because I have to keep my wings pressed to my back so as not to let anyone see them."


"Hey don't worry, you didn't overwhelm me. That was pretty awesome." I say happily,before realizing my slip and smacking myself in the face. Now she's gonna know that I can read minds, and that I accidentally read hers. Ohhh, I really screwed up.

[Deleted]

Aiko listened to her friend speak and almost felt bad for her. She didn't understand the dangers of having that many abilities, the darkness and chasers would also be after her. She had been unlucky and had been caught at a very young age, being forced into the system which had ruined her already ruined life. If only there were a way to prevent the school from finding out... Aiko began to get a frustrated look but in a few moments she realized what she was doing, snapping back to reality. It was impossible for her to do. She wasn't stronger enough nor clever enough to make a smart plan. Letting out a small sigh she said her voice coated with concern and seriousness, " I wish I could agree with you, but there are some things that you wouldn't be able to understand." She had not even noticed what she had just said, it was she was off in her own little world of thinking and plotting. 

Hearing her call her ability cool amused her. They were simply just elements which you could see any day just had more meaning behind them. Personally she wanted to get stronger but at the same time didn't. If she trained then that would be following what the school wanted and she had been against that for a long time, so she trained in private instead. "I'm glad you see them as cool and not a powerful weapon." The teachers used her as a weapon, almost treating her like one. It made her feel used and like she had no meaning to her life.

Had she just called Aiko lucky? She must be mistaken. Having a strong, rare, and powerful ability was not considered lucky at all in her book. She would rather have many abilities than the one she had, although she couldn't tell Skye-chan that. It would make her angry and lash out at her even though she wasn't meaning for harm. Everyone else did that so why wouldn't she? "I understand, abilities are not something we choose, they are simply given to certain people so they can become weapons." She had just shared about 5% of what the chaser program was. She wasn't going to mention the darkness just yet, she would have to wait until she felt her friend could handle it. 

Aiko let out a sigh of relief and gave her a small smile, showing her gratitude. She replied her gentleness showing, "Thank goodness, I hoped you would understand. - But when did mention that?" She had only been thinking it in her head at the time, it hadn't crossed her mind at all to ask her. Maybe? No it couldn't be. Could it? Aiko was beginning to wonder if she had yet another ability which had to do with mind reading. 

Words: 474 -- Tags: Skye Jones -- Notes: