The Zodiac Cycle

1.6 No Tact At All

Brianna looked at Iris, trying to gauge her reaction to the strange pair that came up to talk to them about the signs on Brianna's shoulder and Iris's cheek. Iris didnt react to any of what they were saying, almost to the point where Brianna suspected she was checked out and not paying any attention.

Iris was Briannas childhood best friend. Iris had found Brianna crying on her parents private beach after Briannas parents had scolded her when she was 8. They had been friends ever since. Brianna had a strong sense of smell, oddly. To Brianna, Iris had always smelled of mint and citrus.

The elf and harpy they were talking to had carefully given them the rundown. They were a part of twelve chosen people that carried the sigils of the Zodiacs, an ancient force constantly reborn to protect the world. Brianna was the Aires, with the sign on her shoulder, and Iris, the Gemini.

Once the two finished talking Brianna looked at Iris again, wondering her take on the situation.

Iris took a deep breath in, clasping her hands together in her lap, before speaking, "Icarus, that's a lot to take in!" She smiled "as much fun as traveling the world sounds, I'm not too fond of being responsible for saving it."

"I agree, that's kind of a lot to ask of strangers, isnt it?" Brianna added.

"Well I did the same thing with Amber here." The harpy motioned toward the Elf. He smelled like Lavender and Sage.

She rolled her eyes, "yeah, after causing a scene and asking me very personal questions. You really have no tact at all." Her scent consisted of a mixture of Rosemary and Jasmine with just a touch of a spicy smell Brianna couldn't place.

"Well, as for me, I would prefer to stay here." Iris looked at her lap, nervously.

"If she's staying, I'm staying." Brianna crossed her arms.

The Harpy frowned, silent for a moment. "If I may ask, what kind of bird fey are you?" The question was off topic, confusing and annoying Brianna.

"Hey, dude, you cant just ask someone their species." The harpy flinched a bit at briannas tone.

"Its fine Bri." Iris put her hand on her friends shoulder "I'm an Eagle Fey." She answered the question.

"I see what you meant about personal questions." Brianna mumbled in the Elfs direction. She shugged.

"Don't Eagles stand for freedom?" The Harpy started.

Iris stiffened, clearly a bit uncomfortable. "Well, yeah, but that's what I-"

"Then why are you subjecting yourself to confinement in this one place? Why dont you explore more! It's in your blood!" He was getting overly-excited, and stood up.

Brianna was about ready to smack him.

Iris watched him, waiting till he was done, patiently, before replying simply. "I dont want to die saving a world I dont see as worth saving."

He went quiet, his face falling. He sat back down slowly and set his hands in his lap, pressing his lips together. He looked over at the elf, his eyes requesting assistance.

She smirked and stood up. "I would like to ask you to think about it. We are staying in the city for a few days, we can meet up before we leave and see what you say then. Fair enough?" The harpy put a hand up to argue, recieving a glare from the elf.

"That sounds reasonable, though I cant assure you that our answer will change." Iris stood as well. She was always the better one at talking her way through things.

"That's okay, we'll find you, dont worry." The elf motioned for the harpy to stand up.

"Alright, thank you for understanding." Iris smiled and gave the two a small bow.

The two walked away in the direction of the more beat up part of the city, and Brianna finally stood up as well.

"That was crazy." She put her arm around Iris's shoulder, the longer feathers on her upper arm tickling Briannas elbow and arm.

"Yeah." Iris laughed, but she didnt seem all there. The two started walking towards the small park that they liked to hang out at. It was never really busy, so no one really bothered them.

"You okay?" Brianna asked Iris.

Iris sighed "I feel like, maybe, going to save the world could be an option."

Brianna chuckled "I stick to my stand."

"Which was?" Iris asked as they got to the park.

Brianna turned Iris toward her by her shoulders. "I go where you go. If you wanna stay, so will I, and I'm not going anywhere without you."

"Till we crash and burn?" Iris lifted her arm up.

Brianna bumped her own arm against it, from their fists to their elbows, it was something they'd done since they were kids.

"Till we crash and burn."