Wakfu: Aeri The Eliatrope

Chapter 2: My Family, My Kind

Aeri quickly lost the track of time, as she realised she had spent hours talking with Qilby. She quickly dashed out, saying her apologies as she left the lab. She soon found her dragon brother half awake, trying his best to put his robes on, finding it difficult due to his horns being in the way. Shiro muttered something under his breath, which sounded like a curse, only stopping after Aeri helped him with his clothes. He scratched the back of his head, yawning out loud, using his slightly shorter twin as a head rest. That is how the two walked down the halls, and outside. 

Shiro gave a small hiss, when the Sun light hit his face. The dragon had never been a fan of bright Sunny days, and to be honest, neither was his sister, both of their reasons being different. Shiro adored the evenings, to the cloudless nights, as the stars shone in the night sky, the Moon looking down at them. Something about it, felt oddly calming. Aeri on the other hand, was glad since most Eliatropes were sleeping, leaving her and a selected few, to their nightly routines. Mostly consisting of night flights on their twins' backs, watching the stars twinkle silently, to just watching their family work on their personal projects. The only reason Aeri actually tolerated daytime, was because of her little sister Nora, and her twin dragon Efrim. They were inseparable. Shiroazaad and Aeri would often make silly bets with the two, like: Who can get on top of the mountain fastest? Who teleports to safety fifirst during free fall? It was so much fun. Since Aeri didn't exactly have a appointed job during the time of peace, she had more free time than the rest of the family. Chibi and Grougaloragran were busy creating ways to help their people better, Glip and Baltazar were busy reaching the young children proper Wakfu control techniques, Mina and Phaeris were busy solving conflicts amongst their people, King Yugo and Adamai were busy ruling over their Kingdom, leaving the Youngest siblings, and the 5th born twins to do whatever they pleased, when they weren't training of course. 

While Aeri had pleaded for her older siblings to let her and Shiro explore the land, and uncharted territory, they were quick to deny her of it. She was certainly OLD enough for adventuring on her own, but her power was the problem. Since it was far too unpredictable for now, she would have to stay somewhere close to the rest of the Council. She felt like a powerless child. Sure she had a name and status, as the rest of the family, but she had no FREEDOM, nor say in what she was to do. She was extremely limited in her movements, and sometimes, she felt as if she was dragging a huge boulder on her shoulders. She understood the others' worries, and knew they had no ill will towards her or her brother, yet she couldn't shake the feeling of uncertainty. 

As soon as she saw her little siblings smiling faces, all the bad things felt like a silly dream. She ran to her, creating a small portal in front of her, and another farther away, jumping in. She reappeared right in front of Nora, grabbing her to a hug. She returned the gesture. She was a younger Eliatrope, teenaged one at that, with tanned skin, and chocolate brown eyes. She wore a darker pink colored hat, short jumpsuit, with matching boots and fingerless gloves. Her pink fluffy hair reminded Aeri from the clouds floating peacefully in the sky. Efrim was a seagreen dragon, with see-through wings, and a fluffy mane. While he was definitely one of the smaller dragon's, he was one of the fastest too. His wings made almost no sound at all, as he dashed from the other side of the field towards Shiro and Aeri. ;"Nora! Did your lesson with Glip end already?" Aeri asked, taking a look at her excited little sister, who was jumping up and down in her place. ;"Yes it did! But besides that- I have to show you something I just learned! Watch!" Nora replied, placing her left hand in front, making a small circular motion, as if creating a simple portal, she quickly moved her arm close to her side, clenched it making a fist, and as quickly as she could, punched the air, causing a mid sized energy blast fly far, FAR to the fields, making an after blast soon after. Aeri held onto her hat, as the after blast hit, wind howling around them for few seconds. Aeri gave a whistle in admiration, ;"Wow.. For a first class in Wakfung, I'd say you're doing GREAT!" She told her sister, as she gave a few pats on her head. ;"Pfft. I'm sure you did better when you were my age." Nora said, waving her hand in disagreement. Aeri flinched, quickly glancing on the ground, twirling her thumbs before answering rather quietly: ;"Actually.. I was never taught anything like that, when I was your age.." she told her. Shiro sensed his sisters feelings, placing a hand on her shoulder. Nora cocked her head to the side in confusion, ;"But.. Whyever not? You're an adult Eliatrope. Part of the Council. Shouldn't you know how to fight and protect the people?" She asked sincerely. ;"Oh uhm.. Glip told me that I should focus on... Other aspects, of using my Wakfu... Said I wouldn't, gain anything from training Wakfung." Aeri told her. Nora seemed to understand what she meant, despite her trying to mask it. "BUT Don't worry! I have learned lots of protection techniques, tracking, becoming one with the planet, meditation... That sort of stuff!" Aeri said, giving a forced smile, to reassure her sister. 

Nora, Efrim, Shiroazaad and Aeri, spent some time, playing in the fields. Nora seemed extatic, showing her skills, while her brother showed flight skills, turns and loops. Aeri clapped at her little sisters' skills. She really preferred seeing the Youngest twins like this. Happy, free, not a worry in the world. She wished she had had the opportunity, to learn what other Eliatropes have. Not that she was ungrateful, or anything. She was happy she got taught anything at all, let alone useful techniques. It seemed as if her own family wanted to keep her close. Like she was a Threat. She shook her head. 'No no. You shouldn't think like that Aeri. Your family loves you, you love them. They want YOU to be safe.' She thought to herself, as the day kept going.

After playing with the Youngest twins, came probably the hardest part of the day: How to sneak into the Great Library, without Glip seeing Aeri or Shiroazaad. Glip had always said, that the books were EXTREMELY fragile, and knowing Aeri's powers, she was not permitted to go in without 'Supervision.' She was having NONE OF IT. While she didn't LOOK, like one, she was an adult Eliatrope, just like the others, and shouldn't be treated like some monster. So instead of using the door like a normal person, she, and her dear brother, decided to use the window like some kind of uninvited guests.

Hopping from bookshelf to bookshelf. As soon as Aeri heard snoring, she knew they were close to Baltazar. He usually took naps beside a large pile of books he had just finished reading. They were only a few shelves away, when they heard talking. Familiar voices. The twins stopped, crouching down on the shelf, looking down towards the sound. There they saw Mina and Chibi talking to each other, without their dragon brothers. Though there was something about the way they talked, which seemed almost.. intimate? Sure they had both talked during any and all meetings, but never like that. ;"Dearest I know you want your invention finished as soon as possible.." Mina told Chibi, gently placing her tan hand on his. Chibi gave a heavy sigh, looking into Mina's eyes with gentle, yet apologetic look. She moved some white strands of hair, behind his ear, as Chibi placed his hand on hers as she did so. ;"I know, I should take a break. I haven't been able to spend time with you.. Or the others for that matter. This was supposed to be a lucky break for me. Yet you're the one who has to come get me. Forgive me Mina."

Aeri watched the scene, wondering why neither of them had ever spoken up about this. It wasn't as if this was forbidden. She found it rather cute. As Aeri tried backing up on the shelf, a part of it fell down. Her heart started racing, and her throat closed up. She quickly made a portal downwards, behind the shelf they were on, as Mina and Chibi were on the front. Grabbing Shiro's hand the two jumped in, reappeared close to Baltazar, nearly startling the poor dragon. Mina and Chibi looked upwards, but shrugged it off since they sensed no danger, nor familiar Wakfu nearby.

Baltazar stared down at the two. The big red dragon blinked a few times, giving a big yawn, stretching his back. ;"Children, did you need something? I was just... uh.. Resting my eyes. Yes. That." He tried to explain, his pile of books and pillows telling another story. Aeri patted his snout apologetically. ;"Sorry for the sudden awakening Balty, I just needed to borrow some books from you again... Please Don't tell your brother about this?" She asked, giving him her best puppy eyes. Baltazar sat up giving out a snort. ;"Please, no need to use your cuteness against me little sister. I think anyone willing to learn, the library should be a safe haven to." The wise dragon explained, using his magic, to choose three different books, giving them to Aeri and Shiro to carry. "I trust that you'll return these in perfect condition as always. I hope they're of use to you." He continued, patting her head instead, with his tail. Aeri gave him a genuine smile. ;"Thank you, Balty." Shiro simply nodded in return, as they used portals to go back to home.