”That is my wish, yes.” She nodded gently. ”It is always good to have friends.” Amalthea furrowed her pale brows as Howl inquired about Matthias, the corners of her lips twitching downward in a displeased frown. ”I… do not recall. Either way he is eager to begin his studies.” Truthfully she didn’t know all that much about Matthias, and it annoyed her so. ”It would seem I am not a particularly good friend.” An apologetic smile replaced the frown upon her lips. ”The headmaster of Lyonessa raised him like his own brood, thus is one of the reasons he has come here, I believe.” From the enthusiasm that seemed to exude from him, Amalthea could tell that he found such things to be intriguing, really she found it to be quite endearing.

”Farendale? I’m afraid I have never heard of it before, but from your words it does sound a lovely place.” It had begun to hit home just how much she didn’t know about the world on land, well nothing of import. It made her feel like a naive child, although perhaps she was. ”You always return for it is your home and ‘home is where the heart is’, correct? At least I believe that is how that saying goes.”

Creatures often came in handy for tasks such as those, and while the mention of spying took the fae aback and had her looking suspiciously about at the nearby birds, she had to admit that using the creatures as a means of spying was a rather wise and useful idea. It was only when she returned her gaze to Howl that she realized he had likely been teasing her. ”Oh.” Flustered, Amalthea averted her gaze and focused upon something in the distance; she really was a naive little girl.

Quietly she followed after him, blue eyes slowly shifting back towards Howl as he sighed. ”Well, whatever happens. I pray better fortune smiles upon you both.” As far as she was concerned he deserved nothing less. After all, Howl had been nothing but kind to her, so why shouldn’t fate show him and his nephew kindness as well? ”I see. Is it almost like your own safe haven?” She inquired before pursing her lips at his own question. Her magic and the type of magic she had come across whilst here was quite different, but nonetheless she found most of it to be intriguing. ”No, not quite. I find most of the magic I have seen here to be interesting. In truth I am eager to see yours.” As she spoke she smiled softly up at him.

Snorting, Howl glanced back at Amalthea as they walked together towards his work area. “You are not a bad friend,” He was sure to address that issue first. “It takes time to get to know people. Even if someone has laid out their entire life story to you, you still have to take your time and get to really know them. The way they act or react to certain things, their funny little habits or crazy preferences. You are a friend who is getting to know someone better in your own time, as I am sure Matthias is doing in return.” Shrugging, he moved carefully over a log and reached out to take the young woman’s hand and help her over it. “Besides, if I could figure out a person in one day, I would become bored by them, I would not want to stick around. There would be nothing to enjoy or learn about them.”

Howl just thought of the pale-haired girl as someone who was searching. For more than just a pelt. She was looking for a friend, a purpose, her way back home. She was looking for loyalty, and trust, but she was also looking for something wrong, as if she expected the world to rear its head back and lash out at her. Which, maybe it would, it lashed out at everyone but…Howl did not want that to happen to her. She was much too pure, and sweet in her own way. To see that broken would be a great loss.

“Mm, that is how the saying goes,” Howl grinned. “I will return home permanently when I feel it is time, but not right now, not at this instant…some day though,” He nodded. With a shake of his golden locks he sniffed a bit as the pair of them loped through the tall grass with little pink and blue buds brushing along his knees. “Thank you,” He said to her, slowing down, he smiled still as Amalthea trailed at his side. Thinking about Vash just made Howl worry so he tried to focus on his companion instead. Her voice was smooth and calming, Howl figured that he liked it, and how it carried on the wind.

“Yes, it is my safe-haven and my den, my lab. Hah, in some ways, it is where I go when nothing else interests me or has any use for me,” Howl licked his lips. “I suppose it is where I go to feel safe and relaxed, many things from my home are inside. It is comforting.”

When the woman made a point of wanting to see HIS magic, Howl just laughed. “Do you? Hm. I suppose I could show you,” Lifting a hand, a light green glow consumed his finger tips and lights swirled from his fingers. “I am better with light and healing magic. I often use bursts of energy to defend myself in battle. I have the desire to keep my magic pure…there are other magics out there that I want nothing with.”

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Truth be told her people were naturally wary beings, especially of those born on the land. ‘Be wary of all those you meet, for they may wish to take your pelt and its powers along with it.’ A warning instilled at a very young age and one she had made sure to heed as best she could, yet warning or no she never believed such a thing would happen to her. Except that it did. Her curiosity had her shed her pelt to explore the land and the grounds close to the school. She had hidden her pelt well, but obviously not well enough and upon her return it was lost. Unfortunately she knew not who had taken it, or how to get it back.

”Yes, you may.” Another friend. She rather liked the idea, after all Howl had been nothing but kind to ever since their first meeting. Despite her wariness of him, he remained ever patient, smiling and sweet. In a way she was thankful. ”I believe everyone does, although some may not admit so.” Familiar, friendly faces often brought comfort and made one feel safe. Amalthea supposed she viewed Howl and Matthias in such a light, either way she felt far safer around the two than most others.

”Matthias, a young little warrior. He shall be starting at Lyonessa once the summer is over, I believe.” A smile graced her lips as she spoke of the boy, a hint of fondness and warmth within her voice. ”That is good news, then.” Slowly she nodded her head. ”Indeed, I understand your feelings… Your home?” She looked up at him curiously, head inclining to the side, dark eyes twinkling with interest. ”If I may, where is your home?” His next words brought a smile to her face and a soft laugh from her lips. ”You speak to the birds? I imagine they might have much to say, like the fish.”

A frown soon overcame her features at Howl’s mention of Dark-Elves. Never had she come across the folk herself, but she had heard stories. From his tone things did not sound good, however from his tone it seemed he did not wish to speak further on the subject. ”Your nephew? I see. Are you enjoying yourselves?” Amalthea’s gaze followed the elf as he bent and picked up a few flowers, her attention shifting from the man to the plants as he raised them up to her. At first she reached out cautiously before stroking a colorful petal of one of the flowers with an almost tenderly touch. ”I would like that, yes.” She looked up to him then and smiled. ”Is it close?”

Howl understood Amalthea’s nervousness when communicating with others. Not many could be trusted, most were after something, or someone. A goal that can only be obtained by hurting others. It was sad and it was a life that Howl did not condone, he just hoped that the fair maiden would be alright despite everything. He had no idea about her plight, but if he knew, he would have tried searching with her. If she allowed it. Pleased to know what he could in fact call her a friend, the elf grinned, “That is good then, thank you. In return you may call me friend as well, if that is what you wish.” He hoped she would, he could always used friends.

Hearing about the young man, he grinned, “Is that so? He sounds delightful already,” Chuckling, he ran his fingers through his hair, “Does he use magic? Is there a specific reason as to why he is coming to the school. I always find the discovery of others, their talents, and their face, to be fascinating.” Shrugging, he smiled; it was just something he picked up on, really. Glancing up at her question, Howl sighed, “Yes. I live very far away, within the woods of Farendale, it is a lovely place, really. It is a city, set within the trees, the rivers, the valleys. We travel sometimes, to avoid hunters and other forms of enemies, but we always move back around there, since our magicians usually find ways to hide it so that we are not robbed on our leave of absences.”

Glancing over, he chuckled, “That they do. They send messages between my family and I, they keep me updated on the events there but they are also my little spies. They are very useful in that aspect. There is much to be said in secret,” Winking to the young woman, he was only teasing. Looking at the flowers, thinking about  his family and if they were alright, he sighed and picked up his gaze. “We are fine, Vash is going through a hard time, but he has never been an easy child.” Chuckling, he turned and began to walk, “Yes, it is on the Lumeria campus,” Pointing, he said, “There is a small cabin, really, that I work in. No one ever goes in there, I have claimed it as my office…it is better to be in than the actual campus.” He even slept there, really, but his bed was in the back room and usually hidden away.

“…Have you found any type of magic or a subject that you are particularly interested in yet?”

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Shy, passive and not to forget skittish. The girl flinched and bit back an alarmed chirp as the young man spoke, the sudden sound of his voice catching her off guard, despite having been expected. He was smiling, however and that was always good. ”If that is your wish, Howl…” She allowed a faint, if unsure, smile to grace her lips once again. Amalthea had grown accustomed to addressing most as such. Lord or lady, titles she had heard being used many a time by the landfolk during her moments of curiosity when she would venture close to their dwellings, often drawn in by the music, lights and dancing of festive times.

Instinctively she took a step back as Howl rose to his feet, blue eyes watching him and his movements almost warily. The laughed that bubbled from his lips brought a furrow to the girl’s brows, head cocking to the side in puzzlement. ”Oh. If you believe so… You are?” He was glad that she had come to him? She wasn’t entirely sure how to feel about this piece of information, but there was something that bubbled within her, something unfamiliar. Perhaps she was just feeling a little sick. Politely Amalthea inclined her head in return to Howl, fingers curling about the skirts of her dress and lifting them slightly in a curtsy, or at least her attempt at one.

Despite her… acquaintance? Friendship? She didn’t know what to call it, but despite her familiarity with Howl there was still that instinctive wariness that rose within her whenever he drew closer, or whenever anyone drew too close for that matter. A wariness owed to her sea creature roots that often told her to take flight in times such as these. She ignored it. As she had begun to do more and more during her time within this place. Perhaps it was not a wise decision, but she had nothing to fear from Howl, he was kind. Right? ”Yes, it has indeed. I have been quite well.” Her head nodded gently as she answered his question. ”I have even made a new friend. What of you? How have you fared since we last spoke?”

Like a dear in the headlights she stared up at him, blue eyes wide and body frozen, as if any movement would be her undoing. Breath hitched, an alarmed chirp just ready to burst forth from her lips. Silently she watched as he moved a lock of hair from her face, his hand dropping down instantaneously afterwards, her gaze following after it. ”What have I been up to?” Notably the girl relaxed as she pondered over the question, an apologetic smile gracing her lips, dark eyes flicking upward to rest upon his own. ”Nothing of import, I am afraid. I have been merely looking after things about the school. What of you, if I may ask? I am sure it is far more interesting than my affairs.” Genuinely she was curious, the way she looked up at him, along with the unwitting step she took closer to him tell tale signs.

That nervous nature was rather charming, although Howl wondered if this was just how she acted around people she had just met, or if it would run on for quite some time. Either way, he was in fact glad to have her around. Company was always preferred to solitude in his mind. Smiling once she used his name, he nodded in approval. He could understand why she used such a title, but Howl had only ever been called commander, brother, uncle, never a Lord or a Duke. Still, he appreciated her manners.

If Howl had known the feelings within Amalthea, perhaps he would have entertained them more. As it were, he did not know and so he kept his distance as much as possible. She seemed surprised that he was pleased so Howl just smiled with a few nods, “Of course. You are a friend of mine- if I am allowed to call you as such. I enjoy being around my friends,” Winking, he felt the wind go back through his floppy blonde hair and flicked a few locks back with a lick of his lips. 

Howl could understand that, just like how he was raised to respect nature, to avoid beasts and darkness, to not get drawn in by material possessions…every race had their ways about them. And because he knew Amalthea was the type to put up her walls and create distance, he respected that as much as possible. Arching a brow, he grinned and listened as he spoke. “Oh, that’s wonderful Amalathea. Who is the friend, if I may ask?” It was nice to know that she was finally learning how to make friends, he knew it was not easy, but for her to put up the effort meant she was trying. That was all anyone could do. Try and try again. 

Shrugging, Howl replied, “I have been well, thank you. Not much has gone on, and so I have learned how to deal with that, I am always used to doing something, it is why I try to come out here as often as possible. I do not want to waste my time,” Noticing how she got closer, he grinned with a soft laugh and exhale of air. “But I have also been checking up on my home, the birds have been exchanging messages between us as they deal with the Dark-Elves…there has just been,” He sighed, “Complications. I have also been training my nephew and helping him.” Looking down, he then bent and picked up a few flowers, raising them up he grinned. “I will make herbs with these soon, care to accompany to my work space?”

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Howl had decided to take a walk. The school was in the distance behind him and he was settled nicely in his spot, the forest was before him and he seemed to be settled in on the border of two different worlds. One gave him solace and clarity, the other had him working and worrying about things he…

For the moment her duties about the school were finished, the rest that needed to be done could be dealt with later. For now the fae girl had chosen to rest and take some time out for herself. An almost daily ritual this had become, all in order to keep her mind from certain things that only managed in bringing back feelings of sadness and loss, feelings she no longer wished to feel. For the most part it worked, busying herself about the school grounds so that she didn’t have time to think of anything else but the task at hand. It was only when she took her break did her mind star dwelling on such thoughts, even then she would try and take her mind off it by venturing about the grounds, looking for this new thing and that new thing that would catch and keep her interest… for at least a little while.

With a certain delicacy, deliberateness and grace the young woman tread through the long blades of rich green grass. The tail of her lilac gown dragging behind her as her feet lead her to somewhere for the moment unknown. In an almost dream-like state she walked, dark blue eyes staring off unseeing into the distance as a gentle breeze of wind fluttered and tousled the girl’s silver white locks. Today was beautiful. The sky a brilliant blue, the breeze gentle and the sun warm and comforting. Summer was indeed upon them.

Pale brows drew together in a furrow as Amalthea’s gaze fell upon the figure a few feet before her. She had not noticed him, or what she assumed to be a him, but it was soon that she came to realize who exactly the figure was. A faint smile came unbidden to the girl’s pink lips, and her pace quickened without her intention. As the distance was closing between them, she stopped, a faint frown replacing her smile. He looked to be busy. What if he was and she was disturbing him? Now that would not be good. Softly Amalthea sighed, a pale hand reaching out warily then retreating back by her side. ”Lord Howl?” She spoke, making herself known to him. For a moment or two she fell back into silence, wondering whether having intruded upon whatever he was doing was a good idea after all. ”My apologies for the intrusion.” She added, fingers tugging at the fabric of her dress. ”I saw you and without a thought came over to… say good day.”

Howl had sensed her before he heard her. There had been a shift in the wind and a sound of running water with the smell of something fresh, and light. Maybe Amalthea was unaware of it, but she definitely had an impression on nature and since Howl was so close to it, he could usually tell when she approached, as well as others. Still, he remained seated and quiet, he wondered if she would interrupt him. The girl was shy, and so polite it seeped into passive. However, for once, she seemed to actually want to speak and that made Howl smile. His right eye opened first to peer up at the girl who hovered nervously after she addressed him. His lips crept up into a smile and then his other eye soon followed suit. “You can just call me Howl, you know, I am no Lord.” Grinning, he slowly got to his feet.

Brushing off the grass from his pants and pulling at his shirt, he laughed and glanced up with an arch of his brow, “There is no need to apologize. I was simply sitting, really. I am glad you came to me,” Bowing his head politely, he winked, “Good day to you, too. Amalthea…” Clearing his throat, he shrugged his brows and walked forward, leaning in to catch those bright eyes, he chuckled, “Have you been well? It’s been some time since we last spoke, I was wondering how you were.”

Reaching up he flicked back a stray piece of silvery hair that had flown forward because of the wind and then quickly dropped his hand away from the beautiful fae before she flew away in her nervousness. “What have you been up to?”

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