[center][b][u]Shaky Reunion[/u][/b]
[i]Collab: Fallenreaper, and Celaira[/i][/center]

[center][b]The Sky Above Loom--Evening[/b][/center]

Olivia felt the warmth fill her, soul and body, her eyes rolled under her closed eyelids. The sweater dress Noel made was an ideal cover, its history not yet made, as she nuzzled deeper into her caretaker’s protective arms. If any chill was present then it was unlikely Olivia would’ve felt it or anything at all while she dreamed. 

[center][b]Flashback--6 Months Ago--Olivia's Room At Darius' Estate[/b][/center]

[i]Tick…Tock…Tick…

Olivia’s eyes shifted lazily to the clock ticking in her room. It was one of those cartoon cat faces, its smile grinning at her while its eyes beat side to counting each second passing by, making her sigh to see barely a minute had gone by. She always felt this way whenever Emmet was supposed to pick her up and nothing ever seemed to change her anxiety over it. Her chin settled on her crossed arm while her gloved hand flicked the pencil up and down across the slanted work desk. For several ticks she followed the motion until she heard the sound of her door click open, her head jerked up to spot Aeris entering and smile. Like an infection, Olivia found herself returning the gesture with genuine feeling.[/i] 

[center][b]Present time[/b][/center]

Aeris' wings beat against the air as she pushed herself forward. She needed to get to the Academy as fast as possible, or she ran the risk of falling right out of the sky.

[center][b]Continuation of Flashback[/b][/center]

[i]Aeris watched Olivia with a soft amused smile. "Whatch'ya workin' on there Liv?" She asked walking into the room, her feet padding across the carpetted floor. For once, her hair was down, falling lazily about her back all the way down to her waist. The vampire's hands were nestled safely behind her back, hiding something from Olivia's view.

Olivia's eyebrow raised in question when she noted Aeris's hands were behind her. Her eyes shifted upward as if asking her question silently, including taking keen note of the facial expression or any give aways. Though she knew the chances were rather slim. Aeris, the one she saw to be a big sister and part time mother, seemed to have almost a better poker face then Uncle Darius himself. A fact which he, himself, found rather amusing. 

Her mind was distracted when the question came. Seemingly realizing the face she had been making, her lip being bit and slightly sucked on, Olivia turned back to her homework. It was advance math filled with formulas and other calculations including various graphs. Not that she minded the difficulty in understanding them. "Just math homework. Darius decided to up the grade level when I mentioned how easy it was and boring. So far, it's been far from easy now." 

Again she found herself tilting back in her chair, fully turning it toward Aeris. "You know... if I didn't know better, I would've thought you were hiding something there." 

Aeris smirked at Olivia as she looked up at her in question. She watched the girl carefully, looking back at her calmly. When she answered her question about what she was doing with make homework, Aeris grimaced a bit. "I always hated math. S'not a fun thing to learn at all." She mock shuddered in horror at the subject and giggled. 

When the younger girl mentioned she was hiding something behind her back, Aeris grinned. "Well, aren't you observant." As she spoke she pulled out a small wrapped package. Within the package Olivia would find [url=http://images10.newegg.com/NeweggImage/ProductImageCompressAll300/A11S_1_20121029_81506861.jpg]a necklace[/url] that Aeris had a jeweler friend make for the girl as a birthday present. She had to give it to her early as she was leaving Kenan for a few months again to continue her search for her brother, Mairyell. The vampire smiled a little sadly as she held the box out to the girl in front of her. "This isn't the only reason I'm here, though, so open this after I've told you the stuff, all right?" Aeris' question was soft, and she paused waiting for confirmation.

Olivia’s curiosity naturally got the better of her, yet she couldn't shake the worry. It was a slight but strong gut feeling of worry and warning, seemingly to nudge at her mind's attention until she pushed it away. She paused a bit when her eyes noted her shirt had ridden up in her slumped over posture and quickly pulled down the pink tee with a black, glittery skull graced by a petite bow. In its mouth was a sucker stick and the words, Sweetheart, underneath in 'angelic' stylized letters. It was one of her favorites because her brother had picked it, a key reason why she had chosen to wear it in the first place. Alongside a paair of tight jeans that hugged her figure in an appealing, modern yet modest fashion. Like Aeris, Olivia realized, making her smirk wider. 

Olivia playfully stuck her tongue out then added, " I enjoy the challenge of learning something new. Not many things are as complicated as math or at least anything I've found." 

Gingerly she took hold of the box, her fingers nearly engulfed it in her grasp, and peeled off the lid. She pulled it underneath then began to removed the inner protection until something bright, crystal blue revealed itself. Immediately Olivia's eyes lite up. Then they fell and the memory of her last gift traced on the outer frindges of her mind. A pain in her heart, both regret and self hate, filled her core while she tenderly took a breath. Olivia braced herself enough to stroke the crystal heart and debated a little in letting her finger touch it bare handed then shook the idea away. Instead she praised its beauty, deciding ignorance was best. 

"It's so pretty, Aeris. Where did you get? When did you get?" Olivia asked, both trying to fish the object's origins and delay it being put on her. 

Aeris watched the girl as she opened the box calmly, carefully analyzing her reaction to the present. "First," she paused, "Darius told me to tell you that Emmet wouldn't be able to come get you today, though he didn't tell me why." She spoke softly as she broke the news to Olivia, and then walked to her side looking down at her. "I had it made for you. It was supposed to be a birthday present, but information on my brother came up last week so I called the friend that made and had him send it to me so I could give it to you in person before I had to leave." There was a look of regret on her face as she spoke. She felt horrible for missing Olivia's birthday, but if there was any chance of finding Mairyell, she had to take it.

Olivia thought her heart dropped out of her chest and splattered on the floor, leaving a mess of depression in its wake. She blinked. At first, she was slightly shocked at hearing the news about her brother and soon rather crushed at realizing that Aeris had gain news on her brother, now likely absent for her birthday coming up in a few days. Slowly Olivia's legs took her to the edge of her bed. Her body lowered down on top of the stuff animals, horses, tigers, foxes and more piled at the foot. Some fell to the floor but she didn't want to bother picking them up. Hands sat in her lap while her eyes locked with Aeris, eyes trying hard to understand and hide her emotions. 

Her throat felt thick when she questioned the reasons, mainly her brother's. Aeris she could understand. If Emmet was missing then Olivia wouldn't want to be held back in finding him and would expect empathy, though it didn't stop it from hurting so much. "I don't understand, Aeris. He knows we only get everything other weekend and this it. I won't be able to see him until the one after the next. Are you sure you can't tell me anything?" 

Aeris walked over to Olivia and sat beside her, sighing as she picked up the stuffed animals. Once the few that had fallen were back on the bed she pulled Olivia close and held her gently. "All Darius told me is that he had to work or something, that's really all I know sweetheart." The vampire gently squeezed the girl, resting her face in her hair and kissing her head. "I'm so sorry Olivia." 

Olivia let Aeris hold her, her head rested upon the woman's shoulder while she let her words reach her ears. She had barely noted the stuffed toys were back in their place until she felt her sister pull her in close . "It's not fair, but I shouldn't be surprised. Everything's been going wrong this week." 

She turned her head into Aeris, her eyes closed while she wanted to use the vampire to hide the anger she felt. It wasn't fair at all. First her magic had started recently and now this, what else could happen now? What else could get worse? Emmet was supposed to be there for her to tell him, even make it better, but now he wasn't. Gently she pulled away from Aeris to look at the woman. "Do you think this last lead will end up better then your last one?" 

Olivia hoped the change in topic was enough to get her mind off her brother. The notion was painful, worsened now if she continued to linger on it. 

Even as Olivia pulled away from her, Aeris stroked the girl's hair, hand resting atop her head. "I hope so, but apparently Mai's been moving around a lot more recently, making him hard to pin down. But, if all goes well, I might be able to introduce you to a new addition to your family, and a lost one to mine." Aeris' smile was hopeful, but her gut told her that this wouldn't be the right lead. She wouldn't find him this time either. In truth, the vampire was losing hope that she would ever be able to catch up to him.

"Do you wanna talk about your bad week, Liv? If you want, I can stay the night, I don't leave till tomorrow anyway." 

"You'll find him," Olivia said, her forehead tingled where Aeris touched and seemed to lift her mood a little. She was only sad it won't stay that way for long, and pushed away her selfishness to focus on the matter. "It's complex. I'm not even sure where to start, but you really should get going. You never know, it might be the lead which will end up being your brother and with some luck, you both will be back in time for my birthday. I ask Darius to save you a piece of the three tier velvet raspberry cake if you stop by the Rabid Dog. We'll get the back rooms to ourself..." 

Then she added hastily, looking sheepish at her forgettfulness. "With supervision of course." 

Olivia glanced down at the item then back at Aeris, her eyes seemed to be struggling with something until finally she gave in. She pulled the chain out with her fingers then shifted the box aside, gesturing for her sister to take it. "However, before you leave will you put this on me?" 

Aeris smiled softly at the girl kissing her forehead again. "Sure." As she spoke she gently lifted the chain from the box and rose from the bed to walk behind Olivia. The gem weighted itself against the top of her chest as Aeris fastened the claspe, smiling. "How do you like it?" 
 
 "The best gift I could ever recieve," Olivia said honestly while she admired it a bit, then considered something. "Aeris?" 
 
 "Mm?" The vampire murmured walking back to sit beside her. "What's up?" 

"Good luck," Was all Olivia could manage to say. 

Aeris smiled warmly and hugged the girl tightly. "If I don't see you on your birthday, Happy Birthday. I love you, Liv." Aeris kissed the top of her head again, and waved as she walked out of the room beginning her search for Mairyell once again. 
[/i] 

[center][b]Present Time--Heading To The Academy--Evening[/b][/center]

The dream ended, her mind slowly came aware of the sensation of wind whipping around her cradled figure. Her face scrunched up in confusion, her memory inching to recall Noel and herself were supposed to be in a hotel when a thought hit her. Her body stiffened within Aeris’s grip while her eyes snapped open. Immediately the first thing she caught a glimpse of was the ground, namely several feet below her, made her heart leap into her throat. Instinctively her first impulse was to grip her captor and utter words which came into her mind. 

“Holy shit! What the…” Olivia’s head snapped back to Aeris, pale and half expected her original captor’s face only to recognize it,”…Aeris?!” 

Aeris, trying to focus on keeping herself steady, blinked as Olivia grabbed her and cursed. "Olivia... Did you just curse at me?" Her head tilted to the side a bit, and she glided upwards, dodging a flock of in coming birds.

Olivia ducked her head against Aeris, her hand tightly hugged the woman's neck, bracing against the fluttering birds who scattered in panic. She thought a few had brushed her with their feathers and bristled her skin, her body tried to curl farther away in fear Aeris might accidently drop her. It wasn't the height that scared her most but rather the drop. It won't take much and from this level, Olivia knew or at least had some idea of the pain she could suffer from it. Her lungs felt like they were about to die within her chest while she pleaded with Aeris. 

"Yes.,,but please, put me down. Please, mainly on some solid ground." Her face was turned away in a hope to avoid looking downward, pretending that she wasn't dangling very high above it. 

Aeris gently squeezed Olivia's tiny form, silently letting her know she wasn't going to drop her. The vampire looked down at the ground and saw the Academy in the distance. "Just a little further sweetie and then you can be on solid ground, and a bed." Looking at the girl, Aeris smiled warmly, but she was obviously tired as well. Her eyes were visibly duller, though outside of that, there were no signs of her exhaustion. If her brother had been there, though, he could have felt it. "Oh, by the way. I found Mairyell." Aeris spoke, rather out of the blue.

Olivia kept her eyes closer, her mind centered on her own anchor that she was safe. Though the sensation of air and movement didn't help to concrete that feeling very well within her heart. The thing was flipping and jumping within her chest, trying to choke her until it felt like it would jerk right out of her chest. That or her stomach was about to reveal what her last meal was, something Olivia didn't want. The sourness that had seeded at her throat back was quickly swallowed and forced down, though it only made her middle farther upset at her. It was likely she was turning a shade of green just from the thought. 

Hoping to prevent her queasiness from growing, Olivia caught Aeris's attempts to sooth her and gave her a weak smile. "That's good. I told you would wone of these leads, but what happened to Noel? Is he alright?" 

The vampire watched Olivia as she struggled with queasiness. Luckily for both of them they were almost there. The Academy was only a mile away now. So close. When Olivia questioned about Noel, Aeris nodded. "Noel should be fine, he's with Mai right now, they're doing Darius a favor. Hopefully we'll see them a little later today." As she finished her sentance and was already over the Academy's courtyard. "Liv. Hang on tight." Aeris spoke sternly as she leaned her body forward and divebombed toward the ground, stopping a few feet from it and letting ehr wings open to drop her safely to her feet where she was able to sit Olivia down on the grass. 

Olivia felt Aeris nod as her face was pressed into the area between the shoulder and neck, her body still fighting the need to be sick. She wasn't sure much longer she could keep herself together and manage not to make a fool of herself in front of Aeris. Not that it was the first time. When Aeris mentioend something about her to hang on, her eyes opened long enough to do two things: first look at Aeris and second, more stupidity she'll admit to later, look down. 

"Wait, what are you-Ahhhhh..." Olivia couldn't help the small cry from exiting her mouth while she muffled it against Aeris's shoulder. Insider her head, a number of curses roared but thankfully she was too busy trying not to scream in her gaurdian's ear to say them. 

Her arms tightened instantly and her mind flooded her head with images of them diving to the ground, unable to reassure her that it won't happen. Her body was trembling before Olivia realized they had stopped moving, their halt an abrupt jerk that cut off her sound within her throat. She then felt her lower legs drop down onto something solid which seemed to prompt the girl to take three wobbly steps from Aeris then hunch over, her arms held on her knees just when she couldn't control her stomach anymore. Her stomach tossed up its contents in a wet, smelly liquid right on the nearest patch of grass. Twice. Once she was sure the last of it was gone, Olivia edged herself upright, her sleeve wiped away the drippings left behind. The taste was completely foul and lingered in her burning throat. 

"Gross." She spoke softly, more to herself then Aeris. 

She turned and gave a guilty, weaken smirk. Her way of apologizing for tossing up whatever she ate on the Academy's front yard it seemed like. She only hoped the landscapered wasn't going to track her down and insist she clean it up, her body shivered at the thought rattling too soon within her head. With careful steps she bagan to walk back to Aeris, now noting the vampire's current status and getting feeling Aeris might've pushed herself too far. Namely because of the dimness in Aeris's eyes Olivia had started to feel a bit alarmed, her pace increased until She could wrap her hands about her caregiver's shoulders. 

"Aeris, do you know where your room is?" Olivia asked, her voice struggled to keep the panic out of it while her eyes flickered about. She was hoping there was someone around but any she had was quickly shattered when she realized they were alone. She felt a little stupid in hoping someone, anyone, against all odd might've been around as no one in their right mind would've been. "Just show me and I'll see if I can get someone to help." 

Aeris silently watched as Olivia lost whatever it was she had eaten last all over the ground. She smiled a little, as she was so used to flying she didn't even think about what it would do to a normal person if they weren't in a plane. "Yes, Olivia, I know where my room is. I'll be fine, I just need some sleep." With that, she took the girl's hand and guided her inside, and all the way to her room. 

As she opened the door, a familiar large black nose sniffed at the crack, and whining could be heard. When the door was fully open, the seven foot Hell hound, Lisara stood up with her tail wagging. Flames lapped at the air and then quickly dissepated as she saw Aeris' condition, as well as Olivia. The dog's face went from overjoyed to worried, her ears falling back against her skull. 

When Aeris walked into the room, her world began to spin for the second time that day and she stumbled forward a bit. SHe couldn't keep up the strong act any longer it seemed. [i]Fantastic.[/i] She thought to herself as she hobbled her way over to the large bed. She climbed on top of it, and as soon as her head it one of the four pillows, she was out.

If Olivia had walked into the room with Aeris, Lisara would have walked behind the girl and closed the door with her snout, nudging her gently toward the shower. Though she couldn't communicate with her like she could with Aeris, the hell hound was fully capable of fetching things that she thought the girl would need.

The surprises kept coming for Olivia, her body paused in following Aeris to reach down and pick up the fallen sweater dress, saving it from grass stains of hell. Her eyes caught glimpses of the building, which gave off a school like feeling to her, a lot like the private school Darius had enrolled her making her feel more comfortable since her run in with Ashley. A cold chill raced down her spine when she remembered the woman’s face and Olivia fought the need to hug herself. Thankfully, they seemed to be the only two roaming the hallways toward the wing where Aeris’s room laid, not another soul to interrupt them when they came to the room’s door. Something sniffled and clawed at the door, a black nose revealed when suddenly Olivia found her eyes traveling upward in awe. 
 
Last thing she expected was seeing Lisara, the hellhound familiar, waiting for them at Aeris’s room. Most schools-at she assumed this was one- from her own experience didn’t allow pets, or companions as some of the girls called them, to live on campus and so it was naturally a small shock to see her here. At Lisara’s whine, Olivia turned to spot Aeris drag herself into the room and stumble. Olivia’s hands came out but fell short when Aeris seemed to inched herself on the bed, her arms wrapped about the pillows and was out. 
 
Hesitantly, Olivia made her way while Lisara closed the door behind her. The soft click had made the girl jump and twist about, only to be nudged toward the shower with the sweater dress still folded in her arms. She knew she could resist but it was not likely the hellhound would allow it. 
 
“Alright, I’m going.” Olivia said while she stopped at Aeris’s bedside, her hand reached for a blanket, which decorated the top and placed it over her sleeping form. “Thanks Aeris, sleep well.” 
 
With those last thoughts, Olivia headed to shower.