Falling Star upon a Shining City [FINISHED]

[Jin NPC]

Having picked up Rajah's scent in the east direction, Rowan waited patiently for his friend to arrive. What trouble he would bring with him, Rowan never knew until he actually arrived. However, despite being raised in the wild, Rajah had a penchant for cities and he always took his sweet time combing through them.

To a degree, Rowan could identify with Rajah's need to belong; the tora-jin had grown up by himself, and there would always been some need to impress there, he supposed. However, he himself had never bothered with Humans--he made it a point to note where he was welcome and where he wasn't; what it was acceptable to do and what it wasn't, and it went about his business. Rajah busied himself doing a bit of this and that--testing the limits of Human tolerance.

Rowan didn't know from experience, but the way that time was turning it seemed almost as though events were circling back to the old days; in the times of his great-grandparents when jin were allowed to freely roam and interact everywhere that Humans themselves were. Things hadn't been completely restored, but to Rowan it appeared as though Humans were rediscovering magic--they were realizing that they had no right to be selfish and there were plenty of other creatures out there.

Most of the old cities had never shut out magic completely, even if they only lightly masked it: Beijing, Kyoto, Alexandria, Paris, London, St. Petersburg, Jordan, Boston, and many other cities across the globe were all too steeped in magic development to attempt to get away with it, no matter what the rest of the world thought. It was in these cities that magic walked about freely and it was acceptable to practice it; it wasa perfectly fine to know the old ways.

It was thoughts like these, thoughts that involved the reshaping of the land and the rebirth of faith, that clouded Rowan's thoughts. He pondered often, moreso while in the absence of Rajah, the elements that made the world the way that it was. Rajah was not aware completely, having been raised where he was accepted, but there was always something lurking, ready to destroy his innocent happiness. It was a quality that Rowan almost admired about Rajah.

Bemused at the concept of envying innocence, Rowan allowed a small smile to grace his furred lips. It was then that his ears perked, detecting movement toward his poisiton...

[Nagoyaka Rajah]

[This takes place after "Serendipity"]

Rajah continued to follow Felicia -- still in her cat form -- as they made their way out of Barcelona. During their travels out of the city, Rajah had the opportunity to change out of his disguised clothing and back into his blue training clothes he recieved from his visit to China, training under Matsu Toro in learning the ways of the earth.

It was clear that Felicia knew her way around these parts, however he couldn't help but think that she didn't belong here. There had to be somebody who missed her like mad. Cat form aside, she was still only a child. Rajah then started to think about what his parents were like, and if they gave him up, then what were the reasons for it?

It was then that Rajah picked up a familiar scent in the air. It made his head rise almost instantly and made his ears twitch. He looked around, only to see in surprise a Shishi-Jin he found extremely familiar.

Rajah met the Shishi-Jin Rowan about two and a half months ago immediately after he left the country of India. Being the first -Jin he ever saw, Rowan became his hope that he would find others like him. And that was proven true when he met Issac.He gave him shelter and directed him on the path of finding out that his surname's origins was Japanese.

The two became very close friends over his course of staying with him. If it weren't for Rowan, Rajah would have probably searched all of the Asian continent in vein and he would have never have reached the village ran by Matsu Toro to teach him the ways of the earth.

Rajah's mouth gaped open with a smile on his face, never thinking he would ever see his very good friend again. Out of sheer bliss and happiness, Rajah ran toward the Shishi-Jin.

"Rowan!" he yelled with glee before pouncing on the Shishi-Jin, hugging him tightly. "I can't believe it's you! I'm so glad to see you again!"

[Jin NPC]

As usual the Tora-jin behaved like a cub, pouncing and such. And despite that, Rowan allowed him to do so, shifting his left arm so that the spikes in his armor wouldn't hurt the poor boy.

Sighing, he looked at the cat down below their feet. "Are you adopting our cousins as pets, now?" he asked, a whiskery smile upon his face. Giving a small heave of his chest to clear Rajah from it, he kneeled down at the small kitty. "For a baby, she is rather cute," he said.

Leaning back up, he asked, "So what brings you to Barcelona? As per usual, I was traveling in no particular direction; it appears that the stars see fit for us to travel together?" he added. "Are you and your kittypet on a quest of some sort?"

[Nagoyaka Rajah]

Rajah's excitement to see Rowan showed no end, even after the Shishi-Jin released himself from Rajah's hold. He stood to his left, watching his reaction to Felicia in her cat form. He couldn't wait to tell him that she's really a human. His facial reaction would be priceless. Just watching Rowan react to Felicia reminded him of the nights they would spend under the stars just talking about life. Just seeing his smiling face again was worth all of the money in the world.

Gazing upon his friend almost made him forget that Rowan asked Rajah a question regarding his business in Barcelona. Smiling, he brought out the claws on his right paw to scratch his back, being careful not to tear his clothing in the process.

"I was actually in Barcelona on a shopping trip for some tenants I take refuge at right now," he said. "In exchange for shelter, I offer food and meditation training for a human I met a while ago."

That was when Rajah turned Rowan around, making sure that all Felicia could see was their backs and their tails.

"I met the cat within the shopping district," Rajah whispered to him. "The funny thing is, she's actually a human child. And she can transform into a cat any time she wants! How rare of a find is that?!"

Rajah peeked back at the sitting Felicia, who he heard a faint meow from before turning back to Rowan.

"I saw her sitting on the steps of a building," he said. "She looked so helpless, I just couldn't leave her there. Plus, if I can find out where her relatives are, I could bring her to them. She could have a mother, a father... or even a sister whose heart is aching because of her absence. You would have done the same thing, Rowan." He smiled at him tenderly. "You did it for me..."

[Felicia Lisger]

[I'll ignore the little bit of godmodding you did there.]

Felicia wasn't sure how to react to all of this. She wasn't surprised by Rajah, and she found herself also not-surprised in the same capacity by the Lion-man whom Rajah called Rowan. Sunset swirled around her defensively, her invisible and intangible form only subdued by Felicia's will.

Rajah turned Rowan around to engage in what Felicia assumed was to be "grown-up" talk, although she didn't think she was too young to hear anything anymore, considering how she had seen worse in her own visions. Despite this, she decided to wait there patiently, a curious meow slipping from her lips as she watched them. She was sure that in one way or another she would be able to find her way back to Madrid; but would they accompany her; in this form, her feline form, it would take longer to reach her home but it would be less dangerous to do so.

So, she waited for Rajah and the Rowan to finish their talking.

[Jin NPC]

As per usual, Rajah was over doing it. Rowan had yet to actually question Felicia's place in all of this, nor had he been planning to. Rajah's business was his own, and anyone could tell that he was too innocent and open-minded to take on a shady passenger with an ulterior motive.

However, it was interesting to know that she was a Human child. He had heard lore about creatures such as that. Their magically structured cousins--the demons, the animalistic shapeshifters--had been around almost as long as them. However, Rowan couldn't even remember their proper name; their races had been out of touch for eons.

As Rajah continued, Rowan saw the real reason behind Rajah's kindness. Apparently, it plagued him that the girl was trying to find her parents, caring parents being a subject that Rajah, through no fault of his own, was unfamiliar with and wanted to experience rather badly. Rowan knew that the saying was true: its easier to appreciate the things that you do not yourself possess.

However, as she was a girl and not an ordinary kitten, he didn't want to keep her waiting. Turning back to face her, he bowed, as he would before any woman.

"I would be honored to have whom I consider a brother in traveling company with me, as well as yourself, whom I assume are also acceptable by his veyr credible standards. I would be a fool to pass up such a fine opportunity."

[Nagoyaka Rajah]

Rajah smiled as he watched Rowan tell Felicia that he would be traveling with them. And besides that aspect -- which alone made Rajah happy to no end -- he felt warm every time he heard Rowan consider Rajah his brother. Knowing that he belonged in someones life was the most heart-warming feeling Rajah could ever have.

The Tora-Jin walked over to the Shishi-Jin's right, placing his paw on his bare shoulder.

"I cannot wait to tell you about my journeys as of late, Rowan," he told him with excitement in his voice. "My stories have improved since our last meet, I would say!"

[Jin NPC]

Rowan cleared his throat. "Well," he said, "I'm sure that they have. You probably have more to say, too." He knew from Rajah's stories how the young Tora-jin would go on...and on, and on, and on. And on.

"By the way," he continued. "...where is it that we are setting off to, again?" he scratched the back of his head. "I am not traveling in any particular direction. I have caught wind of a town of Jin not too far from this location. I do not know about the two of you, but I was thinking perhaps of retreating there for rest. However, that decision is up to you. I do not know how long our small friend here has been missing from her home. It may be of the utmost importance that she is returned.

[Nagoyaka Rajah]

Rajah's eyes widened as he heard Rowan mention the idea of town of Jin. It almost brought a smile to his face. A town of beings like himself? And he would be traveling there with his best friend? That would be Heaven to Rajah.

"That would be wonderful!" Rajah said to Rowan with a smile. But then, Rajah started thinking about what else Rowan said, mostly about Felicia. He was right; there was a very high possibility that she needed to return home as soon as possible. But in order to do that, he needed to know where home was for her.

"Felicia?" he started to ask the girl that could turn into a cat. "You don't mind if we travel to this town of Jin, do you?" He put on one of the most adorable of smiles, hoping to sway Felicia's decision.

[Felicia Lisger]

Felicia honestly had no problem at all, so long as she could maintain her cat form and be inconspicuous. Her real reason for returning to Madrid was in fact not to see her family, but to check up on them without being noticed. She needed to know if they were looking for her or not. She needed to know if Runa had kept things quiet for her. Felicia did not really enjoy spending time with her family, as everything was about work, and work--and money--was everything to them. It was something that she herself did not enjoy, and unfortunately, it was also something that she could do nothing about. Despite her personal feelings, she was very obedient to her family. Which was why Runa had taken her to the Devil Saints along with her as a liason in the first place. Runa had always been looking out for her; why not the other way around...?

She shook her head and mewed. She didn't mind, but the sooner that she reached Madrid, the better. Perhaps she would be able to get Rajah to help her gather information. She would have to think of a plan...

[Nagoyaka Rajah]

Rajah was extremely happy to hear such good news. He smiled as he saw shake her head, saying that she had no problem with the idea at all. In response to this, Rajah picked up Felicia and cuddled his cheek with hers.

"Oh, thank you, Felicia," he told her. "You made me very happy today."

He then looked at Rowan with his trademark smile, still somewhat connected to Felicia affectionately.

"How far is the town?" he asked.

[Jin NPC]

"Perhaps a twenty minute trek. It is hidden well, amongst the trail leading to Madrid," Rowan said. "They have a hearty little town there, and I know it's filled with lots of fun." He smiled earnestly. "Come, we shall make our way there rather than wasting time. I would very much love to sit with you and share my own stories. However, on the way there, Rajah, I would like to hear yours..."

[Short reply, I know, but pretty much everything's been said that's going to be said. You can start the next post entering the Jin city if you want.]