Title: Diving Into Things
Authors: Leiko and Perry

Kirk took the opportunity to pluck the towel out of Jake's hand and retreat to Shirania's side.

"What the-" Jake managed to stammer, eyes widening slightly.

"Now, if you would be so kind as to leave?" the elf asked, her voice slowly becoming less pleasant.

Shirania watched the elf in silent facination, all focus on the meet now lost.

"Wh- Screw you," he snarled, his cronies gaining confidence against the slender female as Jake did.

The largest took a step toward Kirk, grinning nastily.

"Now, you can either listen to me, or..." Kiron didn't feel the need to finish, eyes flicking at the larger goon.

Seeing this, Shirania stepped in front of Kirk, not wanting him to get involved.

"Shira!" Kirk protested, trying to get around the girl.

"Fuck you," Jake finally said, taking a swing at the elf.

Kiron easily dodged, landing a firm blow across the boy's jaw. It was enough to stagger him, but no real damage.

Her hand still holding firmly to Jake's, Kiron skipped to the ground beside him, letting his arm twist painfully behind him.

Kirk managed to dodge around Shiania, looking to help Kiron, but not finding any need to.

"H-hey!" Jake's eyes were very alarmed, but he was unable to do anything to stop the elf.

The smaller of Jake's followers took Kirk's movement as a further threat and snaked one arm out to grasp the boy's shoulder.

Kirk twisted away, partially succeeding in escaping the boy's grip, and bringing one hand around to smack solidly into the boy's shoulder.

The larger boy grunted, and reached into his pocket, the shine of silver in his hand hardly visible. Kiron's eyes caught the goon's sudden change of stance and tensed.

Oblivious of the other guy, Kirk was still working on freeing his arm.

Shirania continued to stand there in horror as the fight played out in front of her. Why do they have to fight? she asked herself.

Kiron hardly gave herself time to think before she dove into Kirk, knocking both down in a tangle of limbs. The elf's eyes narrowed as the silver snicked across the side of her wrist with the larger boy's lunge.

"Kiiiiron!!!" Shirania cried out, the flash of silver jolting her awake.

"Jura?" the elf was on her feet in moments, eyes locking onto Shirania. Assured the girl was safe, Kiron rounded on the three boys. Her movements were almost faster than could be properly watched, a foot here, and a male grunt, two went down before they had much chance to respond to the elf.

The other of the goons turning towards Kiron, Shirania found herself hurtling towards him. With her diver's legs behind her, Shirania pushed off, launching both herself and the goon towards the edge of the pool.

With the railing as an anchor, Kiron swung from one hand, catching Shirania around her waist. The elf winced knowing it would knock the breath from the girl, but pulled her safely to the railing before turning to Kirk.

"Are you alright, Jura? Kirk?"

Her eyes having been closed against the impact of the water, the sudden grab brought Shirania up short, her ribs feeling like they had been compressed, and the air whooshing out of her lungs. She lay limply across Kiron's arm, coughing and struggling desperately to draw air into her lungs.

Kiron extended an arm to the boy, ignoring the sheen of red blood that spilled from the small cut.

Kirk blinked, taking the proffered hand, but peering down concernedly at the bloody wound. "Me? I think it's more of a question if YOU'RE alright." Kirk replied, eyeing Kiron with a mixture of respect and concern.

Now managing to draw shuddering breaths, Shirania still clung weakly to Kiron's arm, her gaze moving towards Kiron's other wrist, and the sheen of blood on it. "Kiron?" she choked out, reaching one shaking hand towards the cut.

"Jura? I'm sorry, I was too slow wth the last one," Kiron's eyes sought anything but those of Shirania, carefully studing the ground by her feet. She slipped her wrist behind from Kirk's grasp and took a step back from both the school children.

"Kiron, you've got to have that looked at." Kirk told her sternly.

Shirania picked up her fallen handtowel, moving to wrap it around Kiron's injury.

"It's fine really," the elf replied stubbornly, eyes flicking to the door as a group of blue uniformed security entered the pool area.

"Oh stop it!" Shirania whispered irritably, noting the security guards, and reaching out for Kiron's arm.

Kiron allowed her wrist to be wrapped, distracted as she noted a single guard taking a much longer look at her than was needed. She gaxed back defiantly, recognizing his less than human nature mostly hidden by his hat.

"Come on! You should have the medic look at it." Kirk tried to usher the two girls towards the small office at the head of the pool.

Over the loudspeakers came the announcement ending the warmup period. The first three divers were listed off, "Maria Cane, Jonie Blass, and Shirania Kelon."

Studiously Shirania ignored the announcement, continuing towards the medic's office. She twisted just before entering the office, eyes locking with the security's. The man grinned, then continued to help the three boys out of the gym.

"Hey what are you doing?" Kirk protested.

"Th-that... elven..." she murmured, so only Kirk could hear, then shook her head. "Nothing."

"Huh?" Kirk blinked confusedly. "Hey Shira, didn't they just announce you?" he asked suddenly.

"Perhaps," Shirania answered, stepping into the office and pulling Kiron after her.

"You need to get out there!" he continued, following them in. "I'll take care of your cousin, just go out there and get it done!" he tried to smile encouragingly.

"Jura, you really should go if someone is counting on you," Kiron said softly.

"But what about you?" Shirania asked, emotions welling up in her eyes. "It's my fault you got hurt."

"Oh come on, they were just a bunch of thugs looking for trouble. They're the ones at fault here Shira, not you." Kirk smiled again.

"And they are hurt much worse than I," Kiron winked, giving Shirania a gentle push toward the door.

Shiania tried to smile, but the attempt failed. "I just don't know if I can get up there and do it now. I'm all off." She fingered her ribs gently, her lungs still burning.

"Here," the elf slipped her necklace off, slipping it easily around Shirania's neck. "For luck."

Breaking into a small smile, the girl blinked away a set of tears, and then hurried away as the announcer became even more impatient.

---------------

Kiron laughed softly, closing the door to the office. "Now, whatever do you need to say that Shirania cannot hear?" the elf asked Kirk, looking him over for any damage he might be trying to hide.

Kirk eyed the girl warily. "Huh?"

She shook her head, remembering these children had not been raised in courts. The boy likely had little ulterior motive.

"Nevermind, reverting to old habits," she replied with a rueful smile.

"RIIIight." He shook his head. "Now about your arm."

"Right," Kiron removed the towel Shirania had placed on it, revealing the thin scab already trying to form.

"Wow. . well, at least you're not still bleeding, but we should still disinfect it and wrap it up properly."

She shrugged, "It's not all that bad. A minor spe-" she cut off. Was magic still commonly used?

"A minor what? Sheesh Kiron, you were attacked by a guy with a knife!" irritation started to show in Kirk's voice as he walked forward and gripped Kiron's injured arm.

Kiron's eyes flashed as he took hold of her, honed reflexes scarcly held in check.

Kirk held her eyes in challenge.

"I wouldn't test yourself against me, boy," she warned, voice low and soft. "Find someone of your own standing."

"What is your problem?" Kirk ground out, not backing down before her.

"It's..." the elf blinked. "Nothing, are you nearly done yet?" The elf's mood shifted dramatically, suddenly non-chalant to the scarecly contained danger moments before.

Kirk looked down at the arm, turning to get the antiseptic wipes and a swath of bandaging.

"Shirania Kelon?" the guard queried, standing on the side of the pool as the girl surfaced from her dive.

"Yes?" Shirania answered politely.

"I need to ask you a few questions, if you would come with me?"

"Umm. . I still have four more dives to do. Could it wait until after I'm finished?" Shirania asked, casting about for her towel before remembering where it was.

"I'm afraid not," he replied.

"Have you discussed this with my coach?" Shirania tried a different approach.

"Yes, it is in relation to the... incident earlier. Now, if you would stop stalling and come with me?"

Spotting her coach at the head of the pool, Shirania waved her hand, catching his attention. He waved, said a few more words to a young freshman, and then walked quickly over to where she stood with the guard.

"Is there a problem here Shirania?" the coach asked, eyeing the guard.

"No, there's no problem. I just had a few questions I needed to ask Miss Kelon about the earlier incident," the guard answered.

"Incident? Oh you mean the fight. Well, I suppose it would be ok. . . " the coach trailed off, running a hand through his hair and looking dubiously at Shirania.

"Yeah, but I still have four more dives left." Shirania tried to persuade the coach.

"What could you possibly have to hide about the fight that you will not answer my questions?" the guard asked, softly so that only Shirania could hear it.

Shirania jumped, looking at the guard. "N.nothing. I just don't want to let my team down."

"Ah, don't worry about it. I'll talk to the ref. . and we'll let you dive after you come back." the coach smiled at her.

Nodding at the guard, the coach made his way back across the pool to the announcing booth.

"Now, if you would join me in the hall?" the guard asked finally, slight impatience showing in his voice. It was almost enough to hide the note of fear behind it.

Shirania picked up one of the large beachtowels from the team bench, and followed him out of the pool area.

Once they were in the hall, the guard dialed a number on his cell phone. After a moment of waiting he said into it, "Yeah, get Gurian. It's important."

Shirania wrapped the towel around herself, idily tucking stray strands of hair back under her swim cap.

"The Yojiran." The guard said the single statement, then winced as the voice suddenly raised in level on the other side.

Shirania froze hearing the name. Yojiran. . . how would he know?

"Y-yes sir, they're here. I know that sir. Yes sir. Understood sir. The Astrainia. Well, I know a way to... bring her to us," the man cast a glance at the necklace Shirania was wearing.

"It's just a single girl, sir."

Shirania looked around, desperately wishing that Kiron were there.

"Yes sir, understood." The man hung up the phone, then turned his attention back to Shirania. "Now, if you would be so kind as to follow me?"

"Follow you where? You said you wanted to ask me a few questions. I have a meet I need to get back to." Shirania tried to keep her voice polite, fear coursing through her veins.

The man put a hand on Shirania's shoulder. "I'm afraid your team will have to finish the meet without you. Now come." His voice shifted form polite civility to easy command.

Shirania tried to twist away from his grip. "I'm not going anywhere."

"I beleive you are," he answered quickly, twisting one arm behind her back painfully. "And should you protest too loudly..." A wicked gleam of silver consealed from anyone else in his palm finished his threat for him.

Gasping painfully, Shirania tried to raise up on her toes to lessen the pain, only to be stopped short by the knife.

"Now walk," he commanded, giving her a slight push that put more pressure on her shoulder and moved her toward the exit from the school.

---------------

Kirk finished tying up the bandage on Kiron's arm, the conversation having gone silent.

Kiron yawned hugely, watching Kirk as he finished with her wrist. She flipped the blinds open with two fingers, looking about for Shirania in the pool area. The elf tensed again when she could not find the girl. She stood, barely letting Kirk finish tying the bandage.

"There." Kirk said, knotting the bandage.

"Um, thanks," the elf said akwardly, already to the door. She flexed her wrist, twisting it to be sure she still had full movement with the bandage on.

"Um. . yeah." Kirk replied, startled at the elf's quick departure.

"Sorry about before..." she mumbled, then pushed the door open, looking around again.

"Hey. . where are you going?" Kirk called after her, sensing the other girl's tension.

"Where is Shirania?" Kiron asked suddenly, spinning to look at him. Had the boy distracted her while... Her arm a blur, Kiron pinned the boy to the door. "What did they do with her?"

"WhaAAA?" Kirk struggled uselessly under the elf's grip. "What are you talking about?"

He's just a boy, Kiron reminded herself, allowing her arm to fall to her side.

Kirk staggered upright. "What is your problem?!?" Kirk resisted the urge to slap sanity back into the girl.

The elf was not paying him attention, eyes casting around the pool for anything out of place. "How much did Shirania have to do when they called her?" she asked, turning back to Kirk.

"There are seven dives in a round. . . " Kirk trailed off, his eyes also tracing around the pool looking for Shirania.

"So she should still be here, yes?"

Glancing up at the display board, Kirk turned to look at the girl, his eyes having gone hard. "Yes, there are still four dives left."

Something passed over Kiron face, a mix of fear, controlled sadness, but most of all a deep anger. "Shirania..."

"Maybe the police just wanted to question her real quick." Kirk delved about, hoping for an easy answer.

"Why didn't they question us? We did the fighting," Kiron shook her head, taking a step towrd the exit from the pool.

"Maybe they couldn't find us .. . " Kirk answered, his voice sounding hollow in his own ears.

"Damn," Kiron swore softly in english, before continuing in elven. "I don't know where to even start looking any more."

"Maybe the coach would know." Kirk suggested, seeing the coach standing next to one of the starting blocks. "I'll ask."

The elf nodded, silently cursing herself for relaxing her watch.

"Hey coach!" Kirk called out. "Have you seen Shira around?"

"Hm? Oh yeah, one of the guards wanted to talk to her, so we pushed all of her dives back to the end. She should be back in a few."

"One of the guards?" Kiron's eyes flickered. "I shouldn't have... Damn."

"Huh?" the coach smiled confusedly. "Well anyway, you should be getting warmed up for your races Kirk. Let's get it going!"

"I-I have to go," the elf mumbled, eyes distant as she thought of soemthing else.

"Sure thing coach." Kirk smiled broadly, having not heard Kiron. "See, nothing to worry about."

"Right," she answered, one hand clenched tight enough her knuckles had turned a deathly white.

"Go on Kirk, stop flirting with the ladies." the coach gave Kirk a push towards the swimming pool.

Kirk heaved a sigh of relief, waving at Kiron before diving into the pool.

Kiron merely watched him, then turned to walk to the door from the pool.

The man opened the door to a car, waiting for Shirania to enter.

Shirania remained standing, making no move to enter the car.

"Get in," he snapped, pushing her slightly toward the vehicle.

Shirania dug in with her bare toes, looking about desperately for a way to escape.

Kiron looked both ways in the hall, not suprised that Shirania was not there. She broke out in a run toward the nearest exit from the building.

"Now, is it all that hard to do as you are told? Believe me, your... friend... will be along soon enough."

Finding that the knife was no longer at her throat, Shirania pushed away from the guard, trying to break into a run.

The man merely hooked a foot around her knee, forsing her to fall to her knees. "Get in, or I may have to... ensure your arrival in other ways."

Shirania fell painfully to the pavement, gravel digging into her knees. "Kiron." she whispered.

"That's exactly what we want," he whispered in her ear. "And you will help us get it." Picking Shirania up, he shoved her into the car, pushing her into the passenger's seat. He began to climb in after her, only to look up as the glare of the door to the school flashed in his eyes.

Shirania curled up into a ball, afraid both for herself and for her friend.

"Jura!" Kiron shouted, seeing the pair enter the car. The elf broke no a dead run toward the man.

"Shit," the man got into the car quickly, and hardly giving it anytime to warm up before flooring the gas and speeding for the exit from the parking lot.

-------------------

Shirania hadn't noticed the elf's appearance, the roar of the engine drowning out her voice.

For a moment it appeared the elf could almost catch the car, but the man screamed into the street, driving away before Kiron could reach them. Dejected, Kiron stopped and slowly walked back to the school building. She found her way to the pool, the door slamming open as she entered.

Kirk stood at the head of the pool, joking with a few of his friends while waiting for his race to begin.

The elf leaned against the wall, eyes moving around the room aimlessly until they landed on Kirk.

The group of spandex-clad boys broke up as the announcement came for the beginning of the race. Each boy made his way to their block, stretching and now focused on the race.

Jura... She was so like Laira. How could Kiron have let someone just take her like that? Who had taken... Kiron hardly needed to finish the question before she knew the answer. The Grinaldi had her.

Her face tightened with contained anger, not at the Grinaldi, but at herself.

"On your marks." the announcer yelled.

Kiron looked up, watching the boys disinterestedly.

"Get set!" the man raised the starting gun. "GO!" and with the reverberating gunshot, the eight boys dove into the water, each pulling themselves along.

As much as she didn't want to involve the boy, Kiron had no idea where to start asking about Shirania. Although she doubted it, the boy might be able to help.

The cheering which had erupted since the gunshot grew louder and louder, echoing through the swim hall as the boys made the turn and headed back towards the finish line. Kirk was in lane 5, and the other two boys from Newport were placed on the ends of the pool. Swimming smoothly, Kirk pulled into the lead, still stretching for the wall.

Kiron waited impatiently, mentally urging Kirk to swim faster.

The cheering which had served to urge the swimmers on then broke into jubliant clapping as Kirk touched the wall a quarter second ahead of the previous school record.

The elf stalked toward the victorius boy, pushing her way through the crowd that had gathered to congratulate him.

Kirk was grinning madly, still breathing hard.

She had to force a false calm over herself as a girl pushed her aside to get to Kirk. The elf's eyes flashed but she held back, crossing her arms over her chest and trying to catch Kirk's eyes.

Kirk smiled at everyone, trying to be at least slightly modest, until he spotted a shock of silver hair peaking above the rest of the crowd.

Kiron riegned in her urge to push a shreiking girl into the pool, one hand tightening into a shaky fist.

Kirk pulled himself out of the pool in a cascade of water, and proceeded to give the coach a very wet hug, just for the fun of it. Looking about, he spotted Kiron again.

Too frustrated to wait any longer, Kiron spun on her heel. She was completely oblivious to the hot tears on her cheeks.

Seeing the girl's retreating back, Kirk tried to politely disentangle himself from the jubilant crowd, and ran lightly after her.

"Hey Kiron?" he called after her, still dripping on the tiled floor.

The elf spun to face him, eyes shifting from silver to a hard granite.

"Kiron, what's wrong?" he jogged up to beside the girl.

"She's gone," the girl whispered, slwoly starting to shake in more than just her fist. "I.. couldn't stop them."

"Wait, who's gone?" Kirk asked, seeing the girl's shaken state. "What's happened to Shira?"

"They took her," she snapped. "Are you not listening? They took her and it's my fault?"

"Who took her?" Kirk asked evenly, placing a comforting hand on Kiron's trembling shoulder.

"The Grinaldi," she answered, avoiding his eyes.

"The who?" Kirk asked again, forcing his tone to remain calm although his heart was racing.

"Grinaldi... It's complicated," she mumbled.

"Ok. . have you called the police?" he asked.

She laughed darkly, "If only it were that simple. Human law enforcement is unlikely to be of much use."

"Human? Excuse me? Are you feeling alright Kiron?" Kirk took the girl's arm. "Maybe you should sit down for a bit."

"You don't understand," she protested, but did not pull her arm from his hold.

"Probably not. Why don't you sit down and explain it to me." Kirk decided to go along with her line of thought rather than argue.

She followed, eyes daring anyone to approach the winner now.

Kirk led the girl to one of the benches in the hallway, sitting her down before taking a seat, still damp, next to her.

"I... oh Jura," she bent at the waist, using her knees suddenly for support. She shoulders shook even more with quiet sobs.

Kirk wrapped an arm around the sobbing girl, not sure quite what to do, but trying to be comforting.

"I should have known," she said softly. "He looked directly at me. Stupid..."

"What should you have known? Who looked at you." Kirk asked her softly.

"Th-the guard, he was elven... And I gave her my necklace, why not just write my name on her forehead?"

"Elven. . Kiron?" Kirk tried to hide the disbelief in his voice.

"Come on. . Sure the both of you are delicately beautiful, but . . elves?"

"I'm sure you've noticed by now... I'm odd by your standards," she said, sitting up slightly. One hand reached up to flick the top of her pointed ears.

"Hm? Oh come on. . we all have different ears. . . aren't you taking this a bit far?" Kirk's voice was joking, but his gaze was serious, looking down at the ears he had missed up until now.

She sat up, eyes locking with his.

Finding himself caught in her silvery gaze, he whispered out, "and your eyes are just contacts right?"

"No," her gaze did not waiver, continueing to hold his tightly.

"No. . how can that be?" his voice trailed off uncertainly.

"There are things, beyond you, that you cannot begin to imagine are real," she whispered, catching his hand with her own.

Kirk broke away from the gaze, staring instead down at the slender hand that held his. What was going on here?

Kiron bit her lip, silently praying to forgotten gods that he would believe at least part of what she said.

"I. . I don't know what to say. . " Kirk said all of a sudden, his voice still soft. "I don't know what I believe or not. . . so strange." He ran a finger over Kiron's hand.

"Believe this," she replied. "Most of your 'legends' have, or used to have, a basis in truth."

"But what about Shira. . what does any of this have to do with her?"

"I was supposed to have died.. a long time ago. The man... he was sent by the Grinaldi just to get to me," the elf's grip tightened to diguise her body's renewed trembling.

"What about Shira?" Kirk repeated softly, wrapping his other hand around her clenched one.

"Don't you see it? I'm supposed to go after Shirania, so that they can truly win over my family by killing me," a tear fell, landing to fall across both their hands.

"Why her? Why did they kidnap her? You were here, why didn't they just attack you outright?" Kirk asked, his mind seeking pathways around the story she was telling.

"She was wearing my necklace, one that only royalty would have. It made a strong connection from her to me. They can't just attack in a school like this, it would be noticed by your authorities."

"How are we going to get Shira back?" Kirk asked, sensing the trembling in the girl's body through her painful grip on his hand.
"I don't-don't know," she said soft-voiced.

Kirk sat there for a minute, running ideas through his head. What was so wrong about going to the police anyway?

"Well, what are we going to tell her parents?" he asked finally.

Kiron tried to remember where the Grinaldi home had been, and whther it would still exist. Fear for Shirania twisted Kiron's stomach.

"I don't know," she answered again, frustrated with her inability to do anything.

"Well, I think we should deal with that possibility first. If you don't want the police in on this, you should keep her parents from panicking.

"Does she have any friends she could be staying the night at?"

"Umm. . " Kirk thought for a moment. "You're really the only person I've seen who is close to her."

Kiron fought back tears again, cursing herself for being weak at a this time. The worry that coming to Kirk for help may not have been the best desicion played at the back of her mind.

"Come on. . I'll give her parents a call." Kirk wrapped one arm around her, helping her stand. "We'll tell them that there's a party over at my house because of my record." Kirk smiled encouragingly.

She allowed him to support her, Kiron wasn;t very sure she coudl stand on her own. "You might want to get dressed first," she suggested, smiling weakly.

"Umm. . . yeah. " Kirk looked down at himself blushing slightly.

The elf sat back to down to wait, resting her elbows on her knees. "I'll be here."

"Ok. .be right back." Kirk jogged off down the hall.

Forcing herself back into her normal calm, Kiron ignored her desire to hunt down the bastard that had taken Shirania.

After a few minutes, Kirk came back, having changed back into street clothes, and spoken with the coach. "Ok, I'm ready."

"Alright," Kiron stood, straightening her pants.

Kirk led the way down the hall to the student phone. "Let me call Shira's parents before they get too worried." Kirk said, picking up the receiver.

She nodded, leaning against the wall.

---------------------

After a few minutes of quick talking, Kirk hung up the phone. "Ok, we're set for today, but after that," he shrugged, "who knows."

"Then we shall have to find her before that," Kiron said firmly.

Kirk nodded seriously. "So where do we start?"

"There... are a few people that might still be around," the elf bit her lip, unsure how long ago she had actually seen anybody she knew.

"Ok. . like who?" Kirk pulled his car keys out of his pocket and headed towards the parking lot.

"A family councilor... but he may be dead by now, I just don't know," she shrugged, annoyed slightly.

"Ok, let's see what we can do."

Kiron bit her lip, determined not to fall apart again. "Alright, we'll need ot find a magic shop so I can get the supplies I need to contact him."

"Magic shop. . .riiiiight." Kirk looked a little dubious. "Well there might be something like that downtown." he suggested finally.

She nodded, "Alright, can we get there?"

"Yup. . .I've got a car." Kirk answered, happy to have an answer for something.

"Um.. okay," Kiron wasn't sure what a car was, but Kirk seemed fairly confident in it.

Kirk led the way through the crowded parking lot, waving at friends and fending off fangirls. Kiron stayed closed, not wanting to lose Kirk in the crowd, mind worrying what could be happening to Shirania. Kirk stopped next to a battered blue pickup truck, unlocking the door for Kiron and holding it open for her.

"Um... thanks," she siad, eyeing the truck curiously. Taking a deep breath, she slid into the seat.

Kirk shut the door and then walked around to the other side, climbing into the driver's seat. The truck started up, sounding much more promising than its exterior had indicated.

Kiron jumped, eyes widening with mild panic as the beast she sat in roared to life. "Wh-what is this?"

"Huh?" Kirk looked really puzzled, pausing in mid-gear-shift. "What's what?"

One hand clung to the door, another reaching for a non-existant dagger. Kiron didn't answer.

"Oh come on. . I'm not that bad of a driver." Kirk tried to get her to laugh at the situation.

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes. "I . . . " Kiron couldn't think of anything to say.

"Come on. .we haven't even gone anywhere yet," he tried again.

After a moment's pause, he asked cautiously, "You have ridden in a truck before, right?"

"N-no," she replied, feeling foolish and trying to calm herself.

"Oh," Kirk turned bright red, trying not to laugh. "It's ok. . like a modern buggy." he said after regaining his composure.

Kiron took a moment to glare at him, "Right." After a few deep breaths, Kiron calmed. "Not who you thought I was this morning am I?"

"Umm. ." Kirk looked at Kiron, then looked away, not sure how to take that comment.

She laughed, regaining her normal composture finally.

"So. . can we go to the magic store now?" Kirk finally asked, trying to be nonchalant about it.

"Sure," she smiled.

Taking a deep breath, Kirk put the car into reverse and then backed out of the spot, acutely aware of every brake and movement. Sheesh, why did this girl have to be so difficult?

Kiron watched out the window, taking the drive to the magic shop to look around the town of... hadn't Shirania called it Newport?

--------------------

Kiron lead the way down a street in downtown Newport, stopping suddenly before a run-down buidling, the gilt letters peeling in the sun. It read, Incence, Candles, Ascent in faded paint over the front window.

"This'll do," she announced, glancing at a symbol in the corner of the window only someone looking for would see apart from the dust across it.

As she pushed the door open, a tiny silver bell on it jingled to annoucne their entry.

"Can I help you?" a tiny woman behind the counter asked politely.

Kirk followed nervously behind Kiron, trying not to sneeze at the whif of incense

Kiron approached the counter, smiling faintly. The woman's eyes widened, catching sight of the elf's pointed ears.

"It's not very often we get the Fae here any more," she said, smiling geniunely now.

"I need the items on this list," the elf said, pulling a peice of paper from her pocket.

"My, ym, this is certainly old magic, but powerful. The older thing always here.... Now let me see," she rummaged around behind the desk, pulling few things out.

Kirk poked about with mild curiosity, stiffling sneezes every now and again.

"I'll have to go in the back for some of these," the lady said before stepping through a door behind the counter.

Kiron leaned against the counter, watching Kirk idly. "Sorry to drag you into this."

"Oh.. umm. ." Kirk sneezed violently, "That's ok. . Shira's my friend."

"Yeah... mine to," the elf said softly to herself.

Kirk put a friendly hand on Kiron's shoulder, giving it an encouraging squeeze.

The lady appeared from the doorway, "That is everything. If you don't mind my question, I havn't seen a spell like this in a long time. Wherever did you get it?"

Biting her lip, Kiron smiled, "Oh it's... a family spell."

"Interesting," the woman put the components into a shopping bag. "That wil be 43.96."

Kiron reached into her pocket, fingering the single gold coin in it. It was certainly not of the current currency but... The elf set the heavy coin on the counter, "Will this do? I know it's old but..."

The woman picked the coin up, examining it thuroughly. "My... Very interesting. A family spell you said?"

Kirk leaned over Kiron's shoulder to see the coin. "What kind of coin is that?" he asked, feeling stupid.

"It's from the Yojiran clan of elves, specifically the Astrainia family. They were all killed during a raid by the Grinaldi, and their coins melted down. Do you know what a find this is, Miss?" the woman asked, smiling

The elf winced, "I-I guess not." She laughed nervously, noting the woman's eyes on the thin circlet nearly hidden the the girl's hair.

"Well, this is more than enough for these components, I feel bad taking the coin from you for this little," the woman bit her lip, looking about the shop.

Krion sighed, wondering why nothing could be simple.

Kirk sneezed again, wiping his nose and apologizing.

"Is there anything you need, sir?" she asked Kirk suddenly, looking him over curiously.

"Umm. . . .I. . . don't know." Kirk mumbled uncertainly, his nose itching again.

Kiron poked him gently, then turned back to the woman. "If it's not too much, we are in need of good space to do the spell?"

"Oh? Well then, I can close shop, the coin will more than cover any losses for the day. You may use the basement if you like."

"That would be more than enough," the elf said gratefully. The woman nodded, leaving the room for a moment

Suddenly serious, Kiron turned to the boy, "Kirk?"

"Yes?"

"You can leave now, stay out of my trouble, if you like," she said softly, trying to avoid his eyes. Part of her wanted him to stay, another to keep him safe.

"Umm.. . .Kiron, what about Shira?" Kirk asked, his countenance deadly serious.

"I can get her out... I just don't want to see anyone else hurt on my account," the elf answered, watching her shoes carefully.

"Kiron," Kirk drew a deep breath, forcing himself to relax, "I can't just walk away. What if you need me? What if Shira needs me?" he asked softly.

"Shira might but," the words hurt her even before she said them, "I... I stopped needing anyone a long time ago."

The image of Kiron trembling and crying while sitting on the bench flashed back into Kirk's mind. "Kiron," he said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder.

She didn't answer, studiously keeping her eyes from his. Kirk considered forcing her to look at him, but then discarded the idea -- too overly dramatic. On a sudden thought, Kirk dropped to one knee in front of the elf, bowing his head. "Please Kiron." he said quietly.

Kiron started slightly, "I..." Did the boy know what he was doing? "A-alright," she whispered, reaching down to pull Kirk up.

Kirk heaved a sigh of relief. He hadn't been expecting her to push him away. . . not after losing Shirania and taking it as hard as she had.

The woman came back into the room, blinking at the pair and shrugging it off. "If you'll follow me?" she asked after loking the front door and flipping the sign.

Kiron nodded, following the woman into the room behind the store. Kirk followed behind, wondering about the sudden shifts in Kiron's behavior. Once they reached the lower level of the woman's hose, Kiron had to appreciate how seriously she took her magic. There were minor wards along the walls, and a permanent summoning circle set in the center. Kirk followed silently, the hair on the back of his neck rising as he descended farther and farther from his comfortable reality.

"Will this do?" the old lady asked.

"Indeed," Kiron bowed formally, holding the bag of components close.

"Do you mind if I stay to observe?" the woman asked intently.

"I'd really rather not," Kiron smiled apologetically. "It is a family spell after all."

"What about him?" the lady suddenly asked, pointing at Kirk.

Kirk suddenly felt even more out of place than he had a minute ago. Thankfully, the incense didn't seem to be as thick downstairs.

"Ah, we're affianced," the elf lied quickly.

Kirk choked, trying to hide it as another allergy attack.

"Oh," elven and human marriages were not entirely unheard up, but usually ended in tragedy due to the different lifespans.

"Well, I'll be upstairs if you need anything."

Kirk waited for the woman to depart before staring down at Kiron. "That was just a joke, right?" he asked nervously.

"Yes," she answered then laughed. "Dissapointed?"

"No no!!!" Kirk protested. "Things have just been so weird. It's like I"m in a bad dream or something."

Kiron nodded, "Once when I ran away from the safety of my home... it took me a long time to understand that all the suffering outside truly did exsist. I couldn't understand why those with the power were doing nothing to stop it, just working to further their power in politics."

Kirk nodded dumbly, figuring it a better answer than words since he didn't understand what she was talking about.

"Alright, I'll need to concentrate," she said setting the items around the periphery of the summoning circle.

Kirk looked about for a chair -- somewhere safe to watch from.

"So long as you are not in the circle you are safe from anything that can occur during this type of spell," she said softly, letting her mind and body relax.

"Umm . ok." Kirk settled on the bottom stair for lack of a better place.

No longer speaking, Kiron settled to sit with her feet tucked under herself. Slowly she cleared everything that was not essential from it. She brought up the memery of the family advisor, Kristolas. She man's beard, and how he had chastised her and Laira for playing in the creek. Yelling at Kiron for beating up the kitchen boys, and later, when he had admitted her into the Astrainia household as a stranger. A small glow began in the center of the circle, without shape and hardly above the ground.
Slowly it began to take shape, rising to the same level as Kiron's head. Lumps and dips appeared, slowly becoming the shape of a head.

Kirk drew in a surprised breath.

"Who calls me with this spell?" a hollow voice snapped, with a mix of both fear and anger in it.

"Kristolas, it's me," she said simply, voice sounding strained.

"Who- Kiron?" he asked suddenly, the transparent eyes widenly.

"Yes."

"How?" the voice become more solid, but could not be confused for a person actually in the room.

"I don't know. Where can I find the Grinaldi?"

Kirk found himself staring at the head in astonishment, and it took a mental effort for him to keep his jaw from dropping open.

The voice took a while in answering, "What do you want with them? Revenge for Laira? It's not worth it, they will kill you."

"It's n-not about Laira," the image flickered as soemthing else moved through Kiron's mind. "I have to save someone. If I don't... Where can I find you?"

There was a cold sweat on Kiron's back, neck, and forehead, threatening to drip into her eyes.

Laira. . . who could that be Kirk wondered.

"You only bring trouble," Kristolas said softly, as if to a child he knew well. "I'm... close to you. Does your friend know Newport well?"

"I think so," she answered without even a glance to Kirk.

"Alright, then go to 1256 Roland Way. I'm sure you can't miss it."

Roland Way. . .Kirk thought he knew where it was. . . . wasn't that the street that the coach lived off of?

"Thank you," Kiron looked up, the image starting to fade. She bowed to the image as it dissapeared.

Halfway from the bow, she froze, entire body tensing where it lay.

Mesmorized by the entire conversation it took Kirk a minute to notice that something was wrong.

"Kiron?" he asked quietly, not wanting to disturb her.

The elf's hand tightened into a small fast, blood falling from where her fingernails dug into flesh.

"Kiron!" Kirk's voice echoed in the basement. He rushed forward only to stop at the edge of the markings.

Should he cross them? Kiron hadn't said not to. . only that he would be safe if he remained outside. Indecision warred. He was trapped outside of the lines, his eyes always returning to the trickle of blood from Kiron's hand.

Blue light played across the drops of blood, the scattered before being attracted to the elf in the circle. "N-no," she whispered, the other hand pressing to the ground, opposite to the blood.

On impulse Kirk finally dove across the line, catching Kiron's arms and shaking her. "Kiron!!!" There was a blue cast of light over her silver eyes, looking at him but not really seeing Kirk. "Kiron! Snap out of it!!!" Kirk yelled. Desperately he cast about himself for something to use. No water. . . the lines! His eyes fell on the markings on the floor. She said that he would be safe if he stayed outside of the lines. Bending down, he half picked the elf up, dragging her towards the edge of the circle. With a final pull, Kirk managed to drag her beyond the circle, falling to the floor as he did so. As soon as the pair crossed the lines, a terrific explosion of the same light surrounded them. Kiron's entire body jerked before relaxing. Kirk lay on the ground only for a millisecond before struggling up and bending over the elf. "Kiron?" he asked, afraid that something had happened to her.
Her eyes flicked open, taking a moment to focus on Kirk.

"Are you alright?" he asked, feeling the fear ebb away.

"I- yeah," her eyes narrowed and the elf struggled to rise to her feet.

"Hold on!" Kirk pushed her back to the ground. . "What happened there?"

"Our gracious host," she laughed bitterly.

"What happened?" Kirk repeated, struggling to maintain a hold on his frazzled nerves.

"Help me up," she asked softly, voice tired. "She should be down here soon."

Kirk lifted Kiron to her feet, but did not relinquish his hold on her. "Kiron, please, tell me what just happened."

"She tried to... take information from my mind that I didn't want her to have," she answered finally, not wanting to admit that she needed his support.

"Who tried?" he asked softly, seeing the strain in the elf's eyes.

"The proprietress of this store, she's..." Kiron glanced at Kirk suddenly. "How did you take me out of the circle?"

"Umm. . I dragged you out." Kirk answered uncertainly.

"Shit," she suddenly pushed Kirk away, racing up the stairs with what litte energy she still had left.

Kirk followed a little behind the elf, swearing to himself. He had done it wrong!

The elf flung the door open and stopped abruptly with shock.

Kirk nearly colided with the elf as she stopped short.

In the center of the upstairs room, a hastily drawn chalk circle was now there. A few more sinister items were along it's perimeter then were along Kiron's. In the center of the circle, the woman, or her body, was stretched out.
Bile rising in his throat, Kirk's hand gripped the door jam until his knuckles were white. Kiron took a firm grip on Kirk's shoulder, turning him forcefully away from the body. "I'm sorry you had to see this," she whispered quietly.

Kirk bent his head to the door frame, squeezing his eyes shut. "Why?" he asked in a voice still calm from shock.

"She... Magic is very difficult, even a simple spell like mine. What she attempted was far beyond her abilities, that's all."

"But. . " Kirk's voice broke and he pounded his fist against the wall in silent frustration.

"We should go," Kiron said firmly. She watched Kirk, unsure what if she could do or say anything to console him.

After a brief pause, Kirk pushed himself back from the wall, and took several deep breaths before reopening his eyes. "Right," he said, his voice cracking slightly. "Shirania."

"But what about her?" Kirk asked, as they headed out of the store. "We can't just leave her here."

"There's nothing we can do," she said, feeling bad as she said it.

Kirk ran a hand through his hair. "I don't feel right about this though."

"It-It never gets easier," she finally ventured to rest a hand on his arm, forgetting it was the hand she had made bleed.

Kirk looked down at the hand, feeling a wetness bleed through his light shirt. "Kiron, your hand!" A thick stain of crimson was slowly bleeding outward from the bandages on the elf's thin hand.

She looked down, suddenly remembering what had happened to her hand, Kirk's problem had seemed more important at the time.

Kirk looked down, his mind taking a few moments to register what he saw.

She stared down, half transfixed by her own hand. Slowly what remained of her energy, after the spell, fighting off the woman, and the short flight up the stairs, bled out of her.

The bloodstains finally registering, Kirk reached down for her hand. Gently he grasped it, feeling the soaking wetness of the blood through the bandages. "We've got to get this looked at."

Kiron felt the doorframe against her back, and was grateful for it's support. Strange, why was it getting taller? So was the boy... Kirk? The elf's knees folded underneath her as slipped from consciousness.

"KIRON!!!" Kirk barely managed to catch the girl as she fell, her bloody hand painting a crimson stain down the front of his shirt.

Staggering, Kirk fell to his knees, holding Kiron in his lap. "Kiron! Kiron? what's wrong?"

Kirk pressed the back of his hand to Kiron's forehead.

The silver elf stirred slightly, barely responding to her name. Her heart was a fast, yet steady flutter, and breath even.

"Kiron? Come on Kiron?" Kirk waited breathlessly, unsure of what to do. If Kiron didn't come around, what was he going to tell the police? He'd have to call an ambulance, and then there was the woman. . . .

She finally stirred, opening her eyes part-way.

"Kiron!" Kirk cried out in relief, his voice breaking and tears threatening to ruin his masculine image.

Blinking, Kiron looked up, "I- What?"

Kirk sniffled loudly, swallowing down tears of relief.

She struggled to rise to her feet for a moment, then gave it up as a lost cause.

"Kiron are you alright?" he asked lamely.

"I will be after a night's sleep," she replied softly, struggling to stay awake. "I always knew I wasn't made to be a mage." The elf laughed softly, trying to relive the boy's fears.

"Umm.. .well we need to take care of your hand, and then do you want me to take you home?" he asked.

"Home?" she blinked. "I- sure."

"Umm. . ok. Where do you live?"

"I... don't have anywhere to go," she shrugged, attempting to sound non-chalant about it.

"Wait. But Shira said. . . ." Kirk ran a dirty hand through his hair in a gesture of frustration.

Kiron forced herself into a sitting position, trying to find an answer for Kirk.

Kirk kept a supporting hand on the elf, afraid that she might faint again.

"I'll be fine," she smile weakly. "I'm sure I've worried you enough by now."

Kirk shook his head. "I'll just take you over to my house. Umm. . .yeah. I think we should get you cleaned up before then though. It's going to be weird enough explaining to my mom that I'm having a girl spend the night, I don't need to have to explain the blood as well."

"Sure, what about your shirt?"

"Umm. . " Kirk looked down, noticing the stains that made him look almost as badly off as Kiron. "Umm, I'll find something. I probably have something stashed in my gym bag at school." Kirk absently plucked at the shirt as if to make the stains dissappear.

Mind struggling to work as if through a thick fog, Kiron merely nodded.

"Well, let's head back to the school, we can get you cleaned up there -- if you think you can make it that far." Kirk stood up slowly, the experiences of the day weighing heavily on him.

"Alright," Kiron places her hands on the ground as if to raise herself up, but stopped she she found it futile. The elf just didn't have anough energy to stand on her own.

Carefully avoiding her injured hand, Kirk bent down to help the elf up.

Gratefully, Kiron allowed him to help her, leaning agains the boy as little as she could. She knew that today's events would take a long time for him to adjust to, physically and emotionally.

Kirk kept one hand under the elf's elbow, and wrapped the other one around her waist to keep her steady. Slowly, hoping that no one would notice the bloodstains, he helped her out to his truck.