Runa stood in the middle of the bustling sidewalk, looking at her new surroundings in awe and amazement. Tall buildings touched the blue skies above and weird metallic carriages zoomed past her. Humans walked by her, some talking into small devices while others just carried on their own business. 'So this is the human world...' Runa thought, 'I wonder if I'll be able to protect it.' She was suddenly bumped behind, her hood almost falling if she didn't grab a hold of it. She tightened the black garmant closer, hiding her white hair and pointy ears underneath it. 'Now, to start looking.' She decided as she headed down the sidewalk.

Sharden had become accustomed to her unknown... minor job as an accountant, what she still hadn't gotten use to was the damn itchy feeling that mortal ears brought to her own. She scratched her ears, carefully so not to screw up the magic. Sharden had been a resident of this city for almost 20 years, and a resident of the human race for more then 100. She gazed out of her office's panoramic window, down on the busy street below. Her sharp eyes caught something white... before it was covered in black fabric again. Sure this one of the strangest cities around, but not very often had Sharden laid her eyes on a figure wearing black hooded garmets in the middle of summer. She glanced at the temperature, for heaven's sake, as humans would say, it was nearly 95 degrees!! Sharden paled... that thing, she realized, is not a normal human.

Runa hurried down the streets, ignoring the hot sun on her back. Sure it was hot, but with a little ice magic she was able stay cool. She got to a crosswalk and walked down the paved street. A honking noise suddenly averted her attention to one of those metallic carriages heading her way. She squeaked as she quickly stepped back, narrowly missing it as a human yelled at her from inside it. Runa breathed a sigh of relief before continuing down the street. 'I guess the darkness isn't the only thing I should worry about.' She decided.

"Oh damn....." Sharden whispered under her breath, "Carol..." she spoke into the intercom. there was a yes ma'am? from the other side. "Tell Carter I'm taking the rest of the day off.... I just remembered I have a friend I most show around town..... reschedule all my appointments, and then you're free to leave. Thank you Carol that will be all.." Sharden quickly grabbed her purse and almost ran to the elevator... if luck was on her side, that strange cloak wouldn't be abloe to find a way to cross Main St.

After a few more attempts to cross the street, Runa finally made it to the other side. She panted as she rested against one of the tall structures, pulling the black cloak closer around herself. No one paid any mind to her as she caught her breath. 'If only there was an easier way to get around this crazy place.' Runa thought miserably, 'Hopefully I can find a forest to sleep in before night arrives. Then I could re-focus my plan after a good sleep.'

Sharden caught a glimpse of the strange cloak across the street. At least it didn't get too far.... At the next light, Sharden crossed and placed a hand on the hooded figure's sholder, "You'll want to follow me, quietly..." She whispered.

Runa spun around and instantly placed her hand on the wrist, squeezing it tightly. "Who are you?" She asked, a hint of fear rising from her voice as she kept herself from encasing the stranger's arm in ice.

"Calm... follow and you will see for yourself. mortals may be blind but not quite that blind," Slowly she led the cloak down the street and into a small appartment building.

Runa had no idea how to react, but decided to let the stranger pull her away. The woman said 'mortals', so she must know something, unless she was corrupted by the darkness... Runa gripped her snowflake necklace with her free hand, readying herself for anything the strange woman could do to her.

Sharden hit the up button and waited for the elevator. She motioned for the cloaked figure to enter.... she waited.

Runa stared at the strange box, but hesitantly walked inside. "This is... safe, right?" She asked slowly.

"Yes.. quite safe, come on... would you really prefer stairs?" Sharden had gotten quite use to the comforts of mortal living... and hardly ever considered doing anything in a fashion that took longer or more energy.

"It depends on how high you live." Runa replied in a soft voice, unconsciously becoming more calm around the woman.

"Top floor..." Sharden had been renting teh penthouse for the last fifteen years, and she quite enjoyed it. "At least you realized I live here.. that's a step forward."

"I'm not that clueless about mortal culture." Runa stated, "Now, who are you?"

"When they cannot hear us..." Sharden pointed around, humans were coming and going in and out of the building. "Come into the elevator... and let's go up stairs..."

(I was already in the elevator, but whatever)

Runa nodded and walked inside, watching the door close and slightly stumbling when the elevator began moving.

{My bad.. must have missed those like three words.. oh well...} Sharden pushed a button, the hiaghest number, and waited against the wall. Moments later the doors slid open, to reveal only a waiting room and one set of sturdy double doors... Sharden placed a key in the lock and slowly opened the doors to a white room. The room was completely white, on the south east wall, a full fire place, surrounded by marble sat. There was a glasstop table with the only black thing in the room, the newest laptop. In the northern side of the room, a baby grand,. white piano sat. Sharden ushered the cloak figure inside the room, "You're welcome to remove your hood now," she rubbed her ears, allowing her human ears to become long which came to a sharp almost purple point, a clear sign of a royal elf.

Runa gasped as she quickly bowed, her hood falling off to her shoulders, revealing her elfen ears and long white hair. "May I ask what clan you hail from your majesty?" She asked softly.

Sharden growled... "No!" She snapped, "and you can't call me your damn magesty either!!" {Not mush else to say here..... }

Runa flinched before standing up. "I am sorry..." She replied, "What should I call you then?"

"Sharden's fine...." She shook her head and rolled her eyes, "I'm no longer a magesty.... so Sharden is fine... and I take it you are an elf, and not a magican I must kill?" She asked smiling at the ears.

Runa couldn't help but smile back at the cynical joke. "I am Runa, head priestess of the Churian clan." She answered.

"Good to meet you..." Sharden bowed her head lightly, remembering the ranks.. though she didn't want to... {I'm thinking Austin ish area..... that good?} "So what brings you out of the sacred woods?" She asked wondering what her story was.

(That fine)

Runa looked down and took a seat on one of the white couches. "The darkness that plagued our world has escaped to the human world." She started, "None of the other clans are worried about what will happen to the mortals so we've decided to take matters in our own hands. The high council of my clan sent me to the human world to get rid of the darkness."