Todd let his guard down a little and nodded at the girl. "Of course,it is not a problem. If the forest has accepted you,then you must be a good person." He said,deciding to give her the benefit of the doubt. He often found that the forest knew the true natures of people,and that it would deny anyone who would cause harm.

Gemini smiled and nodded. "Thank you. People often react with hostility when they find out what I am,but I am nothing like the stereotype. I am only half demon after all..." She explained shyly. The cat meowed,and she recognized it as a sound of pain. "Oh,um...that cat...I'm sorry,I've just never heard of a man who could become a cat. He seems in pain..." She said,showing that she clearly had no idea of the man's powers.

((I have permission to just include his yes in post from kry xD))

"He is.... May mistress heal you cat? She is very gentle....." The butterfly asked in place of Rosia's own voice, but the concern in her visible sky blue eye was clear. She disliked anything suffering unnecessarily but she would not heal without permission. The cat mewed pitifully and nodded yes, however, so that permission was granted. She smiled softly, though she glanced at the two others in her presence thoughtfully. Finally she turned her back on them and walked to the steps, ostentatiously to lay him on a step so he would be easier to heal.

She said a few soft words in a language she knew and passed her staff over him as nature magic lifted to her aid, a neutral force of pure power that stemmed neither from light or dark but life itself. Healing blue and purple light surrounded her as small jewels of light and pale pink petals fell over him like rain, just as solid gems of stone fell from her lips along with a handful of various rare and exotic flowers. Each pink tinted petal would seem to gravitate towards a bruise or a cut or similar wound and disappear as if becoming dust on the wind. With each petal touch wounds would begin to heal, and within minutes he would be cured of what ailed the cat. He would have been healed in time so it did not change fate and was not truly interfering... merely speeding up the process.

"feel better?" The butterfly inquired for Rosia as the light faded and she returned to her normal deceptively human looking self. She smiled to the cat warmly and glanced back at the others. She left the flowers and gems where they lay now, as they would seem merely a part of the healing spell. All the flowers were harmless, simply pretty things and she had no use for the gems. She gave the two half bloods a warm smile to indicate she had not left them out before glancing at the cat for her answer. She was sure the spell would work, curing him instantly as it did most things even of the dead but it was polite to ask.

Arzu's body was a little tense as Rosia moved to the steps and laid him on one. He laid there, tips of his claws peeking out of his paws to scratch nervously at the stone step he lay upon. His ears were flat against his skull, but he was silent, only watching nervously. He relaxed quick enough when the spell began, it was rather pretty and it felt nice, his ears perked up and his claws withdrew and for a few moments he closed his eyes, just basking in that gentle healing. When it was done, he stood and stretched, then shook himself from tail tip to nose, his fur fluffing up some from the action. His ears twitched a bit and he mewed almost happily, he leaped down from the step and moved to press his body gently against the back of Rosia's legs, purring softly but peering around her legs to warily watch the two strangers. He was certain now that he could trust this woman without question, at least he felt if she were a creature of bad intent that such a lovely and helpful spell could not have been performed by her. His last mistress couldn't use healing spells but her heart had been as black as ink.

Todd watched with interest as Rosia turned her back on them and went to work healing the cat man. He could neither see nor hear anything that happened,but he could feel the energy of the forest flowing around him,and his wings spread a little to take in the feeling. He then watched as the cat man sprang to his feet,making sure to stay close to the woman who had healed him. "My Lady,you have once again astounded me." He said. He had witnessed other workings of hers on occasion,and he was always in awe of her.

Gemini watched just as intently as Todd,if not more so. She had never experienced healing magic before,and it was a truly amazing thing to watch. When the woman turned back to them,she smiled. A breeze blew past and ruffled her cloak,which she wore at all times to conceal her demon marking,and she readjusted it quickly. "Lady...would it offend you if I asked your name?" She asked shyly.

((gotta go to bed now. Can you guys wait up a bit for me,so I can catch up when I get on tomorrow?))

((sure XD. I'll just post and then kry post once if he wants so that you have something to respond to so you can let us know you're caught up by doing so :P))

Rosia smiled slightly as the cat reacted so cheerfully and cuddled her ankles as if for attention. She chuckled softly, raising a hand to transfer the responding gem to a hidden pocket in her sleeve. She then turned and picked up the small cat and held it in her arms gently so he could either snuggle there or slip into her hood. She didn't mind either way really, the soft warm bit of fluff was always nice and she always did love animals. The butterfly lowered its head slightly, clearly jealous. Still her attention was quickly caught by the other two as they spoke. The elf made her blush slightly in surprise...

"My mistress thanks the kind elf. She just does what she can..... and she would love to know your name dear lady. Her name is Rosia." The butterfly said then, perking up. It was useful to it's mistress in a way nobody else ever could be and it's bond was special. The cat was just a cuddly thing trying to bask in it's dear lady's warmth as any wise creature would! It still would be the most useful, the cat just had cuteness! It actually helped protect it's mistress and her secret to keep away the greedy who would use her gems or her magical flowers. It stood proudly on her shoulder then, only gazing at the demon. It was actually starting to like her, simply because of the respect and politeness she showed to Rosia.

Rosia meanwhile simply glanced at the butterfly, sensing the worry in the other creature. She half smiled and leaned over to kiss the butterfly again on the wing tip. The butterfly flew more from magic then anything, more then the dust on her wings which replenished itself unlike a normal butterfly who would die due to loosing the ability to fly. She saw the butterfly perk up even more and simply smiled, slightly amused. Still she understood the butterfly being as it was. It lived for Rosia and her happiness for rosia was the only one who had always been there for it even when rosia had not been so powerful and so much younger. The butterfly creature had lost everything and everyone then been merely used to the point its spirits were broken until Rosia had saved it from it's captors....

Arzu had been content to hide behind Rosia's legs and just nuzzle against them like any cat might. Still he didn't protest when she picked him up, only purred a little louder. He butted his head against her chin before he moved to hide in her hood, settling down comfortably, but positioned so he could continue to watch the two strangers warily. Arzu didn't trust them. The cat continued to purr softly though, rather content with his new friends, even if one of them was a butterfly. Several things had led him to the conclusion that he could trust Rosia without a doubt, though he would still be careful.

((Thanks!))
Gemini bowed,showing the proper respect. "Lady Rosia,it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Gemini Starr,and I am a wanderer. My profession is that of a warrior mage,though I don't often have reason to fight." She said by way of introduction. "That man who turned into a cat-I'm sorry,I don't know your name-I wish to express that I meant no harm by staring at you. I just have always loved cats,and I have never seen one quite so...lovely." She added.

Todd bowed at Gemini."Good to meet you,Lady Gemini. I am Todd Hunter,of the eastern fire elf tribe. If it is alright with Lady Rosia,I would like to extend my invitation. You are welcome here in the forest,so long as you do not harm it." He said politely. His voice had an accent that was difficult to place,but marked him as someone of foreign descent. His one red eye was covered by his bangs,to hide the symbol in it.

"My mistress says she is pleased to meet you Ms. Star and you are welcome. Simply take care because there are less kind creatures in this forest to whom any other sentient being is simply a meal, the only truly safe places being my mistress' home and some of the ruins that retain their magic and perhaps the kindly elf's home." The butterfly said with a slight motion that may have been a bow as Rosia bowed deeply to the other woman. She then stood, glancing at the mists in thought. It had been a bit too peaceful so far, usually all the ruckus would have brought one of the creatures she mentioned. There were many half crazed beasts that held no real soul left... merely decaying shells of creatures that once were really, and they were attracted to any noise that sounded like it was living until something killed them. Some believed the ancient culture had vanished from the place because of the strange creatures...Rosia shrugged and turned back to the two, giving the two a warm smile.

Arzu didn't seem inclined on leaving his perch any time soon. He felt rather safe there, nestled in Rosia's hood. He continued to watch the others, keeping a careful eye on them. Still unwilling to trust in them blindly. His ears twitched a bit as they spoke, introducing themselves and acting all pleasant and friendly. Arzu's little nose twitched, as if in disdain, he didn't believe for one moment that these two were as friendly or nice as they seemed to be. He had no reason to trust them or any other people, but Rosia was different, he was sure of that. He purred contently at her.

Todd nodded,seeming a little distracted. "My home is as safe as one can get among these trees." He said,keeping on ear out for any beasts. On the one hand,they made a good stew-in Todd's opinion,anyway-but on the other hand,they were bothersome on the best of days. On the worse days,they were downright impossible. Luckily,Todd was having an ok day so far.

Gemini looked around at the company she currently kept. One half elf half angel,one man cat,and one sorceress, all in the same clearing. It was an unlikely meeting at the very least,and in Gemini's experience,such a meeting was surely a sign of bigger things to come. The fact that the elf and the sorceress both seemed to be looking for something didn't bode well,either."Those ruins I saw before...what were they,exactly?" She inquired,mainly to break the awkward silence.

((sorry >.< been really sick lately..... it succcks))

"No one is really sure, some appear to be rather home like but others seem far more complex and hold strange magic. This nearest one here appears to have been a temple of some sort. Speaking of my mistress apologizes but she really must check to see if a recent intruder damaged it." The butterfly spoke up as Rosia simply stroked the head of the cat in her hood. She was curious about the man really but as always rosia choose to keep silent. She gave the two a bow of her head and then turned towards the ruins. She would pause briefly on the steps to allow Arzu his escape from her hood if he desired it. Once he had either chosen to stay or leaped from her shoulders to the railing she would head inside. She began to poke around the ruins curiously, looking to see any further crumbling or damage.

Curious,Gemini followed Rosia,but paused outside the door of the ruins. She didn't know if she was allowed inside,especially given her demonic nature. She wanted to go in and take a look,but decided to wait just in case. Someone would tell her if it was ok or not,she figured.

Todd,not having anything else to do,followed suit.Reaching the door where Gemini stood,paused,he gave her a gentle push inside."The ruins will not harm you.Worse beings than you have entered these woods and survived." He told her, sensing her hesitation and walking inside.

Arzu butted his head against Rosia's hand when she stroked him. Purring contently at her. The cat felt rather safe close to her and even more safe hiding in her hood. It had been a long time since he had felt so secure and it wasn't a feeling he wanted to lose. When she paused to allow him leave her hood, Arzu gave a soft mew and nuzzled her neck gently. The wish cat remained in his hiding place of her hood. Perhaps later, when he felt more at ease with the two strangers he would come out, but for now he remained where he was. Content, wary, but still feeling safe.

Rosia shivered at the nuzzle but gave Arzu a soft and simple smile. She enjoyed the cat's gentleness really and it's faith in her. The great witch of the woods was feared by many, for good reason, but that didn't mean she didn't want to snuggle something warm and fluffy now and then. She felt her butterflies jealousy again and shook her head, barely suppressing a chuckle. With that she turned to look at the ruins again. One could go blind looking at the walls, their carvings were so detailed and entangled. It was like looking at a piece of paper that had seven different stories written on top of each other at once. From what little she knew of the people Rosia would not be surprised if that was the case.

For now, however, she merely looked over the carvings and the alter carefully. There were cracked bits and worn stone here and there but most of the damage was from ancient times. A few foolish people had tried to pull gems from the carved walls, half hidden by the stone, but it never went well. The gems seemed to glitter like eyes and gave many the feeling of being watched... in fact things seemed to be swimming in them but perhaps it was a mere trick of light. Satisfied everything was in order Rosia nodded only to bend as she noticed some tracks leading deeper in. Strange....

Todd tilted his head a little, seeming to listen for something. "I wonder if perhaps there had recently been a visitor here..." He said, his voice just barely above a whisper. Something seemed off, though he hadn't seen the tracks yet.

Gemini, however, had spotted the tracks. "Look there. Are they recent?" She asked, feeling slightly uneasy. She didn't want to say it, but the feeling that the gemstones were watching her was putting her on edge. She didn't like feeling watched, especially when she couldn't see the watcher.

Arzu watched his surroundings carefully from the safety that was Rosia's hood. Wondering about those foot prints, had they been there earlier when his previous mistress had dragged him to these ruins? He hadn't noticed then, but his mind had been preoccupied with other things at that time. When Rosia bent to investigate the tracks, against his better judgement the cat slipped out of Rosia's hood. Hopping to the ground before resuming his human form. A soft sigh leaving parted lips and a hand ran over his ears and through his hair for a moment. Those golden eyes watching Todd and Gemini rather carefully, warily for a moment before he moved to stand closer to Rosia. Old scars decorated the half dressed cat, such things hid easily by his fur when in the other form, and only somewhat hidden by his long white hair in this form. Arzu really didn't care, he wore them almost proudly. It was a sign of his inner strength. No matter how bad the treatment, he would never give in to selfish or greedy whims. His tail twitched and flicked gently behind him.

"Three....One was taken care of, one is the cat, but this third one my mistress is uncertain of...." The butterfly replied. It may have been cheered up to have it's perch on Rosia's shoulder to itself again if it hadn't felt the wariness in it's mistress. The tracks appeared human, wet, but weren't quite......right somehow. Rosia frowned a moment, glancing at the cat as he leaped from her shoulders. She gave him a soft smile and then turned back to the tracks. She nodded at Gemini as she asked if they were recent and slowly began to follow them. She had been a woodsman's daughter at one time so though her tracking skills were rusty she knew enough to follow them deeper into the ruins. She left it to the others if they followed or not.

Gemini gulped,feeling wrong somehow,but followed anyway.Her curiosity was too strong to let her turn back now.She kept her senses on alert,just in case of trouble.She sincerely hoped there wouldn't be any trouble.

Todd tucked his wings behind his back and stepped forward to follow.He had a feeling that things might turn ugly,and decided that they might as well stay together just in case.He noticed that Gemini was tense,and wondered if anyone else was feeling the same.

Arzu followed without hesitation, without a moment's second thought and he stayed rather close to Rosia, as close as possible without getting in her way or stepping on her heels. His ears twitching, straining to pick up any noises that didn't not belong. Those gold eyes flicked this way and that, watching his surroundings and the other two people with them, even if that meant glancing over his shoulder occasionally. He still didn't quite trust them and certainly didn't like having them at his back where it was harder to watch them.