We Make it Up as We Go

Alessandra decided that a walk in the woods would do her well. Fresh air, exercise... And a place to shift into an animal. So far classes had been fine, but she'd felt invisible and that was something she was going to change. At one point or another.

She picked up the hem of her skirt and stepped over a log, deciding that she was far enough in the woods. She looked around before shifting into a grey wolf. She'd been reading up on them lately and it seemed like an exciting animal to be. She wandered around the woods, capturing the feeling of being a wolf. She hasn't wondered that far before she reached a clearing. It seemed to have a trail there. More than likely it was a hiking trail.

Tess paused behind a few trees and took in the view. It was serene and peaceful. Just how she liked it. Maybe though, she should try other atmospheres and expand her horizon. Eh, it could be done, but later. Right now, she just liked the though that she was a young woman shifted into a wolf, standing in the woods. And no was around. Just what she was used to.

Alessandra almost jumped three feet when she heard a voice. It wasn't so loud, but it meant some one was there. And wanted to know what day it was? She couldn't directly see the person, however, so as quietly as she could she walked around a few trees before she spotted the person on a log. It was a man, and he had a mask. Masks usually weren't good.

She calmed herself down. This was an island full of different people, he might have a good reason for wearing a mask. She cautiously walked toward him.

"Hello. My name is Alessandra." Um, you're a talking wolf. Oh right. Maybe I should explain.

"Um, I'm an animal shifter, let me fix this." In a whoosh of nothing particularly magical, she was back to her human shape, her and fixing her hair. She inwardly scolded herself as she moved a little closer. Talking to a stranger in the woods was not on her list of hobbies.

"Uh, as for your question, it's Monday, February 1st. And are you okay?" He looked winded and not like he was out to have peaceful walk and run into a talking wolf that was actually a talking young woman. She had a feeling both their days were going to be changed.

The man seemed confused. She figured he would be. Welcome to Manta Carlos island to both of them, she supposed. He said the question was rhetorical, added dramatic entrance, she supposed. She wondered what was up with this guy. She hoped he was okay. He scooted to the side of his log and patted it, she figured, offering her a seat. She felt skeptical. Who knows who he could be. She sighed, her whole life she had avoided risks, and she always had her powers to help her. She walked over calmly and sat down, turning herself to the stranger.

"Yes, Alessandra, but I also go by Tess." Lovely? How nice, first compliment she'd received in a while. But who was he? He asked what she was doing out here. What was he doing out here? She picked a twig off the bottom of her dress and twirled it in her hands.

"Well, I'm new here and I wanted to get accustomed to the woods, since I'll spend a lot of time here. I tend to use my powers in secret. I can shift into all kinds of animals and I was just enjoying that. I also haven't really met anyone, so I came to talk to the other animals. In my mind, I can communicate with them. It's kinda a lot to tell a stranger but anyway. May I ask, who are you?

Alessandra watched curiously as the man's hands lingered at the mask that covered part of his face. He seemed to fidget with the side of it before she heard a clicking noise. He removed the mask and dropped it. Her eyes followed the mask, before they made their way up to his face. Her heart beat a little faster as she felt felt a wave of relief wash over her. He looked like a normal person, that was good, for him. And for her. He was rather handsome, with dark hair and blue eyes, blue like hers. She studied the eyes before she glanced away, feeling rude.

No name, but a number, 3817. Tess opened her mouth to say something but shut it again. She bit her lip a little thinking of what to call him. Well, to shorten it, 38 sounded fine. She dropped the twig she was still holding onto her lap and held out her hand.

"Well, it's nice to meet you to, 38. I hope there's nothing bothering you though." She didn't want to be nosy but she didn't want anything bad to happen to him. She always had a caring attitude for people, even strangers. It seemed natural to her. To care for people.

So here she was. Sitting on a log in the forest with a guy she knew nothing about. She was doing new things already! But she couldn't help but feel a little unsettled with him overall, so she told herself not to get too involved. 38 said there was nothing wrong. Tess had a feeling that wasn't true. The man was wearing half a mask, sitting on a log out of breath and asking the date when she found him. She sighed quietly as she knew she should let it be.

"Oh that's good. I just wanted to make sure, you had a dramatic entrance, but hey it was cool so whatever. So, are you a student at the academy or just a resident? What is your age, if you don't mind me asking?