ƒℓу ѕωιƒтєя тнαη αη єαgℓє

[~echo~]

Jacob blinked and sighed softly, walking closer and taking her hand.

[Deleted]

She clasped his hands in a surprisingly strong grip, then touched the bark of the tree. And they were 'shipped' through a portal of whipping wind and strong scents of rain.

[~echo~]

Jacob remained surprisingly calm through the portal.

[Deleted]

On the other side, there was a castle. In the sky. Literally. "Welcome to the Air section of Daragon, Jacob."

[~echo~]

Jacob suddenly wasn't afraid. He had the strangest feeling that he, an earth-dwelling young man, belonged up here. "It's... it's..."

[Deleted]

"Is it home to you?" Her voice was kind, soft, gentle.

[~echo~]

"I've never had a real home before," he murmured.

[Deleted]

"That is not what I asked, Jacob." She smiled, tilted her head. "Do you feel safe, protected, loved and warm?"

[~echo~]

"I feel somewhat safe," he said. "It's chilly up here and I still am a bit on edge. No, I don't feel protected except by my own arrows."

[Deleted]

A woman appeared. Pale, pale blonde hair, nearly white. Dark, dark gold - literally - eyes flecked with silver. "Ah, Elena!" She rushed forward and gripped Elena in a hug before releasing her. Her eyes flicked to Jacob and back to Elena, and she stepped back with a somewhat wary move. "Who is this?"

[~echo~]

Jacob watched the woman warily, then looked back at Elena. He took a step forward and pulled his shoulders back somewhat. He tilted his chin up. "My name is Jacob. Apparently, I am from Daragon."

[Deleted]

Her lips tilted up in a soft smile. "You're Jacob? Elena has spoken of you, and with great kindness." She extended a hand. "My name is Hewa."

[~echo~]

Jacob took it and held it firmly as though a handshake and then let it go. "It is nice to meet you, Hewa. I come here seeking my past."

[Deleted]

"Do you?" Her eyes were interested, her lips curved into a smile of welcome. "Well, are you hungry? Perhaps you need a bath? We welcome you."

[~echo~]

Jacob seemed wary of her but nodded all the same. "That would be nice."

[Deleted]

"Right this way." She turned, the flutter of pale gold robes around her feet being played with in the wind. "What is your last name?"

[~echo~]

Jacob blinked. He had never really thought of that before. "I... guess I don't have one. I know it's not much to start with."

[Deleted]

"It's fine." She smiled, then added, "Your wings will help a great deal. There are few, even in Daragonian lands, that are gifted with winged flight."

[~echo~]

Jacob nodded. "Is there any particular reason why my wings are colored like they are?"

[Deleted]

"Are they unusually colored?"