[h2][color=00aeef]Alexandros[/color][/h2]

The change in the earth occurred as soon as Alex walked past the main front gates, bare feet stepping lightly across the stone path through the garden. [i][color=00aeef]'This place is its own master.'[/color][/i] He opened his mouth and sucked in the air of his dreams, rushing the air through his body, letting it overwhelm the rest of senses. He stood for a time, just inside the gate, breathing the new air in and out, letting it fill the entirety of his being.The rest of his body was still as his hand slowly lowered his small bag of possessions onto the ground, then back up slowly clasping the buttons he had sewn onto chest pocket that kept Rush secure. Rush slowly and methodically poked his head outside of the pocket, sensing the build up of energy and tension coming from Alex. For his part, Alex mentally reached into the core of his being and pulled the pure line of yellow power that resided there. Yellow energy cast strange light on the stone walkway beneath him emanating from his bare feet, coalescing into the rough shape of wings by his ankles. The rest of his body, with the exception of his lightly tapping finger, began to vibrate from the sense of limitless energy that filled him.

He opened his eyes and took a step forward. Then another. And another. Faster and faster, Alex pumped his legs sprinting forward along the stone, barely turning in time to avoid the fountain that suddenly loomed before him. But it wasn't yet fast enough. He had to see it all, had to use it all, in this place where he was free to run as he pleased, to move as fast as he could ever want without fear that he may be seen and taken in the dead of night. At long last, he had truly arrived at his freedom, his dream, at Rosa Claire Academy. Deep within his gut he felt a wild exultation rising up and up to his lips. He let it out in a fit of wild, joyful laughter as the landscape around him turned into blurry images barely seen out of the corner of his eyes. Only the incredible reflexes that came with his gift stopped him from crashing into the various pieces of art and furniture placed around the school, nimbly moving past them without a second thought. A quick glance toward his shirt pocket showed the top of Rush's head sticking out slightly, eyes closed and bobbing slightly, a sign of contentment from his friend. Alex could feel the joy and power spreading through out his entire body and as though the world has slowed down, Alex knew he would remember this moment as one of the most perfect moments he would have in his lifetime. 

Just after the thought, his stomach began to growl. He groaned a bit inside at the thought of stopping, but the fact that he was only slightly hungry was a blessing in and of itself. He slowed his pace rounding back around to his backpack before entirely letting go on the strand of power at his center, the glow around his feet fading quickly leaving the bare and calloused once again. Alex reached a hand into his pack and pulled out a red apple, placing it between his teeth before moving off the path to sit in the extremely well maintained grass. A quick bit of more fumbling in the pack yielded a strawberry which he placed on the ground before carefully lowering Rush besides it. The two of them stayed there eating their respective meals looking around at their new home. [color=00aeef]"Well, what do you think Rush? Shall we stay here for a time?"[/color] Rush looked up briefly from his delicious meal before returning to his slow nibbles. Alex nodded in agreement, [color=00aeef]"True, true. You are a very wise man for a tortoise."[/color] Alex flopped onto the ground, arms and legs spreadeagled enjoying the feel of the grass and colorful leaves beneath, wearing a blanket of the sunlight above. The fingers on his left hands absentmindedly drumming against the green grass. His life in the streets had taught him to appreciate each carefree moment as a most precious treasure. He stayed like that for a time, mouth sporting a wide smile till he felt Rush's shell bump impatiently against his hand. Alexandros rose up with contented sigh, [color=00aeef]"Okay Rush, one more ride before we get settled in."[/color]

[@Aspen Wren]
Alex scooped up the tortoise in one hand and placed him back into the pocket where he would be safe. Glancing around, he spotted several paths leading into the woods behind the school. [color=00aeef]"Ah a new place to explore, that is where we shall run! Hold on tight!"[/color] With that he activated the power behind his speed, sprinting off at incredible speed onto the path leading deeper into the woods. The familiar exhalation seized him again, the freedom and joy coaxing a genuine smile of pleasure onto his face. However as he ran he spotted another figure much deeper along the path. While not the height of a human, it was long and lithe, and if not for the flames that coated its body he may never have seen it so perfectly did it blend into the shadowed cover of the trees. [color=00aeef][i]'Huh... some sort of apparition? Or maybe some kind of sign?'[/i][/color] Alex did not particularly care what the creature truly was. It moved also with incredible speed somehow more fluid, graceful and beautiful than he could ever hope to be. But it too seemed to understand and exalt in the feeling of the ground sprinting beneath its feet. Alex accelerated forward, pushing himself to catch up with what he could now make out as a leopard-like creature adorned with golden jewelry. He began to weave around the trees beside it at a respectful distance matching its speed till he saw it glance his way. Then with a smile and a wordless challenge, he began to slowly accelerate down the path.