There are, as it goes, several planes of reality. Worlds that lay atop other worlds while conducting their own business and concerns, completely independent of one another. This was the way it was supposed to be before the humans connected them. In their great arrogance they bridged the gaps between the worlds, bringing with them displays of marvelous magic they called science and tales and understandings that baffled the scholars of so many worlds. Then they invited destruction upon themselves.

It was a story everyone knew, although whether it was a tragedy or a cautionary comedy depended on one’s opinion of the humans. Their world, their plane of reality, had been destroyed. As had most of the technology they had built. Of the few remaining relics were the gates, large half circle machines that towered high, usually a few miles out of towns at their closest. The half circle was filled with a deep, dark blue light. It was almost black, and it hummed softly. The gate led to several places, several other gates.

Most of the Gates had military bases built around them, or large walls with smaller gates meant to protect not only the gate from outside harm but prevent anyone from crossing over. Some were shut off completely, and lay wrecked; others were actively used for trade. The rulers and powers that be claimed complete control over them, and persisted that their use was invaluable to trading with other realms. There were many doubters, many who feared the other realms and the gods that slew the humans.

It was night somewhere, and day somewhere else. On one side of a gate it was night, and the sounds of fireworks and drum beats could be heard as a festival ran through the streets of a Tsukiyomi city. There was no shortage of excitement in the air as performers did rhythmic dances and swayed paper lanterns and ornaments through the air in a display as festive explosions of color went off in the sky. On the other side of the gate it was day, a dreary one at that. Clouds covered the sky as everything went on with a sort of oppressive mundaneness that seemed to fit the Eclavia cities. The cities were a sight to behold for newcomers, but the city seemed to always be a bit too peaceful.

It was scheduled to rain today, in about two hours actually. Just a light shower to water the orchards, it would clear up by the evening, but it made the town seem so much more boring. Well perhaps it would be better to say that it was just an ordinary day in a peaceful town that was able to remove itself from most of the problems in the world. Most people would be doing their jobs or further their educations or even just try to kill some time.

The gates were outside of these two respective villages, but they could be seen in the distance if one looked hard enough. Behind one lay the other, separated by that black light that was thinner than a piece of paper. If one could get to it, get passed all the security and to that thin black portal, it would be so very easy to cross over. As easy as sticking one’s arm through air.

Bored. So bored. If it hadn't been for the rain, Ariel would be outside torturing greeting the people of his mother's city. Or something like that. There were only so many servants he could force to go retrieve him stupid, impossible to find objects or slip some of his mother's jewelry into their pockets. And his mother's daughter was crying again. Why was a toddler still crying so much? Ariel's fingers roamed over his arms before plucking out a feather. Rain and wings typically didn't go well together, especially for the his people's cities. He could always climb to the ground and walk. But walking was almost as boring as watching the rain.

She. Was. Still. Crying.

Ariel stood up, dropping the feather to the ground. Why wasn't someone doing something? She was surrounded by nannies and guards.There had to be someone who could quiet her. If he couldn't silence the beast, he might as well look for amusement elsewhere. Alchemy was no longer interesting, he could navigate through the castle blindfolded, and being near his brothers for too long brought about whispers of treason. So, Ariel picked up the necklace he had... borrowed from his mother. A few seconds later, the necklace had been slipped into the pocket of an unsuspecting, probably already guilty of something or another, servant. Maid? Butler? Ariel didn't really care enough to use more gentle euphemisms.

And there she was, the beast chirping and screaming like some deranged banshee. Ariel took a piece of candy out of his pocket, unwrapping it before handing it to the two year old. "There. Now shut up?" The screaming ceased and Ariel couldn't help glaring at all the useless nannies. Weren't they suppose to be experienced in this kind of stuff? "If I were you, I would start looking for employment elsewhere." But who would hire someone fired from the matriarch's staff? No one.

With his demon spawn excuse for a sister appeased, Ariel headed out into the rain. He wasn't sure if the rain was awful or wonderful. It was wonderful to watch his people scurry for their houses but the rain on his wings... Well, it was gross.