Chapter 9

Heading to school the next day, she was once again surrounded with rumors. This time, they involved a mysterious orange haired boy. Rumors of a new student circulated around. Crescent, knowing damn well that the boy wouldn't be joining the school, went on with her business as usual. Finishing class, she sighed. Texting Mint that she wouldn't be joining them for lunch, she headed up the tower to find her guide.

"Good afternoon Ignes. Care to listen to another one of my vents?" Crescent laughed.

"Since when did I have a choice?"

"True." Crescent sighed. "I heard a couple of rumors that a new boy was going to transfer here. Golden eyed, orange hair, tall, thin structure, elegant looking, probably of royal blood... Care to explain?"

"One of my cousins must be visiting from the spirit world."

"Cousins? Spirit world? When were the portals open?" Crescent asked.

"It opens once a year and the school gets transfer students from the spirit realm. Usually they force the ones that can transform into animals to stay back here. They lock them up after luring them in"

"Were you locked up?" Crescent blinked.

"Yes. But I've grown used to how the school functions now. You've been giving me more freedom than I've had my entire life" The bird smiled. "Thank you"

"I hope I get to meet that cousin of yours." Crescent hummed. "I would love the company of another ethereal boy"

"Am I not enough?"

"Not nearly enough for me" Crescent snickered. "I just want to be able to hang out around someone like you without worrying over your identity."

"Sounds nice. I'll let him know to search for a black haired, blue eyed, witch"

Crescent only snickered in response. "Let him know that black haired, blue eyed witch is your companion too"

"Why of course! How could I possibly forget that the witch hexed me?"

"Hexed you to become so hot?" Crescent winked.

"You imbecile"

"No you"

There was the silence again. The peaceful silence that happened almost always whenever Crescent was in a conversation. The silence passed over them, for a couple minutes, before Crescent spoke up again.

"What's your family like?"

"My family? It's been a couple centuries since I've met them. In the last note I was forced to write to them, I was told to tell them that I would be staying here in the school. I never got the letter back. Not even a response. The principal probably confiscated it and burned it" Ignes sighed.

"What was life like?"

"It was. Strange. Despite the harsh words and mental abuse, we had friends who we hung out with. A simple escape from a strict life. My parents were the head of the Phoenixes. Hence my fancy outfit as a human, and the small crown like feathers I have when I'm a bird. My cousin has been in contact with me lately. I told him not to speak of me since my parents are convinced I'm dead." Ignes hummed. "I always wanted to find an owner that understood me. Hakora was nice but followed the rules too much. I was still locked in the cage like the rest of the animals. It's a miracle you arrived and proceeded to set me out of that hell of a cage."

"Why me? I'm not even a firebender"

"You aren't? I felt the passion of a firebender from you though. Maybe you're a trial bender?"

"I'm not. I'm an airbender and a waterbender. It's impossible for me to develop another element so late"

"Maybe you just haven't unlocked it. You aren't tied, or you haven't been pushed to the point where you can't bend anything except fire. After all, our current avatar is only at 2 elements compared to his predecessor who mastered all 4 in a year."

"Hm. Sounds plausible. Developing another element so late is horrifying if you ask me"

"Perhaps. Time will tell whether or not you are a firebender." Ignes breathed. "Now get to your classroom before the bell rings again"

"See you tomorrow Ig"

"See you"

Crescent headed down the stairs, pondering about how people could ever think she was a firebender. It was an odd thing though. Why did a fire element animal chose a non firebender? Animal guides never make mistakes. Did she really have firebending? Was she tripping? Was the conversation a mirage? Too many questions hah. Crescent yawned, walking to her final class of the day. She'll get answers for them eventually.