After saying goodbye to Xeke for the day, I decided to roam for a while. I had nowhere to be, so why rush? I went to the garden to get a look at it’s beauty in the light. It was a bio-luminescent garden, so it glowed in the dark, but it was beautiful during the day too. It had all different colors of roses and tulips, snapdragons and petunias. It had everything, including a water fountain in the center that changed colors based on temperature. I marveled at the whole scenery, but was interrupted by deep laughter. “So you’re drawn to this place too, huh?” I saw him once, but I never got a chance to meet him. He looked aggressive, but his voice was soothing. His eyes were brown and green and had a jagged look to them. He was slightly taller than me, but that doesn’t say much because I’m five foot four. He had hazelnut skin and broad shoulders. He wasn’t ripped, but he wasn’t all bone either. I stared at him and analyzed him curiously. He then laughed which startled me. “I asked you a question girl!” he wrapped his arm around me and laughed, “You’re somethin’ else. What’s your name, princess?” His grip was strong and restricting, but I managed to push his arm off of me. “I’m no princess. My name’s Nirandi.” He crossed his arms and glanced at me, starting to chuckle. “A feisty princess indeed. So you’re Onis? Hey...you remind me of Pira.” I looked at him angered that he called me a Princess, but intrigued as he mentioned someone I’ve never heard of. “I see your face. You want me to keep going huh?”

I sat down and crossed my legs. Looking intently. He chuckled and sat down with me, his right leg to his chest. “Well, Pira was a pretty hot chick; pun intended. Not only was she a flame user, and pretty, she always asked questions. She always wanted to know more, but she ended up going to far.” I scooted closer, interested by his description of her. “Time and time again, Tanoris was there when we needed him, but Pira questioned his reasoning for it. She questioned his trust when he’s always been there for us. When no one stood up for her this time, she left. I kinda liked her. Her flame...her spark…” my eyes glimmered with anticipation and his dulled with sadness. He wasn’t harsh at all, if anything he was soft. He stood up and cleared his throat, “Nirandi, whatever you do, don’t lose your spark” He put out his hand, which I took, and pulled me up as I patted down my clothes. “You might fall, but bounce back. I have a feeling you’ll be alright though. By the way, my name is Kidet. They call me King Cobra.” He wrapped his arm around me again and constricted me...oh I get it now. He raised my eyebrow at him and he laughed. “I see it’s clicking now huh? Yup. My powers are constrictor, neuro-toxin, and perception. Pretty sure they all speak for themselves. If you ever need me, just call.” He let me go and left, waving back at me.It got me thinking about Pira and a little bit of Xeke too. Why were they both outcasted and not corrected?