Disclaimer: I only own my OCs.

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Why do you look so familiar?
I could swear that I have seen your face beforeI think I like that you seem sincere
I think I'd like to get to know you a little bit more
-Who Knows by Avril Lavigne
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Tortall basked in color this fall, leaves of every hue decorated anything from the tree limbs down. A crisp wind blew as fleece-lined clothing was being rustled up for the coming chill that would sweep the country with winter. For now, however, the biggest source of excitement was not the coming winter, at least not in Port Caynn. No, a ship that had recently docked was making the largest fuss. Coming off was the beautiful Princess Shinkokami, accompanied by Yukimi noh Daimoru and Haname noh Ajikuro on her left and right respectively. Every male in Port Caynn seemed to stop and stare, even if there was now view of the beautiful women to be had. The prince and his wife had already come a day ahead, and were waiting for them when they disembarked.

Hellos exchanged and all, the prince asked if they were ready to leave. Yuki shook her head. As if it had been planned, a forth Yamani walked down the gangplank. She was not dressed elegantly like the others, wearing a white kimono under a black one decorated with silver flowers with a silver obi, which was adorned with an embroidered wolf profile as well as her fan. Her beauty did not rival that of the other three ladies, but she was still attractive. Black hair was done up fashionably with delicate bangs outlining the soft face. Her eyes sparkled with laughter, making them stand out in a sea of rice powder rivaled only by her painted lips. At her side walked a smaller dog with thick fur and blue eyes like the ocean. She was well muscled and as calm as the Yamanis were. In the girl's arms lay a curious griffin with beady little eyes that seemed to be fixed in a scowl. He behaved well enough, but it seemed strained. "Forgive me," she said politely. Prince Eitaro was obviously displeased with her lateness, but said nothing.

In truth, this girl of only 14 was barely of noble blood and not important enough to come with the royalty, except for her magic. Her status as a Wildmage made her another figure to help the marriage succeed, though the emperor had made a surprising announcement when he declared she was to stay even after the marriage. While she was valuable to the kingdom, she was more openly opinionated than a proper Yamani was when the situation dealt with animals. Then again, this troublesome girl was as ready to escape the palace as the nobles were to be rid of her.

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Ayame sat in her room, feeding the griffin as the memory came back. The door connecting her modest room to that of Princess Shinkokami was closed, and everything was smooth. The room was very much the same as when she had come, with few changes. She had added a blanket to her bed that she had carried since early childhood and always warmed her on the coldest of nights. A perch near the bed had been erected for the griffin, though he rarely left Ayame to her own devices for a second. Her naginata as well as her mother's were mounted on the wall and three lucky cats sat proudly on the mantle, waving to their admirers.

The griffin seemed to decide Ayame's mind had wandered for long enough and bit her thumb with a cry. "Stop that Hanakai!" The girl scolded softly, but firmly. Rarely these days did he land such a blow, but he enjoyed the victory and his fish. A whine came from the other side of the room, where the dog from earlier sat. Her coat was ashen as rice powder with a back, tail, temple, and muzzle of dark gray. "Sorry to worry you Kamanchee, I just got overconfident." Either way, the dog trotted to her side and bared a warning canine tooth at Hanakai. The griffin fluffed his feathers and ignored the dog. Hanakai is the most annoying immortal ever. Might we run him out of the pack? Kamanchee called all who had come with the princess her pack and Ayame found it logical to agree.

Hanakai is as much a member of this pack as you or I. Besides, he's still young in terms of griffins, only a couple years. Would you abandon a pup with no parents? The canine hung her head with shame. Hanakai's parents had been slaughtered when he was almost a newborn. It was a good thing Ayame had found him, or he would have died. He didn't seem very thankful as he threw a scale at her, striking her cheek. Flicking it off, she continued to feed the immortal. Though it had no parents to be afraid of, she was the only one who handled Hanakai under any circumstances.

Standing once the griffin was full, she headed for the door. "Are you to join me?" The question was meant for Kamanchee, but Hanakai's squall made her bring him as well. She settled him in her arms and exited her room. Her casual dressing of eastern fashions consisting of breeches and a shirt made her lack traditional Yamani beauty, as well as her lack of rice powder of lip paint. Kamanchee at her side was smaller than many dogs, but walked with an air of royalty typical of a cat. This would be a peaceful day, she hoped. She would have known better, however, had she noticed the gleam in Hanakai's eyes.

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Kel exited the courtroom, only to have a bark reach her ears. A dog around Jump's size whines and paces. Seeing, Kel, the dog perks up and sniffs the squire. Realizing this was the girl she was to seek, Kamanchee tugged on Kel's breeches. While Kel had not met this dog formally, she knew it had come with the Yamanis. Worried for her friends, she followed Kamanchee. Soon enough, it became apparent they were not heading for the assumed destination, but Kel's own room. The door was wide open, and the sounds of warfare were loud.

A Yamani female had a young griffin trapped in the blankets on Kel's bed-much as she had done when she'd first met her own charge-though it was not familiar. The girl was wrestling with her charge as Jump tried to help. "Stop that you!" The girl demanded as she removed claws from her arm, ripping her shirt. Kel acted at once, helping the girl secure the monster in another blanket on the other side of the room. Both griffins squalled madly, wriggling to fight the other. Wounds on both immortals showed that their battle was not without consequence. Kamanchee was under Kel's desk, licking something she couldn't see and whimpering. Kel went to see and had to fight back tears when she saw Arrow injured.

"I'm sorry," the peacemaker was kneeling beside her. "This brave fellow helped me greatly by fetching your dog, but he suffered upon his return. May I?" Kel picked up the sparrow's tiny body and handed it over to the stranger, surprised by this girl's unaccented Common.

"Jump, go and fetch Daine-"

"Please, allow me to handle it." Keladry was silent as her eyes closed and she began to go into her own world. Ayame saw the fire inside of Arrow fading slowly. Her own silver fire reached to heal the bird, stitching wounds carefully. Finally, with an ache in the back of her head, she smiled. Arrow flew to Kel's shoulder, sticking his beak in her ear. Relief flooded her, along with confusion.

"I believe you should explain some thing to me before you leave." Indeed, Ayame had gathered her charge and begun a retreat. She came back over to Kel, settling Hanakai in her arms. She had suffered too from the fight, scratches, bites, and rips littered her body and clothes. "Maybe you should see a healer first, before you faint."

"I will, but there are more important things to do. Jump, would you come here please? You too Kamanchee." Both dogs came to her. She healed Kamanchee first and told her to guard Hanakai. Then she healed Jump, who sniffed her wildly. Crown flew over to Ayame briefly to meet her and Kel smiled. "What is your griffin's name?" She asked when Crown flew back to Kel.

"He doesn't have one. He's going back to his parents, Daine should heal him." Ayame scoffed.

"Nonsense. If you can, hold him while I heal him?" Kel did as she was told, though her skin prickled to watch this girl at work. However, her mother had taught her not to fights healers, so she simply looked at the floor, her Yamani Lump face coming in handy.

"I'm truly sorry. The little monster over there? He's Hanakai. His parents died a couple years ago so he's my permanent charge. He caught scent of this little one and dove in as a maid came out. Thank Mithros I followed him and Jump is as smart as he is. Crown and the others too."

Kel easily accepted praise for the animals. Compliments to others were easy to receive. "So, who are you?" This girl was not much of a Yamani, her feelings were as clear as day.

"My name is longer than I'd care it to be. Please call me Ayame. I came with Princess Shinkokami because of my expertise with animals, my wildmagic. Not to mention our dear ruler does not care to have such a besmirching creature living so close because of her skills." Finally, the silver fire disappeared and Kel fed him so he would cause less trouble. "And I would assume you are Keladry. Are you well?"

Kel nodded, dodging a swiping claw. "Despite this little monster, I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"Good. I thought so, but when I asked a boy earlier who you were he mentioned something about a lump."

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First chapter done. I wouldn't mind suggestions for pairings, particularly for those who play a smaller part in the quartet. Reviews are pleasing, but I live for reviewers.