Vayne: Okay, the poll winner was Raven X Rena. I know the scenario poll was for a Special scenario, but I felt that the idea I had would just work so much better in the Normal setting. Also, I'm finally implementing Ara and Elesis into my stories, check out the poll for pairings involving them and the original list. Since this is my first story with said two in it, I might get their personality wrong in some sense so fingers crossed!

Raven: Blade Master (27)

Rena: Grand Archer (?)

Elsword: Lord Knight (16)

Chung: Tactical Trooper (16)

Aisha: Elemental Master (18)

Eve: Code: Empress (?)

Ara: Sakra Devanam (20)

Elesis: Grand Master (19)

Wolves of a Feather

Chapter One: Just an Ordinary Day

Elder slowly woke up in the morning sun's warm embrace. It was winter, but a few weeks before Christmas. The residents got up and went to work; the mall opened its doors for the Christmas shoppers. Everyone went about their business, greeting those around them if they recognized them. At a clothing store, in the dress section, a tall elf with striking emerald hair was going through dress after dress. She was here for presents for her dear friends, and was currently trying to find the perfect outfit for the most sophisticated lady amongst them, Eve.

"Argh...So many choices!" Rena scratched her brain, trying to remember the articles Eve currently owned, "It has to be a dress; she never wears anything else." Rena sighed, admitting defeat, "Perhaps I should come back later." She picked up her bags, almost three large shopping bags overflowing with gifts, and headed for the front door. She suddenly stopped as she saw an article on a mannequin, "Oh my god..." She breathed, and walked up to it. It was incredibly expensive, but it was perfect. The white fabric was woven into a rose design, and it was just the thickness Eve loved. The entire ensemble was centered around the rose on the lower right part of the dress, and Rena, after expert comparison, deduced it was just Eve's size. She waved one of the workers over, "Excuse me, but could I have some help with this dress?"

"Of course miss." The store hand quickly took the dress off the figure, and folded it with an artisan's skill. Rena quickly paid for the dress, as she had 'borrowed' Chung's card for the occasion. Sorry Chung, but if I asked you for it you would have insisted to come along and I couldn't get you anything. After paying for it, Rena headed outside.

"Okay, that's Eve's present. I got..." Rena sat down on a bench and looked through the bags, "Elsword's...Elesis'...Aisha...Ara...Chung...That just leaves Raven." Rena sighed, "But what would he want? He's so collected it's hard to find out what he wants for a gift." Solemnly, Rena walked through the mall, browsing everything from bookstores to jewelry shops. She walked into her favorite store, which had a little bit of everything, and saw a familiar hairpin poking above the other side of the aisle. She poked her head around the corner, "Ara?" The woman jumped, and turned around.

"Oh, hi Rena!" Ara smiled. She was wearing clothing similar to Rena; loose jeans and a long sleeved shirt. Ara also had a thick coat on and a furry scarf around her neck, "Chilly today huh?"

"Yeah. What're you doing here?" Ara pushed her index fingers together, looking down.

"I was...looking for your present."

"Oh, I'll stay out of your way in that case. Don't want to ruin the surprise." Rena smiled warmly, and turned to leave the store when she saw something in the front window. She stared at it, and walked closer to look at it better. It was an adjustable black choker with wolf fangs encircling it. She quickly picked it up and purchased it. Raven should like this, hopefully. She was walking down the walkway to the parking lot when she heard someone run up to her.

"Rena!" It was Ara again, and she was holding a shopping bag, indicating she found something for Rena.

"Hey Ara, what's up?"

"Can you drive me back? I had Elesis drop me off and she said she was going to head home right away." Rena nodded.

"Sure, my car's this way." They walked through the parking lot to Rena's car, which stood out. Not everyone owns a low riding, slim green sports car. They put their things in the back seat, and got into the front. Rena started the car, the engine barely making noise, and smoothly pulled back and drove onto the main road, "Looking forward to Christmas?" Ara nodded.

"I like anytime that we're all happy." Rena giggled.

"Me too. Oh, isn't Raven cooking tonight?" Ara nodded. After each supper, they draw straws to decide who will cook next. For some reason, Raven never had to cook until now, "It was almost shocking I tell you."

"Yeah, usually it's you or me who ends up cooking." They had left Elder, and were driving through a path in the thick forest to their mansion, a gift for their previous endeavors. Three stories high and more rooms then they needed, it was pearl white and blended with the blanket of snow in the large field that is sat in. They drove into the spacious garage that held Raven's, Elesis', and Eve's cars, got their gifts, and locked the car.

"Finally home." Rena sighed, "Well, I'm going to start wrapping these."

"Okay." Ara nodded, and as they approached the door, it eased open.

"Welcome back." Raven greeted them. They walked inside and Raven closed the door behind them.

"Thanks Raven." Raven nodded, and walked off into the kitchen, they smelled something cooking.

"Is he starting dinner already?" Rena wondered.

"Yep." They both turned to see Aisha walk up to them, "He told all of us to stay out of the kitchen."

"Wonder why. Now I'm really looking forward to dinner." Rena headed upstairs and down the long hallway to her room. She headed inside, and got the wrapping paper she had gotten out before leaving, and started her work.

Downstairs in the kitchen, Raven worked in silence. He checked the beef stew, the shrimp, lobster, and several other very expensive food items. Raven had gotten everyone's favorite food, and was making separate meals for everyone. He couldn't do anything else now but wait, and headed into the living room where Chung, Elsword, and Elesis were watching cartoons on the television out of sheer boredom.

"Hey Raven, dinner almost ready?" Elsword asked as Raven sat down. He was starving.

"Oh put a cork in it bro, you're always hungry." Elesis punched Elsword's shoulder, and they both laughed.

"Well, I imagine using a great sword in one hand takes a lot out of you." Chung pointed out. Unlike Elesis, Elsword wielded his great sword in one hand a fair amount of the time he fights. Elesis usually uses both her hands. Raven sighed.

"It'll be ready soon. How's your guys' day been?"

"Boring!" Elsword and Elesis both said in unison.

"Just been working on my Destroyer." Chung said airily, and then turned as Eve came down the stairs.

"Dinner is ready." She said. As Raven was about to say otherwise, the timer went off. Rena and Ara soon came downstairs with Oberon and Ophelia, and they all sat down at the table while Oberon and Ophelia went to bring in the food.

"What's dinner?" Rena asked, and Raven simply remained silent as Eve's servants brought in the food. Everyone stared as they laid the food down.

"Raven...you didn't have to..." Aisha began to drool as she stared at her meal.

Aisha had received seasoned Blood Shrimp with garlic sauce and thin white noodles. Elsword had a rare steak with very spicy barbeque sauce with sliced leeks and a side of peppers carved into bowls with spiced bacon filling them. Rena was content with a large salad with all her favorites, everything from cauliflower to broccoli, along with a small cluster of dried oranges, and complete with her special dressing. Chung was blessed with thinly cut tuna with sushi and extra dried seaweed covering a small amount of raw fish. Eve was spoiled, having a small slice of vanilla cake, tea cake, and her favorite cucumber sandwiches. Elesis instantly began to indulge herself on the fried chicken and chunk of lamb which was just cooked enough and was still bleeding, just how she liked it. Ara slowly began to eat her chow mien with a side of fried rice and orange chicken. They all looked at Raven, who simply made himself a large helping of dried beef with a little bit of spice. They all spoke in unison.

"Domo arigato Raven-san. Itadakimasu!" Raven smiled as everyone devoured their meals. They quickly finished and Rena sighed.

"Raven. You didn't have to do that for us." Raven shook his head.

"You've been good friends, you deserve this." Rena smiled.

"In that case, I want to give you all an early present." Everyone looked at her, "I want to take you to my home, for a little vacation."

"That sounds awesome!" Aisha said.

"I have always been interested in seeing an Elven city." Eve admitted.

"When should we leave?" Ara asked.

"Why not now?" Elsword said.

"I agree. That meal will keep me going to a while." Elesis patted her stomach then gave a small belch. Elsword, as if in competition, forced a significantly louder belch. Everyone laughed, and Oberon and Ophelia cleaned the table.

"Well, why don't' we start packing?" Raven said, and everyone headed up stairs.

Everyone quickly packed their things. They decided to stay for about a week. Raven packed the quickest and waited by his car. Everyone else came into the garage soon after, and Raven presented his idea.

"There are eight of us, so we should just go in two cars. I suggest my truck and Eve's car. They have the most space and the largest trunks." Everyone nodded.

"Who will accompany me?" Eve said, moving some hair from her eyes.

"I'll go." Chung said.

"Me." Ara said.

"I wanna go with you." Aisha said. Raven sighed. Elsword and Elesis together in the same vehicle. Oh god. Everyone put their bags in the trunks, and they all got ready to move out. Rena sat in front with Raven, and Elesis and Elsword were already bugging each other in the back seat. Raven was in front, and Eve followed him since Rena had to direct them.

"Once you get out of Elder onto the interstate, just keep heading north. It's going to be a long drive." She looked back at Elsword and Elesis, who were pulling each others' hair, "So I want it to be nice and peaceful." They both stopped, and Elsword popped in his earphones as Elesis took out a book and started reading. Raven was always amazed at how easily Rena was able to keep the two of them in check. Then again, she was the most terrifying person any of them have ever met.

The gang drove through a thick, illuminated forest. The giant trees blocked out the sun, and Rena said they were soon to reach their destination.

"Just ahead, you can see the opening in the trees." Rena pointed, and as both vehicles left the forest, they stared at the valley before them.

"Whoa..." Elesis breathed. A massive valley stretched before them, Elven buildings nestled in the giant trees.

"There's a lot I have to show you guys. Let's go!" Raven drove down into the valley, and they soon arrived in the city. Rena directed them to a good hotel, and they all got out and stretched.

"This place is amazing!" Ara praised her surroundings.

"Rena, what will we be doing here?" Eve asked, straight to business.

"I thought maybe we could take in the sights. And...I was wondering if I could show you the graveyard. It's a very special place for us Elves." Everyone nodded.

"Why don't we get settled in and then we can check out this graveyard?" Raven proposed, and every got their bags out of the trunks as Rena went to check in. They soon got to their room, a suite.

"How'd you get this?" Elsword asked.

"The owner owed me a favor. I saved his daughter's live many years ago, and he said he was in debt to me. Told him if he gave us a free suite I'd consider us even." Rena sighed, "He still says he's in debt."

"Well, let's get settled in!" Elsword simply threw his bags into the bedroom and plopped onto the couch, "I'm hungry." Everyone laughed.

"Well, how about we have a snack and then we'll head to the graveyard?" Everyone nodded, and sat down as Ara and Rena went into the kitchen to start work on a brief snack before heading out.