What's up ya'all? I do have license to say that since I was born in Texas....

I have gotten some awesome reviews for my first chapter and I can't tell you how much I appreciate your critiques. I don't care if you absolutely hate my story, but if you have something to say, make sure it's constructive criticism. Thanks so much for the whole currency problem, I wasn't really thinking at the time. I have read a lot of the books but I only own like 2 or 3, so I really don't have that many resources, so feel free to correct me. Thanks and I'll shut up now!

Disclaimer: Don't own nothin' 'cept the plot and OC.

Chapter 2: The Green Room

Suddenly, Aria's head came shooting up from where she lay sleeping in the park. She looked around and sighed, that was the most amazing dream I ever had. A Companion, imagine! She had had an amazing dream about riding a magical horse and galloping at full speed with the wind whipping in her face. But everything had been a dream. No pastry. No rape. No horse.

:Once more Aria, I am not a horse, and this is not a dream.:

Aria tried to sit up but something was holding her down.

"Sorry sweetie, can't have you getting dizzy by sitting up too fast."

Slowly, her eyes became unstuck and she gazed up into warm, honey-brown eyes with a twinkle in them.

"Hello, Aria, I'm Lara. I'm a Healer, and I promise, you will be fine and everything will be sorted out once you have gotten some time for everything to sink in. If you want to sit up very slowly, there is someone who would like to speak with you through your window." Lara smiled and got up, squeezing Aria's hand before leaving.

As slowly as she had opened her eyes, Aria sat up, feeling bruises she hadn't felt before on ribs and arms. The air was crisp and cool and Aria realized it was mid-afternoon. Where had the night gone?

:You slept throughout the whole night and morning. I was only glad that I got there in time to stop that criminal from hurting you severely.:

As this voice sounded in her mind, the unicorn stepped forward so that its face was right at the window. It's not a unicorn. Or horse.

:That's right. I am your Companion, Aria and you will never be alone again.: As this was said, Aria was sucked into the depth of the Companion's, Erendis', deep, navy blue eyes. Like a black hole. There was such power behind those words, and such meaning, that all the events of yesterday came rushing at her in a wave, one after the other. The rapist. His movements against her. The breaking of bones.

She shuddered and tears began to roll down her cheeks and suddenly Aria threw her arms around Erendis' neck and cried her heart out. The patient Companion nuzzled her and mentally comforted her until she could calm down and face him.

"Thank you...so much."

:I will always be there for you, Aria.:

All Aria could do was nod and smile, while wiping the tears off her cheeks. Then something dawned on her.

"Well, what happens now?" Aria voiced aloud, as much to herself as Erendis.

:Before I explain anything, try speaking in your mind, to me.:

"Uh, okay. Like this?" And Aria thought and thought and thought.

:No! Ow! Stop thinking so much! I didn't ask for you life story!: Erendis said with a laugh. :Direct your words, Aria, not pictures.:

"Sorry!" Aria said, afraid she'd offended her newfound friend. "Lemme try again; I won't screw up, I promise."

:Hello? Anybody there?: Aria said.

:I think you've got the hang of it.:

:Wow!:

:Anyway,: continued Erendis, :I chose you, Aria, because you have Gifts.:

:Gifts?: No one was supposed to know about her "abilities." Was he going to use her? But she knew he wouldn't. He was too good. But still...

:Please, don't think such thoughts. Your Gifts give you the qualification to become a Herald of Valdemar, once you complete your training, of course.:

A Herald! She had only heard of those men and women in white uniforms, saving the city one step at a time! Only from Bards and storytellers did she hear anything about them. And she would be one!

:Don't get too zealous; you still have some rigorous training to go through.:

Her shoulders slumped. :Oh.:

:Don't worry about it, it's a ton of fun. You'll fit right in.:

But will I? Aria thought. She was just a beggar girl after all. All the other kids would probably make her an outcast.

:That's absolutely ridiculous. There are people from all over, Aria. From the slums to the highborn. Everyone is accepted for who they are.:

Aria couldn't find a reply to that. So it was a good thing when, Lara? Was that her name? The Healer came into the room with a tray that smelled of muffins and hot apple cider. A bowl of soup welcomed her as well with steaming grace. Suddenly Aria felt as if everyone in the next few rooms down could hear her stomach growl.

"Figured you might be hungry, dear. Here you are," Lara said as she placed the tray on Aria's lap. "Eat up. The next meal you'll have is in a few candlemarks, so eat it all."

"Thank you, uh, Lara," Aria said, and added quickly, "Thank you so much for all you have done. I can't be more grateful."

"Well you can return the favor by answering a few questions for me, if you don't mind."

"Sure." The soup was cheese and broccoli, and it was the most wonderful thing she had eaten in a long time.

"Great, well, to start off, I assume you're an orphan. I mean, do you know anything about your parents?" Lara asked.

Aria shook her head while still chewing, swallowed and said, "No, I haven't any clue who they were. The only thing I know is that I was passed on from person to person, until I had to make it on my own because I was too much of a financial problem to my present guardians."

Lara tried to find a response to that bit of information there. What was she supposed to say? Sorry, but it happens all the time?

"Erendis, can you tell what her Gifts are?" Great, Lara. Nice, blunt statement. Way to show you care.

Lara saw the secluded look on Aria's round, tan face that Herald's usually got when conversing with their Companion.

"Erendis says that I have...Foresight? And..."

"And what?"

"Fetching?"

"Oh. Hmm. That's interesting."

"Why?"

"No reason, I just think I might have a little trouble finding you a tutor for that particular Gift."

"Oh," Aria said, "Erendis says that I just need some practice to get it under control, so that I can call it up when I need to."

Lara could tell that the girl was barely comprehending this. But she needed to get it out so that Lara could figure out the proper classes for Aria and who her mentor would be. The thing was, the girl was barely fourteen! Passed on like an unwanted heirloom, Aria had never known family, love, or friendship. How she survived on her own, Lara had no idea. She must have some guts to do that. Although, she wasn't unlike many other homeless children out there, except not all of them had Companions coming to save the day. Aria had been very lucky indeed.

Right now the child played with her hair, curling it in her fingers. It was the color of chocolate, and had such a nice wave to it, not curly or straight. She had a tan complexion and wide, hazel eyes. The only problem was that she was so damn skinny. Hopefully that would change with the meals that were cooked here, at the Collegium. Speaking of which...

"Now, Aria. Let me explain things to you, how everything's going to work. In order for you to get your Whites, you must become a Trainee first. You have to learn many, many things, including mastering your Gifts."

"You mean like school?" Aria's face lit up at the prospect, and Lara felt her heart warming.

"Yes, and don't worry, all your classes will be sorted out. For now, I want to get you situated in your own dorm. You need some fresh air and new scenery instead of this silly green room."

The walls were indeed green. Aria had not noticed it before; she also noticed that Lara's robes were a deep green as well.

:Green is the Healer's color, while white is for Heralds, red for Bards, and blue for the Guard.:

:Wouldn't white stand out more? Wouldn't a Herald want to blend in?:

:See? You are already sounding like one.:

Aria giggled and hugged Erendis once more before getting out of bed. He trotted off after promising to meet her later after she had settled into her new quarters. Lara gave her some spare clothes and told her that she would have to be fitted for her Trainee Grays.

"Aria, one more question," Lara said.

"Sure, no problem."

Aria could tell Lara was hesitating.

"Where did you get the money to survive on the streets?"

Aria knew that question was coming. Aria didn't know what had become of her beloved instrument, the one thing that kept her alive these past years. She hadn't dared ask the question, afraid of an inevitable answer. The events of the night before (though it seemed like ages) had really struck a chord in her, if you will. And her talent for the stringed instrument didn't flare in her heart as it usually did; it stayed dormant.

"I don't know; I just...got around. Sold flowers, worked as a maid. It just kinda worked itself out." This was the best she could do. Sold flowers? Where did that come from anyway?

"Oh, well, I was just wondering."

Aria knew Lara didn't trust her answer, but she didn't push it, so the subject was dropped.

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