I live on a continent called Erode, a massive beast of a continent, structured under one ruler. In the center, nestled securely in the Vitre mountain range is a town called Willow. The barren mountains are what they seem, a rugged dangerous beauty, that attracts those who don't want attention. Those that gather here, are the unsavory looking to run away, and the mundane who wish for nothing but a peaceful life. Cruel beauty flourishes in these jagged mountains. I am a mage, and my name is Calico. My story starts here, in the center of Willow, at a hospital called St. Devo's. I came out bursting with magic, and a strong voice that shook the walls. Or that is what I was told. I don't remember much before the age of six. What I do remember isn't good. My father, Salen was a dark man, with many hidden demons. Though one could say he isn't the brightest man, he was good looking enough. My mother has always been the wings at my back, helping me to reach higher. The beauty that my mother holds inside still to this day astounds me. As I grew up, my father and I became more distant, and I became more wary of adults, but my mother was always there for me. So I was always there for her. But lately something's changed. I cannot be who I was, following in my mothers footsteps. That isn't something I want to do. I've seen that now. Arkadios has shown me that I am but a young girl trying to find my own path. However, can I trust Arkadios with my heart? Will he smash it to pieces? I feel uncertain, and the ground I walk on shakes with my indecision and confusion. What do I truly want?

Reality returns as my mother's Teli portal shows up on my mirror stone. I sigh loudly before gingerly tapping the answer button. "Hi mom." I say in a cheerful voice, hoping she doesn't bring up Arkadios. "Hi hun, how are you?" She asks in a chipper voice. Smiling I say "I'm good how are you?" "Good," she said casually saying "So are you and Arkadios still planning to move in in April?" "Yes mom. we are still planning to move in." "Okay hun, just make sure you start a savings account, so you can get out if you need to." Anger strikes me first. How dare she say that about my partner? That I might need to escape. Please. Arkadios wants my own feet under me, so I can be a part of the relationship we are in. No, we aren't equals in some ways. Arkadios has had a lot more time to be stable and establish himself. Versus me, who just started living on my own. "Mom, I know you don't have the best impression of Arkadios, but he and I are going to get married. I need you to accept him for who he is. you are pushing me away by not accepting him. You don't even know him. Yet you are so quick to judge him." grief and anguish coated my mothers next words as she told me "Calico, you aren't the one crying herself to bed every night, scared for her daughters safety." I scoff, trying not to let my mothers words break the emotional barrier between her and I. "Mom, its none of your concern what's going on between Arkadios and I, and I should never have talked to you about our fight that day. I can't reverse what I've done, but I need you to try and accept Arkadios for who he is. If you can't do that, you are pushing me away." Silence received me at the other end of the stone mirror. The teli line went dead, and I knew she had hung up. Sighing yet again, I started to get ready for my day. I knew today was going to be a long day. I had yet to figure out how long it really would be though.