The sun was just beginning to rise over the ridge to the east. Its rays just breaking through the trees, brightening the foliage.  Noel sat patiently waiting for his prey to come out of hiding. The morning dew was on his feathers, but that didn't bother him. What he was waiting for was more important. It would have been a matter of life and death....if they weren't at camp. Ah, there it is...Noel's prey this morning. A fine stag, a few hundred pounds at least, just rising over in the meadow. It didn't notice Noel, because Noel was just a hawk in a tree, a sight the stag was used to in these forests.<br/><br/>He rose, and dropping over the edge of the branch, took flight. Noel circled his prey from above for a few minutes, taking in any possible changes to his plan. Seeing none, he acted. Noel began to dive toward the stag, and when he was only a few yards away from it, shifted into the form of a tiger. The stag didn't see it coming, and the weight of a skydiving tiger landing on its neck instantly killed the magnificent beast. Shifting into a half-giant form, Noel was pleased. "Yes! Not a thing done that would damage the meat, so now the cafeteria can have that venison they wanted."<br/><br/>Noel was a shapeshifter, and quite a good one at that. Being able to quickly shift forms was a must when escape was needed, but Noel liked taking forms that could fight back. He wanted to protect those he cared about, and not run from his fears. Why would he care so much about protecting others? Well, when he was getting to the camp, he had a friend. She was his best friend, and a shifter too. But she was killed on the way to the camp, and it was because Noel could not fight back. Since he arrived at Mystic Falls, he trained and refined his technique so he could stop that from happening again, and take revenge on the one responsible for his friend's death.<br/><br/>He took the stag to the back of the cafeteria, where they were waiting, and amazed at the stag's size. Noel was told if he ever needed anything, to let them know, because the stag would last for a long time and was rare enough that few would see one that size in their life.  After running this little errand, Noel changed back into his regular form and went around front, grabbing breakfast. It was there that he ran into Iris. She was sitting by herself at an empty table.<span style="font-style: italic">Maybe I should give everyone a chance...</span>Noel took his breakfast and walked up to Iris.<br/><br/>"Is it ok if I sit here too?"