Lost in the shuffle [OPEN]

The alchemist's mind was not particularly concerned with the overall metaphysics of this place. He'd leave the hows and whys to those with minds better suited for those tasks. Instead, what Remi was really interested in was how this place? world? universe? might be importantly different from the one from which he'd just come.  The first thing he wanted to test, was whether he could still shift into his hawk form. It wasn't an integral part of his identity, but certainly it would be a good indicator just how far removed this place was from what he was used to.  Closing his eyes and taking a steadying breath, Remi trotted forward a few steps as he'd done so many times. Trying not to let his mind be weighed down by doubt–lest his body decided to follow–he leapt nimbly into the air and spread his arms. Wings sprouted from arms which were rapidly shrinking; bones became hollow, legs and feet shrunk and contorted, and soon his body was lifted easily into the sky. With a piercing cry of joy Remi allowed his consciousness to sink happily into the familiar mindset of the hawk's body.  Gliding along, Remi found that he had to beat his wings a great deal more than he would have had to otherwise. Something about the air felt stale up here. Unmoving. Storing away this nugget of information for later, he watched the landscape below begin to change slightly. It still appeared desolate and unyielding, but the fact that there appeared to be segregated aspects of the land seemed promising.  Gliding lower, the alchemist (or perhaps former alchemist, given that much more primitive tasks would likely be required of him now), landed. Though he hadn't considered it before, he was relieved to find that his clothing had indeed been transported with him. Running a hand through his curls and taking a breath, Remi glanced around. Coral blossomed in his cheeks from the effort of his flight and though his eyes were not as keen as they were as a hawk, his pale sea-glass green stare still took in his surroundings with a quiet scientific diligence.  remi How do you steal what you really want When what you really want is free?