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Post by Asperi on Sept 30, 2012 10:26:03 GMT -5
“Oh dear, I seem to have jinxed them,” Midori quietly said to no one in particular as the tree began shaking to and fro again. Moments later Gypsy was at her side barking commands again. Still holding her breath, Midori prayed to Kala that the Guardians would be able to get everyone out of this safely.
Hearing the dark mare’s voice out loud, Kyla began to reply, “Holding! I think we’re—”. The rest of her statement was lost to the skycats’ sudden outburst. Tyden seemed to take the words right out of her mouth, though, so she felt no need to repeat herself. Slowly letting go of the branch she edged closer to Tyden. “I’m not sure there is much I can do, but I am here to help if you need me.”
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Post by mblansett on Sept 30, 2012 14:57:07 GMT -5
Marie was still carrying the little sack she had when she came through the portal. It had the stuff from her pets she left behind, but could not yet bring herself to part with it. The stuff comfort her because it made her feel like her pets where still there. Marie opens the sack and pull out the dog and cat leashes, and while she pull it out a bag of dog food and bag of cat food fell out.
“Hey you two up there can these leashes help..?” Marie was thinking about going up the tree to hand the leashes. “Shadow Mist, will any of the other stuff in that sack help here?”
“I don’t know Marie.” Shadow Mist started to pull rest of the sack out. She gentle pick bit the sack at the bottom and lift it up, tumbling out of the sack was two bowl and bottle of water.
Marie spoke to the group standing around. "Can any one check see if any of that stuff will help, I still new here and I don't know what will calm what animal or what will help?"
((is this better, sorry for little confusion))
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Post by Lady Whimsy on Oct 3, 2012 0:27:34 GMT -5
((pssst, mb.... how does Marie know Xanthe is casting a spell? All she hears is jibberish; I highly doubt she knows elvin, so for all she knows Xanthe could be talking in the unicorn native tongue XD))
Phen’s quick, black tongue flicked the feathers from his nose, fending off another sneeze; what he wouldn’t give to get the smell out of his nose – at this rate he’d be tasting skycat for a month! The griffons squabbled above and the Dar’Keeli squabbled below, and between the two he had not a lot of hope invested in the situation. Of course, it could always be worse. It could have been Sess or Orin who found him, and he’d never hear the end of that. Neither would anyone else.
He could feel the nest beginning to loosen around him, and began to think an axe would be a very suitable way to put him out of his misery. It was about this time he was also wishing he had never heard of unicorns, never stole away here to this blasted rock, never had those delusions of grandeur and the notion that he might make Uthoreon proud… and if he never saw another unicorn again after this day, his life would have achieved all the satisfaction a dragon could want.
Sneezing contained, it was all he could do to breath through his teeth as he waited, muttering about the kink in his neck which he was sure had calcified by now, when suddenly a particular… fuzzy feeling begin to well over him. Obviously, he’d been sitting on his head too long and this was consciousness leaving him, which was really just as well because he didn’t want to see what happened next either. Then the peculiar fog drifted over his eyes and down his nose – and he was going to sneeze again, a there was nothing he could do – “HA-CHOOO!”
As the second sneeze hit, Tyden propelled himself backwards, ducking the tail his immediate concern when he realized the mess of twigs and leaves under his feet was slipping away like quicksand. “Kyla!” he called out, feathers, freed and swirling, clogged the air and made direction indistinct, “I think it’s time we took our leave—” and the ground shifted beneath him and gave way.
The first spray of debris and Gypsy danced sideways, shouldering Midori along with her as branch came down paces from where they stood. Lilaini held fast, craning to see the nest and its flailing occupants. She didn’t need to speak, Gypsy was already moving again and around the trunk, and as the nest gave a final shudder Lilaini reach out and cradled the mass with her mind’s eye. The screech and tearing of branches stopped just as quickly as they’d begun, the silence that followed looming and immense. Flying wreckage froze in the air, hanging like vapour. With one hand, the Guardian motioned gently upward and scooped two humans from the air, bringing them to rest on the ground a short distance away. The other hand was extended, holding the nest, and as she brought her hands together again all the scattered branches and matted grass began to draw together again, binding and weaving itself back into the tree. And with a final motion the dragon lifted, the giant haunches leading as the dragon uncoiled.
As delicate as a swallow on the breeze the great beast turned, the horns unhooking from the nest in same the fluid motion. Gleaming with a thousand shades of blue and quicksilver, the indigo dragon slipped from the tree like spring blossoms and floated gently to the ground. As the dust settled, heavy in the silence, Lilaini surveyed her work with glint of approval. Then she slumped against her companion’s thick mane, bowing finally to the exertion. And Gypsy craned her neck around as if to cradle the young woman, keeping her in place, her own head swimming with the breadth and sophistication of the work done.
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Post by Asperi on Oct 23, 2012 20:12:12 GMT -5
Just when Kyla thought the nest beneath her had stabilized, the dragon let out yet another enormous sneeze; lost in the creaking and cracking of branches and nest, she didn't even realize Tyden was talking to her again. Survival instincts kicking in, Kyla reached frantically for something--anything--to keep her from plummeting to the ground, but her hands and feet found no purchase.
Midori danced frantically in place as the nest once again began trembling and thrashing. "Oh no! I, I don't think it's going to hold any longer!" Midori was so focused on the potential catastrophe in front of her that she didn't even notice when a large tree branch fell only feet from where she danced. *I can't lose her now, not when I've only just found her!* she though frantically.
Just as they both became sure that someone was about to meet a horrible end, the whole world froze and fell silent. Kyla went from scrabbling for something to hold onto to floating through the air. Unsure what was happening, her stomach lurched and her whole body stiffened. She was soo tense that though she was very gently set down she still completely lost her bearings and fell right on her bum with an, "Oomph!"
Midori, on the other hand, breathed a great sigh of relief to see her companion safely on the ground again. Quickly jumping over the downed tree branch and trotting up to Kyla, Midori began nuzzling her face and lipping at her hair like and overprotective unikore with her first kore. "Lets try to be a little more careful next time, yes?" Midori mumbled between nuzzles.
Rather confused and somewhat abashed, Kyla retorted, "If I recall, you encouraged me," then playfully stuck her tongue out at the mare. Looking around she felt a bit embarrassed to see Tyden nearby, and then was a little frightened when she realized the dragon was just beyond him... and free.
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Post by Lady Whimsy on Feb 14, 2013 12:28:45 GMT -5
The dragon had a headache. One of those huge, pounding headaches that made one swear off dragon’s brew (at least, until next Friday night) and the prospect of opening eyes was not a pleasant one. That, and he vaguely recalled something about unicorns and griffon trees and that he’d developed an aversion to feathers. And something about Dar’Keeli…. … wait a minute. WAIT A MINUTE.
Memory flooded back in a torrid rush and he found himself confronted with the scene all at once: himself, bayed by a wrath of unicorns, injured and alone; a fierce, mounted figure wielding enough power to make a dragon blush… that was no Dar’Keeli, for Dar’Keeli possessed no such magic. Nursery tales of horrible, powerful beings called humans stirred deeper in his consciousness, strange beasts who rode unicorns and summoned a power equal to any dragon’s own… a human who stood beside Kal on the fateful day that Thaedor fell, plunging dragonkind into the wallowing swill of existence that had been theirs ever since.
“Unfairly marked, unjustly sentenced, we of Thaedor’s Blood so greet the dawn, biding the day that we take our rightful place again on the thrown of stars…” Uthor’s voice rang through the cavernous inner palace, the walls adding natural reverberation, which was a nice effect, Phen had noted at the time. He was seated just behind where [red]Sessatine[/red] perched, furling her crimson wings languorously over her back, only half listening. Ten years his elder, and with a sinuous form hewn as it seemed from liquid ruby, Ses was the embodiment of crazy-beautiful: a dragoness that made your pulse race to be near her, yet, with a look in her eyes that made you ponder that maybe, just maybe, it was a beauty better appreciated from afar. In retrospect, this is exactly what Phen should have done.
“You ought to pay attention,” he hissed, because he was genuinely upset that someone would not give their full attention to a king as Great and All-Knowing as Uthor. Also, because he wanted an excuse to speak to her. Naturally, he and Sessatine didn’t move in the same circles, although he saw her frequently at the rallies. He attendance was devoted; he adored Uthor and lived the cause; what exactly Sessatine did there he wasn’t sure – she seemed so sophisticated and out-of-place among the riffraff that made up the general meeting. Then again, Phen knew that she, like him, was a half-born: the illegitimate get of a nobleman, which in theory should have allotted them the privileges of that station (for dragons were very keen about lineage and birthright). In practice, it was a double-edged sword that cut deep: bastard-born and ill-begot, many a nobleman would have preferred their kind be forgotten altogether (for birthright was only second to a dragon’s sense of righteous might… or anything that made them come face to face with their own shortcomings). The frivolous hierarchies of old were the first to be disbanded when Uthor came to power, a motion celebrated by the disenchanted, the disgruntled, and the frequently restlessness whim of youths; critics insisted this was only because the High Counsel had not supported his bid for the thrown in the first place, and where else was he to have raised the might? But Uthor casually denied the accusations and insisted he was merely seeking equality for all, regardless of birthright, to share the wealth of the kingdom Thaedor had promised them. It was an infectious rallying cry, and Phen eagerly caught the fever.
Ahead of him, Ses was smirking. The realization came then that she had turned, and was looking at him. Right at him. At that moment he didn’t see that glint in her sharp blue eyes, baited as they were behind fringed lashes ((a point of interest – dragons are indeed mammals, so they do indeed have hair)). “Phenthor,” (she knew his name! his name!) “Is it not Uthor’s way that we should lead by example? Or something like that. He does babble on… relentlessly…” Her wings collected a small billow of air as she leapt neatly beside him, folding them again effortlessly as her grin curled like an ensnaring vine. She paused to consider his blank look, then cocked her head, almost sympathetically. “That means, you should probably be paying attention.”
“Ppp-gabtt– I am!” Phen stammered.
“To Uthor.”
“….Oh.”
Laughter followed her as she slipped past him down the hallway where the shadow of another dragon had taken form just beyond. Someone had obviously been waiting for her; the notion sunk in like lead and with a heavy heart Phen turned to the great hall again where Uthor stood speaking, although he couldn’t make out any of the words. Sess’ voice tickled the back of his mind, he could still hear her in the chamber beyond.
“It’s not like you need me for an escort, [yellow]Ori[/yellow],” she said, the rasp in her voice baiting the answer.
Oriano, another of Uthor’s Guards, remained utterly unmoved. “I simply thought showing up on time might be of some importance to you. Instead, you’re here toying with the minds of young—”
“Honestly… I was doing nothing of the sort. How could I? A whole chamber of youths and not a brain between them! They listen to Uthor like infants lapping at a teat and follow mindlessly forth… I am not sure if Uthor should be disappointed or incredibly proud of his handiwork.”
“Sess,” there was an edge to the guard’s voice.
“Oh shush. I’m saying nothing blasphemous. Nothing that anyone with half a mind doesn’t already know. Besides, why do you think Uthor keeps me around?... Oh, reaaaaal mature of you, Ori. But no; as a matter of fact, some of us do have to do the thinking. Some dragon needs to act, to seize opportunity where it lies – and Uthor isn’t stupid, either. Besides… where would you be if you’d simply… followed orders?” The grind returned to her voice and left it hanging, but she had already won the argument and her consort refused to answer. That, or they had moved further down the corridor and Phen could no longer hear them.
His tail twitched, trembling with the confliction that surged through him. His mind was tumbling. More than anything in the world, he wanted to be of help to the cause. He wanted to help Uthor. He wanted to be of use to Uthor. And – hope beyond hope – he wanted Uthor to find him useful. To value him. To be proud… He had never known a father, and Uthor surpassed any vision he had of what one might be. Sessatine’s words clung with a kind of crazy truth, and suddenly, he knew how all this might come to pass.
Uthor was still talking, but he didn’t need to be listening. He needed to be doing. He slipped from the perch and down the dark hallway, feeling just a bit like he was following an anagale down an anagale hole…
He’d been pleasantly surprised to discover that anagale flourished in an abundance on Kalidore; anagale were delicious. In fact, he would love a good anagale or twelve right about now, because he hadn’t eaten since yesterday. Anagale certainly seemed a better option than griffon, if only in retrospect. Although he wouldn’t have had any issue with the griffon had not that black unicorn— oh, right. Crap. Unicorns.
He returned to the present with a hard thump to the ground. Or wait, maybe that already happened and it was merely the ringing in his head that went on and on. He was actually seeing stars. Or perhaps little anagales…. the motes looked vaguely bunny-shaped. That was when he realized his vision was coming back, though his brain (and, oddly enough, the back of his tongue) still felt kind of numb. The only thing he knew for sure was that he hated unicorns. He closed his eyes again tight and tried to rub the dancing motes away. He felt a shadow fall across his face, and a voice: “Are you hurt?” He opened his eyes and slowly, the world came into focus.
The stars evaporated in the brilliant presence of the sun that turned bronze hair to gold, haloed as it were around the figure’s head. From tip of horn to hoof she stood tall, as a statue cast from some ancient mold that in reflection was not all that different from his own. The unicorn, he realized was beautiful. Beautiful? Nay, she was as if a thing born of Thaedor’s own brush – perfection, so fine her features and elegant her bearing. It shocked him, humbled him, and he wondered if the world had really stopped spinning after all. The numbness seemed to have spread everywhere and he couldn’t have answered if he wanted to, only knowing in that moment the awe he felt in her…
As the air stilled and people settled, Rhaine and Gywn breathed a collective sigh of relief. Then the Guardian was nudging them cautiously forward with, “Is everyone okay?” and, “careful, do give them some room to breathe!” The last comment could have been directed at any number of the scattered figures, strewn about the place like game pieces after a rowdy match of chess. The griffons had recovered and were already poking about their nest, happily arguing amongst themselves about the best way to fix the damage; ‘rebuild it, twice as big as before!’ seemed the skycat motto, and this was an excellent opportunity to do just that. Miraculously, the unicorns and companions also seemed mostly unscathed, save for a few bumps and scrapes that could be easily attend to, and the dragon –
“You don’t have to worry about the dragon!” [blue]Xanthe[/blue] exclaimed, bounding up beside her. “My spell worked!” and off she bounced again, chortling in sheer exuberating with no hope of explanation.
“M’lady,” Liam frowned, mostly because he did not want to appear presumptuous (as much as he realized the animals of Kalidore seemed more reasonable then their earthly counterparts, his sword was drawn and he held it between the lady and the beast). “Are you quite certain this dragon… is nothing to worry about?”
Rhaine really didn’t have an answer, but Lyonee had absolute confidence in hers. “He should be just fine now – see, all he needed was a little talking-to. My nanny told me the story of St. Martha who spoke to the dragon and made him her friend; clever Tyden must have known all along! And while I am sorry I will not have a tooth to bring home and show Olivier, I would much rather have a dragon as a friend instead.”
“Amen,” Liam said and crossed himself, and looking at the dragon did it again, just to be safe.
((and... I guess Tyden is still sitting on the ground somewhere, 'cause that post seemed much too long to include anything else XD))
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Post by hardwired on Feb 15, 2013 15:25:33 GMT -5
"Cordy... Cordy! Are you sure this is the way we are supposed to go?" Cassie felt as though she had been traveling forever. Scratch that, with as many times as she had fallen over herself chasing after her friend it could easily have been days. She groaned. Where was Cordy taking her?
"I am pretty sure this is the way..." Cordelia had just wandered into view and had stopped cold at the site of a jumble of unicorns, guardians and what... was that a dragon?!? She seemed to be suddenly at a loss for words. even when Cassie ran right into her when she stopped suddenly to take in the view.
((Um I have no colors so... I just posted and hoped it would be O.K. I didn't want to miss the RP!))
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Post by Lady Whimsy on Sept 23, 2013 20:46:46 GMT -5
Xanthe danced through the warm fall sunshine, practically clicking her hooves together in jubilation. Her bouncing was bringing her all the nearer to the sprawling beast, and both Rhaine and Gwyn exchanged a quick glance before bounding after her. "Hold up there, my sweet!" Gwyn snatched a mouthful of flaxen mane, giving a gentle but firm tug that brought the bouncing kore back to earth. "Spell or not, landing on top the beast is not something to recommend!" "But - he's not a beast any longer!" Xanthe insisted. "The spell – it will make him see unicorns in a pleasing light. It's an old spell, a solid one - even I couldn't mess it up!" she implored with such conviction that Gwyn felt for the kore... and even more deeply for Muse, who had to contend with such exuberance on a daily basis. "It was very quick thinking of you," Rhaine spoke gently, "but just the same, we must not let his first impression of us be of imprudence; he has already been through a lot. Let us approach him gently." Approach?! Liam, who had been a step behind the pair, double-stepped to bring himself along side the lady. Why did everything they encounter need to be approached? It made his unspoken job of protecting the lady quite a challenging thing. "M'lady," he began carefully, "I agree with your digression wholeheartedly, however, might it not be... imposing... for such a large group as us to to greet him all at once?" Rhaine gave a short nod, "you are completely right, Liam! Here, will you help Lyonee down?... You must stay with Liam and the others for just a short bit," she pressed into the child's ear. "As eager as you are to meet the dragon, and as good-natured as we can trust him to be, he is still a dragon and you a delicious morsel of a child." Lyonee giggled because it tickled, but she also saw that what the Lady said was true, of course. As much as she wanted to meet a dragon she would rather not be eaten by one today. Although it did seem like a very noble way to go, should the end come. She took Liam's extended hand and climbed neatly to the ground beside him. "But--" Xanthe and Liam began almost at once, then both caught themselves. Xanthe, for one, because she knew she could have been scolded for using magic and she had not, and Liam because he knew the hopelessness of arguing with a lady. "It would be... polite... to give the dragon a wide breadth, wouldn't it?" Gwyn cocked her head ever so slightly as she started forward. "It would," Rhaine agreed, and they did. * * * Gypsy, on the other hand, was so close to the beast she could feel the heat of his breath on her face. A dim part of her mind was reminded that those tales about dragon's breath were happily untrue. In fact, the dragon had very little sent at all, beside currently griffon; definitely not in any way reptilian. He eyes were not reptilian either. They were sharp, and glinted, but had a warmth to them, an endless depth... oh Great Mother Kal, I am staring a dragon in the eye...Her skin involuntarily shuddered, and she would have done anything to go dashing away, except that Lilaini was still motionless on her back. And the dragon was... "Are you hurt?" she repeated again. The dragon was hurt. One wing unfurled at an awkward angle, even as he stumbled to his feet. And once on his feet, he suddenly seem... smaller. In fact, he wasn't any taller ten she was. *He's just a fledgling* the thought burst with sudden realization. "I am not!" he exclaimed, pulling up his wings with a whoosh of air that caused the mare's skin to shudder again. "I will have you know I've seen nearly twenty of Heara's Moons!” With his neck extended he was full head taller than her… so long as she didn’t notice he was on tiptoes, too. Phen’s dismay coloured his features and masked the pain in his wing, although he still winced notably when he folded them across his back. For the beautiful of unicorns to think he was but a child— chagrin made gut rumble, and the tiniest thread of smoke snaked from his nostrils. Sess had called him a fledgling — right before Oriano had moved to hurl him back Kylindrieal bodily. That's probably what stung the most, rather then the pair's point-blankly rebuking his attempts to join them. He'd been expecting that much; after all, he'd gone against protocol, snuck off the planet without registering his departure first, and had been trailing Uthor's Secret Guard. Any one of those could be considered treason. But he had done it all with the good of the whole in mind, for the cause, for Uthor. And maybe just a little bit to prove himself. The unicorn's mind-speak also startled him; it was a skill dragons could learn, but it shocked him to discover that those tales about the treacherous reach of a unicorn's mind prowess were true. They don't need those horns to bore into your brain, the stories went, and suddenly he felt very naked, like a Dar'Keeli on his birthday, even though dragons did not traditionally wear any clothes at all. He found it impossible to look the beautiful beast in the eye, and perhaps this was good too, for it hid the wince as he wrapped his wings all the tighter around himself. "I beg your pardon," Gypsy peered down. "I did not mean any disrespect, rather, it was only my surprise — to think a youth as yourself to make it hear to Kalidore alone is really quite remarkable." She meant it a compliment, and motherly intuition told her the dragon was considering it. Behind her Areion had drawn nearer, but quietly, relieved somewhat by the announcement of the dragon's youth and also registering quite clearly that Gypsy might kick him if he pressed too close. He stopped instead to nudge Tyden who was climbing to his feet, taking the offered handful of mane to steady himself. His eyes were entirely on the gleaming, scaling beast, as if now that the danger had past he was truly seeing it for the first time. And maybe he was; so they stood silently, the man and the ivory stallion, eyes both lit and wondering.
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Post by Asperi on Oct 8, 2013 16:23:43 GMT -5
Looking up to see what had caused Kyla to so suddenly stiffen, Midori saw that the dragon was now out, on the ground, and uncomfortably close to Gypsy . *I thought he’d be taller* she playfully thought to Kyla, mostly to hide her own nerves. She had heard tales of the horrors of dragons as a kore, and had no intention of becoming a part of those frightening tales any time soon! Startled out of her ponderings by a large presencemoving up from behind her, Midori first stiffened in a likeness to Kyla, then melted when she realized it was Aerion. Though she knew he was just a stallion, something about his proximity in the presence of a dragon made her feel more at ease.
The sensation of her companion’s abrupt change in emotional state—overbearing, then mocking, then almost frightened, then startled, then calmed and oddly mushy in reference to the now nearby stallion had Kyla reeling. When would she get used to this whole companion thing? Trying to make the best of a confusing situation, and take her mind off the dragon, Kyla snipped back to Midori, *The feeling of safety you are getting from the stallion is called the ‘meat shield effect’. * With the irritated flip of a green tail, Kyla realized Midori felt that didn’t warrant a response.
With a sigh, she pulled herself off the ground, dusted off her pants, and quietly moved closer to Tyden, so as not to inadvertently attract the dragon’s attention. Watching quietly for a few moments as the scene unfolded, she noticed the dragon wince a few times, and then that one of his wings was being held at a peculiar angle. “The poor thing looks hurt!” she quietly exclaimed to no one in particular.
As a Doctor of Medicine in her world, Kyla had a good understanding of anatomy, muscle and bone structure, and wound/injury management. Looking for the approval or permission from someone in charge, she nudged Tyden to get his attention, and said, “I may be able to help him if he’ll let me, do you mind me trying?” Kyla really wanted to help, medicine was her thing after all, until the thought occurred to her that she didn’t know anything about dragon anatomy or how to fix them if they broke. Furrowing her brow, she thought to herself, Well, too late to take it back now… I guess I’ll just wing it if they take me up on my offer.
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Post by Lady Whimsy on Oct 10, 2013 20:34:54 GMT -5
((snicker snicker… I have to point out Midori missed a great opportunity to shoot back the “meat shield effect”, but I suppose she’s saving up for later!
Also, just for consistency - the starred italic passages ie --*text here* -- specifically denotes something that is telepathically broadcasted ("mindspeak") either by unicorns to other unicorns, dragons, or humans to their companions (or other affluent humans, if present).
Inner thoughts are generally characterized by itallics without ** and are meant not to be broadcasted (but may or may not be picked up by strong telepaths in the vicinity, cases pending).
Wasn’t sure what you intended that with Kayla’s last line, so figured I'd better throw this out there, just to get everyone using the same format for mindspeak for ease of reading ))Phen was putting forth his best smolder and trying to ignore the unicorn standing at his nose, which was only to varying degrees successful. “Well, are you taking me in or not?” he finally sulked. “…In?” Gypsy frowned, somewhat distracted by her own personal relief as she felt Lilaini beginning to stir. “Yeah. Not like I’ve never been in a dungeon before,” he puffed out his chest. “So whatever you plan to do with me, just do it.” Gypsy cocked her head. What apprehension she had of dragons before this encounter was diminishing by the moment, Ulysses’ warning from the night before seeming like a distant dream. She puzzled over his statement, ears forward. “Dungeon? What—we have no dungeons on Kalidore. Goodness Kal, you are not our prisoner, for Kalidore welcomes everyone!” Regardless of how we may have parted when last we met. The last part was kept entirely to herself, betraying the small ghost of worry that remained. Gywniera with Lady Rhaine drew near, and Gypsy stepped just slightly to the side to allow them an audience. Rhaine’s worried look was directed at Lilaini, but she addressed the dragon calmly. “Aye, Kalidore is haven to all,” she spoke, “and consider us here then, to welcome you. Although… we are curious to know how you came to us; it has been many moons since dragons last visited the isle.” No dungeons? Phen was confused. How can a society function without dungeons? What do they do with—oooh… he eyed the slender, spiraling horns again, and didn’t doubt for the moment that they were one of the few things under Aeon’s sky that could pierce dragon’s skin. He turned his attention to the Dar’kee—er, human woman who spoke next, and felt some inner disappointment at how soft and squishy she looked. Not terribly frightening or monstrous at all. At least, when they’re not using magic. And she is riding a unicorn; that definitely scored prowess points there. It was also polite of her not to mention the griffon tree again. That also had to count for something. At the same time, he didn’t want to be welcomed. He didn’t want to know that unicorns were beautiful and humans were polite. He wanted to claw his way out by tooth and wit and prove to Sessatine, Uthor, everyone, that he was Phenthorr the Mighty, the Brave. Smoke curled from his nostrils again and his wings pursed – and he winced again. “Here, at the very least, let us have a look at that wing,” the beautiful unicorn spoke again, “we can help you…” “Oh, I doubt it,” he snorted and turned his back, causing the mares to leap to avoid his flailing tail. A unicorn help a dragon? He might as well be in love with one, the thought was so absurd. But it also coloured his features in a royal flush, causing the indigo of cheeks to darken. I should never have come! He didn’t know what direction he was walking in, but at any rate it was away from the confusion behind him. Like any boy with a passion for adventure, Tyden had grown up surrounded by dragons – not real ones of course, but in the books he read, the stories Daiga told to him, and scripted into the hilt of his sword that Sir Gareth had bestowed. Dragons were a fiery, formidable beasts that flaunted his childhood and stirred in dreams – not something to be feared so much as wondered, and even into adulthood they followed, a lingering and haunting enigma. The dragon mesmerized him. And as he watched it was not so much the small purple dragon he saw before him, but what he represented – the possibility of every fleeting dream to ignite and take flight. In other words, it was no simpler a then affirmation that they be, yet in that simple ken unlocked all the possibilities in the universe. Thump. Arieon bumped him subtly but soundly from behind, and realized that Kalya had nudged him and was speaking. “I may be able to help him if he’ll let me, do you mind me trying?” she said. His attention now caught the exchange between the dragon, the lady and the mare, and Phen’s abrupt and carless departure. He glanced at Kayla. “Whether or not *I* mind might have very little to do with it; maybe… we should try another approach.” He beckoned for her to follow and ducked under the low-hanging branches (possibly, slightly lower-hanging then they had been before) and followed after. “Hold up, Phen!” he called. “Or what?” the dragon snapped. “Well, if you keep headed just so we’re going to run out of cliff.” The ridge was coming to it’s jagged end, taking a rather steep turn downwards; it was the perfect roost for larger griffons, who once fledged could harness the ravine’s warm updraft for faster flight. Perfect for dragons too, perhaps, but with an injured wing, Phen was quite incapable of flying. The human man had a point; Phen sulked to stop. Tyden began carefully, “If there’s some place you’re headed, my friends and I might help you find another way to reach it. We are actually traveling through the mountains today, which is how we happened to come upon you. You are more than welcomed to travel with us until you find your way.” “Why would you help me?” Phenthorr frowned. Tyden grinned. “Why not? ....Besides, it’s been quite the morning; I’m sure you’re hungry. At the very least you could join us for lunch.” Lunch. Phen’s stomach growled, warning it was ready to start negotiating if he didn't. He turned, curling his slender neck ever-so-casually back their way. “What… what do unicorns eat for lunch?” he asked cautiously. There was such a look in his eyes that Tyden had to wonder what the dragon really suspected. It was all he could to keep from laughing, giving the sleek indigo shoulder a firm pat, as if he were at his steed’s side. “Grass, mostly. But I was truly thinking of something a little more substantial myself. Have you ever had anagale stew? Although it’s more a dinner thing, and dependent on if Tali or I can trap one, but I’m sure there are some hearty vittles we could wrestle up in it’s place….” You had me at lunch, Phen’s stomach rumbled, though he kept still. His mind was tumbling. Him, travel with unicorns? Whatever would Uthor think? And then again – what an opportunity this might be to find that which his master sought, said to be hidden among the unicorns. He wasn’t doing any of this for himself, after all – he was doing it for Uthor. He was doing it for the Empire, for Kylindreal, for Thaedor’s legacy to live on. If HE could find this thing, this power that the unicorns hid, by being around the unicorns, then what else could he want of this? His eyes drifted to the beautiful unicorn who’s bronze-coloured mane blew golden in the wind. He swallowed. “I like lunch,” he said.
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Post by lectral on Oct 10, 2013 21:49:36 GMT -5
Endellion stood near the rear of the group, where she and her Companion had been for most of the journey, and considered the events unfolding up ahead. Brigid had been unfamiliar riding astride, and it took longer than either of them expected for her to adjust, otherwise, the red dun was sure they would have been in the thick of things far earlier!
Brigid couldn't completely make out what was going on; she could not see through the unicorns between her and the front, and she was unable to make out everything being said. Until she thought to ask Endellion to fill her in; this bonding would definitely take some getting used to! *Endellion? What is going on? I can't quite make anything out.*
The mare flicked an ear back, then moved toward the activity near the front of the group. Brigid was surprised, but said nothing, awaiting the mare's explanation, and Endellion rewarded her patience with a short response. "Apparently, we've found a dragon. But he's young still; shall we investigate?"
Brigid laughed. "Since you've already started that direction, I think you plan that anyways? But I have always been curious about dragons; they don't seem to be on my world anymore. Hopefully, they are not as frightening here as they are in most of our tales." She was rather nervous, but seeing the others gathered around the dragon reassured her a good bit.
As they neared, Brigid heard someone mention lunch, and her stomach growled. "I would enjoy something to eat, as well, if there's enough to go around?"
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Post by Lady Whimsy on Oct 13, 2013 1:17:21 GMT -5
It was spring, and the grande hall was bowered in a froth of blossoms, nearly as bright and colourful as the gowns of the dancing ladies as they swirled below. Her own dress was green, naturally, sewn with a thousand crystal beads that captured the light just so, setting her whole outfit a glitter and causing everyone she passed to stop and bow gaily, as if she were the deity of that season. The music was sweet, familiar, and her feet wanted to be dancing. The ladies were waiting, the lords beckoning, and all she needed to join them was that offered hand… well now, that was strange… Surely she wasn’t expected to go dancing away by herself!?
A gentle tap on her shoulder and she felt her chagrin melt easily away. “It’s about time!” Lilaini murmured, turning to greet him – and nearly tumbled off Gypsy’s back as the two consciousnesses collided.
“Steady now,” Rhaine tucked a firm arm under her friend and propped her back into place. Gypsy and Gwyneira moved as one beneath them so that the motion was effortless. “You’ve given yourself a terrible strain, but it was most impressive while it played out!” She held Lilaini upright until the woman found her balance and the strand’s of Gypsy’s mane to wind again between her fingers. Slowly the pieces were falling back into place, the lovely music giving way to rasping skycats, dancing ladies to milling unicorns, and spring’s promise replaced by the bright, harsh autumn sunshine.
*Are you better now, sweet?* Gypsy’s mind touched hers.
Lilaini took another moment to focus. She blinked against the light, her eyes scanning until she caught the glinting indgo of fleeing dragon… with Tyden ((and Kyla? did she follow)) by his side… her eyes narrowed.
“He’s alright, dear,” Gwyn supplied happily, expecting her concern was about the dragon.
“For now,” she growled under her breath. Pretty sure you’re supposed to rescue the damsel in distress, not the dragon...
“The Lady Rhaine is right – it was terribly impressive, that!” the silvery mare bubbled on. “And everyone else seems no worse for wears, except the nest, but the griffons are already on top of that.”
“The dragon really is okay?” Lilaini finally sighed, surrendering herself to the situation.
“I think he will be,” Gypsy answered, but there was a strange distraction in her voice.
Then someone was asking about lunch and the absurdity of the moments before past and she was a Guardian again, steadfast, offering care and guidance of the new companions and visitor’s on the isle (although she was doubly annoyed at Tyden now for calling lunch, when they had not traveled nearly as far as planned). Nudging Gypsy forward, she gave Rhaine a quick smile in gratitude, for her healer’s touch had worked its magic and she was feeling like herself again. Just the same, she hoped it would be a while before she had to call on her powers like that again.
“Why don’t we settle back there, in the shade of those trees?” Gwyn suggested. “Give the griffons their space, and…" she glanced at the dragon sidelong.
“I think that would do us very well,” Lilaini nodded. She looked up towards the young woman who had spoken, Endellion’s companion Bridgid. “There’s some dried fruit and buns in the packs that can make us a quick lunch. I’d like to save what’s left of the cheese for dinner, and we’ll head for water then, too. In the meantime, we’ll go sparingly on our canteens if we can, so that they last us the day.”
She did a quick mental check of the supplies and knew they had a good three day’s left before they’d need to consider options. Depending, of course, how much a dragon might expect to eat…
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Post by Asperi on Oct 13, 2013 19:55:42 GMT -5
Tyden started after the dragon at a good pace, leaving Kyla behind at first. Seeing the invitation to follow, Kyla moved into a slight jog to catch up. I wonder if dragons could take ibuprofen…, she wondered to herself as she followed Tyden to the dragon.
Seeing her companion move off in the direction of the dragon, Midori moved into a brisk trot. *You just always need to be in the thick of things, don’t you!* she playfully scolded Kyla. *umm, I guess I like a challenge?* Kyla responded, as the uncertainty of examining a dragon began to sink in.
At Tyden’s suggestion of lunch Kyla’s stomach also growled. Putting a hand on her noisy stomach, she agreed, “I like lunch too!” Pausing briefly, she followed with, “and I would love to get to know you better. I am new to this place, and have never in my life met such a beautiful being as you.”
*Excuse me?!?* exclaimed Midori at that last comment form Kyla. It was clearly the last thing she expected to come out of her companion’s mouth. In an exasperated tone Kyla responded, *Oh Midori, don’t be so sensitive! I am trying to butter him up a bit so he might allow me to check that wing.* With a swish of her tail Midori quipped back, *I knew that. I was just… making sure you knew what you were doing.* With a little giggle, Kyla turned her attention back to Phen, “Won’t you please join us for a while, Phen? Sounds like Tyden has a lovely meal planned for us all.”
She wanted to look at that oddly positioned wing, but didn’t want to push him too hard too quick; Phen seemed a little uncertain of their group yet. Hoping that if he joined them for lunch it might lead to an opening to politely bring up his wing, Kyla waited patiently with a friendly smile on her face to see what Phen would do next.
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Post by lectral on Oct 14, 2013 11:50:11 GMT -5
Brigid glanced in the direction indicated by Gwyneira, and saw the trees she meant. Then, she turned her attention back to the others, when Lilaini explained what they had available for lunch.
"Dried fruit and buns sounds perfect, and quite tasty. The rest sounds like a good plan as well," Brigid nodded agreeably, as Endellion started to move toward the trees, declaring her intention to start her own lunch, with action, if not words.
When she got to the trees, she paused to allow Brigid a moment to dismount and steady herself, before moving off a slight distance to graze. Brigid shook out her skirt, stretched her legs a bit, and waited for the others. As the others arrived, she asked, "Is there anything I can do to help with lunch?"
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Post by hardwired on Oct 14, 2013 11:54:18 GMT -5
Cassie felt as if she had just seen pigs fly. Oh sure, there were tons of stories of dragons in her world and she LOVED them. But here was a real living breathing dragon! He is the real deal. Cassie wondered if she was wearing as huge a dopey grin as she expected. *Oh my god, he's a dragon!* Cassie jumped out of her skin when she got a reply. *I know.* And was that laughter in her head? Cassie stared at her companion in shock. "What was that? What happened? Did you just talk in my head?" she hissed at Cordy while trying not to draw anyone's attention.
"Yes. Now lets listen to what is going on." Cordy was laughing a little. "And there are likely be more surprises I expect." She leaned into her new found friend in a companionable way. "Don't worry. I think we will have help." she made a nod at Tyden then proceeded to turn her attention back to the dragon happenings. Cassie followed her lead at went back to admiring the dragon. She sure hoped he would accept the help that these kind folks were offering. And boy did all that talk of lunch start making her stomach rumble!
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Post by geob on Oct 14, 2013 12:11:27 GMT -5
Tiponi watched all the activity about the dragon. Things had kind of moved away from her and Luminista, but since the focus had shifted to the dragon's injury, not something she was particularly comfortable with, she didn't mind. Though lunch did sound like a good plan to her. On the other hand, how much did a dragon eat?
"I hope that dragon doesn't eat much," she said in an aside to Brigid and Endellion, as they moved off to the trees. "Providing his meals could be a full-time job." She had really been enjoying Brigid's company since meeting. Perhaps it was their common ground: new to unicorns and being companions and riding… "Maybe we should have brought along one of those hairy cow-things. Or four… -teen." She wasn't sure if she was being funny or serious. Somehow she didn't think one small anagale would be enough. Even if stretched in a stew. And dried fruit and buns?
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Post by Lady Whimsy on Oct 15, 2013 0:27:03 GMT -5
“Then it’s settled,” Tyden beamed. “Tali and I will have to see what we can rummage up for dinner; although I haven’t seen Tali for a few hours now… Ah well, in the meantime, what’s a young dragon like yourself consider suitable for afternoon snacking?”
“I could probably eat a Ha’drow,” Phenthorr admitted. “Whole.”
Tyden, who had no idea what a Ha’drow was, was saved from query by Kyla, who’s blithe announcement reminded him that she and Midori were there (dragons were distracting!) and that she’d likely suffered some blow to the head on the way out of the griffon tree. “Er, well then, that’s the right kind of… enthusiasm,” he took an unconscious step backwards into Phen. “And, I do appreciate the sentiment, Kyla, I truly do... get to.. know?… ...Lunch! —lunch would be really fantastic right now, wouldn’t it? Let’s see what Rhaine and Lily have set out for us…” he indicated their direction, following with the intention to move there, very quickly.
Phen glance at Kyla sidelong as she spoke. He may having been gung-ho to do it for Uthor in theory, but face to face with the prospect, it was all moving a bit too fast. “I think I would rather stay here. I—I just don’t like trees,” he declared assertively. “yes, I’ll stay here. The open air from the edge of the cliff is very… refreshing.”
Beneath the trees, Lilaini set to work dishing out small rations – once Xanthe and the food packs had been cornered and made to stand still, which was a challenge in itself. She found the work calmed her, and felt more relaxed, though the strain of using magic had left her lethargic and drained. She tried not to let it show, but even her fingers felt clumsy as she worked on the knots in the ties.
“Here, Bridgid,” she turned at the woman’s request for busywork and placed the still-tied sack in her hands, “those are dried figs; have you had them? They are so good! Share them around, they will do to stave off the nip of hunger until supper time, while I am looking for the buns. I’m sure there were some fresh ones left over from last night, might as well eat them while they’re soft, we’ll have hard bread enough to come!”
“They’re on the other side,” Xanthe supplied helpfully, turning in place so the Guardian could get into the right pack. “I didn’t even try to eat them,” she said proudly.
“Well done,” Lilaini had to smile.
With lunch settling, Gwyneira and Rhaine had made their way back to the small group at the side of the clearing. After hesitating a moment, his nostrils still flaring in the direction of the dragon, Arieon followed.
“Are we allowed to see the dragon now?” the little girl was practically jumping in place even before Rhaine had dismounted beside them.
“When he is ready, he will come see us,” she told Lyonee gently.
Arieon snorted, remaining silent, but the conflict registered in his ears, flicking back and forth as if baiting blackflies. The stallion’s unease did nothing to curb Liam’s reservations, and his hand went instinctively to the hilt of his sword. Because that’s going to do an awful lot of good against a dragon, he thought.
“In the meantime, I believe Lilaini may have a sticky bun saved just for you,” the woman continued with a smile. “Why don’t you wash up and have some lunch?” So easily captured by the next wonder of adventure that even the blow of disappointment was fleeting, Lyonee’s face blossomed into a grin and she went bounding off to the trees.
“M’lady,” Liam began, but didn’t know what he planned to say. Areion’s foot hit a rock on the ground he had been pawing, a sharp, clean, crack, and she turned to them, feeling their dismay.
*I know what Ulysses said* she touched their minds, *and what has happened here already* “But…” she sighed, softly, her eyes closing as her mind wandered over the clearing as a whole; “what I felt back in the woods… it’s not the same. I feel nothing from him that is a means to hurt us. He will do us no harm.”
*He is still a dragon* Arieon rumbled deep in chest.
Liam blinked hard, still unused to other people being in his headspace, feeling caught between the great stallion’s agitation and the lady’s conviction. He looked toward the dragon again, who did seem smaller now that he was out of the tree, silhouetted as he was against the cut blue face of the sky. “I s’ppose, as you coulda done worse t’me for what I HAD done ya… what’er’ we’d be if we did’na give him a chance, aye?”
He meant it rhetorically, but the lady’s face broke into a smile that was beautiful to see.
“It is our way,” she was careful to included Arieon in the meaningful look, and the stallion could only heave a fretted half-sigh.
An’ I guess I can’a be grateful for that, Liam revealed. And for the first time he realized that despite all, despite the absurdities and injuries, confusion, and feeling like a duck out water, he was happy to be in Kalidore. And that was a true revelation after all.
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Post by Asperi on Oct 15, 2013 15:05:57 GMT -5
Kyla furrowed her brow in a brief moment of confusion as Tyden suddenly started stumbling backwards and fumbling his words. Then what was actually happening dawned on her. Cocking an eyebrow at what she thought was an incredible overreaction from Tyden, she pointedly stated, “You do know I was talking to Phen, right?”
Seeing Tyden's awkwardness suddenly and unexpectedly overwhelmed Kyla with sorrow as a memory flashed into her mind. —An image of her sitting on the floor in a hallway, half soaked and with singed hair. Brody was kneeling next to her fumbling his words in an effort to help.— Staring into nothingness, a single tear rolled down her cheek as the fleeting memory passed by. Sensing her companion’s sudden change in mood, Midori offered her a comforting nuzzle. *Are you alright little one?* Midori’s nudge and mental touch brought Kyla back to reality. Wiping the tear from her face and straitening her slumped shoulders, she responded with a sigh, *I will be. Some wounds just take longer to heal than others.* Maintaining their connection by resting her head on Kyla’s shoulder, Midory tried to channel as much love and support towards her companion as possible.
Turning her attention back to Phen and trying to politely ignore Tyden and any reaction he may have to her brief trip down memory lane, Kyla just caught Phen's declaration of his dislike for trees, Smiling, she responded. “After what just happened, I am glad to be back on solid ground again too. Plus, the view here isn’t bad,” she said as she gestured toward the cliff’s edge and mountains beyond. Leaning against Midori, she decided now might be a good time to formally introduce herself to the dragon. “My name is Kyla, and this is my friend Midori. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She paused here, waiting to see if the dragon might have more to say. When he didn’t say much, she decided it was time to get some small-talk going. “Are you from Kalidore?” Given that she had only been here 3 days, Kyla had no idea how naïve this question actually was. Midori nickered a quiet laugh at her companion’s question, but let it go without retort.
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Post by lectral on Oct 15, 2013 22:22:54 GMT -5
Brigid smiled at Tiponi's estimation of how much the dragon might eat. "Cow woud be better than what dragons were rumored to eat in the tales I heard back home! But I agree, I hope he doesn't eat too much; there are already a good few of us to share what we have." She looked up to see Lilaini holding out a sack in response to her offer of assistance.
"I'll be right back," she added, reaching for the figs, as Lilaini declared the sack's contents. She took the sack and untied it, peering inside. "I have not had dried figs before, though I once had them fresh. They were a special treat from my aunt; I quite liked them." Turning, she headed for the nearest travelers, to begin passing out the figs.
Endellion watched her companion as she passed out the figs, while she munched contentedly on the grass nearby. She wouldn't mind a fig herself, but as she knew the rations had limits, and she could eat grass where the humans couldn't... she would wait for another time.
When Brigid returned the sack to Lilaini and rejoined Tiponi, Endellion headed that way as well. If her companion was going to stay in one place, she'd stay close by, just in case she wanted to join whatever conversation happened to come. Though, since evryone was busy eating the tasty, if thrifty, meal, there wasn't much conversation immediately!
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Post by geob on Oct 17, 2013 15:11:01 GMT -5
Foehn Miri had been quietly hanging back behind Tyden and Kyla, just watching the action. She was incredibly curious about this dragon. Okay, maybe not incredibly, considering the absence of dragons in her lifetime. She was pondering the magnitude of her curiosity when, "Are you from Kalidore," caught her attention. A giggle-snort was surprised out of her, but she followed Midori's example and kept quiet. Instead, she set herself to soak up some sun, settling on three legs close enough to hear and take part should the urge strike, but far enough away that hopefully the dragon wouldn't feel crowded or threatened.
Luminista, keeping an eye on her companion along with Endellion, had been nibbling on the available grasses as well. As the meal wrapped up among the humans, she gave a wistful sigh. "I really could have gone for just one piece of that fruit," she muttered somewhat wistfully to Endellion. "Ah, the sacrifices we make for those we love, eh?" The smile in her voice was easy to hear.
As everyone began to show signs of sated hunger, Tiponi began gathering things up and repacking them. She hadn't really been paying much attention when Lilaini had unpacked, so had made a quick inquiry as to how it needed repacked. Assured that it was a matter of keeping the load balanced more than anything, she spent time picking things up and weighing them one against the other. It occurred to her to wonder if she didn't look a bit silly to the others, what with her hands each stuck out - one holding a sack of buns and the other a sack of apricots, then a sack of apricots and a bag of figs, then the figs in one hand and buns in the other. All in an effort to determine which weighed more.
Finally, she turned to Bridgid. "Here," she said, holding out the figs and buns together in one hand and the apricots in the other. "Do you think these two together balance well with the apricots?" Somehow, she thought she may be overanalyzing...
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Post by Lady Whimsy on Oct 18, 2013 0:07:44 GMT -5
Tyden opened his mouth to rebuttal - but Kyla's expression went markedly inwards. And before he could speak she'd turned her back on him and was addressing Phen. About whether or not he was from Kalidore...
Phen watched the exchange with some commitment, curious to find that human interactions seemed comparable with dragons. At least dragon females; they tended to confuse him. And the human male really did look confused. As for the female... wait, wut? "From... Kalidore?!" his eyes widened, not so much in aghast that someone should think he heralded from such a wretched bit of rock as this (okay, it was somewhat that!) but rather he reassessed his last assessment about humans and wondered if they were simply idiots. He rumpled his wings (painfully!) and put forth his most indigently hurt look. "Do you really think I'd choose such a local, permanently?" Great Thaedor above...
"But we did all choose lunch!" Tyden interjected, placing himself bodily between the two, and hopefully drawing their attention back to a common goal. "Why don't I get some?" he glancing about to see Foehn Miri hovering on the sidelines. "Or have our friend Foe fetch us a selection...?" he suggested hopefully.
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Post by Asperi on Oct 20, 2013 11:05:47 GMT -5
Surprised by Phen’s apparent offense at what she thought was an innocent attempt at small talk, Kyla felt terrible, and horribly confused. At that point Midori finally spoke up to Kyla, *Dragons and unicorns have… history with each other. It’s not an overly pleasant one, unfortunately.* Wishing she had a desk to bang her head on, Kyla responded in a concerned tone, *I wish I had known that before I put my foot in my mouth*. Seeing both of her companion’s feet firmly planted on the ground, Midori cocked an eyebrow and was about to retort, but Kyla had moved her attention back to Phen.
“I am sorry, I don’t know, I… I don’t know much of anything about this place.” Kyla was relieved at Tyden’s interjection and change of subject, but had also just seen Phen wince again and didn’t want to let the chance to address his discomfort pass by again. Looking at Tyden, Kyla politely said, “I think lunch would be lovely! But, it seems our new found friend may have gotten hurt amidst all the commotion.” Then looking back at Phen and trying to infuse her voice with as much concern and genuine care as possible she said, “That wing looks like it may be a bit sore. Would you mind if we took a look? We may be able to help… somehow.”
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Post by geob on Oct 23, 2013 8:35:20 GMT -5
Meanwhile, Foehn Miri has visions of attempting to control a mixed herd of anagale, musk mice, urdvogenn, and assort other small-ish creatures. A nightmare while awake! She shuddered and stammered unintelligibly, an appalled look on her face as she stared at Tyden.
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Post by Lady Whimsy on Oct 23, 2013 23:42:42 GMT -5
Tyden watched as Foe apparently suffered some kind of brain freeze or possibly a mild stroke. He frowned. However, so not to loose a handle on the situation, he added, "or I suppose I could fetch us some instead?" Kyla stammered her apology, and he waited for the dragon's reaction. Phen continued to look rumpled, his tail frisking just above the ground, almost cat-like.
His wing DID hurt, but the last thing he had wanted was a unicorn touching it; his eyes drifted towards Gypsy as she and the wizard-woman wandered about with the others. He'd known humans used magic, it was in all the fairy tales, but now that he stood among them, he began to wonder about thing. For instance, were allhumans as magically fierce and powerful as she?
The magic fascinated him and frightened him. True, dragons were innately magical beings and had strong tenancies in those arts, but not all dragons were created equal. Most dragons, it seemed, only held remedial magical abilities - the kind that made domestic life easier, like fire summoning and mindtouch; a learned amount had developed senses that went beyond that - telepathic scything and far-seeing, and teleportation. But it was only the echelon of masters - the dragons of Royal Blood - that held magic in a way that was absolute, or close to it; Uthor did, as had his brother before him, and so too the old Regent, Lessaireness. He shuddered at the thought of her name.
His attention returned to the ones speaking to him, the tall man and the brash female, and he considered them. They seemed harmless enough. They certainly hadn't used magic while they'd been up in the tree. So maybe it was true - maybe these humans' magic was relatively low. And maybe it was only because he was currently bumbling in the area of magic himself that this made him feel better. And possibly a little more chummily.
That said, he did NOT want this or any human touching his wing - who knews what kind of magical bind he might succumb too! And besides, it really was okay! Really! (he winced as he tried to move it again, and gritted his teeth in annoyance. Why did everyone here keep wanting to know how he was, and if they could help him! Damn, Kalidorians were annoying... but he still wanted launch, his stomach reminded him.
Phen sighed. He really just felt exhausted, all things considered. "I'm fine, really," he told Kyla, "I just have to walk it off, that all." Friend? Why were these people calling him friend? They didn't know him, how could they befriend him? The whole thing made him uncomfortable. So he turned to Tyden, in response to his earlier question, "I'll have whatever you're having. And I'm not that hungry, either."
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Post by Asperi on Oct 25, 2013 19:28:35 GMT -5
Seeing Phen’s tail swish like that of an angry cat, Kyla began to think twice about her offer to examine his hurt wing. She was just about to retract her offer, somewhat out of fear that he might pounce and try to eat her for lunch, when he very curtly blew her off and turned his back on her, figuratively if not literally.
Feeling a bit put out by it all, Kyla looked up to Midori for advice. She wanted to help, but it seemed her help wasn’t really wanted. Sensing her companions discontent, Midori pinned her ears in annoyance at the dragon and reassured Kyla, *Don’t take it too personally dear, he is a dragon after all. You can’t actually expect him to have manners, at least not based on their history in Kalidore.* Still feeling a bit abashed, Kyla decided it was a battle not worth fighting, at least not if she wanted her pride to remain intact.
Resting a hand on Midori’s shoulder, she smiled as she turned her back to the dragon and Tyden to look toward the rest of the group. All of the excitement had stolen her hunger, but she knew that she would need to eat if she wanted to keep any kind of reasonable traveling pace. With a sigh, she spoke aloud to Midori, “I think we should see about getting some food before it’s too late.” With a nod Midori led the way back towards the group, and directly to a young woman who appeared to be sorting some tasty fruits.
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Post by geob on Oct 25, 2013 21:03:01 GMT -5
All the while Tiponi had been sorting through the food stuffs and working to get things repacked she had been keeping half an eye on the goings-on at the cliffside. Try as she might, she could not quite bring herself to trust The Man, especially with a woman. She had to work to keep the colors around everyone from distracting her, but she found it interesting that the colors around the dragon wouldn't settle even a little as they did around the others. The winged creature's lights flashed in shades of green and yellow with bright flashes of a nameless color that only occurred when he moved his wing.
It was during one such study that she noticed the newcomer approaching. "Did you get yourself some of this," she asked, indicating the bags of food she had been weighing. Come to think of it, she didn't think that Man had eaten either.
Dropping her arms to her sides, she sighed. "Actually," she continued, "I don't think What's-his-name ate either." Holding all three bags out to the girl, she asked hopefully, "perhaps I could talk you into taking these over to him and offering him some too."
Foehn Miri couldn't help but feel as though she had failed. She wanted to be of help, but as soon as Tyden had asked she had froze up and almost panicked.
Suddenly inspiration struck! "Tyden," she called. "If I am not mistaken, there are some wild plums over there to the west. I am sure I caught the scent of them earlier. And if our new, er, associate isn't interested in plums, the plums are sure to attract those he might find more appealing." She couldn't help the note of distaste that entered into her voice at the thought of eating meat. Blah!
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