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 Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2014 6:56 pm
The shriek that rang out over the marketplace could have been misconstrued as one of rage or hatred when it was, in fact, a sound of utter joy. The feel of the wind underneath his enormous wings was exhilarating, and his tail lashed like a rudder to keep his balance even as he climbed higher and higher into the sky. He certainly was not majestic like his brothers, with their snaking coils and glorious manes. Where they were noble eastern dragons, he was a beast of western lore--composed of scales, spines, horns, and claws. Still, there was something noble about a Dragon King taking flight for the first time in this life, and fortunately, Mang was not a particularly vain creature.
His feathered crest flared out even as the beast let out another undulating cry, his snake-like neck twisting from side to side even as he continued to scale the heights. It was a call for any of his brothers, wherever they might be, to come and join him, to reestablish in the glory of flight.
And, perhaps, a challenge for those very same brothers to catch him--if they could manage it! His next, piping shriek sounded suspiciously like laughter even as he winged over the marketplace below, peering at the people who were peering up at him in turn!
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Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2014 7:41 pm
Walking among the mortal's ever-growing Marketplace, Yu the Five Claws was sampling something that was small, dark, skewered through and still wriggling, it's eyes watching him even as he took a bite out of it. The bestial dragon was about to pull the rest of the half-cooked creature (how it still lived he didn't care to know) from the wooden stick when there was a ringing shriek that caused him to whip his head up, to the sky. Yu tore the creature from the stick and popped it into his mouth as he chased after the draconic form in the sky; once clear of the marketplace, Yu's body shifted, rippling and changing until his form was much, much larger, longer and with glorious, shining scales that seemed to shift colors slightly in the light as he lept into the air.
He bellowed joyously after his Brother in answer to the ululating cry - challenge or invitation, Xia Lu Ling didn't care! He just wanted to join with his sibling in glorious flight; his massive wingless, coiling form stretching out as he gained altitude and speed. The feel of the wind through his mane, fur and shining scales felt amazing, it had been too long since last time he'd taken the air in this form; two pairs of sapphire eyes focused on the crested form, his muzzle skinned back to scent the air, tasting after his sibling so that he could identify it.
It took only moments before the identity became clear - it was Mang! Yu roared and stretched his claws towards Mang's flying form, he would catch his brother, oh yes he would! And then they would play, oh yes yes yes!
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Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2014 8:25 pm
His horned head snapped around to take in the brave challenger, one bright eye fixed upon the long, snaking form that twisted through the air after him. Nostrils flared, and the wyvern took several loud sniffs in turn, only to roar back in earnest delight. Closer and closer Yu came, and just when it seemed as though he would have his smaller brother in his clutches, Shuo folded his wings and dropped like a stone.
Spiraling wildly towards the ground, his wings snapped open before it was too late, billowing like leathery parachutes to send him up once more. Clawing madly for speed, Mang would stretch his neck out as far as possible, doing his best to try and snap at the very tip of his brother's tail. It was a mere n** compared to an actual bite, but it would still be enough to get Yu's attention if he didn't have it already!
With a rasp of mirth, he beat his wings strongly in reverse, managing to pull back just enough to hover in place. He was a truly tantalizing target, raising his crest until it was completely flared before quite deliberately yawning to display his new, impressive teeth.
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Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2014 9:03 pm
Mang's energetic, excited response thrilled the Emblem Pillar; two sets of sapphire eyes glittered with mischief and something predatory that just would not be tamped down, no matter how far the Dragon King came from his host. He would not harm any of his Brothers, oh no, but that did not mean that Yu the Five Claws could not thrill to the chase! And thrill he did, chasing Mang through the sky with joyous intent; so close - so close! Yu nearly had the jewel-toned wyvern, but then he didn't!
Roaring with mirth and the promise of retaliation, Yu watched the other Dragon King's descent from high above the earth, his lengthy body twining and twisting over itself. His massive head snaked around, seeking his Brother's form once more; upon spotting Mang's plummeting figure suddenly unfurl massive, leathery wings that carried him upwards once more, Yu untwisted his body and trumpeted a challenge.
As he did so, Mang came rocketing up and after the Five Claw's tail, but the darkling Dragon King saved his tail from the sharp teeth of the other, twisting and turning so that he could bare his blood-red teeth in what was his equivalent of a grin. Crest up, teeth bared...Yu tamped down the urge to give further chase in favor of commenting, "My, what big teeth you have, Brother!"
Yu gave an ear-shattering roar of triumph, of celebration - here was another of his number, glorious and wondrous and vital! Mang, on the wing!
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Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 5:53 pm
Mang's laughter was a long, loud rumble of sound, joyous even as he winged closer to his much larger brother."Not quite as impressive as yours, in honesty, but I find myself pleased with them! Shall we land, Yu Five Claws? I wish to speak with you!"
And of course, wrestle him to the ground and preen his silly head! His entire body writhed before slowly, back-winging, he began to make his way towards the ground. If Yu pounced on him, he'd not be able do much to defend himself, but that was a risk he was willing to take.
After all, his smaller size might come in handy for wrestling matches!
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Posted: Thu Sep 11, 2014 11:03 pm
Yu's teeth certainly were something to behold, especially paired with the multiple eyes and generally creepy air and his jaw near unhinged with laughter.
"As you will, Brother Mang! We shall land, we shall talk." He watched the wyvern's wings beating slowly in the air, scales shining as he angled downward and Yu fought the urge to plunge down after him, to tackle and pin his sibling.
Darkly furred coils writhed in the air for a moment as the Dragon King gave his companion a head-start; then his body stiffened and shot straight down, a new thought taking hold. As Yu's coils passed Mang he twisted around so as to watch when he flicked his tail-tip at Mang's nose lightly. "Come, Brother!"
He landed in a wide, grassy area with much grace, heavy-looking coils light and agile, energy crackling around him so that he didn't crush a single blade of grass without meaning to. Maybe they were going to talk, but the lush grass looked like it would feel wonderful against his scales and fur, so he dropped down and indulged himself in a full-body rub and roll - not caring that bits of greenery ended up in his fur or stuck between scales.
Yu looked ridiculous and much like the (extremely) over-grown puppy Ashoka felt him to be.
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Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2014 5:32 pm
The furry flick against his nose was enough to make the smaller dragon sneeze! He snorted with mirth after his brother, feeling the wind flittering through his feathers and across his leathery hide as he continued to descend.
Yu's antics earned a roar of laughter even as Mang landed lightly upon the soil, digging his talons into the earth appreciatively as he settled his wings upon his back. He could not roll with quite as much ease as his larger sibling. No, he had to be careful of his wings and feathers... As such, he was quite content to simply watch and observe the full body roll with much mirth.
"Someone will need to preen you when you're finished!" Shuo teased affectionately, settling down and allowing his tail to lash about. The grass tickled him, a pleasant sensation.
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Posted: Mon Sep 15, 2014 3:09 am
Sapphire eyes set themselves upon the slighter Dragon, watching as Mang lit upon the grass with talons cutting into the earth beneath him and releasing the rich, deep scents of newly turned earth to Yu's sensitive nose.
He rolled around, clawing up gouts of earth and whuffing contentedly at his sibling when Mang suggested he would require some helpful preening. "Are you offering, Brother Mang?" With a chuckle that sounded like something from a nightmare, the great Yu Five Claws rose to his feet and shook himself, bits of greenery and dark earth falling from his plush coat and shaggy mane.
"If so...I'd be much obliged." Flashing teeth and gleaming eyes, Yu moved slowly to encircle the wyvern's resting body loosely, ending with his front legs tucked under his great shaggy head in such a manner that the pair could speak face to face.
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Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2014 6:23 pm
"Would you?" He chortled in turn, getting himself comfortable as the larger dragon wrapped around him and settled. His wings stretched out once more, using the tiny claws upon said wings to delicately pick through that delightful fur and wonderful scales. It kept him busy, and he did love to multitask!
"I've been meaning to speak with you. About more serious things, I'm afraid." Shuo said, using his teeth to gently rake free some of the worst clumps of earth and grass. "Such as this... council. The one who is supposed to act in Harmodius' stead."
Silence stretched on for a moment. Mang continued to work carefully. When he spoke again, his tone was dry.
"The council whose members do not seem to be present."
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Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2014 12:29 pm
"Certainly. Who would not enjoy a proper grooming?" Yu's coils shifted, muscles rippling under the fur and scales down to the very tip of his tail as he chuckled and settled further under his sibling's soothing ministrations. Sometimes Ashoka would groom him, or the children would make to groom him, though Joss and Dan did a horrible job of it and made his fur knot up, so this was quite the treat.
With a tilt of his head, Yu closed one set of eyes and chuffed, "I thought you may have something to say about that." Derision painted his tone and he made no call to hide it from Mang, he had never hidden such things from Mang, even before, he would not now.
"It is a joke, my Brother. Ashoka is...on it, but decries the lack of doing." A deep growl rumbled up through his lengthy throat and his tail tip lashed against the grass and his sides. "Underworld and Greed disappeared immediately upon being given station, Forest stayed a short while before doing the same. Ashoka remained but can do naught alone and Tian Yue is..."
Yu did not want to speak ill of Worldshield, for Tian Yue had done much in his service of the Twin Crown, but that the Dragon King had been excruciatingly ineffectual as a Council member rankled. Of those given station, he had expected more from his brethren, at least!
"Worldshield has failed his duties for the council, as much as any other."
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Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2014 6:52 pm
Mang was silent as he worked carefully, using a skillful combination of tongue, teeth, and claws to bring his brother back up to the glorious luster he radiated so well. Of course, it was Yu's tone that made his ministrations slow, a gleaming, amber eye focusing upon the larger dragon as though to encourage him to speak. Yu did not disappoint.
Underworld. Greed. Forest. All gone. That did not bode well, but frankly, Shuo had to wonder if Greed's disappearance would help Creation recover. True, balance was important above all else.... but Destruction's reign had been brutal and terrible both.
Ashoka was important to Yu, and so Mang said nothing. A mortal's word held little influence against rebirthed gods, and they both knew that. It was when the Emblem Pillar spoke of the Worldshield that Mang exhaled quietly, closing his eyes even as his claws raked through the other's fur.
"I hoped it was not so. I had hoped that he had..." Shuo trailed off, unable to finish the statement. He had hoped that Tian Yue had merely been busy, or called away for other, more important things. To find that he had simply failed was disheartening. He was the greatest of all their numbers. Why, then?
"What do you presume we do?"
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Posted: Sat Sep 27, 2014 2:19 pm
Clear sky, warm sun and Mang's industrious grooming would have relaxed Yu greatly, save that they were speaking of such things as would make his fur bristle and teeth snap. Yu did not do well with the idea that any of his Brothers could fail Harmodius...that it was Tian Yue, the Worldshield and first among them to return wholly? Broke his heart.
Had Mang spoke of Ashoka's 'participation' in the Council's lack Yu would not have blamed him though her status had afforded her little in the way of power, even with Yu's support.
His brother's quiet sigh and stillness spoke volumes, even without Silence there to translate what was unsaid. Yu and Mang had always been best able to communicate among the Dragon Kings, Shuo having been the Twin Crown's voice among the mortals and Xia Lu Ling having been the same but to the Gods themselves.
"What business Worldshield may have, I do not know...only that I cannot bear that he failed in his duty." While it had been a council formed, clearly there had to be one willing to put forth the effort to lead it...and who better than one of the Dragon Kings? 'Tian Yue....' Yu's throat worked under the scales and fur, choked with emotion raw and boiling and terrible in the old sense of the word.
"Break it. Rend it and start over." His great head lifted slowly and carefully until he had set his broad forehead against that of Mang's, horns and scales and fur and breath mingling. "There is no honor to be had in the doing, only duty, sharp and cutting." Yu did not relish facing his Brother...but perhaps if they spoke with him? Could there be something salvaged from this festering wound?
And there was the thought of whom would take control, once the council was broken. Yu had his place at Harmodius' side and left it to patrol, to protect and guard...to raise armies of believers that lent Power and Substance to the Pantheon. Creation had set the Council in place so that He could concentrate on rebuilding All That Is...Yu was part of that. He could not lead them...but he could not let them flounder any further, either.
"There are others, sick of the languishing inactivity. Aris. Silence. Ashoka. I am certain there are others among us." He snorted a bit, "Possibly the Lady Knowledge, Louhi." Yu's eyes closed and his whole body tensed and released, tensed and released, like breathing but not because he knew - just knew that if they went this path, it would be him leading if they could not find another suitable.
And for the love of the Twin Crown and All, he knew there was naught to do but what had to be done.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 3:08 pm
"Burn it out. Rise again from the ashes." The wyvern dipped his head in acquiesce, pressing it more firmly against Yu's even as his bright, reptilian gaze shuttered closed. A surge of anger was boiling through him. It felt uncharacteristic--or would have, before the Fading, and Mang realized that Laurence shared the emotion. In fact, the Dragon King could not tell where his anger started and Laurence's ended.
They were merging. The host continued to fill in the fractures that the failures of his rebirth had left behind.
He exhaled noisily, and a slender, forked tongue flickered out to lick his brother right between the eyes. "Then we can rebuild. Or, I should say, you can. I cannot stay here, brother, much as I wish I could. I have stayed away too long from the mortal realm. I must do my part to garner their support for Him and All."
Themselves included.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2014 8:56 pm
"Yes." Yu breathed and opened both sets of eyes for a moment to watch the other Dragon King; one set slid shut once more as Yu felt the weight and press of Mang's head against his own, drawing comfort in the physical contact as much as the wyvern's words.
How well he knew anger and how those cracks in one's self could be shored up with it, with the blazing parts of one's host. Yu was less Yu Five Claws than mix of the Fragment and Yu, especially as so much of what he had once been was eaten away by failed rebirth after failed rebirth.
Mang's tongue was warm and he chuffed, lifting one big clawed paw to rest on the wyvern's toes lightly. "You have your duties, as much as I, oh Emissary of the Twin Crown." Having the other Dragon's support meant the world, even if he could not stay for the love of his station. He understood, very well - they were both Emissaries of the Twin Crown: one to mortals, one to the Gods, both important and needed.
Yu lifted his great head and shifted slightly so he could nib at one of Shuo's horns playfully. "Remember to come Home sometimes, lest we forget your face. Perhaps I should send someone with you, as a reminder."
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Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2014 8:30 pm
The crest of gleaming feathers twitched slightly, fluffing themselves out with satisfaction. To bring comfort to Yu... well, that brought him comfort. The sensation of that fur against his scales made him rustle his wings a little, stretching them out briefly to feel the warmth of the sun streaming through the seemingly delicate membranes before he folded them once more.
"I knew you would understand. Still, it lightens my heart to hear it." Those great teeth dragging against his horn earned a slight shiver, and his tail playfully flicked itself against the larger dragon's flank.
"But of course! And as much as I would welcome one of your fold, would they not serve you better here?" He eyed his brother lazily, looking quite content being so closely tangled with the Emblem Pillar.
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