|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Picking Up Stars Vice Captain
|
 Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 6:16 pm
Shyrae scrubbed her down in all those hard to reach places and then slid out of the water and laid down on the bank to dry. "Now you are. come dry off." The veiling of the runes she'd used would keep them covered and the sun felt too good to not let it dry her skin. It was an anomaly for a drow to enjoy the feel of the sun on her skin but she wasn't like her family.
"And don't you ever forget it." Giving a grin and then handing off a muffin that came back up with a grin. He glanced over at the other ship and watched Hunter moving around, shaking his head. "He looks antsy. That's never a good sign. Wait, is he moving out?"
Eilynne had fully expected their lack of knowledge. Jaebell hadn't been raised by normal parents, her education sadly lacking in most things and Kaznec's father hadn't neglected his duty but Kaznec was still young and he likely hadn't gotten to that particular talk yet. Nodding, she looked at Jae. "It won't hurt a bit, Jaebell. Kaznec will simply mark you with his scent as his own. You will be claimed and his scent will protect you from the Riders and any other dragons who might wish to add you to their collections. A mated dragon is far less likely to be pursued." She knew it, it was part of the training her people had given the Riders. Mated dragons would fight to the death and a mated female would have to be forced to mate with a male dragon who was not her claimer. Dragons mated for life and only the death and a proper mourning period would release them from the bond. Riders would likely lose many of their number as well as having a high risk that the female would kill herself or her eggs if she were forcefully mated with another and then allowed to be violent.
Glancing between the two, she frowned. "You both seem unfamiliar with this process...am I to understand you haven't been taught this particular ceremony as of yet?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:53 pm
Desdemona only gave a wry grin at the two and a glance to Eilynne.
"I'm big enough to hold my own, and I'm no slacker. and no, I don't think they are versed in this sort of thing, eilynne, was it? Of course...though this is probably a good time off...are you sure that marking is a good idea with it's implications when they go back home? it's not exactly like it's something that gets undone."
though a glance at Kanzec.
"Hunter, a long time ago, marked me in his own fashion. it just doesn't show up in dragon form. Wether or not it still holds true remains to be seen. of course, those marks on him will probably help him get his head out of the sand in that regard."
He wasn't leaving yet, just making preparations.
"I want our heat shimmers, and our calls up and ready as soon as possible. We'll need to keep quiet, as well. no conversations once we get out that aren't needed among crew. How's moral."
Mister Richards was standing by him, hands clasped behind his back.
"It's good. a few murmurs here and there, but nothing that bodes ill. mostly annoyances withthe lack of finer cargo, as it were. but they've been reminded we're under contract with a large haul due for it. I'll keep my eyes open though. I'm not beyond slitting throats at night if it means safe sailing."
Hunter nodded lightly.
"we'll need to keep that blue dragon out of sight. she's far to trusting, and her enthusiasm for new things could get us in trouble if something catches her eye. how's our cargo hold. big enough?"
"More than for her. especially since she'd be taught to take on a more human form. question is how to keep her occupied so she doesn't get claustrophobic or cabin fever on us. I don't think the elf can entertain her all the time."
"And we need Des in the crow's nest, not baby sitting. we'll probably use Caden as a back up on that, unless of course Gem has a big enough space and a better way to occupy her."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 2:23 pm
"I wouldn't be of any help in neutral form." A look to Desdemona though. "You seem confident. If it's not visible or detectable, will the Riders still recognize it?" Regrettably, he had come to terms with his flaws and knew if the time came, then he just had to do what he had to do. But his attention turned fully onto the Laerethe and he followed along her path of logic until... mated dragons? Well, that part he understood. So to mark another and protect them, they had to be mated. Had his father done that for his mother then? Even if he had, she... He blinked at Eilynne a few times, thoughts astray until he realized she was asking them a question and he suddenly felt very incompetent for not having this knowledge. "No, I've never been taught and my readings haven't extended into such rituals yet. Do we have to be in natural form for this ceremony?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:49 pm
Ducking under the water she paddle/flew her way through it until she trotted up the bank some on palms and balls of her feet, plopping next to Shyrae. Sunning! She loved sunning. It was just so nice and made her blood run so warm.
"Are you two enjoying yourselves?" Walking up to stand behind the two....but a good ways away from the water.
She took the muffin, munching on it happily as ever. But a look over, grabbing her spyglass from her belt and flicking it out, taking a look through it. "Not moving out yet but he looks like he's preparing to soon enough." Turning her attention to the litlte dragon and laerethe grouping. "And they're still chatting away about things. I bet they're the most worried out here. Then again...I think I can rival it. A woman in Fang's world is a bad thing to be."
And she blushed so hard the scales under her eyes tinged a dusky rose instead of the normal pink. What?! Was the 'M word' in there too?! "Um..er...I...no..." Well...this ranked up high on the awkward scale didn't it? And the way Des backed up the information...could she do that to Kaznec? Force him to be so...obligated...to her? And Kaznec...wasn't offering objection. Was his sense of duty that great? Wanting to be with him was one thing, forcing him was another. "It's not a good idea."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fractured Moonlight Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Picking Up Stars Vice Captain
|
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 7:27 pm
Shyrae didn't stir a bit, simply lifted a hand in a sluggish wave. "Naturally. You know how much I love the sun, even if it is a bit bright when we first enter the surface. What's happening on the ships? Captains at each other's throat yet or did you kill and play with Hunter?"
He growled low in his throat and shook his head. Fang was bad news and he wasn't about to let his Captain be taken by that scumbag. "We're about to enter Rider territory with four dragons on two ships. I'd say they have very good reason to be worried and so do we."
She'd expected the initial reaction and shook her head. Glancing at Desdemona, Eilynne shrugged. "There won't be any lasting effects if they do not mate. A female is formally marked once and then summarily as an involuntary side effect each time the dragons mate. Since this is for protection purposes, mating will not be required and thus, the marking will fade with time." She didn't add that if they were really mated, the mark would never be given the chance to fade and not simply because of consistent mating. Crossing her arms, she correctly percieved Kaznec's line of thinking and patted his arm. "It does not ensure something can't happen to the marked but it is the best we have. You must think the way the Riders will, Jaebell. You are a single, female, bladeless dragon just entering adulthood. You are just entering into your most fertile area of life which makes you prime for breeding. You are the one they won't be able to resist and that is the danger. If we begin to take away the reasons why you are prime, they will not bother with you or will be far more cautious."
Pausing a moment and glancing between the nicknamed Fire and Ice. "You will both need to be in natural form for the initial marking which will not take very long. The mindset will be the most important aspect of this but I don't foresee a problem. It's completely natural and instinct will take over in the end. The Riders themselves will not be able to detect that you have been marked except through your behavior. Once you are no longer desirable to them, Jaebelltiah, the target will shift to Desdemona." Said dragon recieved her glance. "Hunter's mark will mean nothing to them but you claim you can take care of yourself and that is fine. Kaznec, Jaebelltiah, I need an answer."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:15 pm
"I know. I can handle my own...bronze dragons are about as rare as blacks. I have some surprises for them, and I'm a older then Bell, so they'll know I'm able to defend myself a bit better, or at least assume it. anything that can be done to make them think twice before playing with fire, so to speak."
A moment of quiet.
"My biggest concern for us dragons on this little endeavor is that blue. she's accustomed to not being worried or afraid of humans, and especially riders. she may even be eager to see them to share what she's learned, not guessing what they'll do to her if they catch her."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:13 pm
Jae didn't think it was a good idea and he glanced at her curiously for a moment. Why not? It was additional protection, apparently without any potentially harmful side or lasting effects to her person either. He understood Eilynne's rationalization as well; if the Riders wanted Jae, it would be for things far worse than death and he did not want to see that happening. Even if they didn't know how to do this, the Laerethe seemed knowledgeable and ready to teach them. After a moment's contemplation on subjects that he knew he shouldn't be thinking about, he nodded to her. "There is no reason not to do it. Even if Jae is a prime target to the Riders, she can help fend them off if that is required of us and the captains also need her expertise in certain strategical areas. She can't hide in the ship like Sky will have to." A glance to Desdemona. "Yes, someone will have to watch her so that her curiosity doesn't put her into harm's way. As for the marking... I will need more details on how to do it..." Instinct wasn't a big thing for him, he needed clear and precise instructions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:35 pm
"Just remember...the sun is different here in the desert...the sky has little cloud cover and there's no filtering through trees and the like, so it can heat up your skin faster and you wouldn't want to damage your skin or burn it. You can still burn, remember?" Quirking an eyebrow then at the sound of digging as Sky was apparently making a better spot to lay. "Making plans to leave, and I was good. How was the water?"
Spyglass turned on Robins as he growled, before it was dropped and she watched him as she idly munched. "We're like sand going giftbags...and those dragons may only top out around ten feet but they can do damage and they have breath weapons on them. We'll have to be quick and quiet as we can. Might as well start packing the fog bombs. Night may be the best time to head out too."
She still couldn't believe this. Sure...it was something that was indeed useful, but at the same time it had so many implications. Was she that vulnerable and unable to take care of herself? Were they that concerned for her safety or just because of their own motives? Worst of all...Kaznec was letting his Commander self buy into it all because yes it all logically made sense. And it looked like opting to babysit Sky and hang out of sight with her wasn't an option. Stepping to Kaz, she braced her hands against his chest and started pushing him backwards away from the others. "Can me and him talk about this please? Just for a moment. Alone."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fractured Moonlight Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Picking Up Stars Vice Captain
|
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:55 pm
"Yes, yes, I know. I've already doused myself with rune guards just in case." She loved knowing how much Savvy cared though. Glancing over at Sky, she squinted up a the sun for a moment and then rested a palm on the other girl's body. "Come on, Sky. We need to be ready to go." Reaching for her clothes, she gave a grin to her friend even though she couldn't see it. "Wonderful, Savvy. Go dip your toes in. It's very refreshing. I'll come with you if you like."
Sand going giftbags... leave it to Gem to correctly state the danger at hand but in a highly amusing way. "We've handled such things before and our ships are some of the best on the sandseas. With cunning and a lot of rum, we'll get through unscathed."
Eilynne nodded to Kaznec, "I expected as much. Once you two have made a decision, simply come find me below decks and I will explain everything to you and answer any questions you might have. But remember, time is of the essence and it quickly dwindles away. Fear cannot rule your bodies or your minds as long as the hope of something better rules your hearts. I will be waiting." And with that, she disappeared.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 5:50 pm
He didn't expected Jae to request that but he complied, nodding first to Eilynne and then following Jae further out into the sands and away from Des as well. What was going on? Perhaps he had said something wrong. "Jae, do you still think this is a bad idea?" Brow furrowing slightly in concern, he watched her and waited.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 5:56 pm
Desdemona only gave a small grin and glanced at the little thing before it vanished. that was a neat trick. Then she moved back to the Chimera, having one of the crew throw her a rope ladder. Then she moved over to Hunter.
"Eilynne is going to try and encourage kanzec and bell to have a hasty marriage, which should get some of the heat of Bell if we're noticed. while humans make respect me and you, you know the Rider's won't."
Hunter nodded absently, listening without appearing to, and he knew that she understood that.
"Me and you. is there still a me and you? Or are you still hell bent on trying to hoard me like some gemstone?"
Desdemona set her jaw.
"You know, for someone who sealed me in a gilded cage for alleged infidelity, you certainly don't like it when the situation is reversed. And I'm not hoarding you. you marked me, and I marked you. I don't see the problem."
"Mine was consensual. yours wasn't. and infidelity was only part of it. threats to take my ship was in that too. But that is neither here no there, and we need to let that sand just settle. But if your wondering, yes, I'll defend you with everything I have."
Desdemona allowed herself a small smile.
"That's good to hear. You know, I've been behaving. you owe me some alone time."
Hunter smirked lightly.
"You can have your alone time after we get past the rider camps. then I can let Richards keep the ship running while you get your alone time. You and I have some catching up to do, don't we."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:15 pm
"Just making sure to look out for you." That's what she did in an offhandish slightly impersonal way, but that's how she was. But then a little frown. "I'll keep my boots on. Let's just say you enjoyed the water enough for both of us."
Sky nodded and got herself up, brushing sand off of her and what not. Kneeling in the sand, she watched Shyrae going about putting her clothes back on. Okay so thse had to go back on did they? Yes they did. Okay then. Grabbing her still somewhat damp clothes, she went about working on dressing herself...to the best of her ability anyway.
"Indeed...a lot of rum and a lot of pirating. After all...since when did we play fair in the sandseas when we all know it's a free for all. Most important thing though dear Thobias...once we get moving...we don't stop. We don't slow down, we don't stop. We stay full sail and just keep going."
Well she did have a valid reason that was against this that hadn't been pointed out and never would be save for it being between the two of them because they were the only ones out here that knew. Or she hoped it was still that way. It was Kaz's business after all...and it kept her from explaining the obligation thing to him which he may just refute anyway. Making sure they were out far enough to her standards before she said anything, "First off, we both know it's not good for you. There is no point in doing something that's going to perhaps put you out of commission for even a little amount of time. Secondly...don't you think that's going a bit far in general? This isn't something casual, this is me and you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fractured Moonlight Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:43 pm
It clicked immediately. He knew what she was referring to because it was one of the issues he'd considered as well. "Eilynne reassured us that it wouldn't take a very long time. From the looks of it, even with the evasion methods the captains have, we won't be able to avoid a confrontation. I will have to be in natural form then anyways. I've handled the pain before, it's not... intolerable. But if we don't do this, then the Riders will come for you and that's not a risk I'm willing to take. If Eilynne thinks marking will help, then I believe her." Even if it was unlike him to place that amount of faith in strangers. The Laerethe had been nothing but helpful thus far, even if they were extremely mysterious. "What do you mean, 'in general'? I know this isn't casual, it's dangerous and I won't stand by and do nothing if a threat like that is coming for you. Unless... you prefer someone else to mark you?" Though he couldn't think of who could. Maybe his uncle? Well... no, he didn't like the thought of that either.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 7:43 pm
And he was refuting her again in that way that she had no way around any of it. Sometimes she hated logic. But he did take her off guard a little with his supposed line of thinking. "No, I wouldn't perfer someone else doing it. If anyone, I'd want it to be you. I just don't want you doing something that..." That what? This was the part where she had to say something wasn't it? Even if she knew he'd deny it. "Something that makes me such an obligation to you. I don't know why you want to protect me like you do."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fractured Moonlight Captain
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Picking Up Stars Vice Captain
|
Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:03 pm
"Sometimes you're just no fun, Savryn." Shaking her head but throwing an arm around her friend's shoulders as she walked over. "I still love you though." Glancing back, she nodded approvingly to Sky. "Good girl, Sky. We need to get back to the ship and figure out what we're doing." Thus, arm still around Savvy as she strolled back to the ship. "What's the word around the ship? Is there anything I might need to know?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
