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 Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 8:52 pm
Bad idea. Bad idea. Such a bad idea. Her instinct was yelling at her, telling her to just convince the boil to give up this quest. She could do it. She knew she could convince Jericho of anything, if she tried.
She patted the long, dragon neck after he had transformed, and felt the excitement deep within him. Her eyes thinned in frustration, and she pulled herself on top, straddling his great neck.
Northwest. She waved her hand in a direction sharply, and laid her body down against him to streamline the take-off.
Bad idea. Bad idea. Such a bad idea.
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Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 9:01 pm
"Got it."
Nodding his big draconic head, he launched himself into the air, making his way northwest just as Riley instructed. While he could sense her frustrations, it didn't overpower his sense of determination and excitement that he had inside of himself.
he asked mentally.
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Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 10:53 pm
Riley's anxiety melted away the moment they took to the air. Nothing felt better than flying with Jericho, especially when he was emitting this much excitement. It was infectious, and not just because of their bond. She rested her head on his neck, and watched the clouds zip by with a wistful sense of glee.
Never, in her entire life, had she known of any Illithid experiencing joy in the measures she was allotted due to the bonds she made at this school.
It's quite far, actually. We'll have to rest at least halfway, since I would say it's a two day journey at the velocity you are currently reaching. But we can rest as many times as you like - after all, you're the one doing most of the work here.
She squeezes her legs in lieu of a hug, before lifting her head slightly. I suppose I should tell you where we are going. She murmured, and the sense of excitement was tempered with her own anxiety again. Well, a long flight deserves a bit of storytime. She settled in, closed her eyes, and began a visual emittance to accompany her thoughts. He would see images, hazy and see through, every so often. A falling meteor, desert, a mountain, all vague visuals to her story.
Eons ago, a meteor crashed into the desert we are about to visit, burying itself deep underground. Over time some remnants of the meteor came to light and its unique properties were discovered. The basic information that is known is that the metal we need comes only from Brightsteel Mountain. Brightsteel happens to be the metal found in that meteor - what our kind were never clear about is why it ended up inside a mountain and not buried underground. Despite a lack of that knowledge, several attempts were made to find the mountain.
She paused here, and lowered her head in solemn respect.
None of our kind ever returned from those scouting missions. They were forever lost, but their deaths came at our own hands. You see, if they were contacted while they were out there.. She couldn't help but pause once more, as her stomach dropped in fear. They had gone mad. Our elders put them out of their misery quickly.
She could still hear their screams. The memories were not hidden to the public knowledge - Riley knew of the madness. She briefly thought of Malodore, and her promises to return.
We must be cautious.
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Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 11:07 pm
The feeling of flying with Riley was always rather euphoric in a sense. Just flight alone always felt good but it was always better when he was able to take her into the skies with him. He just hoped that some day, his parents would be able to see this so they could trust her without any issues. Perhaps if he told them of this journey later on, that would help push things into the Illithid's favor.
As she hugged him, he attempted to send her some waves of affection in return as he continued to fly. He made sure to glide when he could in order to conserve his energy. It they were going to be flying for at least two days on top of whatever they need to do at their destination, he was going to need to be as efficient as he could with the traveling. From the sounds of things, just getting there will not be the hardest part.
Especially when he heard Riley's explanation of the area. It no doubt was a dangerous land if Mindflayers in the past have all failed to successfully do anything to find out more of the place. For a split second, his heart held the feeling of dread as he worried for the safety of his best friend as well as for himself.
This feeling quickly dashed away with an air of confidence. They could do this. That wasn't to say he was about to be reckless with this, but he didn't have doubts that they could complete this task.
he said grimly,
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Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 11:42 pm
The benefits did sound tempting. New information.. information and experience that no other mindflayer had safely managed. It thrilled her to think that, if she succeeded, she would have so much to tell the council that they would easily forget her recent subterfuge. They might even send Andeon away! That idea alone had her heart soaring.
But most of all, the idea that this quest would make them stronger filled her with a sudden determination. That was what she wanted - no, what she needed right now. She had to get stronger. She had to.
You're right. She hissed with glee. We can do this.
A new image settled in Jericho's mind, of a generic looking waterfall. It was clear Riley had never actually seen any of the landmarks she knew would be key to their journey.
Our first stop is a place called Falling Falls. She snorted. What a terrible name. But regardless, it is this place that has been the downfall of every traveller who has come. I have no idea why. She clutched him tightly. Shall we go find out?
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Posted: Sat Jul 23, 2011 11:53 pm
Feeling that surge of determination, Jericho's draconic grin widened and he pressed on wards. It did well to give him a little speed boost as he continued to fly northwest. That sense of apprehension that was there a little while ago was now gone and he felt that there were no longer any sort of mental blockades ahead of them.
Briefly, that grin faltered as she gave the name of their first destination. He had to agree that was indeed a horrible name for a waterfall. Whoever named it had no creativity whatsoever.
That aside, the info the Mindflayer gave him regarding the place. It sounded like a pretty dangerous area if that was true.
he joked,
He knew the dangers could very well be something more serious, but he felt that it would be good to keep a light outlook on things if possible.
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 5:35 pm
Jericho's lighthearted attitude managed to carry them both in an upbeat fashion for half the day. The scenery changed beneath his wing, as they passed plain, and field, and forest - and only once the pumpkin sun began to wane in place of the brilliant moon, did she pat his neck gently.
We should find a safe place to spend the night. I don't want us to arrive there during the evening - whatever fate may be waiting for us will be better dealt with when we are rested and at our best.
She spotted a cove, a mile to the east, and nudged her foot softly. There, how does that look?
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 5:38 pm
At least the flight was fairly noneventful, but Jericho knew better than to think that the entire journey would be like this. In fact, he would be somewhat disappointed if it was.
he nodded as he began his descent towards the cove. While it would prolong things, he didn't want to rush headfirst into something they didn't really know about. If it was enough to have made Riley nervous before, he knew it had to be something formidable.
Before too long, the dragon touched down onto the earth, kneeling to allow the Mindflayer to dismount. Stretching his wings out, he replaced his pin so that he'd resume his humanoid form.
"Whew. Well at least the first leg seemed to go alright," he said while loosening up his limbs some, 'So you think we'll be able to the first stop by noon tomorrow?"
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 5:47 pm
Riley hopped off the dragon as he knelt, patting his muzzle affectionately before he changed. Her eyes were searching, looking for any possible indication of threat, but this area seemed free of anything other than the wildlife. The wildlife itself was a good indication to her that they were in a safe area - the lepus that hopped closer to her and sniffed her leg spoke volumes.
These wildlife had clearly never come into contact with predators. They had never met an Illithid.
This way. She saw the crevice in the sheet of rock that loomed above them, and led Jericho through the thin crack into a small cave. The rock above them sloped up to a point, as if this hole in the wall had been made by two sides falling and slamming into one another.
It's no bed of treasure, but it'll do. She teased, clearing a spot on the ground and sitting in a meditative position.
Sleep. I will guard you. You will need all your strength tomorrow.
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:00 pm
For a moment, Jericho thought of trying to catch that lepus that wandered by but he thought better of it. They didn't really need the extra food at the moment and the lepus carcass probably wouldn't keep too well as they traveled.
Following Riley into the cave, he looked around, figuring that it was indeed pretty safe around here.
"Alright. If you need me to stand guard at all, just wake me up," he nodded to her with a smile. It wasn't as warm as he would have liked in here but he couldn't be too picky. Letting out a yawn, he found a nice spot on the ground before laying down so he could get some rest. The dragon did his best to relax so he could get back into the swing of things come morning.
Using his wings as a sort of makeshift blanket, he curled up and soon fell asleep, shivering lightly occasionally due to the cool night air.
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:37 pm
The evening fell like it's own blanket, though the cold brush of it's touch would bring neither of them warmth. Riley's eyes were closed, but her senses were alert, and she could hear the shivering as much as she could feel the chill herself. One eye opened, and she looked at Jericho's curled up position, huddling within himself for warmth.
She was reminded of when she had first met Jericho, and the first time he had given her permission to ride him. It was a life-changing choice, for them both. And as she sat there, with the next day looming ahead of her, she realized it could be a life-ending one, as well.
She sighed in resignation, and uncurled her legs from their meditative position. She shuffled against the ground, crawling under the blanket of wing and curling up with her back to Jericho. Instantly, she felt the sleeping dragon uncurl himself in instinctual response to warmth.
She stayed awake as long as she could, her eyes open and watchful on the crack opening of the cave. Eventually, it was not exhaustion that snuck into her conscious and tugged her down into sleep, but warm content. There was little that could keep anyone from falling asleep next to the warmth that emitted from a sleeping fire dragon.
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:45 pm
With Riley at his side, Jericho's shudders had subsided and he nestled comfortably against the Illithid in his sleep. He managed to get a pretty good restful slumber; possibly his only chance to do so until they can get back home.
Come morning, the dragon awoke, finding himself cuddled up against Riley. Slowly and carefully, he got on up and stretched out, staring out of the cave to see the great pumpkin peeking out over the horizon. They likely would have to get moving again soon, he figured.
Turning towards Riley, he smiled down at her.
"You awake?" he asked quietly, just in case she was asleep. It was a little hard to tell at times, how conscious an Illithid could be. He was fairly aware that she could keep in a meditative state to rest rather than sleeping outright and all.
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:51 pm
No. Riley's bubbled, underwater voice answered. Give me a minute.
She was answering him in her sleep, but she was already climbing the rungs of consciousness to wake herself up as she did so. Would you find us something to eat? I will be hungry when I wake up. You should eat too, just leave me the head as per usual.
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:56 pm
It was always a little weird to speak to Riley when she was asleep, but he didn't object.
"Alright. I'll be right back," he smiled before doing a few light stretches and heading on out. Seeing how friendly the lepuses were around here, it really shouldn't be too hard to catch anything. And sure enough, Jericho had returned about ten minutes later with a pair of rabbits. The damn things were far too trusting and it could hardly be constituted as hunting.
But hey. It just meant he got to conserve his energy.
The dragon tore off their heads and left them near the Illithid before going on to charring the rest of the bodies so he could go ahead and eat his quick little meal.
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Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 8:30 pm
As the heads rolled, tentacles slid out from underneath her and, snakelike in their charm, wrapped around the heads, pulling them out of sight.
Thank you. Riley murmured, her voice indicating that she was fully awake. She sat up, stretched her arms and back, and rubbed her eyes with her fists.
There was a thump behind her, and when she rose, the lepus heads dropped out of her tentacled grasp, looking a little worse off than before. She bent down to touch her toes, before twisting and straightening up. Then she headed for Jericho's backpack, opening it and pulling her knife out. She attached it securely to her waist, and closed the pack, flinging it behind her shoulders.
I forgot how used to a bed I have become. Sleeping on the ground never used to bother me. Now, I am creaking like an old crone.
Securing the backpack, she slid out of the crack in the wall to take a look outside.
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