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 Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:13 pm
April 17th, 2005 - The Arrival
Linneas was up and about, he was a morning person, unlike his mother who just growls at the very sight of the sun. He set off to sweeping and mopping the shop front, before heading outside to sweep the sidewalk in front of the shop entrance.
She didn't like mornings. She never had. Why she was even up she couldn't remember, and didn't care to understand. She was half asleep on her feet as she wandered the streets of Barton, and found herself making her way towards the Stationary Shop without a very concious decision.
She only noticed Linneas, when she half walked into him.
"Sorry," she murmered sleepily.
"Is okay." The boy chirped as he continued to merrily sweep the sidewalk, he even went so far as to whistle a happy tune.
Once Chibi enters the shop, she wouldn't be able to ignore a shiney spherical object lying right in front of her. The rays of the sun bouncing off against it would make sure that it would not go unnoticed.
Dragonfly nodded to Linneas, before pushing the door to the Stationary store open. She yawned a little, but stopped as the glint of something shiney caught her eye. She woke up a little because of this, and reached down to pick the orb up. She stared at the shiney object in her hand with a raised eyebrow, and turned it, to examine it from every angle.
Upon closer inspection, the orb reveals itself to be an egg. An expensively decorated egg at that. And it wasn't the only one present. There was a line of them, leading from the entrance to the Study. The door was held ajar by an egg as large as a fist.
Dragonfly couldn't help but blink at the lavishly decorated egg, and she sucked in a breath as she realized there were more. She picked them up as she fallowed the trail, tucking them into the pockets of her coat and pants, before picking up the one holding open the door. She paused there, peering into the room, and wondering if it was right of her to enter. Would someone get mad at her if she went in?
But it felt so right...
She sucked in a breath, and glanced back for only a moment, before pushing the door fully open, and stepping inside the study.
Linneas chanced to peer into the shop and saw Dragonfly enter the Study. Golden eyes widened in excitement as he instinctively pressed his face against the glass to get a closer look. Odd that he didn't think to just enter the store, but when one is excited, one doesn't think as clearly.
The Study door opened wider, the room seemingly trying to draw the woman in with promises of more shiney, glittery eggs. It was a 'reward' so-to-speak, being the first non-Tale to spot these spherical pretties. The Tome atop the table was particularly pleased that one of its latest creations have finally been noticed.
"They're so beautiful..." she said outloud, not really sure as to why.
Her eyes trailed up to the Tome atop the table, and, curiosity consuming her, walked over to the large book. She gazed at it with a sense of wonder, and almost dropped one of the eggs she had collected.
"Wow..." she murmered, reaching out to run a hand over the cover.
The Tome giggled at Dragonfly's touch, or rather its spine seemingly rippled, causing the pages to flutter. The Study door slammed shut, but it wasn't loud enough to cause alarm to anyone. And the moment Dragonfly was cut off from the rest of the shop, the eggs grew extremely heavy.
Dragonfly retracted her hand in surprise, staring at the book as it fluttered open, her mouth falling agape. She blinked as the eggs began to weigh her down, and she looked around in semi-alarm. What'd she done this time?
The Tome would have laughed out loud, had it the means to make sound. Instead, it flipped open and asked the woman a question, though it appeared to be making her an offer rather than asking her something.
"What will it be?"
Dragonfly leaned back towards the tome, staring at the pages before her. She laughed softly, and tilted her head a bit.
"What will it be...?" she murmered, her red hair falling about her face as she gazed at the curious question.
She reached out, grasping a pen that was on the desk, and tapping her bottom lip in thought.
"All the shinies," she wrote, her neat handwritting scrawling across the page, before she set the pen back down beside the Tome.
All the shinies it is, then! The eggs within Dragonfly's arms grow exceedingly heavy, so much so that she wouldn't be able to hold them. But instead of falling to the ground, they hovered just above the writing table's height. Slowly, they began to swirl around the woman, the gems glowing slightly.
But eventually, the speed in which they encircled Dragonfly increased, as did the intensity of the light. Soon, the light became unbearable. But once the glow dims down so that one can see again, the eggs appear to have vanished.
Replaced by a curious little boy, scaled and winged, he holds a toy sword in his taloned hands.
Dragonfly blinked as the eggs weighed heavily on her, and gasped in amazement as they began to spin around her. She watched in shock as they spun, growing ever faster. After a moment though, she had to raise her arm, to sheild herself from the bright light the shining gems were casting.
Dragonfly's eyes were tightly closed for several moments after the eggs stopped, and disappeared, until she was sure that the bright light would not blind her.
She lowered her arms, her eyes easing open slowly, and her gaze was immediatly caught by the dragonesque boy sitting before her. She didn't know what to do or say, she was in shock. She wasn't tired anymore, that was for sure.
She reached out to the child, wrapping her arms about his frame, and picking him up of the desk. Her maternal instincts had kicked in, and she felt the need to hold the boy. He was so... Amazing.
The door swung open, to reveal a very excited Linneas standing in the doorway.
He was just grinning, not really saying anything. This wasn't anything unusual to the boy, after all, he was the first one to emerge from the Tome. Still, he thought it was best to keep his silence. After all, receiving responsiblity over a new child was something best experienced in silence. Or alone. Whichever it was.
He quietly went back to cleaning up, grinning knowingly at both the boy and Dragonfly.
Dragonfly looked to Linneas, wonder in her eyes as she held the boy to her chest. Dragonfly's face split into a lopsided grin as she made her way out of the study, and back into the Stationary shop.
"Lance," the small boy in her arms stated, "Me Lance,"
He fell silent once more, his arms wrapped comfortably around Dragonfly's neck, his sword clutched in his hand behind Dragonfly's neck. He nuzzled the crook of her neck gently, and his eyes slid half shut.
"Hello Lance..." she murmered, running her fingers through the boys forest hair, "I'm Dragonfly... I... I'm very happy to meet you,"
He nuzzled her again, and smiled softly, his arms tightening around her neck slightly.
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:15 pm
April 17th, 2005 - On Allies, and... Enemies
Later...
Dragonfly had taken Lance home for awhile, and as clingy as the boy had been earlier that day, it didn't last. He rummaged through Dragonfly's house, sword forward, saying nothing for the time being, and just getting acustomed to his new home. He was an adventuror, even Dragonfly could see that. She had watched him carefully, taking in all of the small boy's actions, before deciding to take him back to the Stationary store, and see how he interacted with other Tale's.
Lance's hand clutched Dragonfly's as he padded down the street next to Dragonfly. His red eyes took everything around him in, and a smile curled upon his lips. He slipped his hand away from Dragonfly's, and dashed forward, his tail swishing behind him. He knew where they were going, and he would lead the way.
He swung the door to the Stationary store open, sword raised before him, his red eyes gazing around the room, before he strutted into the room, and turned to await Dragonfly.
Dragonfly's eyes widenned in surprise as the boy dashed off, and she followed close in step after him, not wanting the boy to get hurt, or lost. He had only arrived in the world a short while ago, and she was shocked at his tendancies already.
Inle and Tybalt had been alone in the shop for quite some time, the former sitting in the chair she had claimed as her own reading a book while the latter was literally trying to climb the walls in an effort to reach the large, shiny pens that sat atop a high shelf. Tybalt had succeeded only in placing small holes in the wall as he attempted to use his claws to climb upwards, but to no avail; he wound up falling on his feathered behind every time. Inle had long since given up trying to get him to stop for fear that Huni would be upset at the holes, but Tybalt had long since stopped listening to anything Inle was saying.
The pirate's attention was diverted, however, as the door to the shop opened and people came in. He paused in his upward ascent to and immediately scowled at the sight of the draconic boy's wooden sword. He didn't have a sword, not even a wooden one, and the knowledge that other people did upset him to no end. His sapphire eyes remained narrowed as he visually assessed this sword-haver.
Inle glanced at the new arrivals, nodding a tacit hello to them both before returning to her book; while the sight of a dragon boy wielding a wooden sword might have been disturbing to some people, Inle had long grown accustomed to such odd sights.
Lance tilted his head as he gazed around at the curious new people. The parrot boy caught his attention the most, and his tail twisted a bit behind him.
"Hello," he said politely, dropping his sword, and bowing to both, "My name is Lance,"
Where Lance had learned to speak so fluently was beyond Dragonfly, and yet she could still hear the soft craw of his dragonic side in his almost raspy voice.
She looked over to Inle, and then to Tybalt, before looking back to Inle and smiling a bit.
"Hello Inle," she greeted, knowing the other woman from the island of Cetalu, and though they had only met breifly, she still remembered the other, "How are you?"
Vidya glared at the doorway to the study as she passed it, still a little weary of the place after it had scared her a few days ago, when she was playing Hide and Seek with Jiro. She was headed over towards one of the far shelves, partly because she had seen some stationary that was rather shiney, but mainly because she had spotted Tybalt there when she had entered the shop with Teivel. Giggling, the girl waved happily at her captain.
"Hey-lo Cap'n! Whattcha doin'?"
Her wings twitched a bit as the door opened, the blue girl turning around in an attempt to see the door...only to have a stupid table block her view. Peering around it, Vidya blinked curiously at the boy who entered, as well as the lady who came in behind him. Her face brightened, running over to the door, practically tackling Dragonfly's legs in greeting.
"Dee! Hullo! Oooh...Pretty."
Still clutching Dragonfly's leg, Vidya finally focused her full attention on the boy who looked like one of those big fire-breathing creatures she'd read about. Studying him as was her custom, she smiled brightly once she had reached her conclusion.
"Hullo! M'Viddy...an'yer green...pretty green! And wings...Viddy has wings too!"
She removed one of her hands from Dragonfly's leg to point to the wings on her head.
Inle's eyes moved once more from her book as she regarded the woman who addressed her with a questioning gaze. Crap, was she supposed to know this woman? She wasn't old enough to start losing her memory...or was she? "Uh...hi," she said, desperately trying to recall the woman's name. "I'm alright, you?"
Tybalt remained in his position a few feet above the floor, staring at the boy for a long, silent moment. "I'm Cap'n Tybalt," he said finally, a haughty, superior tone in his voice. His gaze was once more diverted at the appearance of his first mate, and his feathers smoothed. "'Hoy, Videe. There's shinies up there, 'n I'ma get 'em."
Dragonfly smiled to the small child that was gripping her leg, and couldn't help but grin proudly of her new son. She allowed Lance to introduce himself to the small girl though, and nodded her approval to signify that he should.
Lance looked over at Vidya, tilting his head a bit, his ear twitching a little, before he walked back over to Vidya and Dragonfly. He bowed before Vidya, laying his sword by his side, and gently taking Vidya's hand into his own. He didn't know where his actions were coming from, or why he was doing it. He just felt that it was what he was supposed to do.
"Hello," he greeted, on one knee before the girl, still holding her hand, and smiling softly, "I am pleased to meet you... I'm Lance,"
Green? Well. He was green, but, she was blue!
"Pretty blue," he pointed out with a smile, before stepping back, and looking back to Tybalt.
"Captain?" he repeated, blinking a bit, his red eyes focussing on Tybalt, "M'Lance..."
He was put off by the other's haughty, full of himself attitude, and it showed in his stance. His sword was clutched tightly beside him, raised slightly, and his wings flapped with a huff, before folding across his back.
Dragonfly blinked at Inle's seemingly awkward actions, but said nothing to confront it.
"That's good..." she replied, tilting her head and smiling, "I'm doing quite well. How is Marli?"
The feathers that had smoothed not a moment before ruffled once more, causing Tybalt to look like a large, angry pillow. How DARE this new guy lay a hand on HIS first mate? This would have to be rectified, and fast! He hopped down from his position on the wall, stalking over to the tiny Tales before placing himself to the side and just in front of Vidya, a wing extended as if to physically separate her and this interloper. "Aye, Cap'n," he nearly growled. "'N Videe's my firs' mate," he finished, placing a mild emphasis on "my."
Marli? Who the hell was...oh. OH. Well, that explained a lot. Inle and her shadow-self didn't speak nearly as often as they should, and she made a mental note to correct that, and soon. "She's uh...she's alright, I guess. How's...your little critter?" she said lamely.
"Shinies? Viddy saw tha shinies too! But then me see you, and then 'reen boy...so me say Hi instead!"
Vidya grinned, rather proud of herself for being so observant and polite all at the same time. Vidya was about to ask why he didn't just fly all the way up there, since he DID have working wings and all...but her question died on her lips as Lance took her hand. Blinking her white eyes, she focused both of them down on the green boy. She closed her right eye, the one with the pupil, and stared at him with her pupilless one for a moment, before opening both of them again and giggling.
"Lance. Okay. Hiya Lance! So weird."
Of course, she was referring to what he was doing right now.
The girl then squeaked as Tybalt suddenly appeared infront of her, causing Vidya to shift herself onto the balls of her sandaled feet to see over his wings. Her expression was thoroughly curious; what was so wrong with what Lance had done? She hugged other people all the time...!
Dragonfly raised an eyebrow at Inle, unable to keep herself from doing so, and feeling a bit awkward.
"Erm... Yeah. Iniko. She's. She's doing well..."
Haha. This was weird.
He was... Weird? He stepped back at the comment, feeling suddenly awkward, before Tybalt intruded between them, and he couldn't help but narrow his eyes again.
His first mate? You couldn't own a person. They had free will. Everyone had it. Wait. Shiney?
He turned his head towards where Tybalt had been climbing, and to where Vidya had mentioned seeing something shiney. The boy was obviously distracted for several moments as his gaze focused on the shiney stationary.
He turned his gaze back to Tybalt, and the grip on his sword tightened. He could already tell that he didn't like the other's attitude. Not one bit.
Another day, another visit to the Store. This was getting annoying, he felt like a toy sitting on a shelf in a toy store. Oh let's play with this one! However, today he was with akiya, so he kept his grumbling down to mental images of death by fire and other lovely things like that. When the tall Angel pushed open the door, he took quick note of who was there. The featherduster, Viddy and some green.. dragon type. Ah, so his dream hadn't been faked. The Tome had given out another Tale. Least this one looks interesting.. and smells interesting. Such a bother.
Once inside, Akiya murmured soft words into his ear and stroked his hair. The Angel had been keeping them up later to have talks about thing. Jiro still didn't like people.. especially not many of the other Tales... but he wouldn't be so easily pushed to violence. Or, well, he promised he would try. Which had to be better than nothing, right? Once on the ground, he rubbed the back of his neck, btu didn't make a go towards the group. Instead, he clung to Akiya's robe in one hand, his black glowing dragon plush in the other.
"Good afternoon." He didn't know many of the other Authors so he just kept the greeting rather simple as he went to sit in his normal spot.
She may have hugged other people all the time, but it was quite a different matter when this...this boy that Tybalt already didn't like was placing his hands on her. It was a matter of protection, as Tybalt didn't trust this boy; at least, that was his reasoning for it. "Aye, Videe, s'weird," he readily agreed. He noticed where the dragon's gaze wandered and smirked. Those shinies would be his and Vidya's, if he had anything to say about it.
Inle mentally sweatdropped. This wasn't as going as well as she would've hoped, not that she knew she would've hoped it up until a moment ago. "That's good to hear!" she blurted out, clearly at a loss.
Vidya's wings twitched again as she heard the door open once more. It seemed that her wings, the laziest part about her, where finally starting to become active like the rest of her. Enoh didn't mind at all though...She just wanted to squeal whenever Vidya's wings twitched...that was just too cute! But since Enoh wasn't here, there was no threat of that happening. Instead poor Teivel had to suffer through this, and he did so by sitting by the fire and ignoring everyone around him.
The tale, briefly ignoring Tybalt and Lance, waved her arms over her head to get the attention of Jiro. Oh, it was so nice to see him again! The girl laughed happily, her eyes closing in glee.
"Jiro! Hiya! S'nice ta see you again! Oh, and Hullo! Wow, you tall."
It was probably a good thing Vidya was awesome at keeping secrets. She had opened her eyes to look up at the man Jiro was clinging to, finding him to be an awful lot taller than the adults she was used too.
Hearing Tybalt talk, Vidya's eyes opened, and focused on him curiously. Somehow, she figured his agreement had a little bit of a different tone than hers did...and of course, she felt the need to clear this up! Vidya didn't want to be misunderstood, and then disliked...that would be very bad. She smiled at Lance over Tybalt's wing.
"But weirds'good!"
Lance was not weird! He glared at Tybalt, his lip curling a bit, his grip on his sword tightening.
"Your weird too," he said, to Tybalt, and not Vidya.
He glanced towards the shiney stationary once more, and could already sense challange arising.
He was momentarily distracted by Jiro's entrance, and nodded to the new arrival, but was more intent on focusing on Tybalt. The parrot boy he already highly disliked. He blinked a bit at Vidya, tilting his head curiously. Weird... Good? Maybe...
Dragonfly too, was beginning to feel the awkwardness of the situation more prominently than before, and she offered a lopsided, nervous grin.
"Well," she chirped, glancing to Inle's book, and then back to her face, "I'll leave you to your book then. Eeh heeh..."
She looked around for something to distract herself with, and not seem rude. She spotted Akiya, and heard his greeting, and thus, offered her own.
"Hello," she said politely.
Hearing someone call his name, he looked over to see Viddy was waving her arms trying to get his attention. Oh, Viddy. He waved his hand back at her, smiling faintly. Good thing to see she didn't make a huge production over him. Seeing her look at Akiya, he smirked. "That's my Father... and it's good to see you again, Viddy. And how are you?"
Akiya's brow shifted at how he interacted with Viddy and it made him rather happy to see that he was rather polite to the Tale. Maybe he would change his opinion on girls....
.....
..... highly doubted it though.
Noticing Dragonfly respond to his greeting, he smiled. "It feels a bit.. tense in here. Are things not going well?"
Tybalt glanced over his shoulder at the sound of the door opening yet again and gazed levelly at Jiro for a moment. He still didn't know how he felt about the boy, having never interacted with him, but that would have to wait until later; there were bigger issues at hand here. He turned his attention back to his first mate and the loathsome creature in front of him. "Weird's good...sometimes," he said in response to both Vidya and Lance. Tybalt crossed his arms over his chest, his taloned feet planted sturdily on the floor, his stance showing his utter confidence.
"Sorry," Inle mumbled, trailing off, nodding at the new arrivals before turning back to her book.
Vidya looked between Lance and Tybalt, that ever-curious expression on her face. She didn't really understand what was going on, but she assumed it was a boy thing, and decided to stay out of it. She removed herself from that situation and wandered over to Jiro, humming the entire way over.
The tale looked up at Akiya, blinking her white eyes.
"Hallo Jiro's Daddie! Wow, you almost's'tall as Tei!"
Or maybe taller, she figured. Vidya pointed over the the solitary Reindeer tahnee that sat by the fire, promptly ignoring her mention of him. He was only here to make sure she didn't hurt herself, and conversing with others wasn't part of his duty. Besides, he didn't want to be here in the first place, but once Enoh had set her foot down, nobody, not even Teivel, could defy her.
Giggling a bit, Vidya turned back to Jiro, smiling as happily as ever.
"M'real good! How be you?...me left Kali at home!"
She stated that fact proudly, as if it had any importance at all. Well, it actually did.
Oh dear. She'd offended Inle. Or upset her, or something.
"Nonono!" she said, pulling her hands up, "Don't apologize... Eeh... heh... There's nothing to apologize for.."
She smiled meekly, and then left Inle to her book. She looked to Akiya, and grinned sheepishly, looking towards the children.
"Erm. A little tense? Eh..."
She didn't know what to say, other than that.
Lance easily matched the other's stance, his sword clutched tightly in his hand, his stance proud, and noble as he glared at the other. He would show no weakness in front of this one, he'd be damned if he did.
Blinking at Viddy, he couldn't help his smile as he pet her on the head. "Well unless Tei is almost eight feet, then it's safe to say I'm taller than him." She was very sweet and he couldn't help liking the girl. Maybe Jiro would at least like her.. cause he knew well what he thought about Aido..
He nodded when he saw that she didn't have her plushie with her. "Ah I see... I brought one of mine... I'm trying to figure out what to do with the other ones. Father bought me too many and I don't want them all.." His lips pursed gently as he nodded to himself. "Maybe I can give one to you? Or something?"
It wasn't often that he offered to give anyone -anything- so this was a big thing for him. He only did that if he considered you someone he was on friendly terms with. "Did he shift again and be mean to you?"
Tybalt's grin was more a baring of teeth than anything else. His wings folded to his back as Vidya took her leave, and he stared at Lance for a moment, as if assessing him. His gaze eventually flicked towards the shiny stationary; his smirk turned decidedly mean. With a bit of a swagger, he went back to his space on the wall and began once more the slow climb upwards, his talons creating more holes in the wall as they held his weight up.
Inle's glance was torn once more from her book, and she finally put it pages-down in her lap. "Sorry for being sorry, then?" At the mention of the "tense" situation, she glanced at her feathered son and rolled her eyes. "Yeah. That's just Tybalt being Tybalt."
Vidya hadn't the faintest idea why feet had anything to do with how tall someone was. Giving him a strange look, Vidya looked down at her own sandaled feet, wiggling her toes a bit before giving him the benefit of the doubt. She nodded, her tone naturally sweet.
"Well, Tei's vurry tall! But okay, you taller."
Her gaze then turned towards Jiro, blinking at him for a moment before clapping happily, throwing her arms around him in a hug.
"Oh! Viddy'd like that lots! Thank you! I...Oh, whoops. Sorry!"
She giggled, removing her arms from around him once she realized she might have done something wrong. Jiro seemed like the type of person you should only hug when you're alone, and she'd almost forgotten that! Lucky save on her part. Shift again? Oh...he was talking about Kalani again. Vidya frowned and nodded.
"Yes. Kali's'mean still...so me left him in my bedroom."
Hearing taloned feet clicking, Vidya looked over her shoulder just in time to see Tybalt head back to the shiney stationary. She pouted a bit...she wanted to go too! But there was no way she could get up there by herself, and she figured it'd be mean to suddenly leave Jiro. Sooo...she did the next best thing; cheer him on from where she was! Oh, and guide him too. She figured he might not be able to see too well since he was against the wall, and the shinies were on a shelf.
"Yay Cap'n! C'n you see? Viddy can tell when you get close..!"
Lance's eyes narrowed further as he watched the other swagger towards the wall, and the sense of challange rose once more in his chest. His wings unfolded from his back, taking a testing flap, and he was surprised at the ease of which the seemingly small apendages lifted him. Ah. But it wouldn't be fair to fly. He tucked his wings back, and 'sheathed' his wooden sword into the shirt upon his back, folding his wings over it to keep the wooden weapon held steady. He went to the other side of the wall, still near the stationary, and looked to Tybalt, challange written across his features. He didn't want to ruin the wall though, and thus took a moment to concider a way up without causing too much damage. He looked to the shelves, and wondered if it would hold his weight, before shrugging a bit, his tall frame reaching up to grip the first shelf, and pull himself up, and begin the climb.
Dragonfly didn't really know what to do with herself, and so she sat herself down in the place she had been frequenting, and sighing softly.
The bell jangled softly as Chao pushed the door to the shop open and she and Aido entered, a small black puppy keeping pace at Aido's side. At the sight of so many people in the Stationary Shop Chao paused and Aido walked into her leg and loooked up, startled.
"Huh," smiling Chao gave Aido an apologetic pat on the head, "sorry Aido."
Aido had already forgotten the bump and was peering at all the Tales. There were a lot of them, like the other day, including a new one and...why was Capn' Tybo on the wall?
Tybalt tossed a grin to his first mate before returning to his task. Now that he had gotten the hang of pushing his claws through the wall, rather than just searching for toeholds, his progression was much easier. He already had a more-than-healthy head start on the dragon, and not one to grow lax in the face of sure victory, only increased his pace.
He saw how Viddy was looking at her feet and he gently shook his head. "Your height isn't measured by your feet... you'll get it later.. if I had the right book, I'd try to explain it to you..." When she hugged him, he patted her briefly on the back. However, she seemed to remember and she backed away. "Then I'll bring you over one sometime soon then, neh? Maybe tomorrow, if Father remembers, anyway."
Noticing how something seemed to be going down with Tybalt and the newbie, he felt himself filled with a grim sort of pleasure. Aww did they not like each other? Odd how the males seemed to be having issues with each other. Was this a pattern thing? "Wanna sit next to me, Viddy?"
Dragonfly sweatdropped further as she watched the going on's between Lance and Tybalt, and shook her head softly.
Lance was determined to catch up to the other, and he took leaps to climb higher. He was gaining on Tybalt, but he felt it wasn't fast enough. He pushed every muscle in his body to move faster, the competetive spirit in him driving him onward. He was just a handhold away from Tybalt's foot. Then he was at the other's waist, and finally, he hauled himself up so that he was next to the parrot child.
He turned his head for a moment, locking his crimson gaze with the other, before continuing on. It would be a race to the bitter end, it seemed.
"Me thought not...'sounded weird."
Vidya wrinkled up her nose. She still didn't get it, but since Jiro said it wasn't true, she had no choice but to believe him. Besides, he knew things like this. She smiled at him, before lifting her gaze to watch Tybalt's progress. He was going in the right direction so far!
"Okay! That be very nice, thank you! Should me get the...uhm...direcshions...to my n'Mommie's house? Oooh...Hiya Aii!"
She wrinkled up her nose a bit. She knew that word, and yet she forgot how to pronounce it. Oh well. She had heard the door open, and of course gave Aido a rather large and fast wave in greeting, before her attention was drawn back to Jiro. Vidya blinked at his question, and then nodded.
"Okay, sure! But Viddy needs t'be able to see tha Cap'n, okay? Oh...!"
Speaking of which...Vidya had lifted her gaze to see that Tybalt was getting very close to the shiny stationary...and of course that meant she had to tell him where it was! She cupped her blue hands at the sides of her mouth, calling over to him.
"Cap'n! Tha trezure's Anodder shelf up!"
Lance's proximity would prove to be his downfall, as Tybalt pulled a move any pirate would have been proud of. Two more quick steps upward brought Tybalt's feet within easy reach of his opponent, and he didn't hesitate to take advantage of this by shifting his weight to the side, then planting his feet upon Lance's head and shoulder. Using the dragon as a launchpad, he jumped the remaining few inches to the shelf, bellyflopping atop it before wiggling into a more secure position. The shelf shook beneath his weight and movement but held, and Tybalt crawled along it until he reached the prized stationary. He shifted into a sitting position, his legs dangling over the edge of the shelf, and held the paper in his lap. His grin was not a little victorious and smug.
Inle's jaw dropped. She wasn't shocked that Tybalt literally walked all over Lance, but she was a bit surprised that he had managed to get so high in the first place. Chagrined, she turned towards Chibi. "Uh...sorry. He's kind of a jerk."
Lance's red eyes widened in realization as he watched the other near him, and though he struggled to get further to the side, he didn't have enough room. He felt the pirate's claws dig into his shoulder, and he let out a cry as the other leapt forward. His hand came lose from it's hold as he reached up to grasp the other's foot as he tried to launch away from him, but this lead to no avail. Instead Lance lost his footing, due to Tybalt's weight, and the balance he had sacrificed by reaching a hand up. He plumetted backwards towards the floor, and hardly had any time at all to turn himself over, and spread his wings.
He landed hard on the floor, and let out a cry of pain as he did so, his eyes narrowed into pained slits as he gasped for the air that had been sucked from him during the fall.
"Boy's will be boy's," she murmered in reply to Inle, and shrugged softly.
She blinked in surprise as Lance began to lose his grip, and watched in horror as he struggled to right himself in the air, though too late, and watched as he hit the floor.
She was on her feet in a flash, making her way over to the collapsed dragon boy, fearful for his safety.
"Lance! Lance are you alright? Is anything broken?"
She was talking quickly, obviously acting like a panicked mother.
Tybalt waved the paper in the air towards Vidya, a sign that their teamwork had prevailed yet again. "We wins! Th' treasure's ours!" Something moved out of the corner of his eye, and he looked towards it, watching passively as Lance plummetted. While Tybalt wasn't normally a cruel child, he found himself somewhat pleased that his foe got his just desserts; that's what happened when one decided to cross Captain Tybalt, in his mind.
Inle, however, was not so unmoved by the boy's fall. She leapt from the chair, eyes wide, the sound of her book falling to the floor deafened by the sound of a heavier object making the same contact. She shot a deadly gaze towards Tybalt, who was busy reveling in his foe's demise, before moving tentatively towards Chibi and Lance. "s**t, I'm sorry...is he ok?" Without waiting for an answer, she looked up at Tybalt, who was now in her line of sight. "That was ******** up, Tybalt. I should leave you up there for that." Tybalt merely shrugged, unphased by his mother's threat and language.
Lance sat up shakily, sucking in steady breaths as he began to get it back, before lifting his head, and glaring sharply at Tybalt. Oh that b*****d would pay. Lance could already tell that this was the beginning of a long rivalry between the two.
"Y'won because... Y'cheated," he rasped through grated teeth, pulling his wooden sword from his back, and using it to pull himself back onto his fit, before brandishing the weapon towards the Tale, "Y'd never win... in a fair fight..."
Dragonfly shook her head towards Inle, and smiled weakly.
"No-- It's not your fault-- Geeze-- Wholly crap--" she didn't know what to do with herself, and fussed over Lance, who swatted at her for it. He wouldn't be seen as a mother's boy. He didn't want to be fawned over before his obvious enemy.
"I'm fine," he said through gritted teeth, giving his wings a flap to see that they were still in working order, and then checking to see that everything else was fine, too.
Vidya had been about to cheer in victory, and that cheer died on her lips as well, replaced by a horrified expression and the heavy gasping noise she made as Lance fell. Her white eyes had widened considerably, and her hands pressed against her cheeks as she flinched upon hearing the new tale hit the ground. She spun her head to the side to give Jiro an almost apologetic look before she scampered over to Lance, peering down at him worriedly.
She didn't know what to do in this situation...so she winged it.
"Lance...! ...Cap'n, That was mean...!"
She had moved her attention from Lance up to her Captain, giving him a surprisingly disappointed and somewhat stern look.
"'S'why I don' fight fair," he retorted cheekily, gripping the paper tightly as he was grabbed off the shelf, not stumbling as he was placed upon the floor. He looked haughtily towards the wounded dragon before turning towards his first mate. "Videe, we's PIRATES. Sometimes we gottsa do mean things fer treasure, see?" He waved the shiny paper in front of her face, as if to prove his point.
Inle scowled at him before turning back to Chibi and Lance, crouching to the latter's eye level. "I'm sorry, sweetie, he's really not that bad...are you alright?"
Lance looked to Vidya, a cold glare in his eyes, though it was not towards her. He turned back towards Tybalt, and brandished his sword before him, challanging the other.
"Where's your honor...?" Lance demanded, his tail swishing angrily behind him, "Your scum,"
He spat at the other's feet, to signify what he meant. He almost completely ignored Inle, merely casting her a short glance, before his attention focused back on Tybalt.
Vidya couldn't respond to that. Instead, she gave an objective whine in response, and resorted to playing with the small lock of braided hair that came over her shoulder from behind her right ear, the one with a red feather dangling from the bead-like tie. Playing with this braid and Mrinliel's feather was her newly formed nervous, bored, or upset habit. But she needed to respond, if only to make herself feel better about it. So, to remedy this need, she muttered her words with a pout.
"But s'still mean..."
Her white eyes widened again as Lance had decided to start another fight. After a few seconds, her eyes then narrowed stubbornly, her hands letting go of her small braid to form small fists at her sides, her elbows bent. The currently brave little girl stepped in between the two boys.
"NO FIGHT'N!"
She looked between the two, a stubborn look on her face, and her feet planted. She was deadset on stopping anything between them right now.
Tybalt was about to respond with some wiseass retort or another when Vidya, his beloved and loyal first mate, gave HIM an order. If it had been anyone else, he probably would have smacked them for daring to do such a thing, but...this was VIDYA. The one person who had been there for him through thick and thin; the one person he could trust. So he did what he never thought he'd do: he followed. "Aye, Videe," he said, a mixture of awe and affection in his voice.
A growl issued from his throat, but he did as the young blue girl had asked. He dropped his sword to his side, continuing to shoot Tybalt a harsh glare.
"Fine," he snapped, anger still coursing through his form.
But Vidya, even though he hardly knew her, she was a maiden, and something deep within him demanded that he keep from harming her. He'd do as she asked, for now at least.
"Maybe we should go," Dragonfly murmered, leaning down to whisper this in Lance's ear.
Lance nodded, and turned on his heal, not even saying any goodbyes to anyone, after all, he felt no reason to.
Dragonfly smiled weakly, and ruffled up Vidya's hair, issuing a soft adieu to the child, before waving her regards to Inle and Akiya, and making her way out.
Vidya's stubborn expression faltered for a moment, when Tybalt decided to do as she had asked. Turning her head, she gave him a thanking, and suddenly happy smile before turning to look over at Lance. One down, one to go. Vidya winced as Lance snapped his response, but she was still eternally grateful that they hadn't just moved away from her.
Oh, she looked like she was about to hit the ground with relief. It had taken so much to stand inbetween the two, since one was her Captain and the other had hell in his eyes...and now that the threat was over, she just wanted to fall to the ground and stay there.
Instead, she stayed standing, futher letting them know she was serious by speaking one more time.
"Good. No fight'n...N'...Bye Lance."
Vidya smiled up at Dragonfly, patting down her hair shortly after it was ruffled. Once they were out the door, Vidya heaved a thankful sigh and plunked herself down on the floor.
Geez, she wanted to nap now.
Well well that had been rather interesting. Made him glad he just sat back and didn't interfere in something not of his making. Seemed the little pirate didn't know the meaning of playing fair. That made him smirk. Ah, gotta love fights. But it all ended due to Viddy. Brave little Viddy. In the back of his head, he had to admit that it was rather cute that she ws doing something like that. But the fight was averted, thanks to her.
Akiya waved to Chibi when she headed out with Lance, a brow shifted. Tales seemed to have some inner issues with each other. That was rather sad and he lifted up Jiro and placed him into his lap. He hoped things would get better....
Tybalt smirked levelly at Lance until the younger Tale was out of the shop before looking once more at Vidya, chuckling at her visible signs of relief. Ignoring Inle's obviously angry look, he sat himself beside her, waving the shiny paper once more. "We still gots th' treasure," he said, his tone only a trifle smug.
Vidya looked over at Tybalt as he sat down beside her, then towards the paper he held. Well, there was no way she could deny giving him that...she just wished he hadn't been so ruthless about it! But at least nobody got really hurt...after all, Lance was well enough to challenge Tybalt after his fall. With that in mind, Vidya smiled.
"Yep, we gots'it."
She then squeaked in surprise as the top of her head was suddenly poked. Vidya leaned her head backwards to look up at the one responsible for that...and was met by the stoic golden gaze of Teivel, who had obviously had enough of this place. He wasn't much moved by Vidya's bold interference, but he did give her props for being able to do it.
"Vidya, say your goodbyes...we're going home."
"Awww Teeeeei...Okay..."
Though she whined her objection, she looked back down at Tybalt and gave him a hug, still thoroughly thankful he decided to not fight. Finished with offering her goodbyes to her Captain first, Vidya then stood up and toddled over to Jiro, unable to hug him from where he was sitting, but that never stopped her from waving.
"Okay...Bye bye Cap'n, Bye bye Jiro!"
She waved with her free hand as the other weasled its way into Teivel's, the stag giving nothing more than a look of objection before he guided her out of the stationary shop, heading back home.
Tybalt tentatively returned Vidya's hug--he was still unused to the whole touching thing--and waved as she departed. He didn't seem surprised as Inle scooped him up, and he held the night's spoils securely. "We're out of here too, kiddo...and YOU are in some serious trouble." Tybalt merely rolled his eyes. When was he NOT in trouble? Inle nodded towards the unfamiliar pair before she and her bundle of terror were out the door.
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:20 pm
Note: This was Enoh's post in Lance's old journal, but to move it over I'm posting under Chibi_D
Vidya had been feeling awful, just awful about what happened at the Shop between Tybalt and Lance. Of course, Vidya had nothing to do with it, but since it involved her Captain, and also because Lance was the Tale of her dearest 'Dee', she couldn't help but feel guilty. Of course, Vidya still adores Dragonfly for taking her to the park once...and that made the situation about three times worse than it should be.
So, when she and her family moved in with Dragonfly, Lance, and everyone else, Vidya took careful care in avoiding Lance, until the time was right.
At this moment, Vidya was standing on the hall side of Lance's closed door, holding a carefully wrapped package against her small frame. This was the 'right time' to stop avoiding him, or so she figured.
Setting the package on the floor, Vidya knocked on Lance's door...and suddenly felt very, very shy. Squeaking a bit, she turned and ran down the hallway, back towards the stairs that led down to the rooms she and her own family currently occupied.The Package Letter Lanii;
Sorry about the shop! It wasn't nice at all...! I really hope you and Tybalt can be friends one day...that would make me very happy! Anyway, I got you something! I hope you like it!
Oh yeah...Thats my feather! You can have one, I have lots left. And...I have a plushie just like that one! But this plushie is for you.
I can't tell you what the gem is for yet...but you need to keep it, okay?
-Vidya
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 11:21 pm
April 23rd, 2005 - Present?
Lance had found it odd that Vidya had taken the liberties to avoid him whole heartedly, but he couldn't say he'd minded. He had busied himself with reading. It had been hard, at first. Hardly able to understand them, merely gazing at the pictures.
Somewhere deep inside of him a gaping wound had opened because of Tybalt. The foul ruffian and scourge that had dared to use foul play against him. After awhile of staring at pictures though, Lance had demanded that Dragonfly teach him to read. He wanted to know why the foolish pudgy mortals were fighting his fire breathing brotherin.
But now... Now he'd almost wished he hadn't found out.
"I'll prove them all wrong," he said to himself, slamming the book shut and throwing it towards the wall, "Dragons aren't monsters... Tybalt's a monster... I'll show them all"
He curled himself up upon the bed he had been gifted with, in the room that Dragonfly had informed him was his. It was nice here... His own sanctuary against those who told him he was a fool. How little they knew...
Dragons had honor. More than anyone would ever know, or understand. They had valor too. After all, they didn't just steal princess' and hoard tresure. They gaurded their young with the viciousness every mother should have against foul beasts wanting to slay their young. They fought for mankind sometimes too! Allowing them to ride their backs like regular old horses.
"Stupid people," he muttered, squeezing his eyes shut.
For every book that put dragon's in a good light, there were at least six to cover it over, and make them look like monsters.
"They'll all see!" he repeated, though out loud this time as he made his way to his door, pulling on the handle, and wrenching it open.
A knight had to train. He had to train himself to become a knight. It was his destiny.
As these thoughts ran through his head, he hardly managed to notice the package that Vidya had left him, and he blinked in surprise as he stumbled forward to keep himself from stepping on it. He hadn't even noticed her knock on the door, having been to absorbed in his own fiery thoughts.
He blinked softly as he steadied himself, before reaching down to take the package in his hands, making his way back into his room, and opening it slowly.
He pulled the feather out first, turning it over in his fingers as he gazed at the beauty it held, before smiling softly, and setting it on the desk in his room. His eyes were drawn to the jem next, and for a moment he found himself lost in the glimmer, and shine of it's gold, and beautiful emerald green stone. He set this down on the desk too, scolding himself for falling into the stereotypical dragon mindset when it came to shinies. He lifted the plushie out last, gazing at it fondly, laughing softly and placing it on his bed. It reminded him of... Well, Vidya! Especially because of the wings near where it's ears should have been, and the blue tone of the soft fabric it was made from.
Finally he pulled the letter out, his red eyes washing over it, and absorbing what Vidya had written to him. He laughed softly, shaking his head a bit, and smiling ruefully at the thought of him and Tybalt being friends, but this turned to a smile as he gazed over at the feather Vidya had given to him. It was special. He'd treasure it. He laughed at the plushie, though he knew he was already fond of it, and lastly, upon finishing the letter, his gaze fell back to the gem once more.
How curious...
He set the letter down on his desk, between the feather and the gem, before heading towards the door once more. He'd have to thank Vidya. Later though... He wanted to train himself now.
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Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2005 3:11 pm
April ???, 2005 - Writing Practice!
Lance visits the Stationary Store, and speaks with Vidya and Jiro for a short time.Lance's Journal Dear Diary Jornal Journal,
Mom still is surprised that I can right write on my own. She says its re-markalbel remackabel remarkable. Im not sure what the point of going to the stashunary statunary shop was, since we did not stay very long, but... I liked seeing Vidya. I dunno what to think of Jiro.
Mom is calling me for dinner, so Ill go now.
~Lance
Vincent agrees to teach Lance swordsmanship, and Lance is only too happy to agree to having Vinny as his mentor.Lance's Journal Dear Journal,
Today was really cool! Vincent said that he'd teach me how to porparly properly use my sword. I'm going to become a knight way faster now! It's so cool!
I guess you could say that I'm Vincent's page, or squire, since I haven't really been knighted yet.
Ooh... I need to be knighted by a king or a queen...
I wonder where I'll find one?
~Lance
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Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 8:35 am
Quest Time! It's about time this young dragon went on a quest of his own! Your task is two fold. The first part of his quest entails a gathering of supplies that will aid him in his journey to becoming a knight. These can be made, bought or received from others and can be anything from a napsack to a mithril shield. The only requirement is that he has at least five books in his library. Also, what knight should be without a squire or page to accompany him in his travels? Lance should have himself a familiar to act as his own squire. The second part of his quest is about friendships, surely for a knight to save a damsel in distress he must first know a damsel who might just be in a dress rather than in distress. He must make friends and learn to handle any enemies that might distract him from his quest. ((translation: at least two playdates with a Tale Lance doesn't know well or at all)) However you go about it is up to you, but it must be recorded in the Tome. Good luck n.n
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 1:25 pm
August 9th, 2005 - An Arabian Princess
Chailyn had excitedly set off with Anemone, as they headed off to Aekea. She wanted to look at some tile for the kitchen, or at least she had planned to. She had been lucky to pack a light lunch before Chailyn had pulled her out the door. She wanted everyone to get things done so night would come faster. She'd fallen asleep after three episodes but the others had stopped there so that she wouldn't miss out.
They'd only been in Aekea for a few moments before both decided it'd be nicer to sit by the river. It was a rather nice day out and Anemone was pointing out the various wildlife that walked about. They'd seen deer, rabbits, hawks, falcons, abandoned dogs and cats, and even fish swimming by. Chailyn seemed rather fascinated with the different animals, but more curious about the fish as they lived underwater.
The toddler was peering down into the water wondering how they managed to swim underwater, didn't they have to breathe? She was looking around at the different colors finding that life was very different for different animals. She could see the fish eating bugs that landed on the surface, while a deer had been grazing on some tree bark and grass earlier.
Looking up, she could see a different type of creature. A green dragon child was walking. She peered at him with her purple eyes wondering what he was exactly. She'd been quiet most of the day until now, "Dragon. Tale?" she asked curiously.
Aekea. The city of robots.
Or was it a town?
Did it matter?
No, not really.
Either way, Dragonfly had gone to Aekea to meet up with a friend of hers. Morian, she had said. Lance had no idea who the stranger was, but he couldn't help but have felt a pang of dislike towards the blue-grey haired man. After all, he had been a little too friendly with Dragonfly, and Lance had pointedly kept himself between the two. He wasn't quite sure what it all meant, but he hadn't liked it. Especially not with the thought of Vincent back at home, and Dragonfly's loyalty to the gunman.
Lance also, didn't like the bustling town of Aekea. Too much grease and grime, and too busy. Disgruntled, he had presented the idea of a picnic near the river he had seen on his way in, and Morian, trying to get on Lance's better side, had agreed.
They had set out with a box full of food, and a blanket from Morian's house. One Lance had avoided sitting on at all costs, as it reaked of grease.
He sighed as the adults talked around him, and he quickly became bored poking his sword into the ground before his feet, and so, pulling himself up, he walked over to the river. Glancing back to Dragonfly, he raised an eyebrow.
"Mum," he called, stepping closer to the water, "Can I wade through it?"
Dragonfly cut herself short in her conversation with Morian, and couldn't help but frown a little, before she too, pulled herself to her feet.
"Only if you're very, very careful, and only if I'm right here watching you," she replied, making her way over and sitting on the edge of the bank, "I wouldn't want you to get hurt,"
"I'll be alright," the toddler replied, before splashing into the water up to his knees, smiling as the stream pulled at his ankles.
The water felt cool and refreshing, and he wiggled his toes in the mud, before his red eyes trailed down the bank, to rest on Chailyn's unfamiliar face.
"Hmm,"
Without further adieu, he began wading across the stream. It was deeper in some parts than he had expected, and once or twice he stumbled, almost falling into the water. Of course this ellicted cries of panic from Dragonfly's throat, but Lance always managed to quickly find his footing, and give a thumbs up to Dragonfly once more. Dragonfly was only too happy to know that the stream didn't get too deep here, not like it did further on. None the less, she kept a close eye on him.
"Hullo," he said to her, tilting his head as he made it across the water, and neared her as he walked down the bank. Maybe things were about to get just a little more interesting.
"Hello. I'm Chailyn," the toddler replied giving a smile. She looked over the dragon with a curious gleam in her eye. She wasn't sure what to think at first. A winged, green skinned dragon was looking at her and she found it to be mythical.
She tentatively waved at the dragon. She wasn't sure what to say, she was in awe. "What your name?" she asked politely though hesitant. She leaned to the side slightly looking at his wings and finding them to be like nothing she'd ever seen. "Can you fly?"
Anemone watched Chailyn from afar, her eyes glancing across the stream to see the two that had been with Lance. She didn't think she'd ever seen them before and wondered slightly how'd she fare with introductions. She was a shy person who tended to be at a lost for words when it came to talking to strangers.
Her blue eyes were a soft contrast as Chailyn turned to glance at her mother. The toddler took a deep breath waiting for the tale to reply. She knew she'd have a million questions to ask once she got over being so lost in awe. She was already curious to know if his skin felt like scales or more like human skin, or if it was different all together.
Lance bowed after she had presented her name to him, and he smiled softly as he pulled himself up straight again.
"Sorry, I forgot my manners. My name is Lance, and I am happy to meet you, Chailyn," he replied smiling and taking her hand, before shaking it gently and smiling.
He blinked a bit, and flapped his wings, before shaking his head, looking thoughtful.
"No..." he replied slowly, "I can't fly... Yet. But I can glide! Dragonfly's teaching me to fly, but she says my wings haven't developed yet..."
Lance felt confident. As a matter of fact, he was feeling much better now that Vincent was training him. He felt like he could take on the world.
Dragonfly meanwhile, had waved Morian over to go see what Lance had found so interesting. Dragonfly's vision was bad enough only having one eye, and she was still getting used to the depth perception issues. She walked down the bank, wondering whether or not to brave attempting to wade across, and most likely falling flat on her face.
"Need a hand?" Morian asked, smiling brightly as he extended a hand to her.
"Yes," she said sheepishly, pulling off her shoes and socks and leaving them on the bank. After all, they'd have to come back for their stuff, right?
"My depth perception and balance aren't what they used to be," she laughed hollowly.
"Alright, alright," Morian chuckled rolling up his pants and leaving his shoes and socks next to hers, before taking her arm, and wading into the water with her.
"You're such a gent, Morian," she giggled, before she too stepped into the water, her skirt falling just above the water.
Chailyn gave a wobbly curtsy in response to Lance. She couldn't really do a curtsy that looked graceful, at least not in her pants. She was sure if she was wearing a skirt it would look better.
She offered a sympathetic smile hearing him say that he couldn't fly yet. In a way she almost felt happy because that meant she was more like him. "I can't fly. I don't have wings e-der," she offered in attempt to make him not mind that he couldn't fly yet. She was sure he would one day, where as she wouldn't.
She gave a soft, almost silent sigh. She was getting stuck in bad thoughts. She gave her head a shake pushing the thoughts from her mind. "I bet you'll fly soon," she added giving a nod.
Anemone stood up from her place walking over to the two toddlers as Dragonfly and Morian made their way across. She gave a smile to the two bending down to say hello to Lance. "Hi Lance. I'm Anemone, Chailyn's mother," she introduced herself.
"Is that your Dad and Mom?" Chailyn asked Lance pointing to the two adults.
"My mum has wings. She's flown with me on her back before. I can't wait until I can fly," he replied, "Mum says flying is a gift, not to be abused. I feel really lucky..."
He didn't mind that he couldn't fly, at least he didn't mind yet. He knew that soon he would soar, just like his mother did, just like the birds, and the bats, and angels...
Lance's attention turned from Chailyn, to rest his gaze on Anemone, and he smiled a bit.
"'Lo," he greeted, bowing once more, "Nice t'meet you. You're daughter is very pretty,"
He was trying to be chivalrous, and it felt like the right thing to say...
His attention was then drawn away from Anemone, to Dragonfly and Lance, and he frowned at the way Morian was fawning all over his mother, and how Dragonfly seemed to be enjoying it.
"Ah! I'm going to fall!" Dragonfly squealed as she began to slip, while Morian's arms wrapped around her waist to hold her up.
"My mum is over there, but that's not my dad," he said hollowly, his red eyes ablaze as he watched them, "I dun' like that man.."
"I've never been flying. Mother has headwings but she's afraid to fly. Donny held me while he flapped his wings to stay in the air," Chailyn said. She wasn't sure what that would be called but hoped that he would know what she meant.
"Yes, she is. That's very nice of you to say," Anemone started. She would've said more but stopped when she heard Lance's opinion of the man. She frowned looking at the toddler, "Why don't you like him? Does your mother know you feel this way?"
"I'm sorry," Chailyn started apologetic. She hadn't known he disliked the man. She nodded in agreement with her mother, wondering what was wrong with him. He seemed ok, appearance wise.
Ane looked up turning to glance at Dragonfly and Morian. She wondered why they hadn't just walked around if it was so slippery. She didn't want Lance to be uncomfortable or anything, even though it wasn't up to her.
"Maybe you should have used the bridge?" Ane called out to the two. She really didn't know what else to say yet.
"Flying is a lot of fun," Lance said, smiling brightly, "You feel... Really free. It can be scary sometimes, though. But it's fun,"
He pouted a little as he gazed over at Morian and Dragonfly. He really didn't like Morian, at all.
"It's alright. No need to be sorry. I only met him today, when mum took me to Aekea. Dun like Aekea much, either," Lance murmered to Anemone, before grunting in dislike as Morian 'saved' Dragonfly from plunging into the water once more.
"No-- We're alright," Dragonfly giggled, pulling away from Morian and climbing onto the bank, "Besides, that way was way more fun!"
Morian chuckled and followed after her, setting his hands on her hips and lifting her up and onto the dry grass.
"To keep your feet from being muddy," he explained, a smile curling upon his features.
Dragonfly merely rolled her eyes, pulling away from him, before grinning and making her way over to Chailyn, Lance, and Anemone.
"Sorry," Dragonfly said, running her fingers through her hair, and chuckling nervously, "I hope Lance isn't bothering you. I've never known him to be a bug, but--... 'You never know?"
Now Lance felt insulted. He couldn't help but cross his arms, and glare up at his mother.
"No, he's not being a bother," Ane defended giving a smile to the dragon. She was both taken back and somewhat made uncomfortable by the way Morian fawned over Dragonfly. It seemed almost rude especially since a parent or guardian's first duty was to their child or ward, and Lance certainly was not in favor of it.
She did try to find a way to say something but all of it just seemed rude. She sighed shaking her head in defeat. She'd have to find some way to get Morian away from Lance's mother, for the child's sake. Instead, she simply shrugged shaking her head again and walking away from the situation.
Chailyn's eyes flickered suddenly. She felt like she was in some sort of cage. The idea that this man was being allowed to make Lance unhappy didn't sit well with her and oddly enough it reminded her of how it felt to not have wings, when so many others seemed. She briefly narrowed her eyes at Morian, feeling like her blood was hot. She was not pleased that Dragonfly would allow such, whether she knew the woman or not. As a child she simply wanted Lance to be happy.
"I suppose I should introduce myself..." Ane started slowly watching on after she had walked away a few feet. She wanted to say something about how the man made the dragon feel but she couldn't find the words. "I'm Anemone and this is Chailyn," she covered gesturing to the toddler who bowed in response.
Chailyn took hold of Lance's hand as if to show everyone she had decided he was her friend. She'd also decided she didn't like the man either and if she had to, she'd protect Lance from him. No one pushed her friends around, ever. No one hurt her friends. It was a new emotion that stirred underneath. A mixture of protection and anger. If she was anything like her mother, she had a bit of tiger hidden underneath the surface.
"I know it's not my place, but I think your friend is making Lance uncomfortable. I don't think he likes him, much," Ane said softly. She tried to make it sound as nice as possible though Chailyn didn't micmick that part.
"We dun like you!" the toddler stated with a nod of her head. She looked at Lance with a smile before whispering to him. "Les throw him out to sea! Or walk the board like Hook did to Wendy!" she started before realizing that Wendy had been caught by Peter Pan and blushing slightly embarrassed.
"Ah, well I didn't expect him to be. He's a good boy, honest, and loyal, and everything a knight needs to be,"
Morian stayed a good distance away from the little crowd, shuffling in place. He'd always felt nervous around too many people, and five was far too many, in his mind. He could only catch small parts of the convorsation from where he had rested himself.
"Nice to meet you Anemone, and very nice to meet you, Chailyn," Dragonfly smiled, glancing over at Morian, and scowling, "Morian's not very good with people. Ah, but where are my manners? I am Dragonfly,"
She bowed her head politely, but as Ane voiced her concernts, the smile upon her lips faded.
"Yes, I had that feeling too," she murmered, "I can't say I like the way Morian devotes himself to me..." she paused, glancing back towards him to observe if he could hear them, but he had taken to wading upstream, back towards where they had picnicked, "But, it's a sad thing, really. He hasn't many friends. I feel sorry for him, because he really is a good person. Lance just hasn't seen it yet,"
Her gaze turned to look upon the dragon child, who returned her gaze with a heavy glare, and a deep pout.
"But child, if you wish not to be involved when I spend time with Morian, then I will not force his company upon you, kay?"
Lance contemplated what she had said, before glancing over at Chailyn, and smiling a bit.
"Wha'd'you think, Princess, is an acceptable... a... a..." he paused, stumbling as he tried to find the right word, "Is it okay?"
Ane gave a smile to Dragonfly understanding what she meant. "Perhaps he just needs some time then. I'm sure Morian is a nice person," she replied.
Ever optimistic and the mediator when it came to other people, she was rather hopeful that Lance would get to know Morian better as time went on. She paused for a moment looking over at Morian, "Perhaps we should go over and talk to him? I'm sure Chailyn and Lance will be all right. We can keep an eye on them from other there."
Chailyn thought for a moment before nodding. It did sound reasonable to her. Perhaps he could visit her, when his mother spent time with Morian.
"I think so. Lance visit Chailyn when Morian around Dragonfly?" Chailyn asked looking up at Dragonfly. She smiled at Lance hoping that he would find it ok.
"Morian's a good person," she confirmed, nodding her head to Ane, "Bit of a grump though,"
A playful smile spread across the woman's features, and she couldn't help but laugh.
Dragonfly listened at Ane's offer, and she nodded her head in agreement.
"I'd say that's an excellent idea, Anenenanenea..." Dragonfly stumbled on the other woman's name, and she blinked in embarassment, a pale blush rising to her cheeks, "I'm really sorry! I get tongue tied sometimes,"
Her cheeks were tinting a deeper shade of red as she raised a hand to rub the back of her head, trying to smile, though it was a rather sheepish one.
"Really really sorry..." she repeated.
For perfect timing, Chailyn introduced her question, and Dragonfly was able to pull away from her embarassing slip up.
"If that's all right with your mother, I think it would be a wonderful idea," Dragonfly replied, smiling brightly to the toddler.
Lance positively beamed at the idea. It was the perfect solution! Lance wouldn't have to spend any more time than he liked around the obnoxious pale haired man, and he got to spend more time with Chailyn! Hooray!
"Really good idea!" he grinned, looking over at Chailyn and nodding his head.
"It's all right." Anemone replied giving a smile. "Most simply call me Ane. It's much easier to pronouce," she added.
She didn't doubt Dragonfly's words, sure that Morian was a nice person. She grinned at both, though mostly at Lance's reaction. "I would love to have Lance visit. It'd be great for Chailyn to have someone to play with and Lance could have some time to be away from Morian." She wouldn't mind having the boy dragon over, especially since Chai was so happy about the idea.
"Yay! Lance visit Chai!" the toddler cried happily. She grinned giving the dragon a hug. It would be wonderful, at least she thought it would be. She smiled at her mother and Dragonfly. "Thank you for saying Lance can visit," she told the two with a smile.
"Should we go talk to Morian? You two will behave if we leave you alone, right?" she asked. She wanted to make sure the two would be good little angels if they weren't breathing down their necks.
"Ane is much easier," Dragonfly replied sheepishly with a soft laugh, "I keep wanting to say Anenome instead of Anemone. . ."
Dragonfly shook her head, before smiling as she watched Chailyn hug Lance. Lance couldn't help but blink as he was hugged, but he could only grin wider, wrapping his own arms about Chai's form.
"You are very welcome, Chailyn. And take note that you are allowed to come and visit Lance and I at our home any time you wish to," she said.
Dragonfly then looked to Ane, and nodded, "Aye, grumble butt over there will be finding everything and anything to complain about right now, and the sooner we stop him the better,"
She smiled brightly, before gently reaching out to take Ane's hand, and lead the other woman over to the bridge.
"I swear on my honor as a page that no harm shall befall Princess Chailyn!" Lance called after Ane and Dragonfly, waving as they crossed over the bridge, and made their way back over to Morian.
Lance beamed at Chailyn, before slipping out of her embrace, to go look back at the water.
"So what'chu wanna do?" he asked, a bright smile on his features as he waded into the shallow water.
"It is much easier. Well if I ever want to change my name, I'll make it Anenome just for you," Ane joked softly giving a smile. Of course, it was much easier to pronouce compared to many names from her original home of Greece. She gave a smile turning her attention to Chailyn.
"We'll be good, Mother!" the toddler said before hearing that she was allowed to visit Lance whenever she wanted. "I will visit Lance lots!" she stated.
"That almost makes me think she'd never leave your house...," Ane murmured. She turned her attention back to Morian and Dragonfly as the other woman took her hand and they headed off.
Chailyn felt slightly odd at first seeing her mother not by her side. However, she felt safe being by Lance. She smiled at him and followed him to look at the water. It was definately interesting. No one could hold onto water, it did what it wanted just like the air.
After a moment, she followed him into the water. She didn't mind that her clothing might get wet. She had slipped off her shoes but that was the extent of her actions to not get wet.
"Hey, there's a fishie," she stated pointing at it. "Should we try to catch him?"
Dragonfly smiled, and laughed cheerfully at the other's joke, before replying, "You're much too sweet, Anemone. Hey! I got it right!" and she was swept into another fit of cheerful giggling.
"I expect to see you lots," Lance grinned.
"I wouldn't mind," Dragonfly smiled, laughing softly, "It's good to see Lance making friends. He can get so depressed... He holes himself up in his room and just.. Well, reads everything he can get his hands on. Sometimes it really worries me,"
Dragonfly frowned a bit, running her fingers through the whisps of black hair that washed over her left eye, disguising disfiguring scarring that had left her blind in that eye.
"Ah. But I digress," she said after a moment, "Kids will be kids, and he knows he can talk to me, about anything,"
"Oouh! Fish!" Lance exclaimed as his gaze found the wriggling form Chai had pointed out. He grinned lopsidedly, and nodded, "Yeah! We can catch him! So long as we let him go again. It's wasteful to kill for no reason,"
"I'm sure Chailyn wouldn't let him keep himself holed up in his room, too much. She seems to only sit still when she's sleeping or just staring off into space," Anemone replied giving a smile at Dragonfly's giggles. She was sure that they'd have fun, Lance and Chailyn. She gave a look back towards where she had left the two tales before giving her full attention to her new friend.
"I'm sure he does. He seems like a good kid," she added. She was trying to be attentive and have a conversation but her mind couldn't think of much to say.
Chailyn looked at Lance tilting her head slightly. Kill it? She blinked a few times. Why would they kill it? That didn't make any sense to her. She wasn't really sure what kill meant, it was fuzzy to her anyways. She opened her mouth to speak but it took a moment before anything came out.
"Of course, we'd let it go. I don't want to kill it..." she replied. She shook her head gently. They'd only catch it for fun, then they could put it back in the stream. She wouldn't let the fish die.
"I know," Lance replied hastily, "I was just... I don't know. I know neither of us would want to bring about unnecisary harm..."
As if to break the sudden awkwardness that hung over them, Lance dove forward, to attempt to catch hold of the fish, but the fish was far too nimble for him, and it skirted away, towards Chailyn's legs.
"That would be good for him," Dragonfly replied, still smiling, "Now if only Morian wasn't such a grump,"
"Oy! I heard that!" Morian replied as the two women neared.
He was slightly disgruntled by the amount of people, being one of the few who actually believed that two was company, and three was a crowd. However, he was not about to deny Dragonfly her wish to spend time with Anemone, and him.
Who knew, maybe some good would come with being around the two of them.
"Lance is a good kid. Chai- she seems so sweet," Dragonfly smiled, taking a seat on the picnic blanket, facing towards Lance and Chailyn so she could keep an eye on the two.
"It's all right, Lance," Chailyn said giving a smile. She was sure he didn't mean anything by it. He couldn't think she was a killer or anything like that. So it was nothing.
She giggled as he dove forward, the water splashing up to touch her face. She smiled as the fish darting towards her, trying to sneakily squat down to catch it. She bit on her lower lip to keep from laughing but found it hard to see with her knees bent forward, her arms trying to find a place to be without getting in the way but close enough she could use them to catch the fish.
A soft pitched but muffled squeak left her mouth as she lost her balance falling backwards. Her body went limp hitting the water without much impact. "Omph," she muttered in surprise as she starred at the air in front of her. Sitting back, her arms supported her as her lower legs had slipped forward. "I think I missed," she added blushing gently. Apparently, she wasn't a fisher-woman.
"A grump? Maybe he just prefers..." Anemone trailed off trying to think of something to say. She didn't know him enough to come to his defense, so to speak. She gave a shrug cutting herself off since she had nothing to add.
"Chailyn is sweet. She loves to be held, or just near anyone. I think she finds it comforting," she mused as she kneeled to sit beside Dragonfly. She didn't really want or think she should sit by Morian. She glanced towards the two tales, just in time to see Chailyn fall, or rather plop, into the stream. "And apparently, quite wet," she said giving a laugh.
Lance laughed as the fish darted away from Chailyn, and he splashed through the stream to race after it, until he noticed that she had fallen. He pivoted, and turned back to face Chai, worry written across his features.
"Are you alright, Chai?" he asked, pulling the other to her feet once more. He couldn't help but grin a little, and add, "You look a little wet!"
Lance continued to hold her up, smiling brightly to her, though inwadly hoping that he wasn't insulting her by doing so.
"Mostly I prefer being on my own," Morian finished Ane's sentance, looking slightly disgruntled.
Dragonfly punched his shoulder playfully, before saying, "Mor-chan, don't be such a ponce. This is Anemone, and you know me! Anemone, this is Morian, as you knew,"
Dragonfly moved over so that Ane could sit down, and Morian sighed, and smiled a bit, giving in to Dragonfly's demands. Maybe being around so many people wasn't so bad...
"Aye, she does look a little wet," Dragonfly giggled, "It's a good thing I brought along an extra blanket. If she gets cold we can wrap her up and she'll be roasty toasty in no time!"
Chailyn gave a giggle as Lance helped her up. She did look wet, more like soaked. Unlike Anemone, who disliked the feeling of wet clingy clothes, Chailyn didn't take much notice of the feeling.
"I'm ok!" she chirped in replied finding it more funny than anything else. "Or maybe you just look too dry," she giggled. She wouldn't push him into the water but she could lightly splash him. She cupped her hands together bending down slightly and splashing some water at him.
"Now we match," she added. He wasn't completely soaked like her, but slighter more wet. She almost thought the fish would have a better chance at catching them.
Anemone looked at Morian, trying not to take the words personally. She almost felt like she was intruding where she wasn't wanted. Perhaps she was, but she left it'd be rather insulting to Dragonfly.
"Hello, Morian. It's nice to meet you." She was somewhat hesitant offering him her hand to take hold of for a brief shake. Her uncomfortable feelings were temporarily pushed aside as she heard Dragonfly.
"I just help she doesn't end up all roasty toasty, and burnt," she joked. She was sure Chailyn would be fine. She seemed to be having more fun being wet than dry.
Lance laughed as Chai splashed him, and he let her go, only to cup his scaled fingers, and splash her back. Chailyn was so much fun to be around!
"This is fun, Chai!" Lance grinned, his hands falling to rest at his sides, before he realized that he had forgotten about the fish!
"Where fishy go?" he asked, his red eyes blinking as his neck swivelled to try and catch sight of the silver-scaled creature.
Morian gazed back at Anemone, before dropping his head, ashamed of his own words.
"Try not to take my words to heart. I've been alone for a really, really long time, so so much inter-action with people is a little odd for me," he explained, before offering her a light smile.
"What he said," Dragonfly giggled.
She listened to what Anemone said next, and couldn't help but grin, "There's always burn cream to fix that,"
Chailyn giggled as she was splashed by Lance in return. She smiled giving a grin to her friend. This was much more fun than anything else she had done. She had almost forgotten about the fish, until she heard him ask where it had gone.
She looked around squinting her eyes as if trying to peer through some sort of haze. She knew it had to be around somewhere. Sure enough she noticed a fish tail splishing gently. "There he is!" She grinned pointed at the fish and taking a step forward. "Let's get him!" she called out with a soft coo.
Anemone gave a smile to Morian, hoping to mend his feelings. She moved slightly closer so she could put a hand on his shoulder. "It's all right, Morian. I understand," she said. She removed her hand looking at Dragonfly.
"I can imagine trying to slather her in burn cream. She'd probably jump into the water to get rid of it." She gave a grin before giving a laugh. She could picture it in her head, the splashing child trying to scrap the cream off. She could also see her looking like burnt toast.
Ah! Indeed, Chailyn had found the fish again! Hooray!
Lance splashed towards it, grinning from ear to ear. He dove forward, landing face first in the water, only to have the fish dart from between his fingers. He spluttered as he pulled himself up out of the water, before grinning from ear to ear, and laughing cheerfully.
"I'm wetter than Chai now!" he grinned, shaking his head to try and get some of the water out of his hair.
"We could always wrap her in swiss cheese and call her a sandwich, then?" Morian offered, attempting a joke.
Dragonfly turned her head to oggle at Morian, before a bright smile spread across her features, and she through her arms around the other's neck, laughing.
"Aye! But I don't think she'd much appreciate being eaten, either!" Dragonfly added, before looking back toward Lance and Chai, only to catch Lance flying face first into the water, which sent her into a second fit of giggles.
Chailyn followed the dragon closely as he went after the fish. She giggled until she saw Lance dive forward, concern flaring up. She held her breath until she she saw him get up and laugh. A grin returned to her face.
"You're really wetter than me!" she giggled. She closed her eyes as she laugh, not noticing the fish as it came towards them. It seemed to be enjoying the game as much as them, somewhat. Once her purple eyes opened, she moved to pounce on the fish.
A gurgled roar came out of her mouth as she laughed. She clasped her hands in front of her splashing the water at her face instead of getting the fish.
"Sort of a Swiss-chai sandwich combination?" Ane joked with Morian. She gave a laugh before noticing Lance dive into the water. Her laughter was softer than Dragonfly's until she saw Chailyn splash herself in the face. "Those two are quite a pair," she said.
They were definately a pair of comedians as they tried to catch the fish. She wondered if they would ever get a hold of it.
A sly grin spread across his features as she giggled, and he watched as she splashed forward to try and catch the fish.
"Ah! So close that time Chai!" he exclaimed, before splashing through the water, arms outstretched as he too tried to grasp the fish's fleeting tail.
He laughed as he was once again unsuccesful, stumbling to the side as he watched the fish dart away from him. He laughed brightly, before spinning, and watching as it once again zipped towards Chailyn, as if to tease her.
"Yeah," he grinned, "Something to that extent!"
Dragonfly nodded in agreement, before laughing softly, a wide grin splitting across her features.
"It's very cute," she mused, placing a finger to her lips, her eyes sparkling. The fish darted playfully around Chailyn's legs before heading towards Lance, slipping to hide under his tail. She giggled looking at the fish as it hid. "That's not a good hiding spot!" she told it with a triumphant nod. She went towards Lance giggling as she threw her arms around him in a hug.
"I catch Lance instead!" she laughed, a grin still on her face. Her veil swished around her like a hug. She was about to jump away when she felt the fish tickle her foot, making her jump up in surprise.
Anemone smiled at Morian and Dragonfly. She turned her attention to the two children watching as Chailyn hugged Lance. "It's going to be a hard thing when it's time to go home," she mused outloud shaking her head softly. She knew Chai would hate it, she always hated leaving friends.
Lance tilted his head to look behind him, swishing his tail slightly, only to have the fish follow it's cover. He blinked, and began to laugh, only to start as Chailyn threw her arms around him.
"Aaiee! You caught me!" he cried, stumbling a bit as her weight was pushed against him, but he caught himself quickly, wrapping his own arms around her to keep her from falling.
He laughed as she jumped, supporting her weight, and grinning.
"Fishy got you!" he exclaimed, before continuing to laugh.
Dragonfly's smile became sad, and she nodded in agreement with Anemone.
"Aye, we'll definitaly have troubles separating the two..." she murmered with a sigh.
Morian had zoned out of their convorsation now, and was gazing skyward, the sun's rays filtering through his glasses.
"It's getting late," he mused, glancing over at the two women, and offering them a half smile, "Their parting may come sooner than they may like..."
"Lance will be getting cold soon," Dragonfly murmered, she too glancing skyward, wtching sunset's rays pour over the mountains in the distance, "and when he's cold, he gets exhaustedly tired. Cold blooded, y'know,"
She smiled to Ane, and rested an arm on one of her knees.
"I'd say it's time to go inform them that it's time to go home. Lance is getting too big for me to carry home," she laughed softly.
Chailyn giggled playfully as Lance wrapped his arms around her, supporting her and himself. She hadn't really thought about what would've happened, had she knocked him over. She grinned, loving his embrace, as she did everyone's.
"I caught Lance and the fishy caught me!" she stated. She ventured to glance in hopes of seeing the fishy but it had decided to go on its way. If it was anything like the tale, it's stomach was beginning to growl. "My stomach roars..." she murmured blinking in surprise. She gave another giggle, thinking of a lion trapped in her stomach. "I didn't know I had lion for lunch!" She was joking of course and thought it was a pretty funny jokee.
The tale briefly noticed her mother nod her head sadly, her giggles falling to silence. Whatever it was, it wasn't good. She knew that look, it meant it was time to go home. Chailyn's lower lip disappeared as she gently bit down on it in worry. She didn't want to go.
"Yes, I suppose it is time to head home." Anemone agreed as she stood up. She smiled at Dragonfly giving the woman a hug. "It was nice to meet you both. Lance can come visit whenever he likes, as can you both." She might've hugged Morian but didn't feel it would be right. Especially since, her mind was already returning to home.
She smiled at the two before heading down to break the news to her daughter. "Chailyn, we need to go home," she said. She smiled at her daughter noting the sad eyes. "You'll see him again soon, Chai," she added to soothe the already swelling sadness.
Lance laughed at her suggestion of eating lions, and he grinned lopsidedly.
"Maybe I'll just hafta help the lion out! After all, he can't be very happy in there!" he grinned wickedly, before reaching to gently begin tickling her sides, hoping to make his princess giggle.
Lance pulled his hands away however, as she fell into silence, and he turned his head to look towards Ane, and Dragonfly. Aaw... But they were having so much fun...
Lance frowned slightly, and wrapped his arms tight around Chai's frame. He didn't wanna let her go! Not when they were having so much fun....
Dragonfly was only too happy to return Ane's affection, smiling broadly as the other finally slipped out of her arms. Morian pulled himself to his feet next to the two, and after several moments of deliberation, he wrapped his arms around both women, before pulling away quickly, and grinning nervously.
"Well wasn't that a breakthrough," Dragonfly thought, oggling at Morian slightly.
Morian said nothing on his actions, merely turning and beginning to pack up the picnic as Dragonfly and Ane made their ways towards the two Tales.
"Lance doesn't wanna let Princess Chai go," he pouted to Dragonfly, giving Ane a light squeeze.
Dragonfly smiled sadly to her dragon child, wading into the water to ruffle his hair.
"I'm sorry Lance, but it's time to go home, and dry off. Ane is right, you'll see Chai again soon," she replied, trying not to crumble to the other's pouting face.
Chailyn giggled as Lance tickled her sides, writhing slightly from side to side as she tried to cover her self. She laughed trying to open her eyes to look at him. "The lion...out and...me...," was all she managed to get out.
Her giggling died down to silence as she turned to see Dragonfly and Ane coming towards them. She nuzzled against the dragon, a faint smile spreading on her lips as he wrapped his arms around her. She couldn't help but smile at her friend even though she was about to be dragged away.
"It was nice to meet you, Morian," Ane added after he had pulled away giving a smile of thanks. She followed along side Dragonfly as they made their way down to the tots, leaning towards her friend. "Don't they make a cute couple?" she teased slightly though she was more sincere.
Chailyn clung to Lance her pout returning. "I want to stay with Lance, Mother. Please?" she whimpered ever so lightly. She opened her mouth to say more but at the shake of her mother's head closed her eyes.
"Sweetheart, we have to go home. I promise, you can see him again soon and perhaps, you can spend the night sometime or he could spend the night at our house," she suggested giving a smile. She slipped her shoes and socks off, moving to take her daughter's hand.
Chailyn loosely took hold of her mother's hand not doing much else besides clinging to her friend.
"Absolutely adorable," Dragonfly smiled fondly, chuckling softly at Ane's observation.
Lance frowned as he sloshed out of the water with Chai. He didn't want the other to go... But... He knew that it was time to go home. He sighed as Ane's words made their goodbye assured, and he frowned as he nuzzled Chai, before slipping away from the tale, and standing erect.
He bowed majesticly to her, taking her hand, before pulling himself up again.
"Don't think of it as goodbye, goodbye is too final. Think of it as... See you later," Lance smiled, before hugging Chai again, "Cause we'll get to play again soon. See you later Chai!"
Dragonfly took her own tale's hand, smiling at the other's sincerity, before waving her own goodbye to Ane, and making her way back towards Morian.
"I'd say this was a good day," she said, to both Morian and Lance.
Both of them nodded, before they began to head back towards Durem's outskirts, and the location of Dragonfly's home.
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 1:25 pm
August 9th, 2005 - When Will We Meet Again?August 9th, 2005 Dear Journal,
I'm getting better at riting. Mom says I'm practising really hard. But anyway- that's not what I wanna talk about!
Mum and I went to Aekea to see Morian today. I don't like him much, but it is wrong of me to be so judgemental. I just have to give him a chance, I guess.
Anyway! Morian, mum and I went for a picnic outside of Barton, and I met a princess! Her name is Chailyn, she's so pretty! I really like her. She's so nice! We played in the stream and tried to catch a fishy- but the fish outsmarted us. Even though the fishy got away, it was still lots of fun, and the grown ups left us alone, so I didn't have to be around Morian! That made me happy.
It was sad when we had to go though. I didn't wanna leave Chai. She's fun! But I told her it wasn't goodbye, it was only see you later, because I'm sure Imma see her again soon! I can't wait to go adventurin' with her more. Its going to be fun, I just now it.
-Lance
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 1:40 pm
September 12th, 2005 - Lifes Little Lessons
Vincent was grumbling to himself again. Only this time, unlike dozens of other times, this particular bit of grumbling didn't have anything to do with Enoh, or Enoh's family. Instead, today's subject of grumbling was over Dragonfly, who decided, at the last moment, to dump both Lance AND Tobias on him, and run off to go meet with someone for a reason he was never told of.
So there the gunman was, a quiet, brown-haired baby in his arm, and the Dragonboy following him around. What a sight he must have been then.
He knew he was helpless when it came to babysitting...but he DID know of one family who was absolutely perfect for it. The Loves. Really, why should be be bothered with babysitting kids that weren't his own? Lance he could put up with, because he was a sort of teacher to the dragon boy...but Tobias...well, he had no affiliation with the child, so he might as well let one of Enoh's teenagers take care of the Prendre baby.
The trio weren't even close to the door when they were intercepted by a shriek of pure glee mingled with surprise, and the flash of something blue followed closely by a stream of white cutting into his path. Vincent paused in his walk, knowing full well that nothing good came out of a gleeful shriek like that...
...And how right he was. No sooner had Vidya stopped moving before a jet of water appeared from the same direction the tale had come from. Vidya flung her arms up to cover her face, but even that couldn't help the almost introverted way she tried to make herself smaller, to prevent getting hit with the water.
"AHAHA I GOT YOU VIDDY~" Came another cheerful voice, a female one. Vincent looked to his side to see Sieanna, a Prendre Teenager, standing there with her deadly hose, her thumb over the end to stop the rush of water. The teen looked smug...and Vincent looked disgusted. A Teenager, playing with a toddler like this? Somehow...it seemed unfair...that was, until he saw a glimpse of star-covered wings. Ah...it was two against one. Still not great, but much better.
"One down...Now it's your turn, Donny!" Sieanna cried out, turning her back on the laughing blue tale as she stalked towards the Golden one.
"Heeee...RUN DONNY~" Vidya giggled out, holding her arms above her head and waving them. Of course, she was dripping wet, so little water droplets flew everywhere. She managed to pause long enough to look at Vincent, blinking a bit...he just seemed to come out of nowhere! It didn't take her long to see Lance, however...How could she miss him! He was as green as she was blue.
"Lance!" With another happy spleal of laughter, Vidya ran over and pounced on her dragon friend, wet bathing suit and all. "Aie! Hiya Laaaance!"
Donny had tried to clumsily pounce Sieanna several times as she hosed Vidya down, but he was too slow and every time his arms went for her, she had moved away and left him with nothing but air. The look of determination on his face was priceless - he was going to manage this, he was going to save his sister-! But his sister had just gotten soaked, and all of a sudden the hose was being turned on him.
"Ohno~" He barely squeaked out, ducking out of the way and fluttering from side to side in an effort to dodge water should it come his way. "DONNY DOESN'T WANNA WATER~" He proclaimed, flailing helplessly though the laughter hidden in his voice.
Oh look, the pool! It was his only escape! He flung himself into the little kiddie pool half filled with water, and lay on it, belly up, with his wings curved around him.
"HAHA I'M ALREADY WET YOU CAN'T GET ME NOW."
And he really believed it, too. Hey, what was that green thing with Vincent? Oh, that was Lance wasn't it? Green and blue smushed together in a funny little splotch of color as Vidya hugged the boy, but Donny refused to leave his haven. He was safe here! Safe and sound...
Toby shuffled slightly in Vincent's arms as the sound of water met his ears. Tears sprung to the corners of his eyes, and it was obvious that he had a strong dislike of the stuff, even without getting wet. He sniffled as he burried his face into his blanket, shying his vision away from the world, and into Vincent's shirt. Silent tears rolled down his chubby cheeks, and where normal children would wail, he merely trembled in Vincent's arms.
Lance's eyes widened as Vidya barelled towards him, and he barely had time to brace himself against her attack.
"VIDYAA!" he wailed, flailing as he realized she was soaking wet, and getting his shorts and oversized t-shirt all wet, too, "Wet!"
He squirmed a bit, before grinning and laughing. He was wet now, and there was nothing he could do about it. Ah well.
"It's okay though,"
Sieanna's laugh got louder, if it were possible, at the sight of Donny flopping into the kiddie pool. Her shoulders trembling with laughter, the Prendre Teen flung down the hose, making an overly dramatic fall to her knees.
"Alas, the great Adonis foils my plans...!" She hung her head, bringing up her hands to cover her visage. "Oh whatever will I do...!?" She wailed in an exaggerated manner. The Anhinga humanoid bit back her giggles, eventually getting to her feet and dragging her pathetic act right to the golden boy, plucking him out of the water and holding him into the air - which was quite a feat, considering how fragile and weak the tall and lean the girl looked. With her new prize, she danced over to Vincent and the tales.
"Ohoho...Hullo Vincent...Aw, you've got a baby! Is he yo--" She stopped, not because of the death glare the gunman gave to her, but because she finally caught the aura of the baby in his arms. "...No." She said at great length. "Not yours. May I see him?" Something seemed to have come over her, and she quietly put Donny down beside his sister and Lance, holding out her arms to accept the baby that Vincent only eagerly held out. "Aww...there you go. Its alright...don't cry..." She coo'd, once she received the baby.
"Sure, here. I'll go tell Enoh I'm here...Vidya, Adonis, Lance...stay in the backyard." He gave a warning note to his tone as he quickly moved away - happily avoiding babysitting today. Lucky him!
" 'Kay Vinny~ " Vidya giggled, still hanging off of Lance, her arms around his neck. Oh, she had to get him good and soaked. "Heee...Now Lance not get wet by hose! S'all works out, yes?" Giving him an eyeless smile, she eventually let go, throwing her arms into the air. "We're playin' with Anna! Wanna play too?"
Adonis squirmed every second from the moment he was pulled out of his haven, but it was hard to do so. His wings were now half-soaked, and they bore him down almost as much as the rest of him did. Still, it was a valiant try for the stubborn tale to try and get out of grip of the water tyrant!
Of course, a moment after he felt his bare feet touch the grass of the floor, he opened his eyes and stopped flailing, looking from Vidya to Lance. Freedom! Freedom.. and that could only mean one thing.
Revenge.
He didn't say a word to either tale, but instead bounced silently to the fallen hose, taking hold of it and turning it toward Sieanna.
But she was holding a baby now.. and he would most certainly get yelled at if he he used it on her then. Well, revenge was a dish best served cold, after all.. so instead he turned the hose unexpectedly toward Lance. A wicked grin twisted his lips as he turned the hose on and sprayed the boy. Maybe he could wash all that ugly green gook off his skin and make him pretty like Donny and Vidya!
Tobias held onto Vincent's shirt as long as his grip would allow him to, but with a soft cry of displeasure he was pulled from Vincent. He flailed slightly in the Anningha girl's arms, displeasure written across his features as he felt the moisture on her arms against his skin. However, the familiar aura surrounding her caused Tobias to relax, and he turned his head to meet her gaze.
"I Toby," he whispered, hugging the egg of his familiar to his chest, "No wet,"
His voice was little more than a whisper, which was more than most had heard from the toddler's lips.
Lance however, let out another wail of displeasure as he was soaked to the bone. He coughed and spluttered as he tried to recover, before turning his gaze towards Adonis. Water ran down the forlock twisting into his vision, and he smirked a bit.
If it was a war Donny wanted, it was a war Donny would get.
"EEE! DONNY!" She called out with a giggle, being caught in the crossfire of the water - well, whatever water Lance wasn't soaked with, anyway. She turned on her brother, shaking the water out of her long white hair. "Not s'posed to do that unless Lance say he's gonna play with us!" Okay, so even though she technically started it, she felt she had to play the big sister and teach Donny a lesson - Basically, Do as I say, not as I do...but in a more Vidya-like and definately nicer way.
With that sisterly statement aside, she was satisfyed enough to turn back to Lance and grin at him. "Guess yur playin' now!" She giggled, tapping his shoulder as if saying 'You're it!' and running off towards her brother, going to attempt to be a pirate and commandeer that hose.
Sieanna seemed to have forgotten that the tales were present. "Aw...I'm sorry Toby. I'm Sieanna...er...Anna." She smiled, absently stepping out of the way of a splash of water from the hose. "I'm not that wet, sweetie...but I'll stay out of the way of the others, okay?" She coo'd again, moving his blanket so he wasn't in direct contact with her slightly wet attire.
Big sister or not, if she wasn't with him, she was against him. Hearing her tell him anything other than splendid praise gave him a new target to go after, and when she turned to come after him, the hose was already turning her way. He fought her back as best he could by sending water spraying straight at her tummy.
"BACK! BACK DONNY SAY!" He proclaimed, taking a few steps back but never completely losing his ground. He would win this battle yet!
He had completely forgotten about Lance, and hence didn't notice the smirk of revenge coming his way. He was too busy defending his territory and newly acquired weapon from the likes of sturdy blue sea pirates bent on hostile takeover.
Lance crept around Adonis, keeping out of the winged boy's sight, his eyes focused on the hose, while still keeping a cautious eye on Donny, lest the other try to soak him again. He smirked as he closed in on the water snake, before wrapping his grip around it's body, and wrenching it back, trying to pull the hose from Adonis' grasp.
"HAHA!" he cried as he pulled, grin written across his features as he intended to deal his revenge upon the other.
Toby meanwhile, had nodded to Sieanna, and snuggled into his blanket. This woman, she wasn't so bad. She felt alright, at least.
"Aieee...!" She cried out, instantly attempting to battle-off the oncoming water, but unfortunately, she was failing miserably. Sieanna had made it so the hose wasn't at full power, and thus the stream of water to Vidya's stomach tickled more than it hurt, sending the poor blue child into uncontrollable giggles of protest. Still, she continued on slowly...she was gonna get that hose! This was war, now.
She barely saw Lance move behind Adonis (mainly because he was partially on her blind side now), but she did catch the fact that Lance was trying to pull the hose away, from behind. Teamwork was always good! "Gottcha now, Donny!" She giggled out, managing to jump infront of him and throw her arms around his neck, to limit his movements. "Heeee...Hi." This was fun!
Sieanna sat down out of the way of the three children and the hose, half holding Tobias, and half keeping him on her lap. "Mavis just gave you to Dee not too long ago, I bet..." She murmured softly, playing with the boy's short hair. "I can tell, you kind of smell like her..." It was faint, but it was there...
Mutiny! MUTINY IN THE RANKS. How dare they overthrow him this way! He flung the hose wildly as he felt it tugged away from him, holding onto it just long enough until Vidya flung herself on him. He instinctively let go, if only to catch himself as he fell back onto his rear with his sister flopping on top. He flailed underneath her, feeling that regrettable sense of helplessness overwhelm him.
He finally squirmed out from underneath his sister, though her arms were still wrapped around his neck - he tried his hardest to slide under her grip, and struggled to scamper away, headed straight for Sieanna. He reached her leg, clung to it fiercely with both arms, and glared at the two scoundrels as if they had been the one in the wrong all along. Oooh, Donny!glare. Somehow the look didn't look right on him, his chubby features weren't yet meant to set in anger.
As if to prove this point, he stuck his face out just long enough to razz them loudly, his tongue sticking out childishly and the rudest little sound permeating from his lips.
"Vive la resistance!" Lance cried, even though he hardly knew what it meant. He'd heard it in a movie about the fall of... Some Political something or other. He hadn't really been very interested, but the phrase had sounded effective!
Lance quickly kinked the hose as Donny flung it away, and the stream of water stopped short. Lance quickly reeled in the hose, laughing as he watched Vidya tackle the blond Tale, and grinning as he took a firm grip below the nozzle of the hose. He pressed his thumb just over the opening of the water, and sent a jet towards Adonis' retreating form. He accidently got Vidya wet in the process, and was hoping to get Adonis square in the back. However, Adonis was out of reach before the water could catch him, and with a soft frown, Lance removed his thumb, and the flow of water became a gentle gush.
He stared quizicly at Donny as the other glared at him, and couldn't help but grin back at the other.
"My mum says that if you stick your tongue out at people a nasty old man will come and give you big gross sloppy kisses," he called, putting his hands on his hips, and soaking his leg in the process.
Tobias made no reply to Sieanna, besides gently tugging on her front. He gazed up at her in silence, his large copper orbs unblinking, and rather unnerving, it seemed.
In all truth, Vidya was so happy to let Donny go - his wings tickled her! Now THAT wasn't fair! ...Not that what she was doing was fair, either...Anyway! She watched as her brother ran towards Sieanna, and eventually clung onto the teen's legs (a motion which made her startle, as momentary as it was). Giggling, she skipped over to stand beside Lance, sticking out her tongue and raising her thumbs to her pointed ears, wiggling her fingers...
...That was, of course, until Lance mentioned a nasty old man giving you kisses. She blanched at this, her nose wrinkling up; clearly, the idea was disgusting. "EW! Really?" She paused for a moment, thinking about it. Hey, maybe Teivel did that! He was old, and he WAS mean. Nasty was another word for mean, right? Suspiciously, the tale looked around for Teivel...or any other mean old man.
Finding none, she scratched her cheek a bit, her other hand on her hip. "Viddy not see no mean old peoples..." Then, with an usual sped, she darted over to her brother, threw her arms around her brother's shoulders to keep him from running away, and gave him a big, sisterly kiss on the cheek. "Haha...But VIDDY'll give Donny kisses!" She instantly stepped back and moved onto Sieanna's other side, giggling up a storm. Obviously, she was a little brat today.
She looked back at Lance, looking rather proud of herself...and burst out laughing again, pointing at his leg. "Lance! Yer getting wet 'gain!" She recalled he didn't much like how wet he got when she hugged him before.
Sieanna of course wasn't about to get into the Tale's mess. One of them still had the hose, and it wouldn't be in her best interest to get Tobias wet. She merely held the baby closer to her, as if trying to protect him from water, should it ever come.
Donny's tongue rolled back into his mouth a heartbeat after he'd heard this rumor. Ew! That sounded.. gross! He backed away from the leg a few steps when he saw his sister coming closer, but he wasn't fast enough to do much more than that. His face scrunged up as she planted a kiss on his cheek, but he couldn't help giggling at it. He did love affection after all, especially from his sister. He remained relatively safe behind Sieanna's leg, looking furtively at Lance. He let out a soft snort as he saw the boy soak his leg, but shivered slightly a moment later, wrapping his wings around his body.
"Donny's getting cold.."
Lance dropped the hose to walk over to the other two Tale's, grinning a bit as Vidya expressed her affection towards her brother. Lance felt the slightest pang of jellousy towards it, but he supressed the feelings in his "Dark Box", as he called it.
Lance often felt lonely while at home, and yet all of Dragonfly's other adopted children were either too old for him to play with, or far too young. It was only amusing to play blocks with Tobias so long before Lance got bored, and went to practice with his sword, or continue learning to read, and write. Dragonfly had bought him books to teach him, and even though she had promised to teach him, it seemed as though she could never make time for him.
That was when he had come up with his Dark Box. Everything that bothered Lance, anything that hurt him, or put him in a foul mood was written on a slip of paper, and put into the Dark Box. When he wasn't at home, he had a subconcious Dark Box as well, for moments just like this.
Lance was beginning to feel sluggish as the cold set into his bones. Being a lizard, he was cold blooded, and thus he was beginning to have trouble functioning. However, unlike the other's, Lance had no clothes to change into from his shorts and small t-shirt, and now that those had become soaked...
"Lance sleepy," he murmered, flopping down in the grass and curling into a ball to keep himself just a tad warmer.
Tobias' eyes closed as the other pulled him tighter to her breast, and his small fists balled to take a grip on her bathing suit. He tilted his head up, his familiar's egg tucked safely between his arms as he gazed up at her.
"Toby like... feeling of you..." he whispered, his voice hardly audible.
Vidya leaned her head to the side, looking at both boys. They were cold? Sleepy? Huh...what on EARTH were they talking about? She wasn't cold in the least! AND she was probably more wet than they both were...ah well! Boys were weird anyway. She looked up at Sieanna, lightly tugging on the girl's blue sarong. "C'n we go in now? An' get changed?" Naturally, Vidya felt the need to be sympathetic to the two boys, and also do something about the current situation...even if she didn't feel cold or sleepy.
Sieanna's attention was drawn from Tobi as Adonis mentioned something about being cold, and then secondly as the dragon boy curled up...and Vidya tugging on her sarong gave her no choice but to pay attention to them now. "Inside...? Ah...sure. I don't think Vincent brought any extra clothing for Lance...buy maybe he can fit into Valen's clothing? Ah...maybe Donny, actually..." She mused, not even bothering to ask permission. "And we'll get you two changed as well." She giggled, pointing from the drenched Vidya to the wet Adonis.
Snuggling Tobias in response to his words, she got to her feet, found her way around the trio of toddlers, and motioned for them to follow her into the house, where three towels were waiting; naturally, she'd give up her towel to Lance.
Vidya beamed at this, scuttling over to Lance to try and get him to stand again. "C'mon Lance! We go inside now! S'all nice an' warm there...!"
Donny was glad they were going inside, but the words he had caught Sieanna saying about whose clothes Lance would borrow made him stiffen up like stone. The green thing? Wearing his clothes? His shiny, immaculate, gorgeous clothing, draped on something.. something.. scaly and green?!
Never!
Donny dashed forward without another word, hopping towards the house and scuttling inside before anyone could tell him otherwise. He headed for his room, stumbling on the stairs a bit and falling flat on his face at the very top. This did not deter him however - he pushed himself back up and toddled towards his room, turning sharply once he made it to the door and flopping down on his rear. He curled his legs up indian style and camped out in front of the room he shared with his sister, arms crossed in determination.
He had nothing against the boy himself, really.. but he was green. And Scaly. And ew! What if he turned all of Donny's pretty clothing green?! What if .. what if it was CONTAGIOUS?!
This catastrophe had to be avoided at all costs.
Lance blinked wearily as he was prodded from his slumber, and he couldn't help but give Vidya a wide yawn.
"Inside? H'okay..." he murmered, uplling himself to his feet slowly.
He blinked a bit as Donny made a mad dash into the house, and he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. Sieanna's words of getting a fresh change of clothing hadn't quite set in yet, as Lance was functioning much slower than usual.
"Clothes? Dry... Yeah.." he mumbled as they finally registered in his head, though the answer was far from some form of coherence.
Lance smiled to Vidya, and rested his head on her shoulder for a minute, his eyes slipping shut. He didn't stay this way for long though, as he knew that if he did, he'd fall asleep right there, and there'd be no waking him until the sun came out again.
"Hey mister moon you're out to soon, the sun is still in the sky..." he murmered, a song his mother had taught him rumbling from deep in his throat.
Had he not wanted to be a knight so badly, surely Lance would have become a Bard.
Vidya and Sieanna watched as Donny went bounding up the stairs, both girls then looking at eachother in pure confusion. Vidya's white gaze dropped to the ground shortly after sharing a curious stare...why would he run off like that? Was he not feeling well? Somehow, she thought it was her sisterly duty to go find out. Giggling softly at Lance, she pet his arm a bit, and guilded him towards Sieanna, who was already there, prepared to wrap Lance in a warm, plush towel...having set Tobias down on the table. "Dere, you dry off...An'...I'll give tha other towel ta Donny!" She squeaked, being helpful.
Grabbing the remaining two towels (One for herself, the other for her brother), Vidya darted upstairs, following the nearly invisible whisps of aura Donny had left behind; she was getting better with 'seeing' in her mortal-plane blind eye, but she still wasn't perfect...and a trace that should have been obvious was faint and blurry. She got the idea about where he was though, and never hesitated to follow.
Reaching their room, she giggled once more as she saw Donny stationed outside of their door. "Heya Donny! Whattcha doin? Me brought yah'a towel." She cooed out, handing one of the two towels to him, wrapping the other around herself. Vidya plunked herself infront of Adonis, picking pieces of her wet bangs from her face. "Why'd yah run off? Not feelin' well?" She questioned, genuine worry in her voice.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Sieanna rubbed the towel up and down the boy's arms in an attempt to warm him up enough to stay conscious. "Thats a pretty song! Why don't you keep singing it? I'd like to hear more, if there is any..." She urged, figuring that making him sing would be another way of keeping him from falling asleep.
Donny was glad to see his sister, and only his sister. He took the towel offered to him and put it over his head, carefully crying out his hair in slow strokes, sleeked down so as not to fluff up unattractively.
"Protectin' stuff." He proclaimed, in a calm and very serious voice. "Don't want Lance making all Donny's clothes green and ugly like him." He didn't really mean it as an insult, but it certainly sounded like one. He said it in a deadpan voice, as if it wasn't something new - he certainly expected his pretty sister to agree with him, at least.
"Sie wants Lance to wear Donny's clothing, but Donny has to keep them clean and beautiful!" He gave a small smile at that, clearly unaware that what he was saying may not necessarily make his sister very happy.
It was just how he felt, and if he felt it, it had to be right.
Had Lance heard Adonis' cruel words, he surely would have become very depressed. After all, the dragon was moody as it was, and such words surely would have shot his mood down.
However, he was wrapped in a soft, snuggle worthy towel. He let out a soft 'mmm' of appreciation as the warm cloth was wrapped around him, and he was only to happy to nuzzle his snout into it.
"S'fuzzy..." he murmered, smiling up at Sieanna.
He hadn't really noticed that he was singing, and upon having it pointed out to him, he couldn't help but blush.
"Well, uh..." he murmered, his gaze sliding to the floor, "Okay... I don't quite remember it all... but..."
He took a deep breath, before beginning to sing.
"T'was on a summers evening I walked the forest through, when suddenly I heard it- a sweet and low cukoo. Cukoo~ Cukoo~ Cukoo, cukoo cukoo coo koo~ Mr. Moon, Mr. Moon you're out to soon the sun is still in the sky... Go back to bed and cover up your head and wait until the night draws nigh..." he smiled softly, warm fuzzy tingling now running through him as he began to more throroughly wake up.
Protecting stuff...? Protecting what? From whom---ooh, okay, now she understood. But needless to say, it didn't make her happy to hear that. There was a hint of disappointment in her white eyes; but otherwise, she just plainly didn't look happy at his words. Shaking her head a bit, she rubbed at her hair with her own towel.
"Tha wasn't very nice, Donny." She murmured a bit, looking at her own skin. Getting an idea, she held out her arm. "Lookit, my skin is blue, an yours is gold..." She commented, knowing full well the colour of their skin was common knowledge. "An' my blue an' your gold doesn't come off when we wear clothes, right?" She was fairly sure that even if their skin did stain their clothes, Donny would at least take notice of it. Not that it ever happened, of course. "So Lance's green isn't gonna come offa him and stick to your clothes." She finally drapped her long towel over her head, just letting it soak out the water on its own.
"An'sides, Green's a pretty colour!" She squeaked out, suddenly in a pleasant mood...because this meant that she could now tell her brother all the pretty things that were green. "Daddy's eyes are green! An'...grass is green! Leaves are green! Like in tha park...pretty pretty trees and grass and there's some green on the monkey bars too" Her white eyes, even her blind one, finally strayed to the roman-esque crown on his head. "...An'...Your headthingy is green." She finally commented, a strangely firm tone to her voice.
"Oh! And He'sa dragon. Dragon's'are cool!" She puffed up a bit, mentally excluding Kalani in her statement. The plushie was not cool, he was downright nasty. "So...Nothing's gonna happen to your clothes, Donny! ...An' you should be a little nicer." She lightly scolded her younger brother.
"...'Sides, he's all wet! He could get sick! He needs your clothes, Donny...He'll give'em back! Momma and Aunty Dee are good friends, so no need to worry about losin' them!" She threw her arms into the air
---
Sieanna continued to gently rub her hands over the towel that rested around his arms, urging the blood flow to return to wake him up. She smiled to herself as he continued to sing for her, and it became evident that he was, in fact, starting to wake up completely.
"Aww, for not knowing all of it, thats still very good. You've got a lovely singing voice, Lance!" She amitted; for an Anhinga, she wasn't the greatest at singing herself. "And now that I see you're waking up, lets go get you some dry clothes, shall we?" She let Lance hold the towel on his own now, and instead picked Tobias up and off of the table. Holding down her hand incase he wanted to take it, Sieanna led the dragon boy upstairs, luckily coming into Vidya and Adonis' presence after their...conversation.
"Alright...You two need to get dry clothes on. Oh...Donny? Is it alright if Lance uses your clothes?" She questioned; it WAS his wardrobe after all, shouldn't he have a say in what happened to them? "Vincent Kinda...neglected to bring some with him." Not that the gunman KNEW they were playing with the hose outside...but hey.
Donny's eyes softened when his sister's bright voice tried to explain to him why he was being irrational. She was his only true weakness, and his stubborn facade crumbled at her childish logic. It was true, after all.. green was only a color, just like gold or blue.
But he was still ugly, wasn't he?
Donny reached up to touch the leafy circlet on his head, before settling his hands down into his lap. Maybe he was just a little wrong, after all.
Just a little.
His eyes snapped up at the voices, and indignation surged up instinctively once more. He opened his mouth as if to protest, before his gazecaught Vidya out of the corner of his eyes, and his mouth snapped closed again. He stood up and toddled to Lance, standing face to face and giving him a critical glance. He reached out, and his little golden hand patted against his arm softly.
"Lance can use Donny's clothes." He suddenly decided out loud, nodding sagely. His chubby little fingers wrapped around Lance's arm and he tugged the boy into their room. "We choose. C'mon Lance!"
Somewhere along the line, Donny figured he was missing something important when he looked at Lance. He was pretty.. in his own way. A different way. Not so ugly after all.
Lance did not understand the depth of what Adonis' words meant, but he was more than happy that the other was willing to offer him a warm, dry pair of clothes.
"Thankie Donny," Lance smiled, much more awake now than he had been, "I'll make sure Dee brings back your clothes clean and dry as soon as possible,"
He blinked a bit as he was tugged into the room, but he couldn't help but grin. It felt so nice to have friends, and not have to be around Tybalt while he was around them.
"Thank you," he repeated, before glancing back to Sieanna, and giving the Anhinga a thumbs up.
Adonis' clothes were so pretty, and lavish, the dragon Tale couldn't help but wonder what the other was willing to dress him in.
Donny made quite a mess looking through his clothes, until he found a bright silver little shirt and tiny drawstring pants, meant for a boy his size. They were so cute, the little miniature versions of everyday clothing someone might wear. He handed Lance the clothes carefully, making sure to take great care of them despite the fact he'd just ravaged all of his other clothing in the closet a moment ago.
"There, clothes for Lance! They're very soft." He patted them as if to test his theory, and nodded in encouragement.
He took Lance's arm once more and led him out of the closet, before unceremoniously crawling onto his bed and flopping a seat upon it, to await the verdict.
Lance watched quizicly as the other tore apart his wardrobe, and he couldn't help but laugh inwardly. He waited in silence as the other selected clothes for him, and he smiled as the other reemerged, holding out a pair of beautifully tailored clothing.
"Thankee Donny," Lance said again, running his scaled fingers over the soft fabric, and smiling brightly.
For a moment he looked confused, wondering where he should get changed, but he quickly remedied this by walking back into the closet, closing it behind him, and changing quickly. He was very careful not to put his wet clothes anywhere near Donny's clean, dry ones, and he reemerged with his wet tunic over his arm, his hair still slightly damp, and in Adonis' smooth, clean clothes.
"They're real nice Donny, thank you!" Lance grinned.
His tail had been placed so that it was emerging down one of the pant legs, and he felt a little awkward about this, but he didn't mind. Not too much, anyway.
Vidya beamed happily at Adonis' response to Sieanna's words, a strange sense of pride swelling in her...it was a job well done to change her brother's mind! She was so happy that she had, too...it meant to much to her that her friends could be friends with eachother, whether they were her family or not.
The blue girl scampered into the room as well, but she didn't take long. All she did was rush over to her own dresser, tug out a few items, and go skittering out of the room, to leave the boys alone. The tale had followed Sieanna and Tobias into Sieanna's room, where Vidya got changed out of her bathing suit and into her nightgown from behind a room spacer. The Anhinga and the Tale chattered for a few minutes, and it wasn't long before Vidya felt it safe enough to walk back to their room, knocking on the door. "All done?" she chirped, waiting on a confirmation before wandering into the room itself.
"Ooh...Pretty clothes!" Naturally, she gave her own two cents on the matter, leaning her head to the side a bit. Her white eyes drifted to the clothes that littered the floor, giving a soft chuckle upon seeing it, and then her gaze fell on something....shiney. Naturally she stared at it for a moment, before it finally settled on what the object really was; a silver chain with a single charm on it.
Vidya gasped as if she suddenly remembered something important (which she did), staring at the two boys. "Can Viddy get a pretty charm from both'a you?" She paused for a moment, before quickly explaining herself. "Uh...'Eke got me'a pretty bracelet...and she said that friends get eachother charms to put on the bracelet!" Again, she accidentally twisted the doe's words...but it got the point across, yes? "So...Can Viddy have a charm from both'a you? 'Cause Your my friends?" Her sidewings perked hopefully.
---
A minute or two later, Vincent poked his ebony-haired head through the doorway, Tobias once more in his arm, motioning for Lance to come towards him with his gauntleted hand. "C'mon Lance -- What're you wearing? -- Not important...Your Mom's going to be home soon...so I think its about time we headed back." Meaning; Say goodbye and lets go before Dragonfly notices we're not home and kills me for not leaving a note. That being said, the gunman disappeared downstairs, to wait to take the Dragon boy home.
Vidya stared at Vincent as he appeared in the doorway, and once the boy consented to follow, she wandered over and gave him a big, happy hug. "Bye bye Lance! S'nice ta see yah again! Lets play again soon! Say Hi to Auntie Dee for me!" She squeaked out.
And once The trio had left, Vidya turned to her brother and gave him a hug, too. "Thank you, Donny." She murmured, strangely serious. Then, with a giggle more accustomed to her, she tagged him on the arm and went running down the hallway.
Donny pouted as Vincent came for Lance, but once he was tagged he forgot everything and narrowed his eyes. If it was a game she wanted, then it was a game she would get! But first..
He hopped off the bed and scampered to his closet. There were boxes all along the bottom of toys long ago forgotten or discarded for being broken - but one little blue box stuck out in particular. He grabbed it and ran after Vidya, toddling down the stairs after his sister. He could still hear her looking for cover, and took to the air, gaining on her quickly. Once he found where she was, he hovered over her, flying easily at the pace she was running.
Tag was a pointless game to play with the boy.
"TAG!" He yelled, dropping the box on her head. The little cover popped off, and a blue star charm fell from it's cushioned insides.
Tobias didn't want to leave the pretty lady! She felt so... Nice! He whimpered in Vincent's arms, beating his small fists against the other's chest, before sighing as he gave in, and pouted, hugging his familiar's egg to his chest.
Lance beamed to Vidya, before waving goodbye, and heading for the door.
"Bye Vidya, bye Donny! Lance had fun today," and with that, he was gone.
He had ignored Vincent's question, deciding that he could explain on their way home. He would be sure to keep a look out for a charm suitable for Vidya from him, as to Lance, it felt like a very good way to make sure that Vidya would always be protected by him, in one way or another.
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 2:05 pm
September 12th, 2005 - All Dried OffSeptember 12th, 2005 Dear Journal,
Vincent took me over to aunt Enoh's house today. I got to play with Vidya and Donny. It was lots of fun, although I didn't really like getting wet too much. It got really cold after awhile. Viddy really seemed to like playing with the hose though, and I enjoyed it for a long time too, until it started to cool down outside.
I went with Vinny cause mum wasn't home, and I was bored, and when we got there Viddy and Donny and a lady I don't know were playing with the hose. Vidya hugged me and got me all wet, and then it was fair game to play, after all, I was already wet! I soaked Donny, it was fun!
But there was truble when I got cold, cause I got sleepy, and I didn't have dry cloths to put on. Donny was real nice though, and he lent me some nice soft shiny clothes to wear home. Mum says she's gunna wash them, and then bring them back over to the Loves' house. I hope I can go with her, I'd like to play with Donny and Viddy again!
-Lance
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 2:09 pm
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 4:51 pm
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Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 4:52 pm
October 8th, 2005 - ???
Jerava watched as Elena dashed off into the park, her Fandangle, Rasalus, close behind. With a shake of her head and a rueful chuckle, the elven woman followed behind at a more sedate pace. Since Rasalus would be with Elena, Jer felt relatively confident that she could continue to read her book, without any major issues.
Unless, of course, Elena wanted something. Then Salus would do whatever it took to get the little girl whatever it was her fancy had decided on. This had, obviously, already caused quite a few altercations between the elf and the Fandangle, but Jer was reasonably sure she'd gotten him to understand that not everything Elena wanted was good for her.
Rasalus, meanwhile, was perfectly content to let Jer hold that belief. It just meant he'd have to be sneakier in helping his Mistress, which was not that hard to do - Jer missed a lot that Salus considered blatantly obvious.
Elena was blissfully unaware of the sublte battles between her mother and her familiar, and both of those involved were fine with that.
The park was in western Barton, on the outskirts of that town. Jer didn't live anywhere nearby, but when one has a house in it's own dimension, it's quite easy to create a door anywhere you wanted it to go. Elena happily played on the slide-fort thing that had been constructed; that sort of thing made her feel comfortable on a subconcious level. She wasn't, naturally, paying any attention to anyone around her, and was quite startled when she ran into someone. "Move please," she said in a tone of voice that made the pleasantry more on the order of a command.
Dragonfly was sitting idly on one of the park benches, a book in her lap and a soft tune escaping her lips. Occasionally, she would glance up to make sure that Lance was where he was supposed to be, but other than that, she left the dragon mostly to himself. After all, he was very responsible.
Lance was currently making his way towards the monkey bars, to practice climbing, and possibly do some pull-ups. After all, if he was going to be a knight, he had to be strong! Not that he wasn't strong. But it was good to be stronger!
He stumbled as he was bumped into, and his head turned to blink at the girl who had accidently walked into him. He bowed to her, before pulling himself up straight. Even if it wasn't his fault, he would take the blame, after all, it was the chivalrous thing to do.
"Sorry, I'll try to watch where I'm going next time," he replied, stepping to the side so that she could pass.
Rasalus bobbed above Elena. "Mistress, it wasn't his fault," the Fandangle chirped at the girl. Elena made a face.
"Should watch where I'm going," Elena mumbled, looking at the ground. She looked up at Lance and smiled shyly. "'m Elena and mum says I came from book," she said by way of introduction, making another face at the mention of books. She didn't like books, so why had she come from one? Why couldn't she have come from a sparkly shiny, she liked those. The girl cocked her head to the side in an imitation of Jerava. "Your name?"
Rasalus rotated slightly in midair. Normally he wouldn't have corrected her, but she had to learn proper manners. And the elf responsible for his Mistress wasn't doing a very good job teaching her.
Lance's nose crinkled in dismay, slightly taken aback by the other's brash attitude. He shook it off though, and bowed low to her, before tilting his head up, and smiling charismaticly (or at least, as charismaticly as a green scaly dragon could manage).
"It's okay," Lance smiled, "I am happy to make your aquantance Elena,"
He dropped to one knee, and took the girl's hand, red eyes gazing up at the other, a soft smile still traced on his features.
"I am Lance, a knight in training," he paused a moment, before patting her hand, and slipping away from her to stand once more. Kissing a lady's hand was still too weird for the young Tale.
"I too, emerged from a book," he was grinning again, his tail swishing idly behind him. Another new Tale! His second in two days! What luck!
Elena curtsied to Lance after he released her hand. Rasalus flickered proudly. She remembered! "Nice to meet you. What's a knight?" she asked him curiously. "Do they come out of books too?" What if there were lots of people trapped in books because Elena wasn't reading them like Mum wanted? "Are there other people in books?" Elena asked worriedly.
"I am Rasalus," the cog murmured. "Elena's familiar," he continued, since Elena had trouble saying his name, and didn't seem inclined to introduce him. Salus bobbed politely at Lance.
Elena ignored her cog, waiting for Lance's reply.
Dragonfly's gaze flicked up from her book, her eyebrow poised as she caught sight of the blue haired child Lance was with. She pursed her lips slightly, her motherly instincts hoping that the two would get along, but it remained to be seen.
She went back to reading her book, though now she couldn't absorb the words, more interested in watching her dragon child's interaction with the other child.
Lance oggled the shiny cog, for a moment, before puffing up slightly, to answer Elena's question.
"A knight," he began dramaticly, "is someone who has sworn to protect, and serve justice. Loyalty, honor, and largesse are what a knight, such as myself, has sworn to live by,"
His tail swished to the side, and he set his hands on his hips, smiling proudly, before finally moving to answer her other questions.
"I read about a lot of knights in books- but my mum says that they were real once upon a time, and that she wishes more men were chivalric," he shrugged a bit, before adding, "I'm not sure about other people in books- there are characters in books... I guess they're like people, but mom says that I'm different,"
He looked back to the cog, his red eyes gazing intensly at the item, before he bowed his head again, though his gaze did not waver.
"It is a pleasure, Rasa.... Rasalus," he tried, somewhat distorting the cog's name, though getting it in the end.
Elena wanted to ask questions about what Lance had said about knights, but uncharacteristically decided that it would probably be rude to ask. Instead, she watched his tail swish around. Tail!
"Books not so bad then?" she asked him while her head tilted to the side slightly in an unconscious imitation of her mother. "Maybe I should read more," the girl mumbled, looking at the ground. "Can I be a knight too?"
Rasalus sparkled happily at the attention, before turning to face his Mistress. The cog hesitated to say anything to oppose Elena, but he didn't think she was suited for being a knight. A princess, no doubt, but probably not a knight. Rather than dispute her question, Rasalus settled for waiting for Lance to answer.
"Books aren't bad at all!" Lance replied, beaming, "They're filled with tons of interesting information and cool facts and stories and they're awsome!"
Lance nodded solemnly, before a grin split across his features.
He looked as though he was concidering her question about being a knight, and then he nodded.
"Not just anyone can be a knight though, Elena. You have to take an oath, and swear fealty to your lord, and uphold justice, and keep promises, and be honest, and not swear!" he explained, wanting her to know exactly what she wanted to get into, "There's a thing called the Code of Chivalry- and it's what we knights have to live by! I have a copy hanging on my wall so that I am reminded every night of the promises I have made,"
He swished his tail again, crossing his arms, and standing proudly before the other tale.
"Plus- I don't know of many girl knights. Girls are usually princess'. Joan of arc was a girl knight- she was really brave..." he looked thoughtful for several moments, before looking back at Elena, "We knights to lots of adventurin', but for virtue, not for personal gain. Do you think you could uphold such standards, Elena?"
He wasn't trying to hurt her feelings, or discourage her from being a knight, he just wanted her to know what she was swearing herself into. He had also purposely left out that in a lot of stories, princess' were captured by dragons... But he knew dragons weren't all bad. One of the reasons he wanted to be a knight was to change the negative view people had of dragons. They weren't all hoarding and princess capturing, they were noble and majestic too!
"Sounds like a lot of 'sponsibilty," Elena said dubiously."Maybe being a princess would be better." Rasalus heaved an internal sigh of relief at hearing that. "I'll ask mum and she can find me books about knights and princesses." Elena twirled a strand of her hair around a finger. "Do princesses get to do stuff like knights?"
Obviously Elena now considered Lance to be an expert on knights and princesses and that sort of thing.
"It is, and not only personal responsibility, but responsibility for your lord, and your people, too," Lance nodded, confirming what the other had said, before grinning and adding, "You'd make a real beautiful princess. Mum read me a story once about a princess who ran away to live with dragons, and she wound up saving the whole world from wizards!"
He threw his arms up dramaticly at his own words, before dropping them back to his side, one resting on the hilt of his wooden sword.
"Princess's can do cool stuff too. Sometimes they're real boring, and they just sit in towers and braid there hair- but the real neat ones go on adventures too! Like Arya in Eragon! She's an elf princess, she's real neat," he nodded, before finishing, "Princess's can be a lot like knights- but they're never quite as noble,"
Elena looked at the other Tale curiously . "What's a dragon?" she asked, not knowing that Lance was one. "And what's a wizard?" She sighed slightly, hoping Lance wouldn't be annoyed by all her questions. All this new stuff to learn, and she couldn't even go ask her mum about any of it.
Rasalus sighed as well, his feelings mixed. On the one hand, it was good that his Mistress was meeting new people, and wanting to learn. However, odds were quite good that Elena would ask Jerava for help, which was something the Fandangle would rather avoid.
"Then I'll be a princess," Elena said firmly. "And learn what good princesses do." Another sigh from Salus but who really cared?
"Weeell.. For starters, I'm a dragon!" Lance replied, once again puffing out his chest proudly, "Dragons have a real bad reputation, but we're not bad! We're just like everyone else. In fact, sometimes other people are worse than dragons! As for wizards... Well. They're men with magical powers. Witches are women with magical powers! But they were nicer than the wizards in the book I read.."
He beamed as Elena decided to be a princess, and he nodded his head, before dropping to one knee, and bowing low to her.
"And an excellent princess you shall be," Lance smiled.
"You read a lot," Elena said in a quiet voice. She peered at the dragon Tale. "Should princesses read a lot too?" she asked somewhat warily. She didn't like reading, but she wanted to be a good princess, and maybe reading wouldn't be so bad if it was full of things like what Lance talked about.
Elena blinked as Lance dropped to one knee and bowed. Eep! What was she supposed to do? "I'll try my best," she said dubiously. "You'll be a wonderful knight," the girl declared firmly, clapping her hands together happily.
"I like reading," Lance replied as a matter of factly, smiling kindly to her.
He considered her question thoughtfully, and decided to chose his answer carefully. First of all he didn't want to hurt her feelings, nor did he want to discourage her from trying to becoming a princess, either. After a pause, he finally decided on his words.
"Reading helps one gain knowledge, but some princesses are already really smart, and learn through experience," he nodded, satisfied with his answer.
After another moment though, he decided to add, "Reading is a lot of fun though, if you read the right books,"
Elena considered his reply, then nodded firmly. "Mum and Salus say I have a lot to learn, so I'll read books to help me," she said, looking determined. "I'll read lots of books and learn a lot so I can be a great princess." She nodded again, then flushed happily when he called her princess Elena.
Rasalus rolled to the side in exasperation. This, while good, was not exactly what he wanted his Mistress doing. Anything that meant she'd be spending more time with Jerava was, in the Fandangle's opinion, bad.
Lance was proud of Elena's decision to read more, and he couldn't help but grin broadly.
"I know lots of really good books that you'd like, princess Elena," he grinned, before lifting his hand to count on his fingers some of his favorites, "There's Eragon, and Eldest- mummy read Eragon to me when I was really little. It's really good! There's Narnia too! I'm sure you'll find something that you really like! I know I did!"
He grinned brilliantly, beaming at her, before repeating, "Elena, you're going to make an awsome princess,"
((To be continued~))
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Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 4:53 pm
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Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2005 4:53 pm
anemosagkelos Gift DeliveryChailyn lifted the fish bowl up, the brown and green pebbles capturing her attention. At the moment, Anemone was just making sure the fish had adjusted to the water temperature. She turned to take the bowl from the table but found the tale examining it. She gave a soft laugh wrapping her arms around herself as she watched.
"Time to put fish in now?" Chailyn asked with a grin.
"Yes, it's time to put the fish in now. Did you write a note?" the woman asked taking the fish bowl into her own hands. She put it down on the table by the sink. She took a pitcher and dipped it into the sink, letting the water fill it up before pouring it into the fish bowl. Once she filled up the bowl, she looked at the fish. It wasn't going to fit into a small net, not that they had one, and it wasn't likely to swim into the pitcher. She'd have to catch it, even if it was a tricky fish. "Ok, you, I have to catch you so you can go in your fish bowl," she whispered to the fish.
She let out a breath as she put her hands in the water. She tried to put a hand on each side of the fish while it swam, but found it just wouldn't settle long enough before swimming around. She rolled her eyes up trying to get one hand under, maybe she could cup it from the top easier. Her fingers brushed against his scales but before she could catch him Chailyn rushed in.
"I wrote a note!" she annouced with a grin. She smiled placing the note and gift tag on the table as she watched her mother try to catch the fish. She giggled as it squirmed out the woman's hands each time. A flip of its tail caused it to splash water at Ane's face. She gave a soft laugh as she finally caught the fish and set it free in its bowl.
"Next time, it should splash you!" Ane told the tale with a smile. She dried her hands on a nearby towel before picking the tale up in her arms. "Let's find some ribbon so we can tie your note and tag around the neck of the bowl," she started.
"Bowls have necks? Then wheres the head?"
"Well, it's called a neck because it's thin before it widens again. That's what they call the slender part of a bottle, too."
"So what's this part called?" she asked fingering the lip of the bowl.
"It's called the lip."
"So you have a lip and a neck, but no head and no mouth?" Chailyn asked confused. Who in the world thought this up? She couldn't really imagine not having a head. Nor could she really see herself headless with lips sitting on the top of her neck. "So if I was a bottle...I'd be headless, mouthless, armless and legless?" she asked tilting her head.
"Well...I guess so. It does seem a little silly," she admitted giving a laugh. "Come on, let's go take this present to your friend."
"Don't forget the ribbon," the tale added. She smiled as she was set down, following her mother as she went to find some ribbon.
After finding a ribbon and stringing it through the gift tag as well as the note, Anemone wrapped it around the neck of the fish bowl. She'd already put newspaper in the bottom of the box with some extra rocks, fish food, and the angel statue though she was thinking of letting Aislinn keep it. Picking up the fish bowl, she set it inside the box. She knew Chailyn wanted to carry it but she was afraid it would be too heavy.
"I'll carry it outside, then you can hold it and see if you can carry it. If it feels heavy, let me know so we can put it back in the box. We don't want to break the fish bowl," she said softly.
"Ok, mommy," Chailyn replied with a smile. She followed after waiting until she had let everyone know they'd be right back. Once outside, she handed the fish bowl to the tale. It wasn't heavy, so she was able to hold it easily until she walked. The water sloshed about in the bowl, splashing over the lip as she took a step. The bowl tilted from side to side ever so gently as she moved before looking back at her mother. "You carry it?" she asked.
Ane gave a smile as she took the fish bowl and placed it back in the box. Alls they had to do was walk through some of Durem to drop the box off at Dragonfly's house. She was sure it wouldn't take too long. She let out a breath as she lifted the box into her arms and they started on their journey.
Thirty or forty minutes passed before they arrived at Dragonfly's house. They looked at each other finding it hard to believe that Dragonfly lived in such a place. It was creepy, though Ane thought it had an underlying beauty that Chailyn couldn't quite see. The yard was overgrown not only with tall grass but with weeds, even wildflowers though they had begun to wither now that October was here. Ivy sprung up in front of the house growing up and though there were steps in front of the door the cement was cracked. The steps were a bit uneven but they made due, as Ane set the box down. She pressed the doorbell not sure if anyone would hear her if she knocked.
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