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 Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:18 am
Again, he watched as she did that mental processing thing that was a good sign and hopefully meant that she wouldn't forget it all by next week. He understood that these things took practice and reinforcement but at least she seemed to be trying. Nodding at her answers, he pointed back to the string of words under the picture of a dragon in neutral form. "This one always means both, yes." But glancing towards the sky for a moment, he glanced around. Something wasn't right. The winds hadn't shifted but something was... off. If he wasn't in the middle of this, he would of took to the air and done an observatory patrol by now.
But tucking a strand of hair behind his ear, he glanced to the little dragoness again. Well she didn't seem to be sensitive to it, whatever it was. Perhaps he was overthinking, made all too jittery by that impending time of year. Thus, distracting himself with the book again, he flipped through appropriate pages and went on to teach her the words that meant 'human' and 'elf'. Just the basics for now, that was important.
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:05 am
Okay so that always meant both and the other always meant dragon. This wasn't so bad. It was like learning the outpost markings but with deeper meaning and no treats given out afterward. This worked for her. But she was indeed pretty much oblivious to whatever it was that he was sensing perhaps she was too enamored by this new concept of reading. Thusly she was quick to take back to the new words he was teaching her and after a while at that she could at least pick out the taught words from bodies of text. She was so proud of herself. "Have more books?" She didn't want to take his but she did feel the urge to hoard one for herself.
It was true what the elf had said...a small identity crisis perhaps wasn't as great as some other things...but it was important to her. She hadn't ever know more than that she didn't hatch it a nest with clutch mates, she hatched early even and she was more or less raised by whatever available adult around. When she was old enough and showed the talent for such things she was integrated into the guardians. She had few friends because she was clumsy and awkward, though Kaznec had always been her friend. Maybe she'd never find out where she came from, but she had a good head on her shoulders and a good disposition and plenty of capabilities to make it on her own. Gain respect even....Koto couldn't hold onto that position forever.
She was happy not knowing more than any of that. But this...this didn't make her happy at all. This new found knowledge wiped away that ignorant bliss she was content to live with. Stupid elf making it worse to...it was horrible. Not quite a Rider dragon, not quite a Noble dragon...some funny in between that could pass in both worlds she supposed. So then...what kind of dragon had she meant to be? Her coloring was unlike other rider dragons she had seen...but they all had roots. Or was her coloring too something for being that odd in between? Colorless because genetics didn't know where to pull from? Well...deduction was simple.Where was some paper? Finding a piece of parchment tucked away in her pocket along with what used to be a whole pencil, she braced the paper on the railing in front of her writing out a column of short three word phrases.
Red to Pink
Blue to Sky Blue
Green to Mint
Indigo to Lavender
Black to Gray
A pause in her marking, tapping the end against her lips a moment and frowning in that worried and scared way. It was starting to make sense even more now…deduction could lead one down roads better left unknown. Pencil to paper again.
Bronze to Tan
Gold to Ivory
Silver to
She didn’t want to write the logical translation that she knew would be correct. She just…it would make all the pieces fit. It would make things make sense. A combination of facts regarding her size, her appearance, and finally her rare coloring or lack thereof. But running from truth…was never the way to go. Hiding was one thing, running another and she couldn't hide from this: this was who she was. Biting her lip and willing back the tears that welled in her eyes, glassing them over both from stress on everything that was being told to her by everyone in general, she put pencil to paper again.
Silver to White
There was the logical answer staring her in the face. She didn't fit with the so called jewel colored dragons...but she fit with the metallics easily enough. Personally she'd never seen a silver dragon but she knew they existed...they were kinda recluses like all the metallics seemed to like to be. Crumpling the paper in her hand, she squeezed it as if she could squeeze the life out of it and make it go away. But it wasn't going to...if the Laerethe could call it true...then there was little room for arguing. Slitted pupils turned down to watch the sand below, looking for focus to fight off the welling tears that threatened again. She didn't like this.
She wanted to be her again. Blissfully, ignorantly her.
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Picking Up Stars Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:00 pm
"There are no guarantees." Uncrossing her arms and allowing him to leave if he so desired. She was restraining herself from interfering with Kaznec and Jaebelltiah but perhaps she could send somebody else in her stead.
A yellow light popped up next to Kaznec and Sky a moment later and buzzed angrily.
He grinned at her and nodded. He'd make a good pirate? How great was that! Finishing up his cake and butterbeer, he watched her for a moment. "When you leaving?"
"It doesn't matter which brother, everyone says the same thing. But you're right about the wedding. We aren't sure when but it's happening and probably sooner than we think." He didn't let her go despite her reluctance to walk with him and merely shrugged. "My job never really goes anywhere until it's done. If they leave, I track them. So carving out a bit of time to talk to you fits right into my busy schedule. You should feel loved."
Shaking her head, she gave her sister a long-suffering look. "Then you'll also remember that you were forced to bed humans because you stole and then tried to pass it off on me. Though it certainly doesn't surprise me that you have some kind of fascination with them. You always were fond of being in control." So now her sister was offering her a job and attempting to get her to come? "Look around you, Mona. You always made this life out to be the very worst but your perceptions were always skewed. This is my place now and this life isn't really that bad."
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:39 pm
She startled lightly at that funny sound that made her ears feel weird. A frown to the ball them, growling at it and promtly swatting at it. Did not make nice with the light now.
"Soon as we finish our business here. Maybe in a few hours. Or maybe tomorrow morning. Depends on how fast we get things done. If you're going to come with us, you need to make some decisions."
She rolled her eyes at his words...he was so antagonistic. True, like her, but at the same time on a level that she just found irritating all around. "That's good for you. Unfortunately I am on a time schedule so I do have things to attend to before I leave here." Resting a hand on his forearm that held her in warning...he knew what it meant.
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 2:46 pm
"I do have to admit a certain fascination with this thing we're looking for. regal me, if you would. what could say...a black dragon, or our necromantic friend there do with this thing if they found all the pieces and fully put it back together. and how would you be able to counter it? or what would a pirate be able to do with it?"
Desdemona frowned a bit.
"I stole because I had to."
though a slight smirk.
"Being in control is a grand thing. you should really try it out sometime."
before back to being serious.
"what are you going to do when the dragon populace dwindles? we've just been through rider territory, and they are expanding their stretch of influence. thier growing into a verifiable empire like the times before the Storms. It won't be long before little atolls like this are going to become part of Rider territory."
leaning forward and reaching out and laying a hand on her sister's leg.
"you know when that happens, the dragon folk are going to leave, or be captured. just like the rest of our clan was. Even if you manage to get by that, they aren't going to have their take cut by a dragoness that doesn't want to sleep with human in the absence of dragon clients. they'll toss you out without a problem."
A slight grin.
"I'm just trying to get you out of here before then. heck come with us, enjoy the fresh air for a bit, and if you want at least make a port in someplace not bordering on rider territory. I'm sure we'll come across some places that would suit you."
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:37 pm
"The Gift was bestowed upon Ilindal and in Ilindal it will stay. It works the way it was designed by giving Ilindal the ability to control their conditions. The Storms nearly wiped them out and my people wished to give them a fair chance in case the Storms ever do return. You have already seen what the simple shards are capable of. When all are connected together, the entirety of the plane is in the hands of the controller. It matters not what brand of magic or power one does or does not have." Her eyes narrowed briefly. "We can destroy it but those who misuse it suffer their own fate."
"You stole because you were never happy with what was given. That ruby necklace that showed up in my room? You didn't need that. We were given food and a place to live but that wasn't good enough for you. And then you began believing that we were so mistreated that you took to the sky and deserted us all. Your wings didn't save you from your prison the first time. Only the one you claim to control and he locked you away at the first murmurings of trouble. What difference is there between your prison or the Rider's?"
"Don't you think you're going to get rid of me that easily, Sweetheart. Someone has to keep you out of trouble. And I wouldn't try that shadowstepping thing you like to do either. I have ways of working around that." Releasing her so that she could leave if she wanted but he fully intended to follow her.
"I guess I'll have to talk to the girls and make sure they'll be okay without me. I don't wanna leave 'em without a protector but I think I'd like being a pirate." Curious glance, "Is that real purty white dragon a pirate, Miss Gem?"
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Picking Up Stars Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:51 pm
"food and shelter isn't a life. it's just survival. and I wasn't going to be just some begger that happened to belong to a brothel."
snorting some.
"You were all welcome to come. I invited you all out to join me when I left. none of you did. to scared or too used to this place to want to risk leaving it. and the only reason my wings didn't save me was because I was asleep when I was moved to my gilded cage. I had no reason to fear or distrust."
she got up, and grabbed her sister by the hand.
"Why don't I show you what happens to dragons that don't willingly submit to being some second class servants to rider camps. you want to meet and honest to goodness rider dragon that is only just now getting out of the yoke? I can show you one. then you can see what will happen to little children like your golden child."
A slight grin.
"No need to narrow eyes at me. I'm not the one with a compass or clearly having bad intentions but seemingly beyond you control or influence."
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:18 pm
Shaking her head and giving him a light shove as he let her go she sneered. "I don't need a babysitter...and a dagger to the gut sounds nice too." Shaking her head and moving to grab her robe, pulling it on and throwing up her hood as she headed topside and then off the boat into the city, pulling out her compass.
"Hm, Ice? No she's not a pirate. She's a Guardian though. Her and her companions are on a journey of great importance with us." Grinning at him with a girlish tilt of her head. "Why don't you run along and make plans then, hm?"
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 7:01 pm
"There are a lot more where this came from, but unfortunately they are all back at my home. I only brought two with me." A curious glance at her though, deducing certain clues in his head. "Do you want this one, Sky? If you have it with you, you can practice and learn all the time. It will be easier to remember everything if you do." But a glance up to the yellow glow and he frowned lightly, stretching out a palm in practiced fashion to let the Seon settle and perhaps to also show Sky that it was harmless. "Come bearing news or do you need something, Areesa?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:57 pm
Areesa made another angry humming noise as she was swatted at before settling to hover in Kaznec's palm her customary bounce gone. "Did you make Bellah cry, Kaznec?"
Eilynne knew that Hunter thought she didn't know what Savvy had or what it did but she did. There was a reason she had a necromancer with a penchant for fiddling as well as a strategist with the same claim to fame. "Nothing is beyond my control or influence. And her intentions are far more pure than yours, Captain Deacon. Regretting your last choice already? Perhaps next time you'll choose a little more wisely." Yes, she knew about that too. Just as she knew that Kaznec had been offered the same.
He chuckled as she walked off and gave her a few minutes before popped up next to her elbow and glanced over her shoulder. "I wouldn't pull that thing out around these people, Savryn." Glancing around with a practiced eye and sizing up those around her. "I know you can take care of yourself so before you blast me, why don't you tell me what that thing is and what you're doing with it."
"So she's on the ship?" Well, that's all he needed to know. "Then I'll come too!" Hopping up and slipping down off the stool, he made his way to the door before screeching to a halt and turning back around. Taking her hand, he gave her a grin. "I liked the cake very much, Miss Gem. Thanks." Brushing his lips over the back of her hand, he flicked his tail and was gone.
"True boy. Tell him the girl he's crushing on is going to be somewhere and he's in." Chuckling and downing the rest of his ale before turning his attention back to Gem. "You sure you want him aboard? You'll have to teach him everything."
Shana knew better than to argue that point but she couldn't resist slanting her sister with a skeptical look. Living beyond her means had always been one of the flashy things about Mona that just didn't appeal to her. As sisters, they were still as different as night and day. "We were quite happy where we were." Frowning as her hand was grabbed and she shook her head. "I can't. I have things to do around here, Mona. And I've met the Rider dragons and the Riders. They come into my establishment. I have a deal struck with them so they aren't a worry. And if they turn on me, then I have a secret weapon as well."
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Picking Up Stars Vice Captain
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:17 pm
She still didn't like the ball of light. By this time though she had taken the book and was holding it to her chest, giving Kaznec a light nod. Having a book would be nice and it smelled like him. But still glaring wearily at the ball....it made her uncomfortable.
"You're very distracting...did anyone ever tell you that?" Shaking her head and continuing to walk, not caring if he could keep up or not...frankly she hoped he fell in a hole and soon. "It's a compass obviously and it's leading me to something of value." Watching the needle spin faster and such as she changed directions a few times and then smirked at it stopped. A slight glow to her eyes a moment and she started borrowing the various vantage points of others. "Rainbow crystal is extremely valuable out here."
"Oh that's going to be fun. He kind of freaked poor Ice out already." Shaking her head and turning her attention back to Thobias. " A little pervery of a knight and yet you can't be angry with him. Very very amusing." Nodding lightly. "You'll help me. Besides...he reminds me of Jim some." Jim being her younger brother whom had died alongside her father when he was small still. Jim and Gem...it had always been a joke. "Well...you ready to head back and see who's 'seeing the sights' and who's already staking claim to new bunks?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:26 pm
"Deal? what deal! How coudl you make a deal with those slavetraders and barbarians!? you saw what they did to our clan, to our family! how in teh sands could you even entertain the thought of making a deal with those..those..things!"
letting her sister go as if she'd been burned.
"and you dare to question me on my loyalties to a pirate when your making deals with the very people that destroyed our family and would hunt our entire species into extinction or turn us into pack animals!"
the angrier she got, the more it showed in slitted eyes, fingernails into claws, scales starting to show.
Hunter frowned only slightly.
"I don't regret any choice I've made, save one. and that was overreacting with Des. Now if your reffering to the choice I made to get the Chimera, your even more so wrong. the Chimera is freedom...I just have to make sure I can keep it."
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Picking Up Stars Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 10:30 pm
Her sister's anger only spurred her own. "How dare you imply I don't remember?! It is for precisely that reason that I did strike the deal, Mona. I don't want any of my girls falling to that same fate. Deals with the Devil, Mona. You know, you've made a few of your own. You do what you have to do to survive. You should know that better than I. You pirate for a living, I sell sex. You're no better or worse than me."
That hadn't been the decision she was referring to though she found it rather interesting that he finally believed she did indeed know all. "I was referring to neither of those. But through that I have my answer. Is there anything else you wished for a straight answer on?"
"People tell me all sorts of things before they die." He had no problems keeping up with her but he didn't walk close to her side. Instead, he scouted the area, looking for potential problems but always remaining close enough by to hear her. "Anything that sparkles catches somebody's eye. And you devised a way to lead yourself straight to the gems. Clever girl." Glancing around it. "At the risk of sounding redundant, where is it?"
"Ah yes, but Jim would have never gotten away with attempting to cop a feel. He'd have gotten his ears boxed so fast..." Shaking his head. "And I'd have had to personally have a talk with him if he was attempting to cop a feel from his sister." Paying his tab, he got up and wrapped an arm around her waist, nuzzling her hair. "Captain's cabin still vacant? You owe me big time and the tab is raising all the time."
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:00 am
"Oh I am better than you. better than you for knowing my enemies and not forgetting what they do to me. Not betraying the memories of my family to make a deal of safety for those not related to you, for a problem that you shouldn't be here in the first place to have to deal with."
stalking forward, poking her finger at her.
"The only deal with a devil I have made ever was with Hunter. and that deal was only because he was willing to have me on the ship and I was willing to sleep with him. we have some fondness for each other that's developed over the years, and I've gotten more than a fair share of wealth and excitement to boot."
Crossing her arms.
"I can't believe you would make such a deal with them. even if you have some kind of 'secret weapon' you think will actually work."
"then what choice are you talking about?"
What choice would she think that he'd regret that wasn't dealing with Des or the Chimera?
"Actually, one thing. Kanzec. how in the sands is he that dense when it comes to Bell? a newborn babe could tell how she feels about him. what in the world happened that made that dragon shut down his emotional responses in favor of pure logic?"
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Fractured Moonlight Captain
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Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 9:26 am
"And people tell me all sorts of things after they're dead." Shaking her head lightly before she kept looking around, or rather targeting the life forces she could feel out and highjack their eyes to look. Compass was still still so that meant it was within the immediate area. "Not just gems, something very special that's worth more than common loot. But that's my business. Something catching the eyes of someone else whom she was using made her refocus her attention onto an older man whom apparently was using said shard as a toggle of sorts for his cloak. Human, easy target and ignorant to what he had. "Right there...the man in the burgandy cloak with his hair pulled back." Thusly starting off that way...it should be easy to covertly do this even in the open. She knew how to stab a man dead and walk away unnoticed before he ever hit the ground.
"Yes he would have and if he had been trying it on me I would of broken his hands." Shaking her head at that and getting up, letting him pull her close as they started to walk out. Couldn't help but laugh at him. "Oh so it's do as the locals do hm? But in case you must know...vacant as a ghost yard. Oh I'm going to miss all my decorative touches and what not. We'll have to get right on such things." Grinning at him. "These brothel girls too tame for you?"
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