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 Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:49 pm
Excellent!
Maximos said with a wide grin, and a stout nod! A tour it was! Of course it was impossible to tour a whole country in a day, but the shadow's schedule was free! He had all the time in the world!
National Hero?! Congratulations!
He said, patting Ryugi's shoulder and leaning in just a bit, as if to share a secret between the two men.
Does that mean we get free lunches?
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:53 pm
Ryugi grinned.
Even if we did, I couldn't possibly accept them. Truth be told, one of the reasons I left so soon was that I wanted the publicity to die down. I've never been comfortable being famous.
Ryugi chuckled a bit and scratched the back of his head. He was about to say something else, when a grumble was heard, and he looked down at his stomach. If sweat drops could be around in real life, Ryugi would have a pretty big one next to his head.
Speaking of lunches... Maybe we should get some food before our trip.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:05 pm
Maximos let out a bit of a sigh, looking somewhat deflated. Yes, he understood Ryugi's reasons, and he'd never dream of arguing them, but they did seriously let the air out of hopes.
A shame...
He said, in a tone matching his deflated look.
...I was hoping to sample some exclusive, exquisite, dragon cuisine.
He shook his head, his eyes turning to meet Ryugi's. White and black meeting red for a moment.
I mean, it cant all be villages, cattle, and travelers lost in caves!...Can it?
Dragon stereotypes, yes, but dragons on Gaia lived in a secret continent and their history was very hard to come by...he didnt know better! Which of course made him just a tad bit more cautious when Ryugi's stomach growled.
Hmmm....
Maximos slipped his hand into his pocket pulling out a black pocket watch with a skull insignia carved into it's back, peered at it for a moment, and then clicked it shut.
...Walter, should be making lunch right about now. If we hurry we can get to it before it gets cold!
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:15 pm
Hey, if you'll provide the transportation, and a lunch...and some light so I can see, I'd be more than happy to join you for lunch and give you a tour.
Ryugi smiled as he stretched and got ready to join Maximos, however they were going to get to Shadow Island.
You'll be one of the very very few people to actually see alot of the Continent. As you know, we dragons like our privacy.
Another chuckle.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:27 pm
Deal.
He paused for a moment.
Hopefully they've forgotten that whole...island nearly falling out of the sky business from my last visit....
He sort of nervously scratched the back of his head nervously, thinking about the small mishap. He'd have to park outside and try to fly the distance in...or something. It was always best to worry about that sort of thing when it came.
Indeed! I appreciate the honor. Now, lets be off!
He crouched down, sparks jumping from his shadow to his boots, igniting blazing runes of violet hidden deep within the black leather. He looked as if he was about to jump, when he stopped and turned back to Ryugi.
You can fly...right?
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:38 pm
In a manner of speaking, yes... Give me a second...
Ryugi walked down the hill a ways so his friend wouldn't get knocked over by what was about to happen. With a pulse of energy and a bright shining light, Ryugi transformed back into his dragon form. First the golden wings and tail became visible, then the tail, and lastly, the head and neck as the light dimmed.
Ryugi then turned towards his friend, his disembodied voice flowing smoothly.
Alright, NOW we can get underway. Sorry for making you wait.
If dragons could grin, this one would be doing it.
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:48 pm
Oh wow....
That was the general look on Maximos' face. Not sarcasm, honest awe. Despite this being Gaia, home of the hidden visage its very rare to see a change so drastic. From young man to young drake...that image would stick with him.
As Ryugi's deeper, smoother, disembodied voice struck his ears, he paused. And then it struck him. He pointed accusingly across the distance, his volume raising so that large dragon could hear him over...well, itself.
Alright...but you still only get a normal portion!
The idea of feeding that belly....no. Maximos was hungry too after all. So, with that in mind, he leaned forward again, and without warning two streaks of black tore from the soles of his shoes launching him forward like a rocket up, and into the clouds where presumably Ryugi would follow.
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Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 6:54 pm
Ryugi couldn't help but inwardly chuckle. He couldn't exactly OUTWARDLY chuckle. He didn't exactly have normal vocal cords as a dragon. As Maximos blasted off, Ryugi's powerful limbs shot him into the air as wings powered him into the sky, following his friend...
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Eloquent Conversationalist
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:28 am
The noon clouds cast long shadows over the vibrant plains as the wind brushed gently over the tall grass that covered the surface. A soft whistling sound filled Reinhart's ears as he too was caressed by the winds. His eyes scanned the sky and the passing shapes that covered it which shielded him from the brilliance the sun cast over the secenery here and there. Both hands were thrown behind his head, he lay on the tall grass almost carefree as if passing the time by staring up at the clouds.
However...
Reinhart was waiting. Waiting for a friend. Someone wise and able to help him with his next endevor. In a sense he was waiting for intervention, intervention of the holy kind. The angelic kind.
Next to him stood his most recent companion, a contradiction to the peaceful scenery, the image that stood out like a sore thumb in the greenery. Celeste stood in her usual manner, relaxed, undisturbed and nearly inanimate. Reinhart had gotten used to it, though he did wish she was a little less....he had no word for it. For now he simply waited, Celeste's summon's should have reached his friend by now, if not soon.
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 1:25 am
There is ways something wet found in the plains. It identifies itself by standing still and condensing a singular droplet on the surface of skin. The sun is one of the few embodiments that can accomplish this simple feat in a grace befitting a vixen of the sky. The golden rays stretch endlessly into the heavens and douse the land with a flood of light more beautiful than all the gems in the fabled kingdom.
Amidst the swaying fields stood a figure darkness. Her contrasting image caught Nayko's eye, and a comforting swirl overlapped his stationery form. She wasn't alive, nor was she dead. Her soul lingered in a bizarre limbo that even the angel couldn't quite identify. Pure will seemed to keep her bound here; but whose will managed that couldn't be discerned. A trifle thing, considering the dead's own ideals, Nayko thought. However perplexing her presence may have been, she nonetheless contained a beauty that swayed the angel like no other creature before. She stood like a black rose in a field of ordinary faces, and although Nayko came seeking a friend, he suddenly found himself seeking something else.
The familiar face of an old friend brought the young angel back into reality. His face stretched into a broad smile and he flared his wings in the golden rain. "Reinhart!" Nayko overflowed with joy. Unfortunately for the relaxing man, it didn't fall to just his emotions. The air around the angel distilled and the temperature dropped incredibly. A rush of wind brought a smooth mist that swarmed into a steady current and finally formed into a rushing wave that crashed against Nayko's open wings.
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 1:41 am
Hearing Nayko's call Reinhart sat up and before he could call back or smile he shielded himself from the sudden rush of air that came with his friend. Celeste stood still, her dress and hair danced in the winds and reflexively she reached up to brush stray strands from her face. Once the angel had touched down Reinhart stood from his seated position, a warm smile decorated his features.
"Nayko. Good to see you again."
With a tone matching his smile he placed a hand on his friend's shoulder and patted it once before pulling his hand back. Behind him Celeste stood still looking over the small rolling hills silently. How could he start? What would he say to his old friend?
"How's the world treating you these days?"
It wasn't his usual bluntness but he had to start somewhere, it had been far too long and just as Nayko looked a bit more 'experienced' he was sure in the angel's eyes he may look just the same. Reinhart only hoped he could ease into his summon's rather than get right to it.
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 2:05 am
The air around Nayko grew warmer, but a icy cold shard of nervousness sat lodged in his stomach. His face froze in amazement. There stood his friend, whom he engaged in the most glorious of tournaments with. Not a day passed when Nayko didn't think back on that devastating battle when clock tower fell. Time edged on, but in a snail's crawl. Reinhart certainly appeared the same; with the exception of that wonderful escort.
But even thinking in such a way disgusted Nayko. He spent far too long in the company of demon's for him to be so well adjusted in more civilized society. Even after a years living with demons, Nayko still found the subtleties of human life more civilized. Even so, it wasn't for him to judge so harshly; especially when his friend meant so much to him.
"My life is nothing to place on the scales of good or bad. I am an ordinary pebble in a gorge of jagged lives. What have you done with the time given to you? Put it to good use I can see."
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 2:22 am
"I never tire of your manner Nayko my dear friend."
Reinhart said chuckling as he turned away from the angel on towards Celeste who seemed to pay them both no mind.
"It warms me even now after so long since the last time we exchanged words."
Tucking his hands into the his jacket pockets he looked to the sky and watched the clouds pass slowly overhead once more. When the sun struck his face he turned back to Nayko.
"Time. I put it to good use indeed."
He felt Celeste smile ever so slightly.
"I'm sorry to call you like this Nayko..."
His expression and tone changed into something that reflected guilt and regret.
"...I never called on you before when times were good and now that I have I'm afraid it's because I seek your help. Your wisdom if you will."
A short pause followed before he looked away and towards the sky again. It was an odd feeling, Reinhart a human calling an angel for assistance, it was something people normally read about or never really experience but here they stood.
"It's dispicable to only seek your friends when you're in need but I'm afraid I have no choice. Will you lend me your wisdom?"
The words were spoken to the sky as if Reinhart were still waiting for an angel to answer his call. True an angel stood next to him but it was this angel's choice to refuse his request.
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 2:53 am
Nayko joined in the light laugh as the two moved towards the black rose. The angel stopped and caressed one of his wings, pruning his feathers. "You never need to apologize for something like this. I'm not sure exactly what it is you seek, but I am here to help you."
The sun glazed over his wings basking them in a golden shimmer that raked his senses. "What is a friend who cannot be there when we need them? If I was to only be around when you didn't need me, what use would I be? I'm more than willing to help you in any way that I can."
He smiled at his old comrade and extended his hand. Time was an element that affected everyone in a different way. It was good to them, but not to all. The best thing Nayko could do would be to help his friend, through better or worse. He returned now to aid someone who meant more than just smiling and dismissing. This man was a brother of an entirely different species. An entity of his caliber would petrify angels of the homeland, but seeing him here brought a euphoric comfort that not even the golden gates could muster.
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 1:22 pm
"No sense in wasting any time then. Let's get to it."
Determination and relief combined to form his words as he took Nayko's hand and gave it a firm squeeze. It was a deal. Reinhart turned away from the angel and onto now looked to be it's counterpart and spoke out.
"Celeste how soon can you be ready?"
She didn't turned to face them but spoke for the first time since Nayko arrived or in Reinhart's case for the first time in nearly 4 hours.
"Twenty minutes."
Her voice matched her look. It was beautiful and melodious yet dark and other wordly. She was something else that was certain and it wasn't uncommon for most to be curious about her. Reinhart could see that in Nayko's eyes easily but failed to word it, he'd have to tell him eventually.
"Great, we can go over the details before then."
There was a smile on his face but it was only on the surface, truth be told he was a little nervous but he'd let go of Nayko's hand and had now sat back down. Celeste had brought her hands up as if in prayer, a sight Nayko would surely enjoy, Reinhart still hadn't tired of it himself.
"Take a seat, we've got some talking to do."
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