Welcome to Gaia! ::

(( I have some news, my computer's motherboard has been fried so I'm out of a computer now, so that's why I havn't been around as much. I will still try to post best I can. ))

Tired as he was Sai could not help but let himself be carried away with Vilyas excitement. At least if they went into the village and joined the festivities he might finally be able to find something to eat. He used his staff for a walking stick as he followed after the exuberant young lady mage.









Sai said with a mental chuckle.

Stratus said to Sai.



"Hey," Sai called out to the other combatants. "Me and Stratus are going to go on ahead. See you guys there."

Stratus had lifted off from the his resting place beneath the tree while Sai spoke and now swooped in to land in a crouch next to him. Sai clambered onto his back and Stratus lifted off again with only a few beats of his large feathered wings. The two of them soared low in the sky across the distance until they were soaring over the village itself, and the heart of the festival at that.

Sai said and pointed to a an alleyway between buildings.

Stratus glided down and landed on the edge of the rooftop of one of the buildings that formed the alleyway. Sai held on tightly to his partners neck while the dragon climbed down the wall and into the alley.

Sai said, still speaking telepathically so that he could be heard over the sound of the milling villagers.

Sai clambered down from Stratus' back and walked out of the alley, still using his staff for support. He immediately spotted a stand selling food and wandered over to buy something. He purchased several sugared coated cakes for himself, and then went into a nearby in to buy a half dozen raw steaks for Stratus. He then went back to the alley where he had left his partner and climbed back onto his back.



Stratus said as he climbed back up the wall.



Once they were perched atop the roof again Sai handed the paper wrapped parcel of raw meat to Stratus who took it in one taloned hand/paw. Stratus and Sai each unwrapped their packages ad began to eat while observing the goings on of the festival from their rooftop vantage point.

Commander Aruhl Gregor had waited only moments after the apprentice had left before gathering his men in a central chamber within the tower. He had then commanded 9 of his eleven soldiers and his second in command to go into the village and observe, they could even partake of the festival if they wanted so long as they learned about the village, the villagers, and the festival. They had been in the village for some time already, milling about. He kept one soldier with him and the two of them set about exploring and examining the castle.

Tura smoothed the feathers on her back gingerly with her beak and gave an exaggerated shrug.
The parade was in full swing now and not long after Vilya joined them. It had been a real effort to keep up but as she sat down next to her companion, red faced and breathing heavily a wide smile spread across her features.

If Vilya had thought the parade was amazing, the fireworks proved to be even better. She had never seen fire works before and was amazed at the shapes and colors that burst into the sky. One particularly impressive one had sparkling replicas of each of Brantalis' dragons looping in and out of the smoke left by the previous explosions. Finally they all converged and erupted in a dazzling fountain of sparks that whistled and crackled right down to the earth, showering the crowds with harmless glitter.

((Hits ffw button))
It was getting late, people were already beginning to abandon the streets, either continuing the celebration in their own homes, or else making ready for a pleasant nights sleep.
Tura stifled a yawn and she and Vilya helped Lamen down from the roof.
((Hope you don't mind Mythee))
"You're really tired." Vilya patted the gryphon's wing in a motherly way. Tura shot her a disgruntled look from half-closed eyes, then heaved a sigh.

Tura had taken the liberty to investigate where Brantalis had planned to let them stay.
The rooms were vast, white marble wonders with silk sheets on the beds, gossamer curtains over glass doors leading to balconies and hundreds of other small luxuries only found in the wealthiest of noble homes.
Both quarters were set as four private bedrooms attached to one fully furnished common room complete with fireplace, indoor fountain and miniature library.
'these are the dorms I use for the students I school for half the year.' Brantalis had said. 'One wing for the girls, the other for boys, I hope you find it to your liking.'
Tura ached for the special aerie-like bed that had been made for her in Vilya's room. She sent her companion as well as Simurgh a mental image of where they would be staying.
"Wow, that certainly is fancy." Vilya said, not really paying attention.
Tura asked, a little annoyed.


Vilya couldn't answer the gryphon.
Tura dismissed them with a flick of her tail and walked on.
Just then she spotted Sai and Stratus, and hailed the feathered dragon with a mental greeting.

It had been a long, albeit entertaining day in the village where the festival of dragons took place. Damiano was proud of Ark, who had won the admiration of many villagers earlier today. Damiano, himself, had enjoyed the spell-flourish competition. Artistic styles were his specialty, after all, and he had been quite anxious to try his personalized techniques in a real match.

He had found his dormitory easily enough. He proceeded to wish those around him a good evening before settling in his room for the night. Arkanathalasana had chosen to stay outside this evening, or rather, Damiano chose for him. The dragon had protested originally, feeling it may be more comfortable in the mask. The dragon slept peacefully, however, with a space large enough to fit the size of his draconic body. Damiano's bed was no different from the one he remembered from his own house: Very comfortable.

~~~~~

Damiano had been asleep for quite some time when he heard a loud crash outside the dormitories. He found Ark poking his head into his room, looking equally alarmed. Damiano commanded. The dragon obeyed without question. One of the benefits of his early training was being able to keep his head, even if it only just awakened. His quick assessments usually made the difference when a group of bandits snuck up on him in the evening.

The dragon stated as he stuck his head back into the room. Damiano was out of his bed, dressing himself in his robes. The young mage nodded upon hearing this. He also had a bad feeling about this. Already various scenarios played through his mind. Assassination attempt, drunken stupors, robbery, anger issues, vandalism; it all ran through his mind and, regardless of what it was, none of it made any sense. What a reason to lose sleep over.

Damiano, now dressed, turned back to Ark and said, With that, Damiano opened his dormitory door and carefully began his little investigation of the corridors.

Aiva and Umbra had stayed on the roof on the building in complete silence the whole festival, not bothering to take part in it. Once citizens began to return to their homes, Aiva stood up and clapped her hands. Umbra immediately turned into a disk big enough to hold one person. Aiva got on, dangling her legs over the edge, and Umbra levitated upwards, and then towards the castle. When they got to the castle they didn’t bother to ask anyone where their quarters were. She and Umbra wandered the halls of the castle until they came to rooms. They were in the boy’s wing, but they didn’t know it. She happened to open the door of an empty room, and went in with Umbra in suit. She began to strip to her corset and bloomers, throwing her other clothing on the ground. Umbra diverted his gaze, and began to pick up the articles of the clothes that Aiva had thrown down. After Aiva was done she sat down n the bed, enjoying its comfortableness. “Where will you sleep?” She asked her bond, who was organizing her clothing into neat piles. “Remember, I do not have the need to eat sleep, eat, or drink. I do not even posses a soul; I am simply an emotional imprint left by a demon.” Umbra said, going over to a chair and sitting down. Aiva just nodded and laid down on the bed. It was then she heard a crash. “Come on.” She said to Umbra, jumping up and heading for the door. She was curious to see what had happened, hoping no one had gotten hurt. Umbra, who was slightly distressed that Aiva was going out in her undergarments, changed into a coat and put himself on Aiva. She left the room and began to walk around the corridors. She frowned when she spotted Damiano; she didn’t want to speak to him. She decided just to find out if he knew anything, and try to avoid the topic of shades. “Did you hear the crash as well?” She asked, her curiosity evident in her voice.

((We'll just say that you saw him right as he was on his way out then, right Azure. If you plan for Kin to go with him you better catch up soon, that storm's gonna make it pretty hard to find him if you lose sight.))