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 Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 9:30 am
Atlanthum is a very large city in the Immortal realms. Its proximity to the gateway found on the Academy's campus is a bonus for the Keystone residence because here they can unwind and return to their home. Atlanthum offers a variety of shops and restaurants, each as varied as the people that live there. Every sort of Immortal from Elves to Ogres live peacefully (for the most part) in this city. For the Keystone Residents, there is a special house that serves as a home. The headmaster in the Mortal realms arranged for this haven for his students with the promise that the students would go no further than Atlanthum city while they were enrolled in the Academy.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:23 pm
Still smiling, the two had left Arondis to think over what she had learned. The couple was now just outside the city where lush green scenery greeted them all around.
Hand in hand, they walked a steady pace until Pyralis slowed to a stop. "Anna." A steady breath in and out. "You remember what we talked about over our picnic." Just start off slow, get her thinking along the lines of you as a dragon.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:26 pm
Anna had to think back. They had spoken of a few things, though one was a bit more serious, it seemed.
"Yes... how you're capable of becoming a dragon. Why?" She could sense some tension within him, causing her worry as well.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:35 pm
He turned to her, now holding both hands. "I want to show you Anna. I need to know..." Already there seemed a gentle sadness in his eyes and he turned his head away. "Could you really care for me knowing my true form." Unable to wait for an answer, he released her hands and stepped away. His own gaze still did not meet hers.
A good distance from her, his form shimmered and started glowing red. In an instant more, an extremely large and well-muscled dragon stood before the elf. Anna seemed so small compared to him now and very slowly his head turned so that his eyes met hers once again. Would she run? And could his heart stand it if she did? Claws gripped the ground in tension and then released, leaving marks in the earth. No, he would destroy this land in a rage. Someone would have to take him down if she could not love him like this. But not just for that Anna, please love me for more than just that.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:41 pm
It was an incredible heart-stopping moment to see her Pyralis turn into such a large, terrifying creature. Anna's legs turned to jelly, sending her two steps back before her knees simply gave out from the surprise of it all. As she sat on the ground, Anna looked up into the large, beautiful eyes of the dragon. They were the same as his, she thought. Just the same.
Anna kept blinking and releasing exasperated breaths before she could properly stand once again. A dragon... truly, he is a dragon... look at him, Anna! Like something from the old stories! Slowly, she took a step towards him instead of running away. His eyes are the same. His heart must be, too...
Her heart was pounding like mad as she approached him, looking up at his high head with wonder.
"Brilliant... fascinating..." she said, as she always did when in absolute wonder.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 5:53 pm
His breath caught as she took in the sight of him and stumbled back. Breathing steadily, he kept himself in check and was rewarded. She walked back towards him and he smiled mentally. Very slowly, Pyralis lowered himself and put his head on the ground to let her look more closely at him. This is me, my dear Anna. My A'mael, my love. The thought was gentle. He wanted to be able to talk to her like this forever, but one thing at a time. All movements had been slow, and the garnet dragon was now careful to keep perfectly still. What do you see?
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:00 pm
His words gently caressed her mind, not being invasive at all. As he lowered his head, Anna was only more amazed. Taking her hand gently along his snout, Anna was careful not to touch him like she would an animal, but as a person. Even though they shook, her hands were gentle.
"What do I see...? I see... scales the color of garnet, but more brilliant. And wings like massive sails. I envy you. What you must see from the skies!" Her voice was even a bit shaky, but that was more from excitement than anything. Anna knelt down by his snout, not too close to his eyes for fear of throwing his vision off. It was a brave move for someone who seemed so small, but she rested herself against him, looking into his eyes.
"Your eyes haven't changed at all, Pyralis." They even still made her smile despite herself.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:26 pm
As if to prove what Anna had just said, his distinct deep-throated laughter sounded in her mind. I've never been happier my love. Anna had even done something else right, without even knowing, she had placed herself correctly for a mind link. The air around them shimmered for a moment and a spot glowed on each forehead before disapearing. Speak with me Anna. A silent instruction to try using her mind was sent with the words. Pyralis waited with anticiation for her delight when she discovered how to use it. As a reward, once she used her side of the mind link, she would be able to see a thought made prominent just for her: flying with him.
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Posted: Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:29 pm
Every time he called her his love, her heart fluttered. She had yet to call him that, or even say how she felt. The emotions had been stirring and forming within her for the past few days, yet she had been afraid to say anything. Still resting her head against his snout, Anna concentrated on using the newly formed link. At first, her thoughts seemed too faint. Somehow Anna could sense that whatever was to be sent had to be pushed to the front of her mind, with clarity.
Anna closed her eyes and thought. What to say? But of course, it would be so simple. Anna sent her first words to him, with eyes full of the emotion as they opened again.
I love you, Pyralis.
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:07 pm
All other thoughts were silented. She loved him. He was a dragon, a beast, but she loved him. A huge sigh escaped him and he couldn't have felt more content. So the lamb had fallen in love with the lion. How old was that tale and it only kept continuing.
I love you too, Anna. Come, let us talk and let me show you my world. He let down a huge leathery wing for her to climb up on. Though the wings were one of the most delicate spots on a dragon, that wasn't saying much at all. In fact, delicate probably wasn't a good word to use for a dragon. Needless to say, she would cause him no harm to climb aboard. It would be the easiest route anyways.
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:11 pm
Anna drew her eyes away from his to look at his extended wing. She stood, and very carefully climbed to his back where the hung on tightly to one of his spines.
I never did thank you for protecting me, she realized. Thank you. It was awkward to sit in a dress, but she was determined to manage. Afterall, what hero would she be in her own story, to have conquered the dragon with love and not take advantage of a ride?
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:20 pm
I will always protect you A'mael. Once she was situated, he lept into the air. Wings started beating fiercely, but all was well. Even with his care, it was a great force that sent them into the air and soaring. Are you alright?" Pyralis knew he would have to make her understand a dragon's commitment to his/her love. At this point, he could do none other than to see to her safety.
The trees flew by below the soaring dragon and his passenger. It was no wonder that dragons traveled so quickly when flying. With each stroke of the wings glinting in the sunlight, they were propelled forward at a steady speed.
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:25 pm
Anna gave a few unsteady sounds as they lifted so quickly into the air. At first, it was very frightening, but she trusted him. He wouldn't take her into the air without knowing she would be alright.
The countryside below was just as beautiful as it had always been since the last time she had come, but the new perspective was breathtaking. Of course her hair was blowing in her face, occasionally whipping at it painfully, but it was worth it. Everything was absolutely beautiful.
I'm... I'm wonderful, she said, examining everything without peering too precariously on the edge.
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:37 pm
Then I am truely happy. His mind gentely carassed hers. Where would you like to go? There were so many places. She could request anywhere in this Realm and he would take her. Pyralis didn't have an agenda for the rest of his day. For the time, he was all hers. And that thought made him smile even more. Anna loved him. She had actually put it in words.
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Posted: Thu Oct 02, 2008 7:41 pm
Anna let him fly for a few more minutes before they began passing over rural, green countryside. The hills were perfect from the air, and Anna had always loved sitting on a good hill. Down there, she said. Upon that hill that overlooks the others, please. Although Anna would love to journey to the outskirts of the realm and back with him, flying so high above the world was making her cold from the wind. Her nose was growing a bit chilly from it all.
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