|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 2:43 pm
Plain was the same as it ever was the same.
Plainly plain…
Samely same…
But then…someone lit the flame.
Plain rode away on lion’s mane.
Where plain met fruits with strangely names.
Such wonderful things they did contain.
A shot of life to a hungry vein.
The captive beast who broke the chain.
And there upon that fruited plane,
is where plain became what plain became.
So much more than more than plain.
Plain will never be the same.
He had walked these paths before, seen the trees here and had seen the plants. That had been many years ago, and he had been much smaller then. He had been searching for someone then... Now, he was walking down this path, simply to learn it's curves and turns.
He was no longer searching for something, for someone. He was calmer, more at ease. There was a quietness in him that had been granted to him by his Guardian, his Keeper. He knew, that right now, she was back in their cave sleeping, resting after a long night of gazing at the stars and mapping them. She had been doing so for a few weeks now, measuring and counting what she could see, at the same time every night, to see if constellation changes occurred and if stars changed their alignments.
It fascinated him, the way she learned and explored ideas. Sometimes she would seek out council from her Grandfather, an old, wise Guardian who had much knowledge and was always ready to teach the two, or confirm something she had learned in her explorations.
She also had a journal she kept of creatures she came across. She would draw them and make note of their size and markings, then look in a large bestiary that had been put together many years prior and look up the creature by image, learn it's name and it's eating, sleeping, mating and travelling habits, then she would impart what she learned to him.
It was interesting to the large behemoth, the lengths she went to just to learn and to present him with new knowledge each day. He had begun teaching her also, by her request, about himself. How to care for his scales and his fur, how his body moved. the strongest parks of him, how many teeth he had. If it wasn't for the fact that he found the questions amusing, it would have probably been tedious, but he enjoyed teaching her as she taught him, and asked many questions himself about the Guardians.
His mind wandered and became still, without thought as he let his eyes glance upon where his feet were leading him. His nose told him he was near the border of another's territory, but he wasn't seeking trouble, so he remained on his path, skirting around the territory curiously. He stopped when he found some shade and decided to stretch himself out upon the cool grass and relax, tail flicking idly.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 5:40 pm
 Nazima was further from the safety of her cave than she had ever been before. If the other females found her out here, they would certainly inform Ryuujin, the male dragon, whose harem she was a part of. So she kept low to the ground, slithering forward, under the cover of the bushes that grew close to the ground. She was sure she was somewhere near the border of the territory Ryuujin counted as his own, but she had not found anything remotely interesting, or adventuresome. She was beginning to think that there were no dragons, other than those in her family group. It was then that she heard it; the sound of leaves and twigs being trampled on. From the vibrations she could feel in the ground, whatever was coming close to her was big. Ryuujin was big, but these vibrations were different, so she knew it was not him. She had discovered over the past few months since hatching from her egg, that she could tell who was coming near, from the vibrations they caused in the earth. These vibrations were new, and she was excited to see what, or who was making them. She lowered her whole body to the ground and slithered a little further until she found herself at the edge of a path through the trees. Whatever it was, it had already passed her, so she slithered out onto the path and began to move in the direction of the vibrations. Then the vibrations stopped, and so did she. Listening for any sound of approach, and not hearing any, she decided to continue on. She moved off the path, and slithered along through the underbrush alongside the path. And then she saw him. He was magnificent in his beauty. Even Ryuujin, who she found to be very handsome for a male dragon, paled compared to this male. Though he too had scales of purple like Ryuujin, he was nothing at all like her harem leader. But she was hesitant about revealing herself. He was resting under the trees, and seemed calm enough, but he was fearsome looking, and a small iota of fear crept along her scales as she laid there watching him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shanra the Dragon Bard Crew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Nov 24, 2012 9:39 pm
Grimm had been meditating when a rustle in the grass caught his attention and broke him from his reverie. He turned his head one way, then slowly turned the other way. He blinked his bright golden eyes and lowered his head curiously, letting his chin settle on the ground, facing the patch of grass where he'd heard the noise come from. He sniffed the air and the grass swayed towards him. A single brow lifted in a rigid arc and his maw curled upwards into a smirk.
He knew he was not alone, but the creature that was following him was young, smelled of many females, obviously belonging to someone's harem. He could also smell fear coming from the delicate creature and sighed, exhaling through his nose. His ears flicked forward then to each side before her spoke in a startlingly deep voice.
You can come out, little one. I will not harm a youngling.
He knew she was afraid, and he knew he was exceptionally large, he was an old dragon, and he was very... different from the others. He had a thick, curly mane and a thick coat of fur. When he was wet his fur and mane would hang long and heavy around him, giving him the appearance of a lion. He was soft, hornless, and warm. He had a gentle nature, but he was very soft spoken and withdrawn in social situations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 6:26 am
Nazima watched him for a while, shifting her body back and forth to keep from getting stiff, but at some point he seemed to hear her. She watched, frozen in place, as he set his gaze upon her hiding place. When he spoke, shivers ran up and down her scaled back. His voice was deeper than even Ryuujin's and yet it was so soft and friendly. Even though he said he would not harm her, and she did believe him, for dragons were not prone to harming one another, she still hesitated. For if she revealed herself, there was the possibility that word would get back to the harem that she had strayed from their territory, and that would bode ill for her. Not that Ryuujin would ever hurt her, but being restricted to the caves as punishment was just as bad, if not worse. This large dragon might know Ryuujin, and might mention that he had met her out here, beyond the safety of the harem. What should she do? He knew she was there. She could not ignore that fact, and act as though she wasn't. She decided to play it somewhat safe and slithered out of the grass just far enough that her head was visible. She peered at him from across the grass, staring into his eyes. She'd never seen another male dragon in her short life, and wondered if there were others who looked like him. He had hair, and a lot of it, which only one other dragon she knew of had, and that was the female Shira, who was part of the harem. But this males hair was different from hers. She laid there seemingly spellbound by his appearance, afraid to say anything.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shanra the Dragon Bard Crew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 1:24 pm
His piercing gaze fell on the small female and he reasted his chin on the ground, little golden beard flattening beneath his head. He coiled his tail and swept it towards her. He nudged her gently, ticking the top of her head with the hair from his tail.
Shy, aren't you? Or are you worried about something?
He lifted his head and peered around the landscape. He knew only one other dragon, and she was a traveller of sorts, moving from one place to the next like a nomad, but she came back to his cave every now and again to visit his guardian, not having one of her own, and he knew that, while the female dragon would not ask it of her, Angel already considered the female to be under her keeping.
He was aware that she was a harem dragonling, and she was now passed the border of the territory belonging the male who's scent and claim was heavy and present in the area.
If you are concerned I will talk to your harem master about your little adventure, you need not. I do not know him. Or any other males. Save for the egg I carry with me.
He lifted his head to reveal a leather pounch on silk rope hanging around his neck. He and his guardian took turns with the small egg, she would hold the egg, polish it and speak in soft tones to it and carry it with her where she went, and when she stayed in the Home Cave, he would take the egg in a pouch and carry it with him, telling the small, growing creature what he saw, or simply letting silence prevail between them, letting the youngling within the egg hear his heartbeat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 2:43 pm
She laughed when his tail tickled her head, even though she tried not to. When he assured her he did not know Ryuujin, and that he would not tell him she had met him, she grew more brave and slid out from the cover of the tall grass and bushes. At the mention of an egg, she grew inquisitive enough to approach him. She had never heard of a dragon carrying an egg around with it. The eggs that her own guardian brought back to the harem were kept safe and secure on the warming sands of the hatching cave. How could this egg survive without the warmth of the sand? She could remember herself, crawling out of her shell onto the warm sand, and seeing Seliana standing there, waiting for her. But this egg was kept in a bag, hung around his neck. It just didn't seem right to her, but perhaps she was too young and did not yet know the traditions of other dragons. Kavindra and Samira were lucky, in that Seliana had been chosen by one of their eggs, and they would grow up knowing their mothers and father. Nazima didn't have that luxury, for she had been taken to the Shrine of Aisling while she was still in her egg, to await the coming of her guardian. Perhaps this male was the father of the one in the egg, and he did not want to part with it. Or perhaps he was just taking it to the shrine, and that's why it was in the bag; to keep it safe during the trip. She would get no answers to her questions though unless she asked them of the male before her. She steadied her shaky nerves and spoke.
Why do you carry an egg with you? Are you taking it to Aisling to await its guardian?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shanra the Dragon Bard Crew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 4:45 pm
Carefully, ever so carefully, he removed the rope from around his neck, using his tail like a hook to remove it, successfully managing to avoid jostling the egg inside. He laid it on the ground before Nazima and opened it so she could peek inside at the little egg. It was, infact, accompanied by warm sand within the soft satchel, leather on the outside and soft suede on the inside.
Crackles of electricity were emitting from the egg, purple bolts of light and sparkling shocks of lightening. The gems on the egg seemed to grow brighter when Grimm touched his nose to the egg, and when he spoke softly to it, the gems glowed very bright and the electricity increased slightly, bolts winding around the egg inside.
The fur around Grimm's face stood out slightly from the static and he brushed it back.
Be careful, little one, I'm not sure how strong his electricity would be to you. He is called Arashi.
He cautioned her, but not roughly, more so in a fatherly way.
He listened to her inquiry and he felt a small smile tugigng at the corner of his lips.
Well, you see, little one, I remember, when I was an egg, my guardian used to hold me close to her, and I would listen to her heart beat, and it would calm me, she would sing to me and speak to me in the days before my hatching, and I would listen and learn from her. My new guardian is young, and has never cared for an egg, an neither have I, so we are doing what I remember being done to me.
He carefully closed the bag, not wanting the egg to become cool and he slowly curled himself around the dragonet and egg satchel, tickling the little female with his tail again. He laid his head beside his paws, one eye focused on her and continued to explain.
Our guardian plays music for him and tells him stories when he rests in the warm sands of the cave, sometimes I recite poetry to pass the time in her absence. We wish to teach him even while he grows and prepares to join us in this world. Someday he may hatch remembering your voice too, and I will tell him of the day I met a little ivory youngling, brave and curious, out exploring and looking for adventure.
He used his tail to lift the rope so he could put his head through it again, but allowing it still to rest near the young dragon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2012 6:14 pm
She peered into the satchel, and saw the flashes of light. She had never seen anything so beautiful before. Even the eggs that Samira and Kavindra had laid couldn't match the spectacle of this little egg. She remained at a safe distance, not daring to get close enough to touch the egg. She watched as he closed the satchel and laid it down near her. He referred to the one inside as he and wondered if his guardian had the same gift as her own; the ability to determine the sex of a dragon before it hatched. That gift is what allowed Ryuujin to know which eggs contained sons, and which daughters. Currently, there was only one other male dragon in the harem, and that was Kavindra's son, and he hadn't hatched yet. The women were all saying that he and his half sister, should be hatching any day. Then she would no longer be the youngest in the harem, and she hoped that would mean more freedom for herself.
"How do you know it's a male? Can your guardian tell? That's what ours can do. She knows when each of the females is ready to mate, and when they lay their eggs, she knows which will be sons and which daughters. She knew I was a female before I hatched. Oh, and what's your name? I'm Nazima."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shanra the Dragon Bard Crew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 9:06 am
Nostrils flared as he took in the scents around him, checking to be sure all was still safe. He was not a paranoid dragon, but he was concerned someone might come looking for the dragonet. He heard her inquiry and his ears perked towards her and his head and liquid gold gaze followed, his full attention falling to her once more.
It was a strange thing, this little dragonet having such a curious pull on him. He had never been near a youngling before and her endless curiousity pleased him, as did her willingness to ask the questions that came to mind. He often had to prod his guardian to speak her mind in his presence, as she was often lost in thought.
Our guardian has the ability to feel the emotions of anyone she touches, and the emotions show in her eyes, they change color to reflect that one's feelings. By touch she can also tell if the one feeling the emotions is masculine or feminine because the emotions have a different gender signature.
He paused after his explanation, wondering if he had used any words she didn't understand. He realized he had forgotten to answer the last part of her question and was again brought back from the distraction of his wandering mind by the little female. He lowered his head and touched his nose to hers, so much tinier than his.
Grimm. I am called Grimm. It is very nice to meet you Nazima.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 4:28 pm
She understood enough of what he said, to know that his guardians gift was not exactly like her own guardians. But it explained how he knew that the dragon inside the egg he carried was a male. She leaned forward to where the satchel lay on the ground, and touched her nose to the cloth bag. She was curious to see if she could sense anything from the egg within, but she felt nothing. Then he lowered his own head down to her level and touched her nose with his own. His nose was warm to the touch, and she could smell his strong male scent coming from his mouth and nostrils. No other dragon had ever touched her in that manner, and it startled her at first, causing a shiver to run down the length of her body, but she did not pull away. After the initial shiver, the next feeling that overwhelmed her was one she had not had before. She could not describe it, even if called to do so, but it caused a wave of warmth to fill her. She did not know what to attribute it to, so she said nothing to him. Then he spoke, his voice sounding deep, like thunder in her ears. Grimm. It was unlike any name she had heard before, but the way he said it, made it sound right in her ears. When he said her name, she smiled, for it was said the same way Seliana said it, making her feel safe and loved. Loved? Now why would she attribute that feeling to him saying her name? They were strangers, and what possible reason would this fully grown male have to feel love toward her? She was no one. But there it was all the same. She heard a measure of love in the way he said her name. She smiled at him, his eyes right in front of her own, looking at her as though they could see right inside her.
It's nice to meet you too Grimm.
It was then that she noticed just how low the sun was in the sky, and realized just how long she had been gone from the cave and safety of the harem. Not wanting to risk discovery and the ultimate punishment of being confined to the cave, she knew she had to leave. But she was hesitant. She did not want to lose this new acquaintance. What if he were not here the next time she left the harem? There were so many questions filling her head, and he seemed willing to answer them. Something the females in the harem didn't seem inclined to do, and Seliana seldom visited them.
I should be getting back home. Do you live around here? Can I come see you again? I'll have to sneak out, because I'm not supposed to leave the cave without another female.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shanra the Dragon Bard Crew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 5:23 pm
Grimm did not want the delicate little female to go. Her company was pleasant, refreshing. He was enjoying her company, but it was getting late in the evening. So strange, to have this attract-- no... attraction wasn't the right word, she was just a youngling... affection, perhaps, was better suited for the way he felt towards the small being.
He did not want her to return in the dark so he did not delay her further. He tickled her with his tail before he stood, tall and long, a slight breeze made his fur wave and his hair uncurl slightly before it resettled. He stepped nearer so he stood over her and he gently lifted her with his nose, eyes focusing on her.
I intend to make this trip many times, for it is indeed near my cave. If you would like to visit, my scent will lead you there.
He moved closer to the edge of Ryuujin's territory and gently set her down.
We will meet again, Nazima... do not worry. Be quick, and be safe, little one. he murmured with a gentle nuzzle.
Younglings were cute, and she was very polite and well behaved for a hatchling. He expected more... wiggling. He wondered how long it had been since her hatching, but did not ask. He didn't want to hold her back and keep her from returning. He wanted to speak with her again, maybe even introduce his guardian in the future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2012 8:27 pm
She felt a sense of elation as he lifted her into the air and carried her to the edge of the trees, setting her down gently. So, he wanted to see her again! She felt a sense of relief, knowing this would not be the last time they met. She breathed deep, safely storing his scent away in her memory, so she would be able to find him again. Deep down within her was the assurance that this dragon meant her no harm. She couldn't really explain how she knew this, but she had no doubt of it. She would have to be careful though. The older females knew that Ryuujin counted on them to keep her safe, and more importantly, to teach her what it meant to be one of his females. Some day, when she was older, she would become his mate, and bear his children, just like Kavindra and Samira had done recently. She knew it was her destiny to do so, but meeting Grimm today started her wondering if perhaps her destiny might not be changed. Only time would tell, and right now time was fleeting. She said her goodbye to her new friend and hurried off through the trees. She would look for the next opportunity to escape the confines of the harem and search out Grimm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shanra the Dragon Bard Crew
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shanra the Dragon Bard Crew
|
Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2012 12:41 pm
The days dragged by, and though she tried her best to find opportunities to get away, she never seemed to be left alone long enough to escape. Then her chance came and she jumped on it, so to speak. She headed back through the trees, and came to a stop when she reached the path she had first seen Grimm on. She raised herself up as high as she could on her body and sniffed at the air. She could remember his scent as though it had just been yesterday, and she flicked her tongue in and out, tasting the air around her for any hint that he had been back this way. Nothing! Her hopes began to sink within her, but she was not ready just yet to give up all hope. She decided to head down the path, back to where they had finally met, and see if perhaps she could detect his scent from there. She moved as fast as she could down the smooth path, all the time tasting the air with her tongue. Why hadn't he told her where exactly to find him? It would have made her task so much easier. She would try to remember to ask him for a specific meeting place in the future.
She arrived at the clearing where she had laid with him, remembering the way he had touched her nose with his, and tickled her head with his furry tail. She stopped and again tasted and sniffed the air. His scent was still there, but it was old, left over from days ago when she had been with him. She was about to give up and return to the harem when she heard noise, and it seemed to be coming in her direction. Was it him? What if it was someone from her harem? She couldn't be found here. It would mean all manner of trouble for her. She quickly glanced around for possible hiding places and spied the tall grass she had hidden in the last time. She hurried over to it, and crawled in, twisting herself around so she would be able to see the path and the clearing, then she waited.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:33 pm
Grimm sighed heavily, a long clawed paw running over his broad face. He reached back and scratched his ear, watching the smoke rise from the many scorch marks along the wall where the warm sands resided in the cave. He blew the smoke away from a few worse off of the marks. He shook his head.
The little dragon that had hatched was so wild in nature he seemed almost feral, and he didn't handle waking without Angelyx well, so she had taken to travelling everywhere with the small dragon. For his age, he was stronger than he should have been and Grimm wondered just what it was their guardian was teaching him.
The two of them had left moment before, heading out on a trip that could last the next week or two. While he would not enjoy the empty silence, he would cherish the time to clean up after the little male. Arashi was literally a force of nature. His electricity was something exceptional, and while he had been burnt a time or two, the little dragon was careful enough, save for when his temper flared.
Grimm had, in their free time, been teaching him how to hunt. It turned out the little dragon preferred swimming to hunting on land. His electrical discharge made for exceptional hunting in the water, so they generally let him hunt at will. He was growing quickly, and Grimm wondered if the males often grew so fast or if all dragonlings grew at the same rate?
He thought about it and he turned to look at the doorway of the cave.
Many days had passed since their meetings. He missed her something fierce, and that almost disturbed him. He wanted to see the little one again, see if she had grown any. He wondered if she had gotten in trouble for being away... or if maybe she just couldn't find him?
He decided he would return to the place they met, renew his scent... He knew it was asking for trouble, so near another male's territory, but some small voice told him the little female was worth any trouble he came across. Without a second thought he leaped from the mouth of his cave and ran along the path, head low to the ground, seeking out familiar scents.
His long body moved in waves, like an ocean, building for up, one small wave at a time. He leaped over boulders, twisting in the air, coming down in a spiral, his fur whipping about, his mane trailing behind him as he dodged, dipped, twirled, leaped and ran.
Soon her scent tickled his nose and he skidded to a stop suddenly, a cloud of dust rising in his wake. He lowered his head and sniffed a couple times before slowly moving forward.
Nazima... he called quietly, his voice rumbling deeply.
Come here to me, I know you are near, youngling.
As he grew closer to the place they had met and her scent grew stronger, he beckoned her to him, afraid that he might not see her in the taller grass here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shanra the Dragon Bard Crew
|
Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2012 4:51 pm
His scent filled the air as he approached, and when he softly called out her name, she hurried from her hiding place. She slowly approached him, even though every muscle in her body was aching to move faster. She didn't want him to know just how badly she had missed him, and how happy she was to see him. So she moved slowly and deliberately, as though she was simply pleased to encounter him again.
Hello Grimm. I was just taking a break from my duties, and thought I might come see if you were here. I thought it best to hide in the grass in case it was someone else. How have you been?
She didn't see the satchel around his neck and asked, Where is the egg? Did it hatch? She had hoped that if it had, he might bring the little dragon with him so she could see it. She hoped that nothing bad had happened to it. She stopped in front of him and reached back to bite at her itchy scales. She was growing fast, and as her scales grew, they itched terribly. Rolling in the warm sand of the cave, and swimming in the cool water of the bathing pool helped to relieve the itching, but she had done neither this morning, and now she was paying the price.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
