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 Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 12:54 pm
 Late in the afternoon, a single figure shoved open the door to the shop and stalked inside. A short man with feminine features, standing just above five feet, stalked inside with a look of irritation and dismay. His aqua hair was damp and his white horns glistened. Shenlei closed the door behind him. He had grabbed his fresh clothes from his follower, Remiel, just before entering the shop -- so at the very least, those with fur lined at the sleeves and neck, and brocade underneath, were dry. The first half torn couch near flames was where the irritated dragon sat to rest, leaning his head back to the ceiling as he dried. He was clutching Futs Lung's jewel in his hand as he closed his eyes.
Distinctly, he could remember seeing the face of Selvica peering at his jewel. A weakling dragon form that he had taken interest in. He had not returned to this place since, although he had more control over this body now. Even then, he could picture the poor man tumbling in through the ceiling in a lack of graceful movements. A small chuckle fled from Shenlei's lips and he leaned forward again, opening his eyes. What a strange time to think about my host...
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:03 pm
Crispin was downstairs at the time, but for once, not because of a coffee raid... instead, he was standing and looking in at the currently empty throne room, eyes slightly unfocused as Shaiming spoke to him of the history of gods.
... so, you see, there is the Twin Crown, and we Dragon Kings serve under him. There before you blazes the throne of Destruction, surrounded by the sigils and signs of His Kings... ah... Shaiming's voice trailed off, and Crispin felt the dragon's attention shift. He turned automatically, following Shaiming's mental movement, and blinked as he realized he was not alone.
"Hi-" he began, smiling at the nifty-horned newcomer, but was surprised as Shaiming slapped down the rest of the sentence from within.
Softly, mine host. This is another of my kind, another King of Dragons... but further ascended than I. Offer him greetings in my name.
The whole exchange took a matter of seconds, swift at the speed of thought, and Crispin gulped - but changed the greeting into a respectful half-bow. "Greetings in the name of the Dragon King Shaiming, the Scarscale," he said, remembering what Shaming had taught him about etiquette and formalities among the gods. "I am Crispin, host of the same."
He felt Shaiming looking intently through his eyes. So others came before me... and have grown this far. It is good to know. Shenlei...
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:20 pm
Shenlei Shenlei liked to pretend he couldn't hear Selvica, but their appearance was so alike that when he looked in the mirror, he hardly remembered his host. At the first sight of the quivering boy, Shenlei smiled. Familiarity, but he could tell that he had a stronger soul than Selvica had.
"So formal..." Shenlei breathed in a loud whisper. He smiled again, to only show that he was playing. The shogun of storms slid off the couch in a fluid movement and closed in on the other, coming to stand a mere few foot away. He dipped his head into a respectful bow in exchange. "Pleased to meet you, Crispin, Shaiming." Shenlei spoke to each respectively, a breath of relief in his eyes when he heard that the Worldshield had already found a host. "I am Shenlei, my host is Selvica, although he does not speak much." It was difficult for Shenlei, so exhausted, to be so polite. Twice today he had changed forms and traveled such a long distance.
Shenlei raised a hand gently, forming a small raincloud as he spoke. "I am the Dragon King who reigns over storms." He said to Crispin, purposely trying not to scare him. Shenlei regretted scaring Selvica so badly. He was normally outspoken and blunt.
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:29 pm
Crispin breathed a small sigh of relief when the response to his greeting was friendly - from Shaiming's reaction, he'd almost felt it was dangerous.
Nothing of the kind... Harmodius would have something to say if his Dragon Kings feuded amongst themselves. But a good beginning is vital. It has been so very long.
"It's nice to meet you, Lord Shenlei," Crispin said, politely. "Wow, storms? That's awesome!" He couldn't resist the excitement creeping in.
Crispin...
"Huh?"
Rest on the couch, will you? I would speak to Shenlei directly.
"Uh... okay... just a moment, sir, Shaiming wants to talk to you himself... but he's not strong enough to do that and stand at the same time..." Crispin quickly scooted over to the couch and sat down on it.
The change was immediate. Crispin felt Shaiming surge to the forefront of conciousness, flinging a wave of exhaustion at Crispin as he moved. It was easy to succumb, and Crispin slumped into the couch as he fell asleep.
A moment later, his eyes opened again, with a different bright fire in them. "Forgive me for not rising to greet you, Summoner of Storms... but I have already expended my strength today, in guiding my young host through the paces of swordsmanship..."
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:46 pm
Shenlei
Shenlei watched, vanquishing the storm cloud from his fingertips. He felt a morbid fascination in the way that a host and Dragon King could actually get along harmoniously. Shenlei moved back to his original spot, and sat down beside Shaiming. "Perish the thought." He said, his expression much more serious.
"I'm not exactly at the top of my game, either. I've flown to what feels like the edge of the world and back today..." As he spoke, he unfolded his opposite hand. ".. to retrieve this. Futs Lung." He held up the black and red rounded jewel. Shen Lung took a deep breath, his hair and skin had dried completely by now.
"His host failed." The short young man frowned, lightly disheveled hair sliding forward across his horns. "Harmodius has requested that I help to gather the Dragon Kings and find a new host for Futs Lung."
He looked over at the other Dragon King. "Crispin is cute." Shenlei commented, more carefree in his tone. "It has been a long time, Shaiming."
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 1:54 pm
"It has indeed," Shaiming said, his voice now an odd mixture, wavering between his own deep baritone and Crispin's high tenor. "Quite some time since we met - but I am Lord of Skies, albiet higher than where you spin your storms, and it is good to see you once more." His lips twitched in a faint smile, all that he could manage. "One more greeting from a tired old king of dragons. Would that I could mount the skies and meet you there, but as you can see... quite impossible."
However, Shaiming's eyes widened in surprise at the gem. "A failure? Surely not... but the strength of one of our kind is great, and requires a strong soul in return. But at least the essence was recovered. Have you a host in mind, or does your quest continue?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:03 pm
Shenlei
Shenlei's hand closed on the jewel. "My quest undoubtfully continues. Selvica rarely got out, so my host knows no other possibilities, and I am still searching."
"Nothing is impossible." Shenlei said, standing as the small bits of rest gave him more energy. "Our master wishes for you to grow strong, and I will help in whatever you need to do so. I am not nearly as strong as I'd like to be, although I hate to admit such a thing." Shen Lung removed the coat and left himself in only brocade. "Selvica was a dragon with an affinity for water. I was lucky to be reborn in someone who does not argue back. Does Crispin understand yet what it means to host a Dragon King?" Shenlei asked.
Selvica piped up in the back of his head. His consciousness stayed holed up in a dark corner at all times, except when his faint words crept out and Shenlei's eyes dulled a moment to accept them. Please, stop using was.. Shenlei chuckled inaudibly in response.
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:09 pm
"Such strength will come, in time. In short order, I think... and it needs to. This world, all worlds, need my protection desperately. I have come too late, the dam has burst, but there may be something I can do once my strength returns. Crispin..." Shaiming paused. "He is a good child. Stronger than he thinks, bright and quick to think, honorable, and innocent in the best way. Yes. I was afraid at first, but he will serve... he will be better..." The dragon's words trailed off into silent thought.
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:31 pm
Shenlei
"With your guidance, I have no doubts." Shen Lung looked to the throne, mild disappointment at it being empty. Where was Harmodius? There was no need to put up a facade.
"Shaiming." Shenlei called the other dragon's name to gain his attention. "I will not be false with you, or my other kin. I have no intentions of helping to attain balance again within Harmodius. What are we in Destruction's absence but useless tools? Humanity has been disrespectful for too long!" Shenlei paced in a circle in front of the other, a rumble of thunder filling the room as he got worked up.
"Futs Lung carries the means to bind the End for the time being until you grow strong enough with Crispin's help to shield the world yourself." Shenlei flipped his bangs from his face. "You may not agree with me, and I am prepared for that, but I will do anything that is asked of me, and I will oppose any God or Dragon that seeks to restore Creation's pull over the Twin Crown." Shen Lung clenched his fingers. Had he just said something wrong, too rash, to quick? Destruction, he preferred, he had no plans to betray either influence of the Crown. Had it sounded like he would? He paused completely, starving distantly at the walls. "Forgive me.. My thoughts ran away with myself."
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 2:40 pm
Shaming smiled, wryly. "Ever were you most closely allied with Destruction. I understand, though I care not to take sides. The well being of our Lord, regardless of what form he should take, be it wrathful or merciful, is my only concern. Should he shift states, my care and concern will be as strong then as it is now. I am neutral in this, old friend. Make no such sallies towards me... but do not dare to attack Creation either, else you destroy your reason for existence... as Universe nearly did. His treachery is my sorrow." And indeed, there was a hint of deep sadness in Shaiming's voice. Sadness for his Lord befouled without his shields there to stop it... and sadness for another old friend brought low by folly.
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 3:11 pm
Shenlei
"Never would I think it." He turned quickly, answering without thought or hesitation. Shenlei crouched down in front of Shaiming. "The blame lays with all of us. We will protect him this time." He put a hand on Shaiming's knee, the other reaching up to the face of the Worldshield's host, brushing some of his bangs away and resting on his cheek. "You smell of ancient air, before the world was created. We are reborn for the most important purpose. Every breath we take, as you know, is devoted only to the Twin Crown and his wishes." Shenlei smiled at Shaiming. Something warm, with compassion. "I will rest for a bit, then return to my duty."
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 3:43 pm
"It ever is, as it should be," Shaiming murmured, leaning ever-so-lightly into Shenlei's touch. "And then Tien Lung shall mount the skies again, to fly vigil over your stormclouds' wrath... it will be beautiful. I wish I could..."
His eyes slipped closed, then... and when they opened again their gaze held only Crispin, and curiosity, and a bit of surprise at finding the other dragon so close to him, but he was too tired to move. "I'm glad. He was happy to see you," Crispin said, quietly. "He's so tired. I worry about him." He paused for a moment. "Do you... do you know if there's anything I can do? For him?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:41 pm
Shenlei
Shenlei watched Shaiming fade back, a bit of a wistful distance in his gaze until Crispin spoke to him. He smiled at those words, though. "Shaiming has a hard job to do. You are already doing a good job, I know he feels that way as well. Learn as much as you can about the world you are already a part of." Shenlei reached up and ruffled Crispin's hair.
"Stay healthy, rest, and grow stronger. Shaiming will need your help. Our lord had us reborn this way for a reason."
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 4:51 pm
"I'll do my best, sir... Shaiming's been teaching me a lot. That's why we were down here - he was teaching me some of the history of the gods and the Dragon Kings. There's so much of it..."
Crispin turned a bit, finally finding the strength to sit up straight, and looked at the empty throne of Destruction. "He's calling the Dragon Kings back?" he said, softly. "Do you think he'd want to see me? Shaiming?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:00 pm
Shenlei
"Yes." Shen Lung answered firmly. He lowered his hands from Crispin's face. "Harmodius under Destruction's influence, especially as tilted as the balance is, desperately needs the Worldshield. It protects all things, as I'm sure Shaiming has told you. I'm positive that he would like to see the progress that Tien Lung has already come."
"If possible..." Shenlei looked over to the throne. "I would like to have all Dragons bow before him.. as soon as possible."
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