Cody knew a soul was something people had...he once heard that animals don't have souls. That made things somewhat questionable. However, if Drake's definition was correct, Cody imagined he was right and he did have one. The main concern had been that he hadn't felt anything and it seemed odd to imagine something could be torn in two and a person couldn't even feel it. Cody decided Drake's missing half must be the memories...and...he hoped not life force.
"All right." It was a simple response to both answers he'd been given. A closing off of subjects that didn't seem to lead anywhere good.
Cody exhaled deeply trying to make his body relax for sleep. He was certainly tired but his mind was still trying to think over too many things, yet skipping around on each subject so lightly he couldn't get a fix on it to resolve the problems.
He did finally fall asleep, his over active mind offering him dreams. He didn't dream very often, and when he did they were simple dreams more of gentle emotions...contentedness, peaceful than actual visions.
This night he saw his owner treating him as he had been as a foal and child. A spoiled child who had loved life and the man.
As perfection can not list in the real world, neither did it in his dream that night. Viciously he felt the pain of his punishments, the fear of the unknown and the frustration of youth not wanting to be stopped.
Eventually he saw the day his owner had him broke to ride. The sense of helplessness he had almost forgotten, betrayal. His dream seemed to settle there freezing in place and focusing on the emotion.
Then almost in fast motion he watched himself rear, watched his owner fall down and die. This time he didn't run, he stayed where he aws frozen, seeing the dead body.
Cody woke up in a cold sweat several hours later, listening to his breath, staring at a wall and wondering how so much pain could be in one dream, and how memories could be used so strongly against you. Damn it Drake... He felt petty anger towards Drake for pointing out all the bad points...Cody wondered if this was a warning that he should have defending his owner better.
Either way he let that drop...Drake hadn't tried to upset him on purpose he knew that. Still, Cody didn't feel much like sleeping now.
Forgotten Faces
Drake slowly drifted off to sleep. This night proved to be another that presented question raising dreams.
As his body lay there in the bed in the inn, his mind was elsewhere. He saw visions of a horse running ahead of him. It's sleek black fur slicked to it's side with sweat. He was chasing it at an unusually fast pace, as if he were being aided by magic. Eventually the horse, tired too the point of carelessness, tripped over a root and fell to the ground. Drake's point of view slowly lifted up out of his body. He could still see himself walking towards the felled animal.
Part of Drake's subconscious mind could hear his friend tossing and turning back in the real world, but he was to deeply asleep to be awakened.
The scene now swirled before his eyes. When it righted itself, he could see that he was high up on a cliff that overlooked a wide path. After a few short moments a broad shouldered man with the marching walk of a trained soldier came ambling up the path. As the man came close to the spot over which Drake stood, he saw his own hands reach out and shove hard against a boulder he had not noticed before. He heard the man scream in agony.
His vision then went black. His dreaming was done for this night.
As his body lay there in the bed in the inn, his mind was elsewhere. He saw visions of a horse running ahead of him. It's sleek black fur slicked to it's side with sweat. He was chasing it at an unusually fast pace, as if he were being aided by magic. Eventually the horse, tired too the point of carelessness, tripped over a root and fell to the ground. Drake's point of view slowly lifted up out of his body. He could still see himself walking towards the felled animal.
Part of Drake's subconscious mind could hear his friend tossing and turning back in the real world, but he was to deeply asleep to be awakened.
The scene now swirled before his eyes. When it righted itself, he could see that he was high up on a cliff that overlooked a wide path. After a few short moments a broad shouldered man with the marching walk of a trained soldier came ambling up the path. As the man came close to the spot over which Drake stood, he saw his own hands reach out and shove hard against a boulder he had not noticed before. He heard the man scream in agony.
His vision then went black. His dreaming was done for this night.
-
Cody
It took another hour before Cody felt comfortable enough to try and go back to sleep. Nightmares were not something he’d had much experience with and he hadn’t enjoyed it. He knew he should sleep, staying awake would only make him exhausted and less useful the next day. Cody may have logically determined sleep was the best thing for him but his mind wasn’t fully willing to accept the reasonable logic.
A few minutes later Cody got up quietly and went out on the balcony. He imagined he should still stay in human form so no one thought to ask how a horse got onto a balcony, but at least now he could feel the night’s breeze against him. Laying down on the hard surface he wondered about the logic of leaving the soft bed. Still, it had suddenly gotten rather cramped inside, it felt safer out here.
A few minutes later he was asleep, the nightmare of earlier seemed willing to stay at bay now that he was outside. As his mind relaxed he again ended up rolling onto his side, legs curling up against his chest. Cody knew as he fell asleep he could easily stay like this until the sun warmed his back. He imagined Drake would wake him if he wanted something…
A few minutes later Cody got up quietly and went out on the balcony. He imagined he should still stay in human form so no one thought to ask how a horse got onto a balcony, but at least now he could feel the night’s breeze against him. Laying down on the hard surface he wondered about the logic of leaving the soft bed. Still, it had suddenly gotten rather cramped inside, it felt safer out here.
A few minutes later he was asleep, the nightmare of earlier seemed willing to stay at bay now that he was outside. As his mind relaxed he again ended up rolling onto his side, legs curling up against his chest. Cody knew as he fell asleep he could easily stay like this until the sun warmed his back. He imagined Drake would wake him if he wanted something…
Drake's eyes slowly slid open. The light pouring in from the balcony and window were not yet the harsh light of day, and he could smell breakfast meats cooking. So he was awake and it was still morning. He was a bit surprised; he normally slept pretty late. Oh well, it had been a while since he had had breakfast at the proper time. He slid to the edge of the bed, sat up, and proceeded to rub the sleep from his eyes. He looked down at his hands in shock. He franticly tore the sheets off of the bed to see his black glove go flying and land at the end of the bed. He retrieved it and slid it back on.
He hurried out of the room and down the stairs to place an order with the cook before to many of the other guests did so. He walked past the doorway to the room where one could take their meals. Only three people were inside. Good, that meant he wouldn't have to wait on his and Cody's food for long. Only the people dining in that room had priority over him, as the cook had taken a liking to him in his first day at the inn.
"Well 'ello there deary," she chimed as he walked in, "I take it you'll be needin' ta' make an order, so what'll you have?"
"I'll take two plates of whatever you have and a fresh pitcher of tea, thank you." The woman smiled as she nodded and shooed him out.
He walked back up to his room and plopped down on the bed. He looked over at the spare mattress to find Cody missing. Had Cody left? What had he done to run him off? He franticly searched the room for any trace of his friend. Then he looked in the direction of the balcony. He had to bite his lip to keep from laughing riotously.
"He sure is an odd one," the voice in Drake's mind said.
"Ah, you're awake. I have to ask, why were you nice to Cody last night? Normally you would have gone into a rampage."
"Yes yes, I saw an opportunity to cause trouble without doing anyone any harm. My blood-thirst has been quenched for now. So Marn is safe for the time being." Drake just shook his head. He never knew whether to believe the other half of himself or not.
He hurried out of the room and down the stairs to place an order with the cook before to many of the other guests did so. He walked past the doorway to the room where one could take their meals. Only three people were inside. Good, that meant he wouldn't have to wait on his and Cody's food for long. Only the people dining in that room had priority over him, as the cook had taken a liking to him in his first day at the inn.
"Well 'ello there deary," she chimed as he walked in, "I take it you'll be needin' ta' make an order, so what'll you have?"
"I'll take two plates of whatever you have and a fresh pitcher of tea, thank you." The woman smiled as she nodded and shooed him out.
He walked back up to his room and plopped down on the bed. He looked over at the spare mattress to find Cody missing. Had Cody left? What had he done to run him off? He franticly searched the room for any trace of his friend. Then he looked in the direction of the balcony. He had to bite his lip to keep from laughing riotously.
"He sure is an odd one," the voice in Drake's mind said.
"Ah, you're awake. I have to ask, why were you nice to Cody last night? Normally you would have gone into a rampage."
"Yes yes, I saw an opportunity to cause trouble without doing anyone any harm. My blood-thirst has been quenched for now. So Marn is safe for the time being." Drake just shook his head. He never knew whether to believe the other half of himself or not.
-
Cody
What is it that can wake a person up without sound or change in lighting? Cody's eyes flicked open from some inner signal saying something had changed. Why...if he was sleeping outside...why was he a person. He took a deeper breath smelling the air, aware of his limitations in human form. The balcony...thats right. Horse's didn't need to be on balconies, and the room had spooked him. No, not the room...just the odd dream.
Either way he got up, stretched out his back and went back inside to see Drake already awake. "Good morning." He was still a little tired, but nothing he couldn't easily shake off. However, not knowing what they would be doing for the day, he didn't feel a need to wake up to fast. "Food?" Yes...Cody had been telling the truth, his master had indeed had to look at the bills more than once seeing the huge tally that had come just from feeding Cody. Of course at points he'd dealt with simple horse meals, but often he'd gotten to eat breakfast with the man, and he always was able to eat large portions. Also snacks throughout the day were good...like apples..they cruched when you bit into them, the juice flowing from your muzzle.
Either way he got up, stretched out his back and went back inside to see Drake already awake. "Good morning." He was still a little tired, but nothing he couldn't easily shake off. However, not knowing what they would be doing for the day, he didn't feel a need to wake up to fast. "Food?" Yes...Cody had been telling the truth, his master had indeed had to look at the bills more than once seeing the huge tally that had come just from feeding Cody. Of course at points he'd dealt with simple horse meals, but often he'd gotten to eat breakfast with the man, and he always was able to eat large portions. Also snacks throughout the day were good...like apples..they cruched when you bit into them, the juice flowing from your muzzle.
"Yes, food. It should be here any minute now." Drake almost jumped at the knock on the door. "Perfect timing." Drake walked to the door and took the very heavy tray. It was laden with breakfast sausages, bacon, biscuits, hash browns, eggs, and fresh fruits." He walked out to the balcony and sat it down on top of the empty one from the previous night.
"Well? Come and eat," he said to Cody who was still standing in the room. "So, why exactly were you sleeping out here?" He asked the last with a warm smile.
"Well? Come and eat," he said to Cody who was still standing in the room. "So, why exactly were you sleeping out here?" He asked the last with a warm smile.
-
Cody
That was the way Cody liked it! Ask for food and it appeared. He was quick enough to follow Drake when he went out to the balcony with it. Sitting in the same chair as the previous day he quickly proved he didn't only eat vegetables.
A biscuit was cut open to have bacon and eggs put inside of it. This along with some of the fruit and hash browns were piled onto his plate.
Something about this simple morning, waking up with another person who had gotten food for the two of them, who was thoughtful enough to have it set up outside so he wasn't cramped up, it helped chase those nightmares away. He felt secure currently, as if none of the evils in the world were going to come after him this morning.
Though the question...he didn't really want to answer it honestly. Not that he was good at lying so it was rather obvious on his face. "I guess I got tired of the small room, it was easier to sleep outside thats all." It was partially true...it had deffinietly been easier sleeping outside, but not due to the size of the room.
A biscuit was cut open to have bacon and eggs put inside of it. This along with some of the fruit and hash browns were piled onto his plate.
Something about this simple morning, waking up with another person who had gotten food for the two of them, who was thoughtful enough to have it set up outside so he wasn't cramped up, it helped chase those nightmares away. He felt secure currently, as if none of the evils in the world were going to come after him this morning.
Though the question...he didn't really want to answer it honestly. Not that he was good at lying so it was rather obvious on his face. "I guess I got tired of the small room, it was easier to sleep outside thats all." It was partially true...it had deffinietly been easier sleeping outside, but not due to the size of the room.
"Oh, I can understand, it bothers me a bit to stay in there for too long. I just didn't want to have to pay a huge amount for a larger room when I wasn't going to be spending much of my time in it." Drake shoved a whole piece of sausage into his mouth and readied three strawberries to follow it.
"So, do you mind getting on with our search for the big wheel today?" He had finally remembered why he was in Marn. It was hard to believe that he had forgotten something that was so important to him. He supposed it was due to finally having pleasant company again. "If you would like we could find some idle amusement instead. I just thought that it would be nice to get this first little leg of my search out of the way as soon as possible."
Drake went quiet. He was focusing on the images from his dream, trying to remember every detail of the wheel, it's surroundings, and the gnome he had been talking to.
"So, do you mind getting on with our search for the big wheel today?" He had finally remembered why he was in Marn. It was hard to believe that he had forgotten something that was so important to him. He supposed it was due to finally having pleasant company again. "If you would like we could find some idle amusement instead. I just thought that it would be nice to get this first little leg of my search out of the way as soon as possible."
Drake went quiet. He was focusing on the images from his dream, trying to remember every detail of the wheel, it's surroundings, and the gnome he had been talking to.
-
Cody
Cody took another biscuit, piled the eggs up high in it and went to work on it. "No its fine. If you came here to find the wheel, it makes sense that we work at it. We can search out fun on other days, or maybe while searching we will find something on accident." Cody shrugged uncaring. It wasn't work to him, or anything tedious, it would be roaming the streets with a friend, that was enjoyment enough.
Cody noticed the quiet after a bit, and decided he would do the same. There were times when people lost themselves in thought and didn't always like to be bothered. He didn't know Drake well enough yet to know if would be upset if his thoughts were disturbed. So he ate in silence, enjoying the idea of going back to the freedom of roaming around the town. It would be more fun to roam outside with him, where Cody could take some time to run, however practically it wouldn't work too well. Drake would have no way of keeping up and that would surely make it rather boring for him.
"Why don't you have a horse?" Oops...so much for staying quiet and letting him think.
Cody noticed the quiet after a bit, and decided he would do the same. There were times when people lost themselves in thought and didn't always like to be bothered. He didn't know Drake well enough yet to know if would be upset if his thoughts were disturbed. So he ate in silence, enjoying the idea of going back to the freedom of roaming around the town. It would be more fun to roam outside with him, where Cody could take some time to run, however practically it wouldn't work too well. Drake would have no way of keeping up and that would surely make it rather boring for him.
"Why don't you have a horse?" Oops...so much for staying quiet and letting him think.
Drake's eyes snapped up from his plate at the question. "Well, I've already said that I don't believe in slavery or 'ownership' of another living creature. The one horse I was able to ride returned to the wild once he had finished helping me. Not to mention the fact that I prefer to be up in the trees whenever possible."
"Well, I guess we could start by asking some of the people I've already met if they know anything about the wheel or where to find gnomes around here. It might seem like an odd question, but I'll figure some explanation out if I have to."
With that, Drake returned to his food.
"Well, I guess we could start by asking some of the people I've already met if they know anything about the wheel or where to find gnomes around here. It might seem like an odd question, but I'll figure some explanation out if I have to."
With that, Drake returned to his food.
-
Cody
Cody looked somewhat suprised at the answer. He hadn't met a person that considering owning a horse slavery. Horses were means of transportation, animals that were domesticated or broken to be used for a humans wishes or needs. How could it be considered slavery? They were only animals after all. This wasn't to say thats how Cody thought of himself being part horse, but it was certainly was his understanding of all regular horses.
Still, he had finally out 'slavery' was not a subject to bring up. Well actually he had known that earlier, he just now had to remember in Drake's mind that included animals.
A small nod showed his acceptance of the plan, and a few more pieces of food were added to his plate to make sure it wasn't taken before he had chance to grab it. For a second day he would have someone to travel with, it would be great. Were his hopes finally true? Perhaps he would be able stay with Drake for a long time. If so, he could start finally feeling safe again. The world wouldn't be quite so dangerous travelling with a companion.
"I don't think its that weird of a question. Lots of people who haven't been in a place for long have to ask how to get somewhere. If you don't say why it wouldn't seem unusual. If they do ask why, its an unusual answer but theres nothing wrong with it. I'm sure someone must know." Well, he was mostly sure.
Still, he had finally out 'slavery' was not a subject to bring up. Well actually he had known that earlier, he just now had to remember in Drake's mind that included animals.
A small nod showed his acceptance of the plan, and a few more pieces of food were added to his plate to make sure it wasn't taken before he had chance to grab it. For a second day he would have someone to travel with, it would be great. Were his hopes finally true? Perhaps he would be able stay with Drake for a long time. If so, he could start finally feeling safe again. The world wouldn't be quite so dangerous travelling with a companion.
"I don't think its that weird of a question. Lots of people who haven't been in a place for long have to ask how to get somewhere. If you don't say why it wouldn't seem unusual. If they do ask why, its an unusual answer but theres nothing wrong with it. I'm sure someone must know." Well, he was mostly sure.
"I suppose you're right," Drake said as he swallowed he las bit of food he was planning to eat, "but if they ask why we're looking for it I would prefer to give the reason hat I gave you at first. I would like to seem a little less odd; the less you stand out, the less likely you are to be a target, and I'm already an odd enough sight."
He smiled at what he had just said. It had been a long time since he had felt good enough to make fun of himself. When he had been afraid of being the butt of everyone else's jokes, there was no room to add his own punchlines.
He thought of who it would be best to ask the needed information of. The man he had sold his loot from the bandit's camp to had seemed like he had been the adventuring type at one time. He might very well have a clue that they needed. "Would you have a problem with going into the shanty town market with me? I met a man there on my first day that might have some idea of where we could look for my big wheel and gnomes."
He smiled at what he had just said. It had been a long time since he had felt good enough to make fun of himself. When he had been afraid of being the butt of everyone else's jokes, there was no room to add his own punchlines.
He thought of who it would be best to ask the needed information of. The man he had sold his loot from the bandit's camp to had seemed like he had been the adventuring type at one time. He might very well have a clue that they needed. "Would you have a problem with going into the shanty town market with me? I met a man there on my first day that might have some idea of where we could look for my big wheel and gnomes."
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Cody finished off his own food and then downed a considerable portion of his drink. Drake didn't want the world to know he was trying to learn about his past, that was fine to Cody. "Sure." Drake didn't look as odd this morning as he had the day before, probably just because he was getting use to him. "You really do look..." He paused for the most polite word since he'd had to open his mouth, "odd at first...but after a while it doesn't seem so bad."
"The market is fine." He wondered if he should worn Drake about how he was likely to shy away from women, he might have already picked that up. Women would be at the market, but women were almost everywhere. As long as they didn't seem to want to notice him in particular it was alright.
"The market is fine." He wondered if he should worn Drake about how he was likely to shy away from women, he might have already picked that up. Women would be at the market, but women were almost everywhere. As long as they didn't seem to want to notice him in particular it was alright.
"Yes, but personality certainly helps the transition." Drake was still laughing inwardly at Cody's comment. "I mean, if you were constantly half-horse half-human, like a centaur, I'm sure that it would just become an odd trait after talking to you for a while."
"Well, if you're done, we could head out now." He stood and wiped crumbs from his shirt to indicate that he himself was finished.
"Well, if you're done, we could head out now." He stood and wiped crumbs from his shirt to indicate that he himself was finished.
“Where there is much light, the shadow is deep”
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
"You know, it wouldn't hurt to think like a serial killer once in a while." -Foamy The Squirrel of Neurotically Yours
-
Cody
Cody was smiling from that remark...him a centaur? He was glad he wasn't a centaur they may have good qualities of both horses and men but they also missed out on some things. He doubted centaurs could sleep on beds, and they certainly never sat on chairs. Their neck's couldn't stretch out like a horse's could in an all out run, nor could they see as much as a horse could refined to human eye positioning.
"I'm good." Cody got up as well and headed towards the door, though stopping to let Drake walk out first. The room didn't seem so bad this morning, of course that could just be because they were leaving it.
Going out! He was becoming more alert now, the idea of roaming with someone starting to sink in. It would be the best day he'd had in a while.
"I'm good." Cody got up as well and headed towards the door, though stopping to let Drake walk out first. The room didn't seem so bad this morning, of course that could just be because they were leaving it.
Going out! He was becoming more alert now, the idea of roaming with someone starting to sink in. It would be the best day he'd had in a while.