Ander paused as his head slipped from the little hole between the boulders. He looked over the scene, and could make neither head nor tails of it for the first few moments. As he pushed himself further through, he thought that it looked like an irridescent lizard was attacking the little winged child. He frowned as he struggled the rest of the way out.
He came to his knees, reaching into the backpack and grabbing the small jackknife his father had given him for his twelfth birthday. As Ander watched, the winged child stopped struggling and stared at him.
He was taken aback. If the lizard creature was attacking her, why would she stop to stare at him?
Then he looked back to the lizard creature, and fully registered what she was. First off, it was a she. With wings sprouting from her upper back, and with the stripes on her changing color rapidly, it was hard to tell at first. Ander realized she was trying to help the winged child.
He lifted the jackknife, opening it with practiced ease with one hand. He began to stand, slowly so as not to alarm them, just as he used to when approaching wild animals in the woods behind his house.
Ander made sure the knife was in full view as, drawing a deep breath, he spoke.
"If you have a knife, maybe you should try cutting her free?"
Haven in the Woods
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
"If you have a knife, maybe you should try cutting her free?"
Having a strange man pop up behind Illilli, holding a knife did not calm her in the slightest. The suggestion made alot of sense, but she was way too worried about the rustle in the vines to think about grabbing her knife.
Illilli paniced.
Her markings began to itch and change colors even more rapidly. The itching was unbearable, and it felt like her skin was contracting. The sensation was like that of her first change; yet very different. Her fingers left the vine as she froze.
The change took about five heart wrenching seconds. Illilli's pants, backpack, with the cloak and soon her halter fell to the ground. She was wrapped lightly in the halter as her slight form hit the dirt and was almost lost in the vines covering the ground of the entrance to the cavern.
Illilli was now a grand total of six inches from nose tip to tail, and oddly enough; a fully formed little dragoness. Even if she was only 6 inches long.
Her family had certainly never prepared her for this...
She squeaked in surprised and frustration as she clawed out of the leather halter top and perched upon it.
"Geldenwing! Help! What's happened to me now!?" she wailed in despair.
A tear difted from one eye and slid down her dainty muzzle. The colors of her markings had stopped moving and itching and were once again still.
Her tiny hands and hind feet were each five fingered or toed, banded with the same zebra like markings she'd had in her human and half-forms. She'd still have the ability to handle things as normal, albeit at a much, much, smaller scale. She found she could stand either on her legs or on all fours equally easily as she stretched up towards Geldenwing. She stretched her wings and the light white/silver of her incredibly small scales shone in the light of the glowvines. She still had the stripes of color down her wingbones and the further zebra markings across her back. Tiny spiney ridges ran from between her ears to the end of her tail. All in all she barely had a wingspan of around a foot.
Having a strange man pop up behind Illilli, holding a knife did not calm her in the slightest. The suggestion made alot of sense, but she was way too worried about the rustle in the vines to think about grabbing her knife.
Illilli paniced.
Her markings began to itch and change colors even more rapidly. The itching was unbearable, and it felt like her skin was contracting. The sensation was like that of her first change; yet very different. Her fingers left the vine as she froze.
The change took about five heart wrenching seconds. Illilli's pants, backpack, with the cloak and soon her halter fell to the ground. She was wrapped lightly in the halter as her slight form hit the dirt and was almost lost in the vines covering the ground of the entrance to the cavern.
Illilli was now a grand total of six inches from nose tip to tail, and oddly enough; a fully formed little dragoness. Even if she was only 6 inches long.
Her family had certainly never prepared her for this...
She squeaked in surprised and frustration as she clawed out of the leather halter top and perched upon it.
"Geldenwing! Help! What's happened to me now!?" she wailed in despair.
A tear difted from one eye and slid down her dainty muzzle. The colors of her markings had stopped moving and itching and were once again still.
Her tiny hands and hind feet were each five fingered or toed, banded with the same zebra like markings she'd had in her human and half-forms. She'd still have the ability to handle things as normal, albeit at a much, much, smaller scale. She found she could stand either on her legs or on all fours equally easily as she stretched up towards Geldenwing. She stretched her wings and the light white/silver of her incredibly small scales shone in the light of the glowvines. She still had the stripes of color down her wingbones and the further zebra markings across her back. Tiny spiney ridges ran from between her ears to the end of her tail. All in all she barely had a wingspan of around a foot.
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
Gelden hovered in the air, still held by the vine, and watched with wide, frightened eyes as the man (for all human males were "man" to her) came closer and closer, holding up what looked like a very potentially deadly knife. But he was talking sense, and actually offering to help them. This was all totally, completely wrong! If he was a savage out for a kill, shouldn't he be more, well, savage? The faerie found herself totally confused, and too far from reason to fit the pieces together.
Then Illilli vanished, and Geld's entire world focus shattered. The fae looked down at where her friend had been, just moments ago, and felt the tightest, sharpest pain she'd ever felt stab through her gut.
Again and again, they disappear...just like always...oh, when will you ever learn?
The thought shocked and saddened the fae, as she couldn't think of why on earth she'd have such dark ideas nuzzled into her cheerful demeanor. Before she could get to the bottom of it, the man took another slow step, and a tiny voice called for help beneath her.
Gelden looked down again to see the tiniest dragon she'd ever seen perched on Illilli's clothes, waggling its teeny wings at her. Her first thought, a gut-deep reflex, was:
"Well, isn't she just the most adorable little thing?"
Her second thought shifted to the little thing's cry for aid. Gelden's panic evaporated before the force of her desire to help in any way she could. A few more steps and the man would be there, right there in front of her, and Illilli was now no bigger than a puppy.
Gelden landed, letting the vine slacken beneath her, and gathered up the little dragon in her arms. She turned her large, fear-stricken eyes up to the man, glistening with tears as she realized how very trapped they were, and from behind the rustle gave way to the clear sound of parting plant life. The fae turned in time to see a gray, white-lined head poke from the vines and fix two very angry-looking eyes on her and her small charge.
A badger. A big male badger! And her unable to fly! They weren't always dangerous, but they could be. And this one looked every inch the grumpy overgrown weasel, ready to defend its turf from these noisy intruders. Not to mention the disease and pain those teeth could cause. Gelden backed away as far as her natural tether would allow, then burst into silent, heaving sobs, clutching her tiny bundle of scales like a toddler clinging to a cat. The badger hissed and snuffled its way closer, baring its teeth in clear threat. The thing was the relative size of the little fae's upper torso. The tiny woman turned her body sideways, pressing her wings tight against her back, to try and at least protect her miniature dragon friend from the approaching bundle of feral energy.
"Please," she whispered into the viney darkness, sure that her life was about to end in one of two very painful ways, "please help me..."
Then Illilli vanished, and Geld's entire world focus shattered. The fae looked down at where her friend had been, just moments ago, and felt the tightest, sharpest pain she'd ever felt stab through her gut.
Again and again, they disappear...just like always...oh, when will you ever learn?
The thought shocked and saddened the fae, as she couldn't think of why on earth she'd have such dark ideas nuzzled into her cheerful demeanor. Before she could get to the bottom of it, the man took another slow step, and a tiny voice called for help beneath her.
Gelden looked down again to see the tiniest dragon she'd ever seen perched on Illilli's clothes, waggling its teeny wings at her. Her first thought, a gut-deep reflex, was:
"Well, isn't she just the most adorable little thing?"
Her second thought shifted to the little thing's cry for aid. Gelden's panic evaporated before the force of her desire to help in any way she could. A few more steps and the man would be there, right there in front of her, and Illilli was now no bigger than a puppy.
Gelden landed, letting the vine slacken beneath her, and gathered up the little dragon in her arms. She turned her large, fear-stricken eyes up to the man, glistening with tears as she realized how very trapped they were, and from behind the rustle gave way to the clear sound of parting plant life. The fae turned in time to see a gray, white-lined head poke from the vines and fix two very angry-looking eyes on her and her small charge.
A badger. A big male badger! And her unable to fly! They weren't always dangerous, but they could be. And this one looked every inch the grumpy overgrown weasel, ready to defend its turf from these noisy intruders. Not to mention the disease and pain those teeth could cause. Gelden backed away as far as her natural tether would allow, then burst into silent, heaving sobs, clutching her tiny bundle of scales like a toddler clinging to a cat. The badger hissed and snuffled its way closer, baring its teeth in clear threat. The thing was the relative size of the little fae's upper torso. The tiny woman turned her body sideways, pressing her wings tight against her back, to try and at least protect her miniature dragon friend from the approaching bundle of feral energy.
"Please," she whispered into the viney darkness, sure that her life was about to end in one of two very painful ways, "please help me..."
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander continued to move forward slowly, until he saw the lizard lady seemingly vanish. His eyes widened as he stopped momentarily. It was not in his nature to stand by and watch as someone was hurt or scared, so he resumed his walk forwards.
The winged child suddenly stopped moving and just hovered, then dove down further into the hole. Ander picked up his pace, coming to the edge of the hole just as the badger came into sight. He took in the scene quickly, his mind not allowing him to think on the little dragon-like creature cuddled in the winged child's arms.
Without concious thought, Ander leapt into the hole, landing between the winged child and the miniature dragon, and the badger. He rolled his ankle as he landed and dropped to a knee, but ignored the pain and stood right back up. The badger reared back slightly, hissing and spitting at Ander's sudden appearance. It waved it's head back and forth, seeming perhaps to think better of attacking something larger than itself.
Ander knew a little about badgers. He had found a small badger cub wandering through the forest a few years before. The poor thing had been blind, bumping into trees and rocks alike, and had reacted with a ferocity Ander had never witnessed before. He had attempted to go to the cub, perhaps to help it, but as he approached, it began to hiss and growl at him. He tried calming it, but it leapt forward, swiping it's long claws at him. Had he not tripped over a protruding root, putting it between himself and the badger, he could have continued his life with a bad limp, at the best.
Now Ander wasn't sure how to react, facing a full grown badger protecting it's lair. He reached behind himself, attempting to hand the winged child the knife, hilt first.
He whispered, "Cut yourself free," then began to talk in soothing tones to the badger. He speaks slowly, his voice even, telling the badger that no one is here to hurt it or invade it's lair. Unbeknownst to Ander, magic has seeped into his voice, perhaps adding a more calming effect to his words. ((Something like a charm spell for animals))
The winged child suddenly stopped moving and just hovered, then dove down further into the hole. Ander picked up his pace, coming to the edge of the hole just as the badger came into sight. He took in the scene quickly, his mind not allowing him to think on the little dragon-like creature cuddled in the winged child's arms.
Without concious thought, Ander leapt into the hole, landing between the winged child and the miniature dragon, and the badger. He rolled his ankle as he landed and dropped to a knee, but ignored the pain and stood right back up. The badger reared back slightly, hissing and spitting at Ander's sudden appearance. It waved it's head back and forth, seeming perhaps to think better of attacking something larger than itself.
Ander knew a little about badgers. He had found a small badger cub wandering through the forest a few years before. The poor thing had been blind, bumping into trees and rocks alike, and had reacted with a ferocity Ander had never witnessed before. He had attempted to go to the cub, perhaps to help it, but as he approached, it began to hiss and growl at him. He tried calming it, but it leapt forward, swiping it's long claws at him. Had he not tripped over a protruding root, putting it between himself and the badger, he could have continued his life with a bad limp, at the best.
Now Ander wasn't sure how to react, facing a full grown badger protecting it's lair. He reached behind himself, attempting to hand the winged child the knife, hilt first.
He whispered, "Cut yourself free," then began to talk in soothing tones to the badger. He speaks slowly, his voice even, telling the badger that no one is here to hurt it or invade it's lair. Unbeknownst to Ander, magic has seeped into his voice, perhaps adding a more calming effect to his words. ((Something like a charm spell for animals))
So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, and saw your future in a machine built for two.
Illilli felt much safer in Geldenwing's arms. She still had no idea what had happened after she had paniced. Illilli sighed and resigned her self to learning how to control her fear. This seemingly random transformation ability was taking a toll on her confidence.
Seeing the man and badger both infront of her she gave in a little to instinct and hissed at both. It was a dragon's hiss, but it was incredibly puny sounding as Illilli was so incredibly tiny. Puffing up slightly, she refrained from spreading her wings because that would make it harder for Geldenwing to hold on to her.
Seeing the knife being extended back towards her face, Illilli instinctivly gave a twitch of her head and a tiny flame, only a little larger than a candle's flame, emerged from her dainty muzzle. This of course did nothing to deter the knife moving closer to her face.
The man was now calling soothingly and trying to press the knife closer to Geldenwing. Illilli decided to wriggle from Geldenwing's hands up her shirt, over her shoulder, up her hair and then sprawled her self flat on the top of Geldenwing's head, holding tightly,but not too tightly, to the faery's hair.
Illilli perched there like some decorative hairpiece while she waited to see what happened next.
Seeing the man and badger both infront of her she gave in a little to instinct and hissed at both. It was a dragon's hiss, but it was incredibly puny sounding as Illilli was so incredibly tiny. Puffing up slightly, she refrained from spreading her wings because that would make it harder for Geldenwing to hold on to her.
Seeing the knife being extended back towards her face, Illilli instinctivly gave a twitch of her head and a tiny flame, only a little larger than a candle's flame, emerged from her dainty muzzle. This of course did nothing to deter the knife moving closer to her face.
The man was now calling soothingly and trying to press the knife closer to Geldenwing. Illilli decided to wriggle from Geldenwing's hands up her shirt, over her shoulder, up her hair and then sprawled her self flat on the top of Geldenwing's head, holding tightly,but not too tightly, to the faery's hair.
Illilli perched there like some decorative hairpiece while she waited to see what happened next.
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
Gelden gazed blankly at the man for several long seconds before she finally realized that he was trying to help, not stab her incompetently. She reached out and took the knife with trembling fingers, still half-expecting the man to suddenly turn and attack. Of course he didn't, and the faerie was left to her self, to try and cut herself free.
Illilli clambered from her arms and onto her head, making the little faerie wince - the dragon's claws were like kitten claws. When the dragoness settled, Gelden leaned down and began sawing at the vine. She'd rarely even held a weapon of any kind, and wasn't much of a cook, so it didn't occur to her that it would be faster to just cut it from underneath.
Regardless, the knife was sharp enough to cut the vine within moments. Gelden sighed in relief as the natural tether fell slack against the ground, leaving her the ability to fly free again. Her relief was short-lived, though, for a loud and rather angry badger-style growl broke through her relief. She turned fearful eyes to the badger, looking between the man's legs at it. It was big, and feral, and had sharp teeth and claws. Not to mention temper. Gelden whimpered her fear, until the man started speaking in soothing tones. Then her tempered sharpened.
"What do you expect to do," she snapped out, "talk it into submission? It's...oh."
As the man spoke, against all odds, the badger actually did seem to calm down. Even sway a bit. It tongue lolled out like a dog as it panted in sudden exhaustion, and then, unexpectedly, its eyes rolled into its head and it collapsed to the ground, unmoving. Geld's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets in her surprise. So much for her sassing.
"How did you do that?!"
Gelden turned wondering eyes up to the man. It must be quite the sight, a tiny woman with an even tinier dragon atop her glittery face.
"Is...is it dead?"
She turned her eyes back to the badger. She couldn't tell if it was breathing or not from where she crouched.
((Figured I'd leave the badger's fate up to you, ese!))
Illilli clambered from her arms and onto her head, making the little faerie wince - the dragon's claws were like kitten claws. When the dragoness settled, Gelden leaned down and began sawing at the vine. She'd rarely even held a weapon of any kind, and wasn't much of a cook, so it didn't occur to her that it would be faster to just cut it from underneath.
Regardless, the knife was sharp enough to cut the vine within moments. Gelden sighed in relief as the natural tether fell slack against the ground, leaving her the ability to fly free again. Her relief was short-lived, though, for a loud and rather angry badger-style growl broke through her relief. She turned fearful eyes to the badger, looking between the man's legs at it. It was big, and feral, and had sharp teeth and claws. Not to mention temper. Gelden whimpered her fear, until the man started speaking in soothing tones. Then her tempered sharpened.
"What do you expect to do," she snapped out, "talk it into submission? It's...oh."
As the man spoke, against all odds, the badger actually did seem to calm down. Even sway a bit. It tongue lolled out like a dog as it panted in sudden exhaustion, and then, unexpectedly, its eyes rolled into its head and it collapsed to the ground, unmoving. Geld's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets in her surprise. So much for her sassing.
"How did you do that?!"
Gelden turned wondering eyes up to the man. It must be quite the sight, a tiny woman with an even tinier dragon atop her glittery face.
"Is...is it dead?"
She turned her eyes back to the badger. She couldn't tell if it was breathing or not from where she crouched.
((Figured I'd leave the badger's fate up to you, ese!))
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander continued to speak as the badger calmed down. Somewhere in the back of his mind, something nudged at his concious thought. He knew he should stop, but he was too frightened because of the situation he had put himself in. If he stopped talking, would the badger suddenly become vicious and feral again?
Then the badger collapsed.
Ander's jaw dropped as he stopped speaking. This was new! He knew he had magic abilities, and he knew he had no control over them whatsoever, but the only thing that even compared to the power of this was the electricity he had run through his father's body. He seemed to recall that there had been a nudging at the back of his mind then too, telling him to restrain himself. Again he had been emotionally controlled, that time too angry to stop.
Ander dropped to his knees, weak from shock, and let his head fall into his hands. He stayed like that a moment, then his mind kicked in again, playing over the last few moments. Someone had spoken.
"D-dead?" he managed to stammer. "I ... d-don't know."
He slipped forward on his knees, ignoring the scrapes and bruises received from the hard ground and small rocks. He placed a hand on the badger's chest, felt no filling of lungs, no beat of a heart. He paused, waiting, expectant. Then he lowered his head to the creature's chest, settling his ear above where he thought the heart would be. No beat, no hiss of flowing air.
Ander turned his head to look at the winged child and the little dragonette, his eyes brimming with tears. He lifted his ear away from it's chest and slumped, completely distraught.
"I- it's...," he managed before he was forced to swallow the lump rising in his throat. He took a steadying breath, then continued.
"It's dead."
Then the badger collapsed.
Ander's jaw dropped as he stopped speaking. This was new! He knew he had magic abilities, and he knew he had no control over them whatsoever, but the only thing that even compared to the power of this was the electricity he had run through his father's body. He seemed to recall that there had been a nudging at the back of his mind then too, telling him to restrain himself. Again he had been emotionally controlled, that time too angry to stop.
Ander dropped to his knees, weak from shock, and let his head fall into his hands. He stayed like that a moment, then his mind kicked in again, playing over the last few moments. Someone had spoken.
"D-dead?" he managed to stammer. "I ... d-don't know."
He slipped forward on his knees, ignoring the scrapes and bruises received from the hard ground and small rocks. He placed a hand on the badger's chest, felt no filling of lungs, no beat of a heart. He paused, waiting, expectant. Then he lowered his head to the creature's chest, settling his ear above where he thought the heart would be. No beat, no hiss of flowing air.
Ander turned his head to look at the winged child and the little dragonette, his eyes brimming with tears. He lifted his ear away from it's chest and slumped, completely distraught.
"I- it's...," he managed before he was forced to swallow the lump rising in his throat. He took a steadying breath, then continued.
"It's dead."
So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, and saw your future in a machine built for two.
Illilli looked down at the badgers remains. It was odd to see a healthy animal just die so painlessly and with no marks.
"Poor thing, if only they weren't so territorial..."
She stretched her wings and craned her tiny head down over Geldenwing's forehead.
"So, how do I look now? I wish I knew why this happened and how..." Her tiny voice sounded airy and almost squeaky from her diminutive size. She looked as though she might weigh about half a pound wings and all.
Illilli could see her wings and most of her back and belly due to her elegant long neck, but could not see the end of her own nose as it was now long and shaped similar to a horses yet definately draconic. She stuck her long forked tongue out and wiggled to where she could barely see it.
She turned her electic blue eyes to the now well-lit and silent, but for the sound of water, cavern and wondered what lay within.
"Poor thing, if only they weren't so territorial..."
She stretched her wings and craned her tiny head down over Geldenwing's forehead.
"So, how do I look now? I wish I knew why this happened and how..." Her tiny voice sounded airy and almost squeaky from her diminutive size. She looked as though she might weigh about half a pound wings and all.
Illilli could see her wings and most of her back and belly due to her elegant long neck, but could not see the end of her own nose as it was now long and shaped similar to a horses yet definately draconic. She stuck her long forked tongue out and wiggled to where she could barely see it.
She turned her electic blue eyes to the now well-lit and silent, but for the sound of water, cavern and wondered what lay within.
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
It wasn't right at all, that a few soothing words could kill the thing. Gelden stared at the man, frozen in place for several minutes while the enormity of what she'd just witnessed sank in. He'd just spoken, talked at the thing, and there it lay, dead as a doornail. She watched him warily, wondering if she was next.
Then her nature kicked in, and her fear was forgotten.
"You SAVED us!"
She squeaked and suddenly flung herself at the man, throwing her arms around his neck, completely oblivious to the damaged ankle he favored. It didn't help that as faeries go, she was no delicate little flower.
"Thank you thank you! Oh how can I ever repay you?"
She pulled back, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears of pure gratitude. She was quite the dramatic sort, and this was no small feat to her. A complete stranger had just saved her and her newly small dragon friend! It was like a miracle or something!
Speaking of the dragon...
Gelden looked down at her diminutive friend.
"Quite frankly, you look adorable."
Then her nature kicked in, and her fear was forgotten.
"You SAVED us!"
She squeaked and suddenly flung herself at the man, throwing her arms around his neck, completely oblivious to the damaged ankle he favored. It didn't help that as faeries go, she was no delicate little flower.
"Thank you thank you! Oh how can I ever repay you?"
She pulled back, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears of pure gratitude. She was quite the dramatic sort, and this was no small feat to her. A complete stranger had just saved her and her newly small dragon friend! It was like a miracle or something!
Speaking of the dragon...
Gelden looked down at her diminutive friend.
"Quite frankly, you look adorable."
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander knelt next to the dead badger for several moments, his head hanging in shame, fear, and self-loathing. He had killed an animal simply by trying to calm it, somehow using the magic he couldn't control.
He shook his head slowly, breathing deeply, trying to contain the pain and agony burning within him, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to unleash.
The thought that kept running through his head was, It could have been dad...
Suddenly he was bowled over by the winged child, who, in apparent gratitude, wrapped her arms around his neck. Ander wasn't quite sure how to react, and by the time he thought to put his arms around her, she had already pulled back. He stared at her, dumbfounded for a moment before he replied.
"Y-you don't have to repay me," he said, somewhat shyly. He looked down at the badger again. "Especially since I killed an innocent creature..."
He bent down then, scooping the rather large badger up in his arms and rose, favoring his right ankle. The badger was quite heavy, and it took him a few moments to lever it up to the bank to one side of the hole the three stood in. He hopped up next to the badger, turning to look down at the two companions.
"I, uh, I'm going to go bury the badger. I'll be back in a bit."
Again he scooped up the creature and walked off a ways into the trees.
He shook his head slowly, breathing deeply, trying to contain the pain and agony burning within him, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to unleash.
The thought that kept running through his head was, It could have been dad...
Suddenly he was bowled over by the winged child, who, in apparent gratitude, wrapped her arms around his neck. Ander wasn't quite sure how to react, and by the time he thought to put his arms around her, she had already pulled back. He stared at her, dumbfounded for a moment before he replied.
"Y-you don't have to repay me," he said, somewhat shyly. He looked down at the badger again. "Especially since I killed an innocent creature..."
He bent down then, scooping the rather large badger up in his arms and rose, favoring his right ankle. The badger was quite heavy, and it took him a few moments to lever it up to the bank to one side of the hole the three stood in. He hopped up next to the badger, turning to look down at the two companions.
"I, uh, I'm going to go bury the badger. I'll be back in a bit."
Again he scooped up the creature and walked off a ways into the trees.
So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, and saw your future in a machine built for two.
As the young man left with the badger remains, Illilli figured it was about time for them to see the place that Geldenwing had brought them.
"So, what is this place?" she asked as she very cautiously dove into the air from her perch, being careful not to cause any scratches. Her little wings opened and spread barely a foot in width as she glided her way into the well lit Cave. Flying was alot easier in this diminutive form. She turned a few circles and rolls as she flew.
The glowvines had grown mostly on the walls and across the floor, burying lumps that could have been furniture at one time. Swooping quickly and broadly around the large room Illilli discovered that the lumps were indeed furniture. Heavy, solid, furniture and tables made of stone of all things.
She could just make out 4 openings in the wall near the entrance and a larger one near the back of what appered to be a stone bar. A small alcove near one of the 4 openings in the front was completly overrun with what appeared to be miniature glow vines.
Ancient charcoal was still laying in what must once have been a nice hearth. The hearth was large enough to roast a good-sized wild pig with a little room to spare.
The tinkling of water came from a small pond in the back corner. The cool and crystal water of the underground creek that fed it tinkled in from a tiny fall from the left wall of the cavern and flowed gently into a small exit in the back wall.
"Oh my! Its beautiful here! Once we get some of these vines up..." she sighed and alit on top of the stone bar.
"If only I could control whatever it is that makes me change like this..." she mumbled. She really would not be much use at tiny as she was at the moment.
"If only I wasn't so small now..."
"So, what is this place?" she asked as she very cautiously dove into the air from her perch, being careful not to cause any scratches. Her little wings opened and spread barely a foot in width as she glided her way into the well lit Cave. Flying was alot easier in this diminutive form. She turned a few circles and rolls as she flew.
The glowvines had grown mostly on the walls and across the floor, burying lumps that could have been furniture at one time. Swooping quickly and broadly around the large room Illilli discovered that the lumps were indeed furniture. Heavy, solid, furniture and tables made of stone of all things.
She could just make out 4 openings in the wall near the entrance and a larger one near the back of what appered to be a stone bar. A small alcove near one of the 4 openings in the front was completly overrun with what appeared to be miniature glow vines.
Ancient charcoal was still laying in what must once have been a nice hearth. The hearth was large enough to roast a good-sized wild pig with a little room to spare.
The tinkling of water came from a small pond in the back corner. The cool and crystal water of the underground creek that fed it tinkled in from a tiny fall from the left wall of the cavern and flowed gently into a small exit in the back wall.
"Oh my! Its beautiful here! Once we get some of these vines up..." she sighed and alit on top of the stone bar.
"If only I could control whatever it is that makes me change like this..." she mumbled. She really would not be much use at tiny as she was at the moment.
"If only I wasn't so small now..."
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
Gelden watched the man hobble off, still glowing with gratitude. The creature was innocent in the way animals were, unaware that their every move was guided by pure instinct. Gelden would cry for its death later, but for now, she was honestly glad that it was dead instead of her.
For some reason it meant a lot to bury the body to this man, so Gelden left him undisturbed for the time being. Instead, she turned to watch the teeny dragon inspect the surroundings. Although Illilli's new form didn't strike her memory to the same way her previous would've, it was enough to bring back vague impressions.
She followed carefully, unable to weave through the vines like Illilli. Finally she had to stop at a particularly overgrown section, and cocked her head to consider it. The knife, forgotten until now, entered her brain, and she remembered she still held it in her hand. She began hacking at the vines like a child playing with a toy axe, and the going was very slow. Gelden couldn't cut butter properly.
Over her slices, she called to Illilli the fragments she could remember.
"It's a den, a dragon's lair! But the dragon made it into a tavern, because..."
Here she struggled with the dragon's gender. It still remained locked away, and her unable to reach it. She continued.
"...it was actually quite sociable. There should be a bar in there, alcohol - unless robbers have gotten to it."
And something else. Something valuable. Gelden brightened as another memory clinked into place, and another vine fell away.
"And a horde! It's horde is here!!!"
For some reason it meant a lot to bury the body to this man, so Gelden left him undisturbed for the time being. Instead, she turned to watch the teeny dragon inspect the surroundings. Although Illilli's new form didn't strike her memory to the same way her previous would've, it was enough to bring back vague impressions.
She followed carefully, unable to weave through the vines like Illilli. Finally she had to stop at a particularly overgrown section, and cocked her head to consider it. The knife, forgotten until now, entered her brain, and she remembered she still held it in her hand. She began hacking at the vines like a child playing with a toy axe, and the going was very slow. Gelden couldn't cut butter properly.
Over her slices, she called to Illilli the fragments she could remember.
"It's a den, a dragon's lair! But the dragon made it into a tavern, because..."
Here she struggled with the dragon's gender. It still remained locked away, and her unable to reach it. She continued.
"...it was actually quite sociable. There should be a bar in there, alcohol - unless robbers have gotten to it."
And something else. Something valuable. Gelden brightened as another memory clinked into place, and another vine fell away.
"And a horde! It's horde is here!!!"
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Ander Valman
- Citizen
- Posts: 71
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 1:26 am
- Race: Human
Ander remained on his knees next to the grave of the dead badger for several minutes. He had never killed anything before, other than the occasional spider or rodents that found their way into his house.
Worse, he had killed it using the magic he couldn't control.
What if it's a person next time I can't control it? he thought. What if I kill someone innocent?
Ander shuddered involuntarily, then, touching his fist to his chest, whispered, "May you have found peace."
He stood, making his way back to the ivy covered hole where he had left his belongings. He stopped, partly in shock, partly in anger at himself.
You left the only things you own in this world, what little food you have, in the company of strangers! No matter that you may have just saved their lives, they may decide that they need your stuff more than you do! he berated himself angrily as he hurried back through the forest.
Ander breathed a sigh of relief as he came back to the hole, finding his pack still where he had left it. He picked it up and threw it over his shoulder, then peered down into the hole. The winged child and her little ... lizard? ... friend were no where to be seen. He cocked his head as he heard voices, then an excited squeal containing what he thought might be the word 'horde'.
He shrugged, then hopped down into the hole. He had nothing better to do, so he moved slowly to the entrance of the hole and called out.
"Hello? Are you still there ... uh ... flying ... little girl?"
Worse, he had killed it using the magic he couldn't control.
What if it's a person next time I can't control it? he thought. What if I kill someone innocent?
Ander shuddered involuntarily, then, touching his fist to his chest, whispered, "May you have found peace."
He stood, making his way back to the ivy covered hole where he had left his belongings. He stopped, partly in shock, partly in anger at himself.
You left the only things you own in this world, what little food you have, in the company of strangers! No matter that you may have just saved their lives, they may decide that they need your stuff more than you do! he berated himself angrily as he hurried back through the forest.
Ander breathed a sigh of relief as he came back to the hole, finding his pack still where he had left it. He picked it up and threw it over his shoulder, then peered down into the hole. The winged child and her little ... lizard? ... friend were no where to be seen. He cocked his head as he heard voices, then an excited squeal containing what he thought might be the word 'horde'.
He shrugged, then hopped down into the hole. He had nothing better to do, so he moved slowly to the entrance of the hole and called out.
"Hello? Are you still there ... uh ... flying ... little girl?"
So you were born in an electrical storm, took a bite out the sun, and saw your future in a machine built for two.
"Amazing!" Illilli squeaked.
"A real hoard? And a nice dragon? Reminds me of some fairy tales my grandma used to tell me as a kid. I just can't remember all of the story for now."
Illilli sighed and struggled to pick up a small tendril of Glowvine. She swiveled her delicate head around to get a good look at the tiny ancor roots of the vine.
"I bet we could propagate some cuttings of these plants fairly easily... Think they would sell well in town?" she mused aloud.
She set the vine down and flopped down amongst the vines on what was most likely the bar.
"Now if my body changed forms when I got really scared, it would seem to reason that I should be able to change back, or to one of these forms on my own." She stretched out and rested her chin along her arms.
"I haven't a clue how to do it, and if I do try, I'm going to make sure I have SOME privacy..." she noticed the young man returning.
"Is there any chance you could bring my clothing and pack in? I am in a bit of a predicament. Be careful with it if you do, I have a lace loom in there and it will get tangled easily." she asked.
"A real hoard? And a nice dragon? Reminds me of some fairy tales my grandma used to tell me as a kid. I just can't remember all of the story for now."
Illilli sighed and struggled to pick up a small tendril of Glowvine. She swiveled her delicate head around to get a good look at the tiny ancor roots of the vine.
"I bet we could propagate some cuttings of these plants fairly easily... Think they would sell well in town?" she mused aloud.
She set the vine down and flopped down amongst the vines on what was most likely the bar.
"Now if my body changed forms when I got really scared, it would seem to reason that I should be able to change back, or to one of these forms on my own." She stretched out and rested her chin along her arms.
"I haven't a clue how to do it, and if I do try, I'm going to make sure I have SOME privacy..." she noticed the young man returning.
"Is there any chance you could bring my clothing and pack in? I am in a bit of a predicament. Be careful with it if you do, I have a lace loom in there and it will get tangled easily." she asked.
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Geldenwing
- Citizen
- Posts: 145
- Joined: Fri Feb 10, 2006 12:33 am
- Race: Fairy
Gelden picked her way around the overgrown vines as she looked over the entire place, feeling a deep sense of disappointment within herself. For some reason the dilapidated tavern was just depressing to her eyes, as if she should've been responsible for upkeep and maintenance.
She sniffled and wiped her nose on her arm, unsure how to react to such wild thoughts. She only dimly recognized this place, but the gut-deep sense of responsibility tugged at her heartstrings until she almost couldn't stand it. She very nearly turned and ran from the room, but instead immersed herself in Illilli's conversation.
"Have you tried thinking big?"
She squinted in the light, having lost track of her little friend. When she finally spotted the tiny dragoness, she smiled and started over.
"That's how I switch - I think big or little."
She looked over at the entrance as the man's voice trailed through. She grinned. He'd come back!
"Yes, I'm still here. Come inside so's we can have a proper introduction."
She looked at Illilli and grinned even wider.
"I'll even curtsy!"
She sniffled and wiped her nose on her arm, unsure how to react to such wild thoughts. She only dimly recognized this place, but the gut-deep sense of responsibility tugged at her heartstrings until she almost couldn't stand it. She very nearly turned and ran from the room, but instead immersed herself in Illilli's conversation.
"Have you tried thinking big?"
She squinted in the light, having lost track of her little friend. When she finally spotted the tiny dragoness, she smiled and started over.
"That's how I switch - I think big or little."
She looked over at the entrance as the man's voice trailed through. She grinned. He'd come back!
"Yes, I'm still here. Come inside so's we can have a proper introduction."
She looked at Illilli and grinned even wider.
"I'll even curtsy!"