Fantasy Unexpected Events

[Renia]

The world around him smelled fresh and new. Each snap of a branch seemed to add new smells of sap and fragrance to the air. After living so long in a must old cave, Roran's keen sense of smell was becoming overwhelmed by the outside world. But he found it to be a good thing, truly. Exciting and intriguing. And the more he walked within the hushed, green forest, the less he found that he missed his home and treasure. All he wanted now was to keep moving. There had to be even better things out here to discover than the smells.

His movements were naturally fluid and sure, especially now that he was in human form. It was not a form he tended to use often, but weaving through a forest was much easier in this lithe form than in his bulking dragon body. He still held that reptilian grace, but was able to move more swiftly in this body. It made navigating through the branches and brambles and vines almost fun.

But among the vivd greens and hints of brown that made up most of the forest ahead, Roran thought for a moment that he could see a lighter hue hidden amongst the shafts of light filtering through the canopy above. And, being a dragon at heart, his curiosity warred with his sense of self-preservation. So he moved as soundlessly toward the anomaly as possible.

The lighter spot up ahead soon resolved itself into a figure. A young man with silverish hair and pointed ears was huddled within the protective roots of a massive tree, nearly hidden in the shadows there. The creature was a bit like himself, at least in his current form... save for the wings. Roran knew a bit about wings. And the wings of this creature sat at odd angles, giving the illusion that they had been broken. A mix of curiosity and concern now spurred him cautiously closer to the strange creature.

"Hello," he murmured softly, not wishing to alarm the young creature. Roran simply sat a decent distance away on an exposed root, not wishing to crowd the creature or frighten him too much. Ke kept his voice gentle, in the same tone he tpically spoke to birds and small, flighty animals to keep them from panicking and vanishing. "Are you hurt?"

 

[Alexiem]

After tricking the guards into allowing him free of his chains Titus burst through the doors to the entrance of the cold lab and make a dash straight for the forest hearing the worried yelling behind me. he speed up until he is finally able to hear the soft crunch of dead leaves and of twigs beneath his feet. His chest burns as though he had swallowed a bucket of warm salt due to the fact of him leaving before feeding time, but he ignores it realizing his most important goal at the moment is to escape. He begins to think he is in the clear until he hears loud screaming and catches a glimpse of one of the scientists pointing and ordering the hidden bases guards to search the forest.

Titus' heart sinks and he immediately begin sprinting again trying not to cough as my tired bruised body aches with every step he takes reminding him of the foul torture of the "therapy" sessions he was forced to partake in. He continues running the dead weight of his limp wings finally making him collapse with a loud snap. Immediately aware of the sound he begins to crawl towards a massive to attempt to hide behind as his small frame would easily allow for him to duck behind it.

He hears the rushing footsteps of 10 to twelve guards come rushing the smell of the lab still soaking their clothes, a mixture of blood and chemicals almost making him want to gag. He watches as two or three begin to look around the dimly lit area eventually beginning to turn to look in other area's. Titus lets out a soft sigh of relief knowing that he should at least be safe for a while knowing that they would not check the same spot for a while.

He begins taking deep breaths finally being able to inhale proper air not like the artificial smelling fake that is produced in the lab. Finally after keeping watch behind the massive tree for hours he hears a soft voice call out to him. Startled he does not reply and instead tries to stand on his wounded bruised legs only to find himself to exhausted to stand and falling. "Please don't bring me back ill do anything" I let out in a scratchy voice as though he had not had water in days "Please just let me go" Tears begin to stream down his cheeks as the fear of being taken back to the lab and being punished fills his mind.

 

[Renia]

Roran tilts his head in confusion as he watches the winged being attempt to stand, only to fall back down a moment later. He's seen creatures who were injured, but never this cruelly. Animals might attack one another, but it was only ever out of defense or in order to eat. These wounds did not make sense to him.

"Wherever you came from seems like the last place you should return, if you ask me," he shrugs. "I'm certainly not going to take you anywhere. Not with injuries like that. Come, now," he takes on an even softer, gentler tone than before. "Don't be so fearful... I'm not going to hurt you. I only thought I might be able to fix those wings of yours up. You'll never be able to fly away from here with them like that."

He doesn't make a move to approach the creature just yet. Not without gaining some amount of trust. Better to have permission, or have the man come to him instead. One thing was certain: he couldn't try to mend broken wings if the frightened victim was only going to thrash and make them worse. Perhaps talking calmly to the other male would eventually settle him down enough that he could help?

 

[Alexiem]

Titus ponders for a moment before finally speaking "Why would i want these disgusting appendages to be fixed all they have done is cause me harm" I say spitefully before turning to face you "Who are you anyway and how do i know you are not trying to trick me?" I say my ears flickering with anxiety as i move slightly with a groan of pain and begins to think again "Though if you really do want to help get me as far away from these woods as possible" I say confidently as I stare you directly in the face with my mismatched eyes trying to make out the look on your face as I speak.

My breathing is loud and scratchy and a subtle cough escapes every once in a while as i wait for your response not once looking away from your face as a small line of blood runs from the corner of my mouth and I pass out due to overexerting myself however i fall into a pile of twigs and leaves making a loud noise and the guards are alerted and start making their way to the area as i am unconscious leaving you not much time to think of if you should save me or not.

 

[Renia]

Roran's confusion only increases the more the odd creature speaks. It seems the poor thing is desperate for help, if his willingness to put himself in a stranger's care is any indication. But he hesitates. Moving the man in that state could possibly worsen his condition. Should he really agree to this?

The decision is wrested from Roran's hands, though, as the other male loses consciousness before Roran can respond. The resulting crash as a body meets the dry leaves and sticks beneath him soon brings shouts and scurrying from around them. Roran glances about, pinpointing the positions of the many pairs of feet rushing toward them. They will be surrounded soon, he knows. And if these are the ones responsible for the other's condition, then it would be wise to be elsewhere when the arrive here.

So Roran moves forward to scoop the other man into his arms. He only has a few moments to do this, but the transformation had to be just right to avoid harming the unconscious man in the process. So Roran forces his body to change slowly enough that he can position the boy correctly in growing talons, making sure that the limp wings are folded comfortably and not crimped or bent. As soon as his dragon form is complete, he leaps upward, still managing to topple a good many trees in the process as the rust-colored dragon springs into the air with his newfound charge clutched securly in his claws.

The forest speeds away beneath them, and soon enough Roran finds a completely different forest to hid in, lighting gently in the first clearing large enough to allow his descent. Once the boy is comfortably situated on a blanket near the fire Roran builds, he binds the creature's wounds as well as is possible and manages to inspect those wings of his. Nothing seems broken... so why were they hanging lifelessly when he had first seen the boy? He cannot help but wonder what is going on...

 

[Alexiem]

Titus shifts uncomfortably still deep within sleep as though it was the first time he had rest in days. His dreams filled with the scientists who experimented on him and a scalpel slowly descending until it touches his skin. He wakes up in a warm sweat and sits up quickly only to get dizzy and cough up dry tasteless blood, wiping it from my mouth I look around until my peculiar eyes land on you and I begin looking you from head to toe before trying to speak, though nothing comes out but a dry cough. I keep trying until finally I get out a few words,"It hurts.." I say quickly before my voice goes harsh again. I look around at the neatly wrapped bandages on my arms before attempting to stand only to fall in to the dirt and look at my clearly broken ankle. I begin to open my mouth again this time mouthing the word water multiple times to signal that I was thirsty. I look at your eyes longingly however still nervously hoping you would understand and fetch me at least something to moisten up my throat.

 

[Renia]

Roran shifts a log into the fire, sending embers soaring up into the now-darkening air. The little winged creature seemed to be sleeping fitfully, plagued by nightmares. Dark eyes linger on the tossing form and blink as the boy wakens from his dream to sit up. Roran only watches silently as the other male tests his condition. It seems he cannot stand, and can barely speak at this point. Well, it had been several hours since the poor thing had any water. Roran hadn't dared try to force him to drink any for fear of choking him.

He knew the desperation for water when he saw it, and immediately brought over his canteen for the younger male to drink from. "Take it easy," he warned as he helped hold the container to the boy's lips. "If you drink too much at once you will make yourself sick. Tell me what is hurt besides your ankle. I'll see what I can do to help."

 

[Alexiem]

Titus immediately snatched the canteen and began to take large gulps until it had been emptied with nothing but a few drops remaining. After it is emptied he tosses it aside and takes deep breaths while looking at the crackling fire before finally opening his mouth to finally speak "Thank you" he says quietly as if it has been his first time talking in years. "I am just exhausted nothing else wrong.." he says after another long while unsure of if his words are true or not as he looks into the dancing flames as they reach out only to fade out of existence only to be born again.

A few moments pass and Titus begins to cry, his eyes steaming with tears as he wails realizing he is finally free. He finally looks at the strange man before letting out a quiet "Thank you" as more warm tears stream down his pale face, his thin frame shaking with every sniffle and wail "Thank you so much" He says again this time louder and more clear as though his voice had finally readjusted to speaking.

 

[Renia]

Roran rolls his eyes as the smaller male defies his advice and drinks all their water, and sighs as the precious canteen he had stolen acquired is ceremoniously tossed aside. But he says nothing. Simply continues to kneel before the winged being as he takes in the other's reaction. His heart breaks for the creature as the boy comes to terms with recent events, and Roran carefully lowers himself to sit beside the other male, offering the small support of nearness.

"Shush. No thanks needed," he grumbles, trying to figure out a way to distract the smaller one from whatever has him so emotional. "I only wanted to know why you are abusing your wings like that. They are not broken.. You should take better care of them. They are your greatest gift. And such pretty wings, too. If you want to thank me, take care of them."

 

[Alexiem]

Titus' Sadness turns to bitterness as he pulls feathers out of his wings and a replies with a sharp tongue "I hate them they did this to me they are why I am like this, I just want them to go away" He says as he clenches his teeth and his eyes fill with warm tears again before spilling over as he begins to calm down again "I just wanna go back to normal" I say somberly as I let the tears stream down my face and plant my face in my knees.

 

[Renia]

Roran rolls his eyes this time in humor and gives a soft, amused laugh. "Poor creatures born without wings... Given the gift of flight, they spurn it, not even knowing what it is they toss away. Perhaps you did not ask for wings.. and I know that you despise those responsible for them. But short of lopping them off, I doubt you will be rid of them. And before you try doing that, you should really at least try them out. Maybe.. if I show you what flying is like, you might come to understand why you should keep them?"

 

[Alexiem]

Titus begin to think your words over running them through one at a time in his head "I never learned to even control them" he say while pouting, face between his knees "Besides even if I did learn to control them I doubt I could return to a normal life with these on my back" he continues sniffling as the tears have now stopped and all that remains is a somber tone is his voice. "All these are is a bad memory that i'd rather be rid of."

 

[Renia]

"Why must they be only a bad memory? They are yours. They belong to you. Wings grant freedom. They can carry you away from danger far faster than your legs. They can help you reach heights you could never dream of before. You cannot dismiss them without at least trying them out. So I will make you a deal... Right now, you need me. I can protect you and help you while your ankle heals and until you are capable of taking care of yourself again. But if I stay with you, you must promise me that you will allow me to teach you to use those wings. You should at least know what they are capable of before you make any decisions. Besides, being the same as everyone else is absolutely no fun~"

 

[Alexiem]

"Fine,but as soon as I heal I will leave,understood?" He say as he begins to slowly move one for the first time in at least months. Blood rushes throughout them as he finally begin to move them comfortably, they are now sitting behind him looking lively ,however still dirty. He shakes them lightly as dust and dirt falls leaving them whiter but not completely clean as there are still noticeable spots of red where feathers had been torn or experiments had taken place. He lifts his head from his knees afterwards to look you in the eyes with a uncertain look "so what are you anyway? I've never seen anyone like you before." He says hoping it will bring attention away from his now motion filled pure white wings.

 

[Renia]

Roran smiles as the limp wings suddenly spring to life, making his ward look much better off. Relief spreads though him at the sight. The little winged male now looks at least healthy enough to continue surviving. And once he heals up and cleans off those wings, Roran knows the boy will look even better. A little confidence and the former elf will know no limitations at all.

"Hmm," he hums, registering the change in topic for what it is, and allowing it. "My race is not known to any others at present. We keep to our caves and never venture out into the world. Unfortunately, I grew bored of that life. That.. and some treasure hunter stole my horde while I was out hunting," he huffed. Truly I would never have known how bored I was had I not been forced to leave my home and hunt that thief down. I have not found him, nor my treasure yet.. but I find I am truly enjoying being out in the world now. And, since you are a rather unique race of your own as well, I suppose I can confide in you what I am... I am what is known as a Dracoling. A dragon that can become a human at will... or perhaps the other way around? I am unsure of which form is the true one, really. But this," he states as he reaches up to tap the patch of black scales upon his cheek, "is the color my other form becomes. It is also how I managed to get you away from those people you were running from and to a forest so far away that they can no longer track you. Wings brought you this far, my friend. If you had been able to use yours then, maybe you would not have needed mine."

 

[Alexiem]

Titus listen carefully to you speak his odd eyes widening at the mention of your race and of you carrying me all the way here "A dracoling? I thought you where just a myth. And even if your wings brought me to safety there is a big difference between you and I" He says as he pulls a long line of cloth from his back pocket and wraps it around his blood red eye making sure to tie a tight knot behind his head. He blinks slowly with the other adjusting his depth perception so that he would not run into things. As he finishes he looks back up at you and his sharp ears begin to twitch uncomfortably due to him wrapping the cloth to tight "Before you ask in case you haven't noticed my eyes are miscoluored and normal people aren't like that." I say as though as if being a drakoling leaves you with no perception of what other races look like. " Also if you are to take care of me then I would at least like to know your name" I say quietly as though I am asking a personal question. "And I'd you truly are a drakoling I want to know more about your race"

 

[Renia]

"Differences are good," he sighs in response. "I certainly would find it dull if everyone in the world were the same. There would be no reason to meet anyone new in that case." He reaches up and gives the cloth a slight tug, not enough to yank it away but enough to make a point. "Your eyes do not bother me. Nor do your wings. You do not have to hide anything with me, I like the way you look. I am sure this patch of scales on my cheek isn't exactly normal either... Does it make you dislike me?" It was a serious question. The boy seemed so focused on what was abnormal... Maybe his patch of scales made him look terrifying or ugly. But Roran didn't particularly care.

"My name is Roran. And all there is to tell of my race is that we can be dragons, or humans at will... we tend to collect treasures and horde them in caves where we live out or lives in complete solitude... and we tend to eat those who irritate us by trying to steal our treasures, I suppose.."

 

[Alexiem]

I sit quietly before speaking again this time in a clear calm voice "But if everyone in the world where there would be no little guy to pick on" he says as though he speaks from experience tightening the cover after you pull on it making his ears move rapidly due to the tight knot making him uncomfortable. "And my covering my eye is not for you..its for me..I'm hideous because of what they did to me" he says sharply but then begins to calm down quickly as he brushes strands of snow white hair out of his pale face "You look fine..normal for your race,at least from what it says in the stories." He finally says after calming himself entirely as he then begins to stare at the patch of pitch black scales with wonder and his wings stretch out behind him as he begins yawns loudly. "Also you can call me Titus..I'm an elf, or at least that's what I was before they did..this to me..."he states quietly trying to ignore the fact that you might have eaten people. While thinking of something to fill the silence "I'm pretty good at magic" he says quickly but proudly as magic is a rare skill not found amongst many people anymore due to it being a recessive gene.

 

[Renia]

"Hmm..." Roran hmms in thought. "So, if you are not an elf anymore.. perhaps you could start your own race? That would be interesting. Imagine a race of elves with wings... Sounds like a might race indeed. I wonder if they would all have pretty, different-colored eyes, too... or do you think that might be unique to only you?" The idea of a new race is fascinating to him. Especially if it is a race that would be able to fly alongside him.

"I do wish you would stop putting yourself down, though.. I see nothing hideous about you, and even if you are not entirely the same as those of you race, you might be something even better. If you decide to be a new race.. then you would not have to conform to what is 'normal' for anyone else, right? If I look fine for someone of my race, then maybe you look fine for someone of yours. The only thing I would change is how dirty you are.. you need a bath, Titus~" he teases lightly. "And those wounds need to heal up. Then you'll be perfect."

He blinks at last bit though. "You can do magic? Do you mean true magic? As in, conjuring flames and such?" Roran can't imagine that... Its one thing to transform, but to cast spells is something he had thought was either made up or extinct. "Really?"

 

[Alexiem]

I think for a moment before I answer "let's call me a shifter? As is shifting from one race to another" I say unsure before flapping my wings gently trying to get used to the feel of the awkward appendages and look at the dry blood covering them as well as the dirt and grim on my legs from lying down on the ground. "I don't know what your talking about I'm not that dirty" I say putting an emphasis on the 'that' "besides how long has it been since you have bathed" I say this time putting emphasis on 'you' "Besides there probably isent any clean springs or lake for miles" I say annoyed at the comment as I hate swimming and water in general however that hatred turns to smugness as you ask about my natural affinity for magic "Yup while I'm not the best I'm still able to conjure up a small whirlwind or maybe manipulate the elements a bit, I even know a bit of dark magic." I say while staring at your face waiting for your reaction

 

[Renia]

Roran rolls his eyes. "I bathe far more often than Shifters, it seems~ And worry not, I'm sure I can find a lake within flying distance to drop you in~" He's joking, of course. Titus needs rest far more than he needs a bath at this point in time. But given a few days, he might be healed enough to travel to another place. Then perhaps Roran can convince him to clean the dirt and blood out of those pretty feathered wings.

Trying not to look as impressed as he is by the Shifter's ability for magic, Roran remains silent for a moment... before replying in a flat, carefully unimpressed (but overly so, so it might translate anyway) tone, "Well, I can breathe fire, so we're even." Yep. Totally even. He's not going to be outdone by an elf with wings. He can still out-fly him, at least...

 

[Alexiem]

Titus shivers at the thought of being carelessly thrown into a lake before running his fingers through the red stained feathers feeling for any rough spots where a scab may have formed while trying to discard the thought of cold water consuming him letting out a nervous laugh before looking Roran in the eyes pleading to confirm it was a joke.

With a smug grin Titus begin to focus his mind closing his eyes as he summons a small but noticable statue of ice made in the shape of a dragon and picks it up holding it out to you with a subtle but noticable smile "You can have it...it will probably melt within a few days though" he says trying to recall how long magic could preserve the ices sleek but fearsome design

 

[Renia]

"Oh, a little water wouldn't kill you..." he responds to that pitiful laugh with a heavy sigh. What does the Shifter have against baths? Even dragons find them enjoyable...

When the younger male hands him an ice sculpture of a dragon, though, Roran is mesmerized. "That is quite impressive... It is so detailed. I wonder if that is really how I look?" he ponders as he studies the miniature ice dragon in his palm. "I've seen my reflection in water, but it is never clear enough to discern details from. Have you ever seen a dragon before, Titus?"

 

[Alexiem]

Titus thinks for a moment before speaking carefully, "I guess I see them in my dreams sometimes" He says looking into the distance trying to figure out the last time he had ever had a real dream. "Though I guess when making that it mostly came from imagination" He looks for excuses feeling as though he is being interrogated and desperately tries to change the subject, "So can you do any cool magic?" He says quickly trying to get out of the uncomfortable situation, or at least he feels it is for some odd reason.

 

[Renia]

"You have quite the imagination, then.. It truly is very detailed. I only hope my own form looks similar. And no, I'm afraid I have very few 'cool magic' powers myself. I can transform into a dragon at will, and my dragon form can breathe fire and communicate telepathically... and fly, though that is less a power than it is an ability. It still seems magical, when you are high enough that the clouds surround you and you forget that there is earth below you. It is like being able to visit a completely different world. But that is all there is to me."