The scene she came across was more than enough for her fiery mind. Keona was horrified to look upon the corpse of a creature no longer recognizable. Its chest was torn open, and all of its insides trailed a few feet while the blood trailed further. Looking into its glossed over eyes, she could see the pain this poor animal went through to simply die, and for once it wasn't her fault. There were no scorch marks on the fur, only dried blood and strange marks.
Some creatures hunted for sport here, and if one of them was proven to kill so violently, then she would be at ease. But never before had she witnessed such a thing. Burning her prey always came when it fell into her hands, but this time is was just a gory mess that something else had let her find.
"I'm not touching it," Keona said, brushing her bright red and gold loin cloth, "I know the saying is 'food is food', but I'm not even sure it's edible anymore." The ocean behind her crashed, and she felt the spray, making her whimper and bounce off a little, looking back with pure dislike for the water. The droplets sizzled and fizzed before evaporating completely after she raised the temperature in her skin.
Well...that's certainly a terrible image to inflict upon a young lady. Wonder what did that? Maybe this will help ease things up a bit. Something that seemed to interest the people of Yoreiqi - facinated them, even - was the appearance of strangers. We're not exactly sure what it is about that, but they definitely like that which is different. This may be why nobody panicked when Keona was born, though that's really down to her upbringing. What we're trying to get across here is that out of the distant mists...came a boat.
The boat was little more than a dinghy, to be fair. It was a simple wooden sort, with a basic sail, rudder, and oars for rowing. Funny... Was there nobody inside? From a distance, that might be what one was likely to see, but as it came closer, you could see that there was somebody there, someone having a snooze. Well, he might have been sleeping, but then he was also idly whistling. That was a big strange... Then again, strangers are what they are, right?
This particular stranger was young man of at least six-foot, clad in black leather - including a longcoat - and wearing an eyepatch over his right eye. Curiously, as one might see once the boat was even closer, he appeared to have bat-like wings coming from his back. He would be fully visible and nearby as his boat came to rest against the beach, and he could be seen lying there, cradling his head in his hands, maybe or maybe not sleeping, as stated. Where in the world had he come from?
Almost immediately, Keona had lost complete interest in the scene behind her, and became engrossed with curiosity over the structure that made its way to shore. She had never personally met a stranger before, due to the fact she fussed too much over her own powers, worried it'll scare them off.
Looks like today was that day.
Keona, upon watching the craft hit shore, studied-with wide, amber eyes-the man inside. He looked even stranger than the norm around here, but that only seemed to intrigue the woman further. She quickly crouched, looking feline-ish in this position, as she prepared for the worst. Her wings twitched, ready to fly in case she needed, but for some reason, the need to do so would fade as she spent a few moments wondering why he wasn't getting out.
A loud, alerting wail escaped her throat, a few, quick clicks following thereafter. She was not yet brave enough to touch noses, and doesn't think she ever will be, but despite her thoughts it is part of tradition. Either way, approaching the boat would be difficult, as there is ocean spray all around.
The truth was that the stranger was half-asleep, and only aware on the subconscious level that the dinghy had come to a halt. Upon hearing a sound that...he couldn't exactly identify, his own eye opened, and an expression of some confusion hit him, like 'What in the hey?'. For a moment, he also tried to open the other eye - the one that would normally be where the eyepatch was - and his hand went up to check that.
Yup. That's an eyepatch.
Okay...yeah. He was still doing the one-eye thing. He could put it back, but its absence gave him a boost in his overall power. Mind you, he was pretty strong for a guy his size and age, so a boost to that would give chunkier men a run for their money. Soon, he sat up, yawned, and stretched, scanning the horizon and noticing...oh, there's land here, and he's not alone. He was, in fact, viewing a rather nice-looking girl with brown hair and orange eyes, not too dissimilar from his own. Funny, wasn't he headed for those islands where the people have really dark skin, though? Hmmm, well...why not ask?
"Oh, hey there. Is this Yoreiqi? Think I'm a bit lost."
What should she say? Clearly he asked about this land being Yoreiqi, but what should she tell him? Perhaps she didn't need to speak, so instead she hesitantly nodded, easing off a bit. Keona backed away,standing once her bare feet reached grass, causing her to flinch from the sudden coolness of green. The sun beat down hard through the cloudless sky, reflecting off her bare white skin. One of her mothers had made the suggestion to go nearly bare in this heat, and though she accepted it regardless heat wouldn't affect her greatly.
The woman kept her troubled and wide gaze on him and the sight of something made her perk up a little, He has... wings? Maybe he's distance Yoreiqi? Keona gulped a hard lump in her throat, and reached for her spear, just in case. It was nothing but a primitive toothpick in this scenario, since this stranger looked as though he could easily snap her in two, heavily build or not. Something about him set a cold fear off in her stomach, something she's never really felt before.
"Stra-..ang... Stranger...." The words came out heavily struggled, as if she had never spoken the determine language before, "You to hurt me...?" Visitors always arrived at the port, but that was when there were others around, and she wasn't alone. Normally she could speak better, but the visible shaking in her hands and spear would be a clear indication that that wasn't possible, not at the moment anyways.
So, he'd made it to Yoreiqi... Great! Bright sun, blue sky, big sandy beaches, and...apparently nice-looking girls to boot. Honestly, he thought they were gonna be a little more exotic. Not to say that there was anything wrong with the girl before her. She was very easy on the eyes. However, she seemed to be a bit concerned about something. It was when he was just stepping out of the boat - after throwing an anchor into the sand - that he heard what she said.
"I...what?"
He didn't understand, of course, until he saw the spear, which she was pointing at the currently unarmed guy. He put up his hands defensively.
"No no! Uhh...how do I put this? I'm here to have fun in the sun. No bad shit."
He then noticed the very dead animal and turned to look at it in a crouch.
"Wow, I have no idea what could've done this. Any ideas?"
Shoving the stick to stand up-right in the sand, she cautiously made her way to crouch in front of he animal as well, "I found it dead." Was all she said before standing to her full height. She grabbed her spear and marched past the dead corpse, shaking her head as the thought of wasting food was disgusting enough. Keona stopped at a short cliff, turning back to the dark-clothed man but hesitating, "Come."
It was standard custom for strangers to be taken to the villages, and it doesn't matter when or by who since their homes were almost always busy. Leaping down, Keona was careful not to let surrounding poisonous foliage hit her legs or bare chest, or for prickle plants to catch her tough feet. She could lose him now if she wanted in this thick jungle, but her bright piece of clothing and gold/red tattoos would give her away if not immediately.
Stepping lively and hopping from root to root when it came to uneven land, she looked back to repeat herself, "Come." Then continued forward quickly, calculating each move carefully. Keo did her best to push the gory scene she had witnessed aside, but every time it returned she either slipped or pricked herself in places it would be hard to fix.
The girl said she'd found it this way and he believed her. The creature that did this...was either way more vicious than necessary wen hunting, or actually took pleasure in the kill to the point of pure sadism. Well, at least tthe girl had calmed down a little. The young man spared the animal remains one last glance and got up from them. She was prompting him to follow her...somewhere. It should be noted at this point that this man, Travis McNaire did not really know much about this island, its customs, or anything like that. He didn't even know his own customs, truth be told. But basically...no idea what the tattoos were about, or the regular practices, or much of anything about the people except that they were friendly. Well, so saying, he decided to see if that was true.
"So, what's your name? I'm Travis."
Travis had, as well, no knowledge of the local flora or fauna. And while his pants and shows kept the plants that were poisonous from touching him, he was taking NO care because he had no idea.
She didn't look back at him when he spoke, only continued to navigate her way through the jungle. Eventually, Keona stopped to listen before she finally nodded at him, "Keona." Pressing on through the thick greenery, she vaulted over a raised root, slowing down to a walk as they had reached a path to brush off dust form her chest and stomach.
"Travis," Keona said, as if practicing, "Travis, Trav-is..." She's never heard the name before, is was strange for it to be rolling off her tongue, "Tr-ah-vis, Tr-oh-vis, Tr-ay-vis... Ira!" She suddenly gasped, leaping with joy as she bounded forward to look up a tree. The woman lowered herself in order to take a leaping start to climb the trunk to its first branch. A Bengal Cat was crouched near the end, feasting on a colourful bird it had caught. Looking back at Keona, it leapt for her and the woman caught it, hugging it closely.
Dropping back down to the jungle floor, she returned to the path and strode down, not really paying much more attention to Travis behind her. The cat in her arms purred, rubbing his head along her chin as she returned with stroking his fur.
So, his guide was surprisingly limber, though she appeared to not be using he wings on her back... Hang on, why DID Keona have wings on her back? I mean, he knew why HE had his wings. He was a demon, but this was different. What was she? Were they all like this on this island? And also - he wondered, idly - how well could she fly?
After simply hopping over the raised root with a wingbeat, himself, they were walking along and Keona was trying out his name. Did she not speak Common that often? Common was about the only thing he DID speak, as they didn't exactly teach other languages in the demon underworld. Likely, he could read demonic runes by instinct, but a formal education? Forget it.
The name-test was unexpectedly interrupted as she said something and...holy crap, there was a tiger up there! They had tigers here? It was not a big tiger, but it put Travis slightly on guard, as he did not want to have to deal with a vicious feline that...was...happy to see Keona? Okay...wasn't expecting that. Color the one-eyed fellow surprised. He didn't think they were tameable.
"Does everybody keep tigers as pets here? I thought only the rich did that."
She could speak Common, but she wasn't entirely great at it, since she didn't bother, "No." Her exoctic accent was heavy as she hummed while holding the feline close. "Bird is common companion." Companions were normally based on their spirit. In this case, birds indicated a free spirit, while a feline of any kind determines the bravery of the spirit. Keona was brave enough to have earned the trust of this little feline, and she loved him to death.
Soon the sound of life would reach their ears, and Keona seemed to brighten up a little more. The edges of her feathers burned with a flame for a mere moment before dying. The Village was lively as usual, and people bustled about or flew up to tree houses. Keona watched for a moment, before letting her companion down to do whatever he wished. Turning back to face Travis, her expression fell back to her same determined one from before, but this time with an excited glint in her eye. What exactly was she going to do now? Keo grabbed his wrist, pulling him along, "Come." This time she spoke in a much relaxed manner. A stranger without purpose on the land was to be treated as an equal, and since he may know something about her other half, she was eager to ask him a few questions.
Yanking on his arm, she lead him to a tree then let go to climb it, using her wings to help her along. Her home was in the canopy of this particular tree, away from everyone else for good reason. If she were to practice her fire abilities in the range of others, she feared that they would be scared of her thereafter. Isolated, just how she liked it.
Hmmm... Judging by the tiger's appetite, maybe not everyone has a bird companion... Then again, if he's that friendly around the people, he probably knows better...somehow. As the sounds of more people became audible, Travis noticed that Keona's wings were...on fire?! Okay, he'd seen alot of things in the underworld, but he's not suppose to be seeing that in the living world, right? Uhh...okay, they put themselves out, apparently. Maybe they were all magic, or she was part phoenix, or something. It did surprise him a little, but since there hadn't been any screaming, he had to conclude that it was alright.
The village itself answered some questions, but raised so many others. These were the people he'd been told lived here, and they were all tattooed and bearing wings. True, Keona was also tattooed, but she had also looked like she was Serenian and tattooed, you see. This was different, and this was surreal. It was the kind of thing he'd hoped to see: Something cool. It was like everyday people, only they were able to leap and fly around like birds, their houses up in the trees and their business undisurbed by the guy or the girl of light complexion.
Well, at least I won't have trouble getting around, but damn...
He almost didn't see Keona grab for his arm and beckon him onward. It looked as though she wanted to show him something - as though her pet tiger and her village weren't something - and didn't want to wait. He was led to a tree, and then invited to climb, as she was. He began to climb as well, but he would be a bit more reliant on his wings, since she obviously did this every day of her life and he was just generally good at physical feats. Without knowing his exact destination, he could just fly there, so he simply followed.
"I know you probably don't need one, and I'm alright too, but other people in he world might need what's called a ladder. Ever heard of it?"
Stopping to look over the edge, she crawled over and entered the cozy area. The jungle wood was dark, and the windows were sheltered by the thick leaves, therefore giving the large room a dim atmosphere. Keona ignored his statement about a ladder, not really knowing what it was in the first place as that word had never been spoken in her life. It was probably called something else in their language, but for now she left it on her to-do list. She stood and walked over to a hanging lantern, using her index finger to light the candle within. There, a much more homey kind of feel flowed through the area as there was some light.
"Home." The woman looked back and gestured to a bunch of pillows where he may sit. Might as well welcome him to the tribe for however long he needs to stay, so why not? She slithered into another room, one without a ceiling, only leaves, and climbed several branches to get to some mangoes and papayas she had stored from the fruit bats. She also draped what looked like a silk robe over her body, feeling the temperature drop drastically. Meanwhile, Ira somehow found his way to the top of the tree and wandered inside, padding cautiously over to Travis who had some how gotten some of Keona's scent on him.
Walking back out with a bowl of fruit, she set it down beside him while taking a mango for her own before sitting on her knees opposite of him, "Where do you come from?" She asked out of the blue, tilting her head as she took a bite out of the yellow fruit.
No response, vis-a-vis the ladder conundrum. Guessing that meant there was no mention of it ever before. He'd try 'steps' and 'climbing rope' later. After all, if these people were open and friendly to guests, then they might need a bit of an aid, right? I mean, he was agile, so it didn't matter, but you'd get people like...like... What was that one guy's name that runs a little shop? Achmed? Akbah? Couldn't remember.
Suffice to say, Travis made it into the way-high treehouse, wondering if he should've just flown. He could've made it, quite easily, in fact. The main room was already lit by the time he walked in and Travis plunked himself down on the sofa a comfee pillow, as was offered. Sittting with his legs crossed, he had a look around while Keona did...something. Dunno. She'd left the room and, during that time, the little tiger had wandered in, unexpectedly.
"Oh, hi."
Not even hesitating, he gave it a pet on the head, coincidentally using the same hand that Keona had taken hold of before. See, he'd thought if this younger cat was gonna lash out, that that'd mean its mother wouldn't be far behind, and a tiger can be hell on a good coat. Plus, they were great-looking beasts, unlike some things in the world and he didn't wanna have to kill one. At any rate, Keona took a seat beside him with a bowl of fruit and asked him a question. Well, at least the tale of local curiosity was true, right? The answer, though, was gonna be a bit complex.
"The thing about that is...I actually forget where I grew up as a boy. I've been away, so I'm really more of a wanderer than anything else. But it's okay because I like travel."
He completely missed the fact that she might be offering him some food.
The cat purred softly as the stranger patted his head, before turning away to sit in the pit between Keona's legs. She combed her nails through his gold and black-spotted fur as she watched Travis with the same amber eyes, only this time warmer.
"I see..." She was disappointed, it was clear in her voice that she was. He held no answers that would benefit her, "Why come here? Sun is everywhere." Keona pointed out, remembering what he said on the shore. Putting down the fruit, she didn't bother to tell him to eat, but only nudged the bowl closer to him while pulling the silk further over her arms. There was a small firepit in the middle of the room, and the cold breeze that entered pressed her closer to the warm coals that had once burned earlier. She took in a silent breath, and pushed it out gently, commanding the heat to raise and cause flames to catch onto the burnt bark.
Her gaze once again returned to Travis, this time locked onto his eyes with curiousity and acceptance for a stranger. He was interesting to look at, on the other hand, and he had a strange scent to him. Of course she's seen wacky and bizarre dress from other men and women who arive from the mainlands, but he was different, respectable even, and the musk he carried was nothing she could place from here. She liked it. Maybe that was why she was so intrigued to know more about him? The thoughts continued to run through the woman's eyes before she realized she was staring, and quickly looked around her hut, listening the the village on the ground and to the few treehouses surrounding the area. It was soothing, but the noise would begin to die down as the sun had reached more than three quarters of the sky already.
At her comment, he gave off a mirthful laugh.
"Okay, that's true, but they tell me that beach sun is the best sun. The weather's nice, it's a pleasant atmosphere, the people are friendly..."
Her gaze into his currently only eye was returned with a smile. He'd meant that compliment about her, specifically. Seriously, other people had been alright, but apart from wondering if he was a pirate or something - which was possible - Keona had been the very core of hospitality. Heck, she'd even provided food, which he just now noticed. He picked up a papiya and because to eat of that.
It's funny. Keona was definitely - by her temperment, her tattooing, and her wings - one of the people here, but she was different. Perhaps she had a foreign parent? However, there was something else that definitely set her apart from what he'd seen so far: The fire. It'd happened again, and the room's temperature changed without her doing anything herself. Well, having made it apparent, there couldn't be any harm in asking, right?
"Do you do magic or something? I'm pretty sure you can't do what you just did without it."
The fire cracked, makig Ira flick his ears around. Keona turned to Travis then smiled at his compliment. People here were birthed into a society that prized kindness and love over anything else. But many more things had rubbed off on her, more negative than positive. For one, she was way too curious, and two, she was constantly hiding away.
She could feel his gaze on her after she had lit the fire, and that's when her worry kicked in. Would he be afraid? When the question was asked, she simply looked at him with surprise, "I-I..." She stuttered, not really knowing how to react.
"I am Fire Elemental. My father was pyromancer, or so the Shamans said...." Keona trailed off, "I can't ask for myself. He left before I was born." She explained, "The only thing I am good for is Volcano Goddess...." As if sensing her quick change in attitude, Ira stood up and licked her face, making her smile again, "I think everyone is scared of me."
It appeared this was a sensitive topic. Since he didn't know the state of how magic was treated around here, he couldn't know, though. To Travis, though, this was completely acceptable. He saw no harm in magic, in of itself. In fact, being a demon who wasn't interested in being a demon, this was perfectly fine. However, it looked like the state of being a fire elemental had given Keona worry. It didn't seem like people were glaring at her, wary of her. They just seemed to go about their business. Maybe he just didn't see it.
"I'm not afraid of you. Magic isn't a crime, Keona. They may think so in the country of Connlaoth, but for everyone else, it exists and you can either live with it make rules about its use to live with it. At the end of the day, it's all about the person using it, and you're not a bad person. Hell, I can do magic, and I'm alright."
He held out a palm and, before her very eyes, created sling pellet of chilly shadowsteel, the alloy of the underworld. Generally, his power to produce such things was limited to weapons or tools, but he could fudge it and say this little orb was a projectile. He didn't want her to think he was being threatening, just demonstrating that he had power, as well.
"I gained my magic after I was taken from home, as I was. It's not a pleasant story. Whatever it is you've been through, whatever 'being only good for the volcano goddess' means, I can sympathize. I've been through some bad times. I'm still here, though. I'm okay, or trying to be."
He wasn't afraid? She was never told that she should be afraid, but the tails of fires burning down whole jungles and the stories about how the Volcano Goddess, when upset with a tribe, would set someone or something ablaze. Her eyes clouded over for a moment.
Then he demonstrated a sliver of his power to her. Keona studied the metal sphere for a moment, wanting to touch it, but afraid she may melt it on accident. There was no way it could melt at her highest tempterature, so instead she tapped it. The spot was warm from her touch, but soon faded back into the cold material. Looking up at his one eye, there was a form of pity that shocked through hers, as if she could see his pain for the moment.
"Please, what happened?" Her voice was low and coo-like, as if she attempted to hypnotize him with her own charm. The outside only grew darker every minute, leaving only e flickering light of the candles around the area and the dying fire before them. She was warm, both physcially and mentally, knowing that she wasn't alone right now, kniwing that she was with someone else who had a sad past.
He tried not to focus on the past, and instead focused on the past lived in the now, in the life he could have now. It was not a subject of terrible pain now that he had overcome it, that he was effectively free, but he also didn't want to throw his baggage onto somebody else's back. It's just... He looked into those amber orbs and he saw a yearning to know, to understand his situation. Perhaps it was because he sympathized, while others may not have. He didn't know her life, and she didn't know his. Honestly, he thought he was going to frighten people with his own tale, but...maybe not. Who knows? Give it a try.
"Alright, why not?"
He did a bit of a stretch of the arms and got down to it.
"The first thing you have to understand is that some people DO have terrible ideas about magic and how it should be used. Some things require sacrifice, and sometimes what those who have it do...is sacrifice people. That's pretty much my earliest clear memory. I was sacrificed to perform some ancient rite that I didn't understand."
So, Chapter One: Travis was killed when he was just a boy.
"I don't know what's suppose to happen when people die, but I went somewhere where there was nothing but pain and suffering, and for years...that's where I stayed. I don't even know how long. I...think I'm over twenty now, maybe twenty-five? Because of those men, whoever they were, that was where I was stuck. I don't even remember it all because I was trying to blot it all out. People can only take so much."
Chapter Two: Travis suffered horribly until somewhere close to his adult life.
"Somewhere along the way, one of the demons there - a powerful one - decided to mold me into his servant, a warrior, a vanguard - whatever you want to call it. And from that time on, I was a demon, not even aware of what I was doing to people until I sort of woke up. I don't know exactly how it works, but the real me - the me that couldn't stand the pain and suffering - basically went to sleep until it stopped hurting enough. I decided to rebel against my master, the demon that changed me, and basically went 'no mercy' on him, because nothing less could ever beat him, trust me."
Chapter Three: Travis became a demon, but he also regained himself and turned on his 'creator'. At this point, he smirked.
"The story obviously has a happy ending. I'm here, I'm living my life, and I'm doing whatever pleases me. It wasn't easy getting here, but I managed it in the end."
Killed, kidnapped, then rebelled. That's quite the life. Keona had to admit, she was glad that her life wasn't as hellish as his. There was a twinge of happiness knowing that he was able to escape, knowing that he was trying to live a better life. Looking down, she sighed, before suddenly hugging him from her spot. How had he stayed strong enough to survive all of it? It was impressive, but Keo found herself over-sympathizing for him, probably because she never had the chance to do that for anyone but herself.
"Sorry..." She murmured upon pulling away, not making eye contact with him and only staring at the fire, "I've never felt such emotion much before... no one really cared when I was feeling down, they only stroked my hair and told me 'the feeling will pass'." The half-native explained, sniffling before petting the now awake feline. Outside the moon had already risen, and a cold breeze brushed through the windows, making her shiver.
Keo got up and took the stick out from the shutter, letting it slam closed and latched the door shut. Safety precautions were always in order, just in case for her. If she sleep walked, who knows what she could do. Can't make fire while dormant... She reminded herself with a deep breath.
He honestly wasn't sure what to expect. This was the first time anybody asked and the first time he'd ever told the story. He thought she'd take it like a fairy tale, oor shrink away because it was basically horrifying. In no way did he ever expect Keona to hug him. Maybe because he'd wrapped it up with the little hopeful element that because he was here and in one piece that reacted this way. He didn't know. The one thing he did know was that it felt good having someone like her do that. It was surprising...and warm, and not just because she was a fire elemental. Keona was a warm and caring person. He shook his head at her apology.
"You're a good person, Keona. You're heart's in the right place. If you be who you are, I'm sure you'll be alright."
Because while their lives had, in some way, been turned against them, they were better than those circumstances. Once Travis came out of his hellish trauma, he made his decision without regret and now he was enjoying himself. He was sure that Keona could make it in a place where people don't even harm her. They sounded a bit indifferent to her, though, according to her. He hadn't seen any sign of that, but then he was still new here. What'd he know? Once she'd closed the shutter and such, Travis decided it was time to broach the subject. He stood up now, giving her a calm look.
"So, I've told you about my life. Will you tell me about yours?"
Knowing that he understood her uniqueness among the Yoreiqi people, Keona shouldn't have any worries in telling him, right? He'd been through a great many things... Who better to listen to her tale?
Keona hesitated when she took the lasy stick from the window when he placed his statment. She gripped the stick before setting it down and crossed her arms over her chest.
"I'm not like the others... obviously. Just look at these surroundings. Green everywhere. I could set it all on fire if I wished.... But that's why I fear myself. When I was little, the way I discovered my power was by hurting someone on accident." She turned to face him, eyes locked onto the ground, "The Shamans knew of my power before birth but never told me. I was scared. That day was the day I vowed to never use my abilities in public..
"It wasn't long before I realized I couldn't do much either way. I couldn't go swimming, hunting, or even cook without somehow burning the meal. I eat charred meat, I can only swim in the hot springs on the volcano, and the animals will smell me three miles away before I can kill them." Keona lookied into the coals that now held a warm glow. Her face didn't hild much emotion towards the subject, but because it had been so long she didn't much care for it any more, "It wasn't until I became a woman that they figured out my use. Visiting the volcano was easy. So why not? It's my job now."
There was a twinge of happiness for the little use she had. Maybe in the future she'll mean more to someone.
It was hard to tell which kind of life could give you the most grief: Starting with nothing and having to work your way up, or having what you have...but it being ruined by a constant problem. In Keona's case, her day-to-day life was problematic because - after already feeling guilty that she could hurt people with her power - virtually everything she did could be marred by accidentally burning. As a fire elemental, water must be a weakness to her, so that was a problem. The animals smelled smoke and immediately balk at that, so hunting was out. And cooking... Well, that would just take practice.
Thing is, though, it looked like her main problem was that nobody knew how to help her. So, while she could deal with the volcano or whatever it is they asked her to do there, Travis figured he could do something for her while she was here. True, she wasn't in the same boat as him and his magic was different, but magic was all the same underneath its effects. You're doing something with your will and energy to call upon the power. Keona was having trouble with that, but he could manage himself quite well. Travis approached the girl and put his hands on her shoulders with a clever smile.
"What would you say to my helping you work out some of those problems? I'll bet that I can give you a much better handle over your power, if nothing else."
There was a moment of silence before the weight on her shoulders arrived. Looking up into his eye, she saw something she hadn't seen in so long. The will to help her.
"You'd really do that?" Her voice was small. He'd feel her skin warm immensly, to the point sizzling of natural oils could be heard. Ira stood and sat at their feet, his watchful gaze settling on the two before heading over to his small little hut to sleep in. The woman was genuinly happy now, and hugged him again, but more full- heartedly than before and tightly. Her heat was intense but his clothing would surely protect him from her burning skin.
"Thank you!" She repeated as if sobbing. Joy felt good, and she hoped that she would continue to feel it in the future. Not knowing how long she stayed there, she pulled back quickly and cleared her throat, "The moon is high, you should get some rest."
"Oh yeah."
He spoke that confirmation with a grin. This'd be fun. He wasn't just gonna help this girl, he was gonna enjoy doing it. It'd be like an adventure, as he got to see more of this island and what it was like. Fun in the sun, like he said. As for the heat coming off of her...clothing aside, he wasn't going to feel it like a normal person would. Even if he hadn't been more durable than a human, he got power from pain, and as such was able to still do things while under extreme agony. This was nothing. In fact, Keona might be surprised to find him hugging her back when she did hers. He let her go when she pulled away, though. It was actually getting late now, and she suggested they sleep on it.
"Alright. It's your house, your rules, but wake me up when you do, so we can get a decent start of it."
Nodding, Keona gave him a blanket to use while he slept, but she when afterwards to check on her cat to see if he was sleeping. He wasn't of course, not until she would at leasr. Instead he rubbed his head under her chin while purring, as if saying goodnight before she removed her robe and tosed it aside onto a branch. She then grabbed a large pillow, almost her height and settled down closer to the firepit. It was warm and cozy here, exempt from the cold moonlight and darker around the edges. Keo hugged the pillow as if it were a teddy bear, making herself comfy before tucking her wings closer to herself to hold the warmth.
Most nights she would be alone, but the feeling of someone being in the same room as her was slightly worrying. She knew she was dormant in her sleep, and vulnerable, but surely he wouldn't try anything violent. Her eyes slowly hovered closed, and her skin's heat faded into a colder temperature than a normal person's. Only her insides were kept toasty in her sleep, never will her abilities show in this state no matter how bad the nightmare is.
Travis accepted the blanket and made to sleep, even though he'd been in a light doze earlier in the day. Well, it was one of those sleeps that was semi-aware of the world, before, ones where you think you're doing waking things, when you're actually sleeping and doing not a damn thing. You know those dreams. They're the ones that make you question reality because you're vividly getting up, having your breakfast, and so on. In this case, however, Travis went to sleep and dreamt the dream he kept on dreaming all the time.
He dreamt of the greatest battle of his life, the fight to end all fights.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The main thing to remember, of course, was that the Lord of Pain was a creature of tortured flesh who had no threadhold to reach at all. No matter how badly you hurt him, he was conscious and fully aware and willful to strike back. Lord Revenant was an abomination, a creature who became worse and worse, the more harm you do it it. On the first strike, the armored-and-horned demon knight had split him in half, causing the two parts of him to burst with muscle and sinew-covered limbs and eyes and claws. On the next few strikes, the red-brown flesh had torn and grown and created terrifying mouths that were large enough to eat him. He was already twelve times his own size by then and growing larger. Soon, the room wouldn't be able to accommodate them.
"YOU WILL REGRET YOUR REBELLIOUSNESS FOR ALL TIME!!!"
"Well, before that, I'm gonna really enjoy carving you up into bits! Little tiny bits! ALL THE BITS!!"
They're both mad, out of their gourd, merry-go-round crazy. Revenant's consumed by rage and Travis' decided that crazy is the best way to confuse him as he goes. The thing to remember, though, was that Revenant was ungainly, not quick. He worked in inevitability because he was immortal and ever-growing. He made his opponents despair. Travis...cut and blasted and pounded and splintered him until the old demon actually WAS bits that could not immediately stand up and attack, basically finding an area where Revenant was temporarily useless, and then called it a day, or week, or whatever...and left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The fight was actually hours-to-DAYS long, so really Travis' dream was the highlights of the venture. It was the quest of a nothing-to-lose guy looking for a better life, and then getting one. Pleasant dreams, in his case, even though it was choking with violence. So, what will tomorrow bring?
The morning came at last, shining through the nooks and crannies in the hut, and a single beam hitting Keona in the eyes. She moaned softly, turning over so that her back was exposed to it. Her dreams were nothing but a fiery blaze, always crackling and popping in her mind as if she was the fire herself. Soon she opened her golden eyes, taking a breath to move and stretch like a feline would by sticking her rump in the air and pressing her arms out. Her wings stretched themselves as well, nearly reaching opposing walls at their fullest length.
Taking a moment to gather herself, she stood on all fours before rearing up to stretch in another direction and hearing her back satisfyingly pop. Running her fingers through her messy hair, she rubbed her neck and stood, turning to look down at Travis, she tilted her head. Something about someone sleeping quite peacefully in her presence set off a feeling of appreciation before she kneeled down over his head and poked his cheek.
"Hey, Travis, time to get up." Her hair spilled over her shoulders, and toned arms before she poked him again, urging him this time with a slight smile.
Travis DID sleep rather peacefully. The truth is, he didn't even need to breathe, but did so out of natural instinct. By this respect, he could also hold his breath indefinitely, as well, though why he would want to do that is unknown at this time. Still, at least he didn't snore. When Keona poked him in the cheek, he had still been in dreamland, so the immediate response was...
"All the...bits..."
By the second poke, some awareness began to return to his being. He opened his eyes eye, his right hand naturally going to his face to check on his other eye when - of course - he remembered he didn't have one. It makes one wonder just what happened to it, just a little. He looked up at Keona's face and couldn't help but take in the view.
"I'll take this over a sunset, any day."
She may not have been like anyone else on he island, but the juxtaposition of her light skin with her dark hair and tattooing, along with those burning eyes, was a winning combination.
Unsure by what he fully meant, she hovered there for a moment with a smile before pushing herself up. Ira was already awake and about, having caught a mouse and began to chow down.
"I want to show you something today," Keona said, finding a necklace made of bright red beads and yellowed, sharp teeth. Barbaric, but definitely the style. There didn't seem to be a particular nervousness when it came to her in the mornings, she just preferred to get things moving along. Taking a brush, she combed it through her hair then her feathers, grooming the black and red masses. There was a metal sheet that acted as a mirror jabbed into the wood of the hut, keeping it clean was one of the priorities.
Next, she galloped outside into the next room, grabbing bananas and orange as well as a few apples and bounced back in before purring simething in her native tongue. She set down the bowl on a makshift self from the tree trunk near Travis, taking what looked like a coconut before expertly shredding its shell to break it.
Apart from the pleasant face of his host, Travis would wake up to find the young tiger munching on a mouse, looking for all the world as though he were about as chill (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-b7SwP0TBU) about things as he was. He sat up, smirking at this as Keona mentioned something she wanted him to see.
"Oh?"
He got all the way up and we would now see the Travis McNaire morning routine: Yawn, stretch the arms and the spine along with the wings, Pop the joints and the neck, muss the hair and smoothe it back, scratch the odd itch, and assume the relaxed posture, ready to go about the day. The first challenge? Oranges.
There's nothing wrong with oranges, overall. They taste good and they're good for you. Granted, Travis had no idea if the benefitted him at all, but he could still taste. They'd left him with all of his senses down in the demon world so that he could know what it was to be deprived, year after ungodly year. Not important. Here's what is: Oranges were a bitch to open. Not as much as other fruits. For instance, if that was really a coconut Keona had opened, then she was a total expert. Travis, on the other hand, elected a different approach.
Sitting down at the stump-like table, he produced a chef knife of shadowsteel - and by produced, we mean it just appeared in his hand with only a slight black glow preceding its sudden existence - and then simply cut the round fruit in half. Its defenses properly pierced, removing the skin and peeling off segments was basically a snap. The knife remained in case he needed it again. The pellet from yesterday was gone by now. Can't have anybody slipping on that. Still, he had to wonder just what Keona had in mind before they got down to work.
Raising her arm and head to drink the last of the milk, whatever missed her mouth would sizzle and burn right off. Keona watched him carefully after he created the knife, as if seeing the weapon put her on edge. Without thinking about it, she used a sharp stone sliver to scrape the guts from the nut, gathering it before putting it into her mouth to chew. Once finished, she'd throw the waste into the firepit after lighting it, and almost immediately it turned straight into hot ash. Staring for a moment, she turned her gaze back to Travis before standing and greeting Ira.
The place she had in mind was the best sunspot on this island. Trees didn't seem to grow there, and a vent had caused the watering hole to heat up immensly. It was the only relaxing place on this island for her, other than the Volcano. Water couldn't snuff her flame, neither could magma, but it all depended on temperature.
"Travis, what's it like on the mainlands...?" Keona asked out of the blue, not looking back to meet his gaze as she fussed over patting down the cat's fur. He finished his mouse and jumped onto her shoulder, and Keo was careful that her heat wouldn't hurt him.
She had always dreamed of going to the mainlands, to see the people and learn their ways. Yoreiqi was odd, or so she heard, according to most people who visit. Oh well.
Travis had been attacking a banana as she asked them that. He wondered...
"The mainland is huge. It has several different countries, each one with its own way of doing things. I'm actually still working on exploring it all. I didn't exactly know much as a kid, and I've only been back in the world a while. Even still, I've been around some of it."
Noticing how she had disposed of the fruit skins, he copied her act of tossing it in the fire before continuing.
"It's kinda' because I was trying to figure out where I came from, originally. I think it was Serendipity, but I can't be too sure. Serenian people have lighter skin like me, and magic is openly accepted in society. Well...not like the kind used on me. That was terrible. But you'll have wizards and mages and sages, here and there, unlike Connlaoth, which really hates magic. Not sure you'd like it there. People invent all kinds of new things - new tools and stuff - at Connlaoth, but it's because they're afraid magic users are gonna do wreck everything. They've even got Mordecai, people who just stop magic from working."
Well, most magic. Apparently, he was unaffected by the normal ones, or mostly so. Demons worked on their own principals, maybe, or something like that.
"Now, the first two places have got reasonable amounts of grassland, woods, and mountains, but Adela is more forest than you can imagine, and their soldiers - uhh, warriors - ride dragons. Big winged scaley lizards, if you've never seen one before. They're a part of what protects Adela, and they breathe fire at will."
He was making special mention of the magic on the mainland and things like fire-breathing dragons to show that her own fire power wouldn't be as uncommon or shocking as you might believe. Well...he wasn't going to hide the truth about Connlaoth. I mean, be reasonable. She deserved to know.
"And one other place I've been is Essyrn. The country itself is small, only slightly larger than a city - And I know you've never seen a city, but they can get bigger and more complex than your village, by far - and the whole place is surrounded by a dry land of nothing but hot sands for miles. And north of it, there's even a place that is covered in glass. ...have you ever seen glass, Keona?"
He had to wonder just what she'd ever seen from visitors to those parts. Explaining the world she's never seen might be problematic if she had no reference points.
Stretching then curling himself into her arms, Ira made himself comfy as she shifted before turning to face the man. Keona listened with great interest, her expression brightening with every word he said.
"I know what glass is. When the Volcano erupted two years ago I remember being sent to scout the damage since they knew it wouldn't affect me. The beaches were turned into glass and stayed that way for a while until the ocean flooded them yet again." She explained, pacing around and looki at the ground as if trying to remember, "The mainlands sound amazing. I wish I could go there..."
Stopping with her back facing Travis, she suddenly turned with a pleading look, "Could you...- nevermind," Keona shook her head, "We should get going." Setting down her companion then unlatching the door, she waited for her guest to be ready and follow.
He kept forgetting that Keona regularly visited a volcano, and that all the heat in the thing could have all the effects of other areas of extreme heat. Funnily enough, he'd never been able to find anyone to tell him how the Seraj Isa was formed. Most people just shrugged and said 'It's always been that way.', while others might have some kind of legend that was basically unable to be determined. Still, he could see that the girl was interested. She even... He could tell that she wanted to see, but...there was a problem, of course. The water. If that was the reason she said nevermind, he could understand. Still...it might be nice, showing her the world.
"Yeah, I guess we should go."
Double-meaing statement, right there. He'd address this perhaps after they'd come to the place she wanted to show him. At a guess, they might only be able to enjoy it in the morning sun, and time was a'wasting. There was still so much to do. Travis gestured her to lead on, now.
having grabbed something on the way out, Keona quickly tied a silk criss-cross over her chest, then crouched on the edge of the deck. She pushed herself off and opened her black wings, pressing higher and higher over the canopy.
The birds came out of the green in flocks of five or more, creating a cascading iridscent of colour. Below them, the glimpse of larger colourful wings from gatherers and hunters peeked from below as their shadows casted over. The flight wasn't fast, but it wasn't entirely slow eiher. Keona wanted Travis to see her world the way she did every day.
Ahead was the Volcano, still a long ways away, but the volcanic strands reached out much closer. They would reach a waterfall, and then various small watering holes that expelled heat.
Her face visibly lightened up, and it wasn't long before she dove down at an angle to a short waterfall. She hovered there for a moment, looking down at her own little perfect paradise. The water was blue and indigo, with a hole that led to seemingly the abyss as it collected the already heated water from the fall. Around the are was sand and rock, before gradually returning to the same greent the rest of the isles, "I come here occasionally to practice my power. The flames are snuffed by the water, but I myself am not. Come on!" Keona waved him down before descending herself to land on the warm sand.
He was actually curious to see how well she flew, given the wing power that was ever-present on these people. The answer was...quite well, and Travis was perfectly capable of following her, though he was working demonic bat wings instead of feather ones. Once he was out here, though, he realized...he didn't fly anywhere often enough. A bird's eye view was a pretty cool one. He was getting a good look at the island below in his one eye.
I really should fix this thing if I'm just gonna kick back and relax.
Yeah, the only thing was that he still wondered what tore up that animal yesterday... Well, no matter. Plenty of time for that later. So, it seemed that the volcano had some kind of reach across the island, and that Keona was heading down to a waterfall area, which she apparently spent alot of her time. This was like... He landed by sailing down and then dropping to the ground with a hop.
"This is like a painting. People have drawn pictures of places like this."
Then, he paused. The water doesn't snuff her? If it doesn't harm a fire elemental, then it must be hot, right? That...sounded very relaxing. No wonder she liked it here. He turned to face her now.
"Tell me about your power. When does it come out?"
Hopping onto a rock ledge, she spread herself across it, basking in the sun as her wings hung off either side. It took a moment before she processed what he had asked, and she let off a sigh.
"Normally when I'm scared or angry. Being angry isn't really idea here, so normally I'm just scared. And living in a jungle, you'd think I'd know the dangers around here, but they just keep seeming to pop up out of nowhere..." Keona trailed off, turning over to look into the water, "I've been seeing things my whole life, and I'm not the only one, others are starting to see them too. They're dark, shadowy things, things that resemble bears and huge eagles.... I think I burnt down a good portion of the forest running from one when I was a little girl." Making a soft sound, she moved closer to the heat, settling down on her stomach and resting her head on her arms.
"Whenever I go hunting, I've always encountered something that scars me. That animal yesterday... not the first time. In fact, I've been seeing grotesque things since I was sixteen. It began with animal bones, then full tiger and wolf heads hanging from trees," Keona wasn't visibly saddened at the point, "Then, once I became a woman, full, unrecognizable bodies began to pop up once in a while. That's the third time in the past two months I've seen something as horrifying as that."
Pushing herself up, Keo' looked into the wood, as if expecting to see a creature or a dead animal, and slightly disappointed that she didn't just to prove her point. "My fire is defensive, is what I'm trying to say. I've never found the need to go out looking for something to attack. Not without good reason." She turned her head to him, waiting for a possible explanation from him.
He could understand her discomfort, talking about things like uncontrolled magic, but in order to help her, he really had to know. So, he listened and...ummm...this was not what he expected. These things have been happening all her life? This was not normal. Someone or something was doing this to a purpose, or at least that's how it sounded to him. At least one thing was clear, though. Her fire appeared in heightened emotional states. Like him getting power from pain, her power surged whenever something distressed or enraged her. And actually, he thought maybe it was when she was excited or happy too, because of her reactions yesterday, as well.
The answer was her will, like all magic, or at least that's how it seemed. Travis stepped on over to the rock ledge she was on and decided to sit with his back against it, so Keona would essentially be looking down at him if she did at all. He seemed calm, though the weird happenings of her life were clearly a problem. He wanted to solve that one even if it was all just a coincidence, which it probably wasn't.
"Well, I think I know how to deal with the fire problem, right off. It's untamed magic, and people born with magic they don't know how to control either have to figure it out through trial-and-error or someone helps them focus it, shape it properly, and make certain to keep it from blasting out at the wrong time. That's something that I can do, even without knowing any fire magic."
He now cradled his head with his hands as he put one leg over the other, and said...
"The complicated part is about all the carcasses. It seems deliberate, as though trying to disturb you. I can't tell if it's sloppy because other people have seen it or crazy because whatever the cause of it is might not care. Someone or something on this island has some dark intentions, and I wanna know what. But before all that...I think there's something you should see, so you won't be afraid if I do it later. I am a demon, as I've said, and I've got a much scarier form that you may see in the future, so I don't want you to be unprepared, okay?"
"It's not the image part I'm worried about. If you;ve got a scarier image, I won't be afraid because I'll know it's you... And I know you wouldn't hurt me," I hope. "I only fear these happenings because I don't know who's behind it and why they want to torment me." She touched the tri-band that protected her nose bridge and temples, feeling a spark, "Besides. I'm a full grown woman now, and the Shamans are trying to help me contain it as well."
The waters below let off a few bubbles, catching her attention, "Whenever I'm feeling too hot, I usually come here to cool it off. This vent had kept me alive this whole time, preventing my banishment if I did something on accident. When my biological mother died, I fell into a deep sleep. The others told me that I was very much awake, and that I had set one of the huts on fire and sat in the middle of it. I don't remember what happened at all, but I can that I didn't mean it." She pulled herself further before hanging over to the water, "I've always been troubled, I feel as though it's my father's fault because he was never here. I mean, no one really knows their real father, because we're all family and all responsible for taking care of our children."
"You know... the only reason I didn't run from you in the first place was because I wanted to ask you something. I wanted to know if you knew anyone with a child in Yoreiqi, but they weren't there themselves. The Elders said my father was a white man, one pure white hair and a handsome complexion. He was a mage, and my mother was a healer. Only the Gods know how I got a destructive power." She got up on her knees, looking up at the sky, silently asking why, "I guess I just live on the fact that fire kills."
There was an immeasurable trust coming from this girl, enough that it honestly surprised him and he looked up as she was talking, paying more attention now as she began to speak on a more serious side of things. True, Keona was getting help with herself, but he wondered if it was enough. Maybe. He didn't know the shamans or what they could do. Maybe they were as good as the next mage. As she spoke of the episode she had and of her unknown father, it became clear that her problems were far deeper than just day-to-day. Her whole life was a mystery to her. Travis got to his feet now, and leaned himself on the ledge nearby her.
"If you're father's specialty among others was fire magic, and your mother was a gifted healer, their powers could have merged, much like how you're Yoreiqi, but different. People inherit things from their parents. It's the way of the world. Judging from your description of him..."
He thought about it...and did not like the answers.
"The people of Serendipity can look all kinds of ways, and alot of them have magic. But..."
And this was an exceptional but.
"...if that was how he always looked...people of Connlaoth more commonly look that way. Light skin, light hair... It's possible, but...I dunno. Some instinct tells me that it's deeper than that, that there's more to it than a random magus."
He'd been looking down, but now he met her eyes if she'd been looking in his direction.
"Be honest, Keona. More than anything, you wanna go out there and find this man, don't you?"
Her amber gaze bore into his as he searched for that small truth, and it broke her, "Yes." The expression she held was like she couldn't run anymore, "More than anything I've ever wanted, even being normal." Keona kept her voice low, before she broke her sight away from his. "I want to be able to feel the burning pain. Every wound I gain is cauterized, then sealed shut, but leaves a scar."
As proof, she lifted herself up a little and pointed to a long scar near the back of her thigh and curving up over her back, "Once fully healed, the scar turns a disgusting shade of black and glows like the aftermath of a forest fire, even if these tattoos try their best to hide it. They never told me more about him, but he had the same scars over his shoulders and face... that's why he wore a mask over his eyes."
"He knows something, Travis, something about me right at this moment. I'm sure he knows why I see shadow creatures, and why things are dying. I've speculated that he wants to scare me off this island in order to find him..." There was a hint of a smile on her face, like she was thinking that was silly.
Her wounds sealed on her own, and her father was the same way? That took him by surprise.
"That definitely sounds like more than simple fire magic."
Hell, if he was poking at her from a distance, that could mean that he's got some crazy reach...and that he wanted something. It might be better if they found out what, and then probably denied it to him since whatever it was all about didn't seem healthy.
"And he doesn't sound very pleasant, if that's what he's all about."
Now, he hoisted himself up to the ledge and into a crouch, facing her.
"I think when you go and find him, you have someone clever and talented who knows a bit more about the world, like the kind of guy that'd help you with your magic who...coincidentally happens to dress in black and have his own set of wings."
This line of dialogue was working him up to a funny grin.
"Am I being specific enough here?"
Keona gathered her hair and brought it over her shoulder, running her fingers through it as he spoke. When he dropped the hint, she looked up him, rather taken aback by it. But she raised her brow instead and attempted a smirk, "Now would this particular man happen to be missing an eye and is a demon?"
Playing along was something she hadn't done in a long time. Throwing her hair back, she glanced around before pushing Travis into the water playfully. Keo' laughed, leaning over to look down at him. She didn't think it would be too hot for him, as she didn't fully understand if pain was something he felt or empowered him. But right now there was a feeling within herself that she struggled for most. Happiness.
"I'll go with you," Keona slithered off the rock and removed the silk around her chest. It would melt in the spring, and she was careful to keep her last remaining garments as they always burned in some way. She jumped in after removing the delicate part of her loincloth as well, still covered but just barely. There was a loud fizzing noise as the water around her boiled and bubbled away before settling down. The woman set herself just under the rock on a ledge, relaxing in the warmth. However, nothing could beat the heat of the volcano itself.
"Could be."
It was then that Travis shouted something unintelligeable - largely due to his surprise - as Keona shoved him off of the ledge and into the drink. He tried to flap himself to safety, but it was all too fast and-
Sploosh!
No, it wasn't too hot for him. It was just a hot spring, right? And he had a decent resistance to things, as is? Once he surfaced, he shook his head off and heard Keona talking above him. Looks like she was in for a little travel.
"Good to know."
While she was removing her garments, Travis remembered he was wearing leather. It didn't exactly do well in situations like this, so cue the removal of outer layer and leaving only a simple shirt and trousers behind.
"I really hope I'm not in for some shrinkage there."
He sat down nearby, relaxing as she was now.
"I have only the little boat. I know the sea is going to be a problem, so you might consider waiting for a bigger one so you can keep away from it."
"Oh right... the sea." Bringing up a knuckle to press her chin, she pondered for a moment, "That sounds great. In the meanwhile you can have that fun in the sun you were waiting for," Keona stated, grinning widely. Leaning back, she shifted her shoulders against the warm stone. In the days that she would come here, they were always short lived by some hunting or gathering party.
There was a quiet moment before she turned her line of sight back to him, "Travis..." Her voice trailed off as if the subject was embarrassing, "What are the men like?" Here she was taught that all men were fair and treated women as equals, though she figured it was only for Yoreiqi. She awkwardly scratched the back of her head, looking back down at the blue below. Fiddling with the necklace she wore, her cheeks burned a higher temperature than normal, visibly as well. The few feathers at the bending point of her wings flickered like candles, burning with a soft glow.
"Oh, I'm already having it."
This place was great. He couldn't imagine another one in the world like it. I mean, there probably was somewhere, but he hadn't seen or heard of it yet. Travis was doing himself a nice stretch when he heard Keona again...only this time it sounded a bit different, coy-like or something like that. The look on her face suggested it wasn't ordinary curiosity.
"Well, it depends on where you go. You get all kinds. Kings and common workers, gentlemen and gnarled rogues - all kinds. The laws of the country determine how they live and the sense in their heads determines how they behave."
He gave her a look with the one eye and a smirk.
"Not everyone's a nice guy, and not everyone gets treated fairly. I promise nothing'll happen to you, though. I won't let it."
Honestly, if anything ever happened to that beautiful face, those sunset eyes, and that long dark hair, he'd have to kick his own ass. That'd be worse than anything he ever did as a demon, for sure.
Letting off a soft 'tsk', the grin returned to stretch her face yet again, "Well, I think I'll stick to this one then." She playfully shoved his shoulder and looked out into the forest again, rather content with herself. He was different from the others here, and that was what she had yearned for. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes and listened contently to the steam of the pool, and taking in the scent of sulfur as a remedy.
Worried she may fall asleep like this, she opened her eyes every so often just so that the brightness would alert her senses. Even if water didn't snuff her, she still needed air, because what's a flame without oxygen? At some point her head lolled to the side, and it was a while until she once again became knowing of the time. The sun was high in the sky already, and she could feel her stomach asking for food beneath the surface.
"Perhaps we should go find something to eat?" Keo' turned her head in Travis's direction, but not meeting his eye. She simply stared out into space, waiting for a response.
Which is...honestly the kind of response he'd been hoping for. Not everyone in the world was a pain in the ass. In fact, Travis felt she'd enjoy Serendipity the most. It's just that he couldn't help but think that Keona was something special, unique in the world, and that he should watch out for her if she was going to be out there. Now uhh...this place was relaxing, but there was one thing that threw him off a bit.
The sulfur.
It wasn't anything he couldn't handle, but ummm...how do we put this. In the world of demons, all of the senses are assaulted, and one thing you notice is the smell. Well, among all the cocktails of odor in hell or whatever you call it, sulfar was there, but at least it wasn't as bad here. Well, whatever. Travis was perfectly fine having a rest here, but after a while...the question of getting food arose. He opened his eye and sat up.
"Sure, just one question... Everyone here flies. Do you hunt like people or swoop down like birds? I had to wonder about that, last night."
She had to think for a moment on that question, for she hadn't been a part of many parties over the years and had seen various collecting ways, "Well, not all of us have wings," Keona waded past him and pulled herself out of the water, brushing off droplets that didn't evaporate off her chest. Grabbing her silks, she repositioned them on her body and shook out her wings and aired out her hair, "But the ones that can prefer branch hopping for fruit gathering and hunting. The jungle is too thick for larger wingspans like mine, and usually it's those with the shorter wings that are more skillful at flying through obstacles that dive. My spirit name is actually Leaping Leopard, because I prefer using my body rather than my wings."
Turning around and putting her hands on her hips, she nodded behind her, "Come on, maybe I can actually catch something in this area." Twisting on her heel, she headed for the jungle wood, looking up at a tree before clambering up its side to reach the branches that hung above. This area didn't generally grow much fruit because of the fumes, good fruit that is, it would always fall and rot faster than a dead animal. Her memory took a glance at the scene yesterday, and she shivered, shaking her head and bounding to another branch, shaking the leaves as she suddenly got sloppy and slipped. Keona pulled herself back up and cleared her throat, not wanting to talk about it.
Actually, this was all news to him. Not only were there people without wings on this island, but different kinds of wingies? He could see the point of her problem, though. If the trees were too dense, how could you swoop? Maybe there were some places, but yeah...that was a problem.
"Well, they're be more open places on the mainland, at least."
As it stood, though, she was getting out and was adamant to see if today was her lucky day. Well, maybe, but of course The Travis has to slosh his way out of the water first and grab his things. He umm...didn't actually see Keona have a Whoops moment because that boy was re-introducing himself to his pants. However, he was soon getting some wing-assisted leaps down to follow her, still pulling his coat along for the ride.
Pushing herself further, she stopped on a thick branch and stood, her hair catching in several pink and blue flowers. Down below, in a small clearing, there was a herd of wild boar grazing on the sweet grass. Keona waited for him and crouched down slowly, making no sound whatsoever.
"Shh," She hissed with a soft tone, keeping her eyes on the prey. They ranged in several sizes, all minding their own business and grunting loudly. "Hey, you have a weapon on you, right?" She whispered to him, "Because I seem to have forgotten mine." She flexed and tensed her muscles, clearly eager to see a successful killing without her screwing it up somehow.
They were clueless, and completely vulnerable to their will.
Following as best he could, Travis came to rest near where Keona was, and kept his yap shut as he was bidden. Down there, a small herd of wild boars...if herd was the right word. He never really asked. Didn't matter. They were there, and they were ripe for the stabbing. Well...except that Keona had left her spear and any other sort of weapon she might have behind. Hmmm, a problem. fortunately, this was one guy with a solution. Holding his finger up in a 'Just a second' gesture, he held his hands aloft and...produced a throwing spear with a barbed head. It was, of course, made of shadowsteel, and would therefore be cold. But hey, what's the old saying? And port in a storm? Travis created one for himself as soon as she took up hers. Why not? He could toss.
Flinching at the cold material, she tried her best to heat it but to no avail. Instead she tried to focus on aiming it, finding it heavier (obviously) to hold up. Closing an eye, she positioned herself with strength. Pressing in her stomach, puffing out her chest and raising her chin, she lined up the shot.
"Line of sight, calm breaths, don't over think it..." Keona murmured the rules of hunting to herself, then gathered her energy to push the spear through the air. It sliced through the slight breeze, then plunged its way through the hide and skeleton of one of the boars. It was small, but it was still a kill. At this point the other boar were going crazy, panicking as one of their own had just been killed, and the blood was splattered to prove it. Keona was... giddy, no, more than giddy.
"I... made a kill..." She whispered shakily, "I made a kill... I MADE A KILL!!" Keona eventually screamed to the heavens, followed by laughter. Travis wouldn't be able to understand it, but one's first kill meant you were capable of more. And making your first kill when you were already a woman was not heard of.
While Keona had been steadying herself for the throw, Travis had just been doing the same, but he was just a bit delayed when he had to angle his head and used the left eye while being right-handed. He had a good sense for these things, though, but with the delay...Keona's spear struck true and Travis'...
"Whoops."
He got one in the ass.
Naturally, there was a piggy panic as the group ran hog-wild and... These are bad puns, aren't they? Let's just stop right there, then. Keona was ecstatic, so much so that Travis stared for a moment in surprise. Was her problem hunting really that bad? Must be, since the heavens needed to know. Well, at least he got one t- Wait, where'd it go?
"What the...? Dammit, mine's leaving! Come back!"
The boar with the wounded posterior loudly declined as it hopped awkwardly away.
"I can still catch him. He's as good as dead, right?"
But still, Keona had definitely made victory on this day. He was happy for her. Also, it meant there'd be meat on the menu today.
Trying to calm down, she giggled to herself and tried to hold her body together, "Sorry, hehe, go find your pig, hah, it can't run far like that." She leaped off the branch and glided down to her kill, quickly making sure it was dead by shoving the spear further until it managed to pierce the other side. It'll be easier for her to carry it like this, without burning it.
One of the pigs was angry, and charged at her before she hissed and grabbed its tusks before tossing it with ease into the forest and quickly grabbing both visible ends of the spear and taking off to a branch, waiting for Travis. The villagers will be happy she managed to catch it, and honor her first kill as her true entry to adult hood. Being able to make a kill was also most desirable here, and she wondered if something will happen, although she isn't quite sure what. The blood that smeared onto her hands was prized, but it didn't last long until it boiled off to leave the clear and smooth skin she was born with.
Aaand swoop! Yes, he wasn't wasn't getting far like that, but he was getting around a tree with a spear poking him in the butt, which Travis had to grab and remove - A bit of loud struggling follows here. - and then plunge back down...which then ended the sizable noise. This was followed by...
"Okay, I got it!"
Travis returned with the spear on his shoulder and the boar gutted in the neck, dribbling blood from uhh...two places. It was just a tad bit messy. He returned to Keona now and looked around.
"Right umm...which way was it again?"
Hey, if it was the beach, he'd know the way, but it wasn't. Let's have ourselves a triumphant return.
Humming softly to herself, she looked in the direction they came from and headed that way, "If we can make it to the spring then we can find our way back. The island isn't very wide, but its length is another story."
Hoisting her catch over her shoulder, she walked with a swish and a gallop in her step, knowing people will be thankful.
"Have you ever hunted before?" Keona asked, leaning her head back to look at him, bright eyes glinting in the dim atmosphere. Her gloominess had begun to fade, thanks to his presence. Maybe it was the fact that he cared and felt her pain, or perhaps it was what she felt.
What do I feel? She asked herself, very unsure of her own mind at this moment. Perhaps the feeling will pass.
Well, the spring, he had a better idea vis-a-vis the direction thereof, so they were probably fine for that. The two of them started walking along, pigs in tow, when the question of his hunting prowess came up.
"Me? No, I've never hunted. I've fought, and I've definitely killed, but that had nothing to do with hunting. That was more about all the demon things I did for the creature that made me what I am."
He shrugged, then.
"I got over it."
He really only managed there because he was good with weapons, a skill hammered into his demon-y self over the years until he got it right.
Though not entirely shocking, it surely was an interesting fact. She wondered if she would have to kill and fight on the mainlands as well, probably not like him, but definitely brutally. I'm fine with that.
Listening closed to the sounds of the village, it was distant but easy to follow, that and the scents of woodsmoke and bonfires attracted her as well, "I'm glad you're here, Travis. I know it sounds weird, but I never knew a stranger could make me feel happy..." Keona turned her face away and blushed, fixing the position of the metal rod.
The journey back wouldn't take long until Keo finally saw flickers of torchlight between the trees and laughter and singing. It was unsure if they'd welcome a stranger who had killed a meal to be honored, partly because she had never seen it.
Maybe they were kind enough to accept it as a peace offering? Mh, that sounded silly, but she decided to give it a shot.
"Anything's possible."
He chuckled a bit as they headed for the village, already the sounds of its activity being heard. There'd be no problem, right? They saw him here yesterday. Even though they'd been doing their own thing, he was plainly visible and nobody batted an eyelash. Unless there was some kind of rule about strangers hunting, they should be cool here. Well, we'll be putting that to the test, right...about...now.
Stepping into the village, Keona confidently headed for the bonfire where food was being prepared to be cooked. She dropped the boar at the feet of one of the council members before saying something in their language. Pulling the spear out of the pig, she handed it to Travis, and exchanged a few more foreign words with the man before her. He smiled and placed his hands on her shoulders, looking like a proud father as he touched his nose to her forehead.
Turning back to look at Travis, she waved him over and said something that included his name, and the council elder patted his shoulder, before returning to attend to the feast. It wasn't long before he shouted an announcement to the entire population, then three the prepared meat onto wooden racks to make room for their catch.
"He's proud of us. Even a stranger like you have made an impressive skill, or so head said. We're going to have a feast in honour of those becoming women and men today, and our first kill on this island will be an honour to eat during the ceremony," Keona faced him and smiled, "You may attend if you wish. I'll be up in my hut."
Judging by the look of things, one would have to conclude that things were alright. Honestly, he'd wondered if there was gonna be some friction, but Travis had underestimated these people. Well, when you come from the mainland, you expect people to behave a bit more like that. It's not the same as a tightly-knit island village, though. The big chief muckamucks appeared to be pleased with Keona's catch. Hell, they were fine with him too, as he handed it over. Upon returning to Keona's side, though, Travis' attention swerved to an announcement that...he could not understand. Fortunately, Keona had explained it to him.
"I'll stick around for the food and stuff, be along later. Any special customs I should know about? Want me to bring you some of the feast?"
He was unsure, at first, why she wasn't going to be around for her own ceremony, but he realized that she felt she might ruin it with her fire power, somehow. She was in a good mood, and it seemed to come out even then. Perhaps she just didn't want to spoil it for everyone. Even still, she should definitely partake in some of her kill. Hunters whom he had met always say things like 'Nothing is more satisfying than food that you've caught and killed and cooked with your own hands.'. And thinking back to Keona's triumphant cry, they might've had a point.
"Mh... well.. I do need to be the first to eat some of my kill. I mean, I guess I could stay for a little while. Ceremonies require a certain kind of dress anyways," So either way she'd be forced into her shelter for the time being, "I'll need some help. Come with me."
Like before, she grabbed his wrist and tugged him gently with her, walking with quick feet as if wanting to get out before anyone saw her.
Swiftly climbing her tree, she entered to find Ira chasing a squirrel and knocking a few things over. He finally caught it and muched triumphantly on the little meat it offered, making Keona sigh before putting a few things back, "My first ceremony was the young Shaman's ceremony, where I had officially become a seer. Unfortunately my abilities clouded my mind after time, and all I could see was fire. I still have the pieces of silk and jewelry they had given me, but it took a team to assemble it. Hm," She chickled softly to herself, coy all of a sudden, "Sometimes I pretend it's that day all over again, so I dressed up in it for fun, as well as going to the volcano." Keona pulled out a box made of sticks, over flowing with the traditional wear.
So, it looked like she was going to attend, after all, but there was some preparation she needed to do... Why did she need his help? Well, he was about to find out. Back to the tree, this time he knew where he was going and basically started to wall-hike to get up quicker, where...the mighty hunter was chasing down a squirrel. Travis smirked at this, then listened to Keona's tale. He didn't know she had vision quests. Maybe that's why her father could reach all the way here. She had mind talents that could be focused on. Who knows?
"So, this is your catch-all big ceremony clothing or do you have different ones for each occasion?"
"I haven't had any other ceremonies other than that one and me becoming a woman by recieving these markings... But for that one I wasn't allowed to wear much of anything at all. Which is understandable." She blew some hair from her face, why did she really bring him up here? Did she really need help with this stuff? Maybe it was just to get him away from the curiosity of others... or maybe- Shaking her head, she assembled the main components quickly, taking a circular headpiece and inspecting it. It all did seem a little overboard, maybe this was enough? "It's all smaller than it once was..." She murmured to herself as she looked at the parts that hung from her arms. Shrugging, she took up a long, viel type of material, handing it to Travis, "Do you mind attaching these to bits to my wings please?"
Kicking the box away, she brushed her bare stomach and upper chest off from the dust that had collected within the box. Ira sat at her feet, and she crouched down to pet him as he rubbed against her leg. He was always so loveable, and the reason why she managed to keep her sanity this whole time.
"Sorry I'm putting you through this..." Keona said to Travis, keeping her face down at the cat. There was a soft smile on her lips, both for the cat and him, "Hopefully you won't have to stay long, because it does get quite boring after a while."
"That...makes sense. I guess."
Just how far did those tattoos go? Well, if her statement was any indicator, they went umm...all over. Dang. So, as she asked him to help her put the veil-things on her wings, he looked at them, saying...
"Well, I could try."
He...assumed they were suppose to drape over or something...right? Keona had leaned down to pet the lovable tiger while he did that now.
"That depends on who comes to port in a bigger boat. I'm sure I can convince 'em to take us along. 'till then, I've got time to spare."
"Leave out the parts that I'm a flamecaster. Maybe it'll heighten your chances," Keona said with a hint of bitterness, "No matter. Thanks for the help. With wings these size it's well, difficult on your own. Now, to explain some of the traditions. When the elders are speaking, you must stay quiet. When the men and women receive their markings, don't laugh, don't whisper, and don't disrespect them, because it isn't the most graceful of things to watch." Boy did she remember how embarrassing hers was. The magic that gives you the markings tickled and irritated the skin in the most awkward of places, but you're not allowed to move until the process is finished. After that then most of the new adults just jump around trying to get at it.
"Don't take more than you'll eat when the chiefs give permission to feast, and finally," Keona made a face, a face as though this happened way too often and she was just sick of it, "Don't make small talk with anyone, please." Well, mainly it was simply a rule she made up. Sad to say, but she was jealous of the fact everyone else could speak Common, and so well they'd drag certain attention away. Negative emotions. Stupid stupid, stupid Keona, can't be having those. There was a native call from down below, and the woman sighed to herself softly, "We'll be forced to sit up front, so we need to be a bit early."
He could understand her feelings on the boat bartering business. Really, you never tell anyone you have fire power if you're talking to someone with possessions made of wood, not unless you wanted to make them nervous. Travis didn't have anything to say to that. It's best let go, then and there. He listened to the rules of the ceremony tradition and...while the first part made sense...the latter part about the tattooing produced a funny glare on his face.
"I'll...keep that in mind."
The part about eating was alright, of course. He knew his limits. And the small talk? Was there...something more about that? Hmmm. He wondereed there... Nah, it was just his imagination, maybe. Well, he'd just try to enjoy himself...and then he heard they'd be up front like...well...like guests of honor.
"Okay then, lead the way. I'll be good."
He said this with a snicker.
Rolling her eyes, she patted Ira on the head before gliding away to the deck, opening her wings to float gently to the ground. She didn't gather much attention before joining the front row of older and young adults. The ones that had no markings on them stood near the bonfire, facing one of the elder tribe members who was decorated with blue silks varying in shades. Keona was sitting prim on her knees as per instruction of an old shaman, who smiled at her kindly.
Soon the crowd would fall silent as the elder began to speak, shouting his words so that the whole tribe could hear. He gestured to the three that stood, one woman and two men, all looking nervous as hell behind their staged, stoic faces.
Keona rubbed her nose to hide a quick smile, just to get it out of her system until the man gestured the three to closed their eyes. The old woman who had smiled at her earlier stood up, her hunched back making it look like she'll topple over easily. Chanting something and rattling her cane, she closed her eyes and one by one marked the new adults. The markings swirled from their feet up to their heads in blues, golds, greens and violets. These colours reflect their personalities, and the few to receive the out of the ordinary colours and shades like red, gold, white or black were often rare. Soon after the last swirl appeared on the last body, she turned to the crowd and cheered something, the gathering, including Keona, repeated the phrase.
Before they were dismissed, the woman would speak again while the three behind her left to tend to themselves. She gestured to the food, then placed her hands on both Keo and Travis's heads, thanking them for their first sacrifice of food.
Travis, being Travis, just stepped right off and only used his wings at the last second to control his drop. He thudded to the ground, feet first, but he was alright. So, he came to the ceremony as he was suppose to and...did not understand a word of what was going said. In his mind, he was seeing if he could fill in the blanks with what he thought he was saying, but for all he knew, he was talking about the weather when he might be addressing the volcano goddess. The only thing he could be sure of was that Keona had passed a rite of passage and that she was honored.
And then, an old woman was doing something with a rattle and colored things, which he had no way in hell of figuring out. There was chanting and repeated refrains, and it basically seemed like religion going on, but he didn't know the deeper meanings of the motions. Finally, after a while, they got to something he understood: They were pointing out his and Keona's contribution to the night's meal. Travis just kept his yap shut and let it all happen. At some point, the ceremony would be over and they could go about their business.
The sun had reached the three quarter point of the day, indicating that this was their supper. Normally feasts started early as they lasted for several hours in case you wish to have food in your belly before you sleep.
"You must be the first to eat your kill, same goes for me," Keona stated softly, "As long as you eat the hear as well, you'll gain the boar's strength." It was tradition, that eating the heart of your first kill granted you the strength of whatever you ate. Normally the first kill is indeed boar.
She herself stood up, striding over to a makeshift table she cut off a piece of the once-pumping muscle but hesitated, before stuffing it into her mouth and chewing. It was tough, but she eventually got it down and grabbed just a small portion of food after that.
So, what she was saying now is that you have to eat your heart out, or rather your kill's heart. Hey, no worries. Demon, remember? Plenty of viceral things have happened on his watch, so eating a cooked heart wasn't so bad. Along with Keona, then, he stood up and came to find his boar's heart on the table. He used one of their knives, this time, which meant that it wasn't quite as sharp and it needed a little more work, but he definitely cut the heart, which allowed more steam to arise from it. Then, he just shoved it in and started to munch on it. No big deal. From there, he got a decent amount of meat and went back to eat as planned.
Keona was already climbing her tree with the small amount of food in hand, carefully coordinating herself to not drop it. Once inside, she gave a small chunk to Ira before sitting on some pillows in front of the dead coals. She frowned before pointing at them, making a small motion before a spurt of flame came from the tip and into the cold fire place. It ignited and almost instantly there was a rather decent fire going. The woman stared blankly into the fire, watching the flames flicker and dance before her.
Ira came up and rubbed his head under her arm before laying in the warm spot, closing his eyes and taking a nap. It was loud and crowded back there, and she was glad she had kept the windows closed.
Clouds began to roll in from the north, blinking with lightning and black with water. No one would notice in such a thick area, not under the first drop that is. The rumbling was drowned out by the cheerful voices and ringing music, not even Keona noticed it. It wasn't a bad thing either, the tribe had been waiting for rain for weeks now, and she was rather happy without it.
Travis had...to think about getting his food up in the tree, munching on some of it. He'd also heard the rumbling, and he knew bad weather when he heard it. With at least one hand - nah, better make it two - he would have to...yeah, let's do that. With a quick running start, he jumped at a tree, kicked off, and started to wingbeat his way up to work on spiralling his way up the tree, until he could get up there and land, then step inside himself...where Keona was already comfortable.
"Man, if that storm had hit while I was in the dinghy, it might've sunk."
Aaand sit, and commence the eating!
Keona shot Travis a look, "Storm?" Welp, time to batten down the hatches. Normally when storms roll through here there's always debris and fallen trees afterwards. Not to mention everything would be wet. The thought made her shiver, those days she would always spend inside, huddling close to the fire.
"Great..." She mumbled, taking a bite out of a chunk of meat.
The wind began to blow against the tree tops, and the hut would physically move, but not a lot. These places were built like stone, sturdy and trustworthy. Nothing's gonna knock her home down, not until she's gone.
Sturm und Drang? Jah.
"'Fraid so. Heard it in the background."
Naturally, this was not too pleasing a thing for Keona to hear. Rain, rivers, lakes, and the ocean were all her enemy, save for when they were heated to the point of tolerance. Like the narration said, batten down the hatches. It's a'gonna be a biggun! Still, with them secure, it should be fine here. Even as they were eating and the tree they were situated on began to sway, not Keona nor the tiger looked concerned, so they must've been completely use to this. It was a good thing too, because if she'd been living with this her entire life, then she wouldn't get seasick. Travis smirked at this, raising a piece of his meal.
"Well, here's to boar's strength."
With a chunk of meat in her cheek, she raised her meal in the air, dropping some on accident. It was gone within seconds as Ira gobbled them up and Keona groaned softly. Not like she felt extreme hunger anyways. She finished the few scraps the were left and and set the wooden plank down beside her, staring down into the blaze.
"I wonder if he's alive..." She said out of the blue, and immediately you'd think of her father. Keona felt every passing day grow with eagerness as she prayed for a boat to arrive. There should be one soon, hopefully that is, some do arrive after storms.
"Did... did you know your parents?" Trying to catch his eye by looking at him, Keona held a look of concer, highly doubting it. Even if he did it would have been a long time ago, and the memory faded.
Well, one thing was for sure, is that she definitely knew how that felt.
As they continued Travis snickered a bit at the might hunter, pouncing on the dropped piece of meat. Otherwise, they ate contentedly,. Then, after it was over, Keona mused upon the fate of her father, the scarred and pale man who - in all likelyhood - knew something more arcane and dreaded than mere fire magic. At a guess, Travis would conclude that yes, he was alive. Men like that might go to any length to remain in this world. Plus, if it wasn't he who sent whatever was killing animals on this island, then who? Then, the other question...
"Hmm?"
He blinked, actually surprised at the question. Then, he looked down at the floor.
"I knew my parents. I don't know my parents."
His eye met hers now as he elaborated on the situation he was in.
"I remember that my name is Travis McNaire, that I was just a boy when some men in hoods appeared and took me to their place of power, the altar in which they conducted their black rituals. Those things are quite clear. The punishing years after that made my childhood a distant and blurry memory. It's just a faded image in my head, and as of now, I've yet to find the McNaire family. They could have been victims, they could've died out naturally, or I could've just missed them. It's been around twenty years, I think, so the trail is cold."
Even the hooded men were hard to find. Travis now looked to the ceiling.
"Sometimes, I like to think that if they're anything like me, they'll find some way to push past the heartbreak and the lonelyness, and move on. But I'm just projecting the me that woke up in a demon's body and powered through to where I am now. I don't know. I'll miss 'em, but I can't do anything about 'em."
It saddened her. At least she got to know her mother by the time she reached 13, but by then she had fallen victim to illness. Keona pondered to herself for a moment before listening to the music of the winds and shifting to move up right next to him.
"You don't have to be alone anymore... I can help you too, as you can help me, would you allow that?" Trailing her eyes over the fire, at the moment she refused to meet his. Ira moved as well and made himself comfy in her lap, "Friends," Keona spoke the word like before, unused and completely foreign to her.
The shutters shook and whistled, but the woman kept herself from shivering at all, simply heating the area up. Was this how mom felt that eventually caught dad? No, that couldn't be it. The thought pushed her away from him and she stood, going to latch the door and windows to get her mind off it.
It was a bit of a somber thought, the kinder and more innocent piece of his life being so very far away, with those of his family too far out of reach, but he felt that they'd be proud of him, overcoming a demon (himself) and beating down a demon lord (Revenant) to obtain freedom. Maybe he'd be able to tell someone of the family some day... There's no guarantee that they're dead anymore than alive. Well...if he saw one, then good. That's all that he could say. Travis would now turn his attention to Keona, who moved up beside him and dramatically improved his mood. With a smile, he put his hand on her shoulder.
"Thanks, Keona. A better person, I do not know."
People varied in the world, and a kinder and more giving person than Keona, he had yet to meet. People were people, after all, but who had been so open to a stranger as she? As she got up to go about her business in the room, Travis put his hands to good use and began to skritch the tiger behind the ears and such. A tiger was hardly like an ordinary cat, but their bodies were similar. They all had their comforting spots.
Ira meowed and pushed up against his hand as he enjoyed the feeling. Keona sighed softly to herself, grabbing a rather burned-looking blanket she had gotten from traders. Wrapping it around herself, she returned to her spot and let off a huff.
She wanted to say something, but she didn't know what more to say to him at this moment. The light from outside faded eventually, indicating that the clouds hovered just above them, and soon the pitter-patter sound of rain began to hail from the heavens.
It easily unsettled her, but Keona didn't move as her eyes became heavy with drowsiness. Even the cat below stretched his mouth wide open for a yawn, shaking his head to sniff up at the two.
The day, it seemed, had played itself out. Keona definitely wasn't going to do much while a rainstorm was going anyway, and it was late as it was. With that in mind, Travis laid back and glared up at the ceiling, head cradled in his hands as he'd done before. In a way, his travels thus far had sort of blended together, in that he'd have a fair amount of lying about, letting his mind drift as he gave thought to...nothing in particular. Tonight was differennt. The woman he'd met here was good company, and she'd given him food for thought, because...he hadn't really spared that much thought to his parents, only that they might be long gone, for whatever reason. Now...he had to wonder about that, just as Keona wondered about her father. That man... He could be an arcane sorcerer of an ilk greater than any magic user, or...no. There was no proof of inhumanity. Keona may've been different from the people, but she was all-human. As he began to drift off, he hoped that...this guy wasn't like the hooded men from his past.
Indeed she felt strange about this, no doubt about it, and the fact she was finally going to pursue the magical force only let her anxiety levels peak. Looking back at Travis, there was a sense of calmness knowing he was here. Quiety, she got up and whisked out of the room into the next. It was more canopy than the main area, but still heavily shielded from the wind and rain. Ira followed her, bounding up to her side as she sat down and began to pet him.
"Oh Ira, thus is all so messed up... I don't know what to think anymore. I feel like I'm only using him for protection but," Keona sighed, looking down, "If I do that, I'm no better than my father..." She whispered, closing her eyes for a moment. It was cold here, but she didn't care.
Meowing up at her from her leg, the cat stared up with intent eyes as if trying to bore them into her soul. Go with him. They seemed to say. Keo paused, looking at him for another moment before smiling softly to herself. "Maybe you just want food."
The two of them might catch a low growl from the main room that sounded perhaps as though a fully-grown tiger was in the room. However, it would turn out to just be Travis, in his sleep. What may be bothering him, you might ask? How about a different dream?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It was the sacrificial altar.
The room is dark, but spaceous. There are candles lit near the altar and there is a slight unearthly glow about the room, either by moonlight or something else. The men in the hoods are all in red-and-brown robes, wearing cloth masks painted in blood. Only their hands and maybe their eyes can be seen. The words they are chanting are indecipherable to anyone who just speaks Common, and they don't confirm to most other languages either. Travis' perspective is from the altar itself, of course, watching a knife get plunged into his chest and getting torn open at the apex of their ritual.
The dream is different from reality in that he has immediately gone demon on them.
Black hands of demonic alloy and shadowy energy reach out and crush the high priest's head beneath the mask. followed by snapping the body in half and tossing it across the room. The other men are in a panic, but - weirdly - still chanting as he chases them about, one by one, and tears through their bodies. Now, he'll see the ones who these people are. He tears off the masks, one after the other, but...they're all the same man! Pale, white-haired, and scarred. Travis growled in irritation. This wasn't right. This was a fantasy. He-
"Now, wait a minute..."
THIS was interesting... He knew he was only dreaming now, but they all had something specific about their hands, something that was definitely familiar and real in his memory: All of their palms were bloody open wounds. These people were definitely...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
...blood mages. So, that's how it is, then. He couldn't suddenly be given all the answers, because that was just ridiculous, but the clue fit. He WAS sacrificed for something important to them, and they were scarred and bleeding from the palms. They were engaged in blood magic. And on that note, what will our demon-boy awaken to this time?
Even though sleep hissed and scratched at her eyes, Keona could not fall asleep, not for the longest time. She found herself roaming around for a moment as thunder rumbled and cracked outside. At some point it was loud enough to assume it hit some of the trees just outside. She jumped and sat down, looking down at Travis who seemed otherwise engaged in a dream. Were they really that intense?
She looked over his face for a moment, hovering a warm hand just over his good eye, as if cautious about touching him. There was a throated sigh before she retreated back. This time she layed ddown on her side, facing him before hesitating to close her eyes.
This fiery dream was different. It wasn't just dancing flames this time, no, instead the flames created images. Images of her and... who was that? It wasn't clear, maybe it's just her deepest desires.
This time, Travis had awakened first.
The rain had gone on for hours and hours, but now it was down to a mild drizzle that would soon be non-existent. It was a strong one, that much is for sure. Travis had awakened silently, his eye simply opening all of a sudden and finding Keona lying down there. He stood up and had looked at the rain through the smaller gap in the window hatch.
He wasn't looking at it. He was looking through it.
He knew where to find the answers. He remembered hearing from someone in Essyrn that there was a people who practiced in blood magic, some guy in a shop... He'd said that to him in passing conversation while trying to make a sale. Travis hadn't paid it any mind, but now... All he had to do was find the place where it was used and then maybe there'd be a few loose ends to tie.
Mumbling in her sleep, Keona turned over, breathing softly and in interchanging patterns. The sun was still clouded over, and didn't shine through any open slits in the windows, but light was indeed present. She moaned to herself before lying on her back, blinking open her eyes to see nothing but blurry shapes and faded colour until they finally focused. Turning onto her stumach and dragging herself upwards, she rubbed her eyes with a puzzled expression.
"Wierd..." She said to herself. Ira was already out hunting at this point, and Keona didn't seem to notice or worry much. Soon she stretched and got up, fixing her hair before looking around. Noticing Travis, the woman would be even more puzzled. Walking up to him quietly, she put a gentle hand to his arm, "Are you alright Travis? You seem lost..."
Her observant skills weren't the best in the dark, but she could sense a sort of uneasiness to him that concerned her. Perhaps it was just the dream he had?
Travis was not aware of anything going on in the room until he felt a hand. Up until then, he was in his own thoughts. Then, his head turned and looked at Keona, as though surprised that she were standing there. Maybe he was, though he couldn't think of any reason why that would be. He lost track of time, perhaps. Yes, that was very likely.
"I don't usually dream anything special, since I sort of let life happen and not let things bother me. But...I guess last night I was thinking and...I think I know what sort of people took me that night. Nobody specific, just that I know the magic they were using. Namely, it was blood magic."
There was about as much chance of as there was against Keona knowing what he was talking about. Even still, it was something for him to look in on about.
"I hope you rested well. It looks like the rain's finally stopped."
Blood magic? That wasn't very welcome here, and she had hear snippets of what it could do. The name was scary enough as is. Could someone be sending him messages through sleep? No, what kind of person holds that magic anyways?
Her grip tightened and she looked down, "Don't worry, we can look for the ones who took you as well... my father can come later." She pushed the hatch open and stuck a stick in the corner to hold it. The clouds had begun to clear, and just above the horizon was the sun with bright pinks and blues all around. Keona stared at it for a moment longer before slowly tearing herself away from him to open the others, then put out the fire.
Preparing a bag of bananas and apples and oranges, she secured it over her shoulder and petting Ira who came in with a triumphant look, holding a dead bird in his jaw. "I'll see you tomorrow when I return, don't knock anything over." Just in case, she made sure all sources of heat were cold and that food was tucked away from the bats and rodents.
"I'm island hopping today. If you wish to join me then I'll be heading North-east, the neighboring island." She opened the door and waited a moment before opening her strange wings and fluttering out from the canopy.
"There's no rush, on my account."
He didn't even know if he even aged properly anymore. Chances are, the answer was no, but even still...a little extra time on his end of things wasn't going to make that much a difference, was it? He felt it wasn't right to let Keona's half of things go to wait as much. Her issues felt more in the present, the here and now. Now, it seemed as though Keona was preparing to go somewhere, but where? Than, she said, and...what?
"Wait, you mean there's a whole 'nother island?"
Remember, Travis knew very little about Yoreiqi, and he'd arrived while half-asleep. Ergo, he had no idea that it was a series of smallish islands, not just one singular landmass. He quickly stepped outside to wingbeat his way into the open air and sail his way over the direction she was going. He had to see this for himself.
She kept her mouth shut, just smiling. The feathers on the corners of her wings were lit aflame, using the warmth it provided as an updraft to keep her gliding. The breeze would be enjoyable if it weren't for her delicate temperature, but she was sure to keep herself from falling out of the sky because of it. The air held moisture from the storm, and on the leaved that passed below her.
Soon arrived the edge of the forest, then the beach, and then came the blue ocean which caused her to heighten her altitude. Keona knew a place that held something special. It wasn't jewels or silks, it was... odd. Looking back at Travis, she smiled to herself and continued her way forward to watch the dim island grow in both size and colour.
Smaller islands led to larger ones, until the main island approached at last. It doesn't take long to island hop, that is, if your mind is busy with other things.
Along the trip (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJlk9EQqo1w), over the jungle and eventually the beach, Travis was largely supported by the flying power of his wings. He had the same updraft working for him, but he liked to play around a bit, swooping down and sailing up higher. Otherwise, he was gliding on by, only the occasional flap or lean of his weight to guide him around, adjusting his course as need-by.
So! There were actually several islands, were there? How did he ever miss that? Oh wait, asleep at the helm, of course. Well, no matter. He could see them now, and Keona appeared to be giving the smaller ones a miss as she headed for another big one. Well, she was the one who knew her way around this place. May as well see where it all goes. Was she off to trade with another village, maybe?
Keona continued to fly, but didn't go further than the island, and instead circled a section for a few minutes.
Aiming her sights down at a certain area, she took a sudden and sharp turn, tucking in her wings and diving down at an angle. Closer and closer the ground came, but she didn't do anything until sher burst her wings open to break her fall. Kicking up sand, she landed nearly a foot in the ground before brushing herself off.
"Now... where was it again?" She murmured to herself. This section of the island was burned, clearly having been struck by lightning as it was a flat, stone plateau. Any small tree was nothing but charcoal and ash at this point, no matter how hard the rain tried to put it out.
The smell of burning materials was a remedy for her, and she took it all in before seriously searching for something on the surface of every flat stone.
Rather than circle as she had, Travis came to a halt and began to wingbeat in place, basically hovering in place. He had the strength to keep up his position like this, unlike other flight-capable beings. He did so because, after following Keona here...she seemed to be a might bit lost, at least until she began to arc her way down. This place had been blasted, probably by nature if nothing else. There was no one else here that he could see. Travis gradually flapped his way down as Keona appeared to be scrutinizing a bunch of rocks.
"What're you looking for?"
"Something..." Simply put, Keona paused for a moment, crouched in the middle of a stone and looking around. What she was looking for was an item she was saving, an item made of gold and bone from a sea serpent. It was a prized possession, but she also did want to show Travis more than just her island.
"Can you see anything glinting in the sun?" The item would be easy to spot if it wasn't for the water. Flapping over to another section, she got on all fours to looking into the small canyons and channels that ran through the area.
Maybe someone had found it before she did? It had been a while since she hid it here, maybe even the water dragged it away.
She didn't say what it was, which didn't exactly help, but she DID mention that it would glint in the sun. Okay, so it was maybe something shiny? That might be something of an issue, with all this water, being all reflective and stuff. Nevertheless, Travis shrugged and said...
"I'll keep an eye out for it."
He began to look around, either wingbeat-jumping or full-on flying to different spots. He was specifcially going where Keona wasn't looking, so they'd cover more ground quicker. If he saw anything, he'd let her know. Of course, without knowing what it was, he might see alot of things.
These lands would be picked clean if your stuff wasn't hidden correctly, so there would have been a chance hers would be the only one seen. No one usually came here after a storm, partly because it was so-
"Ow!" ...slippery. Keona had fallen on her behind, sitting on her knees to rub the new bruise. She growled, getting up and carefully stepping closer to another chasm. Down below, a branch stuck out from the side, and she sword she could see something.
Skillfully and carefully like a monkey, she would climb down and hang there to grab it before coming back up. So the storm had washed it down, as least it caught onto something.
"Got it!" She called up, crouching to inspect it.
During this time, Travis had found exactly no shiny things at all. What he did find was a whole lot of rocks, wood, dirt, surviving plants, aaand that's largely about it. It was only after a while that he heard Keona speak up from...where was she? He turned to look around, then leapt up and started flapping to get up high until finally he spotted her and swooped on down.
"Okay, I'll bite. What the heck is it?"
It WAS a shiny thing, but even looking at it in her hands, he didn't have a fucking clue.
It was shaped oddly, but rather small in her hands, "I never really knew myself. I think it's more of a symbol, because it means something to me."
Turning it over in her hands, she inspected it and made sure nothing was broken terribly. It was a doll, made to look like a dragon from the west.
"Here, look at it," Keona gently handed it over to him, smiling kindly. The object had a small enchanment on it, to make people feel a little brigter than they did.
As soon as she handed it over, Travis did feel something, but more importantly he was surprised by the look of it. Keona was essentially saying that it was a talisman, and it might very well be such a thing. More to the point, this little thing was in the shape of a dragon, the non-serpentine kind. She had fire and flame, and it was in her mind as much as it was part of her body. She called it a symbol. Maybe it was. Maybe she was closer to the truth than he knew. Perhaps... He looked up from it to her.
"I feel like this thing has some sort of magic effect, something more subtle than a boost in strength. The thing is, I gotta ask: How long have you had this?"
The effect had released her, so she was rather solemn about the subject when she spoke again, "My mother's last dying words were, 'Hide this item, and wait 12 hears before retrieving it.' I don't know what, but it had a strong effect when she gave it to me..., now it's watered down."
Twelve years ago, the talisman did more than make you happy. It also made you sing and dance, hence why her mother was loved so much. But it was torturous, because she'd get the urge to sing and dance when her feet bled and throat burned, but she kept a smile on her face nonetheless.
"I checked on it for twelve years. And today marks the end of the vigil." Her mothers death date was indeed today. But she didn't seem terribly sad about it.
Such a specific thing to ask a daughter to do must have had some significance. Judging by the fact that it had a lesser effect now than when it had twelve years ago, she must've known roughly when its power would run out, or at least weaken to a great degree. There had to be some reason for that, more than for it to be made 'safe'. He looked down at the dragon talisman and back at Keona. This was an unusual article, to be sure.
"I can't help but think she was telling you to wait for its effect to die out for a reason. It may have to do with your father somehow, and to do with...dragons."
He shrugged, unsure but currently not feeling annoyed for not knowing because of the talisman.
"I'm just guessing at this point. If something happens when its effect vanishes entirely, it'll be so clear that you can't miss the message, but for now I think that this means something."
"Maybe the message is the image itself..." Keona said, thinking. The colour of the talisman didn't matter. He chose gold because it holds magic effects longer than other metals, "Clearly he didn't enchant it to be this way forever. Mother was onto something. Maybe if its magic is fully gone then it'll crumple to dust..." That's a good reason to be eager to leave sooner.
"Dragons roam the mainlands, right? Which part exactly is the most heavily populated with them?" She asked, keeping her eyes locked on the item. There had been sea serpents and forest dragons here before they left because of the volcano. Though a rare sight, some still remained. One of the dragons in the world is bound to look like this one, it was just a matter of finding it.
Maybe it wouldn't be so hard. Afterall, it is a smaller world that you'd expect.
Dragons... If the talisman was telling her to seek out dragons, then whatever potant magic her father followed - whatever discipline - might be connected to them, somehow, or it was even deeper than that. It was hard to say, at this point, but the clue was what it was: It pointed to Dragons of the West. As to where to find them...
"Dragons roam wherever they like, for the most part. Dependent on the type, they could be in high mountais, low swamps, and anywhere in between. Our best bet to begin with would be Adela, with their Dragonrider military. From there, I'd say to head for Serendipity. Lots of places for a dragon to be, there."
Of course, the problem with Serenian lands were that they had more ground to cover, in terms of civilized lands, where this guy would be, and he would blend in more, since Serenians are every hair color and skintone under the sun.
Humming in agreement, Keona thought of something, "I only know what his description says, we can't be entirely sure, but if anything he has black scars all over."
Scars were distinctive, and something not everyone had in the same place. This was sure to help them, as well as the fact he always wears a mask and had white hair. Maybe he's a dragon rider? Or maybe... no, that couldn't be.
"So it's settled, as soon as the first larger ship arrives..." Trailing off, thinking of her home, "...we leave." Of course it wouldn't be easy, but there wasn't exactly a place for her here. She couldn't heal, see futures, grant wishes or enchant anything. Water was predominant here, and everything around her was flammable.
What about Ira? She would bring him along if they allowed it, because there was no way he'd live without her at all. And the same goes around. Glancing at Travis, her eyebrows furrowed for a moment, as if trying to make a hard decision.
All that they DID know...didn't really add up to much, unfortunately. Just a load of guesswork, if they were honest about it. Still, like she said, the first chance they get to go...they go. Travis could tell that she was weighing something, right then and there. This was a big deal for her. She had never been away from this island, and probably didn't know anyone who had been away either. Once she was out, it was largely up to him to keep her well-informed about the nature of things. With that in mind, there was one other thing...
"If there's anything that you feel should be handled before you leave, anything you would want to take care of before we head for the mainland, you should do so before the ship arrives. Leave with as few regrets as possible, I say."
Shaking her head and taking a breath, Keona stood to look around, "I won't be able to return until tomorrow. These trips take a lot of energy from me, so unless I'm able to sleep for an hour or two in broad daylight, we won't be able to return until late or even tomorrow. Trekking these jungles at night isn't safe unless you know how to handle yourself."
Gesturing to take the talisman, she held it in front of her before stashing it into her bag. Spotting the fruit she had packed beforehand, her stomach suddenly growled and therefore pulled out an apple. She tossed him an orange, remembering he hadn't have eaten anything as well.
The puddles and damp stone began to dry as the sun rose rather quickly. It wasn't the item that did it, but she felt happier in the warmth as she threw the core away. Putting her hands on her hips, she studied the forest far ahead, seeing something move but not registering it quickly enough to catch it.
Flying did tend to take energy out of one. Travis just had more stamina from being no longer human. Nevertheless, they'd moved over several islands, so it made sense that Keona needed either rest or time.
"Well, if you felt you could get any rest out here like this, I'd be alright making sure that nothing happened to you. That's up to you, however."
He was basically a helping hand is all. Speaking of which, this hand gave her back the talisman, and received in its place...an orange.
"Oho... We meet again."
Because he had manifested a knife to cut apart his orange like last time, Travis didn't pick up the movement that Keona did, except as a little thing out of the corner of his eye that was easily dismissed. However, he did see Keona looking as he ate his orange.
"Something there?"
Dismissing it quickly by shaking her head, Keona stuttered a bit, "I-it's nothing. I just thought I saw something is all. I just feel like I'm- we're being watched." She settled herself down in a crouch, looking eager to sprint and take off. The feeling off positivity from the item had no effect on her at this point as slight anxiety took over.
There were still large and scary and very real creatures out there that are known to tear off the wings of her people and break their bones despite how strong they are. Having encountered giant snakes, huge leopards and even an enormous bat at some point in her life. Just a normal day in Yoreiq. The only thing that truly frightened her were those-
"Shadows..." Keona whispered to Travis, locking her gaze on a specific area once the same image flashed through the corner of her vision again. They could very well due a lot of harm to her, to them if they weren't careful, and the dead animals were plenty of evidence of the fact.
Come to think of it, there was this feeling in the air, that 'It's quiet. Too quiet.' kind of thing. Well, Travis didn't see it, but he was keeping a watchful eye out. He was keeping his only eye out. He didn't know the island like her, of course, but if there was something threatening out there and it came rushing in, he'd see it and have time to react, no doubt. However, it was Keona who spotted first, or at least focused on a new spot which might've contained something. Putting away the knife in his belt, Travis picked up a rock, hefting it for a second...before throwing it at the spot with greater-than-human strength! ...would it hit anything?
There was an Earth-shattering SMASH! before the stone nearly shattered. Keona stared for a good moment, both majorly impressed and studying the section. A low warble escaped her throat as she slowly backed away as a sickening shriek emitted from the forest.
Anchoring herself out of petrifying fear, she watched as blackness melted from between the trees, and a hissed vibrated through the stone. The ends of her feathers flickered with a candle flame, and her amber eyes were wide as a-speaking of which-huge and double headed snake slither from the green. Its eyes were an evil purple, and its facial expression sinister upon seeing their target.
"It's huge..." Her voice shook as she whispered, getting lower to the ground as if trying to blend in with the stone.
It was large and...strangely quiet. Snakes had the uncanny ability to be rather subdued in their movements, even when they were bigger specimens. It was an impressive feat, assuming one weren't agitated. Then, it would be all about the hissing and the dangerous actions. Well...looks like Keona was gonna see the inner-him, after all. While she had ducked down to keep herself from notice, he was going to draw more attention to himself...by first walking off to the side so the snake-thing can see him there and focus on him, the moving target. He was going to make certain of this happening by taking out the knife from his belt and throwing it at one of its eyes.
That would immediately piss it off, but fortunately...he was prepared for that.
Once he was most definitely separate enough from Keona and most-definitely the focus of this snake creature, there was a black impulse of energy that arose off of Travis' body as he turned black as night and reshaped into a different form. It was some kind of armor-skinned demon, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uVAnEUR_oM) like a knight with metal face, glowing eyes, and horns. There was a cape on its back and a large sword in its hand that possessed an unearthly glow. Curiously, the right eye was glowing brighter for a moment, but it returned to the same level of glow as the other once the creature's free hand was raised and firing heavy wad of shadowy energy at one of the heads.
The knife would slice straiht through the eyes of one of its heads, causing it to rear back for a moment before vigorously shaking it. The area was now a hole that, ever so slowly, began to reform. These particular beings were made of loose particles, therefore making them mist. Normally drowning, burning or taking away their air would hurt them immensly. While Keona was being a coward, she managed to inch back slowly.
One of the snakes had caught her sight, and so the two began to conspire. While its eye was nearly finished healing, the other went for Travis, though seeming to have slowed down after seeing him change. Both hissed furiously before lurching out with a striking speed, but his power had gotten to them. It sliced through one of the necks, completely severing it from its body and landed on the ground. The remaining head wasted no time in attacking, still half blinded.
Keona watched in horror as the dead half struggled to form a new body while the other was busy protecting it. It managed to slither away through the cracks before it had fully formed. This was not good.
"Travis! Don't cut off its heads! It's a hydra!"
Truthfully, the shadow blasts were just that, energy blasts which would blow apart things. However, the intense one that had claimed the power from his damaged eye had been much stronger an attack than normal, so it fired right through one of the heads and severed it on the spot, leaving Travis to phantom dash aside to avoid the half-blinded head's strike. He had just been about to cut it when Keona's cry rang out. A hydra? Aw, dangit. Another creature that regenerates. Well, not as badly as Revenant, but still...
Well, this required a bit more thinking. The half he'd harmed had retreated to work on growing itself anew. If he hacked and slashed at it as planned, this thing would by an army of serpent heads, and that wouldn't be good at all. Okay then...different plan: Find a vital point that doesn't grow back. So saying, Travis' demon wings swept out from beneath the cape as he leapt up and decided to plunge his sword down into the point where the two necks of the snake met! Being a stab motion, even being wrong wouldn't cause another head to grow...probably.
Shadows worked differently, but it was best to try all they could. Keona watched for a moment more beofr ehearing something to her left. As soon as she turned, a searing pain slashed across from face, just missing her right eye and lips. She roared in pain and jumped away while bleeding profusly from the deep gash. That was all it took her to go into rafe mode. The still-forming snake already towered over her, but that wasn't enough to intimidate her before she hissed right back at it.
The snake that attacked Travis was distracted for a moment, as if watching the two before his blade stabbed into it. Roaring out in agony, it recoiled its tail to try and fling him back to recover. Opening its jaws to the point of unhinging it, a black fluid sprayed out from its fangs and onto Travis's armour, wear it immediately began to burn and dissolve (or at least tried to) the metal.
With fire in her hand, Keona clawed at the beast's neck vertically. It hissed and twisted its body around her, tightening itself to have an asier kill. Enraged by its attempt, Keo's wings burst into flames and it immediately dropped her before retreated, but not before she grabbed its tail. With the strength only a Yoreiqi could have, she let off a warcry before turning to throw it at the other snake. They collided and writhed for a moment, and that would be the perfect time to strike.
The whipping tail had come down and Travis backhanded it with enough force to bat it away and leave some shadowsteel spikes sticking out of it, like it'd struck a porcupine. However, the cry from Keona had distracted him enough to be spat upon by the thing's evil venom. Travis was struck, and there would be this low-voiced groan of anger as he rolled off of the snake, with Tenebrous opening its wound further, to avoid any additional strike.With part of his body swizzling, there was a new unearthly glow about him as demon energy was called to him from the hellish depths. Pain was a conduit by which power may flow. This was not the worst thing he had ever experienced, but gods dammit, corrosives hurt!
As soon as Keona through one snake against the other, Travis spent the pain energy to create an expanded darkness beneath himself and the snakes. From there, shot up a number of impaling shadowsteel spikes large enough for impaling and not for cutting. In short, he made a bunch of stalagmites, which he felt would do excessive damage to all things snakey and slithery, to render the creation and regeneration of serpentine creatures disabled by not performing the action which would cause such a thing to happen.
The blood evaporated slowly as the wound cauterized to a singly deep canyon in her face. At this point she didn't care.
The spikes pierced several parts of the hydra's body, both heads screaming in terrible pain. Keeping their heads above the ground, they writhed and tore themselves apart just to try and get away. Keona came up and used a blast of angry flame to finish the job quicker. As their mass burned away, they started to get smaller and smaller before the screams were tiny squeaks, then nothing.
Dropping her her knees, she rested for a moment, catching her breath and trying to find her bearings. Her face hung with her hair falling over, hiding away in shame of her new scar. The flesh burned in coldness before flesh slowly built up from the deepest point of the chasm. Plopping back on her rear, she rubbed her face and screamed something uncomprehending at the forest. Clearly she was fed up from all of this as she stuffed her face into her arms and began to sob.
Travis would've been content to let the things die, writhing in agony, but Keona ended it quicker with her flame power. However, the toll on her was a steep one. The physical toll was a scar on her face, a blemish which made his blood boil to see. He didn't want this to happen to her. He didn't want her to be hurt, not at all. Not one tiny scratch on her beautiful face, not one bruise on her body. He knew that that thing would try to sneak attack them, so he drew it out instead, but it still ended bad.
The demon watched in cold smoldering anger as the girl cried out her frustration. He approached quietly...sort of. Well, nothing to be heard but the dull thuds of his armored footsteps against dirt. The jagged sword, Tenebrous, vanished then, followed by the demon form itself. Basically, it was the transformation in reverse, revealing naught but Travis as he was when he was in human-like form. However, there was a singular difference. He had two eyes now. He came to her side, knelt down, and - without even thinking about it - held her comfortingly.
"I'm sorry. It's my fault. I should've done better. If I can find someone to remove the scars, I will. I promise."
Keona wouldn't be crying because of a new scar, but because it had happened again that she was forced to use a hellish ability. That and the wound stung so much nothing could distract it. Though it had saved their lives, it hurt her immensely. Her shoulders reverberated with soft weeps until they died down along with the pain of healing. Tears boiled away, and no more blood on her face, she looked up at Travis before hugging him back.
"Why do you care...?" She asked in a whisper. He was the first person to actually not be cautious when it came to touching her, and that set off a sort of spark within her heart. It was strange, and she'd prpbably have to accept the fact that she... no, there was no way! Never before had she felt it, and so she wasn't sure it was what she thought it was.
It was just the two of them on this island, as far as they knew, and they were in each other's arms after a tense moment. Though the reasons were certainly different for why, Travis certainly didn't mind real comfort every now and then. Being able to endure didn't mean that he only wanted to live. He wanted to thrive and feel like a person should, all the ups and downs of being human. But even still, here and now...why did he care?
"Because you're incredible. Because you shouldn't have to be pushed into a corner when I can take the hit for you. Because you've been nothing but good to me and don't deserve to be put through pain of any sort. And...because I have to. I take a look at you and...I want to care. That's how it is."
From the moment he got off the boat to this island-hopping, she'd been nothing short of a warm ray of sunshine to him. She was good to just be around, nevermind associate with.
It was at least another minute before Keona pulled away from him, "No one's ever said that to me before." She murmured before smiling softly up at him then stood up.
"By the way, thanks for protecting my ass, you did a lot more than you think..." Trailing off, she suddenly pressed her burning hands to both sides of his face, pulling him down closer to inspect something, "Travis! You have your eye back!" Her own eyes shone like topaz gemstones in the light when they met his darker gaze.
Everything came with a cost. And it would be same to assume he'd get his eye back for the blemish on her face. Speaking of which, the scar melted into a darker shade before settling, still leaving the deep tear in her nose as a result. Turning his head from side to side, she checked for anything else that could be good or bad.
He meant every word. Travis didn't have the patience to be a cunning liar, so generally he settled for brutal honesty, and that meant being completely forthcoming about things because he felt no insecurity. What he did feel was irritation for Keona's wound. She didn't heal properly, like a person would, thanks to her powers. He did smile just slightly, though, when she announced that his eye was back. Yeah, it most certainly was, and it was a perfect match to the other and everything. Normally, if he'd removed that eyepatch, there would've been just a glow there, but now...
"It does that. I said I got power from pain and wounds, and my eye got wounded somewhere prior. But every time I take my demon form, it uses up the energy in battle, and then uses my own strength to repair the damage. I can put it back or not as a human and keep the energy boost, but it just uses up the energy when I'm a demon, naturally."
Another reason he felt bad about Keona's wound: He undid his without effort. It was literally automatic.
Something in his eyes read of dislike, and it made hers falter for a moment. He did care, maybe that's why there was a certain urge to-... Realizing she had been way too close for too long, Keo pulled away before chuckling nervously to herself and blushed lightly, "Ah, right, sorry for that." She quickly said before studying their surroundings. The ground was cracked and broken in several places, and fire still burned on small plants that had managed to survive out here for so long. With a sigh, she rubbed her arm and started to walk forwards to the trees, "Come on, we'll set up a camp or something to rest for the night in."
It wouldn't be hard to find a tribe that lived here, albeit small, she knew of one that shifted around quite a lot. Swiftly taking off to glide just over the stone, simply to get to the tree line faster. The winds had started to blow again, and the clouds in the sky were no where to be seen for miles. Music could be heard in the distance upon reaching the dirt and green, cheering Keona up a little.
Her reaction there was...odd, but then again...his eye had grown back, and that wasn't normal for anybody other than him. Letting it go, he agreed that they had to setup camp somewhere. He was honestly surprised to learn that there were darkeer things out here than animals about the place. And with that in mind, they certainly weren't going to setup camp here. It was craggy, burny, and frankly tainted by the dead hydra-thing. They were flying elsewhere, instead, and...hang on a minute.
"There's people here too?"
With the snake and all, he'd assumed that the Yoreiqi people found it a bit dangerous. Maybe...just maybe...he should stop assuming things about this place. Just saying.
Watching for anything else that could pose a threat to their health, the woman stepped lightly into the woods, "Of course, there's people on almost every island. Some live on plateaus like that, some on the beaches, but we mostly prefer the jungle."
Hiking over a few elevated branches, she paused every so often to listen to the sounds of people getting louder and louder. Eventually, civilization came into sight as a ground-based village appeared in a clearing. The wooden huts and tribal areas resembled her village, except with different people was all.
No one really seemed bothered by their presence, only eyeing their odd colours before going about their days.
"Well, they must be pretty tough to take on the Killer Snaker."
Mostly, he based this on the fact that the thing was a real problem if you didn't know what to do, or if you weren't stronger by nature, like him. A normal person would find themselves in alot of trouble if there were several heads and all of them spitting venom, say. Anyway, they entered the village and it seemed relatively normal by Travis' expectations. It was a pretty regular rustic village, more like something on the mainland that isn't a bigger town or something. They didn't seem to mind their presence, which was a good thing. Travis remained largely silent, for the moment.
"It was a Shadow Being Travis, they pop up around me. The Shamans speculate that I'm cursed," Keona explained, walking into the village. Children ran in front and she nearly touched them with burning hot skin, the same went for multiple adults around the area. She tapped a taller man on the shoulder and he turned around, pausing for a moment to look her over before touching his nose to hers. Quickly saying something, he smiled and nodded in response, then gestured to the area. Even though it wasn't always needed, Keona preferred to ask for these types of things.
"Good news, we're allowed to stay for however long we need. There's an empty hut for guests over on the end, he said it was small though. At least it'll be cozy." She scratched the back of her neck, smiling awkwardly before rolling her eyes, "Come on. Let's at least see it."
What?! Well, that very likely answered the sixty-four gold question of what keeps tearing apart the animals. He could understand Keona not wanting to tell him that, in case she felt she'd regret it later. Fortunately, it was something a demon could live with. If only she didn't have to... Oh well. They headed into the village proper and Keona approached a man who appeared to be the boss (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yC4gm_vN3s) around here. Apparently, they got a room. A small room.
"It'll be fine. I don't take up much room. Hell, I can be stacked like firewood."
What?
Keona scoffed, summoning small twirling flames in her hands as she turned and winked to him, "Now when will that firewood be stacked on top of the hot coals?" Did I really just say that? Mentally slapping herself, she mumbled softly to no one in particular before going to look for the hut.
It indeed was small, small enough for two maybe three people, but definitely was temporary. Opening the door, she could certainly say that she was surprised to see the basic needs of an overnight stay. Stacks of pillows and blankets all over, even draping from the walls.
"Alright..." Moving back to let Travis look, she decided to go and look at a hunt that gave out an item of sorts. Jewelry made of bones and beads, to be exact. An old woman looked up at her when she glided over, smiling with an almost toothless grin. On a threader, she was making a gold-threaded aqua blanket, and Keona had never seen it in her village often, so it was neat to watch up close for once.
Congratulations, Keona. You have definitely surprised the guy for a moment. The first two-eyed blink of confusion has arrived! Uhh...so! The room was small indeed, but it looked properly comfortable, so they really knew how to treat guests whenever necessary. Once Keona had allowed him to properly see, Travis smirked and made a dive for the comfortable material in the room. When they got back there, it might be a bit umm...disorganized. He only caught up with her later, looking around to see what was happening in the village himself. Since he wasn't interested in clothes, what else was around here?
The village seemed to be a tiny market-styled area as well. Food was cooking, hunting weapons were being made, clothing was spinned, all of the sorts. It was also... really busy. Keona shifted uncomfortably in the crowding people.
The food smelled wonderful, drawing her senses to it as she looked to her left. Someone had kababbed a pig with an apple in its mouth, rotating it over a fire. She had no confidence whatsover to go up and ask for some, so instead she disappointedly looked down at her bare feet.
"You can take a look around, I'll be in the hut, making myself comfortable..." Smiling awkwardly, she creeped back in the direction of the hut.
"I'll bring lunch."
Where Keona doesn't have much confidence in confrontation, Travis tended to just bite the bullet and go for it. This may surprise her, but he noticed that she was giving the pig a look and that the two of them had basically had today...one piece of fruit each. That's not really enough. He hadn't really found himself gravitating towards the other things, overall. So, he headed on right up to the pig and turned to whoever was mind.
"Hi there. I need a pair of pig for me and my friend."
Entering the hut, she huffed to herself as it was in worse shape than before. She figured a certain demon had done this, and smiled while shaking her head. Making herself a throne of pillows, she sprawled over them on her back, leaning her head over the rest as a seemingly uncomfortable angle and crossed her legs. These pillows were softer than hers at home, making her envious on the spot.
Outside, the man cooking looked down at Travis with a cautious eye before giving him what he wanted, then returned to his chore. Two wooden bowls of fresh pig meat autta fill their bellies for the night, and just my looking at it you'd know that it was going to be deliciously worthwhile.
Keona was preening herself, fixing her hair buy running her fingers through it and making sure her silks were properly placed over her body. There was a large blue splotch on her lower back, a bruise she hadn't realized before she laid down. The snake must have gotten her there too.
Well, the state of the room was something you kinda' had to live with, sometimes. Impulsive Travis is just slightly kid in a man-sized body, due to the way he developed. You can't expect otherwise, given the situation. But at least things were comfortable in there. And yes, he did notice that the man was giving him a stare. He was use to it, no matter where he went. He was unusual and he just didn't care. So, two bowls of meat later, he managed to get himself in the door and handed her one of them before sitting down on a pillow.
"Complements of the man outside, no questions asked...meaning of course that he just didn't say anything."
Stopping what she was doing, Keo took the bowl of meat and didn't hesitate to try it. You could tell by how the pain metled from her face and was replace with a brighter flame that she liked it.
"Thanks Trav, I appreciated." Her wings ruffled themselves and tucked in closer to her body to make more room for him. Her form was tiny as she had sunken into the pillows, looking rather comfortable.
"I'm sorry by the way," keona stated out of the blue, "About earlier. I didn't want you to endure something like that. From the day we met I didn't want you to get hurt by those things."
He also began to attack his meat, making only an "Mmm-hmmm" sound to acknowledge the thanks for bringing it in the first place. Basically, a 'no problem' kind of response, while he ate. He did, however, interrupt himself when she made her apology about the shadow creature. It seemed strange to him that she should apologize for something that he could handle, but...by the same token of he not wanting to see her hurt either, it was understandable. Still, though...
"You don't have to worry about me, there. I've handled some pretty horrible things before. I'm more worried about what they can do to you, since you said they appear around you. How long has this been going on? How've you dealt with them in the past?"
"Since I was around six or seven years old? It started off with the skeletons... like I said. And they don't normally attack me... That snakw was the first to try and actually kill me, and now I'm more frightened than ever before." Wrapping her arms around herself, Keona slightly shivered, wishing that Ira was here to make her feel better. The only source of warmth she had right now was this bowl of warm food, unless... no. She growled inside her head as all these sugar sweet thoughts swam through her mind.
"If they manage to hurt me in a way I can't recover from... I just want you to know that you're a great friend within the three days I've known you..." Psh, as if. You faltered on 'friend' Keona, good job.
With her having said her peace, Travis came to sit beside her, putting his bowl down for a second and giving her a careful eye. Well, both of them, this time. Yes, Travis vision IN STEREO!!
"I am not gonna let those things get to you, Keona. No damn creature of darkness will overcome me. I...wait. The first time?"
A penny dropped, and a look of realization crossed Travis' face now.
"Keona... The talisman! The shadows were smaller and weaker, gradually becoming stronger and stronger...as the dragon itself started losing its power. Today, it's power is all but gone, and now this thing was able to make a move."
Either that, or it's entirely his fault for provoking it, but he hadn't been here before and there's no reason such a vicious thing or series of things would just stand around idle unless they were being forced back. It made sense, and...it made even greater sense to leave if the talisman no longer had any power.
Being startled out of her shell, Keona quickly reached for her bag and dug around before taking out the item. It had started to leave a shimmery, gold power on her fingers that burned away.
"It's dying..." She whimpered softly, some of the teeth have broken off already in her bag, and one settled in the palm of her hand, "Mother wanted me to hide it... so no one could destroy it or take it. She knew... all this time she knew!" Her voice gradually built up in agony and anger.
Once it became dust, soon those things may attack on the daily. It made perfect sense now.
"We need to go. Tomorrow first thing, we head straight back to my island and hopefully catch a boat. It's trading season, there's bound to be one." The day had gone by yet again as it was already half of a quarter till sunset. Keona set her now empty bowl aside and stretched before laying down in the pillows. It was going to be a looooong night in the cold.
That...was definite proof, right there. Like she said, it was dying. It's power - the power to repel dark creatures of whatever make they were - would soon be gone entirely. This made things a little more urgent and they knew it. It was basically an 'Oh Shit' moment, right there.
"Yeah, first thing, without a doubt. They can have my dinghy, if we need to barter."
It was a pretty serviceable dinghy, after all. He was thinking of giving it an excessively long name, just to be funny. So now, with their meals finished and the day mostly gone, Keona settled down on the pillows, though it was a little cold by now. Did she forget about the blankets? Travis settled one over her, and then set about umm...reinforcing things a bit. He created a shield and sword of shadowsteel for each window, then mounted them so the shield was on the outside with the handle on the inside with the sword put through the handle so the things would be wedged in the windows. The door had an actual Iron Maiden shoved against it, the front facing the door. This handled, he settled down next to Keona. Anything looking for trouble tonight would find a BIT of an obstacle...
At this point she'd be hogging all the blankets, curled up in a tight cocoon as she watched him from down below, creating traps and weapons of different sorts. Keona mentally thanked him for this, knowing very well that some spirits would be dumb enough to fall for them. Once he settled down, she closed her eyes and snuggled into the mass of pillows.
"Night..." She whispered softly, wings twitching as they were pressed up against the wall. Worries and frights prevented her from sleeping though, as multiple times over she opened her eyes in fear of finding something standing over them with the intent to hurt them.
It must have been the middle of the night she finally sat up, tired as hell, and summoned a candle flame to her palm to check on Travis. He was still there, that was good, and the hut was still safe, that was good too. Laying back down, she shifted closer to the warmth that was the being beside her, finally falling asleep.
During this time, Travis had been in his usual head-cradled-by-his-hands position while sleeping, not aware of Keona's trouble sleeping due to the fact that she'd been so quiet. At some point after she'd fallen asleep beside him, his arm had come down and around her, comfortingly. That was the position Travis eventually found himself waking up to, because he was the first one awake, no question. Keona's bad night caused that, but hopefully it was much improved from then on.
When he'd woken up, he saw the position he was in with an 'Uh oh' sort of feeling. He didn't want to disturb her, looking so peaceful now. However, he had to do it, at some point. His first idea was to tried to impersonate a little tiger to accomplish his task but he decided not to, under the circumstances. What Travis ended up doing was, after the shadowsteel articles vanished, he got up and moved the drapes aside to let the light in. Keona DID seem to be powered by the sun, or at least felt better in it. From there, he found a shoulder and jostled it slightly.
"Hey, it's time to get up."
Making a face once movement was felt and the sudden loss of heat, Keona groaned softly and repositioned herself. Once the light hit her face and someone shook her shoulder, she snuggled further into the cushions before opening her eyes slowly.
It was a moment before her sight focused, and she came to realize she had fallen asleep. Inhaling a fresh breath, she pushed herself up to stretch like a cat, rolling her shoulders and neck afterwards, "One wierd thing, I actually felt warmth in my sleep..." She mumbled, stretching her arms over her head and yawned.
"I couldn't sleep until the middle of the night, did I wake you?" Keona asked, scratching the waking itch at the back of her head and arm. Ruffling her hair and wings, she set to grooming herself with her hands, making sure she didn't look like a total mess before standing up and putting her blankets back where they were retrieved.
He shook his head.
"You didn't wake me. I woke me, just a little while ago."
He debated on whether or not he should mention the part about her basically snuggled up to her and about his arm around hers and decided...nah. People do things in their sleep. It happens. Travis did his own usual morning routine and looked...pretty much like he always did, still with two eyes now. He was considering putting back the eyepatch for funsies, but decided not to.
"Are you ready to fly back or do you need a little time?"
Shaking out her wings in the cramped space, she inspected them, "I should be able to fly after a full stretch or two." Standing to grab her bag and heading for the door, she seemed in a better mood than yesterday. Even if the talisman wasn't giving off its full effect.
Maybe it made them happy for a reason. Perhaps negative feelings lured the shadows to her. But that would be false emotion, and it would hurt her even more. She couldn't ask her mother as she was currently six feet under, and she certainly could not ask her father at this time. "Once we head back, we wait for a boat if there isn't one. It's highly probable that there will be one."
So, she would be alright in a few minutes. Travis, meanwhile, was stepping out and getting use to binocular vision again, having to blink alot as he looked around 'till his eyes were both adjusted. He'd be fine later. He stretched his own wings out and was pretty much chill from then on. Of course, there was one thing that caught in his mind after Keona spoke, a small confusion, if you will.
"How come the boats arrive after a storm? I know basically nothing about being a sailor, so I just don't know."
Yup, he didn't know anything at all, but he got out on a bout on his own and basically sailed to these islands. Just call him Cap'n Jack McNaire and pass the rum!
Extending her wings farther than their limit, she took the sun into her being, basically absorbing its energy, "The ships take two days to get their because of their weight, no doubt it hit them. Either way, they must have survived." Keona shrugged.
"Here," She took out a banana from her bag as well as an apple and tossed it at him, "The flight won't take us more than an hour. We should get there in time to see anyways."
Peeling the banana, she took four consecutive bites before throwing the peel away, trotting down the middle of the village and waving her goodbyes.
So basically, it sounded like they were pretty regular and predictable, which was fine with Travis. They'd be able to actually get out of here in a hurry if they really wanted to...or needed to. Catching the apple, he took a big bite and then proceeded to be incapable of speech for a few moments, munching away on the darned thing. Travis waved, but if he said anything, he didn't open his mouth to do it, so you got a load of "Mmmf" sounds. While he was doing that, of course, he was keeping an eye and an ear open for trouble. You know how it is.
Once reaching the forest line between the village and the jungle, Keona stopped dead in her tracks, as if fearing it. What if they returned? No, it was as if they needed the energy and had to take constant breaks. The shadows will not harm me no matter what I do... Which was already proven a lie. Building up her courage, she plowed herself through the foliage, preparing for the worst if it were to arrive.
She was rather quick about walking through the thick greenery, making sure Travis was close behind so that none of theme got lost or hurt, not like he could technically get hurt but her mindset was just that.
As soon as Keona stopped at the edge of the woods, Travis spoke low behind her, saying "It's alright. I'm watching your back." before they proceeded. Of course, anything that was watching them would know immediately that 'Oh hey, she's not alone', because Travis had formed a nice machete to cut branches and things that got in his way. Of course, if anything particularly hostile decided to poke its head out, he could whip this thing pretty hard at its head too, so they'd better not do that.
Snakes and anteaters and even a bear had crossed their paths by the time it took them to reach the beach, and Keona felt so much safer out in the open than in a place so many things could hide. Taking a breath of the ocean air, she shivered quite visibly, making a noise of disgust for the cool sea breeze.
"Come on before I rust." Opening her wings, she took a little running leap to get airborne, then began to pump her wings to gain altitude over the water. Using the little flame she had before, the energy taken wouldn't be much compared to yesterday's winds.
Yeah, the ordinary snakes were like 'You are bigger than me and I am not cornered' (http://drmcninja.com/archives/comic/14p46/), and left. The bear? It growled, Travis' eyes glowed, it faltered. Anteaters? Hah. So, they reached the island's beach and there was a comment from Keona that made Travis called out with a "Hey!" as he took off.
"That's my line!"
He's the one with the metal skin, dammit! Well, he in his demon form, obviously. He was currently taking a slightly-higher altititude to get a decent top-down view of everything going on. Unless a big shadow crossed overhead - the living kind or the kind from getting the sun blocked out - they would be fine for being forewarned.
The only thing that blotted out the sun were the scattered clouds that soared over head. Keona glided for the longest time, thinking too deeply to herself to remember to flap and nearly fell out of the sky multiple times as the smaller islands below faded into nothing but big blue.
It was hard to believe she'll be leaving soon, leaving to fulfill her own prophecy (https://youtu.be/E3SRK1rGGT4) in figuring out why all this is happening to her. She wanted to find out so badly, it was the only thing she had wanted her whole life.
And with Travis, she had a higher chance to find him, and maybe... STOP WITH THOSE THOUGHTS! Her wings faltered and skipped a beat, causing her to lose her balance for a moment and plummet before managing to still herself and glide once again. Keona let out a frustrated growl, "Stupid wings!"
Whoops! Looks like her wings did a thing where if you don't move a limb often enough, it startles out of its stupor with a sudden jolt. It looked like Keona had a moment like this, where she recovered quickly enough. Good thing. That's a helluva plunge, and if she was bad in water, then there was a possibility that she could not swim. Travis had swooped down to her level beside her, just in case.
"You alright?"
Shaking her head, Keona pressed her fingers to her temples, "I'm fine. I guess the flight and the battle both took more out of me than I thought..." forcing out a smile, she quickly looked away.
Keona glanced at her wings, making sure they were in order before pumping ahead, at the time not really thinking about how much energy she was using. She just wanted to get home faster.
She thought about how Ira was doing, how the little and mighty hunter might be doing all by his lonesome. He probably caught a few mice, maybe even a bird or two. It made her smile, knowing how wild he still was.
It seemed more like she was bothered by things than she was tired, to be fair, but Travis didn't really press the issue. If there was a real problem, she'd be out with it eventually. Keona wouldn't cause any problems with unnecessary silence. She seemed to prefer to make it apparent as need-be. Forging on ahead, the girl now seemed rather adamant to get back and see if there was a way off of the island yet. Actually, where was the harbor proper? Shouldn't it be coming into view if it wasn't already?
It would be another 45 minutes until the island from which they had originally come from came into view. To the left, a large trade vessel could be seen heading to the other side of the island. Descending at a normal pace, Keona didn't speak a word and simply expected him to follow.
The forest came rather quickly, and she dove into the bright canopy once the village was seen. Of course she needed to grab a few things in order to leave. Finding her hut and entering, Ira jumped from being startled as he lay in the cushions, looking rather adorable in the bright red masses. He bounded up and leaped into her arms, leaning back for a moment to inspect the scar over her face, confused.
Yeah, Travis did indeed follow her in, and was in time to see the initial startle and jump there from the little tiger. He laughed at this.
"Well, looks like you caught him napping."
Looking around, he figured that Keona should be left to part ways with her home herself, as it was sort of a personal thing. So saying, he now spoke up.
"Do you need to prepare much? I wanna bring the dinghy to port in case we need it. Where IS the port, anyway?"
He needed to know where it was in relation to the boat so he didn't pull it the wrong way.
Ira was immediately irked once Travis arrived, flattening his ears as if blaming him for the scar on her face. Pulling back his mouth to reveal sharp teeth, he hissed at him before licking her chin. Keona shook her head, "I don't need much of anything. I just don't want to go to the mainland knowing they don't accept half-naked women." Putting the cat down, she looked for something to cover herself up, eventually finding an old travel outfit (http://img12.deviantart.net/730c/i/2017/040/e/f/keona_by_redoptics-dayhj2e.png) she had been given by her biological mother and slipped it on.
"We'll go get your little boat now, but we need to go quickly," Keona said while still tying the strings.
Travis found himself grumbling a bit when the little tiger got mad at him. He was a little mad at himself over that, so why make it worse, cat? After Keona got changed and suggested that they hurry, Travis nodded and literally took off to go find the boat where he left it. The less time wasted on the matter, the better, because they couldn't exactly fly it to harbor. Well, he might manage, but only by basically wingbeating it all the way there, which might not be worth it. Once arriving, however, there was a little problem...
"Oh. Right. I forgot about that."
He didn't forget to anchor it to the beach so it wouldn't drift away. He didn't forget to fold the sail so it wouldn't blow away. He didn't leave anything of value in the boat that could be gone now. What he DID do was not have anything like a tarp to cover it with for the storm. Even if he had, he hadn't even thought of it during the storm. As a result, the dinghy was filled with rain water.
"Well...that's awkward. Still, it shouldn't take long for me to empty."
He just had to make sure Keona was not nearby to get accidentally splashed.
Taking Ira with her, Keona followed Travis to where they first met, and it gave her heavy waves of nostalgia. Seeing the boat full of water, she landed quite a ways away, dropping into a crouch to let her companion down onto the aand. He was obedient to stay close to her, as he had gotten the sense they were going somewhere for a long time. And there was no way she was leaving him on his own here.
"The boats don't stay long! You have to work now!" She called over to Travis, looking back down the beach.
"Oh, well in that case..."
He suddenly went demon for like three seconds to tip it over and let the water slosh back into the sea, then returned to normal before taking the tow-line and running across the beach!
"Okay, I'm done! Tell me I'm going in the right direction!"
Only if you can wait for them to catch up, O Travis. Fortunately, even small boats weigh a bit, so he would be slowed down just a little.
It happened so fast. In that short amount of time, she had to blink to make sure she got what he said correct. Grabbing her pet again, she made a run for it after him, eventually just opening her wings to swooped over his head, "Follow me, it isn't far!"
Gliding over the beach, she held onto Ira tightly as she banked to her right, spotting the docks and two ships in the distance.
Oh sure, it isn't far, but you may notice that the beach wasn't exactly the best for traction! So, for those of you at home watching Travis, he's kicking up lots of sand as he's running along, and the boat is coming along... Once he reaches his top speed, the thing starts making little wavecrests in response to his movement. Anyone watching from the harbor will see this guy in black leather with an anchor over his shoulder and a rope in his hands, dragging this damn boat like there's no tomorrow. Even in a world where people can get pretty strong, this is a sight to see!
Now, what kinda' boats do we have going on here?
The foreigners must've been laughing at this point, but seeing as they were busyunloading goods it was less of a probability. The huge merchanct ships looked royal, and Keona guessed that they were. One was from Serendepity, the other from na unknow place. The vessels were beautiful, decorated with different types of wood and metals.
Slowing down to a hover, she turned and nearly burst out laughing when she saw Travis hauling ass all the way here. Keona dropped to the sand and shifted the way she held Ira in her arms.
"I think you can slow down now!" She called, standing well out of his way.
Well, surely some of them must've been, since it was a large pair of boats and somebody had to be watching, right? Nevermind that for the moment. Travis came to a halt as Keona lowered herself to the ground and spoke in an...unusual way. You see, when he heard about Yoreiqi, he was told about it by an actual old salty seadog with an accent. And so...
"Ye only be sayin' that now on account of me boat cuttin' a path in the sand."
It was, and Travis was talking pirate talk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb06ARevRNE) in a effort to 'fit in'. He now waved a hand to the two boats berthed at the port.
"Avast! Thar be two boats bound fer anywhar but here. One be from Serendipity, the other be unknown ta' me. Be ye having yer heart set on one in particular?"
He was loving this. Please make him stop.
She gave him an unimpressed look, "Shut up Travis." Then strode her way over to the busy area. Ira in her arms wiggled for a moment before settling again.
Getting looks, she felt more out of place at the though at all other Yoreiqis wore blue or green. It didn't affect her much physically, and instead she turned her mind to Travis, stopping in her tracks to look up at the boats.
They brought down crates full of silk and metals and jewelry, but Keona had to stay away in order to prevent thoughts of heft from others. Her people gave them meats and pelts in return, alog with a few other things.
"Bah."
Okay, that made him full-stop on the piratical nonsense, but they still needed to know where these boats actually go and who was planning on what. With his mood basically swinging back to Normal Everyday Travis, he looked around for people whose job it was to stand around and inspect others, rather than doing the work themselves. He needed one per ship, and for the Serenian one, this was not too hard to pick out. He'd sailed From Serendipity, you see. So, walking up to the man...
"Hi there. I'd like to barter some transport for myself and this lady here to the mainland. D'you have any room?"
Now, given that it's a ship from Serendipity, the fact that both of them have wings might raise an eyebrow or two, but they're an open-minded people, to be fair. This is odd, but it's not outlandish.
Keona looked rather innocent with her cat, tilting her head to the side as if asking 'please?' in a cutesy language. Ira meowed, playing along as well. He was remarkably smart for a small feline, as if he had a human mind of his own.
Should she say something? Nah, she'd only screw it up. Walking up beside Travis, she smiled kindly and tucked her wings further in in order to not provoke them with size.
Her home would miss her if anything, but really, who would realize she was gone?
A good question, but what you often learn in life is that when you think it's 'nobody', it turns out to be something closer to 'everybody'. Travis was dead certain that he was missed. There was no reason to think he wouldn't be. It made him feel better during the dark times to focus on that, that of those he lost in his old life...they probably missed him just as much. Still, it was a fact that the man - quartermaster for the boat and general authority to manage the cargo - very much noticed the lady's presence when Travis mentioned her. Try to understand: Keona's a surprising person to see. She has the exotic look of a Yoreiqi woman, but the skintone of a mainlander. It's the blending of ways to create something new and unique. You can't help but take notice.
"Well?"
"I err... I'd like to, but we aren't a passenger boat..."
"We're not looking for luxury. We're looking to land on Serendipity. You going back there or what?"
"Well, naturally... We are a trade vessel."
"So, is it possible or not?"
"We do have some quarters for such an occasion...but they're really for men of the company, bigwigs and all that."
"Any of 'em on board?"
"No, not as such right now..."
"Well then, come on. Spare a room for the young lady and her pet, and me."
"I know, and I should, but...wild animals aren't allowed to run rampant..."
"Is that really the face of a wild beast?"
That eater of mice and squirrels? Uhh...maybe not.
"Ya make a fair point. I'll talk to the captain. Uhh, how will you be pay-"
"Dinghy."
"Dinghy?"
"Specifically my dinghy, over there. It just doesn't work well with three."
"...yes, I see. I'll umm...go talk to the captain now."
Well...he was a little confused, but it may be possible for them to get on board this boat, at least. Travis smiled back at Keona.
"Nicely done."
The conversation was like a tennis match, her head bobbing back and forth to whoever was speaking. Ira purred softly and rubbed his head to her chin in a loving way. Keona grinned once they were nearly there, looking at Travis, "You did the talking. Good job."
It seemed as though the trading process began to die down, men taking more breaks and less crates being present on the beach sands, replaced with footsteps.
Keona sighed softly to herself, trying to take it all in before she had to leave. "I'm never coming back here, you know. Not until I figure out my life." She said to Travis, not turning in his direction.
Travis smiled, but he still felt that the man had been suitably distracted to make him more vulnerable to persuasion. Somewhere bettween a cute girl and her adorable pet, he'd been won over and he just had to go through the motions of policy. So yeah, they got this one. They got it in the bag. While they waited, Travis looked over at the other boat. Something odd about that boat, but he didn't have time to learn it's destination, as Keona suddenly spoke up.
"It may take time. Ira could be a grown boy by the time you get back."
And that was why he'd said that she should take care of any loose end that she might've had before they leave...because there might not be another chance to deal with it, not after the time away from this place.
"He's the only thing I have to bring with me... that reminds me of home. I don't care how big he gets, we're supposed to hold our links... or we die of loneliness." She stated, hugging the animal close to her chest. Ira looked at Travis with something in his eyes, something like I saw her first. or, I bet you wish you were me now, hah? Either way, the cat was rather taunting, having forgiven him about the scar-on-the-face incident.
Keona sighed, looking up from the sand and at the unnamed ship ahead. It was a darker colour of wood than the one from Serendipity, which was more purple in hues rather than dark red. The men from the unnamed ship were gruffier, bulkier and a whole lot scarier as she accidentally caught a few of their glances. Dirty old assbags. The woman stepped to her side to better hide herself behind travis.
"I wasn't saying anything like that. I just meant he could go from little to large in the time it takes. It could be a long time. I'm not dissuading you from anything. I'm telling it like it is."
And it was better for her to know that going in. Anything could happen. It could take long or short, there could be peril or pleasantness. It was all in the great dice of life...or something like that. Bit metaphorgotten there. Oh well. Travis merely smirked at the little furry animal being hugged. He had great personality, if nothing else. And of course, no sooner had Keona taken refuge behind him and away from the big scary unknown ship...than the quartermaster came back.
"Alright, he says he'll take you on, and even for your dinghy...if you help with the workload."
"Work? If you say so. Lead on, then."
And so, he did...and certainly alot of men would be giving Keona looks, but even while this happened, Keona might wonder just one thing: Did Travis just not have money at all?
Of course, feeling uncomfortable in the gazes of predominantly men, Keona shrank herself in order to try and look invisible. But her bright colouring and the animal in her hands certainly would raise quite a lot of eyebrows in the area, including one or two from her own people.
Would this mean she would have to work as well? That... shouldn't be a problem.... At least, as long as she could work things that didn't have a lot of wood on them.
"Travis, do you think we'll arrive safely?" She whispered, gaining up on him in order for him to hear. Her wings tucked even further in until they crossed each other over, hiding her back from the stares that pricked her skin like ice shards.
Ah yes, that reminds one of the entirely relevent fact that much of this boat was wood, rope, and sail. There was a distinct possibility that it was just a little bit flammable...but try not to think about that. As the quartermaster led them an inner part of the ship, towards what was suppose to be a guest cabin for merchant owners and such-types, Keona spoke up to him.
"We'll be fine If anyone gets any funny ideas on the treatment of a passenger, I'll give them a good talk."
In demon form. Should be fun. The quartermaster opened the cabin and showed them that it was...not especially spaceous or luxurious, but it had an actual bed that could be called a bed, and not a cot. There was also a hammock, which Travis sorely wanted to call dibs on because he liked hammocks. There was also a desk, a lantern, a chair, writing material, and - amusingly - a cat. It woke up as soon as they entered the room, having sleek black fur and red eyes. It looked sort of like a small puma, but it was most definitely a cat. And funnily enough, Ira would have the instinctive reaction that this was...sort of an Alpha Cat.
"Oh, so that's where he got to. Come on, off with ya. The room's been taken."
"Mrooow."
The cat was ushered off of the bed and left. Something odd there...
"I thought you said-"
"Well, he's the ship'd mouser, isn't he? We move foodstuffs often, so rats get aboard and make designs on nibbling at it. Ya need a cat for that. Perhaps I can convince the captain to let the tiger roam free if he were to be helping with that."
"That would probably work out very well."
In reaction to seeing another cat, Ira flattened his ears. Keona gripped her own pet tighter to her chest, pouting softly. There was something she didn't lik about the room, a bed a hammock and nothing much else. She glanced at Travis for a moment, disappointment glinting in her eyes for a moment before feeling the brush of fur against her leg.
There was a shivering shock sent through her skin, making her twitch and Ira growl for a moment, he felt it too. Forgetting about the manner in a split second, Keo let Ira down who immediately claimed the bed after sniffing about. The woman chuckled, "I think we have each side of the room established, Trav."
"Well, to be honest, I wanted the hammock anyway. Sorry it's nothing special, but it is a merchant vessel."
"Aye, that it is. And on that note, I'll be needing to borrow you for the work I mentioned before."
"What? Now?"
"We need to get moving if we're going to set sail soon. You said you'd work, so now's the time to show your mettle, young man."
"I thought it was going to be later, so I could get an idea of what I was doing. Well, Bye Keona, I'll see you later!"
These were his last words as the quartermaster began dragging him off to put him to work, hoisting and tying and lifting things until they were done and off.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Meanwhile, down in the hold...
"That's funny. Most tigers seem to like me."
...red cat-like eyes in the dark, and a voice speaking plain english.
Keona was caught off guard by the fact Travis had been dragged away from her, "Oh... um, bye then..." She spoke small words, feeling vulnerable once again with the absence of the demon. Ira sat still on the bed, staring at the small port window and flicking his ears around, as if listening to something. He made a low growl noise just as Keona sat down, concerning her, "Ira? What's wrong?"
Getting up on all fours with this eager energy, the feline continued his strange activity. Keona turned away slowly in confusion before setting her bag down and bringing out the talisman. It was already broken beyond repair. The inside of her bag looked like someone straight up vomited golden glitter all over it, rendering the fruits inedible. It didn't even look like a dragon anymore, and all the teeth making up the spikes were gone at this point. Sighing softly to herself, she held whatever was left in her hands until there was nothing but a shimmering pile of dust.
"I'm sorry mother..." Keona whimpered softly. All her will power went into trying to prevent burning tears to form in her eyes, but no matter how hard she tried, they came anyway. Laying down on the rickety bed and snuggling herself into the fabric. Ira turned and cuddled under her arm, keeping her side warm with his little form.
Yes, well...she would be alone for a while, as Travis was busy doing all those menial tasks that were mentioned before. At least a couple of hours had passed before he returned, and by then, the boat had actually gotten moving. Thus, the
Cunning Angler had put itself out to sea again. Funny name for a ship, but certain sailors liked fish-related names of their ships, and the merchant who bought its use thought of it as a double-meaning for clever merchants. speaking of clever merchants, in the time Travis was gone, either Keona or Ira
might have spotted the little scrawling in Common by the desk:
Akbar Was Here.
At any rate, Travis soon entered and closed the door behind him, exhaling sharply.
"So, just on a point of reference: Most of the crew didn't like my pirate talk either. I'm giving it up."
On the bed, Keona lay in the same position as before, not hearing what he had said due to the fact that she had been fast asleep. The night before was rough on her, so it took a heavy toll on her energy as well as thought. There was no evidence that she had gone to sleep with teary eyes, and the little bengal had changed position to be across her back, head resting on one of her wings.
She mumbled something before shifting a little more onto her side, bringing up a knee to keep her balanced. The only thing she had to keep her warm was really just her companion, who opened his eyes to look up at Travis. There was no negativity in his lazy eyes once he spotted him, and got up to lay down her side. Keona stretched her neck back as her expression changed multiple times over, clearly dreaming something that'll make her night uncomfortable.
This cabin was good for a normal person, but it was clear that even though it was a real and actual bed she was on, it wasn't exactly all that warm. Not to suit her. Travis noted both the tiger's attempts to keep Keona warm and the expression on her face. This wasn't good. Too much, too quickly. She was cold, she'd been attacked previously, she wanted to find her father, the charm she had was dead, and now she'd left everything she had ever loved behind...apart from her tiger. For that much, he decided it was probably for the best of he laid down beside her, because what he knew and what she didn't...was that she had accepted his body warmth.
Having woken up in the middle of the night, Keona stepped outside to look at the sky. The stars glittered like the finest jewels, and the sky was as dark as the forest at night. It was an amazing sight in her eyes, something she rarely ever got to see herself.
The water splashed as the boat sailed by, making her feel uneasy, but soon forgot about it until the sound of something slapping the water caught her attention. Where was everyone...? Getting up to look over the railing, she spotted something pitch black rise out of the water and stopped the boat. It had red eyes, and seemingly a serpent-like form judging by how the glow of its eyes reflected off glistening skin. It growled before attacking by wrapping itself around the ship. Keo dashed for the door to the cabin, trying to open it desperately but to no avail. The creature had coiled the ship, holding tightly onto it before setting its sights on the woman.
"No, no no! Stay away from me!" Keona screamed, trying to summon flame, but conjuring up nothing. It lunged and trapped her in its jaw while crushing the wood of the boat. The next thing she knew, she was thrown into the water without time to think about flying and managed to be plunged deeper than normal.
Thrashing about, Keona tried to swim to the top, the water around her skin boiling at great temperatures as her immense body heat melted away. Something grabbed at her ankle, and she was pulled down into the abyss of marine blue, feeling the water flood her mouth and enter her system.
The healthy glow of her amber eyes faded into a dull grey, and her face grew cold and lifeless.
She was drowning.
Lurching into a sit up position, Keona panted as she tried to make sense of what had just happened. Her eyes gave off a soft light in the adrenaline rush, but soon died down to match the darkness of the room. Feeling herself from stomach to head, she made sure she was all there, and finally managed to calm down a little. Ira was sleeping on the ground now, having respected the two's space, and oddly hadn't woken from the ordeal. Looking back, she made out the shape of Travis lying next to her, making a soft smile and blush appear on her face, not like anyone would notice in this light. "I still must be dreaming," Keona whispered to herself before getting out of bed quietly.
Walking out, there was no one out on the deck, and so she cautiously went to sit down where she had in her dream, wondering if it would happen at all. Wrong timing. She thought, seeing the sliver of light the sun had brought with it. It would still be another hour or two before it would peep from the horizon, and she was content with the fewer stars in the sky that were provided as something whispered in the back of her mind,
'When I die,
bury me with roses...' (https://youtu.be/bXgOaGo4Vn8)
Well, you're nnot dreaming, but Travis definitely was. It was, in fact, a recap of the time spent on Yoreiqi lands. This, by contrast, was mostly relaxing. Well, at least until the actual snake business came about, but you can understand that. The only thing was that he noticed that there was alot of Focus on Keona in this dream, who was brimming with inner-strength and beautiful. He especially smiled when we were back to 'I made a kill!'. That was a great moment, right there. When he'd gone to sleep, he was hoping that he'd helped comfort her, but when he woke up...
"Keona?"
Okay, let's take role call, then. Travis? Here. Ira? Meow. Keona? Uhh... Okay, he noticed from the hole that morning was approaching. Perhaps she was up top? Travis stepped out of the cabin and-
"Wah!"
THUD!
"Mrooow!"
Gods dammit. That cat was everywhere. Literally, he'd been all over the place while he worked, watching him, and now he'd gotten underfoot, tripping him up. Well, Travis finally made it up-top.
"Ah, so you are here."
Hearing simething come from the cabin, Keona had gotten a worried seventh sense. The sky got brighter with every minute gone by, and soon her form was a basic silhouette against the blue mass. The brighter stars continued to twinkle above as the moon began to fade. It was such a beautiful sight to take in, that is, if you weren't feeling anything but contentment.
Ira in the meantime, was growling softly once he smelled the presence of the strange cat. He did not like him, because there was a megic sense within the cat. The tiger swore to protect Keona, even before he himself was born, it was destiny... or so at least he thought it was. Where is Keona?! He leaped off the bed an dbristled, narrowing his eyes.
Well, she heard the thump, but she may not have heard the words, and then he came and saw that rather incredibly-done sight. It wasn't just the blue or the stars. It was the light. It was setting a gorgeous girl against a sunrise, and - rather expectedly - the sunset was losing. It had a brighter star in its way, so to speak. Travis came to face Keona in the morning light and was frankly glad to have two eyes right now, because if he was going to be stunned - and he was - he wanted it to be with depth perception.
"That...is the absolute best..."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Meanwhile, there was a tiger set on locating his master. But first, there was the scent of That Cat on the threshold between the cabin and the rest of the ship. That Cat gave off a 'big' vibe, which clearly the little tiger did not like. Ira would find it sort of watching from a darker corner of still-the-inside-of-the-ship, the hall that led out where Travis and Keona had gone. It was in sight...ish...and perhaps trying to figure him out.
she turned to see a figure all dressed in black, outlined one one side with a ywllow-ish golden liht, the ither with a darker but less noticeable blue. "Travis?" Keona mumbled, rubbing an eye out of fatigue. Her wings shielded her face from the sun at this angle, letting her eyes do the strange thing where they pulsed with light once then died.
"Travis!" She said more happily, then bounded over to hug him, "Thanks, by the away I appreciate it." Of course that statement was out of the blue and directed towards something else, but she genuinely felt the need to thank him for all that he's done.
A little tiger cautiously stalked up to the door, inspecting the cat with a curious frustration. The feeling was too strong, but he forced himself to push through a barrier of pins and needles. Was he the only one who felt it?
'Hurt Keona, and I won't hesitate to maul your head off.' He said with hus eyes before dashing past to greet his owner.
No, that was the absolute best. In seconds, he had a beautiful woman in his arms who was happy to see him. She had her arms around him, he had wrapped his hands around her shoulders, keeping her close for the moment. It looked good if you were watching and it felt good if you were one of the two there. Travis smiled warmly in the morning light.
"For you? No problem at all."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And then, after Ira had passed, a funny thing happened: He heard a voice.
"Oh, so that's how it is."
But if he looked back, the cat was gone, as was the sensation. The little tiger got on to where it was going, and only after it had left did the cat return...right out of the shadows, having briefly merged with them.
"Well, fortunately for you, I don't harm my own kind."
Because that was Garlock's way.
Keona pulled away, staring into his eyes for a long moment. What was that in his eyes? It was something she had never seen before, not even her mother had a tint of that emotion. Slowly she brought a hand up against the side of his face that had his new eye, rubbing her thumb under it. The fact that it was fairly new caused her to wonder if it saw clearer, brighter, better than the other one. She in fact, stared so deep that she realized her reflection, and touched her face where the black mark over her nose. Oh right, her nose, she still hadn't done that to him. So she inched a little closer before pressing her nose to his, staying there for a second or two before lurching backward.
"S-sorry! It's tradition..." Keo yelped after she realized she had possibly overwelcomed her stay in his bubble once Ira rubbed between them. The tiger made an adorable mini-roar, resembling a meow, to get their attention. Keona bent down quickly and picked him up, and he instantly purred. Get Keona away from Travis: mission complete.
I'm doing my best mother, I'll protect her. I promise.
He didn't expect her hand upon his face, but he didn't recoil at the contact. Travis wondered what she would do if he let her do as she pleased, and the results turned out to be...interesting. Just what did she see while looking him in the eye like that? And then, without warning, Keona pressed her nose up against his, which was very surprising because...he didn't know the significance behind it at all. She said, rather nervously, that it was tradition, though...
"Certainly an interesting tradition, to say the least. You'll have to explain it to me, one day."
One day, perhaps when a tiger wasn't working its way between the two of them. Travis smirked.
"Another animal underfoot. I sense a conspiracy aboard this ship."
He wasn't serious about it, of course. And besides, Ira was adorable. That could simply not be countered by anyone.
The little dark orbs in his face were wide in the daylight, squeaking out more sound as Keona cuddled him. Of course she was a little confused at his words, She had the urge to do the bose thing again, but decided against it and pressed the strong urges down.
"Oh Ira, what would I do without you?" She purred back, hugging him like a stuffed animal against her chest. Another moment went by, and she remembered something.
"Should we head to breakfast?" Her eyes were brought up to look at Travis again. There was a small area of a residue blush on her face, adding a certain cuteness until it completely faded. She wanted ro hug him again, feel that warmth, but again didn't do it out of fear of invasion.
Probably find something else to cuddle.
Possibly accurate, but tthen maybe not. The little tiger was something more than just a pet. He was a companion, and very probably family to Keona. Nevertheless, he had to wonder if he was legitimately up to something, rather than simply being an attention-grabbing feline. Still, with that look in her eye and a general high spirits about the both of them, breakfast sounded good about now.
"Sure. And then, I'll probably have to do...something."
Remember, they were working him on this trip. So, they would head down below and...meanwhile, up at the wheel, the nightshift helmsman had been basically watching this and wondering who the hell these people were. Mostly, this was because a good nightshift man sleeps during the day and did not know that they were aboard. He just assumed they were some crazy couple they'd taken aboard...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Right! So, down in the mess... Well, unlike Yoreiqi, there wasn't a whole helluva lot of fruit. Citrus, to be sure, but that was more to combat scurvy than to provide variety. The main foodstuffs were, therefore, preserved - meaning dried and/or salted - beef and pork, bread, and cheese. The main form of drink available was rum or ale, and if you didn't want 'A Man's Drink', there was water. Travis enjoyed a good ale or rum or what-have-you, but he couldn't exactly get properly drunk. He could dip into that area to a degree, but his demon body burned up the alcohol in his system rather quickly. This was due to the fact that the underworld meant him to be affected by spirit, but not forty sheets to the wind and able to forget for any moment what he was. This meant he won alot of drinking contests, but he did not pass out and lapse into unawareness.
There was a flash of dissapointment in her eyes when he said he had to work. She didn't get much time back on the islands to know him better than she currently did, "Oh... well, okay then. I guess I could explore the ship while you're at it...." There was a chuckle in there somewhere, not a very happy one. Keona felt the gaze of a man on them, but found herself turning her head in the direction Yoreiq was, seeing the mass already nearly invisible by the curvature of the planet.
Keona had never had an alcoholic drink before, so who knows if she would pass out on the first sip or be perfectly losgical on her 50th. She would try out of sheer curiousity how much it would take for her to be even a little unlogical, but right now that wasn't the case. Humming to herself, she headed for the lower deck, remembering a glimpse of schematics that a tradesman had once brought over, before she set it on fire that is.
Ira was more tense than usual, and kept a lookout for a certain cat. He had some questions he wanted to ask him, because he was sure he didn't speak when he responded.
Yes, well...Travis was definitely getting an ale, and he was somewhat disappointed that they had him working part of he day, but those were the conditions for taking a dinghy in pay. They'd had to mount the dinghy in back because the ship had a full complement of life boats. At any rate, the two of them could sit down and eat, and in fact the quartermaster invited them to do so, assuring them that people would not make advances on Keona unwarrantedly, which did relieve Travis...partially because he didn't want them to...and partially because he didn't want her to hurt them.
During this time, Garlock was being less mysterious and more like...well...a cat. In the far corner of the room, he was lying with his belly upturned and his paws in a position that was either adorable...or a hand-trap. You decide.
The fact that the man had stated this made her feel many more times better. Keona sat down at an empty portion of the table before the room quieted down a little, and a few gazes landed on the three of them. Ira dropped down from her lap and sniffed around the room before bounding away. Keona, frankly, was to afraid to look up to meet anyone's gaze and instead leaned her head on her elbow.
The tiger melted from the shadows into the light with glowing eyes to approach the cat he had managed to track down. Cautiously padding closer, he stopped at a reasonable distance to let off a short growl, You're magic too... It seemed as though everyone who had ever been around him was, and it didn't come as a shock, I need to know, who are you? There was the slightest hostility in his tone as he thought the questions.
They were looking at her, but it was not for lack of having seen women, or people with wings, or indeed Yoreiqi in general. It was her difference from that which they'd seen before, of course, that drew their eyes onto Keona. You really couldn't help it. Travis kind of understood that, and Travis himself was being looked at because 'man with bat-like wings' was uncommon as well. No doubt, they were trying to determine what he was, probably arriving at the demon or man-bat conclusion on the grounds that a vampire would be less likely to be out this early. Nevertheless, this was how breakfast proceeded: Eat, drink, sneak a glance, etc. A bit of conversation, but they weren't sure yet if they should ask uhh...anything, really.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Back in the kitty corner, Garlock remained 'Pet me, I'm cute' positioned for a couple seconds after Ira thought at him, and then...suddenly (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBD7QAr6FQE), he was sitting prim and proper, his tail wrapped around his body so that it met near his front paws. There was no transition of motion. It was instantaneous. The cat's red eyes were deeply intelligent and appraising. And then, Garlock responded to him.
You need not worry yourself, little tiger. I do not harm my own kind. Or perhaps you think...that I have designs on them?
He let his gaze settle for a moment on Keona and Travis. Well, it is a fact that in relative proximity to them, they could act as a mana source to him, but he wondered... Garlock returned his focus to Ira.
I am Garlock The Destroyer. I hear the woes of those around me and act upon them...if they so wish it. I have also done things because I felt like it...but I'm in a relatively good mood.
He began to wash his paw, but the words of Garlock continued.
Since you have my attention, I may as well make you an offer. I sense that your friends have been through a great deal in their lives. In fact, the man has clearly been through hell. I am empowered to bring a terrible curse upon that which caused the suffering. Shall I bring vengeance to the one who has caused your mistress harm?
The cat before him was not only magic, but a form of cat that has great power: A Bakeneko. Such a being's existence definitely made him the bigger cat. Even if Ira were a full-grown tiger, Garlock was bigger, and dangerous. However, at the moment, he was amicable. He had said outright that he caused destruction, but it seemed he did not have a desire to, say, sink the ship. And now, it seemed he wanted to see if his 'services' were needed.
What!? N-no! I'm pretty sure whoever is doing this to her will be found. Besides, we're on a quest to find her father, and that... man's assailants. Besides, whoever is hurting my sister, I think she wants them alive so she can kill them herself... Was killing really in Keona's intentions? He knew it was in Travis's, but the thought of his kindhearted sister killing someone, and for good reason mind you, still made his heart sink to the bottom of his stomach. Look. We aren't straying on your territory long. I just want Keona to be safe and happy. This was his mission. Ever since the incident with a tiger, his mother made it his job to watch over her when it was time to choose a companion. The event that lost him was traumatizing enough, but the fact she had to endure a life alone with nothing but an animal to talk to was just heartbreaking.
Keona was given a wooden plate of breakfast food consisting of an orange, pork and... eggs? At least they didn't look like eggs. Not exactly being the picky type, she went ahead and picked up a utensil to try it. Eughhh... it made her want to shiver. And the fact that they had another day to endure this made her ill, and she wasn't sure if it was the food making it feel that way. Holding her breath, she quickly finished the protein, then a very visible look of relief overcame her face as she grabbed the orange.
It was fresh from her home, and now that she thought about it, she was going to miss it more than she'd like. They'll probably think she was dead in a few days... or worse, not even remember her at all. Now there was a sad thought.
Perhaps she stared at the orange too long in down thought, so she sighed and held it gently in both her hands, inspecting it before using burning nails to dig through it. Oh right, this is why she didn't prefer oranges, because by the time she finished the whole surface was charred. Keo did her best to hide it and began to peel it apart.
One paw washed, then the other, as Garlock listened. Then, after he was done...
Territory? I don't own this. I'm just here.
Garlock was something of a wanderer around the known world. It's how he did things. He might blow up something later, or if somebody irritates him, but...not right now.
If you don't want my help, though, that's your business. Just do me the courtesy of not telling them who I am. I don't really trust humans that much.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Yeah, the eggs sucked, but there was salt, at least. Well, if you really wanted it, since the beef was preserved by drying and salting. Might be why the ale, rum, and water came in those pinnt mugs. You needed alot. Still, in order to draw the attention of Keona seering her orange away from everyone, Travis pulled out another shadowsteel knife and did as he always did with his orange. The quartermaster noticed this immediately, as it was way more obvious than the burning.
"That's a very sharp knife you've got there. May I ask who made it?"
"Uhhh...me."
"You?"
"Just now. Magic!"
"Could ya spare maybe a few for other uses?"
"Not really. Damn things are made by me and fade later on, even if I forget about 'em. It's just a parlor trick."
Believe me, if I could speak to them I would. And... they both aren't humans. With that final statement, so his tail faced the cat, Name's Ira, by the way. Then proceeded to bound and pounce up into the empty portion of bench beside the woman.
It looked like she attempted to shrink away slightly when the man came up just as she finished her orange. But instead of making it obvious, she pet her companion on the head and listened to his comforting purrs, glancing up at Travis multiple times, as if making sure he didn't use the knife for something.
"He isn't lying. The metal isn't supposed to be of this realm, and therefore crumbles." Something she quickly made up. Hopefully it worked, and said something with her eyes along the lines of an apology, "Or that's what I presume."
Ira made a low rumble and climbed into her lap to stand up in order to look over the table at Travis and the knife, immediately flattening his ears. The fact that they enjoyed sharing a room-let alone sharing a bed-was bad enough. But he couldn't do much about it, knowing as he hadn't hurt her yet, and the fact that Keona actually liked him.
Well, he had to make sure. For all he knew, this tiger was actually a talking familiar - like himself, before going Bakeneko - who could suddenly speak up at any moment and make a mess of things. The thing is, he tilted his head at the comment about 'not human'. Like he said, the man had been through hell, but the woman... Didn't he see alot of people like her while they were in port? Weird...
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Well, enough about him, for now. Back to our people.
"Crumbles?"
"Vanishes. Just fades out, gone."
"Strange ability. Just knives?"
"Lots of things. Mostly weapons and tools. Keona can tell you, the most I've pulled out is a knife like this, 'cause of the oranges."
At that point, Ira came in and glared at the knife.
"...tends to spook animals, sometimes."
Naturally, he couldn't tell them it was a demon metal and that it's strange coldness, the shadowsteel's darkness, that tended to cause worry.
Staying silent at this point, Keona scratched the top of the tiger's head, distracting him from Travis for the moment, "By the way, who owned that other boat? I don't know many other provinces who would use such menacing colours." Maybe he didn't know. Because by the way Travis explained Connlaoth, it sounded like they wouldn't visit Yoreiq without murdering everyone there.
With that thought in mind, she tried to cool off and forget about it so she didn't burn Ira. He felt something was wrong, and rubbed his head against her arm comfortingly, making her chuckle.
He glanced around the room from time to time, making sure there was nothing fishy happening, though it could be his own paranoia.
Something fishy? No, no... Even Garlock is out of the room, now. Well, no. Actually, there was a problem, but one more specfic to Ira that perhaps hadn't been considered. Remember how the quartermaster said that Garlock was the ship's mouser? How to put this gently? He was a little too good at his job. There were no mice on this boat. There were no vermin for Ira to hunt and chow down on. As for the question on the other boat, the quartermaster suddenly got a spooked look on his face as he said...
"There was no other boat at port when we were there... You were seein'...a ghost!"
Yeah, he sort of led them along there for a second, then laughed at his joke.
"In all seriousness, the people there were looking Thanati. They trade with anyone who might have something they don't that they need. My guess, it was planning on making the island, then to Serendipity, then back home on a round trip."
"Thanati? What're they like? I've never been where they are."
"Thanatos is another island nation, rather isolating from the rest of the world. They allow visitors, but most keep to the outer towns, because they don't like 'em around the inner island. They've strange powers on Thanatos, magic you wouldn't believe. I mean, I'm magic, a little. A bit of this'n and that'n, but they've always been known for strange powers on that island."
"Hmmm. They have any pale men with really light hair?"
He was angling on seeing if Keona's father was Thanati without being specific on the matter, but as he was about to find out...it wouldn't be so unless he himself was hybrid like Keona.
"Nah, they have dark skin, or even really dark skin. They like light hair, though. The lighter the better."
His joke made her go wide-eyed for a moment, then she frowned. The fact that he said he was magic caused Keona to look up at him though. Thanatos... she doesn't remember anything about it, maybe because she missed a lot of her learning time growing up. But it did indeed sound off to her.
Ira gnawed on the table, not doing much damage, but definitely noticeable to those who sat across from him. It looked cute, but for him it didn't feel cute. He couldn't help it, he was hungry!
The woman who held him close didn't seem to notice at all.
Well, all the Thanatos-related information was interesting, but frankly...the more Ira gnawed, the more one of the other men noticed and started getting the quartermaster's attention with a nudge of the elbow.
"What is it, Arney? Can you not see that I'm talking."
"Oh yeah, but the tiger's eating the table."
"He's wh- Good gods, he is doing that."
Travis and a few others immediately took notice, largely because it was meant to be attention-grabbing and...a bit peculiar, if we're honest.
"I'm fairly-certain that's not normal. He alright, Keona?"
"Ira...?" Keona pulled him away from the table, making him spit out whatever pieces of wood he managed to get into his mouth. He left behind a few hefty dents, but didn't take much of anything off, "He's hungry, I think... I don't know if he'll be able to stomach the food here..." She knew for a fact that she couldn't stomach it, because her own stomach growled quite loudly but she blamed it on Ira.
"Is there any, fresh, meat available? For a tiger his size he won't eat much." She looked up hopefully at the man. Seeing as they had just traded with her people, they should have gotten some livestock or dead boars. Even a bone or some hide would do.
Naturally, because of the trade, they did - in fact - have those things on board. The quartermaster frowned at the damage to the table, of course. As quartermaster, he was responsible for the various items, foodstuffs, and resources that he was put in charge of. This was a roundabout way of saying that he was responsible for the tables, as well.
"Yes, there are some things, live and dead, with freshness about them. They're part of the trade."
"Well, I'm already working here and if food to live on was part of the deal, then do me a favor and feed the tiger."
He sighed, but nodded, and got someone to bring a small boar. It'd be roughly the size of Keona's kill from the other day, and Ira would soon get his share of meat, and water since...well...a drunken tiger is a bad idea. Plus, he's underage!
A whole boar was more than what Ira could chew, but hearing about it made him perk up at the thought of food. Keona giggled softly before setting him down on the table and he almost immediately laid himself down. He was content with the smell of food, but got giddy when Keona managed to take a bit off to give to him. It was a decent size, around the size of his head, and he began to tear into it.
"Thank you, sir. I really appreciate it. He had never been without food, and frankly he might have had to resort to eating one of us if he had to starve." She stated, smiling now as she rubbed the top of Ira's head.
While Keona might've been at least partially serious, the men hearing this had to laugh as she fed her frankly adorable little tiger, the likes of which didn't even come up to their knees.
"I suppose that the ship's cat is stalking us in our sleep, as well."
Nah. Not at this time, anyway.
"Well, anyone comes to me with a tiger dangling from one arm, I'll know ya ran out of meat."
"How long are we out for?"
"Well, we are swinging around south to reach our destination and it will be at least a few days."
It was a decent ship, but this thing was going around the continent, really.
"I thought the trip back was two days?" Keona nearly choked on air at the statement. Maybe, if they got close enough, the two could fly to land? Given they were alive by then, because if the water didn't kill them, then the food might.
Ira finished his raw steak, then purred in content as he licked his paws and whiskers from the juices. He rolled over on his back and exposed his belly, in which Keona rubbed. "At least one of us is happy." She smiled, letting him play with her hand.
Keona sighed, clearly not fully happy. The theory of being away from your home was true, because it did leave behind a good portion of what she was used to.
"It'd be that long - thereabouts - to the mainland, yes, but Serendipity is on the other side of the continent. We have to swing on under it south and pick up a strong headwind to get there first."
"I had no idea it was like that."
That's what you get for not paying attention to your boating and your maps. This was the ocean opposite Serendipity. You can't reach that in two simple days. That's a maddening speed not exactly possible in this day and age.
"Do we stop at all, along the way?"
"Well, we've already been to Connlaoth. There's a southern port that's a small place made for bringing trade to Essyrn. After that, it's all speed to Seren lands."
Well, there you have it. If they wanted off soon, there was the desert. If they wanted off at Serendipity, they'd have to wait on it a while.
She'd have to think on it for the time being. Carrying Ira would be tiresome, and she only hoped that it would be over as soon as it started.
"I think for now we're fine. I'll notify you when something comes up," Keona said, paying attention to her companion rather than any of them.
Ira was rather bored of the cutesy act, so he let the activity die down before leaping onto the deck, making a small attempt at a roar that sounded more like a meow. Instead he decided to play with the longer feathers that hung down from Keona's wings without using his claws.
Sorry, Ira. You need to grow up a little to be able to actively become not cute. And even then, you'll have a hard time being rid of it. Travis gave Keona a look when she said 'when something comes up'. He had a feeling he knew just what might 'come up'. He would have to be ready for that, if it came at all.
"So, what shall we do, today?"
"Ah, we might need you, at some point."
"Hey, not to sound too ungrateful, but...again? Even on a ship like that, you can't all be that busy."
"Ah, well, the captain thinks that a wingy like you-"
"'Wingy'?"
"-ought to be some use in the Crow's Nest."
"I just had to pick now to have two eyes. Where IS the captain, anyway? I haven't even met the guy yet."
"Busy plotting our course, giving us our orders, and - at this time - in the captain's mess."
"I see. I don't suppose it fits two up there, does it?"
"Errr, maybe."
Keona's head shot up when he mentioned 'two', of course he could have meant someone with better vision, not to be rude. Even if she were allowed up there, it'd be a safe place to let a small flame ignite.
"I'm small, minus my wings, I could go up there if it meant Travy didn't have to be alone..." She said in a small tone, fiddling with her fingers on the table. Ira was careful not to tear the silk, not like it hid much anyways, but he knew it was something she liked and didn't want to lose. It was a memory.
"Besides, I'm pretty good at spotting danger. Yoreiqi, remember?" She awkwardly smiled, glancing up at the two for once.
"Well..."
"C'mon, man. Wingies united."
"Alright, alright... Just don't neglect your job as lookout."
"I know. How hard can it be?"
Well, it's funny you mention that. It's...okay, not actually THAT hard. You climb up there - or fly - and then you sit in the thing and look around, trying not to fall asleep or something. Ya spot something, you mention it. Of course, Travis wouldn't have the lingo down, as of yet. Still, this left them to get up there. And up, and up, and up... Once they were done here, he looked over to Keona.
"By flight or by rope?"
Either would be fine, though to be fair...there was a cat sunning himself up there.
Her wings twitched, eager for a good stretch before Ira reminded her that he didn't have wings.Keona smiled and bent down to pick him up and strap him to her chest with her arms, "I'll fly up there, how bad could it be?" Either one of them were safe enough wings to sit on the masts, and either way, there wouldn't be much to see other than water for miles around.
"Beat you there?" She giggled and rapidly burst open her wings and fluttered vertically. Her strange wings contrasted against the over all colour of the wood and sails, bringing her bright silhouette out in the day as the sun reached the middle of the sky.
It occurred to him, of course, that since he was a demon of certain power that he could cheat like hell on this, but he wasn't. Travis spread his wings and took flight after her, banking on the fact that with a tiger in tow, he had a good chance of catching up. This, he did, but umm...he actually lost this race because he noticed what was in there ahead of them both, and stopped to put himself in a hover motion as other occupant noticed them.
"Mrow."
This was sort of an offbeat reaction, for a cat, as was the way it actually climbed down the ropes, noticing that its current place was about to be occupied. With that, they could take up the crow's nest themselves.
"Not exactly comfortable up here, but whatever. I slept in the dinghy, I can sit up here."
Ira squirmed in her arms as he was higher than he had ever been, even the tallest tree he climbed was nothing compared to this height. Well, he didn't have wings so there was no blame. Keona spotted the cat and watched for a moment, nearly smashing the top of her head on the crow's nest if she hadn't looked up at the right time.
letting the tiger jump down into the wooden tub, she joined in, positioning herself so that her wings didn't take up a lot of room. Yoreiq was still in view, but only the tiniest land mass now in the distance, in the opposite direction they were. She sighed, leaning over the edge and resting her head on an elbow.
The water was calm, except for the times she spotted mermaids and sea dragons multiple times, clearly not trying to be hostile. But something was amiss, and she sensed it, maybe it was just that cat leaving its residual energy?
The cat most definitely had residual energy. Garlock had power. If he ever told them his name, they... You know, actually? They wouldn't know it. Keona's been on an island all her life and Travis wasn't exactly a collector of rumors. Maybe he'd have heard it somewhere, but it wouldn't be as important to him as other things. Still, whether it was Garlock or something else, there was definiely something in the air besides air, something ominous. They'd already had a storm, so there wasn't gonna be much of that, one hoped.
Right now, Travis was down and sitting in the tub, head cradled by his hands again. His wings had pulled into the slots in his coat so they were inside its folds and out of the way. Trying to relax a bit, he decided to offset the mood by doing a bit of idle whistling. It was sort of a lazy whistle that someone does just to pass a bit of time while they're thinking and not doing anything. In the distance, he couldn't see anything of particular merit. Good times... Maybe it'll stay that way, or maybe there was another shadow incoming. But for now, he was gonna enjoy the moment.
It was quiet up here, minus the sounds of water splashing against the vessel. "What did they put your through, yesterday?" Keona asked, wanting to break the silence. You could tell that she was anxious by her constant shifting of weight on her hips and twitch of the wings. Even Ira was distracted by a sense.
The abyss below them was a deep blue, so dark that it would be difficult to see anything from now on. It worried her, because she could swear something had caused a great splash in the distance. Maybe just a whale? No, it felt much more dangerous than a stupid whale.
"Hmmm?"
The whistling stopped, and Travis glanced over to her.
"Oh, that. Well, apparently, working a decent-sized boat is alot of work. The helmsman can handle the steering on his own, but you need like half a dozen guys to adjust the sails, fasten stuff to things, and stuff like that."
Clearly, he didn't know the fullness of what he was doing by terminology, but if you asked him to do it again, he'd be able to at least fulfill the task required.
"Of course, before that, I was helping with the cargo. They'd loaded up, for the most part, but they were disorganized and...ugh...the quartermaster wanted it in order so he could keep track of it properly. I guess that works, but d'you know how hard it is to move livestock that doesn't wanna moved? Hard!"
He said this with a bit of hand gesture emphasis, then relaxed.
"All in all, just a long-ass chore."
Listening quietly as she stared out into space, not noticing anything in the water. Livestock was indeed difficult to move, as back home she had to help moving the herds back to their grazing area multiple times.
"At least it's good exercise, eh?" She smiled, thinking to herself before shaking it out of her head.
Ira stood up suddenly, leaping onto the ledge of the crow's nest beside Keona, who only looked at him with confusion. He stared into a certain section of the water, and she followed to spot something, "Travis, get over here. I see something."
Little did they know, a giant, black serpent was enroute to attack, popping out of the water every so often to let off black mist. That was impossible! The monsters couldn't be in water or else they disperse! "Shit."
"Could be. I don't actually need it."
He really didn't, anymore than he needed actual food or air, though the lack of either - of course - would be painful, tormenting even. Travis sat up when he heard Keona calling his attenttion to something in the water. When he looked, he saw what she saw: A serpentine form (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70RNkaajLus) was in the water, approaching the ship. 'Shit' was definitely the appropriate word for the situation.
"Ah hell. I gotta warn them."
He leaned over the side and shouted down below.
"Hey! There's something in the water, coming towards us!"
"Which way?"
"Whichever way is THAT WAY!"
"That's starboard!"
"Whatever! Go look!"
Again, Travis was not up-to-date on nautical terms.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The sailor who'd been talking got a telescope and looked, but he wasn't quite seeing-
"Mrow."
Suddenly, the telescope jostled into the right direction and he saw something black under the waves. Now, in a normal setting where monsters are just folklore and legend, sailors would panic and scream at the top of their lungs and so on before finally taking some kind of action. This isn't like that. We live in a world of magic and fantastic creature here. The sailor rang the bell to sound attention to the crew, shouting "Sea monster! Starboard side!", which of course got the captain's attention.
"Wheel out our cannons. Prepare to fire. Break out the harpoons, as well, and if you've got any magic worth mentioning...use it."
In a fantasy world, there are fantasy answers. However, it is also a fact that Connlaoth had invented the cannon, and certain people in the merchant-and-trade business wanted their cargo protected. So, they had a couple of these strange devices on wheels. If aimed properly, they could lob steel balls at whatever was coming.
Letting out a deafening screech as it burst out of the water one last time, the creature dove down into the depths, not returning for a good while. Everything fell quiet, but Keona was panicking deep down. Everyone would most likely die because of her. She attracted these things, but the question was why?
The woman grabbed Ira and dove off the crows nest, landing heavily on the dock and setting the tiger down, "Go hide!"
The boat rocked suddenly, knocking her on her side as well as many others. It was hit again, and again, each in opposing directions. This went on for a mere few seconds before it burst (https://youtu.be/zoyiRis_-ds) out of the water to tower over the ship's deck. Its hideous and grotesque face reminded her of something, and she tried to think back. There was no time as it lurched forward onto the deck, slithering to the other side before returning on the opposing end, wrapping itself around the ship. Keona scrambled to her feet, avoiding the jaws of the beast every time it came around.
--------------
Reaching the limit of its length, the serpent rose over itself to inspect the deck, slowly crushing it as it did so. The barrage of cannon fire hit its body in various places, only to absorb the metal balls into its body and seal the wound. Keona knew they all held the same properties, but one this big would be even harder than the snakes!
Once spotting the odd Yoreiqi, it plunged forward to attack, only to smash its face into the dock when she took a different turn. Roaring in pain and fury, it built up a blast of water in its throat, feeding from the ocean beneath to spray the ship down. Cutting it from the dock would only create more of these ghastly beasts, and seeing it that way brought little to no hope of defeating it.
This was extremely bad, and worse...before he knew it, Keona was in trouble, as it was very definitely keen on snatching her up. Not that it had succeeded, mind you, but it was certainly trying it's damnedest. Then, in a fit of anger, it seemed to be charging something up, some kind of attack. The boat was already being stressed, as is, and now this? No, thanks! Suddenly...
WHANG!!
...a flying black demon smacked it in the head...with the flat of his sword, hard enough to probably discharge the watery blast back into the sea at the moment of attack execution. Tenebrous still hit like hell on steel, even when it was not with the sharp end. He was gonna beat the crap out of this thing if he had to, rather than cut it into gibs.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Well, this was going to cut into his free time... The cat headed into a below-deck storage room...and emerged as a man-shaped figure in a dark robe, skull-belt, black gauntlets, and face-obscuring cowl. Most of the magic-users on this boat were capable of some wind bullets and other smaller attacks, nothing big. This snake needed a 'kaboom', and Garlock was Boom Town...
The serpent screeched, trying to get a hold on Tenebrous by its jaws and spraying whatever blast it had all over the place. It received enough hits before shaking and retreating down into the blue, unwrapping itself and swimming down, down, down into the blackness. It would seem as though it was gone for good, but only a minute later there was another disturbance. The creature gained speed as it pushed upward from the bottom of the ocean. The boat was hit powerfully, nearly tipping it upside down as the beast thwacked it with its tail. Keona slid down the deck, trying to grip the surface with her nails, finally hitting the rail on the other side, hard. There was a sickening snap and a shriek from the woman as two things had broken. The railing and her wing.
As the boat rocked back into balance, she managed to grab what remained of the railing and held on for dear life. The pain nearly made her let go of her only saving grace, but the fear was worse. The serpent emerged on the other side behind her, quills quivering as a hiss escaped its throat. the jaws of the beast split into three, giving it an all more terrifying feel as it tried to bite down on her. Out of instinct, she unleashed a blast of flame from her palm and onto the side of its hideous face.
Keona struggled to get back up, clearly weakened from pain. She sprinted towards the net that connected to the mast, and began to climb like it was one of the trees back home. That thing couldn't reach the top of the sails, or she hoped.
Nothing doing, about the blade, because not only had Travis held it out of reach, but the water pushed him back a fair bit. He needed to get re-oriented, but by that time, the creatures was gone...though he doubted for good. Honestly, he was about to land when suddenly it struck the boat! As soon as it broke the surface, he rammed himself right into its back as Keona blasted it in the face. While she was climbing to avoid the thing, Travis began to rage, beating at it hard with pommel and flat of his sword, this time grabbing it with his free hand so it couldn't get away. But...
"Oh, move aside."
There was a man on deck, a man that felt full of energy and somehow wrong. He was some sort of cowled magus, reaching his hand out and-
Cracka-BOOM!!!
Big bolt of lightning, right on the snake's head, volts coursing down and forcing Travis off. He was uhh...still kind of conductive. Truly, his weakness was light, but lightning wasn't a bad second. The unknown magus appeared keen on magicking this thing to death. Nevertheless, while this was going on, if the thing made a move to slink under again - if it tried to do anything to the boat once more - he was following it and intercepting it, full speed!
The electricity burned the particles that made up its shape, creating a massive hole in the side of its head that wasn't healing. But upon being shocked, the beast flared the quills on its sides, having another trick up its sleeve. It let out another shriek, a long and loud one, aimed to disorient its assailants before it pushed forward with full force, attaching its jaws to the mast and holding on tight. It knew, holy shit it knew. Keona had made her way to the sail, trying to hide from the monster but to no avail. The wood snapped, nearly knocking her off until she clung to the sail for dear life.
This thing was ruthless! With that talisman gone, these things would only get stronger in time. The mast was breaking with every movement this things made, that was, until it finally stopped.
Naturally, both assailants would be affected by this horrid wail. It had a larger effect on the crew. They were in severe pain and rendered inactive for the moment. None of their actions were having much of an effect, anyway. At least, not at the moment. Travis had gained power from severe ear pain. He was hearing nothing but a high-pitched whine, for now, but he also dove at the snake's head, plunging both hands down at the eyes. This, he did while fully aware that it could be filled with a corrosive ichor, so that he could pull on its eye sockets - and therefore head - and force it to let go and pull it away into the water to fight.
Garlock was in severe pain. Travis had suffered, yes, but he was a cat...and cats have far-more sensitive ears. He had barely managed to keep himself controlled enough to fire a freeze blast to keep some of he snake's coils stuck in place, but after that...oh dear. There was a crackle-plop as the human-shaped form broke apart and something red and black and viscous both pooled on deck and expanded. Snake? You got cat. You got Angry Cat. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wZaK7gVwWg) A pair of blazing-red eyes opened as the blob formed into an indistinct creature of feline origin. Puma, cheetah, lynx - whatever. It was a two-tailed apparition and it was going to tackle the offender of the ears full-force into the water...where it would try to EAT the shadow.
The spots where the shadow froze dissipated, leaving nothing but ice blocks as it broke apart. Oddly enough, no other forms came from this half. The particles were much too weak in a moistened state, and simply became non-existent from its host.
Another shrieking roar, and the serpent was dragged into the water by the two at last, fighting to keep itself above the surface in order to try and get Keona. There was anger from from the woman, and soon there was a large blast of hellishly-hot fire incoming. It hit the shadow with a radius that made it seem like the world was on fire (https://youtu.be/rqj1hf-KQ2c), lingering for a good three seconds before fading away. A sickening and gurgling roar came from the serpent as water flooded the holes in its head, destroying the delicate insides.
Thrashing in the grasp of the giant cat and the demon, it appeared that it wasn't going to go down like this at all. But instead of managing to break free, a broken up scream of pure agony came from the shadow before its head fell into the water completely, its tail hitting the boat one last time. It skidded over the surface of the dock, slicing the mast in half.
For Keona, everything slowed down, and by the time she blinked, the water came closer and closer until the wood smashed into the ship, breaking apart again. She tried to grab the sail, but with no luck, and fell into the water before.
Ah yes, now she remembered where she had seen this from. She had dreamt about it on the first night. Pity she drowns at the end of this tale, because she had already lost consciousness from the freezing temperatures.
Its insides would dissolve in purifying water?! It was vulnerable to water?! Of all things?! That was what the demon would have said if he had a moment to actually shout. However, amidst all that had happened in those scant few seconds - pulling the serpent from the boat, both attackers snarling and fighting it underwater, the fiery blast - there just wasn't time, With the actual snake gone, Travis was underwater and only able to stay affloat because his flight in demon form was a powered supernatural flight from those wings, not a thing dependent upon wingbeats and air.
It was about this time, with the snake gone, that he noticed two things. First, he was not alone down here, that something he hadn't even noticed before was writhing in dark amorphous fury that seemed to contain several limbs, a pair of tails, and a pair of pointed ears. No fucking idea, there. Besides, he had a more pressing matter, in that he really had company, in that Keona had fallen off the boat and into the water! She couldn't hear the gurgle that was the demon calling out her name, but he quickly denied the dream its end as he swept over and took hold of her before powering himself out of the water and back onto the deck.
He was, at the moment, completely not paying attention to his surroundings. This...was actually a good thing, because it served to confuse the crew...who had recovered from their ear-related torment and now saw this demon bent over the soaking girl and very-definitely said "Keona! Oh god, not this! Wake up! Please!", which stayed their hand at any unwarranted action...as it was weird for such a being to speak thus. Everything was in disarray right now, but his dark and demon-y voice certainly drew attention...from the tall and composed man who was the captain of this boat.
"Do I take it that you are Mr. Travis?"
"What? OF course! Why would you...oh right."
He reverted to his human form, which surprised the captain a little, but again...he's been around.
"She needs warmth, the cold is deathly to her."
The captain ordered blankets and cold water remedy...which is to say alcohol. Travis was making sure that she was at least breathing... Anyone who was not currently busy was determining just how bad the boat was, floating-wise, and to see if anything could be done to...well...not sink.
Nothing but blackness filled the area, but there was indeed mist surrounding her. Keona opened her eyes to see nothing, hearing only echoes of her name before it devolved into a darker voice that wasn't Travis's. It was...familiar.
Looking around a male figure approached, looking elven, but without the ears. He was taller than her, and clearly hiding his old age under cloaks and fabrics. The black scars... the white hair and the clear, deadly white eyes...
"Father...?"
It was oh so cold, her skin was like touching ice and her faint breaths were a clear indication that she was fighting. The only warmth she had was the touch of a demon so to speak, and the lingering water didn't help one bit.
"Keona, I know your years have been tough. But listen to me. You are cursed, my daughter, with the powers you hold. The more you hide from them, the deadlier the shadows become. You must realize what you are to overcome them."
In reality, there would be a moment where your heart would break in to as the struggle faded from her face, and was replaced with an emotionless shell. Blankets would do nothing without a source of heat, and alcohol wouldn't help if she wasn't breathing. Slowly the room became gray, and the clouds above parted in her mind, leaving nothing but a singular beam of light that she approached.
Her hand dropped onto the deck, void of life. Keona's form had seemed to freeze, all signs of movement not apparent. Ira appeared seemingly out of nowhere, and sniffed at the body of the woman before looking distraught himself. He flattened his ears and placed himself until her limp arm.
"What am I then...?" She raised a hand to touch the light, eyes pulsing with a faint glow.
"You are light."
Almost immediately after she made contact with the beam, Keona gasped and shot up, opening her eyes and taking a moment to focus as she caught her breath, "T-..Travis?" The woman whimpered, already in tears as she tried to look in any direction with depth perception.
To be fair, the 'demon's touch' was in his human form, which seemed human enough, for all intents and purposes here. He would be trying to warm her himself while the blankets absorbed excess water. It seemed all a bit hopeless, as her external reactions seemed to indicate. As they seemeed to be failing to revive her with any method available to them, Keona had grown cold...
And then, for reasons unknown, the girl shot upright alive again.
She would find that there were a number of men around who had been a part of the emergency. She would find that...past them...there was a figure she had maybe seen in the fight, but was otherwise unfamiliar to her, as he was some kind of cowled magus. And...she would find that Travis was holding her, trying in vain to add his warmth while she was out. Now that she'd shot straight up, he was a little confused, but relieved.
"I'm here. It's over, for now."
Faded noises and blurry shapes were her focus for the time being, and it made her dizzy. Keona soon felt a searing pain in her left wing, and she moved to touch it. Was it really broken? No, it was way too painful for that.
"Damnit... I'm so sorry Travy, this is all my fault..." She whimpered, simply digging her face into his neck as she braced him, partly for warth but most as a thanks.
Ira made a noise and rubbed his head against the side of her thigh, providing a moment of warmth there.
Keona absorbed the warmth from the man, shivering against him for a few seconds. She didn't remember the dream at all, she couldn't even say she had a dream at all! Pulling back, she stared at him for a moment, eyes pained and hurt, but with something else in them before she moved forward again, pressing her lips to his before realizing what she had done.
"AH! Sorry!" It was as if coming out of a drunken or hypnotized state really, where one would slap themselves for the dumb shit they did.
"No, Keona... I refuse to blame you for your birth."
This may have been a danger that the two of them were going through, a true ordeal, but he wasn't going to put the blame of all this on her, not for living and breathing, those things that he'd taken twenty long years to get back the right to do. Maybe she felt differently, but he felt-
What the...?
-rather...good? The look on her face should've been sort of a warning, but at the time while under stress, you might not notice a tiny glimmer in between other apparent feelings like pain and remorse. Retrospectively, he might notice, but not right now...because Travis was taken off the hook by the joining of lips. He remained surprised even as he was apologized to again. But...for that?
"You must be really cold if...errr...if you needed that. It's okay, I understand."
He's not actually sure if it was that or not. He was sorta' playing dumb.
"Captain, I may have to impose here and say she needs to be out in the sun a while. I can explain what just happened, and why."
"I was waiting for an explanation. My damn main mast is broken. We'll have to put to port to get it fixed. Gods alive, a devil serpent and a demon clashing on my ship. Well, are we sinking, quartermaster?"
"No, sir. Recommend the port to make certain we stay affloat, and if we can't...well...at least there's somewhere to offload."
"True, though the going will be slow."
"I could try to put it back, if you've got anything to keep it in place, after."
He shook his head.
"Barely a stump is left behind. We need druid to merge wood or something, and we haven't got one."
"What DO you have?"
The answer was a little wind power that can create a fair breeze on a dead calm or an intense bullet force, a little fire magic that was hardly on par with the really talented, water purification spells, ox strength and firm body spells, and a mid-range healer...which Keona would need.
His statement made her frown for a a moment as she looked down, making her emotions go unoticed. Keona wasn't blushing however, due to the fact all heat was still internal at this point.
"Travis, my wing is dislocated.." She whispered, possibly not loud enough for much of anyone to hear. Her wing was bent in a different direction, not looking healthy at all concerning it nearly tore away at the skin.
Ira jumped onto her stomach and laid his head on her chest, trying to, in a sense, warm her heart. Keona scratched his head before retracting her arms from Travis. A healer would be nice, because if she had any cuts on her body, then they wouldn't heal themselves due to lack of warmth.
The sun felt good on her skin, mixed with the warmth of the demon beside her, she was more comfortable than she had ever been before, possibly due to the fact that her skin was still numb from the cold.
Travis, who had been through hell, didn't want to assume at this point. He would need to make certain, which...he wasn't really sure of at the moment because they'd all been through a serious battle. At least it was warm out and the sky was cooperating with them. However, yes...that wing looked to be in bad shape. He'd had limbs bent and bitten that way in he underworld. It was not pleasant.
"Captain, she will need your healer for that wing, for sure."
"Certainly, and what about you?"
"Well...I have to go do something unpleasant, but I'm mostly just drained."
The Captain got the ship's healer to come over while Travis went to one side of the boat and looked as though he must be being sick over the side. Not exactly. See, he'd shouted while under water. The water went 'Oh hey, a vacancy!' and came on in. What he was doing was discharging all the water from his system. The healer, in the meantime, raised both hands and Keona would feel a warm sensation that was unlike heat. With a little concentration, her wing began to push back into position. The snap into place it had just done on its own might make her flinch, but there was no pain while under the influence of the healing waves he was putting off. Travis returned to see her in much-better condition. The healer looked winded.
"Okay, I think you're good now. I've still got some of the crew to do. So much ear damage..."
The warmth provided was stripped away as she sat on the dock, hugging Ira to her chest as the healing took place. She focused on the little tiger in her arms who looked sound asleep, but listened to his surroundings. The nerves in her wing did in fact flinch, and it caused her to suddenly extend it fully with a soft yelp, slowly bringing it back in to test for soreness.
The beast had indeed done a lot of damage hearing-wise to the crew, and she couldn't help but blame herself. After all, these things were attracted to her energy. The woman sat for a bit longer on the damp wood, finally making the decision to stand. Any water droplets left on her skin began to sizzle and evaporate, finally she was nearly back to her old temperature. Keona rubbed her side, feeling a dull pain, "Must've bruised it on the way down." She said softly, picking Ira up as he jumped up to balance himself against her leg.
With the healer moving on to help with other people and those who weren't too bad off now doing what they could for the ship, Travis figured they had maybe a moment before the Captain got done organizing work and started his questioning. His ship, his crew, his cargo, his job had just been put in severe risk. If he did not receive adequate explanation, or that he found this all a bit much to accept, they could be put off of the ship.
And since they were apparently canniballizing the sail of his dinghy to add to the ship's secondary mast for all the wind they could hope to get, that could be really bad. However, at this moment, his focus was on Keona, who he could swear had just... He turned to her now, a serious look on his face.
"Keona, I don't know what exactly happened, but after I got out of the water, your body went completely cold, as in devoid of any warmth at all. I thought you were dead, and speaking as someone who has served alot of death over the years, you really surprised me, coming back like that. I'm glad you did, though."
"All my years, in all my years I was always ready to face death. But... lately, I've been rethinking it. I don't want to die, I want..." She sighed softly, looking down and shaking her head, "I want to be with you, to find out who my father is, and to help you find your kidnappers. I want... hm," Keona smiled softly to herself, blushing a tad bit before walking off and not even bothering to finish her sentence. She headed for their room, Ira in her arms and a quick step in her walk. Clearly she was secretly giddy about something.
The tiger sensed her happiness, and began to rethink his own feelings for Travis. Clearly she liked him, and maybe he liked her back. He decided to let the demon be, let him be kind as long as he doesn't hurt her. But by the looks of it, he wasn't going to any time soon.
The demon was starting to have thoughts, as well. They're not re-thinks, though. They're first-thinks, thoughts that have begin to bud in his head and he wanted to double-check before taking the next step. Specifically, it is a fact that he had egaged in a bit of harmless flirting back on the island, most of it going right over Keona's head. He might try a bit more direct flattery, next time. In fact, he might've engaged in some of that right now if umm...a hand hadn't gripped his shoulder from behind...and that if that hand hadn't contained a fair amount of power.
"Uhh, Keona? Help? My attention's been grabbed."
Namely, it had been grabbed by the gauntlet'd hand of Garlock The Destroyer, whose eyes were just about the only thing you could see under the hood.
"I think, perhaps, it's about the time that explanation of yours comes to light."
And then, Garlock had a hand on his shoulder: The captain's.
"I couldn't agree more, especially since I don't recall having a full-time magus on board."
"Umm...oversight?"
"I don't think so."
"Well, shit."
He then gestured to the guest quarters so that the questions may be addressed with a bit of privacy.
Sitting on the old bed, Ira purring and rubbing his head against her chin. The woman was still smiling to herself, thinking of that moment she actually kissed him. What a dummy, both of them. She was dumb enough to do it, and he was dumb enough to not realize what it was.
She would only be alone for a few minutes before the Captain came in. Somewhat startled, she looked up, half expecting to immediately be told to pack their stuff and leave.
Keo clutched slightly tighter to her companion, she also half expected for something to go horribly wrong, worse than leaving.
Naturally, Travis was worried too, just enough to remove his laid-back status temporarily. They were in a situation, and it was a bad one. If they were put off this boat, they'd be sitting ducks. and while the duck in the leather coat could take another fight at sea, Keona on a tiny boat that threatens to capsize in a situation like that was not acceptable. She and him waited in the guest quarters while the captain was having a word with this strange magus. He glanced over at her.
"I won't let them put you off of this boat. It's too much to ask of you. If anyone's going to take punishment, it's me."
Fully prepared to face the music, Travis' mood went from grim to...rather confused...as there had been a release of energy out in the hallway and - We kid you not. - maniacal laughter.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Basically, the situation went outside the room went like this: The captain started talking to this strange...
"No, listen. I'm sure your skills would be most useful aboard my ship, but you are - in fact - a stowaway and-"
PZOW!!
Garlock eye-blasted him in the face with something, some sort of power or spell that did not seem to affect him physically...but seemed rather disorienting. Directly thereafter, he transformed into a cat and left the hall, cackling.
"Mwa ha ha ha ha ha ha haaa!!"
That's a bit melodramatic, doncha' think, Gar?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Travis opened the door to find the captain sauntering in, rubbing his temples.
"Agh... A dizzy spell now, of all times...?"
"Captain, did that man do something to you?"
"Who...? What...? I'm sorry, my head's just a little fuzzy right now. That monster... Where did it come from?"
He seemed...out of it, but not completely out of it. Garlock had hit him with a short-term Brainwarp. Some of the finer details of his recent memory had been smoothed over, leaving it a might bit vague in there. In time, he might remember that there was a stowaway on board...but the details about him were rather lost.
Setting Ira aside and taking in a deep breath, Keona put her game face on, "Sir, that monster... that monster is a result from my existence."
Way to flat out tell the truth. She was still visibly shaking from an axiousness that swept over her as she ignored the fact he was dumbfounded by now, and managed to ball a fist. Her knuckles glowed with an orange light before returning to normal, "We're om this ship to head for the truth. Look, I can't control these things, but I know it takes a while for them to regenerate and try to kill me again.... a sea dwelling Shadow may take even longer than a day. That is why I wish to be off this boat once land is seen, I don't want to cause anymore harm...." There was bravery then sadness in her eyes, "I'm just as upset as you are, and if you are going to throw us off this boat because of it, I understand.
The tiger looked up at her from where he sat, clearly inspecting this new mood she held.
He appeared to be recovering from...whatever...as she spoke. Her determination on the matter was certainly attention-grabbing. He didn't undersand WHY this stuff happened, but then it was also kind of vague in understanding to the two winged travelers.
"I can sympathize your plight, madam. Being hunted by a relentless force to the ends of the earth can certainly be a rough time for the best of folks, let alone other people. I would prefer to put you to port, where you will be more able to handle the problem yourselves, but my ability to get there is hampered, as you know. We've barely cleaned up yet."
"You said that you couldn't possibly nail the mast back in place because of the stub, right?"
"Correct."
"Well, I saw them pulling out the little mast on the dinghy and...can't you just pull out the stub and shove in the rest of the mast?"
He thought about it.
"Turn the main mast into a mizzen mast and catch all the air we can? Yes, that sounds like a plan. You go do that, now. I'll put you on land, south of Essyrn, and there we will part ways."
"Aye aye, captain!"
Well, that seemed to please him. And why not? They weren't going to be put off the ship. As he went off, the captain turned back to Keona now.
"I'll be taxing every man with wind power and the healer to keep them strong. I do this because while we could have lost everything, powerless as we were, you two managed to keep us afloat. I'm not pleased by this, but will not be inhuman about it."
"Thank you." Sitting back down, Keona recollected her memory of the serpent, going over the image and studying how the water affected it. It's jaws were reinforced, and so was its outer hide. The shadows were creating full creatures, and soon they will be nearly impossible to defeat.
Feeling her full warmth, she checked to see if her abilities would work by lighting a candle flame in her palm, only to have it go out immediately. Sighing softly to herself, Keona gave up and flopped back, Ira jumping up and laying across her belly in content. Something about boats and masts filled her mind as they spoke, fixing and mending and any other word related to it.
She could hear the sounds of men of the sea (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_JLJR7GXBc), busy at their work. Plenty of noises and shouts and conversation were made all during this. Some were a bit familiar, mostly because it sounded like Travis was involved. Well, the whole mast thing was gonna be center attention, so that much was inevitable. Let's listen, shall we?
"Alright, we have to get the stump out of there, which is gonna take a bit of work from below and above."
"No, it's not. Watch this."
Since the conjuring of shadowsteel was a quiet thing, what Keona more-than-likely heard was a bunch of men sounding surprised.
"What is that?"
"It's... Well, it's a very large corkscrew. We twist it down into the stub, then pull. It's a cinch. Easier, at least."
"Okay, let's try it."
What followed was that of wood being augered into gradually, and then alot of grunting effort as they were getting the thing to come out. It did NOT pop like a cork, nor was there ANY of the bubbly to follow.
"Alright, now I'm going to go demon and lift the mast - sails, rigging, and all - and drop it down in there. What I need...is a punch in the face.'
"Come again?"
"I get power from getting hurt. A punch in the face will gimme a quick jolt to lift it all up."
You...want us to punch you in the face."
"Well, I could punch myself, but it would look silly."
"And what you propose sounds ridiculous."
"Alright, fine."
A moment later, there was an unmistakeable thump against wood and an "Aagh!" from Travis, followed by a demon transformation sound, a mast-lifting sound, and a heavy THUNK! sound as it was deposited in the hole.
"That should do it, then. I'm gonna take a break."
...which would mean he was going for the guest quarters.
She was quiet, for the most part, until she moved that is. Keona silently stood and set down Ira-who had managed to fall asleep due to her warmth-on the bed and walked over to the port hole window. She watched solemnly (https://youtu.be/RiaYhPG1rD0) as the waters passed by, leaning on the wood with her elbows before rubbing her arms. Then began to weep softly to herself.
It was all her fault, she couldn't help but blame herself. Someone probably died because of her! Keona was only grateful that it wasn't her village she managed to destroy, "Oh mother... I'm so sorry. I know you told me to be strong... but this is just so difficult."
You'd only know she was crying if she turned around, and by this point her hair covered almost all visible parts of her face, hiding the emotion and bubbling tears.
Thus, it was the case when Travis arrived that he was NOT aware. He didn't have super hearing, nor was he at all attempting to eavesdrop on the room. With the ship able to move faster again, they'd make the southern port in decent time. This put him in good spirits. Well, good enough. He knew that nothing would undo the damaged that'd happened, in truth. So, he entered the room now.
"We'll be getting to land relatively soon. By night, probably."
Because she was facing the window and because Ira was asleep, he couldn't really read the situation that well. He'll find out in a minute, though, right?
As Keona took in a breath, she pulled back the curtains of her hair to let her face return to normal once again. She put on her best and most fake smile before looking back at him like that, "Yay..."
Ira shifted before he woke up from the lack of warmth, immediately dropping down from the bed and trotting over to Keona, rubbing himself against her leg. It helped her feel better, only a little bit. The woman picked him up and sat on the bed again, making sure there was room for Travis if he wanted and stared into space while petting the tiger.
It wasn't convincing enough, mainly because he just plain knew better. There'd been hell a little while ago and they were in the middle of it. Her attitude was somber at best, and everyone knew it. So, with this in mind, Travis decided to speak up about something useful he knew about Essyrn, since he had spent a little time there, after all.
"You know, in Essyrn, they don't have alot of magic like you or I. They do things like divination and fortune telling. Now, I dunno how good any of them are, but if we were able to get some good information out of it, we would know the best way to proceed."
If they could meet the price of such a person - remembering, of course, that Essyrn was high into business and profit - they could learn how to find Keona's father, the true nature of the shadows, and indeed about those who kidnapped him...for later.
"Sounds like a plan," Keona said softly, simply just stroking the top of Ira's head, "Hey... what do we do once this is all over?" She asked, finally looking up at him. It was a genuine curiosity she withheld,being as this journey was going to take a while.
Ira yawned and stretched put across her lap, getting comfortable and settling down. Keona hummed softly, looking down, "I'm sorry I scared you Travis, but I'm glad you were the one to save me out of everyone else. I feel safe in your arms, you know."
Who wouldn't? Just because he was a demon didn't mean he was evil and out to kill everyone he laid his eyes on. Er, or so she assumed.
"Do what I do. Enjoy yourself."
He was actually serious about that, despite reasserting his laid-back self into things with a smile. The best way to live your life after a very serious situation has been overcome is to take it easy and...well...live a little. Life's too short, for most people. Travis didn't even think he aged anymore. He was honestly surprised he had an adult body when he took human form, because they could have kept him a wimpy little kid for all eternity. Still...Travis took a seat nearby after Keona spoke next.
"I feel safe around you too. I showed a crew of sailors my demon form today without explanation or warning, and I know that would freak anybody else out."
He glanced over at her with a smile.
"But not you. You don't judge so quickly, which is good because I'm pretty sure the only things keeping them from being terrified of me is my attack of the snake and my concern for you when I came out of the water. I'm glad I met you."
The tiger started to get restless and Keona finally let him down, "Go play, furball." She joked, then returned to Travis, "Hm, I guess I'm just worried about the fact that we will part one day. The fire can only last as long as its fuel source." He was a demon, meaning he had the choice to live indefinitely. However, she would surely burn out one day, and who knows, maybe she'll fight it that time.
"I was always told that an elemental can live forever in its elemental home... but I don't know if I can do that." Well, for one, she hadn't unlocked her full potential yet, and secondly, was an elemental usually made of whatever they are? She'd be hot. Literally. And possibly bright enough to provide a small town with all the light they needed. Light... the word sparked something, but she couldn't place anything on it, instead it only gave her an icepick of a headache.
"I have no idea how it is for elementals. I've never met one before now. It's all been wizards and spellcrafters or otherworldly beings for me."
There are, in the world, those who could explain, but frankly he'd never thought about asking. How was he to know that he would get deeply involved with an exotic fire elemental, anyway? You just don't plan for these things.
"As for me, I'm living in a state of not worrying too much about the distant future. I have no real idea what's going to happen to me. I could be living in a perpetual state of going back to demonland when I die and having to dig my way out repeatedly, or I could be wherever I am as long as I want to. As far as I know, being a demon sustains me because I was someone's eternal battlecharger. I'm not gonna worry about the possible drawbacks there right now. Don't worry about your own future, not when there's a shadowy curse to lift first."
Keona let his words sink in for a mokent, trying to come up with a countering statement but finally submitting with a sigh, "I guess you're right. All of the Yoreiqi people have lived similar lives, be birn, grow up... find a mate-or sevral-then die. Realizing that I won't have any of that is sort of a blow to me." She tried to smiled, but the corners of her mouth only twitched.
Glancing up at Travis was the best time for the nerves in her wing to suddenly reset, making her shiver before growl and shake it off, "The cold must still be getting to me.." Her clothes should be dry... well, at least the bottom portion. But that wasn't the case here as she turned to inspect the membranes.
Keona's wing inspection would be interrupted by a leather coat over her shoulders, placed there from behind in a swift motion that she didn't see, but might've heard.
"I don't think that's true at all."
If she looked, she would find him with a knowing smile on his face.
"I think that it's the reverse, that of all Yoreiqi, you might be the most unique, and that that would turn alot of heads. A guy could get jealous, especially one that's...of a demonic nature, say."
He's being a little more obvious, but also supportive at the same time. Testing the waters, say. He understood desire. He'd seen it at its worst state. He wanted to see if this was more-or-less at its best here.
Subconsciously pulling the jacket over her shoulder, she inhaled a warmth breath and smiled when seeing his own.
"You always know what to say," Keona said with a smaller voice, looking down, "You'd think I'd have known that, but I was isolated from everyone, so no one ever approached me." She knew what he was doing, but decided to let it linger in his mind the idea that she didn't get it.
"But now that I've interacted with people, I've finally understood that there is a man I want to stick to.." Keona looked down at Ira who stood against her leg, looking up at her with big eyes, "Okay, well two men."
He knew what to say because he was being earnest, entirely sincere, and it happened to click. The real winner here was his personality, that dichotomy of being a strong person with a chill attitude, and not being aloof or full of himself about it. Sometimes, you find a person who can use their moxie responsibly. Sometimes, it's alright to be cool. And also...
"My god... There's competition, already!"
...sometimes, it's the right time to be funny. Travis was now reacting to her attention to Ira with mock shock. He looked down at the tiger now.
"Alright, fella, step outside. We'll settle this like men....mostly because I don't know how to settle it like small, adorable tigers."
Completely ignoring him, Ira climed onto her lap and licked at her face, "Alright, alright! You proved your point," Keona laughed, hugging the fluffy thing. Looking back, the tiger stuck his tongue out at Travis,enjoying the attention from the woman.
"Oh come on Travis, I love you both, and there's no way I'm leaving or losing either of you." She said with a smile and the animal suddenly stood on her shoulders, causing her to hunch over. She quickly said something her her native language and Ira slid off, curling up in her lap.
Travis crossed his arms in mock-irritability. He wasn't taking this seriously, although he did somewhat envy the tiger's innate cute factor. It was a clear advantage, in this situation. He was only handsome, but Ira was freakin' adorable, after all. He shrugged emphatically at Keona's comment and the actions of the tiger.
"Oh well. I guess I play second fiddle to the cat."
But he'd made his point, he felt. And speaking of stuff felt, it felt like they were startin' to really move! Looks like they'd re-rigged the main mast sails, 'cause you just might be able to hear the casting of wind spells out there now to push the boat forwards.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Meanwhile, in the ship's hold...there was a single lantern lit and a pen scrawling.
Dear Boomer,
As I write this, I understand that you cannot read or write, so you may have to get your human to do so for you. As per your request and that of several cats in Serendipity, I have embarked on a ship to determine just how bad it is at sea.
Therefore, the first thing I wish to point out is that the food and sleep is not so great. You could start out catching rats, but when you run out, what then? Further, the sleep is horrible. Everything is moving, people intrude on your privacy no matter where you go-
"What in all the hells is going on here?!"
Garlock paused in his writing while in cat form to blast the quartermaster's mind with a Brainwarp and sent him on his way. A moment later, he resumed his work.
-which reminds me, humans at sea do not bathe unless they fall overboard, and that doesn't happen nearly often enough. Of course, none of this compares to the weird people you meet or the sea monsters that can attack without warning.
Hoping this finds you well,
Garlock
"What? You want me to hold you in my arms too? All you have to do is ask." She sheepishly smiled, rubbing the tiger's back. At night, Travis was the perfect substitute, but of course she wouldn't say that. He was warm and made her feel protected, and it was something she had never gotten in the longest time.
Hummed to herself, she watched the animal squirm before reaching his head up to let her scratch behind his ears.
"You know, I just wanted to thank you... for keeping me warm at night. This little furball is much too small for me." She giggled as he playfully bit her fingers.
"I don't do too well with chin-rubs, though. No beard, you see."
Also, he didn't purr and he wasn't cute enough, as we said. It was still a funny thing, though, and he was frankly glad that she was capable of that, despite all the things going on. Travis hated a somber mood. It was just awkward and nothing ever gets done or said that needs to be said. Better to cut through all that. As for keeping her warm...
"No problem. A ship's no good with a fireplace. Maybe an oven, if they're careful, but you can't risk the wood."
Try being the guy who has to transport a sick dragon overseas. A more stressful situation, you may not meet.
Keona shifted a little as the animal in her arms began to slow down in fatigue. "If... it's too much to ask... I'd like you to keep doing it, even if there is a fireplace... I like it." She blushed softly, kissing the top of Ira's head as he drifted off into a nap.
"Hm, poor little one's tuckered out from fearing for my life." She giggled softly, "You should be too. Why not take this time to rest and regain your energy?" Keo looked up at him, something unreadable in her eyes before she broke the link and stood, leaving the bed vacant before putting the little tiger on a pillow she had grabbed.
"I think I can do that."
Keona needed warmth. That was a fact. Travis would be more than happy to make certain she was comfortable. And hey, if it was at the expense of having to do nothing but cuddle with a beautiful woman, that was just a sacrifice he was going to have to take. Yeah, I couldn't say it with a straight face, either. He let out a chuckle as she mentioned Ira's super-busy task of watching over her. Yeah, that was certainly a fulltime job, alright. Travis remained in good spirits right now, but she was right about one thing: He'd been taxed somewhat in his reserves today. Although...did it seem more like an invitation?
"I think we could all use a rest."
It wasn't suppose to be so rough, so soon. Hopefully, he could at least enjoy the moment before something else went wrong. That said, Travis did indeed take the invitation to rest on the bed.
Ira parted his jaws wide to let out a yawn, and Keona patted his head. "You're growing so fast... last week you weren't that heavy..." She murmured softly, kissing the top of his head before he curled up and closed his eyes.
Returning and sitting on the edge of the bed, Keona sat straight and stared in the tiger's direction before turning her attention to the port hole to watch the sky outside. The sun had a quarter left in the sky, and the ahip was forced to skip lunch because of the incident. But during supper, they were sure to get swallowed by the crowd.
Deciding not to dwell on the near future, she yawned and stretched, carefully laying herself down on the edge to leave room for Travis behind her.
Time would pass, and they would rest. Travis, however, would be dreaming something he did not expect. Rather than dreaming of the ship or the snake or Keona, he found himself in...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A small and pleasant town.
"What the...? Where am I?"
It was one of those places that was recently modernized, you could tell. Cobblestone paving, statue in the center of town, nice wooden houses and buildings of commerce, and even a town guard. Travis had never been here before. He'd been in places that were like it, but he could somehow feel that he'd never been here before. Walking around the place, he tried to get a sense about it when...a fight broke out.
It was a mage's duel, and the mages were drunk and erratic. They'd had too much at the tavern and were blasting up the place. Travis had had to dodge one of their shots and kicked the nearest mage down. He was about to shout at him when uhh...something behind him. He turned and...wait, this was familiar. He was seeing a man, but the man was cast in shadow like energy had taken the shape of a black cloak, like...some kind of evil magus. ...evil magus? Hadn't he seen...?
No sooner had Travis thought it than the magus started destroying the entire town! Fire, wind, ice, lightning - he shot out all kinds of magic to raze the entire town! Travis changed into his demon form and moved to run the man through from behind, but after he did...the man just melted. In fact, EVERYTHING melted...into a pool of shadow. And that's when the trouble (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Sl3VA60v74) started. The shadow grew into a HUGE feline abomination, a two-tailed beast of black-and-red energy with gleaming eyes of fury and teeth as big as his whole body! He leapt and cut into it, but it was malleable, able to slam him to the ground with multiple paws. Travis shadow-blasted it away, fighting the beast as their surroundings were on fire...
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Travis seemed rather disturbed by his dreams, though in his sleep he muttered something like "Not this shit again...".
Keona couldn't sleep, but n turn produced more heat in order to heat up the room a little. She could hear mumbling behind her head, and carefully turned around. Of course didn't know how it fully felt like to have a nightmare, as most of her dreams were just a twisted flame.
Hesitantly, she gently moved to that she could rest his head on her chest and her hands on his neck and head. The heart was always warm, even in her sleep. Besides, listening to the rhythmic sound of a heartbeat is one of the most soothing things to ever be heard. Or, at least in her standards. Keona let out a breath, staring at the ceiling for a good five minutes before closing her eyes.
What are you doing Keona...? Her mind spoke as a dreamless dream overtook her. No fire, no light. Just darkness.
On a point of reference, Keona had a normal heartbeat. Travis, on the other hand, had a 'Thrump-Thrump'-sounding one that was strong and regular, but tended to be just a touch slower than a human heart, normally. It was weird, but it was there. He seemed uhh...calmer once introduced to the warmth of the currently-questioning-herself Keona. As the two of them entered proper sleep, Travis unconsciously took hold of her, as promised.
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Good god, what a day. The quartermaster sat in the mess area with a pint of ale. It was hard work, the whole day, and after a tremendous aamount of work too. There was no sound right now, as night set in, but the sea and the air and all that went with it.
Well, there was that, of course. The purring sound.
He looked down on the floor. Maybe you become a hardened sailor on these trips with regard for nothing and no one but yourself, but maybe you don't. Maybe, you still have the ability to smile at a sleeping cat, like the one stretched out right now. Wonder what he's dreaming about...?
Waking up on his own, Ira raised his head from his resting spot. The tiger stood and stretched and yawned, shaking his fur out afterwards. He removed himself from his comfortable spot and padded across the darkening room. The light had turned orange outside as sunset approached, the light having travelled away from the warm room. He looked up at Keona and Travis for only a moment, allowing them to do what they were doing and managed to make his way out of the room. The door wouldn't be the only way out. There was a hole in which he wa small enough to squeeze through unnoticed, left under a table with a long tablecloth. The outside was cooler as the sun went down, but Ira didn't shiver from the sudden loss of what he was used to.
With big dark eyes that shone in the orange light, the tiger stared up at the mast that looked misshapen and odd, basically broken. He didn't witness what had happened earlier, he only felt the way the ship rocked and was hit, scared for Keona's life. Trotting forward onto the emptying deck, he gained many gazes while simply leaping onto the bow of the boat, sitting in a safe spot to watch the waters go by. He was big enough for people to question his attitude if they were to try and nab him, but he felt relatively safe at the current moment.
Eventually, there was company. It was like he was there in a snap (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fIbYJM22xg), one minute nothing...and in the next...cat. It's generally how he went, when he wanted to. His presence had appeared behind, then was nearby on the ship's railing. For the moment, he was also watching the water, perhaps thinking of scooping out a fish.
So, these shadows, then... They seem rather vindictive. Definitely a repeating curse made from pure darkness.
He looked down at Ira now.
You understand that since the girl has no enemies whatsoever, it has to be someone connected to her. Curses doing appear long-distance unless you can absolutely focus it on someone. I should know. It's my job.
The shadows are persistant on putting the world into darkness. Keona is one of the most important things we need in the world, because without her kind we would have plunged into darkness. Her mother knew something we didn't, but was not allowed to tell anyone. Hell, even I know a secret... but it isn't time to reveal it yet. Ira thought, simply staring out into sea, unfazed by the being's appearance.
The curse is ancient. It's a magic that had been hidden for many generations. He stated, glancing up at him. The sun touched the horizon, beginning the few hours worth of dark ess to come. It was at this time Keona was most likely to be attacked, but for some reason they hadn't done that yet.
A darkness that plagues the world, eh? Hmph...
The trouble with dark creatures is that they only think dark thoughts. I'm full of darkness, but I'm different. I'm a cat. My thoughts have a much wider range and contrast. But I guess those born in darkness can only think in darkness.
Garlock managed to take up a 'bumper car' laying position on the railing, looking back at sea.
So, you think they're dumb enough to attack a fire elemental in the hot desert, where she's at her strongest?
Essyrn was a big freakin' desert. Keona would have no trouble for warmth there. None at all.
You'd be surprised. They're evolving. The last one had a tough hide, and usually they dissolve once they hit water. I sense the next one will be tougher. He stated, pupils dilating in the absence of light. The tiger stoo up and looked at Garlock, studying the being with a watchful eye. You're strange to me. But so far you haven't done anything to hurt either Keona or Travis. I can't say I'm not even in the slightly way suspicious, but do know that I am keeping an eye on you. Ira stated before trotting off the bow and onto the deck, headed back for the room in which the others stayed. They'd wake up from hunger if anything, and he didn't realize how hungry he was until recently.
Perhaps he would be. Humans were strange creatures, so why not darklings or anything else? Well, they weren't exactly his problem. However...those things had best stay out of his way. If anyone was going to bring ruin to humans he despised - which...frankly, those two hadn't made the list - it would be him. At any rate, Ira left him out there and returned to the two sleepyheads.
Yes, ummm...you know how when you're a cat - You're not a cat, but just bear with me. - and you find the humans lying around instead of feeding you? This was like that. Unless Keona was showing signs of life, those two hadn't realized their - and by that token, Ira's - hunger yet. Perhaps they needed a hand...or a paw?
Ira sat patiently at the foot of the bed, looking up hopefully at the two that sadly did not show any signs of waking up. With a small huff, he reared himself back and leaped onto the bed, deciding to ruin Travis's sleep more than Keona's and stood on his back. The little tiger made mini roaring noises and jumped around, only resulting in the woman underneath the two to clutch whatever she was holding closer to her as the calming realm of sleep was being stripped away. The dream she was having was... odd to say the least, but indeed something she didn't want to leave. It was happy, warm and loving, and she could hear the soft singing (https://youtu.be/G_K9xsSdgMs) of her mother as she danced around in a void of warm pinks and oranges.
Stopping to make sure she didn't wake up, Ira listened carefully to the sound of movement and breaths taken by the two beings. Growling softly, he began to tug at the man's collar, urging him to wake up and feed him. Basically he just wanted to screw with him, he said he accepted him, he didn't say he really liked him at all.
The problem here was that Ira didn't employ the claws while on Travis' back, although hopping around and rowring was inventive enough. He ended up pulling on Travis' shirt collar, since his coat was still on tattooed brunette. A few tugs and Travis finally felt his head being jostled weirdly, which allowed him to slowly awaken.
"Mrrr?"
Sort of. It took a minute. However, one eye definitely opened so that it could look around. Think of it as a peephole out of sleep, checking to see if the rest of the body should wake.
Stepping onto the stomach of Keona, Ira pawed at Travis's head in an attempt to wake him up faster. The little tiger stopped for a moment, a rather unimpressed look on his face before he had an idea.
If you won't feed me, then I'll just have to eat you then! Then reared up and swiftly bit at the back of his neck, possibly hard enough to draw blood, but he wouldn't know until he could taste it, or taste whatever this demon had for blood. Maybe black sludge, who knew?
Either way, the motion did in fact cause both of them to move, Travis and Keona. The woman shifted to curl in on herself, probably kneeing Travis in the process and suffocating him where she held his head. If he could, Ira would laugh at the current situation, watching as she basically held the man like he was her most precious object she had ever owned.
Upon being bitten, the eye that had been open suddenly widened, and its brother joined in as Ira had definitely heard a decided "Mmf!" sound. You wouldn't get an intelligable reply, due to the way Keona held his head, thus leaving him talking into her chest. The little tiger would further here a somewhat deeper grunt as Travis had been kneed unintentionally. Incidentally, Ira DID draw blood, and it tasted more of iron than normal blood, and it was hot, like spicy-hot. He was a hot-blooded demon from the smelting process that created his true form. Now, he wasn't going to suffocate...because he couldn't...but he was going to reach back and try to bring the tiger into view of the eye that could currently see anything, so that he could go "Mmf mmf mmf mmmf?", which Ira might be able to interpret as 'Can I help you?' with a slight tone of irritation.
Lurching back, he stuck out his tongue in disgust at the taste of his blood. Ira growled jumping a few more times before the woman underneath started to wake.
The song wa stripped from her mind slowly, only echoed remained of the last sung note before the blurry image of the two focused. Taking in a deep breath, Keona loosened her grip and moved a hand to greet Ira.
"What do you want, little hunter?" She smiled, surprisingly feeling rather good. Ira sat down and patted his stomach, making Keona realize she was hungry as well. Sighing, she let go of Travis and swung her legs off the bed, forcing Ira back on the ground in the process of standing. The woman stopped to groan as something bothered her. Ah yes, the bruise from earlier. Before she did anything else, she took off the top she wore and simply dropped it to the floor.
"Ira.. you gotta stop with that behavior. It's not that hard to tear off a chunk of meat yourself..." Keona looked around. They had placed the carcass of the boar in a salt chest, and she opened it with ease before taking a knife supplied and shearing off a good piece before tossing it to the tiger and closing the box. Now she took the time to inspect her trunk, lightly running her fingers over the dented lines the outfit made and the bruise it covered up, flinching when some sensitive spots were touched.
Well, you can't blame a feline for not feeling they can serve themselves, apart from just biting the hole of the thing. No thumbs, you see. Still, the Cajun Gumbo quality of Travis' blood should deter him from making a snake of the demon man. He just wasn't that appetizing. He was able to get up now because Keona didn't have him in a tight embrace anymore. She was up annd about to feed the tiger, though...he noticed that she was sore. Now, Travis wasn't a masseur, but as he knew about a thousand ways to inflict pain...he knew the human body well enough to know a few ways not to. Keona would probably be rather surprised to find his hands carefully determining spots where she was hurt and then...applying gradual, comforting pressure that tended to be just a bit helpful, under the circumstances...usually.
"Better or worse, when I do this?"
A colder touch on a painful area caused Keona to flinch, but relaxed after she was used to it.
"It may sound odd... but your cooling touch feels rather nice on it..." She chuckled softly and began blushing to herself, hugging her chest as she tried not to focus on the pain. Sighing softly, she rested there for a moment, feeling content. Her wings ruffled and she heard the growl of her stomach. Great, what a way to ruin one of the best moments in her life.
"I think Ira was onto something with food..." Keo' groaned, reaching back to fix her hair by ruffing it out, loosening the tangles that developed from sleeping.
"You're right, that does sound odd. But if it works, it works."
Yeah, it was nice...and it was interrupted by Lord Stomach of Digestion. Poor timing, M'lord. If you could've waited just a little while... Sadly, that wasn't really going to happen. Travis did his usual routine of making his own hair wild a bit.
"Yeah, he's got a point. Let's go get some."
To the mess hall, where people are eating and drinking and frankly getting a little more drunk than usual to fight off the stigma of the day.
Keona grumbled softly to herself before dressing again and standing. The mess hall wasn't exactly the place she particularly liked to eat due to the fact it was crawling with men who smelled of fish and sweat. The thought made her shudder, and it felt even worse when they laid there eyes on her.
"Salty beef and... rice?" She looked at the mush, poking it with a fork before shaking her head, "If the shadows don't kill me this food certainly will.'" Keona joked, managing to cut off a piece of meat to try.
The quartermaster, being present for the distribution of meals, shrugged at this and said...
"It's actually not bad. The rice offset the beef so it doesn't seem all that salty at all."
It would be better if the cook hadn't left the rice in a bit long. That's why it's softer than normal. Travis reacted to the food in a so-so manner. Keona, being hungry enough, might not care that much.
"We'll reach port tomorrow. Here's hopin' there's no serpents of evil waitin' for us."
Nearly everyone in the room was a "Here, here." to that.
"What do they have to Essyrn from there? Caravans?"
"Pretty much. I suggest you sign up as a guard, in case of snakery in the night."
"Good call."
"Whatever happens, we can handle it." Keona said, feeling whatever was in her mouth char before being swallowed. She seemed rather bored, but was only tired. Heh, a little flame being exhausted. The water had changed her there was no doubt, for she felt different, literally. Her skin wasn't void of natural oils as it used to be, now it was glossier in places if the light hit the right way. The only soundside was the fact it literally looked like she was steaming if you stared long enough. The streams were short, and could be felt if you hovered your hand over her skin.
She managed to gulp down the rest of the questionable food she was eating, trying not to shudder until all she tasted was the constant burning sensation of her flesh, "That was... certainly a meal." Indigestion was sure to visit her soon.
"Yeah, don't worry about us. You guys make sure your ship is ship-shape."
Well, thank ya kindly, Cap'n Travis! Oi, Travis? What was that peculiar sheen of the lady's skin, exactly, that hadn't been there before? Yeah, he noticed, but uhh...well, Travis was no expert on what human bodies did, so he couldn't really figure it anymore than any of the crew who noticed could. Let's just face it: Education in hell is a total washout.
Now, the food was not horrible, but it did leave something to be desired. It didn't help that Garlock was in the corner, munching on a fish he'd caught. Nobody questioned this, exactly, but when you think about it...it was impossible for a normal cat to do, so naturally they all assumed that somebody else had caught it for him. Naturally. Keona, in the meantime, was going to have to visit the head, as some point.
"I think I heard your stomach sounding off from here."
"Ugh, yeah, I'm fine. Just a little unsettling. I have a strong stomach anyways," Keona grumbled softly, "I think I'm just gonna go and lie down then." She got up but hovered there for a moment, clearly not in the best shape, "On second thought..."
Turning to hurriedly walk out, she quickly turned to the damaged railing and threw whatever she ate over into the sea. Watching a beautiful woman throw up the contents of her stomach wasn't exactly the prettiest of sights, especially when all she threw up was black fluids and charcoal. It was not a pleasant feeling either. For now she simply collapsed onto the wood, trying to gain her bearings before trying to stand.
Keona was not used to this food at all, and salt was definitely not something she could easily digest.
Okay, he hadn't really expected that. Rather, if she was going to feel sick, he would've thought that it was going to happen a long time ago, but...apparently not. Here's what really shocked him: It was black. It was almost like she was hurling blackened essence of something evil and horrible. The fact that he didn't sense anything like that REALLY threw him off. He came up behind Keona, a little concerned now.
"Are you alright? What happened? Why was it black?"
She didn't say anything before she convulsed and let another smaller batch loose into the sea, infecting the blue with the dark shade of digestive juices.
"It's black... because it's charred, love. If you were to cut open my stomach, you'd see nothing but a disgusting shade of black, touching it is like touching charcoal, and the smell is just..." Okay, Keona, I think he gets it.
"Fucking hell, I'm used to fruits and unseasoned meat... I can't eat this stuff..." Keona moaned quietly, looking delirious as she tried to focus on him. She pulled her hair back, thankful that none of it was trapped in the brown fibres, "I may as well just eat the raw beef in the cabin... at least that isn't poisoned." Visibly shaking, she tried to stand with a straight face and placed a hand over her belly.
At least she felt better.
No idea. He had no idea that it could be like this for her. Food entering her mouth had the potential to be cooked by her own body before it was digested. Granted, lots of people had trouble eating new and different foods that their body was not use to, but this was an extra layer of problem. Keona couldn't take the treated meat. She might not be able to handle alot of different foods. Things get pretty exotic, in places, after all. Travis put his hands on her shoulders.
"I'm gonna get you some fruit for when you feel you can eat again."
Right now, her stomach was going to be on the rebound a while. Until Keona had a bit of a relax and she found her stomach going 'Yuuurrrp...', it was a total write-off.
"Fruit?" Her eyes lit up a ton, lighting the small area a little with the amber colour. She couldn't think of living off the salty meat and mushy rice for much longer than they already have. If she didn't feel so sick, she would have tackled him to the ground in a hug. Fruit was gold to her race, in a sense.
The woman carefully pushed past his grip, and turned to the sea, "You know... despite my fear of water... The ocean is quite beautiful." She said, staring at the hints of orange, and the pink clouds in the sky. The light hit her glistening skin as the breeze brushed back her hair, and finally, she was content.
There was something about knowing that there was more beyond her little isles, more people, more races, more... more.
Fortunately, salty meat was more-or-less what sailors use because of issues with preservation on long journeys and all that. It was good to know, though, that there was some hope for Keona's stomach, though. For now, at least, she was at ease, admiring the ocean before them. Travis took to leaning on the rail with both arms and looking it over, his wings stretching for a moment before going limp.
"Eh, it's alright. I've kinda' taken it for granted, in a way. When I look at something, what I like to know is...'Will it be fun?'."
He smiled at her.
"I don't ask that all the time. Sometimes, I just do things. Because they have to be or because I want them to be. But when it's not important, I ask it. I guess the ocean's more fun when it doesn't hurt you, huh?"
"Mh," She hummed in response as the light faded away, "I think Essyrn will be more fun. I don't know about you, but something about the way my people described deserts... kind of made me giddy. I guess it was because it was hot and dry and perfect for practicing my flame, but maybe it was because it was a new place...."
Keona explained, letting whatever hidden message fly right over her head.
"Of course with those... things... going around, I feel I should be scared, but remarkably I'm not. The adrenaline gives me a power boost, and I realized I could do more than I thought." The only thing she did not know yet, was that she was quite literally made of fire, but only took on the appearance of Yoreiq because she was hiding from it.
"Well, the desert's a big place, so you'll have plenty of chance to explore what you can really do without harm."
She'd have to exercise alot more restraint, of course, inside Essyrn limits. The laws there are very specific about certain things. Using destructive magic is a crime, and how they define that will depend on what's going on at the time. They may be lenient over matters of self-defense...against a large snake demon...but they may not care, either. Travis would certainly keep a careful eye on things. He never went demon, the last time he was there. He wasn't sure exactly how well that would be received. Essyrn was a different place, a different people, from that of this Serenian boat. He glanced back at Keona now.
"So, tell me what you've heard. I can fill in some gaps, get you up to speed on things."
This would at least pass the time until her stomach was ready again.
Keona knew very well that using her powers for negative purposes was frowned upon, and therefore tried to find desolate places to practice just in case.
"I know it's a desert with few villages and such. The people aren't as open as we are, due to ancient ideals. They neutral towards magic and such... They didn't tall me much about it, and the tradespeople were very secretive about it."
She felt the temperature drop suddenly as there was no light left on the horizon, and her wings instinctively tucked in to hold the warmth of her body against her skin, "May we go inside...?" Keona asked, rubbing her arms.
"You don't have to ask me. Sure."
He pushed off from he railing and headed inside with her, talking about Essyrn.
"They don't have many villages, more like a few outlying places on the oasis or near the river. However, at the center of it all, that's the real Essyrn."
Now, he began to make gestures indicating scale.
"Huge city, made of stone or dried mud and wood where they can get it. I dunno why they wouldn't tell you about. Essyrn is a place of business and trade. There is so much obsession with money and trade that whoever owns this boat has to do alot of footwork to keep up."
But given the size and state of the boat, he must be rather successful in Serendipity, at least. They were now officially inside and geting to the room, where no doubt there was a tiger sprawled out on the bed. Travis was surprised the black cat wasn't there.
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Actually, he was in the captain's personal quarters, batting at the captain's personal quiver as the captain wrote in the captain's personal log. Every now and then, the captain would push him away, saying "Stop that.", but alas...the cat would return to sit on the papers.
Silly human.
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Back to Travis and Keona in the room.
"There IS one thing that I think is going to bother you about Essyrn, maybe two things. The first is that women aren't seen as equals there. Probably not rude about it, mostly, but something'll slip out and...well...try not to remove their eyebrows for it."
Yup, there's a funny mental image for ya. Keona making just the eyebrows go fwoomph!
"The other thing is...there's varying levels of slavery on the mainland. In Serendipity, it's more like indentured servitude because you have to work yourself free from some kinda' debt, but in Essyrn...people can be owned, and the law says that it's fine. It's how they think. They think anything can be owned."
Keona paid attention with her bright eyes, enticed in the images of what she expected the place to look like. She was like a child when the Shamans told stories of the spirits. But then came the downsides,
"That doesn't sound like a good place then... on Yoreiq there's no difference between us. We're all seen as the same." The woman explained with a soft voice. It looked like she was already reconsidering as she sat down on the bed, "No matter. It's Serendipity we want to go to. I don't plan on staying in Essyrn for more than two weeks I guess." She shrugged, returning to her happy state.
"I don't blame you. The life I've led as a demon has pretty much destroyed my ability to judge people too harshly. They're just people. It's more what they DO that separates them from everyone else."
It's a little hard to get that home country feeling or division anyway, when you don't even know where exactly you come from, so demon or not, Travis couldn't judge based on his origin point, to begin with. It made the whole exercise massively moot. He really cared more about what the people of Essyrn DO than what they are, but they didn't see things that way. Oh well.
"Essyrn isn't very large, so if your father's not there, we'll know pretty quick. I mean, you've seen Essyrn people, right? They look way different from him, so we'll know."
A pale face in a crowd of tanned-to-dark-skinned people? Yeah, that's a giveaway, right there. Travis sat down on the bed near her.
"We'll take care of business there and get going with someone Adela-bound. From there, I think you can get someone to dragon-ride you over the mountains, but don't quote me there. I always flew myself."
"A dragon sounds like fun..." She murmured, thinking to herself of what a dragon may look like. Keona closed her eyes and silently imagined the world ahead.
"Travis... can you, uhm, promise me something?" She asked, opening her eyes to look into his once again, "Promise me, that you'll continue on for me if I am to... if I am..." If I am to die... The words couldn't escape her mouth, and the mere thought made her choke. It was as if she has just realized what a soul is, and how precious it was. Instead of saying more, she simply reached over and hugged him, burying her face in his neck, "If I die. Promise me."
"Please..." She added in a whisper.
She seemed to like the idea of the dragons. Wait'll she sees them! However...it was then that there was a sudden shift in the mood. Keona became unexpectedly very serious. It's no that she couldn't do so for some reason, just that it came out of nowhere! Travis was honestly surprised, both at her words and at her hugging him out of fear and worry for her safety.
"Where did this come from?"
Was it leftover shock from the shadow before? Did she feel that they would get her first? Keona's words struck him hard, that she would really think she might die soon... Recovering from his initial reaction, though, Travis put his arms around her and held her against him comfortingly.
"Of course, I will. But...I don't want to lose you, so...try not to make it necessary, alright? Promise me that."
It was half-funny, half-serious, so he more-than-half meant it. Don't get yourself killed, if you can help it. Agreeing to go on or not, it would still affect him if she did.
"I can't promise the future... But I can only say I want to be with you right mow. To not worry about anything that might happen. I-I... uhm, nevermind..." Keona murmured. Leftover shock was indeed there, and the past few days have made it clear that she may not make it out alive. If she were to die, would the shadows die with her, or would they continue to plunge the world into darkness?
Without fire, there's not light, and without light, there's darkness... and after darkness, comes death. But for some reason, she wasn't comtent with that. There was no way she was important to anything or anyone at all apart from Ira and Travis, who are as equally important to her. "I don't want to lose you either, Travis...."
One cannot easily know the truth of things greater than oneself, whether there's all a big gian purpose or a tiny little circumstance. Not until a great many eventful passings, be they through one's own state of being or through the mortal coil. If you had to ask Travis McNaire, having been through the latter himself, he would have preferred the first choice alot more. He wouldn't wish even the slightest glimmer of the possibility to land on Keona.
"It's okay. Here and now, we're alive, and that's what matters."
And he'll do whatever it takes to keep it that way. It didn't matter if Keona was important to anyone or anything in particular. He just wanted her to stay alive and be able to enjoy life.
Enough of the emotional crap. Keona gently pulled away, simply looking down as his words reminded her of her mother the day she lay on her death bed.
"You stay with me now, please. Don't get caught up in the bad things. Or you'll never meet your future... do you understand me?" She said, reaching up, "I'm always with you," Tapping Keona's chest, pointing at her heart, the sickly woman smiled, "Right there. I love you, my daughter."
The woman sighed and pushed herself to the wall, laying herself to rest while facing it. Ira sensed a small distress in her, and leaped down from his perch, now wide awake, and jumped onto the bed to circle over and snuggle into her chest where it was warm.
"I just hope I can have the future I see before me now..." She whispered, glancing back at Travis with a smile.
He let Keona go and watched her as she lay down, followed immediately by the tiger moving next to her.
"We'll work at it. I need to figure out a good solid way to kill snakes without 'em growing new bits to attack with. Before that, though, I'm gonna get some fruit."
So saying, he headed off to go do that. Travis still wasn't wearing his coat right now, so if Keona needed it for warmth, it was still there.
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Back at the mess, most of the crew had cleared out, save for those working KP. Travis came to the door of the mess and-
"Yah!"
THUD!!
"Mrow!"
Well, at least they had something to break up the monotony, for the moment. The quartermaster certainly had a laugh.
"Agh, sonnuva... Why does he DO that?!"
"Because he's a cat, sir. Believe me, I don't like it either, and I've gotten twelve moments like thatm myself. Now, assuming you came in for something, what can I do for you?"
Travis got up off of the floor and right up to the quartermaster now, not exactly as amused as him.
"I'll be honest, man. Keona can't handle your food. I need some fruit for her, or else she'll be having it really rough later."
"How much? The supply is limited, considering what we use to fend off scurvy."
"If you can spare a couple day's worth, I'd appreciate it."
Keona felt the room fall silent, and a source of heat exit along with it. She already felt lonely, even with Ira there. Turning, she'd study his coat for a good moment before grabbing it and wrapping herself in the leather. She was already in love with its warmth, and it even smelled like Travis, something that further comforted her. Now happy in a newly formed shell, Keona mimicked the purring noise the little tiger made, before slipping into a content sleep.
Nothing was disturbing about her dream, in fact, it was a dream she did not want to wake up from. It made her happy, and as long as she was in that desired fantasy of hers, the more real it became to her. One would even think she had left her current body on Earth to join the other reality as her breathing seemed to have stopped a few times before a new breath nearly tore her away. It wouldn't be until morning that she would wake.
A few minutes later, yon Travis would re-enter after a bit of shaming the quartermaster in regards to how it looked to be unable to feed a lady. Fruit secured in a sack - mostly oranges - he came in victorious...and found that everybody was asleep. He almost laughed, but he deecided to keep quiet.
She'll be alot hungrier in the morning. Better leave this thing in plain site.
Putting the bag down onto the small desk, Travis decided to lie down, as well. He noticed that Keona had donned his coat again. Perhaps she should have one of her own for harsher weather? She was likely going to stay indoors during rainstorms, but just for taking cover from chills should be enough, right? At any rate, he slept next to her, providing warmth from the back since Ira had dibs up front. She'd probably wake up to find his arm over her waist/hip area.
Assuming nothing goes wrong in the night, let's pick this up at 'Land Ho!'.
The sun had just peeked over the ocean, giving them enough light to see as they bustled to move whatever they needed. A new mast was definitely something, and explaining it to the Essyrnians was going to be... difficult. The boat was no longer moving, and the stomping of crewmen and the shouting of deep voices was all that could be heard within the guest cabin. Keona groaned softly as the gauzy realm of sleep was stripped from her very being.
She blinked her eyes open and her body immediately heated to a toasty temperature, making Ira snuggle further into her for the warmth. The woman smiled down at the tiger, kissing the top of his head before looking back to see Travis. There wasn't much she could do without disturbing the two, and therefore she didn't do anything. Instead, she snuggled further between the two, waiting a good few minutes by listening to the noises. Keo' took in a deep breath and turned to poke Travis in the cheek, still in his embrace, "Psst, wakey wakey my demon." She said in a cutesy tone while Ira squiggled in her arms.
During the night, Travis had had pleasant dreams...of squeezing the life out of demon snakes. It takes all kinds, but in this case, he was doing so with Keona behind him, arms wrapped around his shoulders and laughing with him as he did the deed. They were both giants in this dream, and quite happy to toss the shadows aside like little pests. And then, Keona in the dream started poking him...which started to make him wake up. His eyes opened and he was conscious.
"I'm huge... Wait, no I'm not. What happened?"
Okay, he's a little disoriented at the moment, but it'll pass. The most he figured on was that it was morning and that the ship wasn't really jamming along anymore. Beyond that, ya got me.
He'd wake up to a pair of bright, topaz-like eyes staring at him. Keona locked onto him for a moment before giggling. Travis looked like he didn't want to wake up from a wonderful dream, if it was wonderful at all.
"Morning sleepy head," She patted his shoulders, then pressed her nose to his before pushing herself up to look around, "Sounds like we docked...." There was a moment's pause before she suddenly staggered to get up, "Essyrn! We made it!" Keona exclaimed happily, as she managed to stand without falling over and threw the door open. The action startled Ira, who roared out and bristled, ready for danger before looking back to see Keona.
He certainly enjoyed it, though reality wasn't looking so bad either.
"Good morning, yourself."
Once Keona got up, Travis was free o do the same as she opened the door and...they found the black cat right there, licking his paws. This may seem coincidental an appearance, but it seemed that this was on purpose, and at this point, Travis couldn't overlook the possibility that this cat wasn't normal. For one, he came bearing a letter with an address written on it...to someone called 'Boomer' in Adela. The cat 'Mrow'd' at them and ran off, leaving the letter with them.
"Okay...that's weird."
Travis bent over to pick it up, and in doing so bumped his head into the stomach of the quartermaster as he was about to step in.
"Ah, there you are. We've made land."
"I noticed."
"And as you will be leaving us, you will need to help us with the unloading. There's trading and caravans to be found here on the Delta, so we're bringing out our supplies."
"What? Oh, come on..."
He didn't want to be dealing with this again, buuut the man was pulling him away for work.
[OOC: We've made it to the mainland! The Essyrn Arc will commence HERE. (http://www.spiritsoftheearth.net/smf/index.php?topic=23311.0)]