Spirits of the Earth

Adela => The Thunderblacks => Topic started by: DragonSong on March 11, 2018, 12:53:04 PM

Title: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on March 11, 2018, 12:53:04 PM
@Kalak




Storms in the mountains were terrifying, even if you were used to them. This one had caught Vara unprepared, out on a hunt, and she was forced to scramble to find shelter. The rain wasn't too intense yet, but the wind was already howling and she could see the blackness of heavier clouds approaching quickly from the horizon, lightning flickering in their bellies.

A crack of thunder rippled over the mountains and she hissed, shooting a glare skyward before renewing her search with more fervor. If she didn't find a place to hide from the storm soon she was in big trouble; no amount of practice in survival would save her from being caught out in the open during a Thunderblacks rager.

Heart pounding, she peered into the darkness, stumbling through the sheets of rain and the ever increasing gale. Finally, she caught sight of a crack in the rocks, possibly the entrance to a cave.

Even if it wasn't, at least it would provide rudimentary shelter from the wind and rain. She stumbled toward it and ducked inside, shaking water from her hair.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on March 27, 2018, 05:19:42 PM
The man had known the coming of the storm long before it appeared in the overcast sky. Each of his golden scales pulsed slightly from the feeling of static forming in the air. Such a sign foretold the great intensity of the coming tempest, and warned the man to find shelter before it arrived.

He knew of many holes in the rocky terrain, many places that would stay dry even during the most severe of storms. He traveled up the rocky incline towards the closest of these hideouts, his spear serving as little more than a decorative silver walking stick. On is way, the man collected spare bits of wood under his arm. Twigs, fallen branches, dried saplings, all the makings of kindling he would need. The night would be long, but more pleasurable with the warmth of a fire.

By the time that the gale began to blow, the golden-scaled man was already well established in his natural earthen shelter. His power over lightning created the first spark that had since evolved into a small flame. More wood lay along the cave wall, fuel for maintaining it. The man did not even blink as the first drops began to fall outside. He simply tended to the growing blaze as he sat comfortably beside it.

He did look up, however, as something unexpected happened. All he could do was watch silently as his mind made sense of the sight. He had a visitor.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on March 27, 2018, 08:56:29 PM
The little wildling woman suddenly froze, instincts kicking in. She was not alone here.

"Who's there?" she called into the darkness, squinting as her eyes started to adjust. One hand went toward the dragon tooth dagger at her hip and she sank into a defensive crouch.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on April 10, 2018, 08:22:28 AM
The half-dragon sat still, unmoved by the trespasser. He simply prodded at the small blaze before him. Moments of silence passed before he responded plainly.

"This is my shelter... go find your own."
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on April 12, 2018, 08:31:25 PM
Vara blinked.

She'd never seen anyone quite like him before.

But she didn't have the mind space to dwell on that. Her brow furrowed and she shifted her weight deliberately, standing her ground. "There's plenty room enough for two. You got a problem, you leave," she bit out.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on April 12, 2018, 09:12:27 PM
A rumbling, almost bestial growl began to rise from the back of the man's throat. His grip tightened somewhat around the prodding stick. He looked up at the woman, the onset of annoyance making itself clear.

"I was here first... and I don't share with humans..." he said with a low, irritated voice.

He did not even flinch as a great bolt of lightning struck nearby, illuminating the cavern's interior for less than a moment. As the thunder reverberated off the stone, he budged just as much as it did.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on April 23, 2018, 09:56:19 AM
The wild girl bared her teeth and held her ground. She flinched at the sudden crack of lightning, but didn't move from the mouth of the cave.

"Well, get used to it," she snapped. "I'm not going back out in that." With a huff, she sat against the stone wall, squinting out into the rain.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on April 24, 2018, 10:32:29 AM
The only thing the half dragon could feasibly do was grumble to himself. He did not have the will to rise from his comfortable spot on the cavern floor, especially to confront someone he did not see as a threat.

"Fine..." he huffed.

"...but stay over there. If I have to get up, you'll regret it."

With that, he lifted another thick branch and placed it into the fire.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on April 24, 2018, 10:41:54 AM
Vara curled her lip at him, but didn't argue. She was out of the rain, and that was all she really needed for the time being.

"Same to you," she grumbled as she curled onto her side, preparing by all appearances to go to sleep. "Come near me and I'll gut you," she warned with a meaningful flick of her wrist toward the dagger on her belt.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on April 24, 2018, 11:10:06 AM
Despite his surety that the intruder was no real danger to him, the man took umbrage to the woman's threat.

"You would try!" he retorted. At the same time he subconsciously reached for his spear.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on April 25, 2018, 08:41:37 AM
She scoffed and curled tighter onto her side. She saw no reason to continue posturing-- she was tired, and she wanted to try to sleep through the storm.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on April 25, 2018, 11:30:23 AM
The man was challenged to stay awake now. With a stranger hanging around, he could not trust to sleep. Instead, he continued prodding the fire before him, the act keeping it alive being the only thing distracting him from the hypnotic monotony of his surroundings.

With time, consciousness was harder to keep a hold on. Even the storm outside seemed to calm with each passing hour. The golden scaled man struggled at times to hold his eyelids up, more so when he ran out of fuel. His breathing slowed, and he clutched his silver spear to his chest. Everything soon when dark, as he too fell into a light and uncomfortable sleep.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on April 26, 2018, 05:15:44 PM
Vara was naturally a light sleeper, but she managed to sleep through most of the noise of the storm. A particularly persistent crack of thunder woke her though, she wasn't sure how many hours later.

She jerked upright with a start and a small gasp, then glowered out into the rain.

Damnit. Thunderblack storms could last for days, how long was she going to be stuck here?
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on April 26, 2018, 08:37:04 PM
Deep breathing came from the man as he slumbered. In nature, it was less a human sound than a bestial one. It was as if he growled even in his sleep. With spear cliched tightly against the body, the golden scaled man slept in a very stable position. He was able to remain sitting even with lack of consciousness.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on April 27, 2018, 10:39:46 AM
Vara glanced toward her unwilling companion and huffed tiredly. Seemed like he'd be out for a while.

Cautiously, she reached into the pouch at her hip and pulled out a strip of dried meat, munching on it quietly as she watched the storm.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on May 07, 2018, 07:10:15 AM
Even with the harsh weather outside, daytime was daytime. It was not much, but there was some light that managed its way into the cave.

Slowly, the dragon man came to consciousness. He looked around to take in any changes to his surroundings. Sure enough, the persistent woman was still there. However, she did not appear to be his main concern at this time. Slowly, making as little sound as possible, one hand was placed flat on the cavern's stone floor.

The half-dragon leered almost expectantly deeper into the cave.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on May 09, 2018, 09:59:51 AM
Vara bolted upright, the soft sound and light enough to wake her from her wary sleep. She twisted around to see her unwilling cave-mate glaring into the cavern.

"What?" she hissed softly, eyes searching the darkness.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on May 31, 2018, 11:13:40 AM
"Be quiet..." the scaled man huffed.

There was some slight vibration in the walls and floor of the cave. A slight sound of low breathing reached his ears. There was activity from something large, its form still a mystery.

The draconic man rose and took up his spear. It was unknown just how much danger was currently present, but he believed that the maker of the tunnel resided much further inside.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on June 01, 2018, 02:03:25 PM
A part of her wanted to snap at him about that, but she had a strong enough sense of self-preservation to do so.

Carefully, she climbed to her feet, reaching for her dagger as she did and flicking her eyes toward where the dragon-man was looking, trying to make out any sort of detail through the gloom.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on July 01, 2018, 08:29:11 PM
A massive form began to approach the pair, its dimensions almost as wide as the tunnel around it. The naked eye could only just spot a vaguely mammalian shape through the darkness. From what little speed it mustered, it was clear that the hulking creature was unsure of what stood before it. That, or it had only just woken up. Still, slowly but surely, it closed the distance.

The half-dragon, with spear still raised, looked to the opening behind himself. The storm outside maintained its ferocity. Without resistance, the girth alone of such a beast could drive the much smaller beings back until they were forced into the rain and wind. That is, unless it planned to eat them. The golden scaled man turned back to face the encroaching monster, contemplating a plan of attack.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on July 10, 2018, 04:58:43 AM
Vara crept slowly and cautiously toward her unwilling companion, dagger clutched in her hand. "What is it?" she whispered, tense and ready to fight or flee at the first sign that either would be the best course of action.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on July 10, 2018, 07:32:00 AM
The hybrid snarled, keeping in his gaze on the creature.

"Bogane, I think..." he said, careful to speak as quietly as possible.
Being as brief as he could manage, he continued.

"Big mole... Not too bright, but its hide is thick. Doesn't look like it can see us..."

The creature let out some low rumbles, and began to advance inquisitively. The golden scaled man retreated at the same speed. His spear was trained on the creature, but he was careful to maintain the distance.

"But it can hear us."
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on July 13, 2018, 01:21:19 AM
"Well...maybe we can convince it we're friendly," Vara suggested halfheartedly, her fist clenching on the hilt of her dagger.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on July 15, 2018, 07:11:40 AM
The sounds of hushed voices was enough to send the Bogane forward a little quicker than before. It halted, trying to discern the location of the intruders to its lair. Sharp yellow teeth were bared as it sniffed the air. Luckily enough, the scent of heavy rain just outside seemed to mask the scent of the two smaller creatures.

"Be my guest..." the man retorted sarcastically.

By now, the half dragon stood practically in the mouth of the cave. His back caught some rogue drops of water due to his close proximity to the storm. He watched as the big heavy paws felt around for them. One landed on the still hot remains of the campfire, causing the beast to shriek and recoil.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on July 17, 2018, 04:07:29 AM
Yikes!

Vara glowered at the half dragon as she backed up beside him, still white-knuckling her dagger. "Alright, well what's your idea?" she muttered out of the corner of her mouth. "Think we can take it?"
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on September 06, 2018, 10:38:38 AM
The dragon man looked behind them, out at the storm.

"We're gonna have to, or take our chances out there."

He listened to the rumblings of thunder through the heavy rainfall. In a moment, there was a spark of inspiration.

"I may have an idea... but you will have to keep it busy."
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on September 17, 2018, 12:57:46 PM
Oh. Sure. Keep it busy. No problem.

Vara shot the strange a rather droll glare, but after a moment she nodded. "Fine. Just...whatever you're planning, do it quick."
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on November 06, 2018, 05:37:31 PM
The golden scaled man nodded and turned. Then he stepped out of the cave into the storm. The rain pelted his hardened hide like tiny pebbles, and the wind attempted to throw him to the earth. Still, he walked on without hesitation.

He stopped a fair distance from the earthen opening, waiting for something. With his spear ready at his side, the half dragon looked to the violent sky above.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on January 12, 2019, 11:23:17 AM
Grumbling to herself, Vara shifted her stance and tightened her grip on her dragon-tooth dagger. She bared her teeth and growled at the occupant of the cave, trying to coax it into keep its attention on her until the stranger did...whatever it was he was planning on doing.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on February 02, 2019, 08:22:28 PM
The man held his position, despite the storm's every effort to dislodge him. His scales rippled with energy. He knew what was coming for him.

The man raised his spear defiantly at the wild clouds above. He could feel it, and was ready to take the full brunt of nature's wrath. He could only manage to scream out a few words against the rain that buffetted him:

"Move... NOW!"
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on February 08, 2019, 08:14:56 PM
She didn't need more than that. Scrambling back from the angry creature who's den they'd inadvertently invaded, Vara threw herself back out into the rain, dashing to the side to give the stranger a shot at-- at whatever it was he was about to do.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on February 18, 2019, 07:05:17 PM
Electricity rippled from golden scales, and then there was the flash. A bright and piercing light partnered with a sickening crackling. A wayward bolt of lightning was drawn to the silver in the spear and now its power had enveloped the half-dragon. A shot that would have felled any normal man seemed disappointingly less potent. Inside the enormous ball of power he stood, bringing the spear down to point towards the cave.

With barely a pause, the energy was redirected. There was only a short and high pitched squeal from the beast inside. Then silence.

The rain continued to fall. The residual rumbling spreading through the clouds. Smoke rose from golden scales, though little could be seen between heavy pellets of water. This man still stood, his footclaws dug into the soggy earth, but was visibly weakened by the attack. Hesitantly relying on his spear for support, he slowly trudged back to the cave entrance.

There was still some room to hide from the elements, in spite of the crisped corpse that blocked the way deeper...
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on February 25, 2019, 05:31:40 PM
Vara cried out and dove to the side as the electricity exploded outward, raising a hand to shield her eyes. When the attack seemed to calm, she slowly lowered her hands and blinked, looking around.

Oh. That didn't look great.

"Ah, hells." Vara got shakily to her feet. "You, uh...you okay?"
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on February 25, 2020, 04:19:21 PM
The man trudged onwards. He took the shortest path to the reclaimed shelter, letting nothing stop his forward momentum. Each raindrop dissipated with a hiss as it landed upon him. The bolt that had struck him left his body hot to the touch.

There were no words. No response. Only a grunt of effort with each labored step.
Once the earthen ceiling was once again above him, the man fell to one knee, weaker than he wished to appear.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on February 25, 2020, 07:26:48 PM
"Hey. Hey."

Vara followed after him--slow and wary, neither wanting to invoke sudden ire or put herself in a dangerous position--but she couldn't manage to keep the concern completely from her voice.

Stupid. Weak. But she couldn't help it.

"Hey, uh...you. Really. You don't look so good, lemme--"

She started to reach out to him, then quickly snatched her hand back. She didn't think he'd take too kindly to her touching him without warning or permission. Grumbling under her breath, she started hunting through the little pouch at her side. "I have some, um, some herbs and things, wait a minute..."

First Fires, she could still feel the heat off him even from here.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on February 25, 2020, 09:15:45 PM
The scaled man threw one draconic arm out to his side. It was a motion almost resembling a forceful wipe across a vertical surface. Dismissive, not aggressive. He made no effort to face the woman behind himself.

"I'm fine..." he growled. "Just need to rest."

He took some heavy breaths, huffing with frustration at his current state. His nostrils took in the air that now held the odor of burnt fur.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on February 26, 2020, 08:40:09 AM
"You just got hit by lightning," was Vara's incredulous reply to that clearly false statement. "I don't care who your dragon parent is--was--whatever. That's gotta at least sting."

She shuffled a little closer, wrinkling her nose at the smell of burning fur and cooked meat. She shot an almost apologetic glance toward the corpse of the massive mole. She'd make sure to take it home to Da, maybe, so the sacrifice didn't go to waste...

"Here." Finally locating her herbalist kit--a slapdash affair of what few medicinal herbs one could find in the Thunderblacks, a needle, and a small pouch of water all sort of bound loosely together with a length of twin--she shoved it out toward him. "The dark green ones that smell kinda minty are good for burns..."
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on February 26, 2020, 11:05:28 PM
The man finally turned his head, just so one eye could observe the assertive individual. It also allowed him to convey an annoyed glare. Each statement offended for its own reason.

He was on the verge of releasing a verbal torrent, fueled by draconic rage. He could even find the strength to bare both fang and claw for added effect. Perhaps it was still possible to generate a small amount of natural electricity for emphasis. Yet, none of that came to pass.

The man blinked. He took a breath, and made a simple reply.
"Who... ARE you?"
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on February 27, 2020, 06:15:42 AM
The little wildling tensed, sensing the rising anger in him. She hadn't survived as long as she had with her foster father and his ilk without being able to read body language near instantly--the fact that the stranger had quite a few draconic features certainly helped with that.

She nearly expected him to flame at her, or throw lightning or whatever; that's what a dragon giving off those threat displays would have done. Instinct sent her skittering back, sort of ducking into an alcove in the cave wall for shelter.

But when he just stared at her, asked who she was, she found herself blinking in turn, simply staring back for several long moments.

"...Vara." Her voice took on a subtle accent when she said it, a hint of stone and fire made sound. It was how her Da had always said it: after all, her name was the draconic word for song. "I'm called Vara. It's not all I am, but it's a start...Who are you?"
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on February 27, 2020, 12:32:25 PM
The half-dragon rose slowly, assisted only slightly by the spear. Thus, he was able to turn to face Vara.

"I did not ask for your name..."

It was clear that the man struggled to judge this Vara. While he maintained his stoic facade to the best of his ability, he was still perplexed about the nature of this stranger.

"Who are you that brings you so far into the wilds? This area is dangerous, but I think you knew that..."
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on February 27, 2020, 12:51:52 PM
The wild girl stared him down. She didn't rise to match his height--or as near as she could get--but the snapping fire behind her eyes made it clear that it was far from a show of submission.

"If you want more than my name, you have to earn it," she told him firmly. "These mountains are dangerous. Could be I'm part of what makes them so. Or maybe I just know how to survive them--do you?"

She held his eyes a moment longer, then dropped her gaze back to the kit she held before setting about tucking it back into her pouch. Fine, if he didn't want to use it that was no great loss to her. "I was out hunting," she told him in partial answer to his question. "The storm drove me into shelter, same as you."
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on April 01, 2020, 08:57:18 AM
The man still failed in his mental evaluation this Vara, but some pieces were coming together in his mind. He actually admired the fortitude of her character. His body relaxed as his guard fell further. Perhaps there was the tiniest sign that a smirk was about to form in the corner of the Draconic being's still-human mouth.

"So, I take it you live out here as well?"

Slowly and with visible hesitance, he reached for the offered kit.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on April 02, 2020, 10:30:27 AM
That little twitch of his lips was enough to soften Vara's own shoulders slightly. She paused when he reached for the kit, then slowly extended it out toward him, moving with the same slow, careful wariness as with which she might approach a wild animal.

"No. Not here." She glanced out into the rain. "Further in, towards the peaks. I...came pretty far, hunting."

She flicked her eyes back toward him and cocked her head to the side in a curious, distinctly animal gesture. "You?"
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on April 04, 2020, 08:55:49 AM
The hand off of the pack of remedies proved to be a great leap towards ending what hostility may have remained. The man searched for the described ingredient, but looked back to Vara with a hint of incredulity.

"Nah... You wouldn't find me that high up. That's dragon country."

As his attention fell back to the kit, his claws pulled a single leaf with a surprising amount of manual dexterity. It was obvious he did not know the next step.
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on April 04, 2020, 03:50:54 PM
Vara smiled--bright and wide and closer to an expression of bared teeth than anything truly human. "Course it is," she replied blithely, even as she sat forward to gesture to the leaf he held. "Crumple it, along the veins if you can, to get the pulp out. Then you spread that over the burns."

She nodded to the linen wrappings balled in the bottom of the kit and added, "I could show you how to bind the wounds too, if you want."

She sat back again, not wanting to crowd his personal space. She figured it was best to give people who tended to throw lightning around a wide berth when it seemed they wanted it. 
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: Kalak8538 on April 28, 2020, 09:34:39 PM
The man did as he was instructed to the best of his ability..

"Don't need it. It's just the hands."

This was the truth. The draconic body sustained no damage, except on the hands where the spear was grasped. He rubbed the remedy between the scaled palms.

"I am Barak..."
Title: Re: In the Footsteps of Dragons
Post by: DragonSong on April 29, 2020, 02:44:32 PM
"Barak," she repeated. Then she smiled; she was a bit out of practice with the expression, so it was a little awkward, but she did her best. "Well. Nice to meet you. Now hold still."

She leaned forward to wrap his hands once he'd smoothed the salve between them. "Keep that on at least until morning. If you need more salve, I can give you more before I leave in the morning."