Spirits of the Earth

Yoreiqi Isles => Tuor Ocean => Topic started by: DragonSong on March 22, 2016, 04:58:26 PM

Title: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 22, 2016, 04:58:26 PM
She was scared. Not that she was doing something forbidden- in fact that was rather thrilling- or that she may actually hurt herself, as her father seemed to think- that just seemed ridiculous.

No, Aishling was scared that she had worked this up to be something so incredible, so wonderful, that there was no possible way it could live up to her expectations in real life. Surely the ocean couldn't be that amazing, could it? It was probably just the allure of the "forbidden" that made her feel as though she so desperately need to seek it out.

She'd ignored the pull all her life, after the first time she'd wandered away from her father during market and almost reached the beach and he'd been so angry she instantly knew she'd done something awful and frightening. But now it was just too much, she couldn't take it anymore.

Breathe, Ash, just breathe, she told herself, slipping down the narrow cliff-side path that lead from her village to the shore, using the light of a waxing moon to guide her steps. Don't be disappointed, whatever happens. It couldn't possible be what she'd built up in her mind-

"Oh..." The young woman's eyes lifted as her feet touched pebbly sand and she caught her breath, absolutely stunned. She'd been wrong. It was magnificent.

Aishling was frozen for a moment, eyes wide and hands lifting to cover her mouth. Her feet moved forward quite unconsciously, like there was something physically pulling her toward the water, black as the night and strewn with the reflections of countless stars. Something clicked in her chest and she almost burst into tears.

Somehow, it felt like she was coming home.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 22, 2016, 10:17:42 PM
He heard her first, the too-loud sounds of footsteps clear to him even a little ways down the beach as he pinpointed her location.The moonlight shone on her like a beacon, though, almost comically pointing her out to his keen eyes once his head breached the surface of the water.

Almost immediately -trying to be stealthy- Yan lowered himself back down so only the top half of his head remained above, just enough for his eyes and nose to keep track of her as he waded closer, parallel down the shoreline. By the moonlight there was nothing but the light reflected in his eyes and off the few lighter scales beneath the water to tell him apart from the darkness of the depths.

Body hidden along the drop off from the shallows beneath the calm, rocking waves he observed the girl. She looked exactly like he would expect some terrified maiden looked up close: Eyes blown wide, covering her mouth. He decided for himself that she must have been afraid of something. Perhaps the moon? The sea? Yet she came closer and closer.

Even in his youth he understood most humans considered it rude without an invitation, but Yan couldn't quite help himself as he attempted to project his mental voice to her -uncertain if she would be aware enough of such a thing to even detect him- so that he did not have to move from his "hiding place" to speak properly.

'Are you upset?' It was his best guess for a lone female wandering so close to the sea. He knew many sought solace in its calm and isolation from civilization and assumed she was the same.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 23, 2016, 04:20:03 AM
Aishling jumped at the sudden voice in her mind- a voice quite distinctly not her own- and for a moment the spell the sea had over her was broken.

"Who- what-" She whirled around, searching the length of the beach. She saw no one.

Eyes flicking back out to the water, she felt her racing heart instantly start to calm and took another step forward. "I'm not upset," she murmured, not sure why she was answering a voice she didn't know the origin of.

Gaze still fixed on the gentle swells lapping at the shoreline, she asked the night softly, "Who are you?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 23, 2016, 06:29:47 AM
Well that was a relief. Sort of. If she wasn't upset then he wasn't sure what to call the emotion. As she'd drawn closer he could tell it wasn't fear.

'I am Yan,' he answered simply, cheerful enough now that he knew she could "hear" him. As much as he wanted to venture closer he was aware enough to know that most humans did not appreciate the sight of dragon. They were a fearful lot and there was no reason he really needed to reveal himself. If she was not already upset he did not wish to make her so.

'Why did you come here?' he asked curiously. 'It is very late, is it not?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 23, 2016, 07:15:08 AM
She took another step toward the water, the incessant pulling in her chest increasing in  intensity again. It was like it had always been there, her whole life, but she was only just now realizing it.

"Yan." Her head tilted to the side, searching the water for...something. She wasn't sure what. "My name is Aishling." It seemed only polite to introduce herself in turn. Even if it was to some disembodied voice in her head.

"I suppose it is rather late," she said softly, almost conversationally. "But...it was the only time I could come. I just- I had to see it..."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 23, 2016, 09:29:12 AM
Aishling. He stared out at the girl upon the beach, very interested to hear what she was up to, to know why a single human would wander so far from her kind. In his experience they only traveled with a specific purpose.

'See it? What are you looking for?' He knew it wasn't the best idea but he crept a little closer to better study her, stretching his neck towards land as he settled his forepaws into the rocks and sands of the shallows. It was barely a disturbance, but once the dragon was resettled beneath the surface he felt confident the slight rippling along the surface between waves for his movements would be invisible to the human eye.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 23, 2016, 09:32:57 AM
For a moment Ash thought she saw a ripple that wasn't caused by one of the regular swells spread through the water. She frowned, trying to peer closer, but it was too dark for her to really make anything out.

"The sea," she murmured after a moment in answer to the voice. "I wasn't...looking for it, exactly. I just- I wanted to see it. I had to see it."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 23, 2016, 10:50:42 AM
'Had to see it? But it is the same as it always is.' Yan almost laughed at that, an amused snort spraying a bit of extra seawater over the wave cresting before him. He didn't see how anyone could have such an urgency.

'It is prettier in the day. Too dark to see well at night,' he informed her, tone shifting to something a little more playful now that he understood she had not come to do any harm.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 23, 2016, 10:54:30 AM
She blushed faintly and scowled. Great, now the voice in her head was making fun of her. "I wouldn't know," she muttered. "I've never seen it before."

She sighed then, staring out over the water. "I'm not allowed to come," she explained quietly. "I had to wait until Da was asleep."

Although perhaps she was asleep herself, now that she thought about it. This whole thing was seeming more and more like a dream.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 23, 2016, 01:08:44 PM
'Not allowed?' He pondered that and then gently accused once it dawned on him, 'So you are being sneaky.' For some reason he liked that. He didn't even know the reason for her wanting to see it but she was willing to go to such lengths to be able to. It must have been very important to her.

He recognized one of the many terms he'd heard humans use to refer to their sires, uncertain what hers had anything to do with it all. It was very difficult for him to grasp the importance of obeying one's parents.

'Sleep is so that...he does not see you?' he guessed. 'Does your Da hate the sea?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 23, 2016, 03:41:12 PM
Okay, she must be dreaming. No way could she really be having this conversation. With some random voice in her head. Perhaps she was subconsciously working through what might happen if she did sneak out to see the ocean.

Deciding to just go with it, Ash let herself plop down onto the pebbly beach and pulled her knees up to her chest, kicking her shoes off and smiling as she wiggled her bare toes in the sand. Well, if it was a dream no point in getting squeamish about a little cold.

"I think he does," she responded to the voice. "It's more like...he's afraid of it though, really. I think maybe my mother drowned, but he's never given me a straight answer."

Normally she wouldn't share something so personal, but she didn't really see any reason to hide things from this voice. Yan. If he was a part of her dream, then what did it matter?
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 23, 2016, 08:18:47 PM
Yan watched her as she made herself comfortable on the ground, pleased that she was willing to continue speaking with him but uncertain what her apparent loss meant to her. She didn't seem upset by it. Though he itched to haul himself out of the water and join her on the shore he was still a little wary of this human stranger, deciding he was content speaking as they were.

'You are an orphan?' he wondered, unaware it was not the proper term to describe a human that had lost only one parent and guessing that it was just the same as losing both.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 24, 2016, 01:38:37 AM
Ash smiled wryly and shook her head. "No. Not an orphan. I've still got Da." She shrugged. "He's a good man, and I love 'im to bits, it's just... He can be a little smothering sometimes."

Tilting her head at the water, she asked with a lopsided grin, "What about you then, oh voice in my head? Where are your parents? Do you even have them?" Did disembodied voices in dreams really need parents?
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 24, 2016, 06:11:00 AM
'I am not a voice in your head. I am Yan, and we are speaking,' he insisted gently, uncertain why she would think that he was just a voice.

Beneath the water the dragon curled up within the shallows, nestling himself into the sand to keep any more of his body from breaching the surface. It felt more like a proper conversation when he settled down instead of leaving himself to float.

'I have these "parents." They live. My mother is Suravi, but you will not find her here. She prefers the deeper ocean. My sire, Ranik, makes his home in the mountains, but that is very far away.'

He reflected on that for a moment, studying her. She looked young, by human standards at least, but she did not seem like a child. He remembered himself as a true "child" as well as what human children looked like, and while she was smaller than some females he'd seen she was not so much that he would suspect her to truly need the care of a parent.

'Why does your sire "smother"?' He wasn't quite connecting her father's fear, as she'd said, or her mother drowning to any real reason why she would not be "allowed."

'You do not seem afraid,' he pointed out.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 24, 2016, 06:34:55 AM
"Oh, right, of course. Forgive me, Yan," Ash said with a smile, overly formal. This was such a funny dream.

She tilted his head as he talked about his parents- his "sire", that was an interesting choice of words. A small shrug and a sigh were the first answer to his question. "He...I suppose he's just worried about me," she murmured eventually.

Then she smiled again, digging her toes into the sand and shivering slightly at a breeze that came off the water. "I'm not afraid," she said simply. "Maybe if this were really happening I'd be a little- concerned. But what's the point of being afraid in a dream? If something bad happens I'll just wake myself up."

She suddenly wished it wasn't a dream though. The call of the ocean just felt so real, and this odd conversation was rather nice. It would be a pity to wake up and forget this.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 24, 2016, 07:45:52 AM
Dream? He snorted at that, unconsciously lifting his head entirely out of the water to stare at her incredulously.

'What is there to be concerned about? Why afraid?' he asked, suddenly quite serious as his eyes scanned the beach, expecting there to be some sign of danger that wasn't actually there. The sea, to him, was a peaceful place. As a dragon there was nothing he feared within the depths, but land... He imagined there were probably some rather unsavory things he'd yet to see for himself.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 24, 2016, 07:59:47 AM
Ash's eyes widened as his head rose from the water. For a moment she was stunned, speechless and unmoving. Then she gave a sharp cry and sprang to her feet, falling back a few paces before she tripped over her own feet and landed on her butt in the sand.

"Wh-what the-? Holy gods!" she yelped, just staring at him. That clinched it, this was definitely a dream.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 24, 2016, 10:27:33 AM
Well, shit. He hadn't meant to do that. Green eyes went wide in surprise as he suddenly found himself looking down at her instead. He supposed it was too late to retreat and pretend like it didn't happen at all. 'I'm sorry, Aishling.'

Assuming she was afraid instead of just startled he hunkered back down into the water with slow, calculated movements, once again leaving only the very top of his head exposed as the rest of his massive form remained curled on the sands against the gentle currents.

'There is no need to fear me,' he insisted, 'I mean you no harm.' He wasn't even sure if she would accept that. She certainly looked startled, possibly afraid, and Yan was eager to pacify her as he assumed he would need to do.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 24, 2016, 10:55:27 AM
"What...what..." Aishling just shook her head, climbing slow to her feet. She could make him out clearly now, at least the top of his head, having been unable to take her eyes off him as he shifted.

"What are you?" she whispered, a little fearful but mostly in wonderment. She inched closer to the water, blue gray eyes wide and staring. "A sea dragon," she answered her own question, shaking her head again. With a sudden, rather hysterical little laugh, she muttered, "Of course the voice in my head is a sea dragon."

There were stories about his kind, but none of them were very concise, at least not in her village. Once or twice she'd seen wild dragons overhead as they made their way to and from the Thunderblacks, but she'd never seen one so close before. This was the oddest dream she'd ever had.

Although... It suddenly struck her that even she wasn't mad enough to dream up something like this. Was she? So did that mean...?
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 24, 2016, 01:52:53 PM
He didn't like the obvious tone of fear in her voice, but it was quickly changing faster than he could think to react and suddenly she was laughing hysterically. At least she'd figured it out for herself -he hadn't expected her to know what he was exactly- but it wasn't comforting when she somehow still seemed disbelieving of the whole situation.

'Yes...a sea dragon,' he confirmed, eyeing her curiously. It was annoying how she kept referring to him as the "voice" in her head. He understood that it was how that particular form of communication manifested more or less, but he had always preferred to think of it as more magic than true voice. After all, he was merely sharing it with her not pushing her out of her own headspace.

'Well, you're right. Bad things don't happen in dreams,' he reminded her mockingly, rolling his eyes and lifting his head from the gentle waves once more. There was no use covering it if she was just going to walk right up to the water like that. 'So I am still Yan. And you are still Aishling. Nothing changes,' he decided.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 24, 2016, 01:59:12 PM
"Well, Yan. It's nice to properly meet you," she said with a smile, taking another tiny step closer. Her eyes wandered up and down as much of his form as she could see, still rather wide. "You're huge," she murmured, unthinking that it might not be the politest thing to say.

She'd never seen such a large creature this close before. It was rather nerve wracking, even in a dream.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 24, 2016, 03:42:05 PM
'Likewise.' He felt a little awkward, realizing she was still staring at him like that. He'd walked among humans so many times, flitting in and out of their lives, but he'd never spoken with one face to face in his true form.

Yan would have grinned if he could have, though, quite pleased with himself that she would pay him the great compliment of size. It was something he'd fought long and hard to get his own mother to recognize, spending too long as just "her baby" even though he was well into his mature years. It didn't really help that he'd never had anyone else to talk to about such things aside from his own kind. At least the humans seemed to recognize it in a less significant way, though; he knew he was rather "tall" to them as well.

'Thank you, tiny human,' he teased, a warm bark of laughter following. Yan slowly uncurled himself, curious how far he could push her sense of imagination within her "dream world." He rose up slowly, neck craning high into the air as he stepped closer to the beachline.

His paws sank almost uncomfortably into the wet sands as he approached her, making his gait far less graceful than he would have liked. Even as the water rushed off his back in giant cascades he shook himself out to fling the remaining droplets off his scaly hide. 'You are still very small,' he noted playfully once he was close enough to lower his head to meet her at eye level.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 24, 2016, 03:49:56 PM
Aishling sucked in a startled breath, skittering back instinctively as he approached before she forced herself to stop, taking a few deep breaths.

"I'm not that tiny," she complained on reflex, though the bite to her tone was softened a bit by the sheer awe of seeing him so close. She yelped and skipped back another step when he shook himself, giving a surprised little laugh as cold water droplets hit her skin.

"You're just too big, that's the problem," Ash protested, eyes glinting playfully as she crossed her arms over her chest and cocked her hip. Another breeze blew off the water and she shivered slightly, damp now as well as barefoot. Her thin nightgown really wasn't doing much to protect her from the elements.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 24, 2016, 05:08:39 PM
With the waves lapping annoyingly at his hind legs and tail he finally hauled himself entirely out of the sea to plop down onto the dry sand around her. It seemed safe enough to do so at least after she hadn't fled outright. By his guess she seemed impressed more than frightened.

He stretched his leathery wings a bit -being so close he was a bit more careful this time with trying not to dump water on her- and cracked his jaw in a quick, rumbling yawn skyward before craning his neck to look himself over. Green eyes flickered between himself and the small human female on the ground to judge her claim, her shivering going entirely unnoticed in his concentration.

'No, I think I'm quite alright, but doing that...thing,' he lifted a forepaw and gently nudged her crossed arms with the blunt top edge of two claws, 'That thing humans do to seem bigger than they actually are.' He laughed mischievously. 'Posturing: it does not help you.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 24, 2016, 05:12:59 PM
Ash swayed a bit at the touch, a bit surprised by the raw strength behind such a simple movement. "I'm not posturing, I'm just-"

She paused. Her eyes widened slightly and she looked him up and down, then let her eyes travel from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail.

His claws felt...very real. As did the cold, now that she thought about it. "Um. Hold on," she mumbled, ducking her head and holding her arm out, pinching gently.

She looked up. Yan was still there. Her eyes widened further and she pinched harder.

Still there.

"Oh my gods!" Ash's jaw dropped. "You- you're real! This isn't a dream!"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 24, 2016, 06:39:52 PM
He tilted his head curiously, watching the way she pinched herself. He certainly understood how that felt and couldn't fathom why she would do that to herself if she wasn't a little bit insane. 'Now Aishling,' he scolded playfully, 'we established this already. You are dreaming. None of this is real, you wouldn't want your Da to worry about you, would you?'

Yan fed off the information he'd already obtained from her, knowing he was grasping at straws but amused to suddenly have the task of convincing her he was not real.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 24, 2016, 06:48:11 PM
"B-bu-but-" Her eyes were the size of dinner plates now. "But you are- you're real!" she exclaimed again.

Her knees gave out and she flopped onto the beach, trying to wrap her head around what was happening. "This is real. You're real. I'm not dreaming- oh my gods!"

Ash looked out to the sea, raising her hands to cover her mouth. She was suddenly on the verge of tears. "I did it," she whispered, the dragon curled beside her taking a backseat for a moment. "I'm really here..."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 24, 2016, 07:57:31 PM
There she was looking all startled again. The young dragon studied her, puzzled by her sudden collapse and misty eyes, distracted enough to stop his teasing for a bit.

Yan turned in a tight circle to peer out at the sea with her, head bowing to almost rest on the sand beside her to try and see it the way she was seeing it. The water didn't seem particularly worthy of tears, though he certainly could still appreciate its beauty.

'This upsets you?' he guessed, genuinely confused by this girl.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 24, 2016, 08:01:32 PM
"No." She laughed, swiping at her eyes with the back of her hand. "No, it's...I'm happy-crying," she tried to explain. Tilting her head at him, Ash sniffed and asked curiously, "Do dragons do that?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 24, 2016, 09:49:04 PM
He recognized that, eyes brightening in realization as her question was first met with an amiable rumble. That cut short, though, when he realized he was not properly speaking to her. 'Yes,' he tried again, admitting, 'but that's usually when we laugh too much.'

Yan angled his head slightly, watching the gentle swell of the dark waves before them and reflecting on all that she'd told him to try and figure out why that was. 'You are...happy because you are here? On the beach?' he guessed.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 25, 2016, 04:21:28 AM
Putting aside her musing about what a dragon's laugh would even sound like, Ash nodded slowly and gave him a small smile.

"I feel like- like I was always meant to be here, but it just took me so long to actually get here," she tried to explain. Normally she wouldn't have been sharing something that felt so personal, but considering what she'd told him when she thought he was a dream, she supposed there was no real harm in it.

Suddenly she paused, frowning a bit as she tilted her head back to look up at him. She realized she'd been mentally referring to him as "he" without actually knowing if that was true. His voice sounded rather masculine to her, but what if those sorts of things were different with dragons?

"Um, sorry if this is rude, but...see I was wondering..." She let out a breath and decided to just get it over with. "Are you male or female?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 25, 2016, 09:06:27 AM
Took her so long? That seemed very silly to him. The ocean was just so big after all, the land had always seemed so small to him by comparison and -at least by wings- nothing had ever seemed particularly far from his ocean home.

He was unfazed by her question, not seeing how it was rude for her to ask clarification of such a simple thing like that. 'I am male,' he answered simply, knowing he looked no different from the females of his kind.

'And you are female, yes?' He decided it must be so after a moment of studying her. He had never known a male human to keep so much hair or wear such things at night or have the shape that she did to her body.

'Why did it take you so long to get here? Do you live very far away?' he guessed, curious and still not understanding that her limitation was a social one.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 25, 2016, 09:29:41 AM
She chuckled, nodding. "Yes, I'm female." She supposed it must be as difficult for dragons to tell the difference in sexes between humans as it was the other way around.

A sigh escaped her at his second question and she shook her head. "No. I actually live just up there." Ash pointed to the cliff she had climbed down to reach the shore, a few shadows within shadows the only bits of houses that could be made out from this distance.

She shook her head again, shrugging. "I just...wasn't allowed to come before. Actually, I'm still not allowed to come. That's why I'm here at night," she tried to explain again.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 25, 2016, 11:21:32 AM
Yan lifted his head, turning slightly to look up at the dark shapes in the distance. Being so far away was practically the same as being in the sky and he recognized it as a human settlement with his keen eyesight

'Not allowed... Will you be in trouble when you are found?' he asked, assuming if it was so forbidden that someone would surely be looking for her. Perhaps her Da when he woke.

Turning to stare out at the water again he breathed a heavy, contented sigh, deciding, 'The sea is worth whatever comes.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 25, 2016, 12:01:24 PM
"Probably," Ash admitted with a shrug, wrapping her arms around her knees. She smiled softly, looking up at him. "I think you're right though. This....this is worth it."

She looked out over the water with a small, happy sigh. Then her face fell a bit and she added in a mutter, "I probably should head back soon though. If Da wakes up and finds me missing he'll be worried sick..."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 25, 2016, 06:56:42 PM
He snorted at that, shaking himself out a bit and taking that as his cue to pad back into the shallower water. His tail dragged heavily behind himself to cover his tracks as he went. 'Well don't make him sick,' he teased, eyes shining brightly by the moonlight as he swung his head around to look at her. 'You should come see it again when you can. In the day, though. There is much more to see.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 25, 2016, 07:06:19 PM
She bit her lip. Gods she would love to come here in the day, but she didn't know if she'd be able to manage it. "I would really like to," she said softly, standing and watching him move into the water wistfully. "But I..."

Trailing off with a sigh, Ash glanced at the cliff, then back to the dragon. "Do you think...if I came here tomorrow night, would you be here?" She wasn't quite sure why, but she really liked the idea of being able to talk to him again.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 25, 2016, 08:53:16 PM
Yan actually cracked a toothy grin at that, the expression quite predatory in his current form despite the interested glow to his eyes. He couldn't really help that he was all teeth and claws.

'I can make that happen,' he agreed, pleased that he might have had some sway in convincing her. It was not every day he met someone so enamored by the place he called home. Honestly, he couldn't recall such a meeting of happenstance in all of his short life.

'It's nice to speak with someone who does not fear my kind,' he admitted, lowering his head to gently nudge his muzzle against her arm in farewell. 'Until tomorrow. But do not make trouble for yourself, yes?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 26, 2016, 07:32:24 AM
A little surprised by the touch, Ash blinked at him for a moment, then reached her hand up to lay her palm on his brow with a small smile.

"Tomorrow night then." She took a few steps back and waved at him, reluctant to leave the beach and- she realized with some surprise- a little sad to say goodbye.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 26, 2016, 08:24:56 AM
Yan rumbled with laughter, quite pleased for the light touch of her hand upon his scales. 'Tomorrow,' he promised, raising his wings slightly to return her wave before flattening them back against his sides again.

He stepped further into the water but paused, leaving himself only half-covered as he turned to watch her go.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 26, 2016, 08:32:31 AM
Ash kept turning to wave as she picked her way back up the path along the cliff until she couldn't make out Yan's shape anymore.

Her house was farther into the village, and she had to rush to make sure she was back in her bed before her father woke up. It wasn't until she was slipping back through her window that she realized she'd left her shoes back on the beach.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 26, 2016, 11:46:39 AM
He watched her go, thinking better of giving a true dragon's cry of farewell as he knew the sound would ride up the cliffs and probably reach the village she'd pointed out to him. While it was fun at times he didn't wish to startle the humans from their sleep. He'd learned the hard way that that tended to not work out in his favor.

Her small human shoes in the sand were forgotten by the beast as he slipped back into the depths. For the night he would settle along the ocean floor just off the coast, an odd excitement bubbling in his chest to have plans for the next day.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 26, 2016, 11:54:20 AM
"Ash? Aishling, get up lass."

"Mmphh." Ash rolled over sleepily and batted at her father. "Just a few more minutes," she begged.

"Sorry, love. We've got work to do. Come on, up."

Grumbling and cursing under her breath, she forced herself to get out of bed and face the day. Everything just seemed so mundane after the previous night; he father's workshop, the customers coming in and out, even the few friends who stopped by to chat while she worked on a rocking chair someone had ordered.

Strangely it almost felt like this was the dream. The beach, the sea, the creature she'd met all seemed so vividly real in her mind, she found it was nearly impossible to focus on anything else. She was already planning how she could sneak away after her father fell asleep that night.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 26, 2016, 02:24:03 PM
Yan spent the daytime hours patrolling up and down the coast as he normally would have, though there was a sense of purpose in his movements that day. It was more something to fill his time until, hopefully, he might see the human girl again.

Once the sun began to fall he surfaced and flew out towards the cliffs. He was careful to ride the winds high, practically up to the clouds to hide himself as he neared the village. Yan stared at the dark specks for buildings upon the ground and the even smaller ones that moved slowly between them. Humans, he realized.

As the sky started to turn orange and pink from the sunset he turned and made his way back towards the spot on the beach they'd met the previous night. Thinking it might be easier to speak with her, Yan shifted to his human form. The clothes it came with were a bit large on him -left over from the last time he'd taken the form- and after a moment of trying to remember where in the world he'd even gotten them he gave up to pad down towards the water on bare feet.

For some reason he felt rather restless as the stars revealed themselves and the moon rose to exchange for the sun. Walking soon turned to pacing with the wind rolling off the water throwing his hair all around him, but he stopped in his tracks once his toe nudged something rather solid on the ground. Shoes.

Blinking down at them he crouched to scoop them up, holding them awkwardly in his hands and not quite knowing what to do with them. They seemed familiar, but he didn't quite recognize them as Aishling's even though they were right where she'd been the night before. Somehow it seemed right to hold onto them, so he did.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 26, 2016, 02:30:23 PM
Ash crept quietly to her father's bedroom door and pressed her ear to the wood, listening intently. Deep, even breaths. He was asleep then.

Letting out a quiet breath of relief- and forcing away a tiny twinge of guilt- she gathered the skirt of her nightgown up in one hand and slipped into her day shoes, which weren't as sturdy for climbing up and down the cliffs, but she'd left her boots on the beach.

Her village was a sleepy enough place, so she didn't run a high risk of running into people so late as she slipped between houses and made her way to the little path that led down to the shore., wincing slightly with every stone she sent clattering from its place.

Finally she made it to the beach and practically ran to the water, stumbling slightly at the unfamiliar feel of sand shifting underfoot. Then she drew up short, catching sight of what appeared to be a young man. Someone from her village? She couldn't quite make him out.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 26, 2016, 03:17:42 PM
He didn't have to wait long before he heard her clumsy footsteps quickly approaching. Turning to her with a familiar smile he found it was harder to make her out with his human eyes, though not entirely impossible.

"Aishling?" he asked tentatively, stepping a little closer as he squinted at her by the moonlight, forgetting that she wouldn't be able to recognize him the way that he was.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 26, 2016, 03:19:39 PM
As the man came closer Ash's eyes widened a bit. He certainly looked...interesting. Interesting, and not at all familiar. Although somehow she felt like she'd heard his voice before.

"Um, yes?" she said warily, backing up a step. "Who- who are you? How do you know my name?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 26, 2016, 04:40:27 PM
There was a moment of relief across his face but that was quickly replaced with disappointment as he watched her step away. She didn't remember him. He paused, not wanting to scare her away as he thought on how to fumble through introductions again.

"We met before," he offered, hoping that alone might jog her memory. "Er- Last night. I'm Yan." He held out her boots with outstretched hands, smiling proudly. "I think these are yours, no?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 26, 2016, 04:51:14 PM
"Yan?" She blinked at him, mouth falling open. "But- but you were- I mean- how?"

He'd been a dragon! And now he looked...well, not necessarily normal, not in the way she thought of it, but quite distinctly human.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 26, 2016, 06:45:32 PM
He smiled, relieved by her recognition of his name. "Yes, I am still the same," he tried to assure her, not understanding that her surprise came from his change of forms rather than who he was.

The dragon still held out her shoes expectantly, not feeling awkward at all.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 26, 2016, 06:46:54 PM
"But you're- how are you human?" Ash demanded, taking a cautious step closer.

It was really only then that she realized he was holding something out to her. "Oh, my shoes!" She smiled and took them easily, feeling that the whole thing was very surreal. "Thanks..."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 26, 2016, 08:17:19 PM
"Oh!" He laughed at that, relieved that the problem simply seemed to be that he hadn't explained himself. "It is part of my magic," he chirped, lifting an arm once she'd taken the shoes and running a hand along it, ever fascinated by the smoothness compared to scales.

"I have this form and...well the other. The one you saw last night," he explained. "Does it, um, bother you?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 26, 2016, 08:19:14 PM
She just stared at him for a few moments longer, rather speechless. Then she realized she hadn't answered him and shook her head quickly. "Oh, no. No, it doesn't...bother me. I just didn't know dragons could do that..."

Her head tilted and she looked him up and down, then admitted with a small smile, "Though there's really a lot I don't know about dragons, I guess."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 26, 2016, 08:38:44 PM
He shrugged, smiling easily and casting a look up at the starry sky. "I don't know if all can, but it is something both my mother and my sire are capable of. I suppose I just gained the trait."

He stuffed his hands into his pockets and absently kicked at a few pebbles in the sand before glancing up at the bluff. "You are not in trouble, are you? Being here?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 27, 2016, 05:42:47 AM
Ash grinned a little wryly at that. "Not yet." She let her eyes flick out over the water and gave a soft sigh, taking a few steps closer. "I almost forgot how amazing it is," she murmured absently.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 27, 2016, 09:53:39 AM
"Almost," he teased, smiling warmly as he turned to stare out at the water with her. "It is too beautiful to forget." Stepping closer, he settled his feet into the shallows, watching as the dark, shimmering water lapped at his skin. "So why did you come? Or...why did you want to tonight?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 27, 2016, 09:58:28 AM
She shook her head slowly, smiling a bit. "I- I don't really know. I just felt like I had to. I couldn't stay away, not after seeing it once."

Rather carefully, she shuffled forward until the surf could lap at her toes. "Oh!" Ash's eyes went very round and she skittered back, one hand flying to cover her mouth.

For a moment, she could have sworn she'd heard...singing.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 27, 2016, 11:53:23 AM
Yan nodded, watching her curiously as she tested the water and then chuckled as he watched her stepping back from it so quickly. "Cold?" he guessed, looking down and wiggling his toes a bit in the wet sand. "It takes some getting used to."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 27, 2016, 12:10:21 PM
Ash stared at him with wide eyes. "You mean- you don't hear it?" she asked quietly, disbelieving.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 27, 2016, 06:17:57 PM
"Hear...what exactly?" he asked, smiling kindly as he studied her rather startled face. There were many things he expected to hear at sea but which she was referring to he was not aware of, though he was entirely oblivious to the actual singing itself.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 27, 2016, 06:26:41 PM
"The- the singing," Ash whispered. "When I touched the water...I heard singing," she exclaimed quietly, wonderingly.

Looking up at Yan, she murmured, "You really didn't hear that?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 28, 2016, 04:11:34 PM
He tilted his head at her for a moment before turning to stare out at the water. "Singing," he mused, "Well what kind of singing? All sorts of things sing." He chuckled, as if that should have been obvious to her despite knowing she'd owned to her own inexperience with the oceans.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 28, 2016, 04:16:50 PM
"It sounded...human. But not," Ash said slowly, taking a hesitant step toward the water again. "I mean, it was like human voices, but without words. Just "ah" and "oh", and it was...ethereal."

A small smile curved her lips. "It was beautiful."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 28, 2016, 09:54:49 PM
His eyes brightened in recognition, a mischievous smile lighting his face. "Well there's plenty of that. Lots of singing," he agreed, lifting his chin out at the water. "All kinds of...creatures."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 29, 2016, 04:16:25 AM
"Really?" She looked up at him with wide eyes. "What kinds of creatures? Can you tell me more?"

She took another step forward and the water lapped at her toes. Ash sucked in a sharp breath as she heard the singing again, a little fainter this time, ebbing with the gentle swells licking at her skin.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 29, 2016, 01:41:36 PM
Yan shrugged, a little oblivious about her excitement. "Oh, you know. Normal things," he began, gesturing out at the water. "Nymphs, selkies... Mermaids and sirens. I've heard a few kelpies, even. And then the animals like whales."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 29, 2016, 01:45:28 PM
Ash just blinked at him in silence for a moment. Then she took another wary step closer so the surf lapped around her ankles.

The singing was still there, persistent and pulling, but she found if she concentrated she could either tune it out or bring it into sharper focus. "I know this song," she murmured. Which was ridiculous, because she'd never heard the tune before. But she could swear it was familiar!

Looking up at Yan, she asked excitedly, "Those creatures- selkies and mermaids and sirens...what are they, exactly?" She'd heard stories, like she had about his kind, but she had a feeling he'd be able to give her better information.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 30, 2016, 06:33:09 AM
"What are they?" He cocked his head at that, uncertain what she meant by the question.

"They're what they are," he said plainly, smirking at the idea they might have been anything else. "Normal creatures, but I guess if you haven't spent time here you wouldn't know that?" He added gently, "Dragons are normal, too."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 30, 2016, 07:10:09 AM
She snorted softly in disbelief at that. "Maybe to you. You are one. Where I'm from, dragons are definitely not the norm," she grumbled, taking another step out into the chill water. The hem of her nightgown was soaked now, swirling gently around her ankles.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 30, 2016, 06:34:27 PM
He was not particularly bothered by the sight of her wet clothing. It didn't really strike him as anything that might make her particularly uncomfortable at some later point once she was at the mercy of the winds upon the bluff again. In his eyes clothing could merely be shed if it was more trouble than it was worth.

Yan took a moment to roll up the legs of his pants before wading out to follow her. Staying right at her side he looked out at the gentle waves, oblivious to the singing still that might have been audible if he'd been submerged. "Perhaps you don't look hard enough," he mused, smirking mischievously. "From my understanding we are not particularly rare. Perhaps just good at hiding, hm?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 30, 2016, 06:44:05 PM
Ash shook her head at him, lips quirking up on one side. "Perhaps," she conceded softly, wading out to her knees. She had the sense to lift her skirt this time, though the first few inches of the hem were already soaked through. She shivered slightly at the cold, but to be honest it was not nearly as uncomfortable as she might have expected.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 31, 2016, 07:24:16 AM
Yan paused, unwilling to ruin his clothes by following her out as far as she seemed to want to go. He watched her curiously, wondering if she might have inadvertently been putting herself in some kind of danger.

"Do you swim? Be careful if you don't," he warned, amused at the idea of needing to save this human girl from the shallows for being too curious. "And don't freeze, either. Humans are...more delicate. At least compared to dragons. You break easily." He frowned slightly at that.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 31, 2016, 07:28:26 AM
She huffed and turned around to face him, arms folded over her chest. "I'm not delicate," she protested with a slight frown.

Glancing down at the water, she admitted in a mutter, "I, um...I don't swim though." With a sigh Ash picked her way a little closer to shore.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 31, 2016, 04:40:50 PM
The dragon chuckled at that, eyes twinkling with his amusement. She certainly had fire but it was interesting to him how easily it was tempered.

"Much better," he crooned, eyes sweeping her buffeted form and finally noticing the damp nightgown as she stepped a little bit closer again. "Wouldn't want you drowning. Or almost. It's really more trouble than it's worth." He waved a hand dismissively toward the open sea behind her.

Yan tilted his head, though, and smirked as he realized he might be able to offer her his help. "Maybe I could teach you. If you want to come back again some time."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 31, 2016, 04:43:53 PM
"Really?" Her eyes snapped up to his face, bright with excitement. For a moment the singing only she seemed to hear seemed to grow louder.

Ash nodded quickly, taking another step toward him. "I- I'd really like that, Yan. Thank you."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 31, 2016, 07:19:52 PM
He smirked proudly for her acceptance, definitely thinking she would be better off for it, what with her obvious fascination. "Good. No need to thank me until it's done, don't expect to learn in a day."

Yan pursed his lips in consideration, tilting his head from side to side before deciding, "Humans learn slow. It will probably take you some time. A few days, maybe." He shrugged, though, smiling brightly at the prospect of being useful to her in some way; she was a nice human by his judgment thus far and he liked her initiative. "That is not a challenge."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 31, 2016, 07:28:36 PM
Ash frowned a bit, folding her arms again. "You really don't have a very high opinion of my kind, do you?" she noted archly. He seemed to find humans rather slow and dull, and she thought she should probably be offended on principal.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 01, 2016, 07:36:15 AM
The dragon laughed at that, shaking his head. "No, it's not that. I think humans are fascinating actually. It was just an observation," he explained gently, seeing nothing wrong with his truthfulness. "It is just the way your kind has always seemed to me."

His eyes settled on her folded arms. "Many of you are also very feisty. Stubborn and opinionated. And sometimes brave. It's an interesting combination."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 01, 2016, 07:58:02 AM
She chuckled slightly, shaking her head. "Feisty," she grumbled, wrinkling her nose. "You sound like my father. Says I have more spirit than is good for me."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 02, 2016, 03:23:52 PM
"Spirit... But spirit is good to have," he decided. "Means you're motivated for something, yeah? Maybe even passionate? It's good to have that, too many people are boring. At least that makes you different in some way." He thought on that for a moment before flashing her a rather unaffected smile, not seeing anything wrong with his opinion.

Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 02, 2016, 03:36:22 PM
Ash found herself smiling at him. "Yeah. That's what I've always thought, but Da- and just about everyone else- says spirit like it's a bad thing."

She moved back onto the beach with a small sigh. "I'd love to take you up on that offer to teach, but I should probably get back." Two nights in a row of sneaking out- she'd be lucky if she wasn't caught.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 04, 2016, 08:07:23 AM
Yan spun with her, shuffling back onto the dry sand and shivering slightly with a chill as he lifted his chin to stare up at the dark blotches of the town. "There is no rush, it is just a good thing to know," he observed, bringing his attention back to her with a small smile.

"Will you come back here? Eventually? Or is this a final goodbye?" he asked, uncertain what she'd meant about "getting back".
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 04, 2016, 08:23:51 AM
"Oh." She smiled at him softly. "I want to come back. I'll try to come back. Maybe tomorrow night?" She glanced up at the bluff and bit her lip. "But...it might be longer."

Looking back to the dragon-man, Ash asked hopefully, "If it takes a little longer- will you still be here?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 05, 2016, 07:29:29 AM
His smile broadened and his eyes twinkled with an eager glint, pleased that she wanted to visit again after all. "I can be if that would be better. Call for me when you are ready, I will listen for you," he promised, feeling his heightened senses were obvious enough to her as he gestured along the beach, "wherever that may be."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 05, 2016, 08:14:31 AM
Ash beamed at him. "Thank you," she said quietly as she took another step back toward the bluff. "I'll- I'll see you soon, Yan." She nodded and smiled at him again, lifting her hand in a small wave.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 05, 2016, 01:41:59 PM
He mimicked her gesture, lifting his hand to wave her off as he remained where he stood. Remembering that she'd managed to leave something the previous night he briefly looked around to be sure the beach was clear of the human's belongings. Once he could no longer see her, though, he was content to return to his true form and slip back into the calm waves lapping at the shore.

Still he could not discern any unusual singing that stood out to him the way it had seemed to for her. Perhaps, he decided, Aishling was simply unaccustomed to the sounds of the sea.

Yan was content to remain close to the area he had met the curious human, patrolling along the coast after he spent a restful night at sea.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 05, 2016, 01:48:56 PM
It took three days before Ashling managed to sneak away again, and it was well past midnight by the time her feet touched sand again.

She took a moment to simply breathe in the sea air, a smile spreading across her face. She simply enjoyed the moment for a while, then tripped her way down to the shore, lifting the hem of her nightgown and tying it so it laid shorter on her legs.

"Yan?" The call was quiet, hesitant. She let her toes touch the surf and shivered at the chill and the soft sound of singing voices. "Yan?" she tried again, a little louder. "Are- are you there?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 06, 2016, 11:06:41 PM
He had not been bothered when she did not come immediately. She had said it might take longer, so the dragon was content to wait as he'd agreed to though he never wandered very far.

Still alert for her voice in particular his attention was drawn to her spot on the beach at her first call, the dark beast zipping through the water as he rose up from the depths and south along the coast to approach her. Her voice was amplified with her second call and even though it didn't sound like there was much urgency behind it he quickened his pace as he swam beneath the surface. 'I am here,' he answered happily, hoping his mind's-voice could still reach her, 'I'm glad you've returned.'

Yan slowed just enough so he wouldn't cause a huge crash of waves but breached the surface eagerly once he was near enough to her spot in the shallows. He hurried closer, confident from their first meeting that he had no need to be subtle about the massiveness of his form as he hauled himself up into the foam and waves that curled around her.

He gave a happy snort as he craned his neck to get a better look at her. 'Tonight was a good one for being sneaky?' he guessed playfully.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 07, 2016, 05:27:54 AM
Ash gave a startled yelp- she'd forgotten how big he was- then relaxed, her expression smoothing into a bright smile.

"You could say that," she laughed quietly, taking a few steps further into the surf to come closer to him. She looked from him out to the dark waves and back. "It's...really good to be back," she murmured.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 20, 2016, 12:50:41 PM
'So you like the sea. The...beach,' he decided, watching her as she looked out beyond him into the darkness where the waves were mostly only visible by what twinkling moonlight reflected off of them.

'This is a good place,' he added contently in agreement. 'I am not surprised you are fond of it. Though it is a little odd, even for a human.' He gave a low, rumbling chuckle at that, turning himself around to look out at the water with her as he settled himself into the shallows.

'And...you are not in trouble, yes? Being out here?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 20, 2016, 01:03:32 PM
She wrinkled her nose at him for the light ribbing and smiled. Then she outright laughed. "No, I'm not. Not it I don't get caught, anyway."

Ash glanced front the dragon to the water and found herself bouncing excitedly in her heels. "So...did you mean it when you said you would teach me to swim?" she asked suddenly.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on May 09, 2016, 12:21:34 PM
His hide shook and rippled and his eyes blew wide as he turned to stare at her again, slightly startled by the sudden sound of laughter though he hadn't wanted to admit to it. It was a pleasant sound, he decided. She sounded happy and he settled again soon enough.

'Yes...' The word came slowly, as if he'd still been pondering that very question. She looked excited, though, and he relaxed as he realized her question was not a challenge but simply an eagerness to see him make good on his promise.

'If you would like to learn,' he added cheerily, trying his best to show the smile in his eyes that he couldn't exactly show with a mouth full of sharp teeth.

'Do not be discouraged if it takes more than a day to feel...comfortable, though. These things take time but you can learn,' Yan warned her gently, hoping she would not be disappointed if it took even a few more than that.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on May 09, 2016, 12:28:57 PM
Ash tried to force herself to calm down a bit and nodded, though she was still smiling rather widely. "That's okay. Nothing is easy at first, takes practice, right?"

She edged a little closer to the water until the surf was lapping at her toes. A little shiver ran through her- the water was quite cold. "Okay. Um...I suppose I have to actually get in, huh?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on May 13, 2016, 08:03:43 PM
Her enthusiasm was quite infectious and Yan found himself rumbling happily at the innocence of her question. 'When you're ready,' he told her calmly, turning himself to place his tail before her to try to lure her into deeper water. 'You can hold onto me, but use your legs to move. Like walking but...sideways.'

Yan suddenly felt a little bashful, realizing he wasn't quite explaining things how she might need him to. 'If you're about to go under at any point just hold your breath. Let yourself float up and don't panic. I'd get you before you drown,' he tried to assure her.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on May 13, 2016, 08:10:58 PM
She snorted. "Oh, well that's comforting," she grumbled as she edged cautiously yet her out into the water.

But...it sort of was. At any rate, her chances of drowning had to be less with a dragon around, right? He could pluck her out of the water easy as winking.

She hoped.

Shaking her thoughts away, Ash carefully waded out until the water was at her chest. She clutched at Yan's tail for support and threw his a slightly sheepish look as she did. "Um. Okay. I- I think I get the theory, but I'm a having a little trouble putting it into practice, she mumbled after a moment."

It didn't strike her as odd that though she could feel the chill of the water it didn't bother her unduly.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on May 18, 2016, 10:03:13 AM
Yan watched her closely, breathing a heavy sigh of relief that she didn't immediately panic or go under. 'It takes practice,' he assured her calmly. 'Just spend some time with me. Get comfortable in the water, then we'll worry about the hows.'

Gently pushing off from the sand the dragon paddled his way out into slightly deep waters, careful to take things slow in case she needed him to turn back. 'Let the water carry you,' he instructed gently, tail kept high along the surface as he bowed his head to keep an eye on her. He was thankful for the mostly gentle rocking of the waves around them but hoped she wasn't bothered by them too much.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on May 18, 2016, 10:13:27 AM
Warily, Ash allowed her body to go almost completely vertical in the water and took a few cautious strokes away from the dragon. She was clumsy, but at least she kept herself afloat.

"Okay..." She smiled slowly and sort of dog-paddled back to him. "Okay, I think I'm getting the hang of this-"

Suddenly something clicked. Her eyes widened slightly at the strange feeling of everything just...falling into place. She took a breath and let her head slip under the water, easily stroking around to the dragon's front to pop back up again.

A bright, clear laugh bubbled out of her. "Oh my gods!" She flipped back into the water, splashing delightedly. "How have I never done this before?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 03, 2016, 11:15:53 PM
His eyes widened considerably as he watched her paddle around without his support but he tensed in concern as she went under without any warning.

'Aishling?' he asked with concern, dipping his tail beneath the water as a means to throw her something to hold onto if she needed it. As soon as he had, though, she surfaced looking cheerful as ever. He relaxed, surprised she'd managed it on her own but glad it had not ended in disaster.

'Does that mean you like it?' he teased gently, relieved by her obvious joy. Then, skeptical about her seemingly natural ability asked, 'Are you sure you've never done this before? Humans are usually a little more...fearful of new things.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 04, 2016, 04:59:43 AM
Still beaming, she shook her head. "Nope," she chirped happily. "First time. I dunno, it just feels- right. Easy."

Ash tilted her head back to better see his face and drifted a little closer, reaching out to pat a scaly shoulder. "Thank you," she said, eyes softening a bit. "I don't think I would have done this on my own."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 04, 2016, 07:15:52 AM
The young dragon rumbled happily, pleased that he'd made her happy anyway. It was good to see her smile. 'Maybe eventually. I never would have guessed you for a fish,' he teased, lowering his head to bump his nose against her cheek affectionately.

He tilted his head up, though, casting a look towards the way he understood her town to be. 'Seems natural, though. I would guess your people are a little more...water-inclined than most humans. Living so close and all, ' he pointed out, having no idea how true that might be.

'You're not cold, are you?' he wondered, studying her curiously with a bit of concern as his eyes lingered on her long hair trailing in the water.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 04, 2016, 07:37:10 AM
Ash giggled as his snout bumped her cheek and reached up to sort of scritch her fingers along the underside of his jaw as she might have with a horse or dog who nuzzled her in such a way.

"Some of us are," she said with a small sigh. "You wouldn't believe how many times I've had that argument with Da- we live in a fishing village, why is he so strict about the sea?"

She rolled her eyes and shook her head, putting it from her mind. At his question, she realized with some surprise, "No, I'm not. I'm not even a little chilly, actually." She frowned and glanced down at the water before rolling over to float on her back. "Odd. I mean, I can feel that the water is cold, but I don't feel cold..."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 04, 2016, 03:43:23 PM
It hadn't been the first time she'd mentioned her father's strictness and he wondered why he was that way with her when she so clearly enjoyed the sea. She seemed to keep avoiding the subject, though, so he didn't want to prod her to keep talking about it.

'I hope your body will recognize when it's too much. Dangerous to be in cold water too long,' he warned her gently, though fully confident he could at least recognize when she started to shiver from the chill if she could not.

'Do you want to stay here? Or were you feeling comfortable enough to go further out?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 04, 2016, 04:25:57 PM
"Further out?" Ash glanced up at him, considering for a moment, then suddenly nodded, beaming. "Yeah. Yeah I wanna try that."

She started to paddle a little further out into the swells, then paused ad glanced back over her shoulder at him. "Um- you'll catch me, right? If I start sinking or something?"

Just because he hadn't yet didn't mean she wouldn't.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 04, 2016, 05:43:36 PM
Yan's eyes widened considerably at that as he nodded eagerly, snorting in slight offense that she might think for a moment that he wouldn't after his promises to her already. 'I would catch you, don't worry about that. Just... Let me know if you get tired before something happens, okay? Don't wear yourself out, it's supposed to be...fun.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 04, 2016, 05:50:27 PM
She grinned at him. "Oh trust me, this is the most fun I've had in a long time," she laughed, reaching out to pat his neck before turning and swimming a little further out.

She hesitated a moment, then dove under the water again. A sense of almost relief swept over her and she slowly opened her eyes.

Despite the dark, she found she could see somewhat, shadows in shadows. She swam back in a little flip, then glanced over at Yan.

Holy... Whenever she'd seen him as a dragon he'd been at least partially in the water. She hadn't realized the sheer size of him!
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 04, 2016, 09:12:56 PM
He was surprised by that, especially coming from a human. They always seemed like such social creatures so it was interesting -and honestly a little bit sad- to him that a mere dip in the ocean might be the most fun she'd had in recent memory. He was proud at least that he could facilitate it, though.

Yan watched her go under, craning his neck in concern and keeping his face close to the surface to keep an eye on her whereabouts. As she swam, though, he paddled along with her, completely unaware of the way she was admiring the size of his natural form.

'Everything alright?' he sent her calmly, though he felt bad when he realized it probably wouldn't be best for him to try to hold a conversation with a submerged human. 'Just throw me a sign if you're not okay,' he encouraged instead, doing his best to enjoy the gentle waves and the relative quiet as he swam to deeper waters.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 05, 2016, 03:41:17 AM
Ash nodded quickly, forcing herself to tear her eyes away from him and smiling. She pointed at him, then spread her arms out, eyes wide, trying to indicate what had startled her.

Oh well. It wasn't really important. She followed him out into deeper water.

The singing was back. She paused a moment, tilting her head as she listened, eyes falling half closed. It faint, but it was definitely there. She stroked forward, touching the dragon's shoulder and giving him a questioning look as she tapped her own ear lightly. Could he hear it this time?
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 05, 2016, 01:15:01 PM
The sudden contact drew his attention back to her, stopping his paddling and letting himself just drift along. She was motioning at her head, that much he could make out, but Yan was truly puzzled as to why. Thinking he needed to humor her, he lowered himself down into the water completely, bringing his head down to her level to look at her properly.

The faint sounds of the sea were essentially background noise to the dragon, so used to them that he didn't understand that what she heard might have seemed special. He tilted his head playfully in question to guess, 'Does your head hurt?' Perhaps the slight pressure of just being underwater was getting to her.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 05, 2016, 01:22:47 PM
She rolled her eyes, huffing out what would have been a chuckling sort of breath if she'd been above water, but as it was emerged in a cloud of bubbles.

She beckoned for the dragon to follow her, then swam up until her head broke the surface, drawing in a quick breath. It didn't strike the girl as odd that she'd been able to stay underwater so long without her body needing air sooner.

"Can't you hear that?" Ash asked, spinning in a small circle and looking out over the swells. "The singing, I hear it again."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 05, 2016, 02:55:34 PM
Yan followed her lazily, lifting his head just enough to break the surface, giving it a quick toss to shake the water dripping from his horns. 'Singing?' He tilted his head towards the depths beyond, snorting and shaking his head again stubbornly.

'Maybe... The same as before?' he wondered, curious how good this human's hearing was.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 05, 2016, 03:00:41 PM
She nodded quickly. "Yeah. I think it's a little fainter- further off- but it's definitely the same." She frowned, head tilting to the side. "I can't hear it with my head out of the water...gods, it's just so familiar, somehow. I don't understand."

She sighed and swam closer to him, unthinkingly wrapping an arm around the base of his neck so she could rest her legs a bit, floating beside him.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 05, 2016, 03:31:48 PM
The dragon hummed, rumbling quietly in thought as he looked out at the moonlight reflecting off the rippling water. 'Maybe...it knows a song that you know,' he offered, hooking his neck around her to tap at her hip with his nose. 'You may sit if you need,' he added kindly, thinking her leaning on him at all meant that might be helpful to her. Truly he wasn't sure of a human's endurance in the water and didn't want to push her, especially for a first outing.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 05, 2016, 03:53:42 PM
"Really?" Ash blinked up at him, then smiled. "Thanks." She clambered up onto his back, situating herself in the small dip where his neck met his shoulders.

"You sure this isn't...weird for you?" she muttered after a moment, concerned. She probably wouldn't have liked it if someone just climbed up to sit on her, but he had offered...
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 06, 2016, 06:33:27 AM
Pleased that she accepted his offer Yan remained very still while she got herself situated, hoping the hardness of his scales wasn't too uncomfortable for her. 'Weird?' He could almost laugh at that, throwing his head a bit in amusement. 'No. Unless it is a problem for you. I hardly feel you. You weigh almost nothing,' he reminded her playfully, swishing his tail gently to propel them forward at a lazy pace, a gentle wake peeling away from his body.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 06, 2016, 06:53:35 AM
Ashling laughed and leaned over his neck a bit. "Well, don't you know how to charm a girl?" she teased, glancing at the water and letting her toes trail into the dark swells the dragon's body created.

She gave a contented little sigh and let her cheek rest against Yan's neck. "This is nice," she murmured, eyes drifting lazily to half mast. The water had revitalized her, but now her body was reminding her that it was late, and she'd spent the whole day working with her father. She yawned quietly, sort of nuzzling into the dragon's back.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 06, 2016, 11:51:20 AM
Yan rumbled happily at her obvious enjoyment, pleased that he could be the one to guide her to it. She was so small against him and yet, surprisingly, so warm even through his scales. He waded along quietly with no real destination besides "out", not even guessing that she might have been sleepy and thinking she just needed a bit of a rest.

'I'm glad you like it. Not every day I get to share it with someone,' he offered happily, tilting his head to look down at her nestled on his back. Finally he noticed that she looked...different. Not as lively, certainly. 'Are you well?' he ventured cautiously, slowing a bit to not jostle her too much.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 06, 2016, 11:56:42 AM
"Mhm. 'M fine," Ash replied sleepily, forcing her eyes open to smile at him. "Just didn't realize how-" She yawned. "How tired I was."

She pushed herself up a bit, patting his neck lightly. "Sorry. We can keep going, I'll stay awake, promise," she laughed.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 06, 2016, 08:23:07 PM
Somehow he was relieved that was all it was. The dragon easily relaxed into a lazy rhythm of paddling again once he'd heard her words that, mostly, seemed sincere. 'You don't have to,' he reminded her gently, amused that she seemed to be fighting it. He thought himself capable of bringing her back safely, but he did have to admit that he wasn't sure how she might even fall asleep on him unless she was very tired or just very comfortable. He didn't know how comfortable scales could or couldn't be either, though.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 07, 2016, 05:35:35 AM
"No, I'm fine, really." Ash swallowed another yawn and tried to push herself up off his back a bit so she was more sitting than laying against him.

Her eyes scanned over the water and she sighed a little wistfully. "Gods, it's just so beautiful," she murmured, absently stroking her hand over Yan's neck as she might have with a horse. While the scales were certainly not what she was used to, they weren't as uncomfortable as what she would have expected.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 07, 2016, 05:52:52 AM
'Isn't it?' he agreed proudly. A very quiet and pleased rumble escaped him for her attention, his chest vibrating softly as a cat's would to purr.

'I never get tired of it. But...could just be my nature,' he admitted, amused but not worrying too much about it. 'It just has so much emotion. Calm tonight, but next week maybe it will be angry. It's a lot like the sky, but...more than that. More powerful. You feel it instead of just seeing it,' he explained, bowing his head sheepishly once he realized how passionate he'd become.

'But very beautiful,' he agreed again.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 07, 2016, 05:57:59 AM
"Yeah," Ash agreed quietly. What he was saying spoke to her on a level she didn't entirely understand, but she was more than willing to accept.

She sighed softly and let herself lean over his neck again, swinging her leg lightly to sort of stroke along his side. "Gods, I can't believe you get to live here," she laughed quietly. "I'm so jealous."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 07, 2016, 08:23:45 AM
Jealous? He supposed he could see it in a way, especially seeing as he had a choice in the matter and wasn't directly bound to his ocean home.

'It's probably not all I talk it up to be,' he offered, though he knew for himself it certainly was a bit of a paradise. Everything was just...right. 'But maybe you'll grow some gills and you won't need to be jealous,' he teased lightly.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 07, 2016, 08:48:18 AM
She laughed, leaning back to lay stretched out along his spine. "Oh, my father would just love that," she chuckled. "Can you imagine? Hi, Da, ya know how I'm not allowed to go near the ocean? Well, now I kinda live there."

She gave another snort of laughter and patted his flank absently. "This is really nice," she murmured through another yawn, letting her head loll to the side so she could look out over the water. The stars and moon were reflected in the deep, dark waters. "It's so calm out, it's like we're swimming through the sky."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 07, 2016, 09:50:21 AM
Yan was amused, huffing quietly as he couldn't really laugh as he was. He was glad she was enjoying herself, though.

'It is, isn't it?' He sighed contently, turning to look out as she was before looking skyward. 'Flying is nice, too. Kind of hard to tell where the sea ends and the sky begins on good nights, but it's just as beautiful,' he reflected fondly.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 07, 2016, 09:54:06 AM
"So..." She sat up slowly. "You do fly then?" There was a hint of longing in her voice, but no small amount of trepidation as well. She sighed and let herself flop along his neck. "Gods, I wish I could trade lives with you," she laughed. "Even just for a day."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 07, 2016, 10:32:21 AM
He nodded, feeling a little bad for admitting so to someone who seemed to admire his kind so much. 'These aren't entirely useless,' he teased, unfolding his wings slightly to let them drag roughly along the surface for a few moments before settling them to mold against his sides once more.

'You don't have to miss out on the fun, I could take you up some time. When you're not so tired,' he offered.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 07, 2016, 10:35:47 AM
"Really?" Her eyes widened and she grinned, throwing her arms around his neck. "Thank you, Yan," she laughed delightedly. "Really, thank you for everything."

Another yawn snuck up on her and she shook her head in an attempt to brush it away. "I think maybe we should head back to shore," she murmured reluctantly. She didn't want to pass out on his back in the middle of the ocean.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 07, 2016, 01:05:43 PM
'Of course.' Pleased with her obvious happiness he was certain he'd made the right choice in offering. He didn't think he'd mind seeing more of her, she was so full of life and adorably curious as it was.

'As the lady commands,' he chirped playfully, turning them lazily towards the shoreline in the distance and the cliff above. He swam a little quicker, not wanting to delay her since she was asking and honestly sounded quite tired to him even though she'd been such a good sport.

Once there he drifted lazily into the shallows until he could go no further before hoisting himself up to walk the rest of the way onto the beach. He didn't want to just dump her off in the wet sand. 'This more to your liking?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 07, 2016, 01:16:54 PM
She giggled, hugging him around the neck in thanks. "Yeah, thank you." Eyeing the ground from her current perch, Ash debated a few moments before allowing herself to slip down his flank onto the sand, stumbling a bit as she got her footing.

With a sigh, she shook out her damp dress and tried to wring some of the moisture out of her hair, which was crimping up in waves now that the seawater was drying. She turned to the dragon and gave him a soft smile, reaching out with one hand to touch his scales lightly.

"Best night ever," she told him, eyes glinting. "Thank you, really."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 07, 2016, 01:59:26 PM
Yan turned his head to watch her, studying her long hair and the way it shimmered slightly with moisture in the moonlight. He was surprised at her, though, and honestly felt a little bad if she was sincere about what she'd said.

'You're welcome.' He leaned forward to lightly bump his nose to her shoulder. 'I'm sure I could show you better. Flying is pretty great. And you need to practice your swimming more,' he pointed out.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 07, 2016, 02:01:30 PM
Another giggle left her and she cupped her hands under his muzzle to press a quick kiss to the tip of his nose. While it would have felt overly familiar with a human, in his dragon form it didn't seem so improper.

"I'll have to hold you to that," she said lightly. "Will you be here? If I come back tomorrow?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 07, 2016, 05:16:23 PM
Yan stilled, surprised by the gesture but not put off by it. He snorted hot air in her face, butting against her lightly. 'I'm always here in some way. I'll stay close,' he promised. 'Call for me if you don't see me.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 07, 2016, 05:21:16 PM
"I will." Ash wrapped her arms around his muzzle in a quick, tight hug before she stepped away, bending to gather up her shoes.

"I'll see you tomorrow night," she said happily, beaming and waving as she started making her way back toward the path cut into the face of the cliff.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 07, 2016, 09:42:11 PM
He raised his wings slightly in farewell before sitting back on his haunches and lifting a forepaw to wave properly. 'I'll be waiting,' the dragon promised. He watched her go until he couldn't see her above anymore. Even then he waited a few minutes more before slipping back into the dark waters of the sea.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 08, 2016, 06:54:57 AM
Nearly a week and a half passed in relative ease, and Ash thought it was probably the best week of her life. She would sneak down to the beach after her father went to bed to meet Yan and he would continue teaching her to swim- though honestly at this point it was less teaching than keeping her company.

She never quite got up the courage to ask him to take her flying, but she kept telling herself, "Next time."

I'm really gonna do it this time. I mean it, she thought as she moved toward the window of her bedroom that night. She could just ask him to stay low, right? It wouldn't be that scary-

"Aishling Brona Farris."

Oh fu-

She swallowed and turned slowly to see her father standing in the doorway, face like a thundercloud. "Um... Hey, Da. P-problem?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 08, 2016, 09:16:06 AM
The dragon had truly enjoyed his time with his new friend and the break from monotony she provided. Every night that they met he found himself waiting closer and closer to the shore until more often than not he was settled in the shallows, exposed to the open air and the possibility of wandering eyes. But he was eager to meet her and it was done unconsciously.

It was such a night once again and Yan took to the beach once the moon was high in the sky, his body dragged halfway out of the surf even though foam lapped at his fore paws and underbelly. By all accounts it was a beautiful night with another sky clear of clouds and only a calm breeze swirling across the waters.

It was there that he waited, patient and calm, for his human friend to arrive. He watched the bluff for movement expectantly, his tail swishing idly in the water and oblivious to what was happening just beyond it in her sleepy town.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 08, 2016, 09:26:32 AM
Aishling and her father sat across the small table from each other, both silent.

"Why didn't you tell me?" the girl said after several long moments.

"I didn't want to lose you the way I lost her."

She looked up to meet Brenden's eyes, her own over-bright. "You should have told me," she whispered. "If you'd just said something-" She bit her lip and dropped her eyes again. "Damnit, Da!"

Several short, sharp breaths and she looked up. Her eyes were flinty. "Well, now you've lost me anyway," she spat, shoving away from the table and fleeing to her room.

"Ash- Aishling, wait!"

She slammed the door, then collapsed back against it, covering her face with her hands to muffle sobs. Damnit. She knew she wasn't being entirely fair, but she just felt so betrayed. Her whole life her father had lied to her- not just about her mother, but about her, about what she was.

Brenden tried to get her to talk to him, standing outside the door for an hour or so before he gave up and she heard his footsteps retreat to his own room.

It was almost dawn when Aishling finally uncurled herself. Suddenly determined, she climbed to her feet and made for her window, pausing only a moment before she slipped out and began darting her way through houses toward the beach.

She was in such a hurry she left her shoes again, and on the rough path down to the beach the soles of her feet were cut and bruised. But she didn't even notice, racing across the sand toward the water, hoping she wasn't too late.

"Yan? Oh, please be here, please still be here..."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 08, 2016, 09:52:39 AM
With the sun teasing at the horizon Yan had retreated to the water. Someone would be down eventually and see him if he hadn't, perhaps an innocent fisherman or a wandering child, and he didn't want to be the one to give them a fright. He knew his land brethren could be more territorial than he was and didn't want to cause alarm in Aishling's people.

Yan didn't worry about her lack of an appearance that night. In all honesty he'd thought she might have just been too tired or forgotten despite their pretty regular time together.

He stayed close, though, and when he did finally hear her he was surprised at the desperation in her voice. 'I'm here,' he reached out to her, hoping it might be enough to calm her until he was able to navigate towards where she was on the beach.

He surfaced cautiously, eyes scanning the beach before taking steps out of the water to approach her. 'You never come in the day,' he noted in slight confusion.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 08, 2016, 09:57:36 AM
With a soft cry Ash ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck as much as she could and fighting back sobs.

"I'm s-sorry I'm late," she sniffled out. "Gods, it's just- it's complicated." Without so much as a warning, she clambered up onto his back, pressing her cheek against the scales of his neck.

"Please, let's just go," she whispered. "We need to get off the beach before someone sees you. I- I can explain while we move."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 08, 2016, 11:21:35 AM
Not having idea what she'd been through Yan just stood still and tense as she climbed onto his back uninvited. He wasn't offended by it at all, though, but he supposed he should have expected it given the nature of their friendship.

But he was confused about the range of emotions, not sure why she would be concerned about him being seen if she seemed so visibly upset. 'Sure... Just hold on, I'll take you out,' he promised, twisting his neck slightly to make sure she was seated properly before he turned to head out into the shimmering water. Without any real destination he headed down along the coastline, not wanting to take her too far out looking so upset.

'What's so complicated? Did something happen? ...Are you alright?' he found himself asking, needing to hear from her that she wasn't in any imminent danger before he would relax.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 08, 2016, 11:28:55 AM
Ash found herself letting out a sigh of relief as they entered the water. A part of her wanted to slip off his back and swim alongside him, but she knew she was too upset. She needed to take a few moments and just calm herself down.

"Something happened," she murmured. "I- I don't know if I'm alright..."

Slowly, she started to relay what her father had told her, about her mother, about the fact that she hadn't died- she'd left. That she wasn't human, and so by extension her daughter wasn't either, not entirely. That the reason she'd been forbidden from the sea was because Brenden didn't want her to follow her mother's path.

"I just...I feel so messed up," she murmured, dropping her forehead onto the back of Yan's neck. "I feel like- like all my life I've been only half alive, ya know? And when I'm out here, with you, I just feel...right. And I didn't understand it before, but now it makes sense..." She gritted her teeth. "And I'm just so angry. He lied to me, if he'd just told me the truth maybe- maybe..."

She sniffled, fighting back tears again, and folded her arms over his neck so she could hide her face with a few quiet sobs.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 08, 2016, 02:51:05 PM
Yan was more than a little stunned as he'd paddled along lazily with her, just listening. He'd thought it was nice before how she had such an affinity for water, especially for someone who genuinely seemed entirely unexposed to it. Now it made a little more sense, much as he hated how painful it seemed for her.

'You're still you, that doesn't have to change,' he pointed out gently, not really sure how to help or console her.

'If he'd always been honest...would that have been enough? Would you not have wanted to ever be here if he'd told you why it was "forbidden"?' he asked, knowing personally already how much she seemed to love swimming.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 08, 2016, 03:05:26 PM
"Yes. No." She sighed. "I don't know. But- but if he'd just explained, maybe I would have understood more! or- or he could have come down here with me and...well, I don't know. But it would have been better than this."

She swiped angrily at her eyes and let her cheek rest along his neck. "I just...wish things were different," she murmured. "I know there's no point to wishing, but I do. I wish he'd told me the truth. Or, better yet, that my mother hadn't left."

Another sigh. "All this time I thought she was dead. But she must still be out there, somewhere..." Her voice trailed off and she suddenly sat up, looking out over the water with wide eyes.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 08, 2016, 07:47:50 PM
'Seems like...good news, all things considered,' Yan pointed out, though he wasn't sure why it seemed a surprise to her that she and her father disagreed. They were at odds in a way when he met her so it wasn't a powerful realization that they still disagreed.

'If she's still out there...then she isn't really gone, yeah? But I'm sorry that he lied. Lying isn't nice,' he acknowledged sadly. 'Did he say why she left?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 09, 2016, 03:50:12 AM
"Something about it being in her nature," Ash murmured, still staring out to sea. "I- I've heard stories of selkies before, I guess I just never thought- if they have their coats, nothing can keep them from the sea, they can't help it. Bonds of steel, bonds of...love, doesn't matter."

She bit her lip and was quiet for a few long moments. Then: "I have to find her."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 09, 2016, 06:58:35 AM
Find her? In a way he understood the passion fueling her, but he thought even that might be a little too much for her to take on.

'The ocean is a very big place,' he reminded her gently, though he hoped for her sake that her mother hadn't gone far. Though it seemed almost impossible she might be close considering how long she'd been away.

'Do you even have a boat?' Yan asked with concern.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 09, 2016, 07:04:38 AM
Aishling deflated somewhat. "No," she admitted. "But..."

Suddenly her eyes lit up again. "But I have you!" she exclaimed. "And- and if you got tired I could swim with you- I'm really good at it now, and we already know I can go a long time-"

She flushed suddenly. "I- I mean- only if you wanted to, I'm sorry. I got...carried away."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 09, 2016, 04:08:10 PM
At first he was just surprised, her idea an option that hadn't dawned on him before. He was a bit flattered she thought so well of him to automatically include him in her hastily laid plans. At the same time he was mildly amused at the idea of serving as her "boat."

'If you really are going to go and I can't convince you not to... I'll go with you,' he told her calmly, a little worried about the reasoning behind her idea but wanting to see her through it safely if she was intent on following through. He didn't see it as such a big deal or commitment.

'Will you tell your family? Er, your father?' Yan paused, tilting his head to look up at the village she called home.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 09, 2016, 04:17:52 PM
"You will?" A wide, incredulous smile spread across her face and she threw her arms as far around his neck as they would go, laughing delightedly.

Then she paused. "I, um..." A deep breath. "No. No, I won't. I just want to...go. Please?" She leaned back down to hug his neck again, pressing her cheek against his scales. "Thank you so much, Yan."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 09, 2016, 05:46:24 PM
'Of course.' He bowed his head with an amused rumble, wondering if she thought him stubborn and inflexible and generally unwilling to help by default. At least, her reaction seemed so surprised and appreciative.

He silently questioned her judgment, personally not thinking it a good idea to leave her whereabouts unknown, but it was her choice.

'Do you even know where we should go?' he asked gently, unsure if she might have even a small lead for her mother's whereabouts.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 09, 2016, 05:53:30 PM
"I don't," Ash admitted with a sigh. "I just...out. Out there, I guess." She waved her hand out to the sea.

Frowning, she said slowly, "I'm trying to remember- there's all these stories about selkies. I never gave them much credit, but maybe... They- we? Whatever live in groups, I think. North, in cool waters." She huffed a breath and shook her head.

"You haven't heard anything, have you? About...people like my mother?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 09, 2016, 07:00:45 PM
'I think I may have seen some there before,' he admitted, though he was cursing himself for not paying more attention when it mattered. His memories of selkies were vague, his personal encounters limited to a few passings that would be a stretch to call meetings of any kind. He didn't think he'd ever spoken to one at least, until Aishling if she even counted as "one of them."

'And I know of them, certainly, just... I don't really have any personal experience,' he admitted, picking up his pace to glide swiftly through the gentle waves before a thought occurred. 'You know...it would probably be faster to fly. Would you maybe want to try that? You don't have to...but if you wanted to I could take you that way.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 09, 2016, 07:06:08 PM
Her eyes widened slightly. "Well...I guess if it would be faster..." She took a breath to steel herself and sort of wriggled around on his back, trying to make herself feel more secure.

"Alright. Let's do it." Well, she sounded confident, even if she didn't necessarily feel it.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 09, 2016, 08:30:26 PM
He hadn't expected her to agree so easily but he supposed it was for the best anyway, though he had no idea how she would explore the icy waters of the North. She was still part human.

'Just hold on, we'll go slow until you're comfortable,' he promised, angling them back towards the beach. The least he could do was not make her first experience the bumpy, awkward event that was launching himself from open water. He was quite capable but he'd certainly never done so with a passenger.

Once in the shallows he gave her a short warning of, 'We're going up.' He spread his wings wide, stretching in the sunlight for a moment before hunkering down closer to the sands. With a few short hops he threw himself up into the air, snapping his wings out and keeping them airborne with a few powerful flaps. Evening out, he aimed for a steady, linear climb to not jostle her too terribly, his dark wings beating lazily against the wind along the beach. 'How do you feel?' he ventured nervously.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 10, 2016, 04:18:52 AM
Ash had never seen the dragon's wings fully extended before- in fact, she hadn't really seen him with much more than his front half out of the water- and a sharp gasp was quickly swallowed into breathlessness as he launched them into the air.

She pitched forward on his neck, hiding her face as they rose higher and clinging to him with all her might. "F-fine," she tried to assure him shakily. "I'm fine. Just- don't drop me okay?" Her voice came out in a rather undignified squeak.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 10, 2016, 06:00:30 AM
'I wouldn't. But if you fell it wouldn't be so bad. I would catch you before you hit the water.' It probably wasn't the best thing to say to a new flyer but he thought it might have been the type of assurance she needed.

She still felt so small upon his back and if she hadn't been clinging to him so fiercely he might not have noticed her presence at all. He took great care with their path, though, lazily climbing as he took them a little further out over the shimmering water. Her town looked so small below but it was rapidly disappearing into the distance.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 10, 2016, 06:12:20 AM
"R-right. Yeah. Okay." Ash swallowed heavily and tried to even out her breathing a bit, forcing her heart rate to slow down.

Very, very cautiously she peered over the dragon's side to look down. Her eyes for very round. "Oh my gods..."

She'd had dreams of flying before, of swing the world spread out below her like a painting. Nothing could have prepared her for the real thing.

"We're flying!" An incredulous laugh bubbled out of her. "Oh my gods, we're really flying!"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 10, 2016, 09:22:24 AM
'Not scary then?' he asked, amused by her obvious joy. Evening out just barely below the clouds Yan let them glide at a more leisurely pace instead, tilting his head to watch the ground racing by alongside the seemingly endless expanse of the sea.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 10, 2016, 09:40:52 AM
"Well...still scary," she admitted with a nervous little laugh. "But it's- it's amazing, Yan. Gods, it doesn't even feel real."

Growing a little more comfortable, she allowed some of the pressure on his neck to lessen as she leaned back to look around them, wide eyed.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 10, 2016, 01:52:43 PM
It’s very real.’ He tried to keep the amusement from his tone as he angled his head to watch her, surprised she was willing to let go of him at all.

You look happy,’ he commented, pleased at the turn from her nearly distraught state when he'd found her.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 10, 2016, 02:03:25 PM
Another quiet laugh. "I am happy. This is just incredible."

It was enough to put other, unhappier thoughts from her mind for now at least. With a sigh she stretched out along his neck, stroking her hand up and down his scales idly.

"How far north do you think we'll have to go?" she asked, only just then truly realizing the enormity of what they were doing- and the fact that she'd set out on this journey with nothing but a nightdress.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 11, 2016, 12:44:13 PM
'I'll probably fly for about an hour or so today. The North is...big. I can't really say how far we might need to go to find them.' Surely there had to be a few places where selkies gathered though, right? Maybe they would find clues once they were closer.

'Still think you're up for this?' he wondered, gently banking toward the coast to bring them a little lower.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 11, 2016, 12:51:17 PM
Aishling nodded determinedly. "Yes, I'm sure."

She leaned forward and patted his neck gently. "Thank you for this. It's a lot of trouble you're going through for my sake."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 20, 2016, 12:52:05 PM
'Not really,' he chirped playfully, rumbling happily for the light touch of her hand.

'The sea is my home. I look out for it, protect it where I can. Seems like it's partially yours now, too, so it would be wrong not to help,' he explained, seeing his own reasoning as perfectly rational and reasonable. 'You're also a very interesting human-thing,' he admitted with a chuckle, 'I'm very curious what you might lead us to.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 20, 2016, 12:56:41 PM
She laughed, stroking her hand over his neck gently because he seemed to like it. "Interesting human-thing?" she repeated with a crooked smile. "I almost feel like I should be offended or something."

Her eyes flicked over his side again and she bit her lip. "Lead us, huh? I just hope I don't get us lost..."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 10, 2016, 10:05:47 AM
Yan turned his head, bending his neck to peer up at her with a disbelieving snort, his eyes twinkling with challenge.

'You could never. The sea is never far. It is connected to all,' he explained, truly believing his words but not realizing that his connection was not what everyone experienced. Few felt the deep pull that he always had without being bound to it.

Turning his attention to the vast expanse of coastline below the dragon tilted his wings to bring them even lower, enjoying the gentler breeze instead of the buffeting winds higher up. While it was far more subtle to him in his natural form he could still feel the shift in the air as they stretched further into northern territory, the heaviness in the air giving way to something sharper and thinner even over the water.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 10, 2016, 11:17:42 AM
Ash shivered slightly and leaned out over his neck, arms wrapped loosely around him as she sought what little body heat she could feel through his scales. Her bare to was curled and she yawned and she sort of snuggled against him.

"Hey, Yan? Can I ask you something?" she asked almost sleepily. "And y'don't have to answer if you don't want to, I'm just curious."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 10, 2016, 01:19:59 PM
Yan huffed, not really knowing what she would need permission for but deciding it must have been important to her if she was asking for it.

'You may ask. I will probably answer if it isn't too offensive,' he explained mildly, noting the way she seemed to seek contact with him but not quite connecting that with the chill of the air around them.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 10, 2016, 01:25:56 PM
"Have you always been able to- do that human thing? Take another form?" She pressed her cheek into his neck. "I've only heard stories about your kind, but I didn't know dragons could do that."

She'd only seen him in human form once in the time they'd known each other, but she had to admit it had sparked her curiosity, a constant niggling thought in the back of her mind.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 10, 2016, 04:09:58 PM
The dragon rumbled his amusement at her question, finding it odd that she'd thought he might not want to answer it. He couldn't find anything offensive with it, and as far as he was concerned it wasn't exactly a secret to the world.

'Since I was very young, yes. I suppose it's a sort of dragon's magic,' he offered, uncertain of what else to call the avatar. 'Mother always said it was for remembering humanity and the many humanoids we share this world with. It keeps us grounded and helps us see the difficulties of life of those who live on land.'

For a few moments he thought on why she was curious about it, uncertain himself. 'Are you more comfortable with me when I am human?' he guessed, not thinking the assumption out of the realm of possibility. It made sense if that was the case.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 10, 2016, 04:12:45 PM
She chuckled. "No. Less, actually. You're rather cute human," she replied without thinking. She'd led a relatively sheltered life, so interacting with males her age- or perceived as her age, she supposed- often made her nervous.

It certainly made things easier when she could keep the image of him as a dragon in mind though.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 10, 2016, 05:17:33 PM
'Cute?' He pondered the word, trying to remember if he'd ever heard it used to describe anything besides children and animals. Why would something like that make her uncomfortable?

Fiinally giving up on the mystery he gave a puffing snort and tilted his head to look at her accusingly. 'Can I ask why that is a negative thing?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 10, 2016, 05:36:22 PM
"Well." Aishling bit her lip as she tried to find words. "It's... It just makes me a little nervous, I suppose. Because...well, how would you react if you were talking to a pretty young dragoness? Wouldn't you get sort of tongue-tied or something? Butterflies in your stomach, that kind of thing."

She shrugged. "It's not a bad nervous exactly."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 10, 2016, 06:34:25 PM
Ah, so that was how she'd meant it. Somehow that made him feel a lot better, his earlier confusion on what he had in common with cherublike creatures clearing quickly.

He was surprised she thought of him that way, though. 'I've never met any pretty young dragonesses,' he explained honestly, though he certainly understood what she was getting at.

'So you're saying I...have an effect on you? I make you nervous?' he pressed, suddenly very curious about the girl he'd spent all his free time of late with.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 10, 2016, 06:40:44 PM
It suddenly dawned on her that it maybe hadn't been the most appropriate thing to say. It wasn't offensive, but it was...rather embarrassing.

"Um. Yes," she muttered, sitting back quickly so she wasn't hugging on his neck as her cheeks flushed. "I mean- just sort of physically- wait no, that sounds so wrong. I mean, when you're human. Sort of. It's like a- like a knee jerk reaction."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 10, 2016, 07:29:43 PM
Yan pondered what she was telling him, the idea never dawning on him before but now it had his full attention and a rather clinical curiosity from the young dragon. 'So when I'm human... You're attracted to me? That's the word, right? And that- That's what makes you nervous around me?'

He noticed the way she distanced herself from embracing him, but he thought it had more to do with her personal comfort with flying than their topic of conversation. Thinking that, he took it as an invitation to alter their course, tilting his wings into a lazy dive to bring them lower and closer to the rocks he could see in the distance.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 10, 2016, 07:37:49 PM
Ash cleared her throat uncomfortably. "Er. Right. I guess. More like...I think you're attractive, I'm not sure I'm necessarily attracted to you."

It was a half-lie meant to save her from further embarrassment, though she supposed it was rather silly. Yan didn't seem the least bit phased.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 10, 2016, 09:01:21 PM
He thought on the differences in silence until he felt he'd worked it out, oblivious to her discomfort in his concentration. 'Ah. I see. So the state of being is something you just...notice.' It was interesting information to him, never really having a chance to take advantage of any conventional human attractiveness.

'I don't show that side to humans very much,' he admitted, though he wasn't particularly embarrassed by that. 'It's just very...odd when I do. If I want to blend in among your kind I cannot speak of what I am...yet it comes so naturally to me I usually forget. It's much easier when... Well, the way we met. You already knew me to be a dragon, so...it's much simpler that way. Very little explaining to do.'

It seemed wrong to not thank her for bringing it to his attention, so he did just that. 'Since you prefer dragon to human I will do my best to stay the way that I am when we are together. Thank you for...seeing me that way, I suppose. I'll be sure to test if other humans think the same when I am next among you,' he teased, though he could definitely see himself doing that if given the chance.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 11, 2016, 02:52:44 AM
"Oh. Well." Flustered, Ash cleared her throat and managed to stammer out, "I don't want you to feel like- if you want to be human around me you can, I didn't mean to make you self conscious or anything."

She frowned a bit when he talked about "testing" what she'd said, though she wasn't quite sure why. "Right. Ah, let me know how that goes then," she muttered.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 11, 2016, 09:58:02 AM
'Well, I never said anything about being self conscious,' he reminded her playfully, though for some reason he was very happy she had any concern over him at all. 'I would rather my "interesting human-thing" friend be comfortable around me. And it is no trouble either way, I have no issues with my identity between forms.'

Yan pondered it for a few moments in silence. It was a shame. He did feel quite safe around her to show himself so vulnerably and yet she wasn't exactly comfortable with it herself. He wondered if doing anything to detract from whatever was conventionally attractive about him might help with easing her nerves. But he couldn't even begin to understand what that might even be.

Giving a short, trumpeting cry he peered down at the sand and rocks as things came further into focus. The waters below seemed quite rough, the currents swirling angrily as the sky above them began to darken with clouds the young dragon did not even realize he was summoning.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 11, 2016, 10:23:03 AM
"Um, Yan?" Aishling shifted nervously and leaned a little lower over his neck again. "We, ah, seem to be heading into a storm," she squeaked out, staring at the clouds. "Do you think maybe we should land?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 11, 2016, 03:43:25 PM
'Hm?' Distractedly he turned his head to look at her, eyes cloudy with his own distracted thoughts. It was a sudden crackle of lightning overhead that had the dragon practically squawking as he suddenly dove away from the thickening grey clouds that spread across the sky.

'Sorry, no idea where that came from,' he fibbed lightheartedly, hurrying down toward the beach before he finally snapped his wings out to glide along just barely above the sands. His eyes scanned the rocks for cover, ignoring the angry growls of thunder behind them and the heavy drops of water that began to pelt them as he flew.

When at last he spotted a small opening that looked deep enough, for her at least, he slowed to a hover and carefully landed in the damp sands. Poking his head inside the small cave and finding it satisfactory to his standards he turned with concern to look at her before gesturing at it with a forepaw. 'You go inside, I'll shield the entrance. So you don't...get rained on.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 11, 2016, 04:11:48 PM
The crack of thunder made Aishling shriek and cling to his neck, eyes wide as the hair went up on the back of her neck.

She'd always been afraid of thunderstorms, a primal sort of terror that no amount of reasoning with herself would alleviate. She barely heard Yan as they finally came in to land, breath panting and heart racing.

"I c-can't," she managed to squeak out. "I can't...let go." She was too scared to move, the storm above doing nothing to help the situation.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 11, 2016, 05:52:33 PM
Yan stared at her helplessly as the rain started to come down harder. He glared at the sky and for a moment it was only a light shower, but he didn't have the focus to dismiss the storm as a whole with a panicking girl on his back. They would both be thoroughly drenched if he didn't act quickly.

With a heavy snort and sigh he shook some of the water from his body, the feeling of the foreign drops against his scales a bit unsettling despite how they easily fell away. 'Then hold on,' he urged her, turning his back to the small cave and focusing his efforts to swap scales for flesh.

The process was slow, not nearly as refined as some of the elders of his kind. Gradually he sunk lower to the ground, his body shimmering and fading away. He became shorter and shorter, his dragon-self lifting away as if a shadow. His human-self slowly emerged, motionless and locked in place as the heavy air around them lifted with a great whoosh, as if an unseen version of his dragon had flown away.

When it was over Yan trembled for his nerves, too shocked that he'd done it in the presence of a human at all -and with her on his back at that- to do anything but hook his arms under her knees and hurry her inside to the small shelter with thunder nipping at his heels.

Not knowing anything else to do with a terrified woman he slowly lowered himself to kneel, turning to place himself between her and the opening of the small cave as a small barrier from the outside. "Just a little rain, Aishling," he tried to assure her in the calmest voice he could muster.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 11, 2016, 06:32:51 PM
Ash could only nod and cling to him as instructed. A small gasp caught in her throat, her mind momentarily distracted from her terror as he started to change and she could feel it happening beneath her.

She wasn't sure what she'd been expecting, if anything, but it wasn't that.

Another tiny gasp as he scooped her up and hurried them into the cave and she felt her breathing start to ease fractionally. She nodded, eyes still wide and dark hair now plastered over her cheeks and forehead.

"Right. J-just a little rain-"

Another crack of thunder, a flash of lighting and she cried out, throwing herself forward to wrap her arms around him and huddle into his chest, shaking violently.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 11, 2016, 07:53:40 PM
Yan flinched at the way she startled so violently, teeth clenching as he instinctively ducked away from whatever had frightened her. But it was just the sounds and he knew -well thought he knew- that they were safe. It was silly for him to be afraid.

Sitting back on his heels, Yan held her close against his chest to mimic the way she seemed to seek shelter against him, even going so far as to run a gentle hand along the backs of her shoulders. At the very least he hoped he could ease her fears.

"Juuust a little rain," he repeated calmly. "You're safe here. It's all outside."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 11, 2016, 08:28:53 PM
She gave a shaking little "Mhm," but made no move to pull away from him, tiny shivers still wracking her frame.

She knew how ridiculous she was being, but she just couldn't help it. Every flash of light or roll of thunder made her gasp and her heart leap into her throat. Ash whimpered quietly and tried to cover her ears as best she could while still huddling into the dragon-turned-man.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 11, 2016, 10:10:10 PM
Yan stared past her out into the rain. He felt a bit helpless, torn between wanting to comfort her and wanting to go clear out the poor weather he'd accidentally brought down upon them. He didn't even want to begin explaining that to her, he was sure that would be the reason he lost her friendship.

His attention kept coming back to the shivering human on his lap, feeling guilty over what he felt he'd "done" to her. How was he to know she was so afraid? She was like a fish in water yet a thunderstorm was too much to handle.

Reaching out with a cautious hand he tried to brush wet hair from her face to tuck behind her ears instead. "How about a song, hm?" he offered cheerfully, hoping he could find some way of "fixing" it.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 12, 2016, 05:42:02 AM
"A- a song?" Ash lifted her face, finally, to look up at him. She still winced violently with every noise or flash from the storm, but a tiny warmth seemed to have taken up residence in her chest alongside the irrational panic.

He was trying to cheer her up, comfort her. How...sweet.

"Okay." She tried for a small smile. Her grip on him relaxed slightly, though she didn't let go. "What did you-"

A crack of thunder and she squealed, shaking and wide eyed as she looked out at the storm. Then she took a few deep breaths and tried again. "Wh-what did you have in mind?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 12, 2016, 01:46:10 PM
His eyes brightened with excitement, eager to distract her from her obvious fear of the storm. "Well, maybe something you'd know? I've heard a lot of human songs," he declared proudly, giving her shoulder an encouraging squeeze.

Wrinkling his nose in thought for a moment he finally decided on something to try, opening his mouth to let out a few gentle notes of an old sailor song. He'd forgotten the words, but the melody was something he'd never been able to forget.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 12, 2016, 01:50:11 PM
Ash started to calm slowly, his voice and the melody soothing her, then suddenly perked up as he reached the chorus of the tune and blinked at him.

"I- I know that," she murmured distractedly, the storm momentarily forgotten. "Da used to sing that when I was little..."

She closed her eyes with a soft sigh and let her head rest on his shoulder, trying to focus on the sound of his voice rather than the storm outside.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 12, 2016, 08:06:39 PM
Yan smiled some, nodding in acknowledgement but not stopping the little tune. Cradling her close against his chest he continued on, watching the rain at the opening as he rubbed small circles against  her shoulder.

When he reached a natural pause in the song he asked a playful, "Do you sing, Aishling?" before continuing on, hoping to coax her into joining him since it seemed she knew it at least a little.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 12, 2016, 08:10:04 PM
She wrinkled her nose a bit but relented, "A little," and joined him with a soft hum, then a few half-sung phrases.

She didn't remember all the words, but she sang the ones she did, replacing the rest with "la" or "ah". As she slowly grew more comfortable, her voice seemed to take on an almost echoing quality, lilting and weaving through the air.

Aishling was apparently unaware how much she sounded like the singing she'd claimed to hear the first time she'd followed Yan into the sea.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 12, 2016, 11:02:41 PM
As she took up the song herself Yan gradually let his own voice fade away until barely even a hum could be heard from him.

Instead he studied Ash with open curiosity for the strange qualities to her voice. It was hauntingly beautiful even bouncing off the walls of their small cave. Oddly enough she easily drowned out the sound of the storm outside their little shelter, but Yan could hardly think of any of that. The dragon was all but entranced by her voice.

He could swear up and down that he'd heard it before yet he knew it was not her voice exactly, more likely that of her sister Selkies. But none had ever been quite like hers. Perhaps he'd never gotten close enough to know. Still, she left him quite dazzled with a silly, carefree smile upon his face like he suddenly had not a care in the world.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 13, 2016, 07:10:54 AM
At first Ash didn't really notice the absence of his voice. After a while though, she began to realize she was singing alone and managed to come out of her semi-haze of apparent concentration, blinking and twisting to look at him.

Her voice trailed off with a few trilling notes and she tilted her head at him. "Um...Yan? You, uh...you okay?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 13, 2016, 12:23:13 PM
Once she stopped he blinked rapidly in surprise, as if aware for the first time that he'd ever gone quiet at all. "Yes, I-" What was that even? "Just...listening. You sing well," he praised gently, as if it should have been obvious to her but was still a quality that deserved commendation.

Suddenly aware again of the pitter-pattering of rain in the sands he curled his arms protectively around her more firmly once more. There was a distinct lack of booming from the thunder, though, as though the heart of the storm had quickly rolled along past them and was now quite far off.

"Do you, um, remember what that was called?" he asked, both genuinely curious and hoping to distract her.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 13, 2016, 12:32:06 PM
"Oh. Thanks." Aishling blushed and ducked her head slightly.

She seemed to become aware of the storm again as he did and shifted to press a little closer to him. "Um...A Lonely Mariner's Heart, maybe? Something like that, I think," she replied in a murmur. She shrugged, able to relax a little more now that the worst of the storm seemed to have passed over.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 13, 2016, 07:44:43 PM
"Hmm. Maybe." He wrinkled his nose in thought before shaking his head. Somehow it didn't seem quite right but he had no reason to press the issue despite the correction on the tip of his tongue.

Yan noticed the change in her body language -well the lack of clinging mostly- and relaxed his hold on her a little while still keeping his arms loosely around her.

“Sorry about the storm. And the...detour. Perhaps it was best we stopped for a rest anyway,” he offered.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 13, 2016, 07:57:56 PM
"Yeah, you're probably right." Wishing closed her eyes and let out a long breath, feeling long tense muscles finally relaxing.

She smiled at him and shook her head. "Don't apologize. It wasn't you're fault, not like you can control the weather," she laughed lightly.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 13, 2016, 08:44:03 PM
Yan had to physically bite his tongue at that, his cheeks flushing in embarrassment. He wasn't sure he wanted to explain to a girl who was afraid of storms that he could cause a turn in the weather. Worse, he was still a little too young by dragon standards to really practice any sort of direct control of it, at least in his inexperience.

"R-right," he laughed nervously, trying to shrug it off as ridiculous. "I must admit I'm a bit...unlucky when it comes to storms, though. Fair warning, hm? I can take you back to your father if you'd like."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 14, 2016, 05:55:29 AM
"No."

She replied almost too quickly, shaking her head firmly. "No, that's okay. I- I'll just have to...get over it, I guess."

A rather daunting idea, but she shook herself to put the thought from her mind. She gave Yan a small, grateful smile. "Thank you. For...helping me."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 14, 2016, 02:09:39 PM
He shrugged, not really seeing what he'd done as any sort of favor. "It needed to be done," he pointed out. "You were a little...petrified."

Noticing how light the shower was outside their little shelter he glanced down between them, silently wondering if she was comfortable remaining on his lap since the worst of it had passed. He said nothing about it, though, not wanting to bring it to her attention if she had no issue with it. She was too light to really cause him any annoyance with her presence.

"We could rest here for the night," he suggested, "maybe look around once the weather clears. Or we could head further north."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 14, 2016, 02:12:51 PM
"I think-" A yawn interrupted her and she chuckled sheepishly, "Matbe we should rest. I dunno about you, but I could definitely use it."

It was only then that she really realized how close she was cuddled against him and her eyes widened a bit. "Oh. Um, sorry."

She shuffled back off his lap and ducked her head, blushing.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 14, 2016, 03:19:26 PM
"That's probably for the best," he agreed easily, content enough in accommodating her needs as a human. Though, he felt the strange pull of exhaustion in his own muscles, a feeling he was scarcely used to and he doubted it would have even been noticeable in his natural form. A weakness of humans, he decided with a frown, but one he would need to deal with.

"No need to be so red," he teased, reaching out to pat her gently on the head before scooting himself over to sit at one side of their small cave. He wouldn't be able to return to his natural form, there wasn't nearly enough space. But Yan had no qualms with sleeping as he was, though he couldn't even remember the last time he'd done so.

"You know," he commented thoughtfully, studying her closely. "I think I realized what's so different about you. You're much bigger. Well, as a human. When I'm human. Just...tiny compared to a dragon." He smiled at that, thinking it rather adorable and not at all offensive.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 14, 2016, 08:05:26 PM
Ash crinkled her nose at him and mumbled something about blushes being involuntary. Then she chuckled and shook her head at him.

"Y'know, some girls might be offended by that," she told him with a wry smirk. "And of course I'm bigger like this- you're about fifty times my size as a dragon!" she laughed.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 15, 2016, 07:50:49 AM
Offended? He couldn't see why, it was just an observation.

"Not fifty," he protested, his brow furrowing in concentration as he tried to make a mental judgment about it. He ended up just shaking his head and letting the thought go with a chuckle, though, unable to really make a call about it.

"At least you're easy to carry." He laughed and adjusted to let his legs stretch out before the entrance before nodding to her. "You can rest. I will keep watch," he promised.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 15, 2016, 08:13:34 AM
Aishling chuckled again and shook her head at him. Of course he'd taken that literally. She smiled when he offered to keep watch and gave him a grateful nod.

"Thanks. Don't push yourself though, wake me up when you need some sleep," she murmured. She attempted to find a reasonably comfortable position to curl up in on the rocky floor of the tiny cave with marginal success and let her eyes flutter shut.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 15, 2016, 01:48:24 PM
Yan nodded, understanding her but knowing he had no need for her to stand watch. There was no danger as far as he was concerned, so it didn't seem necessary beyond ensuring that she got to sleep peacefully with the outer edges of the storm still swirling overhead.

Once she seemed relatively settled he took some time to study her, silently wondering if he should have offered for her to rest with him instead. Rocks didn't seem to make for comfortable resting as a human, he was quickly realizing.

With a small sigh and roll of his shoulders he stared out at the rain until the moon was high in the sky. Only then did he allow his eyes to close and his mind to drift into dreams.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 15, 2016, 02:19:35 PM
She was so exhausted, she honestly wasn't sure how much later it was when she finally opened her eyes, yawning and pushing herself groggily into a semi-seated position.

"Yan?" She blinked, yawned again, and looked around. She could still hear the faintest patter of rain, but the storm seemed to have mostly passed them by.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 17, 2016, 07:50:44 AM
The sound of his name broke clear through whatever watery dreams the dragon had been floating through. Though he woke suddenly he did not startle, his eyes fluttering open and slowly focusing on the girl in the dim light of morning.

He slowly sat up a little straighter, adjusting to curl one leg beneath himself to sit on. "Are you rested now?" His question came softly, almost as if he was afraid he'd imagined being awoken and thought we might have still slept despite the obvious signs of her waking.

Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 17, 2016, 08:36:18 AM
"Yeah." Ash smiled and shifted a little closer to him. "You? That was a lot of flying yesterday, you must've been pretty tired."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 17, 2016, 09:35:43 AM
For a moment he looked a little surprised but then his expression softened to a kind smile. While it wasn't a great burden he appreciated her thinking after him for what he'd done. "It was, but it is all my wings are good for," he pointed out. "It's nice to stretch every now and then. But I'd never flown with a...friend. It was more fun than work."

Giving his belly a pat he grinned and gestured toward the opening of the cave with a swish of his hair. "But it works up a bit of an appetite. Would you mind if I went fishing?"

Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 17, 2016, 09:49:00 AM
"Oh, no of course not. I'll help." She smiled and started to stand up, then cracked her head against the roof of the small cave and winced, swearing under her breath.

"Ow. Fhhu... Ya know what, I'll just meet you out there in a minute," she said with a sheepish laugh as she rubbed at the back of her head.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 17, 2016, 10:18:46 AM
Yan flinched as he watched her, the movement that would knock her head almost playing in slow-motion but something he was far too slow to react to stop. "You sure? I can wait," he insisted, frowning as he studied the way she touched at her head. "Are you hurt badly?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 17, 2016, 10:47:05 AM
Ash laughed and waved him off. "It's just a bump, I'm fine." However she was holding in a string of curses with some difficulty at this point and didn't want to startle her rather mellow friend. "I'll be right out, promise."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 17, 2016, 11:12:48 AM
Hmm.

"If you say so," he chuckled lightheartedly, unfolding himself with a bit more grace than she'd managed to go stand outside. Shuffling along the sand closer to the water he stretched to work out the kinks from sleeping among rocks, rolling his shoulders and head for a few satisfying cracks. Then he just stood, quietly admiring the water after a quick look around told him they were in no immediate danger.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 17, 2016, 11:40:56 AM
Once the dragon was out of earshot Ash devolved into a torrent of quiet swearing, rubbing at the back of her head as she stumbled out of the cave and into the sunlight.

She blinked, eyes adjusting, and slowly made her way over to Yan. "So." She glanced up at him sideways. "See anything interesting out there?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 17, 2016, 01:55:35 PM
"A few baby fish," he answered automatically, having heard her quiet approach. Smirking playfully he turned his head to look at her. "I've never fished by hand, so... I will be hunting as a dragon would unless you've got any ideas." It was a fair warning, at least. Even if she seemed comfortable with him he didn't want to startle her with any unexpected appearances.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 17, 2016, 02:22:37 PM
Aishling laughed quietly and crinkled her nose at him. "No objections here. And I'm curious to see how you fish as a dragon," she added with a crooked grin.

Without further ado, she flopped down into a cross-legged position and looked up at him expectantly. "Go on then."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 17, 2016, 03:43:13 PM
He laughed warmly for how she looked, shaking his head with a private little grin. "Not much to see in the water," he pointed out, as if that should have been obvious.

Yan stepped a little closer to the water, though, letting the foam of the surf touch his ankles. He glanced to Ash a couple of times, silently waiting for her to turn her head or close her eyes even though he'd never mentioned being nervous about changing forms to her.

After a few moments more he finally allowed it to begin, exchanging his human body for the dragon in a swirl of wind, water, and a faint glowing. When it was over he felt a little sad looking down at her, realizing he quite liked being more at her level instead of towering over her.

He gave a soft rumble and curious snort as he turned, lowering his head to her to nudge at her arm. 'Don't wander off,' he warned gently. Satisfied with that he turned and slipped quickly into the water, the waves splitting for his massive form as he waded through.

When he was deep enough he dove to lazily swim along the coastline just off the shelf. It was as much for reconnaissance as for food, studying the sea life that made this part of the ocean their home. There were no Selkies that he saw, to his great dismay. The young dragon had hoped that somehow he would be lucky enough to stumble upon one, but there were no seals and certainly no people.

He studied a small school of slow-moving fish, the larger creatures obviously having no fear of any of the smaller ones flitting around in bigger groups. Drifting close made it almost too easy, the dragon snatching up a couple each in his claws like they were on the ocean's platter for him. He couldn't remember the appetite of a human but he was hungry enough not to really care if he'd gotten too much for her to share with him. With one extra for good measure carried by mouth he propelled himself up to the surface, head turning sharply to look where he'd left her in the sand as he approached the shallows once more.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 17, 2016, 03:56:17 PM
Ash watched the process with interest, gasping quietly and instinctively lifting a hand to shield her eyes as he shifted forms in a whirl of elements.

She was still blinking, a little dazzled, when he nudged her arm, but the touch got a giggle out of her and she scratched at his brow affectionately, her other arm hugging him around his nose gently for a moment.

"I won't," she promised with a roll of her eyes.

She did shift a little closer to the water when he dove under, doing her best to peer into the depths with very little success. His sudden surfacing got a squeak from her and she jumped back as cold droplets rained down on her, laughing a bit.

"I see you've got breakfast."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 17, 2016, 08:41:35 PM
He was relieved to see her there, her words a balm for the small worry in his heart that the girl he'd carried out to some unknown land had wandered off and any ill that came to her was his fault. But nothing had happened, everything was fine.

'I did.' The dragon waded closer through the shallows until it became too awkward with his burdened forepaws. Tossing the fish up into the sand beside her he carried the last to set right at her feet before sitting back on his haunches to observe his catch. Silently he tilted his head from side to side, trying to make a judgment about her size, his size, and the fish he'd brought.

'I hope it's enough for you. You need to keep your strength up,' he pointed out, stepping closer through the damp sand to settle in a loose curl around her. 'You should eat first,' he offered, nudging the largest fish closer to her with a few claws, finding no issue in a whole, uncleaned fish for breakfast.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 18, 2016, 09:34:34 AM
"Oh." She smiled and eyed the fish almost warily. "Um, thanks..."

She was going to say she'd prefer a cooked meal, but it then occurred to her that they really didn't have any supplies to make a fire.

Well. Raw fish wasn't that bad. Besides, if she was half seal...

Ash swallowed and lifted the fish, nose crinkled. Carefully, she took a bite.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 18, 2016, 10:25:49 AM
Not even realizing it might have been a problem he watched her expectantly, leaning closer subconsciously to observe her reaction. It seemed odd that she would be apprehensive at all, but maybe she was just wary of "new" things.

'Well...? Any good?' he asked, eager to find out before he would be willing to dig in for himself. The young dragon crawled a little closer, his claws cutting through the sand and making that more difficult until he gave up with them and wriggled on his belly instead.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 18, 2016, 11:05:43 AM
[All I can think is that scene in "How to Train Your Dragon" xD]

"Mm..." Ash gave him her best approximation of a polite smile as she chewed, nodding emphatically. "Mmhmm." She swallowed. "Good."

Dear gods that was salty! And slimy. Ich.

But...well, it certainly wasn't the worst thing she'd ever eaten, all things considered. She took another bite and nudged the rest of the fish toward him with a foot, chuckling as he wriggled closer. "Here, eat."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 18, 2016, 11:38:35 AM
[Aww! XD Unintentional, I swear!]

Yan perked up at that, rumbling happily as he finally lowered his head to eat. It must have been fine to share if she was insisting, right? And she seemed happy with his catch, so all the better.

Scooping one up in his claws he tore a large chunk off, swallowing it quickly before diving in for the rest. He repeated his ravenous eating with the second and third but was hesitant about the last one remaining.

He eyed her curiously as he licked at his muzzle, silently wondering if she would be hungry enough for more.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 18, 2016, 11:43:33 AM
Ash managed to down most of her fish- swallowing a few bones and choking on them for a moment or two- and when she saw Yan eyeing the last one she smiled softly. "Go on, I don't need anymore, really," she urged with a quiet chuckle, reaching over to scratch under his chin unthinkingly.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 18, 2016, 01:25:21 PM
He was surprised by her but said nothing about it, only blinking sedately and giving a happy rumble before snatching up the last of their breakfast. For a change he actually savored it, tearing small strips instead of eating the whole thing in a few snaps, taking his time in case she might change her mind.

'Fish is good. I can get you something more later if you are hungry,' he promised, feeling a little guilty for scarfing so much of it even being so much bigger than her. It felt odd to have an appetite different from his companion.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 18, 2016, 01:28:13 PM
"Oh, no, I'm alright. Really." Aishling smiled at him and without thinking leaned forward to drop a quick kiss to the tip of his nose. It was so much easier to be herself around him when he didn't look human, she forgot what might be inappropriate or not.

"Thanks for breakfast," she added with a chuckle, casting the bones of her fish an odd look and clearing her throat. It still felt like scales were tickling her throat.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 18, 2016, 06:55:35 PM
Again he was a little taken aback by her, just surprised at how affectionate she was with him. She really was so different with him between his forms and now that he was aware of it he was noticing the little differences more and more.

Sure she'd been terrified before, but even earlier in the morning she hadn't been so physically affectionate. Was she always like that? Or was it just with "animals"?

'I wouldn't let you starve. But you're welcome.' He eyed the fish bones, wondering if her thanks meant she was entirely finished.

'Are you...not going to eat those?' he asked incredulously, leaning close to butt at them with the tip of his nose.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 18, 2016, 07:24:30 PM
"Umm...no?" Ash gave him an odd look, then her eyes widened. "Oh- aha...hahaha!" She clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle giggles and shook her head quickly. "No, no, no- I'm sure they're very, er...nutritious, but humans don't eat bones."

She cast the pile a look, then added with a crooked smile, "Besides, I think they'd get caught in my throat. You go ahead."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 18, 2016, 08:40:10 PM
No bones? How could that be? They were crushed so easily, especially the flimsy ones in such small creatures.

With a questioning huff he nosed at them again before snatching them up. Yan took his time, though, silently trying to work out if she might have just been polite about it and there was something wrong. They seemed as normal as any other, though, and he swallowed them down without issue.

'Your loss,' he taunted lightly, swinging around to nudge at her leg a bit before settling his head to rest in the sand beside her. 'Do humans...not eat any bones? At all?' That seemed strange to him, but he couldn't even remember the last time he'd had a meal in that form to know.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 19, 2016, 07:10:44 AM
She chuckled and shifted a little closer as he settled on the sand beside her. Her hand reached out almost unconsciously to rest her hand on his brow and scritched lightly at the scales there.

"No, we don't. Well, not usually. Maybe some people do." She crinkled her nose at the idea, then glanced at him sidelong. "You don't eat in your human form much then?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 19, 2016, 11:08:07 AM
That seemed odd, but he figured it was just another quirk of humans. 'They are just part of a meal,' he explained, not seeing anything unusual about it for himself but still amused that it was odd to her.

Blinking slowly and rumbling softly for the scratches, he leaned into her hand a bit. He'd never allowed himself to be pet, but it didn't feel bad. In fact he found it to be quite soothing.

'What is this for?' he asked calmly, tilting his head to nose at her arm curiously. 'Do you like it?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 19, 2016, 11:14:46 AM
"Oh." Ash stilled her hand and blushed. "Um, it's just...companionable, I suppose. Sorry, I didn't entirely realize I was going it. Do you not like it?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 19, 2016, 11:44:48 AM
'Companionable. So a pet thing? Or a friend thing?' Yan asked playfully, pushing his head back into her hand in silent demand for more.

'I like it. It feels...nice,' he decided.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 19, 2016, 11:53:32 AM
"Oh no. No no, I didn't mean to offend you or anything, I meant like a friend-"

His butting his head into her hand like a cat asking for pets stopped the words in her throat and she smiled at him as she continued her scratching. "Well, I'm glad you like it. You- you don't have to fake it or anything though, if it bugs you just tell me."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 19, 2016, 01:53:56 PM
Yan snorted in amusement at that, tilting his head to gently grasp her arm in his teeth for a moment before releasing her just as quickly. 'I think you would know if it did. It's new, but... I like it.'

After a moment's thought he added a cheeky, 'I've never had a friend like you before. You know, female that can't keep her hands off me.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 19, 2016, 02:10:08 PM
Ash's jaw dropped and for a moment his teasing stunned her silent. Then she mock glared at him.

"You-! Someone's awfully confident in himself," she laughed, shoving his nose playfully.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 19, 2016, 05:48:00 PM
'Maybe,' he admitted, rumbling in amusement and pressing along her hand from snout to cheek. 'But I'm also not wrong.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 19, 2016, 05:55:43 PM
"Hmph!" Eyes gleaming playfully, she snatched her hand back and proclaimed, "Well if that's how you're going to be about it, I just won't touch you."

She folded her arms and twisted to put her back to him slightly, though her mouth quirked up at the corner unconsciously.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 20, 2016, 09:57:29 AM
Yan grumbled at that, though he recognized that she was playing. He leaned closer, purposefully mussing her hair with a puff of hot air before he lifted his head to rest on top of hers.

'Well I guess that means we won't be flying anymore,' he teased. 'Wouldn't want to make you uncomfortable.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 20, 2016, 10:17:08 AM
"You ass," Aishling laughed. Relenting, she reached up to wrap her arms around his head and butted the top of hers against his chin playfully. "You're awfully smart-mouthed for a dragon. Aren't you lot supposed to be all enigmatic and wise and stuff?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 20, 2016, 03:46:14 PM
Pleased she was no longer withholding affection Yan did his best to smooth out the stray hair he'd blown about, though it wasn't working well. As a final resort he took to licking it, not even realizing she might not appreciate his method of grooming.

'Maybe some are. I don't consider myself very wise or anything. I'm young for a dragon. Not what you'd probably see as a baby, mind you. Human children are very small. I'm full grown.' He declared the last rather proudly. 'Besides, what's life without a little fun?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 20, 2016, 04:39:06 PM
Ash felt her whole head move as he started licking her hair and her scalp tingled at the odd sensation. She opened her mouth to protest, then decided to just accept his bizarre sign of apology. Or affection, she wasn't quite sure.

"So...you're about my age then?" she guessed, scratching the underside of his jaw. "Or, well, as near about in dragon years?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 20, 2016, 08:02:09 PM
He pulled his head back a bit to study her, shifting about in the sand to crane his neck enough to look her head-on for a moment. She did seem quite young. Not a child at all: mature but...youthful. That seemed the right word.

'What is your age?' he asked calmly before resuming his grooming since she hadn't directly protested against it. 'You seem...in your breeding years,' he pointed out. 'If I had to guess.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 21, 2016, 08:24:07 AM
"In my what?" The question came out as a sort of squawk and she whipped her head around to blink at him.

Well. If that was what dragons called it...

Flushing scarlet, she mumbled, "Ah- maybe? I'm nineteen. I'm a grown woman by most people's count, but I'm still...young."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 21, 2016, 08:46:02 AM
He paused, staring at her thoughtfully for that as he swept his eyes over her appraisingly again.  He didn't really know to recognize her blushing for what it was. 'And I...seem about the same to you?' It seemed odd to him, having no real concept for how their ages might correspond. Though they were hundreds of years old his own parents did not seem all that aged to him. Just adults, not much more without any obvious signs of aging or failing health.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 21, 2016, 08:49:15 AM
"Well, sometimes you do," Ash mused. "But sometimes you seem older. Or younger. It depends, I guess." She tilted her head with a curious frown. "How old are you, anyhow? In your...breeding years?"

Gods, even just saying it made her feel weird and clinical.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 21, 2016, 09:30:10 AM
That seemed fair, even he wasn't sure what to think of himself sometimes. 'Yes, though I'm sure it lasts much longer for my kind,' he noted in amusement.

'I'm not quite one hundred years yet. Only eighty-seven,' he admitted, for some reason feeling a little flustered for it. It seemed so young in comparison to what he knew yet he felt a little strange sharing such a kindred spirit with someone so young.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 21, 2016, 09:34:53 AM
"Only eighty-seven," Ash repeated incredulously, eyes wide. She cleared her throat, then squeaked out, "How, um, how long do dragons normally live?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 21, 2016, 11:15:48 AM
'Hundreds of years. Sometimes even thousands. I don't think immortal but definitely a long time.' Yan gently nudged his nose against her, uncertain why she sounded so different all of a sudden. 'You look a little startled,' he pointed out with an amused huff.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 21, 2016, 12:05:19 PM
"Well." She cleared her throat again and ducked her head. "I suppose I am, a little. Humans only live about seventy years- well, on average."

Her chest suddenly tightened and she frowned, pulling her knees up to her chest. "So...I must really seem like a child to you." For some reason that bothered her. "And- and I guess in a couple centuries you won't even remember me, huh?"

She cocked her head and tried for a wry smile.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 21, 2016, 03:37:24 PM
He supposed that made sense. Her kind did seem to age quite rapidly so he was willing to take her word on it. Her question was a bit puzzling, though.

'Not a child. Just a young...adult female,' he decided, nudging against her gently. 'But why do you say that? Do I seem like a forgetful dragon to you? Dragons have good memory. Well, most do. I think I'm fine with that.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 21, 2016, 04:12:56 PM
"Hm." She smiled a bit and tilted her head at him, then stroked what she could reach of his neck gently. "Maybe it's silly, but I'm glad. I mean, it's not like I have a burning desire to go down in legend or anything, but it's nice to think someone will remember me long after I'm gone."

She suddenly shook herself with a laugh and got to her feet. "Alright, enough of that. We've still got some ground to cover, yes?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 21, 2016, 07:46:44 PM
It felt odd to be discussing mortality with someone so young. Of course it seemed much more likely that he would outlive her than the reverse but he still didn't like thinking about a time when she might be gone when they'd just gotten comfortable in their friendship.

Blessedly she changed the subject for him, though, and he rumbled in acknowledgement, lifting his head to look towards the sky that no longer looked so angry. 'Well, sky, but yes. Places to go, things to do.'

Standing up he stretched his wings this way and that, twisting them in the sun and raising them high before settling them back down again and lowering to his belly. 'Your carriage awaits,' he teased, extending a foreleg to offer as a "step" up.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 21, 2016, 08:00:30 PM
Ash watched his wings move with unabashed awe and fascination. He really was a beautiful creature, a collection of features that didn't seem like they should go together blending into a seamless, graceful whole.

She snapped out of it and gave him a soft laugh as she climbed up and a chirped, "Thank you, good sir." She settled herself onto his back and leaned over his neck a bit. She liked having the extended contact, particularly with how vulnerable she felt in nothing but a nightdress.

"Alright, ready when you are."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 22, 2016, 05:38:58 AM
He was a little surprised at how easily she seemed to be taking to it, though he supposed she'd had plenty of time to get comfortable with the idea after all their flying the day before.

'Good. Hold on.' Once she was settled he took a few moments orienting himself, turning North before he would launch himself into the air. He was slow at first, barely managing a hover before he was able to lift them higher and start to climb in a lazy spiral that grew wider with each pass.

Evening out to a glide he took it easy for a few moments as he rode along the beach in a straight path, just trying to spot anything unusual in the distance. He tried to keep himself as steady as possible, his wings beating sparingly to keep them aloft and riding the currents.

There were just rocks and more rocks, though. He was content with that, expecting it might take a good deal of travel to find more of her kind, perhaps to the true ice plains of the North.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 22, 2016, 08:15:14 AM
She had to adjust slightly as they took to the air, but found that her body was starting to fall into a sort of rhythm with him when they flew, the beginnings of muscle memory perhaps.

She looked over his side as they started to gain altitude, gradually growing more comfortable with heights- or at least with the idea that her friend wouldn't let her fall.

"So...do you have any idea what we're looking for?" she asked rather sheepishly after a few minutes of flying in quiet.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 22, 2016, 09:44:32 AM
'Specks. Well, dark shapes or something. In the water or on land. I think finding seals would be our best chance at finding selkies right now,' he suggested, craning his neck to keep an eye on the ground and the shallows below. 'Perhaps they might have a way of...finding your mother.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 22, 2016, 10:31:52 AM
"Right. That makes sense." Ash cleared her throat and leaned out further over his neck, peering down. A small smile twitched at her lips and she mused aloud, "Y'know, I always liked seals. The coast was usually too steep for them back home, but occasionally a pack- pride? Flock? Whatever- would pop up. They just seem so...cheerful all the time."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 22, 2016, 07:17:15 PM
'Are you sure those weren't dolphins or whales?' he teased, amused that she might have seen such creatures from afar. 'I thought seals were a little...well, lazy. Besides you, of course. All tenacious and everything.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 22, 2016, 08:12:37 PM
"Oi." She laughed and batted at his shoulder playfully. "Watch it, those are my people you're talking about- apparently." She screwed up her face and chortled a laugh. "And I never said they weren't lazy, just cheerful."

With a small smirk she flicked at one of the scales along his neck. "And don't think I won't remember that comment, sir. I can hold a grudge."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 27, 2016, 09:36:41 AM
'It was meant as a compliment!' he scoffed, rumbling with laughter and playfully rocking and swaying from side to side in the air as he let the currents take them higher.

'Truthfully I haven't been around them enough to learn very much. Probably barely more than yourself,' he apologized, though he assumed that together they could make enough sense of it all to track some down.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 27, 2016, 10:39:11 AM
"I wouldn't assume you know everything. Even if you are an old man," Ash teased. Her nails scratched absently at the scales along his shoulders and she hung onto him a little tighter with every small buffet of wind.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 27, 2016, 01:34:19 PM
The dragon snorted a great puff of air for her playful jab, though he settled considerably for the gentle scritching against his scales. Soothed, he refocused on the task of their search, bringing them a little lower and slowing to watch the shapes of the waves and swirling waters of the currents.

He was optimistic, the longer he flew the more he realized how lively the beachline was for such a cold place. Birds and fish and other wildlife seemed plentiful but he'd yet to notice anything that looked remotely seal to him. That was, until he noticed some odd shapes nestled against rocks that didn't quite seem an extension of the stone as they moved. Sluggishly, but still moving.

'Aishling. Look, down there,' he prompted her, angling his wings to bring them in closer and lazily circle them and study them. 'Should we land?' he wondered, uncertain if they were normal animals or perhaps part of her own kind.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 27, 2016, 01:38:28 PM
"I see," Aishling replied excitedly, leaning out over his side to get a better view. She bit her lip. She really did want to land, to get a better look, maybe see if those creatures really were more of her mother's kind, but...

"Do you think we should come down a little further off? I mean, you are rather large. And a predator. They might be...skittish."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 27, 2016, 10:24:12 PM
Yan huffed a huge sigh at that, rolling his eyes as he craned his neck to peer down at them. She was right, but the way she said it almost made him feel like she saw them as common herd livestock similar to the land humans. The dragon saw them as fellow sea creatures and, as a more intelligent variety at that, worthy of his protection. 'That's probably for the best,' he agreed, seeing no reason not to just appease her if it would make things simpler.

Bringing them down slowly he glided a little further up the beach to touch down into the damp sands. 'So... Do you have a plan? he wondered, shaking himself out briefly even though he'd collected no seawater on his scales from their flight. It was just habit.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 28, 2016, 06:22:15 AM
"Um. Well..." She bit her lip and lurched slightly as he shook himself, then lowered herself down to the ground carefully.

"Not exactly," she admitted. "But, I mean- even regular seals tend to be friendly, right? Maybe if we just...walk up?" She glanced up at him. "A selkie would show him or herself to you, yeah?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 30, 2016, 07:47:01 PM
It seemed reasonable, but he had nothing to base it on to be certain. 'We could try that. I would hope a selkie wouldn't...fear me. Just see me for what I am. I was hoping they'd like you a little more.'

With that Yan stepped forward to gently brush against her shoulder as he went by, walking along the sand with confidence to give the small creatures time to assess him and see that he wasn't making any attempt to hunt them or sneak around their resting place or show any signs he might have been some threat.

He reached out with his mind's voice, probing with whispered questions hoping at least one of them might have been what they were looking for. Some of the furry lumps flailed nervously away with muted barks, hopping along their rocks and sliding into the shallows to watch him warily. Yet others stood their ground, just eyeing the dragon with open curiosity as they sunbathed. Or interest. He wasn't quite sure of what besides that they weren't running. That was a start.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 30, 2016, 07:51:24 PM
Aishling watched the animals with sharp, crafter's eyes. There was definitely something different about the seals that didn't run. She wasn't sure how she knew, but she did.

Cautiously, she stepped out from the dragon's shadow and offered a tiny wave. "Um...hello? Do any of you...understand me?"

Two of them tilted their heads at her and one gave a low, curious bark that seemed more directed at his companions than at her. She looked back at Yan, not sure if there was some sort of sea creature protocol she should be following.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 30, 2016, 09:31:39 PM
It was a little disheartening to see that none of them approached the girl or even seemed particularly interested. He stepped up to stand with her, bowing his head a bit to press the flat of his muzzle against her back. 'Closer. Try again,' he urged quietly, just for her.

Then, lifting his head he sent out a gentle but nervous explanation for them, 'She seeks her mother. A coat-wearer. Selkie?' Yan was uncertain if they truly understood him or were simply fearless, but he hoped that at the worst they might know what he was talking about and lead them to others of her kind they might be able to speak with.

A small sparkle of what he hoped was recognition shone in the eyes of a tiny female furthest from them. She wriggled with a sudden energy, bobbing her head with a few short yips.

Yan looked between the seal and Aishling apprehensively, uncertain what the animal might have been trying to express. Did she know where some were? Was she just acknowledging that she understood him? Or knew what he was asking about?
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 31, 2016, 08:17:24 AM
"Thanks," Ash murmured. Her eyes lit up when the small female seemed to respond and she moved forward. Two of the seals skittered back from her but the others held their ground.

"I, um...I'm looking for someone," she murmured, edging closer to the seal. The animal blinked at her and she took that as permission to continue. "Could you help me? Us?"

The seal blinked again, then made a little motion that was sort of like a shrug, and suddenly her coat was peeling back from the shoulders of a young woman, maybe a bit younger than Aishling. She wrapped the coat tight around her body and tilted her head.

"Who do you seek?" she asked, looking between the girl and the dragon.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on August 20, 2016, 09:05:24 PM
Yan breathed a huge sigh of relief at the sight of the seal becoming a woman. Maybe there was hope for Aishling's search there among them, maybe they could get information for her without going to the far-reaches of the north. Of course, the woman -selkie- looked far too young to be the girl's mother, but perhaps word traveled easily among her kind.

'Her mother,' Yan repeated with a gentle rumble, eyes softening for the prospect of making some progress for Ash. He looked to the girl at his side with a guilty glance, though, and nudged her shoulder gently with his cheek. 'She returned to the ocean years ago. I- don't know her name, but maybe she would know something more.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on August 21, 2016, 07:18:11 AM
Ash was still sort of gaping at the seal-turned-girl. She knew what a selkie was, but actually seeing it with her own eyes really drove the point home- her mother wasn't human. She wasn't human.

"O-oh, right." She cleared her throat, throwing Yan a grateful glance. "Her name was- is Lyanna."

The selkie nodded slowly as she looked them over. "I may be able to help," she said with a shrug. "We will have to go far out to sea though. Can you swim that far?"

"Yes," Ash replied without thinking, nodding quickly. "Oh thank you, thank you so much."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on August 26, 2016, 05:37:18 PM
Yan huffed in a grumbly manner, eyes going wide in surprise. Why had she agreed so eagerly? The selkie had not specified how far but he couldn't imagine there would be much shelter at sea for a human if his experience could speak on the matter. At least not without one of their lovely little ships.

'Are you sure? You'd probably be using me as a raft bed every night,' he pointed out, his tone turning a bit on the playful side at the last. He couldn't imagine it to be very comfortable but if she was determined... He could hardly find it in his heart to stop her.

'As long as it is what you want,' he finally added, accepting of the fact that it really was her choice to make and not his place to be overly concerned on her behalf.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on August 26, 2016, 05:54:47 PM
"Oh." She flushed as she looked at him- she hadn't really been thinking about that. "I...as long as you don't mind," she murmured gratefully, giving his shoulder a companionable little pat.

Her eyes flicked back to the selkie and she offered a shy smile. "Um, thank you, again. Ah- what should I call you?"

The young woman smiled in response and gave her a rather grave nod. Ash suddenly got the feeling she was addressing royalty or something. It made her twitchy. "Braiga. You may call me Braiga."

"Braiga." She nodded in return. "Thank you for helping us."

"It is no trouble. You are our sister, whether you knew it before now or not."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on August 26, 2016, 08:25:09 PM
The dragon just blinked at her, stunned that she seemed more concerned over his feelings on the matter rather than how she would need to actually go through with it herself in all likelihood.

He hummed a quiet sound of agreement, watching the rest of their introductions with interest. Yan was happy that it seemed she would be readily accepted by the selkie but he couldn't help but feel it might have been too easy. For that he decided to remain loosely cautious of her and their whole situation.

'Braiga, where will you be leading us?' he asked gently, trying not to show his skepticism.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on August 26, 2016, 08:34:11 PM
The selkie combed her fingers through her hair. "North," she answered vaguely. "Further out into the waters. There is an island chain known to few but our kind. It is possible the one you seek will be there, many of us flock to the place."

Ash was too excited to be nervous. She beamed and bounced onto the ball a of her feet a bit, looking at Yan with a bright smile before her eyes flicked back to Braiga. "Ah, when can we- I don't mean to rush you-"

With a musical laugh the young woman replied, "We may leave at dawn, if you like. I must finish my business here."

Aishling nodded eagerly, and with an enigmatic smile Braiga shrugged back into her coat and slipped into the water.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on September 22, 2016, 01:36:31 PM
It seemed possible and not all that unusual. Their waters were not his usual stomping grounds but he was curious to see where selkies gathered if she was telling them the truth.

'Thank you. We'll be waiting,' he promised, watching in slight fascination as she slipped away. The dragon stood in silence for a few moments, waiting to feel like they might have a bit of privacy before he turned his attention to Aishling.

'Do you think we should...trust her?' he wondered, not so much skeptical now as wondering what Ash's instinct about the whole situation was.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on September 23, 2016, 12:46:43 PM
"I..." She hedged, biting her lip. "I want to, Yan," she admitted after a moment. "I really want to." With a shrug and a small smile, she added, "Besides, you're a dragon- I mean, if something goes wrong you can get us safe, right?"

She was only half teasing. It seemed impossible to her that a creature like him would really need to fear anything. Except perhaps another of his kind, she supposed.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on October 01, 2016, 06:04:12 PM
Yan lowered his head closer to her eye level, feeling rather guilty for voicing doubts about the first sign of help they'd gotten so far. 'Right, nothing to fear. I would keep you safe, I would just rather you not be in danger in the first place,' he offered in explanation, leaning in to playfully butt at her shoulder. 'I was just curious, is all. About your impression. I don't find myself needing to place my trust in others often. Despite my...purpose, I'm quite solitary if you'd believe that.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on October 01, 2016, 08:17:23 PM
"Oh, I believe it," Ash teased. She scratched his brow lightly and wrapped and arm around his neck. "I'm sure it'll be fine." She wasn't entirely sure if she was trying to reassure him or herself.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on November 10, 2016, 02:32:01 PM
Yan rolled his eyes, playfully plucking at her clothes with his teeth for a moment for her teasing. 'Well that's settled. Do you want to stay here until morning or find shelter somewhere else to rest?' He looked skyward before adding, 'I wouldn't mind the effort.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on November 10, 2016, 02:56:33 PM
She giggled and batted lightly at his nose in retaliation, then let her hands rest on top of his head with a soft sigh.

"If you're...sure you don't mind, I wouldn't say no to sleeping out of the open air," she murmured with a small smile.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on December 08, 2016, 01:31:11 PM
'It's nothing. You're light as air anyway, I hardly notice you,' he teased, butting his head lightly against her hands before turning and hunkering down into the sand so she wouldn't have to climb so far.

'I think it'll get too cold here anyway with the wind. I'll find us a cave or hollow somewhere.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on December 08, 2016, 01:34:27 PM
Laughing and shoving his head lightly, Ash moved to climb up onto his back. "Right then. Thanks, m'lad," she said with a smile as she settled herself onto his back. She leaned out over his neck to scratch gently at his scales.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on December 08, 2016, 04:38:14 PM
'M'lad? That's a new one,' he snorted, though he settled to a contented rumbling as he carefully took them back into the air at the feel of her hand upon his scales.

Staying close to the ground he circled the area lazily, eyeing every crevice in the rocks until he found one wide enough to allow a human through to the shelter within. 'Try in here,' he told her, landing as smoothly as he could nearby. 'I don't think I'll fit, but I can stand guard out here for you. Make sure nothing comes after you.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on December 08, 2016, 04:43:57 PM
Ash started to slide off him, then paused, still hanging partially off his side. "Wait, what? What would come after me?"

She stared at his face, eyes wide. "Maybe I could just...camp under your wing or somehting?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on December 08, 2016, 05:28:02 PM
Yan pouted at that -or at least his best dragon's pout-. 'There is always danger in life. It isn't good to let your guard down. I don't want you getting dragged off by a siren that catches sight of you, if you must know. Besides, you'd be warmer in there I'd think.'

He craned his neck to nudge at her hip, convinced it was the best thing for her to properly take shelter for the night.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on December 08, 2016, 08:17:19 PM
She squeaked and only clung to him tighter when he bumped her hip. "A siren?" Her eyes were very wide- she'd heard plenty of ghastly tales about those creatures.

But she didn't want him to think she couldn't handle herself. Reluctantly, she let go and took a few steps back. "Oh, alright, fine," she grumbled, moving toward the cave so she could peer inside.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on December 12, 2016, 01:49:32 PM
Yan rolled his eyes and shook his head at her initial stubbornness, watching her closely as she moved away from him at last.

'It's for your safety,' he reminded her, stepping cautiously after her and poking his head inside to inspect it with his own eyes. 'It's dark...but I don't think any animals call this their home. You should be safe here. And I'll be right outside if you need me.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on December 12, 2016, 03:43:05 PM
"Yes, yes." Ash waved him off with a small smile, trying to seem less tense than she felt. "Alright. Get some sleep, big guy." She patted his flank, eyed the little cave with some distaste, and ducked inside.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on December 13, 2016, 09:51:21 AM
He watched her go inside, rumbling quietly in affirmation. Trying to get settled for the night he curled himself up in front of the entrance, resting his head so that he could hear both inside and outside clearly. It was nearly the middle of nowhere and there was probably nothing to worry about, but Yan didn't want any harm coming to her over his own negligence.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on December 13, 2016, 09:54:29 AM
The cave was dim and a little damp, but that was to be expected. Ash grumbled a bit to herself as she tried to settle into a semi-comfortable position and sleep.

She was tired, physically and mentally, but the excitement of what was happening seemed to be catching up to her and it took her a while to actually get to sleep. She tossed and turned a bit once she had, unable to find a comfortable position against the chilled stone.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on December 13, 2016, 10:51:02 AM
Yan remained still as a statue through the night, sleeping lightly until the first caws of morning from the seabirds roused him. He peered into the cave by the dim light, satisfied that Aishling was still where he'd left her.

Standing up carefully he stretched and yawned, billowing his wings a bit before giving them a shake and stepping away from the cave to look further down the beach. It looked empty but it was still early and the sun had yet to breach the horizon. They had time.

'Are you awake?' he probed gently, not wanting to wake Ash too abruptly but knowing they had a schedule to keep.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on December 13, 2016, 12:12:19 PM
The first stirrings outside began to rouse her, and his voice in her head was enough to bring her fully to consciousness. Ash sat up and stretched, wincing as her body protested being in such a cramped position for so long.

"Morning," she yawned, crawling back out into the light and squinting. "You sleep alright?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on December 13, 2016, 03:13:11 PM
'Well enough. I just don't like to sleep on rocks if I can help it,' he admitted. 'Water is a much nicer bed.' Noticing her squinting he turned to stretch a wing over her protectively, thinking it might have been the change of light bothering her. 'Would you like any breakfast first or are you ready to go back to our meeting spot?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on December 13, 2016, 07:18:58 PM
"I know what you mean," she grumbled, rubbing at her sore neck. She offered him a smile and leaned into his side gratefully for the shade.

"Oh, I'm fine," she murmured through a yawn, though her stomach suddenly rumbled, contradicting her words, and she blushed.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on December 13, 2016, 08:23:28 PM
Yan nudged her gently and rumbled his amusement, shaking his head as he stepped away from the cave and down the beach towards the water. 'Stay here, I'll fish for you. It should only take a few moments.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on December 14, 2016, 06:37:39 AM
"Hold on!" Ash scurried after him. "Don't just leave me here- I'll go with you."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on December 27, 2016, 07:20:48 PM
The dragon paused at her request but tilted his head at her quizzically before his body became particularly tense. 'I wasn't planning on abandoning you, you know. But... But if that would make you happy...' he trailed off, lowering himself to the ground to give her an easier time of climbing up. He couldn't exactly say no to her about that.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on December 27, 2016, 07:23:17 PM
Ash scrambled up onto his back and leaned forward to wrap her arms around his neck as much as she could.

"I didn't think you were gonna abandon me," she murmured. "Just... I'd rather have the company, y'know?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on December 30, 2016, 07:59:36 PM
Yan rumbled in acknowledgement, a particular warmth spreading through his scales at her touch that he found quite pleasant. 'I'd forgotten how much you like being with me,' he teased, straightening up and setting off towards the water once more.

'Don't get mad if you get splashed, though,' he warned lightly moments before stepping out into the shallows and pushing off the rocky bottom to get himself floating down along the beach in the chilly water.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on December 30, 2016, 08:08:32 PM
"Smartass," Ash laughed, slapping his shoulder lightly. She stretched out over his neck, drawing her feet up away from the water as she did until she was more of less sprawled across his back.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on December 31, 2016, 08:46:34 AM
Pleased that she hadn't toppled off of him yet the dragon swam along distractedly, lowering his head to watch for fish. He finally spotted some milling near a cluster of rocks at the bottom and dove his head down in a snap decision to try and snag one.

Barely catching it by its tail, the small creature unaware it was in any danger around the dragon, Yan brought his head back up quickly, a line of droplets spraying out around him as he shook his head a bit.

Craning his neck he dangled the gold and silver striped fish over his shoulder at her. 'Think this will be enough?' he asked, concerned about the size since he himself would have needed much more as a meal. 'I can cook it for you if you don't eat it raw.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on December 31, 2016, 09:40:03 AM
Ash smiled and sat back a bit, nodding. "Yes, that should be plenty, thanks." She patted the side of his neck. A relieved sort of smile spread across her face and she nodded quickly. "And cooking would probably be better," she chuckled.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on December 31, 2016, 05:34:34 PM
Yan rumbled a short acknowledgement, altering his course to head back towards the land. He had to force himself not to shake off the water that clung to his scales, mindful of her on his back, but he sat back on his haunches once he was comfortably out of the water tail and all.

Carefully dropping the fish into a forepaw he inhaled deeply before breathing a steady stream of fire over it. His fire didn't harm him so he flipped the fish over and back with his claws until it was cooked through.

'There,' he announced proudly, coughing out a couple puffs of smoke before holding the fish out to her, fully expecting that she would be able to eat it right away.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on December 31, 2016, 05:40:19 PM
"Oh- thank you!" Ash smiled, her hands fluttering as she tried to figure out how to take the fish from him. Finally, she settled on ripping a few inches off the bottom hem of her nightgown and wrapping it around her hands so she could take the hot fish.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 08, 2017, 06:56:20 PM
He studied her hesitation with interest and then mild shock as she ripped her clothes for the food he'd offered her. 'Oh... Sorry, I forgot. Scales don't feel heat like skin,' he offered sheepishly, bowing his head slightly in shame. 'You didn't have to ruin your clothes. I can hold it until it cools next time.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 08, 2017, 07:03:35 PM
She smiled and tried to wave his concern off. "Don't worry about it, I don't mind," she assured him quickly.

Though it was true she only had the one nightgown. Perhaps she should be a bit more careful with her clothes...

With a mental shrug, she dug into the fish, sighing happily. She hadn't realized just how hungry she really was.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 08, 2017, 09:03:13 PM
Yan studied her as discretely as possible, hoping she didn't mind him watching her eat. 'Is it any good? I don't get to watch humans do this very often,' he admitted, dragging himself a little further up the sands so the shallows would stop lapping at his paws and tail.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 09, 2017, 10:33:17 AM
Ash nodded emphatically. "It's very good," she said quickly, wincing as she swallowed and burned her throat. "Of course, I'm pretty hungry, so just about anything would taste good right now," she added with a small laugh.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 09, 2017, 04:09:58 PM
He did his best dragon-y frown at that, huffing in displeasure at the thought that he'd had her go hungry at all. 'Oh. I'm not taking care of you, am I? ...How often should humans eat?' he asked timidly.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 09, 2017, 04:16:46 PM
"No, no, it's fine!" she hurried to assure him. With a smile, she added, "Really. I should probably be eating at least once a day, and I'm getting that."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 09, 2017, 04:57:04 PM
Yan relaxed some to hear that, relieved but still unhappy with his care of her. 'Alright...but remind me if I forget? I have to take care of you.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 09, 2017, 05:30:25 PM
She laughed, reaching out to touch his nose in a light tap. "Don't worry- my stomach will remind you before I do," she chuckled as she got to her feet.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on March 09, 2017, 08:36:22 PM
'It will?' Yan eyed her suspiciously, snorting in disbelief at how her stomach would be able to communicate with him while entirely forgetting that his own rumbled just the same at longer intervals.

'When do you want to try to meet with your...seal-people friends again? Do you need more time?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on March 10, 2017, 11:24:55 AM
Ash almost leaped to her feet, obviously eager. "We can go now," she said quickly, then flushed. "I-I mean, if you're ready..."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 19, 2017, 12:39:09 PM
Yan gave an amused huff at her eagerness but turned to head out towards their meeting place. 'I'm helping you, of course I'm ready. Let's just hope they're going to keep their word.' He sighed at that, hopeful that the creatures they'd made contact with wouldn't stomp on Ash's hopes (and his by extension) when they were their first opportunity of contact with selkies on their journey.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 19, 2017, 01:32:09 PM
"I'm...sure they will..." Ash bit her lip and sighed, then ran her fingers through her hair. "Alright. Let's- let's get going then."

She tried to force herself to breathe properly, patting at his shoulder absently, not quite realizing what she was doing.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 21, 2017, 05:26:57 AM
The young dragon could practically feel her nervous energy, the sensation giving him reason to watch her warily out of the corner of his eye as he made his way through the sand. He convinced himself there was something on her mind she wasn't speaking of, but she was entitled to her privacy.

As he reached the rocks and realized the small, furry creatures weren't there -or at least not yet, he assured himself- Yan was careful not to make a big deal of it. 'Must not be early risers,' he pointed out with a yawn, plopping down to curl up within the shallow surf.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 21, 2017, 03:23:46 PM
Ash nodded, sliding down from his back and hitching her skirt up around her waist so she could splash her feet absently in the water.

"Hm...guess so." She tried not to sound as nervous as she felt.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 21, 2017, 07:25:00 PM
Yan watched the water beyond patiently, waiting for any sign of the dark little blobs under the surface. Eventually he got bored of staring at the water, instead following her splashes with his eyes like a crouched cat eyeing its prey. With a small growl he finally reached out with a forepaw, wrapping his claws around her ankle to "catch" her with a playful gentleness.

Fully distracting himself he was none-the-wiser to the small seal heads surfacing from the waves and slowly wading closer to their spot along the beach.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 22, 2017, 11:02:22 AM
"Ach!" Ashling squeaked and hopped on her other foot to get her balance back. "Unhand me, fell creature!" she mock-challenged, swiping at him wildly.

A soft barking sound that oddly reminded her of laughter caught her attention and she started. Her foot slipped on the wet rocks and she went down with a "whoof!", promptly drenching herself.

The selkies that had been watching them seemed to laugh again.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 22, 2017, 01:29:15 PM
Yan continued to growl low as she hopped about, still in a playful mood. At least, until she slipped and went down with a splash. He released her immediately with a startled snort, lowering his head to peer down at her with wide, concerned eyes. 'Are you alright? I'm sorry, I went too far.'

But then he finally heard the soft noises out on the water, lifting his head over her to stare out at the seals. 'Oh... I think they're here,' he pointed out sheepishly, a little embarrassed that they had been watched.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 22, 2017, 03:04:44 PM
Ash spluttered and tried to wave his apology away. "Not- not your fault."

She pushed dripping hair out of her eyes and shot a quick glare at the seals before she got to her feet, shaking out her ragged, dirty, now thoroughly soaked nightgown.

"Yeah. Seems they are," she muttered.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 22, 2017, 03:56:54 PM
He watched her stand warily, convinced she'd find a way to fall over again but was relieved when she remained upright. He stepped closer to the seals, slowly wading into the water but stopping himself short so Ash would have room to climb aboard his back again without getting herself drenched all over again. 'I hope they can help us, but if they can't I'll keep looking with you,' he told her truthfully, then teased, 'But no matter what we're stopping to get you some fresh clothes the first chance we get. You look a bit like you rolled in mud and then bathed in the same clothes.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 22, 2017, 07:48:32 PM
She started to smile at him, genuinely touched by his companionship, then gave a little indignant "huh!" and slapped at his shoulder.

"Ass," she chuckled. He wasn't wrong though, she mused to herself as she looked down at her close.

Putting it from her mind, she moved forward toward the approaching selkies. "Um. Hello? Are we...leaving, then?"

One of the seals nodded, jerking her head in a way that indicated they should follow.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 23, 2017, 04:36:12 PM
Yan watched their interaction with interest and then relief. They looked the same as any other seals he'd ever seen but they seemed to be the same ones from the day before.

'Are you feeling ambitious enough to swim today? How long until you turn to ice?' the young dragon teased, swishing his tail lightly to splash at her as he waded even deeper into the water ahead of her.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 23, 2017, 06:00:19 PM
Ash stuck her tongue out at him and swatted her shoulder as she climbed up onto his back again. "Oh, you hush," she chuckled.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 24, 2017, 06:41:41 AM
Yan gave a low rumble of satisfaction once she was with him again and swam them out closer to the seals, awkwardly joining his much larger body to their formation. 'It was a valid question, you only abuse me for it because you know I've got thick skin. Literally.'

The dragon huffed dramatically but contented himself with swimming obediently instead of dunking her in the water like he so badly wanted to. He didn't want to make a mess of the day before it had truly started.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 24, 2017, 12:06:08 PM
Pretending that wasn't true, Ash thumped his side with her calf and sprawled herself out over his neck.

"Hello," she murmured to the selkies when they were close enough. One of the seals bobbed her head, then dove into the water and started swimming. The others followed.

"I...guess we follow them?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 24, 2017, 01:37:11 PM
'Probably a good idea,' he answered wryly, observing their interactions with interest and hurrying along to keep pace with them while still keeping Ash above water. Perhaps they would have been better off flying, but then she would have had a difficult time communicating the nuances of their journey with them.

Nothing looked all that familiar to him as they went along. Sure, he knew what all the coastline looked in general but nothing struck him as particularly "seal" or even "selkie" and he couldn't help but wonder if they were being taken to some secret place these creatures had established away from prying eyes. 'Do they know how long this might be? How far, maybe?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 24, 2017, 04:49:43 PM
Ash shook her head helplessly. "Not a clue. Can you get their attention to ask?" She leaned out over his side a bit.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 24, 2017, 05:05:32 PM
Get their attention? Yan didn't want to scare the poor creatures but he did the first thing that came to mind, dropping his head underwater and stretching his neck out to nudge the closest seal with his muzzle with a pointing motion upward with a claw.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 24, 2017, 05:51:19 PM
The selkie barrel rolled, then popped her head up above the surface, a human face looking at dragon and girl.

"Yes?"

"We, uh-" Ash glanced down at Yan, then up again. "We wanted to know how long this journey will take?"

The selkie smiled. "A few days. Worry not, there are islands where we may stop and rest along the way." She ducked beneath the water, a seal again, and started swimming.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 24, 2017, 06:21:25 PM
Yan lifted his head up after her, tilting it slightly in interest at the way she showed her "human" face briefly. He swished his tail in agitation to hear that it would be a long while. The idea of flying was growing even more appealing but it was possible it really would be easier to reach by water.

Still, did the islands have shelter for her? How was he to ensure Aishling didn't freeze to death at night? 'You still alright with this? That seems kind of long but...' He would go if she felt it was best.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 25, 2017, 08:27:33 AM
She nodded quickly. "I have to do this, Yan," she murmured, lowering herself along his neck slightly. "I just...I have to find her."

She sighed softly. It would be a long journey, and she knew it wasn't going to be easy, but she had to believe it would be worth it.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 25, 2017, 09:32:28 AM
He turned his head to look back at her, thoughtfully quiet for a moment. Of course it was that important to her. Not that it was trouble, but it was really setting in that she was willing to go through all of this inconvenience with hope as her only driving force.

'Then we go. I'll still be with you,' he promised, snickering after a brief pause. 'You'd be stuck swimming if I wasn't here to be your boat anyway.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 25, 2017, 01:50:27 PM
Ash smiled and let her cheek rest against his scales. "Thanks, Yan," she murmured. She felt a little guilty about dragging him along in this, but at the same time she was incredibly grateful he was with her.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 25, 2017, 03:36:04 PM
The young dragon rumbled happily for her appreciation, the sincerity of her words alone enough to grow a pit of warmth in the center of his chest. For a moment he wondered if it might be his fire, but it had never felt quite like that before and the longer he dwelled upon it the more the sensation faded. Odd.

'Sleep if you're still tired, I'll wake you if there's something important,' Yan offered, amused at how easily she laid herself out upon his back and neck.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 25, 2017, 06:45:00 PM
"Mm?" She tilted her head a bit. "Are you sure? I don't want to...take advantage," she mumbled, though she didn't exactly move to straighten up.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 25, 2017, 06:56:14 PM
'Of course. I've got the navigating down, I'm just following them. Get some rest if you want,' he encouraged, not really knowing what else she might do. He didn't need her help, but conversation for the company would be nice, too.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 26, 2017, 11:20:55 AM
"Well...if you're sure." Aishling sighed and let herself relax against him a bit more, eyes sliding closed and breathing gradually evening out.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 26, 2017, 12:32:51 PM
He didn't mind the limp weight against his back, barely feeling her unless she was rocked by a wave. He checked on her frequently, adjusting her when needed for balance with gentle nudges of his muzzle. He worried about her being out in the midday sun but mercifully some clouds gave them some cover.

They seemed to be approaching a small bump on the horizon, an island, he realized. Once it became clear he was being led to it instead of around it he turned his head to nudge at Aishling's arm more forcefully. 'I think we're about to make a stop,' he reached out to her gently.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 26, 2017, 02:45:56 PM
"Mrph." Ash batted at the nose that nudged her, then sat up slowly with a yawn. "We're stoppin'?" She yawned again, looking around blearily.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 26, 2017, 04:28:31 PM
'They haven't said exactly but I think so. Look up ahead.' He turned his head away to point straight forward. 'Looks like land, yeah?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 26, 2017, 06:56:58 PM
She nodded. "Looks like." Patting his neck, she leaned over him slightly to get a better look. "How long was I out?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 26, 2017, 08:02:29 PM
The young dragon snorted with a shake of his head, a deep rumble replacing the laugh that would have been there if he'd been in his human form. 'Nearly the whole day. I'm guessing last night was a bit of a disaster? Maybe a cave wasn't my best idea for you.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 27, 2017, 10:46:04 AM
Ash chuckled a little sheepishly. "Maybe," she admitted. "But I'm fine, really. I think I'm good after that nap."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 27, 2017, 12:33:11 PM
'Humans are so fragile, aren't they?' He huffed softly at that reflection, slowing his pace a bit as he veered more directly towards the shoreline, eventually dragging himself out of the water onto the unfamiliar sands. He turned his head to watch the selkies darting about in the shallows, uncertain if they would wait for him but hopeful that he could at least have a short rest if they would continue on before nightfall.

Yan dropped his head to rest on the sand, leaning on his side without entirely rolling so he wouldn't disturb her too much. 'I just need a few minutes.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 28, 2017, 04:31:55 PM
"Oh!" Aishling jumped to the sand and moved around to his head. She laid a hand on his cheek, eyes searching his worriedly. "I'm sorry, Yan. Are you alright?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on April 28, 2017, 06:27:20 PM
His eyes widened briefly, a little surprised by her concern over him but touched at the same time. He leaned his head up slightly to press his cheek to her palm with a low rumble of assurance. 'Yes, just a little tired,' he admitted. 'It's been a lot of swimming, but I'll live.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on April 29, 2017, 07:01:38 PM
Ash smiled and stroked her palm over his cheek, then allowed her nails to scritch at his scales. "Alright. Don't try to push yourself, okay?"

She glanced over her shoulder at the water, the few selkies that had started playing about when it became clear that they were pausing for a rest.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on May 07, 2017, 06:40:30 AM
Yan let his head fall heavily to the sand again, his tail swishing once in a wide, lazy motion against the wet sand. 'I just didn't get much rest yesterday. I'll sleep more from now on, I just don't like leaving you unprotected in a strange place. It would be my fault if something happened to you because I was sleeping,' he noted in a grouchy tone, huffing softly for how uncomfortable that notion made him feel.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on May 07, 2017, 06:23:22 PM
"No." She braced her fists on her hips with a small frown. "It wouldn't be your fault. It'd be mine. I'm your friend, Yan, not your responsibility."

She rubbed at the scales of his eye ridge absently, still frowning worriedly.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on August 05, 2017, 05:56:08 PM
A gentle, happy rumble of appreciation echoed through his chest, his head tilting slightly against her touch. Her attentions were still such a new sensation to him, but he was definitely liking them. He could understand the appeal for lesser creatures to walk among humans, to be pets for them if they received affection like that and companionship regularly in exchange.

'You are my friend, yes,' he insisted gently. 'That is why I care what happens to you. I don't want you to be unhappy or afraid... or alone. That's why I agreed to go with you. Isn't that what human friends do?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on August 05, 2017, 06:25:41 PM
"Well..." She supposed he may have a point there. With a little huff, she shook her head and frowned at him, but her lips quirked up just a bit on one side. "Why do you always have to make sense?"

Another sigh and she patted his cheek. "Alright, suppose I should climb aboard then, hm?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on August 09, 2017, 04:08:16 PM
'So eager to keep moving? I'm sure humans treat their horses better,' he teased gently. Yan was happy enough to indulge her, though. He'd gotten his brief rest even if it was less than he'd truly wanted. A good long nap would be in order later, or the longest sleep of his life.

'Let's keep going,' he prompted gently with a tired sigh, standing up in the sand and slowly making his way back out into the shallows, rejoining the seals in their loose formation once he was certain the girl was steady on his back once more.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on August 09, 2017, 07:27:32 PM
"Oh!" Ash winced guiltily even as she climbed onto his back. "I'm sorry, I just- this is so-" She just felt like they needed to move. They were getting closer, she just knew it. If they could really find her mother...

"I'll make sure we take a proper rest soon, I promise," she murmured, leaning low over the dragon's neck and patting him gently.




Nearly a week passed, swimming from one island to another, sleeping on cold rock, surrounded by the sea and the wind.

And strangely, Aishling loved every moment of it. Yes, it was cold, and she was tired, and dressed in nothing but a very ratty, very damp nightgown, but being out on the sea, traveling with the selkies, with Yan...it was wonderful.

Braiga, the selkie girl who'd first spoken to them, had stopped them at a crescent shape stone far out to sea, further north than Ash thought most human settlements stretched. She shrugged out of her coat and waved airily in a westward direction.

"The islands are there," she told girl and dragon. "Just out there, see? The chain looks like a spiral, the largest island in the center. If you are lucky, your mother will be there. Or someone who knows her."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on November 19, 2017, 06:27:44 PM
Every day of their journey Yan wished they'd had time to better prepare before they'd left Ash's human home behind. There was never enough shelter through their island-hopping, but he did his best to shield her from the elements. Blessedly it didn't take them nearly as long as he'd thought it would before their selkie guide was stopping to show them their destination.

Yan perked up, lifting his head high to peer out at the humps of land in the distance against the horizon. He tilted his head to eye his passenger, uncertain if she was ready for the final stretch. 'Would you like me to fly us there? We could be there by nightfall,' he offered.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on November 21, 2017, 08:18:39 AM
Ash, worrying at her lower lip, started slightly and glanced up at him with big eyes. "Um...yes?" She cleared her throat and rubbed at her arms absently. "I mean- if you're up for it. Are you? I don't wanna push you..."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on February 05, 2018, 05:58:48 AM
Fortunately his natural dragon form made it easy to hide the grimace that surely would have been there had he been showing his human avatar. Ash was painfully perceptive and he didn't want her to worry over him. It wouldn't have been pushing himself exactly, but he was very tired and would be due for a very long nap once he could afford to take it. Until then getting her to her destination and seeing to her needs was his priority. She was more vulnerable to the elements after all.

'I want to help you find what you're looking for,' he told her honestly, trying not to let his fatigue worm its way into his tone. He climbed up to the stone to spread his wings, gently shaking off what water still clung to his scales. He lifted himself up into the air with a few strong flaps of his wings to hover just barely above the surface, hoping that would be enough to keep her from changing her mind.

The young dragon lowered his head to gently butt his muzzle against Braiga's shoulder in thanks and farewell, eyeing her with gratitude he wasn't sure he could express properly. 'Thank you for helping her. If there is anything you need my help with in return I am never far from these waters.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on February 05, 2018, 03:48:56 PM
Braiga nodded as she slipped into the water with a happy, chirping bark.

Ash smiled and waved at the selkie, calling another, "Thank you!" as she disappeared into a dark black shape beneath the swell. Her attention quickly turned back to Yan, the concerned frown back on her brow.

"Are you absolutely sure about this?" she pressed as she shuffled forward to climb onto his back. Every instinct wanted her to get to that island as soon as possible, but she didn't want to push her friend too far.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on February 15, 2018, 07:53:46 PM
'We've come this far, haven't we? We should go and see what we can find. I can rest later if you're that worried about me,' he reminded her playfully. With a few more flaps of his wings Yan lifted them higher until he reached a current to glide upon, his head lowered to peer down at the fast-approaching land of the outer islands. They seemed uninhabited at first look, but he wasn't concerned about that as he turned his eyes on the larger main island ahead.

His wings strained on a sharp updraft, flapping furiously to keep pushing onward. He worried for Ash in the cold so far north, though, and was soon bringing them into a slow descent towards the bank of the center island.

The rocks were cold even for him once he touched back down to earth again, and he was silently cursing the lack of trees for cover from the wind. As a whole it seemed habitable, though, with sturdy grasses stretching out against the rocky ground all around them and several caves carved out against the weathered hillside. The visible seabirds scattered around gave him hope that fishing would be good enough nearby to sustain them while they were there.

He tilted his head to the side to look back at his passenger, eyes filled with concern over how she'd fared. 'Still in one piece?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on February 16, 2018, 07:47:13 AM
Ash was shivering violently as they touched down, but she hardly seemed to notice. A chill had set into her bones but she didn't care, sliding down off Yan's back and stumbling a bit as her feet touched rock.

"I'm f-f-fine." She leaned against his side, then cursed and ducked in between his front legs in an attempt to shield herself from the wind. She looked around curiously. "S-see anything?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on February 16, 2018, 06:51:52 PM
The young dragon watched with wide eyes as she tried to stand out on her own, concerned it was far too cold for her. Her shivering made that apparent and he stretched his tired wings forward to shield her from the wind as she tucked herself against him.

He snorted his displeasure, craning his neck to lift her by the collar of her nightgown and place her back over his shoulders again. 'There are caves ahead. You need shelter. Stay low, please?' Yan hardly waited for a response, though, stepping out towards the hill to carry her to safety and once again cursing their lack of proper planning for her escape to the sea. She was still partially human and seemed just as susceptible to the harsh winds as the rest of her kin despite her comfort at sea.

Once he'd chosen a cave and decided it looked empty of any animal inhabitants he turned to put his side to the entrance to shield her from what wind might sweep inside. 'The back will probably be warmest. I'll find some driftwood for you and get a fire going.'

Yan studied her thin garment, glaring at it for all the trouble it had caused for its very existence. 'I should return to human lands, find you warmer clothes,' he commented, lowering his muzzle to nudge at her arm in concern.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on February 17, 2018, 07:37:17 AM
The half-selkie squeaked in a less than dignified manner as she was lifted like a kitten and deposited on her friend's back, but she hunkered down and wrapped her arms around his neck easily enough. "You d-d-don't need to b-b-b-baby me," she protested weakly as he ushered her to the cave.

When he suggested returning to the mainland her eyes widened and she suddenly whirled and threw her arms around his muzzle in the best approximation of a hug she could manage in their current forms. "D-don't leave me." Eyes wide, she pressed her brow to his, her shaking beginning to die down as she was out of the wind. "I c-can't do th-this alone..."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on February 17, 2018, 07:52:38 PM
Her sudden clinginess startled him but he watched her with warm eyes, feeling a little bad that he had worried her so. Gently, Yan pressed his head against her, returning the affection as much as possible without human arms.

'I wouldn't ask you to do this alone, but I'm worried for your health,' he admitted, huffing softly and nuzzling against her. 'You would be sad if I left you here? And you stayed right here in this cave? It might only take a day or so now that I know where this place is.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on February 17, 2018, 08:04:04 PM
"Are- are you sure?" She clenched her jaw to prevent her teeth from chattering. She tightened her arms around him for a moment, then backed away with a sigh.

"Alright." She forced a smile. "Hurry back, okay?"

She really didn't want to be left alone, but honestly...she needed some real clothes, and maybe some food that wasn't fish- and she didn't actually see any other way to manage that.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on May 25, 2018, 11:44:26 AM
Yan puffed a warm breath at her, his eyes twinkling with relief at her semi-blessing as he stepped closer to fill the space she'd created and bump his nose at her shoulder. 'I'll get you settled here first and leave tonight once you're asleep, unless you're desperate to chase me off already,' he teased her, voice vibrating with a barely-controlled laughter at the idea.

Taking a step back again, he gestured with his head over his shoulder and announced in a more serious tone, 'I'll get wood for the fire first, stay here please... Don't wander.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on May 25, 2018, 11:48:19 AM
Ash rolled her eyes, but she smiled at him, stroking his muzzle when he bumped her shoulder. "Yeah, y-yeah. I'll stay right here." Her shivering was dying down at least, which was a relief.

She backed up a little further into the cave, still rubbing at her arms and legs as she crouched down, trying to keep herself warm. Out of the wind was certainly an improvement, but it was still pretty damn cold.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 22, 2018, 08:35:51 AM
Yan left the cave, heading back towards the shoreline with determination. He scavenged up plenty of driftwood to keep a fire going at least through the night and morning, bringing it back to deposit at the mouth of the cave. He returned to the shallows, snatching some extra pieces that were trapped against the slope of the island's shelf. They would need to dry, but he was certain the wind was capable of doing the job for Ash. It gave him peace of mind, at least, to know she would have extra without venturing out into the cold on her own.

He left the soaked pieces just outside the cave and shook off the water clinging to his hide before he entered again, pushing the dry wood along with him as he approached Ash. Taking half of it he carefully stacked it for her in a pile that ended up being quite clumsy and uneven, letting loose a small stream of fire to bathe it in.

It was a relief to hear the distinctive sizzle and pop as the fire took, his eyes sparkling with pride as he lifted his head to her. 'I probably got too much...but hopefully it will keep you warm. Are you hungry?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 23, 2018, 12:43:17 AM
Ash smiled as he lit the haphazard stack of driftwood and edged forward to bask in the warmth. "No, I'm alright," she said quickly-- she didn't want him to have to do anything else for her, and a few more hours without food certainly wouldn't kill her.

"Just...be careful out there. And hurry back, okay?" she smiled up at him again.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 23, 2018, 07:43:57 AM
The dragon nodded, watching her quietly for a moment to observe her by the fire. He hoped it really was enough, he worried it wouldn't be once the cold of night settled in around her shelter.

He padded closer, leaning down to press his head against her chest in farewell. 'Hopefully by morning, but don't worry about me. Stay warm, feed the fire before it dies,' he warned her gently, lifting his head to nose at her cheek before he turned to leave.

It would be better to just go and get what she needed, flying would be faster now that he knew where she was and didn't need the guidance of the selkies. Once outside again he launched himself into the air, quickly gaining altitude and speed as he rushed off back towards the mainland where he could skim the shoreline for a human town or village.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 23, 2018, 05:09:54 PM
Aishling nodded, smiling softly again and turning her head to press a quick, grateful kiss to his scaly snout.

She watched him fly off and her smile dropped slightly, eyes drifting down to focus on the flames in front of her. She sighed quietly and pulled her knees up to her chest, letting her chin rest on them as she watched the fire pop and leap.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 23, 2018, 07:43:03 PM
Well into the dark of night Yan finally spotted the disruptive shapes along the horizon he knew to be human houses with the occasional, blurry hearth fire peeking through a window. He'd landed a fair distance off near the shore and their anchored boats, assuming his human form to approach in case he was spotted lurking around in the night.

The town seemed asleep save for a few cats wandering the outskirts, but they paid him no mind. Yan hunted for the houses with laundry out to dry from the night winds, plucking a few articles of women's clothing from each as well as a few vegetables from the gardens he could find. He felt terrible for stealing, but he didn't think he could afford to wait until morning to barter with only fish and pretty shells to a town of fishermen.

Once he'd made it back a safe distance he bundled everything together in a stolen blanket so he could easily carry it. Shifting back to his natural form he plucked it from the sands and hurried back towards the island he'd left Ash at.

With his task done and behind him his thoughts increasingly centered on her, hoping she was safe and hadn't wandered off. A tugging ache was building in his chest, becoming more intense even as he caught sight of the island at first light. 'Aishling?' he reached out to her, uncertain if she might have been awake or if he was near enough for her to hear.

He beat his wings harder, pushing himself faster through the sky and into a dive where he managed to land near the mouth of the cave in a stumbling, three-legged mess to keep his precious bundle for her safe and unmarred.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 23, 2018, 08:18:27 PM
Shivering, even with the warmth of the dying flames, Ash snapped her head up as she felt Yan approaching. His voice in her mind was like a comforting arm wrapped around her shoulders and she scrambled to her feet.

"Yan!"

She didn't even really know why she was so happy to see him, she just was. Beaming and shivering, she raced to the mouth of the cave and threw herself forward to wrap her arms as far around his scaly neck as she could manage, nuzzling her face against him.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 23, 2018, 09:19:50 PM
He breathed a heavy sigh of relief to see she was still alive and well, though the shaking of her body concerned him. Yan bowed his head, tucking it over her shoulder to hug her as best as he could in his natural form.

'I'm sorry that took all night,' he apologized gently, doing his best to gently nudge and corral her deeper into the cave back towards her fire. The realization of what he'd been feeling struck his chest like lightning, though, and he paused to just squeeze her close all over again, 'I missed you...a lot.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 23, 2018, 09:43:58 PM
Ash smiled, almost despite herself. "I missed you too," she told him. She gave a little squeak of surprise when he "hugged" her again, but it...felt nice. She burrowed against him for a few moments longer, sighing quietly in relief.

"You're warm," she murmured, almost in a tone of realization.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 23, 2018, 11:12:05 PM
'Warmer than the fire?' That surprised him, but perhaps it shouldn't have given how well she'd traveled upon his back in only a nightgown.

Yan set the blanket down gently, pushing it towards her. 'You'd be warmer if you changed,' he reminded her, adding sheepishly, 'There's also some plants...foods? I thought you might know how to prepare them.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 23, 2018, 11:16:46 PM
Her smile widened and she knelt to open the bundle. "Oh...Yan." She looked up at him with some combination of guilt and gratitude on her face. "Thank you so much, but...how did you get all this?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 24, 2018, 12:18:37 AM
The dragon crouched low to the floor of the cave, huffing and looking away with guilt at her question. He knew he'd stolen, but he'd tried his best to minimize the impact it would have. 'I found a village...there were things outside but the people were asleep.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 24, 2018, 05:49:55 AM
Ash looked down at the clothes and food, bit her lip, looked back to Yan, then sighed and let her shoulders slump.

She wasn't exactly in a position to be picky. And he'd only done it for her, he obviously felt bad about it, which made her feel guilty in turn.

"Okay." She started gathering up the warmest looking clothes and smiled up at him. "Do you remember where it is? After all this we can go visit and leave some coin or something..."

Not that she had any on her. Or knew where she could get some. She'd worry about that later.

Smiling again, she patted Yan's chest gently as she stood and gave him another quick, one-armed hug before she hurried back into the shelter of the cave to change into the warmer clothes. "Just gimme a minute."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 24, 2018, 09:49:15 AM
Yan's eyes brightened at her acceptance, relieved he wasn't going to get a scolding for what he'd done for her. 'I remember... I can take you there,' he assured her, having no idea what he could do for the people he'd stolen from but knowing it was at least right to try something.

He turned his head, following her with his eyes as she left him, uncertain why she was moving away at first until he caught sight of the clothes she'd gathered. He'd remembered her sense of modesty then, a low rumble of understanding echoing through his chest.

The dragon turned himself around to grant her some privacy from his eyes, looking out instead towards the sun still climbing over the horizon to spill light into the cave.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 24, 2018, 10:52:42 PM
The half-selkie girl sighed with relief as she shrugged gratefully into some proper clothes. "Alright, ready!" she chirped, almost skipping back toward Yan with her now thoroughly ratty nightgown bundled up into the little pack he'd made. She held some sort of root vegetable-- she didn't recognize it, but she was starving-- in her other hand, munching on it.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 25, 2018, 10:04:35 AM
Yan turned his head to watch her approach as soon as she'd spoken the words. He eyed the vegetable in her hand curiously and watched her jaw as she chewed. Bowing his head to her he nudged it gently with a soft snort as he inhaled the earthy scent.

Without giving much thought he assumed his human form, leaning in close to study it at a more comfortable level. "May I try some? I've never tasted these before," he murmured, his voice a little rough from disuse.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 25, 2018, 10:22:03 PM
Ash had to bite back a squeal and jerked her head back as he leaned in, suddenly very aware of how close they were standing.

"Um, y-yeah. Sure." She held the vegetable out to him, feeling her face heat. "You, um...aren't you cold, like this?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 26, 2018, 10:02:56 AM
He took a small bite, not wanting to take too much of her food when he could easily hunt for himself. Chewing slowly and delicately to savor it and learn the flavor he arched a brow at her question and briefly turned his head to look out at the island just outside of their little hideaway.

"A little more than normal, but I can manage. Skin is different from scales, but...still have my fire," Yan reminded her with a lighthearted smile, reaching out to press the back of his hand against her breastbone for a moment so she might feel it for herself.

"That tastes good, though...I should find where they grow. Or maybe they can't without human help."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 26, 2018, 09:05:10 PM
((I'm sorry I completely forgot— does Yan have clothes right now??))




Has just stared at his hand pressing against her chest, suddenly completely at a loss for words. "Um...y-yeah," she squealed our eventually, eyes wide as she snapped them back up to his face. "Right. You can be a gardening sea dragon."

She was babbling suddenly, and she didn't quite know how to stop.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 26, 2018, 10:40:23 PM
((Yes!! Sorry, I forgot to say. He keeps his clothes with transforming.))

Yan snorted and chuckled, shaking his head gently as he let his hand fall away from her. "Is that what it's called? I have so much to learn still," he lamented mildly, not bothered in the least if such lessons would come from Aishling.

"Did you have a garden back...home?" he questioned, uncertain if he should really have been calling where she lived with her father home if the girl was still feeling cross with her him. Yan found himself staring into her eyes, though, and studying her with a quiet intensity he was oblivious to.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 26, 2018, 11:06:12 PM
She smiled and nodded as he pulled his hand back, relaxing a bit now that he was no longer touching her. What the hell had that been about?

"Yeah, a little one." She shrugged. "Mostly some herbs and stuff. Not a lot of flowers really grow back-- back home." She stumbled over the word herself.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 26, 2018, 11:56:37 PM
He tilted his head thoughtfully, eyeing the bundle he'd brought for her. There were several different plants inside, but he didn't know enough about them to tell exactly what any of them were. He mostly just knew it wasn't grass.

"Did you want flowers?" he asked sadly, lifting his head to meet her eyes again. "I could go back and try to find some."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 27, 2018, 12:02:02 AM
"Oh--!" Ash blinked, then laughed and shook her head. "No no, that wasn't what I meant," she chuckled, reaching up to pat his shoulder without thinking. "You've already done enough, Yan, really."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 27, 2018, 06:25:22 AM
The young dragon stared at her for a long moment, his lips pursing slightly in indecision before he nodded in acceptance. Lifting an arm he settled his hand to cup gently over her own smaller hand upon his shoulder. "You would tell me if you did?" he pressed, desperately wanting to make sure she would have whatever it was she might need while she was under his care.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 27, 2018, 06:29:53 AM
Gods how was he so sweet?

With a little shake of her head, Ash leaned forward rather impulsively to peck his cheek. "I would," she assured quietly. "But you're my friend Yan, not my servant. You're already doing so much for me, I'm not sure I'll ever be able to pay you back!"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 27, 2018, 07:33:10 AM
Yan froze at the contact, the touch of her lips feeling much different against skin than it ever had with scales. His cheeks went quite red as he listened to her, nodding along in agreement and then shaking his head with a small huff.

"I...don't want you to pay me back," he reminded her. "I just want to take care of you."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 27, 2018, 07:35:53 AM
She blinked at him. It wasn't the first time he'd said that, but...

"Okay, but why?" she pressed, tilting her head. She wasn't even entirely sure why she asked, she just felt like she should. "You've done more for me than— well. Than anyone. I get that you want to help me because we're friends. If our places were switched I'd want to help you, too. But you're doing more than just helping me, you're...guarding me. Guiding me. Caring for me. Why is that so important?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 27, 2018, 08:47:24 AM
The dragon studied her face for a moment, tilting his head thoughtfully before dropping his eyes away in frustration. It was so difficult to understand or even explain why his instincts were driving him to do what he'd been doing for her all along. He had his suspicions, but nothing had really settled in as ringing true yet.

"Something here...tells me I should," he tried to offer, settling a hand over his chest as if he could simply show her. "Does it...bother you? Should I stop?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 27, 2018, 04:13:10 PM
"Here?" She looked up into his face, her palm feeling the steady thump-thump beneath his breast. She smiled shyly, cheeks flushing just a bit. "Your...heart?"

Her smile softened and she dropped her eyes slightly. "It doesn't...bother me."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 27, 2018, 06:51:37 PM
Was that what it was? His heart?

Yan met her eyes cautiously after a moment of observing her hand against his chest, nodding slowly. It left him with a mild ache, his throat tightening with nerves he didn't entirely understand. "Why do you ask, then?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 27, 2018, 07:02:14 PM
The air between them suddenly felt thick and heavy. Ash found herself swallowing almost compulsively and licked her lips. "I-- I just...wanted to know," she whispered.

She hardly noticed that her palm still rested against his chest, the steady beat of his heart a soothing rhythm against her own skin.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 27, 2018, 08:23:37 PM
Yan nodded thoughtfully, reaching out to her again to splay his fingers out against her own chest. This time he felt her own heartbeat strong against his palm, but the contact stirred something inside him as he felt his own heart flutter briefly in his chest and a small shiver racing up his spine.

He gasped and dropped his hand, curling it into a loose fist as if he'd been shocked and looking down at it with a frown. "Sorry...didn't mean to hurt you," he muttered in guilt, assuming whatever he'd felt had been passed to her through the brief contact.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 27, 2018, 08:29:48 PM
"Y-you didn't," Aishling stammered out quickly. Her eyes were very wide, and she abruptly found herself missing the warmth of his hand. "Yan, I..."

Her cheeks flushed deeply and she dropped her eyes, stepping back. "Sorry. I'm sorry, I--  I'm not hurt or anything. A-are you okay?"

what the hell had just happened?
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 27, 2018, 09:09:10 PM
He relaxed some to hear she was alright, eyeing her warily for the way her face was turning red again. Why did it seem she only did that when he was taking his human form?

Yan shook his head gently, offering her a nervous smile. "No, it's... I don't think you did anything. I think it was just me."

He cleared his throat, unable to stop himself from reaching out to her again to try to comfort her despite what had happened just a moment ago. He settled his hand at her arm, squeezing lightly to try to reassure her. "You didn't...feel that?" he asked incredulously.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 27, 2018, 09:25:36 PM
"Feel what?" Though he had moved his grip to her arm, her own hand still rested on his breastbone. She glanced down at it. "You mean...this?"

She looked up at him again, tilting her head. "Your heartbeat?" She'd felt it skip, but hadn't given it much thought; her own heart did that all the time, when she was nervous, or excited, or--

Oh.

Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 27, 2018, 11:02:44 PM
He looked down at her thoughtfully but shook his head, a little nervous to admit, "There was something else...when we touch." It seemed like she hadn't noticed, though, but he kept his hand steady against her as if trying to will it to happen again.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 27, 2018, 11:16:13 PM
When they touched?

...

A possibility that she hadn't really considered as such floated to the front of her mind, deepening her blush even as she smiled shyly. "Sort of...like a fluttering in your chest? Like you're nervous, or scared, but so so happy at the same time?"

If she was right, if he was feeling what she was feeling...
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 28, 2018, 06:14:28 AM
The way she put it into words... His pulse jumped sharply again, eyes dilating in realization. That had been what he'd felt, he hadn't been shocked at all.

Yan nodded eagerly, though his eyes grew hesitant as he moved his hand up along her shoulder and down to press against her chest again as if trying to feel out the same thing in her. There was no danger after all it just...started happening when they were close, though he didn't even realize it had been building up inside him. "Do you...know what that feels like?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 28, 2018, 06:23:21 AM
She took a breath, then let it out in a shaky laugh. "Yeah. Yeah, Yan, I do."

Her free hand moved up to cover his, pressing his palm against her heart. Her breath became a little ragged all of the sudden, and she felt her pulse jump erratically.

It struck her, suddenly, that even though he seemed so different from her most of the time, so much wiser and more worldly, in many ways he was finding himself in life just as much as she was. Maybe even more so.

"Yan, do you..." She swallowed. When she spoke again, her voice was nearly a whisper. "You know that feeling when you like someone-- really like them-- but there's so much happening, s-so much going on around you, you start to think it must just be the excitement, the adventure, because it would be silly if you felt that way about them, and-- and they'd never look at you that way because you're just too different...?"

She was babbling again. Biting her lip, she peeked up at him through her lashes, shuffling her feet. "That's... For me, that's was this feels like."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 28, 2018, 11:12:19 AM
Yan stared down at her with open curiosity as he listened to her speak. He was becoming more in tune with the gentle fluttering of her heart against his palm, noticing the slight differences every time she hesitated or looked nervous. It felt so private and personal, but he also couldn't bring himself to move away.

"Look at you that way," he repeated, frowning as he mulled it over. How was he supposed to see her? She was still Aishling to him, but she was also very special in a way no human had ever been. Before her he'd been distant with them, never lingering too long in their villages and mostly watching them from afar. He'd never dwelled on it before, but it wasn't the first time she'd called herself "too different" and now...it made his chest ache a bit.

"I feel like...you see me that way. Too different. But to me...we are just different. Not too different."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 28, 2018, 05:37:31 PM
Her heart leaped into her throat. “Really?”

She flushed and added with a slight stammer, “B-because I didn’t even know you could be human at first, and you’re this— this powerful, magical thing and I’m just...I’m just me.” She didn’t stop, it almost felt like she couldn’t. “But I— I really care about you, Yan, and sometimes, when we're...like this...”

Ash swallowed thickly as she looked up at him. “I know everything has been so— so crazy lately.” she whispered. “But I...do you think maybe, after we f-find my mother...we could...stay together?”
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 28, 2018, 07:09:43 PM
The young dragon was amazed that she still held him in such high regard. To his own kind he knew he was young, untempered, and inexperienced. His gifts were more developed at his age because of his lineage, though he didn't think it was anything to take as particularly special. There were plenty of others just like him somewhere out there, but Ash...

She seemed to see him as truly special, someone worthy of caring about. For that he was grateful. He wasn't quite sure how to put it into words that would be less intense yet, but he understood in that moment the bond he felt to her went beyond their friendship. There was something deeper, something his elders had warned him to keep an eye out for. The thought that he might be opening himself up to explore it was both terrifying and exhilarating.

The warmth of happiness bubbled in his chest and after only a quiet moment he nodded eagerly in agreement, smiling with relief. His slid his hand down away from her chest and stepped closer, wrapping her up in his arms for a warm embrace that lifted her just slightly onto her toes. It was their first proper hug as he was but it didn't feel unnatural. It felt rather special, in fact, a pleasant tingling racing through him as he rested his cheek against her own.

"Please?" he chuckled softly, finally finding his voice again. "Ash...you're very special to me. I'd like to stay with you, wherever you decide to go."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 28, 2018, 07:15:59 PM
Her heart stopped, then picked up again in a rapid double time. Ash beamed and wrapped her arms tight around his neck, rocking up onto her toes as far as she could to press closer.

"Okay," she whispered happily, and nuzzled gently into the curve of his shoulder. "Together, then."

She hesitated a moment, then turned her head to press a quick, light kiss against his cheek. It wasn't like she'd never done it before— though of course then he'd been in his true form, and now just felt...different.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 28, 2018, 08:50:55 PM
It felt good and...right to be holding her close. He hummed happily at her agreement, nuzzling close and then freezing at the contact of her lips to his cheek. That certainly felt different in his human form, the touch causing his chest to tighten in a mess of butterflies.

Lifting his head slightly he eyed her thoughtfully for a moment before turning to press a gentle kiss to her temple. It happened again and Yan shuddered and huffed in surprise, gooseflesh racing up his arms that was not at all for the chill of the wind outside.

"Everything is different like this," he commented in mild awe, fingers gently kneading along her back as he tried to put it into words. "All my...senses are different."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 28, 2018, 08:59:02 PM
For her part, Ash was trying to focus on not letting her suddenly shaky knees give out beneath her body for the way his fingers kneaded at the small of her back. Why did that feel so good? She’d never thought she was particularly sensitive there!

“Is it...good different?” she asked after a moment, tilting her head slightly to search his face, her arms still draped loosely around his neck.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 28, 2018, 10:26:10 PM
"Yeah," he huffed, meeting her eyes with a shy little smile as he tried to explain, "You're still the same but it feels...really nice to be close with you. I don't...feel you as much when we touch normally, human skin is more sensitive."

Yan stared down into her eyes once they'd separated a bit, his fingers slowly working their way up her back to settle at her waist instead. Something still pulled at him, though, the air feeling so alive around them.

With a small frown he leaned down to press another kiss to her forehead, such a brief thing immediately causing his heart to leap and hammer in his chest again with nerves.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 28, 2018, 11:02:11 PM
Ash smiled, and closed her eyes with a soft sigh when he kissed her brow. Her heart seemed to be sitting higher in her chest than was typically normal, fluttering delicately against her rib cage every few breaths.

"I'm glad," she murmured almost without thinking. She took a breath, taking a moment to just enjoy the closeness they'd fostered between them, then tilted her head back and rocked up on her toes to press her lips to his.

It was an incredibly brief touch, not even quite all the way to a proper kiss, then she was rocking back again, cheeks flushed and eyes downcast. "Was— was that okay?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 29, 2018, 08:07:27 AM
He wasn't quite sure what she was doing until it was already happening, the brush of lips giving his heart a jolting stutter like he was suddenly in a freefall. Just as soon as it had started it was over, though, his eyes blinking at her in wonder. She'd left him with more questions than answers, his hands idly adjusting at her sides as he tried to make sense of how that had felt so...just good.

She seemed nervous again, but he tilted his head to watch her curiously as she ducked away from him. "Yeah...why did you stop?" he asked softly, curious to try it for himself and leaning in to touch his lips to hers with a gentle, lingering pressure.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 29, 2018, 04:41:47 PM
Her eyes widened slightly as his lips pressed against hers and for a moment she was frozen. For some reason, she hadn't actually expected him to initiate such contact.

Then a soft sigh escaped her and her eyes fluttered closed, her arms drifting up to twine lazily around his neck. She tilted her head slightly, letting her bottom lip slant across his as she pressed closer. Her heart was pounding against her breastbone, breath hitching slightly.

After several long moments she pulled away, breathing a little heavily, and blinked up at him. "That, um..." She smiled almost sheepishly. "Wow."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on June 29, 2018, 08:16:38 PM
Somehow it had been even better the second time, his whole body feeling warm and his skin tingling pleasantly everywhere they'd touched. When she pulled away he was left panting lightly, a slow smile tugging at his lips as he watched her through half-lidded eyes.

"Ash... We should do that more often," he suggested bashfully once he'd caught his breath a bit, cheeks going a bit red as he continued to talk, "If it doesn't bother you. Or if you like it. Well...hopefully both?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on June 29, 2018, 09:13:47 PM
She was nodding even before he'd finished speaking. "Yes! I mean...I-I like it. A lot." She glaihed and ducked her eyes with another bashful smile. "We, um— we should definitely do that more."

Her eyes flickered passed him to the entrance of the cave, where the sky was growing ever lighter, and she sighed reluctantly. "Later. We should...probably get moving."

Contrary to her own words, she didn't remove her arms from around his neck. In fact she made no move to separate herself from him at all.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 01, 2018, 09:50:03 PM
Yan turned his head briefly to follow her eyes and nodded, though he was reluctant to let her go. His hands remained at her waist as he took a shaky breath to steel himself. Leaning down once more he pressed his forehead affectionately to her own with a soft hum of acknowledgement.

"Will these keep you warm enough?" he asked softly, fingers plucking gently at the fabric enveloping her.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 04, 2018, 11:37:59 PM
Ash took a breath in an attempt to steady herself some and nodded. "Yeah, they're great, thank you." She bit her lip, then leaned up on her toes to steal one more kiss before she finally managed to force herself back, cheeks rather pink.

"Okay, um... Should we go?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 05, 2018, 06:01:18 AM
Yan eyed her in amusement, still surprised she was being so openly affectionate but not at all opposed to it. He nodded at her question, slowly slipping his hands away from her to take a few steps back. He was a little sad for the loss, but he was back in his natural form before he could really linger on it.

Gently butting his muzzle against her shoulder he stepped out towards the mouth of the cave, not even flinching at the way the wind howled against the cliffs just beyond. 'I suppose we're looking for seals more than people?' he guessed, turning his head this way and that trying to decide which side of the island to search first.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 05, 2018, 06:12:06 AM
Ash quickly scurried after him, once again marveling silently at the ease with which he changed form. She nodded as she reached him, hunkering down against his shoulder to block some of the wind. "Yeah, I'd think so. I didn't see any fires or anything when you were gone, so I don't they camp out in the island in human form much."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 05, 2018, 12:04:08 PM
Noticing the way she huddled against him Yan gently unfurled a wing to loosely shield around her as he chose a side and went left down the cold rocks towards the beach.

'Let's make a loop and see if we can find any. If they aren't here maybe they'll be easier to find on the smaller islands,' he pointed out, gesturing with his head towards the vague greys and greens on the horizon that made up the chain they'd flown over the previous day. 'Maybe there's a cove somewhere they call home,' he added hopefully.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 07, 2018, 09:02:37 PM
Ash nodded quickly and started climbing up onto his back, her foot slipping on his scales slightly in her hurry, making her blush and give an awkward cough. "Alright."

She took a breath. "Let's do this."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 07, 2018, 09:47:32 PM
Yan paused once he felt her start to climb, a startled noise of surprise escaping him as he felt her slip. He curled his neck to the side to give her foot a steadying nudge, eyeing her critically once she was settled on his back. He felt bad for not offering himself as her mount automatically, though he supposed it was fair to assume after so much time together. The rocks were cold anyway, he could not fault her for wanting to be off of them.

'I'll stay on the ground for now,' he offered, righting himself and stepping out to keep walking at a quick clip. Perhaps she would spot something from a higher perch that he wouldn't think to look for about selkies. He made short work of walking a path along the edge of the chill waters, his whole body relaxing with relief once they had the hills behind them and shielding from the strongest winds.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 10, 2018, 05:47:01 AM
Ash froze as she realized she'd started to climb onto her friend-- was that still the appropriate word?-- without actually asking permission.

But...he didn't really seem to mind. He even gave her a steadying nudge, which made her smile and stroke his shoulder in gratitude as she settled herself. "Yeah, thanks," she murmured, leaning low over his neck. "My eyes aren't as good as yours, I don't think I could spot what we're looking for from the air."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 10, 2018, 08:18:55 AM
The dragon rumbled a soft chuckle, tossing his head lightly in amusement. Her small warmth against his scales was a comfort as he moved down the rocky beach, eyes scanning from the shallows to the rocky slopes above.

The island was much bigger than he'd originally thought, a deceptively long stretch of land tucking in behind the sheltered face he'd brought Ash to the previous night. Abruptly he reached the end of the rocky shallows, nearly half his body dipping into the water as he pushed onward to get around the high wall of rock that still stretched out. He'd thought they might round the tip of the island and find themselves back on land on the other side. His eyes widened as he rounded the end to find a narrow channel of even deeper water running a shadowed path right through the rocks.

Yan's heart pounded at the sight of it but he very slowly turned his head to eye Aishling. 'I think that...goes inside,'  he offered in explanation. The rocks seemed to continue on into shallows just a little ways further down where he was certain would just round them back to where they'd started. Looking to the high walls of rock before them, though, the sunlight only illuminated the entrance as the slope of the island above sheltered the rest.

Peering inside he did notice a faint glow that seemed shrouded in mist. Perhaps it was another opening he'd missed with the light teasing from the other side, but the dragon was hopeful that it was something more that he'd simply not noticed by the light of the moon when he'd flown them in. Automatically he paddled closer, too curious to not at least explore his find.

The channel was only just wide enough to fit him through with a few wriggles whenever a paw or his tail got stuck on a jutting edge. He was certain most human ships would never be able to navigate it, which only solidified in his mind how it would be a good hiding place.

Only a few lengths further dropped them into darkness, the air thick with the mist he'd noticed from the outside. It was colder, but only just, and the dragon pressed on to let the faint light ahead guide his direction. The low, narrow rocks gradually opened wider as a higher ceiling of rock stretched above them. It was barely visible in the darkness even to Yan, but he felt and heard it as fewer rocks brushed his scales with open water enveloping him instead and the faint sound of splashing echoing around them as he paddled along.

'Do you hear that?' he reached out to her, even his mind's voice quiet as though they should be cautious.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 11, 2018, 04:53:07 AM
Shivering-- though with more excitement than cold, now-- Ash leaned a little lower over his neck and tried to peer into the cavern.

She heard the splashing as he did and stiffened, a tremor that was equal parts wariness and desperate hope tingling up her spine.

"Yes," she whispered, though despite her best efforts her voice seemed almost unbearably loud. "Can-- can you see anything?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 11, 2018, 06:09:17 AM
Yan only gave a thoughtful rumble in reply, pushing on to swim a little faster towards the faint glow he could make out ahead. He realized that some of the sound bouncing off the cavern walls was up ahead, it was impossible for it all to be from his own swimming.

Suddenly he'd made it through the mist, though, and the hazy glow was now very clearly a bright ray of sunlight spilling down through a hole in the rocky ceiling from the mainland of the island above. It illuminated a portion of sandy solid ground towards the rear of the hidden chamber, though the closer he swam the quieter the sounds around him became until deafening silence was only broken by the faint swishing of the water around him.

He paused, allowing his momentum to float them along silently and then turned his head with suspiciously narrowed eyes as he pulled them up onto the warm sand that would give them some light. 'I think they are here... But they hide from me,' he told her, projection faint as though he needed to whisper.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 12, 2018, 03:25:08 AM
"Ooookay..." Ash swallowed, then very carefully slid down off Yan's back, keeping her hand pressed against his shoulder as her feet touched sand. "Well. I should...introduce myself, yeah?"

Her tone was light enough, but she couldn't seem to make her feet move forward.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 12, 2018, 07:09:46 AM
Soft, chiming giggles echoed off the walls for her hesitation, drawing a startled snort from the dragon. He unconsciously stepped around to put himself between her and the waters they'd just come in by, unnerved that the sound seemed to have come from where they'd been only minutes before. They had either been followed or her kind had silently circled around to observe their visitors from a distance. He hoped it was the latter.

'She-- We mean no harm,' he offered, a little nervous that he didn't get an immediate response.

There was uncomfortable silence for a time, though it seemed for deliberation. A chorus of "We know," echoed around them and the dragon tensed at the invisible group's answer, not knowing if they were exactly friendly or hostile by that alone. He did not know how many of them were hiding in the darkness but he hoped he had not brought Aishling into trouble.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 13, 2018, 01:29:48 AM
Ash froze, eyes widening as the voices echoed off the cavern walls. She instinctively shrank back toward Yan again, then took a breath and forced herself to tiptoe toward the edge of the water.

"Um...hello?" She bit her lip and glanced back at the dragon, then looked out to the water again. "I, ah...I'm looking for someone. I was told she might be here?"

There was silence for several long moments, then a soft splashing of water as a few dark shapes moved closer to both girl and dragon. The selkies seemed to have abandoned their seal skins, three lovely young women settling themselves just barely onto the sand.

"Whom do you seek?"
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 13, 2018, 07:13:23 AM
Yan bowed his head as they approached, a warning rumble sounding through his chest until he realized they truly were selkies as they'd been hoping to find. He relaxed some, eyeing them curiously as they revealed their human forms to the pair.

'Her mother,' the young dragon answered automatically, nudging his nose against Ash's shoulder as if pushing her closer for them to see might make her heritage more obvious. Perhaps a name might help or jog their memory. 'Is there one among you with a daughter? Her name is Aishling.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 13, 2018, 07:45:04 PM
The three selkies exchanged glances, and Ash hurried to add, "Lyanna. Her name is Lyanna. Please, is she here?"

Another glance passed between them, and they slipped further back toward the water. Ash almost started after them, but stopped herself after a step, afraid she'd scared them off.

"Lyanna...is known to us," one of then said after several long moments.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 13, 2018, 10:08:29 PM
The dragon had to stifle a growl for the way they retreated, instead puffing hot air along Ash's arm as they waited. He was ready to dive after them if they tried to leave, but...it didn't seem necessary as they finally acknowledged the girl standing before them.

'Is she here? Or close by?' he pressed gently, trying to keep his tone calm and gentle.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 14, 2018, 12:45:27 AM
The selkie who'd spoken snapped her eyes to the dragon, and seemed to debate for several seconds before she answered. "I do not know. She was here five days passed, but set out soon after she arrived."

"Always a bit of a wanderer, that one," another of the women sighed, shaking her head as though bemoaning some quirky flaw in her sister's personality.

Ash deflated, head and shoulders drooping. So close. Just five days. "You-- you don't have any idea where she might've gone?"

The talkative one glanced to her, and her expression softened slightly. She shook her head. "I'm sorry, child."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 14, 2018, 08:50:10 AM
Yan's chest ached to see her obvious disappointment, stepping closer to nudge gently at her arm. They had only just missed her mother's presence and her location now was unknown. He didn't want to see Ash lose hope, surely her goal would be attainable in time.

'Does she visit here often?' he pressed gently. 'Aishling has come a long way to see her... Maybe we should stay until she comes back.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 14, 2018, 07:47:38 PM
The woman's eyes softened a bit more and her mouth twisted into a regretful sort of pout. "I'm sorry. Lyanna comes and goes as she pleases-- it may be months before she returns."

Months. Ash closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself, leaning heavily against Yan's side as she suddenly found herself fighting back tears.

"Are you truly her child?" another selkie suddenly piped up, the one who had not yet spoken. The more talkative one rolled her eyes.

"Are you blind, Fianna? Even if she didn't look just like her, it's obvious she is our sister." She gestured toward Aishling vaguely. "You can sense it, can't you? The song of the sea is in her blood."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 14, 2018, 08:15:04 PM
Months was a long time. Months was...longer than he'd known Ash. It seemed too much for her in such harsh island conditions. Perhaps that wasn't even her greatest worry, but he could see her distress clear as day when he curled his neck to look at her.

A doleful, rumbling mewl sounded from his throat, eyes sad as he leaned close to press his muzzle to her cheek. He wanted to comfort her, but what the selkies discussed between themselves rang true to him. She had been drawn to the sea the night they had met and had seemed captivated with it ever since.

'It calls to her,' he offered to them in explanation. 'She is drawn to it. I taught her to swim, but...it felt like I was reminding her of what she already knew at the time.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 14, 2018, 08:38:17 PM
All three selkies nodded. "Yes, that is the way of it."

The quieter one, Fianna, smiled. "It is rare we find a sister born of both land and sea... I am sorry we could not be of more help to you."

Feeling rather adrift, Ash shook her head slowly. "No, that's...it's not your fault. Thank you..." She glanced up at Yan, disappointment clear in her eyes no matter what she did to try and smile.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 14, 2018, 10:09:45 PM
The dragon breathed a disappointed sigh as he saw the sadness shining clearly in her eyes. He hated how routine it was becoming for he to be handed some small hope of finding her mother only for it to be snatched away. It seemed...unfair for a girl so pure of heart to endure and he ached with sympathy for her.

'Do any of you know where she -Lyanna- might have gone? Any places she visits often?' he pressed after a long while to break his thoughtful silence. 'Or...anywhere we might find more of your kind to ask after her?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 14, 2018, 11:11:28 PM
"Mmm...perhaps." The lead selkie glanced at the other two, then looked back to Yan and Ash. "Wait here."

All three slipped back into the water, snatching dark lumps from the shallows that Ash belatedly realized must have been their coats.

With a sigh, she leaned a little more heavily into Yan's side. "We were so close," she mumbled, shuffling her feet dejectedly.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 15, 2018, 10:52:42 AM
The dragon sighed heavily as he heard the faint splashing of their departure. There was no telling if they would actually come back, but he supposed it wouldn't hurt either of them to wait a little while and see.

'I know... I'm sorry.' Yan nudged her cheek once more before dropping his head over her shoulder to wrap her in another of his makeshift hugs. 'Maybe they know something more, but...if they don't we can find others to ask. There are many islands we passed to get here,' he reminded her gently, not wanting her to lose hope.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 15, 2018, 08:34:27 PM
Sighing, Ash turned and wrapped her arms as far around his neck as they would go. "Yeah." She tried to keep her voice upbeat, though truly just the thought of the journey still left ahead of them was enough to make her bones ache with weariness. "You're right..."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 16, 2018, 08:39:21 AM
The dragon sighed heavily, doing his best to remain optimistic but sensing she would still be sad no matter what he said. 'We'll find her. And I promise...you won't ever be alone in this.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 17, 2018, 03:52:43 AM
She smiled at that, despite everything else, and nuzzled into his chest. Scales aside, it was actually quite comfortable, being pressed against the warmth that he radiated.

"Thanks, Yan," she murmured, finally stepping back. "You... I never would have even gotten this far without you."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 17, 2018, 06:46:21 AM
With a soft snort and the gentle rumble of laughter vibrating his whole body Yan dipped his head to evenly look at her eye-to-eye. 'You would have eventually, but much more slowly,' he teased, encouraging gently, 'You're a strong swimmer.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 18, 2018, 06:22:32 AM
She chuckled a bit at that and shoved his shoulder lightly. "Oh, give over," she huffed. "We both know I'd never even have thought to come here of it hadn't been for you."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 18, 2018, 07:44:40 AM
That gave Yan pause, his eyes widening in surprise as he just blinked for a few moments. That seemed...important. ‘I just wanted to help you, I’m sure you would have eventually,’ he tried to brush off.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 19, 2018, 01:18:01 AM
"Maybe." Ash shrugged and glanced to the water. Seeing no sign of the dark shapes of seals, she sighed quietly and sank down to sit cross-legged between Yan's front paws. She tilted her head back to smile up at him. "But you definitely gave me the right push. Not to mention a lift," she chuckled, leaning back against his chest as she waited, eyes flicking back toward the water.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 19, 2018, 06:31:51 AM
Yan arched his neck to look down at her, a little surprised she seemed so small curled up on the ground like she was. He settled his weight into the sands, his voice a little quieter than normal, 'I did, you're right... I wanted to see you happy again. But now you seem sad.'

He tilted his head, eyeing her quietly for a moment before settling his head down to rest beside her over one paw.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 22, 2018, 04:41:05 AM
She thought about brushing his concern away-- then sighed and shook her head.

"I am sad," she admitted, leaning against his neck and twisting her head to let her brow rest against his scales. "I'm sad, and I'm tired, and I'm starting to think maybe this whole thing was pointless. Maybe I'll never find her."

She bit her lip, drawing in a shaky breath. Finally, she whispered the fear that had been haunting her since their journey began, the fear she hadn't allowed herself to articulate before. "Maybe she doesn't want me to find her..."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 22, 2018, 06:53:54 AM
Yan quietly rumbled his sympathies, silently wondering if this whole journey was too difficult on her. Aishling was a strong young woman from everything he'd seen, but the emotional side of searching for her mother seemed to be taking its toll.

'Selkies seem secretive,' he mused. 'But they also seem to care for their own. I doubt she is hiding from you, Ash.'

The dragon nudged her gently with his muzzle, eyeing her curiously. 'Maybe we should stay here a few more days so you can rest. It is probably best not to rush if she is always so elusive, we will find her when the time is right. I'm sure it will happen.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 23, 2018, 04:37:51 AM
"Mmm." She sighed again softly and let herself relax back against him. "I hope so..."

It took nearly an hour, but finally the three selkies returned, slick, dark seals that propelled themselves onto the thin stretch of sand, then shrugged their coats away to become women once again.

"There will be a gathering tomorrow, on the north beach," Fianna said without preamble as Ash hurriedly tried to scramble to her feet and nearly tripped over Yan's paws. "You have been permitted to attend, by virtue of Lyanna's blood. Maybe someone there will be able to help you."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 23, 2018, 06:50:04 AM
Yan had started to doze off, catching what brief rest that he could before the selkies returned. His eyes flickered open with a start as Ash flew away from him, his head shooting up as he peered around her to eye the three selkie women with caution.

He climbed up slowly, silently padding through the sand as he approached her and lightly butted his head against her back. 'Another day is not so far off. You should go... If you want to see what they might know,' he encouraged her gently, eyeing the selkies with a quiet rumble of gratitude.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 23, 2018, 08:11:29 PM
Ash nodded quickly. “Yes! Um, please. If that’s alright.”

The selkies smiled at her softly, though Fianna’s expression turned thoughtful and she murmured, “It is probably best if your friend remains here for the night. He might...startle some folk.”

Ash winced slightly and looked back at her friend. “Is that okay...?”
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 24, 2018, 07:38:26 AM
He hadn't expected an invitation exactly but for some reason their desire to keep him hidden away from the rest of their kind was quite an insult. Yan's eyes narrowed sharply, a low growl rumbling briefly in his chest before he cut it off with a huff. How could he make sure she was safe if he wouldn't even be permitted to watch them from a distance?

'I will stay if that is what you wish,' he decided, tilting his head to eye her with uncertainty and brush his cheek to her shoulder in concern. 'But I will not forgive them if they allow you to freeze. Just...call for me if you need me? I will be listening.'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 24, 2018, 11:40:09 PM
"Whoa, hold on." Ash frowned and looked from Yan to the selkies. "I-- you said the night, right? He can...come to the thing tomorrow, or whatever?"

Fianna looked to the other two, who shrugged. "The dragon may do as he likes. We simply suggested that he remain here for the night as many of our families are sleeping. They would most likely not take kindly to being woken by a massive predator."

"Right. Okay." She nodded and turned to plop herself down between Yan's front paws again. "We'll spend the night here then. Thank you."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 25, 2018, 01:56:16 PM
Yan relaxed at the clarification, feeling a little silly for his incorrect assumption about their gathering. He understood their distrust of his kind as a whole, but he took offense to being labeled a predator, unable to hold back a loud huff as he curled his paws around Ash protectively and settled back down into the sand.

'You are okay with this, Ash?' he asked with concern, gently nudging at her shoulder. He much preferred the familiarity of the cave he'd chosen for them and the access to open air if they had reason to flee. The mostly closed-in space of the hidden cavern made him a little anxious, but he had no real reason to believe they might have been in any danger.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 25, 2018, 07:28:06 PM
"Hm?" She tilted her head back to look at him, and absently pressed a quick kiss to his muzzle. "Yeah, I am if you are."

The selkies seemed to have lost interest in them now that they seemed to be settled, but she still lowered her voice a bit and murmured, "I know it's not...ideal. But I have to try, Yan. If anyone could tell me where she might be, I have to know."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 26, 2018, 11:36:01 AM
The dragon crooned low in his throat, curling his paws around her a little more as he settled to rest his head over her lap in acceptance. 'I would never fault you for trying, I see that it's important to you. I only hope it is safe,' he offered in explanation, completely uncertain what a larger gathering of selkies would entail for the girl. The small groups they'd encountered thus far had seemed friendly enough, though.

'I hope they can tell you more,' he told her quietly, watching the water lap gently against the sand. The sunlight seeping through the opening above was becoming dimmer as the sun fell over the hills they were nestled beneath, the cavern gradually falling further into shadow. 'Will you be...warm enough with just me here?'
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 27, 2018, 04:16:35 AM
"Mm...I should think so." The selkies had gone, slipped away into the water, and she watched the dark shadows of their retreating forms until she couldn't make them out anymore. One hand came to rest on his muzzle, the other stroking his neck lightly while his head was sort of cradled in her lap.

She smiled a bit and scratched at the ridge of scales above his eye. "You really do worry too much, y'know."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 27, 2018, 12:30:57 PM
Yan huffed in disagreement, keeping still against her but eyeing her in mock displeasure for a moment before relaxing to half-closed lids for her attentions.

'I worry just enough actually. There are always dangers. Especially at sea...they are not always immediately apparent. You have no fur or scales and the sun is leaving. But that is why I'm here, so I can be your scales for you,' he teased at last, recognizing he probably wasn't helping her nerves for being so rigid.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 28, 2018, 07:28:35 AM
"You hush." Ash bapped his nose lightly, crinkling her own up at him. "You're a crotchety, worrying old grandmother in a dragon's body, I swear to gods."

Huffing a soft laugh, she settled herself back more comfortably against his chest and resumed stroking her hand gently over his neck. "Get some sleep. Seems like it'll be another long day tomorrow."
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 30, 2018, 07:13:19 AM
Yan huffed for her mild-mannered insults, eyeing her critically for a moment before relaxing under her petting once more. He breathed an easy sigh and a gentle, happy rumble vibrated in his chest as he curled his paws around her just a little more securely. 'Good night Ash,' his spoke, voice softer than normal.

He was still quite exhausted so sleep came easily enough, the weight of his head pressing more firmly against her to cage her in.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on July 30, 2018, 10:46:29 PM
It took Aisling a few more moments to follow him to sleep, but she was unconscious quickly enough, curving her body forward over Yan's neck and letting her cheek come to rest against the base of his skull.

It wasn't the most comfortable position, but she was fairly exhausted herself.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: Juno on July 31, 2018, 12:14:05 PM
Yan slept rather peacefully through the night, only stirring occasionally to check that she was still resting against him and was safely between his paws. Ash's proximity was comforting, easily lulling him back to sleep every few hours until the bright light of morning was spilling down upon them from the opening above.

When he finally woke he kept very still for the gentle weight of her resting over his head, only opening his eyes to scan around them as much as he could without moving. Everything seemed just as it had been the previous night though, if only better illuminated. The cavern was silent save the soft sounds of water lapping gently against the sand. There was no laughter from the selkies and even the depths beyond the main chamber seemed calm.

'It's morning, Aishling,' he reached out to her with a particular tenderness, curling his paws around her a little more firmly to allow scales to gently brush against her skin.
Title: Re: Song of the Sea [Juno]
Post by: DragonSong on August 05, 2018, 10:48:57 AM
"Mmmnn?" Squinting and rubbing at her eyes, Ash sat up with a yawn and blinked blearily. "Oh. Oh! Thanks."

She smiled and patted the dragon's muzzle. "Wow, I guess I was more tired than I thought. I was completely out there," she chuckled quietly.