Returning Home (Lin, Val)

[Draetrialis]

Drae landed hard on the ground, collapsing slightly. "Ooof..." he groaned, struggling to get back up. I used far too much energy on that last spell... he muttered before raising his head. "Valerie... I'm back..." he called, not loud enough to be a roar, but not quiet enough to be called a yell. He struggled slightly and had to flare his wings to stay standing. When the large dragon looked down, he saw many people came around him, all of them knowing the Shadow had changed for the better and they started pestering him with questions. "Where'd you go?" "Why did you change?" "Why are you so interested in Valerie?" Some of the questions amused the dragon, and he answered, "I went home... my former home. I changed because the occasion called for it... And you don't need to know the last one." He folded his wings slightly so he would almost collapse, causing them to scatter. He slipped his ring on, causing his shift into his human form, and he almost fell over. "Ooh..." he groaned again, placing a hand on a tree to try and stay up. Oh... I need to find Valerie fast... before I collapse... he thought.

[Valerie]

Valerie had been walking down a corridor to head to the library to read when heard a commotion and stopped in her tracks. That's strange. There shouldn't be anything that should be happening right now...unless... But she quickly shoved back down the hope that was rising in her. Better not get too excited now, it's probably just an interesting trader that came in today. But she decided it was better to head over to the source and check it out in case it might be something interesting.

She walked up to the noisy crowd that had gathered. But her real shock was not the questions that she heard being yelled, it was the figure in the center. She almost cried out when she recognized the figure as Draetrialis. Her instincts allowed her to regain enough of her composure to be able to weave through the crowd and up to the exhausted dragon. I hope he'll be okay. The worry contained to her thoughts. "Well hello, brave one. So, how did it go?" But she allowed herself to show her concern and relief of his return in her gaze. "I'm just glad you made it back." She said, no higher than a whisper. Tears were stinging her eyes but she choked them back, not wanting to give these onlookers a show from the "tough princess".

[Draetrialis]

Drae sighed with relief. "For the most part, it went well..." He muttered, In the same volume as Val's whisper, he said, "I found another Shadow... But she's too much like I was..." Now... I can maybe make it to the lake... he thought, letting go of the tree before he collapsed with exhaustion. "I used too much energy..." He groaned, getting up again with help from some branches. The Shadow looked around, glad nobody else saw him actually collapse, thanks to his stunt with his 'almost' collapse. "I need to get... To the lake..." He muttered, but knew he would never get there.


(I'm on a non-java phone atm... Can't tell if that's 200. Sorry.)

[Valerie]

OC -- It's okay just try not to make it a habit, like maybe once every couple weeks is fine but try to make the 200 please? (makes it easier to work with)

IC -- Valerie helped to block the view of Drae almost falling while also helping him up. He says he found another Shadow, but where is this other dragon? She looked around and noticed there was no other dragon present. "So, where is other Shadow that you found?" She asked but her mind was only half paying attention for his answer, the other half was working out a way to get her beloved to the lake where he belonged. This is not going to be easy... But right as she thought that, she had an idea. "I won't be able to carry you to the lake but I have a better idea. Lets go inside and wait until this crowd disperses and then follow my lead." She told the Shadow Dragon the first part of her plan in an urgent whisper, not wanting to tell the onlookers what was going on. Her mind was already running through the following steps. And I think that there is a wagon outback already as well...good, this will be fun. She mentally smiled at the genius of her plan.

She could see what she was going to do in her mind's eye. The plan was to get Drae back inside, get some food into him of course, and then find capes for both of them along with a more peasants gown for her. From there they'd sneak out as servants and find a wagon that she could lay him down in while she directs the horse toward the lake. She knew that the people might know where Drae's home was but she didn't want them to see herself directing him there nor for him to be helped by a peasant (from her being in a disguise)

[Draetrialis]

Drae groaned and said, "She wasn't very keen on following me, so she's likely out on the edge of the nation..." He nodded when he heard Val's plan. "Okay... But no flying..." He muttered, taking a tenative step and nearly collapsing again. "Note to self... Never use that runic spell without gems..." He hissed, pulling out his last chance. His 'last chance' was a tiny topaz and he tried to pull energy from it. "Dammit..." He swore, but that being the lesser of his various profanities. "This is why I never use topaz... It sucks for energy." The dragon explained, unrepentant of his words. Tucking the topaz away, he took another step and only shook a little. "Alright... Can we please go in before the tiny burst of energy fades?" He asked, exhaustion lines creasing his avatar's face. The poor Shadow really was tired, as if he had flown the entire journey without rest. He managed to walk two more steps before he had to get support from something. That something just happened to be Valerie's shoulder. "Or not..." He sighed before realizing he was holding onto Valerie and he pulled away, managing to keep his balance. "Sorry..." He muttered, embaressed.

[Valerie]

Valerie tried not to reprimand him for holding onto her in public but caught herself. It's not his fault, like he was trying to expose us. He's just exhausted from his trip, which he came back from as fast as possible to see me. She talked herself out of doing anything and quickly went and fetched a couple capes and then changed into one of her low-key dresses on the way. Now let's see if this works... But on her way back she passed an empty courtyard and saw a decent sized branch that had fallen. Hmm, this could work nicely. She thought as she tested it's weakness, which wasn't too much. So she took it with her back to the tired Shadow. "Here." She said as she tossed him the stick with the cape wrapped around it. "You can use this until we can get to the wagon." She said, talking about the stick. Good, so far so good. She threw on the cape, tying it around her neck and pulling the hood up. Hopefully no one will recognize us. She fretted, as she waited for Drae to don his cape and walking stick.

[Draetrialis]

Drae caught the stick with reflexes he shouldn't have. "Thanks..." he murmured, quickly donning the cape and pulling the hood up. Using the stick, he walked several feet before having to rest a little. "Well, it's better." the Shadow said, nodding. He went up to Valerie and whispered, "Once we get to the lake... You can come to my cave for a bit... Don't worry, you can make an air bubble for yourself." He was rather pleased with the idea since he could be really open with her once there. Few people knew of his cave anyway. He chuckled. "So, where's our ride to the lake, then?" he asked, making sure they weren't being watched. He hid his ring, making sure he couldn't truly be recognized. He gripped his walking stick tightly, not so tight as to break it, and popped his neck before swearing lightly. "We do have to go... We have some people that can blockade us coming." he hissed. We have to get out of here... and I only hope we can do it in time... I have to get to the lake so I can rest undisturbed for days on end... he thought, eyes wide with the fear of being found out. "Can we please leave? We have maybe 5 minutes." he whispered.

[Valerie]

"Yes, if you go over there," Valerie said as she pointed to a darker spot beneath a usually-neglected old tree. "Then I can go to fetch the wagon." Without waiting for a reply, she took off at a fast pace. She ignored the comment of how capable she was at her mastered element, Air. It should be right over here. She thought as she rounded a few corners before coming up to the one that was empty behind the kitchen. Yes, exactly where it should be. It was a plain covered wooden wagon with a horse in front. Covered so that the food it usually transported wouldn't go bad after a long day in the sun, it would be perfect for hiding Drae. After throwing a well-worn blanket in the back for comfort for her beloved, she brought it back. This should work well. She commented, silently applauding herself. But she couldn't be too proud for the idea, there was still the more tricky business of sneaking out without being recognized. He is right, we only have a few minutes left before someone comes. So she hurried the horse along, trying to be inconspicuous. She would worry about which roads to take after they were out of the Royal Palace area and down in the Markets. "I'm back."

[Draetrialis]

Drae sighed and muttered, "I figured I would be in the back." He started hobbling to the wagon. Once we get to the lake... I have to go to my nest... At least Val is there, but thankfully I will be a little more stable with four legs. he thought. Who knew the girl I tried to trick ended up being the one I loved...? Fate has odd ideals. The dragon groaned at the irony. He climbed into the wagon and instantly laid down. "Can we go? We have maybe two minutes." he hissed. I hate feeling vulnerable... At least the lake acts as a defense against most attackers... Hopefully the Rebellion won't send aquatic troops after me or I'm screwed. He saw that there was a small crate of food in the back, so he slowly opened it and grabbed a piece of salted meat. With a smirk, the Shadow popped it into his mouth and instantly felt the relief of having something in his stomach. Much better... he hummed slightly before getting more comfortable and he slipped the ring partially off his finger, causing a partial shift before sliding it back on all the way. The dragon was a little impatient to return to the lake.

[Valerie]

Valerie rolled her eyes at Drae. "Just be glad I gave you something to lie down on and something to eat." But her irritation faded away when she saw how vulnerable he looked. Well, he's done his job and he's made it back alive, I should be more glad for him. So she softened her expression and then got up onto the wooden seat that would allow her adequate control of where the horse moved. "So, shall we get going?" She didn't wait for an answer, instead she snapped the reins. "Hyah!" She horse moved along at a trot at first but with some 'encouragement' from Valerie, it picked up the pace to a gallop.

I hope we'll get there in time. She willed the horse on faster, hoping she'd make it in time for the Shadow to save himself. "How are you faring-" She got cut off when the wagon hit a rut in the road and bit her tongue. "Damn!" She swore, ignoring the sharp pain that would soon fade away. "Sorry about the bumps, but this is the only way to make it in time." She pulled one side of the reins and the horse turned the wagon in the new direction. Almost there, just hang on...a little further... She willed that her beloved would make it.

She swore as the wagon hit one final rock right before she brought the horse to a stop beside the lake. We made it. Relief filled her mind as she stiffly stood up and went to check on the horse. "There there boy, it's all over now. Now you go free." Seeing as she wanted as little evidence of where they went as possible, she unharnessed the horse and let it recover it's strength and eat a little before wandering off into the wilderness. "I'll go block off the way we came and try to get rid of the tracks. Try not to do anything stupid while I'm gone." She warned him with affection and teasing in her voice but she was also serious. If he does something stupid--well he hasn't yet so I guess we'll just wait and see.

[Draetrialis]

Drae chuckled. "I won't. I'll be in my cave... I'm sure you know the way, but if not, just splash the water." he said, hobbling to the edge of the lake and slipping off his ring. After the shift, which seemed more painful than normal, he slipped into the water and drifted off into his cave slowly. Oooh... it burns to even move... he thought, moving into his cave and crawling to the edge of the water, turning, and setting his lower jaw into it. At least that way he could feel the vibrations should Val need help. He groaned and murmured something. Hmm... I wonder how Sieltra is doing so far? he wondered briefly before shaking his head. She's a Shadow... She'll be fine. The dragon curled up and folded his wings tighter. She's insane though... The Aspect is dead. Unless... He remembered the black aura that surrounded him before he left for the Shadowlands. Unless, I'm the Aspect... Could it be possible for me to have the power of Shadow? He was shocked. That would explain the aura as well as the vast power he felt within him, through his exhaustion. I can't be the Aspect... he thought, not wanting to admit it. I'll work it out later.

[Valerie]

Valerie sighed at Draetrialis's playful impudence. She watched as he slithered into the water and disappeared under the surface. Now time to do my part. So she slipped into her dragon form, keeping on the cloak she'd been wearing since it would still conceal her identity, lest some passerby see her.

She took to the sky with her big wings catching the wind as she sped off to where the long, winding overgrown road to the lake veered off the main trade route. She skimmed close to the ground to avoid being seen, but kept an eye on the horizon of the road to make sure she didn't collide into someone.

All the while she was debating the best way to take the new wheel and horse tracks out of the grass that had taken over what was once a dirt road.

When she was almost near the spot in question, she decided to change her course and headed off into the woods to find a nice log she could drag over. She dropped down onto the trail she'd been following and walked into the forest.

She found the perfect log about five minutes in. With a grunt, she heaved the very dense, heavy log out into the path after she'd rolled it until trees blocked it. After her struggle to get it out where she wanted it, she gathered some nearby vines to cover the entrance as well, making it seem more overgrown than it really was. There, that should work. And now for those tracks. But she had an idea so as she turned around, she gathered her energy into one big windy 'push' that scoured the grass, making the tracks vanish. Perfect.

So she unfurled her wings and took off, heading back to the lake where Drae was. She dropped down into the lush grass that grew around the pristine lake that held the secret very few knew. She looked around, making sure that there was no one else before she took the food out of the cart and then dismantled the cart. No point in leaving evidence. And then she carried the pieces to the wood where she threw them in randomly, making sure they looked long abandoned.

She left the horse where it was, seeing as there was no harm in leaving a 'wild' horse just to graze on the lush grass. So she quickly used her energy to form a bubble around her nose and mouth that would allow her air under water and then dove in. It's so pretty down here. She thought, admiring the way the light penetrated the water. But as soon as she saw the little dark cave she swam down to it, her air bubble still good. It took air from the water around her and put the spent air back into the water, it was a good system. This was genius. When her arms got tired she had another idea.

She unfurled her wings in the water and pumped them, getting much farther in the water then with her own arms and legs. I can't see why human form is much better, this is really the way to live. She mused to herself, pondering such a thing. But she kept her focus and was down to the cave in no time. "Drae, I'm back." She said with a half gurgling voice due to the fact her voice had to travel through water as well as her air bubble.

[Draetrialis]

Drae smiled and stuck his head under the water fully. "Come on. I'll move into the back where my trove is." he called, his voice unimpeded by water because of his water-breathing. He rose and slowly made his way to his trove, lit by darkfire torches and the glow reflecting off the gold. He picked his way up to the top of his trove and curled up. The dragon smiled slightly. ...I have to bring it up with Val. It could be disasterous for Ammon if I don't. he thought, his smile fading. I'll bring it up after she's done being amazed at my trove... For the first time in a couple years, the Shadow looked around his trove with detail. There were gold coins and bars from various merchantile nations, most of which are now gone, weapons of all sorts, armors, and several hundred gems. Of course, the waterproof wooden cabinet that Val had given him. He sighed and picked up one gold coin before tossing it into the air and having it drop to the trove, making a sharp clink! He chuckled slightly as he imagined how Valerie would react when she saw the gold and jewelry. She would probably ask to take some of it. Naturally, I'll let her... Heh, it would be quite amusing.

[Valerie]

OCC -- Do you think the gold necklace and sword would be in his trove? I'm guessing it falls in the categories you had in your last post. Oh and the sword is supposed to be like the elven ones in Lord of the Rings since that sword looks awesome!!!!

IC -- Valerie swam after the Shadow, following him to his trove. But she was stopped dead when she saw just how much treasures it had. Holy crap... But she recovered her usual demeanor and swam to investigate the horde her beloved had collected. There's enough gold here to buy Ammon. Wow, I definitely wasn't expecting that.

Her awestruck mind was appeased when she saw an item of interest, two items actually. She dove after them, moving in for closer inspection. One was a gold and black necklace with a beautiful large sapphire in the middle. I love this... So she picked it up before moving to better position herself to see her other item of interest.

The second item was an un-rusted, perfect, ornate flowing sword that curved just right. But her breath caught when she realized that there was another just like it lying next to where the first one was resting. They're twin swords! The swords were a perfect waterproof wooden and metal hilt with an intricate golden design that made them even more desirable.

She turned, all three items in hand as she prepared to bargain for them. "Normally I don't get giddy over such frivolous items but is it possible for me to retain these beautiful treasures?"

The sheaths of each sword had adjustable leather straps that would secure the swords around ones' waist. These are perfect. I've always wanted a sword, I just don't have them. She was determined to obtain her precious treasures for herself now. "And besides, you have so much other treasures here, will it really matter to miss a couple?" She hoped her arguments would be enough to persuade Draetrailis to let her keep them.

[Draetrialis]

Drae chuckled slightly, rumbling the entire pile. "Go ahead. I don't have much use for the necklace. The swords... Well, they were a trophy of sorts. You can make more use of them than me." he said, popping his neck. He was uncharacteristically quiet for a moment before asking, "Val... I need your opinion on something." He sighed and organized his words carefully. "If I were to end up being... the leader of my race... How could I learn what powers I might have and how to control them?" He shifted, sending a couple dozen gold coins tumbling down the sides of the trove. "Since the original Aspect of Shadow is dead, I would have no teacher..." he finished, slightly worried about what Val would say. He rose and slinked down into the water surrounding the 'island' the trove is on and swam to near where his beloved was. The dragon was slightly uncomfortable, which was unusual for him (excepting everything that has happened recently), and he sighed again. "I just don't want to hurt anybody innocent, which is why I'm asking. Few people know the scope of power the Aspect has... Often times the Aspect himself doesn't know... I am one of the few that has an idea of what half of the scope means." He murmured.