Soneya didn’t know what to make of the whole situation. He was clearly in pain but both of them seemed more than willing to deny this occurrence or pay it any more heed. But wasn’t it important to make pain go away? Wasn’t that how it supposedly worked? Confused more than anything, the girl once again passed over the knowledge that both of them were shifters and thus potent magic users and she shuffled back to the furs, wrapping herself in one without even asking permission. She was shivering all over and she wasn’t quite sure whether it was the cold wetness of the rain, her headache, the shock wearing off or something else entirely.
“Who are you?” She had asked this before but since the situation hadn’t quite permitted an actual answer, she repeated it now. After all, Kaevad had invited both of the women to question him if they so wished. She passed over the mention of ‘children’ without even as much as a raised eyebrow. What could she say anyway? She was a child. Seventeen, and with what experience? None, absolutely none. Though he didn’t look all that old either... Nor did the woman who had planted herself in front of the fire, which was not a bad idea, come to think of it.
While she kept an eye on both of them, her eyes almost drooping to a close from exhaustion, she kept the pelt tightly wrapped around herself as she shuffled over to the fire and seated herself in front of the flames, not too far from Rhyn’aura, but far enough that she didn’t accidentally invade personal space or risk touching her. Despite the help, Soneya wasn’t sure what to make of this strange female.
"Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Small, round ears flattened as Kaevad addressed them as children. But she said nothing. It wasn't like he knew her age, after all. However, Soneya's quiet acceptance of the title spoke that she was still young. Pale gaze turned to her, ears rising once more as she curled up. It was a strange position, mixing human and feline movements as her plush tail, as long as her torso, wrapped over her legs and along her stomach.
Black tip flexing, her tail had a mind of its own as she studied Kaevad, piping up with her own question. "What brought you to Marn? Our kind aren't much appreciated in this area." The urge to stretch overtook her as she spoke, and her voice was colored by the pleasure that accompanied the stretching of her muscles. She looked much like a cat with her arms reaching over her head and her back arching so that her stomach was closer to the fire. Her snow-cloud fur was peppered with black rosettes that stood out in the firelight.
Black tip flexing, her tail had a mind of its own as she studied Kaevad, piping up with her own question. "What brought you to Marn? Our kind aren't much appreciated in this area." The urge to stretch overtook her as she spoke, and her voice was colored by the pleasure that accompanied the stretching of her muscles. She looked much like a cat with her arms reaching over her head and her back arching so that her stomach was closer to the fire. Her snow-cloud fur was peppered with black rosettes that stood out in the firelight.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
He was bone-weary and tired, feeling his age not for the first time. "I am known as Keavad, I hail from the mountains far from here. I came here to find peace, and perhaps to escape solitude... I have been alone for..." he paused, then released a sigh. "A very, very long time. What of you, women. Where are your husbands? Your children?" He noted neither bore a ring. "Or have you both given leave of your senses and decided to remain without men until your uterus shrivels and you are unable to birth?" He had yawned as he spoke the last sentence, leaving most of it incomprehensible. Possibly for the best.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Through drooping eyes and the cosy comfort of the fire, Soneya glared at the man as he asked where their husbands were, but her eyes quickly turned away from him again, staring into the flames. For a while, she appeared as though she had not even heard his question, ignoring both of them as it seemed. Though that was by no means the case. She was merely trying not to let their superior experience get to her.
Questions such as those Kaevad had asked usually only served to remind her just how young she really was and how unlikely it would be that anyone would ever want to marry her; her headaches and regular subsequent mood swings were hard for anyone to bear. Not that she couldn’t fend for herself but her grandfather had always made a marriage sound so lovely. Her parents pretended to be in love but Soneya didn’t believe it was the case, though they had a well-functioning community. They rarely argued but there seemed no real passion blooming between her mother and her father anymore.
“I’m too young to be married,” she quite simply replied in the end, not wanting to go into any more detail and hoping that would be the end of it, though she wasn’t quite so sure. The man had mumbled a lot, though she hadn’t understood most of it.
“I am a native of Marn, descendant of a long line of good people.” She didn’t know what to say. What should she say? Nothing much had ever happened in her life. Her meaning was clear however when she stretched the word ‘good’ in her answer. It would probably tell them clearly that she came from a Puradyne background and believed that those doctrines were the right ones to abide by.
Curiosity however was nagging at her, and she was wondering why it was that Kaevad had been alone for so long. He was not bad-looking after all and seemed to have a gentle streak underneath the manly exterior. But she didn’t voice the question, considering it too personal.
Questions such as those Kaevad had asked usually only served to remind her just how young she really was and how unlikely it would be that anyone would ever want to marry her; her headaches and regular subsequent mood swings were hard for anyone to bear. Not that she couldn’t fend for herself but her grandfather had always made a marriage sound so lovely. Her parents pretended to be in love but Soneya didn’t believe it was the case, though they had a well-functioning community. They rarely argued but there seemed no real passion blooming between her mother and her father anymore.
“I’m too young to be married,” she quite simply replied in the end, not wanting to go into any more detail and hoping that would be the end of it, though she wasn’t quite so sure. The man had mumbled a lot, though she hadn’t understood most of it.
“I am a native of Marn, descendant of a long line of good people.” She didn’t know what to say. What should she say? Nothing much had ever happened in her life. Her meaning was clear however when she stretched the word ‘good’ in her answer. It would probably tell them clearly that she came from a Puradyne background and believed that those doctrines were the right ones to abide by.
Curiosity however was nagging at her, and she was wondering why it was that Kaevad had been alone for so long. He was not bad-looking after all and seemed to have a gentle streak underneath the manly exterior. But she didn’t voice the question, considering it too personal.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn's luxurious stretch quickly ended, her tail lashing slightly at Kaevad's tone. Her voice was a hiss, coming before Soneya responded. "I have things to finish before a husband is even considered, dragon-man!" Her lips were lifted in a snarl that showed her teeth in a disgruntled manner. It swiftly subsided as she pulled herself into being polite, pushing her show of temper down. The younger woman's voice came then, and her ears turned to listen to her clearly. Unconsciously, her mind tuned now towards thoughts of men, marriage, and family, Rhyn reached up to her throat, her fingers finding the citrine charm that was hooked onto the leather collar she wore around her neck.
The way that Soneya had stressed the word good made the cat sigh. So, she was one of those who thought magic was bad. Rhyn rubbed her skin underneath her fur. She had seen magic in her home, to the north. Brad had shown her magic - users when he had taken her to the shifter city there. He had been wary of magic, and warned her of the dangers that it was commonly accompanied with, but it had never been evil.
She twisted, sitting up now, cross legged, with her tail flipping into her lap. Her fingers absentmindedly found small pieces of loam and burrs, working them out of the fur. "Family is important. One shouldn't marry too young, lest mistake get made. Bad match may be death in my life." She snorted, her manner of speaking thoughtful. "I do not like cities. Mountains are my home. If I marry wrong, I will have no kits that survive. The mountains take them." Her tone sounded as though she were teaching somebody who knew very little. Another snort left her. "Besides, dragon-man. If you are so much older, where is your wife?"
The way that Soneya had stressed the word good made the cat sigh. So, she was one of those who thought magic was bad. Rhyn rubbed her skin underneath her fur. She had seen magic in her home, to the north. Brad had shown her magic - users when he had taken her to the shifter city there. He had been wary of magic, and warned her of the dangers that it was commonly accompanied with, but it had never been evil.
She twisted, sitting up now, cross legged, with her tail flipping into her lap. Her fingers absentmindedly found small pieces of loam and burrs, working them out of the fur. "Family is important. One shouldn't marry too young, lest mistake get made. Bad match may be death in my life." She snorted, her manner of speaking thoughtful. "I do not like cities. Mountains are my home. If I marry wrong, I will have no kits that survive. The mountains take them." Her tone sounded as though she were teaching somebody who knew very little. Another snort left her. "Besides, dragon-man. If you are so much older, where is your wife?"
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Kaevad stilled at the question, his eyes darkening in pain as the memories seared through his mind. "Dead." He answered finally, roughly. "I've no notion as to whether my son lives either, as the boy left long ago and refused to talk to me after his mother was slain. I suspect he may be as well though..." Kaevad sighed. He looked to the cat.
"You live such short lives, you humans. You speak of things that must be done, but what of love, of happiness?" The dragon was silent, disgusted, the human encouraged him on. "Life is so fleeting for you, a blink of my eye. 200 and 20 years I've walked with humans and few realize just how little time they have. My wife's lifeblood was stolen by bandits as she rode astride my own back. I truly know how short life is." He was not angry, just quiet, his voice a sad and rough velvet.
"You live such short lives, you humans. You speak of things that must be done, but what of love, of happiness?" The dragon was silent, disgusted, the human encouraged him on. "Life is so fleeting for you, a blink of my eye. 200 and 20 years I've walked with humans and few realize just how little time they have. My wife's lifeblood was stolen by bandits as she rode astride my own back. I truly know how short life is." He was not angry, just quiet, his voice a sad and rough velvet.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
There it was. The question she had not wanted to ask and it seemed to have provoked the reaction she had figured it might. Soneya had wanted to add something to what the cat-woman had said but she remained silent, anticipating the reply Kaevad would sooner or later give to this straightforward poke into his past.
The sadness and pain accompanying his words however was not what she had expected, and she felt it in her own body like a lance piercing through her side. His age stopped her short however, and she finally looked back up from the fire. “220 years? Wow…,” she whispered, glancing at Rhyn almost as to have confirmation that such a thing was even possible. “You don’t look it.”
It was the childish view of it all, the way they both had been treating her, but it was the way it was. Next to these two who seemed to know so well what it was they wanted, or not wanted in life, she felt like a baby without a clue or a hint of a direction she wanted to take. Cityguard, sure, it would be wonderful, but with her health predicament, she would be a weakness rather than an asset. Apart from that, there was nothing in her life. As the thought drifted through her and finally sunk in, she realised just how pathetic it all was.
“Maybe neither of us,” she dared incorporate Rhyn due to her previous statement of not wanting to marry young, from which Soneya had gathered that she was in a similar position as Soneya herself, namely manless and somewhat on her own, “is looking to marry right now but the fact that we’re apparently not searching for love or happiness doesn’t mean that either of our lives is empty and void of emotions. Wanting to protect oneself from falling into despair and metaphorically having ones heart ripped out is just as important.”
In all honesty, she was babbling. It sounded good in her head but she wasn’t quite sure whether her head was still sitting on straight. Her headache was still pounding and the fact that her mind desperately seemed to want to tell her something she did not listen to was starting to take its toll. Shivering, she snuggled deeper into the fur and tried to repress the shiver running down her spine.
The sadness and pain accompanying his words however was not what she had expected, and she felt it in her own body like a lance piercing through her side. His age stopped her short however, and she finally looked back up from the fire. “220 years? Wow…,” she whispered, glancing at Rhyn almost as to have confirmation that such a thing was even possible. “You don’t look it.”
It was the childish view of it all, the way they both had been treating her, but it was the way it was. Next to these two who seemed to know so well what it was they wanted, or not wanted in life, she felt like a baby without a clue or a hint of a direction she wanted to take. Cityguard, sure, it would be wonderful, but with her health predicament, she would be a weakness rather than an asset. Apart from that, there was nothing in her life. As the thought drifted through her and finally sunk in, she realised just how pathetic it all was.
“Maybe neither of us,” she dared incorporate Rhyn due to her previous statement of not wanting to marry young, from which Soneya had gathered that she was in a similar position as Soneya herself, namely manless and somewhat on her own, “is looking to marry right now but the fact that we’re apparently not searching for love or happiness doesn’t mean that either of our lives is empty and void of emotions. Wanting to protect oneself from falling into despair and metaphorically having ones heart ripped out is just as important.”
In all honesty, she was babbling. It sounded good in her head but she wasn’t quite sure whether her head was still sitting on straight. Her headache was still pounding and the fact that her mind desperately seemed to want to tell her something she did not listen to was starting to take its toll. Shivering, she snuggled deeper into the fur and tried to repress the shiver running down her spine.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
The instinct to comfort the man in his loss was overwhelming, and Rhyn held herself back from going to him by fiddling with the stone around her neck. It glinted golden in the firelight. Soneya's glance at her received a shrug. If the man was a dragon-shifter, as he said, it was very well possible. Magic was able to do many strange things to a person. The thought of loss and despair turned her thoughts back to her own life and she shied away from those memories.
The images of her dead siblings, each of them a different age, each of them with a different cause to their death, and the memory of her father dying, was burned into her mind. And in the end, they had taken even Brad from her. The man who had become her family after she had none. It made her throat tighten, but she swallowed it back. Like the snow-leopards she had grown up drawing, she never made much noise.
She noticed Soneya's shivering as she carefully unbuckled the leather belt from her hips, slipping out of the harness that hung over her torso. She set those, and with crossbow that was her main weapon to one side. If the other two were cold in any fashion, it was easy to see that she was not. In fact, she sat a little away from the fire now, having enjoyed its heat and now finding it too hot for comfort. Everything in his lowland world was too warm for a snow-leopard's coat. But she could see the shiver that was going over Soneya, and instinct took over. The young woman was so helpless out here, in comparison to them. Marn native, born and bred, even the forest just outside of the city was not where she was meant to be. "Let me warm you, youngling." Soneya was not much younger than she, herself, but it didnt' matter. Rhyn moved slowly, going to curl around behind Soneya so that she had more warmth at her back as well as heat from the fire in front.
Her voice was quiet as she spoke still. "We do have short lives, Kaevad. And most humans rush through them, to fit as much as possible into a short amount of time. It was not given to us by nature to have extremely long lives, but there is much that can be accomplished in seventy to a hundred years." She spoke slowly, carefully, and made sure that her sentences were properly formed for the language she was speaking.
The images of her dead siblings, each of them a different age, each of them with a different cause to their death, and the memory of her father dying, was burned into her mind. And in the end, they had taken even Brad from her. The man who had become her family after she had none. It made her throat tighten, but she swallowed it back. Like the snow-leopards she had grown up drawing, she never made much noise.
She noticed Soneya's shivering as she carefully unbuckled the leather belt from her hips, slipping out of the harness that hung over her torso. She set those, and with crossbow that was her main weapon to one side. If the other two were cold in any fashion, it was easy to see that she was not. In fact, she sat a little away from the fire now, having enjoyed its heat and now finding it too hot for comfort. Everything in his lowland world was too warm for a snow-leopard's coat. But she could see the shiver that was going over Soneya, and instinct took over. The young woman was so helpless out here, in comparison to them. Marn native, born and bred, even the forest just outside of the city was not where she was meant to be. "Let me warm you, youngling." Soneya was not much younger than she, herself, but it didnt' matter. Rhyn moved slowly, going to curl around behind Soneya so that she had more warmth at her back as well as heat from the fire in front.
Her voice was quiet as she spoke still. "We do have short lives, Kaevad. And most humans rush through them, to fit as much as possible into a short amount of time. It was not given to us by nature to have extremely long lives, but there is much that can be accomplished in seventy to a hundred years." She spoke slowly, carefully, and made sure that her sentences were properly formed for the language she was speaking.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
The cat made sense, as entertaining as the realization was. Kaevad noted the girl shivering and felt his heart soften slightly. For a moment, he considered drawing out his wings and curling her in them - something he'd done with Aileen on very cold nights to keep her warm. He tossed the thought aside though, as she'd only just met him and had made it clear she was wary. Instead, he stood and moved to a boulder, which the rest of his skins sat piled behind. Selecting a thick bearksin, the dragon moved to the pair.
"Should the cat not prove to be warm enough, the bear pelt will." Kaevad rumbled as he set it down. "I'd offer my own body heat, but you would most likely find this unacceptable, so I shall simply rest by the fire." And with that he moved away to lean against a boulder by the fire, eyes closed. "I am willing to answer more questions, children, perhaps tell a tale to rest by?"
"Should the cat not prove to be warm enough, the bear pelt will." Kaevad rumbled as he set it down. "I'd offer my own body heat, but you would most likely find this unacceptable, so I shall simply rest by the fire." And with that he moved away to lean against a boulder by the fire, eyes closed. "I am willing to answer more questions, children, perhaps tell a tale to rest by?"
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Soneya’s first reaction was to jump up and away from the woman’s touch but truth was that she really was cold and she was glad for any sort of heat and comfort she could get. Plus, she was in this mess now anyways, what did it matter to accept a little more help from these beings? Weird as they may be. Today was an unusual day in any way and she was just going to go with the flow. Who knew what tomorrow would bring. So she simply sucked up her practically non-existent pride and whatever else was bugging her, and said: “Thank you.”
The sudden heat of the fur combined with the fire was so intense and comforting, that Soneya only barely managed to keep herself from stroking over the white pelt, which looked so soft. Yet, she didn’t dare. As inviting as it looked, she simply didn’t dare.
“Thank you, I think that will be enough for now,” she said, her voice barely more than an embarrassed whisper as Kaevad set the bear pelt next to her. Somehow, his words struck a different sort of cord in her this time. Whereas her overwhelming need to help people had wanted to patch him up earlier, maybe even hug him, she was now struggling to find something to say that made him feel less rejected. Or that was how it sounded to her. Was she really this awful? Had she made it so terribly clear that she didn’t want to be touched? His arms had been so comfortable though... What had she done to make him say this?
However, this was not the time to be thinking such thoughts. “I.. I don’t know what to ask,” she admitted, even though there were quite a few questions in her mind but she didn’t know how to phrase them, not wanting to put him off even more. “Except for the really personal ones...” Well, heck, she wanted to know, so she might as well just ask. If he didn’t want to answer, then so be it. “Why do you think your son has been slain? And why did he leave you in the hard time after your wife’s death? What happened?”
The sudden heat of the fur combined with the fire was so intense and comforting, that Soneya only barely managed to keep herself from stroking over the white pelt, which looked so soft. Yet, she didn’t dare. As inviting as it looked, she simply didn’t dare.
“Thank you, I think that will be enough for now,” she said, her voice barely more than an embarrassed whisper as Kaevad set the bear pelt next to her. Somehow, his words struck a different sort of cord in her this time. Whereas her overwhelming need to help people had wanted to patch him up earlier, maybe even hug him, she was now struggling to find something to say that made him feel less rejected. Or that was how it sounded to her. Was she really this awful? Had she made it so terribly clear that she didn’t want to be touched? His arms had been so comfortable though... What had she done to make him say this?
However, this was not the time to be thinking such thoughts. “I.. I don’t know what to ask,” she admitted, even though there were quite a few questions in her mind but she didn’t know how to phrase them, not wanting to put him off even more. “Except for the really personal ones...” Well, heck, she wanted to know, so she might as well just ask. If he didn’t want to answer, then so be it. “Why do you think your son has been slain? And why did he leave you in the hard time after your wife’s death? What happened?”
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn tilted her head, partly insulted at the implication that she might not have enough body heat to share and warm Soneya, but her eyes had softened as he walked over with the bear pelt. He was concerned. She could understand that. She settled, shifted almost fully into her feline form. It made it more comfortable to curl around the girl. Her body worked as a pillow to lean back against as well, her head coming around the left side and her hind legs resting against her right. The thick, plushy tail, as long as her body, came around the front, it's black tip coming to twitch against her cheek. "This 'cat' has a name." She grumbled, almost inaudibly.
Used to this form, Rhyn automatically acted with what she had. Her pink tongue flicked out, licking along large, almost-paws, and smoothing the stormy fur to lie flat. Her head still had slightly longer hair, but it lay almost in a mane down the back of her neck, forming her scruff. Her ears swiveled as Kaevad invited them both to ask more questions, and the shifter raised her head but had no questions. The man was willing to help them both and to provide fire and heat and a dry space while the sky cried onto the world below.
Curiosity rose as Soneya asked her own questions though. But the thought of family made Rhyn swallow back her own memories, and she set to cleaning the fur of her neck, tongue rasping over the leather collar.
Used to this form, Rhyn automatically acted with what she had. Her pink tongue flicked out, licking along large, almost-paws, and smoothing the stormy fur to lie flat. Her head still had slightly longer hair, but it lay almost in a mane down the back of her neck, forming her scruff. Her ears swiveled as Kaevad invited them both to ask more questions, and the shifter raised her head but had no questions. The man was willing to help them both and to provide fire and heat and a dry space while the sky cried onto the world below.
Curiosity rose as Soneya asked her own questions though. But the thought of family made Rhyn swallow back her own memories, and she set to cleaning the fur of her neck, tongue rasping over the leather collar.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Kaevad stiffened at the question before calming himself with a sigh. Children were curious by nature after all, and he had offered to answer them any they had.
"I do not believe he was slain, Soneya." Her name rolled off his tongue, pleasant and soft. "I believe he may have died of old age. Aileen and I adopted him, so he was pure human. He left when he was 18... that was..." he paused and thought. "Roughly 70 years ago I believe." He shifted so he was more comfortable against the rock. "He had long since been gone when his mother was slain, though the boy never cared for me. I was a monster, a demon to him." Kaevad shook his head. "And perhaps I am."
"I do not believe he was slain, Soneya." Her name rolled off his tongue, pleasant and soft. "I believe he may have died of old age. Aileen and I adopted him, so he was pure human. He left when he was 18... that was..." he paused and thought. "Roughly 70 years ago I believe." He shifted so he was more comfortable against the rock. "He had long since been gone when his mother was slain, though the boy never cared for me. I was a monster, a demon to him." Kaevad shook his head. "And perhaps I am."
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
There could not have been more mush in her brain at that moment, but hearing Kaevad’s words, Soneya’s heart began to melt. Or maybe it was the heat produced by Rhyn that was slowly starting to take effect. Curiously, it also seemed to help with the headache a little as she felt less like wading through a thick haze in order to get a few sentences out properly.
“Oh, right,” she murmured. “That might well... yeah.” She felt a little stupid for having even asked the question but at the time it had seemed like a good idea, especially since there seemed so much sadness involved in all of this. After all, talking about things helped. Or was supposed to.
When he continued, she realised that the pain was not necessarily at his death but at the way their relationship had escalated, which didn’t make her feel any better but it gave her more opportunity to poke a little deeper into his past.
“Why would he ever think such a thing?” The question was covered in a tone of outrage, clearly indicated that she did not think anyone could ever think such a thing of such a terribly gentle and kind man. It was all she could do to remain sitting still and not disturb Rhyn in her cleaning process or poke her excitedly to say something nice to Kaevad as well.
“Oh, right,” she murmured. “That might well... yeah.” She felt a little stupid for having even asked the question but at the time it had seemed like a good idea, especially since there seemed so much sadness involved in all of this. After all, talking about things helped. Or was supposed to.
When he continued, she realised that the pain was not necessarily at his death but at the way their relationship had escalated, which didn’t make her feel any better but it gave her more opportunity to poke a little deeper into his past.
“Why would he ever think such a thing?” The question was covered in a tone of outrage, clearly indicated that she did not think anyone could ever think such a thing of such a terribly gentle and kind man. It was all she could do to remain sitting still and not disturb Rhyn in her cleaning process or poke her excitedly to say something nice to Kaevad as well.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Pale eyes met Kaevad's gaze. His child had not truly been his child. A boy who was adopted, and all human, not even shifter, and he had been taken in. He had run away from his adopted father, who had, assuredly, looked the same as he did even now, roughly in his twenties, his entire life. Her voice was soft, as she spoke before Kaevad could answer Soneya's outraged question. "The same reason that Marn would reject both him and me, youngling. We are the product of magic." She wrinkled her nose, though her lips didn't raise to show teeth. "Undoubtedly, Kaevad has looked much the same for his long life." She looked at the man for confirmation. Her words came slow and thoughtful once more."It is likely the outward sign of the magic that affects him. Many creatures fear what they cannot understand, and in turn, hate those things they fear. If his child could not understand why his adopted father remained the same age, even as his mother grew older... Fear, and then anger and hatred follow in its tracks. Fear does not listen to reason."
Rhyn had not run into much of that sort of discrimination. But she had avoided most towns as she approached closer to Marn. Her one venture into Shim had been short, for supplies alone, and she had shifted into her fully human form for the duration of it. It had been awkward and uncomfortable, but she had rations because of it. She had yet to venture into Marn. Her tail flicked upwards, curling delicately as she looked at Kaevad with understanding in her eyes, though she felt that she barely comprehended even the beginning of what really went on.
Rhyn had not run into much of that sort of discrimination. But she had avoided most towns as she approached closer to Marn. Her one venture into Shim had been short, for supplies alone, and she had shifted into her fully human form for the duration of it. It had been awkward and uncomfortable, but she had rations because of it. She had yet to venture into Marn. Her tail flicked upwards, curling delicately as she looked at Kaevad with understanding in her eyes, though she felt that she barely comprehended even the beginning of what really went on.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
He had hesitated on answering, grateful when the cat spoke up. He'd nodded at her question. But there was more, so much more. The night of his transformation seared across his vision, the taste of blood running down his throat, aiding the slide of still pulsating muscles... Kaevad shuddered and snapped out of it and back into reality.
"The ca- ...Rhyn," He corrected himself softly, "is correct. Beyond that, my other shape is widely regarded as a demon, Soneya. Dragons are not regarded for their loyalty or their protective qualities. They are hated for their destructive natures, their indomitable strength and their appearance." He lifted a hand, a large rock balanced easily in it. "Would you not fear and hate a man, that could do this to you or the woman who took you in?" Kaevad asked as he clenched his fist around it, crushing it slowly, sand pouring from his fingers.
After a moment he tilted his hand to the side and opened it, allowing the small chunks that remained to fall, dusting his hands off afterwards. "He feared me because he refused to understand, and yes, because I was different. I never changed." He turned and hadn't failed to notice the girl's pity. He managed a grin. "Although.. I will admit, I have cut my hair short several times. A man can only keep long hair for so long before he loses self-respect."
"The ca- ...Rhyn," He corrected himself softly, "is correct. Beyond that, my other shape is widely regarded as a demon, Soneya. Dragons are not regarded for their loyalty or their protective qualities. They are hated for their destructive natures, their indomitable strength and their appearance." He lifted a hand, a large rock balanced easily in it. "Would you not fear and hate a man, that could do this to you or the woman who took you in?" Kaevad asked as he clenched his fist around it, crushing it slowly, sand pouring from his fingers.
After a moment he tilted his hand to the side and opened it, allowing the small chunks that remained to fall, dusting his hands off afterwards. "He feared me because he refused to understand, and yes, because I was different. I never changed." He turned and hadn't failed to notice the girl's pity. He managed a grin. "Although.. I will admit, I have cut my hair short several times. A man can only keep long hair for so long before he loses self-respect."