Soneya eyed both of them, one after the other and finally decided that they were probably right. At least, she should really get out of the way so Kaevad could get the fire going again, otherwise it would really become rather drafty in the cave despite his wings and bulk keeping out most of the storm.
Nodding, she finally did as they were both suggesting – Rhyn’s tail doing quite a bit of the convincing, it was just so lovely and fluffy - and helped Rhyn move the rest of the furs to Kaevad so that nothing would be damaged once he had gotten the fire going again. “Staying closer to the fire would probably be better,” she agreed, though at the same time she wasn’t quite sure whether she wanted to stay this far away from them. Somehow, despite the fact that she had literally only just met Rhyn and Kaevad, she felt close to them. And they hadn’t yet told her off for asking stupid and naïve questions though they were most likely both aware of the fact that she didn’t have much of a clue.
“Sleep would be good, yes,” she murmured. She hadn’t noticed how tired she really was until Kaevad had just mentioned sleep now, and promptly, she had to yawn. “Yes, most definitely. Sleep would be fantastic right about now. If you don’t mind...?” He probably wouldn’t, she figured so she positioned the bear pelt into a position close to Kaevad and facing the fire before wrapping herself even tighter into the fur she was wearing and curled up beside the dragon. “Good night,” she whispered before she swiftly drifted off into dreamland.
"Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn sighed in a slight amount of relief as Soneya gave in, coming close so that Kaevad could light the fire. The flames that came from the dragon's mouth as he blew to light the fire made Rhyn start to pant slightly. It raised the temperature in the cave by a goodly amount all on it's on, drying any moisture than had been on the floor. A few moments later, Soneya was giving into the beckoning of sleep, and the cat dragged another fur over her to make sure she stayed warm enough.
Padding lightly over, she sat near Kaevad's head, examining him still. The scales around his face were smaller, those around his eyes even more so. "Is it comfortable to remain in a form, once you have fully shifted?" Her tail flipped to one side, its tip brushing over his claws. Rhyn herself was cautious, but unafraid. He was a shifter, and while his shape was certainly intimidating, he had not done anything threatening in it.
Padding lightly over, she sat near Kaevad's head, examining him still. The scales around his face were smaller, those around his eyes even more so. "Is it comfortable to remain in a form, once you have fully shifted?" Her tail flipped to one side, its tip brushing over his claws. Rhyn herself was cautious, but unafraid. He was a shifter, and while his shape was certainly intimidating, he had not done anything threatening in it.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Once everyone and everyone was safe, Kaevad blew a careful stream of fire to the wood, watching it burn contentedly. Soneya was quickly curled at his side and asleep before long. After Rhyn covered her, Kaevad tucked his wing closer to her to ward off any escaping damp before shifting his attention to the at before him.
"No, I am able to keep the shape comfortably once I have shifted... it is the becoming that shape that pains me." He murmured, his voice husky. "We would do well with sleep as well, Rhyn... we should return the girl tomorrow, should the weather permit it." He watched her move to her chosen spot before curling his neck and tail around the two women, enclosing them.
As the storm pounded against one his sides, the women kept his other warm, and soon the dragon slept, guarding the women as though they were the most precious of treasures.
"No, I am able to keep the shape comfortably once I have shifted... it is the becoming that shape that pains me." He murmured, his voice husky. "We would do well with sleep as well, Rhyn... we should return the girl tomorrow, should the weather permit it." He watched her move to her chosen spot before curling his neck and tail around the two women, enclosing them.
As the storm pounded against one his sides, the women kept his other warm, and soon the dragon slept, guarding the women as though they were the most precious of treasures.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
The monsters were chasing her through the woods. She was running as fast as she could but no amount of running would ever get her away from either of them quickly enough. Panic was tightening her chest, making her breathing hard and she was afraid to even look around to see where they were. Nevertheless, she chanced a glance backwards, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not see anything.
All of a sudden, they were not just behind her but at her sides as well. She was screaming but she was on her own, alone against these threats. But she couldn’t identify them. No matter where she looked, they were always just out of eyesight, moving in the corners of her eyes but whenever she moved her head, they disappeared.
No amount of yelling for help was changing a damn thing. She was in a deserted area of the woods with nobody around and with monsters completely surrounding her, their hungry snarls portraying just how hungry they were for her flesh and blood.
Within a few more steps, the first monster was upon her, pressing its claws into her back. A second one was immediately jumping at her from the side and she could feel its breath on her throat. She screamed her lungs out but it was already too late. They were upon her! They had her! She was going to ...!
Sweating, shivering and screaming, Soneya woke in a cave, completely unknown to her, a fire heating it up while a storm was raging outside. Panting like crazy, Soneya grabbed the pelt which had fallen from her shoulders and wrapped it back around her shoulders, unconscious of the act. Looking around the cave hastily, she couldn’t remember having gotten there in the first place. As her eyes strayed over her own body, she noticed that she was not wrapped in a blanket but in fur. Fur! And she wasn’t alone, there were animals. Wild ones! And not just any... a dragon!
Within a matter of seconds, she was crying and scrambling away from Rhyn and Kaevad as quickly as she could, slamming herself at the opposite side of the cave in a silly gesture of trying to escape.
Only then did she finally realise how she had ended up here and what was going on. Sobbing, she sunk to her knees, burying her head in her hands, ashamed of her behaviour.
All of a sudden, they were not just behind her but at her sides as well. She was screaming but she was on her own, alone against these threats. But she couldn’t identify them. No matter where she looked, they were always just out of eyesight, moving in the corners of her eyes but whenever she moved her head, they disappeared.
No amount of yelling for help was changing a damn thing. She was in a deserted area of the woods with nobody around and with monsters completely surrounding her, their hungry snarls portraying just how hungry they were for her flesh and blood.
Within a few more steps, the first monster was upon her, pressing its claws into her back. A second one was immediately jumping at her from the side and she could feel its breath on her throat. She screamed her lungs out but it was already too late. They were upon her! They had her! She was going to ...!
Sweating, shivering and screaming, Soneya woke in a cave, completely unknown to her, a fire heating it up while a storm was raging outside. Panting like crazy, Soneya grabbed the pelt which had fallen from her shoulders and wrapped it back around her shoulders, unconscious of the act. Looking around the cave hastily, she couldn’t remember having gotten there in the first place. As her eyes strayed over her own body, she noticed that she was not wrapped in a blanket but in fur. Fur! And she wasn’t alone, there were animals. Wild ones! And not just any... a dragon!
Within a matter of seconds, she was crying and scrambling away from Rhyn and Kaevad as quickly as she could, slamming herself at the opposite side of the cave in a silly gesture of trying to escape.
Only then did she finally realise how she had ended up here and what was going on. Sobbing, she sunk to her knees, burying her head in her hands, ashamed of her behaviour.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn yawned in response to Kaevad's suggestion that she sleep as well, her tongue curling as her lips pulled back, showing off the bone-white teeth that resided within her muzzle. She did not protest. It was always best to sleep out a storm. Without protest, she moved back, stretching, as she walked. The snow-leopard tucked herself near the base of the dragon's neck, half draped over his forearm. Her spotted tail flipped over, coming up to tuck itself over her face. She drifted off swiftly, accustomed to the sound of raging storms.
The wind and rain entered her dreams, as they always did. But it was a comforting sound. She was home again, surrounded by blizzards, bare rocks and snowfall. Soneya's scream woke her though, and Rhyn shot to her feet, fur puffed out as the girl fled to the opposite side of the cave. Realizing it was only the girl, and they were not under attack, she let her hackles fall, and moved swiftly to Soneya's comfort. "Soneya... what's wrong?" She shifted so that she was halfway between forms, cautiously approaching and holding her hands out in a calming gesture.
The wind and rain entered her dreams, as they always did. But it was a comforting sound. She was home again, surrounded by blizzards, bare rocks and snowfall. Soneya's scream woke her though, and Rhyn shot to her feet, fur puffed out as the girl fled to the opposite side of the cave. Realizing it was only the girl, and they were not under attack, she let her hackles fall, and moved swiftly to Soneya's comfort. "Soneya... what's wrong?" She shifted so that she was halfway between forms, cautiously approaching and holding her hands out in a calming gesture.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Kaevad had been sleeping deeply for a change when a scream wrenched him from his comfortable blackness known as deep sleep. Golden eyes snapped open and instantly he looked around for a threat. Seeing none, he was baffled, until Soneya began to cry. The cat moved to her and he wished to do the same... but the winds were harsher than before, and he didn't wish for her to get cold. So he shifted his bulk to be able to stretch his neck within her reach, careful to move slow to avoid alarming her.
"It's alright little one." He rumbled gently, "T'was not but a bad dream." He managed to nudge her foot gently with his nose. "I shall allow none to harm you." His neck was starting to hurt from the strain of stretching it, but he ignored it. Pain being the small price for keeping near her. An odd thought, he realized, only to chuckle on the inside. He was getting too old for this...
"Come, I will keep you safe and warm. Rhyn could stay near as well, protect you... perhaps let you pet her." He winked slowly, trying to joke as he had with the children from his village. His humor and personable skills were rusty, but he was trying.
"It's alright little one." He rumbled gently, "T'was not but a bad dream." He managed to nudge her foot gently with his nose. "I shall allow none to harm you." His neck was starting to hurt from the strain of stretching it, but he ignored it. Pain being the small price for keeping near her. An odd thought, he realized, only to chuckle on the inside. He was getting too old for this...
"Come, I will keep you safe and warm. Rhyn could stay near as well, protect you... perhaps let you pet her." He winked slowly, trying to joke as he had with the children from his village. His humor and personable skills were rusty, but he was trying.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Soneya heard them both speak and move closer but she didn’t want to face them yet. Tears were still streaming down her face and she was fairly certain that she looked like a wreck, so pretty much how she felt. But she at least replied to their worried questions, though the words came out all hesitant and tear-strained. “It’s... It’s.. nothing. I just... I had... Bad dream, that’s all.” Sniffing, she finally lifted her head, trying to still her tears and nodded.
“Being warm would be good, yes,” she admitted as she felt the chill crawl back up her spine uncomfortably. Even only this short trip away from the body heat of the shifters was enough to make her shiver again, despite the fire. It was such a nuisance to be so frigging cold all the time. If she had more meat on her bones, she wouldn’t have this problem, but her frequent headaches cut in with her desire to eat, thus keeping her much thinner than she was supposed to be.
“It’s alright, Rhyn. Thank you.” Soneya attempted a smile at the woman who was cautiously moving closer in an attempt not to frighten her. “It isn’t you two that I’m afraid of; it was just a bad dream.” It didn’t even sound terribly convincing to her, but it was all still too fresh in her bones. She had always figured she wouldn’t scare so easy but here she was, scared by a mere bad dream. “Sorry, I woke you up!” Pulling an apologetic face, Soneya got up, ruffled up the fur again to properly wrap it around herself and stepped towards Rhyn and Kaevad. “Let’s go back to sleep?” It would be an idea, but she wasn’t quite sure if she could go back to sleep. Then again, she wasn’t quite sure for how long they had even been asleep before she had woken everyone up.
“Being warm would be good, yes,” she admitted as she felt the chill crawl back up her spine uncomfortably. Even only this short trip away from the body heat of the shifters was enough to make her shiver again, despite the fire. It was such a nuisance to be so frigging cold all the time. If she had more meat on her bones, she wouldn’t have this problem, but her frequent headaches cut in with her desire to eat, thus keeping her much thinner than she was supposed to be.
“It’s alright, Rhyn. Thank you.” Soneya attempted a smile at the woman who was cautiously moving closer in an attempt not to frighten her. “It isn’t you two that I’m afraid of; it was just a bad dream.” It didn’t even sound terribly convincing to her, but it was all still too fresh in her bones. She had always figured she wouldn’t scare so easy but here she was, scared by a mere bad dream. “Sorry, I woke you up!” Pulling an apologetic face, Soneya got up, ruffled up the fur again to properly wrap it around herself and stepped towards Rhyn and Kaevad. “Let’s go back to sleep?” It would be an idea, but she wasn’t quite sure if she could go back to sleep. Then again, she wasn’t quite sure for how long they had even been asleep before she had woken everyone up.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn smiled slightly, diverting her course and pushing some more wood onto the fire. Judging by its light, they had not slept very long, and who knew how long the storm might last. She waited for Soneya to move back and curl up on the bearskin, and then slipped between her and Kaevad, leaving the fire to warm one side. Her small, feline body settled easily against the younger woman's, thick tail wrapping over her hip and along her body closer to the fire. She was not very worried, certain that her presence closer would help ease any fears that would come back in the form of dreams to haunt Soneya.
Her ears flicked, listening to the storm outside. It was dark outside, but that didnt' say much. The storm could have dimmed the light so much that it could be noon and look as though it were night. "Sleep then. The storm will ease, and we will get you back to Marn." She yawned, settling her head on her paws.
Her ears flicked, listening to the storm outside. It was dark outside, but that didnt' say much. The storm could have dimmed the light so much that it could be noon and look as though it were night. "Sleep then. The storm will ease, and we will get you back to Marn." She yawned, settling her head on her paws.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Kaevad allowed the two to settle before curling around them once more, his joints popping with the movement. He closed his eyes, though not before watching little Soneya drift off. Her dreams... might they have been of me? Changers I hope not... his own nightmeres of himself had been nasty enough... shuddering, the dragon allowed his mind to slowly drift- to screaming, blood and death. He snapped wide awake with a small jolt, heart thundering. He wouldn't be sleeping tonight now - he wasn't exhausted anymore. Silently mourning the peace, he settled to wait the night and storm out.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
“Back to Marn,” Soneya repeated. It was a nice thought to be able to go back to her own bed and her home the next day, but at the same time it did leave a bitter aftertaste in her mouth. Magic was abhorred in Marn and her parents would never forgive her if they found out who she had been fraternising with. She would have to keep her meeting with Rhyn and Kaevad a secret, which would most likely then also mean that she would never see them again. But how then would she explain to her parents where she had been all night and all by herself? And how would she be able to stay in touch with the two only people in the world she had ever come close to forming a friendship with? Until now, Soneya had never realised just how lonely she sometimes really was.
Drifting back into sleep took her longer than she would have liked as her mind was in turmoil but Soneya didn’t move or fidget. She simply lay there, trying not to think about the next day too much, until sleep finally caught up to her and she was off into a dreamless slumber this time around.
The next morning came sooner than she would have liked but sleep was out of the question as soon as she realised that she was waking up. The storm had died down to a low drizzle again, which would be annoying to travel in but not terribly inconvenient. And it might yet die down completely.
Soneya lay there with her eyes open, staring at the scales on Kaevad’s body, with Rhyn’s fur warming her back but she didn’t speak or move, though she was tempted to stretch out her hand and run it over the dragon scales just to see what it was like. If the two of them were awake already, they’d know she was too from her breathing pattern but she simply wasn’t ready to face the day, because she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do. Thus, she remained huddled where she was in complete silence.
Drifting back into sleep took her longer than she would have liked as her mind was in turmoil but Soneya didn’t move or fidget. She simply lay there, trying not to think about the next day too much, until sleep finally caught up to her and she was off into a dreamless slumber this time around.
The next morning came sooner than she would have liked but sleep was out of the question as soon as she realised that she was waking up. The storm had died down to a low drizzle again, which would be annoying to travel in but not terribly inconvenient. And it might yet die down completely.
Soneya lay there with her eyes open, staring at the scales on Kaevad’s body, with Rhyn’s fur warming her back but she didn’t speak or move, though she was tempted to stretch out her hand and run it over the dragon scales just to see what it was like. If the two of them were awake already, they’d know she was too from her breathing pattern but she simply wasn’t ready to face the day, because she wasn’t sure what she was supposed to do. Thus, she remained huddled where she was in complete silence.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn's sleep was peaceful, for all that she was constantly aware of those around her. Used to sleeping outdoors, used to sleeping alone, she knew how important it was to be aware of your surroundings and what was going on around her. The slow, deep rumble of Kaevad's breathing was a steady sound. It never seemed to change. She wasn't sure if he slept at all. Soneya's changed though, even as her own did, deepening in sleep.
She didn't wake as Soneya did, but she felt the difference in the girl, and shifted her body, rolling onto her side, her back to the girl, and stretching, her paws reaching forward from her head, and her spine arching inwards. Her tail slid out straight and the black tip twitched with her ears before the cat settled. She was warm enough, and there was no reason to get up to the rain quite yet.
She didn't wake as Soneya did, but she felt the difference in the girl, and shifted her body, rolling onto her side, her back to the girl, and stretching, her paws reaching forward from her head, and her spine arching inwards. Her tail slid out straight and the black tip twitched with her ears before the cat settled. She was warm enough, and there was no reason to get up to the rain quite yet.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
He hadn't slept, simply rested, allowing his mind to relax as well as his body, as he listened to the two women sleep. Such elegant creatures, women were... so soft, warm and lean. Regal and elegant, with eyes that shone with youth and vigor. He sighed internally, his tail twitching the only sign of his discontent. He was too old for this romantic nonsense. Wooing and sighing and love-light filled eyes. Easier to just see what happens next. Speaking of which... Kaevad turned his head to watch little Soneya sleep, his eyes softening. What was to become of the little lass? He certainly didn't wish to leave her alone... but given her rearing, her parents highly disapproved of any magical beings... Granted, he still looked human, when he was in his human shape.
Slowly the gears in his mind began to churn, and he waited patiently - he had all night. Why not go home with her as a human? The thought made him pause. And why would I do that? To keep an eye on her... something's different, you NEED to protect her, but dunno why. That was true enough... To eat her and her parents hearts, fool. Their warm blood will further our life spans, make us immortal! That wasn't. Mentally Kaevad shoved the dragon back into its cage and locked it firmly. I will not harm innocents again. The dragon growled in discontent. Why did you not feed on the bandits hearts? It finally demanded, its voice clearly confused... and not liking it. I had an audience. One I had no intentions of scaring. The dragon roared with laughter even as the human piped up. He wants to protect her! Not just from bandits and shit, but from fear itself! Seriously drake, the girl's afraid of everything... Kaevad and the dragon were baffled by the nick-name. Drake? You have made a valid point on the girl's fear but... Drake? I do enjoy the name... The dragon admitting, baffling Kaevad further. When the hell did the voices in his mind start getting along this well?
Soneya stirred, snapping his thoughts back to reality, and he watched the lass refuse to get up. Ahhh... she wasn't ready. But why? Why was she afraid this time? Desperately he wished he had some sort of telepathic link to her, so he could ask her without disturbing the cat- no wait, there she goes stretching, cat's awake...
"Soneya... what troubles you?" Kaevad murmured, turning to lay his head in front of the girl's face. He was far enough he wouldn't startle her, but close enough she could hear him if he murmured.
Slowly the gears in his mind began to churn, and he waited patiently - he had all night. Why not go home with her as a human? The thought made him pause. And why would I do that? To keep an eye on her... something's different, you NEED to protect her, but dunno why. That was true enough... To eat her and her parents hearts, fool. Their warm blood will further our life spans, make us immortal! That wasn't. Mentally Kaevad shoved the dragon back into its cage and locked it firmly. I will not harm innocents again. The dragon growled in discontent. Why did you not feed on the bandits hearts? It finally demanded, its voice clearly confused... and not liking it. I had an audience. One I had no intentions of scaring. The dragon roared with laughter even as the human piped up. He wants to protect her! Not just from bandits and shit, but from fear itself! Seriously drake, the girl's afraid of everything... Kaevad and the dragon were baffled by the nick-name. Drake? You have made a valid point on the girl's fear but... Drake? I do enjoy the name... The dragon admitting, baffling Kaevad further. When the hell did the voices in his mind start getting along this well?
Soneya stirred, snapping his thoughts back to reality, and he watched the lass refuse to get up. Ahhh... she wasn't ready. But why? Why was she afraid this time? Desperately he wished he had some sort of telepathic link to her, so he could ask her without disturbing the cat- no wait, there she goes stretching, cat's awake...
"Soneya... what troubles you?" Kaevad murmured, turning to lay his head in front of the girl's face. He was far enough he wouldn't startle her, but close enough she could hear him if he murmured.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Kaevad’s whisper took a while to filter through the thoughts playing catch-up in her mind but she didn’t quite know how to respond to it. Instead, she reached out with her hand and touched his scales, lightly running her fingers over them. It felt nice to have the cat stretching against her back and having the dragon’s strong presence in front of her; it made her feel incredibly comfortable and protected, something she hadn’t felt in a long time. Well, ever since her grandfather had died really. It wasn’t that she didn’t like her parents or felt like they wouldn’t do whatever was necessary to keep her safe, but it just didn’t feel as good as this did, even though it should. And it had never really occurred to her just how cold her parental house sometimes was.
“I… Well,” she started, unsure how to phrase it without sounding like an ungrateful child. She really has been off track ever since she left the house the previous day. “I just don’t want to go back, I guess.” It came as barely more than a murmur because she wasn’t quite sure what they would say to that.
“Then again, I have to,” she continued, her voice rising a little as she realised what they could think she was practically demanding of them if she didn’t go back, namely playing her babysitter. In addition, she would at the same time throw the two of them together though they had never met before now either and completely rip them out of their lives. “Where would I go anyway? No means of defense, no bishani on me, nowhere to go, nobody I know.” Sighing, she fought a little with her fur until she finally managed to sit up with it still around her shoulders. “No, I should go back. It’s for the best.”
“I… Well,” she started, unsure how to phrase it without sounding like an ungrateful child. She really has been off track ever since she left the house the previous day. “I just don’t want to go back, I guess.” It came as barely more than a murmur because she wasn’t quite sure what they would say to that.
“Then again, I have to,” she continued, her voice rising a little as she realised what they could think she was practically demanding of them if she didn’t go back, namely playing her babysitter. In addition, she would at the same time throw the two of them together though they had never met before now either and completely rip them out of their lives. “Where would I go anyway? No means of defense, no bishani on me, nowhere to go, nobody I know.” Sighing, she fought a little with her fur until she finally managed to sit up with it still around her shoulders. “No, I should go back. It’s for the best.”
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Rhyn flicked her ears, not fully awake. There was no need to be. She immersed herself back into her dream, where she sat in front of a warm fire, leaning against Brad's leg as he worked leather and she sketched a leopard she had often seen when she lived in the high reaches. It was a content dream. She moved without thinking in reaction to Soneya's actions, twisting and curling around behind her as she sat up.
She woke, and yawned, stretching a little, but her head settled back upon her head, eyes closing and breathing evening out once more, swiftly. Her tail flipped itself into Soneya's lap, but it as easy to see that she was not bothering to fully wake up.
She woke, and yawned, stretching a little, but her head settled back upon her head, eyes closing and breathing evening out once more, swiftly. Her tail flipped itself into Soneya's lap, but it as easy to see that she was not bothering to fully wake up.
Re: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"
Golden eyes softened considerably. "If you have no desire to go back, you need not to, you may stay with me. Rhyn also has this choice, if she so desires, but I will not complain of having company... you may have to become used to riding a dragon, however, and walking, should you decide to stay." There was humor in his voice. "I rarely run into violence, but should we, I would protect you." He leaned in slightly closer so that his snout was pressed against her torso, a movement similar to a horse's when headbutting someone affectionately, except he made no move to headbutt her. An odd growl rumbled through his body - a purr of sorts - when she touched his scales. It was nice to be touched again.
He pulled back when polite timing dictated he should, turning to look at the sprawled Rhyn amusedly. "She looks quite comfortable anyways, we wouldn't wish to disturb her, now would we?" He chuckled, winking.
He pulled back when polite timing dictated he should, turning to look at the sprawled Rhyn amusedly. "She looks quite comfortable anyways, we wouldn't wish to disturb her, now would we?" He chuckled, winking.