Forum Thread

Vennidal propped her brother up against her, shaking her head sharply. "No one is going to come looking for us. I can promise you that. Can we just go please? He needs someplace to rest and you can protect yourself perfectly fine, surely." She added quickly, "I mean you live in a cave after all." "Yes, go ahead and reveal all your secrets why don't you! It's not like you wanted to keep knowing she's a dragon a secret or anything! Honestly, what is going on with me today?" The girl tried her best to pull her brother a short distance, but failed miserably. "I can't carry him by myself. Please, let's just go. I... I don't like being alone in the dark..."

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Eona watched her, warning bells going off in her head. She wasn't sure what was going on. But maybe she was being weird. She hadn't had a lot of interactions like this between humans. So she stopped walking and moved back towards the pair. Eona took the boy back into her arms, then offered the girl her hand. "It's alright. Let's go, honey. Are you hungry? I can make you something to eat if you'd like," she offered, hoping to distract the girl from her fears.

Melez bent her knees and leapt up into the air her huge wings beating only twice to bring her to the top of the alley and only thrice more to get above the buildings. She looked down to the trio of figures standing in the lamplight as she drew higher and higher into the dark, moon-less sky. Something didn't seem quite right about that woman, something was, off. Melez flew higher until she could just barely make them out against the ground and decided to follow them. Who knows, if the children are missing perhaps a reward will be put out for them and if she knows where they are she might be able to return them and with the money get a new pair of shoes.

"Yes please. We were supposed to get food after we talked to you, so I haven't eaten since breakfast." Vennidal said, taking the woman's soft hand. A rush of cold wind blew through the street, tugging at her thin dress. The wind carried something with it, the scent of wet leaves and tree sap. It spoke of ancient power and mysteries held within the looming trees, tales as old as the wind itself. It was Dryad territory for sure. How could this woman, even as a dragon, survive out among them all alone? She shook herself, snapping out of her trance. Stumbling along after the woman, she still didn't know her name, she watched her brothers eye shift about beneath the closed lids. He was obviously dreaming, but for once, very peacefully. It worried her. "Are you sure we'll be safe at your cave? I've heard that Dryads don't like people very much..." The chilly breeze made her shiver. A flapping noise drifted to her ears, but she ignored it. Ravens picking at some trash bin probably. Her eyes drifted along the worn street, lined with shops and houses. A few still glowed with light, but most had turned dark for the evening. "I'm not scared or anything! But... I still don't want to get attacked by tree people."

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Eona smiled slightly, her thumb running over the girls hand. "It's alright, honey. The Dryads and I have an understanding," she told her. "Don't you worry. They won't hurt us. If it'd make you more comfortable, I think I can carry you too. No one is going to mess with us. You might here the branches creaking but that's more then likely them just being curious. Now, what should we have for dinner? I can make rabbit stew, grilled fish, or some turkey. What sounds good to you?" she asked, talking to keep the little girls mind at ease. She knew these woods well. Eona was the scariest thing out here, as far as she knew. That being said, she respected the forest and everything in it. Including the tree people. In return, they respected her. Eona helped them and they helped her. She kept up her steady stream of chatter as they left the town and walked deeper into the forest.

Melez could feel the change in temperature and could almost sense the life below her. She was but a mere fleeting shadow in the great darkness of the night sky. Why would she live out here? This is Dryad country... Even I knew to skirt around it... She mused to herself as she heard a bat fly nearby her. She loved the night much more so than the day. Shadows were everywhere and so many creatures who hide from the sun come out to play in the moonlight. She could let her wings out and feel the wind flowing over her feathers. If she flew in the daytime she'd be seen, but during the night, and with partial cloud cover she was near invisible. The sounds were her favorite parts. The hoot of an owl, the sorrowful cry of a wolf, the chirping of crickets, the whistling of the wind, and the creaking of the trees as they settled down in the cool night. She took a deep breath shutting her eyes for a brief moment before letting her gaze focus through the foliage to the three figures below.

As they moved deeper into the forest, Vennidal's dress fluttered in the soft breeze. She felt leaves crunch under bare feet, and low ferns tickled her legs. She stared up at the large trees around them, pressed close together as if for warmth against the wind. It had been a long while since she'd been I a forest like this, so full of silent life and energy. Who knew what was out there, watching them with curious, or hungry, eyes. A sigh slipped out, as she took in the beauty around her. She had missed woods like these. A sharp pain stabbed at her heel, causing her to squeal and jump back. Falling back, she clutched at her foot. A large black thorn had driven it's way into her heel, deep enough to touch bone. Her eyes squeezed shut, leaking tears from the pain. Why now? At least the offending item kept her from bleeding to much. She kept her hands wrapped around her heel, concealing the wound.

The boy sat on the bed, staring at the cracked open closet door. It was quiet for once. No creaking footsteps, no scraping claws, no ragged breaths... A creak echoed through the room as the closet opened a bit more. He hopped up, rushing over to push the door shut again. The creature thumped against the slatted wood, it's pale green eyes glaring through the gaps. He blinked once and it vanished. Turning a sharp 180, he flashed his small light across the room at the bed. The creature let out a hiss and scuttled back beneath the bed. The boy would not be beaten so easily. He had played this game many times before...

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Eona spun, startled by the sound and instinctively knowing Vennidal was in pain. Seeing her crying, Eona gasped, gently setting the little boy down so she could try to help her. "What happened?" she asked, gently reaching for Vennidal's foot. Obviously that was where the pain was. She wouldn't be holding her foot otherwise. "Please, let me see, honey. I can help. We're almost home but I need to see it first to see if I need to carry you there or if you can walk. May I?" she cajoled, her voice soothing and calm. Motherly concern colored her voice even though she was starting to panic inside. She knew about getting hurt but if she hurt herself while trying to heal something, then it was her fault and she wasn't causing anyone else pain if she hurt herself by mistake. What if she did something wrong and hurt the girl?


Azazeal watched them from the shadows. This wasn't good. The little girl was seriously injured! He had to go help. Striding forward, he came out from his hiding spot in Eona's cave and made his way down the path to where his target and her new wards sat.

Melez heard a small sound from the little girl who had fallen onto her rear and was holding her foot. Perhaps she stepped on something? She wondered to herself as she twisted one of her wings slightly so she'd start circling. At least in the dark if they saw her she'd look similar to a great bird of prey waiting for the injured to be abandoned and then to be made into a meal. Melez was no cannibal and would do no such thing. What she wanted to do was to fly down and make sure the child was okay, but as that would reveal her presence, she decided to remain in the air. She spotted movement near the base of the mountain and saw a figure walking towards the trio. The woman doesn't live alone?

Vennidal scooted across the leaf covered ground, avoiding the woman's touch. "N-no! I'm f-fine." A sob cut through her words, as she clutched her heel. She couldn't let her see. She would know, and it would all happen again. Hated. Shunned. Driven out. She had to be strong for her brother. She had to... Gritting her teeth, she pushed herself up to her feet. She stood precariously, careful not to put weight on her injury. "See? Perfectly f-fine." Brushing away her tears, she took a step forward. Her leg buckled and she went crashing to her knees, almost blacking out as she did. Blood flowed freely from her scratched knees and hands, as her vision began to tunnel. Through her pain bleached eyes she spotted someone behind the woman. Pointing a trembling hand at the figure, Vennidal watch a single drop of blood fall from her finger, before everything went black.

The boy could feel his palms growing clammy as he watched the dimming of his small flashlight. Snatching up the last battery sitting on his sheets, he quickly slotted it into the back of his only light. The flash of brightness, which should have been comforting, brought only dread for what was to come. He was on the clock, and time was running thin. A fetid smell filled the air, signaling the "thing's" arrival. He could sense it, the hatred it held so tightly, a grudge bitter enough to turn the very air sour. It would not be turned away with doors and tricks. Only light. And his was almost out.

(FINALLY HUH? I feel like such a douche for procrastinating for so long XC I will try to be more regular! Will be posting in the other one very soon)

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Eona cried out, tears streaming down her cheeks. She'd had the poor things under her care for less then an hour and one was passed out, seemingly comatose, and the other was bleeding and passed out. Gently, she picked up Vennidal, cradling her in her arms. Hurrying to the boy, she scooped him up. When she turned, a strange man was right behind her. He took Vennidal from her arms before Eona could react. "I'll carry her," he said. "You set her back in my arms! She's mine!" "Please, you can barely hold them both. Just let me get her into the house. Okay?" Azazeal offered, his voice cool and collected. "No! You...how do you know about that?" Eona whispered, nearly sinking to her knees. She could tell this being was powerful but...more then her? Setting the boy on the ground, Eona stepped back and shifted, her massive, powerful form exploding into the space. "Set her down," Eona growled, making the ground shake.

Melez immediately knew that the woman didn't know this figure and was in the middle of trying to decide what to do when the woman's form rapidly expanded into a great serpentine length. "Sh-she's a..." She couldn't bring herself to whisper the next word. Her mind was practically mush. She was seeing a real, live dragon below her. So many questions were racing through her head, for instance, were the stories true, were some of them true, were they all lies like she had hoped. A cloud passed over and around her cutting off her line of sight. She let herself fly a little lower so as to be beneath the cloud and once again able to see the dragon. The only problem with that is that if she can see it, it could see her.

Vennidal's eyes snapped open, glancing frantically around. What happened? Where was she? The room was to dark to see much, only a table directly in front of her. She was leaned against a cold smooth wall, stone by the feel. She tried to move, but found herself unable. Panic began to grip her, as she desperately willed her limbs to move, to even flinch. Nothing. She was stuck, at least for now. She calmed herself, trying to make out anything in the darkness. At least the pain in her foot was gone... She was suddenly blinded as light filled the room. Blinking, she spotted a tall dark figure enter. Despite the bright light his body and face were pitch black, smooth and featureless. Behind him was a small boy... HER BROTHER! He seemed confused, apparently asking the man something, though she couldn't hear what was said. The strange man slowly closed the door behind them, sending a chill down her spine. What was this? Who was this man? Something glinted in the mans hand. Before Vennidal could try to cry out, the man slashed his knife across the young boy's chest, spraying blood across the floor. The boy choked on a scream, falling back to the floor. He tried to crawl away, placing his hand on Vennidal's chest. She was in shock, barely able to process what was happening. Her little brother stared into her eyes, blood leaking from his lips. Another slash. And another. And another. When the man was finally finish, tears of hate streamed down Vennidal's face. But she could do nothing. Just watch as the man opened a smal closet, revealing the bodies of four more young children. Her vision began to fade, though she tried desperately to stay awake. She had to do something. She had to kill the man. She had to- silence, as she drifted into restless slumber.

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