Valley of the Dragons [LEA and Cat]

The table swaggered as the heavy crate was roughly placed on it. Filled with old parchments it seemed lighter than it was, as Isaac had experienced when he dropped it as he lifted it down from the top shelf; his foot still hurt. Cursing, he rummaged through it, throwing scrolls and papers around the room in search of something. But the room quickly filled with flying paper, and Isaac looked frustrated up as a white animal came out from the storage room with a scroll in its mouth.

Isaac sighed and held out his hand as it came closer. “You didn’t have to bite it you know. Now it’s going to be wet and nasty.” He opened it, and got a satisfied look on his face as he scanned it the document. “Yes… Yes, it’s the correct map.” He said slowly as he examined it, before looking back at the white cat who now licked its paws clean by the fireplace.

Isaac looked around on the papers which covered the floors, frowned at the thought of tidying up and made a complex motion while commanding the papers. “Parchments and scolls, make this room tidy again.”

It didn’t take long before the room was clear again, as all the papers fluttered quickly through the room and into the crate. The table once more creaked as the weight increased. Satisfied, Isaac lifted it off the table and carried back into the storage again. When he came back, he sat down by the table and unfolded the scroll again.

“Tell me your secrets,” he commanded the map, which sides started to flutter before it quieted again. Then the ink started to glow, and rearranged itself into new lines and text. Isaac smiled satisfied to himself. This would make things much easier.

“What’s so special about the Valley of the Dragons?” someone said. Isaac looked up, straight at the cat, who now sat on the table, examining the map. “You’ve seen dragons before, right?”

Isaac blinked at Simon as he got a glint in his eye. “Ah, but it’s not regular dragons you see.” He opened a drawer and took out a new scroll. “It’s real dragons! Not the winged creatures which terrorized villages in the medieval ages. They originated from those, yes, but there were few of the real dragons who actually left the valley. They were either banned from the valley, or they left on their own will a long time ago.”

“What’s the difference?” Simon asked as he licked his paws again.

“They are sentient. Intelligent beings, just like you and me.”

“And weren’t those other dragons intelligent too?”

“Yes, but on a lower level. There was probably something which caused the dragons to lose their level of conscious when they left the valley.”

“So they are mindless beings?”

Isaac was about to continue when the bell rang. Quickly he stood up and reached for his cloak, looked quickly in the mirror as he made sure his hair was still well done, and checked his ring.

“It’s probably her,” he said to Simon as he walked over to the door. “Be impressive.” Simon shook his head as he followed and said, “Whom is it you are trying to seduce now?”

“I don’t know. She’s a dragon summoner, that’s about all I know about her. We need someone that knows about dragons. And then there’s that other guy.” As he opened the door, a white Siberian tiger followed him.

Trees flashed by in a green blur as Pyria skimmed the top of the forest with Sileya tucked securely on her back. The Fire Dragon was enjoying herself immensely, throwing in the occasional somersaults to spice up the ride. The wind whipped Sileya’s silver hair about her face and tossed her long overcoat out behind her. As she danced through the sky, Pyria’s burnished scales caught the sunlight and glowed like fire.

Isn’t this fun, Small One? I haven’t gotten to stretch my wings in forever!

Sileya laughed and sarcastically replied, That isn’t an exaggeration at all. She noticed a small town below. I hate to end your fun, but could you land, please? I don’t want every single person for miles around to run outside their homes and gape at the shiny dragon flying loops in the air.

Pyria’s disappointment was felt well before words formed in the elf’s mind. Awwww...you’re no fun at all, Small One. Fine...

A smile tugged at Sileya’s lips as Pyria descended. The Fire Dragon was an endless supply of amusement. When they were finally on the ground, Sileya slid off Pyria’s back and patted one of the Dragon’s massive forelegs. “I hope you had some good exercise because it’s time for you to revert back.”

Pyria, however, was not paying attention to her. Instead, she was staring intently into the trees, her nostrils flaring as she tested the scents on the air. Someone is watching us.

Sileya drew Drageziel and peered about. I need to dismiss you now, Pryia.

Indignation washed over the elf’s mind. What?! I can help you, Small One! What if whatever is watching us is dangerous? I won’t allow you to get hurt!

Pyria, I’ll be fine. You’re not exactly helping me stay hidden from prying eyes.

Without another word, the Dragon dissolved into a shimmering ruby mist and was absorbed into Sileya’s broadsword. Now that she was by herself, she felt a bit stealthier and advanced into the trees, wary of possible traps. Despite her keen eyesight, though, she did not find a trace of anyone who might have been watching her.

Then, the piece of paper stuck through a tree branch caught her eye. She retrieved and scanned it, finding a note hurriedly scrawled.

“I see you are a dragon summoner. I have been researching dragons recently. If you come to my house, I have information that may interest you.”

A rough map and a few simple directions accompanied the note. It seemed the place wasn’t that far from here...

* * * * *

So now, she stood outside the door to a rather ornate mansion in the middle of nowhere. Having already rung the doorbell, she was waiting patiently, playing the piece of paper between her fingers. When the door finally opened, she wasn’t fully prepared for the sight that greeted her eyes.

An oddly-dressed human stood in the doorframe, wrapped in a colorful cloak and crowned with blue-tinged spiky hair. He was surprisingly young. Though, most humans were young compared to herself. Her gaze shifted behind him for a moment and took in the large white tiger. With her experience around dragons, however, she was not fazed for very long. She looked back at the human and held out the piece of paper.

“Does this happen to belong to you?”

A small boy with coal black hair flitted through the town, his furtive green eyes darting back and forth searching for something. Every now and then a thin hand snaked up and touch the top of his ear.

Quid had never kept up a transformation this long before. His true persona kept threatening to burst through the weakened shell he was hiding behind. It felt stretched to the breaking point.

People in this district didn’t like his people. They had the ridiculous superstition that the Fae spent their time sneaking into houses, stealing babies, poisoning the livestock, and curdling the milk.

Granted that the sneaking part was probably true, but stealing babies? What on earth would the Fae want with human babies? Even if it was ridiculous they still believed it. If they caught sight of him, they would start screaming, throwing horseshoes, and salt at him. Salt was harmless enough but horseshoes were made out of iron. He gave a shudder, and if they caught him they would they toss him into a well or try to burn him in an oven.

Supposedly that would bring back all their lost children… where did the humans come up with this stuff? Of course they had no real hope of catching him, but he didn’t want to hurt anyone and it would cause delays he didn't need.

He paused, studying the street. It split. He stared down at the badly drawn map for a long second willing it to change. There shouldn’t be a fork here. A whispery voice tingled in his head, as he stared at the street,

“I told you, you were holding it upside down.”

“Shut up, Stealth.” The boy hissed.

“Which way, which way?” The voice taunted. “You can’t keep the transformation up much longer… and then the fun starts. I’ll even fight for free this time.” He was sorely tempted to cut off his connection to the spirit realm, but it was too dangerous. He might need them.

“Go left,” a new voice advised. This voice was warm and sounded both young and as old as time itself.

The other voice gave a low growl,
"You ruin everything, Terra."

Without questioning Quid took the left road. A few minutes later he was standing behind a small building. He had ended up at the back instead of the front but that didn’t bother him. Doors had never posed a problem, and he didn't need a door if he could see where he was going.

As agile as a cat he leapt lightly onto a windowsill and peered into the room. Invisible chains shackled him, pulling him away from the dwelling. He could not enter a human lived there. Defeated Quid made his way to the front door.

The door was already open. A beautiful elf was standing on the stoop talking with a human.

Normally he would have waited patiently until the elf was finished, but he need to get inside so he could drop the transformation.

"Isaac Summers? I believe you were expecting me?"

"Wrong," Stealth chuckled in his head. "He was expecting a fae. You are just a grubby looking boy."

"Shut up!" He turned crimson and began to stumble over an apology. "I didn't mean you." He said addressing the elf. "I would never never dream of..." This would be so much easier if he didn't have to concentrate to keep up his shield.
"Can I come in?" He asked turning back to the human.

“Does this belong to you?”

”It did,” Isaac said with a smile. “Now I assume it belong to you.”

The lady held the paper up for a little longer, but as Isaac didn’t show any signs of taking it, she retrieved her hand and pocketed the piece of paper. Isaac nodded slightly and threw his hands together exclaiming, “But where is my manners. I’m Isaac Summers, Magician and more recently researcher of Dragons.” He reached out his hand, “And your name is?”

The elf lady paused a bit, probably wondering what kind of guy hires people without even knowing their name beforehand, before she grabbed his hand, “Sileya. Dragon summoner.”

“Sileya,” Isaac said softly and bowed down and kissed her hand lightly. “What a beautiful name,” he started, “fit for a beautiful lady.” Behind him, Simon snorted and left the doorway. Isaac gently released Sileya’s hand and looked back at Simon. “Don’t be shy, come and greet our guest.”

With all that flattery, you have greeted her more than enough, was Simon’s sarcastic answer as he lie down by the fireplace, tending his fur.

“You don’t have to be that cold, you know,” Isaac remarked and turned back. “So, why are we still standing here? Please come in,” he said just as a boy came around from the back of his house.

"Isaac Summers? I believe you were expecting me?" he said as he approached, before shouting “Shut up,” followed by an apology. Isaac stared at the sudden intruder of his backyard, before realizing whom the boy was. “Oh, you must be the Fae, thingy,” Isaac said suddenly and showed him the way inside. “Must be tough with all those voices in your head,” he noted as he passed. “You’ll see they won’t bother you while we are inside my home.”

“So, you are probably wondering why I called for you?” he said when they all were seated in the study. “A dragon summoner, a Fae, and…” he looked around, “Weren’t there supposed to be one more?”

We don’t know if she will turn up, Simon commented from the fireplace.

“Right, right. We’ll just start then,” he said and unfolded a scroll over the study desk and said eagerly “This is the map to the Valley of the Dragons.” He paused; his audience eyed him, waiting for him to tell them why the Valley of the Dragons was so special.

“First, you are probably aware of Dragons?” he said, to which Sileya nodded quietly. “Fierce and savage beasts, they are. Terrorized the villages during the medieval ages, kidnapped maidens and princesses, and collected great amounts of treasure. But you’ll probably know all about that, right?”

He bent over the desk and whispered intense, “They are not Dragons.” He leant back and picked up a scroll. “Sure, they look like Dragons, but they are not. They are just savage beasts, dumb like an animal.”

“If they were dumb as animals, why did they collect treasure then?” the Fae asked.

“Instinct. All Dragons, even the dumb ones, come from a valley called the Valley of the Dragons. It’s a magical place, well hidden from outsiders, and undetectable by modern technologies. And this is the only map to the place.”

He walked around the desk while he kept talking. “Rumor says, the Dragons there are intelligent, smart and lived in a society like form, with a king ruling them. And when a Dragon commits a crime, it is expelled from the valley. And when they leave the valley, they seem to lose their intelligence and become dumb animals. The reason they collect treasure, it’s because it reminds them of home. It’s said the valley is filled with valuables.”

He stopped and looked at the two people sitting in the comfy chairs, and threw open his arms. “So, any questions?” he started before interrupting himself. “Oh yeah, the participants. I’ve forgot to introduce Simon. Simon, why won’t you come over here and say hello?”

If I have too, Simon said and rose from his position. “Hello,” he said as he approached. “Nice to meet you.”

“Simon is my pet,” Isaac explained, to which Simon growled. “But he kind of likes to be free to do whatever he wants,” he added nervously. “Why won’t you show yourself to them?”

“Fine,” Simon said as he changed back into a ferret, and scurried up to the desk.

“So, any questions?”

Calista walked slowly down the street, gathering the flow of conversations around her like a cloak as she let them filter past her ears. The conversations all came from within the dwellings about her, most circling about the daily lives of the people in this town.

She was only looking for one, one that would let her know exactly where she should be headed. She could have done the easy thing of asking someone for directions but...

There, a conversation that glittered to her limited vision, one sparked with excitement that the rest all lacked. Not that she was surprised, how excited could one be about the baker charging more than usual for a loaf?

Quickly discarding the extra noise, Calista followed that one voice until she reached its starting point. By now the door had been closed, but the young blonde had learned something on her travels - wood remembered and sound was rarely ever lost completely.

Standing still for a moment, she pressed a hand to the door as she listened to the conversation it had absorbed prior to her arrival, noting the occupations of the two who had arrived before her.

Raising a hand to knock, the door suddenly opened leaving her standing with hand upraised. Her hand was quickly grasped, held warmly by the one who had opened the door.

"Ah you were able to make it after all! One more beautiful lady has joined our crew, I see. Come in and meet the other participants in this quest," her hand being tugged, Calista had no choice to follow, slightly dazed by the sheer amount of excitement radiating from who she could only assume was Isaac Summers.

"Everyone, this is the final person joining us. Do introduce yourself, we'd all like to know your name," Isaac prompted, his abrupt silence startling Calista.

"Ah, my name is Calista and I'm a musician by trade." Calista paused, observing the three other beings. It seemed everyone in this little gathering was magical in nature, that being all she could tell from their inner songs. One seemed to be slow moving like a calm pond as well as holding an artifact that seemed to have multiple songs flowing within, the other being faster and more quicksilver in nature. Calista assumed this faster one was the 'Fae thingy' Isaac had greeted at his doorway, the first song she assumed belonged to the dragon summoner and was most likely human, she believed. Isaac himself held many items that sang songs to her, one she immediately found abhorrent being a ring. The final occupant was small, and Calista could only tell it too was magical.

"I suppose I shall recount what I had told the others before you arrived," Isaac began but paused when Calista raised a hand.

"If you would be quiet a moment, I can listen to what you have already said." Smiling, Calista could still feel the echo of his words in the air and merely amplified them in a way that she could listen to what had been said, playing it aloud so everyone could hear the words once more.

"Ah, I do have a question. What will going to the Valley of Dragons accomplish? What is your aim in this... venture?"

Isaac smiled widely at the question, and walked to the burning fireplace. “I’m so glad you happened to ask that question. For what is a journey without a purpose, a goal to accomplish?” He lifted down the sword hanging above the hearth, and held it raised in his hands as he turned. “Adventure. This will be the adventure of all adventures, a tale to be told in generations to come!” He smiled sheepishly, and added, “Well, it’s not the adventure of adventures, but it’s still an adventure unlike others?”

“Anyway,” he continued and sat down by his desk, “as I said, the Dragons living in that valley are so different from the ones living outside. Just to study one, perhaps even meet one and have a conversation, what wouldn’t I give for that!” He stood up again and walked back to the fireplace. “I’m not asking for the same excitement and eagerness from you, if you desire, your cooperation will be rewarded well,” he said with a more firm voice as he looked back at them.

“I summoned you to hear what I had to say,” he said quietly. “Now you have heard what I have to say, if there are someone that does not wish to join me on this journey, you are free to leave now.” Nobody moved, and Isaac got back his previous spirits. “Great! Now for the journey,” he exclaimed blissful and snapped his fingers. The fire in the fireplace flamed up, before the whole hearth increased violently in size; high enough for a person to stand in it. Isaac stared surprised at it for a moment before exclaiming, “Hah, it worked..”

“Just joking,” he reassured them as he turned around and motioned at the fire. “It’s a portal which leads us near the base of the mountains. Took a while to set up, but it’s better than walking all the way.”

As soon as Quid crossed the threshold he appeared to almost burst through his skin. Large pointed ears sprouted on either side of his head, his facial features rearranged themselves, and his hair lengthened in the front and shortened in the back, fading from black to dark green and chocolate brown. His body too changed. It thinned and he grew an inch taller.

Rolling his shoulders he gave a contented stretch before taking a seat, listening in silence to the wizard.

His large, slightly drooping ears pricked at the sound of footsteps outside the door. Before he could say anything the wizard sprang to the door. Through the door came a young human. She was very beautiful.

Barely attending to the conversation, Quid studied her. She was very strange, perhaps almost as strange as him. She seemed to be always listening to something the rest of them couldn’t hear.

How can she hear the past? Maybe she would tell him once they got to know each other. There was something else different about her. His keen eyesight picking out clues others failed to see; she was blind. She never seemed to look directly at them, though she always faced the right direction her eyes looked right through them.

It was almost a relief. People tended to stare at him, but she couldn’t’ see how strange he looked. He very much wanted to get to know her. A snap of Isaac’s fingers brought him back to the present; the fireplace morphed, growing in size. The wizard seemed to like showy-magic.

“What about supplies?” he piped up before the wizard could whisk them off to a foreign land without food. His elementals could usually help him in procuring food, but he wasn't exactly sure where they would end up and it was better to be safe than hungry and sorry.

OoC: You certainly got that right; he very much enjoys "showy-magic".

”Don’t worry about that,” Isaac said with a secret smile. “This bag,” he held up a small bag, “contains all our supplies for the ride.” And then added as the Fae lifted an eye at the thought of that small bag containing provisions for weeks, “No, I’m serious. Look.” He stuck his hand into it and drew out a large wandering staff, about the size of him.

“And that’s probably about it? We can talk more as we walk,” he said while motioning towards the fireplace. “Simon, how about you go first?”

Are you serious? There is no way I’m going willingly into a burning fire. I happen to like my white fur, thank you

“Aw, don’t be like that,” he said, a bit hurt. “Did you think I would tell you to go through if it isn’t safe?”

Yes?

“It is perfectly safe,” Isaac insisted and looked indigent at Simon, who turned his back at him, something Isaac took opportunity of; he seized him by his neck and before Simon could change, he was thrown into the fire and disappeared in a puff of ash.

“See, I told you it was safe,” he told to the surprised audience. Motioning towards the fire, followed by a “Follow me,” he stepped into the fire himself and disappeared just like Simon had, the ash being caught by the flames and driven upwards.

Never, never do that again Simon shouted as a pillar of fire appeared, revealing Isaac.

“Relax. You’ll get over it,” Isaac reassured as he scanned the mountains. It was indeed the mountains he was searching for, he concluded after a quick look at the map. Checking on Shade, his sword, he buckled it around his hips and stuffed the map into his bag. Behind him, another pillar shoot up from the ground. He smiled at the courage and trust one must have to walk through a burning fireplace after having known the owner barely an hour.

Calista frowned as she watched first Simon and then Isaac vanish in a crescendo of music that made her eyes hurt to see. The fire itself was made of a vast and complicated song, and she had to admit that Isaac seemed to know quite a lot on magic.

Sighing she stepped forward before any of the others could, walking towards that well of music. It wouldn't do well for her to be trapped behind in a house that wasn't hers where she didn't know where anything was.

"Safe journey," Calista half wished and half prayed to herself and the remaining two as she took the final step into the blaze.

Calista stumbled, the magic that had transported her departing so quickly that its sudden lack made her feel almost deaf. If what she could hear from the spells Isaac made were so loud, she wondered what they looked like through a normal pair of eyes.

"I can just tell your magic must leave a big impression on people," she commented as she made her way towards him, running self conscious hands through her hair to make sure it wasn't sticking in all directions. Finding a mass of tangles she sighed and worked on making herself look presentable and not so wind blown while waiting for whoever next faced the fire to appear.

Sileya sat mostly silently throughout the whole exchange, wondering what exactly she had gotten herself into. A motley group of...well, she couldn't call them people, per se, had joined her in the large house. Now, they were off to some place called the Valley of the Dragons. Isaac, Simon, and the other woman who looked oddly familiar were already through the fire. Sileya eyed the shifting flames that flickered back and forth between varying hues. She was supposed to step into that?

She had her doubts about this whole quest. It all seemed like a wild goose chase to her, something made up in a children's story. Let's all go seek the hidden wonders tucked away in the magical Valley of the Dragons.

Lithiuan brushed against her mind. Small One, what are you waiting for? You'll be left behind if you don't go now.

The elf softly arched an eyebrow. You actually think this is worthwhile? It doesn't sound in the least far-fetched to you?

The Light Dragon's rumbling chuckle rolled inside her head. I'm surprised anything sounds far-fetched to you anymore. Besides, it never hurts just to see.

Never hurts...yeah... She dubiously glanced at the strange fire for a few more moments, then sighed softly in resignation and stepped through.

She was in and out before she could even blink. Perhaps that was because of her long years dealing with magic or perhaps it was the spiritual presence of the Dragons inside her head. In either case, she found herself outside somewhere, and her eyes soon found the three who had gone before her standing just up ahead. The familiar woman was working out a few tangles in her hair, but Sileya had none to speak of. She walked over to join them, casting glances about to survey their new surroundings.

"So. What's first on the agenda?"

OoC: Chibi, the reason Calista looks familiar to Sileya is because she vaguely remembers her from Azazel's Stone.

The magical portal did not make Quid at all nervous. He was both used to teleportation, and had no fear of fire; still he waited until both ladies of the party had passed through. Making sure the strange human was able to go through without a problem, and he did not think it would have been polite to shove past the elf.

Slinging his small pack over his shoulder, he gave one last departing glance to the known and stepped through into the foreign. He staggered slightly as he burst into existence again, for a thundering chorus of voices greeted him. All the elementals were shouting in unison, which gave him an instantaneous headache.

The minute they felt his conscious recognition of them they fell silent. He waited a moment as the pain faded then asked calmly.
“What?” They all tried to answer at once, but Stealth hushed them all with a sharp growl.
‘What happened? We couldn’t hear or see you, but we knew you hadn't severed the link. We thought that wizard,’ Stealth spat out the word wizard as if she didn’t like how it tasted in her mouth, ‘had down something awful to you. It was a horrible trick and if I ever get my claws on him…’

‘You were worried about me?’ this time he was careful not to say it out loud. Stealth sniffed indifferently.
‘I just didn’t want to be trapped here with Blaze… are you going to let me out?’

‘Maybe later.’

His exchange with the elementals only spanned a few moments. Readjusting his small bag he glanced around, taking stalk of his surroundings. A bright smile lit up his youthful face. He was out of the dark, dank city and in the wilderness once more. Pursing his lips he whistled a lilting tune of pure joy, which several birds sang back to; momentarily confused into thinking his song was one of theirs.

The chorus of birdsong died away, and Quid turned his cheerful continence to the company.

His brilliant gold eyes flickered to the musician, suddenly wondering if he should formally introduce himself. Apparently she knew it, because of her ability to hear the past, but should he consider that a form of introduction?

Quid gave a frown. No there was no way she could know it. His name had not yet been mentioned… Isaac had simply called him the Fae 'thingy' and had required no further information. Apparently ‘thingys’ didn’t need names. Perhaps, Quid, should have been insulted, but he was used to being considered less then human.

Giving a charming smile and a slight bow to the company, he launched into a formal greeting,
“I have been lax in my manners,” Quid’s voice was neither young nor old; it had the cheerful eagerness of a youth, but with the undertone of experience of an adult, “and have not yet introduced myself and humbly beg your pardon. I am called Quid…” he hesitated awkwardly for a moment. Humans, elves and the like seemed to put a great importance on last names. Fae did not consider them necessary. “And like all my people I bare no last name.” he added, so they would not think him rude for not offering a last name as well as a first.

Isaac smiled broadly as he saw everybody had decided to join in. Grabbing the Fae’s hand, he shook it eagerly as ‘it’ introduced himself. Quid, he was named, Isaac thought to himself. Sounds a lot like squid… But he didn’t say it loud. At least, he knew his manners, and he had already been somewhat indifferent towards him because of all the ladies. Turning back, he addressed Sileya’s question and pointed at the mountain.

“Somewhere in those mountains, the valley is located,” he said and gazed upon the beautiful and lush vegetation covering the mountains. “I assume it’s about two days away, in an unknown forest, filled with strange animals and forest life.”

“So without further delay,” he almost shouted in excitement, “we’re off!”

They followed along, and soon they were heading into the forest on a wide track, in silence. Now that formalities were over, and nobody really knowing each other, it was not that much to talk about. But Isaac wasn’t let down by that. It would come with the time, and he had deliberately put up the portal not nearly as near the valley as he could have, because he knew people had to get to know each other before they could be a true team.

Inspired by that thought, he let Sileya catch up with him, and asked casually, “Dragon summoner, right? What’s it like? With all those dragons?”

Calista raised her eyebrows as soon after the Fae joined them she noted how his persona was suddenly enhanced by a number of harmonies within. Some she noted clashed with each other but as a whole they all seemed to mesh well with his own internal song, making it grander than it had been at the wizard's home.

When he whistled the sound emerged like spun gold and warm sunshine intertwined, subtly altering Calista's own inner song to become brighter and happier. Really, he was like a shot of pure happiness, she thought.

After Quid had introduced himself, Isaac was suddenly on the move once more and Calista quickly fell into step, wondering how he so easily just led them off without further introductions taking place. About to comment, she heard him striking up a conversation with the dragon summoner, a dragon summoner whose song was slowly calling up an echo from her mind. Had she met her before? Certainly one would think it easy to remember a person who held an item of such grand songs, but as Calista was finding out, even people such as Quid carried multiple songs within them.

Reminded once more of the Fae, she turned towards him with a cheerful smile, his whistle still in her mind.

"Quid, was it? I already said my name was Calista before. It's a pleasure to meet you, especially after that happy little tune you whistled before. I could just see the joy in it, especially after the birds joined in. Do you play any instruments?" After asking that she winced slightly, knowing that she'd feel the fool if he was carrying something as noticeable as her violin. And it struck her how, when he had introduced himself, his voice had carried the weight of age yet the vibrancy of youth.

Why is it always so hard to grasp the age of fae beings? she thought to herself. Another thing... why am I suddenly surrounded by so many people with such LOUD equipment and personal baggage? the last was more a loud internal sigh as she had to keep from squinting when her eyes ran across Quid himself and the summoner's sword and Isaac in general since he was just cloaked in magic.

“Crowded,” she replied with a chuckle. “When you have eight consciousnesses inside your head other than your own, it makes for interesting and oftentimes entertaining mental conversation.”

She glanced sideways at Isaac, then toward the mountains ahead. The area was lush and rich with spiritual life. Sileya thought she caught a glimpse of a wood nymph flitting in the shadows of the trees as they passed. Though she was an elf, she was not as connected to the forests as one might have expected her to be, so she doubted such a woodland spirit would allow her to approach it. All traces of the nymph vanished within a few seconds, so Sileya soon dispelled all thought of contact.

“They are my friends, though, not my slaves,” she continued, feeling a warm brush of affection against her mind from Lithiuan, followed by a tight embrace from double-teaming Taiken and Pyria. “I recognize they are far beyond me in wisdom, so I am not above taking their advice.”

”What was that?” Isaac said as he pointed to where the nymph had been. “Looked like a forest spirit of some kind.”

“Probably a nymph,” Sileya replied, and Isaac released his unwillingly grip on his sword.

“Probably. It’s an enchanted area,” he explained. “The, well, commonfolks, will never find this place as long as its magic is intact. Actually,” he said as he pointed over a hill behind them, “there is a pretty large city not far away, and none have found this mountain yet.”

He looked over at Simon, who playfully ran around between the trees, sniffing at trunks and plants by the path, just enjoying being a dog on such a nice day. But he still was alert for any unpleasant surprises, just as Isaac.

“And if some accidentally find this place, unmagic beings, that it, the forest is protected by spirits and ‘monsters’.”

Sileya looked suddenly at him with a ‘what have you done?’ look, but Isaac merely gave out a small laughter and said “I would not have brought anyone of you with me unless I was sure you were ‘magical’ enough.” He smiled gently at her and continued. “Speaking of magic, I caught a glimpse of your Dragon the other day. A mighty creature, strong and beautiful, like you,” he added. “It would be an honor if I could once get to know them.”

OoC: if you have never heard the pan flute then you are missing out. Listen!

BiC:

Blushing slightly at her compliment, then even deeper at her question. Quid did not play for people often. Usually he used his flute to express something he couldn’t say in words, cheer himself up when sad, or just for the pure and simple joy of playing.

“I do,” he answered somewhat nervously. “ I play Pan’s flute. It is the traditional instrument of my people, though few take the time to learn it anymore.”

Then for no other reason that he liked this strange human girl, he shifted his pack to the front and with tenderness drew out a strange instrument wrapped carefully in a soft cloth. Slipping it out of its binding he cradled it in his hands for a moment. It was composed of small cylinders of varying lengths. Holding it almost vertical to the ground he sent a quick glance over the forest for inspiration.

His feet never faltered even though his eyes where never on the path, and he easily kept pace with Calista, even though he had to take two steps for every one she took.

The first musical note seemed to hang in the air for a moment, before fading away, then the song started. It was a beautiful haunting tune that captured the essence of the forest they were passing through. He played quietly the tune meant only for his and Calista’s ears. He did not trust the showy wizard or the elf to not be amused at his expense.

A small gasp left Calista's lips, her eyes widening in shock.

He was playing the forest.

This was no mere tune that spoke of the forest, it was the forest itself. She could see it. Not just green wisps, but actual trees.

Stumbling slightly, she realized a very real truth. She might be able to play and enhance her music, but it would never reach this level. This was a level far above what she could play and she had arrogantly thought she was superior to other musicians.

When the tune wound down to a last trailing note, Calista had to blink back tears as the forest she saw slowly dispersed, leaving her with elusive wisps of sound alone.

"That was glorious Quid. In all my travels I've never seen one play to that degree..." smiling in his direction, she sighed with a bit of envy.

"It seems I have a lot more practicing to do..." Turning forwards she winced, throwing up an arm instinctively. She'd caught a full glare of Isaac's cloak and after the soothing forest it's magical nature was like looking at the sun.

"Why does magic always have to look so bright?" she asked in an aggrieved tone.

Quid blushed to the tips of his ears in pleased embarrassment. He was unsure how to reply to her compliments. Luckily she didn’t seem to need a response instead asked a direct, though perhaps hypothetical, question. It was rather odd. In fact she said lots of odd things. could she...? His mind spun backward, examining sentences that hadn’t made sense before, with his new theory.
He glanced up at her with wonder in his eyes.
“You can see sound… and magic.” It explained how easily she moved despite her disability. “That must be a wonderful and useful gift for you.” He said this as a statement of fact. If he was thinking of her blindness it did not enter his tone.

While talking Quid was carefully rewrapping his instrument. He froze a moment realizing his elementals had not interrupted him once. That was odd.

Is something wrong? He asked, his mind crossing the gap that separated him from the spirit realm.
No, said a sulky Stealth, but Tempest and Terra threatened to have Blaze burn me if I interrupted.

Quid retreated back to himself. The elementals rarely interfered with one another and he wondered why they had chosen to this time.

Calista felt yet another shock when Quid so accurately pinned her powers. She had thought she was doing so well... but then again, her last unguarded statement did make it quite obvious.

About to say something, she paused as a new tone was added to the Fae's inner song, fluctuating in a way that told her it was something else and it was speaking to him.

So that's it, he really does have other beings within him.. or not quite..., realizing his song had gone to normal, she decided to question him. It wasn't every day she met someone so... intriguing.

"Yes, I can see sound. Magic is a by product because... everything has a song and when magic is done it sings with its purpose. For that matter... I hope you don't mind my asking but... Your song is like that of the elf's sword. Made up of many different tones that belong to things not part of you directly..." Calista trailed off, realizing she might be putting the Fae on the spot.

"Well... you don't have to answer, I know there are some things people keep to themselves. And... I wonder how much further we have to walk?" The last she directed ahead, contorting the sound wave so it went directly to Isaac's ear. She had heard every bit of his conversation with the dragon summoner, how could she not when his words hung in the air with the sickeningly sweet chime of flattery?

OoC: I think we're monopolizing the thread XD

Quid didn’t mind. Her powers were odd enough, that he doubted she would find him to strange. He flicked his wrist as if plucking an invisible thread then paused. Which elemental though? Stealth was out of the question, Blaze might end up burning the forest down, and Terra was too slow. It was between Tempest and Frost. He decided on Frost. It was the water-otters turn for a frolic. With a toss of his hand he summoned the elemental.

The air shimmered for a moment, then smoothly, like the opening of an eye, reality split. Bounding through the hole came a strange creature. It was shaped like an otter, but was made entirely out of water and ice. Light bounced off its reflective surface painting the trees in watery light, and wherever it walked it left sharp little claw marks and wet paw-prints.

“They are the manifestation or personification of the elements.” Quid explained. Frost sprang forward chuckling like a brook. He could speak but never seemed to find it necessary. “The elements are blended together without guidelines, so it is personal preference for the caster how you see and divide them. Frost is the element of water and ice.” The otter stared curiously at the girl with large icy blue eyes.


OoC: <.< mayyybe.