|
Post by crimson92 on Jun 26, 2011 12:36:19 GMT 7
Eli grinned at the young prince, finding a nice rock to curl up on and let his wings hang loosely at his sides.
"When you leave the pressures of such an oppressive environment, you tend to feel more free than you ever have before. I know...I used to feel that way," he commented, ruby eyes twinkling, "In my homeland, dragons like me are 'pressured' to be real monsters, forced to eat others and fight out of pure paranoia than any good reason. Then I met Max and she allowed me to travel with her and that sense of freedom has never left me after that."
He flapped his wings a little as he looked at Vesper seriously, "Tell me your problem, friend, and I will do what I can to assist you."
|
|
|
Post by ❖Amani❖ on Jun 26, 2011 13:07:16 GMT 7
Vesper looked at the wise dragon and twitched his ears before looking away and frowning.
"I got away from Annalei with the intentions of learning about the King's Men before I took my place on the throne. In all honesty, I'm not sure I was even going to take the throne in the first place... But there's this thing called Sovereign Rule... It's like a loophole for the heir. If the heir to the throne invokes his right to it he immediately becomes King and there is no crowning required... Well I kind of invoked my right and now I'm the King. But that's not so much what I'm worried about."
He looked at Eli, scarlet meeting ruby eyes.
"I already hurt Sparks by running off without telling her... Now I did something stupid. I just don't want her to be mad... And then of course, there's the matter of me having no clue at all as to what I'm supposed to do as King."
Vesper turned and reared up, bracing himself against a tree. He raked his claws across the bark, nervously working them.
|
|
|
Post by crimson92 on Jun 26, 2011 13:53:47 GMT 7
Eli stared at Vesper for a while, watching as the prince dragged his claws on the bark and watching as the bark chipped away. He then chuckled deeply in his throat and sat up, flapping his wings a little before bringing them into his body.
"My dear boy, I'm afraid she's already mad at you for leaving her behind in the first place, but that will pass and she will forgive you and help you like she promised you she would. That's why she brought Max and I here, to help you. Just be honest with Sparks from now on; trust me with this, when it comes to women, honesty is the best way to go."
Eli jumped down from the rock and stood in front of Vesper, tail laying dormant in front of him, "...Sparks is very fond of you, Prince...King Vesper. I'll even go so far as to say that she loves you and will do whatever she can to make sure you are prepared for the future ahead of you...I wonder what your feelings towards her are."
The dragon chuckled again and shook his head, "As for your knowledge as King of the King's Men, that will have to be left to your uncle, King Rajus. He was the former king, to my understanding, so that would make him the perfect source of information for you to go to."
|
|
|
Post by ❖Amani❖ on Jun 26, 2011 14:18:44 GMT 7
Vesper paused in his clawing and looked back at Eli, one paw still bracing him against the tree. He looked thoughtfully down and smiled slightly.
"I suppose so... Do you really think she loves me?"
He pushed back and landed back on the ground, playfully pouncing at Eli's tail. He rolled over on his back and chuckled when Eli moved his tail.
"I'd wondered... I didn't want to push my luck or anything but- Well I think I love her too. But I thought she'd never..."
Vesper stared up at the sky, a permanent smile on his face. He caught sight of a flower petal floating on a breeze and he batted at it playfully.
"Are you sure? I just don't want to make a fool of myself or anything."
|
|
|
Post by crimson92 on Jun 26, 2011 14:43:52 GMT 7
"I would like to make the point of saying that sometimes, taking a risk and making a fool of yourself is necessary in life, you won't always be certain and moments like those help us grow," Eli replied, chuckling again, "But in this case, you will not be making a fool of yourself. I may be a dragon, but I am not oblivious to the workings of the heart and I could see the love Sparks has for you in almost everything she did: in how she worried over your safety, how she fretted over your preparation to take the throne, how angry she became when you left her behind, how gently she cared for you while Max healed your wounds, and how she smiled so brightly when you began to feel better."
The dragon seemed to be grinning again, "But I think you may have to approach her first about it openly. Despite how you two feel towards each other, Sparks is still a stranger in your land, in your time and not just that, but she's considered a lowly peasant as are Max and myself considered to be. She'll probably think that she has no place with you, has no right to love, and will try to suppress her feelings. If you really love her, then you won't let her do that."
|
|
|
Post by ❖Amani❖ on Jun 26, 2011 15:03:06 GMT 7
"Thank you Eli... And perhaps in Annalei she wouldn't have been accepted, but I know in the Capital she will. The King's Men follow different rules. You're only considered lowly if you're unable to prove yourself. All Max or Sparks would have to do is barely lift a finger with the power they have... No, that won't be a problem where we're going..."
Vesper trailed off and studied the sky for a few moments before flexing his claws. He felt his fur stirring from the breeze and he closed his eyes.
"I think we're going to need to keep heading south from here. I may or may not stop by Manama's... Rajus was the one who wanted to see her. He's probably there now though."
Vesper scratched his chest and huffed.
"I suppose Armi will have been busy spreading word about my new kingship now... They'll be on this island around noon. Perhaps if we met them- No... I don't know."
Vesper tilted his head back and eyed Eli.
"Want to come with me to scout the beach and see if they're near yet? Or not... It doesn't matter."
He rolled over and stood up, extending his feathered wings fully.
"I've found your company to be most pleasurable."
He smiled and shook out his fur.
|
|
|
Post by crimson92 on Jun 26, 2011 15:09:25 GMT 7
"And your company has kept me well entertained," Eli replied with a playful flick of his tail at the great beast, "I think scouting the shores would be a great idea, though we must be careful. Remember, whatever attacked us in the waters and attacked you on the beach is still out there and getting stronger. You must remain alert."
Eli's red eyes flashed almost dangerously as his gleaming sharp teeth caught the light from the sun, "That beast hurt Max...if it shows itself to me again, I will not hold back."
He lowered his lips back over his teeth and turned to walk towards the beach, the sounds of the waves reaching his ears. As he walked, three rings of fire surrounded him and then engulfed him, the fire growing in size until he was the same height as Vesper, the two walking as majestic beasts side by side.
"While we scout, why don't you tell me how you came to have the powers that you do?" Eli suggested, glancing at Vesper from the corner of his eye, "and how you went so long without learning to control and strengthen them?"
|
|
|
Post by ❖Amani❖ on Jun 26, 2011 15:21:07 GMT 7
Vesper glanced at Eli as they continued to the beach.
"I'm not really sure... well I'm not sure I know all the powers I have. I hid them for a long time you see... Really until Sparks and Max and you showed up. The only thing I figured out was on my little escapade just recently. I think that the ring Rajus gave me heightened my powers. It gives me more potent and strong abilities and along with that, I lose control. When I have the ring on, it overcomes me because I'm not strong enough to handle it."
He shook his head and lifted it to scent the air.
"I think that Max and Sparks could help me learn to control the power the ring gives me. The ones I discovered once I took it off I believe I can manage. They seem instinctual."
He chuckled and gave a little skip.
"I find them exceedingly fun!"
|
|
|
Post by crimson92 on Jun 26, 2011 15:33:33 GMT 7
"I'm sure you do," Eli replied with a laugh, "Though others might find it exceedingly dangerous, exceedingly threatening, and exceedingly valuable to sell on the black market. You will have to learn to control your abilities so that you may defend yourself against hunters that will want to make a profit off of you. Just having sheer strength will not be enough to stop them completely for you will be blinded most of the time and unable to control yourself. Contrary to popular belief, an out of control magic being is the easiest one to capture because of the fact that they don't have a plan and don't know how to strategically use their powers."
Eli suddenly stopped as he felt a familiar energy near him and looked around cautiously. His eyes soon landed on a shadowy figure that resembled a large dog and he chuckled when he realized it was Troph.
"It looks like the girls are awake now and Max is searching for us," he told the new king as Troph gave off a demonic bark, "They shouldn't be too far behind."
Within minutes, they heard rustling, violent rustling, with Max's voice shouting, "Sparks, just wait a minute! Hold on! You're being too frantic right now!"
"Where did that dog of yours go?! Where are they?!" they heard Sparks reply, the rustling getting closer.
"Sparks, listen to me! Eli is gone too, meaning that he's with Vesper and they are more than likely still on the island."
"I swear, if he left me again, I'm going to-" the shouting was suddenly silenced as both girls popped out from behind a rather large bush, Max looking a little flustered and Sparks looking frantic.
When the pink haired one saw that Vesper was indeed still on the island, she sighed in relief and slowly approached him, stopping right in front of him.
"I...I woke up and you weren't there," she said, clenching and unclenching her hands, "I thought..."
Max quietly made her way to Eli and pet his head; "So...anything new?" she asked the dragon quietly.
Eli watched Vesper for a moment before chuckling and shaking his head, "No, not really...he's just a much happier king, now."
|
|
|
Post by ❖Amani❖ on Jun 27, 2011 2:40:08 GMT 7
Vesper had sat down and poked his head out to look around Eli when they heard the rustling in the trees. When Sparks came running up to him, he wrapped his tail neatly around he paws and smiled, calmly letting her finish fretting. When she quieted he flicked one ear back and leaned down slightly to look her in the eye, reaching a paw out and lifting her chin so that'd she'd look up at him.
"I was just having a talk with Eli. I'm sorry I scared you again. I told you, I'm not going anywhere I promise."
He chuckled and looked over to Max and Eli conversing.
"I find talking with that dragon to be quite a fun and relieving experience."
He looked back at her, scarlet eyes burning. He circled around her and lay down beside her watching them and slightly tapping the tip of his tail.
"Eli and I were talking and I figured we should keep heading south. There are many mystics in the Capital and they may not be too much help but it would be some for you three... I was coming with Eli to scout the beach now and see if Armi's crew was anywhere near here. They should be around noon."
He twisted his head around to look over his shoulder and squint.
"If Max and Eli didn't mind, we could go ahead. It looks like they're busy talking right now."
He smiled at her and extending his wings slightly.
"We could fly a little ways out before we come back in to scout the beach itself."
|
|
|
Post by crimson92 on Jun 27, 2011 3:13:16 GMT 7
Sparks looked over at Max and Eli herself, smiling lightly when the dragon ducked his head under Max's hand and let her pet him gently while the two of them talked.
"Eli is a very wise dragon," she commented, tilting her head to the side, "and a wonderful confidante. I remember nights, while I was traveling with the both of them, and I couldn't sleep for one reason or another. Eli would stay up with me and talk me through my problems patiently...ever since I first met him, he's seemed like such a patient soul and so caring. I sometimes wonder what their relationship would be like if Eli were human."
Sparks watched with an amused smile as Max jumped in front of Eli's face, hugging his head before letting out a surprised yelp when Eli ducked down again and then shot his head up, propelling her onto his back. Max laughed loudly before turning around and reprimanding her friend for surprising her like that.
"I'm sure they won't mind if we take off by ourselves for a while," she said to Vesper, smiling at him as she walked around to his side, running her fingers through his fur, "And...I'm sorry...for freaking out like I did. I guess I should trust you more now."
|
|
|
Post by ❖Amani❖ on Jun 27, 2011 4:33:31 GMT 7
Vesper butted her shoulder with his head and laughed.
"It's all right Angel. I can understand. I shouldn't have left like that."
He grinned and crouched down beside her, folding his wings in so they didn't get in her way.
"Let's go. We can talk more as we go."
He helped her up onto his back and extended his wings out completely. He braced himself and took a few running steps before leaping into the air and pushing down with his wings. It took a little extra energy and was a little harder than when he was carrying himself, but he was gaining altitude in no time. He quickly made it out over the ocean and spotted a dot still out a little ways. He motioned to it.
"They should be here in maybe an hour..."
He continued further out to make sure there were no other ships, and absently began to scan it.
|
|
|
Post by crimson92 on Jun 27, 2011 4:59:54 GMT 7
Max and Eli both watched as the beastly prince took off into the air with Sparks on his back, Max grinning to herself as she laughed.
"Well, looks like those two have made up," she commented, leaning against Eli with her arm braced on his side, "Did you, by any chance, say something to him?"
Eli laughed, "Only that he should take a chance with Sparks and that he won't be disappointed."
"That's my dragon. Come on, let's do some exploring!" Max suggested, already running off into the bushes as Eli chased after her.
Sparks kept low on Vesper's back, still getting used to the idea of flying anything and yet feeling a sense of complete abandon when in the air with Vesper. She laughed and nuzzled a little further into his fur, looking down into the water and seeing the boat he was talking about.
"What do you think the men are going to say when they see you like this? Aren't you worried?" she asked, looking confused for a moment as she bit her lip.
|
|
|
Post by ❖Amani❖ on Jun 27, 2011 5:39:53 GMT 7
Vesper's ears pulled back to listen to her and he dipped slightly in altitude.
"I'm not really sure. It doesn't worry me if they see me like this. In fact it might benefit me... Sparks, I have something to tell you."
He turned slightly and flexed his claws.
"I acted rashly and to make a long story short, I invoked an ancient right to my place on the throne. A right that bypasses the need for a crowning..."
He grimaced.
"I'm now the king."
|
|
|
Post by crimson92 on Jun 27, 2011 6:10:36 GMT 7
"WHAT?!"
With a sudden surge of emotion, Sparks accidentally caused somewhat of an electrical explosion that seemed to blow her right off of Vesper's back. She went careening back towards Earth, screaming loudly before Vesper flew back under her and caught her, flying back up towards the sky. After panting to regain her breath, she shook her head and leaned over to look at his face.
"You're the new King of the King's Men? Already?! Vesper, you're not even fully prepared yet! You can barely control your powers on an amateur scale, not to call you an amateur of course, but still!" she all but shrieked, her mind suddenly thrown into a frenzy of what needed to be done now, "And what about your lessons on the King's Men? I thought you were going to try and learn about them first before making a move to become the king."
She laid her head in his fur and sighed deeply, counting to 10 to calm herself. After counting far beyond 10, she lifted her head a little and stared at the clouds.
"But you were going to do that all along...weren't you?" she said quietly, sitting up slowly, "And that's why you left...you already had it in mind to take the throne of the King's Men and decided to just leave. You didn't want input from anyone, especially me..."
They were silent for a while before she sighed again and nodded, "Alright then, there's nothing else we can do about it. What's done is done and we have to focus now on making sure that you're settled in your new position...King Vesper."
Her hands clenched his fur just ever so slightly as she stared at the top of his head, 'I guess I won't be needed here for much longer. Soon...he won't need me at all.'
|
|