The pink morning light dances brightly across the lake water as the small fairy child of Jastery flies over the bright yellows, oranges, and reds of the fall forest. Nava hums cheerfully despite the chill bite of the breeze as she lands on the lake shore and scans about for an appropriate tree to begin construction of a treehouse on. She soon spots a sturdy looking tree (foraging lvl 62) that others might recognize as an Everwood tree if they have the experience. She pats it and then starts gathering the fallen branches from the surrounding area. Soon the sun has risen to it's peak and even though the freckled fey has built up strength from taking care of her egg for the past six mestruns she soon has to plop down, exhausted, next the assorted branches.
All four sparkly purple wings drooping and body aching Nava stares out over the lake while absentmindedly digging in her pouch for some energy giving candy. As she munches on some jelly beans she scans the water for any signs of life. After a while her energy returns and Nava reaches in her pouch and tosses a gold coin in the water hoping to tempt out her baby. "Freckles?" She calls out loudly.
Nava startles a little and looks up from her spot under the tree to see her ex-deer friend Ayrin. "Ayrin! I'm calling out for my baby!" she gestures to the empty spot next to her where the egg would have usually occupied. "My egg hatched! But Freckles is a water dragon so he had to go to the lake!" She gets up, brushing away leaves and dirt from her black skirt and looks back out to the water. "Thaliner said that dragons eat treasure so I tossed Freckles a gold coin to see if he'd come up to see me."
Night falls on the lake's shore. The crisp autumn air moves gently across the water creating ripples that follow the wind to the beach, where they gently lap at the sand. Nava's wings glow in the moon's light sending a purple shadow over her sleeping face. The serenade of chirping frogs and crickets harmonize with the rustling leaves of the forest, that hugs the beach.
The burble from the lake begins to intensify and the waves now break sharply against the shore. The songs made by the night fauna go silent as they are replaced by short 'meeps' rising from the water.
*time passes*
Nava wakes to find sparkling frost on the leaves around her everwood tree. Shivering uncontrollably the escapes her unusually chilled nest to find naga tracks meandering around from the tree to the lake. At the water's edge, where she had tossed a coin, a shallow hole is slowly vanishing in the rippling water.
After the sun had moved a distance from it's peak Nava had turned away from the lake with a dissapointed sigh and gotten back to gathering sturdy branches and logs from the leafy forest floor. All through the afternoon Nava labored, creating a tree house like structure up in the braches of tree. By the time the sun had dipped down past the horizon and all the bright colors from sunset had faded Nava had managed to build quite a bit of her new home by working almost non stop. As night fell and the cool evening air started take on a distinct winter bite Nava made a bed of leaves for herself at the base of the tree. Her sleepy gaze directed out towards the lake Nava calls a soft goodnight before drifting off peacefully.
Shivering herself awake Nava sits up and greets the day like usual, by popping a piece of candy in her mouth. She the rubs the sleep from her eyes and while yawning looks about to discover the ground and tree around her covered in a light frost. As she marvels at the sparkling frozen water she notices that ground around her is disturbed like an animal had been about. She then turns an excited gaze towards the lake only to see the last traces of Freckles exit rapidly disappearing. "Wait!" Her high voice joins the chirping of the birds disturbing the quiet morning air. "Freckles?!" She cambers up from her bed of leaves to run to the lake edge and practically falls to her knees in her rush to look down into the waters that home the dearly loved dragon.
The uordeq's eyes widened upon hearing that Nava was calling out to a dragon. Ayrin has had an interest in dragons, having been told stories of them when he was just a fawn; he had never seen one in person however. He waited eagerly to see if the naga would emerge from the water, looking back at the lake constantly while helping the fae gather wood to build her treehouse. Once night began to approach he slinked off, no longer able to fight his urge to fight his cervine brethren.
---
After a long, sleepless night, the duskling returned to the lake where he last saw his purple winged friend. He is noticeably more ragged and bloody than before. As he approaches the body of water, he hears the unmistakable sound of Nava's voice and follows it to the source. He spots the young fae at the edge of the water, looking in. "Has your pet made an appearance yet?" Ayrin asks, peering into the water as well, scanning for signs of movement.
As Ayrin approaches Nava, asking about the hatchling, movement far down the beach catches the eyes of both the Fae and Uordeq. Flailing its wings desperately as it darts back and forth, the young naga manages to become air born. Hovering just a couple feet from the sand, wings flapping recklessly, the naga maneuverers its position to gaze in the Fae's direction. After only few moments, with its endurance drained, the naga strikes the beach firmly and vanishes behind a large mossy stone nestled in the sand.
Nava smiles and waves at her dear dragon as it flies, but as quickly her smile turns into a face full of concern when the "wee" dragon flops down. The worried child scrambles up from her postion next to the lake, (probably) hitting the bruised deer at heart with her wings in the process, and skips forward a few steps before taking to the air (fly) and fluttering to where she had seen the dragon last. "Freckles are you okay? Do you need a shiny?"
The duskling's eyes light up at the sight of the naga becoming airborne. He stood there stunned as the poor beast crashed back down on the beach and scurried off, only snapping back into focus as a violet wings flap in his face. He follows Nava over to where the dragon had crashed, reaching into a pouch on his belt to pick out a few pieces of silver to lure Freckles if need be.
Ayrin examined the naga-shaped imprint on the shore, following the parting in the sand made by the serpentine creature to the waters edge. He stood there for a few minutes beside Nava, pondering what action to take before removing his gear, setting his leather armor, swords, and vial belt aside. Silver coins still in hand, he began to wade into the chilly lake in search of the fae's scaly pet. He went as far in as his waist before stopping, taking a moment to search the icy waters for the dragon. Ayrin jingled the coins in his hand, hoping that his offering of treasure and the fae's calling would suffice to draw him from wherever he lurked within the lake.
(The naga's depression in the beach was much larger than the beast that had been teleported away. Is this the same creature? How could it have grown so rapidly? But, this animal had truly shown interest in Nava's presence. There can be no doubt, this is Freckles.)
-
The lake is replete with autumn's chill and Ayrin's skin tightens as the water rises to his waist. The calm tranquility of the morning only broken by Nava's pleading calls to the hatchling. From her lofty position above the lake, Nava sees the surface of the water break. The bluish green back hide of the naga comes to light and a white foamy wake is left trailing behind as its darts swiftly towards the wading Uordeq. Upon impact, Ayrin is knocked off his feet and disappears beneath water... The lake calms and the ripples drift away...
*eerie silence*
Off in the distance, far from where he was standing, Ayrin is relinquished. In an instant, violent thrashing ensues where he had been holding the coins. The water boils with excitement for a short time before a muddy cloud is left retreating from the interior.
Freckles does an air-born leap for joy right below the dangling feet of the young Fae then slips seamlessly back into lake.
Nava startles as the man she calls friend is drug under the water by her beloved Freckles. She gasps and for the quiet moment when the water stilled she looked around anxiously hoping to spot the pair and not blood. She realized she was holding her breathe when as Ayrin was deposited on the shore a bit away her breathe left her in a whoosh. As Freckles thrashed about, presumably chowing down on the silver, Nava gets ready to scold the excited beast, only to giggle with delight as the Naga jumps up under her feet. "Oh Freckles! You're such a silly boy. I love you." She glances over to Ayrin to check on the state of the urodeq.
Ayrin gasps as he is pulled into the freezing water by the naga, it's bluish scales camouflaging it. He manages to hold his breath just before he is submerged, dropping the coins in the process to avoid a possible attack from Freckles. Moments later, Ayrin is spit out on the adjacent shore. He picks himself up from the ground, completely soaked. The duskling begins to wring the water out from his shirt as he makes his way back over to Nava. As he walks back to where the fae fluttered above the lake, the naga bursts from the surface below her, a stunning sight to see! "What a magnificent animal- naughty, but magnificent." Ayrin remarks at the sight of the blue-green reptile leaping from the water.
Many days pass without any sight of the baby naga. The still, mirrored lake reflecting the blue sky, often giving hope that Freckles was about to break the surface. Thoughts of him leaving to find other waters start to flood your mind. Could the enchant be-spelled on him have caused his early demise?
As you approach the beach a thick smell of iron clogs your nose, the foul taste coats your throat and induces a small wretch. The sand has an eerie, burnt sienna hue. Torn bits of fish are strewn from one end of the beach to the other. Heaps of stringy entrails dot the sand, entertaining flies that flit merrily around in the stench that rises from them. The small licks of water pushed ashore, under the encouragement of the wind, are dark with blood. The rich color becoming less vivid as the wave ebbs and slides back into the murky depths of the lake.
The air is still. None of the morning sounds emanate from the trees. No birds are perusing the free meal. All is quiet.
You are drenched by a sudden wall of water rising off the lake. As the water runs from your eyes, a blurry vision of a monstrous creature slowly begins to focus. An icy blast chills your entire body, shivers of cold and fear overcome you as you stand motionless in the now frosty sand.
Freckles gives you a frigid stare from a lofty height, the bulk of his serpentine body resting in the cold lake. Bloody drool dripping from the corners of its mouth.
Nava stares up at this seemingly cold at heart dragon in confusion. She thought she had followed Thalenir's instructions well, throwing an offering of small bits of treasure every few days or so into the lake. Thalenir had told her that this would keep her dragon happy. Nava's wings drooped and she stared sadly up at her baby seemingly turned monster. She calls out cautiously "Freckles? Is something wrong? You haven't come out to see me for a while. Did you not like my gifts?"
The nights heavy rains subside, the misty air runs down your face as rising fog dances on the lake. The beach, heavily washed, now lays flat and glistens white in the suns morning rays . Birds squabble over the last fleshy bits and an army of ants trail back into the damp grove. Far off shore the melody of crashing water makes it way through the curtain of fog to tickle your ears.
https://uruguayway.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/buzzards-eat-dead-penguin.jpg
At this point Nava has retreated to her tree house and stares gloomily out the window at the murky lake, listless and exceedingly tired. Freckle's sudden attitude change after such a long absence has affected the normally optimistic fae and she has become depressed, unable to find a desire to eat. Those who know of the fae tribes would recognize this to be very dangerous for Nava as without a near constant diet of sugar Ulysses fae cannot survive. Being only half, this does not affect Nava as deeply as it would others, but not eating is not recommended for just about any race's children. Nava's lonely sigh turns into a yawn and tears fall from her eyes as she drifts off to sleep, unable to stay concious any longer her wings laying fully against her back, limp with exhaustion.
Poppy head up to the lake edge carryings pale animal carcasses over her shoulders when she noticed the chum of fish parts on the shore. She bends down for a moment closely examining some of them in disbelieve taking careful note of the bit marks. The unseelie glances over at the near by structure giving some thought to investigate it first but decides to deal with what ever is residing in the lake first. The fae wades shin deep in the water before inhaling deeply only to exhale a monstrous roar. (commune nature)
Althena stepped gingerly over the sand covered rocks, frowning as she stared around the sandy edges of the lake. She had come in search of the young fae, Nava, who had promised to assist her in the hospital at the church. However, the young fairy had not made an appearance for several days, and so Althena, recalling the hatching of the water dragon, decided to come here in search of her.
“I would rather be anywhere else but…” the Ixifar muttered, glaring at the waters and sand. Never one for nature, the Ixifar trudged along the edge.
Cool, water tinged wind drifted in her face, and the healer turned away from the shore, moving closer to a copse of trees, calling out the young fae’s name.
“Nava!” she called out several times, frowning as she paused at the edge of the grouping of trees. “Nava!” she called out once more, turning a circuit until she faced Jastrey. “I guess she’s not here,” Althena muttered to herself, and began to walk back toward town.
After falling into a deep slumber from the lack of sugar the fae from her father's tribe need Nava, in what can really only be described as a trance or sleepwalking like state, had finished the cacoon she had quietly, and instinctively started in the midst of building her treehouse. The cacoon lies, presumably, safely up in a corner of the tree.
Poppy hearing her stirring from behind her glancing behind her to notice Nava's cocooning in observing its progression the fae decides not to disturb her. A frown was set very firmly on her face as the Naga made its appearance. Poppy shoos the fish and birds away from her for a moment. "Yes, yes I figured that." she muttered softly towards them.
Turning towards the beast she begins to speak again. "No, I am not the reason for your decline in food source." She said flatly. "My name is Poppy, and the reason Nava probably has stopped feeding you is she appears to be preparing for metamorphosis. It is similar to your dragons hibernation but for maturity of mental state rather then a physical growth period." "But for that to occur she would have to go through quiet a bit emotional experience, I suppose you wouldn't happen to know anything about that?" The fae inquired dryly.
Glancing at the shred fish around the shore the fae turns back to speak to the Naga again. "I suppose you obliterated that fish, as a source of entertainment. Since no dragon I have ever met as ate anything, but treasure. " The fae said with a morbid laugh
A familar voice catching the Fae's ears she calls back to Athena. "She is over her." The fae called back not sure if the healer would hear her or not.
A familiar voice reaches her ears and the Ixifar turns, confused. it is not the voice she was expecting - or hoping - to hear. Still frowning, glaring at the rocks and roots at her feet, the healer turns to walk toward the vampiric fae's voice. A confused expression upon her face, she walks until Poppy comes into view, and calls out as she continues her approach. "What did you find, Poppy?"
The naga draws near, its huge eyes stare directly at the fae, completely ignoring the healer.
A strained voice comes directly from the dragon.
'Poppy...?'
With a snort, the naga tilts its head slightly, as if puzzled by the sound of his thoughts emanating from its own mouth.
'Treasure, yes, I need, yes.'
"I have just gotten back to Jastrey, and came here to dump off bodies neither I nor Bianca can use to the fish." she said motioning to the drained animal bodies that still rested at the shore. " "When I found Nava and this Naga." Poppy said pointing to the seelie and dragon. "Though you are probably not going to get much out of Nava since she started cocooning." the fae said shaking her head.
Poppy is a bit surprised by the dragons quickness to pick up on her speech. "Ah, you learn faster then I thought ." She said giggling. The cheer drains from her face the fae expression becoming more stern at hearing dragon makes threats in it own tongue. "You are in no place to make such claims seeing as with out more treasure you will perish, so continuing rampages is no way to acquire it." The fae said in a flat tone. "And if you are to continue these rampages I would imagine it would be only a matter of time till the greenwarden finds out or you draw the attention of the rest. Which will also result in your own death." She said very frankly.
The great beast tenses and rears its ugly head high. A giant cloud of snow and ice escape from within as he lets out a large yawn and snaps back to attention.
'yes, help, yes...'
He lays itself in the pile fresh frost, still falling to the sand. Sad and confused eyes look toward the healer, pleading without a sound...
http://iradex.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/dragao-de-gelo-img02.jpg
Althena stops sharply, staring at the water dragon Poppy is conversing with. "You...understand this beast?" the Ixifar asks, taking a cautious step closer to the fae, trying to distance herself from the dragon, all the while carefully avoiding the animal carcasses that lay upon the ground. "And, what do you mean, Nava is cacooning herself?"
Poppy smiles softly down at the creature "I will, but first I need to check some thing in the library there a few things I am a little rusty on dragon care." "do you know your age as well as how much treasure you have consumed?" she asked curiously not sure what kind of answer she would get. "Your sleepy time may be near"
Poppy turns to Athena smiling widely. "Of course! I would not be a very good druid if I could not speak with all creatures" she chirped. "Cooning is a thing fae do, we don't grow like other races really" she said rocking on her heels picking her words carefully. "We age about the same to about 16-ish" " but after that our stages of life are not marked by number of years passed but by events that cause enough stress for us to change. But this change isn't physical usually but it is a mental one."
Althena listened to Poppy, still frowning over at the dragon. "I do not know much about the fey," the ixifar healer admits, glancing over at her friend. "I have less experience with your race and your calling then I do with your, ahm, condition." She then shrugs, turning back to the dragon.
Curious, she steps forward, still frowning. "If you hurt me, dragon," she said in a soft voice, "My sorcerer will wear your hide as a belt." Tentatively, she reaches out, touching very lightly and skittishly upon the dragon's muzzle. [sense health]
Wandering the woods, mindlessly searching for deer grarl to fight, the ragged duskling turns his head towards the nearby lake. The purple glint of wings caught his eye- a familiar sight! He snapped out of his near trancelike state and strolled over to the fae. "Hello Nava, what are you calling out to the water for?" he inquires.