Natalia quietly stood in front of the stove, mixing the items in the pot that held her master's dinner, her gaze down casted. All day she'd had had a bad feeling, and it was growing worse by the second it. She watched the stew as she reheated it up - left overs from a previous night, before quietly putting it in a bowl and placing the bowl on the table next to a slice of cornbread, a cup of milk, and an empty cup next to her master's preferred drink. She glanced at the clock, concerned about how long it was taking him to get home. Had something happened? Had someone approached him? A part of her didn't wish harm on him - but a larger part prayed something had happened, so she might finally be free. The door finally slammed open and she moved to the hall, about to inform him his dinner was on the table before she caught sight of his face, and in his hand held a sketch of Liam and Kao that she'd kept hidden in her locker. A sketch she'd done one day while watching the two of them argue. They hadn't even realized she'd been watching - or at least she doubted they did. Knowing Liam, it was possible he'd known she was there. He always seemed to know where she was. But the fact that it was her master who held the image. Her mouth dropped open in surprise, about to dredge up some lie about where it came from, a lie that she didn't really know them, the dragons in the image . . . But she wasn't given a chance before a his hand slapped across her face. The force sent the already frail girl off balance, and she landed hard against the wall, her cheek throbbing, and she knew a bruise would already be forming. Her eyes widened with fright as she saw the look in his eyes, realized the picture wasn't the cause of his anger . . . it was the proof he'd needed. He'd known all along, and had been waiting for her to slip up. She was certain of it. "M-master! P-please! Let me explain!" She begged, even as his hand clamped down on her arm and she was dragged into one of his side rooms. One of the ones he'd kept locked. One of the ones he had purely for torture. Her heart began to pick up in pace, her words dying on her tongue even as she struggled against him, not that she was powerful enough to break free. He made sure she was never powerful enough.

Her heart slammed against her chest as the first manacle trapped a wrist above her head, before her other wrist joined the first, holding her captive against a wall where she quivered, terrified of what he would do next. His grin was eery, taking obvious delight in her soon to be punishment. Immediately she started to beg again, "Master! Please! No! Master!" It was all she was able to get out before he'd gagged her into silence. Usually he enjoyed her screams, but neighbors were to close to risk anything. She wrestled against the manacles, soundless screams blotted out by the fabric forced between her teeth, watching in fear as he finally selected a knife. The first cut was only through her clothing, her shirt easily sliced in two, followed by the skirt that had been one of her favorites, leaving her cowering before him and his knife clad only in her undergarments. It was then that the first slice to her flesh was felt, a like that followed the curve of her side, slice from just under her bra to an inch above the top of her underwear. Tears streaked down her cheeks as she squeezed her eyes shut against the pain that flared up - like liquid fire deep with in her body. The second cut sliced from her navel to the side, and partially behind her. Neither of the marks deep enough to scar noticeably. He never let them scar noticeably. Why destroy his toy with scars when he preferred to fuck something pretty. She screamed against the gag, barely a sound making its way through as the slices continued. Small lines, a few centimeters deep appearing on her belly, sides, legs, arms, neck. Anywhere where skin was exposed. Her voice was hoarse by the time he slowed down hours later, her body bloodied as he finished his last line, following the curve of one breast along the flesh just visible beyond the constraint of the bra.

It was only then that he finally cut through the last remaining articles of clothing on her, at which point the young girl had already slumped against the wall in defeat and silent tears. Another hour he finally left her bleeding on the floor, blood streaming over her body, bruises forming from where his aggression and anger made their final hour of 'play time' rougher than he usually was with her. Her eyes were violent as she lay collapsed on the ground for twenty minutes, hearing the door close, his car start up. Him leaving. She ahd to get out of here. Get out of here now, while he was gone - thinking she was too weak to escape. But where could she go. A grin flashed across her mind's eyes. Dark hair fluttering in the wind. Strong wings as beautiful as the night sky. He'd promised to help her . . . . and she needed that help now. Slowly she pushed herself up, biting her lip against the pain as she forced herself to walk to her room, managing to find a dress she could slip on with out too much effort, unfortunately the white material was already quickly becoming saturated with blood, so none of the wounds remained hidden from long. She didn't bother dressing in anything else, forcing herself to sneak out of the house.

It took nearly three hours to finally reach the school, though she didn't know how no one saw her. How no one realized she was there at all. She slowly moved to his door, her bloody knuckles half heartedly pounding against the door, her body sagging to the floor as the last of her energy left her, her eyes half lidded as she leaned against the door, pain making her vision blurry, "Liam . . . ." Her breath was barely an echo of a whisper, all she could manage as slumped against the wood, praying he was home, praying he'd help her. Praying he'd keep his promise, and prove her fragile trust in him right. Her vision crackled around the edge as she slumped, her white dress now almost completely red, and blood starting to pool around her body, tangling her hair as it hung in clumps around her face, almost hiding the evidence of the brutal rape that had followed her master's attempt to carve her into ribbons. He had to help her. He had to realize now that this was no game she was playing at. He had to know . . . . she needed help. She needed him. The door finally opened, just as her vision gave out, and her pain ridden mind finally sank into oblivion where the pain could no longer reach it, as she fell forward, her violet iris hidden behind tear encrusted eyelids.

SPEECH"

"speech"/'thoughts'

The dorm was quiet now. It had been for some time. Gone was the teasing banter between the two blind roommates. The plants that his Charge used to find her way around the furniture had not been moved so much as a centimeter for several weeks now. There was no more pitter patter of dog nails on the tile as Taboo sniffed around. The quiet conversations of the shy fire dragon were silent and none existent. Phallotine had moved into her own house not long before, taking Taboo with her when Keanu disappeared. It was quiet in her house now with her recent disappearance. Kaotanya had taken in both dogs, but with their departure merely hours away for their home realm, the dogs had been turned over to a neighbor to look after. It was quiet even with the two of them living there. Liam was a creature of silence and observation so he provided very little stimulation for the bright, optimistic Kaotanya. Long ago, it was different. Long ago, Liam was enough for her. But not now, not with her growing up. Things had changed. She was growing into a lovely young lady, blossoming into a fine warrior. Katswiri had turned the meek wall flower Kaotanya was into a vibrant woman glowing with life and ideals that she wanted to not just share, but carry out.

And tomorrow things would be even more different.

The coronation.

It was a topic they had been avoiding. No words passed their lips about the details, not that many words needed to pass between Guardian and Charge. But it hung in the shadows of their minds. You could see in the way Liam always watched Kaotanya with a suddenly extra careful eye. You could see it in the way Kaotanya hit her training much harder, longer, and slacked off in her studies. Liam was becoming jumpy, overly cautious, and that was showing in his sudden lapse in patience. Kaotanya was becoming withdrawn, physically drained from her training and mentally strained from the pressure Katswiri was putting on her to prepare her for the ceremony.

The coronation had no real word in their conversations. The closest they had ever gotten to actually saying the word was speaking of when they would depart, complete with how they would travel and who would go where and when.

They had never mentioned it before. Until now.

’You don’t have to go, how many times do I have to say it!’ Kaotanya growled, slashing the air with a flattened palm like it was an invisible enemy. Liam growled lowly in his throat, reaching out to grasp her wrist firmly just as it almost knocked over a flower vase. "I must go, I am your Guardian, it is my duty," he stated calmly. Kaotanya glared at his hand holding her wrist tightly, and snatched her hand from him like he had burned her. ’Enough with your duty! It’s always duty this, duty that! I want you there because you want to be there! Not some unseen obligation to some stupid code!’ Liam glared at her, sparks snapping over his frame. His resolve was withering. Kaotanya had disappeared after their evening training, Kats having swooped her away to Gods know where. When she came back, Kaotanya was utterly exhausted, she could barely walk. "How would you know about code and pride, you frivolous child. You ostracized yourself from your clan to live in the shadows. You know very little of what your clan’s place in Wind Society is. How can you expect to run a kingdom without me when you don’t even know enough of your own kind? You have not seen the perils of the world you are being thrown into. That dragon is going to be the cause of your demi-"

’I’VE SEEN ENOUGH!’ Kaotanya shrieked, tears bursting forth from her murky, blind eyes. Her outburst sent a sharp gale of wind through the apartment, shattering a nearby vase and shredding the flowers in it. Liam jumped sideways to avoid the sharp edges of the wind slice, allowing it to sink into the back of the couch and slice deep into the cushions. ’I have seen enough walking Katswiri’s memories! I do not need you, I have her! And she is all I will ever need!’ Kaotanya’s breath came in gasps, her knees shaking with the power of her outburst. Liam stared at her, eyes wide. A sharp pain lanced his chest.

’I don’t need you, nor do I want you! I have enough! I NEVER needed you, all you do is hold me back, you LIED to me!’

It was happening all over again, just like with Etheria. Liam clenched his fists, wondering just when his Charge had become so distant. It used to be he could read the glimmer in her eye so easily.

Kaotanya sighed softly and leaned back against the counter behind her. She winced as her hand strayed to a shattered piece of vase, cutting the delicate tanned skin there. Liam instantly stepped forward, kneeling to her much smaller height and bringing her hand closer to his face so he could inspect the wound. He carefully pried the broken shard from her skin. He grabbed a towel nearby and pressed it to the wound tightly to staunch the bleeding. Kaotanya didn’t even bat an eyelash. Even the thought of blood used to make her squeamish. ’Look at us. Three in the morning and we’ve destroyed the dorm...What’s happening to us?’ she whispered, her voice strained. Liam frowned, then realizing she couldn’t see it with her strained eye sight, blew a soft puff of breath over her hand to acknowledge her. "You are growing. Each day that passes, you need me less and less. And each day I cling tighter and tighter. Guardians train their whole lives for their charges. Charges grow and eventually release their Guardians. When you become Queen...you will have no need for me."

Liam pulled the towel from her hand to gaze at the wound with glowing jade eyes. Kaotanya’s finger tips of her free hand suddenly ghosted over his temple. She leaned forward until her cheek rested against the crown of his head. ’You are wrong. I will always need you. You raised me, you are more than a Guardian.’ Liam dabbed at her hand, calculating the depth and width of the cut. He pressed a finger tip against the exposed gem on his biceps, whispering in ancient tongue and drawing forth a small sliver of magic. "My Princess cannot have a scratch on her during her big day." The magic pooled on his finger tip and he pressed it firmly against the gash. This time Kaotanya did wince at the uncomfortable feeling of the skin slowly stitching itself back together again. Liam took a moment to marvel the handy work. A silver line resided on her skin that would be gone by day break. "You do not want me there," he stated quietly, feeling her tense suddenly. He was right, for some odd reason, she did not want him at the ceremony. "Why?"

’I have seen the way you look at her,’ she whispered after a long pause. Liam’s head snapped up, his jade green eyes wide. She stared down at him, a very puzzling sad look on her face. Yet she was smiling, which confused the poor dragon even more. ’It’s the same look Oromis gives Kats in her dreams.’ Liam blinked at her owlishly, what look? Who?

A pounding, almost too faint to be considered that, but certainly stronger than a knock, sounded on the door. Liam continued to kneel on the ground, his mind scrambling to gain a hold as to what the hell Kao was talking about. ’If that’s the students next door, I’m not explaining the racket to them, you can do that,’ Kao said as she passed around Liam to go the door. She was just opening the door when the scent hit him.

Blood.

A lot of it.

He snapped into a standing position, ready to bolt to his Charge’s side, when Kao opened the door. She gasped as a frail body collapsed into her arms, her arms automatically encircling the bloody figure. Liam’s body froze, ice trickling into his veins as even the beast within failed to come up with a quick enough reaction.

’He was so much younger, barely even half of his adult size. His horns were much smaller. The colored crest of spines under his throat that would be used for intimidation threats and mating rituals where solid black and tiny, where as now they were several feet long and streaked with muted colors that would light up vibrantly when flared. His wings were so much larger than his frame should have, hinting as his grown up size, and even his wing membranes lacked the massive smattering of blue starlight, only now just peppered with it. He cried out as she fell, stretching his neck out to cradle her torso. Her long elegant neck hung crookedly over his half formed, runty spines. Her broken wings flopped uselessly against his, dragging in the mud and creating morbid swirling designs. She felt so light against his much smaller body. Her albino scales, once a glimmering pearlescent hue, were dull and lifeless, her vibrant red eyes burgundy as the light faded. The inky markings of the ancient ruins burned into her scales swarmed her scaled hide like tiny spiders, speaking of the sin she had committed. His claws were still embedded in her body, her broken, shattered scales shining against his obsidian ones like blinking starlight. ETHERIA!”

’LIAM!’ Kaotanya’s voice snapped him back into reality and he blinked. He stared down at Kao’s form, covered in blood, and the broken girl in her arms. Quite suddenly he realized just who she was. He walked forward quickly, but calmly and knelt down at Kao’s side, laying a suddenly gentle calloused hand on the girl’s sharp shoulders. "Natalia..." Kaotanya wordless handed him the girl, Liam passively gathering her in his arms. His mind was a blank, running slow, as Kaotanya left his side. He heard the running of water and Kao’s voice. His body obeyed the girl’s orders on its own but inside, the Beast was rolling, growling and Liam was content to silently agree with its anger. He laid Natalia on the sofa carefully, continuing to cradle her head and watch her pinched, ghostly pale face.

Kaotanya approach with a large bowl of water and set it on the ground, kneeling next to Liam. ’Kats, lend me your strength?’ she whispered and the necklace around her neck pulsed faintly. Silver light danced on her finger tips as she dipped her fingers into the water. The water glowed and then clung to her fingers like a second skin as she withdrew her hands. She worked quickly, closing the minor wounds and healing the worst ones enough that the bleeding slowed. ’I can’t heal her fully with how exhausted I am, besides I’m not a healer and neither is Kats, but this should be enough to get you and her the hell out of here without being followed. I’ll get her some clothes, you get ready to head out.’

Liam blinked and looked up, still running a little behind. Before he knew it, Kaotanya had wrangled a new dress over Natalia, this one darker, more suited for a late night flight than her previous one. "What just a damned minute Kao, what do you mean me and her! I have to get you home!" Kaotanya stopped and stared at Liam for a long moment. ’I know the way home. We can travel together to the portal, and part ways once there. She needs you more than me, if you don’t take her somewhere, he will find her and do much more to her than this. You are all that stands between her and a very painful, slow death. The only pain I’m going to be going through is listening to father and my cousins talk.’

Liam stopped and looked down at the girl on the sofa, her breaths coming in sharp gasps. ’Liam, she needs a real healer. She needs som-‘

"Tarellia," Liam answered automatically, leaving Kaotanya blinking. ’But, no offense, she’s a hot head, a warrior and teacher, not-‘ Liam cut her off with a sharp glance, bending down to gather Natalia oh so carefully into his arms, adjusting her so her cheek resting against his chest. He knew from experience that the sound of a heartbeat often kept others asleep and comforted. Kao had many sleepless nights as a young draggling. "No, she is not a healer, but Anemone is. They don’t live in the Sylvano Clan grounds though, they live father from the capital. We’ll be safe there." Liam was already slipping through an open window, his wings blinking into existence. The silvery blue starlight misting the webbings seemed to glimmer and glowing in the night. Kaotanya was already rushing out the window after him after closing the door. Time was of the essence. Her own wings fluttered into view, the wind ruffling the silver striped white feathers as she fell a full story before flapping them. She quickly caught up to Liam, settling into the warm current his wing beats made.

Two hours later, daybreak was peaking over the mountains. Thirty minutes ago they had changed into dragon form and passed through the portal into the dragon realm. It had taken careful juggling, but Kaotanya had carried Natalia for a tiny bit in order to settle her behind the crest of Liam’s horns where the wind would leave her untouched. Liam and Katswiri hovered in the clouds above the capital, it was here that they would part ways. Liam would travel west away from the rising sun and into the night while Katswiri traveled north towards the high courts in the floating mountains. "Watch over her for me, Icicle." Katswiri snorted, a sneer curling her long muzzle unappealingly. ’Cram it, Tin-man. She’ll be fine, give her some credit. I don’t choose weak hosts,’ and just like that, the blue dragoness was rocketing towards the high court palace. Liam watched her leave and just as quickly, turned his back to the sun and followed the fading night with great, laborious flaps of his wings.

Two more hours passed before Liam slowed his pace, his breath shorter than he liked. He wasn’t a dragon of great speed, but he could travel long distances at a steady pace that would leave Katswiri and Kaotanya in the dust a few miles in. The sun was completely gone at this point, daybreak in the area having not come for another hour or so. He saw the grand gates marking his family land and flew over the quiet village. He passed a few sentinels that flew closer to inspect him, but upon recognizing him, they returned to their posts after a growled greeting. Liam continued west, deep into the mountains and lowered his altitude. Tarellia’s home was impossible to find from high altitudes, so Liam weaving through the gorges and caves until he came to the stone archway that marked the edge of Tarellia’s territory. He landed awkwardly, taking into account his cargo and quickly made his way into the canyon, not liking the closed in spaces but knowing once he’d pass this gorge he’d be home bound.

The gorge suddenly widened and before him stood an old fashion Japanese style house, only insanely large to accomadate very large dragons. Dragons in his family seemed to be pre-exposed to steroids before even hatching. There was the heavy smell of wood, Liam’s sharp eyes and grand height could pick out more, newer homes, some more modern than the large traditional house closest to him. Right now all the panels were closed due to it being night, but once day break hit, the main house would open the panels so that nearly every room was open. He could see movement through the papyrus walls, Tarellia would be awake now. He heard the soft footfall of someone walking along the wooden porch that ran a large length of the wooden home. He turned his great head towards the sound, knowing his presence would have been detected miles before when he first entered the canyons. A young woman appeared, her midnight hair glimmering in the moonlight a soft blue like a raven’s feather. Her skin was pale, her face somewhat round, but her cheek bones high. Her nose was small and refined, her eyes a dark brown, nearly black. A smattering of freckled covered her nose and cheekbones and tucked into one ear was a vibrantly colored flowered. She wore a soft cream asymmetrical dress that reached her knees, the top layer of material sheer and light weight to allow air flow. It was a dress that instantly reminded him of the high court fashions for young females. Kaotanya preferred the style greatly, for it allowed the wind to rush through the light fabric and kiss the skin. Anemone appeared to have been waiting for him. Liam bowed his head to the woman as she approached, allowing Liam to peek at the lavender flower tucked in her ear. Her namesake. Her dark eyes followed up his long neck and he lowered it silence as she approached.

’Mother is out, had to run to the high courts. Consider yourself lucky, your arrival will be in peace and silence. Come with me. Brother caught your scent and that of blood an hour ago when you passed the fourth marker, we have a room ready,’ she said after a brief initial inspection of the unconscious cargo he held to carefully. Liam followed until his large frame would not allow him to go any further. He followed along the porch’s edge until they reached a room set far off from the interior and out of the way, a quiet section. He grunted in approval as he shifted down into human form, cradling Natalia’s limp body in his arms. He’d rushed here as fast as he could, making sure to cloak his signature somewhat. But with so many dragons, warriors at that, here, this was perhaps the safest place for them. Despite him hurrying, he’d taken much longer than he wanted, but he was relieved to find that none of her serious wounds had reopened too greatly. Kaotanya had done a wonderful patch job no matter how rushed. He carried his precious cargo into the room, setting her down on the low rise futon carefully and retreating to a corner with his back turned. Anemone eyed him for a moment, expecting him to leave. But Liam refused, knowing that once Natalia awoke she’d more than likely appreciate a familiar face. Once she saw it was him who brought her here, he’d leave to go to the high mountain pass and remain there for most of their stay here. His presence unnerved Natalia and she would need her peace to recover quickly. Anemone frowned at her uncle before turning to her work, cutting the blood stained dress away and beginning to properly care for her wounds.

Amount: 3167 w/o coding
Notes: holy shit. No really. I did not intend this to be so long. No really. I just got to typing and three hours later finished and BAM. I couldn’t find a good stopping point @_@. Anemone is pronounced as "uh-nim-un-aye'. Anemone’s appearance is similar to a young Lucy Lui.
Muse: apparently much better than I thought!
Outfit: Liam's dragon form || Anemone's outfit
Tags:

Natalia could barely think through the pain, as she forced herself to stand, quaking on her bruised and sliced up limbs. The white dress she pulled on was destined for a nasty outcome, but it was the best she could do to make herself decent before forcing herself out into the real world, out into the cold world where Alex might catch up to her at any moment. It was a one-foot-in-front-of-the-oher situation, and she was constantly forcing herself to make that next step, her vision black and fuzzy around the corners do to the expanse of pain caused by each step she took. Her eyes had long ago begun to glow violet as she shivered in the cold night air, bloodless quickly making the fuzzy black vision take up more of her sight as she reached the dorm building, climbed the stairs to his room, barely managing to knock before fainting. She was dimly aware of the door opening, and her falling on someone. The smell of a female. Kao. With Liam close by. Briefly her dragon relaxed, giving up the extra strength Nat was being forced to use to make it here; recognizing the two she was with as safe. She dimly was aware of her body rocking, shifting positions, being taken in another's arms, held against a different body. It wasn't until his scent fully surrounded her did her body go limb, relaxing as she let go of the last shreds of consciousness, barely managing to mumble, "Liam . . . safe." before she slipped into the darkness.

The darkness didn't last too long though, ten, maybe twenty minutes until sunlight shone down on the young girl. She blinked open her eyes and slowly sat up, frowning in confusion at being surrounded by a field of flowers. Where had Liam taken her? Last she remembered she was at his dorm . . . Infact, where was Liam now? It took her looking around a few moments to notice she was no longer in the blood stained white dress . . . and while she was thinking about it, how did the sun rise so fast? It was only then that she caught on to the fact she was merely dreaming. But surely that had to be a good sign. If she was dreaming . . . that had to mean that she was still alive. Or, mostly alive. She ran a troubled hand through her hair as she looked around the large, empty room, feeling the sun heat up her skin, warming her as soothing the dull ache in the back of her mind (the only reminder of the abuse she'd recently suffered). This brief moment of sunshine wasn't to last before she noticed a dull system of thuds from the ground. Thud-thud. Thud-thud. Thud-thud. Like a heartbeat . . . belonging to the earth. "When did the earth grow a heart?" She asks confusion as a sudden wind wormed it's way through the meadow. She shivered, drawing her arms around her at the sudden coolness, before looking around to notice that a wave of icy followed the wind, and was slowly turning her lovely sunny meadow into an iced over, cold, dark place.

A deep laughter echoed in her head, the sound of Alex when h's about to do something she'll hate. Beat her, or something far word. he sound he make to make it obvious that he enjoys causing pain to others. He enjoys being dark, evil, and . . . well, dark and evil. There were few words to describe a man like Alex. To young Natalia, she just knew she didn't care what you called him. She just wanted out. Yet it felt like he was already returning, searching for her. Coming to get her. She shivered in the sudden cold, running from the laughter that haunted the land behind her, hiding from his searching gaze, leaving the meadow for the dense forest surrounding it. Nothing stayed green for long though, and before too much time had passed even the forest was covered in ice, and was a dangerous place for her to run through. Anything to get away from Alex, though, so she ran through the woods regardless. She stumbled and tripped, scratching herself on tree limbs, and feeling the fresh pricks of blood as she ran. She didn't know how long it was that she ran, but as she finally escaped the icy caverns she could begin to feel a slight warmth again, the thud-thud of the earth now surrounding her completely, mixing with the scent of . . . . of something familiar. Liam. Yes, Liam. Liam was back. She searched in this new location for him, before finding him ahead, watching her with his unfathomable expression, "Liam . . ." She breathed out his name, as she approached him, taking in the sight of him, before moving forward and leaning against him. Soon the thudding was coming from his chest, echoing beneath her ear in a soothing manner, and once more the vision faded to dark.

The dress was caught from her body, exposing the cuts and slashes that criss crossed over her body like some sort of demented connect-the-dots game. What wasn't cut up was either black and blue with bruises, or red with blood. Not a single stretch of her skin hadn't been harmed for one thing or another. Cuts, hand prints, bite marks . . . Dimly she felt hands ghost along her body, healing her as she lay still on some soft surface. A cot, or something. Her vision continued to come and go for another few hours, that soon stretched until a day, or maybe two had passed, before finally her eyes fluttered open, violet and large as she looked around, only to recognize nothing. The fear began to build up as she jolted up, wincing as she looked around with fear. Where was she, how had she gotten here, who was here with her. Her gaze flew around the room before finally seeing one thing familiar, or rather one person . . . Liam. Wincing, she pushed herself, wincing before running to him and climbing into his lap, curling up and shaking in fright, clinging to him as if he were her only sanctuary, and no one else could be trusted. Her face was hidden against his chest as she clung to him in fright, "W-whre am I. What happened?" She breathed out in question before suddenly remembering everything that had led her to run to Liam for safety, "Alex! You can't let him find me, please! H-he'll kill me . . . Please, keep me safe." She breathed, fighting her arms around Liam, terrified of being separated from him when at the moment, stuck in an unfamiliar place, he was the only thing both familiar, as well as the only one she felt she could trust. Right now . . . she needed him greatly, "Save me."

SPEECH

"speech"/'thoughts'

The dragon sighed as he stood under the shower head, letting the cold water snap him into wakefulness. It had been twelve hours since he first arrived here with his new charge, and nearly seventy-two hours since his last amount of decent sleep. He’d gone longer period without sleep in previous times, but never before had it been this stressful. Liam never handled emotions very well; the rushed flight here too had not been handled well by his body. Anemone had been Natalia for several hours, healing the worst of the wounds slowly. She was afraid to do a full, complete healing, due to the fact she could cause a magical overload in poor Natalia and send her into shock. It was the downside to magical healing. Too much would bring about disastrous results. Not only that, but it was taxing for the healer, often times the healer had to take breaks and couldn’t heal more the one grade 2 or higher injury at a time. Magic now a day was difficult and fickle to deal with after all.

Liam reached to turn the shower knob off, shaking his head vigorously to further snap himself free of the dregs of sleep. He exited the shower, dried off, and quickly changed into a borrowed set of clothes from Anemone’s intended. He towel dried his hair and quickly ambled back to Natalia’s room. The house’s inner walls where now open, allowing the fresh breeze to bring forth the scents of his sister’s extended family and sounds of normal clan life outside the main house to soothe the nerves he hated to admit where a little more raw than normal. The walls surrounding the private bedrooms were all closed, but he could hear the quiet movement of his niece as she moved about Natalia’s room. Liam slid the panel door open and frowned, ”You should be resting,” he replied to Anemone’s questioning look upon seeing his expression. The young female smiled softly, her dark eyes still holding the spark she was known for despite the tired shadows under her lids. She approached her uncle and Liam held an arm open for her to tuck herself into without a word. She gave him a very brief, wordless hug that he returned plainly with a gentle squeeze on her narrow shoulders. She broke apart from him and approached the sleeping dragon on the low cot. She touched her forehead and checked the bandages underneath the sheet, a glowing finger running a diagnostic can through the thin ivory wraps. ’She should be out for a while, but I’ve healed the worst of her wounds so they aren’t an immediate danger. Some minor bleeding can still be expected, but I wouldn’t worry about it. I should be able to completely close the worst of her injuries in her next healing session tomorrow. Do try not to be too rough with her, Oji.’

Liam half smiled at her term of endearment. It had been a while since he was in the presence of his own family and he had surprisingly missed the foreign words his family address themselves with. ”No promises, mei-chan.” Anemone blushed prettily at his overly affectionate name. He had indeed changed since taking Kao under his wing. She left with instructions for him to rest and to call her upon Natalia wakening. ’Tarellia-sama should be returning tomorrow, the coronation has been a major talk among the compound. Many of our kazoku are jealous, she is overseeing some of the coronation and gets to meet your Kao-san.’ Liam rolled his jade eyes as he sat down beside the sliding door, crossing his legs and leaning against the wall. ”I shall pray for her sanity then, and mine,” he grumbled while Anemone laughed softly before disappearing.

Liam sat vigil for a few hours, no one appeared to be venturing into the main house to greet him (no doubt news of his arrival had not spread) so the clan heir suspected Anemone had thrown down an iron fist that no one disturb them. As day gave way to night, Liam crossed his legs into a lotus position to begin some minor meditation, knowing it would help him get some rest without losing too much of his senses. The dragon obviously underestimated his fatigue, for he unconsciously slipped into a light sleep.

He was slowly awaken into a semi-aware state by some foreign sense. He kept his eyes closed and breathing low, struggling to throw off the vestiges of sleep. Hell, this wasn’t just being tired, he was severely fatigued.
Something was suddenly straddling his lap, shaking fiercely, tiny hands clinging to his dark shirt with a grip that refused to slacken. The pungent smell of raw, uncontrollable fear kicked his sense into hyper drive. He paid no heed to the words being spoken, could only hear the tremor in the slight voice, sense the panic in her rising heartbeat. His blood roared in his ears, Beast quickly rising to push against the barrier that kept him at bay. Something had startled someone into stark terror, had them clinging to his person in an effort for protection. The Beast snapped at the barrier, trying to break past it to attack whatever was threatening this precious cargo in his arms. The frail arms wrapped around Liam’s middle and Liam’s control slackened. The Beast rent a terrible crack in the wall and reached through with his claws. Liam’s arms latched themselves around the item in lap, a glimmer of silver travelling down his arms as the Beast slowly began to gain a better foothold over Liam’s humanity. Liam’s nails quickly sharpened to claws, the Beast’s influence affecting his perception of friend and foe. Liam’s nails dug into Natalia’s hips as he leaped to his feet. His eyes opened in a flash of glowing jade, the rage building.

’Save me.’

A pale face framed by long dark hair, with equally dark, frightened eyes that flickered back and forth to vibrant lavender flashed through the darkness threatening to swallow his mind. And just suddenly as he lost control, he grappled it back. With a snarl, he unlatched his slightly bloody claws from Natalia’s hips and promptly dropped her on her rear at his feet. He glared down at her and then quickly turned around to slide the door open with a loud ’thunk!’ Anemone was immediately on the other side of the screen, her own pale face red with adrenaline and fangs protruding from a curled mug, dark eyes now a pale umber with slitted pupils. She whirled past him with the graceful borne of wind dragons and dropped to her knees beside Natalia, a leathery wing already drawn out in front of her like some form of a barrier. She had sensed the rise of the Beast and come running, knowing of Liam’s plight against the creature and worried.

She blinked suddenly though, because just as fast as she had appeared, Liam was rushing out of the room. She heard him settle far from them and once she was content he had not lost control and was not fleeing for the mountains, turned to her charge. Her appearance quickly melted away to her normal, less threatening look. The freckles across her face stood out more now with her skin still pale from the extensive healing from earlier. She did not touch Natalia, merely shuffled back slowly a few feet to give the girl some room to breathe. She could sense her panic and did not wish to make it worse, but she would not leave her patient alone. ’You would do wise to be careful around my uncle. Do not be alarmed, you are safe here and I mean you no harm. I’m a healer,’ she spoke softly and slowly, with the obvious expertise common of a mothering figure used to dealing with easily frightened young ones. And she quite was, training in her family was not easy nor quite safe.

Amount: 1,414 w/ coding
Notes: Anemone(Uh-nim-un-ay) play-by: Lucy Lui.
Translations: Oji = uncle, mei = niece, chan = an informal suffix often used for females as a term of endearment, sama = a formal suffix, used to address those of higher ranking, kazoku = family, san = a formal term when addressing aquantices, unisex
Muse: pretty good
Outfit: Liam's dragon form ||| Anemone's outfit
Tags:DYZZ/natalia

Natalia didn't know the length she'd be asleep, though for the time being, safe in the cacoon of her mind, where pain couldn't reach her, and fear had no hold of her she felt a small touch of relief. A safety that was as fake as it was every time she'd fallen into some semi-comatose state from her master's doing. Though, this time, things were a little different, because she'd sought out help, not that she was fully certain it was a good idea. She wasn't sure how much time had passed when she finally did awake, all she knew was the fear was back, mixed with the angry heat of what was left of her injury. Add that on top of an unfamiliar place, and the fear of who was around and her emotional state was not at the best point. Which was probably how she ended up clinging to the one familiar thing in the room. The one thing that managed to break through her haze of fear was the sudden slice of claws into her hips, a soft gasp leaving her, though the pain was nothing like what she'd experienced a few days earlier - or was it only a day? She couldn't tell with in the haze of her mind. As she was dropped, she flinched back at his glare, his face briefly transforming into another's, her mind still half in a dream state, and in that instance she could almost see Alex standing in front of her, glaring and ready to stab her again. But just as she blinked, returning her vision to modern time, he was gone.

Natalia continued to shake, wrapping her frail arms around her legs, eyes completely violet, tears starting to form in the corner of her eyes as she curled herself in ball, startling when someone suddenly sat down beside her. As Natalia slowly looked up, she watched the female return to a more normal look (even as Nat's own skin was starting to take the pigment of her dragon - though she refused to fully transform, not sure were she was or any method of escape - should she need to - that she could use with her dragon form). As the other female slowly moved back, Nat lowered her head, touching her chin to her knee, shaking quietly and slowly looking around before her eyes jumped back to the oter when she spoke. She could only assume her uncle was Liam, as it was the only male (other then Alex) she'd ever been in contact with. She lowered her gaze again, "Where am I?" She asked weakly, her tone meek and soft spoken, her gaze darting around again for any kind of danger, before flashing back towards the woman when she was told not to be alarmed, of being safe. Her eyes closed, hugging herself tighter, "No place is safe, he always finds me . . ." A healer . . . She slowly looked down at herself, at the bandages with fresh blood and her eyes slowly widened, looking up at the woman with alarm, "Why . . . why would you heal me . . . . please, just let me die. Please. It's the only escape he'll give me." Her eyes drifted shut, even as she slowly stood, wrapping her arms around her middle, turning away from the female, "Why must I keep living? I'll never be free, it'll only get worse." Her voice softened,, her body wavering faintly not quite strong enough to stand tall yet, tears falling to hit the ground, "I'm so tired of hiding bruises, of cleaning myself up. I'm just . . . so tired of it all . . . . I'm so tired." As she whispered the last three words, she started to collapse, falling to the floor, once again her body shutting off and taking refuge deep inside her mind, but only in a more healing sleep then being dead to the world. She rested quietly, her breath leaving her in soft puffs, her hair splayed out around her like a halo of dried blood in it's red-brown glory. A tiny remaniscent of what would have likely been the original outcome of that last beating had she not found help, had help not answered the door.

SPEECH"

"speech"/'thoughts'

Anemone simply watched in silence with a soft face, her dark eyes a blank slate. Apparently it was a family trait for such an easily obtained blank façade. Her face was a milky pale, but smooth, carefully hiding her exhaustion. Her hands carefully began to thread through her slightly mussed ebony locks, quickly weaving the long tresses into a plait that rested over one shoulder. It was a mundane and easy task, something to hopefully help the obviously frightened young dragon calm down. A female seemingly more worried about her appearance was always easy to overlook. She glanced through her straight, even bangs at the younger dragon when she began to speak, her dark eyes now not so quite welcoming. ’I understand you are not accustomed to kindness,’ Anemone flicked her fingers at Natalia’s various wounds and hidden scars. She had seen those marks before. ’But trust me when I say there are creatures and beings out there that really do want to do nothing but help others, even if it may hurt themselves in the process.’

Anemone stood slowly and walked quietly, with careful obvious movements so as not to frighten the petrified dragoness even more. She approached the bed and withdrew the quilt from the mattress, carefully moving to drape it over Natalia’s shoulders. ’You are in the dragon realm in my family’s compound. Only those of family blood know of this place. And you.’ Anemone saw the tale tell sway just a second too late. She lurched forward to catch the falling girl, but a wing intercepted her. Natalia’s limp body fell on the massive black wing, leaving Anemone blinking at the spattering of blue flecks on the webbing. The wing moved and Anemone reached out to gather the petite woman in her arms. There was movement outside the room and Anemone looked up to see Liam’s tense form, his head turned away. A soft glow from his eyes cast a sinister light on his dark hair, turning it an almost golden color. His fists were clenched, the veins in his arms raised. Blood dripped to the floor from his own claws digging into his palms. That simple self injury was the only thing keeping him in check. ”That’s the thanks she gives. Lovely to know that I wasted my time. I should have let her die.”

Anemone carried the girl to the bed and set her down carefully, tucking her in like a mother would a child. She brushed a few strands of hair from her face, feeling for a temperature at the same time. Liam turned quickly and rush from the house with a snarl. Outside, there was a sharp gale that battered against the paper walls and a burst of magic as Liam’s form lifted into flight. Anemone turned and ran to the porch, calling out but she was already to late. Liam’s massive form was heading for the High Mountain. She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose before returning to her patient’s room to sit for a while.

Amount: 540 w/ coding
Notes: Anemone(Uh-nim-un-ay) play-by: Lucy Lui.
Muse: pretty good
Outfit: Liam's dragon form ||| Anemone's outfit
Tags:DYZZ/natalia

Natalia's world seemed to be falling apart - dripping into chaos. Not that she could fully understand what all was going on through her head . . . . what was going around her. She didn't fully understand how she'd come to be in this place - or where she even was. She didn't really know if she was safe, or who any of the people she could scent where. It was a totally new experience, and for a female who'd been tortured and cast down all her life - a new experience had never been a good one. At the other's words though, the female flinched softly, her gaze down, but choosing not to respond, wrapping her arms around herself as if to hide the wounds, the scars that lay hidden beneath the surface. She choose not to respond for the time being, instead feeling faintly surprised as a quilt fell over her shoulders, and the water dragon quickly tugged it closely around herself, gripping it tightly until her knuckles turned white. A family compound - she was told. Where no one but family blood (and her now) knew of. Was it really far enough. . . was anywhere far enough.

The world shifted then, the black that had been around the corner of her sight coming towards her, sucking her under, and she crumbled as she drifted away, a brief scent entering her thoughts just as she let go of the world of the conscious again. Natalia was picked up, carried to the bed and set down - tucked in closely. Few sounds trickled in, but the sharp snarl had the meek female instantly twitching, cuddling tighter into the blanket, tighter into the sanctuary her mind offered. It was all too new. All too unfamiliar. All too strange. What was she to do?

Many hours seemed to have passed before she finally shifted again, her eyes blinking slowly, as she sat up. The shock of the unfamiliar room hit her again and her eyes shifted to violet - her dragon hovering just under the surface as she looked around. The room was oddly empty - she didn't remember it being empty any of the times before - but perhaps everyone was busy with something . . . . She wouldn't mind. The silence, the being alone was a sudden relief - a rare moment for her to gather her thoughts, to gather her feelings, to get herself under control.

She took the time to briefly take in what was going on. She'd been brought here . . . . and . . . . instantly she flinched, remembering her ungrateful words previously - remembering the way the other woman had reacted. Nat bit her lip as she stood slowly, gathering the quilt around her, one hand lightly holding the ends together just over her collar bone. She looked around, before finally piling all the blankets and pillows off the bed onto the floor, and in an instant the meek girl had reverted into the far more comfortable form of her dragon. Her cyan, ivory and blue form coiled up on the bedding, snuggling into it as she lay her muzzle over one of her paws, her violet eyes almost glowing as she attempting to figure out who might be near. Her nostrils flared faintly - taking in the scents, before deciding not to care.

So far no one had hurt her . . . . and if they did decide to - it wouldn't be the first time she'd been hurt. Her eyes lowered gently, her tail whisking to lay curled against her side, her fins folding flat against her body, the light mesh slick with the natural oils that kept them from drying out in the open air. The violet markings against her body seemed to glow faintly in the dying light outside the window, as she felt herself relax once again, her small form fitting with ease (and ample space left over) in the room. Her ears occasionally flicked to the door, though her eyes never opened - occasionally hearing foot falls outside - but none stopped.

Alone . . . . alone . . . . alone . . . . with each passing moment the stress left her body, her muscles untensed and her mind drifted closer to ease . . . closer to being a bit more normal - normal for her anyway . . . Still, random thoughts crowded her brain. Should she have really ran from Alex like that? It wouldn't end well. She'd just be in more trouble later. And running to Liam like that . . . she should never have let those dragons get involved with her life . . . she should never have allowed it to happen. Yet, even through all these thoughts was another one, a subtle desire to use this moment to escape completely. To sneak out the window while no one was looking. If she found some water, she'd easily be free. Dive beneath the surface, let her body become used to the new world, create a new home among the kelp and coral (especially if she found her way into an ocean). Just the thought alone had small slits beneath her cheek bones freeing themselves, gills that rarely opened when above the water. She quickly forced herself to keep breathing with her lungs, even as her eyes slowly opened to view the window.

With a brief glance to the door, the dragoness stood, moving slowly to the window, and looking out it. Even from here she could see the tell-tale signs of light reflecting off water. Glorious water . . . . It almost seemed to call for her now. Yearning for her to come to it. To take a dive, to swim with in the comforting arms of the liquid . . . She took another step to the window, lifting off her front legs (her tail balancing herself) to half lean out the window. It'd be a bit of a journey . . . . but it'd be so worth it . . . . She sighed, shaking her head regretfully . . . the only problem being - she doubt that she'd be able to sneak out with out these people knowing anyways . . . . and truth be told - she'd be horribly afraid of upsetting Liam too.

SPEECH"

OOC:// I almost had her decide to sneak off -- she might still just do that . . . . she really does have an obsession with water ;P

"speech"/'thoughts'

As the hours shifted and her patient seemed to show no signs of fever or worsening state or even nightmares, Anemone decided that she should leave her be. Hovering would only frighten her more. If she did wake and try to sneak out, she wouldn't get far. They may be a family compound full of elders and youngsters but they had their warriors. If her wounds didn't stop her first. Keeping an ear turned to the room, Anemone decided to work on house chores today. She sent her assistant to inform her healer class that her classes for today were cancelled. She also informed her guard that she would not be venturing outside the compound in search of herbs today.

As the sun shifted from dawn to early morning and then late morning, the canyon village began bustling with activity. The many windows and doors to the main house stayed closed, signaling that no one was to enter freely and thus the house was avoided. It was quiet outside for the most part, the gentle murmur of general life outside heard on the seldom occasion. And then noon came and the sun crept past its zenith to settle into late afternoon. The canyon shadows grew long and air cooled. Anemone drifted through the house, worried that Liam was still gone. She set light to the lanterns and paused, hearing laughter outside in the main gardens. She crept along the hall Natalia remained in, having heard movement. Scenting the air informed her that she was still in the room and Anemone left her to her devices. She had a dinner to cook after all and her table was now much larger than just her and her fiance.

Outside the window of Natalia's room, the canyon walls glowed softly. Her section of the house was nestled into a tiny alcove that housed the main house's vast tea gardens. The house itself was enormous and seemed to be carved into the canyon walls. The garden itself was massive to accommodate the gigantic Sylvano warriors that frequented Tyrellia's home. The soft trickle of water normally dominated the area but the garden was not empty. Gentle voices and laughter were heard.

Next to a large pond, full of large and colorful koi fish, Liam's secondary smaller form was languidly stretched across the large flat stones. He trailed his tail tip in the water, verdant eyes glimmering with mirth as his audience watched in mild awe and even horror. A tiny dark brown female, streaked with flecks of tan and soft blue, squeaked, "But koi fish aren't for eating!"

Liam shushed her with a hollow snap of his jaws. Her two brothers, one of tarnished gold and the other a dull bronze, pounced on her with a sounds of protest. They scuffled about noisily until Liam reached over with a wing thumb to disentangle them with a heavy sigh. He stared at them until they bowed their heads in embarrassment, effectively cowed by the warrior. He flicked his tail into the water and flipped out a fat wriggling orange koi. The bronze male pounced immediately with a cry of triumph. The commotion finally brought about unwanted attention. Anemone came running into the garden as she glimpsed a black tail disappearing. "Aurel! You little thief!" She grabbed the male bronze, slapped him about the horny crest of his head, and returned the fish to the pond. She turned around, dragging the protesting male back inside as his siblings scrambled over the high fence to return home before they too faced the healer's wrath.

The adult dragon was already beating a hasty retreat, the minute the fish hit the ground, laughing heartily. He ducked around the corner of the house. "Ha! Dodged her! You'll have to do better than little healer," he boasted to himself, the spines along his neck lifting in joy before flopping back down. His teal markings glimmered in the fading light as he ventured to sneak his head under a bush to spy on the bronze child's thrashing at the garden steps. Aurel bawled rather rakishly before sprinting through the house and out the doors, thoroughly punished. Anemone looked back in the garden, knowing that the children where much too young to fish and good students regardless. Someone had led them to this. The black dragon retreated to the shadows once more, allowing his scales to darken to his surroundings so Anemone wouldn't spot it.

The simple scale change was not how Liam's camouflage worked though. He bent the light away from his form; this dragon's actual scale color changed so quickly, you'd miss it if you blinked. This was not Liam...yet it was?

No, upon close inspection, it was not.  His blue stripes were more teal rather than electric blue like Liam. His numerous spines were thin and seemed to never fully stand up right unless he was consciously raising them himself, flopping over his neck and back in various messy directions.  His wings, folded closely against his spine like two secondary rows of knobby half formed spikes, were angled down at the wing thumbs like Liam's often did.  Liam would keep them in that position because it made them easily ready to walk upon or use to cuff or grab something.  But LIam kept his wings folded loosely about him in an intimidating way.  This dragon kept his tightly folded, like he was afraid to take up too much space or appear too threatening.  When he moved, strong thick forearms peeked from behind the wings, just short enough to hang below his chest and hover a few feet above the ground.  He was currently crouched on one forearm, the other tucked up against his chest.

No definitely not Liam, unless Liam managed to somehow grow arms in a matter of hours.  So who was this?

Amount: 989 w/ coding
Notes: ugh so rusty
Muse: good
Outfit:
Tune:
Tags: