Raiha

[COLOR=royalblue][i]The Dragouret looked at Death Knight...giving him a look that could only be described as ...whithering. She snarled, but permitted him to remain. "You can not help...until she has mastered the basics of sorcery. If I were you...I would go off and beat yourself up a bit more." Death Knight scowled, her manners were not up to par with those of her father...that was for sure. He returned to his tree...and watched the white elf and the Dragouret's movements.[/i] "Okay Tarlain, let 'er rip!" [i]"Well, the Deepening magic is very complicated. So we'll start with basic elemental spells, and then a bit of Golem magic here and there. Then Holy, Dark, and a bit of Shamanisim. To learn Deepening magic, you will need a good deal of training....."[/i] "....I figured." [i]She kicked the ground, obviously discouraged. The female Dragouret smiled gently to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry Celestine. This will be worth your time and my trouble. When we're through, you're going to be a genius, and be powerful. We start tomorrow evening. Tonight, you need to restore your Magical Essence."[/i] "My what?" [i]"The energy that allows you to use magic. Without it, you'd faint after a few more simple spells. And the only way to replenish it is with sleep, or a Holy spell. So...." The younger human/elf nodded and sat down....yawning.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOr=royalblue][i]He looked around underwater....then he looked down. A huge star was painted on the bottom of the lake. It shimmered and glowed, partly because of his presence...and partly because of hers. She was standing at the bottom, in the very center. She smiled at him and beckoned. He dove down and touched her outstretched hands. "Welcome." "What is this?" "A place of death. And life. I brought you here to See." "To what?" "To See what is. To my pleasure...He has allowed it...and we should act acordingly..... Are you ready?"[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOr=royalblue][i]"The Deepening magic is life. And death. You will learn quickly. White Elf."[/i] "But...I thought I was..." [i]"You smell like one, and you also have that aura about you...you can't see it, but all magical creatures can. When I am through with you....you will see demons. You will see angels...and you will see everything." Celestine looked troubled. Through with you.... It sounded painful. But she would do something about it...and learn what she had to offer. The female Dragouret rose to her feet and brought Celestine up with her. The two walked towards the waterfall...the water sparkling in the moonlight. This would be a challenge. For the both of them.[/i][/COLOr]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Kenneth stared. The female Drgouret was staring at a human girl....her eyes glowing with energy. He could almost smell the magic the two were giving off... He landed quietly next to Raven. At that point Alaustin and Ananda looked away quickly. "She is a strong one..." Ananda pondered this in her mind....hoping Alaustin would not object to her quick scan....[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Moon Chaser stood up and stretched, then she quietly rose into the air, unoticed by the others. Adriana looked at her rapidly disapearing form out of the corner of her eye...and smiled. She would be back later. Sil flew high and fast, then she spiraled down once more and landed on her hands and feet. The roof was devoid of life...perfect. She drew her blade and began practicing her routine....up down, to the left and right...parry, thrust... She was feeling much better, no questions to answer, no people to entertain...no nothing... BANG! She whirled around, the door leading downstairs had just slammed open. Andrew and Craig stared. And she glared.[/i] Sil: Yes? May I help you? Andrew: ...naw, just checking to see who was making all of that noise. [i]She chuckled and smoothly carried herself down to where they were.....winking at Craig as she passed.....[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOr=royalblue][i]She raised her hands to the roof of the grotto, light playing through her hands...then she turned and raced into the tunnel....Ken shrugged and followed... Several momnts later, he blinked several times....this couldn't be real. The Dragouret was standing on the surface of a huge underground lake, eyes shut.... The first thing he saw wrong was the shape of the lake...no natural lakes grew in the pattern of a seven pointed star....and another thing...where was that light coming from? He stepped closer, and her eyes snapped open, glowing pale... "Do not come closer."[/i] "What is this place?" [i]"Meachnar, the sanctuary of Ochkkik Haddah." She spoke, and shivers raced up and down his spine. The name of Darkness itself.... She looked at him again....then wrapped her arms around her body and sank into the water. He paused. To chase her could be the end of him....but there was no time to debate that. Several seconds passed, and she rose out of the water violently, thrashing and screaming... Tarlain's body contorted, flashing in and out of her Dragouret self, then she landed on the surface of the lake and curled up....exhausted. "He has accepted this. You may come...."[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]The Dragouret's tail twitched and she whipped her head around, horns glistening with blood. Alaustin stopped short and stared......talk about abnormal. She walked up to them, there was no use hiding now. The female beast bowed low, wings dipping with her movements.[/i] Ananda: Salut. Alaustin: ....were you a part of this battle? Ananda/Raven: Yes.... Raven: Is there some problem? Ananda: ....I think not. Is there something wrong Alaustin? Alaustin: ...where did you learn my name? I haven't told you that yet. [i]The female tapped a hefty claw to the side of her head and smiled. The humanoid girl looked deep into her eyes...it was like falling. Into wells of dusky roses....and in that moment, she paused. The way she stared was not safe.....[/i][/COLOR]

[cOLOR=royalblue][i]So...he did have feelings. Perhaps she would have to do it.....the hard way. She rose to her feet. And drew her blade and walked towards Skye. She raised her blade and Death Knight's eyes opened. She swung, and sliced through the illusion. It snapped and sparkled gently...falling to the ground in a million peices of light. Immediatly, Celestine's eyes opened wide, and she fell backwards to the grass.....exhausted. Death Knight sighed....then looked up. The Dragouret was floating in front of him, eyes gently glowing, body rising and falling slightly. She trilled at him in her throat....and he leaned forward. That sound was familiar.... She trilled once more, and a thousand dreams flooded between the two of them. Tarlain closed her eyes and magicked the both of them to the ground. "Do you truly desire death?" "More than anything." "Then prepare yourself. And we will do our part."[/i] "What do you mean Tarlain? I'm only human." [i]She pointed with a clawed finger at Celestine's ears. "You carry the blood of a white elf. As do I. When I am finished teaching you the Deepening Magic....we will end this once and for all." The Death Knight looked at her, unbeleiving. Nobody could teach the Deepening Magic...except for maybe her....and he was willing to find out.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOr=royalblue]And your point would be...? *gestures hopelessly* Did you have something interesting to say about it?[/COLOR]

[cOLOr=royalblue][i]"Do you know sorcery Celestine?" "No...teach me." "We'll start by using him as target practice. Try to calm yourself completely..." Celestine sat down quietly, legs folded....and eyes closed. Several moments passed, and she sighed....peace. The Dragouret smiled. "Lesson one. Illusions." "What?" "Envision this girl." She tapped Celestine's forehead. Celestine nodded, she was lovely, quiet...and was perfect.... "Now focus on her...and release her image into the sky....with a portion of yourself." Celestine's face screwed up with the effort, then she breathed and a perfect image of Skye was released into being....It rose from the lake and walked across the water, heading towards her once brother.....watchful, lovely.... The Dragouret smiled. Skye's blood was strong.[/i][/COLOr]

[cOLOR=royalblue][i]She smiled and grabbed his hand, draging her back with him. The two joined the group.....and Adriana looked over the newcomer critically, then nodded.[/i] Adriana: He passes the good looks test. Sil: How comforting. Justin: Huh? Ken: *whisper* Don't try to understand them...they're strange. Sil/Adriana: I heard that![/COLOR]

[COLOr=royalblue][i]She ducked his swipe and filled her lungs....then she dove deeply...the 12 chambered lungs of her people serving her well. She swirled and moved easily, recalling the days of swimming...when the lakes were larger. Ken growled and shot after her.... The two spun and whirled around like playing sea lions, barely touching eachother, yet coming very close... Several minutes later, she rose to the surface like a breaching whale, back arched, head thrown back...sucking in a huge gulp of air. Ken watched....she moved like a dream....[/i] "Did you ever grow up? [i]"Look who's talking. You started it. Not to mention, you're staring at my chest."[/i] "Oh, sorry." [i]He looked away quicky, a flush creeping over his face.[/i][/COLOr]

[COLOr=royalblue][i]Sil watched Justin go....and silently rose into the air.... She reached him just before he entered the house and blocked his way, still floating.[/i] Justin: ....yeah? Sil: Why don't you join us? Justin: ...Why should I? Sil: It might do you some good. [i]He looked at her, hardly believing what she was saying...or doing. But right now, his mouth was having trouble working. Leather clad body floating directly before his eyes... He shook his head several times, then tried to look her in the eyes.[/i] Justin: Erum.... Sil: Yes?[/COLOR]

[cOLOr=royalblue][i]A loud hum registered in Death Knight's ears and his eyes narrowed. Her voice echoed dimly in his mind. "No. You will suffer immesurably....and I will relish it." ~~~~~ The female Dragouret sighed....everything was becoming still...the moonlight playing about hers and Celestine's pale skin. She could almost believe that the end of the human's reign was close....but not enough. "What are you thinking Celestine?"[/i] "Nothing...it's just so peaceful here." [i]"Yes, it's heaven on earth...for a time."[/i] "How long will this go without demons coming?" [i]"They won't bother with this place. It's deserted by all intelligent life, and the land makes them fear this place..."[/i][/COLOr]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She smiled and grabbed his hand. The two rose into the air silently....and then she whirled and shot forward, due north. The Star that never moves guided her...even though it was only to make sure she knew her exact location. She could see the grass in her mind's eye...almost smell the sweet grass, and taste the fresh water.... And time went by... The two touched down softly, feet pressing into soft grass. A lovely scent was in the air, close to her own. He breathed slowly. The sky was still very dark, and the moon high overhead.[/i] "Why is it still night?" [i]She smiled. "It is always night here...the enchantments of a white Elf sorceress still holds firm. And her blood kynn carry it in their bodies. And that would be me." "Beautiful." "Yes....sometimes, the moon turns red, but it always changes with the rest of the Earth..." "How can you bring yourself to leave this place?" "I don't know sometimes...a longing for adventure perhaps....a desire to end the suffering of innocents." She sighed and looked away. Then she tore off her shirt and bounded over to the small waterfall....with a leap and a quiet splash she dove into the lake.[/i][/cOLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]"That why I love being a Dragouret..." He looked down. She was lovely in the dark, pale skin forming a contrast to her dark horns and claws....she stared at him, the eyes shimmering with tears, skin reflecting pale moonlight. She sighed and let her wings rise and fall. Tarlain looked to the sleeping Chubacabra. It would suffer, but live.....like her.[/i] "Are you okay?" [i]"Yeah...I guess. Thanks for the support. I wish they would get over here...I want to go home." "Would you let me come with you?" "Of course. That is...if you really want to come with me to a cold forest, devoid of intelligent life."[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]The feeling of his hands on her merely served to bring on a fresh flood of tears. She threw her arms around his neck, tears falling thick and fast...He was shocked, but still tried to comfort her as best he could... She slowly regained control of herself, and sighed, still holding onto Ken desperatly...as if she was going to fall apart without him.... "I'm sorry."[/i][/COLOr]

[cOLOR=royalblue][i]She heaved a sigh and sat back down again, releived that she had not been forced to fight. Celestine watched her cautiously.... The Dragouret appeared to be calm, but was still upset.....she stood and walked over to the place where his blood had fallen. She bent down, and breathed softly upon the dead grass. With a gentle chiming sound, the green flowed back upon it...and a single flower grew from where her air had touched it. Celestine watched, pleased, and comforted.[/i] "So...why do you stay? If nothing is left here but nature?" [i]"It is where I was raised. And I love it here. It's so clean and quiet." "Kinda happy?" "It's like my father said...'Life is a bittersweet symphony.' But we find reasons to keep on playing." "I think I understand..."[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]She grimaced.....in pain. "I'm sorry I snapped at you...it's just...[/i] "You wish Rinayum was still alive?" [i]Her eyes widdened at the mention of her father's name, then closed as the tears fell freely.... It wasn't fair....that she could've lived for centuries, and still cry at the drop of a hat. She sobbed brokenly, memories flooding back into her mind... ~~~~~~ "I'm ready father." "Then remember what I've taught you...strength is not what allows flight...it is control." A small girl leapt from a high cliff, diving down, wings moving slowly and smoothly...easing her down into the heated air below...her father watched with his arms crossed. Smiling. Proud of his only daughter. She waved at her father excitedly, elated at her mastership of the wings. He waved back, it was a bittersweet symphony for him. She would live and prosper, when his life was soon complete. ~~~~~~ Kenneth turned surprised at the flood of emotions brought on by his name...[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]Her hackles rose...spines along her back rising furiously. I snarled once more, my challenge ringing in the air. "Get out of here!"[/i] "What do you think you can do to make me?" [i]You call me naive? I saw my family fall. And I had my blood fall on this land as well...but instead of failing like my kynn, I lived, and the land bonded to me. If you try to hold up against me, I willl fight back. And the very bones of this place will rise up to protect me...and destroy you."[/i] "You think I can die?" [i]"No. You will suffer immesurably....and I will relish it."[/i] "What do you mean Tarlain? Land is inert." [i]"No....not this place...it is very much alive. As am I." [b]Flash.[/b] My threat hung in the air, halfway from my lips, and half way from his....the ground beneath me rumbled....and quaked. It was rising, as my temper did.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]The two women chatted aimiably....both were similar, bordering on total darkness, and strange light.[/i] Raven: So..you've slept with the high and mighty Lingh? Ananda: Sure. He was fun. Raven: You're a slut. Ananda: Judging by your smell, I'd say you're a whore. Raven: That's about right... [i]The two chuckled and walked back to the city....whatever was left anyways.[/i][/cOLOr]

[COLOr=royalblue][i]She turned and smiled at him again....she was enjoying this. "I wish...." "What?" "Nothing....just wishing I was back at home. My family was exterminated, but the place lives on." "Atenae?" Her eyes immediatly hardened, and her hackles rose. Where did he hear about that? It was supposed to be a secret... "Where did you hear about that?!?" The energy around her grew loud once more...[/i][/COLOr]

[COLOR=royalblue][i]The bile rose in her throat and she snarled, her voice coming out in a throaty growl. "Touch it and be cursed!" Her energy flared around her and her wings splayed themselves menacingly....he was intruding on her last sanctuary....[/i] "I already am. Dragouret bîtch." [i]She hissed, but did not attempt to fight him. Any tangling with such a being would result in the destruction of her finally vanishing home...and she could not bear it.[/i] "It's beautiful here....too bad you're the last of your kind." "What does he mean Tarlain?" [i]"It's true...I am the last of my kind...and this is the last place we have." A single tear glimmered in the corner of her eye and she brushed it away quickly, angry at herself. Her weakness.[/i][/COLOR]

[COLOr=royalblue][i]"Yes...my dear Demon Half, I'm afraid you are." She smiled and placed a clawed hand on his shoulder....he turned around...her eyes were glowing in the darkness....dusky rose. The scent she was giving out was heavenly.....bright and sweet...contrasting with the blood of the Chubacabra's.....He sniffed the air...it was familiar, but he couldn't place it.[/i] "What is that smell?" [i]"We Dragourets call them pheremones...I don't know what your human name is for it..."[/i][/cOLOR]

[COLOr=royalblue][i]She snickered and whispered something into Adriana's ear. The two nearly fell apart with laughter....it was hilarous...too funny for words. The two leaned on eachother, tears streaming fom their eyes, slapping eachother's backs... Finally, they regained control of themselves and stood up straight again. Sil snorted and crossed her arms.[/i] Sil: Get a hold of yourself Ken. Adriana: Oh let them gawk. It won't hurt them....much Sil: But their pants might start getting uncomfortable. Just don't touch your knees. [i]At this, the two women cracked up again...[/i][/COLOr]