*Hidden Nature* A Shapeshifting RP

[NickyKnack]

Falkirk made a soft sound of approval. "I hope so as well. Just as I'd wish our happiness to all who wish to embrace their natures." He replied genuinely.
~~~
Graydon sat back in the chair and watched Kyra closely. She seemed a bit melancholy. He leaned forward and reached over to her taking her hand within his own. "Hey, what is it?" He asked quietly.
~~~
Sergio was happy that Jackie was giving her a choice. But she really wanted the safety of her person. But had figured she'd be intruding. "With you please, my sister, my friend."

A short distance away from the pond,
Bertram shifted and got down on his front knees, so Jackie could mount him easier. He waited patiently until she did so.
~~~
Orson picked up on the second thought and expressed his agreement with it. "That is something that I'm still waiting for, my heart. But for now, we must insure we stay free, before we can live free."
~~~
Cadeon chuckled with pure levity. "Oh, but there are still problems yet. For my lips have tasted envy. They feel neglected by you loving attentions. " He said with a purr.
~~~
Aeval did as instructed and waited for Aurora to led the way. "There is lots of sand at the beach. I could build a very large wall there." She said excitedly.
~~~
Ericsson leaned on the counter as he watched Rosie cook. "But I don't understand. Why wouldn't he be alpha anymore? It's not like it was his fault he got taken. You don't have to tell me, I don't want to pry into your pack politics." He said.
~~~
Zypher grinned devilishly, "Oh, you just need to come back to them in one piece. Nothing much, really. You've already done the hard part." He said with humor.

Ackley followed along silently as she looked her brethren in the eye. A nonverbal message that she would gaurd their new alphas well.
(They're so ritualistic. I hope you don't mind. )
~~~
"You know of it's origins, what of the people who created it? We found it clasped in the hand of a sleeping giant." Markus stated as he put the artifact back in it's velvet lined box on the desk.

 

[StarrNico]

Star smiled and kissed him lightly then glanced around. "Do we need r8 be anywhere now?" She asked, uncertain if they would still have the trial, either of them.
~~~
Kyra looked at him and smiled softly. What is what?" She asked curiously. She hadn't realized that she had looked sad at all.
~~~
Jackie smiled at her again "Then return to me, you will never be in the way like you fear." She thought to her, having caught that feeling through their connection. She waited for Sergio to join her then got on Bertram's back happily.
~~~
Kristen nodded a little, snuggling close to him. "Yes, this war needs to end so we can live together and not have these worries.
~~~
Ember raised herself to look at him with a smile. "Oh, really?" She asked teasingly then leaned close, just outside of touching. "Will I have enough to make them not feel neglected anymore? " She asked teasingly then kissed him
~~~
Aurora chuckled, glancing to the house as the girls came out to join themm bith shiting to their gold dragon forms to follow Aurora and Aeval to the beach.
~~~
"Because of Jason being alpha for the pack." Rosie said as she cooked then made the plates, putting one in front of him and taking the other. "Wolves want strong leaders, and Jason is strong and young. We know he would be a good leader for a longer time."
~~~
Anna chuckled softly, nodding at that. "Well, that is something we would strive for anyway, so it shouldn't be too hard to keep that in mind." She said as she got on the elevator with them.
~~~
" Sleeping giant!?" Don said, standing again and going to the bars to hold them, an old legend coming to mind. "Tell me that you killed that one, or that it died when you took the stone. " He said then started pacing "The one time I would be in agreement with you killing something in nature.You have no idea what you have done now. How long ago did you take the stone?" He asked quickly, obviously agitated about this.

 

[NickyKnack]

Falkirk shook his head and said, "The queen dismissed me when Ender came back alone. So I don't think it will be this evening." He raised his head and smelled the aromas of food. "Star, would you like to get some to eat?"
~~~
Graydon shrugged and explained, "WWhen you looked down at your hands, I thought you were sad. I'm relieved I was wrong. I'm just hypersensitive to body language, I guess. One of my past times in Luis"s lab was trying to read people. That and Evoking fear in others. " He admitted with a guilty smile.
~~~
Sergio eagerly returned to Jackie. Her tattoo self settled on Jackie's back. She sighed contentedly in Jackie's mind before drifting off to dream.

Bertram shifted his weight to gain his feet once again. He then took off in a even trot. His heavy hooves pounding the earth in a rhythmic beat. His long flowing mane brushed against her calves. "Do you have a requested spot or am I to steal you away to parts unknown?" He asked in her mind playfully.
~~~
Orson nodded as he stepped back from Kristen. He shook his head and flicked his ears. "So let's work on sparing. Now I know I'm without my antlers, but they'll grow back fairly quickly now that I've shed them. but I'm far from defenseless, I still have my tusks and whiskers. Let's see what you can do." He said mentally as he bowed his head and took a stance.
~~~
Cadeon brought his hands up to cradle Ember's cheeks lovely. He brought his tounge forward to taste her kiss and savor it for as long as it lasted.
~~~
Aeval and her sisters marveled at the glistening glory of the young dragonesses (sp?)as the sunlight graced their scales. They fell into formation as the flew to the beach.
~~~
"Then it'll be kind of a sad homecoming for Don then. Knowing his pack has moved on in his absence. I suppose it's the natural order, but still." Ericsson replied thoughtfully, before taking a bite of the wonderful breakfast Rosie had prepared for them. "My, you have out done yourself. Thank you for taking such good care of me." He said genuinely.
~~~
(Oops! I dropped them. )
Jaxon frowned at her phrasing. But then understood the reference. But he couldn't help his chance to play with her. With all seriousness he replied, "Rest assured, should you ever become stranded, you wouldn't need to jump off, because I'd come rescue you. For such a high pedestal, you could easily break your neck." He waited for a moment, then smiled broadly.
~~~
The ride down seemed to take forever. But they finally made it. "Alright what's your poison? " He asked Anna in reference to which vehicle they were talking.
~~~
Markus turned at the urgency in Don's voice. "Neither, it never woke. Much to our disappointed. Even when the artifact was taken from it's hand." He explained as he got the case file off the desk that contained everything they knew about the giant and it's location. Pictures and all findings. "You have me concerned now. What is it?" He asked as he handed it to him through the bars.

 

[NickyKnack]

Avalon sighed as she paced back and forth in her private solarium. "So Jackdaw is innocent according to Racine? He openly said as much? " She asked in disbelief.

Ender who was catching water from a fountain into his cupped hand, stated, "Yes, my queen. Just as if it was a common knowledge. But the question is, are you allowing his entourage? His wording of his conditions means you can't even choose which generals he brings into your castle."

Avalon stopped and snapped, "I know well what it means, Ender! I'm not daft and I especially don't need you to point out the obvious to me! "

Ender calmly poured the water out of his hand and wiped it on his clothing. He then looked to Avelon and bowed deeply. "But of course, my queen. I'm your humble servant and I didn't mean to imply that you didn't understand that importance. For give my insolence, for I've over stepped my bounds. It will not happen again, I assure you. Just as my presence in here with you alone, is inappropriate. I shall retire to guarding you chamber door." He said tonelessly, as he walked out of the solarium.

Avalon was speechless for a moment. He'd never behaved in this way. "Ender! You know that's not what I want." She called after him, but still he gave her his back.

"You can't have me both ways, my queen." He said in her mind, before shutting down their link. Granted, Avalon had the power to force her way through, but more times then not, she didn't. He continued to walk to her door. He fisted the pendant Racine had given him. The chain bit into his neck in protest., so he eased up and gently open his large palm to look down upon it. He hadn't really looked at it before now. He found It was beautiful beyond compare, it's reds, oranges, yellow and purples, all seemed to glow in the lights as he moved. If Avalon didn't choose their love very soon. He'd have to leave her castle. It was tearing him apart to be so close, but forever outside her living embrace. Had Racine known that, when he'd gave him the pendant? Sure it was for a different purpose, but it could also be a possible out to his tormented pain.

(What the pendant looks like. )

 

[StarrNico]

Star smiled at that and nodded, moving to take his arm so they could walk together. "I would like that" She said honestly. She was glad for the reprieve, though she didn't have any idea what she would actually choose yet.
~~~
"Oh, I wasn't sad, or not really." Kyra said then shrugged "I was just thinking" She sighed and held his hand in hers, not wanting to be anywhere else.
~~~
"Parts unknown sounds a lot more fun than any particular place" Jackie replied and smiled. She was happy to have Sergio sleeping with her and Bertram there with her. She felt more loved than she had since the last time she had been with her parents, and that was long ago.
~~~
Kristen blinked, not liking that he wasn't by her side anymore, but knowing it was needed as she moved to take a stance also, mimicking him now. "Alright, but I don't know what I'm doing here" She thought and pawed the ground, prepared to try for him.
~~~
Ember brought her hands up to wrap around and hold him close, her eyes closed to simply savor the kiss while it lasted. When it ended, she opened her eyes slowly then smiled tenderly at him.
~~~
The twin golden dragons landed in one area, shifting to play together in the calm waves while Aurora and Aveal would land a safe distance from them so that they could practice together safely. "Do you know what their colors mean?" Aurora asked, watching the young ones for a moment longer then looking to Aeval again.
~~~
Rosie gave him a sad smile and nodded "It will be if they don't take him back as alpha, but he has to know it is a possibility. Usually the younger would fight the elder for the position and that would result in the elders death, at least in the wilder packs."
~~~
Skylar tilted her head then laughed at his joke. "You would rescue me from jumping off a pedestal that you put me on in the first place?" She asked with a smile. "You are going to be my knight in shining armor?"
~~
"Low profile, something that can go offroad yet can hold the four of us" Anna said and looked to him "You have a truck?" Anna asked and smiled at him, enjoying the light teasing especially in a serious situation. She didn't need to have a buildup of nervous energy.
~~~
Don got the file and skimmed through it, confirming his fears. "You woke a sleeping giant, but the spell is designed to not fade away for three days after the stone is removed. That creature has been asleep for nearly a thousand years. Stories say the last time it was awake and walking the Earth, that he made a vow to kill every last human on Earth. Shifters are not an exception since we take human form. Humans killed his son, so he wants revenge on the entire race. Why must you mess with things you do not understand? It took three witches and two fey combined to put the giant to sleep and fey no longer live on this realm."

 

[NickyKnack]

Falkirk grinned and started for the dinning hall. "I was concerned for you to have to make such a life altering decision. It can't be easy to choose the fate of one's life. Even if it is one who is as wretched as Vatgkan." He whispered softly.
~~~
Graydon nodded slightly and squeezed her hand reassuringly. He then looked over to the window and watched the leaves swaying in the breeze. Giving her both quiet and company, the only things he had in stock.
~~~
Bertram approached a thick cluster of trees. Once they were clear of them, he came upon a well worn deer trail. He scented the air for possible dangers, before continuing on. With Jackie on his back, he found himself blissfully happy and content for the fist time in a long time. He was curious as to see where this trail would lead them. Which brought something to mind. Instead of breaking the silence with his words, he spoke to Jackie mentally as they journeyed onwards. "It's funny how much exploring is about sights, sounds and scents. I found that out in my imprisonment. Within my memories, all that information I hadn't deemed important enough to notice, was still stored within my memory. I revisited them so often, that they became my reality and my darkened cell and terrible acts, my nightmares. The mind is a strange thing sometimes. It can fracture your reality in order to save your sanity. The tough part is finding your way back, when you no longer need the escape. I hadn't known how much I wanted to live for you, until I almost died on that battlefield. Though Sergio saved me, your weakened state gave me a purpose. You both brought me back from the brink, in more than one way. Thank you for that. Thank you both of everything." He then fell silent once more.
~~~
Orson stood ready. Whatever damage she did to him, he could heal with a shift. "What are you waiting for. For me to pinch you?" He taunted her playfully.
~~~
"Sweet Ember, that was more than enough to sate the envy of these lips forever." Cadeon said breathlessly.
~~~
Aeval glanced to the twins and speculated. "They have the Midas Touch?" Pandora asked. Ena indicated she had no clue. Aeval looked to Aurora and stated, "I was very curious that they were so different in color from you. But I sense they are very special. Is gold a rare color? Is that why?"
~~~
Ericsson nodded in understanding. "Perhaps the military has something to learn from the pack dynamic." He offered conventionally.
~~~
Jaxon shook his head. "Maybe, but not in shinning armor. Mine is definitely a little tarnished and I won't be riding a horse. They don't like me. " He said in better spirits.
~~~
Zypher nodded and passed Nashton to Anna. He then walked over to a hidden compartment in the wall. He entered in a code and opened a valet box that held all sorts of keys. He searched for the ones he wanted and locked it up again. "Alright, one hillbilly truck coming up. You driving? " He asked as he lead the way to it. Ackley right behind them.
~~~
Markus look to his watch and frowned. "That gives us less than eight hours to get out there and return the stone." He stepped forward and unlocked the cell and grabbed the box from the desk. "Bring that file with you when you come." Markus said as he head for the door.

 

[StarrNico]

"It is not easy. Banishment without powers to one like him would be as bad as death. I don't know which one to pick." Starr said quietly and looked to their linked arms. "The worst part is that I have to acknowledge that in his mind, twisted as he made it, he was in the right in trying to get me. Lucille is the one he had no right to touch, but I hesitate to put that much responsibility on her alone."
~~~
"I just don't want to be alone. I spent my life alone, ever since I can remember, but being alone has no appeal now that I have you here" Kyra said, not looking at him until she was done speaking.
~~~
Jackie listened to his confession then pet his neck gently "I am glad we were able to save you from that fate. No one deserves what you went through. I am glad you had something to hold onto to keep from losing yourself in there." She thought back to him as she glanced around the woods.
~~~
Kristen wasn't quite sure how to fight him, but went for it anyway at his words. She charged him but darted to the side at the last moment to attack from the side instead. She was trying to catch him off guard and avoid his tusks.
~~~
Ember smiled at his words, soon laying her head on his shoulder to enjoy the moment with him. She hadn't felt like this with anyone before and didn't want it to end anytime soon.
~~~
"In all the history of dragons, there has only ever been one gold dragon at a time. That one is the queen or the queen in training." Aurora said and looked to the girls again. "The queen contains the magic of all dragons, all abilities, though she cannot use them as other dragons do. She has them so she can understand how each dragon feels, empathize with them sot hat she can rule over them better."
~~~
Rosie shrugged, focusing on her food for a moment before speaking again "Perhaps, but the elders have wisdom the younger ones sometimes need."
~~~
Skylar chuckled and settled back on the couch itself. "Shiny is too easy to see int he forests anyway" She joked then shrugged a little "Horses don't like predators usually, though some shifters do let us ride when it is needed."
~~~
Anna held the skunk and smiled at Zypher as he revealed one of his secrets to her. She chuckled softly and shook her head "You can drive, people would expect the man to drive a hillbilly truck, even these days" She said as she followed him to the truck to get in with them.
~~~
Don blinked then nodded and brought the file out with him as he went to Marcus' side. Who would have ever thought they would work together on anything, but this affected both species and he couldn't just let it be. "Let's just hope the magic hasn't faded in the last thousand years. You humans have a warped version of the story in your histories too, though it has been regulated to a children's story since most don't believe in giants or other mythicals anymore." He said conversationally, wondering if Marcus would understand the reference.

 

[NickyKnack]

Falkirk patted Star's arm and said, "All will be on hold until Jackdaw's trial. Then depending on how that goes, you may not have to decide. Because rite fights are to the death and there's nothing about a fey wolf isn't lethal."
~~~
Graydon noted how their histories were almost exact opposite. "While yours was solitude, my whole life has been surrounded in a crowded lab. I was never allowed to be one on one with anyone. Until you came along. Your fierceness scared them. Kyra, you're the only one I've ever longed to be alone with. " He said with conviction.
~~~
Bertram sent through their mind link the equivalent of a hug. He the focused on their journey through the woods. He looked up as an owl flew overhead. It's amber eyes glowed brightly in it's earth tone face.
~~~
Orson was delighted by Kristen's unpredictable attack. He swatted at her with his tail, as he turned into her change. Taking the blow to his shoulder, instead of his side. His scales and thick mane took the brunt of it. "Very good Kristen. The best way to victory is through unpredictability. " He praised her. He bounded a distance away and said, "Again!"
~~~
Cadeon rested his head aginst her's. He continued to gently rock them, as he looked out over Jackie's front yard.
~~~
The three dragons head looked to Estelle at once. Awe apparent in their expressions. But Aeval recovered first. "But yet there are two. How can that be?" She asked quietly.
~~~
Ericsson stopped mid bite. "Has there ever been a dual leadership? It surely isn't all or nothing. Like the days of monarchy. The old king passing his kingdom to his son. But still councils him in times of war." He inquired seriously, before taking his bite of food.
~~~
Jaxon slid off the arm of the couch plop down beside Skylar. "Really?! Shifters riding other shifters! Like what?" He asked eagerly, with the wonderment of a young child.
~~~
Zypher smiled at that. He stopped at a black Toyota Tundra. He went over to unlocked and opened Anna's door. He reached in to unlock the back door for Ackley. He took Nashton from Anna so she could climb in. Nashton complained softly, "What am I, a hot potato? You keep oassing me around. " Zypher chuckled at Nashton's statement, as he handed Nashton back to Anna once she was settled in the seat. "Here you go Alpha Anna. One grumpy skunk." He said with humor. He then walked around the front of the truck to the drivers side and got in. He started the trunk and headed out of the parking garage.

Ackley got in the back seat and looked around curiously.
~~~
Markus pulled out his walkie and ordered, "Chavez meet me at the mountain top helipad, ASAP! Oh, and bring Richardson as well. " Markus look to Don in disbelief, as he put the walkie back. "Are you referring to the Jack and the beanstalk nursery rhyme? " He asked Don skeptically.

 

[StarrNico]

"Oh" Starr said thoughtfully then leaned close as they walked to the dining hall. "It doesn't seem like he would kill with the way he has hidden away for so long.
~~~
"My fierceness scared them?" Kyra asked, that had caught her attention and made her look up at him again. "Most that are scared of me don't stay close and try to take my blood."
~~~
Jackie looked up at the owl, smiling happily. "I have always liked owls, they always look so wise with those big eyes."
~~~
Kristen smiled at his praise, turning to go after him. She acted like she was going to try the same tactic, but moved past him to try to kick a back leg out from under him.
~~~
Ember smiled as she also looked out over the yard and laid against his chest. "One day I will take you to my home and we can just be together there."
~~~
Aurora looked down at the ground. "We were captured by Marcus and his wizard. The wizard made a doppelganger, so now I have twins." She said then looked to the girls again. "They have all the same memories, and she is not evil, so I am keeping them both and will raise them as sisters, though only Estelle will be queen. "
~~~
"No, it has never happened like that before." Rosie said and looked at him then back to her plate to finish her meal.
~~~
"Usually horses, but only when we had to ride with humans for whatever reason. Now we can just use cars instead. I like that more personally. " Skylar said and smiled at him.
~~~
Anna got in and buckled up, taking Nashton to hold him in her lap as they headed out to get to the place they would have to drop the truck to sneak in and set the amplifier up.
~~
"That is the watered down version, except that was about the son, this is the father we will be dealing with now." Don said with a nod. "The, ah, beanstalk was magical, but it opened to another realm, the realm giants live in. The 'Jack' in your fairytale was a knight, not a child. Also the giant brought them to this land, and they never returned home again. "

 

[NickyKnack]

"Oh, I know he has a certain amount of rage in him. I heard it as he spoke of his massacred pack. But as to why he stepped forward in such a manner, is his to know. He must have a good reason. One we can only guess at." Falkirk said as opened the dinning hall door for Star.
~~~
"Humans are funny creatures. They'll do almost anything for a thing called money. Those lab workers didn't want to loose their jobs. So they did as Luis instructed them. In fact, they were always scared of me, but it didn't stop them from poking and prodding me. Much to my dismay, I never stopped them. " Graydon said sadly.
~~~
Bertram bobbed his head and shook his mane about. "I've always thought it strange how they could turn their heads the way they do. But I agree, they have a noble appearance." He replied honestly.
~~~
Orson hadn't seen it coming. He was dropped unceremoniously to the ground with a flurry of movement. Knocking the wind out of him for a moment. He looked up at Kristen with appreciation evident in his eyes. While he was catching his breath, he spoke in her mind. "Oh, you're good. You have a warriors' heart and a mind for strategies. But now that you have your enemy down, what next? Are you going to let him recover to attack again?"
~~~
Cadeon listened to her promise. But as the minutes ticked by after her words, his mind thought with unrelenting urgency,'Why not now?' But what Cadeon hadn't realized, was he'd spoken aloud.
~~~
"Markus? " Aeval asked. "A wizard?!" Pandora asked with extreme distaste. Ena asked timidly, "What is doppelganger and why is it evil?"
(They're sooo out of the loop. )
~~~
Ericsson nodded and went back to finishing the wonderful breakfast. He savored every delicious bite. He'd glance to Rosie here and there to fully enjoy her company.
~~~
Jaxon tried to imagine what riding a horse would be like. The feel of bone and muscles as they moved in a unified effort to achieve a common goal. What an astounding thing. "That's amazing." Was all he could say.
~~~
Zypher finally reached an abandoned access road off the highway. He parked a short distance I'm to pull in under some large oaks. He shut down the engine and looked over at Anna. "TThis should do. Now we hoof it." He said, hiding the keys behind the visor. A trick Jason had taught him. Then moved to get out.

Ackley stepped out and got Anna's door for her. She held it open and scanned the area carefully.
~~~
Markus pplaced his hand on the scanner by a security door and leaned in for a retinal scan. The red light turned green as the bolt mechanism released. He pushed it open and stepped through and waited for Don. "So, let me get this right. The Knights aren't even from this realm? What ever happened to them?" He asked intrigued.