*Hidden Nature* A Shapeshifting RP

[NickyKnack]

Anna giggled softly, reaching up to hold his arm, letting him continue even though it tickled a little. "You are amazing to me Zypher. I am so happy to have you by my side."

~~~

Sorcha smiled back to him then gasped softly at the surge of magic he sent to her. That was a surprise, but she liked it. She twirled back to him once she was able to catch her breath again. She loved him with all she had already, even with more to be learned between them.
~~~
Bardou chuckled and dipped his head back to her. "They are certainly smarter than the animals on Earth, just from seeing this small exchange." He said and glanced to Avalon with a smile again. 
~~~
Jason woke in his den, stretching out before standing and going out to see the other wolves to be certain they were ready for the battle to come.
~~~

Shaylee moved back to his side, watching the door with a mixture of trepidation and readiness to fight if that was needed. She watched the door, waiting to see who or what would come through, or if it was simply someone passing them.
~~~
Foneth smiled and dipped her head a little before settling in place again. "Yes, yours must have been that little bit closer, or your anger brought you to the path to open it." She said thoughtfully then shrugged her wings. "You are the first we have known to return to your dragon form, so everything is new about you."

Zypher chuckled softly and teased, "And you wouldn't be biased for any reason?"
~~~
Racine had a sense of pride at being able to effect Sorcha that way. Just another reason she was his perfect match. He looked ahead as the entered the far garden of the castle. He heard the soft conversations of their generals as they took in its splendor.
~~~
Avalon flushed slightly at having been caught in her scrutiny of him, but returned his smile easily. "They've definitely shown my father wrong and myself. What did you say to them? Do they actually have a language that's comprehensible? " She asked curiously.
~~~
Luce was tending to the fire and finishing up breakfast. She glanced over at the sound of his voice. She smiled happily and waved to him.
~~~
(Should they stop or go by?)
Anton also got ready for the outcome of this latest torrent of uncertainty. He focused upon the thin strip of light beneath the door and held his breath as movement registered.
~~~
"At the risk of sounding ungrateful, I wish I could leave this cave to tell Spyro about all this." Ender said quietly.

 

[NickyKnack]

Fetu was eager to tend his wounds, and moved to do so.
The cords tied around Nidhogg's snout started dissolving in earnest again, falling away with a thin hiss. She gasped, flexing her jaws a few times, took a deep breath, and unloaded her acid breath at the glass separating her from her captors. She was surprised at the clear barrier that separated them, and started crying out in draconic for her daddy at the top of her lungs as the discusting green goo etched a trail down the surface of the glass.

Hector had seen that the beast had almost freed itself, so he'd abandon the ideas of the fiberglass cables and stayed outside the cell to watch. He dodged the stream of acid that was shot at him. When no pain registered, he blinked open his eyes to see that the thick glass was still holding strong. At least for now, for it was sizzling with the corrosive effects of the acid. "Oh, that's not good. So much for the glass being impervious to the effects of that kind of acid. I wonder if plastic would work to contain its effects?" Hector thought aloud.
~~~
Markus and a team of his best chemists were on their way through the void. Pariah was strangely silent as they walked. He dared not ask why. Just in case it was something he'd done. Self-preservation at its best. He instead listened to the debate of the chemists. Even though their arrangements about acids and their bases was far beyond his comprehension. For example, Calcium oxide seemed favored, but the solubility of calcium hydroxide appeared to be very low. Due to its ionization reaction in water. 'Whatever that ment.' He thought to himself. But then, that's why he'd brought the experts. He then glanced to Storm, who was walking mutely beside him. Xavier's adopted ice dragon son had desired to come along with them on this mission. So he'd agreed to allow it. He looked forward at the flash of of light as Pariah stopped to open the void to their destination.

 

[NickyKnack]

Asclepius grinned,"yes, golden dragons can take on any shape they wish, within reason. It seems among other species this is not the same. I've always been curious about the possibility of other true shifters."

Kyth shook his head in amazement. That was just beyond his imagination. To take on almost any form would be very freeing. But then something else occurred to him. "Markus has the DNA of a queen Golden dragon. I shudder to think what he could do with that. The hybrids he could engineer with that ability. " He replied softly.

 

[Bantambird]

Hector had seen that the beast had almost freed itself, so he'd abandon the ideas of the fiberglass cables and stayed outside the cell to watch. He dodged the stream of acid that was shot at him. When no pain registered, he blinked open his eyes to see that the thick glass was still holding strong. At least for now, for it was sizzling with the corrosive effects of the acid. "Oh, that's not good. So much for the glass being impervious to the effects of that kind of acid. I wonder if plastic would work to contain its effects?" Hector thought aloud.
~~~
Markus and a team of his best chemists were on their way through the void. Pariah was strangely silent as they walked. He dared not ask why. Just in case it was something he'd done. Self-preservation at its best. He instead listened to the debate of the chemists. Even though their arrangements about acids and their bases was far beyond his comprehension. For example, Calcium oxide seemed favored, but the solubility of calcium hydroxide appeared to be very low. Due to its ionization reaction in water. Whatever that ment. He thought to himself. That's why he brought the experts. He glanced to Storm who walking beside him. Xavier's adopted ice dragon son had desired to come along on this mission. He'd agreed to allow him that. He looked forward as Pariah stopped to open the void to their destination.

Fetu winced as the black creature wailed and flailed. He asked for baking soda to pour on his bubbling splash across his back and shoulders and head, hoping to quell the burn. After this, he hoped to get enough money to never have to handle such things again. After seeing the bigger ones, he would not feel safe staying in the country. He just hoped his wife and children had done as he asked, for he feared the Wyrms. The legends of the Wyrms of Slygoth were old, the giant black beasts that could melt bone and consume all. The natives here used to offer sacrifice to them long ago, sending tribute into the bog...

Nidhogg continued wailing, her cries reaching a fevered pitch. She paused long enough to melt her leg bindings and claw at the soft cloth binding her wings. She tucked up her tail, refolding her wings. She backed into the far corner, arching her neck back, wailing and crying out for her daddy in draconic. Nidhogg was starting to wonder if her daddy would be able to save her.

 

[Bantambird]

Kyth shook his head in amazement. That was just beyond his imagination. To take on almost any form would be very freeing. But then something else occurred to him. "Markus has the DNA of a queen Golden dragon. I shudder to think what he could do with that. The hybrids he could engineer with that ability. " He replied softly.

" Indeed! It may be hard for him to control a Dragon's built in moral compass, however, as golden dragons tend to be balanced by a drive to protect the lesser ones within their dominion, but that could conceivably be twisted into tyrrany when the dragon is convinced that it is for the good of their charges." Asclepius shrugged. "It would indeed be interesting to see the role of nature versus nurture, in the observation of a young golden deprived of a proper upbringing."

 

[NickyKnack]

" Indeed! It may be hard for him to control a Dragon's built in moral compass, however, as golden dragons tend to be balanced by a drive to protect the lesser ones within their dominion, but that could conceivably be twisted into tyrrany when the dragon is convinced that it is for the good of their charges." Asclepius shrugged. "It would indeed be interesting to see the role of nature versus nurture, in the observation of a young golden deprived of a proper upbringing."

"Oh, you'd be surprised. His personal Demos is an outcast of the Fae realm. Since her arrival Markus has grown in power and ambition. Pariah particularly excels at minion spells. That magic renders its victims incapable of freewill. It seems to turn them into a vacant shell for their compulsions. I once saw a fire dragon he'd captured who had succumbed to that very spell. Markus named him Harbinger and frequently sent him out to destroy choice targets. He even sent him to destroy the Fae king. If I hadn't seen it myself, I'd be loathe to believe such a thing was even possible." He said with apprehension. But fortunately they didn't use that spell on me. For they had other motivations to get me to do their bidding." Kyth admitted quietly.

 

[StarrNico]

Zypher chuckled softly and teased, "And you wouldn't be biased for any reason?"
~~~
Racine had a sense of pride at being able to effect Sorcha that way. Just another reason she was his perfect match. He looked ahead as the entered the far garden of the castle. He heard the soft conversations of their generals as they took in its splendor.
~~~
Avalon flushed slightly at having been caught in her scrutiny of him, but returned his smile easily. "They've definitely shown my father wrong and myself. What did you say to them? Do they actually have a language that's comprehensible? " She asked curiously.
~~~
Luce was tending to the fire and finishing up breakfast. She glanced over at the sound of his voice. She smiled happily and waved to him.
~~~
(Should they stop or go by?)
Anton also got ready for the outcome of this latest torrent of uncertainty. He focused upon the thin strip of light beneath the door and held his breath as movement registered.
~~~
"At the risk of sounding ungrateful, I wish I could leave this cave to tell Spyro about all this." Ender said quietly.

Anna chuckled and smiled at him "So what if I am?" She asked then moved, giving him a kiss before standing up and holding a hand out to him "We should go and get breakfast. We have people to save."
~~~
It was strange to be visiting the familiar garden as a visitor instead of as one who lived here. She held to Racine's arm lightly as they walked in and looked around, listening to the generals as they saw the garden. She saw former students of hers and moved to greet them, glad when they accepted the change in her status and the visitors without fear
~~~
Bardou looked to the fairies again and shrugged lightly "It's a song, one that's common for them to sing, but I do not know if it could be translated." Hm, that was something to look into "Maybe, I can go back to Earth at some point and bring a bird shifter back, see if they can translate it?" He said, throwing an idea out as he thought of it. hm...but what kind of bird? there were likely to be differences in culture and language even if they found a bird that could speak to the fairies. He frowned in thought then picked up a piece of fruit, naming it to the fairy in his other palm and watching her.
~~~
Jason smiled and went over to her to give her a hug and a kiss on her cheek "Morning" He said and moved to grab breakfast before sitting beside her
~~~
Shaylee also watched the light and the shadow, relaxing only when the shadow moved past their room. She hated that she had gotten that tense and frowned, looking to her hand then sitting and closing her eyes to focus on gathering enough power to call her sword to her hand. She hated being weak and defenseless.
~~~
Foneth looked to him again and tilted her head a little, thinking about that. "I do not think it is ungrateful, he is your brother after all, and family does mean a lot. Perhaps we should go and talk to father to see if he has decided anything about trying to stop the call?"

 

[NickyKnack]

Fetu winced as the black creature wailed and flailed. He asked for baking soda to pour on his bubbling splash across his back and shoulders and head, hoping to quell the burn. After this, he hoped to get enough money to never have to handle such things again. After seeing the bigger ones, he would not feel safe staying in the country. He just hoped his wife and children had done as he asked, for he feared the Wyrms. The legends of the Wyrms of Slygoth were old, the giant black beasts that could melt bone and consume all. The natives here used to offer sacrifice to them long ago, sending tribute into the bog...

Nidhogg continued wailing, her cries reaching a fevered pitch. She paused long enough to melt her leg bindings and claw at the soft cloth binding her wings. She tucked up her tail, refolding her wings. She backed into the far corner, arching her neck back, wailing and crying out for her daddy in draconic. Nidhogg was starting to wonder if her daddy would be able to save her.

Hector went to the supply cabinet and retrieved a box of baking soda. He mixed it with water to make a thick paste and applied it after putting on industrial rubber gloves. He put a generous amount to all effected areas. "There you go. That should help." He said with careful consideration. He really felt for Fetu pain. Those acid burns were deep. Hector's attention was drawn to the bright flash of light that announced the arrival of Markus and company. He thought back to the first time he'd see it. He'd about had a heart attack when that thing they simply called a portal opened up in the middle of the room. He instinctually crossed himself out of habit. He swallowed hard as that supernatural being stepped through first. For Pariah had the eyes of a demon of the devil and the serpentine tounge to unnerve even a saint. He eagerly diverted his gaze to Markus as he stepped through next. "Ah! The man of the hour is here. Welcome Markus to my neck of the world once again. " Hector said grandly.

Markus smiled simply and looked to the two men, as the rest of the group exited the void. Pariah closed the portal and turned her full attention to Hector as well. Markus nodded as he stepped over to them, "It is good to be back. Especially under the circumstances. I trust you were successful in containing it?" He asked as he actively searched for the containment cell. Once he did, he headed over to it to get a look at the beast. He stepped up to the glass in amazement. "Oh, very nice indeed. But why is she unbound. Why didn’t you use the ties?" He asked with mild disappointed.

"There simply wasn't time. That acid is wicked strong. Fetu had it tied like a prized pig and look what it did to him. This is the end of our involvement with that creature. We talk price now and then you can remove it from here." Hector stated firmly.

Markus looked to Pariah a moment, speaking privately with her before turning to face Hector. "Is that right? Well then, how much to take it off your hands?" He asked flatly.

Hector looked to Fetu and asked in his native tounge, "How much should we make the Gringo pay?"
~
While Markus negotiated price, Pariah looked to the dragon wyrmling. She looked deeply into Nidhogg's eyes to search her mind for her natural tongue to communicate with her. Once the dialect of draconic was detected, she spoke mind to mind, "What are you called young one?"
~~~~
Reaper had finally made it to the outskirts of the port city. He was faced with the one thing that he hated most, he shifted to his human form. It would drastically slow his progress, but discretion was necessary. Big cities had big consequences. Such as humans with fire power and trained armies to protect them. He continued to ran as fast as his two human legs would carry him. He had to find his baby girl. Hopefully before it was too late. If it wasn't already. He couldn't ignore the fact that there had been signs of a struggle on the road to get here. The trace amounts of Nidhogg's acid breath was evident from a distance. His heart was heavy, but he would not give up until he held her in his arms again one way or another. He wiped the acidic tears that clouded his vision at the thought of her anguish and fear at the humans hands.

 

[Bantambird]

Fetu

Hector went to the supply cabinet and retrieved a box of baking soda. He mixed it with water to make a thick paste and applied it after putting on industrial rubber gloves. He put a generous amount to all effected areas. "There you go. That should help." He said with careful consideration. He really felt for Fetu pain. Those acid burns were deep. Hector's attention was drawn to the bright flash of light that announced the arrival of Markus and company. He thought back to the first time he'd see it. He'd about had a heart attack when that thing they simply called a portal opened up in the middle of the room. He instinctually crossed himself out of habit. He swallowed hard as that supernatural being stepped through first. For Pariah had the eyes of a demon of the devil and the serpentine tounge to unnerve even a saint. He eagerly diverted his gaze to Markus as he stepped through next. "Ah! The man of the hour is here. Welcome Markus to my neck of the world once again. " Hector said grandly.

Markus smiled simply and looked to the two men, as the rest of the group exited the void. Pariah closed the portal and turned her full attention to Hector as well. Markus nodded as he stepped over to them, "It is good to be back. Especially under the circumstances. I trust you were successful in containing it?" He asked as he actively searched for the containment cell. Once he did, he headed over to it to get a look at the beast. He stepped up to the glass in amazement. "Oh, very nice indeed. But why is she unbound. Why didn’t you use the ties?" He asked with mild disappointed.

"There simply wasn't time. That acid is wicked strong. Fetu had it tied like a prized pig and look what it did to him. This is the end of our involvement with that creature. We talk price now and then you can remove it from here." Hector stated firmly.

Markus looked to Pariah a moment, speaking privately with her before turning to face Hector. "Is that right? Well then, how much to take it off your hands?" He asked flatly.

Hector looked to Fetu and asked in his native tounge, "How much should we make the Gringo pay?"
~
While Markus negotiated price, Pariah looked to the dragon wyrmling. She looked deeply into Nidhogg's eyes to search her mind for her natural tongue to communicate with her. Once the dialect of draconic was detected, she spoke mind to mind, "What are you called young one?"
~~~~
Reaper had finally made it to the outskirts of the port city. He was faced with the one thing that he hated most, he shifted to his human form. It would drastically slow his progress, but discretion was necessary. Big cities had big consequences. Such as humans with fire power and trained armies to protect them. He continued to ran as fast as his two human legs would carry him. He had to find his baby girl. Hopefully before it was too late. If it wasn't already. He couldn't ignore the fact that there had been signs of a struggle on the road to get here. The trace amounts of Nidhogg's acid breath was evident from a distance. His heart was heavy, but he would not give up until he held her in his arms again one way or another. He wiped the acidic tears that clouded his vision at the thought of her anguish and fear at the humans hands.

pondered briefly before responding," ask a million, plus I'll tell you where I caught it. We can split that."

Nidhogg ceased wailing a moment, surprised at the voice in her head. She bobbed her head, looking from human to human so see where the voice had come from, then cocked it curiously for a moment before starting to bawl again. She was able to choke out her name, Nidhogg, before she wailed for her daddy once more.

 

[NickyKnack]

Anna chuckled and smiled at him "So what if I am?" She asked then moved, giving him a kiss before standing up and holding a hand out to him "We should go and get breakfast. We have people to save." 
~~~

It was strange to be visiting the familiar garden as a visitor instead of as one who lived here. She held to Racine's arm lightly as they walked in and looked around, listening to the generals as they saw the garden. She saw former students of hers and moved to greet them, glad when they accepted the change in her status and the visitors without fear 
~~~

Bardou looked to the fairies again and shrugged lightly "It's a song, one that's common for them to sing, but I do not know if it could be translated." Hm, that was something to look into "Maybe, I can go back to Earth at some point and bring a bird shifter back, see if they can translate it?" He said, throwing an idea out as he thought of it. hm...but what kind of bird? there were likely to be differences in culture and language even if they found a bird that could speak to the fairies. He frowned in thought then picked up a piece of fruit, naming it to the fairy in his other palm and watching her.
~~~
Jason smiled and went over to her to give her a hug and a kiss on her cheek "Morning" He said and moved to grab breakfast before sitting beside her 

~~~

Shaylee also watched the light and the shadow, relaxing only when the shadow moved past their room. She hated that she had gotten that tense and frowned, looking to her hand then sitting and closing her eyes to focus on gathering enough power to call her sword to her hand. She hated being weak and defenseless.  
~~~

Foneth looked to him again and tilted her head a little, thinking about that. "I do not think it is ungrateful, he is your brother after all, and family does mean a lot. Perhaps we should go and talk to father to see if he has decided anything about trying to stop the call?"

Zypher reached up to take her offered assistance up. "Thank you and that's a wonderful idea. One can't save people properly when the growling of the guts gives away their presence. " He said with a deep chuckle.
~~~
Racine eagerly meet Sorcha's former students with genuine enthusiasm. This social networking was essential to their good relations between kingdoms. Throughout the various formal greetings and relearning the family names, Sorcha eased him through the family names when they were coming back to him too slowly. It was comforting for him to be able to rely so heavily upon someone. He'd never had that before now.
~~~
Avalon brightened instantly. "Do you really think one would come here? Are there mockingbird shifters? I've read our research about that remarkable bird." She said pleasantly.
~~~
Luce returned the greeting, "Good morning to you." She tossed the stick she was using to poke the fire into its consuming flames. She dusted her hands and glanced to Jason beside her. "Did you sleep well?" She asked conversationally.
~~~
Anton sighed softly and leaned his head against the wall to look up at the ceiling. "Thank goodness. " He whispered softly.
~~~
"Has anyone been able to fight the call?" Ender asked impulsively. He didn't want to bother the king so soon after his arrival.