*Hidden Nature* A Shapeshifting RP

[Bantambird]

Xatia looked to Asclepius as he approached. " You look like something is vexing you. Are you alright Asclepius?" She asked gently. The emotional undercurrents coming off of the golden dragon were significant.

"It's nothing, really. I guess I'm just feeling like a third wheel around here. And I really should look in on Phoebe, seeing as she is in such a delicate state and all. But, I don't want to leave unless you no longer have need of my services. Do you still need my assistance, princess? That, and I need to tidy my abode for guests if I'm going to invite people over, considering it has been well over 100 years since a human has been there. I've been awfully lazy since I hardly have spent much time there recently. So, perhaps I just wanted to see your beautiful visage, before I left," shrugged Asclepius. " Maybe I'm just fishing for compliments so I don't have to feel like an odd dragon out," he mused playfully, looking at Xatia from the corner of his eye as a small smile tugged playfully at the corners of his mouth.

 

[NickyKnack]

"It's nothing, really. I guess I'm just feeling like a third wheel around here. And I really should look in on Phoebe, seeing as she is in such a delicate state and all. But, I don't want to leave unless you no longer have need of my services. Do you still need my assistance, princess? That, and I need to tidy my abode for guests if I'm going to invite people over, considering it has been well over 100 years since a human has been there. I've been awfully lazy since I hardly have spent much time there recently. So, perhaps I just wanted to see your beautiful visage, before I left," shrugged Asclepius. " Maybe I'm just fishing for compliments so I don't have to feel like an odd dragon out," he mused playfully, looking at Xatia from the corner of his eye as a small smile tugged playfully at the corners of his mouth.

Xatia smiled gently and stepped away from the others with Asclepius. "Being the odd dragon out? Well, I can almost sympathize with that statement. This is our first trip to earth's realm and I'm unlike any other dragon here. It is all so different and amost confusing. Besides, you needn't fish for compliments. Whatever that means." She stated honestly. "We're in a lull at the moment, we can't get a bead on Pariah or Markus. So perhaps I could come with you on this pilgrimage of yours? I mean, if I wasn't imposing myself upon your plans too adversely." She added on impulse. She looked to Asclepius's sideward glances, almost tipping her head curiously.

 

[Bantambird]

Anubis smiled, pleased by her cautious nature. "You are not ignorant to the ways of my kind. I wouldn't ask for much. Just one single favor from you when I have need of it. It could be a day, a few years from now or even a century. That is the price. Not too steep, in the grand scheme of things. What is your answer?" He asked curiously. He had the habit of collecting favors, but hardly ever needed them.

"I can agree to a favor, freely given, but I would wonder what favor I could grant that you would not be able to accomplish yourself," stated Slygotha, looking squarely into the face of Anubis, her bony snout tilting upwards.
Nidhogg looked up at her mother, her head rising from the brown river water apprehensively.
Sighing, Slygotha finally dipped her head after hesitating for a tense minute, signalling her acceptance of his terms. "I do not like to owe debts," she stated simply," but if it serves my purpose, I am willing to do whatever it takes. I was defeated in my own home once, so alone I would never defeat such enemies. I need help, and yours would be immeasurable against such foes." Slygotha forced herself to relax, moving towards the riverbank near Anubis.

 

[Bantambird]

Xatia smiled gently and stepped away from the others with Asclepius. "Being the odd dragon out? Well, I can almost sympathize with that statement. This is our first trip to earth's realm and I'm unlike any other dragon here. It is all so different and amost confusing. Besides, you needn't fish for compliments. Whatever that means." She stated honestly. "We're in a lull at the moment, we can't get a bead on Pariah or Markus. So perhaps I could come with you on this pilgrimage of yours? I mean, if I wasn't imposing myself upon your plans too adversely." She added on impulse. She looked to Asclepius's sideward glances, almost tipping her head curiously.

"You would want to come with me?" Sputtered Asclepius, taken aback.
Regaining composure, he cleared his throat. "What I mean to say, is that of course you are welcome to come with me, if you want to. I'm not sure where Phoebe even is at this time, and there wasn't any romantic relationship going on there or anything, just had belonged to the same clan, you know." Sheepishly, he looked at his feet, tracing circles with his toes." I still feel guilty for not answering her mating calls, but I just wasn't interested in rearing young. I didn't think it would get her in trouble, you know, but in hindsight, how could it not attract attention? It's not like we are a small breed. Even among other dragons."
Asclepius looked back to her, now grinning widely," As it stands, I would be thrilled to have you help me not make a complete fool of myself. And if you wish to see my home under the mountain, I would love to show you."

 

[NickyKnack]

"I can agree to a favor, freely given, but I would wonder what favor I could grant that you would not be able to accomplish yourself," stated Slygotha, looking squarely into the face of Anubis, her bony snout tilting upwards.
Nidhogg looked up at her mother, her head rising from the brown river water apprehensively.
Sighing, Slygotha finally dipped her head after hesitating for a tense minute, signalling her acceptance of his terms. "I do not like to owe debts," she stated simply," but if it serves my purpose, I am willing to do whatever it takes. I was defeated in my own home once, so alone I would never defeat such enemies. I need help, and yours would be immeasurable against such foes." Slygotha forced herself to relax, moving towards the riverbank near Anubis.

Anubis stood calmly in his place and waited for her agreement. He had nothing to lose if she declined. It was his customary fee for his services. When she consented to his terms, he smiled contentedly. "The how's and why's are not important. Just the agreement to owing a favor is required. " He stated matter-of-factly. He then took to rummaging in his satchel for the pearl of knowledge and held it out to Slygotha patiently. "For the knowledge you'll need to understand all languages. Whatever you do, don't drop it. No matter how much it discomforts you. You must know, learning within minutes what takes years to achieve is not a painless thing. Your mind must adapt to receive it." He cautioned her.

 

[NickyKnack]

"You would want to come with me?" Sputtered Asclepius, taken aback.
Regaining composure, he cleared his throat. "What I mean to say, is that of course you are welcome to come with me, if you want to. I'm not sure where Phoebe even is at this time, and there wasn't any romantic relationship going on there or anything, just had belonged to the same clan, you know." Sheepishly, he looked at his feet, tracing circles with his toes." I still feel guilty for not answering her mating calls, but I just wasn't interested in rearing young. I didn't think it would get her in trouble, you know, but in hindsight, how could it not attract attention? It's not like we are a small breed. Even among other dragons."
Asclepius looked back to her, now grinning widely," As it stands, I would be thrilled to have you help me not make a complete fool of myself. And if you wish to see my home under the mountain, I would love to show you."

Xatia's eyes widened at Asclepius's first statement, having thought she'd overstepped her bounds. But settled a bit at his continued explanation. She flushed slightly at the mention of his history with Phoebe. She looked away as he pointed out how they weren't a small breed. "Yeah, the pixie dragons are rare even by Fae standards. I'll help you in any way I can be of assistance. " She promised softly.

 

[Bantambird]

Anubis stood calmly in his place and waited for her agreement. He had nothing to lose if she declined. It was his customary fee for his services. When she consented to his terms, he smiled contentedly. "The how's and why's are not important. Just the agreement to owing a favor is required. " He stated matter-of-factly. He then took to rummaging in his satchel for the pearl of knowledge and held it out to Slygotha patiently. "For the knowledge you'll need to understand all languages. Whatever you do, don't drop it. No matter how much it discomforts you. You must know, learning within minutes what takes years to achieve is not a painless thing. Your mind must adapt to receive it." He cautioned her.

Slygotha eyed the luminescent pearl warily. She knew he had no reason to lie, and that such a cost was not unreasonable. Still, she needed this knowledge, so upon reaching Anubis, she felt it would be easier to grasp the pearl in her human shape and thus transformed. Reaching out to take the pearl, she could feel the Pearl's energy barely contained like a dam holding back a raging river bursting at the seams. Clutching it hastily to her chest, she yelped as the knowledge started seeping in at first, a trickle, then a stream, then a river, then a raging ocean, pouring itself into her head. As she screamed, her grip tightened on the pearl. It felt like searing beams of light were escaping from her eyes and mouth. Her hands were on fire, as though clutching a live coal, as the fire coursed into her brain, faster and faster. Everything was becoming. It was there. So much. In her head, swimming. Making hard, to think clearly. Sorting, filing, burning. Etching, like maybe burn words on wood. Almost too much burning. Now everything burning, hands want to let go, but no.
Can't let go.
So burning, afraid, head swimming...
As the light died out suddenly, like a flickering switch, Slygotha's eyes rolled back in her head and she collapsed.

 

[Bantambird]

Xatia's eyes widened at Asclepius's first statement, having thought she'd overstepped her bounds. But settled a bit at his continued explanation. She flushed slightly at the mention of his history with Phoebe. She looked away as he pointed out how they weren't a small breed. "Yeah, the pixie dragons are rare even by Fae standards. I'll help you in any way I can be of assistance. " She promised softly.

"Well, most lovely and gracious princess Xatia, do you have a retainer who needs to accompany you, seeing as you are important to the Royal family of your world? Or do I get the pleasure of having your attention all to myself during this trip?" Asked Asclepius. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

 

[StarrNico]

"Yes, let's return. I'm sure your girls will likely be worried about you." Pyro said in agreement. He wrapped his neck partway around Aurora before straightening so they could head back together. It was his version of a simple reassurance. He vaguely recalled the humans called it a hug.
~▪~~▪~
Bertram shuddered at the thought of being cut off from his element, water. "How truly wretched. I wonder who has the time to think up these torments? I'd like to show them a thing or two. Tis good you were able to come to her aid in time. You are a vital part of this war, never forget that. " He said with sincerity.
~▪~▪~
Zypher smiled sheepishly and nodded. As he popped his finger out of his mouth he stated, "Hindsight is 20/20. Believe me, I won't be doing that again. But I did notice something just before it little me up. It would seem this whole collar can stench in on itself. A very strange feature, would you think? Do you suppose it stops like a choke collar or worse?"

Aurora smiled a little at that and nodded. She was glad for his hug, knowing he offered it out of caring for her and her girls. She climbed up to sit on his back so they could head back. Even though she still felt weak, she knew she had to see her girls and assure them that she was alright.
~~~
Jackie smiled and moved to hug him close. "You make me feel so special." She said softly, glad they had met and that they were all so ok with her magic. It was nice to not be feared for having it for once, one reason of many that she was so happy to have them here and helping them.
~~~
Anna looked at him then at the collar, coming close to see the inside. "It would be quite a deterrent to trying to get it off r run if it's automatic. If it just keeps shrinking, you wouldn't have to worry about anyone saying where you were if they die soon after leaving"

 

[NickyKnack]

Slygotha eyed the luminescent pearl warily. She knew he had no reason to lie, and that such a cost was not unreasonable. Still, she needed this knowledge, so upon reaching Anubis, she felt it would be easier to grasp the pearl in her human shape and thus transformed. Reaching out to take the pearl, she could feel the Pearl's energy barely contained like a dam holding back a raging river bursting at the seams. Clutching it hastily to her chest, she yelped as the knowledge started seeping in at first, a trickle, then a stream, then a river, then a raging ocean, pouring itself into her head. As she screamed, her grip tightened on the pearl. It felt like searing beams of light were escaping from her eyes and mouth. Her hands were on fire, as though clutching a live coal, as the fire coursed into her brain, faster and faster. Everything was becoming. It was there. So much. In her head, swimming. Making hard, to think clearly. Sorting, filing, burning. Etching, like maybe burn words on wood. Almost too much burning. Now everything burning, hands want to let go, but no.
Can't let go.
So burning, afraid, head swimming...
As the light died out suddenly, like a flickering switch, Slygotha's eyes rolled back in her head and she collapsed.

Anubis was impressed by Slygotha's willpower and pain threshold. He looked to the worried wyrmlings and assured them that she was fine. He then stepped forward to kneel beside her prone human form. He reached foreword to carefully peal her fingers open to retrieve the pearl of knowledge. "You did good, Slygotha. You are very brave and strong. Rest, we'll journey onwards when you wake. " He whispered softly to her.

Razeth watched the God with concern and uncertainty. Was his mother truly alright? He worried.

Valstrath hissed protectivly at Anubis as the touched their broodmother so freely. She would've liked it where she awake. The knew with certainty.