OoC - Private for the first one to reply to this thread. No tiny, inactive posts, please. And please - no alchemists! IC - Bipedal for the first time in months, the form of a winged pendragon sat motionless upon a statue. The statue in question was colored silver, and twisted, though may have formed the facial features of a Ramathian creature in the past. And the pendragonÂ… if it werenÂ’t for his deep sand color, he might have been a statue, for he sat motionless, chin resting on his fist, gazing out into the broken city with violently green eyes. There was experience in those eyes too, though, and as he stared out at the impenetrable heat of the afternoon, Halicarnassus the Alchemist had never looked older. Exceptionally lean and not of the tallest height, the rugged pendragon looked resilient and enticing, but extremely worn. Still he didnÂ’t move. Some little bird chirruped nearby, and the breeze whispered sand along the ground, but apart from that, Halicarnassus was very much part of the scenery; part of the silence. And he suited it.
Paws silent on he windswept stone, Cricket crept along the deserted street, keeping to the thin shadows. Her eyes flicked ceaselessly around the city, looking for living creatures, for movement. Only he bird were visible, heir wings dark against the sky. Suddenly her eyes caught sight of something high above her. Her surprise unbalanced her and she ripped, only saving herself from a bruised side by twisting quickly and landing on all fours. She stared at he figure, then leapt and swung her way up to a rooftop a few yards from the other. Crouched and completely still she stared at the other intently. Only then did she speak. "Greetings" she said quietly so as not to startle the other.
Halicarnassus continued his silent stare of his world, green eyes unblinking only for a short while until they would close momentarily for the sunÂ’s attack. The master alchemist had noticed the othersÂ’ presence long before her own arrival, and a muscle in his neck twitched as he turned, at last, to meet her eyes with his own thoughtful orbs. <font color = #AE882C>"WhyÂ… hello."</font> He said a shrewd voice that didnÂ’t quite suit his features. <font color = #AE882C>"What is one so young doing surrounded by things so old?"</font>
She blinked slowly at his odd reply. "All youth need the knowledge and wisdom of their ancestors" she replied, tail twitching. She stared at the other 'dragon, who, with his dusty golden coat and gemlike green irises reminded her of a sandstone statue. "Although, honored father" she said, unconsciously reverting to formality "It seems to me, untaught though I am, that one such as yourself has no need of a search for hidden secrets in this place. Perhaps you are more of the one to give unto this place its knowledge?"
The judicious pendragon barely showed a sign of recognition at familiar words, but his voice blended fluently into her own as Halicarnassus took off where she had ended. <font color = #AE882C>"All youth need it, yes, yes… but few are willing…"</font> He finally looked upon the face of the talker who was, indeed, a mere teenager, with sharp, intelligent eyes and a lithe, traveled build, like himself. He shook his head sinuously. <font color = #AE882C>"Everything has a hidden secret – even secrets. Even the knowledgeable can’t find them without searching, young ‘un."</font>
"A secret's secret" Cricket mused, eyes alight with the prospect of it. A strange and rather evil smile stretched across her face as her quick mind began whirring with plans and ideas. She bowed slightly and said "Forgive me, I forget my manners. My name, sir, is Cricket. I'm a bit of a hunter of knowledge and" here her grin widened "Secrets. It's odd to find one such as you here in this old place." She rapidly changed the subject
Halicarnassus blankly observed the greedy grin on her features, but inclined his head in acceptance of her name. If anything, he suited his current surroundings more than anywhere else on Ramath – ruins and deserts and all things old and hinting secrets. <font color = #AE882C>"Why do you say that?"</font>
Cricket shrugged noncomitaly "You seem to be one who would mostly be found in an old library with piles of dusty scrolls and ancient tomes. But perhapps I assume." Cricket's tail lashed at her own stupidity at speaking what was on her mind.
Halicarnassus smiled. He was thin and sinewy; rather rugged and his bladed hair was exceptionally unkempt. A study would suit him as much as a fish would suit the sky. <font color = #AE882C>"ThatÂ’s age; only age. And if weÂ’re judging by age, you look like you should be at school."</font>
Cricket threw back her head and broke into gales of merry laughter. "I am a master of making myself look stupid" se said, wiping her eyes "I'm sorry I assume so much about you."
