<font color='#00FFFF'>Day : 23rd Month : Tria Year : Year 81377 Character: Estrella Esthete / / Â Normal Text : Thoughts : Speech Estrella shivered slightly as she took another step, her paw contacting the the frozen ground once more. She hated the cold. Why, oh why, did I have to choose to come here?! No wonder these parts are called 'Bedlands': One must be mad to want to come and live here ! She took another step and added, mentally, Well now, how could I forget? I am mad. She smiled grimly at the sarcasm and made her way to the frozen lake silently, concentrating. After having finished the food supplies she had brought along from Ajita (dried reyhant meat strands) , a couple of weeks back, Estrella had carefully studied the little fauna that lived in these lands. She had come to the conclusion that her only source of food would be the fish that lived in the lakes or the Phocidae. She had also understood that one had to be very careful of not being noticed by the dangerous Ursidaes. She had seen one of those great beasts attack one of the native Pendragons once, had tried to save him, too, only to find that it was too late. She had then ran as fast as she could, disguising her odour with one of the few spells she knew. The natives left her alone and didn't seem to want to have anything to do with her, except the first few days when she had managed to tradesome of her supplies for phoridae skins and meat . That had suited her fine since sheh ad come to live a hermit's life anyway. She couldn't believe her luck. In front of her, a mother phorcidae was playing with her four cubs. One of her offspring was playing a little further from the ret and seemed to be chasing some small rodent. The mother didn't seem to care, or notice. Estrella crouched, waiting for the right moment, hoping nothing would obstruct her hunt.</font>
<font color='#FFFF00'>Out across the snowy land a smaller of an pendragons bounces about in the snow looking for a quick and easy meal. Shakes her head and growls as she continues to search until she comes to the iced lake and looks out onto it, noticing the family of phorcidae playing about on the ice. I wonder if that would be good enough to feast upon or not? Licks her lips slowly and moves out onto the ice, gently paddling her way over to the small family so not to scare them away. The small brown and black spotted dragon digs her claws into the ice as she picks up her pace in to a jog. The mother phorcidae looks over towards her as she comes towards the family then turns and begins to force her cubs away. The young and small dragon begins to give chase after the few as they ran away from her.</font>
<font color='#728FCE'>~Xia~ The family of phorcidai seemly housed themselves around a particlar mound of snow. It moved slightly as the pendragon underneath stretched her legs the best way she could under fifteen plus pounds of snow and fatigue that only comes from waking up in the early of the day. Noone seem to noticed the slight movement of ground and the surrounding resident returned to their playing. Dreamless, but comformable, Xia slept comfortablely ignoring the rodent as it climbed on top of her invariably followed by the ever curious phorcidai pups. Â Eventually, their prey gave up trying to use the mound as a speed obstacle and run off to evade the pups by some other means... * Rhys? Her vision was barred by an unatural light. The shadow of a pendragon stood there as if it didn't heard her. Its violet eyes glows mysterious down at her, before he turned down to leave her...it walked away It is you...Please stop.. The emigimous pendragon obeyed her, and Xia rushed towards it....but even when he stopped, it seem that he was only moving father away as the she-dragon ran closer. She finally caught with him, and open her mouth to speak-- * Something hard shoved against her side causing her to wake up from her dream, then someone's trot almost hit her in the head if it wasn't for the snow shielding. Xia rose out of her icebed, foreleg before hindleg, and shaked the snow glitter in her mane. Then, she was able to finally glimpse on what was going on. The phorcidai used her a hurdle once again...this time one trying delay the advent of another pendragon. Xia let out a yawn, "It's too early..." She has yet to regain her bearings, watching the chase as its continue at a distance, then towards the lake of ice where the phorcidae mom hoped to allow her children to escape into the hole in the ice.</font>
<font color='#00FFFF'>Estrella was just about to leap and catch the phocidae pup/cub when it suddenly ran frantically towards it's mother, as if sensing a stranger's prescence. She cursed silently as she shook off the icicles which had formed as she had waited. She came out of her hiding place, wondering what in Fronima could have scared her lunch. She growled menacingly as she saw the other two Pendragons. How dare they come and steal my lunch from me?! Have I not come here to be rid of society? Why are they here anyway? Can't one have some peace and quiet? She walked down slowly, showing off her the powerful muscles of her massive legs and arms towards the closest 'dragon. As she approached the blueish silver femme, she bared her already partially visible canines and said in a would be menacing drawl: And may I know what you think you're doing here? You and your little friend have spoiled my morning hunt. She had assumed that they were together, lone pendragons were rare in these parts. Pfft, tourists ... she mumbled quietly.</font>
<font color='#FFFF00'>Qamu came back over the frozen lake with one of the phocidae cubs in her jaws. Leans her head back as she comes out onto the ice, happy with the kill that she just made. Opens her eyes suddenly to the sound of wandering voices out towards the center of the ice and noticed the three dragons. No! Why are there others out here in my world?! I was the only one here for weeks, but now this! Qamu glared at the three and troted over to them then stopped a few short feet. Drops the baby phocidae from her jaws and gave a commanding growl to be noticed, as if she was a alpha female. "For weeks on end without sighting of dragons andd now this?! To comeout here and escape the troubles of urban life! But it looks like the trouble came to the Badlands after all...", looked to the angry female and back to the ones lying in the snow then growled again.</font>
<font color='#728FCE'>And here I thought no one sense enough to come out here of all places...An flush of anger rose in Xia due to her wakeup with was both unwillingly and impudently, she has sense enough to make her tone collected even if there two females growling at her, "Believe me, I do respect your right to being alone..., but only as much you respected my sleep." Saying that last part in a restrained frustration, she glared at Qamu, making it known that she unaffected by the oncoming and declaration of dominance...Xia was now pretty sure that she was the one playing a very bad game of leapfrog with her head, but she was willing to shake it off. Two days of sleep wasn't going to cripple her, although she was intending to rest for three. Predicting the extent of Estrella's patience, she spoke in a calming manner as she began tugging the fur cloak from underneath the snow with difficulty, "... I have been here in the same spot for two or more so days and those phocidae done playing here long since... they have been undisturbed by my presence." Xia lifted her forepaw, testing her pulse and strength, which were both to a death-like torpid during her pronged rest. She frowned slightly that she hasn't recovered for her hibernation but would recover very quickly than someone who have attempted this cold sleep for the first time... With one final strong tug, Xia pulled the furs free. Her gauntlets rolled out the pile of snow but not her supply bag, in which Xia was relieved, No need to reveal all my belongings to possible bandits Although she have no trust yet for the two strangers, she felt the need for confiscation for their part . . .she just hoped that she was lucky this time. Being itinerant most of her lifetime, she has always insured a second source of food was possible. Before the two ominous pendragons were to say anything, she trotted closer to the lake edge and uncovered the net painter with her nuzzle. Anchored to the ground by a hard ice block enchanted by magic and coated with a slow dissolving solution of rock salt, the rope loosen from ice around it, which slowly closed the noose at the entrance of the fishing screen suspended deep underwater, but then Xia began to realize that the net was heavier than usual. By Fronima, the harrua grain that native gave me was more effective than I bartered for. "A little hand?" She asked the pendragons from the distance, somewhat forgetting their discourtesy.</font>
<font color='#00FFFF'>Estrella glared at the newcomer, snarling. And you think I'm happy to see the both of you? I thought i'd find some peace and quiet in these parts, and I did, until now. Not only have you troubled my wonderfully solitary life, you have also made my lunch run away. And now you, little one, you dare scold me? She was not angry with the blueish grey Pendragon anymore and instead focused her wrath on Qamu. She then heard Xia ask for help and muttered what seemed to be a "sure..." before joining her. She grinned as she saw the fishing screen. Fine catch you have here. Very good fishermen these natives are, hmmm ? Do you see them often? She began, trying to sound a little nicer. It had been long since she had talked to other of her kind and even longer since she had said something nice. She then went to the other side of the net and began lifting.</font>
<font color='#FFFF00'>Qamu dropped down onto her hide quaters and glared at the two as they worked the net out of the water then looked away shaking her head. Unable to come up with words for a come back to what Estrella said she just set there quitly looking at the dead phocidae that she managed to get with a clear sweep. Sighs and closes her eyes slightly thinking to herself about what brought her all the way out here in the first place, but just then it hit her. Being rushed out of her village do to the fact that she was fairly different from the others. Why does stuff such as that always happen to me...? Frowns slightly and grabs up her small prey into her jaws then drags it off to some remote area so that she could hide it for later feasting. Buries what she need to hide the phocidae then returned to the lake's frozen edge to watch the others. Better off just to stay away from them and not to bother them anymore then I have all ready.</font>
<font color='#728FCE'>OOC: I'm only assuming a place as to where we are on the map. Sorry, I'm tired to try to proofread any of this. It's 4 am "or some unknown force of fortune.." Xia smiled in turn, but suddenly recletched her teeth hard against the weight of the net, which was hoister more easlier by Estrella. The ice cracked and gave to the joined strengh of the two pendragons, after several heaves...they both began to see a fin splashing vainly in the hole. The pair pulled it until the melony of fish were away from the lakes edge. A majority of the catch was stretching the net wide as a single fish, almost long as her, brought out enough exertion to frustrate the both of them. Estrella had to hold the net while Xia approached it timely, slashing at the blood vessel underneath its gill, but not before it tried to gore her with its horn but clashed with her out-growing spur around her ankle. After a few minutes, the fish gave up the fight, flapping its fin weakly on the ice at the prompt of death. Since it was safe enough to remove the net, Xia sorted though the pile, taking the one that were purple at the fin, as they were poisonous when killed, gently in her mouth and toss them back in the water. As she was doing this, she answered, "From what I have seen and heard, hunting is more their forte. Fishing to them is more like a hobby, and like such they find ways to make it better. Southwise, they are nomadic mostly keeping themselves out of sight to those that are different like myself and those rare ones that would deal with me once. Not sure about twice..." By that time, she cleared the dangerous ones out of the pile. The rest were just typical fish found in any freshwater lake around Ramath-lehi along their king, which was a rare sight to catch using a net or grain bait for that matter because it was a carnirvore...it probably was trying to feast the smaller fish before getting itself caught. On the large fish body were three smaller green fish attached to the body. Xia smiled at the sight of this. Those fish are bottom-feeders with a high salt content, and when blanched with lake water slighty... it's rumored to be very tasty. The high salt, though, could keep her blood from freezing during her sojorn to D dangerous northern peaks.. Xia took those, without saying a word, laying them on the lining side of her furs, along with four moderate quality of normal fish and ignore the largest. Such a big fish...no, greed would be my undoing. "Other than the high hills to the northwest, the company thins as you go north, and for good reason. Tempertures can get unbearable the more you go north,east, or both. I, for one, don't mind the chill." Xia rolled her chosen fish load into the furs and tied it together with a twine. She snapped the gaunlets back to her forelegs and returned the fur back into her supply bag, "I'm taking a trip there and should get to another lake halfway by a two-day no-end*...then it's a straight forward to walking around the gap of ocean." Xia tried to laugh at her over-achieving, but fould that she couldn't get any futher than a cheerful smile, "It's very obvious that you want to be alone, and I don't mind that need. You can have 'tau rjaucaj'** over there as well the rest of them...I got what I need." *that means that she would travel non-stop without sleeping **Ramatian for 'sea breaker' It's a rare term used to describe a very angry large fish</font>
<font color='#00FFFF'>Estrella listened intently, it had been so long since she had heard the voice of another pendragon... Xia's voice was somewhat comforting, and Estrella now realised that, though she had never wanted admit it, she had been terribly lonely during her self-imposed isolation period. Unlike most of the pendragons she had met, Xia didn't seem to be scared of her and did not frown or look disgusted when she looked at her ugly physique. For a moment, she envied the pendragon in front of her. How she should enjoy travelling again... But I must not trust ... I must not be tempted. The last time I tried to socialise, it all went wrong... And I ended being all alone, hurt even more severely than before. No, I musn't, I just can't. But could she stand living alone again and never hearing a pendragon's voice again? Could bear the harsh conditions forever? Yes, I indeed enjoy my solitude, She lied, Life is quite .. Err ... Pleasant in these parts She said, trying to convince herself more than anything. As if to prove her wrong, a strong gust of wind came over her, shilling her to the bone and causing her to sneeze. So... You intend to go on this ... Trip ... Alone? Wouldn't that ... Mightn't (is there such a word? nm) that be ... Dangerous?</font>
<font color='#FFFF00'>Qamu listened from afar away from the others then smirked slightly as she set there. Why would she go to all the trouble of heading out deeper into the Badlands, I mean there is creatures out there far bigger then any dragon. Shook off the fact that she was worrying about the other dragon that was going to be heading out so far without company. Licks her lips a bit then looks down towards the icy surface of the lake as a small fish swam beneath it.</font>
<font color='#728FCE'>"Yes, unfortunately. It is because there are very few of me that would dare to go there..." Xia put bluntly, but it almost sounded the completely the opposite, "If it comforts you, I have prepared this journey for a season and if I don't do it now...I may not get another chance." Predicted by observing the travel and hunting route of ceretain ursidae in this area, temperture in the mountains would be at their highest if that were possible. The secrets there could be buried for another twenty years if she did not act, but she more surpised that another pendragon was concerned although not admitting it and a unique build of one for that matter. Xia has accepted to the difference of others a long time ago considering that most judged her to cold-hearted by her usual expression, but what always angered her was that most would feared something different to them rather than revered them. "I'm ugly to you, what makes you to me?" a wise dragon living around her home told her when she was few hundred from being a hatching--a result of others mocking her somewhat primitive look as a child. Most of many she met has never been cared that she would one day died on one of these expedications while some cared only for the information she recovered. Now, she have kept her sojorns to herself only revealing much to the higher in rank. Get that thought out of your head, Xia. It would motify you much to put another in danger just to have some company. "Something tells me that you haven't long..."Xia whispered without noting that either one of them would have heard her, but she dismissed herself to cover up the urge to invite them, "I should get going. You two take great care of yourselves...btw, you two are quite an interesting pair of a wakeup call. I hope that I'll lived though this enough to see you again." With that, she trotted away before either one of them could keep up or stop her. I won't get them involved..not in this.</font>
<font color='#00FFFF'>/You know you want to go./ NO I don't ! /Yes, you do .../ Estrella was no used to speaking to herself and didn't find that a bit strange as she hadn't seen another of her kind for such a time. /You'd better ask to accompany her, go on./ NO. /But you don't like living here./ But I don't want to impose my prescence, maybe she does want to be alone. Well, you'd better not complain when she's gone. She was about ot say something when Xia went away. Forgetting that she had sworn never to be friendly or over communicative with others she ran up to the silver blue femme and was soon catching up. Wait ... Do you mind if I ... Ugh ... Come with you? Well not for the whole journey but, hmmm ... For a while? I don't actually like this place. I need to get away from here . You seem to know what you're doing and  I know I wouldn't last very long alone.</font>
<font color='#FFFF00'>Qamu shook her head and sighed softly as she turned away from the two as they leave. "No reason to be an trouble for them anymore." Walks back into the snowy wasteland and vainshes as the winds begin to pick back up. ooc: No reason to remain in a thread that I wasn't ready for! See'ya -_-;</font>
<font color='#728FCE'>OOC: Okay, let's see what I can do in twenty minutes or your money back ^_~ I hope this is alright. Snow swifted off the back of her blulish-silver fur as she sped off in a sprint hoping to get a pre-emptive in her dissappearing act. Xia turned her head whist running looking back as the two becoming blur..from blurs became shadows...and from shadows...nothingness. Xia slowed her pace to walking, nodding her head discerned, then look back once again to see that noone has followed her..With that she turned back to the direction she was to travel, pacing herself to a treking walk. Just then she spun around, Estrella caught with her. Listening to the request made Xia sighed. In one hand, she wanted someone to come along. On the other, she wouldn't want someone life on her conscience, but it would be that way whether or not she would say yes. She would be more safe to come with her. If her knowledge of travel doesn't improve Estrella, the teleport tunnels that can be found during the first and a half of day will. "Alright..." Xia said with a caring expression, "but promise me one thing." "There are some traveling tunnel around two days in this direction. If you feel that you can't hold out the rest of the way, go there and to friendlier lands."</font>
<font color='#00FFFF'>Estrella stopped in her tracks when she heard Xia sigh. So she didn't want her to come afterall. Congratulations! You are officially a FOOL ... But thats not news. She was about to scream at herself again when she heard the blue femme's answer. Had she heard right? She listened carefully the request, thought it over alittle, though she had now knew her mind was set: she was going. - I promise. She said as loudly as she could.</font>
