Searching

<font color='#FF0000'>Day:31
Month:Tria
Year:81377

The raven colored pendragon leapt over a large machina. He was searching for anything useful in his travels. But with no such luck. After his stay at the temple he decided to continue his search for anything useful in life. If only he had someone to travel with. That was a somewhat new concept to him concidering tha he has been alone all his life. But something was in the air. He recognized this smell. It was the smell of....change.</font>

 

<font color='#FFFFFF'>OOC:

Yayaee Yaee
2300, Female
Empathy (J)
Interrogation (J)

IC:

Yayaee nudged a metal pipe with a sage-toned forepaw, and it fell off of the heap of scrap machina with a series of clinks and clanks. The uncovered scrapped parts weren't much more useful, though, so she walked to another heap, her fluffed tail swinging idly. Her emerald pools observed the waves of the ocean of steel, but none caught her attention. Everything here was useless. Completely useless. Quickly she exhaled through her obsidian nostrils, a quiet snort of frustration.

On this fine day she was looking for a flying machina, possibly a machine with flapping wings or perhaps one that utilized the power of rockets, but her findings so far had been nill. She had grown tired of seeing other pendragons floating high in the sky, and she walking, tired and wandering, on the cold hard ground. Life would be so much easier if she could fly, but alas, it didn't seem that she would be so lucky...

All of a sudden, something caught her emerald eye. It was an obsidian-hued pendragon, far off in the distance. She shook her light viridian-scaled cranium to get locks of spun gold away from her optics, so that she could better see the creature. It was unmistakably male (that she could tell from the way he thought - any empathist knows that males deal with emotions much differently than females), and seemed to be anticipating something, but wasn't sure about the specifics. The way he just wandered... why was he here? His presense was purposeful, but his intentions were unclear...

Yay padded nearer, keeping behind heaps of machina to keep out of his sight. She knew there was no reason to be watching him, but she let her curiosity reign free after the frustration of hours of searching through piles of junk. She peered out from behind some sort of machina that had the basic anatomy of a pendragon, but couldn't see the male for the reflection of the sun on some scraps. Her eyes started to water and she had to squint, and finally she ducked back behind the robotic 'dragon.

Why was she hiding? That was such a stupid thing to do. In her opinion, she was acting like a loser. So she stepped out into plain view of the male, who was now only about twenty yards away. If he had seen her, he would think her positively dotty, but if he hadn't, perhaps they could search through piles of useless junk together and not be so incredibly bored.

"Um, hello there!" she said loudly to catch his attention. "What are you doing out here?"</font>

 

<font color='#FF0000'>Tobias was stared into the sky and wondered what to do next. Perhaps a search from the air would give him better luck. He unfolded his wings, each one longer than his own body, ready to soar. Suddenly a fellow pendragon and perhaps a fellow searcher came into view. She greeted him loudly. He folded his wings and and padded to halve the distance between them. He sat and tried his best to hide the natural glare of his eyes so he wouldn't seem threatening.

His response would be somewhat rude but he stated it in a quizzical tone to try best not to offend the young female.

"Would it really matter in your life weather I was here or not? Would it change you in some way if I were here searching for anything of use or just here for a stroll through the scrap heaps? Would you be changed if I introduced myself or if I just flew off and never said a word? But no matter what I do it will affect your thoughts and your thoughts will affect your actions. The thing is, is that change is inevitable. But I still have trouble finding it. So that is why I am here, I am here to find change. Allow me to introduce myself and change your life forever. For who knows where you will be if I don't and yet who knows where you will be when I do. I am known by very few as Tobias Rakash. And the rest know me as a stranger in the dark. Pleased to meet your acquaintance. May I ask your name?"

He smiled to himself satisfied with his quiz. Tobias was stared into the sky and wondered what to do next. Perhaps a search from the air would give him better luck. He unfolded his wings, each one longer than his own body, ready to soar. Suddenly a fellow pendragon and perhaps a fellow searcher came into view. She greeted him loudly. He folded his wings and and padded to halve the distance between them. He sat and tried his best to hide the natural glare of his eyes so he wouldn't seem threatening.

His response would be somewhat rude but he stated it in a quizzical tone to try best not to offend the young female.

"Would it really matter in your life weather I was here or not? Would it change you in some way if I were here searching for anything of use or just here for a stroll through the scrap heaps? Would you be changed if I introduced myself or if I just flew off and never said a word? But no matter what I do it will affect your thoughts and your thoughts will affect your actions. The thing is, is that change is inevitable. But I still have trouble finding it. So that is why I am here, I am here to find change. Allow me to introduce myself and change your life forever. For who knows where you will be if I don't and yet who knows where you will be when I do. I am known by very few as Tobias Rakash. And the rest know me as a stranger in the dark. Pleased to meet your acquaintance. May I ask your name?"

He smiled to himself satisfied with his quiz.</font>

 

<font color='#FFFFFF'>Yayaee eyed the stranger named Tobias curiously. She was not impressed by the way he weilded his tongue. Too many words for such a simple concept. Did he think her ignorant? Did he think her such a lowly, uneducated creature that she would not understand the idea of universal cause and effect? She studied him, her empathetic mindset alerting her that he felt smug, satisfied with his wall of words, and a sly smile sat on his lips as he finished. Unfazed, she unleashed her own tongue, and spat out her own quiz on which for him to ponder.

"Would it matter in your life if I had ever existed? Would it change you in any way if I had never been born, or born under other circumstances? Perhaps if my scales were orange, or if I was a male? Of course it would. The Universe is a series of reactions, a chain of them. Without reaction, there would be no action. Everything that has ever happened has affected you, me, and everything that has ever existed. Change has been upon us, change is with us now, and change will always be molding us. You have no trouble finding it, for you are changing right now, as we speak, as we move, and as thoughts pass through our minds. I am also here for change; I'm here to find wings for myself. It is a rare treat to meet one as contemplative as yourself, Tobias, and yes, you may ask my name. Allow me to exist and have changed your life, change your life now, and change your life forever more. I'm known to quite a few as Yayaee Yaee. And the rest don't know me in person." The last several sentences were spoken with just a hint of sarcasm, mockery of the raven and winged pendragon. Two could play the condescending game.

Yayaee realized that he must have assumed her ignorant by the way she alerted him to her presence. The simple and frankly blunt "Um, hello there" had not been graceful or impressive. But it would have done in most circumstances, most meetings between two 'dragons. This Tobias was simply showing off to an intellect he thought lesser than his own. Yay herself did her own share of showing off at times, but only when it was appropriate. She knew better than to make enemies at first glance. Perhaps this "stranger in the dark" did not.</font>

 

<font color='#FF0000'>Tobias stood contemplating the female pendragons tone, words, and eyes. He thought to himself, Perhaps she mistook my playful mood for smug. Perhaps she mistook my philosophical side for thinking her ignorant. Then again perhaps I have it all wrong and she is just moody. Only one way to find out though. Maybe I'll be blunt this time.

"I do not know for sure why you just took that tone but I didn't mean any harm by my previous statements. You see I am not looking for change that can take place by seeing the color of eyes or the size of a scrap heap or even the words one might speak. I am searching for in life. Total change actualy. Change that one might not find everyday. The same change you are looking for. Your desire to have wings and to fly is a desire to have emence change. I asume that all your life you haven't flown. To fly now would change your life signifigantly. It is my belief that you wish to be free. Free from gravity, free from scorching winds, and freedome to soar with the cool winds of the great sky. I hope you find your wings. I hope you gain your freedom."

Tobias paused for a long moment. Thinking if he should follow his gut or his mind. Then he decided.

"The best way to make our hopes come true no matter how big or small is to act on them. Allow me to help you find your wings. I will ask nothing in return. I might have been a bit rude earlier and I apologize. I've tried to stay in a good mood today as much as I possibly can. I'm just looking for some intelligent conversation. You seem to have your wits about you and a sharp tongue. Those are good qualities. We got off to a bad start. Perhaps we can start over? Will you allow me to aid you in your search. I am feeling a bit bored searching on my own."

Tobias continued to analyze her eyes. He thought she looked a bit irritated. Hmmmmm, flattery is the greatest weapon. He is not in the mood for a fight today, but if must defend himself then he must.</font>

 

<font color='#FFFFFF'>Yayaee's mental projection of herself grimaced, which is to say that if her thoughts came together to form a creature that looked just like she did, they would be grimacing. She felt that this Tobias wished to discontinue the argument he had had unwittingly forced upon him, but his tongue felt that it had to have the last word in. He looked to be older than she, but less experienced in social arguing, or at least less experienced in handling those who are at least as intelligent as he was. She wanted to scream YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING YOU HAVE EVER SEEN, DONE, HEARD, THOUGHT, OR KNOWN IN YOUR ENTIRE EXISTENCE! but, of course, she prided herself on her ability to know when things have gone too far, and her ability to bite her tongue and give it hell if it decided it wanted the last word.

And then he acted as if he knew her so thoroughly as to make assumptions about her reasons for searching for wings. He was not entirely wrong in his guesswork, but it still irked her that he would assume her greatest desire after less than a minute's worth of conversing. Yay wondered if this Tobias was an empathist, but she knew he wasn't; he seemed as if he'd be impervious to others' physical pain. He was large and looked quite strong, very much the opposite of herself. Perhaps he was a telepath. She had no idea, but in case he actually could guess what she was thinking, she took a moment to think very hard at him: You talk too much for a stranger on the road.

But enough with thinking at him, these were times for audible words. "All is forgiven, Tobias, and of course I will allow you to aid me in my search. After all, they say 'many hands make light work,' and all my life I've never heard an argument against it."

Yay knew he had been flattering her about her wits and her tongue, and she was not at all unappreciative, yet she knew the strategy of buttering up a customer to get on the right foot or the right payroll. So he wants to make up, she thought to herself, keeping her mind well hidden in case he was a telepath, then why does he continue staring into my eyes like that? He seemed to be going about a search of her emerald pools, though she knew not what he was looking for. But he wasn't going to find anything. Females, being natural telepaths, learn all about guarding their thoughts and emotions. Even a male telepath by trade will never be as adept as a female, especially a female empathist.</font>

 

<font color='#FF0000'>Tobias stood for a moment. Until he realized that he had been silent silent for far to long. Or maybe, he thought to himself, I could be in silence. He stopped trying to pry into her mind to far for he did respect peoples privacy. Besides who is he being a male to try to compete telepathically with a female. so he then uttered voice of thought.

I sense something in you but I can't seem to figure out what. Do you think I am lying when I say I expect nothing in return. I just the want company which goes along with me helping you. Of course payment would be expected in an economy where trading and dealing go hand in hand with life and death. I choose to offer my help for free for reasons I am not sure of yet. I may ask you for something later but it would make no difference to me what you choose to do. If I act on what I am thinking, and I wouldn't doubt if you knew what I was thinking, then you could choose to reject and we would go our separate ways and I would accomplish nothing and you would have your wings. If you wish I won't even act on what I am thinking. Perhaps I am giving to much away but like I said it makes no difference to me.

He stood again in physical and mental silence. He then realized that his wings were unfolded and he was still ready to take flight. He could leave her and not be bothered with free labor. But he had already offered a helping hand. And he is of his word. He rested his wings once again. Not sure if she heard his thought speak given that he hadn't communicated in this fashion in ages so he stated a proud voice.

"We'll search by land then."

After all he always tried his best to be proud. Even if he has nothing to be proud of he is happy with himself. He believed that dwelling on weakness takes your attention away from improving your strengths. He stood waiting for a response then he would contemplate on what to say next. After all he expected an intelligent conversation with those twin sage orbs.</font>

 

<font color='#FFFFFF'>Yay heard loud and clear Tobias's telepathic lecture. Frankly, she was frustrated with this strained conversation, sick of it, wanting nothing more than for both of them to break free of their shells of mystery, to admit that either they were both right or both wrong. She was tired of being serious, of both of them trying to get the last word in, of lecturing back and forth. His arguments were getting more and more vague even after she stopped trying to argue altogether. So she chose a simple one-sentence answer that she hoped would stop him after this, his most recent lecture about his nameless intentions and the pleasure of her company and so on. She'd rather ignore it than respond at this point, since it wouldn't amount to anything anyway. They could both suppose what they wanted to suppose. But it would be flat-out rude to not answer. So she thought, Whatever floats your boat, Tobias.

Out loud she took on a different character, as did he. At his suggestion of searching by land, a sly grin crossed Yay's face. "I don't see any other option," she said with a laugh, flapping her nonexistent wings. It was not the pure laughter of a child, though, it was the seductive laughter of an adult female. To charm him into friendliness would be the easiest path, she knew, but he did seem to respect her intellect, which was a surprising sensitivity in males nowadays. But regardless of the easiest path to friendship, she was at a loss, unknowing of how to start a weight-free conversation with this shadowy character.

So she thrust her paw into a towering heap of machina. Scraps and pieces of rusted and random machine parts rolled off of the metallic hill, clanking towards Tobias. Her emerald orbs scanned the pile, but nothing there was of any use to her.</font>

 

<font color='#FF0000'>Tobias took a moment to think on her response. She seemed to think him ignorant and insignificant. He thought silently to himself. Whatever floats your boat? What kind of response is that? I tried my best to be respectful and she comes up with "Whatever floats your boat"  I try not to dwell on things but that was sure intentional disrespect. I should fly out here right this moment. But again I am a dragon of my word. Besides she seems interesting. And who am I to try to figure out a female.

He rummaged through the scrap heap. He in a slightly friendlier tone to lighten the mood.

"We'll get you flying in no time. I wasn't really looking for a flying machine but I think I spotted something useful about a mile west of this spot. Care for a walk?"

He padded over to towards the direction of a trail leading to the machine. He stood tall waiting for her to join him.</font>

 

<font color='#FFFFFF'>Yay could taste the offense Tobias had taken to her argument-ender. It was a salty and unpleasant feeling, grainy to the touch. She realized he'd wanted a battle of wills, so to say, or at least a controversial conversation, and he was disappointed that he wouldn't get one from her. But she didn't want to argue, at least not right now. A friend or an enemy - Tobias would have to be one or the other - and the way to the less preferrable one was through disagreement.

But he was still being quite friendly outside of his thoughts, and Yay watched as he nodded in the direction in which he thought he'd seen something "promising." As if a mythical reference, the vast fields of metal had been slightly parted to create the idea of a path. It could be more considered a groove, but it would certainly be much easier than having to pick your path slowly through the often sharp-edged machina scraps.

"Something useful?" she asked, obviously eager, as she waded towards him. "Like what?" She pestered him, anxiously, as she waited for him to lead the way to what could possibly be the freedom of flight.</font>

 

<font color='#FF0000'>Tobias began to walk down the path expecting her to follow. He was surprised that a fight hadn't erupted due to the rocky start. But he can't complain.

"I don't know if it is of much use but as I was walking I spotted a pair of mechanical wings out of the corner of my eyes. Perhaps if it is some sort of flying machine we can take to be repaired. Do you have anything you can barter for the service of an engineer?"

He stopped and waited. Tobias thought that it might be time for some casual conversation.

"If you don't mind me asking why exactly do you want to fly? In case my assumptions earlier were incorrect."

Left with nothing else to say he continued walking.</font>

 

<font color='#FFFFFF'>Yay followed Tobias through the parting of the metal seas, padding silently behind him. His voice rang out in answer to her question: "I don't know if it is of much use but as I was walking I spotted a pair of mechanical wings out of the corner of my eyes. Perhaps if it is some sort of flying machine we can take to be repaired. Do you have anything you can barter for the service of an engineer?"

"Oh absolutely," she replied simply. She didn't go into the details at this time, because her mind was on other things. On wings. On flying. On three hundred and fifty nine directions in which someone following you could be lost. She wanted to jump up and down and hug Tobias, but she realized something in what he said. A little detail that changed the entire image. It was a proper noun, and most would have let it slip. But Yay couldn't. It was the word "we". We can take it to be repaired, he had said.

Yayaee's mind reeled. We?! How attached does this guy want to become? What the hell is wrong with him? But not wishing to go into the subjects, she reluctantly let the "we" slip, writing it off to herself as a spoken mistake.

Then for seemingly no purpose, the ebon' pendragon stopped walking. Yay stopped abruptly, waiting for him, when he started to speak. "If you don't mind me asking why exactly do you want to fly? In case my assumptions earlier were incorrect."

She worried silently. Why did he care? He had just offered to help her look for a machina; he hadn't offered to pry into her life and dreams. If he had, she wouldn't have accepted. Instead of bringing up an argument about his nosiness or actually correcting his guesswork and answering his question, she said with a shrug, "You just about hit it on the head earlier," and followed him once more as he resumed walking.</font>