the most beautiful time of day [p]

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<blockquote><span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:verdana;color:silver">Out of Character
Private for Ghost.

Current Day ; 48.
Current Quarter ; Mia.
Current Year ; Year 2.

In Character
To Okkie... there was nothing more awe-inspiring than the approach of dusk... even daybreak did not rival the hours of encroaching darkness. It wasn’t the bleeding paints in the sky, nor was it the insignia of clouds which scudded by sluggishly, their bellies splashed with effervescent dyes. It wasn’t the way the luminaries seemed to shift beyond the realm of vision, and it wasn’t the beauty and grace that a star-peppered firmament offered. For the femme of caramel and marshmallow pelage, it was all about the waning light and the cackling shadows, the unknown surfacing, and the dreadful, grievous fear. Not hers, mind... but everybody else’s.

Okkie had always been a rather dark creature, though she did have her lighter moods. This particular pendragon also had strong beliefs invested in justice.  For example, she delighted in bloodshed, but only if it culminated in a meal, or if it was done out of defense. Senseless, sporty murder was tasteless to her. Therefore, as long as it was the night, and the unseen and nonexistant horrors, that invoked sentiments of fear, she did not feel guilty for enjoying it. In fact, Okkie relished in the senselessness of fear, and how most creatures harbored it for no reason whatsoever. Why fear the night, anyway? It was the most beautiful time of day.

“It certainly is,” the cocoa pendragon remarked, as if replying to her thought cycles. “Especially here. In the mucky swamps, surrounded by unseen beasts. And with the hazards of nighttime hanging over my head...”

She smiled rogueishly. The young StormWing had chosen tonight to visit the swamplands of Manik. For what reason? Simply to feed off any fears of her own, and perhaps because she had a certain taste for danger.

Would she find it here, beneath the eerie glow of the two intact moons, and the grisly remains of the third?</span></blockquote>​

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<blockquote><span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:verdana;color:silver">In Character
’Kie elevated her skull a little, not only to scent the sudden, new breeze, but to enjoy it as its fingers weaved through her silken scruff. It was very cool, and it contained a myriad of smells, the predominant aroma being that of the swamp. Her snowy white wings also rose a bit, primaries spreading beneath the scanty illumination from the three moons, and they, too, rustled in the rejuvenating breeze. Though a bit stinky, the zephyr felt absolutely marvelous, and it thrust Okkie into something of a lucid reverie.

But her cloudy mind’s eye swiftly cleared when a rather potent odor struck her moist nose. Okkie swiveled and peered up, icy blue eyes searching. It was not long before she spied a pair of vibrant eyes, and the tip of a fiery tail amongst the branches of a tree — the source of the close scent.

The female pendragon watched as the other’s lips moved, and her chiseled ears hoped to pick up what it was saying. But the other’s lyrics were lost on the ever-strengthening gale, and so the banded creature did not hear what the pendragon had to say. Her only hope was to yell up a rather loud “What?” in vain hope that he would at least hear her...</span></blockquote>​

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<blockquote><span style="font-size:7pt;font-family:verdana;color:silver">In Character
Hackles prickled slightly as the she-’dragon observed the other’s antics. First, he narrowed his eyes, as if to mock the winged Okkie. Then, he tumbled from his roost with a yelp, and it was her turn to make fun. Though, she was somewhat disappointed to learn that the male — he was now easily identified as such, and it was also simple to see now that he was very young — was uninjured. Nonetheless, Okkie smirked demonically into his smiling facade.

“Hello to you, too, oh graceful one,” Okkie chortled. “You are an amazing flier, did you know that?”

As if to mock him even more, Okkie further opened great white aerial gear. Her feathers spread against the inky blanket of the night, and their marvelous breadth was highlighted by the milky rays of the moon-trio. Tail, bladed and spikey, also lifted, to complement this bravado, and then the pendragon dipped forth in a luxurious curtsy, icy orbs always dancing.

“Nowhere near as good as I, but I guess I’ve had more experience, eh? And my own share of falls.” Now, her humor was much less sinister, and she pawed forth to nearly meet noses with the young male. “Falling teaches us many lessons, but we must never be afraid to try again. You aren’t afraid, are you, Mister...?”

There, she trailed off. Perhaps he would supply a name. And he would probably behave boldly. Insist that he was unafraid, even of the dark which now curled around them both like a slumbering panther...</span></blockquote>​

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<font color='#CCCCCC'>Okkie could not suppress a grin as the younger pendragon spoke with unchained enthusiasm. Her ears had to pin back slightly because of the growing wind, but she could easily hear his youthful timbre cleaving through the blustery shadows. She could also see the rampant, curious glow in his feiry orbs, and the flame at the tip of his tail. Though tonight was not an agreeable night, the banded she-’dragon managed to catch most of what the navy male had to say, and she also noticed the majority of his excited body language.

“Yes, it’s pretty windy out tonight, eh? Even the best of gliders will have trouble sailing through the skies this eve.” Polar orbs graced the sky, as if Okkie expected to see a daring pendragon swoop overhead. If that was the case, she was disappointed. But no traces of such could be found in her expression as she turned back to the other. “I fell quite a bit when I was learning. I wasn’t born with these, and it took a while to get accustomed to them.”

’Kie smiled, twisting her cranium around to peer at her glossy aerial utensils. They shimmered beneath the dusty light of the three moons, and the zephyr briskly brushed them. They would be tousled quite a bit by sun-up, but that was all right... She never was one to mind getting sullied.

“Steering clear of injury is indeed a good thing to do, as is staying away from fear. There is nothing to fear but fear itself.”

As if complementing — or maybe testing? — her statement, a rather vocal skeekipper leapt from the brush. They were only on the precincts of the swamp, so the little maroon creature had to rely on its single lung as it crept towards the pair of pendragons. It was male, easily identified as such as it had a magenta crest, and it seemed bold and fearless, and a bit stupid, as it inched close to the wary predators.

“Did you flinch when he suddenly leapt at us?” Okkie inquired, peering hard at the navy-and-orange male. “Because if you did, I don’t think you are ready for what I’m going to propose. However, if you did not even blink as that hideous beast bounced from the shades, then I suppose you would like... to join me on an exploration further into the swamps?”

The intrepid female smiled slyly, and prowled towards the mucky edge of the swamp. It would be wet and it would stink to high Fronima, but it would be dangerously fun. She looked over her shoulder to see if her counterpart was interested, and to check if he was afraid.

“Come with me if you would like to join me on a frightening quest... But first, what is your name?”</font>

 

<font color='#CCCCCC'>“Well enough,” came Okkie’s reply to the comment on her flying skills. She exposed ivory daggers in a coy smile, once again fluttering her wings, and then added, “I can also manage well on land, as you can. I know you’re truthful... You look like a speed demon.”

This wasn’t senseless flattery. While Okkie resembled Earth’s wolf, Ghost had the build and the obvious athleticism of a cheetah. He was thin, but fit, and his physique glowed with robust health. Should they get into a race, sooner or later, the young adult knew he posed quite a threat to her own sharpened talents in running.

Her thoughts soon swung back to the skeekipper, and Okkie eyed it warily. By now, it was completely aboard the terra firma, and he was peering at the two pendragons balefully. The chocolate she watched him for a moment from her position near the swamp’s edge, and, with a mere flicker of a tail, pounced. Her fangs slashed into course flesh and pierced the sweet, pink meat inside the shell of leathery skin. Blood spilled across her paws and she pinned down her pulsating prize in order to clean the rinds of her impromptu kill from her muzzle.

“Ah, I knew all along you were the fearless type, Ghost. I’m likewise fearless. No sense in that stuff, you know? Shaja et myshemd sy vauj ros vauj estalv.” As she spoke, Okkie nonchalantly pawed her quarry. “And I can see now that you’re just as prepared as I am to venture into the heart of Manik.”

The winged creature dipped her muzzle towards the chunk of meat she had torn off, and she devoured it instantly. She then kicked the remainder of the carcass over to Ghost, smiling.

“Here, Ghost. Strengthen up and fill your belly before we go. And the name is Okkie.”</font>

 

<font color='#CCCCCC'>The young adult smiled quietly as Ghost spoke, ears lazily pinned and bottlebrush tail swaying. Before, she had always thought of herself as a mindless rogue, pretty much a typical teenage rebel. But here, she seemed to herself to be elegant, and polite, and her mannerisms towards the navy male were courteous bordering on affectionate. How things could change, from one day to the next.

Blue globes observed as the other mouthed the meat and shyly tore off a piece. Okkie watched as he chewed it for a while, but she turned away after a few moments to survey the swamps. Her shaded hues scrutinized the viscous liquids and the unique plants that bejeweled the environment, and she completely missed as Ghost dribbled his meat. Not that it would have offended her — waste was never truly waste if other creatures would come around to clean up the slop.

Folding alabaster wings, ’Kie turned back to the younger ’dragon. “You didn’t eat much, eh? Oh, well; not all of us enjoy midnight snacks.”

She shrugged with a small smile, and then, without a word, began to wade into the swamp. Her wings, already tousled by the gusts of wind which were now at their peak, would become quite soiled by the muck and grime here in Manik. But she didn’t care. A little exploration would turn up many surprises, and they might even have a chance to face danger. It would all be worth the filth in the end.

“Coming?” Okkie called absently, peering over her shoulder momentarily, before advancing into the ominous swamplands...</font>

 

<font color='#CCCCCC'>Out of Character
Replying at school... lmao.

In Character
Okkie shrugged caramel-laced shoulderblades as the youth shared about his small appetite. It did not bother her that he had only shared a petite piece of her kill. Just as long as he was satiated and raring to go. Just as long as he had enough energy and fuel to keep him alive on this little quest...

As the navy-and-orange pendragon flanked her, the female grinned. He was young, but handsome. Hyperactive, but cheerful. He was definitely hard not to like... and Okkie felt herself developing a sort of sisterly affection for the young male. It swelled even more as he leapt ahead, bouncing and traipsing like any excited little kid would. It made the femme pendragon feel like a chaperone; she was responsible for his health, and it was also her job to make sure he had a hell of a time.

“Don’t get too far ahead, Ghost," ’Kie called. “Wouldn’t want to get gobbled up by a mutant skeekipper, would yah?"

She laughed, heartily. And then trotted onwards.</font>

 

<font color='#CCCCCC'>“Oh, most are... but I’m sure there are exceptions.”

Bladed ruff rippled in the gusty breeze as Okkie threw back her cranium and laughed. Laughed at what, exactly, she did not know. Something about this little venture was filling her up with bubbly merriment, and it didn’t take much of a trigger to tumble the dam and unleash the slew of giggles and chortles. Maybe it was Ghost’s sprightly and optimistic ‘vibes’ washing from his spirit to hers, infecting her with a jovial sentiment. Or maybe the night truly thrilled her, through and through... Especially what with this spooky, potentially dangerous wind storm kicking up.

“And though you may not harbor fear, you should definitely keep your guard up. Who knows what lurks in these swamps?”

By now, the nimble-pawed she-’dragon flanked her navy counterpart. Their gaits were pretty much even, because she was slight for her age, and both seemed to smile through the night with piercing, glowing orbs. Stride onwards, they did, tails erect, one pair of wings whipping and sighing in the nightly wind...

“Hold up. Did you hear that?”

Okkie froze instantly, nares jolting and polar orbs glancing around. She had definitely heard the impact of a swampy squelching, and something told her a new, perhaps threatening entity was not too far off...</font>

 

<font color='#CCCCCC'>Okkie would have snickered aloud at Ghost’s silly antics, probably would have asked, ‘Did you have a nice trip?’ — except that she had not noticed the young male’s tumbling. Instead, the femme’s searing hues were locked upon the surrounding environment, and her hearing was attuned to its finest pitch. Ears pivoted loosely in their sockets; the female listened raptly after each swivel. She strained to hear something, anything... Even an echo of the crack she had prior heard would do. But nothing gave. And her eyes, sharp enough to find a needle in the corner of a pitch-black cell, could find no disturbance amongst the flailing foliage and the eerie blackness. There was nothing, nothing. No evidence at all that something else was out there.

“It was a hollow cracking sound. Like the sound a carnivore makes when it chews on a bleached bone...”

Bladed tail flicked as Okkie eased some of the tensiono out of her stature. Her ears were still pricked, and her globes flicked cagily about, but she was less aloof now. The disturbance, if it had ever been, was now gone.

Crash!

This time, the source of the sound was more evident. The atmosphere above the pair of pendragon suddenly roiled and pitched, and snapping echoed. What she had heard was in the distance — a far-off cry of thunder. Now, it was right overhead. It clapped with awe-inspiring ferocity, warning whomever was below to seek shelter, and to seek it fast.

“Whee! Well, I guess I know now what I heard... And I also guess we should find a safe place to shelter ourselves until the storm passes... What do you say?”

’Kie peered at Ghost, smiling intriguingly.

Out of Character
Someone shoot me if there is no thunder on Ramath. oO;</font>

 

<font color='#CCCCCC'>Sickles of lightning tore like knives across the sky, carving forked ribbons of cunning voltage across the sable firmament. The stark beams highlighted the treetops which were bending in the thriving wind, and thrashed like agitated vipers to the background music of pealing thunder and yelping wind. It all made for quite a fearsome scene, but Okkie kept her cool as she scrutinized the fervor of the storm. The creaking trees and the biting wind and the blinding creases of illumination did not disconcert her so much as worry her. Ghost was her charge right now; she had to seek out shelter in order to keep them both safe and dry.

“Come on,” the femme shouted to Ghost, who was prancing about, looking simply enamored by the abrupt storm. “It’s just not safe here. What say we find a nice niche to hole up in? We can watch the storm from there.”

Okkie folded wings tightly to backbone, and turned her chiseled skull into the storm’s fury. Water was beginning to fall in heavy droplets, and it stung her eyes and her face as she traipsed against its slats. Ears pasted over crown, and she hoisted her wings up the tiniest bit, to offer some shelter. But this blocked her view of her navy counterpart, and so ’Kie withdrew her gear to keep one of her icy, polar orbs upon the frolicksome youth.

“Over there!”

The caramel ’dragon’s declaration was sudden, and she did not wait for Ghost to look or to reply. Okkie simply broke into a healthy gallop, veering left and right around obstacles in her path. She cleared a cluster of squeets afloat in a growing puddle, and then she firmly landed, peering straight upwards at what was definitely an out-of-season rojtsemd yjumda sjaa. It was hefty and its girth was enormous. And, most important of all, it had a large hole dug into its trunk, into which both pendragons could easily climb.

“You first,” Okkie said, turning concerned gaze to the young Ghost.</font>