<font color='#FFFFFF'>Out of Character I hate HTML. *eye twitch* In Character Pelt was thoroughly soaked, and Okkie trembled a bit as she watched Ghost hoist his thin body into the hole. His flame caused the small space to burst into tattered light, and ’Kie’s eyes reflected the burnished blaze as she finally climbed into the niche herself. The young male had chosen to press himsef up against one curved wall, so the female took the other side. Once there, she curled up into a tight ball, and then began to lick the freezing moisture from her fur. Her impromptu grooming was only occasionally interrupted as her icy gaze peered over to the small Ghost. “I know I don’t have to worry, but I am loyal and protective of those I have come to like,” she quietly stated when her wash was complete. She stretched out toes and yawned rather luxuriously, and she eyed Ghost with a coy light in her eyes. “I’ve become rather fond of you, Ghost. And I hope we can continue our adventure as soon as this storm lets up.” Laced ears flicked and Okkie craned her neck to peer out at the thrashing world beyond. The storm had reached a fever pitch, and limbs had been torn from their homes and sprayed upon the swamp grounds below. It was a rather awe-inspiring scene, and it was accentuated by a rather viscous grunt of thunder, which caused Okkie to yank her head back into safety. “Some storm...”</font>
<font color='#FFFFFF'><blockquote><center><font size=1>In Character Giving a wide yawn, Ghost shook out his pelt once more, though this time lightly as not to sprinkle any on Okkie. He found himself shivering slightly, though the warmth coming from the small flame on his tail-tip soon heated up the space nicely. Flipping his head to rid of the long, orange locks from his eyes, one of his paws, equiped with an extra thumb, began to paw at one small twig wedged between his other toes. Though it didn't hurt, the Nioti found amusement in flicking it back and forth. Finally, he easily tugged the stick out, licking at the spot before looking back at Okkie. "Well, thanks," Ghost said simply, quietly. He could have blushed under his navy fur, but instead grinned cheerfully at the female. "I was kinda hoping you would, as you're not too bad yourself." he was, of course, joking, though it wasn't up to him to make situations eavy with emotion. Truthfully, the Nioti adored this 'dragon's personality. Moving his gaze through the hole, Ghost went back to studying the rain. It continued to fall heavy, though he supposed it was only a matter of time before the storm let down and it would be safe to travel out again. Meanwhile, he was completely awe-struck by the lightning bolts, crashing through the evening sky. "Yeah... 'Mazing..." It was the simple pleasures in life that made it all worth while.</font></font>
<font color='#F8F8FF'><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:trebuchet ms;color:white">In Character Slippery rain drummed on the hollow tree, creating a slick of moisture down the bark. Okkie could see this at a slight angle from where she was curled up, and she idly worried about getting down once the storm had passed. She could only hope that she was able to spread her wings and glide down, and that the boisterous Ghost had a glue-like grip. Then again, ’Kie mused with a slight chortle, the ground was surely being churned into nothing but harmless muck right now, anyway. Should Ghost slip, he would tumble into a puddle of grime. Nothing dangerous. It might even be fun to the rambunctious fellow. Speaking of, the she-’dragon peered over at him as Ghost spoke fondly of the stormy scenery. His timbre was young and adorable, and the crescent on Okkie’s lips grew a little. The femme then emitted a purr and stretched once more, spanking her tail on the damp wood, and leaning forward to nudge her counterpart in order to steal his attention. “How about we tell stories while we wait? I have quite a few up my sleeve. What about you?”</span></font>
<font color='#FFFFFF'><blockquote><center><font size=1>Out of Character Wow, what a short post. X__x;; In Character Leaning his muzzle on the edge of the hole, Ghost smiled as the rain pattered roughly on his nose. Completely relaxed and at peace with the world, he found the sensation quite appealing. The coolness of the outside world mingled pleasantly with the heat from inside, and the Nioti shifted slightly, long legs stretching out beside him. They nudged at Okkie's chocolate pelt, leaving crumbs at dirt but nothing more. He grinned sheepishly, reaching idly over with a front paw to brush them away. He was usually nonchalant, yes, but could be careful at times. His limbs curled back towards his navy stomach, tail-tip flicking back and forth. The flame brushed against the damp wood walls, though didn't burn it. It was a healthy tree, though the storm had rendered it wet, protecting it from the fire - mixed, curiously, with copper, iron, and other metals. Glancing up as he, too, was nudged, Ghost peered at his companion, bemused. What a wonderfully spontaneous personality she had. "Stories? What kind? Like, campfire stories?"</font></font>
<font color='#F8F8FF'>Out of Character Short posts are fine with me. ^^; Hmn. Sorry about all the font changes. Just trying to decide what I like best. For now... I prefer PLAIN. Oo; In Character A rather ear-splitting crack of thunder bugled throughout the three-moon’d sky, followed by a luminescent flash of lightning. Okkie blinked in mingling surprise and awe at the magnificence of the storm; its volume and its shocking vibrance simply floored her. The cocoa pendragon then paused for a few seconds, suspecting another round of snarling thunder and whipping bolts of neon light. But nothing else came except the gentle pounding of rain as it thrummed against the bark of the tree, and normalcy was restored to the blue-eyed beauty once again. Okkie flicked an ear and turned to Ghost, who did not appear alarmed or worried. It figured, that he would leave all the fretting up to the young adult... Not that she minded! Just days before, she had been a rogue and a rebel, with only a few tight friends and absolutely no use for the young of the world. But, now, she realized just how strong her maternal feelings could be — and she definitely had some for the carrot-maned Ghost. “Yep... Campfire stories sound good, don’t they? Let’s make them both funny and scary, though. Okay?” Okkie cracked a rather viciously mischievous grin, and she wiggled a bit closer to Ghost. Her shark-like smile seemed playful yet menacing at the same time, and bladed tail began to tap-tap-tap against the interior of the tree. A spooky pattern if there ever was one. “Like... Once upon a time, there was a Nioti just like you. During a rather fierce storm, he holed up in a tree, and... BOOM!” Feathery, alabaster wings snapped open rapidly, brushing Ghost and completely swallowing the pair in pitch as one of the two wings blocked the ‘doorway’. An evil cackle rose up out of the darkness, accented by a modest peal of thunder, and Okkie’s blue eyes glowed laughingly from the shadows and shades. When she thought she had done enough, the femme-’dragon tucked her wings to her flanks again, still smiling rogueishly. “Did I scare yah?”</font>
<font color='#FFFFFF'><blockquote><center><font size=1>Out of Character Heh, me too. I'll be centered for now. O__o; In Character Flicking his ears upwards in the faintest trace of alarm, Ghost's wonderous orange gaze stared through the opening, completely awe-inspired by the flash of light as it forked its way through the blanketed sky. With black storm clouds looming treacherously through the night, the stars and moons could barely be seen. This only added to the spooky atmosphere that was screaming to be created as Okkie suggested stories. The Nioti would listen, yes, but at the moment was far too enraptured by the magnificence and volume of the roaring storm. His reply to the femme's first statement was a mere murmur of assent, before he stood slowly. The long, lanky male turned in a circle, before dropping gracefully and slowly back to the ground of the tree. He rested his chin back on the ledge. Ghost could definately say that the older 'dragon had some sort of effect on him. Mayhaps it was because she was one of the first he met on this world, but he found that he was drawn into some sibling-type of reflection. The boy grinned as she inched forwards, though soon after went into some trance-like unconciousness. It didn't last for long, however, as Okkie's comforting voice halted, and immediately became sharp, almost frightening, as she let out a voiced BOOM. This would have been enough to snap him out of his daze, if the room hadn't suddenly been engulfed in a forboding pitch of black. Giving out a startled bark, Ghost sprung to his feet, remembering to lower his head just in time before it crashed into the ceiling. Whoa, calm down now... It was just a story, just a trick... Hah, she fooled you, Ghost! He gave a sheeping grin, before lowering himself back to the floor. "Aw, c'mon. I didn't expect that from YOU. If it was someone else, why, I reckon I'd clobber 'em one on the spot..."</font>
<font color='#F8F8FF'><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:verdana;color:white"><font color="red">In Character</font> Ghost’s reaction was perfect. He had boasted earlier of being fearless, and Okkie had believed him — to an extent. Everybody had their triggers, as ’Kie had hers, and it only took a bit of experimenting to discover another’s. Surprisingly, this session of trial-and-error turned out to be not so erroneous after all. The panicky leap and the alarmed bark testified to this verity. And Okkie laughed as if to punctuate it. <font color="red">“Well, Ghost, I’m flattered than you’re not beating the fleece out of me,”</font> the femme said, chortling good-naturedly. <font color="red">“And don’t be embarrassed about it. We all have our moments, our weaknesses. I’d tell you mine, but then I’d have to kill you.”</font> Okkie snickered at this clichéd statement, then sighed with amusement. Her polar orbs smiled fondly at the young Ghost, and any observer would have known that the sibling-like affection was mutual.</span></font>
<font color='#FFFFFF'><blockquote><center><font size=1>In Character Ghost grinned stupidly, still a trace of embarassment lingering in his eyes. True, he had every right to be afraid, and especially so since it was only with Okkie. Yet this 'dragon seemed to demand the best in others and herself, and the Nioti didn't want to fail her. He almost blushed at her laugh, though thankfully, the colour wouldn't have shown through his navy scales. Instead, he stood up and tumbled gracefully over the female, nawing gently on her ear. His body should be nothing to her. "I'd never attack you," he mumbled through the fabric. "Embarrased? Me? Never. Even so, it's kind of hard NOT to be when little-miss-evil keeps laughin' at me," this was meant to a joking statement, but nevertheless, it did hold truth. "My, but you taste good." Yawning, Ghost peered speculatingly out the hole into the rain, his mind buzzing pleasantly. What was her worry? Maybe spiders. Spiders, that sguiggled around your paws, up your legs, through your ear holes and inside your brain... Giggling slightly, Ghost resumed nawing on her ear, but not before gently dragging his claw up her neck and prodding her earlobe with it. "Hmm... creepy crawlers in your eeaaarr..."</font>
<font color='#F8F8FF'><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:verdana;color:white"><font color="red">Out of Character</font> Sorry if this is short. I have to go leap in the shower sooner or later seeing as my parents are taking me out to lunch. And I keep looking over my shoulder because I just watched The Ring and I’m home alone... ^^; <font color="red">In Character</font> The glimmer of affection seemed to burn more brightly as the navy male flopped across the small space betwixt them and sprawled over her. The sentiment of teeth on her ear, quite a tickling sensation, caused her to giggle a bit, and she clouted Ghost playfully on his hipbone. But she allowed him to gnaw away to his heart’s content, despite — a liberty which few could take. It was his sweet nature and his young face, and the fact that he was growing on Okkie like a little brother. She had simply begun, without thinking about it or analyzing it, to adore the little fellow. <font color="red">“What do I taste like...?”</font> ’Kie wanted to know. Her tail spanked the bark of the interior, and she twisted a little so she could peer into his eyes. In doing this, she tugged her sculpted ear away from him. <font color="red">“I wouldn’t be too surprised if you started coughing up hairballs sooner or later.”</font> Just then, Ghost traced his talon up along the bone ’round her ear. This was not so enjoyable as the gnawing had been, but Okkie tolerated it for a few minutes with a tight smile before heaving herself to her feet and thrusting her head out of the tree’s hole. <font color="red">“The only creepy thing in my ear is your voice,”</font> the femme-’dragon teased a moment later, when she drew her cranium back in. <font color="red">“A voice which should relay enthusiasm when I inform them that the storm has passed, and the coast will be clear and ready for exploration in only a few moments.”</font> She smiled. Wickedly.</span></font>
<font color='#FFFFFF'><blockquote><center><font size=1>Out of Character Ooh, spooky. I haven't seen it yet. ^__^; In Character "Chocolate," Ghost stated ponderously, nipping affectionatly at the drool-covered ear. Snickering joyfully at it, the Nioti attempted to push it off with his tongue. It didn't work too well, though, and there only ended up being more than there was too begin with. Okkie didn't seem to mind, fortunately, and he was glad for it, drooping his head slightly, he pushed his nose playfully at her cheek, flamed tail-tip flicking back and forth happily. The boy appeared, and was, extremely attached to his sister-like friend. "You don't have enough hair there, anyhow." Whuffing softly as Ghost tumbled to the floor, he blinked up at the now-standing Okkie. Turning his head to look out the opening, the pendragon's statement proved to be true. Grinning excitedly, he rose to his paws, leaning his head out the gap. The lightning had stopped, but the clouds had parted, creating a new source of light: the stars and moons. A few moments... he couldn't wait that long, and was soon leaping out the tree, sliding with a joyful bark down the oozing mud. Finally sliding to a stop, he barked at the other - now a good several yards away. Apart from being rather muddy, he was perfectly fine. "C'mon now, c'mon!"</font>
<font color='#F8F8FF'><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:verdana;color:white"><font color="red">In Character</font> My, but aren’t we excitable, Okkie thought as Ghost leapt jovially into the oozing mud below. The femme, on the other hand, was not too crazy about leaping from the warm niche into a pool of thick, gooey swamp matter. So she stood idly on the lip of the hole, gazing hesitantly at the muck-painted male. Her bottlebrush tail twitched a few times, and then Okkie slung her slender bodice down from the roost. Her wings momentarily cracked open, and the pendragon banked. Then her spry mitts impacted the terra firma... if it could even be called ‘firm’. Her wings had slowed her down enough so that she didn’t splash in the swampy goo, but her spiced paws were immediately soiled. <font color="red">“Well, isn’t this pleasant?”</font> Arctic cobalt orbs grinned at Ghost as Okkie lifted a paw. She examined the filth, gave it a sniff. Her dramatic grimace illustrated her opinion on its stench, but plume stirred, anyway. It was apparent that the cranks were turning in her mind in the most calculating and mischievous ways. <font color="red">“What do you say...”</font> Okkie said curtly, <font color="red">“...to a little game of dodge-the-stinky-swamp-goo?”</font> The youthful StormWing had decided that getting muddy was inevitable. Especially since their aim was to explore further into the swamp... So why not have a nice mud fight to save them time and grief? Hehe...</span></font>
<font color='#FFFFFF'><center>In Character Excitable he most definately was. Bounding joyfully through the mud-caked land, Ghost was once again trotting this way and that, in addition to slipping and sliding. In his mind, the layer of ooze only made things more fun, and couldn't understand why Okkie was so reluctant to come play. He giggled quietly when the older 'dragon came floating down neatly, trying to avoid the inevitable for as long as possible. She was like a royal princess, or a very classy lady, trying hard not to get her dress wet in case the prince was turned off. "I think it's wonderful," he quipped, plopping down to his haunches as he stared happily at Okkie. His behind was immediately soiled. Ghost grinned at the disgusted look on her maw. <B>"Aw, I bet it's not that bad."[/b] He held back the playful urge to call her a wimp. That soon disappeared, however, at the suggestion of a game. His beam brightened, as he galloped over to Okkie, halting suddenly. Clumps of mud flew everywhere - looks like he was already playing. Jumping back to his feet, Ghost ran a circle around the female, before galloping away. Ooze splashed at every step, dooming every clean thing in reach. "Come catch me!"</font>
<font color='#F8F8FF'><span style="font-size:8pt;font-family:verdana;color:white"><font color="red">In Character</font> The winds still whipped the trees with the last of their bravado, and cracks of thunders pealed in the distance. But the lightning had faded, leaving the three arctic moons alone in a cold sky. And now the intense darkness prevailed instead of the lashing storm. It was more still, quieter. Save for the squelching of eight paws in the mud and Ghost’s voice, this particular region of Manik would have been as silent as... death. A murky, muddy tomb. How fortunate it was that Ghost’s persona kept the cloaks of unknown at bay, Okkie thought. His movements illustrated puckish enthusiasm, and his tail burned brightly as he trilled. The light that his smile gave off choked the darkness, and made fear freeze in its tracks. Not that she would have minded a little visit from the crypt or a sinister adventure involving the binds of fear. Nah, she wouldn’t have minded these things, but for now, having this childish and impish playmate was much more appealing. Distracted web of thoughts was shredded when Ghost pounced forwards, circled around Okkie, and then went bounding away. ’Kie was left in the shadows of midnight, alone. She smiled eerily for a moment, enjoying this small taste of fearsome solitude. And then the she-pendragon bolted off after Ghost, putting her speed skills to the test against his. <font color="red">“You can run, but you can’t hide!”</font> the banded femme called out as she loped. <font color="red">“Because I am the one that exterminates the sun. Slipping through the trees. Strangling the breeze.”</font> She snickered darkly, keeping her tempo up. Not even noticing that she was covered in smelly filth, and virtually alone in the heart of Manik.</span></font>
