OOC: Who: Sabato Teslo When: Dyo 1, 81382; about midday Where: The base of Daiima BIC: Sabato, having just finished a mild warm up, stood up and took in a deep breath of air as he looked up at the towering giant in front of him. The flora, also known as Daiima, was gargantuan in size. According to what Sabato had read, the tree extended about one mile up into Ramath-Lehi's atmosphere. Fortunately for Sabato, he didn't intend to climb to the top--just partway to the top. Why didn't Sabato just simply fly up the tree? Sabato had come to climb this tree as a form of training. Climbing this mammoth without the use of wings would undoubtedly help anyone develop great upper-body strength. Sabato, however, intended to keep his wings loose, lest he fell while he was climbing and needed to save himself from an untimely death. Sabato picked up two giant metal spikes on the ground, each about two feet long. With these, he would climb. Strapped to the bottom of Sabato's boots were additional spikes to help him grip the tree as he climbed. Sabato walked up to the tree. In some ways, he felt as if he was walking up to a wall instead of a tree. Sabato walked along the base of the tree until he was directly under a large branch. The branch was about ten feet above the ground and was wide enough that he could easily stand and wait on it when he reached it. From there, he would search for his next branch. Sabato put his right hand above his head and slammed the spike into the tree with all of his might. About four inches of the spike sank snugly into the tree. Sabato slowly lifted himself up, using the bottoms of his feet to walk up the tree somewhat. Sabato then proceeded to jab the stake in his left hand into the tree. After doing so, before pulling himself up any more, he tugged hard on the spike in his right and and managed to free it from the tree. He then moved up and repeated the process with his right hand. In this manner, Sabato slowly but surely worked his way up the tree. --- Ten minutes later, Sabato had nearly reached the first branch he had started climbing for. Already, he felt some weariness in his arms. Pulling himself up was difficult enough, but the process of pulling and re-inserting the stakes into the tree made the climb much more difficult. Sabato's wings fluttered slightly, almost instinctively, trying to give him some lift. Sabato halted himself from "cheating" and stopped climbing altogether. He couldn't afford to cut corners. He had come here to train. --- In the next few minutes, Sabato had managed to work his way up to the branch on which he pulled himself onto and sat down to rest. His method of training was slightly more difficult than he had anticipated. Sabato's breathing was heavy. He turned his head to look up for the next branch. There was another branch a few feet over and seven feet up from the branch he was currently sitting on. That one wouldn't be too difficult to reach... As Sabato rested, memories from several days ago flushed through his mind.. "You've been slacking off too much... We can't allow you on the team... You'd be more of a liability than a help..." Sabato had asked to come with his siblings on a bounty. They had refused to take him. He had been too inactive lately and a portion of his strength had dwindled away. Everyone knew it. All of his siblings had been scolding him for such a long time for his laziness. Then, all of his sluggishness had caught up to him. When Sabato asked Kama if he could attend a mission, Kama, who was weary of Sabato's inactivity, had asked Sabato to run through a physical test to determine Sabato's strength. Sabato had failed. Being denied the opportunity to help his siblings with an assassination was bad enough, but then Kama had begun to harshly rebuke Sabato. Perhaps Kama was trying to help, but his words had cut Sabato deep. The next day, Sabato informed his siblings that he intended to leave for some time to rebuild his strength. Sabato now found himself climbing a monstrous tree. Training for many days in this manner would help to restore him to his former power. Sabato got back up. He was usually light-hearted, but today he had his game-face on. He was determined to train himself and get himself back into good physical condition. Sabato stood on the branch, mentally preparing himself for the next climb.
<table width="90%" style="background-color:#83A500; border: #6C8600 2px dotted;"><tr align=right><td> <font color=#F3AA00 face=Optima size=3> Zirrus.... The Shy Beauty</font></center> <table style="background-color:#FFFFA2;" cellpadding=5 width="100%"><tr><td> <font style="color:#2D5500; font-family: verdana; font-size: 8pt;"> Loosing track of time seemed to be the only thing she was capable of doing. She hadn't attempted to get towards any sort of school or administration of the lands but she found herself near a gorgeous point of the lands. The stone wall was covered in healthy vines with many leaves coming from them. Walking slowly each foot stepping into soft grasses she could hear something going on within the fortress. It was gigantic and she was just itching to find her way inside to explore. Being bored from wandering around so much without a destination she really needed to start to find her own place in this world. The land was always changing and taking her to new places but it was time to get a grip on reality. There were unusual plants within the large stone structure that she could see from just outside a small entrance. What was this place and why had she come upon it. It was beautiful but sure to have many secrets and possibly a terrible past. Walking quick she just kept as quiet as she could while sneaking into the structure. Shifting her eyes around the entirety of the inside she could see something climbing up one of the strange plants. Catching herself staring at the figure she just hoped that they couldn't see her looking. She crept closer to the inside wall to attempted to get closer. Walking upright as she was able to shift from form to form; one leg after another walked closer and closer until she was nearly 15 feet away from the stranger. Why was this person attempting to climb these strange plants. They appeared like morphed tree's but they kept her attention keen. Sitting down not far from the one the stranger was climbing she figured even if she caught his attention it's not like he is going to just drop what he is doing and soar down to meet her. She was nothing special and most thought that on first glance. </font> </td></tr></table> </td></tr></table>
Sabato, unaware of his being watched, started to climb once again. This time, however, he started with his left hand. He began to pull himself up someways and then plunged the spike that his right hand was holding into the tree. As he withdrew the spike that his left hand was holding from the tree, he began to pull himself up. However, soon after, he noticed that the spike in his right hand was not secure enough to hold his weight. The metal pole began to slip from the tree, and before Sabato had time to react, he began to fall. He first hit the branch he had just been standing on, and then he fell from it down towards the ground. Sabato quickly spread his wings to try to catch some air and slow his sudden decent. He was only somewhat successful. Sabato managed to guide his fall so that he landed feet first, but he still had too much momentum and his feet gave out from under him. Sabato landed on his back and was looking straight up. He saw brief flashes in his vision and heard ringing in his ears as he breathed quickly and heavily. His heart was already beating faster than normal during the climb, but the adrenaline shock to his system from the fall had spiked his pulse and his breathing rate. Sabato did not move for a few moments, but instead looked around with his eyes as he waited for himself to calm down. When Sabato started to move, he first moved his arms. Then he slowly sat up. He looked around for the spikes he had been holding early. He did not spot them, but he did notice another sitting dragon--wearing a mask. The sight of another wearing a mask instilled some fear into Sabato. Assassins normally wore masks. Perhaps while Sabato was recovering from his terrible fall, the masked dragon would get up and attack and kill him. Sabato painfully scrambled to his feet and faced the stranger. "Wh-who are you?" asked Sabato, panting a bit. He couldn't think of anything better to do. If this stranger was here to take his life, he would find out soon enough. Even though Sabato's feet were somewhat in pain, he braced himself for any possible attacks, whether they be physical or magical.
She saw the 'dragon fall from quite a height up in that tree. Her first impulse was to run over and tend to him but she didn't know how well that would go over. Most didn't make good impressions of her at first meeting. She would remain low to the ground in hopes that he wouldn't even notice her there. She wanted to stay out of sight and just observe. Not wanting to run in there and cause any problems it would be best for her to rest this one out until he took first glance at her with a strange look in his face. This made her become quite uncomfortable to the point where she just froze up and sat there. Folding her ears back against her dark head she was speechless. Then he decided to speak to her and she was then again put to the test. Something about the way he spoke to her made her feel as if he was terrified. This was definitely not the impression she was intending to give to him. Just another stranger Unsure of how to respond she just made it brief not giving out too much information but still giving somewhat of a response to him. She slowly stood up; nearly hitting her head off one of those strange tree like plants. Taking a couple steps she figured she would take it slow since he seemed as if he was embracing for an attack. This could also be his way of showing that she was not welcome here and would be attacked if she came any closer. Tugging at her scarf putting it over her face a little more she kept a close eye on the stranger ensuring that he didn't get to close while still looking hostile.
"Just another stranger." Sabato gave a half-hearted smile at the comment. If this "stranger" was an assassin, she was taking a lot of time before making her strike. Sabato thought about what to do next. Perhaps speaking would help bring light to the situation in which Sabato found himself in. "Well," he spoke up loosening his body posture into a more affable pose. "my name is Sabato. I was climbing this rather large tree when I accidentally slipped and fell." Sabato looked around as he continued talking. "I seem to have lost the two metal stakes I was using to climb the tree. If you happen to spot them, it would mean a great deal to me if you could return them to me." After finishing speaking, Sabato's half-hearted smile blossomed into a full smile. Openness towards strangers was a characteristic of Sabato that separated him from the rest of his siblings. This masked newcomer, although suspicious, was certainly not planning on causing Sabato any harm; thus, Sabato was more than happy to introduce himself and make a new acquaintance. If any of his siblings were around, they might reprimand Sabato for being too careless and open. Sabato excluded such thoughts from his consciousness. He enjoyed other's company and he especially loved to talk. Sabato sat down in front of the thill. Whether or not she chose to sit as well was irrelevant as far as Sabato was concerned. He was more interested in having a chat before deciding whether or not he would try to climb in his slightly injured state. Although Sabato had previously been in a very intense mood, the arrival of company caused him to shed that state of mind. Sabato believed that those around him were more important than his own tasks and things to do. This way of thinking was another characteristic that set him apart from his siblings. "So, eh, you can sit if you'd like--what is your name?" Sabato, a little to eager to communicate with this stranger, verbally stumbled a bit. However, he recovered and pushed forth another question. "What brings you here?"
She nodded and listened to the other 'dragon speak to her. She was really intrigued by this one and thought it would be most interesting to actually have a conversation with them. Smiling back she thought up of what to say to his lost spikes. <span style='color:orange'> Of course I would return them to you. If you'd like I will take a look around here before I venture off. </span> She was being honest and she wouldn't steal them from him as she had no use for the spikes. He offered her a spot to sit with him and talk. Of course she would take up anyone on this offer. She had no where to go and nothing that she had to do. Right now she was just trying to fit into her new life and find some new friends to pass the time with. Listening in to his questions she had to come up with what she would respond with. Not wanting to give the stranger a bad impression of herself or push him away. <span style='color:orange'> I am Zirrus. Pleasure to meet you. Might I ask you of your own name? </span> She was terribly curious to find out who the stranger she came across called himself. He had been climbing up very high which really impressed her. He was in tip top phsyical shade which was also impressive. Sitting down slowly it was awkward for her to speak from such a high level while he was resting on the ground. This made her feel a lot more comfortable than before. <span style='color:orange'> I haven't been here for too long. Just trying to find my way around these gorgeous lands. </span> She smiled to him waiting for a response while shifting her eyes around the area. Always worried about others.
"I am Zirrus. Pleasure to meet you. Might I ask you of your own name?" "My name is Sabato," replied the arden to Zirrus' question. He debated whether or not to give his surname, but decided not to bother since Zirrus had not given her own surname. "I haven't been here for too long. Just trying to find my way around these gorgeous lands," spoke Zirrus after sitting down by Sabato. "A lovely thill wandering in these 'gorgeous lands'..." Sabato, his voice drifting somewhat, grinned shyly at his own comment. However, he continued speaking so as not to allow a lull in the conversation. "The trees are much bigger than I could have imagined, though." Sabato motioned to Daiima which was behind him. "I mean, I had heard of the large size of Daiima for a long time, but when I actually saw it with my own eyes, I was quite surprised.." Sabato paused briefly before asking another question. "Enough about me, though. Where are you traveling to?"
ooc: sorry about the wait. crazy stuff going on irl. ic: She was beginning to enjoy speaking with the stranger. They seemed very interesting once the awkward meeting took place. The stranger was clearly male who was in tip top shape. Zirrus sort of envied the stranger but would not let this be given away by her actions. She smiled and listened as he spoke to her and make sure to keep eye contact. She was always one to be well mannered and properly behaved. I am not sure where I am going. I tend to keep drifting from place to place. Some day I will find myself a permanent home. She felt odd talking about it but she would answer any questions they had to for her. She was normally open to others unless it was a very sensitive subject. What about you? Where are you from? She didn't really have anywhere that she came from; as she would just keep going from place to place.
A half-hearted smile appeared on Sabato's face as he heard the questions; he looked to the ground in front of him. The questions reminded him of his siblings and why he had taken this trip to train with Daiima in the first place. Without knowing it, Zirrus had disturbed a wound that was still healing. A part of Sabato wanted to leave the subject alone and make up something, yet another part desired to be truthful with this thill. You couldn't lie to friends--well at least to those whom you were trying to befriend. "Well..." Sabato let out a breath of air. He looked up from the ground and off into the forest as he continued. "I study at an academy called Janardan. You might have heard of it.. Anyways, I have some relatives, well siblings actually, who also attend the academy with me. A few days ago one of my brothers became angry at me. We.. quarreled a bit." Sabato's brow furrowed and he brought his left hand to his chin as he thought of a way to communicate without giving away any important secrets. "You see, I had been procrastinating some things that I should have been doing. As you can imagine, my brother was pretty angry with me. He was depending on me." Sabato dropped his hands into his lap. "After all was said and done, I came here. I guess partly to spend some time reflecting--think about what was said. Ya' know?" Sabato turned his head towards Zirrus with a bittersweet smile. He shrugged.
