<font color='#FFFFFF'>Quarter: Tria (Summer) Day: 23 Year: 81377 (3) Ooc: Anyone welcome to join in, in fact it would be nice if anyone did. Ic: Incendi scrambled up the rocky escarpment easily, slim hard body finding the biting cold to be rather amiable. Miska on the other hand, had practically buried himself in her ruff in an attempt to keep warm. She knew the spitting tmuka would be fine for now, if a little more sluggish than usual and if the temperature dropped further she would start a fire. Incendi glanced around, studying the landscape. The zero degree weather didn't phase her a bit, in fact she found it rather comfortable. It almost reminded her of the homeland she left long ago, just warmer. Miska complained about her choice of adventures, why couldn't she have gone to the desert or some nice warm place? Well why did Miska chose to come along if he was going to complain so much? Incendi glanced around and spotted one of the many caves in the area and padded inside where the temperatures were more favorable to the irritated tmuka. She spotted a pile of wood off to the side, probably left over from a previous fire. Or maybe it was just placed there for emergencies or travelers who needed it. Indeed the floor was charred from many fires. Incendi piled up a few dry branches and concentrated, eyes flaring a brilliant red from their usual gold as a fire came to life. Miska extricated himself from Incendi's fur and curled up by the fire, warming himself.</font>
<font color='#810541'>OOC: He he   Try to bare with me. I'm new at this. Very cool character by the way. Ohand I dont know how to even get a page for you to look at "Storms" profile if you wanted too. Right now its on the top of the Characters Profile Forum though. IC:   Tired as she was Storm still managed to leap up the nearly vertical rock wall to the cave she had made her home in the cold barren landscape. Her dark colouring, although not really meant to act as camouflage, especially in a land of ice and snow, did a surprisingly good job against the backdrop of the craggy mountainside.   Finally on the ledge that signaled "home" Storm dropped her catch and lifted her head high to take in a large whiff of the clear air... or what should have been clear air.   What the...?   The short hairs along her back stood straight on end and her ears flattened slightly against her skull. Thick in the air was the scent of a fire and underlying that another pendragon.   It figures! Only I could manage to find someone else all the way up here. An entire mountain range and they decide to stop in at my cave!   With a deep sigh Storm picked up her catch and made her way into the cave, careful to make a small amount of noise as to not startle the current occupant. Whoever was in the cave would have to move over or fight. The sun was falling and with it the temperature. There was no time to gather wood and find another resting place.   Storm stepped into the light of the fire which highlighted her blue and golden coat and changed her eyes from the normal fiery red to a softer red-orange. There, basking in the fires heat was not one being but two. The pendragon was a female and looked fairly young but had an aura about her that spoke of a great age. Her companion, a fairly large spitting tmuka lay stretched out, absorbing all the heat it could.   Storm stood there waiting for the pendragon to make the next move.</font>
<font color='#FFFFFF'>Incendi continued to stare at the fire, watching the various hues of red and orange along with the occasional blue dance and shift over the charring wood. She heard the other pendragon coming but loudest were the thoughts and feelings of possession about the cave. But Incendi sat still, offering only a brief glance from pale gold eyes to the stranger to indicate that she knew about her presence. She had never considered herself polite, amiable sometimes but never polite. Unless her use of flattery to try to manipulate others could be considered polite that is. If the stranger just stood there then Incendi would do nothing, there was plenty of room where Miska lay basking if he moved. Why do I have to move? The tmuka was giving her a rather vile glare from his position by the fire. She ignored the glare as she answered him Because I don't feel like moving. The only thing Incendi could see to be gained was the meal that the stranger had, but Incendi wasn't particularly hungry and Miska had already eaten. So, with nothing apparent to be gained, she just closed her eyes and continued to bask in the heat of the fire. She may have looked inattentive but she knew something, and that something had served her well in her life. There was always something to be gained, as there was always something to be lost. So she listened for a while before deciding to lose her patience and to break the silence broken only by the flickering flames. "Are you going to just stand there, niotie, or are you going to come further into the cave where the wind can't get you?" Incendi realized that she soundedÂ… what was the word? Rude. Almost rude. But she didn't mind. And if the young stranger was smart she wouldn't mind overly much either.</font>
<font color='#810541'>OOC: Thanks Spectra for the character link in my signature. Appreciate it! IC: Storm was quite startled at the bored, yet slightly insulting tone the older pendragon had used to address her and wondered as to what exactly she had been called? Niotie? She didn't know the meaning, but judging the context she was pretty sure it wasn't a pleasantry, nor a polite addressment. But no matter. She had a feeling that this was one was individual she would rather not mess with which suited her quite fine. Storm was too tired to make a big deal about name calling especially when she didn't even understand what she was being called. Not to mention she had felt... something pass between the old pendragon and the deadly tmuka. She had never heard of a "dragon" and animal being able to communicate to each other, but then again living in solitude meant she didn't hear much of anything other than birds. Something else that suited her quite fine. Storm shook the thoughts from her head, quite literally, and walked farther into the cave, keeping an eye on the pendragon and kept a generous space between the tmuka and herself the entire time. Grumbling Storm settled down on the far side of the small cave and began to eat her catch. She didn't bother offering the strange pair anything in a childish attempt to get even for the rude comment. Finally, once full, warm, and a bit embarrassed at her own child-like behavior she spoke to the older pendragon in an airy, offhanded, tone that held only a trace of her curiosity. "Sooo... who exactly are you anyway and what are you doing all the way up here? Drawing or something? There are some really nice views. Your not some run away from the Graders or anything right? I dont need any trouble. Got enough problems as it is. She paused for a second and shrugged. No reason to hold back her questions. She didn't think the pendragon would be answering her questions anyhow. In fact it didn't look like she was paying any attention at all. Did she fall asleep? Storm shrugged again and continued rambling on. Well in any case if your wondering my names Storm. Storm Al'thera actually but the last name doesn't mean much anymore... you can just call me Storm. I've been living up here for awhile now. Its nice and quiet. A bit to cold for me though. She thought for a sec, once again becoming quite protective over her cave. Are you leaving in the morning? I can show you some nice hunting grounds if your hungry. Oh and whats with the Tmuka? Is she a pet or something? Never seen anyone with one before. As far as I know they tend to like to stay by themselves... Finally trailing off Storm watched the pendragon with curiosity and a not just a bit of apprehension. She took a quick look around the cave, thinking of anything else she could ask the pendragon and twitched her tail, its long end hairs arched in the still air as an uncomfortable silence settled. Uncomfortable for Storm anyway who continued to shift her weight on the hard floor.</font>
<font color='#FFFFFF'>ooc: niotie means young female pendragon... like kid or girl... can also be used as an insult. my charry can be so mean ic: Incendi gave Miska a brief glance as Storm came to join them by the fire, or at least inside the cave. He gave an irritated hiss and coiled himself just a little closer to Incendi. Incendi yawned, basking in the flames and settling down, ignoring the stranger for the most part, that is until Storm broke the silence. Incendi cracked open an eye and quirked an eyebrow. She didnÂ’t see any real problem with the questions, so when she felt that Storm had finished asking, she answered. "I'm Incendi Thurin. I tend to wander looking for work." She smirked at the question about the graders. "As for the Graders," she nearly spat the words out, "I have no need to run from them. It doesn't seem that cold up here, at least not to me. Almost comfortable in fact. Miska is my companion, he decided long ago that he wanted to tag along. They are rather intelligent animals, I find them to be smarter than a few pendragons I've met. And as for the morning," she shrugged, "I'll do whatever I feel like doing. Now that I've answered your questions, what are you doing here all alone?" Incendi was curious. She couldn't see any significant reason for Storm to stay here. There were equally beautiful scenes to be found elsewhere in the world, why stay here all alone? Incendi toyed briefly with the thought that Storm was a criminal running from the Graders but she quickly pushed it out of her mind.</font>
<font color='#810541'>When the older pendragon answered her rambling questions Storm was really quite surprised. She was sure that Incendi, as the 'dragon had called herself, had fallen asleep. The answers were a pleasant turn of events and Storm found herself almost enjoying the females company. The Tmuka however she still kept a wary eye on. "Nice to meet you Incendi." The young pendragon smiled warmly. [/B]"There’s still one thing I don’t understand though. You said you wander looking for work, but that still doesn't answer why your up here. I mean looking for work generally means looking for someone to hire you and there aren’t a whole lot of 'dragons up here..."[/B] Storm trailed off afraid that she may have offended Incendi who had risen in her eyes to the status of guest. "Anyway, if you want to rest for a few days your more than welcome to... the Tmuka included" The young female gave the snake-like creature a sidelong glance and then with a sigh continued on. Since you did answer all my questions I guess its only fair to reply to yours, although I'm afraid you may not like the answer I give. I'm up here because very few 'dragons visit and even fewer live at these heights. I'll move back down to the lowlands when the seasons turn, but for now this is the best place for me. I... I don’t like being near large groups and the reason for that is the same reason as for why I'm alone. You see, I'm cursed." Storm shifted her weight once again, this time leaning against the stone wall of the cave. A haunted mask dropped into place over the previously animated face and she turned to stare into the fire, watching the flames as they danced across the wood, slowly destroying, forever destroying. Time passed before one corner of her mouth lifted into a ghost of a smile. The midnight blue pendragon turned back to the other, the mask dissipated and her face showed only child-like awe and intrigue. "Isn't it amazing how something that is a destroyer by nature, something that was never meant to create and can only destroy can uphold life? Ironic really that our lives depend solely on those tiny flames... don’t you agree?</font>
<font color='#FFFFFF'>Incendi watched the flames eating away at the wood, slowly dwindling as she listened to Storm. The young pendragon amused her with her ramblings and questions and since she could feel that her answering and adding to a little to the mostly one sided conversation made Storm feel a bit more at ease and amiable towards herself and her tmuka she decided to add a bit more. She continued to listen, shifting her attention from the flames to Storm as she continued on about liking the solitude and being cursed. Incendi was old from a superstitious clan and old habits died hard and she became a little wary at first but then relaxed. She was given the tattoos on her shoulders for a reason, to protect her from evil spirits, she doubted any curse could reach her. But evidently the curse bothered Storm. Incendi watched her as she changed the subject towards that of fire, and listened to her interpretations and observations of the flames. That set Incendi to pause and think a bit herself. As an assassin she was a destroyer of life, and she did so to keep herself alive, by consuming and destroying living things to further her own good. Yes, fire was essential, many things were brought to new life by flames. After considering this rather philosophical thought for a while she decided to respond with candor. "We do depend on fire, things need to be destroyed so we can liveÂ… It's something I myself can relate to. I destroy things to further life, it's my own life that I'm helping I admit but others are sometimes helped by it as well. Fire consumes wood and other materials to continue its own existence, we merely take advantage of a few side affects, heat and light. We are dependent on fire but sometimes fire can be dependent upon us. To truly master fire is a powerful thing, don't you think?" Incendi gave a small smile at this last. She was the source of these particular flames, creating them and capable of controlling them. Her eyes sparkled briefly as she watched the flames dance and spark. But then another thought came to her mind. She glanced over at Storm. "Is there any way to lift your curse? Perhaps by killing someone?"</font>
<font color='#810541'>Storm considered what the older pendragon had said. She looked around the small cave. Most of it was alive with the orange glow of the fire. The light danced across the walls in a mural of light vs. dark one side battling the other. Neither winning nor loosing, for no matter where the light hit there were always spots it could not reach. The same went for the shadows. The mouth of the cave was a flurry of movement as snow was blown in a swirling mass across the hole in the mountain. The sun had long set causing a dark patch to settle across the surrounding lands. But even as the firelight played across the cave wall the suns rays played across the planets surface. On a much grander scale it was very much the same as the fire in the cave. The shadows may have gained for now but soon the light would come back to recover what it lost only to be overtaken by the dark once again. Storm allowed a small smile to grace her face. ”I think that in most ways you are right. Maybe the irony isn’t quite as ironic as I thought it was... in fact I believe that I am completely incorrect on this. Fire doesn’t really kill. I guess in a way by destroying what has lived it just re-starts the cycle once again. And if it didn’t consume the logs its life would diminish and then nothing would be able to restart the life cycle. If nothing were to be destroyed then nothing new could begin... right? Its like a huge scale just waiting to be thrown out of balance. The destroyer destroys to often than nothing will be left to give birth to new life. If he doesn’t destroy often enough than no new life can be made and nothing can continue on. It would be like an ant caught in tree sap.” The young ‘dragon considered this for awhile. ”There is one thing you are wrong about though. To truly master fire would be wonderful, but it cant be done. You would have to break it to truly be able to control it and fire you cannot break. Living things you can tame, but elements are far to wild. You may be able to control them and even manipulate them if your an elemental adept, but master, never. Its impossible.” Storm thought about Incendi’s last comment. Her... offer. A spark of hope appeared, but was quickly smothered. Far too many times had she believed she could be helped only for the process to fail and someone else get hurt. Each time it happened it hurt more than the last until finally she refused to let herself believe anymore. “I dont know if my curse can be lifted or broken. I dont know who cast it, or even where it came from! All I know is that I’ve had it for as long as I can remember and any others who have tried to help me never lived for long. No-one I’ve ever become close to has lasted around me. That why I dont like being around ‘dragons. They dont live through it.” She laughed bitterly. ”If you can think of a solution I’d try anything, but dont stay around to long. You may disappear too.”</font>
<font color='#FFFFFF'>ooc: mur, sorry for the late reply ic: Incendi listened quietly to Storm's continuing thoughts on the nature of fire. This was perhaps the first time that she'd ever been involved in anything remotely philosophical and it intrigued her. "I believe you can master fire. You don't have to break something to master it, you just have to understand it andÂ…" Incendi searched for a word suitable enough to describe her thoughts, "know it. You have to know every aspect of it, know what it feels like, what it wants, how it acts, what it feels like to burn through your veins. Sometimes you become it yourself and sometimes you become its victim. But you know more and more until its second nature and you don't even have to think twice before you can do exactly what you wanted." Incendi paused and watched the dying flames. They were starting to cool down now that they had eaten away at most of the wood. Without a second thought they flared brighter to a rejuvenated life and continued to dance and flicker as if more wood had been added. Incendi glanced up at Storm. "What is ironic is that the one thing that you can't master with enough time is yourself. You will lose your temper one day, no matter how much you try. Old habits die hard and stay dead even harder. Perhaps you are right in a way. To master a living thing you have to break it, shatter its will and spirit and cast them to the winds. That is why you can't master yourself. If you broke yourself there would be nothing left to give you strength to become your own master." Incendi shrugged, "Or perhaps I am rambling. And as to your curseÂ… have you tried any talismans? They might work."</font>
<font color='#810541'>OOC: Dont worry about it. I was part of that big blackout thing in northern States, southern Ontario (and bits of Quebec) which also managed to kill our computer so I've been gone for 2 1/2 days anyway. *grins* IC: It was strange. Somehow, for some reason, Storm felt comfortable around Incendi. If it was just the companionship she had missed out on for so many years, or the talk about things that made her think and by that she meant really think, or maybe it was even the sort of mother figure, as odd as that may have sounded, that Incendi presented that caused her to relax around this particular pendragon. Whatever it was a nice feeling that was very much appreciated. Even if the subjects were hitting a little close to home. ?Not being able to master yourself is still about the only thing I agree with you on this topic. I guess the word ?master? changes depending on your views and what the subject is that you are comparing to... It all depends if you consider the impossible possible or impossible and if thats the case it is simply your own definition of ?master? or ?to master? that decides wether or not fire can be totally controlled or any other element mastered for that matter.? The midnight blue ?dragon grinned. It was a wonderful feeling, being able to debate anothers opinions. She turned away from Incendi, and looked back into the flames, which had suddenly come back to ?life? during Incendi?s argument. Storm?s mind whirled, considering for a while the conversation in its whole. All that talking and we didn?t come to a single conclusion other than what we each had at the beginning. Maybe a few extra thoughts on the subject, but nothing significant. At least not for me. Her eyes were drawn towards the cave entrance as they had been earlier. Snow still flew across the cave opening. In fact a decent amount of it had piled up inside the cave, just out of reach of the fires warmth. But instead of a dark backdrop the peaks of the other mountains within the range were beginning to become visible, each was taking on a slight pinkish hue as the sun emerged once again from the other side of the world. And a new day is born... Still looking at the glow of the sun, which itself was actually out of sight, Storm took a deep breath of the crisp mountain air. ?You know, as weird as it may sound I?ve never tried any talismans. I always thought they were just gimmicks to con ?dragons out of their money, but there is no point in not trying. Afterall, I?ve got nothing to lose.? The grin was still plastered on her face, but was quickly replaced by sheer embarrassment when her stomach gave voice to what should be next on the agenda.</font>
<font color='#FFFFFF'>Ooc: cool, well neat any ways. When I was a little kid I would have killed to be in that blackout. Ic: Incendi listened to Storm, nodding occasionally as she thought about the other's argument. "I geuss it is all just semantics. Your opinion and thoughts are based on your personal definition of the word master and what it connotes to you as an individual. Continuing to discuss this probably won't change our point of view though it might add a little insight onto the opinions and thoughts of others." Incendi glanced out at the growing light before continuing. "And as for talismans, I've never had to use them though everyone else did. The tattoos on my shoulders protect me enough from evil spirits." Incendi was still superstitious in the ways of her clan even though she had left long ago. She reminisced about the biting cold, the snow, the barren wasteland that she had called home. Perhaps she would visit there some day again. A rumbling brought her eyes back into focus and she glanced at Storm. She stood up and stretched, Miska rearing up briefly to recoil himself around her neck. "Probably should get something to eat. I'm a little hungry myself."</font>
<font color='#810541'>Storm nodded, quite content to concider the "life" discussion finished. They had both brought up some very good points. She would have to give them some more thought when she had some time to herself. As for the talismans, the younger female still doubted the effectivness of such... baubles, but she was willing to give them a try. "Your tattoos really do that? Protect you I mean. I've never heard of anything like it." She laughed. "It seems your teaching me a great many things, Incendi." Storm stood up as well, giving herself a good shake to loosen up cramped muscles and throw off bits of dust and dirt she had gathered on her coat during the night-time chat. Her cheeks burned when Incendi causually mentioned breakfast and so she was quick to toss some dirt onto the flames and slip around the older female and outside into the morning rays. "You seem to know alot about this evil spirits and curses stuff. Do you know where I could go to try to get some sort of talisman that might counter the effects of being around me?" She looked down into the frozen valley below. "You wont mind if I join you in getting breakfast will you? Two heads are better than one, or so they say. We can probably bring down something decent betweeen the two of us. I'm not a half bad hunter you know. Not great, but not bad either." Storm turned back to Incendi and Miska. Her body almost emitting the energy of youth, even after staying up the entire night talking. For the first time in a long while the midnight hued 'dragon felt a weight lift from her shoulders... she almost felt her age.</font>
<font color='#FFFFFF'>Incendi glanced at Storm, it still amazed her that many of the pendragons she'd met south of her home didn't know about much about the prevention of evil spirits. She nodded. "Yes, back in my home there are so many evil spirits that they even live in the rocks. You had to take precautions thereÂ… myÂ… someone I once knew was possessed by evil spirits. He grew insane and began to froth at the mouth, screaming. He threw himself into the sea. The wise man tried to use the tainted stones in talismans but they didn't work, so he resorted to other things. I got tattoos. The only place I've ever known of where they sell real talismans was in my home. I haven't been there in many years so I don't know." She dropped the subject after the brief talk about her home and her brother. She stretched and paced in a small circle before giving a small bound to the mouth of the cave. Incendi glanced at Storm and gave a small nod and called over to Storm as she padded out of the cave and began to bound down the cliff side from ledge to ledge. "Wouldn't mind at all. Meals are best shared."</font>
<font color='#810541'>OOC: Sorry for any major typos or spelling mistakes. I generally catch them with a spellcheck but I'm to tired.... IC: The solution seemd to be quite obvious to Storm. She needed to travel to Incendi's home and try to get one of the talismans for herself. Maybe then she could go on living the life of a normal pendragon... maybe. When Incendi nodded to her before jumping down the cliff side the young female nearly squealed with joy. She was going hunting! With someone!! She bounded down after the older female, literally bouncing with happiness that only the young can experience with such simple matters. "Hey Incendi? Where is your home anyway? I dont mean to pry but if its at all possible I want to try and grab one of those talismans. If it works it will be worth any trouble." At the bottom of the cliff, on the edge of the valley, Storm quickly reigned in her energy and took on the stance of a hunter who has had to live off of their abilities. "So, whats available o the menu today?"</font>
<font color='#FFFFFF'>ooc: sorry for late reply and shortness -.- school has been a drain... ic: Incendi watched the other with amusement as she overflowed with vigor and youthful energy. It was good to see activity. She studied the landscape, ignoring Storm's question for a moment. But she eventually decided to answer. "I'm from Druhv. It was long ago and the wise man may not be alive anymore. I don't even know if my clan is still alive." She gave the landscape another quick scan. "As for food, i don't know. The menu is whatever we can catch and eat."</font>
<font color='#810541'>Storm looked at Incendi, her brows raised in mild shock. "Druhv? Wow, thats quite a ways up. No wonder you were at home in a snow storm. No pun intended of coarse." The younger female started forward at a slow trot, keeping eyes are ears open for any sound of prey. Incendi's voice had been compleatly flat when she spoke of her clan. There was no sence of homesickness or worry. In fact there very little emotion at all. Unusual for one who had been gone for so long and had no idea what had happend to her family and home. Deciding not to press the subject, Storm continued along the edge of the valley. She knew that Inth were very common in this particular area and she believed she had spotted a large herd of Daneyrian a few days ago. It was possible that they had stuck around, not wanting to move during the bad weather.</font>
