'Tradition' or something, I'm sure. Sheesh.
'Tradition' or something, I'm sure. Sheesh.
"I see. Very odd. Yes, very odd."
The kobold clicks his tongue.
"Ah! Sunwake, do you know where Ms. Zamarosok's Enchantment class is? And her Cryptozoology class? I don't know the building all that well."
...causing the youngest Sunwake to become distracted and the plates to come crashing down to resounding chorus of disappointment from those who had been placing bets.
Jiminy grinned and hopped off the table and out of the mess.
Somewhere, in a long disused hallway of the Academy, a janitor clutches the wall, overcome with nausea, vertigo and a sense of dread. He tries to articulate the acute sensation, saying to his mop, "I feel... a great ebbing in the Force".
Ruji, getting desperate, knocks into a rafter. A rather large cloud of dust dislodges from the impact and floats down toward the unsuspecting students below. Emerging from the dust cloud, Ruji lands on a different rafter and looks around warily...
There is a long silence in the rafters. No sign of Slarrow.
Ruji watches the dust cloud begin to disperse.
Suddenly...
*Ribbit*
Slarrow leaps out of the cloud, tackling the cat creature.
"I think I have a handle on dragons, though I do have a couple questions about the kind of dragon you and your family are, but first...what are these 'hunters'? That's what you called them, right? Are they people? Ghosts? Trolls? Are they...are they other dragons? Why are they hunting?"
"Okay, well, the shortest explanation is gonna sound a bit like a history lesson, but bear with me."
"A long time ago everyone who lives in Agartha came from somewhere else. Other worlds. A..an alliance of dragons had conquered and colonized all the worlds it could find forming an Empire. The dragons mostly split into two factions, the chromatics and the metallics. Evil and good if you believe their side of things. We don't."
"So my ancestors, we're gem dragons, by the way, amethyst in specific, didn't want to join either faction. They had this crazy idea that the other races should all be treated like equals to dragons. They were attacked by both sides and quickly realized that they were fighting a losing battle. In order to ensure the survival of their species they decided to build a refuge, away from the Empire. So the hollowed out the inside of a planet on the very edge of known space and created the world of Agartha inside it. They invited their allies to join them. Unfortunately a few enemies snuck in too. The gold dragons had hired a special elite group of assassins known as Hunters to eradicate my kind."
"Fast forward a few thousand years and the Hunters nearly wiped us out. There are only five of us left now. We thought the Hunters were dead too. But I guess some of them survived because I'm being stalked by at least one. They usually target the young, aiming to eradicate the species by eliminating all of its children. It's been a winning strategy for them so far. And they're mostly...humanish?"
Glances up from his book...and WTF?!? He rushes over to the door to grab the jar o' eyeballs to put it back on the shelf.
CMB to grab
Listens intently...then wonders why H'Tor is alarmed...
The little professor glares at Jiminy. "Watch it, Sunwake. Unless we need to add to your detention?"
He turns and leaves. Following the directions, he heads first to the Cryptozoology class. Just in case the girl was lying.
'Tradition' or something, I'm sure. Sheesh.
'Tradition' or something, I'm sure. Sheesh.
There is a long silence in the rafters. No sign of Slarrow.
Ruji watches the dust cloud begin to disperse.
Suddenly...
*Ribbit*
Slarrow leaps out of the cloud, tackling the cat creature.
*HISS*
Taken by surprise(a rarity in and of itself), Ruji and Slarrow go tumbling through the air, hurtling toward the crowded floor at a dangerous speed. Ruji manages to get his wings out just in time to break their fall(and keep all their bones whole), but the two ferocious opponents are flung apart when the hit the back of some poor student and crash to the ground. Ruji lands on his feet and spins to hiss again at the slurk that dared to invade his domain.
Slarrow's eyes narrow as he gets up and turns to face the strange monster which dared enter his cafeteria.
Unfortunately a few enemies snuck in too. The gold dragons had hired a special elite group of assassins known as Hunters to eradicate my kind."
"Fast forward a few thousand years and the Hunters nearly wiped us out. There are only five of us left now. We thought the Hunters were dead too. But I guess some of them survived because I'm being stalked by at least one. They usually target the young, aiming to eradicate the species by eliminating all of its children. It's been a winning strategy for them so far. And they're mostly...humanish?"
"That's awful! War. Fighting. Guns. Death. I just don't understand any of this." She glares pointedly at the casters Phebe and Asch wear, and sighs. "...anyway. Sorry. I go through this with my dad, too. Djinn/Efreet, Metallic/Chromatic, you know...so, are they -- the Hunters, I mean -- all like wizard-sorcerer-ninja-gunpeople like you guys, or do they specialize in one thing or another?"
"Unfortunately for them they didn't realize the trouble they have gotten themselves with this particular job." Asch says as he sits in a cushioned chair. "So how should we do the security detail for this?"
Slarrow's eyes narrow as he gets up and turns to face the strange monster which dared enter his cafeteria.
Seeing such blatant, Ruji decides to uneven the odds. A dark mist forms around him, growing thicker and thicker until he is completely obscured.
Suddenly the mist is flung apart and in the place of the winged house cat now stands a demonic tiger!
"That's awful! War. Fighting. Guns. Death. I just don't understand any of this." She glares pointedly at the casters Phebe and Asch wear, and sighs. "...anyway. Sorry. I go through this with my dad, too. Djinn/Efreet, Metallic/Chromatic, you know...so, are they -- the Hunters, I mean -- all like wizard-sorcerer-ninja-gunpeople like you guys, or do they specialize in one thing or another?"Unfortunately a few enemies snuck in too. The gold dragons had hired a special elite group of assassins known as Hunters to eradicate my kind."
"Fast forward a few thousand years and the Hunters nearly wiped us out. There are only five of us left now. We thought the Hunters were dead too. But I guess some of them survived because I'm being stalked by at least one. They usually target the young, aiming to eradicate the species by eliminating all of its children. It's been a winning strategy for them so far. And they're mostly...humanish?"
She noticed Nasima's pointed glance and sighed.
"'Sima, the Casters...they're traditionally used by the Resistance. The people fighting against the Empire. And I use mine mostly for healing. I am a cleric after all.""I really don't know that much about the Hunters except that they want to kill all of my kind. And over the centuries they've spread so many lies about us that the average person believes that dragons are nothing more than ravening monsters bent on destruction."
"And over the centuries they've spread so many lies about us that the average person believes that dragons are nothing more than ravening monsters bent on destruction."
"Unfortunately for them they didn't realize the trouble they have gotten themselves with this particular job." Asch says as he sits in a cushioned chair. "So how should we do the security detail for this?"
"This has been going on so long it's not even a job anymore. It's Tradition. Us versus Them. I don't know if they even remember how it all got started. Like I said, it's been centuries."
"And yeah, we really should work out the security detail. I know I shouldn't do stupid things that leave myself vulnerable to attack. It's just...hard to remember sometimes. It's weird, always having to have somebody with me."
"And over the centuries they've spread so many lies about us that the average person believes that dragons are nothing more than ravening monsters bent on destruction."
Slarrow stares balefully. He croaks, and arches his back. Slime squirts out at the tiger, sticking and hardening instantly.
She noticed Nasima's pointed glance and sighed.
"'Sima, the Casters...they're traditionally used by the Resistance. The people fighting against the Empire. And I use mine mostly for healing. I am a cleric after all."
The young sylph looks chagrined. "I know, I know. I'm sorry. I just...I know they also work like guns and they were a convenient target up in this...well, wherever we are. I'm sorry. That wasn't fair. But I really don't understand it all, or at all, when anyone's fighting to kill, fighting to take over or subjugate. I just...I'm just not wired that way, you know? I don't get it. I don't understand how joy can be had in fighting. Hurting. Killing." Another sidelong glance at the lethal Asch.
"I really don't know that much about the Hunters except that they want to kill all of my kind. And over the centuries they've spread so many lies about us that the average person believes that dragons are nothing more than ravening monsters bent on destruction."
"I'd never even heard of these...Hunters until I got here. Why hasn't anyone else done anything about them? Surely you guys can't be the only ones fighting them, right? Allies...you said you have allies. Are the Hunters just so powerful no one can stand against them but a full-grown dragon? Or...or greater? I mean, if they're that powerful...I wonder if even Khoda could even do anything? Oh hells. Ephebe, how can you live like this? With those things after you? You poor thing!"
Chuckles
"It's interesting that a gold dragon would send out assassins after a non-evil dragon, just for daring to break the rules. For a supposedly good creature, that seems awfully out of type."
Ponders
"So the kid that bumped into you at the assembly is one of these hunters and is out in the open, and I'd assume the young ones he shelters are hunters as well. So why does one of them hide and act from the shadows? I'm beginning to think they aren't connected."
Grumbles
"He's still a jerk, though..."
Nods with agreement with Nasima
"I would have a status spell on you at all times, Ephebe, if you would permit it, Great One. Your draconic majesty shall not befall a wicked end. I would not like to see such a magnificent creature die on my watch."
"When your life is at stake or those you care for your belief may change. You may never like it to be honest I believe many people who fight fight for the hope that they won't be a need for violence anymore. Are they correct who knows I know that anyone who threatens those close to me will have to get through me first. That now goes for anyone in this room." He takes Amada's hand in his as he finishes.
Seeing the slime flying through the air, Demon Ruji swats at it with a paw.. and promptly finds his paw stuck to the floor. Quickly deciding to use this to his advantage, Demon Ruji begins to beat his wings furiously in the direction of Slarrow, whipping up a small wind storm in the dining hall.
Chuckles
"It's interesting that a gold dragon would send out assassins after a non-evil dragon, just for daring to break the rules. For a supposedly good creature, that seems awfully out of type."
Ponders
"So the kid that bumped into you at the assembly is one of these hunters and is out in the open, and I'd assume the young ones he shelters are hunters as well. So why does one of them hide and act from the shadows? I'm beginning to think they aren't connected."
Grumbles
"He's still a jerk, though...[/i]
"Yeah, well, I'm pretty sure that the gold dragons' "goodness" is mostly a PR campaign."
"Yeah, he was definitely a Hunter. But he wasn't the one who's been stalking me. And he's not the one who attacked me. His mental presence is totally different. I'd keep a wary eye on him, but don't start anything. We've got enough to worry about with the openly hostile ones."
"And I'm fine with you putting a status spell on me. It's a good idea, Krays. Thank you."
Slarrow is sent flying into the wall. With lightning reflexes, the slurk springs off it, soaring straight by the tiger.
Slarrow snaps at Ruji as he passes him, landing on the other side. He jumps up again.
High in the air, the slurk dives towards his target, fangs bared.
"When your life is at stake or those you care for your belief may change. You may never like it to be honest I believe many people who fight fight for the hope that they won't be a need for violence anymore. Are they correct who knows I know that anyone who threatens those close to me will have to get through me first. That now goes for anyone in this room." He takes Amada's hand in his as he finishes.
"Exactly. Sometimes there just isn't any other choice."
She smiled. "That means a lot to me Asch."
"Honestly before today I didn't really have any friends. Not that I don't love my brothers, but they have to like me, they're related. Well, and I guess Taron's mate, Kam, would count as a friend, although the have to like me because he's related clause is also in effect there...."
"And I'm fine with you putting a status spell on me. It's a good idea, Krays. Thank you."
Nods, and casts status on Ephebe
Glances up from his book...and WTF?!? He rushes over to the door to grab the jar o' eyeballs to put it back on the shelf.
CMB to grab
H'Tor's skeletal hand closes on the jar, when the weird 'tentacle' holding it seems to sense his approach and slides the jar to the other side of the doorframe, out of his necromantic grasp! The glass slaps against the frame with a crack, setting the eyes jiggling as liquid starts to seep out of a widening crack. The tentacle pulls harder trying to drag the jar through the door.
Looks at Asch
"I...feel...the same towards all of you. My clan was lost to me, but now you have all become like my clan. I will serve and protect you all like clutchmates, or die trying. Do not hesitate to come to me for anything. H'Tor and I will both be at your service."
Demon Ruji uses his powerful tail to swipe the slurk out of the air and into the(rather small) remains of Ephebe's pile of food. It strikes at the slime holding it's paw down quickly, breaking it and freeing his paw. He raises his wings and roars again.
Slarrow hisses back a challenge. The slurk leaps at Ruji again. But this time, when the cat attempts to knock him away with its tail, Slarrow sinks his teeth into it.
"When your life is at stake or those you care for your belief may change. You may never like it to be honest I believe many people who fight fight for the hope that they won't be a need for violence anymore. Are they correct who knows I know that anyone who threatens those close to me will have to get through me first. That now goes for anyone in this room." He takes Amada's hand in his as he finishes.
"Exactly. Sometimes there just isn't any other choice."
"Well, but you guys that's not what I'm talking about. That's fighting in self-defense; whole different issue, and to be honest I'm not sold on that either. I guess I'd like to believe it's possible to live in a world where people have stopped believing violence can solve things."
Nasima looks around. She's starting to sound rehearsed, like this is an argument she's had a million times before. "What I'm talking about is those who just love to fight. Those who would wage war. Aggressors. People 'spoiling for it' as certain friends of mine have termed it. People who express themselves through violence, and who find joy there. Who find...completeness."
"I'll protect you, Ephebe. Or you, Asch, (though I can't imagine you'll ever need it) or any of the rest of you. But I won't kill to do it. That would make me no better than these...'hunters'." She says the word with a sneer, as if it tastes foul in her mouth.
Slarrow hisses back a challenge. The slurk leaps at Ruji again. But this time, when the cat attempts to knock him away with its tail, Slarrow sinks his teeth into it.
Ruji beats his massive wings again, creating a gust of wind that counters Slarrow's leap and causes him to fall to the ground.
"Yield!" The demonic tiger images.
H'Tor's skeletal hand closes on the jar, when the weird 'tentacle' holding it seems to sense his approach and slides the jar to the other side of the doorframe, out of his necromantic grasp! The glass slaps against the frame with a crack, setting the eyes jiggling as liquid starts to seep out of a widening crack. The tentacle pulls harder trying to drag the jar through the door.
Ponders it for a minute, then opens the door
Slarrow, unable to read and refusing to surrender his territory, leaps up and snaps at the tiger's closer wing. The gust of wind causes him to miss. A moment later, Ruji swats him away. The slurk goes flying out of the cafeteria.
With the door opened, the tentacle wraps protectively around the leaking jar and slides carefully around and out the door by H'Tor's feet. The tentacle retracts diagonally across the hall, carrying its precious cargo, into the washroom. The clink of jar meeting stone is heard followed by the sound of glass breaking.
"I'll protect you, Ephebe. Or you, Asch, (though I can't imagine you'll ever need it) or any of the rest of you. But I won't kill to do it. That would make me no better than these...'hunters'." She says the word with a sneer, as if it tastes foul in her mouth.
'Sima sighs, but then smiles and gives her head a quick shake, causing her hair to do a confused little dance around her ears. "Anyway. I'm here for all of you, too. Whatever I can do to help keep everyone safe and happy, I'm in."
Follows the ooze-thing
"Well there's something you don't see everyday" he thinks to himself. "He can get more eyeballs, I ain't touching that thing" His skeletal body is wracked with a shiver as he turns and goes back into the room.
"Well, but you guys that's not what I'm talking about. That's fighting in self-defense; whole different issue, and to be honest I'm not sold on that either. I guess I'd like to believe it's possible to live in a world where people have stopped believing violence can solve things."
Nasima looks around. She's starting to sound rehearsed, like this is an argument she's had a million times before. "What I'm talking about is those who just love to fight. Those who would wage war. Aggressors. People 'spoiling for it' as certain friends of mine have termed it. People who express themselves through violence, and who find joy there. Who find...completeness."
"I'll protect you, Ephebe. Or you, Asch, (though I can't imagine you'll ever need it) or any of the rest of you. But I won't kill to do it. That would make me no better than these...'hunters'." She says the word with a sneer, as if it tastes foul in her mouth.
"To say that is to give their life precedence over yours. They have already decided that those like us are monsters and need to die. Yes I know that they are after you and your family Ephebe but, the rest of us are fair game for hunters. I haven't fought this group before, but I've gone up against other 'hunter' groups." Asch says solemnly.
Those in the cafeteria hear grumbling from the hall as Vakkler collects his slurk.
A look like a painful memory passes accross his face
"I, too, have been hounded and stalked by those that thought I had so little value as to not deserve life. It is not plesant business, having to end life, but when it comes down to it, some will give you no choice. Mine didn't..."
Spin realizes he's one of the few not to have spoken up. "So let me get this straight…" He holds up a finger. "You're a dragon."
A second finger, "You're one of the last five of your kind."
A third finger, ".. who are being hunted by other dragon minions…"
A fourth finger, "… who may have all kinds of ridiculous powers and weapons… "
A thumb, "… and you want us to watch your butt (which is very nice, by the way)… "
A sixth finger grows and joins the others, "… and you want us to do all this without blowing your cover?"
He holds up his hand, wiggling all six fingers, then smiles. "Sounds fun to me."