"Nice try," she said with a slightly predatory smile as she lets her eyes change briefly, holding it long enough to both get a very good look at any spells he might have active and to make sure he saw their draconic nature.
"In theory, the wards around this world should prevent any non-allies from entering. But wards are never perfect, are they, Mr. Kiln. Your armor. I noticed it before, but especially while I was reviewing security tapes. It's too new. It's not a relic that's been carefully preserved."
"Hmmm. Interesting coloration." he says with an almost detached tone.
"Non-allies. You mean enemies. Look, I've only been here a week. I have attended classes and not caused any trouble, save for the kind you think I'm causing by trying to stay out of sight while I train."
He gets serious as a heart attack here, his silver eyes flashing a bit, then a light seems to go off over his head.
"Wait, why, exactly, do you think I should be an enemy of this school? What exactly do you think I am?"
1d20+35
Aananda smiled. "I think that you are from the Empire. I think that you aren't with the Resistance or you would have identified yourself to me as soon as this conversation started. I certainly would have been informed of your presence if you were with them. I think you have more magic layered over you than a well-used artifact. Your too-shiny battle armor suggests military and the timing of your arrival is beyond suspicious. Also, you showed a level of shapeshifting magic that is, how shall I put this? Just a little too natural to just be a spell. Not to mention the color of dragon you transform into. A native of this world wouldn't know that dragons come in red."
"Uh oh." Vai glanced towards the washroom. Vai looked at Fieri. "Er. I don't know if I ever want to have kids. This is only the first week. I heard it gets alot worse." Vai's stomach was rumbling in response to the smell of bacon.
Fieri laughed. "Well, you may change your mind in the future. But yeah, as if I needed convincing that I wasn't in any hurry to have kids, that definitely does it."
"We should go eat. I have a feeling she's gonna be a while."
Krays is awash with nausea through their bond...
::Wow, hon. You ok?::
She couldn't see through the tears that fell whether she wanted them to or not as she knelt over the toilet while her body attempted to empty the contents of her stomach even though it was already empty.
::Was going to breakfast.::
::The smell of eggs was so overpowering::
His eyes narrow a bit. Then go wide with understanding.
"Well, I see we aren't talking about a local resistance against a local Empire, are we?"
He nods, leans back in his chair and she gets the sinking sense he had not even considered in the slightest that this would be a haven for the resistance, nor did he come here looking for them. Most likely he did not intend to come here at all...
"But, that aside, I am not a dragon, red or otherwise. I am human. Seeing as how I do not believe you will take my word for it, I will give you a blood sample if you wish."
::Oh my, I'm sorry hon. I hope lasagna doesn't have that effect on you.::
Vai agrees, her mouth beginning to water. They find an empty table and go to fill the plates. Vai is talking about clothing, and maybe getting the sapphire set as a necklace.
::Oh my, I'm sorry hon. I hope lasagna doesn't have that effect on you.::
::DO NOT TALK ABOUT FOOD RIGHT NOW!!!!!::
*Huuuuuuuurl*
::Eek! I'm so sorry...ok umm...I'll shut up now...::
His eyes narrow a bit. Then go wide with understanding.
"Well, I see we aren't talking about a local resistance against a local Empire, are we?"
He nods, leans back in his chair and she gets the sinking sense he had not even considered in the slightest that this would be a haven for the resistance, nor did he come here looking for them. Most likely he did not intend to come here at all...
"But, that aside, I am not a dragon, red or otherwise. I am human. Seeing as how I do not believe you will take my word for it, I will give you a blood sample if you wish."
"Thank you so much for being helpful. I would like to do an in-depth analysis. If nothing else for reference."
She looked at him, appraising what she saw.
"You're not the sharpest tool in the box, are you? Or you're a lot out of the loop. Maybe both. Interesting. Oh, and before you go making plans to go and inform your superiors about what you've found...good luck with that."
He gets the distinct impression that his escape attempt really aren't going to be keeping her up at night.
A thought occurs to Vai. "Hey Fi, what kind of clothing would I need for fencing? I don't think either jeans or a skirt would work."
"Fencing? Huh. not that there's anything wrong with you being interested in fencing. It's just surprising. I think that fencing gear is more specialized. We can look for some if you want. I'm sure they'll have something for you. If not, we can get Jiminy to alter something into being the stuff you need."
He simply shrugs, resorting to the teenage indifference.
"I suppose assuming I'm stupid would have to make you feel better. I would suspect that more likely, we are both the victims of some cosmic irony. You are a creature thought to have long sinced perished, now rediscovered by nothing more than a sheep in wolves clothing. However, in the spirit of cooperation..."
He reaches behind himself, slowly, and retrieves a data pad. He punches up some data (activates a full wipe on all data except what appears on the screen) and hands it to Aananda. The first thing she will notice, is the symbol for the Empirial Inquisition, the next is clearly sensor sweep data, dated the day the planet reverted. It shows a planet listed as benign/uninhabitable, then for the briefest of seconds, indicate a large pulse of magic and life readings. Clear as a bell, which rock it came from, marked for further review.
"I don't need to contact my superiors and I suspect I am the least of your worries. Unless your friends are willing to give me a ride out of system, I'm afraid you are stuck with me. So, what horrors shall befall me, I wonder..."
"Um... well..." Vai blushes a little at this point. "I mean, it's interesting, but also... well. There's someone who is in the fencing club. I met her last night, she's the captain. I want to give it a try. I need to do something other than studying all day."
Aananda glances at the screen and for a moment it seems like she's looking at more than the readout. And she visibly relaxed.
"Ah. I was really worried for a little bit. But I assure you, Mr. Kiln, that this data never went farther than this. We're still alive because we're very good at staying hidden. You're free to go whenever you wish, Mr. Kiln. The trick is getting off world. I'm sure you'll figure it out sooner or later. And the only horrors that await you here are the detentions that Professor Relkav so enjoys inflicting on his students. Imperial Inquisitor or no, while you're here, you're just another student. Take this opportunity to get to know your enemy. I doubt you'll get another like it."
"Um... well..." Vai blushes a little at this point. "I mean, it's interesting, but also... well. There's someone who is in the fencing club. I met her last night, she's the captain. I want to give it a try. I need to do something other than studying all day."
"The captain, huh?" Fieri asked, raising an eyebrow. "That would be Sadie...does this mean she's finally given up on Ursula? Good for her if she has. Ursula doesn't really notice anyone other than her brother and she's constantly saving him from his own stupidity. Personally I think he'd learn to be less stupid if she just stopped saving him."
He looks at her with suprise, then shakes his head.
"If what you say is true, the the full compliment and crew of the ship I was on is lost, and no one knows I'm missing, either."
He sighs.
"It seems I have no choice. I will watch, and learn as I did before."
He stands and unsheathes the sword on his hip only an inch or two, and draws a red line accross a finger tip, then resheathes.
"Here you go..." he says as he offers a bloody finger tip to her
By the morning, Jim has completed his blueprint. Taking a well-deserved break, he goes to the cafeteria to have breakfast. The mini-golems have their usual pile of food, but one finds a coffee machine. Once he finds it, the others immediately turn their heads towards him, and rush the coffee machine themselves. Before long, it, along with a few others nearby, are empty. Apparently the semi-biological bodies of the Homunculi are affected by caffeine, and they are doing little to control themselves. By the time Jim regains control of them, they have already taken a few tables apart, constructing them into a fort of sorts, where they quickly stash as many coffee pots as possible. Jim, mentally fatigued by his long night of work, and lack of reset time, doesn't notice the goings-on for quite some time, until one starts throwing the empty pots out of the window. Jim is up like a shot, telepathically reprimanding them severely. One of them starts as if to throw a pot at him, but immediately thinks better of it. They slowly put the remaining coffee pots back where they were, and begin taking apart the fort as Jim repairs the broken pots via devices. Throughout the rest of breakfast, not only are they fidgety, but they are fairly often put back in place by Jim, and occasionally, he has to erect a small wall of force in front of one to stop it from running to the coffee. Eventually, however, they give up, resigned to their now assuredly caffeine-free lifestyle.
"Thank you," she said, pressing a button on her wristband and the blood seemed to disappear leaving no trace of even a cut.
"I hope you don't mind. I took the liberty of healing the injury. The information from this sample will go into your medical file which is accessible only by me, the school nurse, and the Headmaster."
"I've seen what revenge does when taken to extremes, Mr. Kiln. While I am in favor of undermining a government that is abusive, I don't want to wipe out all dragons, or even certain kinds of dragons. What I want is for all sentient species to be recognized as equals. We are not more valuable than humans or elves or kobolds. You'll have plenty of opportunity here to compare and contrast the different forms of sentient life. We've got a little of everything. Even an awakened ooze."
The homunculi sneak in a thrown spoon when they think they can get away with it without alerting Jim. For the most part, in his mental fatigue, they get away with it, but soon find themselves out of ammunition, and begin using food.
Having spent the remainder of his first day in the gardens of Avalon, Wyrd decides to meet with some of the other wildlife at the school. He tells the walls to take him to the where food can be found and sets off following the arrows. People in the cafeteria or in rooms between it and the gardens will feel his footsteps. Even human sized he is heavy enough to shake the ground.
One of the homunculi grabs a spoon, ready to throw it back, but instead of forward, the spoon goes nearly straight up. Upon return, it hits him in the head, and, confused and being scolded at by Jim, the homunculi give up the battle. But the war has only begun...
"I don't mind at all. Until this morning, I had no reason to think of anyone here as an enemy..."
He chuckles
"Not all creatures are equal, no matter what 'value' you assign them, ma'am. However, I will not seek revenge on anyone, don't see how it would change anything. On the contrary, whether you choose to be or not, you are all citizens of the Dragon Empire. I will defend you all if necessary, and will not shirk my duty to citizens because of unforseen circumstances.
Do not ask me to fight the Empire, and my presence here will be a peaceful one."
"Now, if it isn't asking too much, I would very much like to see what a ghost looks like in dragon form."
"We seceded from the Empire generations ago, Mr. Kiln. The Empire has yet to notice. A point of semantics I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunity to debate during your stay here," she said with the slightest hint of a smile.
"But since you've been so accomodating...I'd suggest you stand back near the door. Unlike me, you can't go through stone unharmed."
Once she was certain he was as near the door as possible she shifted and the small office was suddenly very, very cramped.
::This only works because my tail is in the next office over. This space was not designed for dragons.::
She changed back to human form. "In about a weeks time there is a school event that is being organized. We're planning to reveal our true forms to the students at that event. I would ask that you please keep this knowledge to yourself until then. For the safety of everyone involved."
"The captain, huh?" Fieri asked, raising an eyebrow. "That would be Sadie...does this mean she's finally given up on Ursula? Good for her if she has. Ursula doesn't really notice anyone other than her brother and she's constantly saving him from his own stupidity. Personally I think he'd learn to be less stupid if she just stopped saving him."
Vai feels, strangely, a pang of jealousy. Sadie had mentioned another girl, though. Probably nothing. She didn't know anything about this Ursula though. She wasn't sure she wanted to know more. "I dunno, I appreciate it when people save me." Vai says, with a mischievous smile.
"We seceded from the Empire generations ago, Mr. Kiln. The Empire has yet to notice. A point of semantics I'm sure we'll have plenty of opportunity to debate during your stay here," she said with the slightest hint of a smile.
"But since you've been so accomodating...I'd suggest you stand back near the door. Unlike me, you can't go through stone unharmed."
Once she was certain he was as near the door as possible she shifted and the small office was suddenly very, very cramped.
::This only works because my tail is in the next office over. This space was not designed for dragons.::
She changed back to human form. "In about a weeks time there is a school event that is being organized. We're planning to reveal our true forms to the students at that event. I would ask that you please keep this knowledge to yourself until then. For the safety of everyone involved."
"Thank you for that. I will honor your request."
Vai feels, strangely, a pang of jealousy. Sadie had mentioned another girl, though. Probably nothing. She didn't know anything about this Ursula though. She wasn't sure she wanted to know more. "I dunno, I appreciate it when people save me." Vai says, with a mischievous smile.
"The captain, huh?" Fieri asked, raising an eyebrow. "That would be Sadie...does this mean she's finally given up on Ursula? Good for her if she has. Ursula doesn't really notice anyone other than her brother and she's constantly saving him from his own stupidity. Personally I think he'd learn to be less stupid if she just stopped saving him."
"Now if only the same could be said of Bradley," she said with a chuckle. "In all seriousness, Sadie is a good person. I don't know her well, but I know enough of her to know that she's usually one of the first people there when people need help. A lot of people think she has a bad attitude, and she really did when she got here, but she seems to have calmed down a lot since then. And mostly she just gets mad when people insult her friends. Pan used to be in the fencing club, before rehearsals started taking too much time, and he says she's a really good teacher."
"Actually, you know Ursula. You shared a room with her for about two days when you first got here. Although, the shape you were in then, I'm not surprised you've forgotten."
The aschen watches the stone on Nasima's head as she sleeps. "HmmmMMMMmmm, I...I feeeels you reaching, big lightning head. But you can no talk now. Kiddie-girl asleeps. She not talking to you now. Ah-heh-heh-heh. I do goods! Boss lady reward with coffee. I break channels. Channels EASY to break. Heheheee!" The stone is cycling through a confused array of muted grays and blacks, clouds under glass battering at their container. Through it all, Nasima sleeps more soundly than she has in weeks.
The being currently called Yu-Nyin Bahs stands in a corner in a hallway. Any corner, in any hallway. It doesn't matter. His "uniform" of a suit and sunglasses has not changed. He is standing at a sort of parade rest, hands folded in front of him, head cocked to one side, and a thick, vaguely humming cloud surrounds him. If one were able to get close enough -- most couldn't, but if one could -- they would see that the cloud seems to be attached to Yu, as if by an impossible number of threads, only visible because of the massive quantity in which they fill the air.
Scale is a factor in both directions; the incredibly huge and the incredibly small. Yu is a phenomenally gifted technologist, as is his whole race, and he understands how to use scale to his advantage.
Silent and alone in a dark corner in a little-used hall, Yu is working.
There is so much to learn.
The newly acquired ovens in the kitchen begin to move and start scooping up the aschen and the homunculi.
Kitty hurries through the breakfast line getting her usual breakfast of miso soup and rice with a side of raw tuna for Saffire.
She looks around the cafeteria and spotting Michael sits down next to him.
"My family just got here this morning," she said breathlessly. "The Headmaster is giving them a tour around the school right now."
Oneiro hands out strips of paper with drawings of a sun on them. The drawing flares brightly as it's handed over, and the temperature drops to a comfortable level.
"So begins day one of travel into the tiger infested jungle."
Jeran shrugged. "Tigers aren't so bad. I can deal with tigers. It's whatever is worse than tigers that I'm worried about."
She looks around the cafeteria and spotting Michael sits down next to him.
"My family just got here this morning," she said breathlessly. "The Headmaster is giving them a tour around the school right now."
"Really? That was quick. Want me to go with you or do you want to me to keep Saffire for a bit?"
"Oh, and Anthony tackled me when he saw his familiar. He was so excited he was breathless, and tried the trick you taught him right there. I guess it worked, because he said her name was Nova."
"That's a great name! It's really perfect for her. I'm glad he's happy with his familiar," she said smiling.
"Well, I would like you to meet them, but you don't have to hang out the whole time if you don't want to. And, ummm......my Obaa-sama....he's a little different. Just keep that in mind. I'll keep Saffire with me. He makes a great distraction when needed," she added wryly.
Jeran shrugged. "Tigers aren't so bad. I can deal with tigers. It's whatever is worse than tigers that I'm worried about."
"That's why we've got four people of various abilities." Oneiro explains as he leads the way into the jungle. "If another tiger attacks whenever one is killed by a spell, Khasser, Professor Reading, and myself would have a lot of trouble. Khasser can heal. The Professor and I can provide defense and offense with our paper magic. We all balance out the others. Kind of."
"Well, I would like you to meet them, but you don't have to hang out the whole time if you don't want to. And, ummm......my Obaa-sama....he's a little different. Just keep that in mind. I'll keep Saffire with me. He makes a great distraction when needed," she added wryly.
"Kitty, their is a sentient ooze in this school taking classes, and I'm not talking about the amoeba boy either. It just wouldn't be fair to not meet your family because they're 'a little different.' Not after you met mine."
Jeran shrugged. "Tigers aren't so bad. I can deal with tigers. It's whatever is worse than tigers that I'm worried about.""That's why we've got four people of various abilities." Oneiro explains as he leads the way into the jungle. "If another tiger attacks whenever one is killed by a spell, Khasser, Professor Reading, and myself would have a lot of trouble. Khasser can heal. The Professor and I can provide defense and offense with our paper magic. We all balance out the others. Kind of."
Jeran nodded. He sniffed the air carefully.
"Lots of new smells. But no tiger. Yet."
"Well, I would like you to meet them, but you don't have to hang out the whole time if you don't want to. And, ummm......my Obaa-sama....he's a little different. Just keep that in mind. I'll keep Saffire with me. He makes a great distraction when needed," she added wryly."Kitty, their is a sentient ooze in this school taking classes, and I'm not talking about the amoeba boy either. It just wouldn't be fair to not meet your family because they're 'a little different.' Not after you met mine."
She smiled. "Thanks, Michael. Umm....so the thing is, you use the feminine title, but the masculine pronoun. He's my father's brother's brother.....but sometimes he looks like a she. It can get confusing to those who don't know," she explained as she fed Saffire, who eagerly devoured the fish.
"So he's/she's a shapeshifter?"
Jeran nodded. He sniffed the air carefully.
"Lots of new smells. But no tiger. Yet."
"We're still a ways away from the area the previous groups couldn't get into. Any tigers we meet this far into the jungle aren't guarding anything but their territory."
"So he's/she's a shapeshifter?"
"Nope. He's always a he. He's just...really into ladies clothing. And good at fooling people into thinking he's a she."
"Think I'll just stick with female pronouns then, let him think he's fooled me." Michael says after a moment, not mentioning that he probably would have been fooled if Kitty hadn't said anything. "Besides, Nanami probably told them about me. Which means they're probably expecting to meet me."
"Tapio, great protector of the Anderail Forests, please let me make a good impression so I'm not pulling metal stars from my back later." Michael prays. Whether he's joking or not is up to the listener. "Okay, I'm ready when you are!"