-Don't Leave Me Yet ((Open))-

[ulrica]

<sub>Misae's slender hands took the garment in a vice grip, her gemstone eyes staring at the cloth in her hands. "I have things that may or may not fit." The woman said, turning to give Assyrian his own set of clothes. "If it doesnt fit, you may be out of luck." The dragoness smirked at this, Assyrian usually had his clothes tailored specifically, seeing him wearing another man's sizes would be interesting.

"You can change now if you want. There's plenty of rooms available. I can get fires going in which ever ones you need. That should give your clothes plenty of time to dry." Misae moved to the stairs without hesitation, though there was a feral caution to her step giving her the look of one who had been hunted in their life...many times. It never crossed her mind that this could be considered rude. In her world, she was supreme ruler, even Assyrian was forced to bend to her will. It never occured to her that she should act differently in another's home. However, she did so in a manner which seemed simply innocent. A manner which ensured she wouldn't anger an easy going person. But who knew what sort of woman she was now thrown into a house with. 

She reached the foot of the stairs. Something was missing. The hooded woman turned, her head cocked to the side. "You go on ahead alright." The man said softly, the fire glinting in his eyes and obscuring their color. Misae glanced at the woman, a strange emotion in her eyes. Anger? Jealousy? Amusement? The shadows hid her face keeping the meaning of her gaze a secret as she turned and walked silently up the stairs, one hand disappearing within her cloak as if to grab a weapon...</sub>[/sub]


_{Assyrian watched Misae's back as she disappeared up the stares. A small twitch under the black fabric of her cloak made his heart twinge with guilt. He had brought her here. If they got caught.... The man shook his head and turned back toward the young woman with an odd look. He glanced at the fire, the flames flaring briefly until he looked away. He was stressed, the day had been long, and he had put Misae in danger. A lot of danger. He looked up at the woman, curiosity plain in his eyes. "Just what were trying to do out there anyway...?" The young man asked, an acusatory note playing in his soft lyrics. No, it wasn't her fault that he had brought the dragoness currently creeping about upstairs. None of this was her fault. He could have let her drown, he could have looked the other way. It was his own fault they were in this mess. But he still needed someone to blame at least a little...}[/color] 

[Mama Z]

Misae wasted no time in moving towrd the stairs. The only thing Sybil could guess was that she wanted her privacy to get out of those wet clothes posthaste. If she thought it rude, she gave no indication. It was her will and at the moment, Sybil couldn't care about being proper. It was what it was and society could go screw itself if it cared so much. She hesitated and she took the time to turn her attention else where, mainly warming her hands against the orange flames. It was then she realized how bad she had been shaking. She stared at the moving hands, unsure if it was from the cold she couldn't feel or her emotions starting to wig out.

It was then she realized who she was in the room with. The man who saved her and his pet. She closed her eyes, finally living in how stupid she had been. She should have known she hadn't been ready to move on. But logic had tried to win out over emotion and look who one in the end. Then came the question he must have been wanting to ask for sometime. she closed her eyes for a moment, wish she had just let them go on their way.

And how did she answer that? Any excuse she gave made her sound like she was only this line of sane. which was more than likely true. Mourning for too long seemed to have that effect on anyone. She brought her hands back toward her body, wrapping them around herself. 'Hoping to say goodbye to someone.' Saying it outloud made her realize how pathetic it truly sounded. Sybil glanced toward him and then back toward the fire, 'Thank you. For..saving me.' Might as well give thanks were thanks was due.

[/color][/size]

[ulrica]

<sub>"Hoping to say goodbye to someone." Assyrian's heart throbbed painfully, finding something in common with this woman which he wished never to find in common with any person. That ghostly look in her eyes. The apathetic demeanor with which she regarded the two people in her house. She hadn't just been trying to say goodbye to any normal person. No. This had been the most important person in her life. The one she had given everything to. The one she had devoted herself to heart and soul. The lover who had died and taken her will to live with him. Assyrian touched his breast where a familiar weight rested directly belown the layers of his clothing. A small crystal rose laid there, it's polished twisted petals a rare shade of pink quartz would glint and flash in the firelight if was to be taken from the safety of his clothes. Taking in the life of the fire, absorbing it until the inanimate thing would seem to glow with the vibrance of youth. Her youth. 

A sad, knowing look came into the man's eyes as he nodded his head looking into the fire. Her thanks were unwanted and uneeded. He had done what any self-respecting man would have done. Hadn't he? As his darkened eyes rose to search for hers, he recognized the look she wore. He knew the pain she felt. The gnawing, aching, never ending pain which tore and ripped at a person's heart and soul until they begged for life to end. He'd had Misae and Della to pull him through then, but this girl didn't appear to have anyone. "Assyrian pay attention..." Della said quietly, scooting closer to her soulmate's leg. Right. He needed to reply. He needed to speak with this girl, to let her know the pain would ease and her heart would no longer feel as if it were being strangled by the very love which had once given it wings. That the memories would gray and gather dust and eventualy the sharp pain they possessed would dull into a steady throb. But no, it wouldn't be proper.

"You don't need to thank me for anything." It will get better.... I promise it will.... "Oh love... You know she couldn't live that long..."</sub>[/i][/color][/color][/sub]


<sub>The room Misae turned into as soon as she topped the stairs was small. Much smaller than she was used to. The dragoness glanced from the bed to the dresser to the window which overlooked the path they had traveled down to reach the house. She was alone. No one lingered along the path, no one was in the room with her. She was safe. Pearly wings veined with lavender and pale sapphire spread across the room, the spikes extending through their sheathes and running down the walls to make room for the length of the great limbs. Even as she bent slightly to give them more room, her wings were still held crookedly, unable to fully extend. The woman sighed in relief, rolling the kinks out of her shoulders and wing joints. The cloak dropped from her shoulders revealing a low backed riding jacket and riding skirts still wet from the rain. She knew with a simple thought the clothes could be dry. All it would take is a small increase in body temperature and they would dry from the heat. 

No. That girl would notice. The moment of relaxation passed and her wings were once more folded against the tanned back, muscles rolling and twisting with the motion. She stooped to snatch her cloak from the floor and drape it back around her shoulders, the hood once more covering her long pale hair. Just a little bit longer.... And then we can leave... He promised... Misae told herself without conviction. She knew Assyrian would force her to either do as he wished or order him home, and the woman was never one for ordering the handsome man around as he tended to hold grudges. 

Misae sighed again, a worn down, tired noise. There was wood in the fireplace and with her strong emotions, a fire sprang to life. It's flames licking the logs and spreading it's cheerful light through the room. The woman standing with head bowed was for once numb to its heat.</sub>[/sub]   

[Mama Z]

There was an unspoken communication between them in those next brief instances. Sybil had more than just an inkling that like her, he had lost someone as well. Human curiosity nettled her. She wanted to know who it was, if it was a over just like her or something different. Probably the former. She knew when her parents died then her grandparents, the pain wasn't nearly as sever as losing her soon to be husband.She guessed it was because you expected everyone else to die. Never the one who was closest to you.

His words were dismissive, as if it truly had been no big deal. She looked t him for a moment then down to Della for a moment before back to the fire. She rubbed her forehead lightly in a small amount of annoyance. She was going to need sleep soon. She was exhausted and could feel it all the way down into her bones. 'Will your friend be alright?' She asked motioning upward where Misea would be staying, 'She seems...' she screwed up her face as she tried to think of a word, 'Not happy.' Well that was the best she could come up with for now.

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[ulrica]

_{Assyrian frowned slightly. She was tired and he was keeping her awake. She has had a long day... The young man reasoned, glancing down at Della as the creature yawned and eased down onto her belly. Assyrian however felt wide awake, invigorated. He wanted to hunt to run, to fly through the air with his soulmate, to stalk the trees with his charge. "Misae would really love a good hunt wouldn't she..."}[/i] Assyrian thought to the relaxing dog. She snorted, glancing up at him before turning her chocolate eyes back upon the girl. "If Misae were allowed to hunt here, I guarentee there would be more than one lawman dead..."[/color] She was right of course. Without Assyrian there to keep her in check, Misae would let nothing threaten her safety. Even if it was the simple barking of a dog. Kill or be killed, it was her instinct.

"Will your friend be alright?" Assyrian blinked. Where had he been? When had she started talking? His confusions must have shown on his face for she continued. "She seems...." The girl paused, her face contorting as if she was searching for the right word. "Not happy." The tall man smiled ruefully, a low rumbling chuckle coming from deep in his chest. "Oh don't worry about her, miss. If you tried to fathom her emotions I assure you the process would be long and tiring. Her feathers may be a bit ruffled right now but they'll settle soon." Assyrian's brow furrowed briefly and he stepped forward, reaching out to place a hand on her thin shoulder if she didn't jerk away. "All things pass with time... Trust me.." He pulled away, suddenly remembering this woman wasn't the dragoness he was used to. 

The silence before her reply - if she would give one - was a strange one for the man. He was torn between wanting to fall into his habits and the respect he held for the girl. After a while, he glanced back to the stairs, motioning for his hostess to pass. "It's late... After you." He smiled briefly, bowing slightly in a gentlemanly fashion. Della stood beside him, leaning into his calf slightly as she waited to see who would move first.[/sub][/color]


<sub>Boredom is truly hell, a fact the dragoness was quickly learning as she paced back and forth across the thickly carpeted floor. She couldn't breathe in this room. How could anyone live in such small quarters? Surely there was more, a door somewhere which led to the rest of the chamber. But no, Misae had scoured the walls for any sign of a passageway and, even with her keen eyes, had found none. There came a tapping at the window as a tree branch brushed against the glass. The moon still shone strongly down upon the path, everything seeming as if time had simply stopped. The female sighed. She missed the forested estate that was her home, the large rooms and plush beds. Her violet eyes seemed to darken at the thought of home. Home... How far away it seemed.

There came a shuffling outside her door and the woman cocked her head in an attempt to catch the noise better. Assyrian...? She mused silently, instinct freezing her body into a death-like silence. She didn't breathe, she didn't move, she hardly dared to think. Too many times had she been hunted, and this town was the one place where she would die for simply being born. They had been careful, no one had seen her. It was all nerves. But something was off, a piece of the puzzle not falling quite right. It was that small instinctual fear which had kept her alive many times before. The small voice in the back of her head whispering to run. It had to be Assyrian or the girl she knew, but her pounding heart still hammered painfully in the dragoness's chest.</sub>[/color]

[Mama Z]

It took him only a second to answer it and told her not to worry. Sybils frowned deepened slightly. The last thing she wanted was a guest to be unhappy. Even more so, she didn't want a guest to be unhappy because of her. And this whole ordeal had been her fault. IF she had just gone and done her thing, or better yet, not gone at all. They would have missed the storm and been where ever it was they were meant to be.

Assyrain surprised her when he placed his hand gently on her shoulder. She blinked and had to look at the massive palm before looking up into his face. The sincerity in his words was touching and she was almost ready to weep at it. Her emotions were way out of control right now and she knew that had to be done because of what has happened through the weeks leading up to this day. Not to mention the day itself. Instead of crying though, she pushed up a weak smile and gave a nod. Really, she didn't trust her voice to work right at the moment.

Then after some time he spoke again, this time mentioning the hour and hinting toward bed. It was a good suggestion and one she knew she should take. 'You go on ahead,' she assured, 'I want to stay up a bit longer.' She needed to make a potion to help keep the dreams at bay tonight. She was certain her subconscious would be giving her quite a ride if she allowed it to. 'As I said, any room is yours tonight.'

[/color][/size]

[ulrica]

<sub>He was lax to leave the girl, some remaining sense of chivalry ordering his protection over her until she too would go to bed. Assyrian ran a hand down his face. He was being overdramatic, or..his thoughts were? The young man smiled, nodding his head. Out of habit he dropped into a bow, sweeping his arm out in an attempt to gently take her own slender hand in his and bring it up to his lips to place a gossamer kiss on the backs of her knuckles. All it would take for the illusion of his past to be shattered would be a slight hesitation on her part, or perhaps stepping away from him. No matter the outcome the emberassment would set upon him almost instantly and he would grin sheepishly, giving a quick and hushed apology and resembling 'goodnight' before turning on his heel and climbing the stairs two at a time, Della following behind.

He could hear Misae's hushed breathing through the first door he came to, the subtle noises of life halting altogether as he hesitated outside her door. "Unless you would like to be crushed to death by this door, I would suggest you move or announce yourself.." Assyrian's soulmate cautioned, stepping back away from the door. The tall man smiled, shaking his head. He too knew the way his charge was prone to overreactions. So, resting a large palm against the wooden door, he cocked an ear toward the room behind it. "Misae? I'll be in the room on your right if you need me alright?" The shapeshifter waited a moment for her reply, but no sound came from within the room. "Sae?" He tried again, one hand reaching for the doorknob. Della whimpered slightly, glancing from the door to her bonded with obvious concern in her dark chocolate eyes. "Misae are you-" She was gone. The door had opened to reveal an empty room. She was gone. Strangely this hurt him more than he had thought it would. Assyrian, she wouldn't leave without us."</sub>[/i][/color] Della said softly, trying to comfort the man as he staggered over the carpet and to the open window. She was right of course, but it took Assyrian a moment to register the truth in her words.

"Assyrian you must find her. She is a danger to herself and everyone around her in this town. You have to find her. Now!"[/i][/color] The man nodded and turned for the door just as he heard the scream of a human who had just seen a monster...[/sub][/color]


<sub>Yes it had been Assyrian outside her door, but that wasn't where the threat had been coming from. As Misae's violet eyes turned to gaze once again at the pathway leading to the house, a shadow detached from the others and crept along the lighted road. A thief, eh..? The dragoness mused silently with no small amount of interest. What would a thief have gone to the trouble of stealing all the way out here? As far as she knew, the girl's house was somewhat cut away from the rest of the town. So who would go through the trouble of getting here to steal something, and what was there to steal anyhow? Something was missing, and Misae was about to find out.

With the lithenes of a feline, the woman leaped from the window, her boots hitting the earth with a soft 'thud'. The man looked at her with shock, then surprise, then horror. Who was this goddess like creature which had suddenly appeared before him, falling from the sky as if she had truly been sent from the heavens? Why did her eyes glow violet in the moonlight? Why did her back bulge so? And why did she stand so still? No tremble of muscles, no sign that her landing had hurt her in any way. "What are you...?" The man asked with fear in his quavering voice. Misae simply smiled and stepped forward, her arm wrapping around his neck as she turned to drag him to the door. She didn't see the knife. A short yelp of pain escaped her clenched jaw as the blade stabbed into her thigh. The woman cursed under her breath, her free hand yanking the blade from her muscle and tightening her hold on the screaming and choking man, still dragging him to the house. 

"Saaaeee!!!" Assyrian roared, suddenly charging out the door with fists clenched and Della snarling with fur bristled beside him. "Who the hell do you think you are to lay a finger on her?!"</sub>[/color] That was when his eyes registered the blood, Misae's blood. He grabbed the man by his neck, lifting his feet off the ground by a few inches. "Pray to your gods deamon, before I snap your fragile neck..."[/color] 

No. This was wrong. "Assyrian." Misae's violet eyes glanced back to the house, her hood long since fallen back to reveal the oddity of her appearance. "Assyrian, set him down. His punishment is not ours to command." The man obeyed her, slowly and he made sure to keep a strong grip on his small neck. The dragoness's eyes once again turned to the house, searching for the woman whose peace they had shattered.[/sub][/color]  

[Mama Z]

For a moment she thought he was going to try and persuade her to retire up to bed and Sybil was sure she didn't have the energy to fight it. But he didn't say a word, just bowed and reached for her hand. Her brows came together as he took it and brought it up to his lips. Gingerly he kissed her knuckles and she gave a faint smile. It was a bld move on his part and she was surprised he took the initiative.

But soon him and his pooch were moving to their room for the evening and she waited till she heard their footsteps up at the top of the stairs. She hated hiding who she was. But it was better to hide this part of her life then get knowing eyes. Besides, she didn't need a witch hunt at the moment. She stood up and stepped toward the fireplace. Just inside the opening, near where the flames danced, sat a small brick. With no fear of being harmed, she stuck her hand in and pressed the brick. It moved in with ease and then the fire place itself, pivoted on its side. It made an opening only five feet tall and around four feet across and with the glow of the fire, you could see the steps going down into darkness.

She was ready to step down into the steps when she heard a bout of commotion, namely her front door opening and then closing again. Sybil frowned deeply and stepped back. Immediately she shut her entrance and moved toward the front windows, the candles in the room flicking to life on their own as she passed. The door was open and she poked her head out, looking around. She should be fearful but really she was too numb to even emotionally think that far.

Thats when she saw the three human like figures and of course Della around. SHe was guessing it was Assyrain that was holding the other. Pushing the door open further, she stepped out, wrapping her arms round herself from the chill. Luckily the rain seemed to have stopped for the night. 'Everything alright?' She called out.

[/color][/size]

[ulrica]

_{"Everything alright?" A jerk ran through the shifter's entire body. He had ruined everything. She would scream now, why wouldn't she? As soon as the woman registered what she saw, she would scream and run for town. Except she would never reach it. Misae would kill her before she could even clear the property. A murder summed up to be just another freak accident. Assyrian turned to the voice, his eyes wide as the man dropped from his grip into a crumpled heap. Gasping noises came from Assyrians feet as he straightened into the stance of a soldier, chest out, chin up, right hand clasping left wrist behind his back. A snicker from his right let the man know Misae saw his change. "Ma'am, I am sorry to-" His words cut off at a small motion from the woman beside him.}[/color] 

<sub>The dragoness's eyes were hard and accusing as she grappled with the decision of killing these two people and being done with it or waiting to see how this would turn out. She walked on thin ice. Balancing on the fence of mortal and god, trying to hold onto her humanity in the midst of it all. Assyrian was about to ruin that balance, she silenced him quickly. "Do you know this man?" Misae asked, though with her tone of voice it sounded like more of a command. 

Blood was leaking freely from the wound in her leg, and though she healed much faster than humans it wouldn't be fast enough if she didn't help it along. The best way to do this would be a shift, but simply healing herself would also be beneficial. Anything to stop this blood flow... The woman thought sourly, wishing with all her heart that she could giv the man still gasping for oxygen a piece of her mind.</sub>[/color] 

[Mama Z]

It seemed things had gone straight to hell. It had taken her eyes a moment to adjust to the darkness that surrounded them and without the typical moonlight, even longer. As a sensitive human, she could tell there was something no right in the air. And it wasn't hard to see the man on the floor. A person who didn't belong. His breathing was hard, and he seemed more than frightened. And who could blame him?

Sybil pressed her lips together and stayed where she was. Intuition told her she was dealing with something that she wasn't powerful enough to deal with. She wished she could fully see what was going on. But she needed to know if she knew the man. She doubted it, or else she was sure he would have called to her and begged her to let him go. Wrapping her arms tighter around herself she moved forward into the night and closer to the trio of humaniods.

When she got close enough to see the mans face she shook her head. 'I don't.' Which was a mixed blessing. Her eyes glanced over to the others, who were in much more control of the situation than she was. And thats when she finally noticed how different dear Misae was. She took an involuntary step backward. Not out of fear but sheer surprise. No wonder they had felt so different. They were. This was...simply incredible. She had always read of creatures in her books but in this town she had never encountered one.

Her attention turned back to the man who they had caught trying to sneak into her haven and home. They needed to get rid of him. Of course, Sybil's solution wasn't as drastic as killing him. She knelt down and placed her first three fingers onto his forehead. If he sat still long enough, she would begin to a whisper. It was easy to hear the chant, soft and lyrical and in a language almost not of this worlds. Her finger tips would glow lightly and if nothing else happened, he'd pass out right into a deep sleep. Sybil licked her lips and looked to Assyrain, 'Can you pick him up and take him down the street? You can just dump him in the gutter.' Everyone would think he was nothing more than a drunk.

[/color][/size]

[ulrica]

<sub>"I don't." Misae nodded, running a hand through her hair. Good, that would make this easier. The dragoness was gazing down at the man with some small amount of interest when she saw the woman stagger away from her peripheral. Instantly, Misae took her own step backward and took a more deffensive stance though it wouldn't be noticably so to but the most trained soldier. She watched the girl with something like expectance in her eyes. Scream, run, make even the smallest of threats and your life is forfeit... The dragoness snarled inwardly, she knew better than to threaten a human in front of Assyrian. However, she couldn't help the brief curl of her lip with her venemous snarl.

The moment passed though, and the woman turned back to the would-have-been-thief still collapsed on the ground. She did a strange thing then, she walked up and placed her fingers on the man's forehead. He released another pitiful whimper but didn't moved otherwise. The young woman's hand began to glow then, something Misae tried to convince herself she hadn't seen. The man seemed to fall into a deep slumber, his body going limp and his ragged breathing becoming more routine if not more labored. The shifter blinked, who and what was this woman? Assyrian didn't seem to mind this new turn of events however, quite the opposite, he seemed overjoyed at it. Della even seemed a bit less worried, her tail giving a small wag. This couldn't be happening... Why couldn't they see that this girl was still dangerous? That she could turn on them in an instant. She had found some sort of safety here, but their small party of misfits might endanger that. There was no telling what she would do to ensure her own life and anonymity...</sub>[/color]

_{Assyrian nodded his head, a large grin on his face. She was like them, she possessed unexplainable gifts! They were safe! The man's heart fluttered like the wings of a hummingbird. His eyes turned toward Misae, his mouth opening as if to say something but instantly closing at the expression on her face. She seemed almost more terrified now than she had been when this woman was only a human. "What's wrong with her Della? Doesn't she understand that we're safe now?" Assyrian questioned his soulmate, as if she knew the answer. The small dog merely whined and shook out her fur. "Come... We need to take care of this man first..."}[/i][/color] Assyrian stooped down with a nod to the creature at his feet, one hand grasping the man's wrist while the other took hold of the same shoulder. With an almost feral grace, the shifter fluidly lifted the man to hang ungracefully by his middle over Assyrian's shoulder. "I'll take him to the edge of town." The man said before moving to turn down the path.

He had only walked a few steps when Misae's voice stopped him. "Syri...."[/color] Assyrian instantly stopped and turned; just as she knew he used her nickname when he was happy, she used his nickname when something was very wrong. Her hand came up suddenly and he had just enough time to register the glinting object flying toward his face was a knife. He caught it deftly, and without dropping the man, then looked back up at the woman who had thrown it. He knew what she was thinking. Saw it in the violet flames of her eyes, in the grim line of her mouth, and in the fists clenched by her sides. The thief owed her a debt. Assyrian swallowed and turned, but not quick enough to hide the troubled look on his face.[/sub][/color]

_{Misae's keen eyes watched the retreating back of her companion as he ducked into the trees, taking a shorter way back to the town. As he disappeared, her musical voice split the air, filling a silence which suddenly seemed bloated with noise. "You have seen, but it would have been better had you not. Ignorance brought you safety. I will not hesitate to do what is necessary to protect them, I trust you can understand that.." Her voice was calm, as casual as if this were simple conversation about the weather. Assyrian was the closest thing she had to family. Misae wouldn't be the first to start a fire, but she wasn't about to let her closest friend fall into danger in any way.}[/color] 

[Mama Z]

She had thought she had saved a mans life tonight. But with how everything was moving, it didn't look that way. She saw the dagger go flying, the blade glimmering in the night sky. They still planned to do away with him. She understood, but at the same he couldn't remember. The spell she had used assured that. Again though, she understood their need to be confidential.

She pressed her lips together firmly and watched as Assyrian took off with the man. That left her here with the other individual, the one all the precaution was for. She looked toward her as she gave the warning out. It wasn't surprising the loyalty they had for one another. They were tight, only able to understand one another in a way no one else could. She let out a small sigh, 'Ignorance put us both in danger. If something happened to you and I attempted to help, I could end up killing you. Or the reverse.' She could have mistaken healing with poison.

Sybil tucked a stray hair behind her hair. 'I promise I won't bring you harm. Or your friends harm. The last thing I need is for the world to know who I am as well.' She got enough attention. Not to mention the witch hunt that night ensue and the murders she maybe accused of. But now that all of this was out in the open, they would have to deal with it. 'Can I ask what you are?' She tried giving a smile, 'And rest assured, my powers focus in the winds. They're more healing spells as opposed to killing and harming.'

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[ulrica]

<sub>The woman's words went unresponded to for the most part. At times, the dragoness simply didn't know what to say, or she lacked the will to speak. Her leg ached as she still hadn't healed herself, luckily, it didn't seem to have hit the bone. But if it had, would Assyrian have hesitated? No... He would have murdered that man and it would have torn him apart... Misae couldn't understand her companion's faith in human nature. They were prideful, selfish creatures who would turn on their own families as quick as an enemy. A small smile curled the away side of her mouth at the thought of Assyrian's face toward this deduction. She could almost hear him protesting..

"Can I ask what you are?" Misae glanced toward the woman, biting her lower lip before running a hand through her pail hair. The woman forced a smile, an action which seemed habitual only in the muscle memory. An action which seemed to hold no real meaning other than to placate others. It was a look she vaguely recognized, but the dragoness couldn't place exactly where... Odd that I would feel that way... "And rest assured, my powers focus in the winds. They're more healing spells as opposed to killing and harming." Misae shrugged, turning to fully face the woman. "Have you not guessed it?" Misae replied with her own question, one brow quirking upward a bit. She reached up and undid the clasp of her riding cloak with a slender hand, a pair of finely muscled, pearly scaled wings revealed as the drape rippled to the earth. The milky scales of her dragon form showed undiluted upon her massive limbs, the veins of lavender and pale sapphire darkening on the soft, leathery undersides of her wings. It was nothing compared to a complete shift into her true form, but even such a portion of her real self was no small marvel. There were cracks upon a few of the pearled scales, scars of the dragoness's encounters with humans. Proof of the durability of her natural armor, and the fuel for her mistrust.

"You see? Even though I am the eldest, I find taking a purely human form quite impossible. Always my wings and eyes remain the same with my fangs retracting only enough to fit within my mouth." She paused for a moment, glancing back at the spot where Assyrian had disappeared. "I am not the only shapeshifter you have met this day you know.." Misae informed the girl, watching for her reaction.</sub>[/color]

_{The lights of the small coastal town burned hazily in the distance as Assyrian placed the unconscious man on the ground. He made sure the human would wake without any cramps or kinks in his neck or back then turned to other matters. Like the knife.. The shapeshifter pulled the weapon from the waistline of his pants, twisting it in the moonlight and watching the blade glint. It was a nice little dagger, weighted well with a hilt which provided an excelent grip. He was almost tempted to take it for himself. Almost. The smell of Misae's blood, now dried, on the blade was enough to make the young man want to both vomit and slaughter this thief where he lay. "Whatever you're going to do, hurry. We need to get back before Misae does something idiotic."}[/i][/color] Della suddenly butted into her bonded's thoughts, rushing him to a desicion. 

Assyrian bit his lip with a troubled look. This man owed Misae a debt, but... Should it really cost him his life...? The shifter groaned, what was was he supposed to do here? "Do what you know is right, love."[/i][/color] Assyrian nodded his head slowly, taking the knife in his hand. Della whimpered, cringing back a few steps. With a quick stab, the knife buried it's wicked blade into the man's thigh. He gave a small groan but showed no other sign that he had felt it. Oh well, he will soon enough. Assyrian rose swiftly, suddenly wanting to be rid of this place. Suddenly wanting the comfort of Misae and the woman. "Come on Della, let's head back." He said aloud, something about the sound of a voice making him feel more at ease as he stepped into the forest to silently weave his way back toward the women he had left.[/sub][/color] 

[Mama Z]

It probably was an obvious question, but in these situations, Sybil knew it was best not to assume a thing. The last thing she wanted was to make a fool of herself because she put her stupid logic against real logic. She was looking toward Misae. She wasn't fearful, not yet at least. She was sure if harm was to be done to her, it would have been.

Misae shifted ehr riding cloak and soon a set of extremely large set of pearl colored wings were revealed. Well now. Sybil had thought it a mere hunch the woman had from riding so long. She watched the colors shift in the moonlight and was truly awestruck. She had only read of dragons. Her books had hinted that they more or less went extinct some years ago. But they were alive. She wanted to reach out and touch the smooth scales but knew that would be more than rude.

Then her gaze shifted to Misae as she started speaking again. Assyrain was a shifter too? She tilted her head slightly, 'Is he a dragon as well?' But her attention didn't stay on Misae's face too long, she was looking back toward the wings, fascinated by them.

[/color][/size]

[ulrica]

<sub>Misae hesitated with her response. Assyrian viewed his strongest form as a curse, would he want her to explain to this woman the massive form he claimed? The tattoos which were hidden beneath his clothing but for those which ran from the end of his left eyebrow to curl under it's corresponding eye. The tattoos he had recieved in payment for his least favorite form... 

"It's alright, Sae..." Strong hands suddenly rested on her shoulders as Assyrian appeared behind her.</sub>[/color]

<sub>The shifter paused just on the edge of the tree line. Misae's wings were bared and flared just slightly. His eyes searched worriedly for the deadly spikes which were sheathed within the joints of her massive limbs, relief flooding him when he saw they were still safely tucked away. So that means she's willingly showing her wings... Something fluttered within Assyrian's chest. A mixture of hope and happiness that his companion was finally trusting someone other than himself.

"Is he a dragon as well?" Silence. Misae didn't speak for a moment, grappling with decision of telling her friend's secret or letting him explain for himself. Assyrian sighed running a hand down his face. "Sometimes you have to wonder if she arranges these things don't you..."</sub>[/i] The man grumbled through his link. Della whinned suportively, her tail wagging slightly. "You know she wouldn't tell without your permission."[/i][/color] The creature replied gently, dark brown eyes looking up at the tall shifter. Assyrian sighed. Misae had opened up at least a small amount to this woman, he couldn't in good conscience not do the same. But at the same time he loathed the thought of this woman finding out his curse and hating him for it. Misae's form was pure and beautiful, he was a monster in comparison. A half breed of two creatures who were never meant to he mixed... 

He stepped silently out from the trees, walking the few steps to where Misae stood and placing gentle hands on her shoulders. "It's alright, Sae...." He looked up to the woman. "Perhaps we could continue this conversation inside, M'lady? Any questions you have we will answer, it's the least we can do given the circumstances..." Assyrian grinned sheepishly, Della watching the woman with tongue lolling from the side of her mouth. If the young witch would turn to her house, the man would grab the dragoness's cloak from the ground and steer his charge after her with one gentle at her back, otherwise, he would comply with the woman's wishes.[/sub][/color]