The Soul of a Dragon

[Monkey Monk]

The streets were peaceful in the early evening. The
occasional couple could be seen strolling together arm
in arm. The moan was high above, shining it's rays
down upon the city. Indeed everything was at peace.
Cheerful singing came forth from the local pubs. The
murmur of voices rang out from the restaurants and
their patrons along with the clatter of silverware on
china. All was indeed a seemingly cheery and gleeful
mood. Yet it seemed that not every soul within the city
was enjoying their night.

Quite suddenly the door to one of the pubs slammed
open, painting the sidewalk and street with a sliver of
golden light. Yelling cascaded out of the door before a
lithe figure was thrown out to crumble on the ground in
a heap of a fur coat and black silk. The one who had
done the throwing, a rather large bartender, pointed a
menacing finger at the one he had so unceremoniously
escorted from his establishment. His husky voice rang
out into the air angrily. "If I see you here again I'll toss
you to the sea! I will not have your scummy type
tainting my benches!" Once his message was
delivered, the door slammed shut and the wretched
soul was left to tend to himself in the moonlight.

Slowly the man, as that was what he apparently was,
rose to his feet. The folds of his bear pelt fur coat
cascaded down to the ground and was quickly shut.
Yet if one had a quick eye, they might catch the gleam
of pale blue scales that so lusciously covered his chest.
A scar was adorned upon his right cheek, scales similar
to the ones on his chest painted across his flesh.
Almond shaped eyes looked around slowly, causing the
few onlookers to divert their eyes from him. Those
ocular organs had their irises so beautifully colored in
an emerald hue. Stark white hair covered the apex of
this man's head, almost glowing in the moonlight.

That's the third tavern these past two days I have
been thrown out of. What is my crime? Why is it that
these people seem to discriminate against those who's
blood is not pure? Do they think I asked to become this
abomination? Do they think I want to be this creature
of which I am slowly becoming? Damn them to hell. I
guess it's sleeping in an alley for me once more.
Such thoughts buzzed inside his mind like angry
wasps. Yet he did not let his fury be shown forth to
those around him. However, he knew he had not the
money to keep enduring these half-meals for much
longer. If only he could recall what his trade had been.
If only he could remember the smallest tid bit of who
he had been, even if it was only his name.

With a forlorn sigh this man would begin to walk off
down the sidewalk. The gold wired hilt of his blade
protruded from the back of his coat. Yet he did not
know where he had gotten such a saber or what
purpose it had served. The truth was, he knew not a lot
about himself. The music of his boots falling upon the
stones of the sidewalk rang out into the air. His black
silky pants moved fluidly with each step. Somberly he
gazed around with those almond shaped eyes. Long
ago he had given up searching for a kind soul in this
city. Now what he searched for was a some-what
decent corner to curl up in.

[Mama Z]

'I win!'

The shout was loud enough of break the awkward silence of the night and the pitch of it was obviously a woman. Not too far up the street from a figure seemed to dance a sort of a victory dance around the oil lamp that rested in front of one of the many hotels within the area. With one hand she grabbed the poll and spun around it, letting the momentum of her body carry her. Her hair was half-down, the other half was up in a braid, and the mousey strands were no longer then her shoulder. In the moon light her eyes still seemed to be a light, and in the sunlight they appeared to be an even lighter green. Her frame was covered with a rather nice cloak, that went to about midwaist. The bottom half with which could be seen was that of a dark green dress.

Her laughter filled the air as another figure joined hers, this one much rather bigger then hers and carried broad shoulders, it was once again obvious it was male. He was wearing the right attire for the town and carrying what looked like a tiny case. He paused, hands resting on his knees, his head turned and he was able to gasp out something which made the girl laugh even more. Letting go of the poll she lightly skipped over to him.

'Ive always been faster then you dear brother.' She stated, the sound of victory still ringing in her tone.

The man shifted and stood up, 'Not always Zerlina.' He pointed then easily shoved the case into her hands. 'Now you can carry your own flute the rest of the way.' She took the case that was pushed into her hands and once again she laughed, the word Jealous rang through the air as she began to walk the way they were orignally going, not seeming to pay attention to the others that were around.

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(I know I know..It sucks but live with it! Lmao..)

[Monkey Monk]

The man who had been so roughly expelled from his
nightly meal, and who's name was not known,
continued to stroll down the sidewalk. He was lost
within the foggy confines of his mind, unaware of those
about him. Perhaps if he had not been stewing over
the indignations he suffered in this city he would have
noticed he was on a collision course for the woman
and her siblings. Yet such was not how it was. He
seemed predestined to collide with the female. Luckily
for him, he was blissfully unaware of the path that his
feet carried him on. Unseeingly he strode on, like a
train on it's tracks.

The distance between this unlucky being and the pair
was closing rapidly. His ears had picked up their
exclamations and conversation, yet it had not been
relayed to his mind. Fingers played with the silky
insides of his lusciously thick coat. Why though? Why
is it people act in such a cruel manner? I am equal to
them, am I not? So what if I have these scales? So
what if I change more and more each night? Is it not
something out of control? Maybe it has to do with my
past. Perhaps the residents of this city know
something about me that I do not. Was I a cruel man
before I lost my memory? Is this all some sort of
punishment?

It was only if and when he ran into the others, and in a
literal manner, that he would come forth from his
thoughts. No matter who it was that he might knock
over, he would quickly mutter his apologies. His knees
would bend as he would bend over to help the unlucky
soul to their feet. Yet he would do his best to avoid
letting his emerald gaze lock with their own. It was
then he noticed that in his time within the city, he had
let himself fall into the mindset that he was a lower
form of being. Noticing this caused his mind to scream
out at himself in anger. Yet for now he could not punish
himself. He would let his apologies ring out once
more. "I am truly sorry, I was not play attention. Are
you ok?"

[Mama Z]

And Indeed collision was going to happen. And what for? Who knows, fate often times had an odd hand in things and yet whether this form of crossing paths would be for good or ill, was hard to say. The young man had paused briefly, fumbling with something and the young woman seemed to slow and look behind curious as to know what he was doing. And she was indeed ready to ask when she felt her body suddenly run into something firm and her rump hit the ground in a lively manner.

The case in which she had been holding seemed to slip out of her hands like a bar of soap. Easily it tumbled once in teh air before crashing down upon the sidewalk. It hit the ground once on its side, bounced again and finally skittered across the ground, stopping a few feet away. Already her body was starting to ache with pains. 'Ouch!' She exclaimed shifting off her palms and looking at them. IT didnt take long befeore her brother was at her side.

'Lina, are you alright?' He asked kneeling down and then helping her stand, currently caring more for his sister then the stranger.

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[Monkey Monk]

Watched as the brother tended to his sibling. It was
natural of course to care more about one's sibling than
a complete stranger. Yet he still felt the need to aid the
woman to whom he had collided with. Slowly he
walked over to the case and picked it up with his pale
fingers. After taking only a moment to examine it and
make sure there was no serious damage, he walked
back to the others. Any thief with any sense would
have taken the case and run off. No doubt such an
item could catch a nice set of coins in the local pawn
shop. Yet this man was no thief. Not to mention the
last thing he needed was to be spending the night in
lock up.

It was thus that he would offer forth the case to the
woman. Lazily he flicked his pure white hair from his
eyes. If only he had enough money to buy a decent
hair cut, though he doubted any respectable barber
would offer him service. His pale hand continued to
hold out the case as a feeling of stupidity and
embarrassment washed over the figure. "I..I think you
dropped this. I am truly sorry about running into you."
As soon as the case would be taken from his grasp, his
hand would dart back into his coat. Those ears of his
listened intently for the inevitable onslaught of names
and curses that would most likely soon be falling down
upon him. At least his conscience was clear, having
aided the others as much as they would allow.

[Mama Z]

She nodded in response to her brothers question, seeming somewhat dazed from the rapid encounter, without question he took both her hands and looked at their heels, judging the damanage which had been done. 'Im fine.' She reassured, hating the way he always babied her. He didnt say anything as he continued to wipe dirt away. Rolling her eyes she looked at who she had run into, only to be surprised that he was handing back over the case.

Green eyes quickly glared at her brother and she tore her hands away. HE tried protesting but she quickly stated, "Im fine Richard.' She looked back at the man and put on an appologetic smile and gently took the case. 'Im sorry about that. I have a bad habit of not looking where Im going.'

Eyes wandered down to the case and looked it over, her smile grew as she noted no damage to the case which meant that no damage would befall the instrument. Lina looked back up, looking over at him, 'Are you alright?' She questioned hoping she didnt injure him too bad if at all.

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[Monkey Monk]

Quickly he dismissed her self-accusing statement. It
was then that it would become apparent that he had
manners, despite the coldness he was given in such a
city. His head shook slowly from side to side, shooting
down her apology kindly. Finally his voice rang out to
explain his actions. "It is not your fault. I was lost in my
mind and did not watch my steps." It was then he
heard something that shocked him. Had a pure-blood
in this city just asked if he was alright? He had to be
dreaming. That's what it was. Right now he was asleep
in an alley, dreaming up this whole situation. All he had
to do was pinch himself and he would awake. Quickly
he dug his nails into his flesh and awaited for the
dream world to spin away.

Yet when it did not, he was even more dumbstruck. His
voice flowed forth from his lips in an almost dreamy
state. It was as if his mind was not present, which was
actually the case. He was wondering to himself how
this could be true. How this could not all be a dream. "I
am fine. The only thing hurt is my pride..." Once the
last note left his lips, he snapped from his daze. Those
emerald colored eyes looked over the two siblings.
Perhaps he should run. Perhaps this was all a rouse
meant to be some cruel joke. However, they did not
seem the type who would perform such an act. Still, his
assumptions had proved wrong time and time again
within this city.

[Felypsa]

oOc| Ok...if you don't mind, I'mma join in...but my intro is really long. Bear with me, guys. x.o

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It was a typical night at The Rising Dragon, a small tavern in the city of Escavas. A young girl, daughter of the innkeeper, was slowly washing dishes in the kitchen. She was rather plain-looking, with shoulder-length curly brown hair and green eyes, and she was garbed in a green dress with an apron. She sighed as she washed the same pan over and over again, lost in thought. She was staring out of the kitchen’s only window, watching the denizens of Escavas pass by, all of them living lives much more exciting than hers.

As she methodically cleaned the dishes and watched the happenings of the city, she saw a pair of people crash into each other. The girl winced, for the collision probably hurt. However, as one—a young woman—was helped up by her companion, the dishwasher saw that they were okay. She squinted and witnessed the other man, the one who had crashed into the woman, hand her a case. A flute case! The dishwasher was impressed. She loved music, and admired anyone who could play an instrument. Such skill was certainly beyond her.

She was distracted, however, by her father, who came barging into the kitchen. He was a burly sort of man reminiscent of a bear, but he had his soft spots. He saw his daughter calmly washing dishes and cried, “Misty, we’re in trouble! Some rumor has spread that the inn down the street, what’s-it-called…The Scarlet Lion or summat…has better entertainment and food. We’re losing a lot of our customers. If this keeps up, we’ll be out of business within a week!”

“Don’t exaggerate, Daddy,” the girl addressed as Misty replied. “We’ll be fine…” her voice trailed off as she looked back outside, where the flute-girl was still hanging about. She suddenly got a bright idea, and said, “Daddy, I’ll find you an entertainer if you promise to pay.” With his startled but sincere promise, Misty left the boring dishes and rushed out the tavern, across the street to where the small party of three still stood.

“Hello!” she called out jovially. “My inn, The Rising Dragon, is looking for some entertainers. We’ll pay you well, whether you want money or just a night to spend at the inn…” She slowed down as she approached them, smiling at them all. She glanced from Richard to Zerlina to Caliga, and paused as her gaze roamed over the last. He looks…unnatural, she thought, startled. I hope he’s not. She turned back, focusing mainly on Lina. “Would you like to play your flute?” she asked eagerly. “If you do, we’ll even let your friends stay at our inn for free.”

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[Mama Z]

Lina laughed at slightly at his rather surprised looking face, Richard as well, save for he tried to hold it in a bit better and he stepped further up towards his sister. 'Please, Lina is rather clumsy. It more then likely was more her fault then yours.' Now this was the point if one looked close enough that the two looked nothing like siblings. Richards shocking, and yet fine, blonde hair stood out, as well as the pair of light brown eyes. His facial features were different then Linas as well, they held rounded curves, unlike his sisters whos were quite pronouced. Also if one held the power, such as one with demons blood, these two wouldn't be anying near a pure-blooded human, yet they quite didnt have the same demon aura like any other one would hold.

Lina glanced over Caliga, now noticing some subtle differences within that she hadnt encountered in years. He was different. Her mouth opened ready to ask his name when there was a sudden a happy: Hello! Both siblings turned and listened her to her speak as she approached. Music? Green eyes glanced at her flute case then back at Misty. When she offered a few things she looked at her brother, then at Caliga, 'Do you need a place to stay?' She asked, she didnt need a place to stay or money. She loved playing purely on the entertainment side.

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[Monkey Monk]

The curious man was about to argue his point to the
siblings when he heard a new voice. Such an
exclamation that rang out caused him to slowly slink
back away from the street lamp. It was his experience
in this city to avoid crowds. Groups of people usually
brought trouble, or worse. However, he did listen
intently to the conversation going on between the
others. When the newcomer looked upon him, his
emerald gaze avoided hers. He knew not how she
expected him to be any form of entertainment. The
only way he had entertained anyone in this city was
the countless times he had been thrown from a tavern
or inn.

It was when the woman with whom he had collided
spoke to him that he would let his silence be broken.
Yet it took several moments for him to do so. As he
waited to find the correct wording of the message he
wished to convey, he let his eyes looked to the
ground. A ray of moonlight cascaded down upon in,
bathing him in it's ivory light. His pure white hair
gleamed softly as did the pale blue scales upon his
cheek. Soon he broke his bond of quiet, letting his
voice ring out in a false tone of reassurance. "I find a
place to stay each night.." It was not a lie, but it was
not the truth either. True, he did find places to sleep,
but they were in the alley. Still, he did not wish to
accept charity when he knew of nothing he could do to
repay them.

[Felypsa]

Misty stood there, wringing her hands anxiously, waiting for their answer. They seemed inclined, all but the other man, the possibly unnatural one. He had white hair, yet he was plainly young. That was odd in itself…but then there was the aura he gave off that made Misty rather nervous. She was determined, though, to be generous and friendly to all members of the party. So when Caliga made his demurring reply, she said, “Oh? But I bet none of those places are as comfortable as The Rising Dragon!” She gestured behind her to her parents’ inn, which was small but brightly lit. To Misty’s dismay, she saw a group of people leaving it, and that heightened her urgency to get Zerlina to play for the remaining customers—and, hopefully, draw even more.

“We’ve got plenty of rooms, and they’re very spacy, and the beds are filled with the finest featherdown you can find in Escavas,” she explained to the three, slipping into “advertise” mode. “And the food is fantastic. I promise you that, as one who’s had to live on it all her life.” She beamed at them. “And, like I said, we’ll let all three of you stay for free, if you would just be willing to play for a while,” she said, looking at Zerlina rather pleadingly. “But if you others really, really want to help, you can wash the dishes for me,” she added under her breath, grimacing a little. “I am so sick of washing dishes…but you don’t have to, of course, this is entirely the hospitality of The Rising Dragon!” She looked at all three of them again, her eyes softly pleading. “What do you say?”

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[Mama Z]

Lina and Richard look at each other, seeming to communicate without using words. Finally he sighed and shrugged, 'If you really want to.' Lina smiled and pretty much tackled her brother giving him a tight hug, oh he was so understanding! Green eyes loooked at Misty and she nodded, 'If you have a piano that would be even better. Richard here plays.." She stuck her hand up to silence her brother, 'And we know this charming duet.' Richard glared at her then rolled his eyes, it was no use, once Zerlina had her mind up, it was made up.

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[Monkey Monk]

The Rising Dragon...? Is it a sign from the fates..? Or
is it just coincidence...? The name...seems familiar...but
should I...? Why not... For quite some time the
stranger remained silent. One might consider it odd
that he had not offered up his name, and one might
consider it rude. Yet he did no such action because
what he was called was not his true name. Such a
leisure of knowing what his parents, if he had any, had
given him for a title was lost with the rest of his
memories. Many a night had been spent in trying to
recall such knowledge, but it had all been in vain. He
doubted he would ever again know what his true title
was.

Once the two siblings had given their decision, he
seemed to find it easier to come to his own. At the
offer of labor in payment for a room was enticing. He
was sure he would find a better way to reimburse
these kind souls for extending such an offer. Silence
captivated him for quite some time until finally he
nodded his head. Hands remained buried within the
soft fur coat as his emerald gaze continued to avoid
those of the others. When he spoke, his voice was soft
and barely audible to the normal ear. "I will also accept
your offer. But I am afraid I have no entertaining
talent, not to mention residents of this place don't
seem too keen to a half-blood like myself. Yet I can do
dishes and clean up, but I would rather do so at
night.."

[Felypsa]

Misty clapped her hands together excitedly when not only Zerlina, but also Richard assented. “Oh, fantastic!” she gushed, smiling at both siblings. “A piano? Yes…we do…we used to have a pianist too, but she’s traveling now.” She frowned a little, then grinned again. “Oh, this is exciting. I’m so glad I found you. You’re absolutely wonderful.” Misty then turned to the quiet, brooding Caliga, listening to his reply, and her worst fears were confirmed. He’s a half-blood. She swallowed a little in nervousness, but she would be ashamed if she retracted her offer now. Though she might modify it. “Your…consideration for others is very kind,” Misty informed him. “If that really bothers you, you can…you can help out in the kitchen, at night, as you so request.” She was more than a little relieved that he was willing to do this. He’s a half-blood! She’d only heard horrible, grotesque stories about such creatures. Her father would not like this part of the bargain; but her father did not have to know.

She smiled at them as she led them across the street towards The Rising Dragon. “Thank you so much. By the way, I’m Misty.” She paused and extended her hand out to first Zerlina, then Richard (blushing a little as she met his eyes), and, after a moment’s hesitation, Caliga, though she did so more reluctantly and averted her gaze from the half-blood.

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[Mama Z]

Both Zerlina and Richard were looking at Caliga at his small, yet otherwise not surprising, confession. Lina turned and looked at her brother, once more asking a question without words. Her brother looked at her and gave the faintest shake of his head. No, his body language told her, dont you dare. This caused her frown slightly then look back at the bouncy Misty. But the small conversation ended as they heard there was a piano and Lina grined widely, 'Oh good.' She stated, loving the chanve to embarase her brother once more. Richard rolled his eyes, figures, he thought, I can never sit back and be an audiance member.

The duo followed their little hostess across the street to the inn nicely dubbed the Rising Dragon. 'I never knew this was here.' Lina commented looking at the building, then looked down as Misty now introduced herself and shook her hand. 'Im Lina.' She stated introducing her own name which might be of some use to the inn-keepers daughter later. 'Richard,' Her brother stated smirking lightly as he noted the tiniest hint of red on her cheeks. He looked back over at his sister who was eyeing him with the look that clearly said: Too young, he coughed trying to disguise his laughter.[/center][/color][/size]