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Post by Shadaras on Jun 18, 2007 21:06:29 GMT -5
"Wizards," Lucifer said. "Blasted wizards who think they know everything, including how to get through a notoriously hard to pass through forest." He paused. "Though I suppose it's also partially my fault for deciding to see if they were right. Not that it really matters. How did you come to wander these woods?"
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2007 21:10:40 GMT -5
"Traveling, as usual. This is my wandering year, I miscounted, I assumed it would be next year." Seeing the dragon's blank look he grinned, showing white teeth. "Ah, right. Centaurs have wandering years every two centuries. I am one hundred and twenty, so this is my wandering year." He stopped and dipped his hooves in a small stream that lay in front of them. "Some do not survive this year, especially our colts and fillies. It is hardest on them."
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Post by Shadaras on Jun 18, 2007 21:21:37 GMT -5
"A wandering year..." Lucifer said thoughtfully. "That explains some things." He stopped, unwilling to go further into either his history or his name-father's until he knew if he could trust Alistair. Though with his name-father's powers and history, he wouldn't be suprised if he could.
The stream in front of them shimmered, and Lucifer, even with his face still shadowed by the trees, could see the black and white markings on his face and neck clearly in it. He knew that he was the only one so sensitive about magi-marks, but his had only been seen once before, and no-one wanted to remember Lord Lucifer Starshadow's reign.
Shaking his head, Lucifer said, "I suppose it is only fair to offer something of my culture to you, since you have told me something of yours." he flew out to near the center of the stream, where sun shone down upon the water, and landed, folding his wings. "The marks upon my head are what we call magi-marks. Not rare, but not common, either. The pattern I wear is the rarest of them all. More than that, I am not willing to tell."
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2007 21:32:12 GMT -5
Nodding the centaur waded in, it went halfway to his elbows, the water was cool to his sweaty hide. "I understand, all will be made clear in its own time." He traced the black tribal tattoos that started at his finger tips and ended at his face. There were no tattoos on his back or chest, just his arms, neck and face. "In the centaur clans, markings are diverse to each clan. And within a clan, the markings show rank. My markings tell any centaur that I am a general."
He stopped talking, feeling as if he said too much. To give away all of the clan secrets was to be banned from centaur ways forever. He sighed and splashed the cool water on his face, then onto his long, broad horse back.
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Post by Shadaras on Jun 18, 2007 21:41:56 GMT -5
"So in your culture, you are higher rank than I am in mine." Lucifer sighed. For all that having someone to talk to who was unbiased about him was an interesting experience, he'd better shut up soon. He dived underwater, holding on to the ground with his magic. Magic, he thought bitterly. That's what got Starshadow into that mess. And that mess, and that magic, had been passed on to him. He shook his head. He had to stop thinking about that, or else he'd probably go insane.
Letting go of the stream's bottom, he floated back to the surface. "Alistair, we're probably going to be stuck in this forest for a long time. It might be a few years before it releases us, or it could be a few months. Either way, we're likely not to find another sentient being in this forest if we split apart. I know that I, at least, would go insane if I couldn't talk to anyone but myself for that long. So no matter how much on your nerves I get, or you on mine, I'm going to follow you around for quite a while."
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2007 21:44:51 GMT -5
A deep throated laugh served as the general's reply. "You are welcome to join me, Lucifer. It's unbearably boring by myself for a full year, Gani be my witness." He forced himself out of the water and shook, snorting water out of his nose. "That was a wonderful splash, er, if you don't mind me asking. What do you eat? I have bread, cheeses, a little meat that I bought right before getting lost in this gods-forsaken excuse for a forest."
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Post by Shadaras on Jun 18, 2007 22:47:42 GMT -5
Lucifer shrugged. "I'll eat just about anything. Normally I hunt for food, but in this forest, that might not be such a good idea." He followed the centaur, getting out of the water. His feathers would soon loose the water that had accumulated on them, but he could walk for the short time that took. He looked at the centaur. It was easy to forget justs how large they were in comparison to a forest dragon. He only came up to Alistair's knees, after all, and he was large for his kind.
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Post by Goosh on Jun 19, 2007 10:28:04 GMT -5
Raff stayed silent throughout Lucifer and Alistair's banter. It seemed the dragon hated wizards, and the centaur hated humans. Good for him, falling into both categories.
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Post by costaricangirl on Jun 19, 2007 11:27:26 GMT -5
Gwin Cypress and Terrence surveyed the entire scene with silent interest.
"Follow them," Gwin had hissed as they walked away. Terrence had obediently taken off and followed the three large figures from a distance.
"Can you hear what they're saying, Madam?" Terrence asked after a few minutes.
Gwin strained her ears--and her magic--to somehow hear what the strangers were saying, but she was only able to catch a word here and there.
"Terrence," she said suddenly. "I believe it is time for a confrontation."
With Gwin still firmly on his back, the scarlet bird swooped down to a small tree a short distance in front of the trio.
"Excuse me," Gwin said as loudly and politely as she could. "I could not help but notice that you three seem to be lost in my dear forest. Could I be of any assistance?"
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2007 13:45:15 GMT -5
A small voice reached the centaur's ears. "Hm? Oh, hello my little lady." He held out his hand, offering a perch so he could see better. "Assistance? Yes, assistance would be nice. Might you know the way out?" He stood, stomping his large hooves on the ground. "Forgive me, where are my manners? I'm Alistair, general of the T'kari clan. May I inquire your name, and the name of your companion?"
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Post by Shadaras on Jun 19, 2007 14:30:12 GMT -5
Lucifer shied back, away from the bird and the little human on it. "If you would be so kind as to lead us to the edge of this forest, that would be appreciated," he said, not offering his name. If the little one told him its name, he'd tell it his.
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Post by costaricangirl on Jun 19, 2007 17:45:46 GMT -5
"I am called Gwin Cypress the forest pixie, and this is Terrence the scarlet tanager, my loyal companion and friend."
Terrence seemed to feel rather taken aback that she had revealed their names and species so readily. He did not trust these intruders.
Gwin slid off of Terrence's back and stepped onto Alistair's hand. Terrence held back, uneasy.
"So," Gwin said brightly. "You want to escape Ayvir, do you?"
Terrence chuckled behind her. Seeing the three great beings' mystified faces, he said mysteriously, "you will only escape Ayvir when it lets you leave. Unfortunately you didn't seem to realize that upon arrival." He shook his head, rather pleased that these intruders were trapped.
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Post by Goosh on Jun 19, 2007 17:49:12 GMT -5
Raff spoke up. "Oh, that's great." He turned to Gwin. "So what are we to do until then?"
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Post by Shadaras on Jun 19, 2007 17:51:44 GMT -5
"Oh, I know it is," Lucifer said. "It's in out legends. But a few wizards thought they knew how to get through anyway. I wanted to escape Dhakal for a while, so I volunteered to test their theory. Needless to say, it didn't work. Oh, and my name is Lucifer." He bowed a little. "Pleased to meet you." Turning his head to face the wizard, he said, "We wait. We explore. We try to survive."
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Post by Deleted on Jun 19, 2007 19:53:36 GMT -5
Alistair seemed to be the only sheepish one. "I guess I should have paid more attention when I was a colt, learning my lessons." He gently brought his hand up so everyone could see the pixie easily. "Be at peace, master Terrence, we mean you no harm." He glanced at Raff,and chuckled. "You could always pick the burrs out of my tail, Gani knows how much trouble that can be."
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