OCC: This RP is just for me and DS4.

IC:
Fletcher sat on a ledge high up on a cliff eating his morning meal. It had been several weeks since his arrival at the monastery in Danthuania and he had fully recovered from the Vanquisher attack that had nearly killed him. Since then thew gryphon had decided to take his prey to high, hard-to-reach places so he would not be attacked while he was eating. Howeve,r since the attack there had been no Vanquisher activity anywhere in the valley. Natagath and Violeta had left a couple days ago to travel to the Danthuanian capital on important business, leaving just Fletcher and Samantha and the monks at the monastery.

The gryphon finished up his meal and took off, heading back toward home. Ever since he had the strange dream about his sister, Fletcher had wondered where she was. He had all but forgotten about the other vision he had seen. Up ahead the monastery sat atop the cliff, a spectacular spectacle with its many bridges and walkways connecting the buildings which sat on separate ledges.

Sevena tilted her head with curiosity. She followed Fletcher out of the room but paused a little bit away, suddenly shy. She ducked her head in a half-bow in greeting to the dragon, watching as it slid from the water, scales glittering and shimmering in the sun like the hide of a fish.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sam looked up from drifting at the bottom of the pool. She smiled as she saw Fletcher, her only friend. Her only best friend, she amended. She smiled, and thrust her wings down. She surged up and out of the water, sending water droplets everywhere. She laughed, a warm, burbling sound. After all these weeks you should know better than to stand so close to the edge. she said, her iridescent-pearl-blue eyes glittering with humor. She landed lightly on her hindpaws, shook to rid herself of left over water, then lifted her head to look at the female gryphon. She smiled at her warmly.

Fletcher managed to avoid the vast majority of the water. I would appreciate it if you didn't embarrass me in front of our guest. Fletcher said to Sam mentally.

"This is Sevena." he introduced. "She is here to explore and map the land."

Turning to Sevena he said, "I believe they have maps of Danthuania in the library if that would help.


OCC: Bah, short post.

Sam just grinned at her friend, her eyes twinkling with humor. She lifted an eyeridge, her expression mischievous. Ooh. she said, and chuckled. She dipped her head to the gryphon. A pleasure, Sevena. she murmured, then watched with bright eyes as the two majestic creatures walked away.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sevena smiled at the dragon. Charmed. she replied warmly. She dipped her head to Samantha, then turned to follow Fletcher. She padded forward till she walked at his left shoulder. Are there any other gryphons here that you know of? she asked. It was a blunt question, for her, but asking it out right was better, in this situation, than trying to beat around the bush. Iaras wanted Seenia found. She was to find her. And find her she would, if she had to fly to the edges of the world. The female gryphon flicked her tail as she peered at Fletcher from the corner of her green-flecked-with-gold eyes, curious despite herself of this male.

Sevena didn't look back. He has no interest in dominating other lands. As for fighting...He will only fight you if you challenge him directly. she said. The sun was low in the sky by the time she got out to the courtyard with the pool. Samantha was relaxing by the water's edge. When the female gryphon walked by, the Ice/Water dragon lifted her head, ears pricked forward curiously. Did you find what you were- she began, but Sevena didn't hear the rest. She spread her wings and leapt off the ledge to search for a place to sleep for the night. She didn't feel welcome in the dragon keep.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sam was startled and a bit offended by Sevena's silence. She got to her paws and padded into the monastery in search of Fletcher. When she found him, and saw his expression, she became concerned. What happened? Sevena all but stalked past me without a single glance about five minutes ago. She flew off the ledge a bit deeper into the mountains. she said to him, her eyes worried.

Sam growled at the mention of the king. If he does cause trouble he will learn to regret it. she hissed under her breath. She sighed sadly when Sevena came up. Creep or not, finding out that the one you loved was not truly what he seemed was never a kind awakening. I will stay in the pool tonight just in case she comes back. she said as he walked into the dragon keep. Be careful when you speak with her. I've no experience in the ways of love, but I think that finding out she is not loved in return will make her defensive and hostile toward any gestures of consolation. she murmured, then turned and walked back toward the pool. She laid down at the edges with her tail dipped into the water, head resting on her crossed forepaws.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sevena laid curled up in a shallow cave just a few yards north of the monastery. She had one wing lowered to cover her face. Despite her eyes being closed, tears still ran from them and down her beak to the ground. Her heart quaked painfully in her chest, bringing a fresh wave of tears. She hadn't known that heartbreak would hurt so much.

Sevena nodded in understanding. At his cry, she turned and, indeed, she did see a dragon with a Rider upon its back. She glanced at Fletcher apprehensively, then followed behind him a bit more slowly. She dipped her head to the Pair as they both noticed her presence. She ruffled her feathers self-consciously. Hello. I'm Sevena. she said, abruptly shy again like she had been when she met Samantha.

OOC:
Short. >.<

Sevena remained mostly quiet. She had tried to avoid contact with dragons because they were so large. She dipped her head in gratitude to the pair as they welcomed her. She smiled faintly as Fletcher said she was an explorer. She made a note to herself to thank him later for keeping her true intentions a secret from his friends. She looked up at the sun and thought she should leave soon if she were to arrive at the shore in time to meet Iaras before he had the chance to come inland. She turned to Fletcher. I should be on my way soon to meet Iaras. You may come if you wish. I'll go to the monastery and then go from there. she said to the gryphon privately. She looked at Violeta and smiled. Yes. A friend of mine had heard of this land and wanted me to scope it out since he was unable to come himself. that was as close to the truth as she could get with these two.

Sevena grimaced. Tell them the friend I spoke of earlier is coming in the morning tomorrow and I go to meet him and bring him here, and that you would like to come with me to welcome him. It is innocent enough and close enough to the truth that your not really lying in the first place. she said in reply. The monastery was coming into view. She pulled her wings in for a shallow dive. She would get a drink of water and then go. If she knew him right, she almost snorted at that thought, Iaras would arrive near dawn tomorrow, so she would need to fly fast if she was to beat him to the coastline.

Sevena nodded. Come then. We must fly fast. Do you know of the shortest way possible to the coast, so we may arrive before Iaras? He will most likely be there at dawn, so we must go hastily. she said, beating her wings powerfully and lifting into the air. She soared ahead, somewhat slowly so Fletcher might catch up before she got too far out. Once he had she pulled her wings in slightly and increased her pace.

Sevena nodded and flapped her wings. She checked herself occasionally so she didn't get too far ahead of Fletcher. After several hours of non-stop flying, the sun was low on the horizon. She glanced at Fletcher as he said it wasn't far now. She looked up and squinted. She could see the faint glimmer of water, far ahead. She slowed her pace. We can ease up now. No need to tire ourselves it needlessly. she murmured to him. Truth be told she felt as fresh as she had been when they started out, despite her sleepless night. Her wing muscles were screaming at her but otherwise she felt fine. She glanced at Fletcher. Iaras does not offend easily, though it would be a good idea to avoid doing so with great pains. He's a monster for our kind, bigger than you even by at least three feet, at the very least. He will probably be with his pet Tamen, Teak. I will tell you of the Tamen later back at the monastery. Bowing is not mandatory, just a simple dip of the head. she told him. She looked ahead; the sea was plainly in sight now.

Fletcher decided to take the opportunity to get some rest. It did not take him long to fall asleep after the long flight.

OCC: Sorry for the short post. I didn't have much else to add.

Iaras nodded, mulling over the options. It was apparent that Sevena was affected more than usual by the blood exchange, and it worried him slightly. She was a very loyal servant and her loss, were she to die, would be great. He unfurled his wings and flapped them powerfully once before folding them again. He looked at Sevena, admiring how the sun played across her creamy-white-gold-fur and salt-and-pepper-plumage. You are tired, Seva. Perhaps you and Fletcher should take the south route while I follow the river alone. he said. He saw alarm cross her face. My lord I must protest- she began, but he held up a taloned foot to stop her. Seva, you need not protect me at all hours. My teachers were thorough and I can take care of myself. You have obviously been weakened by the flight here and must return so you can rest. he said, his eyes narrowing. Though he made it sound like an offhand suggestion he knew she would hear the order in his tone. He saw that she wanted to argue before she looked away and nodded. Very well, my lord. The hostiles are vicious and ruthless, but if you can make them angry enough that their busier throwing insults at you than trying to kill you, they are easy enough to pick off. They are also vulnerable to your Screech. she said quietly. He nodded and lifted his wings from his back. He beat them hard and lifted into the air. I may be a few days. If I take more than five in getting to the mountains, then is when you can start to worry. he said, then looked up and flew off above the water than ran inland.

- - - - - - - - - -

Sevena sat down hard after Iaras left, angry and irritated that he wanted to go off on his own. She hoped he stayed out of too much trouble. But she was also feeling light-headed. She closed her eyes and took deep breaths as she concentrated on not passing out. That deer-brained idiot! Danthuania is obviously much more dangerous than Alagaësia, and of course he has to go off, alone, and be all macho. He did it all the time when we were younglings, and most of the time he dragged me into it as well. Not this time. Actually, no, he pretty much ordered me back to the monastery. she fumed, and when she opened her green-flecked-with-gold eyes they sparked with indignation. He'd never ordered her to stay behind or go rest before. Ever.

"We should head for the river. That's usually where the animals gather in the morning." Fletcher spread his wings and flew off into the dawn sky, flapping toward the river. As usual there were plenty of prey animals out and about. One of the things Fletcher liked about Danthuania was the abundant animal life.

"Ah, there they are!" He dived downward toward one of the gazelles. This one was especially fast. Fletcher first attempt to grab the beast failed and it darted off into the jungle. The gryphon was determined not to be outdone though and he weaved his way into the jungle. The vegetation was thick and Fletcher had to use his talons to slash through vines. This slowed him down greatly and the gazelle was running toward an area with much thicker vegetation. If it got too far ahead he'd never catch it. With a determined screech, Fletcher cut himself free and lunged forward. He used his back legs to propel himself from the side of a tree and grabbed the beast just as it was about to escape. With a snap of his beak he killed it before it hit the ground.

"A valiant effort, my friend. Alas, victory is mine."

The gryphon picked up his kill and flew back to the river bank with it. He was not sure whether Sevena wished to catch her own meal or if they should just share the one he caught.

"Would you like to share this one? I'll let you eat first." he offered.

Remembering her weary state, he added, "You need it more than I do. I'll take whatever is left."