Speak politely to an enraged dragon.

I will not have people coming into my shop,

Right.. Who the hell are you?

anabellrivers-nolongerinuse-dea

I'm Axel. Last name's Reid so that makes me Axel Reid. You can call me Axel though. Who're you?

#c: iw

With Games. || Axel & Anabell

anabellrivers-nolongerinuse-dea

Dragging her finger across the backs of her customers, a small smile played darkly upon her face. She enjoyed their mindless adoration of her. No matter how they chose to present it, she knew the weak little humans were in love with her…. it almost made up for the emptiness in her soul. Her blue hues scanned the crowd, the disinterest rolling off her palatable. Letting a sigh of disapproval she turned to return to the bar only to lock eyes with a stranger. Most of those who came to the Candy Apple were regulars - surely just addicts wanting the warm elation of captivating her attention. Running her tongue over the hard sharpness of her teeth she bee-lined for the man.

#p: wg #that's alright ^^

Axel looked up as the bartender made her way over to him and flashed her a quick grin, "Is there anything you'd recommend? I don't drink much." Which was a lie. He'd experienced his fair share of alcohol over the years, but since his human form looked anything but experienced with liquor, he found it best to feign innocence. Too enraptured in the promise of a drink and the vast variety of liquors behind the bar, Axel didn't notice the less than human aura the bartender exuded.

anabellrivers-nolongerinuse-dea

With Games. || Axel & Anabell

Anabell skirted about the counter, a worn out smile that found itself more akin to a grimace than anything on her face. In her mind it seemed almost illogical to smile for them - dinner that was. Humans did not smile at cattle. But she knew humans were more…emotional than that. To keep them fawning over her like the fools they were - to keep her food coming in, she had to have the facade of being pleasant with a shade of danger and lust that every man dreamed of.

#p: wg #sorry i just saw this today T_T

Axel strolled into the Candy Apple, more interested in the name of the establishment than the actual purpose of the store. The inside of the building was rather dimly lit and looked rather seedy but he supposed he couldn't judge on appearances. He walked to the bar where a woman was making drinks and bustling about dealing with customers. He scanned the place until he found an empty seat and sat down. A thoughtful frown slipping onto his face, he began to wonder just what type of place this was as the majority of customers seemed to be men.

I will not have people coming into my shop,

Was that sarcasm?

#c: iw #yep it's astin :DDD

Nope. It's the truth. Just repeating what you told me, right?

I will not have people coming into my shop,

Obviously. Candles are necessary, everybody needs candles.

#c: iw #omfg sacha i've missed you zeiuofnzn dying

Uh huh. Right, candles are a necessity.

Of Peacocks and Marketplaces | Axel & Calliope

“Would you, really?” There had always been something amusing about making a point, as far as she was concerned. His muttering prompted a chuckle from the back of her throat, but she muffled it with the back of her hand as her gaze found its way back to the cobblestone. “I’ve always thought that proving one’s self was a technique that took much practice.. Rather valuable proof, don’t you think?” Whether that was a challenge or not, she couldn’t tell.

Instead, the Vila was surprised by a question she hadn’t been expecting. Despite the positive emotions she could sense that came from him in regards to the kingdom and its people, the Queen hadn’t been a very prominent variable, up until that precise moment. As surprise overwhelmed her features, she tried to compose herself after a breath. “You might check with the royal guard. That would be your best guess.”

Of course, there was no way to be certain.. But it did sound like an awfully interesting tale. “What would you do, if you actually met her?”

Gaping a bit at her question, Axel scrambled to come up with a response that wouldn't lead to him falling over his tail and end up bruising his ego. Again. "Well yeah of course. I mean if you practise a lot at something wouldn't you wanna show people?" Sort of like gratification that the time spent into practising and perfecting if had paid off.

At her answer to his question about meeting the Queen, Axel fell into thought. The Royal Guard was well known for being full of Earth elementals whom which had a reputation for being rather stubborn and opinionated, something Axel would rather not have to go against. He highly doubted that they would believe his claims of being a dragon and he had no wish to reveal his true form to them.

"I suppose if I met her I'd...." Axel trailed off, having never given much thought to the topic itself. He'd always been so focused on actually meeting the lady, that he hadn't thought about what he would do if he met her. "I guess I'd tell her that I support her and that not all of the rest of my kind oppose her," that much was true at least. He just wasn't sure of how much of the dragon population actually supported the ruler.

I will not have people coming into my shop,

Candles.

#c: iw #she puts so much disdain into one work i can't

Your candles are worth that much? I'm impressed.

Never though anyone would be desperate enough to steal candles of all things.

I will not have people coming into my shop,

and thinking they can try to steal from me. I’m not an idiot and I am sick of it.

What do you sell that's so valuable? If it's worth stealing, maybe you should hire more workers or something.

#c: iw

Of Peacocks and Marketplaces | Axel & Calliope

He’d jumped at the chance to fire back, and she laughed before shifting her weight. From one foot to the other, Calliope chuckled. There was something curiously childish about him— she guessed that much had something to do with his age in comparison to the rest of his kind. That much was a relief, believe it or not. Despite the remark he made without much thought, it was pleasant to speak to someone who was just about as experienced as she was when it came to their respective species. “Is that so?” Though she didn’t intend to sound doubtful, it probably came out that way to a boy who was already so defensive.

“No, I sincerely doubt that I could.” Tapping her chin lightly, the Vila lifted to her tiptoes and then back again. “Though, to be fair, I’m not so sure I envy him the way that you do.” With another glance in the direction of the street performer, she shrugged. “I also have exceptional balance.” That came with balancing on branches amongst the many woodland creatures, but she didn’t need to mention why just yet. It was, for lack of a better word.. amusing. “There’s no need to make it into a competition, really!”

With a smile that reached her eyes, Calliope tucked a strip of hair behind her ear and laughed. In the middle of such a strange place, she felt so comfortable. For having lived in the forest for her entire life as of yet, she’d adapted almost immediately. Though it was unreasonable to say so, it was almost as if she was born to be away from the others. And from what she knew of Axel, it seemed he, too, was different.

#p: opam #i'm sorry it's so short

Crossing his arms like a petulant child and mumbling something about Vilas and their Vila powers and how unfair it was that dragons just had big butts, Axel stuck his nose into the air and scoffed, "Good, I'd hate to have to prove myself to you." Continuing his way through the crowded market, Axel turned towards Calliope again, "Would you happen to know how I could get an audience with She of Fire?"

Not really having any high expectations for help, Axel continued to talk, "I mean. I really want to meet her, I used to hear her growing up and it'd be awesome to meet the person that rules this kingdom." Axel truly loved Aerolumia. He hadn't expected that he'd like the quaint kingdom so much when he'd first set foot into it, but he was finding himself charmingly surprised.

Stopping by a fruit stand and nabbing an apple, Axel bit into it waiting for his friend's response.

Of Peacocks and Marketplaces | Axel & Calliope

Each tail was mesmerizing in its own way, separate and independent from the others. Although the patterns came together to form a larger design, it was difficult to distinguish each quill for their similarities and differences. Calliope struggled, eyes narrowing in concentration as she took a quick glance over her shoulder before a smile brightened her visage. It hit her then that Axel was rather easy to read— how all of his emotions were blatant and clear.

Even without her abilities to recognize them, it would’ve been simple enough to make conclusions based on his expression. Considering how much time humans wasted, trying to understand one-another, Calliope figured that most would’ve enjoyed their time around someone who had no problem with making his emotions obvious. He spoke without hesitation and wore his heart on his sleeve. Tilting her head momentarily before a curt nod, the Vila folded both hands behind her waist. “Are you enjoying yourself, then?”

Immediately taken by his question, she spun to take a glance at the strange sight not too far from them. There was a tight circle of children being entertained by a man on a rolling sphere and she blinked in reply. “Plenty of practice,” the memories that belonged to him flashed white in her eyes, an abundance of different lights that made her step back to her heel in an attempt to gather herself. “Perhaps you could use the same.” Shooting him a tiny smirk, she quirked a brow— that much was true, after all.

"Oh yes, the market is very interesting. So many things to see. I really do like the humans, they're so fascinating. Most of the others of my kind are so boring." Without taking his eyes off the performer, Axel easily answered her question. The majority of the dragons he knew, all judged him and were far more interested in preparing for war, than living their lives and Axel found that dreadfully tasteless. In his few centuries of living, he'd discovered that most humans weren't wont to brandishing pitchforks and torches at first sight. They only did it when you posed a threat to them. Something that Axel currently—and hopefully, never would be.

Scowling a bit as Calliope implied that he needed more practise on balancing on his own tail, Axel snarkily replied, "Just you wait, I'll be able to do that soon. I'm perfectly capable of balancing on my own tail, thank you very much." He stubbornly crossed his arms across his chest and frowned, he could be as good as the other man if he wanted. He just hadn't had the chance yet! Yes, that was it. As soon as he went back to his cave, he'd practise and practise until he got the trick down. No matter what his fellow dragons thought of him

"I mean, it's not like you could do any better than me," he continued. "I bet I can learn the trick faster than you could." He shot her a self satisfied smirk, confident that he's finally one upped the Vila. Something that was always happening to him with her remarks. Now he'd turned the tables on her and was feeling rather smug with himself. Allowing himself a mental pat on the back for his quick thinking.

Of Peacocks and Marketplaces | Axel & Calliope

The disbelief written across his features made it clearly that he really had never come across these birds, and she laughed beneath her breath. It wasn’t often that she was the lesser familiar; typically being introduced to new things, rather than introducing them to someone else. It was pleasant, actually. She seemed to prefer helping someone above being helped.

There was nothing wrong with assistance; when it came down to it, Calliope took it with open arms. “Well, they are quite lovely creatures.” Tapping lightly at her chin with a finger, the Vila inclined her head. It came as no surprise to her that each feather, vibrant in color, was ruffled and squabbling about. Considering his true nature, she decided it was reasonable that they could sense it.. But still, he seemed so different than the one other that she’d come across.

Nodding at his confirmation, her smile only grew. There was nothing more reassuring than a mutual decision to confide in someone. She’d found that soon after meeting Nerissa— a young shapeshifter who she’d come to admire more than she could’ve possibly imagined. In any case, she bobbed her head in reply and tented her fingertips. “It’s nice to see you here as well, Axel. I wanted a bit of fresh air, that was all. The place I work was covered, so I had no need to go in! How about you?”

The beauty of the colourful feathers of the bird held Axel almost as if he were in a trance. He slowly reached out a hesitant finger to stroked the bird almost as if afraid to disturb it. He was shocked out of the trance, when the bird in question squawked at him and ruffled it's feathers in indignation. A little hurt, Axel retracted his finger and shifted his face in a pout as if he hadn't wanted to touch the bird in the first place.

A thoughtful frown replacing the pout as he pondered on why he was in the marketplace. The honest answer was that he had been rather bored as there was nothing entertaining to do and he wasn't of a mind to go bother Victor again. That being said, he was also no closer to revealing his true identity to She of Fire than he'd been a month ago, so perhaps boredom really was what had brought him to the marketplace, and as such, he told his Vila friend that, "Boredom, really. I don't think I have anything better to do."

He ended his statement and glanced curiously around the marketplace until something caught his attention, a human balancing on a tiny ball. Curious and wanting to get a closer glance, he tugged lightly on Calliope's sleeve and pointed at the man asking curiously, "How does he do that? He's so big and the ball so tiny. I tried to do that once with my tail when I was really bored a few decades ago. It didn't work."

Hellooooo

elodiebrandt-blog

That is very… confident of you.

Thank you. Confidence is the key you know.

#c: eb

laurenblanchard-aer-deactivated

Hellooooo

Hello Axel! 720 you say? That is quite old, you certainly don’t look it!

I’m Lauren.

I've been told I age remarkably well

#c: lb

Of Peacocks and Marketplaces | Axel & Calliope

Nebelheim was an awfully entertaining place.

However, there was something relieving about taking a breath away from the area every so often, and today was one of those days she would do just that. Quickly nothing that Crescent Garden was nearly as fast-paced, if not even more than the markets in Nebelheim, Calliope made her way through the many tents and counters stacked with foreign objects that glowed with life. The only difference was the lesser risks; of course, there was no way to have a complete sense of security, but it was at least three notches up above Nebelheim.

As much as she missed the dark corners and turns occupied by people who were attempting to swindle their customers, this was just as pleasant. The Vila found herself bored with the lack of adrenaline bubbling in her stomach, but the weather was satisfying and she’d already traveled for quite some time. Turning back after such endeavors seemed pointless and wasteful.

The crescendoing sounds of at least twenty different species of birds interrupted her train of thought, and she turned her head to see a familiar face. Caught off guard by the amount of pleasant emotions that surprised her, Calliope offered a warm smile to the dragonesque anomaly she’d met once or twice before. And then, he was going on about the birds, and it was just enough to earn him a short laugh before a quirk of her brow.

“Once or twice in the forests, yes. You’ve never?”

The surprise and indignation that she had seen one of the creatures before when he had not coated his voice as he exclaimed in surprise, “Of course I haven’t!” The absurdity of her question made Axel want to explode. If he’d seen the creatures before, then he wouldn’t be in such awe of them would he—well, maybe he would’ve still been staring in wonderment.

“What brings you here?” The question suddenly struck him, he’ met her in Nebelheim and Crescent Gardens as nice as it was, certainly was a far cry from the more dangerous vibe that Nebelheim gave off. The idea that he might’ve offender the other by insinuating that he was unhappy to encounter her occurred to him suddenly and he hastily blurted out a, “Not that I’m unhappy to see you obviously. I mean we’re friends after all.”

He pasted a smile onto his face and hoped that she didn’t find him too strange for finding her a friend. He’d had enough of the teasing from others of his kind from when he was much younger and wasn’t particularly fond of having his less than dragonesque characteristics being pointed out. In fact, the only creature that he remembered being accepting of his kinder nature had been his older brother who as unfortunately, no longer in the world of the living.

Of Peacocks and Marketplaces | Axel & Calliope

Axel jauntily strolled through the market place of Crescent Garden, a light whistle escaping from his lips as he glanced around his surroundings. As numerous people bustled around him, he was momentarily distracted by an elderly woman selling bright colourful birds in cages. He pushed his way through the crowd ignoring the glances that were thrown his way by the less than happy people he’d elbowed in the face—unintentionally of course.

Coming to a stop in front of the old lady and peering curiously at the flamboyant birds. Head cocked to one side, he asked her in a curious tone what the birds were. Her reply that they were something called “peacocks,” unleashed a flood of questions from him. Unable to stop himself, he blurted out question after question not paying attention to the look on the face of the woman selling these co-called “peacocks.”

It wasn’t until a voice cleared her throat startling him and effectively ending his stream of queries that he stopped. Axel spun around on his heel and saw that the one whom had interrupted him was that nice Vila he met the other day. What was her name again? Calliope was it?

Pleasantly surprised at encountering his friend, Axel aimed a beaming smile at her and began to babble on and on about the peacocks and how he’d noticed them from a few stalls away and how they were really pretty and had she ever encountered one before?