Illusions and Lies

The Dragon Prince OC’sCynder, Furan, Avidant and VirizonRP/Ask blogMultiship/MultiverseFollows back from apprenticetwink

[bcwiitched]

raisethedragons·:

“Of course not.” She handed her back to staff, smiling softly. “Humans always deserved magic, something Avizandium condemed them for-”

She got up, opened a bag on Virizon’s side and pulled out a bow, woven metal beams glinting in the light as she knelt down and took and lined up an arrow. “Now I remember saying I was going to teach you to hunt, would you like to learn now that we aren’t lying to one another?”

It was as if a heavy weight had been taken off her shoulders; the fact she was still being accepted made Claudia beam with a genuine smile in what felt like forever.           ❧ “Yes. I’d very much like to learn how to hunt!”  Genuine response.  Maybe she could pretend to push the recent events away, let those thoughts fester in the back of her mind.           ❧ “I’m going to give you a fair warning – I’m not very good at this.”

[raisethedragons]

“It’s fine, we’ll start simple, stand up and I’ll show you how to shoot”

She had worked with young elves before, ones with zero experience and so she had the patience to.

“We’ll start with a target on the tree.” She drew back the bow, looking down the arrow and released, lodging it into a tree across the lake.

“Simply try to get it near that arrow, once you get that down, we’ll work on how to handle animals” she smiled softly at her, this young girl really was something, her genuine smile now was actually a little contagious.

[bcwiitched]

raisethedragons·:

She smiled softly, Virizon happily resting his head beside Claudia and cooing at her, he was content at the compliments he heard, making Cynder chuckle softly.

“So, you said your name was Arlo correct?” She had picked up the staff, looking it over, she’d seen the staff before, when it was uncorrupt, she had been visiting someone in Lux Auria and had the pleasure of meeting the queen and her court.

“Is that the truth, or are you hiding it from me because you’re afraid?” She looked at her, a gentle expression on her features as she smiled. “I can tell you’re a dark magic user, he can smell it, and your hair is a bit of a give away-”

It was as if the very air had been knocked from her lungs. She’d hoped to not be cornered like this, and with the staff now held in Cynder’s hands, Claudia would have to rely on her own dark magic, a feat she didn’t think she’d even be able to accomplish with how drained she was from her previous dark magic endeavours.           ❧ “… W––well of course my name’s Arlo!” Her voice cracked ever so slightly. Oh, who was she even kidding? It was obvious both the elf and dragon had seen through her lie.  Stupid, stupid, stupid, she thought to herself. “Fine. Arlo’s the name of my horse. It really is a boy’s name. That part was true. Just… it’s not my name. You’re not planning on turning me in for being a practitioner of dark magic, are you?” Fingers entangled themselves in snowy locks as she averted her gaze. 

[raisethedragons]

“Of course not.” She handed her back to staff, smiling softly. “Humans always deserved magic, something Avizandium condemed them for-”

She got up, opened a bag on Virizon’s side and pulled out a bow, woven metal beams glinting in the light as she knelt down and took and lined up an arrow. “Now I remember saying I was going to teach you to hunt, would you like to learn now that we aren’t lying to one another?”

[bcwiitched]

raisethedragons·:

Cynder ceased her petting, Virizon laying down behind them both as she sat down.

“When anyone goes missing, just vanishes- it’s never for good reason- no matter where you are in the world.” She sighed listening to her questions, she was a curious girl, and Cynder wasn’t stupid, this girl clearly wasn’t everything she said, the staff was corrupt, how long had this girl been a practicer of dark magic? She was curious.

“Startouched creatures? They aren’t as common as I’d like them to be, they’re rare, but utterly gorgeous.” Saying that had Virizon purring, clearly taking it as a compliment. “Elves of that kind are even more so-” She leaned back into Virizon’s side, making him purr happily.

She had to agree with the elf’s very valid point. There was never a good reason for anyone, human or elf, to just vanish without a trace. Now she really wondered what could have befallen the elf’s friend.  In a way, Claudia felt she could understand. With their mother having left back to her own kingdom, it had always felt like her mother had disappeared, even with the occasional letter asking about her children.  Nibbling on her bottom lip, the teen’s head jerked upwards. “Really?” she questioned, a flash of suspicion crossing her face as she sat there.  Now she really had to wonder how her father’s little ‘familiar’ had come to him, because she was very certain it was a star-touched creature, even as it underwent its metamorphosis into whatever it was going to turn into back at their little hideout.           ❧ “Oh! I bet they’re very pretty! I’ve always liked the night sky when it’s clear out. There’s just something really magical about it.”  

[raisethedragons]

She smiled softly, Virizon happily resting his head beside Claudia and cooing at her, he was content at the compliments he heard, making Cynder chuckle softly.

“So, you said your name was Arlo correct?” She had picked up the staff, looking it over, she’d seen the staff before, when it was uncorrupt, she had been visiting someone in Lux Auria and had the pleasure of meeting the queen and her court.

“Is that the truth, or are you hiding it from me because you’re afraid?” She looked at her, a gentle expression on her features as she smiled. “I can tell you’re a dark magic user, he can smell it, and your hair is a bit of a give away-”

[bcwiitched]

raisethedragons·:

“It isn’t” she sighed softly, her ears seeming to drop slightly, showing the clear dismay that was witheld from her expression.

“He’s been gone for years now, I wish I knew how or why, but he just disappeared-” Virizon clearly could understand what she was feeling, the large dragon pressing his head into her chest and closing his eyes.

“He’s not really smelling it, he thinks he is, like when you think you see someone you know in a crowd, the mind plays tricks to bring you out of a state of server emotions, but in Xadia, those illusions can be used against you-”

She didn’t look up from running her hand over the purple dragons head, her eyes down cast as the stars on the dragons skin glowed with an apparent softness as a low hum resonated in his throat.

         ❧ “Oh. That’s… awful. And no one’s ever said anything to why your friend has vanished? People don’t just ‘poof’ and vanish,” she stated, now somewhat curious. “Not for good reason. At least that’s how it works in the human kingdoms. Kind of.”  But what did Claudia really know? While she knew the very essence of Xadia hummed with magic, she never realised just how strong it really was until she’d stepped foot into these lands. It was almost intoxicating, like she’d had one too many sips of her father’s wine when she was younger.  Looking back at the dragon, Claudia felt a pang of sorrow. She felt awful thinking this creature had thought her staff’s magic came from their missing friend.           ❧ “Stars… you know, I remember seeing another creature that looked as if the stars from the heavens had fallen on to it. Are those kind of creatures common here in Xadia?” It wouldn’t hurt to ask, would it? 

[raisethedragons]

Cynder ceased her petting, Virizon laying down behind them both as she sat down.

“When anyone goes missing, just vanishes- it’s never for good reason- no matter where you are in the world.” She sighed listening to her questions, she was a curious girl, and Cynder wasn’t stupid, this girl clearly wasn’t everything she said, the staff was corrupt, how long had this girl been a practicer of dark magic? She was curious.

“Startouched creatures? They aren’t as common as I’d like them to be, they’re rare, but utterly gorgeous.” Saying that had Virizon purring, clearly taking it as a compliment. “Elves of that kind are even more so-” She leaned back into Virizon’s side, making him purr happily.

[moonlighttinkered]

Open Starter

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari hesitated in answering, frowning more and looking away. The truth was, he had been asking himself that for months, but each time he always insisted he wanted to. “Everyone else is looking to become an assassin..” He mumbled, slowly taking his bow back and looking over it. “Why should I be any different?”

[raisethedragons]

“Ten months old now, he was a gift from someone I now call a close friend” she chuckled softly as Virizon nipped at her horn.

“Alright, alright” she chuckled and pet him under his chin smiling “He’s just as stubborn as he is”

[moonlighttinkered]

“Cute.” Ethari practically chirped, not daring to reach towards it but unable to take his eyes off it.

[raisethedragons]

“You can pet him if you want” she knelt down, Virizon chirping and tipping his head in a curios manor, the small spekals of starlight along his skin blinking as he jumped down to sniff at him.

“He’s very friendly for a dragon of his type” that earned her a sharp squeaky protest from the small dragon. “Oh shush-”

[moonlighttinkered]

Open Starter

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari hesitated in answering, frowning more and looking away. The truth was, he had been asking himself that for months, but each time he always insisted he wanted to. “Everyone else is looking to become an assassin..” He mumbled, slowly taking his bow back and looking over it. “Why should I be any different?”

[raisethedragons]

“Ten months old now, he was a gift from someone I now call a close friend” she chuckled softly as Virizon nipped at her horn.

“Alright, alright” she chuckled and pet him under his chin smiling “He’s just as stubborn as he is”

[moonlighttinkered]

Open Starter

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari hesitated in answering, frowning more and looking away. The truth was, he had been asking himself that for months, but each time he always insisted he wanted to. “Everyone else is looking to become an assassin..” He mumbled, slowly taking his bow back and looking over it. “Why should I be any different?”

[raisethedragons]

“Because you’re an Individual, if everyone was intended to do the same things we’d all be exact copies of eachother” she smiled softly, placing a hand lightly on his back.

“Assassin work is difficult, it takes constant work, even when you’re the best you have to practice constantly to stay at that peak, not everyone has to do that, not everyone wants to, I know I never did-”

[moonlighttinkered]

“Yet you still became an assassin. One of the best, actually.” Ethari responded almost tartly. “If I don’t pursue a career of assassin then what else is there to do? I already know I’m not fit for the life of the mage..” He began leading on, fueled by his own rising frustration and the sting in his shoulder. He began adjusting the destroyed bow so it would at least shoot right again, a trick he learned about ten attempts prior when he had destroyed another bow that was technically not his to break. Ever since he had gotten good at adjusting the already bent metal to at least work for a time, and he could usually fix it more later once he had the time. “And any other position is just a waste of time and breath because they’re not meaningful or important in the slightest.”

[raisethedragons]

She watched his hands for a moment before smiling softly. “Really? Because it seems you have a good hand at repairing weaponry, have you considered trying to be a smith?”

She adjusted the book under her arm, watching him for any reaction to the suggestion, he seemed rather good at repairing the weapon in his hands, maybe he’d be good at making his own.

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari froze, looking back with confusion. “… this is just basic repair.” He pointed out. Surely everyone knew how to fix something as simple as a bow.

[raisethedragons]

“You’d be surprised, most assassins dont repair their own weaponry” she smiled softly.

“Why not give it a try? And then if you don’t enjoy it, I’ll give you some personal lessons to help your assassins work, alright?”

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari gave a confused frown, looking at the bow. “… I guess I could try..” He admitted, nibbling at his lip as he looked over the still mangled bow. “But who would I ask? And what would the others think knowing I just dropped out suddenly?”

[raisethedragons]

“Don’t worry about what they think, it’s your life to live and you should enjoy what you do, tell me, do you really enjoy all this training?”

She gave him a genuine look of concern, smiling softly. “Trust me, it’s better to enjoy what you do then to be stuck doing it for your whole life”

[moonlighttinkered]

Again, Ethari didn’t answer right away, not wanting to admit it, but after a moment he managed a quiet, reluctant “…No?” At her advice, he hesitantly asked “If you don’t want to be an assassin, why don’t you stop now. Since you’re preaching it?”

[raisethedragons]

“Oh I have, I haven’t been in the feild in years” she chuckled softly, taking out the book from under her arm.

“I’ve actually been looking into magic alot more since I stopped, I’ve met alot of interesting people” she gave him as she walked towards her home.

“But for now lets get you some ice for that bruising”

[moonlighttinkered]

… Okay Ethari felt like an idiot.

“Oh, right.” He said, looking back to his shoulder. “Okay, alright. But can we not ask the healer about the ice? She sees me enough as it is.”

[raisethedragons]

“I doubt you’ll need the healer over a few bumps and scrapes” she grabbed some ice and handed it to him chuckling at the small purple dragon that climbed up to hand on her shoulders.

“Well good afternoon Virizon, glad to see you’re finally up” the large yawn and gentle coo clearly saying he’s slept well.

[moonlighttinkered]

Open Starter

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari hesitated in answering, frowning more and looking away. The truth was, he had been asking himself that for months, but each time he always insisted he wanted to. “Everyone else is looking to become an assassin..” He mumbled, slowly taking his bow back and looking over it. “Why should I be any different?”

[raisethedragons]

“Because you’re an Individual, if everyone was intended to do the same things we’d all be exact copies of eachother” she smiled softly, placing a hand lightly on his back.

“Assassin work is difficult, it takes constant work, even when you’re the best you have to practice constantly to stay at that peak, not everyone has to do that, not everyone wants to, I know I never did-”

[moonlighttinkered]

“Yet you still became an assassin. One of the best, actually.” Ethari responded almost tartly. “If I don’t pursue a career of assassin then what else is there to do? I already know I’m not fit for the life of the mage..” He began leading on, fueled by his own rising frustration and the sting in his shoulder. He began adjusting the destroyed bow so it would at least shoot right again, a trick he learned about ten attempts prior when he had destroyed another bow that was technically not his to break. Ever since he had gotten good at adjusting the already bent metal to at least work for a time, and he could usually fix it more later once he had the time. “And any other position is just a waste of time and breath because they’re not meaningful or important in the slightest.”

[raisethedragons]

She watched his hands for a moment before smiling softly. “Really? Because it seems you have a good hand at repairing weaponry, have you considered trying to be a smith?”

She adjusted the book under her arm, watching him for any reaction to the suggestion, he seemed rather good at repairing the weapon in his hands, maybe he’d be good at making his own.

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari froze, looking back with confusion. “… this is just basic repair.” He pointed out. Surely everyone knew how to fix something as simple as a bow.

[raisethedragons]

“You’d be surprised, most assassins dont repair their own weaponry” she smiled softly.

“Why not give it a try? And then if you don’t enjoy it, I’ll give you some personal lessons to help your assassins work, alright?”

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari gave a confused frown, looking at the bow. “… I guess I could try..” He admitted, nibbling at his lip as he looked over the still mangled bow. “But who would I ask? And what would the others think knowing I just dropped out suddenly?”

[raisethedragons]

“Don’t worry about what they think, it’s your life to live and you should enjoy what you do, tell me, do you really enjoy all this training?”

She gave him a genuine look of concern, smiling softly. “Trust me, it’s better to enjoy what you do then to be stuck doing it for your whole life”

[moonlighttinkered]

Again, Ethari didn’t answer right away, not wanting to admit it, but after a moment he managed a quiet, reluctant “…No?” At her advice, he hesitantly asked “If you don’t want to be an assassin, why don’t you stop now. Since you’re preaching it?”

[raisethedragons]

“Oh I have, I haven’t been in the feild in years” she chuckled softly, taking out the book from under her arm.

“I’ve actually been looking into magic alot more since I stopped, I’ve met alot of interesting people” she gave him as she walked towards her home.

“But for now lets get you some ice for that bruising”

[moonlighttinkered]

Open Starter

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari hesitated in answering, frowning more and looking away. The truth was, he had been asking himself that for months, but each time he always insisted he wanted to. “Everyone else is looking to become an assassin..” He mumbled, slowly taking his bow back and looking over it. “Why should I be any different?”

[raisethedragons]

“Because you’re an Individual, if everyone was intended to do the same things we’d all be exact copies of eachother” she smiled softly, placing a hand lightly on his back.

“Assassin work is difficult, it takes constant work, even when you’re the best you have to practice constantly to stay at that peak, not everyone has to do that, not everyone wants to, I know I never did-”

[moonlighttinkered]

“Yet you still became an assassin. One of the best, actually.” Ethari responded almost tartly. “If I don’t pursue a career of assassin then what else is there to do? I already know I’m not fit for the life of the mage..” He began leading on, fueled by his own rising frustration and the sting in his shoulder. He began adjusting the destroyed bow so it would at least shoot right again, a trick he learned about ten attempts prior when he had destroyed another bow that was technically not his to break. Ever since he had gotten good at adjusting the already bent metal to at least work for a time, and he could usually fix it more later once he had the time. “And any other position is just a waste of time and breath because they’re not meaningful or important in the slightest.”

[raisethedragons]

She watched his hands for a moment before smiling softly. “Really? Because it seems you have a good hand at repairing weaponry, have you considered trying to be a smith?”

She adjusted the book under her arm, watching him for any reaction to the suggestion, he seemed rather good at repairing the weapon in his hands, maybe he’d be good at making his own.

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari froze, looking back with confusion. “… this is just basic repair.” He pointed out. Surely everyone knew how to fix something as simple as a bow.

[raisethedragons]

“You’d be surprised, most assassins dont repair their own weaponry” she smiled softly.

“Why not give it a try? And then if you don’t enjoy it, I’ll give you some personal lessons to help your assassins work, alright?”

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari gave a confused frown, looking at the bow. “… I guess I could try..” He admitted, nibbling at his lip as he looked over the still mangled bow. “But who would I ask? And what would the others think knowing I just dropped out suddenly?”

[raisethedragons]

“Don’t worry about what they think, it’s your life to live and you should enjoy what you do, tell me, do you really enjoy all this training?”

She gave him a genuine look of concern, smiling softly. “Trust me, it’s better to enjoy what you do then to be stuck doing it for your whole life”

[moonlighttinkered]

Open Starter

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari hesitated in answering, frowning more and looking away. The truth was, he had been asking himself that for months, but each time he always insisted he wanted to. “Everyone else is looking to become an assassin..” He mumbled, slowly taking his bow back and looking over it. “Why should I be any different?”

[raisethedragons]

“Because you’re an Individual, if everyone was intended to do the same things we’d all be exact copies of eachother” she smiled softly, placing a hand lightly on his back.

“Assassin work is difficult, it takes constant work, even when you’re the best you have to practice constantly to stay at that peak, not everyone has to do that, not everyone wants to, I know I never did-”

[moonlighttinkered]

“Yet you still became an assassin. One of the best, actually.” Ethari responded almost tartly. “If I don’t pursue a career of assassin then what else is there to do? I already know I’m not fit for the life of the mage..” He began leading on, fueled by his own rising frustration and the sting in his shoulder. He began adjusting the destroyed bow so it would at least shoot right again, a trick he learned about ten attempts prior when he had destroyed another bow that was technically not his to break. Ever since he had gotten good at adjusting the already bent metal to at least work for a time, and he could usually fix it more later once he had the time. “And any other position is just a waste of time and breath because they’re not meaningful or important in the slightest.”

[raisethedragons]

She watched his hands for a moment before smiling softly. “Really? Because it seems you have a good hand at repairing weaponry, have you considered trying to be a smith?”

She adjusted the book under her arm, watching him for any reaction to the suggestion, he seemed rather good at repairing the weapon in his hands, maybe he’d be good at making his own.

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari froze, looking back with confusion. “… this is just basic repair.” He pointed out. Surely everyone knew how to fix something as simple as a bow.

[raisethedragons]

“You’d be surprised, most assassins dont repair their own weaponry” she smiled softly.

“Why not give it a try? And then if you don’t enjoy it, I’ll give you some personal lessons to help your assassins work, alright?”

[moonlighttinkered]

Open Starter

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari hesitated in answering, frowning more and looking away. The truth was, he had been asking himself that for months, but each time he always insisted he wanted to. “Everyone else is looking to become an assassin..” He mumbled, slowly taking his bow back and looking over it. “Why should I be any different?”

[raisethedragons]

“Because you’re an Individual, if everyone was intended to do the same things we’d all be exact copies of eachother” she smiled softly, placing a hand lightly on his back.

“Assassin work is difficult, it takes constant work, even when you’re the best you have to practice constantly to stay at that peak, not everyone has to do that, not everyone wants to, I know I never did-”

[moonlighttinkered]

“Yet you still became an assassin. One of the best, actually.” Ethari responded almost tartly. “If I don’t pursue a career of assassin then what else is there to do? I already know I’m not fit for the life of the mage..” He began leading on, fueled by his own rising frustration and the sting in his shoulder. He began adjusting the destroyed bow so it would at least shoot right again, a trick he learned about ten attempts prior when he had destroyed another bow that was technically not his to break. Ever since he had gotten good at adjusting the already bent metal to at least work for a time, and he could usually fix it more later once he had the time. “And any other position is just a waste of time and breath because they’re not meaningful or important in the slightest.”

[raisethedragons]

She watched his hands for a moment before smiling softly. “Really? Because it seems you have a good hand at repairing weaponry, have you considered trying to be a smith?”

She adjusted the book under her arm, watching him for any reaction to the suggestion, he seemed rather good at repairing the weapon in his hands, maybe he’d be good at making his own.

[moonlighttinkered]

Open Starter

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari hesitated in answering, frowning more and looking away. The truth was, he had been asking himself that for months, but each time he always insisted he wanted to. “Everyone else is looking to become an assassin..” He mumbled, slowly taking his bow back and looking over it. “Why should I be any different?”

[raisethedragons]

“Because you’re an Individual, if everyone was intended to do the same things we’d all be exact copies of eachother” she smiled softly, placing a hand lightly on his back.

“Assassin work is difficult, it takes constant work, even when you’re the best you have to practice constantly to stay at that peak, not everyone has to do that, not everyone wants to, I know I never did-”

[moonlighttinkered]

Open Starter

The forest was quiet around him. 

Young Ethari gave a breath and closed his eyes, steeling himself for what he planned to do next. Once he opened them again, they were filled with determination and a sure almost-coldness, or at least a good mockery of it. Taking the pale green bow he had recently received after his last one was destroyed from this very same task, he rushed through the trees, moving as fast as he could, yet still trying to urge himself faster. 

Through the bushes, around the taller trees, duck below that branch-

He jumped over a stray log in his path, then nocked an arrow and took aim at a hidden target as fast as he could midair, and truly it was faster than any time before, but just as he let go of the arrow he hit the ground. 

The bow flew from his grasp and he slid into the mud. 

He layed there for a time, until the stinging from his shoulder at least numbed to a dull ache, then with a quiet groan he sat up, holding onto his arm.

He glanced over to the bow he had just gotten, frowning once he saw how truly destroyed the poor thing was. Already…

With a sigh, he leaned his head onto the log. Sixteen and yet he could still barely manage to shoot like the others. Sword fighting was worse. 

… He was never going to be a good moonshadow…

[raisethedragons]

Now it wasn’t often that the senior assassin had any time to herself, sitting in a tree, a book writen in dragons tongue resting in her lap, enjoying the slight chill to the air, most would find utter peace in such a moment, and she was, until she watched the young moonshadow elf fall face first into mud and skid a good few meters, if almost reminded her of when she used to teach the younger elves how to use their weaponry.

There was a look of concern that overtook her gaze, she watched for a moment, scilent as ever, simply watching him, waiting to see if he would get up, she decided to decend from her tree top reading perch, the book tucked under her arm as she approached the younger elf.

“I’d say you almost made that shot, although you’re to focused on hitting the target, perhaps your landing should be the first thing you work towards?” She held out her free hand to help him up, a gentle smile resting over her face. “You can always land first before taking a shot, and many would tell you its better to fire a bow from a stationary position.”

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari jumped in surprise when he was approached, his eartips twitching, then drooping in embarrassment. “Oh. You.. saw that..” He took the hand and pulled himself up, looking away with red cheeks. “I-I know I should focus on landing but.. Runaan does it like that. Maybe if I can find out how…”

It wasn’t uncommon for people to hear Ethari comparing himself to Runaan, they were in the same assassin training group but while Runaan was the best Ethari was considered the absolute worse in the group. It didn’t damper his will to try though, instead Ethari constantly watched Runaan and tried to copy even with rather… disastrous consequences.

Like his shoulder.

“I know if I keep trying I’ll be able to do it somehow.” He mumbled, looking down at his shoulder. It was already beginning to bruise. Great…

[raisethedragons]

“Ah, Runnan, Yes I’ve seen him training, he’s rather determined to make something of himself” she smiled softly, she had actually trained with the other young elf, she had tried her best to teach him some reserve in his fighting style, but he was younge, and still rather headstrong.

“Well I’m afraid to say that you aren’t Runaan, infact no one is” she smiled softly, picking up the broken bow. “You should never compare yourself to your fellow elves, you’re an individual, you’ll learn at a different pace, preform at a different speed, you’ll get there, but the more you try to be someone you aren’t the worse you will feel”

She smiled softly and wiped some mud off of his face. “Lets go and get you some ice for that shoulder”

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari frowned and “I don’t want to be Runaan but to be as good as him? It would be a miracle..” He backed away from the attempt to wipe off his face, doing it himself instead, then nodded slowly. “Fine, I guess let’s go.”

[raisethedragons]

She sighed softly, walking along beside him “do you really want to be an assassin?”

She smiled lightly, looking him over, he really looked beaten down. “If so I can give you some private lessons, help you work towards it-”

[moonlighttinkered]

Open Starter

The forest was quiet around him. 

Young Ethari gave a breath and closed his eyes, steeling himself for what he planned to do next. Once he opened them again, they were filled with determination and a sure almost-coldness, or at least a good mockery of it. Taking the pale green bow he had recently received after his last one was destroyed from this very same task, he rushed through the trees, moving as fast as he could, yet still trying to urge himself faster. 

Through the bushes, around the taller trees, duck below that branch-

He jumped over a stray log in his path, then nocked an arrow and took aim at a hidden target as fast as he could midair, and truly it was faster than any time before, but just as he let go of the arrow he hit the ground. 

The bow flew from his grasp and he slid into the mud. 

He layed there for a time, until the stinging from his shoulder at least numbed to a dull ache, then with a quiet groan he sat up, holding onto his arm.

He glanced over to the bow he had just gotten, frowning once he saw how truly destroyed the poor thing was. Already…

With a sigh, he leaned his head onto the log. Sixteen and yet he could still barely manage to shoot like the others. Sword fighting was worse. 

… He was never going to be a good moonshadow…

[raisethedragons]

Now it wasn’t often that the senior assassin had any time to herself, sitting in a tree, a book writen in dragons tongue resting in her lap, enjoying the slight chill to the air, most would find utter peace in such a moment, and she was, until she watched the young moonshadow elf fall face first into mud and skid a good few meters, if almost reminded her of when she used to teach the younger elves how to use their weaponry.

There was a look of concern that overtook her gaze, she watched for a moment, scilent as ever, simply watching him, waiting to see if he would get up, she decided to decend from her tree top reading perch, the book tucked under her arm as she approached the younger elf.

“I’d say you almost made that shot, although you’re to focused on hitting the target, perhaps your landing should be the first thing you work towards?” She held out her free hand to help him up, a gentle smile resting over her face. “You can always land first before taking a shot, and many would tell you its better to fire a bow from a stationary position.”

[moonlighttinkered]

Ethari jumped in surprise when he was approached, his eartips twitching, then drooping in embarrassment. “Oh. You.. saw that..” He took the hand and pulled himself up, looking away with red cheeks. “I-I know I should focus on landing but.. Runaan does it like that. Maybe if I can find out how…”

It wasn’t uncommon for people to hear Ethari comparing himself to Runaan, they were in the same assassin training group but while Runaan was the best Ethari was considered the absolute worse in the group. It didn’t damper his will to try though, instead Ethari constantly watched Runaan and tried to copy even with rather… disastrous consequences.

Like his shoulder.

“I know if I keep trying I’ll be able to do it somehow.” He mumbled, looking down at his shoulder. It was already beginning to bruise. Great…

[raisethedragons]

“Ah, Runnan, Yes I’ve seen him training, he’s rather determined to make something of himself” she smiled softly, she had actually trained with the other young elf, she had tried her best to teach him some reserve in his fighting style, but he was younge, and still rather headstrong.

“Well I’m afraid to say that you aren’t Runaan, infact no one is” she smiled softly, picking up the broken bow. “You should never compare yourself to your fellow elves, you’re an individual, you’ll learn at a different pace, preform at a different speed, you’ll get there, but the more you try to be someone you aren’t the worse you will feel”

She smiled softly and wiped some mud off of his face. “Lets go and get you some ice for that shoulder”

[moonlighttinkered]

Open Starter

The forest was quiet around him. 

Young Ethari gave a breath and closed his eyes, steeling himself for what he planned to do next. Once he opened them again, they were filled with determination and a sure almost-coldness, or at least a good mockery of it. Taking the pale green bow he had recently received after his last one was destroyed from this very same task, he rushed through the trees, moving as fast as he could, yet still trying to urge himself faster. 

Through the bushes, around the taller trees, duck below that branch-

He jumped over a stray log in his path, then nocked an arrow and took aim at a hidden target as fast as he could midair, and truly it was faster than any time before, but just as he let go of the arrow he hit the ground. 

The bow flew from his grasp and he slid into the mud. 

He layed there for a time, until the stinging from his shoulder at least numbed to a dull ache, then with a quiet groan he sat up, holding onto his arm.

He glanced over to the bow he had just gotten, frowning once he saw how truly destroyed the poor thing was. Already…

With a sigh, he leaned his head onto the log. Sixteen and yet he could still barely manage to shoot like the others. Sword fighting was worse. 

… He was never going to be a good moonshadow…

[raisethedragons]

Now it wasn’t often that the senior assassin had any time to herself, sitting in a tree, a book writen in dragons tongue resting in her lap, enjoying the slight chill to the air, most would find utter peace in such a moment, and she was, until she watched the young moonshadow elf fall face first into mud and skid a good few meters, if almost reminded her of when she used to teach the younger elves how to use their weaponry.

There was a look of concern that overtook her gaze, she watched for a moment, scilent as ever, simply watching him, waiting to see if he would get up, she decided to decend from her tree top reading perch, the book tucked under her arm as she approached the younger elf.

“I’d say you almost made that shot, although you’re to focused on hitting the target, perhaps your landing should be the first thing you work towards?” She held out her free hand to help him up, a gentle smile resting over her face. “You can always land first before taking a shot, and many would tell you its better to fire a bow from a stationary position.”

[bcwiitched]

raisethedragons·:

“No no, you didn’t do anything-” she smiled sincerely, picking up the staff and holding it out to Virizon.

“Look, its not his okay, theres no way you’re smelling his scent on this” she huffed at the defiant grumble from him.

“Sorry about him, again, I don’t know what’s gotten into him so suddenly-” she set the staff back down kneeling down by the water once again, watching Virizon carefully as he stayed stood.

“He thinks he can smell my friend on your staff, his magic more so than a smell, the one I mentioned that went missing, but he’s just being silly” Virizon’s reaction of scrunching his nose and sticking his tongue through his teeth was borderline childish but he did then settle back down.

Muscles still tense, she watched in anxiousness as the elf took up the staff. She hadn’t realised she had started to hold her breath until the staff was set back down. “O–oooh. And you said your friend went missing?”  Curiosity had been piqued. She couldn’t understand how a missing friend would be able to do this, because it was her father’s magic that had done this to the staff, but she couldn’t say that, not without getting herself into trouble.           ❧ “How is that possible for his magic to be on this staff?” she enquired with genuine curiosity. 

[raisethedragons]

“It isn’t” she sighed softly, her ears seeming to drop slightly, showing the clear dismay that was witheld from her expression.

“He’s been gone for years now, I wish I knew how or why, but he just disappeared-” Virizon clearly could understand what she was feeling, the large dragon pressing his head into her chest and closing his eyes.

“He’s not really smelling it, he thinks he is, like when you think you see someone you know in a crowd, the mind plays tricks to bring you out of a state of server emotions, but in Xadia, those illusions can be used against you-”

She didn’t look up from running her hand over the purple dragons head, her eyes down cast as the stars on the dragons skin glowed with an apparent softness as a low hum resonated in his throat.

[bcwiitched]

raisethedragons·:

The shudder from her elicited a low noise from Virizon, making him lift his head from his resting place and sniff her over some more, taking interest in sniffing at the staff that had belonged to the sunfire elves.

“Virizon lay back down, you’ll spook everything thats hanging in the bushes-” she got up, setting her hand on his back as he continued to sniff at it relentlessly.

“Damn dragon, only time you get like this is when we visit the archmage’s old library-” she pulled him off slightly, and in response got a very low, unamused growl. “Oh shut up, I feed you and house you, you won’t do anything-”

Her grip on the staff loosened as she scooted away, startled by the dragon’s sudden bizarre reaction to the staff. She glanced at the stone set within it, then back to Virizon. Could the dragon see it was corrupt?          ❧ “Is he okay? Did I do something wrong?” she squeaked out.  She found herself completely abandoning her spot as she scooted further away, the staff no longer in her grasp as she edged closer to the elf.

[raisethedragons]

“No no, you didn’t do anything-” she smiled sincerely, picking up the staff and holding it out to Virizon.

“Look, its not his okay, theres no way you’re smelling his scent on this” she huffed at the defiant grumble from him.

“Sorry about him, again, I don’t know what’s gotten into him so suddenly-” she set the staff back down kneeling down by the water once again, watching Virizon carefully as he stayed stood.

“He thinks he can smell my friend on your staff, his magic more so than a smell, the one I mentioned that went missing, but he’s just being silly” Virizon’s reaction of scrunching his nose and sticking his tongue through his teeth was borderline childish but he did then settle back down.