[center][img]http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/XxKayla36xX/Kiara.png[/img] [h1]&[/h1] [img]http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/XxKayla36xX/Sulleykaar%20-%201.png[/img][/center] [center][h2]Spirit’s Crossing, Present Day[/h2][/center] Kiara and Sulleykaar were back at training, as they had been every day this week. The dragon was a frustratingly, obsessive, perfectionist, nothing she managed to do was considered good enough, or ‘ready’ for Old Scale, no matter how much she pestered him. Two days ago, she had gotten so angry that he made her go through an entire day of emotional control training again. Today, they were working on wind. As it seemed, fire was an easy talent, it came almost as naturally as earth, and she was sure that she had mother-dearest to thank for that. Water and wind… they didn’t come so naturally, especially wind. [color=9e0b0f]”Pease, again!”[/color] Sulleykaar said in a stern, almost fatherly voice. Kiara huffed and blew a lock of hair out of her face before squaring her feet and holding her hands out in front of her. You had to be so calm to control wind, and it was hard for her to find her center after getting frustrated with herself. She exhaled and tried to pull the winds in circles around herself, spinning gracefully on the tips of her toes - like a dancer, or a martial artist. Sulley had watched her intently and criticised each movement if it was even slightly out of place. [color=9e0b0f]”Good, keep it up. If you keep at this pace y-”[/color] His eyes went wide and dilated as he dropped to a knee. Another vision. He watched as a green dragon let loose a fireball at his best friend, which sent him careening to the ground before his sight went black. Kiara opened her eyes at the sudden movement, taking on a defensive posture. Sometimes he like to surprise her during training to test her reflexes. But he was…. Kneeling? [color=gray]”What? Oh, come on! I’m not doing that bad, don’t be so dramatic!”[/color] she said flippantly. Sulleykaar didn’t acknowledge her, he actually didn’t even look like he was seeing her… he kind of looked like Nyx when she was having one of her visions. [color=gray]”Sulley...?”[/color] Kiara asked somewhat more affectionately and concerned. [color=9e0b0f]”Felix….”[/color] He said hastily. The pain and emotions of Felix he felt and with no second to spare he stood up and bolted. Jumping up into the sky and let his dragon form take place. His wings glowed white and with each flap he faded into the distance. The wind that was generated from the initial flap was enough to slightly uproot some trees and throw around stones. The gust of wind blasted Kiara backwards onto her rump. [color=gray]”Oof-”[/color] she reacted and then looked up to the skies. [color=gray]”Shit….”[/color]. A figure within the woods watched silently at the training, his ruby eyes focused in on Kiara. He adorned a gentle smile that held within it, [i]other[/i] intentions. His hands were interlocked with each other and held a golden chain. At the bottom of the chain was the jewel from the jeweler’s cart. [color=blue]”I guess we can become, better [i]acquainted[/i] now, hm? Kiaraaa…..Of the Unseelie Court.”[/color] He whispered to himself as he slowly made his approach to the opening. [center][img]http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/XxKayla36xX/Felix.png[/img] [img]http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/XxKayla36xX/garax.png[/img] [img]http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/XxKayla36xX/Kyla.png[/img] [img]http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/XxKayla36xX/cynbel.png[/img][/center] [center][h2]Allistyr’s Keep, The Siege, Present Day[/h2][/center] Sulleykaar was moving at speeds beyond that of a normal dragon, only thanks to Old Scale giving him a speed boost. Even though he was thinner than other wyrms, he wasn’t meant for speed as much, nor for power. He was, however, an even balance, and with the use of Old Scale, he could see-saw between the two powers. This called for speed, and that was what he leaned towards as he neared the outpost battle. His powerful dragon eyes caught sight of the emerald dragon and the now burnt human friend. With a loud angry roar, he let his presence be known. Felix landed hard, his back broken, his leg bones shattered, and his eyes fluttered in pain. He caught sight of Tyr’rak as he came in for the finishing blow. Tears fell from his eyes as he closed them, not truly ready to go, but there really was nothing he could do. Sadly, when his eyes closed, he did not open them when the roar of the dragon was heard. Instead, his eyes opened to white and a tunnel. He stood in front of it, confused and worried, until a soft voice broke him out of it. [color=teal]”Felix….You’re here..”[/color] His lip quivered as he fought back the tears, dropping to the white ground. Kyla kneeled down beside him and wrapped her arms around him, giving him closure. Sulley came in full-charge as Tyr’rak reared his head back to finish him off, but a sudden powerful collision sent his sight tumbling, as his head slammed into the ground with incredible force, and his large scaly green body bounced off the ground like a ragdoll. The crimson dragon made his impact with the ground as well, but not as hard, using another flap of his wings to soften the blow. Tyr’rak scrambled to right himself, his claws gashing into the earth. He stretched his wings out in an attempt to show up the larger dragon. Red… Sulleykaar. Tyr hissed in low in the old tongue [color=darkgreen]”You cannot protect him, Ssssssullleykaar. They will come for him, or they will come for youuuu. All you have done is interrupt a mercy, now he will suffer.”[/color] Sulleykaar’s roars became silent as he moved towards him, morphing into his human form. His footsteps left black flames on the ground behind him. His claws engulfed in black flames as he clenched closed and open his hand. His body giving off enough heat to burn the air around him. His eyes locked onto Tyr’rak’s with a eerie and psychotic look in his eye. He released his wrath and killer intent out onto the battlefield, crashing down onto everyone present like a tsunami. The temperature rose quickly as the grass caught fire. A smile, simple and macabre ironed onto Sulley’s face. He spoke in a two tone voice, his human voice and dragon voice acting as one. It was demonic yet held a sadistic calm that could rival the Dark Queen’s. [color=9e0b0f]”Tyr’rak, Son of Bahamut...You are going to die today. By my hands….By my hellfire...I look forward to hearing your agonizing screams as your scales crack and your flesh melts off your bones, before they turn to ash and float away in the wind. You will not be remembered, instead, you will be nothing more than a blip in history.”[/color] His right claw turned a greyish color as he brought forth Old Scale magick and raised his hand, before swiftly bringing it back to his side. The green dragon was engulfed in a sapphire aura as its wings and body were brought down to the ground with incredible force and the earth caved in; the full extent of [i]joor zah frul[/i]. He walked up to the dragon, the heat from Sulleykaar slowly making it’s way through the hide of Tyr’rak. The red dragon placed a gentle hand on it’s snout and pressed in, melting a part of its nose to nothing. Tyr snorted out green flames defiantly, refusing to show his pain. If he was going to die, he would do so with honor and pride. [color=9e0b0f]”I am going to melt you into nothing slowly...I [i]will[/i] hear you scream.”[/color] He said softly with a smile on his face as he walked around his body until he got to his wings. [color=9e0b0f]”You won’t be needing these anymore, will you?”[/color] There was a fierce, feral rage in the smaller dragon’s eyes. He wanted so badly to be able to move, but he was no match for Old Scale. Instead of burning the wing off, Sulleykaar cooled his hands down and gripped it tightly, using his left to push off the dragon as he worked on tearing it off of him. He could see the skin around it start to pull and rip as it lethargically came free. This was enough to draw out signs of pain in the stubborn, stoic dragon. Tyr’rak grunted, and huffed out quick exhales, trying to breath out the pain. Sulley was tearing him apart like a fisherman would a crab. With the sounds of bones and scales snapping, and hide tearing, there was a sudden rush of blood. No. He would cauterise that to keep him from bleeding out. That would be too quick. Once removed, the crimson dragon set it ablaze, turning it to ash in seconds. He would work on the next one before he moved to his razor sharp teeth. This was going to be long and gruesome death and he didn’t give a damn about who saw it, even Cynbel. [center][img]http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/XxKayla36xX/Kiara.png[/img][/center] [center][h2]Spirit’s Crossing, Present Day[/h2][/center] The sapphire dragon leaned against a tree not to far from Kiki and remained silent for a long moment. His head slowly cocked to the side as he smiled in delight before deciding to get her attention. [color=blue]”Hello again...Kiaraaaa. I believe you forgot something back in Dovahmere.”[/color] He held up the jewel from the cart. The faerie was still staring up at the sky, considering trying to follow after Sulleykaar in flight, but not confident that she could make it the whole way by herself. Then she heard [i]his[/i] voice. She didn’t freeze up, surprisingly. Sulley’s training had paid off, she was controlling her fear. Inside, her head was swimming with a million possible scenarios of how badly this could go. Outside, she turned her head to the source of the voice with a steady gaze. She looked at the stone dangling from his hand, it was something easy to focus on. [color=gray]”I did not forget it, I no longer wanted it.”[/color] she said honestly before standing up and brushing herself off. He sighed. [color=blue]”Such a shame...It is really a wonderful piece. Such care went into this design, and no one else wanted to buy it, so I figured you were still interested in it, and brought it.”[/color] He smiled brightly to her. Kiara smirked with a surprising amount of confidence before taking a few steps towards him. Hell, maybe she could take him? Her spars with Sulleykaar had gotten better…. She was confident that she could at least maybe [i]distract[/i] him until Sulley returned. Or, she could play it cool… Kiki wrapped her slender fingers around the gem and met his gaze. [color=gray]”Rather impolite to lie to a faerie-”[/color] [color=blue]”You mean like Sulleykaar has done this entire time to you, and your people, right?”[/color] That eerie smirk again. Kiara managed a gentle laugh [color=gray]”He is a work in progress. You dragons are not a very honest bunch.”[/color] [color=blue]”And I suppose you trust him now? What has he told you so far? We’ll play a game. Let’s see who tells the most truths. If you win, you can keep this beautiful piece of expensive art, and if I win well-”[/color] He gave a light chuckle. She frowned. Did he really think her that daft? Like a child that could easily be bought… And yet, he was the one challenging a faerie to a game of truths. [i]How foolish[/i]. Kiara released the jewel and glared. [color=gray]”[i]When[/i] I win, you will leave me alone.”[/color] she said with confidence. For some reason, Paraxthyon could wear Sulleykaar’s shit eating-grin well enough to get under the skin. [color=blue]”So...The way this works is that I’ll ask a question about you, and then you ask a question about me. We call each other on bluffs, and if we are right, we gain a point. Whoever has the most points win, obviously.”[/color] He said with a chuckle as his hand softly touched the side of her face. The tips of his fingers dimly glowed blue, as did his eyes. His smile widened as he moved to a rock next to the water and gestured for her to join. That was strange… [color=gray]”I will stand.”[/color] she said, matter of factly, to which he shrugged. She knew how dragons and their love for sitting on rocks went. Kiara kept her defenses up, ready for whatever [i]this[/i] was, to turn into a fight. [color=blue]”Very well. We’ll start simple. You are Kiara of the Unseelie Court, correct?”[/color] He asked with a smile. [color=gray]”Yes.”[/color] she answered, knowing full well that he already knew that. [color=gray]”Why are you doing this?”[/color] she asked, without any desire to beat around the bush. [color=blue]”Because, I find it to be fun. I find learning about someone through a style of game to be entertaining for both parties, especially this one. Usually, though, it doesn’t involve such hostilities but rather booze, coin, and plenty of laughter.”[/color] His voice, pitch and tone showed nothing but sincerity. Though the smile was contrast to his words, it held no hidden intentions. It just came across as a dragon who was just creepy, rather than nerve-racking. He cocked his head to the side and a raised brow. [color=blue]”So, what do you know of the Children of Tiamat?”[/color] That smile unmoving. [color=gray]”That they are up to no good.”[/color] she answered with a similar grin. It was a dodgey answer, but a truthful one. Specifics was not specified as part of this game, an advantage in her favor. [color=gray]”Are you here on their behalf, or for your own interests?”[/color] she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. [color=blue]”I am here because I’m Sulleykaar’s pain in the ass. I guess it makes up for him being your’s, I suppose.”[/color] He chuckled. Not a straightforward answer, but an honest answer nonetheless. They were brothers and each got on each other's nerves, so it was only natural. [color=blue]”If you want to go with those questions, I suppose that I can too. What do you know of Sulleykaar?”[/color] He asked darkly. Her cool, grey eyes studied him, reflecting no emotion what-so-ever. She was a blank slate. [color=gray]”He is a dragon. He thinks that I am a special treasure, so he made a deal with my father. You are his twin brother, but not his ‘pain in the ass’ one, that is his younger brother. He is one of five siblings. His mother is dead, but not his father.”[/color] she answered rather coldly. [color=gray]”How much longer are we going to play this [i]game[/i]?”[/color] [color=blue]” Currently, I’m in the lead, so not for much longer.”[/color] He smirked as he waved a dismissive hand. She furrowed her scarlet brow in that pinched-face expression that Sulley liked to poke fun at. [color=gray]”How so? I haven’t bluffed… you [i]know[/i] that.”[/color] [color=blue]”Ah ah ah~”[/color] the sapphire dragon cooed as he tsked while waving a finger back and forth. [color=blue]”You already asked [i]your[/i] question. Now it’s [i]my[/i] turn. What do you know of Sulley’s involvement with the Children of Tiamat?”[/color] [color=gray]”I know that your mother’s death has soured his opinion.”[/color] there was a hint of accusation in her tone. [color=gray]”I’m curious….”[/color] she began, leaning her back against a tree in a relaxed pose. [color=gray]”What did I say to earn you a point?”[/color] she couldn’t tell a lie and, unless he was lying, something that she said with the belief that it was true, was not true. [color=blue]”Ahhh you caught me on that one. I was on the fence about whether or not faerie truly couldn’t lie. I had to hear it for myself, so we’ll add a point for you.”[/color] He added a tally in the air for her. His smile slowly disappeared as he became serious. [color=blue]” But, anyway…How did Sulley know that those spies were in the advisor positions, hm?”[/color] He [color=gray]”He brought the real Nelrathian and Hyumae back to the Court.”[/color] her expression darkened, those emotionless grey eyes turning a dark, sad, sapphire blue. He let out a throaty chuckle before it turned into a bark of laughter. It echoed across the treeline and around them before he slowly gained composure, speaking through chuckles. Kiara was glaring daggers at him. [color=blue]”Hmhmhmhmhm. So...hehehehe. T-T-That’s what he told you? Hmhmhmhmhmhmhmhm... that is Sulley for you.”[/color] He grinned, turned to face her, and leaned forward. [color=blue]”I’m going to re-ask my previous question. What do you know of Sulley’s involvement with the Children of Tiamat?”[/color] He sounded so excited. [color=gray]”No.”[/color] she said defiantly, obviously pretty pissed that he’d laughed at her. It was obvious that he and Sulleykaar were brothers, they were both the same brand of asshole. [color=gray]”You skipped my question.”[/color] she called him out on misplaying the game yet again. He nodded. [color=blue]”Very well...Ask away.”[/color] waving a gesture for the go ahead. [color=gray]”Why do you want to return to that question?”[/color] she asked, raising an eyebrow, challenging his dedication to being honest. [color=blue]”Let me answer that question with one of my own. Did you ever wonder why he knew who to kill in that meeting room? I mean, he had just gotten to the Queendom, and hardly knew anyone. Besides you, of course, who were forced into being somewhat polite despite your neglectful father’s decision on the deal. You didn’t think it strange at all?”[/color] He cocked a brow in return. Kiara uncrossed her arms and took a step towards him, her eyes darkening to a fierce red. She found herself wanting to rip his cocky throat out. Instead, she remembered to exhale, to let her hot-headed anger go. When she opened her eyes, she spoke with a steady voice. [color=gray]”He killed someone very important to me that day. I wasn’t thinking straight enough to analyze it.”[/color] [color=blue]”Then think about it now…”[/color] He interrupted with a stern voice, to which she replied with a growl through bared teeth. The next thing she did might be stupid, but she turned her back to him. If he wished to attack her for it, let him, she would rather fight that talk at this point. He watched as she turned her back to him. This action didn’t anger him, nor did he find it rude. Rather, this was the sort of direction he was going for. [color=blue]”Look...I haven’t lied to you once...well….minus the one thing, to which I gave you the extra point. Do you remember back in Dovahmere? I even told you our plans. I was honest and forthright with them. But you believe that Sulleykaar has been telling the truth so far with you now, since he [i]promised[/i]? I’m sorry, dear, but he is still holding back information. Information that is detrimental to his cause should it get out. But, I know deep down you want to know the truth, because [i]honor is a lie[/i], and I hate seeing people lie to others. So, how about I ask this question differently...”[/color] Behind her back that same mischievous and eerie grin rested on his face like it did in Dovahmere. [color=blue]”Would you like to know [i]why[/i] he knew about those spies and what his involvement was with the Children of Tiamat or did I just give you the answer in this question alone?”[/color] he singsonged the last part. Kiara kept her back to him and tapped her fingers along the side of her arms as she kept them crossed over her chest. [color=gray]”Are you implying that Sulleykaar put those spies there?”[/color] she asked directly. He stood up and walked up next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder and leaned into her ear. [color=blue]”My dear, this was a game of truth. Implications were not a part of the rules.”[/color] He rubbed his thumb along her shoulder before walking back off towards the woods. He stopped at the treeline and turned his head towards her. [color=blue]”How about you ask him yourself, if you don’t believe me.”[/color] By the time Kiki had abandoned her stubbornness long enough to turn back around, Paraxthyon was gone. She scanned the shadows of the treeline, but there was nothing out of place. The faerie looked to the rock by the water’s edge, and there was a sparkle glinting in the midday sun. Kiara walked over to the attractive sight… it was the necklace. Hesitantly, she picked it up by the gold chain - She was naturally suspicious of such a gift, and hovered her hands over the stone, trying to sense magick. There was nothing that she could detect. The faerie climbed up to sit on the rock now, and pulled her knobby knees up under her chin. She stared at the star jewel that had reminded her of Nyx, and thought about what just happened. Why had Paraxthyon done this? That game was one sided in her favor from the start, he must have known that. He had gained no information from her, it’s sole purpose was for [i]her[/i] to learn more. But why didn’t he just eat her? He had made his malicious intent quite clear a week ago. Kiara found herself wishing that she was more like her father… he would know how to handle this, he knew how to handle everything. Kiki fastened the necklace around her neck and stared down at the star-like gem that would be nestled in her cleavage, if she’d had any cleavage. She now stewed on what the sapphire dragon had said about Sulleykaar. Kiara had developed a deep, stockholm-like affection for her draconic mentor. He had promised her honesty, and she had trusted his word on that. The had laughed together, fought together, slept together… and now, she felt doubt about it all. Had he really pulled the wool over her eyes this whole time? Without consent, large, pent up tears welled in her eyes and spilled over. She was crying because she didn’t want any of this in the first place. She wanted to go home, to go back in time, to before she knew about Sulleykaar, or the Children of Tiamat, or Old Scale…. To when she was simply Kiara, not the girl of stone… not the girl to be lied to. The faerie thought about her father through the sobs. What would he do? She must try to be like him, to understand this situation, to make it work for her. She could continue to wallow in self pity, she could turn it into anger, she could retaliate, or... she could seek the truth. She would do the latter, that is what Cynbel would choose. When Sulleykaar returned, she would demand honesty about everything - past, present, and future. Until then, she stripped down to nothing but her new necklace and stepped into the water. It was cool, chilly even, but she used her new abilities to heat it with fire. Kiara stepped under the waterfall and let it shower her, rinsing away the dirt and negative feelings. It was easy to forget yourself in Spirit’s Crossing, so she did just that…