[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] [h2]Present Day[/h2][/center] Sulley looked up to the faerie after their lips parted and smiled. [color=9e0b0f]”You actually - heh - wore me out.”[/color] He chuckled as he laid his head back. She smirked [color=gray]”Well, two [i]mindblowing[/i] orgasms in a row will do that to you.”[/color] Kiara bragged, flaunting her bisexual prowess. [color=gray]”I’m feeling much less exhausted, such a filling meal does that, I suppose.”[/color] she winked and attempted to stand on her own two feet. [color=9e0b0f]”Kiara...Lay here with me for a bit.”[/color] He said quickly and out of character. To which she smiled softly and squated down the the ground and scooted up alongside him. [color=9e0b0f]”Two questions of your choosing.”[/color] He smirked with two fingers raised lazily. Kiara was never much of a post-coital snuggler, but she was now. She cuddled up to Sulley and ran her fingertips along his stomach in slow circles. They traces the curved definition of his abdominal muscles, he was so strong… Which led her to her next question. [Color=Gray]”Do you have any weaknesses?”[/color] she asked quietly. He would probably think she was being cynical or plotting to kill him still, but she had other reasons for asking. He raised his head and popped a brow, studying her for a moment before laying his head back. [color=9e0b0f]Well, what do you mean as for weaknesses? I’m a dragon. We don’t have many besides Old Scale magic and our natural element’s opposite. For me it would be water or ice, hence why it took me a hell of alot longer to learn. Could you be a little more specific if I didn’t answer it right?”[/color] [color=gray]”No, that sounds right… That’s it, just Old Scale and water, otherwise you’ll just live forever?”[/color] she asked, not as a second question, but more as an expansion on the first. [color=9e0b0f]”Not exactly. I could live for quite some time though. My magick comes from my lineage. I’m an Old Scale, a special species of dragons that can live past two hundred thousand years and then we die. Death varies for us, of course. Whether it is of old age, or fights, or disease - though disease is extremely rare with us.”[/color] He said nonchalantly. Kiara flattened the palm of the hand that had been tracing circles on his stomach. She reached it over to his sides and pulled herself closer so that she could rest her head on his chest. Laying there together, she wondered how long they would continue to play this game - him pretending that he would only answer a limited number of questions as a reward. Two things were obvious: one, he loved talking about himself too much to limit it and two, he was wrapped around her bony little finger. That was true both ways, however, whether or not she wanted to admit it to herself. [color=gray]”I hope to live a long time too, like my Queen…”[/color] she mused, listening to his breathing. His hearts’ beats were slow and calming. Her head rested on his chest and subconsciously ran a free hand through her hair, he other resting behind his head. [color=9e0b0f]”How long has she been around, hm? She must be beyond my time, especially with an aura like that.”[/color] Asking with a sigh as he glanced over to her. [color=gray]”Our Court is over 6000 years old and she was it’s founder. So, she is at least that old.”[/color] Kiara answered. He nodded in amazement. [color=9e0b0f]”She is pretty old but kept most of her looks. Impressive. Still have yet to meet anyone older than Ugin. That dragon is the brother of Tiamat and he hasn’t been around for over fifty thousand years. But besides that I hope you keep your looks when you’re that old. Would be a terrible shame if you ended up aging, hahahaha.”[/color] He pictured her with wrinkles and the pout on her face that she always gave him. Her chuckles echoed against his chest. [color=gray]”Selfish dragon.”[/color] she chided playfully. [color=gray]”But even if I did, I could cover it up. [i]Glamour is free.[/i]”[/color] He frowned slightly. [color=9e0b0f]”But with age does come beauty and with age so does wisdom. Hiding what you are behind the veil is a lie to yourself too, is it not? I don’t ever plan on hiding my wrinkles when I grow old. I want the worlds to know that I have wisdom and experience to share -- I do have another weakness…”[/color] He smiled halfway through until he brought up the idea of growing old. Kiki rolled her eyes imperceptible [color=gray]”And what is that? Your pride?”[/color] she laughed at her own joke, unable to ready the cues his facial expression gave as she stared along the length of his body with her ear still against his chest. He remained silent and his voice carried a macabre tone. [color=9e0b0f]”The fear of death…”[/color] he stated, his as he swallowed lightly. That stopped her from laughing. Kiara grew quiet and nodded [color=gray]”Your own?”[/color] she asked. [color=9e0b0f]”Of the ones I care about -”[/color] His stopped running his hand through her hair. [color=9e0b0f]”The fact that I wouldn’t be there to save them or I would be in a predicament that I would have to choose -- Do you know what happens when a dragon dies?”[/color] Soft eyes landed on her own. [color=gray]”Is it different from the fae when we die?”[/color] she asked curiously. His fear lined up shockingly well with her own, especially after the visions she was given. He took in a deep breath and exhaled. [color=9e0b0f]”We are creatures of magic by nature. Whether we use that magic is a different story. But when it comes to death, when we go, we go body and soul, never to be seen again.. You faerie are lucky that you have a chance to move on into Wosham. We become nothing more than mere words in the history books.”[/color] He chuckled darkly. [color=gray]”Well…”[/color] Kiara began, propping her chin up on his chest and looking up at him. [color=gray]”I suppose I’ll have to keep you alive then, couldn’t imagine living without the hope of such a good lay.”[/color] she smirked. He looked at her with a roll of the eyes and a mock glare before it softened. [color=9e0b0f]”I don’t want to ever lose you. I can’t handle that again.”[/color] She blinked a few times and her smirked faded away to a more serious face. [color=gray]”Sulley… can I trust you?”[/color] her question sounded more intense than the others. [color=9e0b0f]”Of course you can, you’ve trusted me so far after everything that has transpired I don -- Yes. Yes you can trust me.”[/color] He was starting to joke around until he heard her tone which caused him to cease his smart remark. Kiara sighed and considered even saying what she was thinking. It was something that was in the back of her mind since her return from Wosham. She had felt real peace then, but since waking, there was still fear. She closed her eyes, as if that would make it less exposing. [color=gray]”Your brother… I have an idea for a way to counter his mind games.”[/color] she said, barely above a whisper. His face hardened and his tone became more business like, like all the times before with training and dealing with the war. [color=9e0b0f]”I’m listening, Kiara. What do you propose?”[/color] [color=gray]”Well…”[/color] her voice trembled in time with the shaking of her body. [color=gray]”There is power in a faerie’s name, the one who has it may control the faerie. Right now he has it…. But, so do I. I could-”[/color] [color=9e0b0f]”Stop right there… You understand what you’re telling me right. This, heh, this is serious... I need you to -”[/color] He stopped as she sat up and studied him. Kiara propped herself up so she could get a better look at his face. [color=gray]”I know it’s important. And I know you have told me the truth tonight. I was listening to your hearts. And I--”[/color] she looked down quickly. [color=9e0b0f]”Kiki…”[/color] He sat up, his fingers cupped under her chin and raised her head to meet his. His genuine smile etched onto his face accompanied by warm, soft eyes. He waited for her to continue, his cupped hand moved to her hair and ran through her silky red locks. She smiled against his hand and closed her eyes. [color=gray]”I know you care too much about me now to misuse it. You said you didn’t want to lose me, and I know you meant it. I want to tell you, even if that scares the darkness right out of me. But, if I tell you, and you command me to never obey his words… I won’t. I won’t be able to. I could train at peace then, with you. I could have control of at least one part of my fate…”[/color] her own heart was fluttering like a hummingbird’s wings as she waited for his response. He looked down for a moment as his eyes darted back and forth. He was letting everything sink in and taking into account everything she had said, what his brother had done, the consequences that could arise and what could be stopped. For a moment after, he stood still and looked up to her with a stern look. [color=9e0b0f]”The last thing I want is for you not to feel like you have control Kiki. I won’t ever use this name unless you say otherwise. That is the truth. After this, after I tell you not to listen to him, i won’t ever bring it up again.”[/color] He shook his head and that was the truth. Kiara leaned into him and caressed his cheek. [color=gray]”Good, because if you do, you will lose me, and I [i]promise[/i] it will be worse than losing me to death.”[/color] she said with a steely gaze. She wondered how that dragon telepathy he had worked. Could she do it now that he’d given a part of himself to her? Either way, she didn’t want to say it out loud on the off chance that someone, anyone was listening in. The faerie leaned in and pressed her lips against his softly, with her name at the forefront of her mind for the first time since Cynbel spoke it… [i]Kaelan Kiara Kinley[/i]. He listened close to her very-far-from idle threat and nodded quietly. When she leaned in, her lips against his ears, he thought she would whisper it to him. That would be a dumb idea on her part because of Paraxthyon knowing who else wouldn’t try to hear it? Especially those from Dovahmere who knew of the den. It was subtle, like a light tap. He felt a tug from his mind. His eyes squinted slightly until they opened wide and his eyes darted to her. Did she just? The name came in slightly muffled but he focused in on it until it became clear. He nodded to her and looked her dead in the eyes. [color=9e0b0f][i]’A very beautiful name for someone to match it...Kaelen Kiara Kinley...I command you to never listen to any orders from Paraxthyon, my brother, or anyone of the Children of Tiamat. I also command you to never listen to anyone who uses your name with intentions that go against your own. I command you to make your own choices, choices that you believe are right and just. I command you to be free.’[/i][/color] His hardened look softened into a warm smile, especially towards the end. The faerie nodded in understanding of his mentally projected command and then smiled when she came to her senses fully. It was a sweet gesture, and unexpected, but nothing more than a wistful dream. If it were possible to nullify a faerie’s name for all people, all faerie parents would do that for their children early on. Sulleykaar didn’t know that, though, so the thought alone was heart touching. She stroked her thumb along his cheekbone affectionately. [color=gray]”Yes, my dragon.”[/color] she said, softly claiming him. [color=gray]”Shall we call it a night?”[/color] Her soft little fingers could sooth any soul. He gave her a soft smile and nodded as he stood up. He winced slightly from the pleasure-filled pain. [color=9e0b0f]”That’s fine. Let’s head back then.”[/color] Morphing into his true form winked at Kiara as he jumped up and flapped his wings, gaining altitude slow enough for Kiara to catch up. [center][img]http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/XxKayla36xX/Felix.png[/img] [h2]&[/h2] [img]http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/XxKayla36xX/cynbel.png[/img][/center] [center][h2]Unseelie Queendom, Training Grounds - Present Day[/h2][/center] Felix had healed much faster than expected, this was thanks to Sulley’s draconic side taking effect. He had started to learn a lot about it in the short time since he awoke. His appetite had increased drastically, as did his stamina and endurance for spars and training. He had been practicing on a dummy, working on form and precision for a good part of the morning and decided to take a break. Felix sat down underneath the dummy, running a hand through his hair. [color=gold]”Heh - Heh - Where’s - Cynbel?”[/color] He thought to himself as he looked around the training grounds, hoping to see if his white hair was among the crowd of soldiers. Cynbel was working on a skill that he wasn’t quite as talented at, archery. He could still out shoot most faeries, but the elves? He was nowhere near as good as the elven archers. The faerie drew back the bowstring and stared down the tip of the arrow as he aimed. The target was a few hundred feet out and there was already an arrow protruding from the bullseye. Cynbel was trying to split the arrow, a difficult, but impressive feet. He hadn’t successfully done it yet today. The Unseelie commander exhaled slowly and well-measured so that he didn’t move his posture at all. [i]’Thhhpt’[/i] The arrow sounded as it cut through the air. It struck just to the left of the arrow in the bullseye, nicking the feathered end. Cynbel tsked his teeth and drew another arrow from his quiver to diligently try again. He caught sight of him with the archers. Using his blade as leverage, he stood and made his way over to the silver haired general. Felix kept his distance, so not to disturb the faerie’s concentration. He studied his stance and his form. It was impressive to say the least but not unexpected. A thousand years could give any man or woman the chance to master many arts. His dedication as seen when he lined up his next shot, taking his time with his aim and breathing. He leaned his head to the side as he sheathed his sword and then crossed his arms and observed. He learned a little bit from the elves in the order but learned the most from Kyla who specialized in it. He would be nowhere near the level that Cynbel or any of the others would be, but he had the jist of it. When Cynbel released the second arrow, it soared along it’s path and met its mark. The arrowhead splintered the wood and wedged into the shaft of the first arrow. Instead of celebrating or smiling like most might at such an accomplishment, the faerie simply nodded. He then hooked the bow over his quiver and started walking to go fetch the arrows from the distant target. [color=gold]”I would say congrats General but I think that’s implied.”[/color] He said with a grin as the general went to fetch the arrows. Felix lightly jogged up to him, his chainmail shirt jingling along the way. [color=gold]”I wanted to say thanks for everything you’ve done for me. I truly do appreciate it.”[/color] A soft smile looked towards the general until they reached Cynbel looked over his shoulder to Felix and smiled lightly. [color=lightgray]”You are looking much better these days, how is your form training coming?”[//color] he asked as he walked alongside the other commander. He plucked the arrows out of the target, saving the second and third, but discarding the splintered one. He gave a muffled cough and nodded. [color=gold]”It’s coming along. Had to stop a few times because I would have a few pains here and there but otherwise it’s fine.”[/color] He sighed and looked at the target. [color=gold]”Kyla was a great archer, even gave some of the elves pointers. It was pretty funny to watch some of their prides shatter because they doubted her. How long have you been practicing with a bow?”[/color] He asked. [color=lightgray]”Only for a few centuries, it’s one of my least practiced skills on the field. I prefer swordfighting and, for the longest time, I was too stubborn to try anything else. You shouldn’t do that,”[/color] he instructed gently. [color=lightgray]”It is foolish to limit yourself to any singular skill set, seek to be well rounded.”[/color] his hard look softened into a smile. [color=lightgray]”Kyla was fantastic. It was her absence that inspired me to pick up my first bow. Did she teach you any pointers?”[/color] Cynbel asked curiously. He wouldn’t be above getting some sound advice through Felix, perhaps Kyla could teach him from beyond the grave. Felix chuckled a bit and scratched the back of his head. [color=gold]” She did, but I still was pretty bad compared to the elves and her.. However, your aim seems to be slightly lower considering the range of this target. Raise it up a bit more and exhale as you release since it steadies your aim.”[/color] He gave a slight nod. Once they were back a fine distance from the targets, Cynbel nocked another arrow. He inhaled, positioning his arms a bit higher and squaring his feet and shoulders. Just as Felix explained, he exhaled as he released the arrow. The projectile sunk into the red center of the target and Cynbel nodded. [color=lightgray]”That was fine advice, thank you.”[/color] He said, smiling. The Unseelie Commander held the bow and an arrow out to Felix. [color=lightgray]”Let’s see you do better.”[/color] He challenged with more of a smirk now than a smile. With a nod he led the both of them back to the end of the range and requested the bow. Once it was in his hand, he glanced over to Cynbel, or where Cynbel was standing, and saw Kyla smiling at him with a wink. It was like his time with her when she first taught him, challenging his skills to see where he lacked. The once-human Commander looked down range at the target, which now with new eyes looked much closer and more vivid. [color=gold]”I didn’t think it was that close…”[/color] He frowned as he leaned his head to the side. It’s not close, I just have better vision. This thought ran through his head as he notched the arrow and drew the string back. His stance was steady as he looked down to the target. He inhaled and closed his eyes. As he exhaled he drew it back just a bit more and let the arrow fly straight and - short a few feet from the target. He tsked and glanced back at Cynbel. [color=gold]”Damn dragon and his damn gifts.”[/color] He mumbled. He notched another one and adjusted his angle and drew back, repeating the process. This time, when the arrow left the string it soared along its path and looked as if it would miss its target. [i]”Thmmp”[/i] It could be argued that he hit the bullseye and argued that he still missed it. Even along the black line that bordered a direct hit and a miss. Smirking at his accomplishment he turned to Cynbel with the bow in hand and offered it back to him. [color=gold]”I still need to practice…”[/color] He sighed. [color=gold]”But this can wait. I would like to know when you plan on teaching me.”[/color] Felix asked with a slight attitude. He was ready. He was healed, he was feeling better, at least he thought he was. But even the healer told the Faerie he still needed a few more days before anything else. Admirable as it was, anyone in the medical field, Unseelie or not would agree he needed more rest and maybe not just physically. [color=lightgray]”Hmhmhm”[/color] he chuckled as he took the bow back. [color=lightgray]”I’ve already started.”[/color] he said simply. Patience was the first important lesson. [color=lightgray]”And you’re not doing so well.”[/color] there was slight teasing in his tone. Of course, he knew why Felix was being impatient. The faerie remembered what that heartache felt like, and wanting to do anything and everything but dwelling on it. [color=lightgray]”It is important to let yourself feel this, Felix. I know that it is not easy, but to be trained as an Unseelie, you must learn to embrace your emotions, even the dark ones… [i]especially[/i] the dark ones. They will make you strongest.”[/color] Cynbel explained in a sage-like tone as they walked to the common hall where food, drinks, and company were a plenty. Felix gave Cynbel a mocked look of disgust with the tease but nodded in understanding. He softened when Cynbel brought up the dark emotions. Dark emotions; Sadness, anger, fear, despair… These were his emotions he feared. [color=gold]”Cynbel -”[/color] He looked over to him as they walked past the archery range, sparing grounds, the pit on their way over to what Felix knew as the Unseelie’s equivalent to a messhall. [color=gold]”Those [i]dark[/i] emotions - Do you remember when we spared? Because I don’t. I remember standing above you and then hitting the ground after I took that beating.”[/color] He said with some nervousness behind it. He looked towards some of his comrades from the Order, those who saw the human look at him they saluted and continued on with what they were doing. [color=gold]”I have a moniker that those who fought me, and those who fought beside me gave me. Two precisely: The Demon of Kalmar and The Beserker of the Crimson Wing. It’s titles that earned me a reputation through respect and fear. After Ky - After that blast I don’t remember a thing.”[/color] He glanced over to Cynbel and awaited his reaction. [color=lightgray]”Interesting…[/color] Cynbel mused, remembering both events in detail [color=lightgray]”These moments of lost time that you describe, they are when you were fighting your hardest and strongest… stronger than any human I’ve ever known. It is almost like a barbarian’s rage. Is this something that you remember always having?”[/color] The faerie asked curiously. He bit his lip as he looked down to the side, trying to remember when this first happened. He looked back to him with a nod. [color=gold]”When I was a squire still in the human realm. My master was training me in swordplay. I remember being struck in the head. Next thing I know I had the blade up to my master’s throat. He said he never seen anything like that before. A simple boy turning into a demon with a simple hit. What he didn’t tell me until later was I had struck him multiple times with the sword. Nothing that could kill, but it left him immobile for about a week.”[/color] He sighed and cleared his throat. Felix found a good place to sit that was a bit away from the rest of the patrons so he and Cynbel could have a private conversation. [color=lightgray]”In the human realm?’[/color] Cynbel asked with raised eyebrows. [color=lightgray]”As far as I know, that realm has no magic of it’s own…”[/color] The faerie poured himself a glass of mead and sat down. [color=lightgray]”That is very interesting. You don’t remember any [i]encounters[/i] that might have happened to give you these abilities. Perhaps you met a creature from another realm at an early age?”[/color] Cynbel had figured these enhancements had been provided by Sulleykaar, but that might not be the case if Felix had them back in the human realm. Felix shrugged as he took a sip of ale. [color=gold]”Possi-”[/color] He stopped and thought about it a bit longer before looking at Cynbel. [color=gold]”No. There couldn’t have been a way. My family house wasn’t near any Feylines. I couldn’t imagine so.”[/color] He sighed. He thought maybe he had come across Cynbel back then or maybe even Kyla and he didn’t know it. But for all he knew the answer was no. The faerie sipped his drink thoughtfully. [color=lightgray]”It may be that you were not even aware of the encounter, or perhaps you are the first magick-born human.”[/color] he chuckled at the thought. It was unlikely, he had never met a human capable of magick. [color=gold]”Magic-born human?”[/color] He asked with a quizzical look. [color=lightgray]”Well, that [i]ability[/i] is not a human trait, it seems like magick to me. I had thought it was something Sulleykaar gifted you at first, that made the most sense. Were both of your parents, and you family, all human… to your knowledge?”[/color] Cynbel was clearly making it a task to solve this mystery. [color=gold]”Sulleykaar was amazed when he first saw it himself too. As far as I know they were.”[/color] He sat back and looked at the ale in front of him. [color=lightgray]”You truly are a mystery, then. Although, you are no longer human alone. Tell me, what other changes have you noticed since awakening?”[/color] [color=gold]”Let’s see...”[/color]He said as he tapped the table. [color=gold]”The simplest things being my sight has increased along with my other senses. I last longer training, stuff like that.”[/color] He took a swig of ale. [color=gold]”Nothing else that I know of besides that.”[/color] [color=lightgray]”Hmm… you should keep track of that. There is bound to be more, what Sulleykaar did took a lot out of him. Once the healers have cleared you, we will train to try to poke out specifics.”[/color] Cynbel sipped his mead and scanned the room. [color=lightgray]”Has Garax visited you recently? He seems to be [i]enjoying[/i] his time at Court.”[/color] He frowned and shook his head. [color=gold]”I seen him once after I sobered up.”[/color] He took a swig of ale only to start coughing hard, thumping his chest until the burning subsided. Cynbel nodded [color=lightgray]”Keeping busy, I suppose. My men report whisperings of an attempt to retake the Keep from our spies among the Seelie. It may need our attention again some day soon. Or-”[/color] he looked the not-so-human Commander over. [color=lightgray]”At least my attention. We’ll see how quickly we can get you back in your armour.”[/color] Felix frowned. [color=gold]”Did they say when they are planning this? Within the week? Month? Either way we might need Sulley and Kiara here. I doubt that they will come in a small group. Plus, with us having a decent force defending that outpost they are bound to bring a larger force than before.”[/color] He sniffed in and looked towards the open ceiling, wondering what the two were up to. [color=lightgray]”Having Sulleykaar and my daughter back would be ideal, but war is hardly ever ideal.”[/color] Their was a shadow of a smirk as he said that. [color=lightgray]”But I suppose we can hope for that. In the meantime, how about some training?“[/color] The sentence was structured like a question, but it was clear that Felix didn’t really have an option for his response. He gave a lopsided grin in response to the faerie general with a subtle nod before hammering down what was left in his cup before standing. [color=gold]”Well, war may not be ideal, but training is, especially for the fights to come. I’m ready when you are.”[/color] The confidence in his voice however betrayed his feelings. He was nervous, but not about the fights. He was nervous about the outcome of this training. Would this benefit him and help him gain control of this new [i]demon[/i], or would it consume him, leaving him in a state of eternal rage? For now he only looked at the situation as a [i]cup-half-full[/i], only the training and its results would change that.