[center][h1][color=f49ac2]Jasmine Lockwood[/color] and [color=ed145b]Rajah[/color][/h1][/center]
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[@MarshiestMallow]
While Ryujin couldn't see the frown form, between his link with Jasmine and the link he was now forming with Penny it wasn't hard to work out how the girl was feeling about this development. That, and he knew for a fact that Jasmine had failed to communicate with Penny about this issue.
[color=455161][i]"I do apologise for the young one's lack of...communication about my existence. She has yet to realise that only she could hear me for the most part. Hence why I asked her to hand you the pendant."[/i][/color] His words were followed by a sigh. Jasmine was reasonably smart for the most part, but she was rather naive and ditzy at times. Quite often at times, and that coupled with her meek persona made for a frustrating combo. Luckily, Ryujin literally had all the time in the world. Being deceased had its perks.

[color=455161][i]“Of course child. I prefer it that way, to be honest, it’s something I am desperately trying to teach young Jasmine here as well...to no avail.”[/i][/color] At Penny's suggestion of their conversation being relayed through telepathy, Ryujin had no qualms. It was how he would be ‘talking’ to her after all, and only Jasmine could butt in on them here as well. He shared Penny’s dislike for the potential little disruption that was Rajah. If he was alive….

[color=455161][i]“That is good to hear. Jasmine is important to me as well, young slayer, more so than even she understands. Without her, I am merely an old soul in a dusty lacrima with no connection to this timeline...however, she makes me ‘alive’ again. As much as a dead, ancient dragon like myself can be anyway!”[/i][/color] The hearty laugh that followed was deep and raspy. Yes, he was far older than anything that was probably alive currently as of this moment. Though he was effectively cheating with his soul the only thing that remained of him in this world.

Though, her next words bought his laugh to an abrupt and unnatural end.

Dead?

Solias was….dead?

Ryujin had figured, out of everything he had known back in his prime, that the Phoenix would be the only thing with a chance of still fluttering about. But to find out that even his old friend had passed was….upsetting. For a moment, she was met with nothing but silence. The dragon needing the moment to come to terms with this.

He might’ve asked how, when or why. Those sort of natural questions one might ask. But for a start, he had a suspicion based on how the Phoenix Slayer before him acted. It was confirmed as well by not only her own words but her showing of memories of the incident. Once upon a time, he might’ve been angry about this development. I mean, a daughter killing her own father? Such a thought was dreadful to dwell on.

However, it was clear from these memories...his old friend had finally reached the end anyway. He went out on his own terms, unlike Ryujin himself, so instead there was a pang of jealousy. It was typical of that Firebird. He always got things to work out somehow.

[color=455161][i]“That is...a shame.”[/i][/color] He finally broke his silence, in a sombre tone. He had hoped to see his friend one more time, but alas it wasn’t to be. His last memory of him will always be that of the young and proud flames he produced, of their exploits together…

How fitting it was, that their legacies had once again met on the same path even after so many centuries. Though Jasmine seemed nothing like the arrogant, proud hatchling he was at his respective age. Penny was very much like Solias however, quite much so in fact. Maybe the term ‘daughter’ was more….accurate than one first thought. The memories he had seen had certainly hinted towards that conclusion.

[color=455161][i]“That silly old bird. What kind of father makes their child cry? He always was a selfish idealist. Even now I still don’t understand him truly.[/i][/color]” A large form began to take shape in Penny’s mind, shaking it’s humongous shadowy head.[color=455161][i] “Do not apologise for following his request young one. It doesn’t matter if one is a phoenix, human or even a dragon. They all must reach their end someday...just some sooner or later than others. Your father was one of the few lucky ones who not only got to choose the time and place, but also the method to let his flame be extinguished.”[/i][/color]

He was certainly jealous of the phoenix in that regard. As well as his way with words and bing able to comfort those around him. He didn’t quite have that same skill, but he would try nonetheless. For his friends sake.

By now, he had fully materialised in her mind and pointed a talon, which was larger than Penny such was the immense size of the ancient dragon, towards the Fire mage. [color=455161][i]“But death isn’t the end. For with his dying embers, he lit a new flame. [b]You[/b] my dear. Grieve and mourn as much as you desire, but do remember that he chose this. Unfortunately, it means you must live with his selfish actions consequences, but he wouldn’t have asked if he didn’t think you couldn’t handle the burden.”[/i][/color]

All the while, Penny needn’t have worried about holding back the tears at least in the case of Jasmine seeing them. She couldn’t see them through the tears that welled up of her own. She had heard [i]everything[/i]. Seen [i]everything[/i].

Ryujin, in the emotion of the moment, had forgotten his link with his slayer. What he saw, she saw. What he felt, she felt. For without this connection, he was simply nothing but a spirit as he said. He needn’t any tools to communicate with her like he did with others. It doesn’t mean he couldn’t have stopped Jasmine from seeing what unfolded in his conversation with Penny, but he hadn’t thought to stop her from seeing either.

At first, Jasmine had turned bright red and buried her face into her hands as they spoke of her with such praise. She really didn’t deserve it, she wasn’t strong. Not at all, despite what Penny thought. And the embarrassment of having realised she was the only one who could have heard Ryujin this entire time...she wanted to curl up and disappear. She would have to apologise to Penny for that later.

Then when she heard the exchange about Penny’s father...her mind came to a grinding halt. That was shortly before she had met her hadn’t it? Penny had been dealing with that, while also dealing with her own problems that she had selfishly dumped on the S-class wizard? Jasmine knew she was a burden….but this took the cake.

Guilt, shame and embarrassment swirled around like a cocktail of negativity inside her. Jasmine was unsure which was the stronger emotion at this point. Not that it mattered much, for she knew she couldn’t mope around. She had done enough of that the last couple of months. Ryujin was right, her guild-no, her family needed her. And with whatever little strength she had, she would give it. She owed them, Penny, mostly, too much to turn tail and run. And now that she had reawakened her magic she might actually become more useful…

Maybe.

Hopefully. One could only hope at the very least.

Time was of the essence here. She needed to make sure that Penny was aware of her decision. But...she couldn’t find it in her to speak. Instead, she stepped forward, tears and embraced Penny out of the blue. Hiding her face in the older girl’s shoulder, though she was still visibly shaking from the tears she barely held back. She really needed to learn to stop crying so much.

[color=f49ac2]“I-I’m sorry Penny! You...you went through all that, and still had the time and strength to help a selfish, useless nobody like myself back then...I’m sorry!”[/color]

With fistfuls of Penny' shirt in her clenched fists, the rest of what Jasmine said seemed to come out in a incomprehensible babble. She wasn't able to hold back the tears afterall.

[color=ed145b]“Of course I chew! How rude.” [/color]With a look of annoyance, Rajah crossed her arms and huffed as Iggy moved away for a moment. How dare he suggest that she have no manners! Oh, she’ll show him! Though the thought was quickly banished when food was presented.

[color=ed145b]“Ah, I knew I kept you around for a good reason Sir Ignatius.”[/color] With Iggy having returned with food, Rajah took it with a momentarily nod of appreciation before proceeding to scoff the food down in about half a second. The exceed could probably eat a dragon, such was her insatiable appetite.