[center][h1][color=yellow][b][u]Karamir[/u][/b][/color][/h1] & [h1][color=darkseagreen][b][u]Atalantia[/u][/b][/color][/h1] [/center] [hr] Spear in hand, Karamir trudged into the woods, wincing as leaves and branches crunched and snapped beneath his feet. He slowed his pace, and walked more stealthily, keeping noise to a minimum as he ventured through trees and brush. He had felt exposed on the plains. Perhaps the cover of the forest would make him feel more secure. It had been perhaps two days since Kalmar had left him. He tossed some berries he had been saving from earlier into his mouth. Where would he go? What would he do? He had been given no instruction beyond survive and explore. It was a vast land, so he had decided to just pick one direction and keep walking. The ground began to shake slightly, and Karamir froze. Kalmar had warned him that there were massive creatures on the continent. He dove beneath the cover of a nearby bush, and using his hunter’s sight, he slipped into the perspective of some animals who were located in that vague direction, but all were running away from it instead of toward. Thus, he had no idea what was coming. The shaking became more intense. The sound of trees and foliage crushed under a massive weight steadily grew closer to Karamir. And then there was a roar, the like of which few living beings had yet heard. Flying forms filled the air as birds took flight from their hiding spots in the trees. As birds and other winged creatures took flight, the towering form of the creature wandered into sight. It was a reptile, of sorts. Scaled skin with some areas covered in bright feathers. It stood on two powerful legs, with two comparatively small arms that were still capable of tearing most of the continent’s creatures apart with ease. And perhaps worse of all was its large head, powerful jaws, and sharp teeth. All in all it was a decisively excessively large and terrifying creature given the continent’s ecosystems. Strangely enough, if one took the time to look, the form of a humanoid could be seen sitting on the creature’s head. The body language of the humanoid seemed to lack any degree of fear, in fact it seemed relaxed if anything, more interested in what was going on in the forest around the creature than in the creature it was riding. Birds were not the only animals fleeing from the creature. One, an ordinary wolf, was also fleeing, and it just so happened that Karamir’s hiding spot was directly in the creature’s path of retreat. Karamir wanted to groan in frustration, but such an act would have been foolish. He hoped the creature would change its path, but it kept coming straight-on. He wasn’t sure what to do. If he moved out of the way or fought it, the larger, more dangerous beast would know where he was. If he stood still, the wolf would step on him, perhaps even try to kill him. Neither situation was ideal. He frowned, and decided to take the risk. The wolf was nearly upon him. Gripping his spear tightly, he rose and swivelled to face the animal, before thrusting his weapon forward. The wolf had not expected such sudden movement, and the spear went through its chest and deep into its heart, killing it. When the creature fell, Karamir pressed his foot against the fallen wolf, wrenched the spear free, and turned to run, away from the beast that he was certain would try to pursue him. The sudden series of shaking and rumbling from the creature’s direction indicated that Karamir’s fears had been realized. Perhaps worse was the fact that they were steadily getting closer. Each rumble noticeably closer than the last. The roar the creature let out was so loud it almost sounded as it the creature’s mouth was right behind him. There was what sounded like a shout and suddenly the creature make to a halt. Followed by more shouting. Karamir continued running. Yet, when he realized the shaking had stopped, he looked back, and saw that the creature was no longer pursuing him. He came to a stop, turned around, and assumed a defensive stance with his spear. [color=yellow]”Who are you!?”[/color] he shouted at the distant figure atop the beast. Neither the figure nor creature seemed to notice Karamir now. The humanoid was too busy shouting at the creature, obviously berating him. Strangely enough the massive creature looked subdued, apologetic even. After a moment one of the creature’s eyes locked on to Karamir and it seemed to indicate him by moving its head. [color=darkseagreen]”Ah. Um. Sorry about my friend here.”[/color] The humanoid called down to Karamir in a pleasant voice. [color=darkseagreen]”He didn’t scare you too badly did he?”[/color] Karamir remained where he was. He did not lower his spear, and he did not answer her question. [color=yellow]”Who are you!?”[/color] he repeated, his tone no less guarded. [color=darkseagreen]”I’m Atalantia.[/color] She answered. [color=darkseagreen]”Now perhaps you would care to introduce yourself? Last I checked there were no other intelligent mortals here which means…”[/color] By this point she was all but mumbling to herself in thought. [color=yellow]”Atalantia?”[/color] Karamir asked, in a tone one of mild surprise. Kalmar had mentioned that name once, though he had also said he hadn’t actually met her. [color=yellow]”My name is Karamir.”[/color] [color=darkseagreen]”Yup. Atalantia’s the name. Don’t wear it out. And this big lug here is Pyrdon.”[/color] She patted the creature’s head. [color=darkseagreen]”Say hello Pyrdon.[/color] [color=darkkhaki]”Hello.[/color] The voice rumbled through both Atalantia’s and Karamir’s minds. [color=darkkhaki]”Tiny mortal.[/color] [color=darkseagreen]”Fat head.”[/color] Atalantia rolled her eyes. [color=darkseagreen]”Now given your name I would imagine you were created by Kalmar, right? He seems to like to name things after himself, though I would have guessed he would have named his first mortal Kalson, son of Kalmar, or some such nonsense. You are the first mortal he made, right?”[/color] [color=yellow]”I am,”[/color] he replied guardedly. [color=yellow]”and you were made by Phystene?”[/color] Before Atalantia could reply, he also added: [color=yellow]”And what’s wrong with my name?”[/color] [color=darkseagreen]”Hmmm…? Oh nothing, nothing.”[/color] She couldn’t keep the grin off of her face. [color=darkseagreen]”And Phystene is my mother, of course. Thankfully she was gracious enough to allow me to name myself and Pyrdon. She probably would have named him after a flower or something after all.[/color] [color=darkkhaki]”You don’t know that.[/color] [color=darkseagreen]”Oh? I don’t recall you complaining about me giving you a name at the time. If you’d like we can go find mother and ask her to give you a [i]real[/i] name.”[/color] [color=darkkhaki]”I like my name.”[/color] It almost sounded like the giant lizard was pouting. [color=darkseagreen]”So Karamir, son of Kalamar. Boy, try saying that ten times in a row. Anyways. What brings you to these parts? Got bored? Yearned for the experience of getting chased by a giant dinosaur? Or just out for the view?”[/color] Karamir was confused. Why did she say he was Kalmar’s son? [color=yellow]”I’m not his son, I’m his creation,”[/color] he corrected her. [color=yellow]”He trained me for nine days and then sent me out to survive on my own. I’m exploring Kalgrun.”[/color] [color=darkseagreen]”Bah. That’s just silly. Strictly speaking any living being he directly makes is his son or daughter.”[/color] Her tone my it sound like this was a self evident fact. [color=darkseagreen]”Wait… So he spent nine days making sure you new your ass from your face and then kicked you out on your own? Just cause? With no mission, objective, or role to fill? Just…. ‘Go out and do… hunting things.’ Seriously?”[/color] After a moment of silence she added [color=darkseagreen]”I’m sorry.”[/color] Karamir blinked, unsure of how to respond. This was the first person he had spoken to aside from Kalmar himself, and she was riding on top of a dinosaur, and she was apologizing for something. Her words had been more or less true, though not how he or Kalmar would have phrased. [color=yellow]”I will find my own purpose,”[/color] he said after a while. [color=darkseagreen]”Well… whatever works for you I suppose.[/color] Atalantia said after a moment. [color=darkseagreen]”Do you have any idea what this purpose of yours will entail?”[/color] [color=yellow]”No. That is what I will find out. I need to see and learn more, first.”[color] Karamir answered, remembering Kalmar’s words. [color=yellow]”Survive, adapt, experience, don’t die. If I can do that, I can decide my own fate.”[/color] [color=darkseagreen]”Its arguable that the purpose of all life is to reproduce and pass on its genes to its offspring. Its a real pity Kalamar didn’t make any women for you to reproduce with. I suppose if you wanted I could ask mother to make wolves or something compatible with you.”[/color] She grimaced. [color=darkseagreen]”It would be really weird though. You might just want to wait for if and when kalamar makes more of… you.”[/color] Karamir winced. [color=yellow]”I couldn’t do that even if there were. He said that might change, but…”[/color] the statement trailed off, and suddenly he decided to change subject. [color=yellow]”And his name is Kalmar, not Kalamar.”[/color] [color=darkseagreen]”Kalalamar?”[/color] Karamir frowned. [color=yellow]”Atalatalatalatalantia,”[/color] he shot back in a dry tone, dragging out her name. [color=darkseagreen]”Kalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalallalalamarama”[/color] She returned, unable to keep a stupid grin from appearing on her face. Karamir did not know what was happening, but he would not yield. [color=yellow]”Atatatatalatalatalatalatalatalatalatalatantianiania.”[/color] he countered, his words nearly devolving into giberish towards the end, and he stopped only to breathe. Atalantia took a deep breath and opened her mouth, but was cut off by Pyrdon. [color=darkkhaki]”Atalantia. Kalson. For the love of all life created by Kalmar and Phystene: SHUT UP!”[/color] [color=yellow]”She started it…”[/color] Karamir muttered under his breath, causing Atalantia to stick her tongue out at him in response.. [color=yellow]”What were we talking about?”[/color] [color=darkkhaki]”You two were discussing the possibilities of fornicating with wolves. Of all creatures why wolves? Such inferior creatures…”[/color] [color=darkseagreen]”Why would you even want to do that with a wolf anyways Kalson?”[/color] [color=yellow]”You were the one who was interested in fornicating with wolves, not me,”[/color] Karamir corrected. [color=darkseagreen]”Really? That’s not how I remember it.”[/color] Pyrdon’s eye roll was of massive proportions. [color=darkseagreen]”Oh fine. Guess I’ve had enough fun teasing you. For now. We were talking about your purpose, or lack thereof.”[/color] [color=yellow]”Until I can survive on my own, I have no purpose beyond survival,”[/color] Karamir said, dropping the subject of wolves for the time being. [color=yellow]”If I can’t survive then I won’t be alive to do anything else.”[/color] [color=darkseagreen]”Well… with that morbid thought in mind would you care to accompany me for awhile. Pyrdon and I were just checking out the region. Making sure no nefarious gods had created an army of zombie spiders or something.”[/color] Karamir considered that request for a moment. Although this meeting had been tense, Atalantia was Phystene’s creation. Phystene, who was perhaps the only god that Kalmar fully trusted at this point in time. Surely, no deliberate harm would come to him. [color=yellow]”Alright,”[/color] he said at last, and then began to approach the beast. [color=darkseagreen]”Hop on up.”[/color] She patted Pyrdon’s head as the massive dinosaur lowered himself fully to the ground. The dinosaur’s eyes latched onto Karamir. [color=darkkhaki]”Behave yourself.”[/color] His voice rumbled through Karamir’s mind. Atalantia seemed oblivious that Pyrdon was speaking at the moment. [color=darkkhaki]”If you harm Atalantia or touch her an… inappropriate fashion I’ll swallow you whole and slowly digest you.”[/color] Karamir froze, and stared back at Pyrdon with a confused expression. [color=yellow]”What? Why would I…?”[/color] his voice trailed off. Then, against his better judgement, he decided not to question it further, and climbed on top of Pyrdon. He took a seat some distance behind Atalantia. [color=darkseagreen]”Did you say something?”[/color] [color=yellow]”No… he did.”[/color] Karamir said, still somewhat confused. [color=yellow]”Let’s just get moving.”[/color] [color=darkseagreen]”Huh? Well ok. Pyrdon! Let’s go!”[/color] The dinosaur slowly rose to his full height, obviously taking care not to jostle or shake Atalantia unnecessarily. As he began to walk Atalantia asked [color=darkseagreen]”Amazing view, isn’t it?”[/color] Karamir looked around. He had lost his fear of heights already, and between that and the fact that he was sitting on an enormous monster, there was a sense of security he had not felt on the ground. He could see a great distance, and he did not even need to rely on the abilities Kalmar gave him. [color=yellow]”Yes it is.”[/color] he said at last. [hr] [hider=Summary] Karamir ventures into the forest. He does not get far before he hears a distant rumbling, which is none other than Phystene’s creation, Pyrdon. After a wolf stumbles across his hiding spot, Karamir is forced to reveal himself, and is then chased by Pyrdon for a short while. Atalantia calls him to a stop, and she and Karamir exchange tense greetings. They discuss their creator’s, as well as Karamir’s ‘upbringing’ and his purpose, which somehow devolves into childish bickering only for Pyrdon shut it down. Atalantia then invites Karamir to go for a ride on Pyrdon. After receiving a warning from Pyrdon, Karamir reluctantly climbs on. [/hider]