New lifestyles. ...any issues? [Mature]

[WolfEnchantress]

Saira nodded.
"That's a good idea, it gets incredibly cold on the ridge, especially at night." She looked to Sarora for affirmation, but the dragon wasn't listening.

Instead she listened to Kimara without reacting. She thought it over.
Yes. It should be easy enough. She answered after a moment of thought. It wouldn't be a hard thing to do. And the two might welcome the extra time, even if they might not think so now.

What are you thinking of doing? She asked in return. She could see the gears working - he was planning something. I do not want you doing something that might get you hurt because of any of us. Now she turned her gaze to the patient figure, her wise eyes fixing on his.

[Omio]

Len remembered a historical event that they'd arrive for, having remembered what day it was - he normally paid no reagrd to it, but he recalled now and again during his travels in case he had a few publicity issues to worry about, and whatnot. "It doesn't help that they're going to be rejoicing Grandmage Cilarnen two days from now, and they'll be doing that hoopla for a while, and that'll mop up the Magistrate halls, and they'll be busy for days after that. As long as I don't end up with a strong enough compulsion to get to the ridge, we have a bit of a wait ahead. And besides, for once, we can actually sit around for a while there or here, rather than running off like headless chickens. I apologize for the brutal and senseless image."

What Len didn't know was that he could end up getting busted in town. He could escape from the jail cells, given a bit of time and a painful process beforehand if needed, but he would be stuck in jail for a couple of weeks, yet. Usually, the City banished its jailors after two days, but ever since it opened its gates, all it did was feed the jailors for a couple of months, and then starve them after so long to death. Unless he relied on Wild Magic for release, in which he would probably have to pay a cost. Unless his fate was to die; then his cost would be paid in full already. For Len, everything was up to the greater forces. Everything.

[[ I have plenty of dawdling space if needed. If I really wanted to, I could easily have Len stuck in town for half a year. Or more. ]]

[HoudiniDerek]

I don't know, Kimara thought back. The first and longest leg of my journey will be getting there. I'm old and don't move as quickly as I used too. On the way, I will ponder more. Maybe there is a way that Saira can be saved, even if the ice dragons refuse to accept either of you. Give me the chance to try at least before it comes to direct attacks. We can communicate via the rune stone I gave to Saira. I will let you know when I have arrived.

Kimara turned to Saira and Len. "Best of luck to you on your journeys. I hope we meet again." With a sad smile of regret, Kimara turned and disappeared into the forest without a trace.

[Omio]

Len sighed. "I hate the Wild Magic for that effect; It makes us Wildmages seem like we're in a hurry, when we really aren't, and the apparent haste always scares people off... I kinda wanted a couple more answers, but eh, I guess whatever's fed to me is what I have to make do with... Before I get too far, I think I'm going to ready myself for a few things..." He took his backpack off, and began mixing a few things, filling most of his empty vials. He left two unfilled. He was putting most back when he spilled a bit of acid on his left foot. A few drops, but enough to cause some flesh to burn away. "AGH! DAMMIT!" His face wrenched, in a fair bit of pain.

[[ The acid damage isn't much, but enough to consider staying a day to help recover. This is also a good chance for me to dig up some info at the Library. ]]

[WolfEnchantress]

Saira stared after Kimara in some confusion. He'd left so suddenly, she wasn't sure what to think.

Sarora, do you know something about this? She asked, sensing that she did, but the dragon shook her massive head.

I don't. Was all she said before turning to Saira. I trust he is up to his own devices. He will be fine.

Ssaira turned when she heard Len cry out.
"Are you okay?!" She asked, runing over. He'd spilled something on himself, something that looked corrosive. Like acid of sorts. And it definitely looked painful. "Here, sit down..." She inspected the injury.

Len, we should stay for at least a day to give it a chance to close over. sarora rumbled, and Saira nodded.
"I agree. You should cover this, or put a salveon it too let it heal... We can spare a day or two before moving on."

[Omio]

Len shook his head. "Nothing but covers with the acid I dropped; it's already neutrealized itself, but the wound isn't something to laugh at..." He couldn't even bring himself to look, letting Saira and Sarora examine as they wished. "Salves aren't meant for acid. It's just best to place a bnandage over it, and let it mend and regenerate on its own..." As is, I might end up being unable to walk on the foot for a day or two... He began to place the rest of the stuff away, being a bit slower and more careful this time around. Going bootless is debate-able...

[WolfEnchantress]

"Okay," She said, digging around. She pulled out a bandage and knelt to bind the acid burn. It looked worse up close than it did at first, she doubted he's be able to walk for at least a day.
Working gently, she covered it tightly enough that it wouldn't get dirt under the bandage but loose enough as to not be painful.

"So we'll camp here for a few days," She said. "It won't be a problem. Besides, we're fairly hidden here. What do you think?" The last part was directed at Sarora.

I think it is a good idea, She said, settling into a more comfortable position and stretching out her tail. At least a day. Maybe a few days. But either way, Len can't walk as is./i]

Saira nodded. "Is that okay?" She asked Len.

[Omio]

Len shrugged. "Not as if I have much of choice, really. Your eyes can judge a better answer than my head, and right now, I'm just trying not to think of the wound." It's not easy at all, though. "I can hop on one leg more-or-less fine, but needless to say, I won't be moving very far, if I move." It also means I can be dispatched with little problem, should any opposition be skilled enough...

His mind wandered. If it was just the transparency issue, I really don't see why the dragons would raise so much fuss, unless dragons are more prideful than elves. Anything more prideful than those stubborn things is bound to come across bad news and act nasty if something doesn't turn out their way at all. Besides, there are ways to get around that, and I'm certain their threat would be minimal; it's not as if regular Wildmages leash the things down and say 'mush', or anything like that... ...They're just as alive as I am, and should be treated either just the same, or better, if permissible.

Len's ideology resumed, and he almost zoned out.

((The whole 'Bondmate' thing is usually fairly rare, for a note of reference.))

[WolfEnchantress]

Sarora heard Len's thoughts and turned her head, one giant eye facing him.

You are right. The Ice Dragons are a very prideful race. She said, sighing a puff of frost. Once they decide something, you can try to get through to them and change their minds.. But good luck. Out of all the dragon races, they are the most thick-skulled and stubborn, unwilling to accept change of any sort. Most things they do have been done since the beginning of their time... Anything out of the tradition is usually not accepted, as you can see.

Saira nodded, agreeing to the point. It went almost without saying that they were by far the most arrogant and prideful dragon species.

[Omio]

Len blinked to Sarora, and smiled. "I've heard that some have greatness thrust upon them. Should the ice dragons show true might, they would do well to adjust. Think about it. Pride can also take the form of superiority. If they were truly superior, adapting to loss won't harm them at all. I know no living thing - other than the greater forces..."
His thought chipped in between the pauses. Or Wild Magic for that matter...
"...that can best their might. As far as I'm aware, they are the last living breed of dragons. Certainly, by now, if they were wanted dead by greater forces, they would be as such already."

[WolfEnchantress]

Sarora smirked - since meeting Saira, she had become quite good at mimicking human expressions, though she regarded it as a bad habit.

The last breed of Dragon? Who told you that? Sarora said. She didn't directly say he was wrong, but her tone indicated that she knew more than she was letting on. I have heard differently. She sent the briefest flash of memory to Len, images of massive red dragons soaring over a mountain, so fast Len might not have even seen them. Maybe Sarora hadn't meant to send them at all.

But I agree with you. Pride has certainly take the form of superiority. But I have not seen the Ice Dragons in many years - I have no way of knowing how they are adjusting. When I was there, they did not do so well. She switched her gaze towards the Ridge. I guess we will find out exactly the state of the Ice Dragons, yes? Or course, not until you are healed, however.

[Omio]

Len could already pluck fact from tone; Sarora meant that other breeds of dragons were alive. However, the tone was still a bit offensive in implication; it implied that he was outright wrong, when he mentionned - by saying 'as far as I'm aware of' - that he could be (and was) wrong. He had to fire back. Ah, figured as much. going to keep your mouth shut about it?

It was obvious to any diplomatic ameteur that Len was gently prying, and he was doing a fairly smooth job of that. But, then again, the information would massively yield to his benefit, and quite potentially to Sarora's and Saira's benefit. One species or ten, he would protect them all to a bitter end. He dropped the obvious statement as well, knowing that he didn't have to repeat himself. Humans weren't stupid, but Dragons weren't either.

[WolfEnchantress]

Sarora pulled back.
Unfortunately, yes. It is not my place to be telling anyone - human or otherwise - about matters that I have no right discussing. She had a tone of apology in her thoughts, but at the same time, she was very final about it. I am under oath. I can tell no one anything about any current matters concerning Dragons of any species but my own.

She sighed. I would like to help you, but I cannot. I apologize. However, I'm sure you will hear more if we make it to the Ice Dragon's territory, if you listen for it. More dragons than not won't let you hear their thoughts, but a few young or maybe ones that are more at ease won't mind humans listening to what they have to say. And some can't conceal thoughts from humans anyways, since most have never had to encounter one to learn how.

[Omio]

Len nodded. "Makes sense, too." His mind went off.

So that's what they'd meant... ...maybe the Dragoon teachings were all wrong to begin with, and maybe I can only deal with the younger dragons... ...Ergh, no, I can't think of failure! I can't let it happen! I will not place any heads other than my own on a platter as long as I have my life!
Now he was actually thinking to Sarora, after a few moments.
Sarora, what little you have said is great enough. In this world, it's always the ones that pick up the smallest of things and change it to the greatest of things that come out to truly be on top. You don't have to think outside the box to get out of the box, and since there is no 'box', really, the possibilities of what may happen are beyond infinite.

[WolfEnchantress]

Sarora thought about this, taking an extra moment to think of the figurative box, as she had never heard he phrase 'think outside the box.' It took her only a second to get it, however, and she nodded. Saira watched the two with interest, but didn't interrupt, rather staying back and not commenting.

So what do you plan to do then? She asked thoughtfully. you have many options. which path will you take? The dragon studied Len intently. He had a likely thought a lot about what it was specifically he was going for. Will you still go to the Ice Dragons? If you do, what will you try to get from them?