OOM All Skate Skellig Dream Magic Weirdness -Part 10

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu has taken a different shape than is usual for her. A dragon, yes, but one of quite different build and coloration!

This shape is more serpentine, although it still has four legs and wings. Her body and her wings are covered in feathers that are all the colors of the rainbow. She fusses with some of her wing feathers, the claws of this shape far smaller, as dexterous as human hands.

"How do I look?" she asks, a little nervous about her appearance.

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[brave_kreyu]

She presses into his touch just a little, purrs louder.

"Morning," she says at last, voice soft. "Wish I could kiss you."

[27_53]

Leaning down, he presses his lips to the top of her head, kissing her fur between her ears.

"It is the thought that counts," he whispers.

[brave_kreyu]

"Thank you, love. I, I find I want a great many things. To wrap my arms around you, brush your hair out of your eyes, help preen your feathers. I have never missed having hands so acutely, before."

She rubs her cheek against him. "I should hunt my meal before Xenophon is fully awake. Just have to remember not to go UNDER the water this time."

[27_53]

"We will make up for all of that once we have finished our work in Mycenae," he promises.

Casting a glance in Xenophon's direction - he has rolled over and buried his face down into his pillow - one corner of Skellig's mouth lifts in a smirk. "You should, but I think we are allowed another few moments here before you must hunt."

[brave_kreyu]

"Then I would spend them with you, like this," she answers. "Unless there are things you must see to?"

[27_53]

"Nothing that is pressing," he says gently. "Other than my desire to keep you close."

With another long day ahead of them, they ALL deserve a bit of sleeping in, right? Right.

[brave_kreyu]

They DO deserve a bit of sleeping in, of course they do!

Or they don't deserve it and they do it ANYWAY, whichever.

Still, eventually Xenophon begins to stir in earnest and Kreyu bids Skellig goodbye for a moment to go hunting.

(He can hear her heartbeat, clear as anything, know that she's alright.)

[27_53]

In the time that she takes her leave to hunt, Skellig makes good use of the time to busy himself with briefly freshening up (just a wipedown with a linen cloth) and gathering more water to boil for breakfast.

"I know we packed a few varieties of tea we picked up while in Amikaya..."

By the time she returns, he and Xenophon are both halfway through with a light meal and Skellig has a cup of hot tea sat beside him here he is perched on his blanket.

[brave_kreyu]

Kreyu can't come back in cat shape, alas, the meal needs to digest and there isn't room enough for it in her feline form.

It's hard to miss her, sparkly as this dragon shape is in the sunlight. "Good morning," she says to Xenophon who gives a greeting in return.

[27_53]

The 'bird' portion of Skellig's brain takes over - SHINY! - when he sees her feathers glittering in the sunlight, and his mood brightens greatly.

"Good morning, my love." He smiles warmly. "I figured it was safe to start eating while you were away from camp, give us all enough time to digest our food before we would set out to the sky again."

[brave_kreyu]

"A very good idea, love," she tells him. She is ENTIRELY dry, thank you very much, and her feathers are in order.

She raises her head, tastes the air. "And the wind is blowing in our favor today."

"You think we will make it there today?" Xenophon asks. Kreyu nods in answer. He seems both excited and nervous at the prospect of their arrival.

[27_53]

"Perhaps you were right about luck," Skellig says to Xenophon. "On several counts."

Quick travel means this could be Xenophon and his sister's last day as slaves! If they are able to find the man who holds the 'contracts easily...

[brave_kreyu]

THIS trip proves to be much shorter, as they can see the city they are headed for by mid afternoon!

She lands in a set of ruins outside the city, concealed from prying eyes.

"I'm nervous," Xenophon admits.

[27_53]

"Understandably so," Skellig says, keeping his voice on an even keel as he works to undo the gear rig from Kreyu's body - easy enough, even if the knots are slightly different with this form being a more serpentine shape. Once she is free, he guides Xenophon away, faces him the other direction.

"She requires privacy to shift," he offers as explanation. Xenophon blushes faintly at the thought, the reasons why she might, but doesn't go further than that. He is no fool - for her husband, the DRAGON'S HUSBAND - has his hand in his shoulder.

"The last time you set foot here in Mycenae was under very different circumstances," he says. "It is right to be nervous, though it would aid in your negotiating if you could hold it back."

[brave_kreyu]

Skellig might be able to tell that Kreyu is amused at Xenophon's blush. She assumes her calico cat shape and then leaps up onto Skellig's shoulder. She's careful not to claw him or damage his clothes, like the lady she is!

"Skellig is right in that it would be helpful if you could hold back your nerves, but we will manage even if you can not."

"Thank you," he says, his gaze including both Skellig and Kreyu. "I, I will try."

[27_53]

"That is the best we could ask of you, effort counts for a great deal."

With her perched upon the shoulder of his chiton, he reaches up to scratch beneath her chin lightly. "I have gathered the bag we discussed before we left home," Skellig tells her. "Is there anything else you think we might need?"

[brave_kreyu]

Chin scratches are lovely, causing her to purr a little.

"Nothing comes to mind," she replies. She settles herself into a position where Skellig can carry her comfortably on his shoulder.

(You didn't think she was going to WALK, did you? Walk where she might get stepped on or kicked by someone's shins when her lovely husband is available. we think not.)

Most people don't pay them much mind as they approach the city, although a few give Skellig an odd look.

The city looks...damaged, soul weary. The ash and rubble of war have not been entirely cleared away and the statuary that once lined the front of the city walls near the gates has been decapitated wherever it could be readily reached.

[27_53]

There is absolutely no need for her to walk! As it is, Skellig is contemplating creating some sort of shoulder 'armor' from a leather pad, that would allow her to grip if needed without causing him any discomfort.

"The energy is...ragged," he comments idly as they approach. She will understand what he means. It is definitely a different mood than that of the city near the Lair or that of Amikaya; there is more ache and resonating sadness within the walls.

[brave_kreyu]

"Yes," she agrees. She is speaking so quietly only Skellig will hear here. "In much worse shape than both of our homes thanks to war."

"His residence is this way," Xenophon explains. "I think he is the king's son, but not by the queen," Xenophon whispers. "There's a strong family resemblance and he..." Xenophon frowns, trying to put a feeling into words. "He hates the princes too personally for them to be strangers."

[27_53]

"Makes sense," Skellig nods. "Lead on, and then do not fear; no harm will come to you regardless of what happens during our discussion."

Whether this goes smoothly (Skellig doubts it) or not, Xenophon will leave the city today a free man. Hopefully his sister will join him, but Skellig does not voice that thought yet, still holding onto some hope.

[brave_kreyu]

"Sired on a slave or someone else of very low social status, most likely," Kreyu growls. Her tail lashes. "It is no matter who sired him, he is no match for us."

They happen to be passing someone selling leather work. By fate or by luck, there is a piece on offer that would fit over Skellig's shoulder, give Kreyu a pad to grip.

[27_53]

"Fate would have it, I was looking for a leathersmith," Skellig exclaims, holding up their progression.

It is similar to what might be considered a pauldron (in later times than they are currently occupying) and the exchange of coins for the piece is simple enough; with the help of the seller to get the straps fitted around his upper arm and torso, it is settled, and Kreyu can jump back up and settle in with a little coaxing.

The seller is DELIGHTED by this - never what they intended this for, but it works perfectly!

Kreyu gets a friendly pat on the head from the seller (Skellig manages somehow not to laugh) as they set off, and he glances over at her once they are out of earshot. "Better, love? I feel you will be more secure there, with your claws able to grip."

[brave_kreyu]

"Thank you, love. Yes, this feels much more secure," she assures him. She rubs her cheek against his face.

Xenophon grins. "You look like a hero out of a story," he tells Skellig. "Your magical companion on your shoulder."

As they near their destination, something occurs to Kreyu. "It may be prudent to APPEAR wealthy, to aid in getting through the door." They ARE wealthy, but appearances are important.

Skellig has the arm band Kreyu gave him from her hoard and there's plenty of jewelry in the bag they brought to trade.

[27_53]

"You may be wise about that," Skellig admits. "I would be better served to appear as more than just the traveler with his feline companion perched on his shoulder..."

There is an alcove near an alleyway that is out of the way enough that traffic is light; any other traffic that MIGHT have chosen to turn down this path suddenly finds themselves gently encouraged to choose a different one. Perhaps they remembered they forgot something at the market, or meant to grab an item from their home before they set out this afternoon? Who's to say...

The arm band peeks out from beneath her leather pad (he is already calling it HER spot in his mind - must be the feline influence) and he selects a few other items to add to his own self. It still feels a bit foreign to him, unnatural, but with her guidance...

"That should suffice?" He runs his fingers over a bracelet strung of small purple stones, then glances over at Kreyu, holding it up. "Unless my companion also might require a sign of her status?"

Meaning - does she want a 'collar' made of shiny stones?

[brave_kreyu]

"You always look lovely darling, but now you look to be a man of wealth," she confirms. "A collar might be wise, and it would certainly be fitting that a companion carried so closely would be suitably decorated."

Yes, she WOULD like a collar!

She looks every bit the exotic companion animal of a wealthy eccentric. (If you have enough money, you're never odd or weird, just eccentric.)

Xenophon smiles at the two of them. "I don't think you will have trouble getting in now. I saw him eager to welcome visitors as well dressed as you when I was there last."