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.

Comments

[27_53]

"As far as dragons go?" Skellig shrugs faintly. "I am not entirely certain of what all it entails from a male's...position."

He is also unsure if he wants to mention that Kreyu can also shift and take a human (or relatively close to it) form. He is hesitant to give out too many details without approval...

"But they act similar to birds," he says. "Bringing gifts to their potential mate, tend to act in a manner that might impress them. Showing off around others."

[brave_kreyu]

"Oh, that." Xenophon blushes. "I should have guessed. Thank you, for explaining."

He is saved from dying of embarrassment by Kirke attempting to grab hold of a piece of cloud.

She frowns as her hand passes right through it. "They LOOK as though they ought to be fluffy, but they just feel like fog."

[27_53]

"Even the thickest ones are deceiving," Skellig agrees. "If they are storm clouds, sometimes they contain a bit of energy that you can feel - similar to when you rub certain fibers together and the hairs on your skin stand on end? But with my wings, I tend to avoid those if possible, and fly a safe distance away."

He raises a hand slightly as they pass through another few puffs of cloud, his fingers 'trailing' through the wisps.

[brave_kreyu]

"That sounds like it would be uncomfortable with feathers, and potentially dangerous if there were any sparks," Kirke replies.

Kreyu makes a noise of agreement. "I remember when I first asked my brother what fog was. He told me it was a cloud that was afraid of heights and so it hugged the earth instead."

"They feel the same, so it would make sense if they were the same thing. I don't know that I believe they are afraid though," Xenophon offers after a moment of thought.

[27_53]

"Sometimes it is easier to understand the strange things by comparing them to things that we know...it is easier to make sense of them by viewing them as creatures, actions, or emotions."

Skellig shrugs slightly.

"I do not think that clouds or fog feel, though they are influenced by many other things - the winds that blow, the sun and the moon, even the tides of the ocean."

[brave_kreyu]

"That is how we often learn as children, although I suppose that never really ends," Xenophon muses.

"It's just what we are trying to understand that changes, sometimes," Kirke finishes.

"Better to try and fail than not try to understand at all," Kreyu rumbles.

They pause for a break and a meal halfway before taking flight again. It is late afternoon when they near their destination.

"Ah, I see that semi-reputable tavern Artemesia favors is still in business," Kreyu says, peering down below. "I would bet that's where she'll be. She's a retired ship captain, but she knows everyone who is anyone in this region that sails a ship. She will know who you can trust to take you where you would go safely."

[27_53]

Skellig knows they discussed finding a place to spend the night - he is not sure if that tavern is the place, but first they will get Xenophon and Kirke situated before they will take their leave...

"Where will it be safe for you to land? And would it make sense to...mention you by name? Or how should we do that?"

(He is unsure if she would wish to shift to her human form, or stay in cat-shape...)

[brave_kreyu]

"Artemesia only knows my cat shape, although I'm sure she has suspicions," Kreyu rumbles. "She knows me by Kreyu, so that should be simple enough."

She has to circle to find a place big enough and remote enough for her to land and change.

Skellig will have a familiar calico cat on his shoulder before they set off. She rubs her head against his cheek in greeting.

"I think she will be happy to see the 'talking moggy' again, even though she's settled down a bit." Kreyu chuckles. "Married a very nice widow with some children of her own. 'Getting a head start on grandchildren', she joked when I saw her last."

[27_53]

As they walk along the road towards the tavern, Skellig keeps one hand lifted up to scratch her chest and allow her to rub her cheeks upon, as while they have shared plenty of physical contact with the flying - this is different, more personal.

"Talking moggy," he muses playfully. "That is a new one I have yet to call you. What will she think of me as the companion you have chosen as your own?"

Kirke and Xenophon look a bit nervous, though determined as they walk - each step closer to the town is a step closer to their new beginnings. And whatever ship they will find will certainly be a different type than the last one Xenophon was on!

[brave_kreyu]

"No idea why some sailors call cats 'moggies'," she grumbles, though there's no heat in it. "I'm sure she will see you as the wonderful man that you are."

When they enter, some sort of game with darts and the consumption of small cups of liquor is going on. Surely a combination that won't result in bodily harm at some point during the evening, right?

There is also betting, apparently, as one older woman whose hair is greying is collecting a small pile of coins. "Hah, never doubt this old lady, lads!" she tells them, cheerful, as she slaps one on the back. Her Chiton is red and blue, a bold splash of color in the middle of the room.

She turns, catches sight of them, and her grin widens as she laughs loudly and joyfully. "Looks like my luck has come to visit, lads. Have another round on me!" This prompts cheering from 'the lads' and whatever ill feelings might have been brewing over her win vanish.

She walks toward them, the slightest hitch in her stride. There is pain there, the rheumatism that encouraged her to leave the sea behind, but the liquor has taken the edge off.

"Hello, Artemisia," Kreyu says, pleased to see her friend.

[27_53]

As Kreyu speaks and Artemisia approaches, Skellig finds a conveniently empty table with four chairs at it nearby - and pulls one out for her friend to sit.

"The next round of yours will be on us," he adds cheerfully. "Kreyu had hoped to find you in this place, and it was our luck to lead us here as well."

[brave_kreyu]

Artemesia grins. "Of course," she says as she slides into the chair. "Should have known you'd catch yourself a proper gentleman, moggy." She nods her thanks to Sokratis/Skellig. "Bet he's good with his hands too." Her grin and her energy suggest that the innuendo in that statement is ENTIRELY intentional.

Thankfully, this shape can't blush, as Kreyu GETS that innuendo now! "That would be telling," Kreyu replies, coy.

Artemesia cackles at her response, amused and proud, before glancing at Xenophon and Kirke. "And two you've rescued the way you once rescued me, I'm guessing?"

"Not PRECISELY the same way," Kreyu replies as a bottle of that liquor and some cups are placed on the table. "This is Xenophon and Kirke."

"We need a ship, but we don't know who to trust," Xenophon explains. "We don't want to end up back where we started," Kirke adds.

[27_53]

"It isn't telling if it is the truth," Skellig quips with a laugh - with one hand he reaches for the bottle of liquor to pour each of the four of them a drink. With his other hand, he reaches up and strokes his hand over the top of Kreyu's head, letting his fingertips skate down her spine and along the curve of her tail. "Especially with the way she purrs."

Smirking, he turns his attention (and his hands) back to the cups and pours each of them a measure.

"They are seeking safe passage," he adds. "Kreyu said that even though you have retired from the sea, there was no one more knowledgeable in this region than you, so it made sense to travel here to aid them in finding their way."

[brave_kreyu]

She does purr, arch into his touch! It feels so good, how can she not? Besides, THIS shape can't flush and it is perfectly appropriate to pet cats in public!

Artemesia cackles at his smirk. "Oh, I like you. What should I call you?"

"She spoke truly," Artemesia replies, proud and certain. "I know every ship of any size that sails this part of the sea."

"We would be grateful to know who we should gamble on trusting," Kirke says. Xenophon nods.

"Oh, I can do better than that, for a friend of a friend," Artemesia replies. She knocks back the glass of liquor. "I left my eldest son my ship, the Wavedancer. He's due in port day after tomorrow. No safer ship on the sea."

[27_53]

"I am known by Sokratis," he offers, before he knocks back his own shot.

It is a taste that he is unfamiliar with, herbal and astringent and the scent is something that triggers a brief flash of a memory from Before. (Absinthe, this is not the same, this will not cause him to chase fairies through the woods - but it is familiar enough to jar his brain for a split-second.)

Kreyu might notice the brief hint of disorientation as he coughs to clear his throat - before he reaches again for the bottle, lifting it and refilling both their glasses. "Well met."

[brave_kreyu]

She rubs against him, purrs, when she senses the disorientation. Artemesia toasts him with a 'Well met," of her own.

"Thank you," Xenophon and Kirke say in unison. "Are the rooms here...reliable?" Kirke asks.

Artemesia chuckles. "Fairly. Though my home is a bit empty these days, with the children grown. Penelope won't mind having guests for a few days. Was complaining about the quiet just yesterday."

[27_53]

"That would give you both a bit of time to prepare for your journey," he says. "With the added benefit of gaining knowledge from one is much more experienced with travel upon the sea than either Kreyu or myself."

He tips his head lightly towards his companion as Kreyu 'bumps' against his neck and cheek, appreciatively responding to her effort to ground him and help him refocus.

And while he knows Artemesia may extend the offer to them (he and Kreyu) as well, he is uncertain of how large her house is - and would not assume. (Also, he is unsure if Kreyu wishes to spend another night in her feline form, or if they might seek lodging elsewhere that she can shift to her 'true' form and relax.) He is fine with either option...

[brave_kreyu]

"Thank you, all of you," Xenophon and Kirke say to the three of them. "We owe you so much."

Artemesia grunts. "Not a matter of owing. Been when you are, just paying it forward."

"The world isn't fair, or just, but that does not absolve those who live in it of the responsibility to try and make it so," Kreyu says quietly. She rubs against Skellig again. "Is the House of the Setting Sun still in operation?" she asks Artemesia.

Artemesia cackles. "Oh, aye, their patrons have too much influence to let anyone shut the place down. Bit rich for my purse, but they'll spoil your Sokratis proper. Maybe you too, although I doubt they've had a talking moggy for a customer before."

[27_53]

"I know in time you two will have the opportunity to do the same for others as we have done for you," Skellig adds. "That is what we would ask for as repayment. We have settled your debts otherwise."

Those tablets were destroyed for a reason!

He lifts his glass of liquor to his mouth - the second 'shot' is easier now that the taste is one he's had before.

"And they may not have ever had a talking moggy as a customer," he teases. "But one thing I have learned since being chosen by this one is how to get her whatever she desires." Like chin scritches - she definitely desires those!

[brave_kreyu]

Chin skritches are very good indeed! She purrs quite loudly.

Artemesia laughs at his teasing. "Never doubted she'd choose well, when she picked someone to settle with." She eyes the position of the sun. "And I should be getting home to my Penelope." There's warmth, love, pride, in those words.

"We look forward to meeting her," Kirke says. Xenophon nods.

"Time to go, then," Artemesia says, sliding out of her chair. "Fair warning, you're like to hear stories about what I got up to with Kreyu, back in the day," she tells the two of them.

Xenophon smiles. "I'd like that."

Xenophon and Kirke both clasp forearms with Skellig in farewell. They are a bit sad to leave, but mostly excited about their future.

[27_53]

As they exchange their farewells, Skellig allows a hint of his Light to bleed off into each of their energies - it isn't much and won't last forever, but it is a subtle boost that will aid them in getting through the coming days and weeks when a hint of extra help is needed.

It isn't as if the 'talking moggy' has the ability to settle up their tab with the bar (though he wonders if the mere presence of her on his shoulder would be enough to blow all their minds if she spoke) so Skellig handles that himself, returning from the counter with a small bottle of ouzo (and a bottle of wine for her) in tow.

"Shall we take our leave, Moggy?"

[brave_kreyu]

"I believe we shall." She nuzzles his cheek. "But somewhere secluded first, perhaps? It would be best to fit the appearances the staff of the House expect."

Also, his wife REALLY wants her hands back.

[27_53]

"I think I can find us a suitable location easily enough."

After all, there are many places within the streets and alleys of a busy dockside town where a man can slip off and disappear - especially one like Skellig, who is well-versed in the art of making himself unnoticeable.

But she will need a space to change...he has one of her chitons in his bag, and a few pieces of her jewelry.

"This should work..." He muses, using his hearing to 'check' through the doorway of a smaller storage building - empty, minus some crates and stacks of heavy grain bags that line one side of the room. He steps inside and moves to the far side of the crates, where there is a bit more space, light filtering in through the open window.

Anyone that might walk by will find no reason to enter or look inside. It is like the window or doorway do not even exist!

[brave_kreyu]

"Thank you, love," she says as she leaps from his shoulder.

Her transition to her winged human shape is lightning quick, and then she is pressing her naked body against him and snogging him QUITE thoroughly. Her hands are in his hair, her wings mantling over them both.

[27_53]

This is one of the few instances where Kreyu has ever managed to actually startle him - his wings (hidden by his amulet) flare slightly as she pounces on him, a rough grunt of surprise (mixed with pleasure) escaping his lungs as she knocks him back into the wall.

Her mouth is on his, her hands in his hair, her body pressing firmly against his...

...it is going to be a moment before his brain catches up! In the meantime, he does what comes natural - kiss her with the intensity she's bleeding off into him, wrap his arms around her body to pull and keep her close.